From ordering food to booking rooms to getting travel plans organised, technology has evolved with every new app to help make the world a better place. For every small thing one does in life, there is an app that exists to make that task all the more easier. One of the positive sides of this is that now, apart from just the social angle of things, there are apps which help make the world a better place. Here are our pick of apps that not only contribute to the social betterment of the world, but help make an impact as well.
1. GlobalGiving
At its very essence, GlobalGiving is an organisation that helps in the growth of those foundations which are at the grassroot level. From raising money for building wells in Nigeria and to helping raise money for earthquake victims in Nepal, GlobalGiving works as the perfect facilitator. People who sign up on the site get connected to the cause they want to support and give money to, with regular updates on further donations as and when required. Since the time of its inception in 2002, this organisation raised almost $ 200 million from people around the world. Supporting close to 13,000 causes across the world, GlobalGiving helped improve the conditions of people all over the world.
2. LeftoverSwap
Leftover food is always an issue and when you do not know what to do with the excess food, it more often than not goes to waste. To prevent wastage like this and to harness the power of smartphones to good, the LeftoverSwap app was created. Using the swipe and connect principle, LeftoverSwap lets people take pictures of leftover food and share it on their app. Once that is done, volunteers who are already registered on the app collect the food and give it to either individuals who need the food or to charities who work with the poor and hungry groups of people in the world.
3. One Today
While donating to organizations is well and good, finding a legitimate cause can be quite tricky. One Today came to be as an attempt to resolve this issue and to remove middlemen from the picture altogether. Once you register on the website, One Today matches users to charities based on the users’ interests. Once you register and match with the charity of your choice, the app lets you donate $ 1 a day to these causes. Further, the app also allows users to increase the donations made by their friends, in an attempt to make a larger impact.
4. MindMate
At a time when dementia is an increasingly common disease, MindMate comes as a blessing in disguise. With over 350,000 regular users, this app helps people stay connected to their memory with regular exercises. With interactive games created using the latest scientific research in the fields of dementia and mental health, MindMate helps improve one’s memory. What makes this app so much more interesting is it also offers a wide range of information on how to stay active, fit and healthy by giving users information on regular health and exercise.
5. Tree Planet
What if you could lend a hand in increasing the number of trees by playing a game on your phone? Tree Planet, an app that does just that, recognised the growing addiction people have when it comes to their phones and helped plant over 500,000 trees in a period of four years. In the latest version of the game, every time the users save a tree from dying, Tree Planet plants a sapling/tree. Converting virtual trees into real trees, Tree Planet is making the world a cleaner and greener place, one game at a time!
Websites and apps like these have been specifically designed to make the world one cause and one issue at a time. If you think there are other apps like these that we missed mentioning, comment and let us know!
Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Teen Accounts” to enhance the safety and well-being of its younger users. This initiative aims to address growing concerns among parents and guardians about the potential risks associated with social media use among teenagers.
Understanding Teen Accounts
Teen Accounts are automatically assigned to users under 18 years old and come with built-in safety features. These accounts are designed to provide a more secure online experience for teenagers by protecting them from inappropriate content and unwanted interactions while giving parents more control over their teens’ social media activities.
Key Features of Teen Accounts
Default Private Settings: All Teen Accounts will be set to private by default, requiring teens to approve follower requests and ensuring that only people they know can see their content.
Messaging Restrictions: Teens can only receive messages from accounts they follow or are already connected to, limiting the risk of unwanted contact from strangers.
Sensitive Content Filtering: Teen Accounts will automatically have the most restrictive content settings, filtering out sensitive material such as violent videos or posts promoting cosmetic procedures to create a safer browsing experience.
Hidden Words Feature: Instagram’s anti-bullying tool, Hidden Words, will be activated by default on Teen Accounts, filtering out offensive comments and messages to help reduce cyberbullying.
Time Management Tools: Teens will receive reminders after using the app for over an hour, encouraging them to take breaks. A sleep mode will mute notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM, promoting healthier usage habits.
Parental Controls: Parents can monitor their teen’s messaging activity over the past week without accessing the actual messages. They can also set daily time limits for app usage and block access during specific hours.
Parental Oversight
The introduction of Teen Accounts gives parents greater oversight of their children’s social media interactions. By enabling parental supervision features, parents can approve or deny changes to account settings, view topics their teens are exploring on Instagram, and set daily time limits for app usage. This level of control is designed to reassure parents that their teens are engaging with age-appropriate content and are protected from potential online dangers.
