5 ways to fix picture or videos not showing in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is an application that allows users to conduct online meetings, seminars, and classes. The app requires the webcam and the microphone to be enabled. However, sometimes the video fails to appear on the screen. The reasons may vary across different devices. Here are the top solutions that can cure this problem on the majority of devices.

Solution 1: Make sure Microsoft Teams has permission to use the webcam

Windows 10 requires you to offer permissions to the apps for using the system components like webcam and microphone. You can permit the Microsoft teams app for using the webcam in the following steps.
  • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera
  • Turn on the Allow apps to access your camera option.
  • The Choose apps that can use your camera option for Teams app should be on.

Solution 2: Update all of your drivers

The Microsoft Teams app might not be detecting the camera because of the old camera drivers installed in your system. To update the camera driver, follow these steps.
  • Go to Start.
  • Type Device Manager in the search bar.
  • Expand the Cameras category
  • Right-click the required camera.
  • Select the Update Driver option. Windows will automatically scan and install the latest version of the driver.
Solution 2: Update all of your drivers
Solution 2: Update all of your drivers

Solution 3: Install the latest version of Microsoft Teams

There might be compatibility issues between your camera and the Teams version installed on your system. Go to the official website (https://teams.microsoft.com/downloads) and install the latest version of the Microsoft Teams client. Usually, the Teams client automatically updates when you connect your system to the internet. However, you can do that manually by selecting the user profile picture and then clicking the Check for updates option.
Solution 3: Install the latest version of Microsoft Teams
Solution 3: Install the latest version of Microsoft Teams (Image Credit: Microsoft)

Solution 4: Disable the GPU hardware acceleration

While using the Teams app, ensure that your GPU hardware acceleration and animations are disabled. Follow these steps.
  • Select the profile picture and then click on Settings.
  • Check the Disable GPU hardware acceleration and Turn off animations.
  • Close and relaunch the Microsoft Teams.

Solution 5: Disable the background blur

Before you use the Teams app, ensure that the custom background or the background blur in Teams is turned off. Follow these steps.
  • Click on the Background effects button located on the right side of the microphone.
  • Click the first box with an icon showing a circle with a slash.

Bonus Solutions:

  • Before launching the Teams app, close all unused applications. Sometimes these applications consume the RAM preventing the video to be rendered.
  • If you’re sharing the Wi-Fi, ensure that you’ve suspended the bandwidth-heavy tasks on connected devices such as gaming, downloading, and streaming.
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Google celebrates 10 years of Chrome OS: These neat new features added

Google is celebrating the decadal anniversary of the Chrome OS. In a short span, Chromebooks have become one of the prominent devices in the field of education and business. To express gratitude, the company is releasing new features to the Chrome OS including a fresh appearance. Here are the key new features that you will find in the new update of the Chrome OS.

1) Phone Hub

The Phone Hub feature enables users to control their connected phones using their Chromebooks. As soon as you click the phone icon located near the status information, it will give you details regarding the network signal, ring mode, Hotspot, battery level, and Quick Settings. You will also see the last two tabs opened in Chrome on your smartphone. This feature will also allow you to reply to messages using your smartphone.

2) Screen Capture 

The new Screen Capture feature will enable users to record their screen without installing any third-party application. This feature will be available in the Quick Settings menu. The videos of the screen capture will be accessed from the Chrome OS Shelf.

3) Wi-Fi Sync

The Wi-Fi sync feature will save you from entering passwords individually on all devices with the same Google account. If any of your Chrome OS device is connected to a Wi-Fi network, your Chromebook will not ask for a password. By using Wi-Fi Sync, your device will automatically get connected to the network. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Connected devices.
Wi-Fi Sync
Wi-Fi Sync (Image Credit: Google)

4) Media Controls

The new media controls will enhance your productivity and listening experience. Now, you can find media controls in Quick Settings. You don’t need to open the music application to control the volume or change the track. You can control the playback right from the Quick Settings.

5) Redesigned Icons

With the new update, you will get a new appearance of the icons. The icons in the app launcher now have circular shapes with a white background. You will also get new icons for the calculator and canvas apps.

