Technology major Google on Monday settled with the Competition Commission a nearly four-year-old case related to alleged unfair business practices with respect to Android Smart TV market and has agreed to modify its agreement with vendors. This is the first case that has been settled under the amended Competition Act, wherein the settlement and committment provisions were introduced in 2023.

In the nearly four-year-old case, Google proposed settlement, including a modified agreement with the vendors that would address anti-competitive concerns and also paid a settlement amount of Rs 20.24 crore.

The settlement order on Monday also came at a time when US Vice President J D Vance started his four-day India visit. Also, India is hoping to reach an agreement with the US within the 90-day pause on steep tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.

“The Commission considered the settlement proposal and observed that under the ‘New India Agreement’, Google will provide a standalone licence for the Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in India, thereby removing the requirement to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions.

“Additionally, by waiving the need for a valid Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC) for devices shipped into India that do not include Google apps, OEMs can now sell and develop incompatible Android devices without violating the Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA),” the regulator said in a release on Monday.

Besides, as part of the settlement, Google has paid Rs 20.24 crore as settlement amount.

Earlier also, Google had come under the scanner of CCI where the latter passed orders with respect to Android OS and Play Store billing matters. Two more cases against Google — one related to digital news publshers/adtech and another on alleged excessive Play Store billing — are currently being probed by the regulator.

In June 2021, CCI had ordered a detailed investigation into the case after concluding that there was prima facie evidence of competition law violations.

The probe by the regulator’s investigation arm Director General (DG) concluded that Android Smart TV OS has a dominant position in the relevant market of ‘licensable Smart TV device operating system in India’ and Google Play Store is in a dominant position in the ‘Market for App Store for Android Smart TV OS in India’.

“It found that Google’s agreements — TADA and ACC — executed together, imposed unfair terms by requiring the pre-installation of its full app bundle Google TV Services, preventing OEMs from developing or using Android forks, and hindering innovation,” CCI said.

Citing the DG’s findings, the watchdog noted that these agreements extended across entire device portfolios and included the tying of services like YouTube with the Play Store, strengthening Google’s market dominance and breaching several provisions of Section 4 of the Act.

The allegation of refusal to deal and exclusive supply under Section 3(4) was not substantiated, the release said.

Section 3 pertains to anti-competitive agreements and Section 4 relates to abuse of dominant position.

It was alleged that Google misused its dominant position by enforcing restrictive agreements on OEMs, including compulsory bundling of the Play Store with Android TV OS and preventing the use or creation of rival forked Android versions through its Anti-Fragmentation Agreements.

These practices allegedly blocked market access, curbed competition, and placed unrelated obligations on OEMs, ultimately stifling innovation and violating provisions of Section 4 of the Act.

CCI started looking into the matter following a complaint filed by two individuals against Google LLC, Google India Pvt Ltd, Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd and TCL India Holding Pvt Ltd.

Google is rolling out a new update to Google Play Services, which will automatically restart Android phones and tablets if they have been locked for three consecutive days. According to GSM Arena, this security feature aims to protect user data by putting the device into a “Before First Unlock” state, where data is encrypted and harder to access.

Once the device is locked for three days, it will automatically reboot and require the user to enter their passcode to access their data.

This feature is designed to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive information.

Apple introduced a similar feature in iOS 18.1, called Inactivity Reboot, which also automatically restarts the device after a period of inactivity.

Google’s update is a welcome addition to Android devices, enhancing their security and protecting user data.

The latest Google Play Services update is labelled 25.14 and is currently being rolled out to Android devices.

This feature will not be available on Wear OS devices.

moto book 60 Launched: Motorola has launched its first-ever laptop globally – the moto book 60 – in India on Thursday, April 17. The device comes in two colours- Bronze Green and Wedgewood. With 1.39 kg, the moto book 60 is an extremely light and slim laptop with a lot of firepower under the hood, said the company.

moto book 60: Display

The device is equipped with a 14’’ 2.8K OLED display with segment-leading 500 nits of peak brightness, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos

moto book 60: Key Features

The laptop comes with features like 

• Smart Connect: Allows users to link their Moto Book 60 with smartphones, tablets, and other devices in their ecosystem
• Smart Clipboard: Enable users to copy and paste content across devices effortlessly
• Swipe To Share: Allows for quick, intuitive content sharing with a simple gesture

moto book 60: Processor

The moto book 60 is powered by the latest Intel Core 7 and Intel Core 5 processors. Designed to handle demanding tasks with ease, it allows users to seamlessly switch between applications, stream content, and manage heavy workloads without compromise, the company claimed.

moto book 60: Battery

The Moto Book 60 is powered by a 60Wh battery and comes with a 65W fast charger.

moto book 60: Availability

The moto book 60 would be available in 2 memory/storage variants – 16GB RAM + 512 GB Storage and 16 GB RAM + 1 TB Storage with Intel Core 7 and one memory Variant – 16 GB + 512 GB with Intel Core 5 processor. 

moto book 60: Price

	Intel® Core™ 5 (16 GB + 512 GB)	Intel® Core™ 7 16 GB + 512 GB
Effective Special Launch Price	Rs 61,999 (inclusive of instant discount on select credit and debit card transactions)	Rs 69,999 (including offers)
Regular Price	Rs 66,990	Rs 74,990

 

	16 GB + 1 TB
Effective Launch Price	Rs 73,999 (including offers)
Regular Price	Rs 78,990

The automobile industry is heading for a major transformation by 2030, driven by growing demand for safety features, electric vehicles, and smart technologies, according to a recent report by NITI Aayog.

One of the key highlights of the report is the sharp rise in the adoption of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). The report highlighted that these features, which help drivers stay safer on the road, were present in 42 per cent of new vehicles sold in 2020. However, their presence is expected to grow rapidly and touch 90 per cent of new vehicle sales by 2030.

It said, “Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are projected to rise from 42% of new vehicle sales in 2020 to 90% by 2030, spurred by consumer demand for safety features and regulatory requirements.”

Another major trend mentioned by the report is the rise of autonomous or self-driving technologies. In 2020, less than 1 per cent of vehicles had such features, but the report projects that more than 30 per cent of vehicles could be equipped with some level of autonomous driving capability by 2030.

This will raise the demand for high-tech components like sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and powerful computing systems.

Software is also set to play a much bigger role in vehicles. At present, software accounts for around 2 per cent of a car’s total value. This share is expected to double and reach 4-5 per cent by 2030.

As vehicles become more connected and capable of receiving updates over-the-air, the market for automotive software is projected to grow to USD 80 billion.

The report also highlighted how electric vehicles (EVs) are changing the structure of vehicle manufacturing. EV-specific parts–such as electric motors, lithium-ion batteries, and advanced electronics–are expected to make up nearly half of the value of an electric car.
This means that manufacturers must focus on innovation and scaling up production to stay competitive.

NITI Aayog said, “The automobile industry stands to gain significantly from the shift to electric cars (EVs), since EV-specific parts are predicted to account for about half of the vehicle’s overall value.”

It stressed that collaboration with technology firms will be crucial in shaping the future of mobility. Automakers that quickly adapt to these changes–by embracing software, automation, and electrification–will be best positioned to thrive in the next phase of the automotive revolution.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Nothing’s sub-brand CMF is all set to launch its second smartphone — the CMF Phone 2 Pro — in India on April 28 at 6:30 PM IST. Along with the device, the company will also launch three other products on the same day: the CMF Buds 2, Buds 2a, and Buds 2 Plus.

Just a few days ahead of the formal debut, the company announced that the upcoming phone will feature a triple-camera system — including a 50MP telephoto lens, a high-performance main sensor, and an ultra-wide camera.

The company also revealed, a day before tomorrow, that the CMF Phone 2 Pro will run on a chipset similar to that of the CMF Phone 1, which was launched last year. CMF, via X (formerly Twitter), said that the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset will power the CMF Phone 2 Pro.

Powerful from the core.

CMF Phone 2 Pro. pic.twitter.com/kTSfOe9QyM

— CMF by Nothing (@cmfbynothing) April 16, 2025

CMF Phone 1: A Throwback

The CMF Phone 2 Pro will succeed the CMF Phone 1, which launched under the sub-brand in July 2024. Featuring a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, the CMF by Nothing Phone 1 came with a dual-camera setup including a 50MP primary sensor and a 16MP selfie camera. It is backed by a 5000mAh battery, and the base model (6GB RAM and 128GB storage) is priced at Rs 15,999 on Flipkart. It was powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset.

Nothing’s Recently Launched Phone (3a) Series

Last month, Nothing upgraded its mid-range lineup with the launch of the Phone (3a) series in India. Building on the success of the Phone (2a), the series includes two models: the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. These devices are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, and Snapdragon Elite Gaming features. Both models come with large 5000mAh batteries. The Phone (3a) Pro, in particular, boasts a triple-camera setup featuring a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP Sony ultra-wide sensor, and its standout feature: a 50MP Periscope OIS camera. Read the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro Review here.

Acer Super ZX Series Launched: Indkal Technologies has launched two smartphones in India under the Acer Super ZX Series. These are Acer Super ZX and Acer Super ZX Pro. With this launch, the laptop maker has entered the Indian smartphone market. According to the company, these devices have premium designs and very high-end features.

Anand Dubey, CEO, Indkal Technologies, said, “This is a landmark day in our history and with this launch we step into the largest consumer product category. Our efforts were to bring a smartphone which is not only completely designed in India but leads in performance.”

“We became not only the first Indian company to launch the Dimensity 7400 chipset but also the first to launch in the segment across all brands, which is a testament to the innovation and design capabilities of Indkal in electronics. Both phones are going to be leaders in camera technology and sensors and also will be the fastest in their respective price points,” he added.

Acer Super ZX: Key Features

The Acer Super ZX features a 6.78” FHD+ 120Hz display, which is the segment’s first FHD+ display, said the company. It runs on Stock Android 15, powered by the MediaTek 6300 chipset, and the back has a triple-camera setup. The biggest highlight of the Super ZX model, according to the company, is the Sony LYTIATM sensor and a 64 megapixel back camera. With 33W fast charging, this model is available in 4+4 GB RAM with 128 GB and 8+8 GB RAM with 256 GB variants. Customers can choose from three colors – black, blue, and green.

Acer Super ZX Pro: Key Features

The Acer Super ZX Pro features a 6.67” AMOLED display with an IP64-rated glass design and frosted glass back and metal frame. It has the segment’s first MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chipset launched just in April, said the company. The phone features a three-camera setup – a 50-megapixel OIS camera with Sony IMX 882 sensor for the main camera, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide, and a bokeh camera. Most importantly, it has a 50-megapixel front camera with AI capabilities and a 5000mAh battery. 

The Pro model is available in two different RAM configurations – 8+8 GB RAM, 12+12 GB RAM, and internal memory configurations – 128 GB and 512 GB. It has three colour options – Black, Purple, and Light Blue.

Both models support 5G connectivity, are based on stock Android 15, and support dual SIM and an IP-certified design.

Acer Super ZX, Acer Super ZX Pro: Price

The starting price of Acer Super ZX is Rs 9,990, while the starting price of the pro model is Rs 17,990. 

Realme 14T 5G Launch Date Announced: Realme is all set to unveil its latest smartphone —Realme 14T 5G — in India next week. Ahead of the official debut, the company has shared some details about the upcoming device. So, from features, display to colour, availability – here’s what you will get in Realme 14T 5G –

When will Realme 14T 5G be launched in India?

The company said it will launch the Realme 14T 5G on Friday, April 25.

Realme 14T 5G: What will it contain?

Realme 14T 5G will be backed by a 6000mAh long-lasting battery paired with 45W fast charging that will be capable of providing up to 54.3 hours of calls, 17.2 hours of YouTube, 12.5 hours of Instagram, and 12.5 hours of gaming. Despite packing such a large battery, the device will maintain a sleek and ergonomic profile at just 7.97mm, the company claimed.

The company also said that it introduces top-tier IP69 water and dust resistance, a first in its class, providing enhanced durability and everyday protection against splashes and spills. 

Realme 14T 5G: Display

The upcoming smartphone will feature the segment’s brightest AMOLED display that will be capable of delivering an impressive 2100 nits peak brightness, the company claimed. Also, the display will support 111% DCI-P3 wide color gamut for more vivid and immersive visuals.

Also Read: Motorola launches moto book 60 in India under Rs 62,000; check price, features, availability

Realme 14T 5G: Colour options

It will be available in three colors — Silken Green, Violet Grace, and Satin Ink.

Realme 14T 5G: Camera

Realme 14T 5G will come equipped with a 50MP AI camera, which brings flagship-level clarity and dynamic imaging to everyday moments, said the company. 

Realme 14T 5G: What can you expect?

On the design front, the Realme 14T 5G will feature a satin-inspired luxury finish, blending elegance with a smooth, flowing texture that reflects light beautifully, according to the company.

Realme 14T 5G: Availability

After the launch, customers will be able to buy Realme 14T 5G from the company’s official website and Flipkart.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G Launched: Samsung Galaxy M56 5G Launched: Samsung has expanded its Galaxy M series with the launch of Galaxy M56 5G today, April 17. The smartphone features Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both the front and back, a 50MP triple camera with OIS and a 12 MP Front HDR camera and advanced AI editing tools. The company claimed that it is the slimmest smartphone in its segment. 

Akshay S Rao, Director, MX Business, Samsung India, said, “It’s the slimmest phone in its segment, yet built to last, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both the front and back, making it the toughest M series phone ever.”

“Whether you’re capturing memories with the Front HDR camera or exploring creative possibilities with advanced AI editing tools, the Galaxy M56 5G, with its power-packed features, is designed to redefine the smartphone experience,” he added.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Design, Display

Galaxy M56 5G is just 7.2 mm slim and features a 6.7” Full HD+ Super AMOLED+ display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on both front and back. The display supports 1200 nits of High Brightness Mode (HBM), Vision Booster technology, and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Colour Options

The newly launched Galaxy M56 5G comes in two colours – Light Green and Black.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Camera

Galaxy M56 5G comes with a 50MP OIS triple camera and features a flagship-grade 12MP HDR front camera for selfies. It can record 4K 30 FPS videos in 10-bit HDR. According to the company, the cameras are designed for vivid photos and videos—even in low light, thanks to its Big Pixel Technology, Low Noise Mode, and AI ISP, taking its Nightography to a different level.

The camera system also features Portrait 2.0 with 2X zoom on the rear camera and advanced AI-powered editing tools like object eraser, edit suggestions.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Processor

Galaxy M56 5G is powered by a 4nm based Exynos 1480 processor with LPDDR5X. According to the company, the processor delivers a monster mobile gaming experience with its flagship-level vapor cooling chamber along with high-quality audio and visuals. 

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Battery with Fast Charging

Galaxy M56 5G is backed with a 5000mAh battery and supports 45W super-fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Galaxy Experiences 

According to the company, the Galaxy M56 5G will offer the segment’s best 6 generations of Android upgrades and 6 years of security updates. Also, it comes with One UI7 out of the box. 

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: Variant & Price

Product	Variant	Introductory Price	Offers
Galaxy M56 5G	8GB+128GB	Rs 24,999	Including INR 3000 Instant Bank Discount
Galaxy M56 5G	8GB+256GB	Rs 27,999	Including INR 3000 Instant Bank Discount

 

Google Pixel 9a Buy in India: Google has commenced the sale of its latest A-series smartphone — the Pixel 9a — in India. According to the company, the smartphone comes with a sleek new design, the brightest display ever on an A-series phone, and the goodness of Google AI built in.

Google Pixel 9a: Price & Availability

Google Pixel 9a is priced at Rs 49,999 and is now available for purchase online and across retail stores in India.

Google Pixel 9a: Launch Offer

The company is offering Rs 3,000 cashback and 24 months no-cost EMI with select partners like HDFC Bank, IDFC Bank, and Bajaj Finserv.

Google Pixel 9a: Camera & Battery

It has an upgraded dual rear camera system – a 13MP ultrawide camera and a 48MP main camera. The company has claimed that the Pixel 9a has the best battery life of any Pixel available to date.

Google Pixel 9a: Colour Options

Google Pixel 9a comes in three colors: Iris, Porcelain, and Obsidian.

Key highlights of Pixel 9a:

According to the company, these are the key highlights of Google Pixel 9a-

• Advanced AI integration – Built-in Gemini for help across apps like Maps, Calendar and YouTube, plus chat experiences with Gemini Live.
• Display – With an upgraded 6.3″ inch Actua display, the phone has the brightest display on an A-series ever — 35% brighter than Pixel 8a at 2700 nits — as well as a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate.
• 7 year of OS, security – It comes with seven years of operating system, security and pixel drops. 
• IP68 water and dust resistance – It also has upgraded IP68 water and dust resistance, which means it can survive drops, falls and scratches.
• Security features – Pixel 9a has the same highest-rated security features as Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. 

Realme Narzo 80 Series 5G Sale Begins: Realme has commenced the sale of its latest power-packed duo, the realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G and realme Narzo 80x 5G in India. Customers can buy these smartphones on realme.com and Amazon. Additionally, buyers can also avail of exciting bank offers with discounts of up to Rs 2,000, said the official release.

Realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G, Narzo 80x 5G: Price 

Product	Variant	Price	Price offer	Coupon	Offer Price	No cost EMI (NCE)
realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G	8 + 128	19,999	NA	2000	17,999	6 Months
	8 + 256	21,499	NA	2000	19,499
	12 + 256	23,499	NA	2000	21,499
realme Narzo 80x 5G	6 + 128	13,999	500	1500	11,999	NA
	8 + 128	14,999	500	1500	12,999

Realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G: Camera, Battery, Features 

The realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G features a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 5G chipset built on 4nm architecture, delivering an industry-leading Antutu score of 780K+ and buttery-smooth 90FPS gameplay in BGMI, said the company. 

The device boasts a 6.7-inch 4500nits HyperGlow Display—the brightest in its segment—featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, 2500Hz touch sampling, and 3840Hz PWM dimming. It has a 6000mAh Titan Battery with 80W Ultra Charging, supported by 6050mm² Cyclone VC Cooling to maintain optimal performance.

The phone features a Sony IMX882 OIS 50MP main camera and a 16MP front camera. The camera system is backed by advanced computational photography features, including Night Mode 2.0 and AI Snapshot, the company claimed.

The phone also offers IP66/68/69 water/dust resistance and Military-Grade Shock Resistance with ArmorShell protection. The racing-inspired design comes in Speed Silver and Racing Green color options. Additional premium features include Stereo Dual Speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification and realme UI 6.0 with advanced AI capabilities.

Realme Narzo 80x 5G: Camera, Battery, Features

The realme Narzo 80x 5G comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 5G chipset (6nm process) and features a 6.5-inch 120Hz Eye Comfort Display with 10-layer protection, including DC dimming, Bedtime Mode, and Paper-like Display settings. The 6000mAh battery supports 45W SuperVOOC charging (50% in 38 minutes) and innovative Sub-Zero Charge technology that works even at -10°C temperatures, said the company.
 
It boasts an IP69 rating against water/dust and SonicWave Water Ejection technology. The device is available in Deep Ocean and Sunlit Gold colour options. It also offers a 50MP AI camera, and unique software features include AI Smart Signal Boost (+15% network speed), Rainwater Smart Touch (98% wet-screen accuracy), and 200% Ultra Volume Mode for crystal-clear audio in noisy environments, said the company.

Google Unveils Veo 2 AI Video Generator: Google has officially launched its next-generation AI video generation tool, Veo 2, integrated into the Gemini platform which marks a significant leap for Google’s generative AI capabilities, allowing users to create short, high-resolution video clips from text prompts.

What is Veo 2?

Veo 2 is the successor to Google’s earlier video generation model, designed to produce eight-second-long videos in 720p resolution using descriptive text prompts. The videos are rendered in MP4 format with a 16:9 landscape aspect ratio, and Google says they are infused with cinematic realism, fluid character motion, and detailed visuals.

According to the company, Veo 2 achieves this level of realism by better understanding real-world physics, human movement, and environmental cues. The feature has begun rolling out globally to Gemini Advanced users on both web and mobile, as well as Google One AI Premium subscribers in all languages supported by Gemini.

How to Access and Use Veo 2 in Gemini: A step-by-step guide

Here’s how users can start creating videos with Veo 2:

• Access Gemini on desktop or mobile and ensure you’re subscribed to Gemini Advanced or Google One AI Premium.
• Select Veo 2 from the model dropdown menu.
• Enter a detailed prompt describing the video you want to generate. Be as specific as possible — including elements like mood, visuals, movement, lighting, and style — to get optimal results.
• Generate the video. Once created, you can preview and share directly to platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok.
• Google notes that there is a monthly limit on the number of videos users can create, though the exact cap hasn’t been disclosed. Users will be notified as they approach their limit.

Integration with whisk for mixed prompts

Alongside Gemini, Google Labs is also offering access to Veo 2 through Whisk, which allows users to generate videos using a combination of text and image inputs — enabling richer and more precise outputs.

Sample prompts used by Google

To showcase Veo 2’s capabilities, Google shared a few example prompts and their resulting videos:

• Prompt 1: “Time-lapse of a voxel-style ice cream melting under a clear blue sky…”
• Prompt 2: “An animated shot of a tiny mouse with oversized glasses, reading a book by the light of a glowing mushroom in a cozy forest den.”
• Prompt 3: “A slow-panning shot of an enormous glacial cavern, illuminated by pale cyan light and dotted with frozen candy figures…”
• Prompt 4: “Aerial shot of a grassy cliff leading to a sandy beach, where waves crash and golden light bathes a prominent sea stack.”

Google vs OpenAI

Google’s release comes just months after rival OpenAI launched Sora Turbo in December 2024 — an advanced video generation model available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. With both tech giants now pushing into AI video, the competition is heating up in the generative media space.

As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, tools like Veo 2 and Sora Turbo are paving the way for creators, marketers, and storytellers to bring their ideas to life with unprecedented ease.

Asus ExpertBook P Series: Asus has launched its AI-powered ExpertBook P Series laptops in India today, April 15. Designed for businesses and professionals, the laptops are powered by high performance, high durability, great battery backup, seamless expandability, enterprise-grade security, and enterprise-grade service support, said the company.

Asus ExpertBook P Series: Comprises 3 Laptops

The newly launched ASUS ExpertBook P Series comprises three laptops – ExpertBook P1, ExpertBook P3, and ExpertBook P5.

ExpertBook P5 features up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2) with up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, and ExpertBook P1 and P3 feature up to an Intel Core 13th Gen i7 (H-series) Processor and up to 64GB DDR5 RAM. Along with high-speed PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage and advanced thermal management, this new laptop range from ASUS ensures superior performance for demanding
workloads, said the company’s official release.

Asus ExpertBook P Series: Display

The ExpertBook P Series supports a wide-view IPS display with a minimum of 300 nits brightness and high screen resolution between FHD and 2.5K for segment leading viewing experience.

Key Features of the ASUS ExpertBook P Series:

According to the company, these are the key features of the newly launched laptops –

1. Durability, Built for Extensive Work
20+ Military Std. 810 H Tests passed, up to reinforced metal chassis, and passing ASUS Superior Durability Tests for extensive usage in demanding work environments such as 50,000 times Hinge test and up to 30 kgs Pressure test on Top Lid, the ASUS ExpertBook P Series is built to endure.

2. Enterprise-Grade Security with ASUS Expert Guardian
Features TPM 2.0 hardware-based encryption, Self-Healing BIOS, Optical Chassis Intrusion Alert, Microsoft Device Encryption, and a 1-year McAfeeTM + Premium subscription, to create a very strong multi-layer security to safeguard sensitive business data.

3. Battery Back Up and Charging
Long-lasting minimum 50Wh 3-cell battery, charge anywhere through standard power banks and airline USB with the full-range charging support of Voltage USB-C Charging (5V-24V). The bundled 65W charger supports PD + PPS for blazing-fast charging across laptops, smartphones, and other USB-C devices that support up to 65W charging with PPS.

4. Scalability Beyond Boundaries
Featuring dual SO-DIMM RAM slots, Dual SSD Slots, and extensive ports, the ExpertBook P Series offers extensive scalability for future needs.

5. Enterprise-grade Support
Industry-leading Toll-free support (9 AM–9 PM, Mon–Sat), onsite service across 14,900+ pin codes via 200+ centers, international warranty, 1-year Accidental Damage Protection, and up to 3-year service packs.

Asus ExpertBook P Series: Price and Availability

The ASUS ExpertBook P Series laptops will be available for purchase on Flipkart starting Monday, April 21, 2025. The all-inclusive launch prices start at Rs 39,990 for the ExpertBook P1,
Rs 64,990 for the ExpertBook P3, and Rs 94,990 for the ExpertBook P5.

To mark the launch, ASUS is offering additional limited-time benefits to its ExpertBook P series customers worth up to Rs 12,000, including:

• An Incredible introductory discount of up to Rs 3,000, valid from 21st–27th April.
• Free 2-Year Extended Warranty (worth Rs 3,499), valid from 21st–23rd April on limited
• stock.
• Free 2-Year Local Accidental Damage Protection (worth Rs 1,499), valid from 21st–23rd
• April on limited stock.
• Free 1-Year McAfee+ Premium subscription (worth $44.99 or about Rs 3,900)

In today’s world, our data is extremely valuable, just like gold. Personal data includes names, locations, financial information, and online activities that need to be protected to prevent misuse, identity theft, and unauthorized access. With the rise of online services and social media, protecting data has become crucial for individuals. Thus, if you are worried about your WhatsApp privacy, here are simple ways to check for unauthorised access and block unwanted users. Take a look!

Is your WhatsApp account being accessed by another device?

Have you ever noticed that a WhatsApp message gets marked as “Read” even though you haven’t opened it? This could mean someone else has access to your account. Fortunately, WhatsApp has a feature that lets you see which devices are linked to your account. This way, you can check if there is any unauthorised access and take action if needed.

How to check linked devices on WhatsApp?

To see which devices are linked to your WhatsApp account, follow these steps:

• 1. Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots at the top right corner.
• 2. Go to Linked Devices.
• 3. You’ll see a list of devices connected to your account.

Check this list regularly to ensure only authorised devices have access.

How to remove unauthorised devices from WhatsApp?

If you find an unfamiliar device linked to your account, follow these steps to remove it

• 1. Go to Linked Devices in WhatsApp settings.
• 2. Find the device you want to remove.
• 3. Tap Log out to remove the device’s access.

This will prevent the unauthorised device from accessing your WhatsApp messages.

What is WhatsApp’s group messaging feature?

WhatsApp has a group messaging feature that lets users stay safe in group chats. The update includes a Context Card that shows important information about the group, helping users make informed decisions about their participation. 

What to know when added to a WhatsApp group?

If someone adds you to a group you don’t know:

• WhatsApp’s Context Card shows:
• Who added you
• When the group was created
• Who created the group

This helps you understand the group’s background and decide what to do next.

How to stay safe on WhatsApp?

If you are added to a group or encounter suspicious activity:

• Review WhatsApp’s safety tools to protect yourself.
• Decide whether to stay in the group or leave.
• Use available features to control your experience and stay secure.

Making informed decisions on WhatsApp

The Context Card feature helps you decide:

• Whether to stay in a group or leave
• If you want to engage with someone you’ve just met
• If the group is relevant or safe for you

This feature gives you more control over your WhatsApp experience

South Korean smartphone and personal computer makers are staying cautious as unpredictable US tariff policies increase uncertainty around their future production strategies. On Friday, US President Donald Trump’s administration exempted smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices from country-specific reciprocal tariffs, including the 125 percent levies imposed on Chinese imports.

The move was seen as a temporary relief for US tech giants like Apple Inc., which relies heavily on Chinese suppliers for its iPhones and other products, reports Yonhap news agency.

However, just two days later, Trump seemed to have reversed course, stressing the tariff exclusions on smartphones and computers would be short-lived. He said these products would shift to a different tariff “bucket,” potentially to be replaced by new, yet-to-be-announced sectoral tariffs on semiconductors.

Trump also vowed to launch a national security investigation into the semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest smartphone maker, has not issued an official response to the recent US tariff policies. However, industry insiders have voiced growing concerns over the US administration’s shifting stance.

“We are relieved that smartphones, laptops and PC components were exempted,” said an official from a local company who requested anonymity. “But we must continue monitoring the Trump administration’s next moves.”

Samsung Electronics does not manufacture smartphones in China, but it produces about half of its smartphones in Vietnam, whose exports to the US face 46 percent reciprocal tariffs.

Experts say the exemption may ease short-term fears of declining demand for conventional memory chips, which will be good news for Korean chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics.

Still, they urged South Korean companies to prepare for possible new tariffs on semiconductors.
“It is nearly impossible for Korean firms to plan ahead under such unpredictable US trade policy,” another industry official said. “We will need to stay vigilant and coordinate closely with the government.”

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday the country is set to launch “separate tariffs” for imports of smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other components in the next one to two months.

Speaking to ABC News, the Commerce Secretary said all those products are going to come under semiconductors, and they’re going to have a special focus type of tariff to make sure that those products get reshored.

OpenAI is suing Elon Musk for unfair competition and interfering with its business relationships with investors and customers, escalating a legal battle between the ChatGPT maker and the billionaire who helped bankroll the artificial intelligence startup a decade ago.

The allegations against Musk were filed Wednesday in a federal court in California as a counterclaim to Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, which is heading to a jury trial next year.

Musk, an early OpenAI investor who now runs his own AI firm, xAI, began a legal offensive against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman more than a year ago, suing for breach of contract over what he said was the betrayal of its founding aims as a nonprofit research laboratory.

A federal judge in March denied Musk’s request for a court order blocking OpenAI from converting itself to a for-profit company but said she could expedite a trial to consider Musk’s claims.

She offered to hold a trial later this year, but it has been pushed back to March 2026.

In a big step towards digital convenience and personal privacy, the Indian government has launched a brand-new Aadhaar app that lets users verify and share their Aadhaar details digitally — no need to carry physical cards or hand over photocopies anymore. The app was officially introduced by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Describing the app as a “smart leap” in digital innovation, Vaishnaw said it aims to make Aadhaar verification quicker, easier, and much more secure. “New Aadhaar App, Face ID authentication via mobile app. No physical card, no photocopies,” he shared in a video message on X (formerly Twitter).

“Now with just a tap, users can share only the necessary data, giving them complete control over their personal information,” he said.

The idea behind the app is simple: users have full control over their data. They can choose to share only what’s necessary, and always with their consent — all through a secure digital process.

One of the standout features? Face ID authentication. It adds an extra layer of security and makes the whole experience seamless. Think of it like UPI — but for Aadhaar verification. 

Also Read: EPFO Aadhar-linked UAN Update: Change details, transfer EPF online without employer’s approval—Here’s how

The app, currently in its beta stage, has been built with strong privacy protections. Your information is securely stored and can’t be tampered with, edited, or misused. And importantly, nothing gets shared without your permission.

Calling Aadhaar the “foundation” of several government services, Vaishnaw also spoke about the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and digital public infrastructure (DPI) in shaping India’s tech-forward future. He invited stakeholders to come forward with ideas on how AI and DPI can work together — while keeping privacy front and centre.

Also Read:UIDAI introduces new Aadhaar application to enhance user privacy, data protection

How to get started with the Aadhaar app

Step 1: Download and install 

Head to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the Aadhaar app.

Step 2: Register

Verify your Aadhaar number using the mobile number linked to it. You’ll receive a One-Time Password (OTP) to complete registration.

Step 3: Set up face ID

Enable Face ID authentication by scanning your face for that extra bit of security.

Samsung One UI 7 for Galaxy S24 Series: Samsung has started rolling out the stable One UI 7 update for its flagship Galaxy S24 series, including the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. Based on Android 15, this major software update introduces a refreshed user interface and powerful AI features. The update was first showcased in February 2025, during the Galaxy S25 launch.

First major OS update with 7 years of software support

This marks the first significant OS upgrade for the Galaxy S24 lineup, with Samsung promising seven years of software updates. One UI 7 is considered one of the most refined Android skins, known for its smooth performance and deep customisation.

Also Read: CMF Phone 2 Pro launch date announced: Here’s what you need to know about April unveiling

Phased rollout across snapdragon & exynos models

The One UI 7 rollout is being conducted in phases and covers both Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Exynos 2400 variants of the Galaxy S24 series. Samsung is expected to complete the rollout in the coming weeks. The update had earlier been tested through a beta program released a few months ago.

Older Galaxy devices to receive the update soon

Following the Galaxy S24, Samsung plans to extend the Android 15-based update to older Galaxy S series, Z Fold and Flip series, A series, M series, and F series devices in the days ahead.

Also Read: Samsung launches Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series in India; sales begin | Here’s what you need to know

Samsung trails behind competitors in android 15 rollout

Despite the improvements, Samsung has lagged behind rivals like OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, and iQOO, who released their Android 15 updates in December 2024.

The Digital Threat Report 2024, a collaborative effort by SISA, CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) and CSIRT-FIN, offers an in-depth analysis of the growing cybersecurity risks in India’s Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. Built on frontline threat intelligence and real-world incident data, the report outlines a unified view of the cyber threat landscape and the shifting dynamics of digital security in an era of rapid technological transformation.

The report paints a stark picture: cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, driven by a potent mix of evolving adversarial tactics and tried-and-tested methods. It highlights a significant surge in social engineering threats, especially Business Email Compromise (BEC) and phishing attacks. These increasingly exploit stolen credentials and session cookies from the dark web, rendering even multi-factor authentication ineffective.

