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Google has introduced changes to its search results and unveiled new features for app developers, enabling them to advertise their offerings on third-party applications and competitor app marketplaces. This move comes as the company attempts to comply with landmark EU regulations to restrain the influence of major tech firms.
In a blog post, the tech giant stated that there are 20 product changes, “including the introduction of dedicated units and chips to help users find comparison sites in areas like flights, hotels and shopping.” However, it added that some features, such as the Google Flights unit, had been removed.
Google is among several leading tech companies that must adhere to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by March 7. Others include Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and TikTok owner ByteDance.
What features has Google introduced?
In January, the California-based company published several new features to its range of services, but they were only available to those in the EU. In the statement, Google said that changes to search results would increase traffic for major intermediaries and aggregators. In contrast, hotels, airlines, merchants, and restaurants will experience a decrease in traffic.
In addition to this, users will be asked for their consent to allow Google to share their data across Google products and services. The Alphabet-owned company explained, “Users may also see new consent banners asking them whether they would like to link their Google services.”
The DMA also requires gatekeeper operating systems to allow users to use third-party apps and app stores. This means that app developers can implement alternative billing systems instead of being restricted to the Google Play Store. A new program will also enable them to direct European users from the app to external platforms to promote their products.
This week, Google is set to introduce data portability software in Europe, simplifying the process for developers to transfer user data to a third-party app or service.
While Google said it will continue to work with the European Commission, it added, “We have approached compliance with transparency and meaningful product changes, even where we have concerns that some rules will reduce the choices available to people and businesses in Europe.”
Featured image: Canva
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OpenAI has announced that its ChatGPT program can now read aloud to its users. The function with the same name can recite the responses in one of five voice options. Read Aloud can be accessed through the web version of ChatGPT as well as the ChatGPT apps for iOS and Android.

ChatGPT can now read responses to you.
On iOS or Android, tap and hold the message and then tap “Read Aloud”. We’ve also started rolling on web – click the “Read Aloud” button below the message. pic.twitter.com/KevIkgAFbG
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) March 4, 2024

The new feature is available in 37 languages and can automatically detect the language of the text it is reading. So far, the option is available for GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 users.
OpenAI announced the feature in a post on X: “ChatGPT can now read responses to you. On iOS or Android, tap and hold the message and then tap “Read Aloud.” We’ve also started rolling on the web — click the “Read Aloud” button below the message.”
The company has been striving to enhance its multimodal capabilities, hence it introduced a voice chat feature in September 2023, which allows users to input prompts verbally without needing to type. However, this will allow people to have the chatbot responses read out aloud as well.
Users can press and hold the text to access the Read Aloud player on the mobile app, enabling them to play, pause, or rewind the narration. Meanwhile, the web version displays a speaker icon beneath the text.
The update comes as Anthropic launched its Claude 3 AI chatbot, which it claims has reached “near-human” levels in some tests. Many users took to X to respond to the announcement, saying it fell short of their expectations.

Yikes if this is your answer to Claude 3
— Wilson (@Wilson00000009) March 4, 2024

