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WhatsApp Update Will Debut AI Voice Mode With 10 Variants
WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will allow users to choose between various Meta AI chat mode voices.
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to interact with Meta AI using a variety of voices. Although this feature is not yet available for beta testing, WABetaInfo has revealed that the latest WhatsApp beta update for Android (version 2.24.17.16) includes information about selecting the Meta AI voices.
The upcoming feature will enable users to converse with Meta AI in real-time. Although the chat mode is still under development, current reports indicate that users will be able to choose from ten different voices for Meta AI. At present, this feature is only available on the Android version of WhatsApp. However, it is expected that iOS users will eventually be able to use the Meta AI chat mode too.
It’s important to note that even if you manage to download and install the WhatsApp beta version on your Android device, its functionality will likely be restricted, as it is currently still in the development stage. Screenshots shared by the feature tracker reveal a new voice icon in the Meta AI chat interface, represented by an audio waveform next to the text field.
Upon selecting this icon, a bottom sheet appears with “Meta AI” displayed at the top. In the center, a circular design composed of several bubbles is visible. At the bottom of the sheet, the message “Hi, how can I help?” is shown along with a larger audio waveform icon, indicating that the AI is ready to listen.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
Additional screenshots imply that the Meta AI voice mode will offer users up to ten unique voices to choose between. The differences between these voices are not yet clear, but they may vary in accents, levels of enthusiasm, or even tonal characteristics. However, it’s unlikely that any of the voices will support multiple languages on the update’s initial release.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.