Key Highlights from the Report:

• Social Engineering on the Rise: BEC and phishing attacks have become more precise and damaging, targeting BFSI institutions with tailored tactics that bypass traditional security barriers.
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Breaches through third-party vendors and open-source software have introduced threats at scale, underlining the need for stricter vendor risk management.
• Compliance Evolution: Regulatory frameworks are moving toward harmonization, transforming compliance from a rigid obligation into a strategic tool that can drive growth, improve operations, and build cyber resilience.
• Persistent Control Gaps: Misconfigurations, over-privileged access, and weak access controls continue to plague even the most security-conscious organizations.
• AI-Powered Threats: With artificial intelligence being leveraged by both defenders and attackers, the report warns of a future dominated by highly personalized, large-scale cyberattacks driven by AI technologies.

The document also delves into how these developments are reshaping risk postures across the BFSI sector. By combining national cyber trend insights with operational experiences, the report not only diagnoses critical control gaps but also recommends robust mitigation strategies. These include closing security loopholes, revisiting access policies, improving supply chain oversight, and investing in AI-driven threat detection systems.

As digital ecosystems expand and attackers adopt more innovative methods, the report underscores the urgent need for organizations to remain proactive and adaptive. It concludes with a call to action: strengthen defenses, stay ahead of adversaries, and turn compliance into a competitive advantage.

The Digital Threat Report 2024 stands as both a warning and a roadmap, helping BFSI organizations navigate the complex cybersecurity terrain of today—and prepare for the unknowns of tomorrow.

OnePlus has confirmed that it is will launch its much-awaited 13T smartphone in China this month. However, the smartphone maker is yet to announce the exact date of launch. For years, smartphones have been getting bigger and bigger. But now, people are looking for smaller phones again. Many Chinese brands are planning to release mini versions of their flagship phones to meet this demand. Soon after the launch of OnePlus 13 in January, there have been rumors for a long time about a new, smaller flagship phone from this Chinese smartphone company. 

Thus, OnePlus recently confirmed the rumors, saying they are working on a new smartphone called the OnePlus 13T. Let’s quickly take a look at its expected price, specifications, and what makes it different from other smartphones.

OnePlus 13T rumoured specifications

According to information doing rounds across social media platforms, OnePlus 13T is expected to feature a 6.3-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Similar to the OnePlus 13, the 13T is expected to come with a glass sandwich design with a metal frame. One big change with the new OnePlus 13T is that it is expected to ditch the iconic alert slider.

Instead, it might have a new multifunctional button, similar to Apple’s Action key. The new button may offer support to switch between different ring profiles, just like the alert slider, along with a few other options.

The OnePlus 13T might have

• The same powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor as its bigger sibling.
• A large 6,200mAh battery, despite its smaller size.
• Fast charging support, up to 80W.

The OnePlus 13T might have

• A 50MP main camera with OIS (image stabilization)
• A 50MP telephoto lens with 2x zoom
• No ultra-wide angle lens
• Selfie camera details are still unknown

OnePlus 13T expected price

The OnePlus 13T is expected to reportedly start at a price of around Rs 47,000 to Rs 53,000. For comparison, the OnePlus 13 started at Rs 69,999 in India, while in China, it started at a lower price.

OnePlus 13T expected price in India

If the rumors are true, the OnePlus 13T might be cheaper than the OnePlus 13 in India, even though Chinese prices are usually lower than Indian prices. This means you could get a similar phone with most of the same features at a lower price.

OnePlus 13T Launch Date In India

The Launch of the OnePlus 13T in India is yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for more updates.

CMF Phone 2 Pro launch date announced: Nothing’s sub-brand CMF is all set to launch its second smartphone – CMF Phone 2 Pro – in India this April. Along with the device, three other products will also be introduced on the same day, the company said, and has officially announced the unveiling date via the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Here’s what you need to know –

CMF Phone 2 Pro: India Release Date Revealed

According to the official release, CMF will reveal these four products on Monday, April 28, at 6:30 PM IST.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: What 4 products to be launched this April

The four products debuting on April 28 include the CMF Phone 2 Pro, CMF Buds 2, Buds 2a, and Buds 2 Plus.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: What Nothing Tweeted

“New wonderful things. Featuring CMF Phone 2 Pro, alongside a trio of buds – Buds 2, Buds 2a or Buds 2 Plus. 28 April, 2:00 BST,” the company tweeted.

New wonderful things.

Featuring CMF Phone 2 Pro, alongside a trio of buds – Buds 2, Buds 2a or Buds 2 Plus.

28 April, 2:00 BST. pic.twitter.com/1CIlMae2um

— CMF by Nothing (@cmfbynothing) April 7, 2025

CMF Phone 1: Throwback

The CMF Phone 2 Pro will be the successor to the CMF Phone 1. Under the sub-brand, the smartphone was launched in July 2024. Equipped with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, the CMF by Nothing Phone 1 features a dual camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 16MP selfie camera. It houses a 5000mAh battery, and the base model (6GB RAM and 128GB storage) is available at a price of Rs 15,999 on Flipkart. It also packed the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset.

Nothing Recently Launched Phone (3a) Series

Last month, Nothing upgraded its mid-range lineup with the launch of the Phone (3a) series in India. Building on the acclaimed Phone (2a), the series includes two models: Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. The devices are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, and Snapdragon Elite Gaming features. Both the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro come with large 5000mAh batteries. Boasting a triple-camera setup, the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro features a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP Sony ultra-wide sensor, and the main highlight: a 50MP Periscope OIS camera. Read Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro Review here.

RBI Launches WhatsApp Channel, RBI WhatsApp QR Code: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched its official WhatsApp channel aimed at spreading public awareness. The move is part of the Reserve Bank’s public outreach activities. The country’s central bank has been conducting a series of campaigns dedicated to public awareness across various mediums, including text messages, TV and digital advertisements. These initiatives are part of the RBI’s ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ (RBI says) drive.

Here are five things to know about the RBI’s just-launched WhatsApp channel:

• What is the RBI WhatsApp Channel for? Through its verified WhatsApp account, the RBI aims to make financial information more accessible to the public.
• The initiative enables the RBI to ensure last-mile information delivery regardless of the user’s geographical location.
• In the RBI’s words, the initiative will “ensure that vital information reaches people in a simple, direct, and effective manner”.

ALSO READ | WhatsApp bans more than 9.7 million accounts in India in February 2025

• At the same time, this will strengthen “trust and resilience in our digital financial ecosystem”, according to the RBI.
• How to Access RBI WhatsApp Account: The central bank has shared a dedicated QR code that takes users directly to its channel.

RBI Gets Own Verified WhatsApp Account | Here’s the QR code (you may scan it here to try it out now):

The RBI WhatsApp account is available on the business line ‘9999 041 935’, according to a press release dated April 4.

ALSO READ | DoT teams up with WhatsApp to expand Meta’s ‘Scam Se Bacho’ campaign

Over the years, the Reserve Bank of India has taken a host of steps to strengthen its digital presence by reaching out to the public on various digital platforms.

It has also revamped a new website, which is available for a preview on the direct link (website.rbi.org.in/en/web/rbi).

ALSO READ: WhatsApp Pay can now extend UPI Services to all users in India

India would emerge as a global leader in innovation and technology-driven growth, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has said.

The minister, who hailed the work of startups during a walk-through at the ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ event here, said that one can see the work of world-class quality, experience the technologies created on energy efficiency, powering electronics, see the defence equipment that young startups are creating, and realise how fintech is becoming a source of empowerment for the common citizen.

“This is the base – the foundation — on which India will foray in a very big way into the world of innovation. We will make our presence felt on the global stage. I go back extremely satisfied with the work done with our young startups. Young India is raring to go. And they are ready to capture the world,” Goyal said.

The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh featured 10 thematic pavilions covering key industries such as AI, DeepTech and Cybersecurity, HealthTech and BioTech, AgriTech, Climate Tech, Incubators & Accelerators, D2C, FinTech, Gaming and Sports, B2B and Precision Manufacturing, Defence and Space Tech, and Mobility.

Goyal visited a number of exhibits showcasing groundbreaking innovations in Climate Tech, BioTech, AI, and DeepTech and more, ranging from intelligent air purifiers and EV tractors to AI-driven platforms for functional brain mapping and cutting-edge manufacturing drones for defence applications.

The ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ featured over 3,000 startups, 1,000+ investors and incubators, and 10,000+ delegates from 50+ countries, making it a prime opportunity for startups to pitch their businesses, build investor relationships, and secure crucial funding.

A landmark moment in India’s fintech journey with the launch of the India Fintech Foundation was also witnessed in the presence of G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant; Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT; and NS Vishwanathan, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

As the artificial intelligence (AI) turf war escalates, Elon Musk-owned Grok and Chinese DeepSeek models now stand at the forefront of AI capability — one optimised for accessibility and efficiency and the other for brute-force scale — despite the vast disparity in training resources, a report showed on Saturday.

Grok-3 represents scale without compromise — 200,000 NVIDIA H100s chasing frontier gains, while DeepSeek-R1 delivers similar performance using a fraction of the compute, signalling that innovative architecture and curation can rival brute force, according to Counterpoint Research.

Since February, DeepSeek has grabbed global headlines by open-sourcing its flagship reasoning model DeepSeek-R1 to deliver performance on a par with the world’s frontier reasoning models.

“What sets it apart isn’t just its elite capabilities, but the fact that it was trained using only 2,000 NVIDIA H800 GPUs — a scaled-down, export-compliant alternative to the H100, making its achievement a masterclass in efficiency,” said Wei Sun, principal analyst in AI at Counterpoint.

Musk’s xAI has unveiled Grok-3, its most advanced model to date, which slightly outperforms DeepSeek-R1, OpenAI’s GPT-o1 and Google’s Gemini 2.

“Unlike DeepSeek-R1, Grok-3 is proprietary and was trained using a staggering 200,000 H100 GPUs on xAI’s supercomputer Colossus, representing a giant leap in computational scale,” said Sun.

Grok-3 embodies the brute-force strategy — massive compute scale (representing billions of dollars in GPU costs) driving incremental performance gains. It’s a route only the wealthiest tech giants or governments can realistically pursue.

“In contrast, DeepSeek-R1 demonstrates the power of algorithmic ingenuity by leveraging techniques like Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) and reinforcement learning for reasoning, combined with curated and high-quality data, to achieve comparable results with a fraction of the compute,” explained Sun.

Grok-3 proves that throwing 100x more GPUs can yield marginal performance gains rapidly. But it also highlights rapidly diminishing returns on investment (ROI), as most real-world users see minimal benefit from incremental improvements.

In essence, DeepSeek-R1 is about achieving elite performance with minimal hardware overhead, while Grok-3 is about pushing boundaries by any computational means necessary, said the report.

As anticipation builds around Samsung’s next major software upgrade, the tech giant has confirmed that the rollout of One UI 7 will officially begin on April 7. However, users of the Galaxy S23 series may need to wait a little longer, as Samsung appears to be prioritizing its newer Galaxy S24 lineup for the initial phase of the update.

Samsung had announced the April 7 release date last month and now, more clues indicate that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 could also receive the update alongside the S24 series. On the other hand, the 2023 flagships, including the Galaxy S23 models, are unlikely to receive the upgrade on the same day.

A Samsung support executive in South Korea recently told a consumer that the timeline for the S23 series has not been finalized, and refrained from giving even an estimated release window, reportedly to avoid confusion and misinformation.

Despite the delay, there’s growing evidence pointing to an April 17 rollout for the Galaxy S23 series in select regions. Samsung’s Czech Republic Newsroom recently shared an official plan listing the S23 series and other 2023 flagship foldables for the April 17 release.

Although a global release date has not yet been confirmed, industry insiders believe Samsung will not keep users waiting too long. If the S24 rollout proves smooth, the stable One UI 7 update could soon expand to older models worldwide.

Samsung is pitching One UI 7 as one of its most significant software overhauls to date. Developed over the past two years, the update promises streamlined performance and refined design, aiming to offer a more immersive and intuitive Galaxy experience.

Interestingly, Samsung has also scrapped plans for One UI 7.1, which was initially expected to debut with the Galaxy S25 series. Instead, upcoming foldables are now expected to launch with One UI 7.0.1 or One UI 7.1.1, skipping a major mid-cycle version altogether.

For now, Galaxy S24 users will be the first to experience the new software, while others wait for their turn in what is shaping up to be a phased—but promising—rollout.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE Series Launched: Samsung has expanded the Galaxy ecosystem on a premium tablet design with the launch of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ in India. This Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series is equipped with the largest screen, slimmer bezels, and Samsung’s intelligent features.

Aditya Babbar, Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India, said, “With Galaxy AI capabilities making their debut on our FE tablets, we are making cutting-edge technology more accessible than ever.” 

“The Galaxy S10 FE series will empower Galaxy users to maximize their creativity and productivity, and help us consolidate our market leadership in India’s tablet segment,” he added.

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ and Galaxy Tab S10 FE are the first models in the FE series to come equipped with cutting-edge AI capabilities right out of the box. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE Series: Display

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ has a 13.1-inch display, a 90Hz refresh rate, and 800 nits in high brightness mode. According to the company, the Vision Booster’s automatic adjustments enhance brightness and visibility even in ever-changing outdoor environments while blue-light emissions are safely reduced to minimise eye strain, meeting every unique viewing need.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE Series: Camera

Now more than 4 per cent lighter than its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE features a newly upgraded 13MP rear camera, the company claims. Also, the FE series comes with an IP68 rating.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE Series: Advanced Features

According to the company, the series comes with advanced features such as –

• Circle to Search with Google allows you to search what you see on your tablet without switching apps.

• Samsung Notes features like Solve Math for quick calculations of handwriting and text, and Handwriting Help to tidy up notes easily, make notetaking easier than ever..

• AI assistants are instantly launched with a single tap of the Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboard. Plus, AI assistants can be customised based on users’ preferences for a more personalised experience.

• An upgraded Object Eraser lets users effortlessly remove unwanted objects from photos, with automatic suggestions for quick and easy edits.

• Newly introduced Best Face ensures perfect group photos by selecting and combining the best expressions and features.

• Auto Trim brings cherished moments to life by sifting through multiple videos to seamlessly compile highlight reels.

• The Galaxy Tab S10 FE series also serves as the perfect canvas for creativity with pre-loaded apps and tools, including LumaFusion, Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint, and more, alongside other spotlight apps like Noteshelf 3, Sketchbook, and Picsart.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE Series: Price and Offers

 

Product	Variant	Price	Bundle Offers	Other Offers
Galaxy Tab S10FE	WiFi (8GB+128GB)	INR 42999	Galaxy Tab S10 FE: Keyboard Cover worth INR 15999 at just INR 7999   OR   Galaxy Buds3 worth INR 14999 at Just INR 6999                 Galaxy Tab S10FE +: Keyboard Cover worth INR 18999 at just INR 10999   OR   Galaxy Buds3 worth INR 14999 at Just INR 6999	Bank cashback of INR 4000 on the purchase of Galaxy Tab S10FE
	WiFi (12GB+256GB)	INR 53999
	LTE (8GB+128GB)	INR 50999
	LTE (12GB+256GB)	INR 70999
Galaxy Tab S10 FE +	WiFi (8GB+128GB)	INR 64999
	WiFi (12GB+256GB)	INR 75999		Bank cashback of INR 3000 on the purchase of Galaxy Tab S10 FE+   Upto INR 3000 upgrade bonus on the purchase of Galaxy Tab S10FE or Galaxy Tab S10FE +   Up to 12 months No Cost EMI
	LTE (8GB+128GB)	INR 75999
	LTE (12GB+256GB)	INR 86999

HMD 130 Music & HMD 150 Music Launched: Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has launched two feature phones in India – HMD 130 Music and HMD 150 Music on Wednesday, April 2. These phones come with dedicated music controls, especially designed for Music lovers. 

Being the loudest feature phones, HMD 130 Music and HMD 150 Music deliver superior audio, long-lasting battery life, and a stylish design, said the company. Both devices are available in colours – Blue, Dark Grey and Red for HMD 130 and Light Blue, Purple and Grey for HMD 150 Music.

HMD 130 Music and HMD 150 Music: Key Features

According to the company release, these are the key features of the phones –

• Enhanced & Loud Audio Experience

A large rear speaker ensures clear and immersive sound quality for music and hands-free calls, complemented by dedicated music buttons for effortless control and inbox earphones.

• Long-Lasting Battery

A powerful 2500mAh removable battery supporting Type C Fast Charging provides up to 50 hours of music playback and 36 days of standby time.

• Durable & Stylish Design

Reinforced corners and a scratch-resistant screen make these devices sturdy for everyday use, with a dual flashlight on HMD 130 Music for added convenience.

• Multiple Entertainment Options

Wireless and Wired FM radio, FM Recording, Bluetooth 5.0, and SD card expansion up to 32GB for personalised music storage.

• UPI Payment

HMD 130 Music is supported with built-in UPI payment capabilities, and HMD 150 Music comes with a scan and pay feature, allowing users to make and receive payments using a simplified interface.

• Phone Talker

A text-to-speech solution in Hindi and English, making it easier to use the device.

HMD 130 Music and HMD 150 Music: Replacement Guarantee

The mobile brand is providing a 1-year replacement guarantee on both phones. 

AI is now a part of our everyday lives—creating art, answering questions, and assisting with all sorts of tasks. Its capabilities are incredible, but there’s a side we don’t always talk about: the environmental cost.  

Take OpenAI’s latest Ghibli-style image update, for example. In just a few days, it went viral, flooding social media with dreamy, hand-drawn portraits. You’ve probably seen friends, family, or even yourself experimenting with it. The demand was so high that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted their GPUs were struggling to keep up.  

“It’s super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT, but our GPUs are melting,” Altman wrote on X, as users flooded the platform with AI-generated art. The response was so overwhelming that OpenAI had to limit users to just three images per day to keep their systems from buckling. A few days later, Altman followed up with an exhausted plea: “Can y’all please chill on generating images, this is insane. Our team needs sleep.”  

Most people don’t realise just how much energy AI-generated images can use. A recent study by researchers at Hugging Face and Carnegie Mellon University found that creating a single AI image typically consumes around 0.00135 kWh of electricity. In comparison, fully charging your smartphone takes about 0.012 kWh. This means that generating one AI image usually uses about 1/9th of the energy needed to charge your phone. However, in some cases, it can go up to nearly 1/4th of a full charge.

Also Read:Ghibli-style AI art goes viral; free chatGPT users locked out of OpenAI’s new image generator tool

Environmental burden of AI: Carbon, water, and e-waste

The growing popularity of AI comes to bear heavy energy demands. The training and running of generative AI models depend on huge data centres consuming tremendous quantities of electricity and water while leaving a heavy carbon footprint.

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, found that Microsoft used nearly 700,000 litres of freshwater to cool its data centres during GPT-3’s training—enough to produce over 370 BMWs or 320 Teslas. Even everyday AI interactions add up: generating 20 to 50 ChatGPT responses uses as much water as a 500ml bottle.

Study Hugging Face and Carnegie Mellon University also reveals that generating 1,000 AI images with Stable Diffusion emits approximately 24 grams of CO2 equivalent, comparable to driving a car about 0.1 miles. In contrast, text-based AI is far less resource-intensive, with 1,000 text prompts consuming between 0.0023 and 0.013 kWh, where 0.0032 kWh—equivalent to 16 per cent of a typical smartphone charge (0.02 kWh)—falls within this range for common text generation tasks.

Next comes e-waste: AI models built on microchips manufactured using rare earth elements, which get mined in environmentally damaging ways. For every computer that weighs 2 kg, 800 kg of raw materials are required. 

Also Read:ChatGPT faces outage amid Ghibli art frenzy; OpenAI says services back on track

AI: A double-edged sword

AI isn’t just bad for the environment—it can help too. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) uses AI to detect harmful methane gas leaks from oil and gas sites, which helps fight climate change. AI can also improve energy use in power grids, transport, and industries, reducing pollution. But the more AI is used, the bigger its footprint gets.  

MIT professor Elsa A. Olivetti’s 2024 study, The Climate and Sustainability Implications of Generative AI, explains this problem. AI can both help and harm the planet at the same time. If it keeps expanding without eco-friendly solutions, its impact may become more damaging than its benefits.  

Can AI be made greener?

Tech companies are now looking for ways to make AI more sustainable. Using renewable energy, improving cooling systems in data centres, and creating energy-efficient AI models can help reduce its impact.  

For now, next time you generate an your ‘Ghibli’ art AI image—whether it’s a cool fantasy portrait or a digital artwork—remember that it comes at a hidden cost to the environment. 

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday entered into a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corporation (India) to establish cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centres of Excellence (CoE) and to accelerate the adoption of AI technology in the state administration.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. 

The government will establish three state-of-the-art AI Centres of Excellence across Maharashtra, an official release said. In Mumbai, Centre for Geospatial Analytics will be set up. Hosted within the Chief Secretary’s office, this Centre will provide advanced geospatial analytics capabilities.

It will support critical decision-making in governance through satellite imagery analysis, spatial data management, and geographic information system (GIS)-based applications. 

A centre for AI collaboration with existing forensic capabilities will come up in Pune where integrating AI capabilities with the existing forensic science infrastructure to enhance criminal investigation processes, forensic data analysis and evidence management will be done. 

Maharashtra Advanced Research and Vigilance for Enforcement of Reformed Laws (MARVEL) will be established in Nagpur. Strengthening AI-driven solutions for government functions, focusing on enforcement, monitoring, vigilance and innovative governance reforms will be its objectives. 

Microsoft will provide comprehensive training programmes and certifications to government employees through its globally recognised MS Learn platform. The capacity-building initiative will equip state personnel with advanced AI skills, ensuring sustainable expertise for effective governance and administration, an official release said. 

A key component of Microsoft’s strength in AI is its sophisticated Copilot technology, designed to enhance productivity, improve decision-making and streamline operations. 

The Maharashtra government will deploy copilot solutions to optimize administrative workflows, automate document summarization, swiftly address citizen queries, and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level. 

The MoU implementation will see improved efficiency, transparency and speed in public service delivery. There will be enhanced capability of state employees through advanced AI training and certification. 

There will be Greater innovation and practical applications of AI technologies across diverse governmental sectors including agriculture, health, cybersecurity, and governance. 

This strategic collaboration underscores Maharashtra’s commitment to positioning itself as a pioneer in digital governance and innovation, setting a benchmark in leveraging technology for citizen-centric service excellence, the release said.

WhatsApp on Tuesday said it banned more than 9.7 million accounts in India during February 2025, 1.4 million of which were proactively banned prior to any user reports.

Releasing its monthly safety report, the Meta-owned messaging app also shared tips on using the platform responsibly. It listed out ways to do so, including respecting boundaries, avoiding spamming with bulk and auto messages, and using broadcast lists responsibly.

“According to the report for the month of February 2025, WhatsApp banned over 9.7 million accounts in India for violating its Terms of Service. More than 1.4 million of these accounts were proactively banned prior to any user reports,” WhatsApp said.

A WhatsApp spokesperson further said the platform has consistently invested in Artificial Intelligence and other technology, data scientists and experts, and processes, to keep users safe on the platform.

“In accordance with the IT Rules 2021, our latest published report outlines user complaints received, actions taken, and WhatsApp’s proactive approach to preventing abuse, including accounts that were proactively banned, before any reports from users,” the spokesperson added.

 

What does xAI—the company that just acquired microblogging platform X in an all-stock deal worth $33 billion—do? On Friday, the world’s richest individual, Elon Musk, announced that he had sold X (formerly Twitter) to xAI. Now, what is xAI and what does it do? Does xAI not also belong to Musk? All this may seem confusing at once. So here’s everything we know about this development at this point.

What is xAI, the Elon Musk company that bought X?

Here are 10 things to know about xAI:

• xAI is an AI-centric company headquartered San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA.
• “AI’s knowledge should be all-encompassing and as far-reaching as possible. We build AI specifically to advance human comprehension and capabilities,” states the xAI portal, x.ai. The xAI website also states solving real problems as its objective.
• The company was founded by Musk in March 2023, with an aim “to understand the true nature of the universe”.
• Today, xAI is a well-established player in the world of AI.
• xAI rivals the likes of Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Chinese startup DeepSeek.
• xAI has developed the Grok series of AI-powered chatbots.
• For the unversed, Grok is able to create text and engage in human-like conversations with users.
• Is there a connection between Grok and X? Well, yes, Grok boasts the capability to access real time information through X. The deal is widely viwed to enable xAI’s ability to train its Grok chatbots.
• In Musk’s own words, xAI and X’s “futures are intertwined”. “Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent,” the billionaire wrote on X while announcing the xAI-X deal.
• On its website, xAI says its goal is to solve “real problems”, and “not interested in speed for speed’s sake”. At its core, xAI is a “focused and mighty team connected by our curiosity, commitment, and unwavering drive”.

ALSO READ: Hurun Rich List 2025 | Musk retains top spot with $420 billion estimated net worth, almost 3x of Bill Gates’s— See list

Deal to Acquire X | Isn’t X part of the same group led by Musk?

In business parlance, such a move is typically described as a consolidation, where an entity belonging to the same umbrella as the target company buys out the target company. In simpler terms, it is the process that involves the act of combining two or more companies into a single entity, sometimes to cut costs, increase efficiency or unlock value for shareholders.

In the case of xAI and X, while much of the contours of the deal remain unclear, this is how Musk has described it:

The move, he wrote on X, would “unlock immense potential by blending xAI’s advanced AI capability and expertise with X’s massive reach”.

Also, the deal values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion, with the combined entity set to “deliver smarter, more meaningful experiences to billions of people while staying true to our core mission of seeking truth and advancing knowledge”.

Musk’s Twitter purchase, its rebranding to X and now the xAI deal…

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX who is also serving as senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, changed erstwhile Twitter’s name to X after purchasing it for $44 billion back in 2022.

The acquisition followed months of an ocean of updates and seesaw moves in socks before the deal finally saw the light of the day. Musk then became the CEO of the company in a major management change that saw the firing of much of its original staff and revised policies.

Currently, Musk, the world’s richest individual, heads the Department of Government Efficiency in the Trump administration.

ALSO READ: Trump buys Red Tesla Model X, praises Musk

xAI is hiring, by the way!

According to the xAI portal, the company is hiring across all its offices in San Francisco and Palo Alto in California, USA, and London in the UK.

The company prioritises “in-person work to support our fast-paced, collaborative projects. Exceptional candidates are welcome to apply from anywhere”, according to the portal.

In February, xAI rolled out Grok 3, sending shockwaves in AI universe (and making headlines)…

In February, xAI launched Grok 3, which immediately became the buzzword among netizens, reportedly giving witty responses and also refusing to answer intermittently.

The chatbot, touted as “the smartest AI on Earth” with 10 times more capability than its predecessor, immediately caught the Internet’s attention, especially when users started to share their experiences publicly.

Defending the bot, Musk said Grok is the “most fun AI in the world!” 

ALSO READ: Elon Musk’s xAI Unveils Grok 3: ‘Smartest AI on Earth’ gets 10x more reasoning capabilities?

ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, was down for several users on Sunday with its servers overwhelmed by a surge in demand for its new Studio Ghibli-style image generation feature.

However, the developer soon updated saying all impacted services have been “fully recovered”.

Reports of the outage began surfacing Saturday evening, leaving several users unable to access the service for a considerable period, but escalated on Sunday around 4 pm, with users flocking to social media to express their frustration.

“We are sorry, an error occurred. Please retry after a few minutes.

“It seems this application has become very popular, and its available rate limit has been reached. Please retry after a few minutes,” users saw this popup when trying to access the platform.

OpenAI acknowledged the server crash, and later updated that services have been restored. It showed that the ChatGPT web was the most affected.

“We have identified that users are experiencing elevated errors for the impacted services. We are working on implementing a mitigation,” OpenAI acknowledged.
Downdetector, a website that monitors online service disruptions, showed a massive spike in reported problems with OpenAI, starting around 4.19 pm on Sunday, with 219 reports.

“All impacted services have now fully recovered. The detailed Root Cause Analysis (RCA) will be published in the next 5 business days,” OpenAI said in an update.

The server overload of ChatGPT was significantly influenced by the release of a new feature that allowed users to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli, a renowned Japanese animation studio.

This feature quickly gained immense popularity, prompting a surge in user activity as people flocked to experiment with the tool.

“can yall please chill on generating images this is insane our team needs sleep,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote on X.

The outage affected users globally, preventing them from accessing ChatGPT for various tasks, ranging from content creation to coding assistance.

 

Nothing, or its sub-brand CMF, may be gearing up to launch four products in Indian soon. Although the company has not officially made any announcements regarding this, hints have been dropped via their social media.

What did Nothing tweet?

The UK brand has tweeted Pokémon teasers on their social media handle X and their community page. These tweets feature four Pokémon characters – Bulbasaur, Girafarig, Hoothoot, and Gligar. Could this mean that nothing is gearing up for something new and exciting? 

pic.twitter.com/bPIQEmSuR0

— CMF by Nothing (@cmfbynothing) March 28, 2025

How do ‘Pokémon teasers’ hint at the launch of new products?

The company is known for its playful marketing and often drops such hints before launches. During the announcement of Nothing Phone 3 (a), they tweeted the Pokémon character Buizel.

pic.twitter.com/zhcmw0cW3i

— Nothing (@nothing) January 21, 2025

A similar pattern was followed during the CMF (1) and Nothing Phone 2 (A) launches, with the company hinting at the launch through Pokémon characters Beedrill and Aerodactyl, respectively.

pic.twitter.com/ZjCcLd8o3q

— Nothing (@nothing) June 2, 2024

pic.twitter.com/za5LQ68TwY

— Nothing (@nothing) July 15, 2024

Earlier this year, the company upgraded its mid-range lineup with the launch of the Phone (3a) Series. This series consists of two devices – Nothing Phone (3a) or Phone (3a) Pro. Building on the acclaimed Phone (2a), this new series offers an advanced triple-camera system with optical zoom, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 platform, innovations in Nothing OS, and much more. 

The camera setup boasts a 50MP main sensor, a Sony ultra-wide sensor, and optical zoom for the first time. Both the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro come with a large 5,000mAh battery, and the company claims that it can last up to two days on a full charge. Also, the fast charging has been upgraded to 50W, providing 50 per cent charge in under 20 minutes. 

The Phone (3a) Series also promises updates for a total of six years, including three years of Android updates and six years of security updates.

In this series, Nothing has introduced a brand-new button called the Essential Key. This button allows you to save quick notes—or perhaps ‘memories’—in the Essential Space, which is available as an app on the devices.

OpenAI’s most advanced visual tool yet—the GPT-4o-powered image generator—has taken the internet by storm, especially after the launch of its viral “Ghibli-style” output. Touted as a major leap in creative AI, the tool was initially promised to both paid and free ChatGPT users. However, OpenAI has now delayed its rollout for the free tier, citing unexpectedly high demand.

Ghibli-style feature, all over internet!

The “Ghibli-style” feature, inspired by the iconic visuals of Studio Ghibli, has fascinated users globally. Social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Reddit and other popular social media platforms have been flooded with AI-generated art under hashtags such as #GhibliStyle and #AIGhibli. From anime-style reimaginings of historical figures to whimsical versions of internet memes, the new model’s artistic output has sparked a creative frenzy.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says……

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the popularity of the feature in a post on X earlier this week. “Images in ChatGPT are wayyyy more popular than we expected (and we had pretty high expectations). Rollout to our free tier is unfortunately going to be delayed for a while,” he wrote.

For now, only paying users—ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers at $20 and $200 per month, respectively—can access the GPT-4o-powered image generation tool. The restriction has drawn disappointment from the free user base, many of whom had been eagerly waiting to experiment with the Ghibli-style output and other hyper-realistic visual formats.

Altman previously called the new visual model an “incredible technology/product,” noting how impressed he was with its capabilities. “I remember seeing some of the first images come out of this model and having a hard time believing they were really made by AI,” he shared.

Older DALL·E model

Despite the delay, the unpaid version still have access to image generation within ChatGPT, but it depends on the older DALL·E model. While DALL·E can produce creative visuals, they don’t match the detail, realism or stylistic finesse—particularly in anime-style rendering—that GPT-4o delivers.

OpenAI has not confirmed a timeline for the free-tier release of the upgraded tool till now. The move reflects a broader industry trend where companies place their most powerful features behind paywalls, raising questions about accessibility and creative inclusivity in the AI space.

For now, the Ghibli-style wave continues to dominate online spaces—with only paying users holding the paintbrush.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G AI Features: Samsung recently launched a new smartphone, the Galaxy A56 5G, in India at a starting price of Rs 41,999. The device is available in three variants and three colour options. The variants are: 12GB/256GB, 8GB/256GB, and 8GB/128GB. The colour options are Awesome Olive, Awesome Lightgray, and Awesome Graphite. It features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with brightness levels reaching up to 1200 nits. 

Coming to the cameras, the device is packed with a powerful triple-camera system. This system includes a 50MP main lens, 10-bit HDR front lens recording, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The thickness of the phone is 7.4mm, making it the slimmest ever Galaxy A series device, alongside the Galaxy A36 5G, the company claimed.

But what makes this series the ‘Awesome Intelligence’ series is the AI ​​features present in this device, such as Circle to Search, Best Face, Object Eraser, and more. Let’s know what these features are –

1. Circle to Search

With the ‘Circle to Search’ feature, users can simply circle an item, object, or other content to view additional information about it, such as videos featuring the content, where it can be purchased, and if it’s trending on social media apps. Recent enhancements to this feature now allow users to instantly search the songs they hear without switching apps. Whether it’s a song playing on social media from their phone or music that’s playing from speakers near them, just long-press the navigation bar to activate Circle to Search, then tap the music button to identify the song name and artist.

