預熱了很久的 Telegram Premium 收費功能，終於獲得創辦人 Pavel Durov 親口確認將會在本月內推出。
Telegram founder confirms paid features are coming soon
Those unlockable Telegram features that showed up with the app’s beta version in May will soon be available for paying users. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has confirmed that the app is launching a subscription plan called Telegram Premium sometime this month. While Durov didn’t discuss the specific benefits that come with the plan, he said it will give paying users extra features, speed and resources, as well as first access to the app’s latest offerings.
Durov explained that a lot of people have been asking the service to raise the limits on its chats, media and file uploads. However, doing so for everyone would lead to massive traffic and server costs beyond what it could afford. Telegram apparently came to the conclusion that the only way it could give its “most demanding fans” more while keeping its existing features free is to offer those raised limits as a paid option.
The service’s founder has also assured users in his announcement that Telegram will still be releasing new free features despite having a paid tier. Further, even free users will be able to enjoy some of the Premium option’s new futures, including being able to view larger-than-usual documents, media and stickers sent by paying members. A previous report by tech publication Beebom says Premium subscribers will have the capability to upload files up to 4GB in size and will enjoy up to twice a non-paying users’ limits when it comes to the number of channels they can join, among other things. Beebom also says a Premium subscription will cost $5 a month, though we won’t know for sure until the option launches.
Durov ended his announcement with:
“While our experiments with privacy-focused ads in public one-to-many channels have been more successful than we expected, I believe that Telegram should be funded primarily by its users, not advertisers. This way our users will always remain our main priority.”
Dell XPS 15 review (2022): Still the best 15-inch Windows laptop
How can Dell improve on its already excellent XPS 15? By adding the latest hardware from Intel, whose new hybrid chips promise far better multitasking performance than before. We loved the XPS 15’s updated design when it debuted two years ago, and last…
Sonos’ Roam speaker is still 20 percent off, plus the rest of the week’s best tech deals
If you’re still looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift, you have a bunch of options that you can get for less right now. A rare sale on the Sonos Roam and Move speakers discounts them both by 20 percent, while a number of Apple devices are on sale, …
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UK regulator plans to launch probe into Google’s and Apple’s mobile duopoly
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Google and Apple “hold all the cards” when it comes to mobile phones a year after taking a closer look at their “duopoly.” It’s now consulting on the launch of a market investigation into the tech giants’ market power in mobile browsers, as well as into Apple’s cloud gaming restrictions. In addition, the CMA has launched a separate investigation into Google’s Play Store rules — the one that requires certain app developers to use the tech giant’s payment system for in-app purchases, in particular.
The CMA has concluded after its year-long study that the tech giants do indeed exhibit an “effective duopoly” on mobile ecosystems. A total of 97 percent of all mobile web browsing in the UK is powered by Apple’s and Google’s browser engines. iPhones and Android devices typically come with Safari and Chrome pre-installed, which means their browsers have the advantage from the start. Further, Apple requires developers to make sure their iOS and iPadOS apps are using its WebKit engine to browse the web. That limits the incentives Apple may have to invest in Safari, the CMA said.
The agency also pointed out that Apple enforces policies that prevent cloud gaming apps from being available to download from its App Store. Under its rules, cloud gaming services would have to individually submit each playable game for review and approval if they want to be listed. The company eventually carved out an exception, but only to make services like Xbox Cloud Gaming available on iOS devices through a browser.
In its announcement, the CMA explained that the lack of intervention would allow the tech giants to maintain and even strengthen their hold not just over mobile browsers, but also over mobile operating systems and app stores. Their duopoly could stifle competition and limit incentives for individuals and other companies to innovate and develop new products and technologies for those markets.
The Beats Fit Pro are back on sale for $180
If you missed the previous sale in April, you have another chance to pick up the Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds for less right now. Amazon has them for $180, which is 10 percent off and one of the best prices we’ve seen. We saw the buds drop to around $153 in January of this year, but it was only for a brief period of time and that sale price hasn’t returned since. That makes the current sale even more appealing if you’ve had your eye on Beats’ latest buds.
Buy Beats Fit Pro at Amazon – $180
Being owned by Apple has its perks and it shows in the Beats Fit Pro. These buds have most of the convenient features that AirPods do, but with a more comfortable and secure design. They look similar to the Beats Studio Buds, with the exception of the flexible wingtip that helps them fit better into different ear shapes and stay put during intense workouts. Their design is also IPX4-rated, so sweat won’t bother them either.
These buds also impressed with their sound quality and ANC. They pumped out audio with depth and clarity, plus punchy bass that never overpowered, and the buds support Adaptive EQ and spatial audio. ANC is good as well, and while it’s not as strong as that from Bose or Sony, it gets the job done and will sufficiently block out surrounding noises.
Inside the Beats Fit Pro is Apple’s H1 chip, which powers things like one-touch pairing, Find My support and hands-free Siri access. Aside from Apple’s own AirPods, Beats earbuds like these are solid options for iPhone owners since they’re designed to works seamlessly with all Apple devices. As for battery life, Beats estimates six hours of listening time with ANC turned on, and you’ll get up to 27 hours of total use time when you employ the extra charges provided by the buds’ case.
Our biggest gripes with the Beats Fit Pro are is lack of wireless charging capabilities and the fact that some features are iOS exclusive, however the latter is to be expected. But Android users aren’t totally out of luck: the buds have their own dedicated Android app with supports fast pairing, control customization and a battery status indicator.
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Vivo X Fold 評測：不將就
在主流品牌中最晚推出折疊螢幕手機的 Vivo，一出手帶來的處女作 X Fold 可謂十分之驚艷，其表現之全面完全是一副後發制人的勢頭，在它身上你基本可以看到當下橫折型態產品的上限所在了。
HTC teases a potential ‘Viverse’ phone launch for June 28th
Earlier this year HTC outlined its answer to Facebook’s metaverse with Viverse, allowing you socialize, hold meetings and more in VR. Later on at Mobile World Congress, the company said it would launch a high-end smartphone with some kind of metaverse feature. Now, HTC has teased a launch date for that device on Twitter with an image showing a phone shape and HTC’s Viverse logo.
It’s likely to offer an AR/VR experience via HTC’s open-source Viverse. That metaverse platform lets you chat with others via VRChat, hold business meetings in Engage, collaborate in Vive Sync, watch “holographic” VR concerts and more. It’s also expected to offer integration with the Vive Flow VR headset.
It may also have some blockchain features like HTC’s Exodus phone from several years back, though it’s not clear if there’s much overlap with crypto and VR fans. It’ll reportedly partner in Taiwan with Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone, according an earlier report from Focus Taiwan. HTC will reveal more details about the device on June 28th.
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