
Google Pixel getting VIP contact option, will let you ignore everyone except those who are VIP for you
Do you keep your phone on Do Not Disturb mode to focus on work but often miss important calls? Well, a new feature on Pixel phones will soon allow you to exempt very important contacts from the Do Not Disturb filter. Google is reportedly rolling out a new exclusive feature for Pixel users. Dubbed Pixel VIPs, this feature will let users select key contacts and give them priority access to connect even when the phone is on Do Not Disturb mode.advertisementThe Pixel VIPs widget, spotted by many Reddit users (via Android Police), was initially surfaced a few weeks ago in a leaked Google dogfood (internal testing) app. Initial leaks suggested this feature might debut alongside the Pixel 10 later this year. However, Google appears to be making the feature available earlier, with several Pixel users now spotting the widget live on their devices through a quiet Play Store update.So, what exactly does this VIP widget do?
For starters — according to Reddit users who have gained access to the feature — the VIP widget on Pixel phones allows users to pin up to eight contacts as VIPs. These contacts will then appear prominently on the home screen via a widget. Additionally these contacts will have a special 'VIP' label next to their name in the Contacts app. From the widget, users can view their last call or message with a VIP, whether it was via Google Messages or even WhatsApp. If location sharing is enabled, their real-time location appears on a mini map within the widget.advertisementBut there's more. The Pixel VIPs widget can also bypass Do Not Disturb mode, ensuring that calls or messages from these people always notify the user, even when the rest of the contacts are muted. It's ideal for those who want to stay connected to family, close friends, or work-related emergency contacts without the distraction of general notifications.Additionally, this feature will also offer additional options, like allowing users to ask VIP contacts to share their location, viewing the weather and local time at their saved address, writing notes about them, and even receiving activity suggestions based on your shared preferences or habits.Notably, Pixel VIPs isn't a standalone app, so users won't find it in the app drawer. Instead, it can be added via the widget picker or directly through the Contacts app.As for availability, it appears Google is making Pixel VIPs part of the June 2025 Feature Drop for Pixel phones. The feature is expected to roll out to more Pixel users soon.

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The Hindu
44 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Two Guinness Records set; IYD-2025 a historic event, says Naidu
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound happiness over the success of the Yogandhra initiative and the world records achieved in performing Yoga as part of International Yoga Day–2025 celebrations that concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (June 21). Two Guinness Book of World records and 21 World Records were registered by the State government. Speaking to reporters after conducting a review on the successful conduct of the celebrations in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part, Mr. Naidu said the event on Saturday was incident-free and a historic one. 'This was done with the use of technology and proper planning. It was a massive success and the credit goes to the cabinet sub-committee that was formed to oversee the arrangements and the officials,' he said. Mr. Naidu said a staggering 3,02,087 people have participated in the event on Saturday and the participation was voluntary. 'The enthusiasm of the people was clearly evident and that was why we could achieve this feat. People started arriving as early as 2 a.m.,' he said. Two crore people Lauding the efforts of Mr. Narendra Modi in promoting yoga across 175 countries, the CM said yoga was performed at 1.30 lakh locations with the participation of more than two crore people across the State on Saturday. 'We will come up with a Visakhapatnam Declaration with the Yoga Day as inspiration. Yoga will be a game changer in preventive healthcare,' he asserted and said Yoga, Naturopathy and Ayurveda are treasures passed down by our ancestors and Prime Minister Modi revived them. Further, green energy, Swacch Bharat and natural farming are now being taken up on a massive scale to protect the nature, Mr. Naidu said. On the occasion, Mr. Naidu said the 'Double engine sarkar' had accelerated development of Visakhapatnam. 'The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is being revived, setting up of a railway zone is on track, Metro Rail connectivity is not far away. IT giants like Google, Cognizant and TCS are also coming to Visakhapatnam,' he said. The government will soon unveil a vision document for the development of the erstwhile three north coastal Andhra and East Godavari districts, the Chief Minister said. 'An economic corridor will come up on the lines of Mumbai. Similarly, Rayalaseema will be also have an economic corridor with Tirupati as its focal point and Amaravati will be centre for development of other districts,' he said and added that they have promised to provide 25 lakh jobs and they will deliver it. Asked about the criticism of Opposition YSRC that public money was wasted on the event, Mr. Naidu said it is unwarranted and unnecessary to speak about some individuals on happy occasions. 'Didn't he (former Chief Minister) spent hundreds of crores on Rushikonda (Palace)?' he questioned and said the Centre will bear ₹75 crore of the total amount spent by the State for YogAndhra. Records set Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said more money has to be spent to set Guinness World Records. Announcing that a total of 21 world records and two Guinness World Records were set in the month-long campaign, Naidu said aiming for Guinness Records requires expenditure of money.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Google techie reveals how he got the job after 2 internships. It might be the ultimate playbook for breaking into big tech
