Tag Archives: formerly

News, Smartphones

Twitter Adds Voice And Video Calls: Here’s How To Disable It

voice and video calls on X Nadeem Sarwar / SlashGear

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has finally introduced the ability to make audio and video calls. The convenience of calling is only available to X Premium subscribers and is limited to the iOS app at the moment. However, the platform’s support page says it will soon arrive on Android, as well. There is no word if this feature will ever expand to the desktop client.

Notably, you don’t need an X Premium account to receive calls. For audio calls, users will also have access to core features like mute controls for the mic and putting the call on speaker. In video calls, there’s the facility to switch between front and rear cameras or turn off the camera feed in its entirety. X has tied the feature to its Direct Messaging system, and as such, you can only make calls after you have initiated a conversation in the DMs section.

That is where things get messy. Ever since the arrival of X Premium, Twitter has reworked the rules around whom you can send direct messages. But what’s baffling is that calling on X is enabled by default. Thankfully, there’s a setting to only allow calls from mutuals, not complete strangers.

How to control calling privilege on X?

Call controls on X Nadeem Sarwar / SlashGear

If you don’t want voice or video calls on X, you can easily turn it off. Alternatively, you can narrow down the list of people who can ring you up on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Open the X app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
  3. In the side pane that opens on the left edge, tap on “Settings and Support,” followed by “Settings and privacy” in the drop-down menu.
  4. On the next page, scroll down and select “Privacy and safety.”
  5. Here, you will see an option called “Direct Messages.” Tap on it to land on the messaging controls page.
  6. If you don’t want to use the calling system on X at all, just turn off the toggle that says “Enable audio and video calling.” It is enabled by default. If you seek more privacy, you can allow voice and video calls only from accounts you follow, verified users, or those in your address book.
Motorsport

Glimpse The New Kia K5’s Dual-Screen Dash Before You’re Supposed To See It

The Kia K5 sedan, formerly the Optima, is getting a design refresh after launching in 2021. A new spy video captures the sedan cruising on US roads for the first time.

The cladding and wraps obscure many new design details, but the coverings can’t hide the redesigned headlights. Kia has repositioned the daytime running light above the headlight until. This change likely signifies the sedan will receive a major front-end makeover. The sedan has revamped taillight graphics, which should sit above a restyled bumper.

Signs suggest Kia will update the car’s interior, giving the model a curved, dual-screen display. A previous spy video captured the sedan’s cabin, but whoever drove it last covered up the dashboard before exiting. The new video also provides a peek, and it appears there are screens on the dashboard.

The Kia K5 uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine for the base offering. It makes 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The automaker also offers the sedan a more potent 290-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It churns out 311 lb-ft of twist, and Kia estimates the K5 can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. We don’t expect the company to make any powertrain changes as it struggles to sell the model.

Kia K5 sales continue to fall, tumbling 28 percent from 2021 to 2022 to 66,298. They are down through September of this year but by only seven percent. Kia has sold about 50,000 K5 sedans in 2023, nearly half of the number sold in 2021 – 92,326.

The model’s dwindling sales have fueled rumors that Kia will discontinue the model in the US alongside the Hyundai Sonata. The company will allegedly kill the model at the end of this generation, which won’t be until 2027 or 2028. If so, it’ll need a mid-cycle redesign to stay competitive.

While the sedan continues to wear a significant amount of camouflage and cladding, it is debuting later this year. Kia confirmed last month that the updated K5 and Carnival will debut before the end of 2023, and we’re a week away from the start of November.

News, Wearables

Fitbit Mobile App and User Accounts Experience Major Outage

Fitbit, the popular fitness tracking company, is currently facing a major outage that is impacting its mobile app and user accounts. Fitbit Support tweeted about the issue on X, stating that their technical teams are actively working to resolve the problem. However, the exact cause of the outage and its full scope are not yet known. The Fitbit website also acknowledged the outage and provided a similar message.

The issues began around 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and some users have reported regaining access to the app since then. However, they have noticed discrepancies in their data. Some users claim that the app is displaying incorrect figures, while others have reported missing activity data from the period during the outage.

This is not the first time Fitbit users have experienced a major service outage. The previous one occurred in March 2023, primarily impacting the company’s iOS app. Prior to that, in February, there was a similar problem with Fitbit’s mobile platform, which took several hours to resolve. Fitbit did not provide specific details about the causes of these previous outages, and it is likely that we may not receive a detailed explanation for the current disruption in October 2023.

Motorsport

Mitsubishi Off-Road Minivan Teased For Japan Mobility Show Debut

Mitsubishi has confirmed its participation in the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show, where it will showcase an outdoorsy vehicle. While details about the show car are still scarce, a new teaser image has revealed that it will have four-wheel drive and all-terrain tires.

The concept vehicle, which is yet to be named, will combine the off-road capability of a crossover with the utility of a multi-purpose vehicle. Mitsubishi has used both “electrified” and “electric” to describe the drivetrain, leaving it unclear whether the vehicle will be a hybrid or a pure electric vehicle. However, it is said to have go-anywhere capabilities and a spacious cabin.

The latest teaser image provides a better glimpse of the vehicle’s rear and upper section. It features a boxy design with a generous greenhouse and T-shaped taillights that match the front light signature. The vehicle also has a cargo box on the roof, cameras instead of side mirrors, and no door handles. This combination of crossover and minivan features is something Mitsubishi has previously explored with the Xpander Cross, and it is possible that this new concept will serve as a preview for the next-generation Delica D:5.

Mitsubishi has emphasized the concept nature of the vehicle and mentioned that it will come with large-diameter tires and selectable driving modes. The Japan Mobility Show at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center will also feature other premieres, including the new Triton pickup truck and a Delica D:5 support car used in the 2023 Asia Cross Country Rally. Additionally, an electric buggy will be showcased as a last-mile mobility vehicle.

Motorsport

Subaru Impreza 22B Owned By Colin McRae Sells for $606K at Auction

A rare 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B prototype, which was previously owned by World Rally Championship legend Colin McRae, fetched an impressive $606,042 (480,500 pounds) at the Silverstone Festival auction on August 26. This marked the first time the car was made available in a public auction.

Delivered by Subaru in November 1998, the 22B was one of only three prototypes created for the limited-run model inspired by rally racing. The automaker produced a total of 400 units for Japan, along with 16 for the United Kingdom, 5 for Australia, and the three pre-production examples. Interestingly, the Japanese units reportedly sold out on the first day of availability.