Travis Kalanick, the CEO of Uber, has a lot to his name. From bringing back a startup which was failed, to making its presence felt in more than 300 countries all over the world, Travis has come a long way. When he first began his journey in the year 1998, little did he know he was at the cusp of creating something truly great. Over the years, Uber has grown from being just an idea to being one of the most successful startups. Here’s taking a look at some truly inspiring lessons to learn from the man who made travelling a hassle free process.
1. It is okay to take risks
Nothing worth having ever comes easily in life. If you want something, you have to go out of your way to achieve it and through the years, Travis has taught us just that. The more you believe in yourself and the more you believe in your ideas, the more you know they will come true. The bigger your risks, the bigger your rewards and by making Uber what it is today, Travis taught us the importance of taking risks.
2. Start with small beginnings
When Travis started Uber, he started with a really small idea and a smaller team. With only four people coming together in a small room in San Francisco, Uber grew to a massive success through sheer hard work. However, with the zeal to realise their dreams and make them come true, this small team created magic by using passion as their potion.
3. Think of solutions
Finding the problem isn’t enough. Finding the solution is important. Work with your team, understand the root cause of the situation and figure out what really happened. The more you dig, the more you realise what the issue is and how it can be solved. A classic example was how Uber in itself came to be. When Travis realised there was a massive dearth of cabs in Paris, he realised the solution was to start a cab service company, an idea which eventually took over the world.
4. Don’t be afraid of the hurdles
Every time you work toward making your dream come true, there will always be hurdles that cause roadblocks. Ever since it was founded, Uber has had its fair share of issues. However, instead of giving up on the problems, the team always tackled them head on and worked on giving people what they want. Had they stopped UberMoto when it failed in Paris, they would not have a solution to the other problems in the world.
5. Make mistakes and learn from them
Making mistakes is a part of growing up, a learning process which has a steep curve toward success. One of the major reasons so many startups fail before they can hit the success mark is because they don’t look back on their mistakes. They don’t take stock of what went wrong and refuse to look at the things which happen out of plan. Learn from the hurdles, from the problems and find ways around them to successful ends.
6. Sell your story
One of the biggest things Travis believes in is the selling of a story. Weave magic with your words and sell your idea to the people who matter the most. One of the ways Travis sold the idea of Uber to his investors was by telling them to look at the world through the eyes of a taxi driver. Only when you truly take in everything with all the magic the world has to offer can you see the brighter things of life!
Through all the years of Uber’s growth and rise to success, Travis played a major role. If you think we missed out on any other life lessons from this visionary, comment and let us know.
Google has introduced a new AI-powered feature for its Files by Google app, allowing users to easily interact with PDF documents. The “Ask about this PDF” feature, powered by Gemini, enables users to ask questions about the document’s content directly within the app.
How it Works
Access
The feature is available in the updated Files by Google app (version 16.0.5 and above). Users can download the latest version from the Google Play Store to access this functionality.
Functionality
Users can simply tap the “Ask about this PDF” button while viewing a document. This prompts the app to allow users to ask questions regarding the PDF content, such as:
Summaries of sections
Clarifications on specific paragraphs
Details about tables and charts
AI Interaction
The app leverages the power of Gemini AI to provide accurate and informative answers based on the content of the PDF. This interaction enhances user engagement by making it easier to extract relevant information without manually scrolling through lengthy documents.
User-Friendly Experience
AI-generated responses are displayed as an overlay, enabling users to view both the original PDF and the AI-generated answers simultaneously. This feature streamlines the process of obtaining information from PDFs, making it particularly useful for students and professionals who frequently work with such documents.
Availability
Gemini Advanced Required
The “Ask about this PDF” feature is currently exclusive to users of Gemini Advanced, a subscription service that provides enhanced capabilities of Google’s AI tools.
Limited to Files by Google
At present, this feature is available only within the Files by Google app. However, there are expectations that similar functionalities may be integrated into other Google applications in the future, such as Google Drive.
Future Outlook
This new feature demonstrates Google’s commitment to integrating AI seamlessly into its products and services. By enhancing the user experience with innovative tools like “Ask about this PDF,” Google aims to improve productivity and accessibility for its users.
Expansion Plans
Given the positive reception of this feature, it is likely that Google will explore expanding Gemini’s capabilities across other platforms and applications, potentially offering similar functionalities for various document types and formats.
Conclusion
Google’s introduction of the “Ask about this PDF” feature in its Files by Google app marks a significant advancement in how users interact with digital documents. By leveraging Gemini AI, Google is not only enhancing productivity but also making information retrieval more efficient and user-friendly. As AI continues to evolve, features like these are expected to play a crucial role in transforming digital workflows across various sectors.
WhatsApp is revolutionizing how users handle voice messages with the introduction of its new Voice Note Transcription feature. Designed to cater to diverse user needs, this update ensures that you never miss out on voice messages, even in situations where listening isn’t an option—be it a noisy environment, an important meeting, or simply when audio isn’t convenient.
