Meta’s Thread will soon offer its users the option to delete their account without any impact on their Instagram profile, as revealed by a Meta executive at a recent event. The company is actively developing a distinct delete feature for Threads, expected for potential release by December this year. Threads, introduced by Meta in July as a competition to Elon Musk’s X (formerly called Twitter), swiftly gained popularity, with over 10 million sign-ups within its initial hours of launch.

Previously, a significant drawback of Meta’s Threads was its account deletion policy, where deleting a Threads account meant mandatory deletion of the associated Instagram account due to tight integration. However, it appears that Meta is addressing this issue as well.

According to a TechCrunch report, Meta’s chief Privacy Officer (Product), Michel Protti, announced at TechCrunch Disrupt that the company is actively working on a feature allowing users to delete their Threads account independently without affecting their Instagram account. This new feature is expected to be rolled out by December later this year.

These features will be available in which versions?

While he did not specify whether this feature will be exclusive to Android or iOS apps or if it will also extend to the desktop version, he did elaborate that the task of implementing this feature is extremely challenging. As of now, users have the option to deactivate their Threads account and hide the content, all without affecting their Instagram account. Additionally, users can choose to mute their Threads account, preventing notifications.

He also mentioned that the company is actively working on integrating Threads with the fediverse, an interconnected network of independent servers designed for smooth communication. This aligns with Meta's earlier statement about Threads being compatible with the ActivityPub protocol. However, Meta is carefully assessing situations where a user opts to delete a Threads post after it has been transmitted to another server.

As mentioned earlier, Threads was introduced by Meta in July of this year and quickly amassed over 10 million users within the initial hours of its launch.

The smartphone market is a dynamic landscape that offers a wide range of options catering to different budgets. If you're in the market for a feature-rich device without breaking the bank, there are several smartphones that deliver impressive performance, innovative features, and a satisfying user experience.

The smartphone market proves that cutting-edge features and a satisfying user experience don't have to come with a hefty price tag. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, an Apple ecosystem loyalist, or a fan of feature-packed Android devices, there are smartphones under $500 that offer a compelling mix of performance, innovation, and affordability.

Check out this list of 5 smartphones under the budget of $500

1. OnePlus Nord 2 (Approx. $449)

The OnePlus Nord 2 emerges as a standout choice in the sub-$500 category, boasting a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor. With a 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED display, a 50MP triple-camera setup, and a 4,500mAh battery, the Nord 2 offers flagship-like features at a mid-range price. OxygenOS, OnePlus' clean and user-friendly interface, adds to the allure, providing a smooth and customizable user experience.

2. Google Pixel 5a (Approx. $449)

The Google Pixel 5a excels in the camera department, featuring a dual-camera setup with a 12.2MP main sensor and a 16MP ultra-wide lens. Known for its exceptional image processing and Night Sight mode, the Pixel 5a ensures stunning photography in various conditions. With a large 6.34-inch OLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, and a robust 4,680mAh battery, it's a reliable and camera-centric choice in the mid-range segment.

3. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (Approx. $499)

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G stands out for its vibrant and large 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, it provides 5G capabilities for faster connectivity. The quad-camera system, featuring a 64MP main sensor, offers versatile shooting options. With One UI's intuitive interface, a 4,500mAh battery, and Samsung's reputation for durability, the A52s 5G brings a premium feel to the mid-range segment.

4. Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) (Approx. $399)

The Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) caters to users who prefer a compact form factor without compromising on performance. With the powerful A13 Bionic chip, the same found in the iPhone 11 series, it delivers swift performance. The 4.7-inch Retina HD display might be smaller than most, but it ensures a comfortable one-handed usage experience. Running on iOS, it guarantees timely updates and a seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem. Priced attractively, the iPhone SE appeals to those seeking a reliable and compact device within a budget.

5. Xiaomi Poco F3 (Approx. $449): Flagship Features

The Poco F3 from Xiaomi packs a punch with flagship-like features at a budget-friendly price. Sporting a 6.67-inch 120Hz E4 AMOLED display, it offers smooth visuals. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, it's capable of handling demanding tasks. The triple-camera setup, featuring a 48MP main sensor, provides versatile photography options. With a 4,520mAh battery and stereo speakers, the Poco F3 enhances both entertainment and productivity.

