10 Best Clubhouse App Tips And Tricks: All You Need To Know To Be A Pro

It’s been a while since I’ve been using Clubhouse and I think it’s a good time to impart some Clubhouse app tips and tricks. Since it first hit the market, the Clubhouse app has added new features and refinements to make it a better experience. If you’ve just signed up for Clubhouse, click on the link below to learn the basics of Clubhouse.

So here are the top Clubhouse tips and tricks you should know to become a Clubhouse pro.

Also Read: How To Get Started With Clubhouse And Create A Clubhouse Room

10 Clubhouse App Tips And Tricks

• 1. Join Clubhouse Without An Invite
• 2. Add A Bio And Social Media Accounts
• 3. Set A Clubhouse Profile Picture
• 4. Refine Your Clubhouse Interests
• 5. Join A Club
• 6. Search For People In Clubhouse Rooms
• 7. Start Private Chat With A Friend
• 8. Hide A Room Or Club
• 9. Manage Clubhouse Notifications
• 10. Block Someone

1. Join Clubhouse Without An Invite

This ought to be the biggest hack of them all. You can join the invite-only iOS-exclusive Clubhouse app without an invite if you know someone who is already on Clubhouse. If you’re friends with someone already using the app, and you’re on each other’s contact list, they can let you into Clubhouse without an invite.

If you’re already on Clubhouse and ran out of invites, you can ask your friends to sign up and let them in. When one of your friends signs up without an invite, you’ll be notified and asked if you want to let them in. You can access this notification from the bell icon on the app’s home screen and welcome them to the app.

We’re not sure if this feature will work for users who haven’t synced their phone contacts with Clubhouse.

Pro Tip: Even if you don’t know anyone on the app, just sign up for it and reserve a username. Since Clubhouse is still growing, there are better chances for you to get your preferred user name.

2. Add A Bio And Social Media Accounts

The Clubhouse app is a voice-only social media but you can do a lot more through the app. You can add a bio and link your Twitter and Instagram accounts so that your Clubhouse friends can find you on other platforms too.

To add a bio and link your social media accounts to Clubhouse, open the Clubhouse app > Tap your Profile > Add bio. Right below the bio button, you’ll find the buttons to link your Twitter and Instagram accounts.

3. Set A Clubhouse Profile Picture

The makers of Clubhouse have emphasized real names and pictures. While I’ve myself seen several profiles with Brad Pitt as the image, I’d encourage you to go with a real picture. It’ll look better and add more credibility when you decide to host a room or talk in a Clubhouse club.

To set a profile picture on Clubhouse, open the app and tap the profile icon on the top right side > tap profile image icon > tap the image. Now you can either take a new photo or choose from your phone library.

Pro Tip: When you link your Instagram or Twitter account, the app will let you import a profile picture from there. It is always good to have similar profile pictures across platforms.

4. Refine Your Clubhouse Interests

When you sign up for the Clubhouse app, you can pick some topics of interest for the app to make relevant recommendations. One of the best Clubhouse app tips and tricks is to change Clubhouse interests. You can select more topics or narrow down your recommendations however you want.

To change your Clubhouse interests, open the app and tap on your profile button. Now tap the gear icon to go to settings > tap interests. You can update your interests from here.

5. Join A Club

That’s what Clubhouse is meant for. There are several clubs in the Clubhouse app and you can find them in the search section. You can follow new clubs, start your own club, or become a member of various clubs if you’re an active participant.

If you want to know more about how to join a club or even start a Clubhouse club, give the article below a read.

Also Read: Here’s How To Start A Clubhouse Club In 3 Easy Steps

6. Search For People In Clubhouse Rooms

When you enter a packed Clubhouse room, you may try to look for a familiar face, just like we do in real life. In order to do that, you can use the search bar in a Clubhouse room to look for your friends in a conversation.

To search Clubhouse room when you’re in a room, tap on the three-dot menu on the top right side > tap Search room.

7. Start Private Chat With A Friend

You can use Clubhouse to have a casual audio chat with one or more of your friends. Just swipe left from the Clubhouse home-screen and you’ll see the friends that are available for chat.

Tap on the person you want to chat with and then tap ‘Start a closed room together.’

8. Hide A Room Or Club

If you don’t want to see a room or a club on your Clubhouse home screen, you can get rid of it. To hide a Clubhouse room, swipe right on the room from the app’s home screen. You can also undo this if you mistakenly hide a room.

9. Manage Clubhouse Notifications

Since there’s no way to listen in on a missed room, you may want to get notified about a room or club that interests you. But then there’s a chance that Clubhouse may end up pinging you more than usual. In our Clubhouse tips and tricks, we’ve got you covered on how to manage your Clubhouse notifications.

To manage your notifications, open the Clubhouse ap, and open your profile. Now tap the gear icon to get to settings and check the ‘Notifications’ section. Here, you can adjust the frequency of notifications, alerts about trending rooms, and pause notifications if you don’t want to be disturbed.

10. Block Someone

You may come across disturbing elements on Clubhouse, pretty much like every other social media. Here too, you can block such people and not come across them again. To block someone in a Clubhouse room, tap on the person’s profile > tap the three-dot menu > tap Block and then confirm Block.

Once that is done, the blocked person won’t be able to enter the rooms you’re hosting. You’ll also get a heads up if you’re entering a room where the blocked person is the speaker.

About Clubhouse App Tips And Tricks

Rounding up, we hope you learned something new from our Clubhouse tips and tricks list. There’s much more you can learn once you start using the app. Do let us know in the comments what you think about Clubhouse and the neat little features in this article.

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10 Best Hybrid Cars In India 2021 That Give Amazing Fuel Economy

Sooner or later, everyone has to choose between a hybrid vehicle or an electric one. Most of you already know this, and if you are thinking about buying a hybrid vehicle, then here is the list of best hybrid cars in India you can choose from.