According to the company, Awesome Intelligence also includes a range of intelligent Visual editing features like Auto Trim, Best Face, Object Eraser, and more.

2. Auto-Trim 

Auto Trim is a flagship-level AI feature that simplifies the video editing process by automatically selecting the best moments from your footage.

3. Best face

The Best Face feature automatically takes multiple frames of your face in motion and lets you choose the perfect shot. It is also a flagship-level AI feature of Galaxy.

4. Object Eraser

Galaxy A56 5G also comes with Object Eraser. This allows users to remove unwanted distractions from photos. 

5. Custom Filter

The Custom Filter feature lets users create personalised filters by extracting colours and styles from existing photos, offering a unique and customised effect based on mood and taste.

6. Instant Slo-mo

This feature turns ordinary videos into dramatic slow-motion masterpieces.

Canon EOS R50 V Launched: Canon has launched the video-centric interchangeable lens camera, the EOS R50 V, in India for Rs 79,995, along with the RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens. These are the first of their kind in Canon’s product lineup and are poised to meet the needs of next-generation content creators, according to the company.

Canon EOS R50 V Features

The EOS R50 V is designed without a viewfinder and streamlined for video shooting. With a compact body, it can be easily supported by grips and gimbals.

The camera is equipped with recording modes such as Canon Log 3, which records a wider dynamic range. It also offers uncropped oversampled 4K 30p videos, cropped 4K 60p videos, and Full HD 100p/120p videos with audio.

In addition, the EOS R50 V includes 14 color filters and a new Slow & Fast Motion movie mode, which allows users to create 4K slow-motion and time-lapse videos that play back at 1/2.5x speed and 60x speed, respectively. A new feature called Cinema View sets cinematic angles of view and frame rates, enabling users to create expressive, film-like movies.

RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ: First Lens with Built-In Power Zoom

The RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ is Canon’s first RF lens with built-in power zoom. It is approximately 6 cm long and weighs about 181g. Users can perform controlled servo zooming using either the lens’ zoom ring or the zoom lever on the EOS R50 V, according to the official release.

With a wide-angle 22.4 to 48mm equivalent angle of view, the lens offers better usability for video shooting compared to conventional kit lenses. It zooms to 30mm (48mm equivalent) at its long end and features a 0.15m closest focusing distance and 0.38x maximum magnification.

PRICING DETAILS:

PRODUCT	Price
EOS R50 V (RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens) Kit	Rs 79 995.00/U incl. of taxes
RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens	Rs 33 995.00/U incl. of taxes

Nokia today disclosed the findings of its annual Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT). According to the reports, it saw a three-fold year-on-year increase in 5G data traffic across India in 2024. The report provides a complete overview of mobile broadband trends in India. It shows how 5G technology is being quickly adopted due to its wide availability, reliable connections, and increasing number of compatible devices. 

Tarun Chhabra, Senior Vice President and Country Head, of Nokia India, said, “Nokia has been at the center of India’s mobile broadband revolution and is driving 5G deployment with cutting-edge technology and deep partnerships. We look forward to continuing this journey through deepening relationships with operator partners to meet the ever-increasing demand for connectivity.”

According to the report, the main contributors to this growth are Class B and C circles where 5G data consumption is increasing by 3.4 times and 3.2 times respectively. The expansion of the 5G network in these circles has been the major factor behind their growth. The contribution of 5G data usage in metro circles to the total mobile broadband data has reached 43 per cent from 20 per cent in 2023, while the growth of 4G data is slowing down.

The report also unveiled that the average monthly data consumption per user will increase to 27.5 gigabytes in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5 over the last five years. The continued growth of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is accelerating this data usage with FWA users consuming up to 12 times more data than the average mobile data user due to new services in residential and business settings.

The 5G device ecosystem continues to grow rapidly in India where the number of active 5G devices is expected to double year-on-year to 27.1 crore in 2024. With nearly 90 percent of smartphones expected to be 5G capable by 2025, this trend is likely to advance further.

Based on current trends, the Nokia MBiT Index estimates that total 5G data traffic will surpass 4G data traffic by the first quarter of 2026. In addition, the emergence of 5G in the advanced direction is expected to increase the business opportunities that will lead to service gaps, generate new sources of IK and reduce costs through prudent operations.

The capabilities of 5G Advanced will serve as a foundation for the move towards 6G, which will open up possibilities for future applications such as distributed computing services, AI-driven intelligence, and spatial and temporal sensing, and enhance connectivity and localisation.

Oppo has launched the Oppo F29 Pro 5G in India, accompanied by the standard Oppo F29 5G. Both smartphones come with AI LinkBoost Technology and Hunter Antenna Architecture to enhance signal strength. The devices also feature a 360-degree Armour Body and hold military-grade MIL-STD-810H-2022 certification. Notably, they support underwater photography and meet IP66, IP68, and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.

Oppo F29 5G, Oppo F29 Pro 5G: Price & availability

Oppo F29 5G:

• 8GB + 128GB – Rs 23,999
• 8GB + 256GB – Rs 25,000

Colours options:

Glacier Blue, Solid Purple

Pre-orders open, deliveries begin on March 27
Oppo F29 Pro 5G:

• 8GB + 128GB – Rs 27,999
• 8GB + 256GB – Rs 29,999
• 12GB + 256GB – Rs 31,999

Colours options:

Granite Black, Marble White

Pre-orders open, shipping starts on April 1

The devices will be available via Amazon, Flipkart, and Oppo’s official store. Buyers using SBI, HDFC, Axis, Bank of Baroda, or IDFC First Bank credit cards can avail up to 10% instant cashback and an additional 10% exchange bonus. No-cost EMI options of up to six months and zero down payment schemes for up to eight months are also available.

Oppo F29 5G, Oppo F29 Pro 5G: Features & specifications

Display: 6.7-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,200 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Pro) / Gorilla Glass 7i (Base)

Processor:

• Oppo F29 5G: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
• Oppo F29 Pro 5G: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy
• Storage & RAM: Up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
• Software: Android 15-based ColorOS 15.0

Cameras:

• Rear: 50MP (Primary) + 2MP (Secondary)
• Front: 16MP Selfie Camera
• Pro variant: Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
• Base variant: Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS)
• Both phones support 4K recording at 30fps and an underwater photography mode

Durability & Connectivity

The Oppo F29 5G series boasts IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. It also features a MIL-STD-810H-2022 drop-resistant certification and a 360-degree Armour Body for durability. AI LinkBoost Technology and Hunter Antenna Architecture ensure enhanced connectivity and signal strength.

With its premium features and durable build, the Oppo F29 series aims to deliver an enhanced user experience in the mid-range smartphone segment.

ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower Desktop: ASUS has launched a new desktop PC — the ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower (P500MV) — in India. Powered by the latest Intel Core i7 13620H processor, the P5 Mini Tower delivers up to 95W TDP and saves up to 34 per cent energy. With support for up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, this new desktop also offers superior desktop-grade graphics, the company claimed.

Commenting on the launch, Dinesh Sharma, Vice President, Commercial PC and Smartphone, System Business Group, ASUS India, said, “The launch of the ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV Mini Tower desktop is a game-changing step, bringing together much greater performance, power efficiency, security and durability in a compact, enterprise-ready form factor.” 

“Designed to meet the evolving demands of modern businesses, it offers a powerful yet energy-efficient solution with up to Intel Core i7 processors, industry-leading ASUS motherboards with 100% solid capacitors, military-grade durability and AI-powered productivity tools like ASUS AI ExpertMeet that enhance productivity without compromising on security or reliability,” he added.

Key Features of the ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV Desktop:

• Powerful Performance for Business: Powered by up to 13th-gen Intel Core i7-13620H processors with 64GB DDR5-5200MT/s RAM (Dual SO-DIMM slots), the ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower is engineered to handle demanding business tasks effortlessly, said the company. 
• Advanced Cooling and Thermals for Energy Efficiency: The ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower introduced industry-leading thermal solutions for optimal performance and longevity. The Triple-Pipe Tower Air Cooler system featured on the Intel Core i7-13620H maximises heat dissipation, improving CPU power efficiency and delivering up to 34 per cent better performance compared to similarly priced commercial desktops, the company claimed. 
• Engineered to Save up to 34% power consumption: The ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV is designed with a carefully engineered combination of processor, thermal management, and power supply unit (PSU), reducing power consumption by up to 34 per cent, the company claimed.
• AI-Driven Productivity for Modern Workspaces: According to the company, ASUS AI ExpertMeet enhances video conferencing with AI noise cancellation, AI camera enhancements, AI-generated meeting minutes for seamless productivity, and AI Translated Subtitles that break down language barriers in real-time. 

ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower Desktop: Price 

The ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower is available with DOS, Windows 11 Home, and Windows 11 Pro options at a starting price of Rs 26,990 plus taxes. 

Samsung Galaxy Wearables Discount Offers: Samsung on Friday, March 21, announced a limited-period offer on its latest Galaxy wearables lineup. This includes the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Watch6 Classic, Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Buds FE, and Galaxy Ring. Let’s check out the offers and details –

Discounts & Offers on Galaxy Wearables

Starting today, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic will be available at a discount of up to Rs 20,000, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available with a discount of up to Rs 10,000. The special price on the Galaxy Watch Ultra includes an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus of Rs 10,000. 

Discounts & Offers on Galaxy Buds

Consumers looking to purchase the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 can avail an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 5,000. Additionally, they can benefit from a no-cost EMI option for up to 12 months. 

Customers looking to purchase select Galaxy S and Z Series smartphones can pair their purchase with latest Galaxy Wearables and enjoy offers worth up to Rs 18,000.

Offer on Galaxy Ring

Starting today, Samsung is also hosting an exclusive live commerce event on Samsung.com. Consumers purchasing the Galaxy Ring during the live commerce event will be eligible to receive a 45W Travel Adapter (worth Rs 3,499) for free, along with a no-cost EMI option for up to 24 months.

Galaxy Watch Ultra: Features and Specifications

The Galaxy Watch Ultra, the newest addition to the Galaxy Watch portfolio, is powered by a 3nm chipset and comes with the Titanium Grade 4 frame and sapphire glass display. For durability, the watch is equipped with 10ATM water resistance, an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification. It offers up to 100 hours runtime in Power Saving mode.

Galaxy Watch6 Classic: Features and Specifications

The Galaxy Watch6 Classic features a rotating bezel designed to help users build healthier habits every day and through the night. It includes health features such as Blood Pressure (BP), Electrocardiogram (ECG), and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) tracking. According to the company, the watch boasts a slimmer bezel, a larger and more vibrant display, and an interactive user interface, along with powerful performance.

Galaxy Buds3 Pro: Features and Specifications 

Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers the highest standard of Hi-Fi sound quality and comes with a revolutionary new “Blade” design that enhances audio performance to achieve studio-quality sound, according to the official release.

Powered by Galaxy AI, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro enables users to listen to real-time translation when connected to Galaxy Smartphones with Galaxy AI. It also features Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC, which adjust sound based on the wearing condition and environment.  

It should be noted that as part of the special offers, Samsung is also offering discounts on Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Buds3, and Galaxy Buds FE. 

Offer Details:

 

S. No.	Model	Event Offer
1	Galaxy Watch Ultra	Rs 10000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
2	Galaxy Watch7	Rs 8000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
3	Galaxy Watch6 Classic	Starting Rs 20999
4	Galaxy Buds3 Pro	Rs 5000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
5	Galaxy Buds3	Rs 4000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
6	Galaxy Buds FE	Rs 4000 Cashback or Upgrade

 

OPPO F29 Series Launched In India: OPPO India has launched two new smartphones in India under the OPPO F29 Series. Boasting industry-leading dust and liquid protection, the OPPO F29 Series is designed to endure India’s diverse and demanding environments, according to the official release. With IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, the F29 Series is the toughest smartphone in its segment, it added.

OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: 360° Armour Body, Military-Grade Durability

The devices are built with a 360° armour body that features sponge bionic cushioning to absorb shocks from accidental drops. The F29 Series is further strengthened by an aerospace-grade AM04 aluminum alloy frame that enhances durability by 10 per cent over its predecessor, the company claims. Tested against 14 rigorous Military Standard (MIL-STD-810H-2022) challenges—from extreme temperatures and rain to shock, dust, salt mist, and vibrations—the F29 Series is built to survive where others fail, it added.

OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: AI-Powered Camera, Features

The devices feature a 50MP main camera, 2MP depth camera, and 16MP selfie cameras. However, the standout feature is the Underwater Photography mode, which OPPO has introduced in F29 Series. With this mode, users can capture life’s moments, whether rain or shine, above ground or underwater, according to the release.

The handsets also come with AI-powered camera features:

• AI Livephoto: First introduced with the Find X8 Series, this mode automatically records video clips from 1.5 seconds before the shutter is pressed to 1.5 seconds after while intelligently eliminating any handshake. There is even an option to convert these Livephotos to GIFs to share as memes.
• AI Unblur: The OPPO F29 Series ensures that each picture retains details and colours even when the subject is in constant motion.
• AI Reflection Remover: This feature ensures pristine photos with no reflections from glass whether you are shooting a cityscape from behind a window, or a sunset from a flight.
• AI Eraser 2.0: This feature eliminates photo bombers in holiday photos or an unsightly object in the background.

OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: Gen AI Features

The OPPO F29 Series is equipped with several GenAI features. Its Documents app includes tools like AI Summary, AI Rewrite, and Extract Chart. Its AI Toolbox 2.0 includes productivity features like Screen Translator, AI Writer, AI Reply, and AI Recording Summary that can record meetings—in English, Hindi, and Tamil—as long as five hours and generate notes, summaries, and transcripts. OPPO’s proprietary AI Linkboost 2.0 tackles weak network signals to provide smooth and stable connections, according to the official release.

Additionally, Circle to Search with Google allows users to instantly search for anything on-screen with a simple long press of the home button or navigation bar.

OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: Colour Options

The OPPO F29 Pro will be available in two colours: Marble White and Granite Black. On the other hand, the OPPO F29 will be available in Solid Purple and Glacier Blue colours.

OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: Price & Availability

The F29 Pro 5G will be priced at Rs 27,999 for the 8GB + 128GB, Rs 29,999 for 8GB + 256G, and Rs 31,999 for 12GB + 256GB variants. The handset will be available for purchase starting April 1 on OPPO E-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and mainline retail outlets.

On the other hand, the OPPO F29 has two variants, priced at Rs 23999 and Rs 25999 for 8GB+12GB and 8GB+256GB variants, respectively. The device will be available for purchase starting March 27 on OPPO E-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and mainline retail outlets.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series Sale Starts: Samsung on Thursday, March 20 announced the nationwide availability of the Galaxy Book5 series. With cutting-edge performance and immersive AI features, the Galaxy Book5 series is designed for next-level productivity, creativity, and entertainment, the company claimed.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Price & Offers

The starting price of the Galaxy Book5 series is Rs 1,14,900, which is Rs 15000 lower than the previous Galaxy Book4 series models. Customers who purchase the Galaxy Book5 series can get bank cashback up to Rs 10,000 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro at Rs 7,999 (against the original price of Rs 19,999). The devices are also available with up to 24 months no cost EMI option. 

Aditya Babbar, Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India said “With AI-driven features, seamless Galaxy ecosystem connectivity, and the power of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC experience, these laptops redefine productivity, creativity, and entertainment – whether you’re a professional, a student, or a creator,” said 

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: AI Features

The Galaxy Book5 series comes with AI for the first time and features a neural processing unit for AI computing, along with Galaxy AI features such as AI Select, Recall and Photo Remaster. AI Select, a feature similar to Circle to Search with Google on Galaxy smartphones, enables instant search and extraction of information with a single click. Photo Remaster enhances images with AI-powered clarity and sharpness.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Performance

The Galaxy Book5 series is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) featuring Intel AI Boost. These processors feature an upgraded NPU and next-gen Intel Arc graphics that delivers up to a 3xboost in AI compute performance and result in up to 40 per cent lower SoC power consumption compared to previous generations, the official release said.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Battery 

The Galaxy Book5 series offers up to 25 hours of battery life with superfast charging. The Galaxy Book5 Pro is capable of reaching 41 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Microsoft Copilot+ Experience

The Galaxy Book5 series gets on-device Microsoft Copilot+. Integrated with Windows 11 and Microsoft’s AI-enhanced Copilot+ experience, it also offers intelligent assistance for various tasks, including writing, research, scheduling, and presentations.

When will Google Pixel 9a be launched? Google Pixel 9a is trending on several social media platforms. This has led many netizens to wonder whether it is launching anytime soon. If you have come across any such rumour, here is everything to know about the much-awaited smartphone.

What is the rumour?

Multiple rumours and leaks surrounding the phone are surfacing on the Internet, mentioning details such as the launch date, specifications, and the price. 

Unboxing video of Pixel 9a on YouTube

An unboxing video of the Pixel 9a is doing rounds on YouTube. In a 10-minute-long video, the YouTuber claims to have unboxed the unannounced smartphone and shared the related information. 

Also Read: Buying iPhone & other Apple gadgets online? After Swiggy, Blinkit, now this quick commerce company offers fast delivery

Google Pixel 9a listed on Germany, UAE retailer website

Apart from that, the phone has been also been listed on retailer websites in Germany and the UAE, suggesting the price and specifications.

WATCH: Nothing Phone 3(a) Series Unboxing And First Impression

What has the company said?

It is important to note that the company has not shared any official details about the smartphone yet.

In fact, it hasn’t made any announcement regarding this phone.

Realme has officially launched the Realme P3 Ultra 5G and Realme P3 5G in India, bringing powerful specifications and unique design elements to the market. The highlight of the Ultra variant is the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra SoC, while the standard Realme P3 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset. Both smartphones pack 6,000mAh batteries, with the Ultra model supporting 80W AI bypass charging for faster and more efficient power delivery.

 

One of the standout features of the Realme P3 Ultra 5G is its glow-in-the-dark rear panel, achieved using a starlight ink process. The phones will be available for early bird sales later today, March 19.

Realme P3 Ultra 5G, Realme P3 5G: Price & availability

Realme P3 Ultra 5G: Price list

• 8GB + 128GB variant: Rs. 26,999 

• 8GB + 256GB model: Rs. 27,999 

• 12GB + 256GB option: Rs. 29,999

 

The phone comes in Neptune Blue and Orion Red with a vegan leather finish, alongside a special glow-in-the-dark lunar design. Customers can purchase the base variant at an effective price of Rs. 22,999, including bank offers of up to Rs. 3,000 and an additional Rs. 1,000 exchange discount.

The first sale of the Realme P3 Ultra 5G will begin on March 25 at 12 PM IST, while pre-bookings start today at 2 PM IST.

 

Realme P3 5G: Price list

• 6GB + 128GB: Rs. 16,999 

• 8GB + 128GB: Rs. 17,999

•8GB + 256GB: Rs. 19,999 

 

The phone will be available in Comet Grey, Nebula Pink, and Space Silver. Customers can avail a Rs. 2,000 bank offer, bringing down the effective price further.

When & where to buy

• The first sale for the Realme P3 5G begins on March 26 at 12 PM IST, but an early bird sale is scheduled today from 6 PM to 10 PM IST.
• Both Realme P3 5G and P3 Ultra 5G will be sold via Flipkart, Realme’s official e-store, and offline retail partners across India.
• With competitive pricing, powerful specifications, and eye-catching design, Realme’s latest smartphones are set to make an impact in the mid-range segment.

Skype has confirmed its discontinuation, it will no longer be available, starting in May 2025. Skype has been a part of our lives for ages, before FaceTime, WhatsApp calls, and Zoom calls. It was the one we could rely on. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video calls and voice calls, both one-to-one and group calls, send instant messages, and share files with other people on Skype. We can easily use it on phones, computers, laptops, or tablets, whatever works best for us. But now that Skype is disappearing forever, there are a few important things we must know before it is gone. Let’s find out what they are.

As per the reports, in May 2025, Skype will be retired. This change will impact both free and paid Skype users, but not Skype for Business. Skype users will have the option to move to Microsoft Teams Free, which offers most of the same core features and more. 

Your chats and contacts will appear in the app by logging in to Teams Free with your Skype account so that you can pick up where you left off. This new feature will be available to users over the next few days. It will start with people who use both Skype and Teams and have the latest app versions. 

There is another option as well, in case you don’t want to use Microsoft Teams Free, you can export your Skype data. The existing calling and Skype Number subscriptions will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025. After May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free.

Can you continue using Skype for now? 

You can continue using Skype until May 5, 2025, with plenty of time to explore Teams Free.

What will happen to your existing Skype account? 

You can log in to Teams Free with your existing Skype account and your chats and contacts will be automatically available for you. There is no requirement to create a new Teams Free account.

What will happen to your existing chat history and contacts?

 Your chats and contacts will automatically transfer to Teams Free when you log in with your Skype credentials.

How long it will take to sync and process my existing data?

 The syncing of your data from Skype to Teams Free should take less than a minute.

Can you use both Skype and Teams Free for now?

Yes, you can use both Skype and Teams Free during the transition period until May 5, 2025.

Will you lose access to Skype after logging in to Teams Free?

No, logging in to Teams Free does not block further access to Skype. During the transition period (from now until May 5, 2025), your Skype data will remain accessible, and you can use both apps as needed.

Can you still communicate with Skype users from Teams Free?

Yes, until May 5, 2025, you can call and chat with Skype users directly from Teams Free. This feature will be rolled out gradually, starting with users who are both Skype and Teams Insiders.

Will all your data migrate to Teams Free?

Chats between Skype users and Teams work or school accounts will not be migrated. Users can use Teams Free to start a new conversation with Teams work or school users and enjoy even more functionality. Here’s what else won’t be migrated:

• Skype to Skype for Business chat history will not be migrated. 
• 1:1 chat with self-history will not be migrated.
• Private conversation data will not be migrated. 
• Copilot and bots content will not be supported in Teams Free and no chat history will be available.

When will your data be deleted?

Your Skype data will be available until January 2026 for you to export or delete. If you log in to Microsoft Teams Free by then, your Skype call and chat history will be available to you. If you take no action, your Skype data will be deleted in January 2026. 

To strengthen its position in the premium electronics space, Zepto has added Apple’s portfolio to its platform. According to the company, the quick commerce platform will now deliver Apple products to its users within minutes. 

Apple Gadgets Now Available on Zepto for Instant Delivery

Previously known for providing everyday essentials, Zepto now offers customers the ability to order Apple products, including the latest iPhone 16E, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, and more.

Zepto Joins the Race after Swiggy and Blinkit

With this move, Zepto becomes the latest quick commerce company to join the race of delivering Apple products within minutes. Earlier, its competitors Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit started offering users the ability to order a range of Apple devices – including iPads, AirPods, MacBook Air, and Apple Watch – in select Indian cities.

Company’s Statement

“With Apple’s vast portfolio now on Zepto, we’re enabling premium technology instantly accessible, transforming how people buy high-value gadgets,” said Abhimanyu Singh, Business Head, Electronics Category, Zepto. 

“In just the last 30 days, over a million users have actively searched for Apple products—be it, the recently launched iPhone 16E, AirPods 4, or iPads—on Zepto, reflecting a massive interest for instant access to premium tech,” he added.

Why did Zepto expand into the premium electronics space? 

According to the company, Zepto’s rapid expansion into premium electronics is driven by a growing demand for instant access to high-value gadgets. The platform has seen a 35 per cent month-on-month increase in users searching for Apple products, it added. 

Xiaomi 15 Series India Launch: Xiaomi India on Tuesday launched the Xiaomi 15 Series in the Indian market at a starting price Rs 64,999. This series includes two smartphones: Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra. With Leica Summilux optical lenses and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, the Xiaomi 15 Series offers next-generation AI capabilities, enhanced system optimisation, and superior connectivity, the company said in a press release.

Both the devices are powered by Xiaomi HyperOS 2.

Xiaomi 15: Display, Camera

The Xiaomi 15 boasts a 6.36-inch CrystalRes Dynamic 1-120Hz AMOLED display with a 94 per cent screen-to-body ratio, and a versatile triple-camera system spanning 14mm to 120mm focal lengths. It also has a 60mm Leica floating telephoto camera for close-up photography, and Fastshot Mode to capture moments in just 0.6 seconds, the company added. 

Xiaomi 15: Battery

The Xiaomi 15 is powered by the Xiaomi Surge Battery Management system and a 5240mAh battery, with 90W HyperCharge (charger included) and 50W wireless charging.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Display, Camera

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3200 nits. With a Silver Chrome finish, aerospace-grade glass fiber, and PU leather, the device features a 1-inch 50MP Leica Summilux main camera, a Sony LYT-900 sensor, and 14EV high dynamic range. According to the company, the Ultra pushes the boundaries of mobile videography with 4K 120fps slow-motion recording, Dolby Vision 4K 60fps video, and Ultra Image Stabilisation. 

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Battery

With the Xiaomi Surge Battery Management System, the device houses a 5410mAh battery with a 90W HyperCharge charger in the box and 80W wireless HyperCharge.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit – Legend Edition

For photography enthusiasts, the company has introduced the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit which offers professional-grade control in a compact form. The company claimed that the shutter button and ergonomic grip provide a DSLR-like experience, ensuring accuracy and stability. It has a built-in 2000mAh battery, customisable dials, and zoom lever for exposure and zoom adjustments.

“With a 67mm filter adapter ring for creative flexibility and IP54 dust and splash resistance, this kit empowers users to capture stunning shots in any environment,” it added.

Price and Availability

The starting price of Xiaomi 15 is Rs 64,999 while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is priced at Rs 1,09,999. The Xiaomi 15 Series will be available for purchase starting April 3, on mi.com, Amazon.in, and authorised retail stores. 

Pre-booking Details 

Pre-booking for the Xiaomi 15 Series will start on March 19, and runs till April 2 on mi.com, Amazon.in, and authorised retail partners. 

According to the company release, consumers who pre-book the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will receive the Photography Kit – Legend Edition (worth Rs 11,999) at no additional cost. Those opting for the Xiaomi 15 will receive the Xiaomi Care Plan (worth Rs 5,999) at no extra cost, offering coverage against accidental and liquid damage for a worry-free experience.

Model	RAM/Storage	Colors	Price	Pre-booking Offers
Xiaomi 15	12GB+512GB	Black, White, and Green	Rs 64,999	ICICI Bank Cashback Offer of 5,000	Complimentary Xiaomi Care Plan worth Rs5,999
Xiaomi 15 Ultra	16GB+512GB	Silver Chrome	Rs 1,09,999	ICICI Bank Cashback Offer of 10,000	Complimentary Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit – Legend Edition worth Rs11,999

 

Nothing Phone (3a) Series Sale Starts: After the global launch of the Nothing Phone (3a) Series last week, London-based technology company Nothing on Tuesday, March 11, started the sales of Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro in India. Interested customers can purchase these devices from Flipkart, Vijay Sales, Croma, and all leading retail stores of the country.

Introductory Price

As a special introductory offer on day 1, the company announced that the Phone (3a) would be available for as low as Rs 19,999, and the Phone (3a) Pro for as low as Rs 24,999 (including all offers).

Nothing Phone (3a) Series: Camera

Launched globally on March 4, the Nothing Phone (3a) Series has major camera upgrades. The Phone (3a) features a 50MP main sensor, a Sony ultra-wide sensor, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, while the Phone (3a) Pro with a periscope camera, boasts 60x ultra zoom. For selfies, the Phone (3a) has a 32MP front camera, while the Pro model features a 50MP sensor with 4K video recording.

Nothing Phone (3a) Series: Processor and Battery

Both phones feature the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform and 5000 mAh batteries. The company claims that it is capable of delivering up to two days of use on a full charge. 

Nothing Phone (3a) Series: Charging

With upgraded fast charging of 50W, the Phone (3a) Series delivers a full day’s power (50%) in under 20 minutes, the company added. 

Nothing Phone (3a) Series: Display

Both phones boast a display of 6.77 inches with Full HD+ resolution. Visuals look crisp with 387 pixels in every inch of screen, and a fluid 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The display offers 1000 hz sampling rate in gaming mode making gaming smooth and responsive.

Nothing Phone (3a) Series: OS and Upgrades

The Nothing Phone (3a) Series runs Nothing OS 3.1 on Android 15. It includes updates to the Nothing Gallery, Camera, and Weather apps and guarantees six years of updates—three years of Android updates and six years of security updates. 

Essential Space

The series also introduces Essential Space, an AI-powered hub for notes and ideas, and the Essential Key (on the right side of the phone) for quick access—press to save content, long-press for voice notes, and double-tap to view saved items.

Nothing Phone (3a): Colour Options, Price, Variants

Phone (3a) will be available in Black, White, and Blue colour.
○ 8+128 GB – ₹22,999 (Including bank offers)
○ 8+256 GB – ₹24,999 (Including bank offers)

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro: Colour Options, Price, Variants

Phone (3a) Pro will be available in Grey and Black colour
○ 8+128 GB – ₹27,999 (Including bank offers)
○ 8+256 GB – ₹29,999 (Including bank offers)
○ 12+256 GB – ₹31,999 (Including bank offers)

Nothing Phone (3a) Series: Availability

○ The Phone (3a) is available on sale via Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Vijay Sales, Croma, and all leading retail stores starting from 11 March.
○ The Phone (3a) Pro is available on sale via Flipkart and Flipkart Minutes starting from 11 March. The Flipkart deliveries and sales on Vijay Sales, Croma and all leading retail stores will start from 15 March.
○ Additionally for the first time the Nothing Phone (3a) series will be available on Flipkart minutes which means the phone can be delivered to your home within 10 minutes of open sales.

The Odisha government in collaboration with Meta, the US-based technology giant, will soon launch a unified WhatsApp Chatbot to ensure seamless access of various government services by the citizens across the state.

The Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI) of the state General Administration department signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on behalf of the Odisha government with the Meta India at Lok Seva Bhavan here on Friday.

“Through this Chatbot, citizens will be able to access vital government services like obtaining birth and income certificates, applying for driving and fertiliser licenses, and accessing incentives such as the National Family Benefits Scheme, all through a single WhatsApp number,” said the government in a press statement.

The state government also claimed that the Unified WhatsApp Chatbot will integrate 429 government services into a single WhatsApp number, enabling citizens to access critical services like Essential Certificates viz. birth, death, legal heir, residence, and income certificates, licenses viz. driving license, fertiliser license etc. and incentive schemes viz. inter-caste marriage benefits, National Family Benefit Scheme, etc.

“The Odisha government is committed to delivering seamless public services, ensuring that every citizen experiences convenience and efficiency at the last mile. This commitment is underscored by our investment in technology and training, aiming to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and enhance overall accessibility,” said Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.

CMGI Executive Director, Vineet Bharadwaj, said that ease of access to public services is still a challenge in Odisha.

Bharadwaj also added that there are currently, four modes of accessing any public service in Odisha — visiting the concerned office (offline mode), accessing the web portal of the concerned department/office, accessing the specific mobile app of that particular service, or through assisted service (by visiting a Common Service Centre).

“Recognising the need for a more user-friendly and accessible mode for public service delivery, we believe that WhatsApp will enable citizens to avail the desired services on one single platform through a single number, enabling swift and convenient access to services. We aim to deliver all public services notified under ORTPSA (The Odisha Right To Public Services Act) through WhatsApp by the end of 2025, enabling citizens to access them through text and voice,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging of Meta in India said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Odisha government and bring the power and reach of WhatsApp to millions of people in the state, giving them easy access to citizen services at their fingertips.”

With the signing of MoU with Meta on Friday, Odisha becomes the third state in the country along with Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to introduce WhatsApp-based citizen service delivery model to adopt WhatsApp governance.

Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone lineup — the Xiaomi 15 Series — at an exclusive launch event in Barcelona, Spain. Featuring Leica Summilux optical lenses and powered by Xiaomi HyperOS 2, the Xiaomi 15 Series delivers a next-generation smartphone experience with advanced AI capabilities, according to the official release.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Display 

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440, a 522 ppi pixel density, and a peak brightness of 3200 nits. It also includes a 1Hz Always-Active Display. The device is equipped with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, providing fast, reliable unlocking even with wet or dirty fingers, a CNC-crafted aluminum frame, and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.

Built for durability, the Xiaomi Guardian Structure integrates Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, improving drop resistance by up to 16 times, said the company.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Camera  

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts an industry-leading 23mm Leica 1-inch main camera, equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT-900 image sensor. Paired with a Leica Summilux optical lens, it features a large ƒ/1.63 aperture and an impressive 14EV high dynamic range.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Videography  

According to the company, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is designed to push the boundaries of videography, allowing users to enjoy exceptional cinematic slow-motion videography. Both the main and periscope telephoto cameras can shoot 4K video at 120fps.

To complement this flagship, Xiaomi introduces the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit Legend Edition, featuring a classic camera-inspired design, a 67mm filter adapter ring, detachable thumb support and shutter buttons, and an integrated 2000mAh battery for extended usability.

Xiaomi 15: Display  

The Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3200 nits and a 94 per cent screen-to-body ratio. The device is available in Black, White, and Green in international markets.

Xiaomi 15: Camera  

The Xiaomi 15 boasts a versatile triple-camera system. Its main camera features a Leica Summilux optical lens with a 7P aspherical high-transmittance element and an anti-glare coating, along with a large ƒ/1.62 aperture. For detailed telephoto shots, it is equipped with a Leica 60mm floating telephoto camera that utilizes a 50MP sensor. Additionally, the device features a Leica 14mm ultra-wide camera with a 50MP resolution and a large ƒ/2.2 aperture.

