WhatsApp is an essential communication tool, whether for personal use or business contact. However, one feature remains controversial: voice messages. Some people love them, while others find them to be a waste of time. Fortunately, WhatsApp has introduced a solution to this issue.
WhatsApp now offers a feature that allows users to transcribe voice messages into text. This means you no longer have to listen to them if you don’t want to. The transcription is done end-to-end encrypted and directly on the device. To use this feature, you need to activate it in the chat settings. Then, by long-pressing on a voice message, you can select the “Transcribe” option. Currently, this feature is available for iOS with German language support, and Android will follow soon.
In recent years, IT salaries have decreased in many countries. In 2023, six countries paid their IT professionals over 100,000 USD on average, but in 2024, only five countries maintained this level. Germany, which was among the top with nearly 143,000 USD, fell to eighth place with an average salary of around 81,000 USD. Switzerland leads with approximately 138,000 USD, followed by Luxembourg, Austria, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The decline is attributed to hiring freezes and mass layoffs, especially affecting the German startup scene. However, professionals with expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI continue to be well-compensated.
AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, and You.com aim to replace traditional Google Search. In a practical test, these tools were compared. ChatGPT and You.com were well-informed on current news due to access to updated sources, while Perplexity lagged behind. However, AI tools still tend to produce errors, especially in source selection. For example, when asked about countries starting with the letter V, the results varied significantly. Currently, these AI tools should be considered a supplement to traditional web searches.
In the past year, around 301,000 German consumers fell victim to fraudulent online shops, resulting in damages of approximately 94 million euros. These fake shops often attract customers with extremely low prices or hard-to-find products. Besides traditional SEO, operators increasingly use social media marketing and fake contests. Signs of fake shops include missing legal information, spelling errors, and dubious payment methods. Victims should act quickly: report to the police and attempt to recover payments through banks or payment services.
For 2025, t3n has compiled a list of 23 business book recommendations for leaders. These books cover topics like AI ethics, new work, mental health, and productivity. Notable recommendations include “Four Thousand Weeks” on time management, “The Algebra of Wealth” on financial success, and “Superintelligence” on AI development. Microsoft manager Annahita Esmailzadeh recommends “On the Way to New Work,” while Spotify manager Saruul Krause-Jentsch highlights “The Algebra of Wealth” as a career guide.
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