Tech
Teens Are Already Outsmarting Australia’s Social Media Ban
Australia banned some major social media apps from serving kids under the age of 16.
Getty Images
Australia may have banned social media apps for under-16s, but kids are finding ways around the ban already. Will the government now play Whack-a-Mole with new and smaller social apps?
Australia recently banned social media for kids under the age of 16, so Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick are are all off limits for millions of Australian teens. This is the first major social media ban for kids on the planet. But kids that want their social fix – or their short video hit for the day – are finding alternatives. And it’s not even hard.
According to Apptopia, an app analytics company, here are the top 10 apps by downloads in Australia, on all platforms and in all categories for yesterday:
- Lemon8 – Lifestyle Community
- Yope: friends-only pics
- Australia Post
- WhatsApp Messenger
- ChatGPT
- Meta Horizon
- Coverstar – Positive Social
- Shop: All your favorite brands
- Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
- myGov
Five of the top 10 are clearly getting a massive positive boost from the social media ban. The top app, Lemon8, is literally made by the company behind TikTok, a banned app. Lemon8 offers “a lifestyle community focused app powered by TikTok, where you can discover and share authentic content on a variety of topics such as beauty, fashion, travel, food, and more.”
It allows photo editing and sharing, just like Instagram – another banned app – and sounds pretty social.
WhatsApp Messenger is up in downloads as well, and it offers messaging, calling, groups, and video chat. The biggest growth, however, comes from Meta Horizon, which is social gaming app that promises users they can “step into Metaverse where you can play, explore and connect with friends in a variety of community created worlds.”
That also sounds pretty social.
Yope, a “friends-only” photos app, is another Instagram competitor. Coverstar is a social video sharing app, much like TikTok. Again, pretty social.
The upshot is clear: while Australia has banned the big social media networks that get all the press, teens are finding new platforms to replace them. And while Australia promises severe monetary penalties to the big social platforms if they allow teens on them, those big platforms have the resources to be able to monitor and build systems to try to exclude under-16 kids. The smaller platforms wouldn’t have the same resources, if Australia decides to extend the ban to all social apps.
Other big social platforms that are not currently banned include:
- Discord
- Steam and Steam Chat
- Roblox
Australia is an interesting test case that other countries will be watching closely to see if this in the best interests of children, and whether it makes kids safer. I’ve definitely seen many in favor in other countries.
“Global platforms have become the new, unchosen parents of our children—shaping their identity, their worldview, their values,” says Jamaican technologist Chukwuemeka Cameron on LinkedIn. “All while extracting their data for profit.”
Tech
Telcos Owe Rs. 16.33 Billion in Dues to PTA
The federal government has informed the National Assembly that telecom companies owe Rs. 16.33 billion in outstanding dues to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The information was shared in a written response to a question by MNA Syed Waseem Hussain, who asked for details of the unpaid amounts and related actions.
According to the response, all outstanding dues are currently sub-judice, which has halted the recovery process. The delay in payments has also resulted in a late payment fee of Rs. 39.24 billion, further increasing the financial burden linked to the telecom sector.
The government confirmed that contributions to the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, including the Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Research and Development (R&D) Fund, also remain unpaid due to ongoing litigation. These funds are essential for expanding telecom services to underserved areas and supporting technology development projects.
The reply stated that PTA has issued enforcement orders against licensees in line with legal procedures. However, recovery efforts remain stalled as various dues, including Access Promotion Charges (APC) for USF, continue to be challenged in different courts.
The written response did not specify whether any action had been taken against officials considered negligent or ineffective over the past two years. It focused mainly on the financial obligations and the legal hurdles that are delaying their recovery.
Tech
Vivo X200T Tipped as Hybrid of X200 and X200 FE
According to a new rumor, Vivo is working on a new device that it will call X200T. The name is unusual for the brand, and the device is allegedly described as “a mix of the X200 and X200 FE”.
The X200T is expected to launch in India by the end of January. This rumored release timing appears unusual, since the X300 and X300 Pro have just become available in India, which could make a new device in the X200 line feel instantly outdated in comparison.
The X200T is said to be similar in size to the X200 FE, which has a 6.31-inch touchscreen. The X200T will match that size.
