Author: Francis Muli

Google has recently started rolling out a number of updates for Gmail. The latest update includes pausing notifications on smartphone if you are logged in to desktop. The feature is optional, and is not yet publicly documented by Google, although a number of users have reported seeing the option. “Pause mobile notifications while you’re using this device.” a notification from the tech giant said. “To pause Gmail mobile notifications while you’re active on this device, allow your browser to detect if you’re active or away. Click Continue and then Allow when prompted by your browser.” the pop-up explains. Read: How…

Uber is rolling out a feature that will give customers more insight into their trips. The ride-hailing app will now allow users to view the number of five-star ratings and one-star ratings they have garnered from drivers. Uber uses the rating system to rank both drivers and riders on the platform. Drivers with a rating of four or less risk deactivation while riders who get a rating of one-star can be kicked out of the app. The new feature will give users fresh insight into how the drivers perceive them. The feature which is rolling out globally including Kenya, will…

Google has announced the rollout of Chrome OS Flex, a new version of its Operating System. Chrome OS Flex is designed for PC and Mac users, and according to a blog from Google, can be installed within minutes. Google launched Chrome OS in 2010 with limited functionality. However, just over a decade later, the OS is fully featured and is rapidly expanding as an advantageous option for Businesses, Schools and individuals. Google has now been trying to get more companies and individuals to ditch Windows in favour of Chromebooks, and the rollout of Chrome OS Flex might make it possible…

Twitter is expanding its Safety mode feature to more users after rolling out the Beta version in September last year. The feature allows users to temporarily block accounts that send harmful and abusive tweets. “Since the initial rollout of the Safety Mode beta in September, we’ve learned that some people want help identifying unwelcome interactions,” Twitter spokesperson Tatiana Britt told The Verge. The safety mode will crack down on abusive trolls who bombard users with hateful uninvited comments and block them for seven days. The feature will assess the relationship between the tweet author and the person commenting before action…

Netflix has announced the premiere of reality show, Young, Famous and African on March 22, 2022. The show features Tanzanian singer, Abdul Naseeb popularly known as Diamond Platnumz, his baby Mama Zari Hassan and a host of African celebrities. The video-streaming app shared a trailer for the show via social media on Monday. The seven-episode reality show will follow the luxurious lives of African superstars hailing from Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa as they “work and play, flirt and feud.” Diamond posted a clip of the trailer on his social media account, captioning it “Another one for the culture!”…

Instagram has developed a new feature called Private Story Likes that will let you like an Insta story without sending them a Direct Message. Normally, when anyone likes or replies to your stories, it appears on the DM. However, the new feature will allow users to receive the responses without them filling up the DM. “As you go through Stories, between send message and that little paper airplane, there will be a heart icon,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced. “And if you tap on it, it’ll send the author of that story a like, and that like will show up…

The long awaited song by ODM Leader Raila Odinga alias Baba The Artist has finally premiered on YouTube. The song which was dropped at 11 am has already garnered thousands of views and hundreds of comments within a few minutes. “What a nostalgic experience! My highlight in Baba’s song is the feature of Jaramogi and his signature dance! God bless you Baba!” Hudson Amenya commented on the song. The song is a collaboration between the Azimio la Umoja Presidential hopeful and musician Emmanuel Musindi. It is a remix of the song, Leo ni Leo which has been headlining a number…

WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow business account owners to set a cover photo on their profiles. The feature will be similar to Facebook’s cover images which are set on users’ profiles, but not on the standard profiles. According to WhatsApp tracker, WABetaInfo, the company is working on a new way to manage business Catalogs on WhatsApp. The feature is currently being tested with iOS Beta testers. “WhatsApp is now working on another feature for WhatsApp Business accounts: the ability to set a cover photo, available in a future update!” Read: WhatsApp Feature to Enable Users Migrate…

The Kenya Films and Classifications Board (KFCB) has announced a ban of gay-themed film Badhaai Do. Through a notice published on social media, the board said the 147-minute film is prohibited from exhibition, distribution, possession or broadcasting in Kenya. KFCB said Kenya had recorded an influx in gay-themed content, contrary to the beliefs and norms of the society. The internet was cited as one of the biggest sources of unregulated content, putting children and the bigger population at risk of consuming inappropriate material. Speaking to journalists during a presser, KFCB CEO Christopher Wambua said the board remains vigilant to ensure…

A Nigerian Rights Group has moved to the High Court, seeking to compel the government to reveal details that led to the restoration of social media giant Twitter in the country. The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) filed a lawsuit seeking to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to publish a copy of the agreement that led to the lifting of the six-month Twitter ban in the country. The Nigerian government suspended the social media network after the company deleted a tweet by President Buhari. Last month, the ban which had been in effect for six months was lifted after…

As people around the world celebrate love on Valentine’s day this year, they are reminded to keep safe from romance scams which have become a common phenomenon. Social media giantTikTok has issued a warning to users, asking them to be wary of the vice even as they browse online. Cases of fraudsters targeting vulnerable singles have been on the rise, with some instances making their way to mainstream media. Just recently, video-streaming app, Netflix, ran a documentary dubbed “Tindler Swindler” telling a story of three women who were defrauded by Simon Leviev who was posing as a billionaire on the popular…

Politicians account for the highest cases of reported hate speech cases with 49 percent, followed by bloggers with 15 percent and religious leaders with 2 percent. According to research conducted by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), hate speech is the most common type of hate crime in the country. According to the study, male perpetrators account for 71% of the cases, while female criminals account for 29%. NCIC revealed this during a session with journalists in Naivasha on Thursday to discuss efficient techniques of monitoring hate speech on social media. “We implore upon all Kenyans to use social media…

Tinder is introducing a new “Blind Date” feature, which differs from the normal left and right swipes in that users must first talk to other users before seeing their appearance. The Blind Date feature is the newest addition to Tinder’s Fast Chat portfolio, which also includes Hot Takes and Swipe Night. As part of the functionality, the users will be matched in terms of what they have in common, answer prompts, and play games. After both users agree to match, they will have the opportunity to view each other’s images for the first time. The dating app recently hit the…

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are set to benefit from tree training under Google’s newly launched Hustle Academy. The training program is designed to help entrepreneurs running about 5,000 SMEs to position their businesses for investment opportunities. They are also invited to apply for the program so they can learn how to build viable business models for the future. A global network of mentors and alumni will be at hand to offer their expertise at the academy. To help SMEs in Africa navigate the challenges they face, business owners will receive five days of hands-on…

A South African Court has ordered Africa’s second-largest operator and Safaricom’s Parent Company, Vodacom to pay “Please Call Me” inventor a percentage of revenue generated from his invention. The High Court ruled that Nkosana Makate is entitled to 5 percent of the total voice revenue generated from the service from March 2002 to March 2021. Makate is also entitled to 27 percent of the revenue generated by the return of calls placed through the Please Call Me platform, according to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Judge Wendy Hughes ordered Vodacom’s CEO, Shameel Joosub, to complete the decision within…