Xiaomi 15: Videography  

For videography, the Xiaomi 15 offers 8K recording at 30fps and Dolby Vision 4K at 60fps. A 4-mic array delivers immersive audio, ensuring every video capture has professional-grade sound, the company added.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra & Xiaomi 15: Battery & Other Details 

Both the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform.  

Regarding battery and charging, both devices utilise the Xiaomi Surge Battery Management System. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra houses a 5410mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge and 80W wireless HyperCharge support. The Xiaomi 15 features a 5240mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra & Xiaomi 15: India Launch 

According to sources, the Xiaomi 15 Series is expected to launch in India in the second week of March. However, the company has yet to confirm the exact date at the time of publishing this report.

Nothing Phone (3a) Series Launched: Nothing has recently upgraded its mid-range lineup with the launch of the Phone (3a) Series in the Indian market. Building on the acclaimed Phone (2a), this new series offers an advanced triple-camera system with optical zoom, a powerful Snapdragon processor, innovations in Nothing OS, and much more, said the company. If you’re considering upgrading to the Nothing Phone (3a) or Phone (3a) Pro, here are five key features to be aware of:

1. Camera

The Phone (3a) Series introduces Nothing’s most advanced camera system to date. It boasts a 50MP main sensor, a Sony ultra-wide sensor, and optical zoom for the first time. Powered by the TrueLens Engine 3.0, which combines advanced computational algorithms, AI processing, and multi-frame technology, it delivers professional-grade, true-to-life photography, as stated in the company’s official release.

2. Performance

The devices are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, and Snapdragon Elite Gaming features. With the RAM Booster, users can access up to 20GB of RAM by combining physical and virtual memory. Additionally, a larger 4,500 mm² vapor chamber reduces the temperature by 23 per cent compared to the Phone (2a), ensuring better performance and thermal management.

3. Battery and Charging

Both the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro come with large 5000mAh batteries that offer up to two days of use on a full charge, the company claimed. Fast charging has been upgraded to 50W, providing 50 per cent charge in under 20 minutes. With the optimised Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 mobile platform using 8 per cent less power for typical tasks, users can enjoy an extra 30 minutes of daily usage.

4. Nothing OS

Built on Android 15, Nothing OS 3.1 introduces updates to apps like Nothing Gallery, Camera, and Weather. Additionally, the Phone (3a) Series offers a new level of personalisation, with options to reduce distractions using a monochrome theme, hide app labels for a cleaner home screen, and customise the lock screen and quick settings. The Essential Key, located on the right side of the device, provides quick access to the Essential Space feature.

5. Updates for 6 Years

The Phone (3a) Series promises updates for a total of six years, including three years of Android updates and six years of security updates. Additionally, users will receive corrective and functionality updates, ensuring the device stays up-to-date for an extended period.

What is Essential Space (Early Access)?

Essential Space is a new AI-powered hub that helps users capture, organize, and recall notes, ideas, and inspirations with ease. It acts like a second memory, processing and storing content efficiently. To make this feature easily accessible, Nothing has introduced the Essential Key. 

Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro Price

The Phone (3a) will be available in Black, White, and Blue colors:

– 8+128 GB – Rs 22,999 (Including bank offers)
– 8+256 GB – Rs 24,999 (Including bank offers)

The Phone (3a) Pro will be available in Grey and Black colors:

– 8+128 GB – Rs 27,999 (Including bank offers)
– 8+256 GB – Rs 29,999 (Including bank offers)
– 12+256 GB – Rs 31,999 (Including bank offers)

Availability

– The Phone (3a) will be available for sale via Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Vijay Sales, Croma, and leading retail stores starting 11 March.
– The Phone (3a) Pro will be available for sale via Flipkart and Flipkart Minutes starting 11 March, with deliveries through Vijay Sales, Croma, and leading retail stores beginning 15 March.

Note: Partner banks include HDFC Bank, IDFC Bank, and OneCard.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series Pre-Booking Starts: Samsung has announced the commencement of pre-reservations for its new flagship AI-powered PCs – the Galaxy Book5 360, Galaxy Book5 Pro, and Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. Powered by Intel’s advanced Lunar Lake processors, the Galaxy Book5 series, for the first time, combines the power of Galaxy AI and Co-pilot+ PC, according to the official release.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Key Highlights

The Galaxy Book5 series comes with innovative features like ‘AI Select’, which allows users to search intuitively.

The ‘Photo Remaster’ feature helps users make professional-level image edits with vivid clarity. These new features are expected to redefine productivity and creativity for users, said the company.

With the Galaxy ecosystem, customers can enjoy seamless phone-to-PC connectivity with features like Phone Link, Quick Share, Multi-control, and Second Screen for Galaxy smartphone and tablet users. Additionally, Samsung Knox ensures a secure and privacy-focused foundation, the company further added.

Booking Details

Consumers can pre-reserve the Galaxy Book5 360, Galaxy Book5 Pro, and Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 on Samsung.com, at Samsung India Smart Cafés, select Samsung authorised retail stores, and other online platforms at no cost. These pre-reserve offers are valid until March 10, 2025. 

It should be noted that “Pre-reserve customers can enjoy early access benefits worth Rs 5000,” said the company.

How to Pre-Book the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visit the official Samsung India website at [samsung.com/in](https://samsung.com/in).
2. Scroll down and look for “New Galaxy Book5 Pro | Book5 Pro 360”.
3. Click on “Pre-reserve Now”.
4. You will be redirected to a new page.
5. Click on the “Reserve Now” link available at the top right corner of the page or scroll down.
6. Enter your details and click on “Submit”.
7. You’re done!

Alternatively, you can click on this link to directly visit the page.

Technology has the potential to increase India’s growth rate by 2-3 per cent, NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said on Wednesday. To make India a technology-driven nation, NITI Aayog has launched the NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH), which will serve as a frontier tech action tank.

The initiative aims to accelerate economic and social development through advanced technological innovations.

It also seeks to promote emerging technologies that benefit humanity and the environment while showcasing India’s human-centric approach to the world.

Speaking to IANS, Subrahmanyam highlighted the rapid advancements in disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biological sciences.

“These technologies can be utilised in various sectors, including education, employment, and job searches, as well as in agriculture, manufacturing, and governance,” he said.

Subrahmanyam further stated that their implementation will enhance productivity, efficiency, and overall economic growth.

India is currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, and in the coming years, it is expected to become the third-largest.

To keep up with this growth, Subrahmanyam stressed that India must take the lead in technological advancements.

“The government is focused on developing human-centric technologies that can improve people’s lives, increase incomes, and make everyday tasks easier,” he said.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Minister for Communications and Development of the North-East Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, said that India’s significant advancements in technology and telecommunications are driving the nation toward a new era of digital leadership and economic growth.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the minister announced that the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) is scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 8 to 11, 2025.

“India is set to take a lead in emerging technologies like 6G, AI, Quantum and the IMC has played a pivotal role in this journey, serving as a catalyst for progress in the telecom and technology sectors,” Scindia said.

Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone lineup — the Xiaomi 15 Series — at an exclusive launch event in Barcelona, Spain. Featuring Leica Summilux optical lenses and powered by Xiaomi HyperOS 2, the Xiaomi 15 Series delivers a next-generation smartphone experience with advanced AI capabilities, according to the official release.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Display 

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440, a 522 ppi pixel density, and a peak brightness of 3200 nits. It also includes a 1Hz Always-Active Display. The device is equipped with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, providing fast, reliable unlocking even with wet or dirty fingers, a CNC-crafted aluminum frame, and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.

Built for durability, the Xiaomi Guardian Structure integrates Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, improving drop resistance by up to 16 times, said the company.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Camera  

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts an industry-leading 23mm Leica 1-inch main camera, equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT-900 image sensor. Paired with a Leica Summilux optical lens, it features a large ƒ/1.63 aperture and an impressive 14EV high dynamic range.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Videography  

According to the company, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is designed to push the boundaries of videography, allowing users to enjoy exceptional cinematic slow-motion videography. Both the main and periscope telephoto cameras can shoot 4K video at 120fps.

To complement this flagship, Xiaomi introduces the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit Legend Edition, featuring a classic camera-inspired design, a 67mm filter adapter ring, detachable thumb support and shutter buttons, and an integrated 2000mAh battery for extended usability.

Xiaomi 15: Display  

The Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3200 nits and a 94 per cent screen-to-body ratio. The device is available in Black, White, and Green in international markets.

Xiaomi 15: Camera  

The Xiaomi 15 boasts a versatile triple-camera system. Its main camera features a Leica Summilux optical lens with a 7P aspherical high-transmittance element and an anti-glare coating, along with a large ƒ/1.62 aperture. For detailed telephoto shots, it is equipped with a Leica 60mm floating telephoto camera that utilizes a 50MP sensor. Additionally, the device features a Leica 14mm ultra-wide camera with a 50MP resolution and a large ƒ/2.2 aperture.

Xiaomi 15: Videography  

For videography, the Xiaomi 15 offers 8K recording at 30fps and Dolby Vision 4K at 60fps. A 4-mic array delivers immersive audio, ensuring every video capture has professional-grade sound, the company added.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra & Xiaomi 15: Battery & Other Details 

Both the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform.  

Regarding battery and charging, both devices utilise the Xiaomi Surge Battery Management System. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra houses a 5410mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge and 80W wireless HyperCharge support. The Xiaomi 15 features a 5240mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra & Xiaomi 15: India Launch 

According to sources, the Xiaomi 15 Series is expected to launch in India in the second week of March. However, the company has yet to confirm the exact date at the time of publishing this report.

Samsung has unveiled its latest Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G smartphones, introducing “Awesome Intelligence” to enhance creativity through advanced search and visual experiences. These devices feature a new design, improved durability, robust performance, and fortified security.

Awesome intelligence: Democratising AI

The Galaxy A56 5G and A36 5G debut “Awesome Intelligence,” a mobile AI suite offering advanced features like:

• Circle to Search: Instantly identify songs playing near you or on your phone by long-pressing the navigation bar.
• Visual Editing Tools: Flagship AI features like Auto Trim, Best Face and Object Eraser.
• Custom Filters: Personalise photo styles with unique filter creation.

Design and Display

Both models showcase a new design with a Linear Floating Camera Module and a “Radiance” color theme. At just 7.4mm thick, they are the slimmest Galaxy A-series smartphones. The 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 1200 nits brightness ensures vibrant visuals, complemented by stereo speakers for rich audio.

Camera setup

The smartphones are equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and enhanced Nightography for stunning low-light shots. The 10-bit HDR front camera ensures bright and crisp selfies.

Performance

• Galaxy A56 5G: Powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset.
• Galaxy A36 5G: Runs on Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform.

Advanced vapor chamber cooling ensures smooth performance for gaming and video playback.

Battery

With a 5,000mAh battery and 45W Super-Fast Charge 2.0, these devices promise all-day usage with rapid charging.

Durability and security

The Galaxy A series features:

• IP67 water and dust resistance.
• Corning Gorilla Victus+ Glass for added durability.
• Six years of security updates and Android OS upgrades for long-term reliability.

For privacy, Samsung Knox Vault and One UI 7 introduce enhanced security features like Theft Detection and more robust settings.

Price, variants and launch offers

• 12GB+256GB variant at the price of the 8GB+256GB variant.
• 8GB+256GB variant at the price of the 8GB+128GB variant, saving Rs 3,000.

India is rapidly evolving into a global technology hub, and the country’s participation at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 is vital for accelerating innovation, said Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday.

Scindia is expected to represent India at the MWC 2025 — one of the world’s largest and most influential technology and telecommunications events — scheduled from March 3-6, in Spain’s Barcelona. The Minister will also unveil the curtain raiser of India Mobile Congress 2025 and inaugurate the ‘Bharat Pavilion’ at the MWC.

“India is rapidly evolving into a global technology hub, and our engagement with international partners at events like the Mobile World Congress is vital for accelerating innovation and strengthening digital infrastructure,” Scindia said.

The India Mobile Congress is a platform that will highlight the country’s innovation ecosystem, and leading telecom companies and innovators will showcase their cutting-edge advancements and sustainable solutions.

The Bharat Pavilion will feature 38 Indian telecom equipment manufacturers showcasing their state-of-the-art products, both hardware and software.

During his visit, the Minister will also engage with global industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore cutting-edge developments in 5G, AI(artificial intelligence),6G, Quantum, and next-generation mobile technologies.

The event will serve as a platform for discussing key trends shaping the mobile industry and will spotlight India’s digital ambitions.

“I look forward to exchanging ideas with global experts and discussing opportunities for collaboration in the mobile and telecommunications sector,” Scindia said.

India’s participation in Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona is expected to bring together top executives, visionaries, and innovators from across the globe, offering a platform for strategic collaborations, knowledge exchange, and showcasing India’s technological leadership.

Global tech giant Google is building a digital agri-stack using satellite imagery and has started with a base layer that will help identify farm boundaries, a senior official said on Saturday.

Data and analysis of this base layer of the stack can be used in a slew of applications like bettering the subsidy payments, farm insurance or farm loans, Manish Gupta, a senior director at Google DeepMind said.

“.. We have built the first such model that using satellite imagery analysis can now start to identify field boundaries based on usage pattern start to identify what crops are being grown and so on,” Gupta said, speaking at the Mumbai Tech Week here.

The model has taken inspiration from UIDAI’s Aadhar, ascribing a unique ID to each farm and is intended to act as a base layer of the “digital agri stack”, he said.

Gupta said it is upon the startups and other agri-tech players to build solutions which will provide loan crop insurance and also subsidies using the data churned out by the platform.

Pointing out the relevance of such a platform, he said 40 per cent of the Indian population are agriculturists and the annual farm lending alone is a USD 550 billion opportunity with a lot of it cornered by the informal sector lenders.

The comments come at a time when the Indian banking system is trying to improve its agri-lending system. Largest lender SBI’s chairman C S Setty spoke this week about the bank mulling to use satellite imagery-based inputs for making its agri lending processes more efficient.

Meanwhile, Gupta also rued that the amount of content available in Indian languages is very limited and Google is trying address the same with its initiatives.

He said about 10 per cent of the overall 8 billion people speak Hindi, but the language accounts for only 0.1 per cent of the online content.

It has launched the “Vaani” project aimed at bridging this gap under which aspires to collect speech data in form of voice recordings from across all the over 700 districts.

The company has launched the first phase of the project under which it has collected 14,000 hours of audio data from 80 districts with people speaking in 59 languages, he said.

He also said that Indians under appreciate the relevance of artificial intelligence to expand the boundaries of science, and pointed to the work by DeepMind which led to a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

OpenAI has released research preview of GPT‑4.5 — its largest and best model for chat yet — for ChatGPT Pro users and developers worldwide.

ChatGPT Pro users will be able to select GPT‑4.5 in the model picker on web, mobile and desktop.

“We will begin rolling out to Plus and Team users next week, then to Enterprise and Edu users the following week,” said the US-based OpenAI.

According to the Sam Altman-run company, GPT‑4.5 is a step forward in scaling up pre-training and post-training. By scaling unsupervised learning, GPT‑4.5 improves its ability to recognise patterns, draw connections, and generate creative insights without reasoning.

Early testing shows that interacting with GPT‑4.5 feels more natural.

“Its broader knowledge base, improved ability to follow user intent, and greater “EQ” make it useful for tasks like improving writing, programming, and solving practical problems. We also expect it to hallucinate less,” the company said in a blog post.

“We’re sharing GPT‑4.5 as a research preview to better understand its strengths and limitations. We’re still exploring what it’s capable of and are eager to see how people use it in ways we might not have expected,” it added.

GPT‑4.5 was trained on Microsoft Azure AI supercomputers. The result is a model that has broader knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world, leading to reduced hallucinations and more reliability across a wide range of topics, the company said.

GPT‑4.5 has access to the latest up-to-date information with search, supports file and image uploads, and can use canvas to work on writing and code. However, GPT‑4.5 does not currently    support multimodal features like Voice Mode, video, and screensharing in ChatGPT. In the future, we will work to simplify the user experience so AI “just works” for you, according to OpenAI.

Google Chrome Browser Settings: Google Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers. However, many users don’t like any browser to track and record several types of online activities. For instance, after searching for something on Chrome, you may notice advertisements related to your search popping up. If you want to stop this from happening, you will need to adjust your settings. According to information available on American technology giant Google’s Support portal, here’s how you can make these adjustments:

For Desktop Users:

1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. In the top right corner, click on More (three dots) and select Settings.
3. Go to Privacy and Security, then select Third-party cookies.
4. Toggle the option to Send a “Do Not Track” request with your browsing traffic to On or Off, depending on your preference.

ALSO READ: Samsung launches Galaxy M16 5G, Galaxy M06 5G in India with segment-leading features; here’s everything you need to know

For Android Users:

1. Open Chrome on your Android device.
2. Tap the More (three dots) icon to the right of the address bar and select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and Security.
4. Enable or disable the Send a “Do Not Track” request option.

ALSO READ: Snapdragon X is Here: Key things to know about Qualcomm’s just-launched new AI PC chip

For iPhone and iPad Users:

Currently, the “Do Not Track” feature is not available for iPhones or iPads.

What is Do Not Track?

Do Not Track is a privacy feature available in most web browsers. When enabled, it sends a request to websites asking them not to collect or track your browsing data. By default, this feature is turned off.

However, it’s important to note that the feature only sends a request — it’s up to the websites you visit whether or not they choose to honor it. Many websites still collect and use your browsing data to improve security, provide content and services, serve ads, make recommendations, and generate reporting statistics.

It’s still worth enabling this feature as it adds an extra layer of privacy to your online activity.

Samsung Galaxy A Series: Samsung is set to launch three new Galaxy A series smartphones in India next week. According to the company, these devices will be successors to Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 models launched last year.

The new Galaxy A series smartphones are designed to meet the evolving needs of young consumers, said the company. The upcoming models are expected to feature a refreshed design, enhanced durability, and advanced security features, ensuring a seamless and secure user experience, it added. 

Galaxy A Series: What is it all about?

The Galaxy A series is Samsung’s most successful smartphone series in India so far, with millions of units sold annually.

Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55

The Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G come with several flagship features, including Gorilla Glass Victus+, AI-enhanced camera capabilities, Samsung Knox Vault for security, four OS upgrades, and five years of security updates. 

In terms of camera specifications, the Galaxy A55 5G boasts a 50MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, while the Galaxy A35 5G features a 50MP main camera with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Both models are equipped with a 5MP macro sensor. For selfies, the Galaxy A55 5G has a 32MP front camera, while the Galaxy A35 5G comes with a 13MP front camera.

Both devices are rated IP67, meaning they can withstand up to 30 minutes of immersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water. They are also built to resist dust and sand. Additionally, the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G are designed to endure accidental slips and falls thanks to the Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both the front and back.

The Galaxy A35 5G is available in three shades: Awesome Lilac, Awesome Ice Blue, and Awesome Navy. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A55 5G comes in two colours: Awesome Ice Blue and Awesome Navy.

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G, Galaxy M06 5G Launched: Samsung on Thursday, February 27, launched two new smartphones in the Indian market: the Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G. These devices come with several segment-leading features and are the latest additions to the immensely popular Galaxy M series, according to the official release.

Commenting on the launch, Akshay S Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India, said, “With a refreshed design, these devices are built to enhance both style and performance, featuring MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and full 5G support across operators.”

He further added, “The Galaxy M16 5G also sets a new benchmark with a segment-leading FHD+ Super AMOLED display, six generations of OS upgrades, and the introduction of Samsung Wallet with Tap & Pay functionality.”

Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G: Display

– The Galaxy M16 5G features a segment-leading 6.7” Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with adaptive high-brightness mode.

– The Galaxy M06 5G features a 6.7” HD+ display.

Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G: Design and Colour

– The Galaxy M16 5G is 7.9 mm slim, while the Galaxy M06 5G is slightly thicker at 8 mm.
– The Galaxy M16 5G will be available in three bold and refreshing colours: Blush Pink, Mint Green, and Thunder Black. 
– The Galaxy M06 5G comes in two stylish colours: Sage Green and Blazing Black.

Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G: Performance and Connectivity

– Both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and support segment-leading 5G bands, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity.

Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G: Camera

– The Galaxy M16 5G boasts a segment-leading 50MP main camera, accompanied by a 5MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera. It also features a 13MP front camera for high-quality selfies.
– The Galaxy M06 5G is equipped with a high-resolution 50MP wide-angle lens with an F1.8 aperture, along with a 2MP depth camera. It also has an 8MP front camera for selfies.

Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G: Battery

– Both the Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G are equipped with a 5000 mAh battery and support 25W fast charging for quick power-ups.

Samsung Galaxy M06 5G: When will Samsung Galaxy M16 5G be launched in India? Samsung is all set to launch two new M-series smartphones in India this week – the Samsung Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G. The company has already teased the launch with a ‘Coming Soon’ title and teaser videos.

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G, Galaxy M06 5G Launch Coming Soon?

Now, has the e-commerce giant really confirmed the launch date of the new M-series smartphones?

According to the promotional banner displayed on Amazon, the Samsung Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G will be launched on Thursday, February 27, at 12 PM IST.

Samsung India has also shared this link through its official X handle. 

A new story unfolds! A new character comes into play… Who is he? Stay tuned as the agents unravel the mystery tomorrow.

Head to Amazon to know more: https://t.co/YYNiJMTISS.#GalaxyM06 5G #GalaxyM16 5G #LoveForMonster #CantBeatTheMonsters #Amazon #Samsung @amazonIN pic.twitter.com/9Q8E7xr2Ns

— Samsung India (@SamsungIndia) February 26, 2025

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G, Galaxy M06 5G Specifications and Features: What we know so far

The Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G will serve as successors to last year’s Galaxy M15 and Galaxy M05, respectively. According to a recent post from Samsung on X (formerly Twitter), the Galaxy M06 5G will feature a dual rear camera setup, while the Galaxy M16 5G is expected to come with a triple rear camera setup. 

As for the design, based on the teaser image, both smartphones are expected to share a similar kind of design, offering a sleek and modern look.

What to expect from the Samsung Galaxy M16 and M06 5G?

– Dual and Triple Rear Cameras: The Galaxy M06 5G will have a dual-camera setup, while the M16 5G will feature a more advanced triple-camera arrangement.

– 5G Connectivity: Both models will support 5G connectivity, ensuring faster data speeds and a future-ready experience for users.

– Similar Design Language: The upcoming models will likely have a similar design style as their predecessors, with an emphasis on premium aesthetics and functionality.

Snapdragon X Launched in India: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s latest offering, the Snapdragon X platform, is set to reshape the personal computing landscape in India by introducing an affordable, AI-powered chip for PCs. This new technology aims to make advanced PC features accessible to the masses, with a focus on superior performance, power efficiency, and cutting-edge AI capabilities. Here are the key takeaways from the launch of Snapdragon X in India:

1. AI-Powered Performance at an Affordable Price

The Snapdragon X processor balances performance and built-in intelligence with a 45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) NPU (neural processing unit), enabling seamless on-device AI experiences, according to the company. Devices powered by Snapdragon deliver premium experiences within a sleek, lightweight, and highly portable design, it added.

2. Enhanced Performance and Efficiency

Devices powered by the Snapdragon X platform offer up to 163 per cent faster performance at ISO-power compared to competitors, as per the official release. Qualcomm’s innovative OryonTM CPU and integrated GPU deliver a balanced performance with power efficiency, providing smooth experiences for creating presentations, web browsing, and streaming content, all while maintaining multi-day battery life.

3. Seamless Connectivity with 5G and Wi-Fi 7

The Snapdragon X platform also comes equipped with advanced connectivity features, including 5G and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring that users stay connected from virtually anywhere. These capabilities enable users to enjoy fast, stable internet speeds, whether they’re working from home or on the go.

4. Immersive Audio and Robust Privacy Features

The Snapdragon Sound™ Technology Suite offers immersive, high-fidelity audio for wireless listening. Furthermore, Snapdragon X incorporates robust privacy features, enabling comprehensive protection from chip to cloud.

5. Affordable Devices Like Asus Vivobook and Zenbook A14

The first devices powered by Snapdragon X in India are the Asus Vivobook 16 and Zenbook A14. Starting at Rs 65,990, these devices are now available for pre-order. According to the company, these laptops set a new standard for affordable, high-performance laptops in India, with the promise of more OEMs to follow soon.

North Korea is apparently using ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) service developed by OpenAI of the United States, in its higher education AI studies, according to a media report on Saturday.

According to the report from Voice of Korea, a Pyongyang external propaganda outlet, members of an AI research institute at Kim Il Sung University were seen learning ChatGPT and its functionalities, reports Yonhap news agency.

Learning material used by the institute explained how ChatGPT generates text based on user input. Given North Korea’s heavily restricted internet access, it is unclear whether researchers have direct access to the service.

Han Chol-jin, a researcher at Kim Il Sung University, said the institute is focused on teaching ways to understand and acquire advanced technology and adapt it for domestic use.

Earlier this month, Choson Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper based in Japan, reported on global AI developments and the growing concerns and restrictions surrounding China’s DeepSeek.

The outlet criticized Western restrictions on Chinese AI technologies, claiming they are part of an effort to limit China’s technological growth. It also stated that China has developed a low-cost AI model comparable to ChatGPT without advanced semiconductors.

Meanwhile, OpenAI said it has banned user accounts that were potentially used to facilitate a deceptive employment scheme possibly connected to North Korea, as it seeks to ensure its AI models are not utilised for malicious purposes.

In an updated report, the ChatGPT maker revealed that actors in question generated content consisting of personal documentation for fictitious “job applicants,” such as resumes, online job profiles and cover letters as it pointed to the North’s scheme to deploy IT workers overseas to create hard currency to support the Pyongyang regime.

“The activity we observed is consistent with the tactics, techniques and procedures Microsoft and Google attributed to an IT worker scheme potentially connected to North Korea,” the company said in the report, titled “Disrupting malicious uses of our models.”

“While we cannot determine the locations or nationalities of the actors, the activity we disrupted shared characteristics publicly reported in relation to North Korean state efforts to funnel income through deceptive hiring schemes, where individuals fraudulently obtain positions at Western companies to support the regime’s financial network,” it added.

Redington Ltd, a distributor of Apple and other tech brands, will offer the newly launched Apple iPhone 16e at over 7,000 retail locations across the country, the company said on Friday. 

Microsoft has revealed Majorana 1, a ground-breaking quantum processing unit (QPU) based on a new family of materials known as topoconductors. According to CEO Satya Nadella, this research represents a significant step forward in real quantum computing.

He defined this accomplishment as the formation of a “new state of matter,” allowing for quantum bits (qubits) that are smaller, quicker, and more stable than ever before. The consequences of this breakthrough are enormous, potentially shortening the timescale for practical quantum computing from decades to a few years.  

Posting on X, Nadella wrote, “After a nearly 20 year pursuit, we’ve created an entirely new state of matter, unlocked by a new class of materials, topoconductors, that enable a fundamental leap in computing.

It powers Majorana 1, the first quantum processing unit built on a topological core.”

A couple reflections on the quantum computing breakthrough we just announced…

Most of us grew up learning there are three main types of matter that matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Today, that changed.

After a nearly 20 year pursuit, we’ve created an entirely new state of… pic.twitter.com/Vp4sxMHNjc

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 19, 2025

“We believe this breakthrough will allow us to create a truly meaningful quantum computer not in decades, as some have predicted, but in years. The qubits created with topoconductors are faster, more reliable, and smaller. They are 1/100th of a millimeter, meaning we now have a clear path to a million-qubit processor,” he further said.

What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing is a type of computing that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems much faster than traditional computers by utilising quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement. In this, quantum bits (qubits) can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing for parallel calculations on a massive scale. Essentially, it harnesses the unique properties of the quantum world to perform computations that are impossible for classical computers.

“Sometimes researchers have to work on things for decades to make progress possible. It takes patience and persistence to have big impact in the world. And I am glad we get the opportunity to do just that at Microsoft,” added Nadella.

Further explaining on X, he wrote, this is our focus: When productivity rises, economies grow faster, benefiting every sector and every corner of the globe.

It’s not about hyping tech; it’s about building technology that truly serves the world.

Cupertino (California) [US], February 20 (ANI): Apple has officially introduced its first in-house iPhone modem, the C1, with the launch of the iPhone 16E.

This significant development marks a major milestone in Apple’s efforts to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm’s 5G chips.

The C1 modem is touted as the most power-efficient modem in a phone, contributing to the iPhone 16E’s impressive battery life.

According to Apple’s official website, the phone’s internal design has been optimized to support a larger battery, resulting in up to 26 hours of video playback.

The C1 modem covers a range of low-end 5G spectrum, similar to the iPhone 16, but lacks mmWave capabilities, which offer gigabit-level throughput.

Despite this, the introduction of the C1 modem in the iPhone 16E represents a significant step forward for Apple’s in-house chip development, as per The Verge.

The development of the C1 modem has been a long time coming, with Apple acquiring Intel’s cell modem business in 2019.

While there may be concerns about the modem’s performance, Apple’s decision to debut the C1 in the more affordable iPhone 16E may help to mitigate any potential issues.

The iPhone 16E is available for preorder starting tomorrow and will ship on February 28th.

Boult x Mustang Collection Launched: Boult Audio, on Wednesday, February 19, introduced a new range of high-performance audio products as part of its continued collaboration with Ford Mustang. This latest lineup includes the Mustang Q, Mustang Dyno, and Mustang Torq. According to the company, these products are crafted to deliver adrenaline-fueled sound, bold design, and peak performance.

1. Mustang Q   

The Mustang Q over-ear headphones feature 40mm Bass-Boosted Drivers and BoomX Technology for deep bass and crystal-clear audio. With an industry-leading 70-hour battery life and 4 EQ modes, users can customise their experience, said the company. Memory foam earcups ensure all-day comfort and durability.

2. Mustang Dyno   

The Mustang Dyno packs 13mm drivers with BoomX Technology, delivering immersive bass with extreme clarity. With the first-of-its-kind Boult AMP App, users can personalise their sound experience, tune EQ settings, and control custom gestures.

Video: Boult Audio Launches Mustang-inspired TWS, Headphones: A quick look

3. Mustang Torq 

The fan-favorite Mustang Torq returns in two bold new colors—Silver and Yellow. Featuring 13mm drivers, BoomX Technology, and ZEN Quad Mic ENC for crystal-clear calls, the Torq also includes Blink & Pair Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless connectivity.

All variants support Lightning Boult Fast Charging, with just 10 minutes of charging providing up to 10 hours of playtime. Additionally, the Q offers an industry-leading 70 hours of battery life, while the Torq and Dyno variants offer 60 hours each.

Each model features Combat Gaming Mode, with ultra-low latency (45ms) for an optimised gaming experience, said the official release. With dual-device connectivity across each model, users can effortlessly switch between two devices for smooth multitasking.

Commenting on the launch, Varun Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Boult, said, “Our expanded Mustang partnership strengthens our portfolio and keeps us at the forefront of the TWS revolution. Since 90% of our engagement is digital, we ensure that when people search for Boult, this launch dominates. The Mustang Q, Dyno, and Torq mark a milestone in our journey for sustainable growth in India’s competitive audio market.”

Grok 3, the newest and most potent AI model unveiled by Elon Musk’s xAI on Tuesday, is ten times more capable than Grok 2, its predecessor. 

During a live-streamed event, Musk introduced the advanced AI, showcasing its abilities in reasoning, in-depth research, and handling creative tasks. With Grok 3’s unmatched performance in science, coding, and math, it has even outpaced industry giants like Google’s Gemini 2 Pro and OpenAI’s GPT-4.

The launch event highlighted the groundbreaking capabilities of Grok 3. Musk emphasised the model’s “maximally truth-seeking” nature, explaining that its goal is to provide deep, empathetic understanding even if it challenges politically correct views.

Subscription tiers and early access

xAI is rolling out Grok 3 to Premium+ subscribers on X, with users encouraged to update their app to access the new features. For those seeking earlier access and the most advanced capabilities, xAI has introduced a new subscription tier, Super Grok, available on both the Grok app and the newly launched website, grok.com.

Grok 3’s power and DeepSearch tool

Grok 3’s most significant upgrade lies in its computational power, boasting over 10 times the capacity of Grok 2. Built with a massive 2,00,000 GPU cluster housed in Memphis, Tennessee, the supercomputer, Colossus, was developed in under eight months. Musk revealed that Grok 3’s pre-training completed in January, with daily improvements being rolled out, ensuring continuous development.

Another highlight is Grok 3’s DeepSearch tool, a smart AI-powered search engine that doesn’t just answer queries but explains its thought process behind each response. This feature is set to change how users interact with AI, offering a more insightful and transparent experience.

xAI vs OpenAI

Musk’s criticisms of OpenAI, which he co-founded, were also echoed in the launch event. Musk accused OpenAI of straying from its original mission, leading him to file lawsuits against the company. With xAI now raising around $10 billion in funding, it aims to rival OpenAI, which is seeking $40 billion to further its own ambitions. xAI’s valuation could reach $75 billion, positioning it as a strong contender in the rapidly growing AI industry.

Grok 3’s reasoning capabilities

Building Grok 3 required extensive infrastructure, with xAI constructing its own data center in just four months. The center now operates 200,000 GPUs, ensuring the model’s smooth functioning. In a demonstration, Grok 3 showcased its reasoning abilities by calculating and plotting trajectories for Mars exploration and even designing a new video game concept.