The X200T is said to include “the performance DNA” of the X200. This is assumed to mean that it could use the same Dimensity 9400 chipset.
The X200T will “likely” come with three rear cameras with Zeiss branding. It is also expected to support 90W wired charging and include a large battery that could be similar in size to the X200 FE’s 6,500 mAh cell.
These are all the details revealed so far. Based on the current information, it sounds like a re-released X200 FE with a better chipset. Further details are expected when more information becomes available.
Tech
Keydous AJ68 With Its Low Profile Keys Is A Wireless Keyboard Made For Quieter Typing
The new Keydous AJ68 is a compact low-profile keyboard with hot-swappable switches in a range of options.
KEYDOUS
Many mechanical keyboards tend to have quite a chunky-looking profile. They may delightful to type on, but they can’t hold a candle to those fashionable low-profile keyboards made by the likes of Apple and Logitech. However, some keyboard makers are working hard to design new mechanical models with lower-profile keys and a less clunky appearance so they look every bit as good as they feel.
Keydous is one of those keyboard makers that’s working hard to produce a range of mechanical keyboard that looks stylish. Other brands with some great low-profile designs include Lofree and Keychron.
The new Keydous AJ68 low-profile keyboard has a 65% layout and is available in a choice of three stylish colors: White, Silver and Black. The AJ68 can be ordered with a selection of three different switch options, including Taro Mini linear switches, Pink Deep Sea-islet silent linear switches and the near-silent White Rainy switches.
The new AJ68 is a low-profile keyboard designed to provide a more relaxed typing experience which is achieved by lowering the front height of the keyboard so that wrist strain is reduced and typing becomes faster and easier.
The new Keydous AJ68 has an RGB sidelight feature.
KEYDOUS
Three Ways To Connect
The new AJ68 offers three ways to connect with the host device. There’s a choice of Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless and USB-C connectivity. With the Bluetooth option, users can pair the keyboard with up to three devices and easily switch between them. The Bluetooth option has a polling rate of 125Hz, while USB-C or 2.4GHz have a polling rate of 1000Hz, resulting in a super-responsive typing action and virtually no latency, making the keyboard suitable for gaming.
Inside the new Keydous AJ98 keyboard are five layers of foam, resulting in a much satisfying and solid typing experience that provides an overall feel of solidity which complements the keyboard’s CNC-machined aluminum alloy case.
The low-profile design of the AJ68 is around 40% thinner than a traditional mechanical keyboard, thanks to a thinner and lighter construction. The Keydous AJ68 is highly portable and has a high-end feel with its low-profile switches and the use of lots of metal. There’s even a metal counterweight in the base of the keyboard to add more heft and stability.
The Keydous web-based driver lets users customize their keyboard with macros, remapping and ligting effects.
KEYDOUS
Metal Storage Space
The new keyboard includes a clever storage compartment that can be used to store the AJ68’s USB-A 2.4GHz receiver dongle. The storage compartment also has a CAPS LOCK light, which enhances the overall appearance. Other stylish features include RGB side lights and a full suite of RGB backlights illuminating all keys, which can be programmed and adjusted with custom colors to create a unique atmosphere in the workspace.
Customizing a keyboard to make it more personal, using macros or key remapping, is something keyboard makers increasingly offer. Keydous is no exception, and the company has chosen to implement customization using a web-based driver that can be used with almost any operating system via a HID-compliant browser. The customization also includes controls for the backlight behaviour and programming of individual keys.
Pricing and Availability:
The Keydous AJ68 low-profile keyboard is available now from the Keydous webstore and is priced at $125.
Tech Specs:
- Type: Low-profile mechanical.
- Layout: 65%.
- Keys: 68.
- Finishes: White / Black / Silver.
- Backlights: RGB.
- Case: Aluminum alloy.
- Hot swappable: Yes.
- Switch options: Linear or Silent.
- Connectivity: Windows / macOS / Android / iOS / Linux.
- Battery: 3500mAh.
- Polling Rate: Bluetooth 125Hz, 2.4GHz and wired 1000Hz.
- Battery life (RGB on): 23 hours.
- Power-saving mode (RGB off): 407 hours.
- USB voltage: 5V DC / 30-300mA.
- Dimensions: 352 x 125 x 21mm.
- Weight: 820g.
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