Paytm, the digital payments company, introduced a new unified payments interface (UPI) feature on Wednesday. The new feature, dubbed UPI statement download, allows users to get a detailed statement of their transaction history for the desired period. The service is available to all users without any cost. The company highlighted that the feature will enable users to both keep track of their expenses as well as assist them when filing taxes. Notably, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) allowed Paytm to onboard new UPI users.

Paytm Launches UPI Statement Download Feature

In a press release, the One97 Communications-owned brand detailed the new UPI statement download feature. With this feature, users can easily generate a detailed document containing records of their transaction history. The details can be downloaded for any date range as well as the entire financial year with a few simple steps.

The generated statement is available in PDF format, and the company highlighted that an option for the Excel file format will be added soon. Paytm’s UPI statement download feature shows information such as transaction amounts, recipient details, bank accounts used, and timestamps.

Paytm stated that the feature is helpful for both keeping track of expenditures, and maintaining financial records, as well as during the tax filing process. The latter can come in handy if users make business expenses via UPI or use chartered accountants to fill out their taxes.

To use the feature, users will need to open the Paytm. In the app, users will find the “Balance & History” option on the home screen. There, users can tap on the download icon represented by a downward arrow and choose from one month, three months, six months, one year, and custom date ranges. There is an option to pick financial years as well. Gadgets360 staff members were able to test out the feature.

Announcing the feature, a Paytm spokesperson said, “With the UPI statement download, we innovate to offer easy access to transaction history, empowering users to make informed financial decisions.”

Paytm, the digital payments company, introduced a new unified payments interface (UPI) feature on Wednesday. The new feature, dubbed UPI statement download, allows users to get a detailed statement of their transaction history for the desired period. The service is available to all users without any cost. The company highlighted that the feature will enable users to both keep track of their expenses as well as assist them when filing taxes. Notably, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) allowed Paytm to onboard new UPI users.

Paytm Launches UPI Statement Download Feature

In a press release, the One97 Communications-owned brand detailed the new UPI statement download feature. With this feature, users can easily generate a detailed document containing records of their transaction history. The details can be downloaded for any date range as well as the entire financial year with a few simple steps.

The generated statement is available in PDF format, and the company highlighted that an option for the Excel file format will be added soon. Paytm’s UPI statement download feature shows information such as transaction amounts, recipient details, bank accounts used, and timestamps.

Paytm stated that the feature is helpful for both keeping track of expenditures, and maintaining financial records, as well as during the tax filing process. The latter can come in handy if users make business expenses via UPI or use chartered accountants to fill out their taxes.

To use the feature, users will need to open the Paytm. In the app, users will find the “Balance & History” option on the home screen. There, users can tap on the download icon represented by a downward arrow and choose from one month, three months, six months, one year, and custom date ranges. There is an option to pick financial years as well. Gadgets360 staff members were able to test out the feature.

Announcing the feature, a Paytm spokesperson said, “With the UPI statement download, we innovate to offer easy access to transaction history, empowering users to make informed financial decisions.”

Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) assistant is getting support for a new extension that will allow users to control their smart home appliances. The AI-powered virtual assistant for Android devices has been receiving regular extension support to perform more tasks on the device and match the performance level of the older Google Assistant. Currently, Gemini assistant can manage Google Workspace apps, Google Maps, YouTube, YouTube Music, and more. It is also rumoured to get support for calling and messaging on the lock screen.

Google Home Extension Added to Gemini

In its support pages, Google detailed the new extension for its in-house AI chatbot Gemini. Android device users with the Gemini app installed and Gemini set as the default virtual assistant can access the Google Home extension. However, users must ascertain that the Gemini app as well as the smart home devices are both connected to the same Google account.

Google said users will be able to access smart home devices such as lights, sockets, switches, air conditioning units, thermostats, fans, curtains, smart TVs, speakers, washing machines, and more. However, the extension cannot complete security device actions that require a pin, stream video feed from cameras or execute routines.

Since Gemini is an AI chatbot, it does support natural language prompts that Google Assistant cannot. For instance, users can tell the virtual assistant “Set the dining room for a romantic date night” or “Set the AC to a good temperature for sleeping”, and it can understand the requirements and complete the tasks.