6) Enhanced Clipboard

The clipboard of the Chrome OS will now display the recent five things you copied. The Tote will show the copied items, screenshots, and recent downloads.

7) Quick Answers

Quick Answers is a new utility feature that defines the word you right-click on. It will also provide a translation of the word. If you highlight a number, it will suggest the unit conversion.
Quick Answers
Quick Answers (Image Credit: Google)

8) Nearby Share

The Nearby Share feature will enable you to share media files and applications to (and from) Chromebooks and Android devices located in the same proximity. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

How to block ad tracking on your iPhone

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As long as we use our smartphones, we are constantly generating data. No matter how the nominal activity we do on our devices, companies gather this data for targetted advertisements. In targetted advertisements, companies make unique profiles of individuals based on their search habits to know about their preferences. These preferences help companies build a list of products and services for which they will present advertisements. On the iPhone, you can manually change the permissions regarding ad tracking.

What Is Ad Tracking?

Ad tracking is a technique by which websites track users while surfing the internet to send relevant advertisements. When you surf the internet on your iPhone, websites use a code block known as ad trackers to learn about your search behaviours.

How to turn off personalized ads?

To disable personalised ads, follow these steps.
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising
  2. Turn off the Personalized Ads option
How to turn off personalized ads?
How to turn off personalized ads?

How to turn off location-based ads?

To disable location-based ads, follow these steps.
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
  2. Turn off the Location Services option.
How to turn off location-based ads?
How to turn off location-based ads?

How to enhance privacy on Safari?

On Safari browser, you can tweak the setting to make surfing more secure.
  1. To block all cookies, follow these steps.
  2. Go to Settings > Safari
  3. In the Privacy & Security section, turn on the Prevent Cross-Site Tracking option. Now, advertising companies won’t be able to track the websites you visit.
  4. Turn on the Block All Cookies option. A cookie is a collection of data generated based on the data you enter into the website. As soon as you block these cookies, no data regarding your website usage will be saved.
How to enhance privacy on Safari?
How to enhance privacy on Safari?

How to turn off background app refresh?

When you keep the Background App Refresh active, the suspended apps will be able to check for updates and new content. To disable the Background App Refresh, follow these steps.
  1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You’ll find all the apps that can use the Background App Refresh feature.
  2. Select the Background App Refresh located at the top of the screen.
  3. Select the Off option. Now, all the toggles for the apps listed on the previous page disappear.
How to turn off background app refresh?
How to turn off background app refresh?
You may also choose which apps should use the Background App Refresh feature. Just keep the Background App Refresh feature on and manually select the apps to toggle off. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

The best and most-affordable food processors you can buy for you home kitchen at or under Rs 10,000

Food-processors are one of the key kitchen appliances in today’s busy lifestyle. Food-processing is the most time consuming and effort demanding step of cooking. A good food-processor efficiently does this task, thereby, saving you precious time. You can perform tasks like blending, grinding, slicing, shredding and juicing, with a switch of a knob. Here are the best and most-affordable food-processors that you can buy that will make your cooking experience a pleasurable one.

1) Inalsa Food Processor INOX 1000-Watt With Blender Jar

This processor comes with a lot of features for everyday use. It consists of a powerful 1,000Watt motor made of 100% Copper. This appliance can perform several tasks including chopping, slicing, shredding, extracting juice, and knead bread dough. It offers two varieties of juicers, namely, centrifugal, and citric juicer. You get three jars made of high-quality steel. You get vacuum enabled base legs and a cord to keep the wire protected. The attachments of the food processor can be swapped conveniently and are easy-to-clean. up after use. You get the main bowl with a capacity of 2L making it perfect for large families as well.
nalsa Food Processor INOX 1000-Watt With Blender Jar
Inalsa Food Processor INOX 1000-Watt With Blender Jar
Wattage: 1,000Watts Price: Price: ₹ 9,400 Buy on Amazon

