epic game store down
The Epic Games Store , also known as EGS, is a digital distribution platform for video games developed and operated by Epic Games. It was launched in December 2018 and quickly gained popularity among gamers, thanks to its exclusive titles and competitive pricing. However, on the morning of August 17, 2021, the Epic Games Store went down, leaving many users frustrated and wondering what had happened.
The first signs of trouble started appearing around 9 AM EST, with many users experiencing slow loading times and error messages when trying to access the store. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints from gamers unable to log in or purchase games. As the day went on, the issues only seemed to escalate, and the store was eventually taken offline for maintenance.
The cause of the Epic Games Store outage was a power outage at one of the company’s data centers. This resulted in the entire platform going down, including the website, launcher, and all online services. It was a massive blow not only for Epic Games but also for the millions of users who rely on the store for their gaming needs.
As the hours passed, frustration and anger grew among the gaming community, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment. Some users even reported losing progress in their games due to the outage, causing further frustration. The lack of communication from Epic Games only added to the chaos, with many users left in the dark about what was happening and when the store would be back online.
While outages are not uncommon in the world of online gaming, the timing of this particular one could not have been worse. It happened on a Tuesday, the day when the store usually updates its weekly free games and offers new deals. This meant that users were unable to claim the free game and take advantage of the discounts, causing them to miss out on potential savings.
The Epic Games Store outage also affected many game developers and publishers who sell their games on the platform. With the store down, they were unable to make any sales, resulting in potential loss of revenue. Some indie developers, who rely heavily on the store for their sales, expressed their concerns on social media, highlighting the impact the outage could have on their small businesses.
As the day progressed, Epic Games finally released a statement addressing the issue. They confirmed that the outage was due to a power outage at one of their data centers and that they were working on restoring services as quickly as possible. They also apologized for the inconvenience caused and assured users that they would provide updates as they became available.
The outage also raised questions about the reliability of the Epic Games Store. This was not the first time that the platform had experienced issues, with previous outages reported in January and March of 2021. These incidents have left some users questioning the stability of the store and whether it can be trusted to deliver a seamless gaming experience.
However, it is worth noting that outages can happen to any online platform, regardless of its size and reputation. In fact, the Epic Games Store has a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which means that the platform is expected to have less than 0.1% downtime in a year. Therefore, while the outage may have been frustrating, it is not an indication of the overall reliability of the store.
As the day came to an end, the Epic Games Store finally came back online, much to the relief of its users. The company released another statement thanking everyone for their patience and apologizing once again for the inconvenience. They also assured users that they were implementing measures to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.
The outage of the Epic Games Store may have caused frustration and disappointment among its users, but it also highlighted the platform’s significance in the gaming industry. With millions of users relying on the store for their gaming needs, any disruption to its services can have a significant impact on the gaming community as a whole.
In the end, the Epic Games Store outage serves as a reminder that even the most robust and reliable platforms can experience technical difficulties. What matters is how the company responds and communicates with its users during such situations. While the outage may have been a setback, it is unlikely to have any long-term effects on the popularity of the Epic Games Store, which continues to be a major player in the digital distribution market.
are whatsapp video calls free internationally
In today’s digital age, communication has become easier and more convenient than ever before. Gone are the days of writing letters and waiting weeks for a response. With the rise of social media and messaging apps, we can now connect with people from all over the world in an instant. One of the most popular messaging apps is WhatsApp, which offers not only text messaging but also voice and video calling. But the question that many people have is, are WhatsApp video calls free internationally? In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and delve deeper into the world of WhatsApp video calls.
Firstly, let’s start with the basics. WhatsApp is a messaging app that was founded in 2009 and acquired by Facebook in 2014. It allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, share photos and videos, and even make payments. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and has over 2 billion active users worldwide. It is free to download and use, and all you need is an internet connection to stay connected with your loved ones.
One of the most attractive features of WhatsApp is its video call function. With just a tap of a button, you can see and talk to your friends and family face-to-face, no matter where they are in the world. This has made it a popular choice for international calls, as it eliminates the need for expensive international calling plans. But the big question remains, are these video calls really free? The answer is yes and no. Let’s break it down.
WhatsApp is a free app, and so are its voice and video calls. This means that you can make unlimited calls to anyone in the world using the app, without incurring any charges. However, there is a catch. WhatsApp uses an internet connection to make calls, and therefore, you need to have a stable internet connection to enjoy these free calls. Without an internet connection, you will not be able to make calls, and if you do, you will be charged for data usage by your service provider.
So, how does this work for international calls? If you are making a video call to someone in another country, the call will be considered an international call, and you will be charged for data usage by your service provider. However, this data charge is usually much lower than the cost of an international call. For instance, making a call from the US to the UK using traditional phone lines can cost up to $2 per minute, whereas data charges for a video call on WhatsApp will be significantly lower.
Moreover, if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, you will not incur any data charges for making international video calls on WhatsApp. This is because Wi-Fi networks do not use mobile data, and therefore, your service provider will not charge you for data usage. However, it is essential to note that some Wi-Fi networks may have restrictions or block certain services, so it is always best to check with the network provider before making a call.
Another factor that affects the cost of international video calls on WhatsApp is the quality of the call. WhatsApp offers high-quality video calls, but this also means that it requires a stable and fast internet connection. If you are in an area with poor internet connectivity, the call quality may be affected, and you may experience glitches or dropped calls. To avoid this, it is best to use a Wi-Fi network or make sure you have a strong mobile data connection before making an international video call on WhatsApp.