To use this functionality, users should first open the Gemini app and sign into their Google account. Then they can ask it to complete a task for smart devices. The app will prompt users to connect the Gemini app to Google Home, at which point users will need to turn on the extension and give the app permission to access and control the smart devices connected with the same account.

Notably, the feature is currently available as a public preview and is available to those who have signed up for Google Home’s Public Preview programme. The feature works with both text and audio inputs but can only accept English language prompts currently. Gemini AI assistant is currently not available on iOS.

Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) assistant is getting support for a new extension that will allow users to control their smart home appliances. The AI-powered virtual assistant for Android devices has been receiving regular extension support to perform more tasks on the device and match the performance level of the older Google Assistant. Currently, Gemini assistant can manage Google Workspace apps, Google Maps, YouTube, YouTube Music, and more. It is also rumoured to get support for calling and messaging on the lock screen.

Google Home Extension Added to Gemini

In its support pages, Google detailed the new extension for its in-house AI chatbot Gemini. Android device users with the Gemini app installed and Gemini set as the default virtual assistant can access the Google Home extension. However, users must ascertain that the Gemini app as well as the smart home devices are both connected to the same Google account.

Google said users will be able to access smart home devices such as lights, sockets, switches, air conditioning units, thermostats, fans, curtains, smart TVs, speakers, washing machines, and more. However, the extension cannot complete security device actions that require a pin, stream video feed from cameras or execute routines.

Since Gemini is an AI chatbot, it does support natural language prompts that Google Assistant cannot. For instance, users can tell the virtual assistant “Set the dining room for a romantic date night” or “Set the AC to a good temperature for sleeping”, and it can understand the requirements and complete the tasks.

To use this functionality, users should first open the Gemini app and sign into their Google account. Then they can ask it to complete a task for smart devices. The app will prompt users to connect the Gemini app to Google Home, at which point users will need to turn on the extension and give the app permission to access and control the smart devices connected with the same account.

Notably, the feature is currently available as a public preview and is available to those who have signed up for Google Home’s Public Preview programme. The feature works with both text and audio inputs but can only accept English language prompts currently. Gemini AI assistant is currently not available on iOS.

X (formerly known as Twitter) announced the roll out of a new block function on Sunday. The social media platform first announced the decision to change the way block works last month. With the new system, blocked users can see the profile, posts, as well as followers and following lists of the users who had blocked them. Several users of the platform expressed their concern over the move highlighting the threat to their safety as well as the higher potential of content theft.

X Begins Rolling Out Updated Block Function

Blocking users on social media platforms has always worked the same way. Once blocked, the one on the receiving end cannot see the profile of the one who has blocked them. This also means they cannot see or interact with their posts, check their bio or other information, and cannot send private messages to them.

However, last month X announced a change to its traditional block feature. The company said that with the updated policy, blocked users can see the profile and posts of the one they have been blocked by, although they would not be able to reply, retweet, or like their posts. They also cannot send them a direct message (DM).

The earlier version of the policy did not mention the follower or following lists but the new support page highlighted that blocked users can also see them, reducing the safety guardrails of users further. Explaining the move, the official Engineering page of X said in a post, “Today, block can be used by users to share and hide harmful or private information about those they’ve blocked. Users will be able to see if such behaviour occurs with this update, allowing for greater transparency.”

User reception towards this update has largely been negative. Responding to X’s post about the feature’s roll out, one user said, “Those of us who have stalkers on here and content thieves don’t appreciate this change at all and shouldn’t need to lock our accounts to protect ourselves from predatory types.”

Tracy Chou, developer of the Block Party app which allows social media users an easier way to block people, also objected to the update and highlighted that “making it easy for a creeper to creep is not a good thing!!”

Google Maps is getting several new artificial intelligence (AI) features powered by Gemini. Announced on Thursday, these features are aimed at offering more relevant information during navigation and showcasing curated inspirations that users can check to know more about the locality and what they can do. Additionally, Immersive View, which shows nearby structures as well as the weather while planning a trip, is also being expanded to 150 cities across the globe. These features are currently rolling out to the US, and are expected to be made available in more regions in the future.