You can choose from a variety of hybrid cars, depending on your budget and the brand. From the best of Honda to the Toyota hybrid cars, here are some best picks for you.

Best Hybrid Cars In India (2021)

S.No.	Best Hybrid Cars	Fuel-Efficiency/ Mileage
1	Toyota Camry Hybrid	19.16 km/l
2	Toyota Vellfire	16 km/l
3	Honda Accord Hybrid	23.1 km/l
4	Lexus 300h Exquisite Hybrid	22.58 km/l
5	Lexus NX 300h Hybrid	18.3 km/l
6	Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid	18.5 km/l
7	Maruti Suzuki Baleno Hybrid	23.8 km/l
8	Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Hybrid	20 km/l
9	Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Hybrid	18.76 km/l
10	MG Hector Hybrid	15.8 km/l

Above is a list of the best hybrid cars in India with amazing mileage. We have included affordable, mid-range as well as luxury hybrid cars in this list so that you can choose the best from any segment.

Toyota Hybrid Cars

Back in the late ’90s, Toyota has kind of revolutionized the industry by introducing the Prius hybrid. Ever since then, we have seen many automakers new and old trying to develop hybrids as well as electric cars. This Japanese automaker has a range of electric vehicles overseas, however, in India, we have limited options. Here are some of them

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 39.41 lakhs
Fuel Economy	19.16 km/l
Hybrid Type	Full Hybrid

The Toyota Camry is one of the best hybrid vehicles on the market. It is also a direct rival to the Honda Accord Hybrid.

This hybrid car comes with a price tag of Rs 39.41 lakh (ex-showroom) and has only one model for sale in India.

The hybrid car is equipped with the latest 4th Generation Hybrid Electric Engine. The Toyota Camry gets its power from a combination of a 2.5-liter petrol engine and 88 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor.

The Toyota hybrid car churns out a maximum output of 215hp and a torque of 221Nm using its petrol engine and 202Nm using an electric motor.

Toyota Vellfire

Toyota Vellfire Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 87.00 lakh
Fuel Economy	16 km/l
Hybrid Type	Fully Hybrid

According to Toyota, the Vellfire hybrid car is a masterpiece of luxury and craftsmanship. It is indeed the most luxurious hybrid vehicle. However, it is a minivan; this hybrid minivan works on the same technology as the Toyota Camry hybrid.

The hybrid Toyota Vellfire is powered by a 2.5L gasoline engine with two motors, each at the front and rear axle. The whole setup produces a maximum output of around 320hp.

Toyota Vellfire is available in only one variant: Executive Lounge and it comes with a hefty price tag of Rs. 87.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

Honda Hybrid Cars

When it comes to hybrid vehicle technology, then Honda has produced some of the finest hybrid vehicles available on the market. However, in India, the automaker has only one hybrid car in its portfolio (Honda Accord).

Honda Accord Hybrid:

Honda Accord Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 43.21 lakhs
Fuel Economy	23.1 km/l
Hybrid Type	Full Hybrid

The Honda Accord is powered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle DOHC-iVTEC engine and a dual-motor hybrid powertrain, getting its power from a 1.3kW Li-ion Battery pack.

The combination could produce an output of around 212hp with a fuel economy of 23.1km per liter. The company claims it is one of the best hybrid cars in India. The price of the Honda Accord Hybrid used to be Rs 43,21,237 (ex-showroom).

Unfortunately, Honda discontinued this Accord earlier this year. However, there are still plenty of older models in the market.

Lexus Hybrid Cars (Luxury Segment)

Lexus is the luxury brand of the parent company Toyota. The company has a range of these expensive hybrid cars; however, there are very few that we have chosen to be on this list.

Lexus 300h Exquisite Hybrid

Lexus 300h Exquisite Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 56.55 lakh
Fuel Economy	22.58 km/l
Hybrid Type	Full Hybrid

The Lexus 300h Exquisite hybrid has the lowest cost compared to the company’s other hybrid models.

The hybrid sedan is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder in-line engine along with a hybrid motor and a battery. The gasoline engine gives an output of 175hp and a peak torque of 221Nm.

Meanwhile, the electric motor gets its power from a 244.8 V Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery, which helps the motor produce a total output of around 214hp.

The same type of battery is used in Toyota Camry, Vellfire, and other hybrid cars of the company.

The combination of affluent features, excellent built quality, and innovation makes Lexus produce the best hybrid cars in the world.

Lexus NX 300h Luxury Hybrid

Lexus NX 300h Luxury Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 63.20 lakh
Fuel Economy	17.2 km/l
Hybrid Type	Fully Hybrid

Next on the list of hybrid cars is a Lexus NX 300h luxury hybrid SUV. Despite being a huge SUV, it has a fuel efficiency of around 17.2 km per liter. This SUV has thrilling performance figures too. It can go from 0 to 100 km per hour in just 9.2 seconds.

NX 300h hybrid SUV comes with a dedicated EV mode. It has two electric motors for both the axles, which generate a maximum of around 207hp, whereas the IC engine makes 194hp.

Maruti Suzuki Hybrid Cars (Most Affordable)

Maruti Suzuki is one of the largest automakers in India. The company is known for providing affordable and fuel-efficient cars. Considering modern needs, the automaker has developed its smart hybrid technology. As the company is famous for, the hybrid cars of Maruti Suzuki are the cheapest hybrid cars in India with amazing mileage.

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid (Best Hybrid SUV)

Image: Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 8.39 lakh
Fuel Economy	18.55 km/l
Hybrid Type	Mild Hybrid

After the discontinuation of diesel engines, Maruti Suzuki recently launched a hybrid variant of its stylish SUV S-Cross. The all-new Maruti S-Cross is equipped with Suzuki’s smart hybrid technology. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter VS6 compliant hybrid petrol engine.