Implementation Timeline
Instagram began rolling out Teen Accounts on September 17, 2024, starting with users in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Existing accounts for users under 18 will transition to Teen Accounts within the next 60 days, and the rollout will extend to other regions, including the European Union, later this year and into early 2025.
Conclusion
Instagram’s new Teen Accounts represent a significant step towards ensuring the safety of younger users on social media platforms. With enhanced privacy settings, content filtering, and parental controls, these accounts aim to create a more secure environment for teenagers while allowing parents to stay informed about their children’s online activities. As social media continues to play a crucial role in young people’s lives, initiatives like these are essential in fostering safe and responsible usage. Parents should familiarize themselves with these features and engage in conversations with their teens about safe social media practices.
Apple has recently pulled the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models following a wave of complaints from users who reported that their devices became bricked after installing the software. This decision comes just a day after the update was made available, highlighting significant issues that have rendered some iPads unresponsive.
The Rollout of iPadOS 18
On September 16, 2024, Apple launched iPadOS 18, which introduced several new features, including customizable home screens, a calculator app for the first time on the iPad, and enhanced note-taking capabilities. However, shortly after the rollout, many M4 iPad Pro owners began reporting serious problems. Users took to platforms like Reddit and Apple’s Discussion Forums to share their experiences of devices that turned off during the update process and failed to power back on.
One user recounted their experience: “I just took it to the Apple Store, who confirmed it’s completely bricked,” indicating that they would need to send the device to engineers for assessment before receiving a replacement, despite having AppleCare. This frustration was echoed by numerous other users facing similar issues.
Apple’s Response
In light of these complaints, Apple has temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models and has stopped signing the firmware files necessary for restoring these devices. While Apple has not publicly acknowledged the full extent of the problem, they confirmed they are working to resolve it. Notably, other devices are still able to download and install the update without incident, suggesting that the issue is isolated to specific models.
User Experiences
Affected users reported various scenarios leading up to their devices becoming bricked. Some noted that their iPads were fully charged and connected to power during the update process but still encountered failures. Attempts to recover their devices using recovery mode or connecting them to a computer yielded no positive results, leaving many frustrated and seeking assistance from Apple Support.
Community Reactions
The community response has been overwhelmingly critical of Apple’s quality assurance processes. Many users expressed disappointment over experiencing such severe issues with a brand-new device. Comments highlighted concerns about whether adequate testing was conducted prior to releasing the update. Some users even compared their experiences unfavorably with Android devices, stating that they had never encountered such critical failures during updates on other platforms.
Looking Ahead
As of now, Apple has not provided a timeline for when iPadOS 18 will be re-released for M4 iPad Pro models or what specific measures will be implemented to address these issues. Users are advised to refrain from installing the update until further notice and are encouraged to contact Apple Support if they experience problems.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of iPadOS 18 for M4 iPad Pro models underscores the challenges tech companies face in ensuring software reliability across diverse hardware configurations. As Apple works to rectify this situation, affected users are left navigating uncertainty regarding their devices’ functionality and future updates. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough testing in software development and maintaining user trust in technology companies.
As Apple rolls out the much-anticipated iOS 18 today, it’s important to ensure your device is ready for the update. This guide outlines the necessary steps to prepare your iPhone for a smooth installation of iOS 18, which promises to enhance customization and introduce several new features.
1. Verify Device Compatibility
Before proceeding, confirm that your iPhone is compatible with iOS 18. The update will be available for the following models:
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
2. Free Up Storage Space
iOS 18 requires approximately 6.98 GB of available storage. To ensure a smooth installation, check your storage by navigating to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Delete unused apps, photos, and files. Consider offloading photos to iCloud to create additional space.
3. Back Up Your Data
Backing up your iPhone is crucial before any major update. Use iCloud or connect your device to a computer with iTunes/Finder to create a backup. This protects your data in case of any issues during the update process.
4. Check App Compatibility
Some apps may not be immediately compatible with iOS 18. Check for updates from app developers or consider waiting a few days after the update to ensure your essential apps function correctly.
5. Ensure a Stable Wi-Fi Connection and Charge Your iPhone
A stable Wi-Fi connection is essential for downloading the update. Additionally, ensure your iPhone is charged to at least 50% before starting the installation to avoid interruptions.
6. Wait for Early Reviews
If you’re not in a rush, consider waiting a few days after the initial release to install iOS 18. This allows time for developers to identify and resolve any initial bugs, ensuring a smoother experience.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to install iOS 18 and take full advantage of its new features. Enjoy your updated iPhone experience!