In June 2023, Meta introduced Channels on WhatsApp, a feature that allows you to receive updates from people and organizations. Well, after almost a year of launching it, Meta is working on improving Channels.
According to a new report from WABetaInfo, the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (version 2.24.10.17) groups channels into categories. Reportedly, there are seven categories: Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, News and Information, Organizations, People, and Sports. The new feature enables you to explore channels of a certain kind. For example, if you are someone who loves sports, you can select that category and the app will show you all the channels that offer sports-related updates.
At the moment, there’s no information about when Meta will make categories available in the stable version of WhatsApp but expect the new feature to become available to the public in the next few weeks/months.
A few days ago, Google released the first Beta version of Android 15. It is available for compatible Pixel phones and tablets. While it was considered generally stable for smartphone enthusiasts, it had a critical NFC-related bug that could impact day-to-day usage. Google has now fixed it with a new Android 15 Beta update.
Android 15 Beta 1.1 update fixes bugs
Google has released the Android 15 Beta 1.1 update. It is a minor release that fixes a few known bugs, including the one that rendered NFC useless on Pixel devices. It also fixed the bug that sometimes caused the Developer Options screen to crash. Google mentioned that it also fixed a bug that prevented devices from properly updating to Android 15 Beta 1.
There was also a text clipping issue while typing, which has now been obliterated. The new version of Android 15 Beta should now be mostly usable for Pixel users. However, we still advise waiting for Google to release the stable version of Android 15 before installing it on your primary smartphone or tablet.
Android 15 improves app notification channels
Android has always been great with notifications, and Google introduced Notification Channels with Android 8.0 Oreo. When implemented well by an app developer, this feature allows users to turn off app notifications for some functions but not others. For example, you could keep delivery notifications for an online shopping app while turning off notifications for unwanted deals and promotions.
However, most Android users don’t know this feature exists. Moreover, accessing and managing notification channels could be daunting due to their design. With Android 15, Google is trying to simplify it. Android Authority has spotted that Google now only displays active notification channels for a particular app. Notification channels that aren’t active are automatically hidden.
Users can still see all the available notification channels in an app by clicking the Show Unused Channels option in an app’s notification settings. This feature could come to Galaxy smartphones and tablets with the Android 15-based One UI 7.0 update later this year.
Until then, watch our video below to learn everything about the One UI 6.1 update that recently landed on some Galaxy phones.
Want to watch the Oscars 2024? You’ve come to the right place. Hollywood is about to hit the red carpet for the 96th Academy Awards. It airs live on ABC in the US but it’s also streaming free in the UK and Australia. You can watch free coverage of the Oscars live stream from anywhere in the world by using a VPN, such as PureVPN, to unblock your usual service. We’ll show you how below.
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From Ashley Graham’s toe-curling back-and-forth with a dumbfounded Hugh Grant to the infamous Will Smith’s slap, the Oscars always delivers drama. This year’s Oscars nominees, like Oppenheimer, Poor Things and Barbie, will battle it out for gold statues from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Despite the ocean that lies between the films’ respective awards nominations, #Barbenheimer is the 2024 Oscars’ unofficial theme. Although, #PoorOppenheimer might be more appropriate, with Christopher Nolan’s biopic more likely to face off against the fever dream that is Poor Things for best picture.
Movie buffs can watch Oscars 2024 live streams with coverage of the ceremony set to run from 7pm ET / 4pm PT to 10.30pm ET / 7.30pm PT on Sunday.
What TV channel is the Oscars 2024 on?
You can watch the Oscars 2024 on TV channels across the world. In the US, the Oscars is on ABC which you can get through your cable provider. In Canada, you’ll need CTV.
In other countries, the Oscars is on free-to-air TV channels, such as ITV1 in the UK and and Channel 7 in Australia.
Where can I watch an Oscars live stream?
Most of the TV channels mentioned above will also have Oscars 2024 live streams too. You can head to ABC’s website for the US stream. CTV has on on-demand service too.
For a free Oscars live stream, head to ITVX in the UK and the 7Plus streaming service in Australia.
Can I watch Oscars 2024 without cable?
There are a number of options for cable-cutting services in the US, many of which will allow you to watch the Oscars without cable on ABC. FuboTV is a very complete cable replacement service which offers ABC and a 7-day free trial.
Sling is a cheaper option which currently offers a 50% discount.
Can I watch the Oscars on Netflix?
No. You can’t watch the Oscars 2024 on Netflix but plenty of the Oscars 2024-nominated movies and performances are available to view on Netflix. These include NYAD, Maestro, May December, El Conde, Nimona, Rustin and more.
Can I watch the Oscars 2024 for free?
The great news this year is that you can watch the Oscars 2024 for free on some really good streaming services. We’ll show you how to tune into the free coverage, even when you’re away from home, just below.
Oscars free-to-air TV coverage
The Oscars 2024 is on free-to-air TV in the UK and Australia. These are the TV channels you need to watch the Oscars for free:
What that means is if you’re based in the UK or Australia, but you’re abroad right now, you don’t have to miss out on the free coverage you’d be getting at home. All you need is a good VPN.
Watch Oscars 2024 from anywhere
Geo-blocking makes it tricky to watch your usual Oscars 2024 live stream when you’re away from home but you can get round that problem with a VPN. A VPN can make it appear as if you’re in any country you choose.
That means you can watch your free live stream from anywhere, and there’s a great deal with one of the best VPNs just in time for the Oscars…
How to use a VPN to stream the Oscars
Three simple steps to using a VPN to watch the 2024 Oscars online:
1. Download and install a VPN – we recommend PureVPN
2. Connect to the relevant server location – launch the VPN app, click on ‘choose location’ and select the right location i.e. Australia for 7Plus.
3. Head to the chosen broadcaster’s live stream – in this case, head to the 7Plus website or app to watch the Oscars.