2) Bosch Lifestyle MCM3501M 800-Watt Food Processor

This food processor from Bosch comes with an 800Watt motor, six knives and three double blades. You can adjust the motor in two-speed settings to change the speed as per your need. You get multi-level six knife blades that can blend vegetables and nuts. The smart storage feature enables you to keep safely all the attachments. This food processor can perform around 50 unique functions including chopping, grinding, slicing, whipping, and kneading. You get a variety of accessories to fulfil all our food-processing requirements including blender attachment, reversible slicing disc, plastic dough tool, universal shredder, and a mixing bowl.
Bosch Lifestyle MCM3501M 800-Watt Food Processor
Bosch Lifestyle MCM3501M 800-Watt Food Processor
Wattage: 800Watts Price: ₹10,449 Buy on Amazon

3) Philips Food Processor HL1661 700Watts with Chutney Jar

This food processor comes with an efficient 700W motor with two-speed settings to control it as per your requirement. The appliance is designed on the PowerShot Technology that offers blade shape, cutting angle, and inner bow for convenient chopping. The food processor is compact to fit well in all sizes of kitchens and requires less effort for maintenance. It offers a unique chutney jar. You get jars made of high-quality stainless steel providing strength and durability. The base stands remain stable during blending and kneading. The centrifugal juicer is ideal for both hard and soft fruits.
Philips Food Processor HL1661 700Watts with Chutney Jar
Philips Food Processor HL1661 700Watts with Chutney Jar
Wattage: 700Watts Price: ₹ 7,960 Buy on Amazon

4) Morphy Richards Icon Superb 1000-Watt Food Processor

The Morphy Richards Icon Food Processor comes with a powerful 1,000Watt motor with a three-speed setting to perform up to 16 unique functions. You get a 1L grinding jar, a 1.5L jar, a 2.4L processing jar, and a 400 mL chutney jar. The appliance is designed using Quandra flow technology enabling you to check whether the ingredients are mixed or not. The customized slicing thickness allows you to cut vegetables as per your preference. You can use the Citrus Juicer to conveniently extract juices from fruits like oranges, lemon, and sweet lime. This food processor comes with a 2-year warranty.
Morphy Richards Icon Superb 1000-Watt Food Processor
Morphy Richards Icon Superb 1000-Watt Food Processor
Wattage: 1,000 Watts Price: ₹ 8,461 Buy on Amazon

5) Bajaj FX-1000 1000-Watt Food Processor

Another food processor with a powerful 1,000watt motor comes from the house of Bajaj.  It comes with an adjustment knob for you to set the speed up to three-speed levels as per your requirement. The appliance comes with an SS blade, citrus and centrifugal juicer, and dough kneader. You can perform a variety of tasks including whipping, juicing, and dicing. You also get a 500mL chutney jar, a 2.3L liquidizing jar, and a 1L dry grind jar. This food processor comes with 14 attachments and a 2-year warranty. The individual parts are made of durable ABS material and are easy-to-clean.
Bajaj FX-1000 1000-Watt Food Processor
Bajaj FX-1000 1000-Watt Food Processor
Wattage: 1000Watts Price: ₹ 8,701 Buy on Amazon For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

The best kids’ tablets you can buy in the year 2021

As technology is expanding its influence on more and more people, kids are no exception. Today, the growing stage of children is not only restricted to books. If used properly, technology can serve as an ideal source of entertainment and knowledge for kids. A tablet is one such gadget that offers loads of applications and games that help kids evolve their thought process and analytical skills. Here are the top tablets meant for kids that will enhance the learning curve of your kids.

1) Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is one of the best tablets for kids. It comes with a two-year warranty and a powerful battery that can last up to 10 hours after charging. The rubber bumper protects the tablet from scratches and drops. The case of the tablet has a rough texture so that kids can firmly hold it with their nimble hands. You get a good quality sound with a vivid 8-inch (1,280×800) display. The Amazon Fire HD 8 comes installed with the Fire operating system offering loads of content for kids. It offers 32GB of storage to install tons of apps and games meant for children. You get a 2MP camera each on the front and the rear.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
Price: ₹13,702 Buy on Amazon