 

India’s mobile phone manufacturing industry has reached an unprecedented milestone, with exports soaring to a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore in January 2025, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). The ICEA added in a release that the uptick marks a major leap from the previous export record of Rs 22,868 crore set in Financial Year (FY) 2020-21, underlining the transformative impact of the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

As per ICEA, mobile phone production witnessed a rise, doubling from Rs 2,20,000 crore in FY23-24 to Rs 4,22,000 crore.

Making projections, the ICEA added that production is set to reach an estimated Rs 5,10,000 crore in FY24-25, further cementing India’s emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse.

With India rapidly becoming a key player in mobile phone manufacturing, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) projects mobile phone exports could exceed approximately Rs 1,80,000 crore in FY24-25.

This represents approximately 40 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year, crossing Rs 1,29,000 crore and an estimated over 680 per cent growth since the inception of the PLI scheme in FY20-21.

Mobile phone export is the largest growth driver within electronics, with the U.S. standing out as a key market for India’s smartphones, as per ICEA.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, emphasised the need to build on this momentum, “We have reached a substantial scale, driven by strong government support and our industry’s robust capability.”

He further added, “We cannot afford to be complacent–our journey has only just begun. There are immense opportunities still to be harnessed, and with the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, our window of opportunity is short. We must take decisive steps forward.”

The ICEA added that this remarkable achievement is a product of a synergistic partnership between a proactive government and an industry that has consistently proven its mettle by producing globally competitive smartphones.

Smartphones are now poised to become India’s top export commodity for the first time in history–a testament to an unprecedented turnaround in our independent manufacturing capabilities, the ICEA said. 

Mobile phone exports from India are projected to exceed approximately Rs 1,80,000 crore this fiscal (FY25), representing approximately 40 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year, industry data showed on Tuesday.

In the 10 months this fiscal (April-January), India reached Rs 1,50,000 crore in mobile exports, with January alone surging past Rs. 25,000 crore in exports, according to data shared by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).

There has been estimated over 680 per cent growth since the inception of the PLI scheme in FY20-21.

Mobile phones export is the largest growth driver within electronics, with the U.S. standing out as a key market for India’s smartphones.

This unprecedented performance underscores the transformative impact of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which has redefined India’s electronics manufacturing landscape.

Since the launch of the PLI scheme, mobile phone production in India has doubled — from Rs 2,20,000 crore to Rs 4,22,000 crore — marking an unprecedented achievement.

Looking ahead, production is set to reach an estimated Rs. 5,10,000 crore in FY24-25, further cementing India’s emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse.

“We have reached a substantial scale, driven by strong government support and our industry’s robust capability. Moving forward, we will focus on nurturing competitiveness, expanding scale, and strengthening our supply chain,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA.

The next phase will involve aggressive integration with the value chain to boost domestic value addition, driving us toward achieving India’s ambitious $500 billion electronics manufacturing target and our vision of becoming the largest exporter of smartphones globally, he added.

The remarkable achievement is a product of a synergistic partnership between a proactive government and an industry that has consistently proven its mettle by producing globally competitive smartphones.

Smartphones are now poised to become India’s top export commodity for the first time in history — a testament to an unprecedented turnaround in our independent manufacturing capabilities.

“We cannot afford to be complacent — our journey has only just begun. There are immense opportunities still to be harnessed, and with the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, our window of opportunity is short. We must take decisive steps forward,” said Mohindroo.

Google on Thursday announced a strategic collaboration with the Telangana government to harness the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence across the state in various sectors.

This collaboration formalised through an MoU aims to drive the development and implementation of AI solutions.

It focuses on key sectors, including agriculture, mobility, education, sustainability and governance.

Additionally it seeks to foster innovation, bridge the digital divide and equip the workforce with future-ready skills, said an official release.

The MoU exchange took place in the presence of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, IT Minister Sridhar Babu, and Google representatives.

Under this agreement, Google will collaborate with the Telangana government to develop AI-powered agricultural solutions to support farmers and enhance mobility through transit data integration and road information sharing.

The partnership will also focus on AI skilling and upskilling programmes, supporting digital learning ecosystems through Google for Education, and launching an Open Agriculture Network to connect farmers with essential resources.

Furthermore, the collaboration aims to enhance open data access through Google’s Data Commons platform, accelerate solar adoption using Google’s Solar API and foster the startup ecosystem through accelerator programmes.

Congratulating Google on the occasion, the CM said, “This collaboration with Google strengthens our vision for an AI-enabled Telangana. By integrating cutting-edge AI technologies, we aim to revolutionise key sectors ensuring better governance, economic progress and enhanced public services.” He added this partnership marks a significant step in Telangana’s digital journey.

Preeti Lobana, Country Manager of Google India said that the collaboration with Telangana reinforces Google’s commitment to India’s digital future.

“We’re excited to combine our AI expertise with the state’s vision to build an AI-ready workforce, foster startup innovation and address key areas such as agriculture, education and sustainability,” Lobana said.

The world of Q-Commerce is evolving rapidly! It’s no longer limited to just groceries—electronics, smartphones, and even large appliances can now reach your doorstep within minutes. Major players like Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart are leading the charge, strengthening their delivery networks through superstores and dark stores.

Expansion of Q-Commerce

Q-Commerce, short for Quick Commerce, is expanding beyond grocery delivery. Now, products like TVs, laptops, printers, and other electronics are being delivered to customers in just a matter of minutes. Building on the concept of dark stores, plans are underway to establish superstores that will soon deliver large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines in record time.

Amazon’s 10-Minute Delivery Service

Amazon has taken a significant step in this direction with the launch of its 10-minute delivery service, Amazon Now, in Bengaluru. Initially, the service was a pilot project exclusively for employees, but the company is now gearing up to expand it to other cities. Previously known as ‘Tez’, Amazon Now currently focuses on groceries and daily essentials. However, the service plans to soon include categories like beauty, home, and kitchen items, further diversifying its offerings.

Flipkart’s Expanding Service and New Offerings

Flipkart is also aggressively expanding its Minutes service, increasing the number of dark stores to over 500 and planning to include the delivery of electronics, smartphones, and even medicines. In the fashion and apparel category, Flipkart’s delivery executives will now bring multiple sizes of products, allowing customers to try them on at home and reducing the need for returns.

Major Brand Partnerships in Q-Commerce

Several big brands have partnered with Q-Commerce companies, ensuring that trusted and branded products reach customers quickly. Leading Q-Commerce players like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart are already dominating the sector. Blinkit operates over 1,000 dark stores and holds a 41% market share, while Swiggy Instamart has 800+ stores and a 23% market share.

Future Growth and Investment in Q-Commerce

According to Citi Research, India’s Q-Commerce market could reach a massive $31 billion by 2027. However, concerns about profitability persist, as companies like Swiggy focus more on market share growth than immediate profits. Swiggy plans to continue its substantial investments in the Q-Commerce segment through 2026 to stay competitive.

Availability and Expansion of Services

Currently, Q-Commerce services are available in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, with plans to expand to other locations gradually. This evolution in delivery services is reshaping how we shop, making it faster and more convenient than ever before.

Samsung Galaxy F06 5G Launched: Samsung launched its most affordable 5G smartphone, the Galaxy F06 5G, in India on Wednesday, February 12. The device supports 12 5G bands, ensuring compatibility with all telecom operators. According to the company, the newly launched smartphone is set to revolutionise the 5G segment, offering a perfect blend of high performance and style. 

“We are proud to announce our most affordable 5G smartphone, designed to make next-generation connectivity accessible to everyone. The launch of Galaxy F06 5G reflects our commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering millions of consumers with a complete 5G experience, superior performance, and an all-new stylish design at an introductory price starting INR 9499. With Galaxy F06 5G, we are not just launching a smartphone, but new possibilities for every Indian,” said Akshay S Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India.

Full 5G Experience

The Galaxy F06 5G supports 12 5G bands across all telecom operators. It features Carrier Aggregation for faster download and upload speeds, and is also optimised for a smoother live-streaming and video calling experience, according to the official release.

All-New Design and Display

The Galaxy F06 5G features a ‘Ripple Glow’ finish and a 6.7” large HD+ display with 800 Nits brightness. It is 8mm sleek and weighs only 191 grams. The smartphone will be available in two bold colors: Bahama Blue and Lit Violet.

Camera

The Galaxy F06 5G boasts a striking new camera design. It is equipped with a high-resolution 50MP wide-angle lens with an F1.8 aperture, a 2MP depth-sensing camera for enhanced picture clarity, and an 8MP front camera for high-quality selfies.

Multitasking & Gaming

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, one of the segment’s best processors with an AnTuTu score of up to 416K, the Galaxy F06 5G offers fast and power-efficient performance. According to the company, it delivers a seamless mobile gaming experience with high-speed connectivity and top-notch audio and visuals.

Battery & Fast Charging

The Galaxy F06 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery and supports segment-leading 25W fast charging, providing more power in less time.

Price

Product	Variant	Introductory Price	Offers
Galaxy F06 5G	4GB+128GB	Rs 9499	Including Rs 500 Bank Cashback offer
	6GB+128GB	Rs 10999

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has highlighted the “incredible opportunities” that artificial intelligence (AI) will bring to India, following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris.

The Alphabet CEO also noted the potential for close collaboration between “we” (Google) and India to advance the country’s digital transformation.

Taking to social media platform X, Pichai said, “Delighted to meet with PM Narendra Modi today while in Paris for the AI Action Summit. We discussed the incredible opportunities AI will bring to India and ways we can work closely together on India’s digital transformation.”

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi addressed the India-France CEOs Forum in Paris, stating that the forum plays a key role in strengthening economic ties and “fostering” innovation.

He also noted that business leaders from India and France are coming together to create new opportunities across key sectors, which he believes will drive growth and investment for future generations.

Speaking at the event, PM Modi added, “This is more than just a business event–it’s a convergence of the brightest minds from India and France. You are embracing the mantra of innovation, collaboration, and elevation, driving progress with purpose. Beyond forging boardroom connections, you are actively reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.”

He further said that India and France share deep trust and common values, saying, “India and France aren’t just connected by democratic values. Deep trust, innovation, and serving the people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship isn’t limited to just our two nations. Together, we’re providing solutions to global problems.”

PM Modi also co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The week-long summit concluded with a high-level segment attended by global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, highlighting the growing collaboration between India and France in technology and innovation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the G20 had built a consensus on harnessing AI responsibly for all during the presidency of India.

The Prime Minister said that India leads in AI adoption and techno-legal solutions for data privacy. He added that India has the largest AI talent pool.

“India has successfully built a digital public infrastructure for over 1.4 billion people at a very low cost. It is built around an open and accessible network. It has regulations and a wide range of applications to modernise our economy, reform governance, and transform the lives of our people…Today, India leads in AI adoption and techno-legal solutions on data privacy…We have one of the world’s largest AI talent pools,” said PM Modi.

“We are at the dawn of the AI age that will shape the course of humanity,” he said.

Underlining the partnership shared between India and France, he said that the two countries have worked together for years through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance to harness the power of the sun.

“India and France have worked together for years through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance to harness the power of the Sun. As we advance our partnership with AI, it is a natural progression from sustainability to innovation to shape a smarter and responsible future. At the same time, sustainable AI does not only mean using clean energy. AI models must also be efficient and sustainable in size, data needs, and resource requirements. After all, the human brain manages to compose poetry and design spaceships using less power than most light bulbs,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that India is building its own large language model because of its diversity. He emphasised that India is ready to share its experience and expertise to make sure the AI future is for good and for all.

“We also have a unique public-private partnership model for pooling resources like computing power. It is made available to our startups and researchers at an affordable cost. India is ready to share its experience and expertise to ensure that the AI future is for good and for all…Some people worry about machines becoming superior in intelligence to humans. But no one holds the key to our collective future and shared destiny other than us humans. That sense of responsibility must guide us,” PM Modi said.

Reinforcing its commitment to the online safety of young users, Meta on Tuesday announced the expansion of Instagram Teen Accounts to India.

The Teen accounts, to be rolled out in a phased manner in the country, are designed to create a more secure and age-appropriate space for teenagers online.

With built-in protections, Teen Accounts limit unwanted interactions, enhance privacy settings, and provide parents with greater oversight, ensuring a safer social media experience for young users. It also addresses concerns like cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and privacy risks.

“At Meta, creating a safer and more responsible digital environment is a top priority. With the expansion of Instagram Teen Accounts to India, we are strengthening protections, enhancing content controls, and empowering parents while ensuring a safer experience for teenagers,” Natasha Jog, Director, Public Policy India, Instagram.

A key feature of Teen Accounts is that by default, all accounts are set to private, meaning they must approve new followers. Non-followers cannot view or interact with their content. This applies to all users under 16 (both existing and new) and those under 18 when signing up, said the company.

Teenagers will also have the strictest messaging settings enabled, allowing them to receive messages only from people they follow or are already connected with.

They will also be automatically placed in the most restrictive setting, limiting their exposure to sensitive content, such as depictions of physical fights or promotions of cosmetic procedures, in areas like Explore and Reels.

Further, teenagers can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow. In addition, the strictest version of the anti-bullying feature, Hidden Words, will be enabled by default to filter out offensive language in comments and DM requests, the company said.

The teenagers will also receive notifications prompting them to exit the app after 60 minutes of daily usage. Sleep mode will be enabled from 10 pm to 7 am, muting notifications and automatically sending replies to DMs overnight.

Notably, Teen Accounts also provides supervision tools for parents, which they can use to monitor and manage their teenager’s experience, including approving changes to safety settings and setting daily screen-time limits.

The teenagers under 16 will need parental approval to make any changes to make settings less restrictive. Soon, parents will also have the ability to directly adjust these settings to provide even stronger protections.

Reflecting the swift adoption of artificial intelligence in India, a Microsoft study has found that 65 per cent of Indians surveyed have used AI — more than double the global average.

Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the Global Online Safety Survey, which studies the growing influence of AI. The survey is based on a survey of 15,000 teens (13-17) and adults that was conducted in 15 countries between July 19 and August 9, 2024.

“65 per cent of respondents have used AI (+26 per cent from 2023). This is more than double the global average of 31 per cent in the same time period.

“India is most excited about using AI for translations, answering questions, increasing efficiency at work and helping students with schoolwork,” the report said.

The report showed that millennials (people aged 25-44) lead adoption, with 84 per cent reporting usage.

Indian parents are more aware of their children’s digital challenges, showing increased awareness compared to the previous year, it said.

However, India also has some reservations about AI, including concerns about online abuse, deepfakes, scams, and AI hallucinations, mirroring global trends.

Online abuse was among the top worries regarding AI.

“More than 80 per cent of respondents worry about AI usage for children under 18 years,” the report noted.

Over 80 per cent of Indian teens said they have experienced an online risk.

OpenAI Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman is in the national capital and hosted an event with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. India is gearing up to take a big leap in artificial intelligence (AI). The government has created a plan to develop a complete AI system, and OpenAI is willing to partner with India to make it happen, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Altman who is the owner of popular ChatGPT models, said India is a very important market for AI and the company’s second biggest market globally. According to him, India should be a leader in the AI race.

“AI models are still not cheap, but they are doable. India should be a leader there, of course,” he told the gathering. Sam Altman also expressed amazement at how the country has embraced the technology and built an entire ecosystem around it.

After meeting OpenAI Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, the Union Minister posted on X that Altman praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision around AI and overall aim to democratise technology. The Minister further stated that PM Modi “guides us to democratise technology” and Altman “appreciated PM’s vision”.

“Had super cool discussion with @sama on our strategy of creating the entire AI stack – GPUs, model, and apps. Willing to collaborate with India on all three,” Minister Vaishnaw posted.

Had super cool discussion with @sama on our strategy of creating the entire AI stack – GPUs, model, and apps.
Willing to collaborate with India on all three. pic.twitter.com/uXjB2w2dbV

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 5, 2025

In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in AI for education. The initiative, with a budget allocation of Rs 500 crore, aims to strengthen AI research and its use in the education system in the country.

The new AI Centres of Excellence will work on advanced research, the development of AI learning tools, and foster collaboration between educational institutions and industries. The goal is to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the future.

“AI is transforming industries worldwide, and India needs to lead in both AI research and its practical applications,” FM Sitharaman said.

The country is also likely to launch its own safe and secure indigenous AI model within six months at an affordable cost. Backed by a high-end common computing facility, the IndiaAI mission is now closer to customising Indigenous AI solutions for the domestic context using Indian languages.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Wednesday met leading Indian startup founders and investors in a closed-door session here, and discussed the ChatGPT maker’s plans for the Indian market.

Altman, along with top company executives chief product officer (CPO) Kevin Weil and VP of Engineering Srinivas Narayanan, also discussed the challenges faced by AI-driven businesses and potential opportunities for collaboration.

Prominent startup leaders who attended the meeting included Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal, Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl, Chaayos co-founder Raghav Verma, Ixigo Group CEO Aloke Bajpai, Haptik CEO Aakrit Vaish, and HealthifyMe’s Tushar Vashisht.

Altman’s visit to India comes at a crucial time when large language models (LLMs) are at the centre of global AI discussions.

In a post featuring his photo with Altman, Sharma wrote on X: “Sam bh-ai,” playfully merging the Hindi word for brother (bhai) with AI, in a nod to OpenAI’s expertise.

“So much to do for AI in India, an exciting few months coming up,” posted Vaish on X. Munjal said it was a great roundtable with Altman.

Earlier, during a fireside chat with Union Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Altman revealed that India is the company’s second-largest market as OpenAI’s user base in the country has tripled over the past year.

‘India is an incredibly important market for AI in general, and for OpenAi in particular,” Sam Altman said.

He further added that the country has embraced AI technology and is building the entire stack, from chips to models and applications.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has intensified efforts to develop its own foundational AI models.

As part of the Rs 10,738 crore India AI Mission, Vaishnaw announced last week that several Indian startups have been identified to lead these initiatives.

The finance ministry has directed its officers not to download or use AI tools and apps such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek in office computers and devices, saying they pose confidentiality risks to data and documents.

In a communication last month to all its departments, the ministry said AI tools/AI apps in office devices may be strictly avoided.

“It has been determined that AI tools and AI apps (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek etc) in the office computers and devices pose risks for confidentiality of Govt, data and documents,” Department of Expenditure under the ministry said in a note on January 29.

The move comes at a time when countries like Australia and Italy have shielded their official systems from Chinese DeepSeek over privacy and data safety concerns.

Currently, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, which has developed artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT is on a whirlwind tour to India. He is meeting top government officials, industry captains and participated in a fireside chat on Wednesday morning.

DeepSeek’s latest AI offering has drawn global attention for its low-cost model — at just USD 6 million against global average of billions of dollars. Further, DeepSeek’s R1 used a fraction of compute power as compared to established AI models like ChatGPT.

DeepSeek overtook ChatGPT as the top-ranked free app on Apple’s Appstore, as the US tech industry — that has long-justified injecting billions of dollars into AI investments — watched in sheer disbelief last week.

Digi Yatra has achieved a milestone of 1 crore users with a daily average of 30,000 app downloads, setting benchmarks in digital travel solutions, the platform announced on Tuesday.

The Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)-based ecosystem works by utilising facial biometric technology for contactless and seamless passenger processing at airports.

The milestone of 1 crore users underscores platform’s growing popularity and its pivotal role in delivering privacy-protecting, and efficient travel experiences.

“10 million user milestone reflects the trust and confidence that our users have placed in us. Our efforts, including the ‘d-KYC’ campaign initiative, helped us drive growth in 2024. We aim to maintain the momentum of innovation, privacy, and evolution of the passenger experience to achieve even greater breakthroughs in the future,” said Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation.

“Our partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the IATA One-ID X Digi Yatra for enablement of Digi Yatra for International flow will drive further growth in 2025,” he added.

The d-KYC (Don’t Know Your Customer) campaign, was launched in October. It highlights the platform’s commitment to user privacy and choice.

The campaign was about how Digi Yatra caters to customers’ needs without storing or accessing their personal data. Established in December 2022, Digi Yatra leverages face authentication technology to streamline passenger processing across 24 airports in India.

It has facilitated more than 45 million seamless journeys to date, providing a smooth experience for numerous travellers. Digi Yatra has ambitious plans for 2025.

The platform intends to support all 22 official Indian languages, breaking language barriers and ensuring every traveller can confidently navigate airport processes in a language of their choice.

Digi Yatra also aims to conduct an international pilot project, enabling foreign passengers with electronic passports (e-passports) to experience its seamless ecosystem.

Samsung Electronics said on Friday its fourth-quarter net income rose more than 20 per cent from a year earlier despite the waning global demand for memory chips, beating market expectations.

Its net income totalled 7.75 trillion won ($5.4 billion) for the October-December period, up 22.2 per cent from 6.34 trillion won a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Operating profit soared 129.9 per cent on-year to 6.49 trillion won, while sales rose 11.8 per cent to 75.78 trillion won.

The earnings exceeded market expectations. The average estimate of net profit by analysts stood at 5.69 trillion won, according to a survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency.

However, its operating profit missed the market’s estimate by 15.7 per cent due to sluggish sales of traditional memory chips for personal computers and IT devices, as well as lower-than-expected performance of artificial intelligence (AI) products, such as high bandwidth memory (HBM).

The company’s flagship semiconductor business earned 2.9 trillion won in operating profit for the three-month period ended in December on 30.1 trillion won in sales.

Sales of memory chips in the fourth quarter hit a record high on higher dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) prices driven by increased sales of HBM chips and high-density Double Data Rate 5 (DDR5) products.

Still, operating profit fell slightly from the previous quarter due to a rise in research and development (R&D) expenses and in initial ramp-up costs for facility expansion.

The company saw its operating profit from the fabless division, or System Large Scale Integration (LSI), and foundry dwindle in the quarter.

The two non-memory businesses of Samsung Electronics are expected to post more than 2 trillion won in operating loss in the fourth quarter in sharp contrast to a 5 trillion-won operating profit earned by the memory business.

Samsung Electronics’ device division, covering mobile, TV and home appliances businesses, recorded 40.5 trillion won in sales and 2.3 trillion won in operating profit for the fourth quarter.

Quarterly operating profit from its mobile business dropped slightly from three months earlier, led by sluggish sales of its flagship smartphones.

Its TV and home appliances sectors experienced a decline in quarterly profit amid intensifying competition and rising costs.

In the mobile business, Samsung Electronics expects its newly launched Galaxy S25 series will drive sales growth for the coming quarters and help the company lead the AI smartphone market.
Analysts pointed out that sales of HBM products will be the key to a further expansion in the company’s performance in the future.

India is a huge market for us and we have achieved a December quarter growth record where the iPhone was the top selling model in the country for the October-December period of 2024, Apple CEO Tim Cook has said.

Speaking to analysts after posting robust results for its Q1, Cook said they had great results in a number of emerging markets.

“As you know from past calls, we are particularly keen on India. India set a December-quarter record during the quarter, and we’re opening more stores there, we’ve announced that we’re going to open four new stores there,” said Apple CEO.

He further stated that the iPhone was the top selling model in India for the quarter.

“It is the second largest smartphone market in the world and the third largest for PCs and tablets, and so there’s a huge market, and we have very modest share in these markets. I think there’s lots of upside there, and that’s just one of the emerging markets,” he mentioned.

The iPhone Active Install Base grew to an all-time high in total and in every geographic segment.

“We also set an all-time record for upgraders. According to a recent survey from Kantar, during the December quarter, iPhone was a top-selling model in the U.S., urban China, India, the UK, France, Australia, and Japan,” informed Cook.

The Apple CEO mentioned Zomato, saying the leading food ordering and delivery company in India has deployed thousands of Macs across their workforce to foster innovation.

Apple reported its best quarter ever, with revenue of $124.3 billion, up 4 per cent from a year ago.

“We were thrilled to bring customers our best-ever lineup of products and services during the holiday season. Through the power of Apple silicon, we’re unlocking new possibilities for our users with Apple Intelligence, which makes apps and experiences even better and more personal,” said the company’s CEO.
Apple Intelligence will be available in even more languages this April, including in India.

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence and Gen AI with the financial sector has the potential to foster innovation and transform the banking sector in the coming years, SBI Chairman C S Setty said on Friday.

Setty also said the rising digital economy and its influence on the Indian banking sector can be gauged from the range of digital products that the banks offer today.

“The growing interest in Artificial Intelligence, Gen AI and its integration into financial sector has the potential to drive further advancements, fostering innovation, efficiency and resilience for benefit of the financial sector… There is a continuing need for the banks to strengthen their risk management standards, business arrangement and customer onboarding to check unscrupulous activities,” Setty said at an event organised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

Further, he said with the advent of technology-based banking products and the growing use of these products by vulnerable sections of society, consumer education and protection are necessary.

“Data breaches and operational failures have also increased. Cyber attacks and cyber crimes are the weakest link to the rapidly digitalising economy in India, as well as most countries in the world.

 

India’s data centre market is projected to expand from USD 4.5 billion in 2023 to USD 11.6 billion by 2032, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25, which was tabled in Parliament on Friday.

India’s data centre market is experiencing substantial growth, fuelled by the expansion of infrastructure and an increasing demand for digital services, the survey said.

“The data centre market in India is expected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2023 to USD 11.6 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 10.98 per cent,” the document said.

India benefits from lower construction costs on account of its well-established IT and digitally enabled services ecosystem, as well as relatively affordable real estate with a median of USD 6.8 million per MW in 2023, compared to USD 9.17 million in Australia, USD 12.73 million in Japan, and USD 11.23 million in Singapore, it said.

According to the survey, India’s colocation data centre capacity reached 977 MW in 2023. An additional capacity of 258 MW led to a 105 per cent year-on-year growth.

“The total capacity under construction for 2024-2028 is 1.03 GW, with an additional 1.29 GW planned,” the survey said.

Further, it informed that the government has empanelled 23 public and private cloud service providers to address the cloud needs of user departments, under the GI Cloud initiative, known as MeghRaj.

As of November 30, 2024, the National Informatics Centre supports 1,917 applications on its cloud, it said.

The Economic Survey is an annual report presented by the government prior to the Union Budget, which assesses the state of the economy. It is prepared by the Economic Division within the Department of Economic Affairs, part of the Ministry of Finance, under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser.

The Union Budget for 2025-26 will be presented by the Finance Minister on Saturday.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said he is the “product of the bond” that exists between India and the US, as top government officials and American lawmakers lauded the Indian community’s contribution during Republic Day commemoration here.

The Consulate General of India in Seattle hosted a special reception on Sunday at the Bell Harbour Conference Centre to commemorate India’s 76th Republic Day.

Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and Nadella were the Guests of Honour at the reception attended by over 500 people from the Indian-American community, according to a press release issued by the Consulate. In a unique first, several members of the US Congress also joined the evening celebrations.

Nadella, addressing the gathering, acknowledged that he “was a product of the bond that exists between the two countries (India and US).”

He praised the leadership of both nations for their “focus on how to use technology to leverage education outcomes, health outcomes, public service efficiency, competitiveness and productivity of small businesses”, the press release said.

Addressing members of the Indian-American community at the Republic Day reception, Ferguson, the newly elected 24th Governor of Washington State, acknowledged “the incredible contribution the Indian society makes not just for India but for the entire world”.

He added that as a new Governor of the State of Washington, he looked forward to building on the relationship with the Consulate General of India in Seattle.

In a special recognition to mark the occasion, Washington State Senate in Olympia passed a State Senate Resolution, moved by State Senator Manka Dhingra and supported by Senator Vandana Slatter, welcoming the 76th Republic Day of India and the strong friendship between the people of India and the US.

The Republic Day reception, hosted by the Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta was also attended by a distinguished line-up of top government officials, lawmakers as well as Mayors of ten cities.

Several members of the US Congress who joined the evening celebrations included Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Michael Baumgartner, and Rep. Kim Schrier, who welcomed India’s achievements as the world’s largest democracy.

Other distinguished participants included Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, several Washington State Senators and Representatives.

The Republic Day reception in Seattle showcased several unique exhibits highlighting the cultural diversity of India, including ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) featuring one unique cultural heritage product from each state and union territory of India.

On the occasion, a photo exhibit ‘India through Tim’s Eyes’ was also organised that displayed some of India’s most iconic tourism sites photographed by ace photographer Tim Durkan during a visit to India in September last year.

The reception also featured a specially-curated dance performance showcasing various dance forms of Bharat titled ‘Natyam’, which was widely applauded by the gathering.

In another special gesture by Seattle city, several iconic buildings in Seattle, including the Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle Convention Center and Columbia Center were lit up in hues of the Indian tricolour to mark the Republic Day, the release added.

Earlier this month, Nadella had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. “Thank you, PM @narendramodi ji for your leadership. Excited to build on our commitment to making India AI-first and work together on our continued expansion in the country to ensure every Indian benefits from this AI platform shift,” the Microsoft Chairman and CEO had said in a post on X about his meeting with Modi.

Modi had voiced appreciation for Microsoft’s ambitious expansion and investment plans in India. “It was indeed a delight to meet you, @satyanadella! Glad to know about Microsoft’s ambitious expansion and investment plans in India. It was also wonderful discussing various aspects of tech, innovation and AI in our meeting,” Modi had said, responding to Nadella’s post.

 

 

As the countdown to the Union Budget 2025 begins, former Tech Mahindra CEO and industry veteran CP Gurnani has emphasised the need for a focus on upskilling initiatives and computing infrastructure.

Talking with PTI, Gurnani highlighted that India’s technology exports are approximately $250 billion and enhanced government support in skilling and upskilling initiatives is needed to be successful.

“India’s exports are approximately $250 billion in the technology sector. And for us to be successful, I think we need to allocate a lot more to skilling and upskilling.

We need to involve the academia. We need to involve the schools…We would need the government’s support there,” he said.

He also highlighted the need for a more distributed and cost-effective computing infrastructure.

Gurnani, who recently started an AI venture, AIonOS, noted that enhancements are crucial to support growth in the tech sector.

He expressed confidence in the Modi government’s responsiveness to suggestions.”The compute infrastructure, it has to be a lot more distributed, a lot more cost-effective.

We need to anticipate how we leverage the future of technology, whether it is on compute or the new developments that are taking place. And I’m quite excited. I know that Prime Minister Modi’s administration is very open.

“In the past, whenever nasscom and us have gone and met the Prime Minister’s office or the Minister of IT Mr Ashwini Vaishnav, they are open to being responsive. So, budget is an enabler,” he said.

Addressing domestic manufacturing, he acknowledged improvements in basic infrastructure, such as roads and digital connectivity.

He referred to India’s digital infrastructure as “world-class” and emphasised that the country must aim for “ambitions to disrupt.”

 

 

India’s apex IT industry body Nasscom has batted for tweaks in safe harbour rules and widening the scope for utilisation of SEZ reinvestment reserves in its Budget wishlist, while advocating for creation of a central deeptech fund to bolster startup ecosystem in India.

Creation of a grant framework for the deeptech ecosystem, and making the deferment of the time of payment of tax on Employee Stock Option Plan available to employees of all DPIIT-recognized startups also tops the Budget expectations of the industry.

The Union Budget for financial year 2025-26 is scheduled to be presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025.

For the $250 billion export-led Indian IT industry, the Budget comes amid continued global macro headwinds, geopolitical risks, and growing unease about possibility of sudden policy and tariff moves by the US, where President Donald Trump has promised to script a new, glorious chapter for America with his headline-grabbing second-term.

Issues under transfer-pricing regime, expanding the scope for utilisation of SEZ reinvestment reserve for tech companies, as well as measures to promote startup in India figure high on Nasscom’s budget expectations.

Among the key asks is also making deferment of the time of payment of tax on Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) available to the employees of more startups.

“The deferment – even if you look at only DPIIT-registered startups – is actually available only to about 2.5 per cent of these startups.

“While the DPIIT has roughly around 1.43 lakh startups registered on its portal, of which 3,600 odd are certified by the inter-ministerial board, and only these startups can get this benefit,” Ashish Aggarwal, Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Nasscom told PTI.

Given that the employee is required to pay full tax and there is only a deferment of the time of payment, the benefit should be available to all DPIIT recognised start-ups, not limited to 3,605 start-ups who have obtained IMB certificate under IT Act, according to Aggarwal.

“In fact, there is a merit in going beyond,” he said.

Along with making the deferment available for all DPIIT recognised startups, safeguards can be added to say that eligible ESOPs will be available only to employees of DPIIT registered start-ups, and that ESOPs will be offered only to Indian resident taxpayers.

“ESOP schemes should be uniform for all employees so that you don’t create some scheme which is uniquely tailored for certain employees,” he said.

Nasscom is also batting for measures to strengthen availability of ‘patient capital’ (long-term capital) for deeptech startups in India.

According to the industry body, the government should create a dedicated deeptech fund (in the form of fund-of-funds) structured with flexibility for longer gestation (10 years with extensions).

The fund’s structure may incorporate provisions for matching capital to encourage greater venture investment in the sector.

This was also proposed in draft National DeepTech Startup (NDTSP) 2023.

Another ask pertains to creation of a grant framework for the deeptech ecosystem.

“A common grant framework should be established across government ministries, through a two-tiered funding approach – Initial Proof of Concept grant of at least Rs two crore to validate core technologies; tested Prototype grant of minimum Rs 3 crore to support market validation and early commercialisation,” NASSCOM said as part of its Budget recommendations.

Further, specific infrastructure grants – in the form of access to labs and testing facilities for the high-cost areas like Space, Semiconductors, AI, Clean Energy, etc. Should be explored, it says.