The hybrid engine is capable of producing around 103 BHP and a peak torque of 138 Nm. In terms of mileage, on paper, it can easily churn out above 18 km/l with both manual and automatic transmission.

The price of the new hybrid S-Cross starts at Rs 8.39 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Hybrid

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 7.45 lakh
Fuel Economy	23.87 km/l
Hybrid Type	Mild Hybrid

Maruti Suzuki Baleno is one of the best-selling hybrid cars in India. It uses Smart Hybrid Technology, which is a mild-hybrid technology. With smart hybrid technology, Baleno now has an improved fuel efficiency of around 24km per liter. The price of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno hybrid starts at Rs 7.45 lakh(ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Hybrid

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 8.42 lakh
Fuel Economy	20.65 km/l
Hybrid Type	Mild Hybrid

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz hybrid is one of the best-selling sedans in the country. Incorporating the car with smart hybrid technology makes it one of the best hybrid cars in the market with a better price range compared with other vehicles.

The car is powered by a 1.5L K15 Smart Hybrid Petrol Engine and has a fuel efficiency of around 21km per liter.

However, the car is not as good as Honda’s Hybrid car Accord. Given the price range, one cannot find a better car. The price of the Ciaz Hybrid starts at Rs 8.42 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Hybrid

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 9.85 lakh
Fuel Economy	18.76 km/l
Hybrid Type	Mild Hybrid

Recently launched in 2020, this Maruti Suzuki Brezza hybrid SUV has the potential to be one of the best hybrid cars of 2021. The price of the Brezza hybrid vehicle starts at Rs 9.85 (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Brezza hybrid has a fuel efficiency of around 19 km per liter.

In total, Maruti Suzuki is producing six hybrid cars. To add to the list, Maruti will soon be launching the Maruti Swift Hybrid in 2021. It will be the most affordable, or we can say the best hybrid car of 2021 in terms of affordability.

MG Hybrid Cars

Morris Garage (MG) is a British automaker that has recently stepped into the Indian market. Currently, MG has only three vehicles in its Indian portfolio. Though it’s a few in number, the vehicles of MG are quite impressive. The MG Hector hybrid is one of the finest mid-range SUVs in the Indian market right now.

MG Hector Hybrid

MG Hector Hybrid
Starting Price (ex-showroom)	Rs 14.39 lakh
Fuel Economy	15.8 km/l
Hybrid Type	Mild Hybrid

MG Hector Hybrid comes in three variants: Smart, Sharp, and Super. However, all the variants are powered by the same engine and the same hybrid technology. The difference is based on features.

The hybrid car from the British automaker is powered by 1.5-liter Turbocharged Intercooled with a Belt Starter Generator, which can produce a maximum output of around 140hp and a peak torque of 250Nm.

The company claims that MG Hector’s 48V battery-powered hybrid system is capable of increasing the fuel economy by 11% and reducing CO2 emissions by 12%.

The price of the car starts at Rs 14.39 lakh (ex-showroom). One of the highlighting features of this SUV is that it is the first pure internet SUV in India.

Upcoming Hybrid Cars In India

• Honda City Hybrid: After the discontinuation of the Honda Accord Hybrid, the automaker is planning to launch a hybrid version of its most popular sedan, Honda City. We expect the hybrid version of Honda City to hit the market in early 2022.
• Maruti Suzuki Swift Hybrid: Maruti Suzuki Swift is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in India. The rumors of Swift hybrid coming to India have been on the market for quite a long time now. As most Maruti cars have already received a mild hybrid system, now it’s Swift’s turn to get one. We are quite positive that the Maruti Swift hybrid will soon make its appearance.
• Hyundai Ioniq: In the international market, Hyundai Ioniq is available in electric, hybrid, as well as conventional powertrain. Now, the South Korean automaker is planning to introduce Hyundai Ioniq in India. We expect it to be available in hybrid and conventional powertrains.

Best Hybrid Cars of 2021

There are people who love gasoline-run vehicles, but they also care about the environment. For these people, a hybrid car is the best option, as it gives them the best of both the world.

Hence, we have If you have your own list of the best hybrid vehicles, do share them with us in the comments. We will keep updating this space along with making new lists as new launches are confirmed.

Until then, do let us know what made you switch to an electric vehicle or a hybrid one.

You can also check out the list of all the upcoming electric cars in India launching in 2021 and in future years.

What Is A Hybrid Car?

A hybrid car is distinguished by its powertrain. It simply consists of two power sources, generally, an IC engine (either gasoline or diesel) and an electric motor. When the engine and electric motor work together to provide better efficiency and power, it’s termed a hybrid vehicle.

There are three main types of hybrid vehicles: Fully Hybrid (FHEV), Mild Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid. To know more, please click on the links below.

Also Read:

• What’s The Difference Between Hybrid And Electric Cars? Explained
• Hybrid Vehicles Vs Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles: What’s The Difference?

Anyway, please share your valuable thoughts in the comments section below.

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Where to Watch DC Movies Online In 2021 | Best Sites To Watch DC Movies

Now we have Disney plus to watch all Marvel movies. However, if you’re a DC fan, you might wonder where to watch DC movies online in 2021.

Of course, compared to Marvel Cinematic Universe, DCEU isn’t doing well in live-action movies. However, no one could deny that DC offers some incredible animated and even live-action movies. The list of DC movies is so big that finding everything on a single website is almost impossible. That’s why, in this post, we’ve mentioned all sites where you can watch DC Movies. So, without waiting any further, let’s get started.