2) Lenovo Tab 4 8

The Lenovo Tab 4 8 is an ideal choice for kids offering an Android operating system. Thus, you can install dozens of Google apps and games eliminating the risks of side-loading. The tablet comes with a powerful battery do that kids can remain engaged without the need to charge the device frequently. The 1280 x 800 screen renders vivid colours for rich gaming and video viewing. You can buy the Lenovo’s Kids Pack add-on worth $20 extra offering content meant for kids, parental control features, a protective bumper case, and a blue light filter. This tablet is packed with dual Dolby Atmos stereo speakers that produces crystal clear sound.
Lenovo Tab 4 8
Lenovo Tab 4 8
Price: ₹8,990 Buy on Amazon

3) Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 comes with a mature design ideal for teenagers. It has the option of adding parental controls so you can still have some peace of mind. It comes with 32GB of storage to install several games and apps. The Tablet runs Android operating system. Thus, you can find endless content for kids on the Play Store. The device has a great design but does not come with a pre-attached protective bumper. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers an 8-inch display for comfortable viewing. The quad-core processor is ideal for running all the apps and games meant for kids. It also features an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Price: ₹ 10,267 Buy on Amazon

4) Kurio Xtreme Tablet

The Kurio Tab runs an Android operating system thus kids can access tons of apps and games on the Play Store. It comes with a durable build quality with a protective bumper to prevent damages from rubbing and drops. The tablet offers parental control features to block inappropriate content. It comes with dimensions of 20.3 x 12.7 x 1.3 cm that is suitable for kids to hold with their hand. The device comes with 16GB storage and an onboard Play Store to download content for kids. The tablet integrates with the ‘Kurio Genius’ system covering around 500 million web sites across 170 different languages. It comes packed with more than 90 Apps including games, e-books, educational apps, and video streaming apps.
Kurio Xtreme Tablet
Kurio Xtreme Tablet
Buy on Amazon

5) LeapFrog Epic

LeapFrog is a brand that manufactures a plethora of gadgets meant for kids. The LeapFrog Epic comes with and Android operating system with a customised UI with parental control features. The device comes with a durable design keeping kids in mind. The rubber bumper prevents damage from scratch and drops. It has a powerful battery that easily lasts for more than 5 hours. The 7-inch (1024 x 600) screen renders bright colours to elevate the experience of kids while playing games. It has a microSD card slot for expanding storage. The bundled stylus makes it ideal for young kids as well. The quad-core processor can easily run games and applications meant for kids.
LeapFrog Epic
LeapFrog Epic
Price: ₹4,640 Buy on Amazon For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

Asus ROG Phone 5 to launch tomorrow: A complete rundown of its expected Tech Specs and price

The new Asus ROG Phone 5 smartphone is set to launch tomorrow i.e. March 10, 2021. The Asus Rog series is one of the trusted smartphone series in gaming. This new smartphone will extend the gaming limits even further. The Asus ROG Phone 5 smartphone is likely to launch in the Indian market at Rs. 60,350. The table below breaks down the features of this smartphone in a crisp manner.
Launch Date March 10, 2021
  Price Rs. 60,350
     
Design Dimensions 6.80 x 3.04 x 0.41 in (172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm)
  Waterproof No
  Colours Black
     
Hardware OS Android 11, ROG UI
  Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5 nm)
  CPU Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680)
  GPU Adreno 660
     
Display Type AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+
  Size 6.78 inches
  Resolution 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~380 PPI)
  Protection Corning Gorilla Glass
     
Storage + RAM Internal 256GB 12GB RAM 512GB 12GB RAM 512GB 16GB RAM
  Card Slot No
     
Main Camera Setup Triple: 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 20 MP, f/2.4, (ultra-wide), 5 MP, f/2.0, (macro)
  Features LED flash, HDR, panorama
  Video 8K@30fps 4K@30/60/120fps 1080p@30/60/240fps 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
     
Selfie Camera Setup Single
  Features Panorama, HDR
  Video 1080p@30fps
     
Battery Type 6000 mAh, Li-Po, non-removable
  Charging Fast charging 65W Power Delivery 3.0 Quick Charge 4.0+ Reverse charging 10W
     
Network Technology GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
  SIM Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
     
Connectivity WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
  USB USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), accessory connector
  GPS Yes, with dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, GNSS
  Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
     
Sound Speakers DTS:X stereo speakers
  Output 24-bit/192kHz audio
  3.5mm jack No
     