Google Maps Gets New Gemini AI-Powered Features

In a blog post, the Mountain View-based tech giant detailed the new features coming to Google Maps. Google highlighted that today AI helps the company make more than 100 million updates to the map every single day, allowing users to see the most up-to-date information while travelling.

The first new feature is dubbed Inspirations. Users can now ask Google Maps about “things to do” in an area, and using Gemini AI models, it can curate the most relevant information. For instance, users can ask for “things to do with friends at night”, and Maps will show places with live music, special events, and more. These places are shown as separate cards, and if users have specific questions about the places such as if it is wheelchair accessible and if it is kid-friendly, they can ask Maps and get a relevant response.

Google said this feature will start rolling out to users in the US on Android and iOS this week. A similar feature will also be added to Search, along with the AI-powered review summaries and the ability to ask detailed questions about places.

Navigation is also being upgraded by Google. Maps will now show lanes, crosswalks, and road signs on the map to help users better navigate through unfamiliar routes. It will also show which lane the vehicle should be in to avoid hassles merging in at the last moment. To make the trips more fun, users, when planning a trip, can tap on add stops and see top landmarks, attractions, and dining options along the selected route. Enhanced navigation is being rolled out to 30 metro areas and will be expanded in the future.

Users will also be able to see and report weather disruptions such as flooded roads, low visibility, and unplowed roads. Further, the arrival guidance feature will now show nearby parking lots and remind users to save their parking so they do not forget the location of their vehicle. After parking, the navigation system will automatically show the walking direction from the car to the entrance.

Immersive View, the new AI experience that lets users see the route as they would appear in real life, is also getting an update. It will now show the weather and traffic conditions on the day and time the user is planning to visit. The feature is now being expanded to 150 cities globally. Immersive View for routes will also show where to park and if a complex turn is coming up.

This feature is rolling out this week on Android and iOS wherever Immersive View for routes is available.

Google Maps is getting several new artificial intelligence (AI) features powered by Gemini. Announced on Thursday, these features are aimed at offering more relevant information during navigation and showcasing curated inspirations that users can check to know more about the locality and what they can do. Additionally, Immersive View, which shows nearby structures as well as the weather while planning a trip, is also being expanded to 150 cities across the globe. These features are currently rolling out to the US, and are expected to be made available in more regions in the future.

Google Maps Gets New Gemini AI-Powered Features

In a blog post, the Mountain View-based tech giant detailed the new features coming to Google Maps. Google highlighted that today AI helps the company make more than 100 million updates to the map every single day, allowing users to see the most up-to-date information while travelling.

The first new feature is dubbed Inspirations. Users can now ask Google Maps about “things to do” in an area, and using Gemini AI models, it can curate the most relevant information. For instance, users can ask for “things to do with friends at night”, and Maps will show places with live music, special events, and more. These places are shown as separate cards, and if users have specific questions about the places such as if it is wheelchair accessible and if it is kid-friendly, they can ask Maps and get a relevant response.

Google said this feature will start rolling out to users in the US on Android and iOS this week. A similar feature will also be added to Search, along with the AI-powered review summaries and the ability to ask detailed questions about places.

Navigation is also being upgraded by Google. Maps will now show lanes, crosswalks, and road signs on the map to help users better navigate through unfamiliar routes. It will also show which lane the vehicle should be in to avoid hassles merging in at the last moment. To make the trips more fun, users, when planning a trip, can tap on add stops and see top landmarks, attractions, and dining options along the selected route. Enhanced navigation is being rolled out to 30 metro areas and will be expanded in the future.

Users will also be able to see and report weather disruptions such as flooded roads, low visibility, and unplowed roads. Further, the arrival guidance feature will now show nearby parking lots and remind users to save their parking so they do not forget the location of their vehicle. After parking, the navigation system will automatically show the walking direction from the car to the entrance.

Immersive View, the new AI experience that lets users see the route as they would appear in real life, is also getting an update. It will now show the weather and traffic conditions on the day and time the user is planning to visit. The feature is now being expanded to 150 cities globally. Immersive View for routes will also show where to park and if a complex turn is coming up.