What Is Voice Note Transcription?
The Voice Note Transcription feature converts voice messages into text, allowing users to read the content instead of listening. This thoughtful solution addresses scenarios where audio playback may not be practical. With this addition, WhatsApp enhances communication efficiency, helping users stay connected regardless of their circumstances.
How Does It Work?
Using the transcription feature is straightforward:
Enable the Feature: Navigate to Settings > Chats > Voice Message Transcripts to enable or disable the feature and select your preferred transcription language.
Transcribing a Voice Note: Once activated, long-press the voice message you’ve received and tap ‘Transcribe’. The app will instantly generate a text version of the audio message for you to read at your convenience.
This process is handled entirely on your device, ensuring that the voice messages remain private. Neither WhatsApp nor external servers have access to the content, maintaining the platform’s commitment to privacy.
Privacy and Security
In line with WhatsApp’s dedication to user security, the transcription process is executed locally on the device. This ensures that your voice messages are never sent to external servers, and even WhatsApp itself cannot access them. By integrating this feature while preserving its robust end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp continues to prioritize user trust.
Key Privacy Features
Local Processing: Transcripts are generated entirely on-device, ensuring that no one else—not even WhatsApp—can access your personal messages.
End-to-End Encryption: The feature maintains WhatsApp’s strong privacy standards, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access their voice messages.
Global Rollout and Language Support
The Voice Note Transcription feature is rolling out globally over the coming weeks. Initially, it supports selected languages such as English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hindi. WhatsApp has confirmed plans to expand its language offerings soon, ensuring wider accessibility for users worldwide.
Why This Feature is a Game-Changer
This new addition addresses a common pain point for WhatsApp users: handling voice messages when audio playback isn’t feasible. Whether you’re in a crowded space, attending a quiet event, or dealing with a lengthy voice note, the transcription feature provides a convenient alternative.
Benefits of Voice Note Transcription
Multitasking Convenience: Users can skim through voice messages while juggling other responsibilities without needing headphones.
Accessibility Improvement: The feature enhances accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments or those who prefer text-based communication over audio.
Enhanced Communication: Merging the personal touch of voice communication with the convenience of text allows for more flexible interactions.
Conclusion
By introducing the Voice Note Transcription feature, WhatsApp continues to innovate and enhance its platform. This tool exemplifies how technology can adapt to diverse user needs while maintaining security and privacy. Keep an eye on your app settings—this feature is rolling out soon and is set to make staying connected easier than ever. As WhatsApp expands its capabilities, users can look forward to a more personalized and efficient messaging experience that caters to their evolving communication preferences.
WhatsApp has introduced an innovative security feature known as Chat Lock, which enhances user privacy by allowing individuals to secure their personal chats from unwanted access. A key component of this update is the Secret Code option, enabling users to access locked chats through a unique code, thereby making private conversations even more discreet.
What is the Secret Code for Locked Chats?
The Secret Code feature allows users to set a custom code for their locked chats, effectively hiding them and making them accessible only through a specific search command. Instead of simply navigating to the Locked Chats folder within the app, users can assign a custom name or code that conceals these chats entirely from the main chat screen.
Once the Secret Code is established, users can easily search for it within the app to access their hidden chats. If someone attempts to enter an incorrect code, the locked chats will remain invisible, adding an extra layer of security.
Steps to Set Up a Secret Code for Locked Chats on WhatsApp
If you want to enhance the security of your chats with a Secret Code, follow this step-by-step guide:
Lock Your Chats:
Select the chat you wish to lock.
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner and choose Lock Chat.
Access the Locked Chats Folder:
After locking some chats, open WhatsApp and navigate to the Locked Chats folder.
Set the Secret Code:
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the Locked Chats screen and select Chat Lock Settings.
Choose the Secret Code option.
Enter a memorable code of your choice (this can include words or emojis).
Tap Next, re-enter your code to confirm, and then tap Done to save your code.
Hide Locked Chats:
To make locked chats less visible, go back to the Chat Lock Settings page and toggle on Hide Locked Chats.
Important Considerations
Code Access: After setting up your Secret Code, you will need to enter it each time you want to access your hidden chats.
Privacy Caution: If someone knows your Secret Code, they can unlock your chats.
Code Retrieval: If you forget your Secret Code, there is no recovery option unless you have a backup of your chats.
Benefits of Using the Secret Code Feature
The introduction of the Secret Code significantly enhances privacy for WhatsApp users. It allows individuals to keep sensitive conversations hidden from prying eyes, making it particularly useful for those who share their devices or are concerned about unauthorized access. This feature is ideal for various scenarios, such as discussing personal matters or planning surprises without fear of being discovered.
Conclusion
With its new Secret Code feature for locked chats, WhatsApp has taken a significant step toward enhancing user privacy and security. By allowing users to hide their sensitive conversations behind a customizable code, WhatsApp provides an effective solution for those looking to keep their communications confidential. As digital privacy becomes increasingly important, features like these empower users to take control over their personal information and interactions within the app.