Google has made several announcements, which included renaming Bard to Gemini and introducing a new standalone Gemini app for Android. Also, Gemini access was extended to iOS users in the Google app, alongside the launch of Gemini Advanced. For those unfamiliar with Gemini Advanced, it can be compared to ChatGPT Plus. Similar to the premium model of ChatGPT, Gemini Advanced will be offered on a subscription basis and is built on Google’s most sophisticated multimodal model, Gemini Ultra.

Before delving into the details of Gemini Advance, here’s a quick recap of recent developments. Google recently introduced Gemini, its AI multimodal, which is available in three sizes. Firstly, there’s Gemini Nano, designed primarily for on-device tasks. Then there’s Gemini Pro, which offers scalability across various tasks and is slightly more efficient than Nano and finally, there's Gemini Ultra, Google's largest and most capable version of Gemini, as per the company as capable of handling "highly complex tasks." So far, users have had access to Gemini Nano and Gemini Pro through Bard. 

However, the company aimed to simplify the process. Therefore, to "mirror the advanced technology at its core," the company revealed on February 8th that Bard will now be referred to as Gemini. This tool is available online in 40 languages and will soon be accessible through a new Gemini app for Android devices and the Google app on iOS.

What about Gemini Ultra?

Gemini Ultra has been rebranded as Gemini Advanced. According to Google, the Advanced version is proficient in reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration.

What is the price of Gemini Advance in India?

Gemini Advanced is available through a subscription to Google One AI Premium, priced starting at Rs 1,950 per month for users in India. This subscription not only provides access to Gemini Advanced but also includes 2TB of storage and access to Gemini across various platforms such as Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and other platforms previously known as Duet AI.

How to use Gemini Advance

Gemini Advanced is accessible to users through a subscription to the Google One AI Premium plan. This new plan enhances the existing Google One service, which provides increased storage and exclusive product features. In India, the AI Premium plan starts at Rs 130 per month.

Gemini Advance offers users access to features such as "Help me write," powered by Duet AI, now renamed Gemini for Workspace. This implies that subscribers of Gemini Advance can utilize the capabilities of Gemini Ultra within workspace applications like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet.

In March of this year, several reports surfaced indicating LinkedIn was considering adding an entertainment feature for job seekers. According to a TechCrunch report, LinkedIn was exploring the possibility of incorporating games into the platform, providing job seekers with enjoyable activities while they search for new opportunities or connect with their network.

Now, the company has officially rolled out games for the platform. Initially, LinkedIn has introduced just three games - Queens, Crossclimb, and Pinpoint. These games cater to various skill sets, offering users a mix of logic puzzles, trivia challenges, and word associations. Drawing inspiration from popular classics like Sudoku and word games, these new additions promise to bring a fresh dimension to LinkedIn's platform.

LinkedIn VP Daniel Roth revealed the decision in a post, expressing his excitement, “Okay, thrilled to announce this: Today, we’re unveiling games on LinkedIn.” he shared that he had been testing the team’s creation over the past month and found it highly enjoyable. 

“For the past month, I've been thoroughly testing the team's remarkable creation, and I must say, I haven't had more fun evaluating a product. This suite of once-daily, quick, thought-provoking games — Crossclimb, Pinpoint, and Queens — has become my morning ritual. Shortly after, I check the leaderboards and send a flurry of messages to my colleagues, showcasing my impressive — and, well, not-so-impressive — scores. I have a feeling you'll find yourself doing the same. Reach out to me after you've played, and share your thoughts. Let the games commence!"

Talking about the games

When delving into the games, Queens offers a unique variation of Sudoku, requiring players to arrange crowns in patterns without overlap within a set time limit. Crossclimb, on the other hand, presents users with exciting word puzzles, where clues guide them to interconnected words on a grid, evaluating both mental agility and linguistic skills. Lastly, Pinpoint, similar to the New York Times's popular Connections game, leads players to discern connections between words, putting their deductive abilities and cognitive flexibility to the test.

Crafted by LinkedIn News, these games seek to offer a relaxed yet intellectually engaging platform for professionals to interact with their colleagues. Currently, each game can be played only once, leaving the possibility open for further additions to the lineup in the future.