Moreover, WhatsApp also has a feature called “WhatsApp Calling,” which allows you to make voice and video calls to landlines and mobile numbers that are not connected to WhatsApp. This feature uses your phone’s cellular network, and therefore, you will be charged by your service provider for the call. However, the good news is that the cost of these calls is significantly lower than traditional international calls. For example, making a call from the US to the UK using WhatsApp Calling can cost as low as $0.02 per minute, compared to $2 per minute for traditional calls.
Additionally, if you are someone who travels frequently or has family and friends living in different countries, WhatsApp video calls can save you a lot of money. With traditional international calling plans, you have to pay for each call separately, whereas with WhatsApp, you can make unlimited calls for free as long as you have an internet connection. This makes it a budget-friendly option for those who want to stay connected with their loved ones living abroad.
Furthermore, WhatsApp also offers end-to-end encryption for all its calls, including video calls. This means that your calls are secure and cannot be intercepted by anyone, not even WhatsApp itself. This is especially important for international calls, as they are more susceptible to hacking and eavesdropping. With WhatsApp’s encryption, you can have peace of mind knowing that your calls are private and secure.
In conclusion, WhatsApp video calls are free internationally, but this is subject to a stable internet connection and the quality of the call. If you have a Wi-Fi network or a fast and reliable mobile data connection, you can make unlimited video calls to anyone in the world for free. However, if you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network, you will incur data charges from your service provider, but these charges are significantly lower than traditional international calls. With its user-friendly interface, high-quality calls, and end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp has become the go-to app for international communication. So, the next time you want to catch up with your loved ones living abroad, just tap on that video call button on WhatsApp and enjoy a free and secure conversation.
do instagram calls show on phone bill
In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. We use it to connect with friends and family, share our thoughts and experiences, and even make new connections. One of the most popular social media platforms is Instagram , with over 1 billion active users worldwide. With its wide range of features, including photo and video sharing, Instagram has also introduced a new feature – Instagram calls. This has sparked the question – do Instagram calls show on phone bills? In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and delve deeper into the world of Instagram calls.
Firstly, let us understand what Instagram calls are. Instagram calls are a feature within the app that allows users to make voice or video calls to their followers or people they follow. This feature was first introduced in 2018, and since then, it has gained immense popularity among users. It is a convenient way to communicate with friends, family, or even business associates without having to leave the app. However, many users are concerned about the privacy and security of their calls, as well as whether they will appear on their phone bills.
The short answer to this question is no, Instagram calls do not show on phone bills. This is because Instagram calls use the internet to make and receive calls, similar to other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. This means that the calls are not routed through your cellular network, and therefore, do not appear on your phone bill. However, this may vary depending on your phone carrier and data plan. Some carriers may include data usage for certain apps, while others may charge for data usage separately. It is best to check with your carrier about their policies on data usage for social media apps.
Another factor to consider is whether you are using Wi-Fi or cellular data to make Instagram calls. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, then the call will not use your cellular data, and therefore, will not show up on your phone bill. However, if you are using your cellular data, the data usage will be reflected on your bill. It is important to keep track of your data usage and consider using Wi-Fi whenever possible to avoid any additional charges.
Now that we have established that Instagram calls do not show on phone bills, let us dive deeper into the privacy and security concerns of this feature. Instagram, like any other social media platform, has its own privacy and security policies. These policies state that the app does not record calls, and the content of calls is not shared with anyone, including Facebook (Instagram’s parent company). This means that your Instagram calls are private and cannot be accessed or monitored by anyone, including your phone carrier.
However, it is worth noting that Instagram does have access to your call logs, including the time, date, and duration of your calls. This is mentioned in their privacy policy, and the purpose of this access is to improve the app’s performance and provide better recommendations for you. If you are concerned about this, you can turn off this access in your app settings. Additionally, Instagram also has end-to-end encryption for calls, ensuring that the content of your calls is secure and cannot be intercepted.
In terms of security, Instagram has added several features to ensure that your calls are safe. This includes the ability to block or report users who may be harassing or threatening you during a call. You can also turn off video during a call, and Instagram will remember your preference for future calls. This is particularly useful if you are in a low network area and want to conserve your data.
One of the main reasons why Instagram calls have become so popular is because of its ease of use. You do not need to download a separate app to make calls, and you can make calls directly from your DMs or from a user’s profile. Additionally, Instagram also allows group calls with up to 8 participants, making it a convenient way to connect with multiple people at once. These features have made Instagram calls a favorite among users, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing is necessary.
In addition to personal use, Instagram calls have also become a popular tool for businesses. Many brands and influencers use Instagram calls to connect with their followers, host virtual events, and even conduct interviews. This has opened up new opportunities for businesses to engage with their audience and build stronger relationships. With the rise of remote work, Instagram calls have also become an effective way for teams to communicate and collaborate.
However, like any other social media feature, there are potential risks associated with Instagram calls. One of the main concerns is the possibility of receiving unwanted or spam calls. To avoid this, it is important to be cautious about accepting calls from unknown users and to block or report any suspicious or harassing calls. It is also advisable to keep your account private and only accept calls from people you know.
In conclusion, Instagram calls do not show on phone bills and are a convenient and secure way to communicate with others. With its increasing popularity and the various features it offers, Instagram calls have become an essential part of the app. However, it is important to be aware of your data usage and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety and privacy while using this feature. With the ongoing advancements in technology, we can only expect Instagram to introduce even more innovative features in the future, making our online communication experience even more seamless.