Watch DC Movies Online (2021)

1. HBO Max: Best Place To Watch DC Movies In Order

In 2021, HBO Max is one of the prime destinations to watch DC Movies online. Recently, Zack Snyder’s Justice League was made available on the service. Additionally, a bunch of other DC live-action and animated movies are also available on the service. From 1993’s Batman: Mask of The Phantasm to Superman: Red Son, HBO Max flaunts an incredible DC movie collection.

So, if you have HBO Max in your region, then maybe it is time to binge-watch all awesome DC movies in order.

HBO Max Subscription: $14.99/month

DC Live-action movies on HBO Max

Below are all the DC Live-action movies in order of release date:

• Superman: The Movie (1978)
• Superman II (1981)
• Superman III (1983)
• Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
• Batman (1989)
• Batman Returns (1992)
• Batman Forever (1995)
• Batman and Robin (1997)
• Catwoman (2004)
• V for Vendetta (2005)
• Batman Begins (2005)
• Superman Returns (2006)
• The Dark Knight (2008)
• Watchmen (2009)
• The Losers (2010)
• Green Lantern (2011)
• The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
• Man of Steel (2013)
• Necessary Evil: The Super-Villains of DC Comics (2013) – Documentary
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
• Suicide Squad (2016)
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition (2016)
• Wonder Woman (2017)
• Justice League (2017)
• Aquaman (2018)
• Shazam! (2019)
• Joker (2019)
• Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn (2020)
• Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

DC Animated Movies on HBO Max

Here are all the DC animated movies in order of release date:

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
• Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
• Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
• Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
• The Batman vs. Dracula (2005)
• Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)
• Superman: Doomsday (2007)
• Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2007)
• Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
• Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)
• Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2019)
• Wonder Woman (2009) – Animated
• Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)
• Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
• Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)
• Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
• Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010)
• All-Star Superman (2011)
• Batman: Year One (2011)
• Superman vs. the Elite (2012)
• Justice League: Doom (2012)
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 (2012)
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 (2013)
• Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)
• Superman: Unbound (2013)
• Son of Batman (2014)
• Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)
• JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (2014)
• Justice League: War (2014)
• Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015)
• Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015)
• Batman vs. Robin (2015)
• Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
• Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
• Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
• Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)
• DC Superhero Girls: Hero of the Year (2016)
• DC Superhero Girls: Intergalactic Games (2017)
• Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
• Justice League Dark (2017)
• Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)
• Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)
• Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)
• Freedom Fighters: The Ray (2018)
• Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)
• DC Superhero Girls: Legends of Atlantis (2018)
• Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)
• Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019)
• Batman: Hush (2019)
• Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)
• Reign of the Superman (2019)
• Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)
• Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020)
• Batman: Death in the Family (2020) 

Must Read:

• Free Movie Download Sites
• Best Disney Movies
• Free Anime Streaming Sites

2. Amazon Prime

Another popular destination to watch DC movies online is definitely Amazon Prime. Of course, Prime is far behind when it comes to featuring animated DC movies. However, you can still enjoy a bunch of the latest and amazing live-action DC movies on Amazon Prime. For instance, you can stream the popular Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix or Christopher Nolan’s entire Batman trilogy on Amazon’s streaming service.

Amazon Prime Subscription: $12.99/month

3. Netflix

Of course, Netflix was once known for its collection of Marvel TV shows while also flaunting several MCU movies. However, the streaming platform also has some of the best DC movies and TV shows. For instance, you watch the entire Arrow show on Netflix. Also, movies like Watchmen, Aquaman, Suicide Squad, and Man of Steel are available on the streaming service.

Netflix Subscription: $8.99/month

4. YouTube

Compared to other movie streaming services, YouTube isn’t a prime destination to watch movies online. However, you can still rent and watch several DC movies on YouTube. Each movie’s price ranges from $2-$20 depending on what movie you want to rent. However, it’s important to note that newly released DC movies might be more expensive on YouTube. Interestingly, you could easily find hundreds of animated and live-action DC movies to watch on YouTube.

5. iTunes

If you wish to watch DC movies online in 2021, iTunes is also one of the platforms you should consider. Similar to YouTube, iTunes also allows you to rent or buy DC movies. Of course, some people may find the iTunes prices a bit expensive; however, the platform does provide you with cheap options as well. What’s even more amazing is that you could also buy movie bundles on iTunes consisting of more than 1 DC movie.

Watch DC Movies Online 2021: Wrapping Up

That’s it; these are all the prime destinations to watch DC movies online in 2021. There may be more movie streaming services depending on your country. However, these streaming services are relatively common in every region. So, you could start watching your favorite DC live-action or animated movies right away.

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Google FLoC Is The New Cookie Monster: Why You Should Know About It

Google FLoC stands for Federated Learning of Cohorts. It is the new age web technology that will replace cookies on Google Chrome. We all know that Google has deemed cookies outdated and has started blocking third-party cookies for a while now on Chrome. What was unclear was how Google plans to replace Cookies.

Now that we know it plans to FLoC(k) us in groups, we can see what Google is playing at here. Cookies have been named and shamed for a long time for being anti-privacy, hence they’re being thrown out now. But what makes more sense, from Google’s side, is how the company will gain absolute control of its ad business with these new measures.

FLoC is a part of the Google Privacy Sandbox, a 2019 initiative of the Mountain View search behemoth. While this is just one way for Google to improve Google Chrome privacy, we’ll get several other methods in the coming future. Here’s everything you need to know about Google FLoC and Google Privacy Sandbox.

What is Google FLoC?

A screenshot of the working of Google FLoC

As mentioned earlier, Google FLoC stands for Federated Learning of Cohorts. It is a web technology available as a developer origin trial in Chrome browser. FLoC is one of the methods where your browser’s recent browsing history is locally scanned on your device.

A site can request your browser to tell which cohort suits you best. Once that is done, you’ll see relevant ads. Cohorts are groups of people with similar browsing histories. Simply put, Google will flock you with like-minded people and show relevant ads to the entire flock instead of targeting every single user in it.