The industry asserts that since Global Capability Centres (captive centres) only provide services to their own group companies/parent companies and are normally based on a cost-plus model, the safe harbour rules should be available to all the GCCs and the cap on turnover (up to Rs 200 crore) and the criterion of bearing insignificant risk needs to be dispensed with.

“The safe harbour regime should be made available for all related party entities. Given the competitive nature of industry, the rate of profit margins are not observed to be higher merely because a company is bigger in terms of annual revenues.

Therefore, abolish or significantly increase the eligibility threshold for SHR,” according to Nasscom.

Further, the Safe Harbour margin rates – though reduced in 2017 are “still very high” and needs to be reduced. The industry is also pinning its hopes on a simpler regime and fewer categories.

So far as issues impacting the tech industry goes, Nasscom has recommended that the government should expand the scope for utilisation of SEZ reinvestment reserve to include operating expenses incurred on leasing of computers/ laptops, using cloud infrastructure, buying software; capital investment in building infrastructure and expenses incurred on new employees such as salary cost, training costs.

 

Online retailer Amazon said on Wednesday that it’s closing all seven of its warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec in the next two months.

The e-commerce giant said the move would provide “even more savings to our customers over the long run”.

However, a Canadian union that successfully unionised one warehouse accused the company of closing its sites to fend off organising efforts in the region.

The closures will eliminate about 1,700 permanent full-time jobs in the greater Montreal area, Amazon said. The warehouses also employ 250 temporary employees.

Amazon said it would enlist local, third-party companies to deliver packages, reverting to a business model it used in Quebec before 2020.

“This decision wasn’t made lightly, and we’re offering impacted employees a package that includes up to 14 weeks’ pay after facilities close and transitional benefits, like job placement resources,” Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait said in a statement.

Agrait said the decision was made following a “recent review” of the company’s operations in the province. The closing sites include one fulfilment centre, two sorting centres, three delivery stations and a facility Amazon dubs AMXL because it aids in the shipment of large goods such as TVs and furniture.

Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, wrote on X that he had contacted the head of Amazon’s operations in Canada to share his objections.
“I expressed our dismay and frustration after learning in the news that they intend to let go of 1,700 employees and close all seven of their warehouses in Quebec. 

This is not the way business is done in Canada,” Champagne said.

About 240 Amazon workers at a company warehouse in Laval, a Montreal suburb, unionised in May, becoming the first of the tech company’s Canadian warehouses to do so.

Amazon challenged the union’s right to represent the workers but lost at a provincial labour tribunal in October.

Caroline Senneville, president of the union involved with the organisation in Laval, said she has “no doubt” that Wednesday’s closures, which she called “a slap in the face for all Quebec workers”, were part of an anti-union campaign.

“It’s a move that runs counter to the provisions of the Labour Code, and one we’ll be taking a firm stand against,” she said in a press release.

Michael Lynk, a Western University professor emeritus of law, said he saw Amazon’s move as “a labour relations Groundhog Day” for Quebec, where a similar situation played out 20 years ago with Walmart Canada.

Walmart closed a store in Jonquiere, Quebec, citing profitability troubles, just months after workers there received union certification.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union decided to fight back and, in 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed that Walmart violated Quebec labour law.

In a respite for Mark Zuckerberg-run Meta, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday stayed the five-year ban imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp for its data-sharing practices.

The NCLAT bench, led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, said such a ban could disrupt WhatsApp’s business model in the country. WhatsApp has more than 500 million monthly active users in India.

The appellate tribunal also directed Meta to deposit 50 per cent of the Rs 213 core penalty imposed by the CCI, within two weeks.

The social media giant has already paid 25 per cent of the fine.

Last week, the NCLAT had reserved its order on a plea by Meta and WhatsApp seeking a stay on the CCI order that imposed a penalty of Rs 213 crore for “abuse of dominant position”.

According to the tribunal, the upcoming data protection law in India could address concerns related to data privacy.

WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy allows for user data to be shared with group cos like Meta, and Insta without an “opt out” option.

Earlier this month, social media platform Meta moved the NCLAT against the CCI order. In November last year, the competition watchdog directed WhatsApp to not share user data collected on its platform with other Meta products or companies for advertising purposes for a period of five years, along with imposing a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for allegedly abusing its dominant position.

Meta informed the NCLAT that the CCI order has wide ramifications for the industry as a whole and therefore, an urgent hearing in the matter will be required.

Last year, after the CCI directed WhatsApp not to share user data collected on its platform with other Meta products or companies for advertising purposes for a period of five years, the social media platform said it disagreed with the CCI’s decision and planned to appeal.

The CCI began a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp’s revised privacy policy, which enabled mandatory data sharing with Facebook (now Meta) and its companies, along with an expanded scope of data collection.

Is ChatGPT working for you right now? ChatGPT, a popular AI tool, was temporarily down on Thursday, leaving multitudes of people unable to access the technology. The computer program, which has served as a go-to for many across industries in the recent past, was unavailable for several users, triggering messages on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Disruptions occurred around 4:45-5:15 pm in India, as reported by different groups of users. 

“ChatGPT seems to be down at the moment… Bad gateway – The web server reported a bad gateway error,” a user claimed to have received the message on their screen while trying to access the application. 

Several users also took to microblogging site X to describe their inability to access the tool, with many reporting delayed turnaround time in accessing the site/tool.   

ChatGPT Down? Is it not working? If so, what is the reason?

 At the time of publishing this report, the cause of the disruption was unclear.

Users across the globe reported difficulties connecting, encountering error messages, and experiencing significant delays in loading times.

At 6:38 pm, the ChatGPT website (chatgpt.com) displayed the “bad gateway” error after taking several seconds to load completely.

Screenshots capturing the error/disruption faced while attempting to access the ChatGPT portal on multiple devices.   

What is ChatGPT, why is it popular and what can it do?

ChatGPT is a chatbot—or AI-powered tool—capable of interacting with humans and processing complex duties that mimic human-like cognitive capacity, such as writing stories, creating images, and even suggesting solutions to real-life issues.

ChatGPT has really grown in popularity over the past few years, with the growing demand and research in technology across the globe.

Chatbots like ChatGPT are touted as capable of answering any question across topics.

Memes Galore on X as several users claim to have faced difficulty accessing AI tool ChatGPT  

Several users used the moment to share memes describing the ordeal as reports surfaced about the possible disruption at ChatGPT.

More Trending News

SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation, fintech investment and ventures arm, on Thursday announced the launch of entertainment, social, e-commerce and lifestyle hub Akashaverse in partnership with digital solutions provider KiyaAI. As an immersive experiences platform, Akashaverse intends to transform how people experience and engage with events, e-commerce and religious tourism, the companies said in a joint statement. Akashaverse will be powered by KiyaAI’s immersive experiences platform, Bharatmeta. 

What will Akashaverse do?

Through its commercial ecosystem, Akashaverse intends to provide its corporate clients real-time insights on product engagement from its customers and also enable a new innovative distribution channel.

Traditional experiences often necessitate physical presence, which could be limited by geographical, financial, health or logistical constraints, and Akashaverse plans to utilise virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to transcend these barriers and make experiences more accessible and inclusive, the partners said.

“Akashaverse intends to transform the way people connect and interact with spaces and services that were previously out of reach,” said Sanjeev Mehta, Founder and CEO, Akashaverse. “Our hub is being designed to enhance engagement and interactions, and to enable users to immerse themselves in rich digital environments.”

Akashaverse to initially focus on India in three segments

The company said that Akashaverse will initially focus on India, leveraging advanced technologies—such as 360-degree imagery, VR, AR and AI—to create immersive experiences across three main segments:

• Event Booking Platforms
• Enhancing marketing
• Bookings for MCE through immersive previews of event spaces and facilities

ALSO READ: ChatGPT down? Multitudes of people unable to access chatbot, getting ‘bad gateway’ error

What is immersive experience technology?

Immersive experience technology creates a simulated environment that offers users an experience similar to that of a different physical environment, combining vision-, audio- and sensory-related simulation.

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) are types of immersive experience technology. 

MORE ON TECHNOLOGY NEWS

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday stayed a five-year data-sharing ban imposed by competition watchdog CCI on data-sharing practices between WhatsApp and its parent Meta for advertising purposes, offering a breather to the tech giant.

Meta had challenged the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) directive issued in November 2024 that imposed a ban on data sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta entities for advertising purposes, warning it may have to roll back some features. It had also slapped a Rs 213 core penalty on Meta for abuse of its “dominant position.” CCI had also concluded that WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update unfairly compels users to agree to wide collection of data and its sharing within Meta group.

NCALT suspended the ban during the time it hears Meta’s challenge to the antitrust ruling. NCLAT will next hear the case on March 17.

Meta welcomed the “NCLAT’s decision to grant a partial stay on the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) order” and said it will evaluate next steps.

“While we will evaluate next steps, our focus remains on finding a path forward that supports millions of businesses that depend on our platform for growth and innovation as well as providing high-quality experiences that people expect from WhatsApp,” a Meta spokesperson said.

In November, the CCI imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on social media major Meta for unfair business ways with respect to the WhatsApp privacy policy update done in 2021.

Meta Platforms and WhatsApp had challenged this order before the NCLAT, which is an appellate authority over the orders passed by the CCI.

In its 156-page order, the CCI had on November 18, 2024, directed Meta to cease and desist from anti-competitive practices.

According to that CCI order, Meta and WhatsApp have also been asked to implement certain behavioural remedies within a defined timeline to address the anti-competition issues.

The regulator called for implementing various remedial measures, including barring WhatsApp from sharing data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or Meta company products for advertising purposes for five years.

Among other directions, CCI had said that sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies or Meta company products for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp services in India.

India’s Consumer Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi, announced that the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to Apple Inc. regarding performance issues with iPhones after the iOS 18+ software update.

This move comes after the National Consumer Helpline received complaints about problems with iPhones following the update.

The CCPA examined these grievances and is now looking forward to a response from Apple.

The notice asks Apple to explain the reported technical issues with the software update.

Many iPhone users have experienced problems such as battery drain, overheating, and glitches after updating to iOS 18. Some users have even reported issues with CarPlay, Safari, and YouTube Music not working properly.

This is not the first time Apple has faced regulatory scrutiny in India.

As an important growth market for smartphone manufacturers, Apple’s operations in India are under close watch.

The CCPA’s notice marks the latest effort to ensure that technology giants like Apple are held accountable for any issues with their products or services.

Apple will likely need to respond to the CCPA’s notice and address the concerns of Indian iPhone users.

With the iOS 18 update, Apple aimed to provide new features and improvements, but it seems that the update has also brought some unintended problems.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Launch Event:  The smartphone maker Samsung is set to unveil its highly anticipated Galaxy S25 series — including the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra — on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Additionally, the Samsung XR headset will also make its debut at the event. Here’s everything you need to know about when and where to watch the live stream, along with details about the new devices.

“The wait is over! Your true AI companion is coming tonight at 11:30 PM. Join us at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked and share your excitement with your fav emoji in the comment below. #GalaxyAI #GalaxyUnpacked #Samsung,” the company tweeted.

The wait is over! Your true AI companion is coming tonight at 11:30 PM. Join us at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked and share your excitement with your fav emoji in the comment below. #GalaxyAI #GalaxyUnpacked #Samsung pic.twitter.com/v78sgVyTDL

— Samsung India (@SamsungIndia) January 22, 2025

When and Where to Watch the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 Event Live

According to the company, the live stream of the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event will begin on January 22, 2025, at 11:30 PM (IST). Interested viewers can watch the event on Samsung’s official website, YouTube channel, and across the company’s social media handles. The Galaxy S25 series will be introduced first, followed by the launch of the Samsung XR headset. 

Customers can pre-reserve the next-generation Galaxy S series smartphone via the company’s official India website, Samsung Exclusive Stores, and online and offline retail stores by paying a token amount of Rs 1,999. 

Samsung Republic Day Offer: Samsung is offering exciting deals on its premium Galaxy Tabs and wearables for customers this Republic Day. Shoppers can avail cashback of up to Rs 19,000, upgrade bonuses, and special discounts on the Galaxy Tab S10 series and Galaxy Watch. Additionally, the Consumer electronics brand has announced exclusive discounts on its range of Galaxy wearables under Republic Day Sale.

Huge Discount on Galaxy Tab S10 Series

According to Samsung’s official website, the Galaxy Tab S10+ Wi-Fi is available at a special price of Rs 71,999, offering a discount of Rs 19,000 off its original price of Rs 90,999. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Wi-Fi (256GB) is also available at a special price of Rs 88,999, providing a Rs 20,000 discount. This offer includes a cashback of Rs 19,000 or an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 12,000.

Features of the Galaxy Tab S10 Series

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and S10+ are Samsung’s first tablets designed specifically for AI, featuring premium hardware like 14.6-inch and 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, along with the S Pen. The S10 Ultra offers exceptional performance, with an 18 per cent improvement in CPU, 28 per cent in GPU, and 14 per cent in NPU.

The Galaxy Tab S10 series also boasts AI-powered features like Note Assist and Drawing Assist, optimised for tablet use. Additionally, the tablets are equipped with AI features such as 3D Map View to manage connected devices within the SmartThings ecosystem.

Great Republic Day Offers on Samsung Wearables

Samsung is offering attractive discounts on its wearable devices too as part of the Republic Day sale:

• Up to Rs 19,000 discount on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
• Rs 10,000 discount on the Galaxy Watch Ultra
• Up to Rs 5,000 cashback or upgrade bonus on Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Galaxy Buds3

Customers purchasing wearables can also avail no-cost EMI options for up to 24 months.

LinkedIn on Thursday rolled out a new artificial intelligence-(AI) based feature that can help both employment seekers find the right job and recruiters to get the apt talent.

The new LinkedIn feature will help job seekers understand how their skills and experience line up with open positions.

“With one click, job seekers get detailed insights into which qualifications they meet and which ones they might be missing so they can decide if they should apply,” LinkedIn said, noting that it will help them better focus their search on the opportunities where they’re more likely to hear back.

“Job match will be rolling out globally in English in the coming weeks with other languages coming soon,” said Rohan Rajiv, Product Lead on Jobseeker, Jobs Marketplace AI, Employer Brand – LinkedIn Talent Solutions.

The feature comes as the professional networking site’s new report noted how job seeking and recruiting have become challenging.

The report showed that 82 per cent of professionals in India plan to look for a new job this year, yet more than half (55 per cent) said the job search has become harder in the last year. It noted that 49 per cent of job seekers are applying to more jobs than ever but are hearing back less.

On the other hand, more than 69 per cent of Indian HR professionals feel it has become more challenging to find qualified talent for a role. About 27 per cent of HR professionals said they spend between 3-5 hours a day reviewing applications and 55 per cent say that less than half the job applications they receive meet all the criteria.

“The job market is tough, but it’s a reminder for Indians to take a more thoughtful approach to their job search. Building the right skills is key but so is keeping your LinkedIn profile updated and focusing on roles that truly match with your skills,” said Nirajita Banerjee, Career Expert and Sr. Managing Editor for LinkedIn India.

“Being more strategic and deliberate can reward you with new opportunities and meaningful career growth even in a challenging job market,” she added.

Further, LinkedIn noted that the new feature will help premium subscribers see a categorical rating that indicates if they are a high, medium, or low match. They can also know if they have a higher chance of hearing back from the hirer as a Top Applicant.

“Premium subscribers will have the option to tap LinkedIn’s AI-powered tools to improve their cover letter and resume,” the company said.

As professionals look to break through the job search in 2025, LinkedIn can help job seekers stand out, find the right job, and gain insights to explore their job potential.

India has positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with 80 per cent of companies identifying AI as a core strategic priority — well above the global average of 75 per cent, according to a report on Wednesday. About 69 per cent of Indian companies plan to increase tech investments in 2025, with one-third allocating over $25 million to AI initiatives, said the report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Also, less than 10 per cent of Indian executives expect a decrease in headcount due to AI-driven automation, it added.

“This aligns with the nation’s ambitious digital transformation agenda. To add to this context, 69 per cent of Indian firms plan to increase their tech investments in 2025, with one-third committing over $25 million to AI initiatives,” said Nipun Kalra, India Leader, BCG X, BCG.

Around 81 per cent of Indian companies acknowledge the need for substantial improvements in AI-related cybersecurity measures, which is critical given the increasing complexity of AI applications.

“Interestingly, Indian companies are also embracing AI for high-impact applications, with a substantial focus on reshaping workflows and inventing new business models, positioning India as a driver of innovation in this space,” said Kalra.

While 76 per cent of Indian executives acknowledge significant improvements are needed in AI cybersecurity measures​​, 54 per cent cite regulatory challenges as a major factor slowing AI adoption.

Globally, only 7 per cent of executives anticipate that AI automation will lead to an overall decrease in headcount.

“In my discussions with CEOs, it’s clear they are prioritising AI to drive productivity,” said Christoph Schweizer, CEO of BCG.

“Leading AI adopters have cracked the code on how to achieve impact by focusing on a targeted set of AI initiatives, scaling them rapidly, transforming core processes, upskilling their teams, and systematically measuring operational and financial returns,” Schweizer said.

 

Apple, with its aspirational image and rising footprint, has entered the top 5 smartphone players in India for the first time, garnering nearly 10 per cent market share by volume in the October-December quarter (Q4) of 2024, industry data showed on Thursday.

According to Counterpoint Research, which analysed Apple’s strategic approach, the implementation of a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) strategy, centred around key pillars of domestic manufacturing, distribution and driving premiumisation, has helped the brand break into the top 5 smartphone players in the country.

“This multi-faceted approach reflects Apple’s commitment to staying ahead in the market and catering to the evolving needs of consumers. There is a significant rise in the premium segment as we are witnessing incremental purchase behaviour in rising middle class in India, especially youth,” Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems at Counterpoint Research, told IANS.

Apple, with its aspirational image and rising footprint has become an obvious choice for young consumers in India, especially beyond tier 2 cities.

“For Indians, the iPhone is more than a smartphone; it’s a lifestyle statement,” said Pathak.

Driven by the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and rising premiumisation trend, Apple reached Rs 1 lakh crore in iPhone exports from India in the calendar year 2024. According to early industry estimates, Apple exported more than $12 billion worth iPhones last year, which is more than 40 per cent growth from 2023.

Apple’s domestic production has surged nearly 46 per cent from a year ago, as per estimates. The Cupertino (California)-based tech giant manufactured/assembled $14 billion of iPhones in India last fiscal (FY24), with exporting more than $10 billion worth of iPhones.

Meanwhile, the Apple ecosystem has also created 1,75,000 new direct jobs in four years with “over 72 per cent women”. Apple’s strategic approach in India over the past year has resulted in significant achievements and increased market importance, according to industry experts.

Apple’s growth in India is expected to continue with significant momentum in the coming year, driven by aggressive retail expansion, targeted marketing strategies, and a deeper penetration into the aspirational Indian market.

Driven by the growing use of Indic languages for digital content, the internet user base in India is set to surpass 900 million by 2025, driven by the growing use of Indic languages for digital content, a report showed on Thursday.

The number of active internet users in India reached 886 million in 2024, marking a robust 8 per cent year-on-year growth. Rural India, with 488 million users, leads this growth and now accounts for 55 per cent of the total internet population, according to the report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar.

Nearly all internet users (98 per cent) accessed content in Indic languages, with Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam emerging as the most popular due to their extensive availability.

Over half (57 per cent) of urban internet users prefer consuming content in regional languages, underscoring the growing demand for local language content across platforms, according to the report.

AI has emerged as a significant game changer over the past year. Nine out of 10 internet users have interacted with apps featuring embedded AI capabilities.

“The widespread acceptance and enthusiasm surrounding AI should encourage digital companies to introduce more next-generation AI features in India,” Biswapriya Bhattacharya, Director, B2B and Technology, Kantar Insights–South Asia, said.

The digital gender gap in India is steadily narrowing, with 47 per cent of all internet users in the country being women — so far the highest.

Female internet users now form a significant portion of shared device users in rural India at 58 per cent. This marks substantial progress in making digital access more inclusive and equitable over the years, the report noted.

Rural India dominates online engagement for top activities, including OTT video and music streaming, online communication, and social media usage, outpacing urban users in these categories.

Urban India leads in the adoption of non-traditional devices such as smart TVs and smart speakers, which have grown by 54 per cent between 2023 and 2024.

Concurrently, mobile devices remain the primary means of accessing the internet across both urban and rural demographics, said the report.

The government is working to develop a data analytics platform with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) to get much better insights into the country’s trade figures, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Wednesday.

He said the ministry is already analysing the data of various sectors and comparing it comprehensively with previous years.

“We are working on that project. It may launched at any time….We will be giving you much better insights into the data,” he told reporters here.

“Whether there is a consistency in our growth or not, whether resiliency has come in our exports or not? So these kinds of insights are now coming. We are working in that direction. Soon you will find that. There will be a launch of platform which will give us better data analytics,” he added.

The ministry has already formed a committee, comprising officials from commerce and finance ministries, to create a robust mechanism for publishing consistent and accurate data following errors in gold import figures.

The committee is working on a standard operating procedure to ensure that there is better coordination between the DGCIS and the DG (Systems).

Due to the migration of data transmission mechanism from SEZ (special economic zone) to ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway), figures of precious metals needed revision as double counting was noticed.

The double counting occurred because the system was calculating both imports into SEZ and subsequent clearance into DTA (domestic tariff area) as separate transactions after the migration.

The government has revised gold import data, bringing down numbers for November by USD 5 billion to USD 9.84 billion.

According to revised data of the commerce ministry arm, Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), gold import numbers have been slashed since April 2024, revealing excess imports of about USD 11.7 billion during the first eight months of 2024-25.

Kolkata-based DGCIS is an organisation for the collection, compilation and dissemination of India’s trade statistics and commercial information.

DGCI&S receives trade data from over 500 locations and about 2.5 lakh transactions every day from different seaports, land ports, airports and inland container depots.

He added that data is always updated, revised and reconciled.

“That is how data moves…There are international practices which we are also following. For example, 15th (of every month) is the date when all countries, as per IMF requirements, release the data…These are processes, these revisions keep on happening. We do this periodically,” Barthwal said.

Amazon is saying goodbye to “Try Before You Buy.”The service, which allowed Amazon’s Prime members to try on select clothing items, shoes and accessories at home before completing a purchase, is set to wind down in the coming weeks. 

The last day eligible customers can place orders using the subscriber benefit is January 31, the company confirmed.Under the service, Prime members can order up to six select apparel items on a trial basis. 

Customers then have seven days after receiving the merchandise to return any unwanted items without being charged. 

In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson cited the program’s limited reach and the growing use of improve sizing recommendations powered by artificial intelligence on the e-commerce platform.

“Given the combination of Try Before You Buy only scaling to a limited number of items and customers increasingly using our new AI-powered features like virtual try-on, personalized size recommendations, review highlights, and improved size charts to make sure they find the right fit, we’re phasing out the Try Before You Buy option,” the spokesperson said.

Seattle-based Amazon first began testing its trying before buying offering under the name Prime Wardrobe in 2017, and the program officially launched in 2018. 

As more people shop online and take advantage of generous return policies, Amazon and other retail companies have worked to reduce shipping fees, processing time and other ballooning costs from returned products. 

Amazon said Monday that customers still will be able to get free returns across its apparel department and that phasing out Try Before You Buy would give shoppers a simpler experience with a bigger selection and faster delivery.

In an era where digital innovation continues to reshape our daily lives, the smartphone industry stands at the cusp of a revolutionary transformation. We’re witnessing the evolution from traditional smartphones to what industry experts are calling “superphones” – devices that transcend conventional mobile computing capabilities. This new category of devices represents a quantum leap in processing power, imaging capabilities and overall user experience.

The modern mobile user demands more than just basic communication tools. They seek devices that can seamlessly handle everything from intensive gaming sessions to professional-grade photography, all while maintaining reliable connectivity and impressive battery life. This shift in consumer expectations has driven manufacturers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile technology. Equipped with top-tier processors, these devices now handle complex tasks such as AI computations, machine learning, and real-time data processing with ease, rivalling the performance of some laptops.

Leading this evolution is the realme 14 Pro Series 5G, powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 5G chipset. Built on TSMC’s 4nm advanced process, this 64-bit octa-core processor strikes a balance between raw power and power efficiency. This translates to AnTuTu benchmark scores exceeding 820,000.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 significantly enhances the user experience with support for up to 12GB+14GB of LPDDR4X Dynamic RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast app loading. The device’s gaming prowess is undeniable, achieving 90fps in Free Fire and BGMI.

The integrated Spectra Triple ISP within the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 unlocks impressive camera capabilities. This allows the realme 14 Pro Series 5G to utilise high-resolution sensors, like the 50 MP Sony IMX896, capturing stunning detail and clarity.

Furthermore, the ISP enables simultaneous photo and video capture across multiple lenses, expanding creative possibilities. With this chipset, the device also supports a refresh rate of 120Hz, as seen in the device’s 6.83-inch, 1.5K AMOLED screen.

With its groundbreaking features and segment-leading performance metrics, the realme 14 Pro Series 5G represents a significant step forward in democratising premium smartphone technology. As mobile computing continues to evolve, devices like these are setting new benchmarks for what users can expect from their daily drivers.

The realme 14 Pro Series 5G is scheduled to launch on Thursday (January 16), marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the superphone era.

The global smartphone market returned to growth in 2024 with 4 per cent increase (year-on-year) in sales after two consecutive years of annual declines, a report showed on Monday.

Consumer sentiment fared better than in previous years following macroeconomic improvements. Smartphone sales in 2023 were the lowest in a decade, according to Counterpoint Research.

“Smartphones continue to be an essential product, pivotal to people’s daily lives, and as macroeconomic pressures softened, the market started showing signs of recovery from Q4 2023 and has now grown for five consecutive quarters. 

Almost all markets showed growth, led by Europe, China and Latin America,” said Research Director Tarun Pathak.

Samsung continued to lead the market in 2024, led by strong demand for its S24 series and A-series product lines. 

The S24 series, the first phone positioned as an AI device, outperformed its predecessors and was received especially well in Western Europe and the US, according to the report.

Apple, with an 18 per cent share, took the second spot. Apple’s iPhone 16 series was met with a mixed response, partly due to a lack of availability of Apple Intelligence at launch. However, Apple continued to grow strongly in its non-core markets like Latin America, Africa and Asia-Pacific-Others.

Xiaomi grew fastest among the top five brands in 2024, helped by its portfolio realignment, premium push and aggressive expansion activities.

“OPPO came in fourth, with a YoY decline, but it ended the year with stronger momentum. vivo rounded off the top five, led by strong performance in India and China, where it ended the year as the top-ranked OEM,” said the report.

“While GenAI-capable smartphones remain limited to the premium segment for now, we expect GenAI to become a norm for mid-range devices as well. By 2028, we expect nine out of ten smartphones priced above $250 to be GenAI-capable,” the report mentioned.

Sales of ultra-premium smartphones, those priced above $1000, grew fastest in 2024 as consumers showed a preference for spending more on their next smartphone.

“In 2025, we expect revenue growth to continue to outpace volume growth, with revenues growing 8 per cent YoY, compared to 4 per cent volume growth,” said the report.

Significant percentage of iPhone, Android users in the country said they have experienced call connection issues after the latest software upgrade, online platform LocalCircles said in its latest report.

According to the survey, 60 per cent of iPhone users and 40 per cent of Android users in the country have shared that they are experiencing problems in their services after the latest software upgrade.

Call failure is the biggest problem that iPhone users are facing, be it a normal call or app-based calls, while freezing of apps is the biggest issue for Android users.

The report noted that “6 in 10 apple iPhone users surveyed who have upgraded to iOS 18 or higher are having difficulties. 28 per cent of the respondents stated that most/some of voice and OTT calls don’t connect or drop.

12 per cent stated screen of the phone goes dark; 12 per cent stated apps are hanging.” The survey conducted between November 12 to December 26, claims to have received over 47,000 responses (31,000 from users of Apple iPhone devices and nearly 16,000 from users of Android devices) located in 322 districts of India.

The survey found that Nearly 9 in 10 apple iPhone users surveyed who have upgraded to iOS 18 and are having difficulties attribute it to the iOS and no one attributed their problems to their WiFi or mobile network.

Apple has been issuing updates of its latest operating system iOS 18.

In October, the company had issued an iOS 18.0.1 update to fix screen and camera freezing issues in select models of iPhone 16.

The update mentioned fixing issues related to memory allocation on some iPhone models. The company’s latest update 18.2.1 provides important bug fixes.

The survey further noted that 4 in 10 android users who have upgraded to Android 15 are having difficulties.

Out of the total 15,731 responses received from Android users, 33 per cent identified hanging of apps as their biggest problem, 12 per cent said they are facing other issues, 44 per cent shared that they are not facing any issue after the upgrade to Android 15 or higher version and 11 per cent of respondents did not give a clear answer.

However, no one reported having call connection or drop issues on the mobile service or OTT front with Android,” the report said.

Email queries sent to Apple and Google did not elicit any reply on the survey report.

Computing and technological advancement is a core building block for India to become a developed nation by 2047, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Saturday. The minister also said C-DAC plays a major role in this regard.

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is the premier organisation of the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying our research and development in IT, electronics and associated areas.

Vaishnaw launched one  -based SoC ASIC and two DIR V VEGA processor based development boards designed and developed by C-DAC at the event held here.

These are the ARIES ECO and ARIES NOVA development boards and THEJAS64 Indigenous 64-bit SoC, a release said.

“ARIES ECO is useful for students, providing a hands-on platform for experimenting with applications like sensor fusion, smart meters, and wearable devices.

It offers an easily accessible platform for education, research, and development in the rapidly evolving field of embedded systems,” it said. The THEJAS64 is the first fully indigenous 64-bit VEGA based System-on-Chip (SoC) designed for robust and secure embedded applications, the release added.

“Computing and technological development is a core building block for India to become a developed country by 2047, and C-DAC plays a major role in it.

A lot of research work in the field of semi-conductors and computing is happening in academic institutions like IIT Madras, IISc Bengaluru, IIT Gandhinagar, among others,” Vaishnaw said.

“There are around 240 institutions across the country today with very advanced tools used in designing semi conductor chips. C-DAC works as a fulcrum of this entire programme by monitoring, enabling and purchasing licenses of these research tools.

In a review meeting it was discussed as to how to bring together all research for a consolidated and harmonized way of working,” the Union minister said. He said students engaged with research programmes, who used to earlier learn about semi-conductors only from textbooks, are now getting access to advanced tools, and are able to try out their ideas and develop product concepts.

“These students working with semi conductor design tools are becoming ready to be absorbed in the semi-conductor industry. They also gather the inner strength to develop a start up and the capability to actually design computer chips,” Vaishnaw added.

C-DAC will run a challenge competition for students who have learned to use semi-conductor design tools, followed by connecting them with the best in the industry, he said. C-DAC will also start a certification course for these students, the minister added.

IT major Microsoft will invest USD 3 billion in India for expansion of cloud and AI infrastructure in India, the company’s chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said on Tuesday.

There is fantastic momentum in India where people are pushing for a multi agent kind of deployment.

“I am really really excited to announce the single largest expansion we have ever done in India by putting USD 3 billion additional dollars to expand our Azure capacity,” Nadella said.

He said that the company is doing a lot of regional expansion in India.

Securing your WhatsApp chats is now easier with the new secret code feature. This option allows you to lock specific chats, adding an extra layer of security to your conversations. Whether it’s personal messages or confidential information, you can ensure only you have access to them by using a unique passcode or biometric lock. It’s a powerful yet simple process to protect your privacy in today’s digital world. No complicated steps or technical knowledge is needed, just a few taps and your chats are secure. Here’s everything you need to know to get started with this useful feature.

What is WhatsApp secret code?

WhatsApp’s secret code is a password that users can set to secure their locked chats. 

How does WhatsApp’s secret code work?

One can set a unique password that’s different from their phone’s unlock code. After this step, you can search for the secret code in the search bar to find and unlock your locked chats.

Enter secret code in search bar

Chats selected by secret code features will not appear in the main chat list of WhatsApp. To see it, you have to enter your secret code in the WhatsApp search bar.

How to use secret code feature?

Open the chat you want to hide. Tap on that person’s group name above. Scroll down and tap on the “Chat Lock” option.

You can use fingerprint sensor or Face ID

Lock chats using your phone’s fingerprint sensor or Face ID. Turn on the “Hide Locked Chats” option. Now you will be asked to create a secret code.

Lock chat will disappear from main chat

Your locked chat will be removed from the main chat list. To see it, you have to type your secret code in the WhatsApp search bar.

How to set up a secret code for locked chats?

• Go to the Locked Chats window
• Tap the Secret code option
• Create a secret code
• Type in the secret code
• Press Ok

China’s Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 14C 5G smartphone in India. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 System on Chip, the Redmi 14C 5G offers dual 5G SIM support. Starting at Rs 9,999, the smartphone offers an “Ultra Slim Body” along with a “Premium Starlight Design” with a glass back panel. This budget smartphone will be available in 3 color variants which are Stardust Purple, Stargaze Black, and Starlight Blue. 

The Redmi 14C 5G features a 6.88-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering up to 600 nits of brightness in High Brightness Mode. Talking about its display, the display is certified by TUV Rheinland for low blue light emission and flicker-free visuals for eye comfort. For imaging, the smartphone features a dual-camera set-up at the back with a 50MP primary sensor. It also gets an 8MP camera at the front for selfies, video calls, and more.   