In an industry where getting a foot in the door can feel more difficult than debugging legacy code, Google software engineer Tawfiq Mohammad's journey is fast becoming a masterclass in how to build a successful Big Tech career—starting as early as your first year in college. In an interview with YouTuber Sajjaad Khader, Mohammad shared his experience of interning at Google for two summers before securing a full-time role. He credits this early exposure and structured preparation as some of the most decisive factors in his career. 'I think one of the most important things I've done in my career, to date, is applying for these first- and second-year programs,' he said, highlighting how early-stage internships come with a relatively lower hiring bar. 'For example, they'll ask like a Leetcode easy instead of a Leetcode medium,' he pointed out, referencing the notorious technical interviews that many developers dread. From Chaos to Clarity: Tracking Applications Like a Pro But getting into Google wasn't just a matter of talent or timing—it was about strategy. Mohammad emphasized the importance of tracking applications rather than submitting resumes en masse and hoping for the best. 'It was very organized,' he said. 'I would update the status of each application, and it would help me a lot to prepare for each interview and for which stage I was at.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now His advice also included mastering patterns in coding problems rather than rote memorization. 'If you try to memorize it problem by problem, you'll eventually be given a problem that you don't know,' he cautioned. 'You just want to master the overarching principles.' Referrals and Realism: Getting a Boost from the Inside While hard work paid off, Mohammad was honest about the advantages he had. A referral from a family friend already working at Google helped him land an interview faster. 'I got an interview really soon after she submitted the referral,' he recalled. 'You want to try to separate yourself from everyone as much as you can.' You Might Also Like: What no one tells you about working at Google: 6 biggest lessons from a techie's experience Still, he made it clear that connections are only one piece of the puzzle. For those without a network, Mohammad recommends building one through independent learning and meaningful projects that demonstrate real-world skills. The Mindset Shift That Matters After landing the internship, Mohammad didn't treat the opportunity as just a resume booster. Instead, he focused on self-learning and becoming as independent as possible while still seeking mentorship when needed. 'You're smart enough to evaluate whether you're blocked,' he said. 'But try to solve your problems on your own. Just by doing that, you'll understand how all the systems fit together.' He also underlined the importance of learning from seasoned developers during internships. 'They're really smart, so you want to absorb as much information as you can from them,' he said in an earlier conversation with Business Insider. In a tech job market bruised by layoffs and flooded with competition, Mohammad's story serves as a timely reminder that a mix of strategy, self-study, and soft networking can still crack open the gates of Big Tech. His methods may not be universal, but they offer a framework—perhaps even a playbook—for students hoping to rise in the ranks of Silicon Valley giants. You Might Also Like: Google techie's viral post sparks debate on work-life balance in big tech. Netizen says, 'you get paid more than 40 LPA'


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
16 million passwords leaked on Internet: How to check if your Facebook, Instagram, Gmail password leaked
The leak exposed 16 billion login credentials, passwords, email and social media platforms like Google, Facebook, and Telegram Security researchers have warned of a massive data breach which has compromised 16 millions login credentials worldwide. The data leaked exposed user data on platforms like Google, Facebook, Apple and countless other services. The discovery, made by CyberNews researchers during an ongoing investigation since January 2025, represents what could be the largest credential leak in history. The exposed data sets range dramatically in size, from smaller collections containing tens of millions of records to massive databases housing over 3.5 billion credentials each. The massive trove of stolen data was briefly accessible through unsecured databases before being locked down, though researchers were unable to identify the owners. Most concerning is that virtually all datasets were previously unreported, with only one 184-million-record database having been disclosed before by Wired magazine in May. How to check if your data has been compromised There are multiple ways using which you can easily check if your login credentials have been compromised. You can use the below mentioned ways to check: Have I Been Pwned : Enter your email address to see if it appears in any known data breaches. Google Password Checkup : Built into Chrome and your Google account, this tool flags compromised passwords and suggests updates. F-Secure Identity Theft Checker: Offers a risk assessment based on leaked data and identity theft indicators. What to do if your credentials are exposed You can take some corrective measures in case your data has been exposed in the online leak It is advisable to change your password immediately including your email, banking and social media accounts. Always use and strong and unique password for your accounts Whenever possible enable two-factor authentication for better protection Also avoid using old passwords You can also consider investing in a password manager to store secure credentials