This is better than cookies because then advertisers can’t follow you around everywhere or create a digital fingerprint of your data. For the uninitiated, cookies are small pieces of data placed on your phone or computer browser by the websites you visit.

FLoC is also smart as it is being improved to avoid creating sensitive cohorts. Google also says that FLoC is smart enough to not create cohorts of sensitive topics, so we probably don’t need to worry about holocaust deniers finding a place on history student’s laptops. So your political views are less likely to get resonated in echo chambers. If you’re interested in knowing more about echo chamber, give the article below a read.

Also Read: Opinion: What The Hell Happened To Social Media?

What is Google Privacy Sandbox?

FLoC- Representative image for cross-site tracking from Google privacy sandbox

Started in 2019, the Google Privacy Sandbox is a set of web technologies to let you control the way you use the internet. These technologies address concerns like third-party cookies tracking you across the web.

Cookies serve a lot of purposes like loading the site faster, or tracking your activity across all the sites you visit. That’s where Google FLoC and Privacy Sandbox come in. Google Chrome earlier decided to block third-party cookies in a ‘phased’ manner. With new web tech, Google is phasing out cookies without hitting the functionality of the websites.

The Privacy Sandbox options are replacements for cookies. Cookies are stored on your computer so they’re able to precisely track you and know everything about your individual preferences. On the other hand, Google FLoC and other methods in the privacy sandbox will help you remain hidden from fingerprinting and other aggressive tracking methods on the web.

Hey Google, Stop FLoC-king Kidding

One of the things I can’t help but point out is the similarity between FLoC and Apple’s advertising method. Apple creates clusters or segments of people with similar interests and serves them relevant ads. Google’s FLoC seems to work in a similar fashion, as it also creates ‘cohorts’ and shows relevant ads.

Also Read:

• 6 Android 10 Features Google Copied From iPhone And iOS
• Does Apple Sell Your Data? Everything You Need To Know

There’s always an exchange of features from gestures to notches between Android and Apple’s iOS. We can safely say that this is another one of those exchanges. There are also concerns about FLoC that it may simplify it for the websites to target users by dividing them into cohorts.

Also, by doing so, Google isn’t really offering better privacy, but just keeping all the data to itself. So Kudos, third-parties can’t see you! Unless, they pay Google to be able to see and we’re back to square one, which is zero privacy. Google also can’t justify FLoC as Chrome is probably the last mainstream browser that is implementing something like this.

I’ve been using Safari and Firefox on my MacBook for over 4 years now and the browsers simply let you disable all tracking, no shenanigans. Google FLoC is just a fancy way for the company to build an airtight business with more control over data. Simply put, the new cookie monster is a big cookie itself. It’d be way better if Google could provide simpler privacy options like Firefox, Safari, or Brave browser.

Sources: 1, 2

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Tauon Music Box: A Lightweight Music Player For Linux With A Focus On Playlists

When it comes to music player apps for Linux, you’ll most probably come across popular players such as Rhythmbox, Clementine, Lollypop, and Audacious.

However, one such app called Tauon Music Box may not land in the top lists. However, once you use the app, it might become your favorite music player app.

Tauon Music Box is a lightweight streamlined music player for Linux-based operating systems. It has a modern style and responsive user interface designed and developed by James Davies (aka taiko2k).

Tauon Music Box

Unlike other popular music players, Tauon mainly focuses on the playlist and provides simple drag and drop file importing functionality.

In the recent version, it also added an internet radio station search browser and made its remote control Android app available.

Radio station search browser

Currently, Tauon Music Box supports the following features:

• Streaming from Jellyfin, koel, PLEX, and Airsonic servers
• CUE sheets and gapless playback support
• Advanced search for tracks, artists, albums, and folders
• MPRIS2 support for Linux desktop integration
• Broadcast a background live-stream for remote listening
• Built-in top chart generator
• Lyrics display with support for displaying guitar chord lyrics and synced .lrc files
• Multiple layouts including compact, mini, gallery, and large album art

Furthermore, you can also turn it into a remote Spotify client in a few steps. It will allow you to import, search, and playback control of Spotify music.

Tauon Music Box As Remote Spotify Client

However, you’ll need a Spotify Premium account for controlling the playback of tracks.

How To Install Tauon Music Box On Linux?

The app is packaged using both universal package manager Snap and Flatpak. Hence, it is available for almost all Linux distribution as Snap package from Snap Store and Flatpak package from Flathub repository.

If you’ve already configured Flatpak on your Linux system, run the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.github.taiko2k.tauonmb

Or, run the command for installing it using Snap:

sudo snap install tauon

Install Tauon Music Box Using Flatpak

In addition to Snap and Flatpak, Tauon Music Box is also available to install from the AUR for Arch Linux-based distros.

Once you install it successfully, you can read the official manual to understand the ins and outs of the app.

The post Tauon Music Box: A Lightweight Music Player For Linux With A Focus On Playlists appeared first on Fossbytes.

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How To Limit Snapchat Data Tracking To Stop Creepily Accurate Ads?

It’s been nine years since Snapchat was launched, and in those nine years, Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps. With the ease of use that Snapchat offers, it has become a part of everyday life for most users. However, nothing good comes free, and such is the case with Snapchat and its data tracking policy.

In this article, we’ll discuss what kind of data Snapchat collects from its users and what the company does with the collected data! Moreover, we’ll also tell you how can you limit the data collection?

What data does Snapchat collect?

User-provided information

Let’s first delve into what kind of data Snapchat collects through the messaging app.

Basic in-app data required for an app’s functioning, such as phone number, email address, date of birth, etc., are collected. Moreover, as a user, you agree to share this information with Snapchat when you agree to the terms and conditions.