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip, the smartphone features a 5160mAh battery and supports 18W wired charging. Plus, this smartphone runs on the Android 14-based Xiaomi HyperOS user interface. The smartphone has a sleek profile, measuring 8.22mm in thickness, and is rated IP52 for dust and water resistance. Other notable features include a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio output. 

Redmi 14C 5G: Specifications

• Display: 6.88-inch display, HD+ resolution, 600nits brightness, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
• RAM: 4GB/6GB
• Storage: 64GB/128GB
• Rear camera: Dual, 50MP primary
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 5160mAh
• Charging: 18W wired
• OS: Android 14-based HyperOS (2 OS updates + 4 years of security updates)

 

Experience the power of the #Redmi14C 5G!
– 4nm Snapdragon® 4 Gen 2 5G
– 17.47cm (6.88) 120Hz Eye-Safe Display
– 50MP Dual + 8MP Selfie Cameras
– Massive 5160mAh Battery

Starting at ₹9,999.
The sale starts on 10th January 2025.
Know more: https://t.co/kUXFMbZ6Nd pic.twitter.com/43Oj5Gpsvg

— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) January 6, 2025

 

The Redmi 14C 5G smartphone will be available in India starting January 10 on the company’s official website, e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart, as well as at select retail stores.

Social media platform Meta on Monday moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), challenging a recent Competition Commission of India (CCI) order imposing a Rs 213 crore penalty on the firm related to WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update.

In November last year, the competition watchdog directed WhatsApp to not share user data collected on its platform with other Meta products or companies for advertising purposes for a period of five years, along with imposing a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for allegedly abusing its dominant position.

Meta has now informed the NCLAT that the CCI order has wide ramifications for the industry as a whole and therefore, an urgent hearing in the matter will be required.
The case will now come up for a hearing before the appellate tribunal on January 16.

WhatsApp has more than 500 million monthly active users in the country.

Last year, after the CCI directed WhatsApp not to share user data collected on its platform with other Meta products or companies for advertising purposes for a period of five years, the social media platform said it disagreed with the CCI’s decision and planned to appeal.

According to the CCI order, “The 2021 policy update by WhatsApp on a ‘take it-or-leave-it’ basis constitutes an imposition of unfair conditions under the Act, as it compels all users to accept expanded data collection terms and sharing of data within Meta Group without any opt-out.”

A Meta spokesperson has replied, saying that the 2021 WhatsApp update did not change the privacy of people’s personal messages and was offered as a choice for users at the time.

“We also ensured no one would have their accounts deleted or lose functionality of the WhatsApp service because of this update. The update was about introducing optional business features on WhatsApp, and provided further transparency about how we collect and use data,” according to the company spokesperson.

The CCI began a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp’s revised privacy policy, which enabled mandatory data sharing with Facebook (now Meta) and its companies, along with an expanded scope of data collection.

For the Indian IT sector, the macro-economic environment is far better placed than it has been in the last two years which should drive a revival in 2025, according to a report on Monday.

The Fed rate cut is no longer a hope but well underway, inflation appears to be under control, and the US election is behind with the new administration seen as business friendly, said the ‘India IT Services 2025’ report by BNP Paribas India.

“Some of the themes highlighted by the BNPPE Equity Strategy team for 2025 that we think will aid the Indian IT services sector are dollar strength, inventory restocking and retail consumer-friendly themes,” said Kumar Rakesh, analyst, IT and Auto.

The Fed is cutting rates at a time when markets are already at highs. The report noted that historically this has been bullish for the market.

Also, with the Republican sweep, further fiscal easing is likely. US consumer confidence has been resilient and enterprise capex outlook is improving.

“We view all this as positive for Indian IT Services. We have rarely seen Nifty IT underperform in a year when both earnings growth and margins recover – a likely outcome in 2025,” said Kumar.
The Global BNPPE sector rating for Technology has been upgraded to ‘Overweight’ from ‘Neutral’.

“We see the Indian IT Services sector as one of the only plays in India on the US monetary and fiscal easing cycle available to domestic investors. Key risks to watch would be Trump’s tariff policy, its impact on inflation and Fed’s commitment to rate cuts,” according to the report.

“Although valuations look stretched, the sector’s earning per share (EPS) outperformance and the close correlation between forward EPS growth and price to earnings (P/E) give us comfort on valuations of our O/P-rated stocks,” it added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is committed to taking the lead in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as he met entrepreneur and former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka.

“It was an insightful interaction indeed. India is committed to taking the lead in AI, with a focus on innovation and creating opportunities for the youth,” Modi said on X.

The prime minister was replying to Sikka’s post, highlighting his detailed and wide-ranging discussion with Modi on AI, its impact on India, and several imperatives for the time ahead.

“I left the meeting both inspired and humbled by his extraordinary grasp of technology’s impact on all of us, and how its use with democratic values can uplift everyone,” Sikka said.

Apple’s first-generation Vision Pro headset has reportedly ceased production, according to MacRumors, an American website, that reports Apple-related news. The device, which debuted earlier this year as Apple’s most ambitious mixed-reality venture, has faced production cuts and dwindling demand, leading to speculation that its manufacturing has ended.

Reports obtained by MacRumors indicate that Apple began scaling back production in early summer, with its assembler Luxshare producing only 1,000 units daily by October, a 50 per cent reduction from peak production levels.

By November, Apple reportedly instructed Luxshare to wind down production altogether.

The company is believed to have accumulated enough inventory, estimated between 500,000 to 600,000 units to meet the expected demand through 2025.

Reports obtained by MacRumors suggest warehouses are stocked with tens of thousands of undelivered components, reflecting a strategic move by Apple to halt further manufacturing while avoiding surplus.

The Vision Pro has struggled to gain traction due to its steep USD 3,499 price tag and limited content ecosystem.

Described by Apple CEO Tim Cook as an “early-adopter product,” the device was aimed at tech enthusiasts rather than the broader market.

However, even within this niche, demand has been tepid, prompting Apple to reevaluate its strategy for the mixed-reality space.

In light of the Vision Pro’s challenges, Apple is reportedly shifting focus to developing a more affordable mixed-reality headset.

Suppliers have been asked to prepare for the production of up to four million units of this lower-cost device throughout its lifecycle, half the original Vision Pro’s target.

Development on the second-generation Vision Pro has reportedly been paused for at least a year. However, according to MacRumors, there are indications that Apple could release an incremental update to the first-generation model with limited design changes, including an upgraded M5 chip and enhanced intelligence features.

As per MacRumors, a potential launch for this updated device can take place between late 2025 and early 2026. 

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has lifted the limit from onboarding UPI users for the third-party app provider WhatsApp Pay with immediate effect.

With this development, WhatsApp Pay can now extend UPI services to its entire user base in India, NPCI said in a statement.

Previously, NPCI had permitted WhatsApp Pay to expand its UPI user base in a phased manner, it added.

There was a cap of 100 million users which has been lifted by NPCI.

With this notification, it said, NPCI is removing the limit restrictions on user onboarding on WhatsApp Pay.

WhatsApp Pay will continue to comply with all existing UPI guidelines and circulars applicable to existing Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs), it said.

NPCI, an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association, is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India (IBA).

NPCI governs the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) framework in India.

 

POCO, one of India’s leading consumer technology brands, is set to unveil its latest smartphone marvels — the POCO X7 5G and POCO X7 Pro 5G — next month.

The first look of the POCO X7 5G and POCO X7 Pro 5G was unveiled on Monday through the official KV drop on the official handles of POCO India.

Engineered to exceed user expectations, these devices boast Industry-First innovations in durability, performance and power.

While the POCO X7 5G comes with the “Segment’s Most Durable Curved Display Phone”, the POCO X7 Pro 5G sets a new benchmark with the “The Most Powerful Phone in the segment.”

While X7 Pro exceeds all limits with segment-leading performance, cutting-edge AI and advanced battery technology, X7 exceeds limits with a stunning curved display and unparalleled durability.

The Indian fans need to stay tuned for more updates on the POCO X7 5G and POCO X7 Pro 5G, as the brand continues to deliver exceptional innovation and value to its users.
 

Apple has confirmed that the upcoming iOS 18.2.1 update is in the works for iPhone users, with a build number of 22C161 now revealed.

This update is expected to be a minor release, focusing on bug fixes and possibly addressing security vulnerabilities, although specific details about the issues it aims to resolve have not been disclosed, as per Mac Rumours.

The announcement follows our earlier report on the ongoing internal testing of iOS 18.2.1 at Apple and confirmation from an anonymous source with a reliable track record of providing accurate information regarding iOS updates.

According to Mac Rumours, the build number 22C161 corresponds to the forthcoming update, making it officially confirmed.

As is typical for minor point updates, iOS 18.2.1 is expected to address issues such as small bugs, glitches, and potential security flaws, though Apple has not yet specified the exact nature of the fixes.

There are currently no widespread critical bugs reported by users that would necessitate an urgent release.

However, Apple’s swift action on this update suggests that the company is keen on ensuring stability and security for iOS users ahead of the larger iOS 18.3 update, which is already being tested.

Historically, when an anonymous account releases the build number for an upcoming iOS update, it is typically followed by a public release within a week.

However, considering the holiday season, users may experience a slight delay before iOS 18.2.1 becomes available for download.

In parallel with the iOS 18.2.1 preparations, Apple has also begun testing iOS 18.3 with developers and public beta testers.

This update, expected to launch in early 2025, is anticipated to include some minor enhancements, though so far, only subtle changes have been discovered in the beta releases.

The Reserve Bank on Thursday announced the setting up of an eight-member committee to develop a framework for responsible and ethical enablement of artificial intelligence (FREE-AI) in the financial sector.

Headed by IIT Bombay professor Pushpak Bhattacharyya (Department of Computer Science and Engineering), the panel will assess the current level of adoption of AI in financial services, globally as well as in India.

It will also review regulatory and supervisory approaches on AI with focus on the financial sector globally.

The panel will also identify potential risks associated with AI, if any, and recommend an evaluation, mitigation and monitoring framework and consequent compliance requirements for financial institutions, including banks, NBFCs, FinTechs, PSOs, etc.

The committee will recommend a framework including governance aspects for responsible, ethical adoption of AI models / applications in the Indian financial sector, the RBI said.

The other members of the panel are: Debjani Ghosh (Independent Director, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub); Balaraman Ravindran (Professor and Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras); Abhishek Singh (Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology); Rahul Matthan (Partner, Trilegal); Anjani Rathor (Group Head and Chief Digital Experience Officer, HDFC Bank); Sree Hari Nagaralu (Head of Security AI Research, Microsoft India); and Suvendu Pati (CGM, FinTech Department, RBI).

The Committee will submit its report within six months from the date of its first meeting, the RBI said.

The central bank had made the announcement regarding the panel in its December monetary policy meeting.

The US Commerce Department has awarded Samsung Electronics up to $4.745 billion in direct funding to support the South Korean tech giant’s chipmaking investment in central Texas, as it strives to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.

The announcement came after the department announced a preliminary deal with Samsung in April to provide up to $6.4 billion in grants under the CHIPS and Science Act, reports Yonhap news agency.

It also announced a final decision to give up to $458 million in direct funding and up to $500 million in loans to another Korean firm, SK hynix, for its investment in Indiana.

The funding will support Samsung’s investment of over $37 billion in the coming years to turn its existing presence in central Texas into a comprehensive ecosystem for the development and production of leading-edge chips in the United States, the department said.

Samsung’s investment program includes two new leading-edge logic fabs and an R&D fab in Taylor, as well as an expansion to their existing facility in Austin.

“With this investment in Samsung, the U.S. is now officially the only country on the planet that is home to all five leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo was quoted as saying in a statement.

“This is an extraordinary achievement, which will ensure we have a steady, domestic supply of the most advanced semiconductors that are essential to AI and national security, while also creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and transforming communities across the country,” she added.

Jun Young-hyun, vice chairman and CEO of Device Solutions Division at Samsung Electronics, expressed hope for further collaboration with U.S. partners to meet the “evolving needs of the upcoming AI-driven era.”

“With nearly 30 years of semiconductor manufacturing experience in the United States, we are proud and grateful for the long-standing relationships we have established with our American partners and customers, as well as communities across Texas,” Jun said.

“Our agreement with the U.S. Government today under the CHIPS and Science Act represents another milestone as we continue to invest and build a state-of-the-art semiconductor ecosystem in the U.S.”

The department said that Samsung’s CHIPS investment would support the creation of approximately 12,000 construction jobs and more than 3,500 manufacturing jobs within the next five years, while stimulating regional commercial growth.

Threads has introduced a new feature aimed at improving how users share media on the platform.

The latest update allows users to reshare photos and videos without including the original post, making it easier to add personal text while still crediting the content creator, as per The Verge.

According to Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, this new feature offers “a quick, easy way to add your creative takes to trending images and clips without quote posting.”

The reshared media will display the original creator’s username in the top left corner, along with a repost counter in the lower left corner.

Users can tap on the username to view a list of all posts that have used the media, with the original post appearing at the top.

The feature is designed to address growing concerns over users reposting content without proper credit. Creators will be notified whenever their content is reshared, and they will have the option to disable resharing in their account settings, as per The Verge.

This will help ensure creators receive recognition for their work and maintain greater control over their content.

To use the feature, simply long-press the media or click on the repost button, select “use media,” and add your own text before sharing the post.

This feature is similar to a feature on X (formerly Twitter), which allows resharing of videos with credit, although X only applies this system to video content.

Threads’ new resharing feature improves both user experience and content creator rights, offering a cleaner way to share media while ensuring proper attribution. 

From major elections across the globe to conflicts and crises, the year 2024 was critical for the news industry, said Google News on Wednesday. These significant events highlighted the important role of newsrooms in providing accurate and timely information, said the company, highlighting its contributions to fight misinformation in the Indian news ecosystem.

In 2024, the tech giant supported the Shakti initiative — a collaboration to combat misinformation and provided AI training to newsrooms.

It also empowered India’s news ecosystem through initiatives like the Indian Languages Programme, boosting user engagement and ad revenue for local publishers, as well as expanded Google News Showcase.

“We’re proud of the significant impact of our scaled and in-depth work with Indian news publishers, spanning efforts to understand new user behaviors and revenue streams, programmes that have driven modernisation and substantial revenue increases, and collaborative initiatives like Shakti, which has established a robust framework for combating misinformation,” said Durga Raghunath, Head of India News Partnerships.

Raghunath noted that the Shakti initiative brought together over 50 news publishers and 300 journalists to debunk misinformation and deepfakes in 10 local languages, reaching a vast audience.

She added that the programme “enabled newsrooms to publish fact-checks 78 per cent faster and facilitated the creation of over 67 new fact-checking desks”.

“In just three months, over 6,600 fact-checks were amplified, leading to a 180 per cent surge in regional language fact-checks and a 92 per cent increase in election-related fact-checks,” Raghunath noted.

Further, recognising the transformative potential of AI in journalism (with transcription, research, translation, or data analysis), Google in 2024 introduced new training programmes. These programmes were aimed at “empowering news organisations to integrate these technologies responsibly”.

The company also expanded Google News Showcase in 2024. Showcase now covers 8 languages including Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, English, and Hindi.

In addition, Google News Initiative’s (GNI) Indian Languages Programme has since June 2023 “supported 500+ publishers from 28 states in nine languages” who saw “a 15 per cent increase in active users and a 32 per cent increase in page views”.

Raghunath said the company further aims to “create value for both news publishers and Google in 2025”.

Smartphone durability remains a top priority for consumers investing in new devices. As phones become more sophisticated and prices continue to rise, the ability to withstand daily wear, accidental drops, and environmental exposure becomes increasingly critical.

The past decade has seen remarkable advances in protection standards, from water resistance ratings and reinforced materials to more resilient batteries and displays. While premium devices have long offered these protective features, the industry is now seeing a welcome shift as comprehensive durability features become available across more price segments.

With its upcoming device, realme 14x, realme aims to set new benchmarks for durability in the mid-range smartphone segment. The device introduces several industry-first protection features and robust build quality that have typically been reserved for premium flagship phones. From advanced water resistance to military-grade shock protection, the realme 14x represents a significant step forward in making durable smartphones more easily available to consumers.

Most notable is the realme 14x’s IP69 rating – making it the first smartphone under Rs 15,000 to achieve this high-end certification. While IP68 has become the standard for water resistance in premium phones, IP69 takes protection to the next level by ensuring the device can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure water jets.

The phone’s dual certification includes complete IP68 compliance, guaranteeing protection against dust and water submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This comprehensive water and dust resistance makes the realme 14x exceptionally resilient against environmental exposure in real-world conditions.

Beyond water resistance ratings, true durability requires comprehensive physical protection. The realme 14x addresses this through its ArmorShell Protection system, which has earned Military-Grade Shock Resistance certification after passing stringent SGS test standards. The phone’s structural integrity stems from thoughtful engineering choices at every level.

The realme 14x’s back panel draws inspiration from oval-cut diamonds, translating their geometric precision and strength into a modern smartphone design. Despite its comprehensive protection systems, the device maintains a sleek 7.94mm profile and weighs just 197g. The crystal and gem-inspired finish creates dynamic light reflections at different angles, proving that durability doesn’t have to come at the cost of sophisticated design.

Building on these fundamental durability features, realme has introduced innovative solutions to address common real-world challenges. The realme 14x is the first smartphone in its segment to feature SonicWave Water Ejection technology. While traditional water-resistant phones often require significant time to dry out after exposure, this system uses precisely calibrated vibrations to actively expel water from the speaker grilles.

The device also tackles the frustrating issue of touch response in wet conditions through its Rainwater Smart Touch technology. Using a sophisticated anti-water algorithm, the screen maintains over 95 per cent touch accuracy even with wet hands or water droplets on the display.

Durability extends beyond physical protection to include long-term reliability, particularly when it comes to battery performance. The realme 14x addresses this with its 6000 mAh battery, engineered for both capacity and longevity. Using advanced bionic repair electrolyte materials, the battery forms a protective layer on its negative electrode during charging cycles, significantly reducing electrode wear.

The battery system is fortified with multiple layers of protection against common issues like over-voltage, over-current, and temperature fluctuations. It maintains normal operation in temperatures ranging from -15 to 55 degrees Celsius, ensuring reliable performance across diverse climate conditions.

Complementing this robust battery is 45W fast charging capability, which not only delivers a full charge in 93 minutes but also incorporates smart charging algorithms to optimize charging speeds based on environmental conditions while preserving battery health.

The realme 14x represents a significant shift in how we think about smartphone durability, proving that comprehensive protection shouldn’t be limited by price points. While most devices offer basic safeguards, realme has engineered a solution that anticipates and addresses real-world challenges users face daily.

This thoughtful approach to durability, combined with practical innovations, sets a new standard for what consumers can expect from their smartphones.

Don’t miss the launch of the realme 14x on December 18, 2024.

Google has announced to help Indian developers build more from its Maps platform, like free access to Routes, Places, and Environment application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs).

Starting March 1, 2025, the developers will have free access to Maps, Routes, Places, and Environment products up to a monthly limit, allowing them to integrate various products like Places Nearby and Dynamic Street View without upfront costs.

“In India, this means that instead of the fixed $200 monthly credit we offer today, developers can soon access up to $6,800 worth of free usage every month, distributed across all products,” said Tina Weyand, Senior Director of Product Management, Google Maps Platform.

This will give developers the flexibility to build better solutions and experiment with Google APIs and SDKs at no cost.

With the expanded free usage, developers only pay if they exceed the limit.

“And further, Maps Embed API and Maps SDK – some of our most popular products – will continue to have unlimited free usage,” said the company.

Google Maps Platform has helped developers in India build useful, innovative experiences – powering everything from delivery to travel apps.

“In India, our coverage spans over 7 million kilometers of roads, 300 million buildings, and 35 million businesses and places,” Weyand informed.

“We continue to build solutions that meet complex local needs by harnessing the power of AI, like Address Descriptors, which was pioneered in India to help developers show addresses in the unique local format, and features like the Air Quality API, which offers robust and reliable air quality data,” she noted.

The tech giant recently introduced India-specific pricing for Google Maps Platform. This includes up to 70 per cent lower pricing on most APIs, and a collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) which offers developers up to 90 per cent off on select Google Maps Platform APIs.

As a result of these changes, many developers have seen their bills decrease by more than half, with smaller developers seeing even larger reductions, said the company.

“This pricing update has reinforced Google Maps Platform’s value as a strategic partner. By keeping tech operating costs low, it has enabled us to scale operations without concerns about rising expenses, ensuring long-term sustainability for our platform,” said Praful Poddar, Chief Product Officer, Shiprocket.

Tech giant Google on Monday announced a partnership with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to bring quality education to far corners of India.

As part of the partnership, NCERT will launch multiple YouTube channels that are aligned to the curriculum of grades 1 to 12, over the coming months.

The channels, covering 29 Indian languages, including Indian Sign Language, will offer educational content in engaging and accessible formats, empowering students, parents, and teachers across the country.

“Learning has always been at the heart of YouTube. And, in India, where accessible education is crucial for unlocking the nation’s potential, YouTube can help make learning content more accessible through innovative partnerships, tools, and resources,” Jonathan Katzman, Director of Product Management, YouTube Learning in a Google blog post.

In addition, Google also announced a collaboration with the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning to roll out Credentialled Courses.

NPTEL now offers 50 credentialed courses on a diverse range of subjects, from pure sciences and literature to sports psychology and rocket propulsion.

“Through this initiative, a pathway has been created for anyone outside the IIT system to be able to do a course on NPTEL’s YouTube channels and then complete the online certification on the NPTEL-SWAYAM portal and get a certificate from the IITs,” Katzman said. He added more courses will be rolled out in the coming months.

The Google-owned YouTube first rolled out courses in India in 2022 to help creators offer a structured learning experience. In 2024, the company focused on empowering even more creators to develop and share courses, enabling them to reach wider audiences and increase their impact on learners.

Further, to aid comprehension it has taken it a step further with the roll-out of “Key Concepts”.

“Using AI, we identify concepts covered in a video and may provide definitions from the web of those concepts, across subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry. We surface definitions and images from Google’s Knowledge Graph, based on the video’s transcript and other associated video metadata,” Katzman said.

The online video-sharing platform has also introduced Quizzes to help learners apply what they’ve learned. Its YouTube Player for Education is a product designed for learners that improves the way YouTube videos are shown in popular educational tools.

“Our partners are using the YouTube Player for Education to create diverse learning experiences, including interactive lessons, supplemental study, and formative assessment. In India, Google Classroom and edtech companies such as Quizizz and Teachmint have integrated the player into their tools and it is being used in classrooms around the world,” Katzman said.

Earlier this year, YouTube announced the AI Skills House programme, which provides access to Google’s flagship AI courses on YouTube, such as Introduction to Generative AI, Introduction to Responsible AI, and Introduction to Large Language Models. These courses, available at no cost, will soon be expanded to 7 Indian languages.

In what can be termed as a bid to make people healthy and active, Zooper and HDFC Ergo have collaborated on a new programme called ‘India Gets Moving’ which will allow users to get an

Apple Watch for free by just walking 15,000 steps daily. Here are the details on how you can get an Apple Watch for free. 

Steps to get Apple Watch for free

• Users will need to complete a walking target for a year to get an Apple Watch for free.

• To participate in the competition, users will be required to purchase an Apple Watch and sign up for Zopper Wellness Programme, which is free of cost. 

• After the sign up process is completed, users will become members of HDFC Ergo’s insurance programme. Solvy Tech Solutions will act as the master policyholder. 

• Participants will be required to sync their Apple Health Kit data with the HDFC Ergo app. 

• Once the setup is complete, users will qualify for a refund of up to even 100 per cent of the cost of the Apple Watch. The refund will be based on the number of daily steps they take. 

• According to the website, if any user walks for 15,000 steps daily for a full year, they will be eligible for a full refund. 

• The offer is applicable to several models, which include the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra. 

In related updates, Apple’s iPhone production in the country has reached $10 billion in the seven months of this fiscal (FY25). Exports alone account for $7 billion which is a record. 

The tech giant manufactured/assembled $14 billion of iPhones in India in the last fiscal (FY24), exporting more than $10 billion worth of iPhones.

Amid the growing demand for its iPhones in India, Apple achieved a 36 per cent increase in its operating revenue in India, surpassing Rs 66,700 crore (about $8 billion) in FY24.
 

OnePlus is set to unveil an exciting range of offers across its product segments. According to the company, the Community Sale will be live from December 6 to December 17, 2024. The company said that customers across India can get deals on OnePlus products, including flagship smartphones, foldables, Nord series and IOT devices. 

Earlier this year, OnePlus introduced the popular OnePlus 12 series – OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R. While OnePlus 12 is powered Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and comes with Trinity Engine, 2K 120Hz ProXDR display, 100W SUPERVOOC, 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging, and 4th Gen Hasselblad Camera for Mobile.

Customers can avail a sale-exclusive price drop of Rs 6,000 along with an instant bank discount of Rs 7,000 on ICICI Bank, OneCard & RBL Bank Credit Cards. Customers can also enjoy No-cost EMI of up to 9 months on select bank card.

Along with a price drop of up to Rs 6,000 on select variants, customers can also enjoy an instant bank discount of Rs 3,000 on ICICI Bank, OneCard & RBL Bank Credit Cards. Customers can also avail No-cost EMI of up to 6 months across select bank cards.  

Customers who purchase the OnePlus Open Apex Edition can get an instant bank discount of Rs 20,000 on purchasing via ICICI Bank, OneCard & RBL Bank Credit Cards.

Customers can also purchase the foldable flagship at no-cost EMI up to 12 months on select banks. OnePlus Open Apex Edition

OnePlus Nord 4, the only metal unibody smartphone in the 5G era, features a 5,500mAh battery, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor, up to 256 GB of storage, and 100W SUPERVOOC technology. Customers can enjoy a price drop of up to INR 3000 on select variants of the Nord 4. Additionally, customers can avail an instant bank discount of INR 2000 ICICI Bank, OneCard & RBL Bank Credit Cards along with No-cost EMI of up to 6 months on select bank cards.

The OnePlus Nord CE4 starts with the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and 8GB of RAM. This is backed up by a 5,500mAh battery, which supports 100W SUPERVOOC charging, another first for the Nord series. 

The community sale also kickstarts a price drop of Rs 2,000 on OnePlus Nord CE4.

Customers can also avail an instant bank discount of INR 1000 on ICICI Bank, OneCard & RBL Bank Credit Cards along with No-cost EMI of up to 3 months on select bank cards.  Customers will get a pair of OnePlus Nord Buds 2R as part of a bundle deal, available across all channels.

Flipkart has officially revealed the launch date of Moto G35, with a dedicated microsite mentioning key specifications. The smartphone made its debut in global markets in August last year, alongside the Moto G35. The listing indicates that the specifications of the Indian version have remained unchanged. 

The launch date of the Moto G35 is December 10, and users can purchase it on Flipkart. The microsite reveals that the smartphone, featuring the vegan leather design, will be available in multiple colour options, including Black, Green, and Red.

Specifications of the Moto G35 are as follows: 

• Design: Weighing just 185g, the Moto G35 5G has a thickness of 7.79mm. 

• Display: According to the microsite, the Moto G35 5G will feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with up to 1000nits of brightness and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. 

• Memory: The device will be available with 4GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. The RAM can be expanded to 8GB. 

• Cameras: The Moto G35 will feature a camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. For selfies, the device gets a 16MP selfie shooter. 

• OS: The Moto G35 5G will run on Android 14 out of the box, with the company promising one year of OS update and two years of security patches. 

• Processor: The smartphone is powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset. 

• Battery: According to the listing, the device packs a 5,000mAh battery with 20W fast charging support. 

• Other features: The device will feature an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. It will come with dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. 

Supporting 12 5G bands, the handset was launched at a price of €199, approximately Rs 17,700.

Probuds, the audio sub-brand of smartphone manufacturer Lava, has introduced Probuds T24. According to the company, these buds will come with features like multi-device connectivity and good battery life. Available in five colour variants, the product will be introduced in phases starting today i.e. December 05, 2024.

Probuds T24 Price

Probuds T24 is priced at Rs 1,299 and will be available in five colour variants- Herb Green, Venom Black, Dope Blue, Trippy Macaw and Snake White. 

Probuds T24 Features  

10mm drivers: Probuds T24 is powered by 10mm drivers with a polyurethane diaphragm speaker. The buds are equipped with quad-mic ENC.
 
Jieli JL7006F8 Bluetooth chipset IC: The Probuds T24 is equipped with the Jieli JL7006F8 Bluetooth chipset IC and company claims that it ensures robust performance and reliable connectivity. 

Bluetooth V5.4: These buds have the latest Bluetooth V5.4 that ensures stable pairing with devices.

Low Latency: The buds also have a low latency of 35ms which is good for gaming.

Play Time: According to the company, the Probuds T24 offers up to 45 hours of playtime with its 500mAh battery and fast charging capabilities. “A quick 10-minute charge delivers an impressive 150 minutes of playtime, ensuring minimal downtime,” the company said. 

Dual Device Pairing: For multitaskers, dual device pairing can be a good feature. It provides seamless connectivity between laptop and mobile, allowing you to stay connected and entertained without interruption.

Meanwhile, Lava has added one more smartphone under its Yuva series – the Yuva 4. According to the company, the device has been designed to cater to the evolving needs of first-time smartphone adopters.  

The smartphone is available in storage variants of  4GB+64GB and 4GB+128GB at a starting price of Rs 6,999. Also, the smartphone is available in three colour variants – Glossy White, Glossy Purple, and Glossy Black.

The Yuva 4 features a 6.56-inch HD+ punch-hole display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The smartphone is powered by the UNISOC T606 chipset and has a 5000mAh. The device runs on the Android 14 and offers a clean and intuitive user interface.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has announced an annual investment of Rs 2,000 crores over the next three years – i.e. the company has planned a total investment of Rs 6,000 crore in India under the name Project Starlight.

The Project Starlight investment focuses on three key areas – making even more durable devices, exceptional customer service, and developing India-specific features.

The Project Starlight investment focuses on three key areas – making even more durable devices the creation of the world’s first DisplayMate A++ display and the rolling out of OnePlus’s Green Line Worry-Free Solution.

“The new display is set to premiere in an upcoming flagship device and is designed to excel in the harsh sunlight of India, redefining clarity, brightness, and colour vibrancy. The 2K 120Hz ProXDR Display’s peak brightness of 4500 nits allows for clear visibility even under the brightest sunlight, ensuring that colours remain true and images remain vivid without any washout,” the company said.

To address the ‘Green Line’ concerns seen in mobile devices across the industry, the company is adding a new protective layer to all AMOLED displays and is extending its new lifetime warranty program to all OnePlus devices against the green line on display issues. 

The smartphone manufacturer will also focus on elevating the overall user experience through enhanced service quality. To ensure this, the company aims to expand its service centres by 50 per cent by mid-2026. 

OnePlus has increased its service centres by 22 per cent this year, including an 11 per cent rise in exclusive service centres directly owned by the brand. 

To accommodate a growing and diverse user base, OnePlus is enhancing its online service offerings, which include hotline support, WhatsApp assistance, and live chat options. 

Improved training programs for technical staff will ensure prompt and effective support, while a more transparent repair process will allow users to track the progress of their service requests. Additionally, OnePlus is upgrading half of its flagship retail stores to provide a better in-store experience and is empowering third-party stores with enhanced service capabilities. All of these initiatives aim to make service more accessible and satisfying for Indian users.

Online payment procession service Amazon Pay on Friday said it has delivered over a billion gift cards to Indian customers since its launch in 2014, completing a decade.

Amazon Pay offers a diverse selection of gift card options, such as shopping vouchers, Amazon Fresh vouchers, Amazon Prime vouchers and Amazon Gold vouchers.

“Since its launch, Amazon Pay has delivered over a billion gift cards to customers, SMEs, corporates and more across India, providing enhanced flexibility and convenience to their shopping experiences.

“In 2024, Amazon Pay saw a 40 per cent increase in gift card purchases during the Amazon Great Indian Festival compared to 2023, reflecting the growing preference for the value and ease Amazon Pay Gift Cards offer,” a company statement said.
Amazon Pay has also introduced gaming gift cards for popular platforms such as Apple App Store, Valorant, Unipin, Steam and PlayStation.

Flipkart End of Season Sale to begin on December 7 * E-commerce platform Flipkart has said its week-long End of Season Sale (EOSS) is set to commence on December 7, 2024.

Over 50 product categories will be available for quick delivery via its quick commerce vertical Flipkart Minutes, the company said in a statement.

The EOSS will see the platform with a redefined homepage and user interface. It will also have new in-app features and widgets — trendy filters, a new immersive video forward destination called ‘Play’, trend tags and labels on search, browse and product pages.

Elon Musk’s AI company called xAI has raised $6 billion, as it plans to expand its supercomputer to house at least one million graphics processing units (GPUs). According to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), investors gave a minimum of $77,593 per the filing.

A Wall Street Journal report mentioned that Valor Equity Partners, Sequoia Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz were likely to contribute to the round, along with Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.

The new cash brings xAI’s total raised to $12 billion, adding to the $6 billion tranche xAI raised earlier this year.

In May this year, the AI company behind Grok raised $6 billion to accelerate the research and development of future technologies. The company said the funds from the Series B funding round will be used to take xAI’s first products to market and build advanced infrastructure.

“xAI is primarily focused on the development of advanced AI systems that are truthful, competent, and maximally beneficial for all of humanity. The company’s mission is to understand the true nature of the universe,” the company said in a blog post.

Earlier this year, xAI raised $500 million in commitments from investors toward a $1 billion goal.