Commons NFC Yes
  Radio No
  Sensors Fingerprint (under display), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 
Asus ROG Phone 5
Image Credit: Asus
The new Asus Rog Phone 5 features everything that a high-end gamer demands such as a powerful octa-core Snapdragon processor, an AMOLED screen, a 12/16GB RAM, and a powerful 6000mAh battery. Moreover, the smartphone will perfectly cater to the requirements of photography enthusiasts as it comes with a camera that is capable of capturing 8K videos. Lastly, the unique ROG UI makes this smartphone stand-out from the rest. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

Apple’s mixed-reality headsets are expected to arrive in 2022: Everything we know so far

Apple is reportedly working on a new mixed-reality headset that might arrive in the markets by 2022. Apple wants to release a powerful headset capable of featuring 8K resolution for each eye with the implementation of technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. According to technological experts, Apple’s new headset could bring a shift in the paradigm that is currently dominated by smartphones. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple analyst, “We predict that Apple’s MR/AR product roadmap includes three phases: helmet type by 2022, glasses type by 2025, and contact lens type by 2030–2040”.

How will Apple’s Mixed Reality headset work?

The new headset will come installed with Sony’s Micro-OLED displays and enhanced optical modules to give a better experience than the existing VR devices. Although the prototypes of the product weigh between 200 and 300 grams, the company is aiming to decrease it by another 100 to 200 grams. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple analyst, “We believe that Apple may highly integrate this helmet with video-related applications as one of the key selling points”. Apple’s Mixed Reality headset is reported to consist of more than a dozen cameras for tracing hand gestures. These cameras will utilise a visor placed on the headset to deliver the video of the real world. The headset might carry two UHD 8K screens along with eye-tracking technology.
How will Apple's Mixed Reality headset work?
How will Apple’s Mixed Reality headset work?

Is Apple the only player in the field of AR/VR/MR?

Apple is not the only player in the field of AR/VR glasses. Tech giants including Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft are constantly working on these innovative technologies. For instance, Facebook’s Smart Glasses are expected to be released soon with the brand name of Ray-Ban. Mesh is one such technology, which was recently announced by Microsoft that will enable people located at different locations to meet in a shared mixed reality space. According to Alex Kipman, Microsoft technical fellow, “This has been the dream for mixed reality, the idea from the very beginning. You can actually feel like you’re in the same place with someone sharing content or you can teleport from different mixed reality devices and be present with people even when you’re not physically together.”
Microsoft Mesh mixed reality platform launched: Everything you need to know
Microsoft Mesh mixed reality platform (Image Credit: Microsoft)

What else is Apple working on apart from the Mixed-Reality headset?

Apple is also working on the AR glasses that are expected to be released around 2025. Unlike the Mixed-Reality headsets, the AR glasses will be portable and present an optical see-through AR experience. The Mixed-Reality headsets offer a more comprehensive virtual experience. On the other hand, the AR Glasses will focus on providing a mobile experience coupled with VR. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple analyst, “We foresee that the helmet product will provide AR and VR experiences, while glasses and contact lens types of products are more likely to focus on AR applications”.
What else is Apple working on apart from the Mixed-Reality headset?
What else is Apple working on apart from the Mixed-Reality headset? (Image Credit: Apple Inc.)
Apple is also reportedly working on contact lenses to transition from computing to invisible computing. However, not much information is available regarding this future product except that it will not arrive earlier than in 2030. Kuo just observed that Apple is working on technologies related to MR, VR, and AR. Many companies are supplying intermediate products including Micro-OLED displays by Sony and EMS by Pegatron. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

WhatsApp is said to be working on password-protected encrypted chat backups feature: What is it all about?

It’s reported that WhatsApp is working on a new feature to save encrypted chat backups on iCloud and Google Drive. The password-protected feature would enable WhatsApp users to secure their chat backups against unauthorised access. According to a screenshot shared by WABetaInfo, “To prevent unauthorised access to your iCloud Drive backup, you can set a password that will be used to encrypt future backups. This password will be required when you restore from the backup”.

Why is WhatsApp working on this new feature? 