Additionally, Snapchat collects any information you share from either ‘snap’ or a ‘chat.’ To emphasize, if you send some private information to someone on Snapchat, the messaging app stores it. If you do not want to reveal that sensitive information, avoid sending it to anyone over Snapchat.

Excerpt from Snapchat’s privacy policy

You can read more about Snapchat’s privacy policy here.

Other in-app information collected

Through the app, Snapchat collects most of the information that helps the company create a complete user profile. For example, how you communicate with your friends on Snapchat, the date and time of messages, and their volume. Moreover, Snapchat knows which phone you use, the model number, its software version, other apps you’ve installed, and more.

The app also collects all the information about your mobile network and wireless network. However, this is the information that you voluntarily agree to share with Snapchat when you agree to the terms and conditions.

In case you were wondering if Snapchat stores your information when you visit their website, the short answer is yes. Details like device information, web browser type, IP address, number of times page viewed are stored. To top it all off, Snapchat also knows the webpages you’ve visited before and after visiting Snapchat.com.

Data Tracked and collected from third-parties

Snapchat also collects your data through various third-party apps, just like Facebook and Instagram do. You agree to share this information when you agree to the terms and conditions. However, the data collected might be used to benefit the company in some way or the other.

On the other hand, these tech companies claim to show you ads based on your preferences and your activity on various websites.

Although it is their responsibility to ensure a user’s data is safe, the information does not always stay in the platform’s hands.

How to stop Snapchat data tracking from third-parties

Furthermore, you can take these steps to keep Snapchat from collecting the data from third-party apps and limiting those weirdly accurate ads.

1. Launch Snapchat and tap on the top-right corner of the home screen.

2. Now click on the “settings wheel” in the top right corner.

3. Scroll down and click on “ads.”

4. Tap on “Ad preferences.”

5. Now uncheck all three.

How to block targeted ads on Snapchat?

Similarly, you can also manage the categories of ads shown to you inside the app. And if you wish, you can also remove all the targeted categories. To do this, launch Snapchat settings follow these steps:

1. Open settings and go to “Ads” as shown in the previous steps.

2. Now select “lifestyle & interests.”

3. To disable the targeted ads, uncheck all the checkboxes or the ones you wish to block.

By repeating the same steps, you’re putting a cap on Snapchat data tracking and making sure that Snapchat doesn’t get any information related to you from third-parties. In turn, you’re making sure you’re keeping away those weirdly accurate and annoying targeted ads.

The post How To Limit Snapchat Data Tracking To Stop Creepily Accurate Ads? appeared first on Fossbytes.

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Does Apple Sell Your Data? Everything You Need To Know

Does Apple sell your data? Does Apple sell your data like Google, or to third parties? These are some of the common Google queries. It is completely justified if you want to know how Apple uses your data, and I think we have a somewhat complicated answer to this question.

I’ll divide this article here into two segments. One will talk about what data Apple collects your data vs Google, and the other will be about how Apple uses your data. A combination of both these segments is the answer to ‘does Apple share your data?’

Yes, Apple Collects Your Data

Data	Collected By Apple	Collected By Google
Email address	Yes	Yes
Devices registered	Yes	Yes
Age	Yes	Yes
Device serial number	Yes	Yes
Browser type	Yes	Yes
Contact info (including physical address)	Yes	Yes
Payment information (including bank details)	Yes	Yes
Transactional information	Yes	Yes
App usage data	Yes	Yes
Location information	Yes	Yes
Health information	Yes	Yes
Fitness information	Yes	Yes
Financial information (includes salary, assets, etc)	Yes	Yes
Government ID data	Yes	Yes

Just like any other big tech company, Apple also collects data from its devices and services. The company privacy policy talks about what data Apple collects. For added context, I’ll compare it to the data that Google collects when you agree to use its services.

If you go to the company website and read Apple’s privacy policy, you’ll find the kind of data collected and processed by the Cupertino giant. However, unlike Facebook and Google’s use of personal identifiers, Apple can be on a moral high horse of sorts. It isn’t because Apple is collecting less data, but because it chooses to use it differently.

Also Read:

• How To Stop Instagram Data Tracking To Limit Creepy Ads?
• Apple Bashes Facebook For Being A Creepy Stalker To Users: Here’s Why
• Google Sued For Secretly Collecting Data Of 4.4 Million iPhone Users

For instance, when we consider the above-mentioned data, we can see that Apple and Google collect similar data. Thanks to more awareness, the privacy policies are also transparent enough for you to see how it is used. While Google uses your personal data to show you personalized ads directly, Apple does so in a slightly better way. How so? Apple doesn’t show you targeted ads, but it puts you in segments that are shown particular types of ads.

How Does Apple Use Your Data?

Image by Valery Brozhinsky on Shutterstock

Now to understand Apple ads better, let’s briefly talk about how Apple uses your data. Like we established in the previous paragraph, it collects personal data about you and uses it to show advertisements. However, Apple serves advertisements only on the App Store, News app, and the Stocks app. The company policy makes clear that the ads are targeted to segments of people with similar likings.

So let’s take an example to explore how Apple uses your data. Suppose you use the Apple News app to read fashion stories, Apple puts you in a segment of the people who are interested in fashion. When that happens, you’ll see more fashion-related ads in the app. By doing so, Apple is showing you relevant advertisements, but they aren’t directly targeted at you.

Fact: Google pays Apple up to $12 billion to remain the default search engine on iOS and Safari. That’s because Google collects information about you through Google search, happening on your Apple devices.

Apple also says that a segment is created only if there are more than 5,000 users with similar interests on the app. While that’s a pretty easy number seeing Apple’s 1 billion-plus user base, if you’re a truly unique snowflake, you’re not seeing any targeted ads on Apple services.