Read aloud on other AI platforms
In July 2023, Google incorporated the same feature into its Gemini chatbot — formerly known as Bard —  adding the option for it to vocalize its responses aloud. It supported 40 new languages, including  Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi, and Spanish. 
Microsoft Edge’s Read Aloud feature now works in its Windows 11 Copilot chatbot. The feature is in the testing phase and is now available for everyone.
Featured image: Canva / DALL-E
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Binance has reportedly announced that it will discontinue all currency services in Nigeria amidst an ongoing legal dispute.
According to an update on its website quoted by CNBC, the U.S. cryptocurrency firm said on March 5 that the platform will suspend Naira (NGN) withdrawals after March 8. Any leftover NGN in user accounts will be automatically exchanged for Tether, a stablecoin cryptocurrency that is tied to the U.S. dollar.
Binance will also immediately cease NGN deposits, as transactions of this nature will no longer be accepted after 2:00 pm UTC on Friday.
The company will also eliminate all trading pairs that include the NGN on March 7. In addition, Binance Pay, the platform’s payment service, will discontinue supporting the NGN as a payment option on March 6.
Nigeria ranks among the largest cryptocurrency markets globally. However, the country’s authorities have sought nearly $10 billion in damages from Binance, alleging that the company engaged in currency speculation and rate-fixing to manipulate foreign exchange rates.
Following these accusations, two senior executives from the firm were detained last week, as reported by the Financial Times.
In February, Nigeria’s central bank, governor Olayemi Cardoso told reporters, “We are concerned that certain practices go on that indicate illicit flows going through a number of these entities [crypto platforms] and suspicious flows at best.
“In the case of Binance, in the last year alone, $26bn has passed through Binance Nigeria from sources and users who we cannot adequately identify,” he added.
Reuters said that blockchain research firm Chainalysis said in a September 2023 report that the volume of crypto transactions in Nigeria grew 9% year-over-year to $56.7 billion between July 2022 and June 2023.
Is crypto allowed in Nigeria?
Cryptocurrencies are allowed in Nigeria, as stated by the Crypto Council for Innovation. In December 2023, the government rescinded its prohibition on cryptocurrencies. This shift followed the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) changing its position, leading to the Central Bank issuing instructions in January 2024 for banks to facilitate the opening of cryptocurrency accounts.
This reversal is seen as an acknowledgment of the ineffectiveness of the ban, given Nigeria’s status as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency user and the recognition of the significant commercial prospects presented by such a vast and evolving market.
A 2023 ConsenSys report found that 99% of Nigerians and 98% of South Africans are more knowledgeable about Web3 than people in major economies like the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Germany.
Amidst the challenges with cryptocurrency in the country, it is attempting to contain soaring inflation, which hit an annual 29.9% in January. It is thought to be driven by rising food prices that have triggered a cost-of-living crisis in Africa’s largest economy.
Binance has been approached for further comment.
Featured image: Canva
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Gamers will benefit from the addition of several headline titles to Xbox Game Pass for March 2024.
The new arrivals will include Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun, SpongeBob SquarePants, and MLB The Show 24, reflecting the range of genres to be enhanced on the Xbox service.
As confirmed by Microsoft, the first wave of new games brings seven newcomers to the platform with the potential for more to follow.
Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun is the latest in the first-person shooter series with IGN’s review concluding:
“Retro-shooting and fast-paced arenas suit the Warhammer 40K setting nicely, but Boltgun falls short of greatness because its ideas peter out too quickly. Some good level design and nice environments make up for a lack of variety.”

The next wave of Xbox Game Pass games is absolutely STACKED!
-Warhammer 40K Boltgun (I’ve been wanting to try this!)-Control Ultimate Edition-SpongeBob BFBB Rehydrated-Lightyear Frontier (day 1!)-MLB The Show 24 (day 1!)
Maybe XGP’s best “wave” ever?https://t.co/S0PaP2wiJ7
— Ryan McCaffrey (@DMC_Ryan) March 5, 2024

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is a full remake of the classic for Xbox in which you can play as SpongeBob, Patrick, or Sandy to disrupt Plankton’s dastardly plan to take over Bikini Bottom.
Another notable addition is Control Ultimate Edition, with the Remedy Entertainment release presented by Microsoft as a “supernatural third-person action-adventure” to challenge your skills as you battle through a deep and unpredictable world.
How does Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass work?
Xbox Game Pass provides gamers with a diverse game library accessible across Xbox consoles, PCs, and compatible devices.
Subscribers enjoy a constantly refreshed selection of AAA and indie titles, making it a versatile gaming solution. This subscription model has revolutionized the gaming industry, offering a cost-effective and flexible way for players to access a wide range of gaming experiences without needing to buy individual titles.
It’s not without drawbacks, however. The rotating library, which sees games removed or added sporadically, is not for everyone, and this lack of ownership may be a concern for those who prefer to have a permanent collection.
Full list of Xbox Game Pass releases for March 2024 – Wave 1
Whatever your preferred genre, you are likely to be enticed by one of the following:

Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun – 5 March

PAW Patrol World – 7 March

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated – 12 March

Control Ultimate Edition – 13 March

No More Heroes 3 – 14 March

Lightyear Frontier – 19 March

MLB The Show 24 – 19 March

Xbox game titles to depart Game Pass in March 2024
As is standard, the rotation of available titles on Game Pass means certain releases will no longer be accessible.
At the time of writing, those confirmed to be departing the platform are Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered, and Shredders (All on 15 March)
Featured image: Xbox 
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With it seemingly just a couple of days before Fortnite goes all Greek on us, it seems the final batch of leaks may have arrived, including stats for the weaponry and leaked images of what the Battle Pass is going to look like.
As ever prominent Fortnite leakers have been the source with HYPEX posting everything you need to know about the tactical shotgun that has been playtested ahead of the new season.
Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 weapon leaks
Posting recently on X, HYPEX said:

“UPCOMING TAC SHOTGUN (Stats could slightly change but this is what Fortnite has been playtesting)

6 Bullets AND reloads the whole clip at once
Reload Time: 4.2s to 3.6s
Fire Rate is 1 (Hammer Pump is 30% slower)
Damage: 79/84/88/93/97
Headshot: 119/126/132/139/145”

How different it will be from the existing tac shotgun isn’t clear, but it seems some tweaks have definitely been made to it.
The DMR will also be returning for Season 2 with HYPEX saying:
 

UPCOMING DMR – Fortnite are currently playtesting a DMR with decent looking stats (could slightly change)
• Damage: 58/61/64/67/70• Builds Damage: 63/67/70/74/77• Headshot Damage: 102/107/112/117/123• Reload Time: 2.8s/…/2.1s• Clip Size: 7• Fire Rate 1.5 pic.twitter.com/z4l3AY8Imz
— HYPEX (@HYPEX) February 29, 2024

UPCOMING DMR – Fortnite is currently playtesting a DMR with decent-looking stats (could slightly change)

Damage: 58/61/64/67/70
Builds Damage: 63/67/70/74/77
Headshot Damage: 102/107/112/117/123
Reload Time: 2.8s/…/2.1s
Clip Size: 7
Fire Rate 1.5

Finally, who doesn’t love a sniper – well everybody apart from me who loves a good snipe from distance. Looks like we are getting a new sniper rifle too according to Wenso.

Epic is working on a new Double Barrel type shotgun, most likely for Season 2… and Epic accidentally added it in-game
The mythic version deals 109 damage, has 2 bullets per magazine, a 5.1s reload and a 0.8 fire rate.
(video via @GasSpares)#Fortnite pic.twitter.com/wpfv9UuI7B
— Wenso (@Wensoing) February 25, 2024

All Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 leaked Battle Pass skins
HYPEX has been busy, also leaking all the Battle Pass skins and lists the following as coming to the game:

Zeus 
Cerberus
Hades
Aphrodite
Poseidon
Medusa (2 Variants?)
Artemis
Ares
Odyssey

Ch5S2 Skins / Battle Pass (in-order) according to teasers #Fortnite
• Zeus (NO SURVEY IMAGE)• Cerberus• Hades• Aphrodite• Poseidon (NO SURVEY IMAGE)• Medusa (2 Variants?)• Artemis• Ares• Odyssey pic.twitter.com/mGxzjRIxGw
— HYPEX (@HYPEX) February 27, 2024

HYPEX did include the caveat, “Designs COULD change in the final versions or some of these could be Item Shop, but these are straight from Epic’s surveys.”, but either way, with no disgusting pun intended, this season is shaping up to Epic when it finally begins.
Featured Image: HYPEX on X
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