WhatsApp chats are claimed to be end-to-end encrypted i.e., they remain on the devices of the users involved in the chat and not on the Facebook servers. However, privacy concerns were raised regarding the chat backup provided by the app itself. Many instances revealed that the chats backups on the Facebook servers were leaked to the law enforcement authorities and foreign players. As a result, WhatsApp is said to be planning to release a functionality so that users will be able to keep a backup of their chats on their cloud storage such as iCloud or Google Drive. The feature is expected to be released on both iOS and Android platforms.
Why is WhatsApp working on this new feature? 
Why is WhatsApp working on this new feature? (Image Credit: WABetaInfo)

How will the new feature work?

According to the screenshots shared by WABetaInfo, the task of encrypting chat backup on the cloud will require several steps. The user will require to go to the WhatsApp Settings to enable the function. In the Settings, an option will be available for users to encrypt while creating backups. The app will ask them to set a password for the chat backups. After setting a strong password, the users will be asked to need to enter the phone number once again.
How will the new feature work?
How will the new feature work? (Image Credit: WABetaInfo)

What will be the impacts of the new feature?

The new feature will bring a lot of convenience to WhatsApp users as well as a few disadvantages. The following will be the impacts of the new feature. 1) Apart from chat backups on the cloud, the local Android backups would also work so that you can use password protection to the locally saved backups on your devices. However, there is no such feature for iPhone users.
What will be the impacts of the new feature?
What will be the impacts of the new feature?
2) Since the backups will be saved on the users’ cloud storage and not on the Facebook servers, it would not be possible for WhatsApp to assist users in recovering their lost passwords. The users shall have to enter their phone numbers for password protection. 3) Encrypted chat backups on the cloud will keep the chats secure and private. As a result, there would be minimal chances of them being leaked. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

Which internet speed tests should you use to test your internet connection at home?

Internet speed test applications are one of the most useful software. You don’t need experts or expensive tools to measure your internet’s speed. A reliable speed test application accurately talks about download speed, upload speed, and ping. However, it should not absorb too much bandwidth through background applications and advertisements. The interface should be user-friendly giving a graphical representation of the test results. Lastly, it should be cross-platform so that you can test your internet speed on multiple devices including mobile phones. Here are the top speed tests that give accurate and fast results.

1) Ookla

Ookla has been the oldest and most-consistent speed tests available on the internet. This website provides every information regarding your network’s speed like accuracy, speed test history, servers to connect to, and an app for speed testing on your smartphone. Ookla regularly adds new features and capabilities such as a video-specific speed test to check if your network can handle 4K video streams etc. You can also run the app on Windows and smart devices like Apple TV. What some users may find irritating on the website are advertisements. These ads inevitably deviate the results of your network’s strength during the test.
Ookla
Ookla
Run the speed test on Ookla

2) Fast.com

Fast.com comes with a simplistic interface so that you get as accurate results as possible. This website quite popular among the users as it is owned by Netflix. Fast.com even tells you if your network can stream Netflix at the best resolution without buffering. Thus, this website is preferred by online streamers. However, its oversimplified user interface has a disadvantage as it lacks advanced settings to test the internet speeds. Unlike other websites, Fast.com does not tell, which server you should connect to for the test. However, it’s the first choice of users who want only necessary information related to streaming, downloading, and uploading.
Fast.com
Fast.com
Run the speed test on Fast.com

3) Speedof.me

Speedof.me is also great site to test your internet’s speed and consistency. Just like Ookla, this website gives you a graphical representation of the test to get a better idea of the consistency of your network. The website is quite user-friendly that can easily run on smartphones. You need not download the app to run a speed test. The website is compatible with almost all modern browsers. Speedof.me implements pure web browser capacities like HTML5 and JavaScript. Unlike other websites, it is designed to test the internet connection speed without requiring Flash or Java. Speedof.me uses several automatically chosen test servers located across the globe for reliability.
Speedof.me
Speedof.me
Run the speed test on Speedof.me

4) Testmy.net

Testmy.net is one of the lightest websites to run the internet speed test. This website runs solely on HTML5 and PHP without needing a third-party application like Flash. As a result, it absorbs minimum bandwidth giving one of the most accurate results. Moreover, you can run this website even on older versions of web browsers. Once you create an account, you can keep your internet speed tests for future reference and comparison. However, beginners may find this website daunting, since it’s not as attractive as other websites on the list. The website allows you to test separately for Download and Upload speeds, too.
Testmy.net
Testmy.net
Run the speed test on Testmy.net