You Should Also Know: A recent report by 9to5Mac says that Google collects over 20 times more data from Android than what Apple collects from its iOS UI. It comes as no surprise as Google’s own privacy policy, which you can read here, tells all about how everything from Maps to YouTube is used to track you.

How To Turn Off Personalized Ads On Apple Devices

Yes, Apple collects your personal data and uses it to serve you personalized ads. But, it is equally simple to opt-out of targeted advertisements. While you can disable such ads, Apple still collects the data it was collecting from you. To opt-out of personalized ads on iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising and turn off Personalized Ads.

Does Apple Sell Your Data?

Now that we’ve established that Apple collects and uses your data to serve ads, does it sell your data too? Turns out the answer is No, Apple doesn’t sell your data to third-party advertisers. The Cupertino giant possesses the exclusive rights of showing you ads on the App Store and other apps. This means your data is used by Apple to show ads, but not sold to any other advertisers.

Surprisingly, Google offers a similar deal. The company collects and uses your personal data for targeted advertising, but it doesn’t sell it to third-party advertisers. So it means advertisers can pay Google or Apple to be seen on your iPhone or Android device. However, the advertisers can’t know who you are and come after you on their own.

Let’s taken an example to better understand the situation here. Suppose McDonald’s wants to show the ads for a new burger it has launched. Now the best audience for this ad is the foodies that check out recipes on Google or read food blogs on Apple news. So McDonald’s can pay Apple and Google to show their ads to the ‘foodies’ out there. What McDonald’s can’t know is who are the foodies. So in essence, Apple and Google have the data to identify you, but they just don’t share it with others.

That said, we have our complicated answer to the simple question of ‘Does Apple sell my data?’ Neither Apple nor Google are directly selling your data, but they’re selling numbers. Over a billion iOS users, over 2 billion devices using Google’s services are used by both the companies to invite advertisers to reach more people. So they aren’t selling your data, but they’re selling the fact that you’re one of their users, which makes you another potential buyer for the advertiser’s products.

The post Does Apple Sell Your Data? Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Fossbytes.

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Here Are The 8 Best CNG Cars In India 2021 With Great Fuel Efficiency

CNG cars are one of the best options when it comes to fuel-efficient vehicles. That’s because CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is cheap, eco-friendly, and offers excellent mileage. However, the biggest obstacle people face in CNG cars is installation. Due to this reason, it’s best to go for factory-fitted CNG cars.

Currently, automakers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are offering plenty of CNG cars that are great for daily driving as well as long journeys.

Here are the best CNG cars in 2021 that are available in India. All these cars are equipped with a factory-fitted CNG kit.

In addition to the impressive fuel-efficiency, we have sorted these cars considering their build quality, quality of ride, and overall performance.

Also Read:

• Best Cars Under Rs 10 lakhs To Buy In India
• Best Hybrid Cars In India With Amazing Fuel Economy

Best CNG Cars In India (2021)

Company Fitted CNG Cars In India	Fuel-Efficiency
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG	26.08 km/kg
Hyundai Grand i10 CNG	28 km/kg
Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG	30.47 km/kg
Hyundai Santro CNG	30.8 km/kg
Maruti Suzuki WagonR CNG	33 km/kg
Hyundai Aura CNG	28 km/l
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso CNG	31.2 km/kg
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 CNG	33 km/kg

1. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG: Only MPV With CNG Kit

Maruti Ertiga is one of the most reliable cars from the automaker. The LXi variant of the car is available with a CNG option and comes equipped with Suzuki’s S-CNG technology with a tank capacity of 60L. Ertiga is the only MPV in the market that comes with an eco-friendly CNG kit. Not only this, but Maruti made this CNG variant a fun to drive a car with an Intelligent Injection System and dual interdependent ECUs.

Additionally, to enhance the safety of the whole Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) system, Maruti incorporated a leak-proof design and integrated harness.

If we talk about the powertrain, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder bi-fuel engine powers the Ertiga. Now let’s throw some light on the mileage of this MPV, which is one of the main reasons why people switch to CNG cars. On CNG mode, drivers can get a mileage of around 26.08 km/kg and 19.01 km/l with petrol (Manual Transmission).

Speaking of the price, the CNG variant of Ertiga costs Rs 9.14 lakh (ex-showroom).

2. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG

Image: Hyundai

The CNG trim of Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is powered by a 1.2-liter Dual VTVT Petrol Bi-fuel (Petrol with CNG) engine and paired with a manual transmission (MT). It’s one of the very few cars from Hyundai that is available with a CNG option. According to the automaker, the i10 Nios CNG easily churns out a combined mileage of around 28 km/kg in CNG (Compress Natural Gas) mode.

Apart from this, the i10 Nios is one of the most stylish hatchbacks present on the market. Out of all the CNG hatchbacks available, Nios delivers the punchiest performance of all. In addition, a factory-fitted CNG kit leaves you without any worry of tuning or calibration of the setup.

The price of CNG models start at Rs 6.79 lakh (ex-showroom).

3. Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG

Maruti Suzuki Celerio is quite popular among CNG cars in India and it’s priced under Rs 6 lakh. Recently cab aggregators have also started using Celerio CNG as a fleet car. Among the hatchbacks of Maruti Suzuki, it’s one of the most stable cars when it comes to highway driving and handling. Also, it’s equally impressive when it comes to maneuvering inside the city.

Similar to its elder sibling Ertiga, Celerio is equipped with dual ECUs and an intelligent injection system for better mileage and performance. Likewise, leakproof designs for enhanced safety.

Anyway, Maruti Suzuki Celerio is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that runs from both petrol and CNG. However, only the VXi variant of this hatchback is available with a CNG option. If we talk about its mileage, Maruti claims to provide a fuel-economy of 30.47 kg/km with CNG option (MT).