This feature is rolling out this week on Android and iOS wherever Immersive View for routes is available.

Google Maps is getting several new artificial intelligence (AI) features powered by Gemini. Announced on Thursday, these features are aimed at offering more relevant information during navigation and showcasing curated inspirations that users can check to know more about the locality and what they can do. Additionally, Immersive View, which shows nearby structures as well as the weather while planning a trip, is also being expanded to 150 cities across the globe. These features are currently rolling out to the US, and are expected to be made available in more regions in the future.

Google Maps Gets New Gemini AI-Powered Features

In a blog post, the Mountain View-based tech giant detailed the new features coming to Google Maps. Google highlighted that today AI helps the company make more than 100 million updates to the map every single day, allowing users to see the most up-to-date information while travelling.

The first new feature is dubbed Inspirations. Users can now ask Google Maps about “things to do” in an area, and using Gemini AI models, it can curate the most relevant information. For instance, users can ask for “things to do with friends at night”, and Maps will show places with live music, special events, and more. These places are shown as separate cards, and if users have specific questions about the places such as if it is wheelchair accessible and if it is kid-friendly, they can ask Maps and get a relevant response.

Google said this feature will start rolling out to users in the US on Android and iOS this week. A similar feature will also be added to Search, along with the AI-powered review summaries and the ability to ask detailed questions about places.

Navigation is also being upgraded by Google. Maps will now show lanes, crosswalks, and road signs on the map to help users better navigate through unfamiliar routes. It will also show which lane the vehicle should be in to avoid hassles merging in at the last moment. To make the trips more fun, users, when planning a trip, can tap on add stops and see top landmarks, attractions, and dining options along the selected route. Enhanced navigation is being rolled out to 30 metro areas and will be expanded in the future.

Users will also be able to see and report weather disruptions such as flooded roads, low visibility, and unplowed roads. Further, the arrival guidance feature will now show nearby parking lots and remind users to save their parking so they do not forget the location of their vehicle. After parking, the navigation system will automatically show the walking direction from the car to the entrance.

Immersive View, the new AI experience that lets users see the route as they would appear in real life, is also getting an update. It will now show the weather and traffic conditions on the day and time the user is planning to visit. The feature is now being expanded to 150 cities globally. Immersive View for routes will also show where to park and if a complex turn is coming up.

This feature is rolling out this week on Android and iOS wherever Immersive View for routes is available.

ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode, a feature that first started rolling out in September, is now being added to the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot’s desktop apps. Announced on Thursday, OpenAI’s native chatbot will now offer a human-like voice chat experience to Mac and Windows users. The feature was first unveiled at the OpenAI Spring Updates event in May and it can express emotions, modulate the voice, and react to what the user is saying. So far, only the paid subscribers of the platform have access to the feature.

ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode Comes to Desktop Apps

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the official handle of OpenAI announced that the Advanced Voice Mode has been rolled out to macOS and Windows desktop apps. The move is interesting as major AI firms have started focusing their attention towards the desktop to offer more powerful and comprehensive AI capabilities to users.

On the same day, Anthropic released its desktop apps for Mac and Windows, paving the way for the Computer Use tool. Google is also reportedly working on a new agentic AI browser tool that will be able to complete tasks such as booking movie tickets and purchasing a product. Now, with OpenAI’s Advanced Voice, users can finally utilise the full capability of voice-based AI in a desktop environment. Notably, so far the feature was only available to Android and iOS apps.

Some of the ways users can take advantage of the ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode is by verbally prompting the AI to write a code, or having a back-and-forth while writing a research paper or college assignment. Users can also upload data files and then have a two-way conversation about its analysis and insights.

ChatGPT app users will find the option to turn on the Advanced Voice Mode by tapping the waveform icon placed next to the text field. Tapping on the icon activates the new voice mode. Users now have five new voices to choose from — Vale, Spruce, Arbor, Maple, and Sol. Each of these voices has a different pitch, tonality, and regional accent.

However, the feature is still only available to the ChatGPT Teams and Plus users. Additionally, those residing in the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein will not get the new feature.