5) Google Fiber Speedtest

Google’s free Fiber Speedtest is one of the most reliable websites to test the speed of your internet connection. This application is open to all and you don’t need to subscribe to Google’s Fiber service to run the speed test. You get the efficiency and trust of Google giving you accurate results in a matter of seconds. It gives information regarding your download speed, upload speed, and ping data. The website also tells you the server you are connected to. The ‘Learn More’ option compares your current network speed to what you would get on Google Fiber.
Google Fiber Speedtest
Google Fiber Speedtest
Run the speed test on Google Fibre Speedtest For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date with the Gadget Bridge Android App.

WhatsApp’s new update for Android and iOS: What all is new including disappearing messages and how will it work

In future updates, WhatsApp is expected to release a new ability for ‘Disappearing Messages’. As of now, the messages from the selected chats or groups disappear only after seven days. Soon, the users will get the feature in which the messages from the selected chats will disappear after 24 hours. WhatsApp is currently carrying out the tests regarding this new feature. It’s yet to be revealed when this feature will come on Android and iOS platforms. The new feature is expected to work for media files as well.

What else can you expect in the future WhatsApp updates?

WhatsApp is planning to release a New Archive feature for Android and iOS platforms. This feature is currently under development and is expected to arrive in future updates. According to WaBetaInfo, “WhatsApp is preparing an update that brings a new experience for your Archive: when you receive a message from archived chats, they won’t be unarchived anymore. This is optional. It will be available in a future update for iOS and Android. 2.21.50.11”.

What is the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature in WhatsApp?

The ‘Disappearing messages’ feature allows WhatsApp users to activate an option in the settings so that new messages in the individual and group chats get automatically deleted after seven days. The ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature works for both WhatsApp chats and groups. However, only the group admins can activate the ‘Disappearing Messages’ option in group chats.
What is the current 'Disappearing Messages' feature in WhatsApp?
What is the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature in WhatsApp? (Image Credit: WhatsApp)

How does the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature work?

The ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature must be activated individually for each chat or group. Once enabled, the new messages sent to the selected chat will automatically disappear after seven days. Users getting the messages will be able to copy the text or take screenshots within seven days. Disappearing messages will also appear in user backups. The media files you receive in WhatsApp will be downloaded to your Gallery if the auto-download feature is on. To save the disappearing messages before they get deleted, you will need to copy these messages and to a separate location.

How to enable the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature?

To enable the ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature of WhatsApp on your Android or iOS device, follow these steps: 1) Launch WhatsApp on your Android or iOS device. 2) Tap the desired contact on which you wish to enable the feature. 3) On the contact’s information section, tap the ‘Disappearing Messages’ option located above the ‘Encryption’ option. 4) Choose ‘On’. It will switch on the disappearing messages feature for the selected chat.
WhatsApp 'Disappearing Messages' feature
WhatsApp ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature

How to disable the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature?

Follow these steps: 1) Launch WhatsApp on your Android or iOS device 2) Tap the contact on which you wish to disable the feature. 3) Tap the ‘Disappearing Messages’ option. 4) Choose ‘Off’. As soon as you disable the feature, messages from the selected chat will not disappear.

Is the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature on WhatsApp the same as that on other apps?

Apps like Snapchat, Telegram, and Signal also have similar features. Facebook Messenger comes with a vanish mode. However, the ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature on WhatsApp is not the same as what you get on other apps like Telegram. On Telegram, you can choose the duration before you want the messages sent to a particular chat to disappear. However, on WhatsApp, the messages sent to the desired chat will disappear only after seven days. On Snapchat, the Snaps automatically disappear once they have been opened. The unopened Snaps sent to a group chat automatically disappear in 24 hours.
Is the current 'Disappearing Messages' feature on WhatsApp the same as that on other apps?
Is the current ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature on WhatsApp the same as that on other apps? (Image Credit: WhatsApp)
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