The price of Suzuki Celerio CNG starts at Rs 5.72 lakh (ex-showroom).

4. Hyundai Santro CNG

Hyundai Santro is one of the most famous and old family hatchbacks in India. However, due to the increasing competition in the market, the popularity of this hatchback from Japanese automaker has reduced a bit. Still, Santro is one of the best options when it comes to CNG cars.

Its compact design, effortless driveability, and comfort level make Santro an ideal choice for a CNG car. Under the hood, the company provides a 1.1-liter MPI CNG engine meshed with manual transmission. Santro can churn out an impressive mileage of up to 30.8 km/kg from its CNG variant.

The price of the Santro CNG variant starts at Rs 5.86 lakh (ex-showroom).

5. Maruti Suzuki WagonR CNG: Car With Best CNG Mileage

Back in 2019, Maruti Suzuki WagonR received a generation upgrade. Unlike the previous models, the new WagonR is quite spacious and provides comfortable journeys. Additionally, its suspension is made soft mainly for enhanced comfort; however, this makes the car vulnerable to body roll if it goes around the corner at high speed.

Under the hood, there is a 1.0-liter 3-Cyl BS6 Petrol + CNG  engine with manual transmission. Though this engine might not provide a punchy performance, it’s extremely fuel-efficient. The CNG variant of WagonR delivers a mileage of up to 33 km/kg.

Furthermore, it will cost you a bit less than its sibling Celerio. With a price tag of Rs 5.45 lakh (ex-showroom), it’s one of the most affordable hatchbacks in its segment.

6. Hyundai Aura CNG

Hyundai Aura is one of the very few sedans that comes equipped with a company fitted CNG kit. This makes it one of the most demanding CNG sedans on the market.

It’s available in multiple engine options, including naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol, CNG, and diesel.

If you consider the CNG variant, then under the bonnet is a 1.2-liter Petrol engine meshed with a five-speed transmission system. And of course, there’s a CNG kit with a tank capacity of 65-liters.

Considering its segment, Aura offers a plush interior, comfortable ride & handling, and with the CNG option, it’s fuel-efficient as well.

In CNG mode, Hyundai Aura can deliver a mileage of up to 28 km/l.

Price for the Hyundai Xcent Prime CNG model starts at Rs 7.43 lakh (ex-showroom).

7. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso CNG: Best CNG Car Under 5 Lakhs

S-Presso is a mini SUV from Maruti Suzuki. It shares the same CNG engine as its other siblings: 1.0-liter three-Cyl BS6 Petrol + CNG (MT). However, in terms of design, we might say S-Presso is a unique car from outer appearance. From inside, the interior of the car is similar to that of Celerio except for the center console and placement of the instrument cluster.

Its instrument cluster is integrated with the infotainment screen at the center console. This is quite unusual and irritating as it can lead to difficulty for drivers in reading the information while the car is moving.

Anyway, if we talk about CNG, similar to all its cousins, it is equipped with Suzuki’s S-CNG technology. In terms of mileage, it’s around 31.2 km/kg in CNG, which is a bit higher than Celerio and Santro. Unlike its siblings, both of its and LXi and VXi variants come in CNG options.

The price of CNG variants of this mini SUV starts at Rs 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom).

8. Alto CNG: Best Mileage CNG Car

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is one of the cheapest and best selling cars of the company. Maruti has already sold more than 38 lakh units of Alto 800. It’s one of the initial cars of the automaker in India.

Maruti 800 is a small city car with excellent driveability and fuel efficiency. The small size of this car allows it to wander even in the most congested areas in town.

In addition, it’s very easy to maintain and has a good resale value. However, the interior of the car is small and of inferior quality due to its low price.

Speaking of the powertrain, a 0.8-liter 3-Cyl BS6 Petrol + CNG (MT) engine equipped with S-CNG technology powers Alto 800. Moreover, all Maruti Suzuki CNG cars are incorporated with the same S-CNG technology.

Anyway, the 0.8-liter engine is the smallest one here; however, it’s sufficient for a small car like Alto. Additionally, with a mileage of around 33 km/kg in CNG mode, it’s quite efficient.

The price of its Alto 800 CNG variant starts at Rs 4.43 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti has effectively incorporated CNG technology into its cars and offers the maximum number of vehicles with alternative fuel options.

So, Which CNG Car Is Best For You?

Buying a CNG vehicle depends on a user’s personal choice, given the trade-off between fuel economy and performance compared to petrol cars. If you want to buy a seven-seater car for maximum passengers, then Ertiga is the only option for you. However, there are various options for a five-seater car. Similarly, Maruti Celerio is quite impressive in ride quality at cheap prices.

However, if you have a sound budget, then the Hyundai i10 is a good option; otherwise, Maruti Alto is the most affordable of all.

Similarly, if you need a sedan then Hyundai Aura would be a suitable choice.

Furthermore, there are only subtle differences in all the cars when it comes to features. So, you can choose any of them based on your requirements.

Do tell us which one you will buy or you already own in the comments section below.

1. Which car gives the best mileage on CNG?

   In terms of mileage, both Maruti Suzuki WagonR CNG and Alto CNG sit on top with a fuel efficiency of 33 km/kg in CNG mode.

2. Which is the cheapest CNG car in India?

   If you consider factory-fitted CNG cars then, clearly, Maruti Alto is the cheapest CNG car with a starting price of Rs 4.43 lakhs (ex-showroom).

3. Which sedan car is best for CNG?

   Currently, Hyundai Aura which is the successor of Hyundai Xcent is the only sedan that is being offered with a factory-installed CNG kit.
   However, if you are thinking of installing an aftermarket CNG kit, then you can choose between sedans like Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, and Ford Aspire.

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