Founded in 2023, xAI unveiled its first AI product in November last year and recently announced the Grok-1.5 model with long context capability, as well as Grok-1.5V with image understanding.
Meanwhile, the tech billionaire has filed for a preliminary injunction against Sam Altman-run OpenAI for alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

The motion for an injunction accuses OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman, President Greg Brockman, Microsoft, LinkedIn co-founder and former OpenAI board member Reid Hoffman, and former OpenAI board member and Microsoft VP Dee Templeton of “various illicit activities and seeks to halt them,” according to reports.

The allegations also include converting OpenAI’s governance structure to a for-profit and “transferring any material assets, including intellectual property owned, held, or controlled by OpenAI, Inc., its subsidiaries, or affiliates.”

OpenAI said in a statement that “Elon’s fourth attempt, which again recycles the same baseless complaints, continues to be utterly without merit.” It had earlier called the lawsuit “blusterous” and baseless.

Popular social media site, WhatsApp, is introducing a new feature for Android users via the latest beta update, version 2.24.25.8. According to a report, the latest update brings a redesigned chat lists interface. Currently, the update is available to select beta testers and is likely to reach a wider audience in the upcoming weeks. 

The update is seen as WhatsApp’s efforts to enhance the user experience. Previously, WhatsApp brought a feature that enabled users to delete preset chat filters, such as “Unread” and “Groups”. The latest update expands this feature to a wider audience and makes it more user-friendly. It allows users to easily manage, delete, and create custom chat lists directly from the chat interface. Users simply need to tap and hold on to the filter to delete a preset one, which reveals the option to remove it. 

The latest update also brings a notable change pertaining to the organisation of the chat list interface. At the top of the screen, filters such as ‘Favourites’ and ‘Various Conversations’ are displayed. Below the main filters, a designed button has been included, which allows users to seamlessly create a new custom list. The new button aligns with other action buttons in the app, offering a modern look to the interface. Additionally, other buttons are available next to the deleted preset filters, giving an option to users to restore them.  

The design of the interface for managing, creating, and deleting chat lists has been totally revamped to align with the style of other sections of the app, including “Security” and “Mail” settings. The new layout gives away a simplified look, making navigation and accessing essential features easier than before. 

With this update, WhatsApp aims to provide a well-organised and efficient experience for users to manage their conversations, ultimately improving the overall functionality of the app.

Amazon has unveiled a new set of artificial intelligence (AI) foundation models called ‘Nova’, that offer state-of-the-art intelligence across a wide range of tasks, along with industry-leading price performance.

These AI models will be added to the Amazon Bedrock model library on AWS, the company informed during the annual ‘AWS re:Invent’ here.

“Inside Amazon, we have about 1,000 generative AI applications in motion, and we’ve had a bird’s-eye view of what application builders are still grappling with,” said Rohit Prasad, SVP of Amazon Artificial General Intelligence.

Our new Amazon Nova models are intended to help with these challenges for internal and external builders, and provide compelling intelligence and content generation while also delivering meaningful progress on latency, cost-effectiveness, customization, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), and agentic capabilities, Prasad explained.

According to the company, Amazon Nova Micro was found to be equal or better than both Meta LLaMa 3.1 8B on all 11 applicable benchmarks, and Google Gemini 1.5 Flash-8B on all 12 applicable benchmarks.

With Amazon Nova Micro’s industry-leading speed of 210 output tokens per second, it is ideal for applications that require fast responses, said the company.

In his keynote address, AWS CEO Matt Garman highlighted how the company is delivering new innovations in generative AI, including new Trainium2 instances, Trainium3 chips, Amazon Nova foundation models and more.

The company said it will introduce an Amazon Nova speech-to-speech model in the first quarter of 2025.

The model is designed to transform conversational AI applications by understanding streaming speech input in natural language, interpreting verbal and non-verbal cues (like tone and cadence), and delivering natural human-like, back-and-forth interactions with low latency.

Amazon is also developing a novel model that can take text, images, audio, and video as input, and generate outputs in any of these modalities.

This Amazon Nova model with native multimodal-to-multimodal – or “any-to-any” modality capabilities – will be introduced mid-year 2025.

AWS also announced the next generation of Amazon SageMaker, unifying the capabilities customers need for fast SQL analytics, petabyte-scale big data processing, data exploration and integration, model development and training, and generative AI into one integrated platform.
 

The Korean term for “martial law” was the most-searched word on Google in South Korea on Wednesday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law.

The word topped Google’s trends chart with the search volume over the past 24 hours surpassing the 2 million mark, up more than a thousand percent from a day ago.

“Currency exchange rate” and “Kim Yong-hyun,” the name of the South Korean defense minister who reportedly proposed declaring the martial law to the president, ranked second and third on the trends chart, respectively, reports Yonhap news agency.
Yoon declared martial law late on Tuesday night, accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government with “anti-state activities,” but lifted it hours later after the National Assembly voted to call for its end.

With the nation in shock over the incident, the news page of South Korea’s largest internet portal, Naver, saw all-time high traffic overnight, according to its operator.

The surge briefly disrupted some of its functions, but service was quickly normalised.

Meanwhile, Yeol on Wednesday held a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and leaders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to discuss follow-up measures after opposition parties submitted an impeachment motion in response to the short-lived martial law declaration.

Prime Minister Han, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and floor leader Choo Kyung-ho convened at the presidential office just hours after the opposition submitted the motion, following the National Assembly’s rejection of the martial law declaration earlier in the day.

“They seriously discussed the current situation, and there was no difference in opinions,” a senior presidential official said, adding Yoon’s potential departure from the party was not a topic of discussion during the meeting.

The main opposition Democratic Party and five other minor parties plan to report the motion to a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday and put it up for a vote as early as Friday.

The popular browser Google Chrome is getting a new feature that will allow users to check the trustworthiness of any website. According to a social media post on X, Google is working on a new AI-powered feature for Chrome called “Store reviews”. The feature will provide users a summary of reviews from independent websites such as Trust Pilot, Scam Advisor, and more. 

The latest feature will be accessed from the site settings button, located to the left of the URL in the address bar. The functionality still seems to be under development as clicking on it opens a blank floating panel along with a text at the bottom that says Chrome will use AI in order to generate a summary of the website’s reputation from platforms like Scam Advisor, Trust Pilot, Google, and others. 

The feature will be especially useful for users visiting an unknown or new website and seeking to assess its credibility. This feature will ease the complicated process of going through multiple review websites to understand the website’s overall reputation, ultimately saving a considerable amount of time. 

In addition to this, Google is also introducing a slew of AI features, including AI-powered protection. This feature will provide real-time protection against websites that can be potentially dangerous and downloaded files as well. 

In other related developments, Google is slated to update its location data storing policy in the upcoming weeks. Users will be enabled to block the company from tracking their movements. Google says that all the Maps data stored in the cloud will be erased if users seek to do so. Users will also be able to store their private data on their devices, which offers better security than storing it in the cloud. According to Google, Maps data will not be backed up in the upcoming weeks and users will be subsequently notified about this change.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has identified and blocked more than 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts used for digital fraud, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also stated that the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System,’ launched under I4C in 2021, enables immediate reporting of financial frauds to prevent the siphoning off of funds by fraudsters and so far, over Rs 3,431 crore has been saved in more than 9.94 lakh complaints.

“The I4C has pro-actively identified and blocked more than 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts used for digital fraud,” Kumar said in response to a written question.

As of November 15, 2024, more than 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs, as reported by police authorities, have been blocked by the government.

The minister further explained that to strengthen the mechanism for addressing cyber crimes, including digital fraud, the central government and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have developed a system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls that display Indian mobile numbers, making them appear as though they originate within India.

Kumar noted that such spoofed calls have been used by cyber criminals in recent cases of fake digital arrests, FedEx scams, and impersonation as government or police officials.

Directions have been issued to TSPs to block such incoming international spoofed calls. Additionally, a State-of-the-Art Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been established at I4C, where representatives from major banks, financial institutions, payment aggregators, TSPs, IT intermediaries, and law enforcement agencies from States and UTs collaborate to ensure immediate action and seamless cooperation in tackling cybercrime.

The minister said a suspect registry of identifiers of cyber criminals has been launched by I4C on September 10, 2024 in collaboration with banks and financial institutions and has introduced a new feature ‘Report and Check Suspect’ on the portal cybercrime.Gov.In.

This facility provides citizens a search option to search I4C’s repository of identifiers of cyber criminals through ‘suspect search’.

Tecno has announced the launch date for its next foldable smartphone series – the Phantom V2. According to the company, the smartphone will be launched on December 6, 2024. Tecno said that the smartphone will have a sleek design despite having the largest battery in foldable. 

“Whether it’s reliability, productivity, or entertainment, the Phantom V2 ticks all the boxes, ushering in a new era of experience with the foldable form factor,” the company said. 

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer said that the Phantom V2 Fold will be the strongest fold ever. “Additionally, with the largest battery in foldable phones at 5750mAh, powered by Aircell Battery Technology, this device combines power with a sleek design for all-day usage,” it added. 

The Tecno Phantom V2 Fold will come with a 7.85-inch main display and a 6.42-inch cover screen and the company claims that it will be the largest display in its class under Rs 100K.

Tecno Phantom V2 Flip

The company is also launching the Phantom V2 Flip and it will come with several AI features. 

“Featuring the strongest flip ever, it’s built to handle whatever you throw at it—while still looking effortlessly cool. With AI-powered features like AI Image Cutout, Magic Removal, and Ella AI Writing, your creativity will soar to new heights. Portable and durable, it’s ready to dominate your work, your creativity, and your life,” the company said.

Tecno is launching these foldable smartphones at a time when several flagship smartphones are lined up for the launch. Some of them, like Oppo Find X8 and Realme GT 7 Pro, have already been launched. iQOO 13, One Plus 13 and others are scheduled to launch soon. 

Meanwhile, a report by International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker stated that worldwide smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 6.2 per cent year-over-year in 2024 to 1.24 billion units. 

In what can be termed a significant change, tech giant Google is set to update its location data storing policy in the upcoming weeks. Users will have the option to block the company from tracking their movements. Google says that all the Maps data stored in the cloud will be deleted if users choose to do so. Users will also have the option to store their private data on their devices, which offers better security than storing it in the cloud. 

Google says that the Maps data will not be backed up in the upcoming weeks and users will be subsequently notified about this change. While the company planned to unveil these changes by December 1, the rollout appears to be gradual. Contextually, storing the location data on the device enables users to have greater control over what and how much data is available for users’ purposes. 

If users wish to keep data for a trip taken months back, Maps will assist with the details of the data stored. However, Maps will auto-delete the data after 3 months or 180 days if users decide to act against it. 

If you seek to have more control over the Maps location data, the following steps can be undertaken: 

– Open Maps

– Navigate to the top-right and click on the profile picture

– Tap on your timeline

– Turn on backup data by clicking on the cloud icon the top-right corner

– Verify your account password as asked by Google

– You can change the settings by turning Timeline on or off

According to Google, any location data deleted in the new Timeline will be permanently erased. The company also plans to ensure that all the stored data is unique on each device. This means that if a user deletes data on one device, it will remain on the other device.

Black Friday Deals: Black Friday has become one of the preferred occasions for buying new products, gadgets or smartphones as customers get massive discounts across nearly every category. A little bit of planning can help you save a lot of money and if you have been planning to buy a flagship smartphone, this can be the best time to do so.

Black Friday Deals By Samsung

Samsung has announced exciting deals on its flagship smartphones as part of its ‘Black Friday’ limited period offer.

Black Friday Deals: Galaxy Z Fold 6

Under the offer, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 will be available starting at Rs 1,44,999 along with a 24-month no-cost EMI offer. For the uninitiated, Galaxy Z Fold6 is originally priced starting at Rs 1,64,999. 

Black Friday Deals: Galaxy Z Flip 6

Consumers can get Galaxy Z Flip6 at just Rs 89,999 with 24-month o-cost EMI, as part of a limited period offer. The starting price of Galaxy Z Flip 6 is Rs 1,09,999.

Black Friday Deals: EMI Options

Consumers seeking enhanced affordability can also take advantage of the convenient EMI options, starting from Rs 2500 for Galaxy Z Flip6 and Rs 4028 for Galaxy Z Fold6.

Black Friday Deals: Galaxy S24 Ultra 

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) will be available for Rs 1,09,999. This price includes an instant cashback of Rs 8000 along with an additional upgrade bonus of Rs 12,000. Alternatively, consumers can also avail a bank cashback of Rs 12000 on the device.

Black Friday Deals: Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+

Meanwhile, Galaxy S24 (128GB) will be available at Rs 61,999 with Rs 13,000 upgrade bonus. Alternatively, consumers can also avail bank cashback of Rs 13,000.

Similarly, Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256 GB) will be available at Rs 64,999 and Galaxy S23 Ultra (256 GB) will be available at an amazing deal price of Rs 74999. In addition, Galaxy S23 (128 GB) & Galaxy S23 FE (128 GB) will be available at just Rs 38,999 and Rs 29,999 respectively.

Instagram, owned by Meta, is one of the most popular social media platforms. It has two billion active users. It gained popularity after the introduction of the reels – which was inspired by TikTok, in 2020. After the launch of this feature, it even became more popular than its sister platform Facebook.

To keep users engaged, the company has been introducing several features. It is now introducing live location sharing on DMs. 

This feature works like WhatsApp’s live location where users can share live locations for up to one hour or pin a spot on the map to coordinate arrival times, and activities or find each other in crowded spaces. 

iQOO 13 launch soon:  iQOO is all set to launch its next flagship smartphone – iQOO 13. This smartphone is in focus as it will be powered by the latest octa-core Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Also, the smartphones will run on Android 15 based Funtouch OS 15 and the company has unveiled additional OS features that will be seen in this upcoming flagship.

iQOO 13 launch date in India

The company has already announced that the smartphone will be launched on December 3, 2024. For the uninitiated, the device has already been unveiled in China (on October 30, 2024) and is expected to sport the same design and specifications in India.

iQOO 13: Funtouch OS 15

Funtouch OS 15 offers a considerable upgrade compared to Funtouch OS 14, with the longest-ever support of 4 years of Android and 5 years of security updates. It also comes with a slew of AI features and a clean interface.

Funtouch OS 15: iQOO’s AI

According to the company, FunTouch OS 15 boasts of the AI Photo Enhance feature, an intuitive AI algorithm that automatically analyses photo content and adjusts parameters such as brightness, contrast, colour saturation and white balance.

The Instant Text feature allows users to Extract, Copy and Share Text content from any image whereas Instant Cutout helps to cut out and Create instantly by extracting a subject from an image and separating it from its background. 

The AI Photo Enhance allows users to automatically enhance photo quality and AI Super document removes shadows from documents using AI-powered tools. With Circle To Search users can simply circle the content they are interested in and immediately receive relevant search results. 

Funtouch OS 15: Customization

Funtouch OS 15 enables full UI customization with over 3,800+ design elements, including live and static wallpapers, new fingerprint unlock animations, themes and Always On Display. Users can further personalise their experience by setting local videos as live wallpapers and choosing a call background from 5 different options. Icon personalisation is also enhanced with different icon styles, showing or hiding icon names with Show Icon Name switch and new Home Screen Clock Widgets. 

Xiaomi Redmi K80: Xiaomi has unveiled the Redmi K80 Series in China. There are two smartphones in this Series: Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro. Both these smartphones are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets and offer 120Hz AMOLED display and HyperOS 2.0 software.

Xiaomi Redmi K80: Price 

The price of the Redmi K80 starts at Rs CNY 2,499 (approximately Rs 29,000) for the base variant of 12GB + 256GB. On the other hand, the top-end variant with 16GB RAM + 1TB storage is priced at Rs CNY 3,599 (approximately Rs 42,000). 

This model will be available in five colour variants – Mountain Green, Mysterious Night Black, Snow Rock White, and Twilight Moon Blue.

Xiaomi Redmi K80: Price

Similarly, the base model of Redmi K80 Pro with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage begins at CNY 3,699 (approximately Rs 43,000). The premium version with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage is priced at CNY 4,799 (around Rs 56,000). 

The smartphone manufacturer has also introduced a special Champions Edition of the K80 Pro, featuring the Automobili Lamborghini Racing Team branding. This device has been priced at CNY 4,999 (approximately Rs 58,000). 

Xiaomi Redmi K80 Series: Specs and Features

Both smartphone in the Redmi K80 series come with a 6.67-inch 12-bit AMOLED display. The display offer 2K resolution (1440 x 3200 pixels) and 120Hz refresh rate. 

It can reach a peak brightness of 3,200 nits and it supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. While the Redmi K80 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the base model Redmi K80 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.Both phones come with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. 

In terms of camera, the Redmi K80 features a 50-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The Redmi K80 Pro adds a third 50-megapixel floating telephoto lens with up to 2.5x optical zoom.

OnePlus 13R: OnePlus 13R is expected to be launched in India in January. According to reports, the OnePlus 13R will be the rebranded version of the Ace 5 smartphone that the company is expected to launch next month in China. Here are some of the expected features.

The OnePlus 13R is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and is likely to feature a 6.78-inch LTPO display.

The smartphone may have a triple-camera setup at the rear with a primary camera of 50MP. It is likely to be accompanied by 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lenses – just like the last generation of the smartphone. There are rumours that the device can come with a 6,500mAh battery and may support 100W fast charging. 

The OnePlus 13R is expected to be launched in India and other regions alongside the flagship OnePlus 13 in January 2025.

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13 is expected to come with a 6.82-inch display with QHD+ resolution along with an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits.

Moreover, the device will run on OxygenOS 15 and based on the previous version, the smartphone may get 4 years of major Android OS support and 5 years of security patches. In addition, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor offers greater convenience and reliability compared to the optical fingerprint scanner.

In terms of device protection, the upcoming flagship will get IP68 and IP69 ratings. While the former implies the device can be submerged in water up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes, the latter means that the smartphone can withstand high-pressure water jets and steam cleaning. 

OnePlus 13 is expected to come with up to 24GB RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The base variant will likely come with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage and can carry a price tag of around Rs 55,000 60,000. The top-spec variant, on the other hand, can command a price of Rs 85,000.  

WhatsApp has been adding a lot of features on the platform to make sure that users get the best out of it. In order to ensure this, the Meta-owned platform is now introducing a feature that will let users add customer messages when forwarding content. 

In other words, WhatsApp users will be able to add personalised messages while forwarding images, videos, GIFs and links. However, the feature is expected to work with photos, videos and GIFs initially. 

This update will remove the requirement for WhatsApp users to send a separate message after forwarding the text messages, images or documents.

This will be a helpful feature as it allows users to add customised remarks or explanations about the content sharing with the upgrade.

Earlier, the company introduced ‘Message Drafts’ for users. This feature is now available for all users – Android and iOS – around the world. According to the company, the new feature is designed to provide an easy and efficient way to locate and complete any unfinished messages.

This feature will help users quickly locate an unfinished message in the chat as a “Draft” indicator will now appear for any unfinished messages and move them to the top of the chats list.

“Whether you get interrupted or distracted while typing or simply forget to send a message, this feature helps you save time and effort, allowing you to find and get back to those messages quickly,” the company said in a release. 

How To Use WhatsApp Drafts

This is a very simple feature and users are not required do to anything. The app will itself start indicating “Draft” in green colour if you have left a message without sending it. 

The label will make it easy for users to find the chat and start it from where they had left off. Just like the feature available in emails, the recipient will not be able to see the draft.

Lava Yuva 4: Homegrown smartphone brand Lava International has added one more smartphone under its Yuva series – the Yuva 4. According to the company, the device has been designed to cater to the evolving needs of first-time smartphone adopters. 

Lava Yuva 4: Price and Variants

The smartphone is available in storage variants of  4GB+64GB and 4GB+128GB at a starting price of Rs 6,999. Also, the smartphone is available in three colour variants – Glossy White, Glossy Purple, and Glossy Black.

Lava Yuva 4: Features and Specs

The Yuva 4 features a 6.56-inch HD+ punch-hole display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The smartphone is powered by the UNISOC T606 chipset and has a 5000mAh. The device runs on the Android 14 and offers a clean and intuitive user interface.

Lava Yuva 4: Camera

The smartphone is equipped with a 50MP rear camera and for selfies it has an 8MP front camera. According to the company, it has a glossy back design and is coupled with a side fingerprint sensor.

 

Specifications	Yuva 4
Screen Size (“)	16.55cm (6.56”)
Display	HD + Punch Hole
Refresh Rate	90Hz
Battery	5000mAh
Camera (MP) Back	50 MP
Camera (MP) Front	8MP
Chipset	UNISOC T606
AnTuTu	230K+
RAM(GB)	4GB+4GB*
ROM(GB)	64/128GB
Fingerprint	Side
Charger	10W
Speaker	Single
Android	14
Back Design	Premium Glossy Back Design
Color Variants	Glossy White, Glossy Purple, Glossy Black

 
Yuva 4 comes with a 1-year warranty and free service at home, ensuring that customers have peace of mind and excellent support post-purchase.

Meanwhile, the company is also bracing for the launch the Yuva 2 5G and is expected to be priced at around Rs 10,000. The company will also launch the Blaze Duo 5G with a dual-display. The smartphone will have an AMOLED rear display and is expected to be priced around Rs 20,000.

Black Friday:  Black Friday is one of the most popular events celebrated globally. However, this time it is going to be fun for Amazon users in India as the e-commerce platform has announced great deals for its customers.

Amazon India Black Friday Event Dates

According to the information shared, the event be live from November 29, 2024 to December 2, 2024. 

During the Black Friday event, the e-commerce platform will be offering deals on brands like Apple, Samsung and others.  
 
“We are raising the bar by bringing Amazon’s popular shopping event globally, Black Friday, to India for the first time ever on Amazon.in.,” Saurabh Srivastava, Vice-President, Categories, Amazon India.

Amazon India Black Friday: Offers on Credit Cards

During the event, customers can get a 10 per cent instant discount with HDFC, IndusInd, BOB Card and HSBC bank Debit and Credit Cards and Credit EMI. For the Black Friday Sale, Prime members will be eligible to get unlimited 5 per cent cashback on all purchases using Amazon co-branded credit cards, while non-Prime members receive 3 per cent cashback. Prime members also enjoy early access to special shopping events, including Prime Day.

40-75 per cent off on mobile, electronics and accessories

Samsung Galaxy Buds – Immerse yourself in a high-quality audio experience with the Samsung Galaxy Pro Bluetooth Headphones featuring active noise cancellation and a comfortable design ideal for entertainment and work.

Amazfit Active 42mm AMOLED Smart Watch – Stay on top of your fitness game with the Amazfit smartwatch – your ultimate companion for workouts, health tracking, and Alexa-enabled smart features.

Apple MacBook Air Laptop – Unleash power and performance with the Apple MacBook Air featuring the M1 Chip—sleek, fast, and built for productivity.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – Make your memories brighter with the power of Galaxy AI on the S23 Ultra. It lets you effortlessly perfect your photos with photo assist and communicate quickly across languages with Live Translate.

The technology and innovation company Indkal Technologies has recently launched the Acer M Series Hybrid MiniLED televisions in India. Powered by the latest Google TV based on Android 11 (with a seamless upgrade path to Android 14), these luxurious large-screen models are priced starting at Rs 89,999.

The M Series Hybrid MiniLED televisions come in 65-inch and 75-inch variants, combining advanced Mini LED technology with QLED display panels. According to the company, these flagship models feature peak brightness levels up to 1400 nits, a native 120Hz refresh rate, and immersive 2.1 channel sound systems with a 60W output and dedicated rear woofer. 

 

Also, the Hybrid MiniLED series is powered by AI-enabled Dual Processor architecture – A77x2 + A55x2 – and is equipped with the new DynamIQ Realtek Chipset. Additional features include a 144Hz Variable Refresh Rate for smoother gaming, Auto Low Latency Mode, and Full Array Precise Local Dimming, ensuring a superior viewing experience for all types of content.

CEO of Indkal Technologies Anand Dubey said, “As the premier technology innovator in the Indian television market, Indkal is once again leading the charge with the introduction of our Acer M Series Hybrid MiniLED televisions. By integrating the latest advancements in display, processing, and audio technologies, we have created a truly remarkable home entertainment experience that sets a new benchmark for the industry.” 

“Our unwavering commitment to innovation allows us to consistently deliver cutting-edge solutions ahead of legacy brands, empowering Indian consumers with access to the most advanced features available,” he added.

The Acer M Series televisions offer a Leaf Curve Design and boast a frameless construction with a 98 per cent display area, as per the official release. Additionally, the integrated Far Field Microphone enables hands-free access to the Google Assistant, allowing users to control both their entertainment and smart home features with simple voice commands.

boAt has announced the launch of Airdopes Loop OWS. According to the company, these Airdopes have been engineered for those who are always on the move. “These earbuds combine a secure, stylish clip-on fit with advanced ambient sound technology, ensuring users stay connected and aware of their surroundings—whether commuting, working out, or working from home,” the company said.

boAt Airdopes Loop OWS Availability:

The boAt Airdopes Loop OWS Earbuds are available in Lavender Mist, Cool Grey and Pearl White colours at Rs 1,999. 

boAt Airdopes Loop OWS Features

The Airdopes Loop’s clip-on offers a secure fit that stays in place during workouts, commutes, and daily activities. It is equipped with ambient sound awareness, ensuring you remain aware of your surroundings while enjoying your audio. Whether you’re listening to music, taking calls, or enjoying a podcast, this open audio feature delivers clear sound while allowing environmental sounds to pass through – ideal for staying alert on the go.

boAt Airdopes Loop OWS Playtime

According to the company, it offers up to 50 hours of playback at 60 per cent volume. Also, boAt claims that a quick 10-minute charge gives users 200 minutes of playback.

It comes with dual EQ modes – Private Mode and Signature Sound Mode. While the first one is for a more intimate listening experience, the latter one offers richer and fuller audio.

The good thing is that it comes with a quad mic with ENX technology. “Enjoy crystal-clear calls with advanced noise-filtering tech, ensuring your voice is heard, even in noisy environments,” the company said.

For gamers out there, the boAt Airdopes comes with BEAST Mode which offers a 40ms low-latency connection. The company said that earbuds automatically connect to your device as soon as you take them out of the case, for hassle-free pairing. It comes with IPX4 splash and sweat resistance making it resistant to sweat and light splashes. With the latest Bluetooth v5.3 technology, the Airdopes Loop makes sure stable connections for audio and calls. 

Global foldable smartphone shipments declined 1 per cent in the third quarter this year — its first-ever Q3 decline — as Samsung reclaimed the top spot with a 56 per cent market share, a report said on Tuesday.

The global foldable market appears to have entered a transitionary phase where it is facing challenges as it progresses from a niche segment to the mainstream, according to Counterpoint Research.

“User satisfaction is particularly high with book-type foldable devices, but the prohibitively high prices remain the biggest obstacle to mass adoption,” said senior analyst Jene Park.

If manufacturers give serious consideration to improving price accessibility, along with achieving further technological reliability and enhancing consumer perceptions, this phase can be overcome, Park added.

Samsung regained its position as the global market leader, driven by the Z6 series launch.

However, the brand’s unit shipments fell 21 per cent (on-year). Among its new models, the book-type Galaxy Z Fold 6 delivered a modest performance, while the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip 6 struggled to match its predecessor’s sales.

As the foldables supply chain matures, Samsung is increasingly facing strong competition from in North America from Moto with its full range of sub-$1000 Razr flip foldables, and in Western Europe from Honor with its attractive and thin Magic V series book-type foldables.

Notably, Xiaomi recorded the highest YoY shipment growth among foldable brands at 185 per cent. This growth was driven by the addition of its first clamshell model, the Mix Flip, and its official debut in markets outside China.

The brand’s global shipment share rose to 6 per cent this quarter, its highest since entering the foldable market in Q1 2021, said the report.

Honor and Motorola remained among the fastest-growing brands in the foldable market, both benefiting from their flagship devices launched in June and July, it added.
 

Taiwanese tech giant Asus today announced the launch of its AI PCs under its ExpertBook series. This includes the Asus ExpertBook P5, Asus ExpertBook B5 and Asus ExpertBook B3 series which are powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, with the P5 model delivering up to 47 TOPSwith the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor (series 2).

According to the company, these laptops integrate AI features, robust enterprise-grade security, and durable designs to cater to the needs of modern businesses. 

Key Features of the Asus ExpertBook P5 (P5405)

The Asus ExpertBook P5 is the first Copilot+ PC for work from Asus, equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) featuring three AI processing engines, with up to 47 NPU TOPS and up to 115 total platform TOPS. With up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and up to 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage with Dual NVMe support. 

This ExpertBook laptop has a battery capacity of up to 63Wh in a 3-cell configuration. It is also equipped with 65W USB-C PD fast-charging technology. Apart from the 65W fast charging support, the P5 supports standard USB (5V-24V) charging support from a USB power bank or standard airline USB charging ports user.

ExpertBook P5 is equipped with comprehensive protection, including a Windows 11 Secured-core PC framework, commercial-grade BIOS compliant with NIST-155 standards and Self-healing mechanism, chassis intrusion detection, discrete TPM 2.0 chip, Full-HD camera with IR and webcam privacy shield, a secure Smart-card reader, a fingerprint enabled power button, and a Kensington lock slot. 

The Asus ExpertBook P5 has AI noise-cancelling enabled dual-array microphones and stereo speakers enhanced with Dolby Atmos, ensuring crystal-clear voice reproduction with unparalleled fidelity. The Full-HD Asus AiSense camera ensures superior camera performance by dynamically re-adjusting the frame to keep you centred and automatically enhancing colour and sharpness, whether indoors or outdoors.

 

Model	ASUS ExpertBookP5405CSA
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro / Windows 11 Home
Office	Microsoft Office Home 2024
Material	All Aluminium body
Color	Misty Grey
Military grade	US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard
Panel Size	14.0-inch
Backlit	LED Backlit
Brightness	400nits
Resolution	WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 16:10
Glare	Anti-glare display
Color gamut	sRGB: 100%
View angle(H/V)	178/178
Response time(Typ/Max) (ms)	25/30
Refresh rate	144Hz
Contrast (Typ)	1200:1
Touch Panel	Non-touch screen
Screen-to-body ratio	90 %
IPS-level	Wide view
Processor	Up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 258V with 32GB (On CPU die)
Neural processor	Intel® AI Boost NPU
Integrated GPU	Intel® Graphics
Expansion Slot(includes used)	1x M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0×4 1x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0×4
Memory	Up to LPDDR5X 32GB
Storage	Up to 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD
Front-facing camera	1080p FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello With privacy shutter
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.3 Wireless Card
FingerPrint	Yes
Keyboard type	Backlit Chiclet Keyboard
I/O ports	2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 2x Thunderbolt™ 4, compliant with USB4, supports display / power delivery 1x HDMI 2.1 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Audio	Dolby Atmos Smart Amp Technology Built-in array microphone
Battery	63WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion
Charging	TYPE-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal Supports variable USB voltage charging (5V/2A-24V)
Dimension (WxHxD)	31.20 x 22.32 x 1.64 ~ 1.65 cm (12.28″ x 8.79″ x 0.65″ ~ 0.65″)
Weight (with Battery)	1.27 kg (2.84 lbs) // 63 WHrs battery
Weight (w/o Battery)	1.06 kg (2.34 lbs)
Security	Fingerprint sensor integrated with Power Key IR webcam with Windows Hello support Kensington Nano Security Slot™(6x 2.5mm) BIOS Booting User Password Protection BIOS Integrity Measurement Support BIOS Self Recovery CSME BIOS Redundancy Assistance HDD User Password Protection and Security Intel CSME Firmware Resilience Intel® BIOS Guard Intel® Boot Guard Microsoft Pluton Security Processor Microsoft Security Level 3 Support Absolute Persistence 2.0 (Computrace) Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
Antivirus	McAfee® LiveSafe™ 1 year
MyASUS feature	System diagnosis Battery health charging Fan Profile Splendid Tru2Life Function key lock WiFi SmartConnect AppDeals Link to MyASUS
Built-in Apps	MyASUS
Included in the Box	Sleeve

 

iPhone users are set to gain the ability to change their default apps, similar to what Android users have enjoyed. With the iOS 18.2 update, users will be able to change default apps, including mail, contacts, calls, and other categories. Additionally, the iOS 18 update will introduce several AI features for select iPhones, along with functional upgrades catering to a broader range of devices.

As the name suggests, Default Apps will enable users to designate third-party apps as the default option for contacts, mail, and even browsers. For many years, Apple has limited this option to its own apps. However, it finally opens the window for third-party apps, allowing them to become the de-facto option for contacts, mail, and browsing. 

Once the device gets the iOS 18.2 update, iPhones will receive a new option in Settings, where users will get the option to change the default apps, such as Chrome instead of Safari, Gmail instead of Apple Mail. The beta version of the update has also revealed other options, which include keyboard, passwords and codes, and call filtering, which can be potentially utilized as a spam filter. 

Largely attributed to regulatory pressure from all corners, Apple feels the need to loosen its stance. It is to be noted that under the EU’s pressure, Apple started to offer a USB-C charging option. 

Alongside the Default Apps feature, iOS 18.2 will introduce a new way to monitor battery charging status for iPhones, dubbed ‘Battery Intelligence’. Its full application can be known only after the public version is rolled out in the upcoming months. 

The iOS 18.2 beta version has already showcased a glimpse of these upcoming features. Reports suggest that Apple is likely to roll out the new iOS 18 update by December 9. 

In other related news, Google’s Gemini app has officially launched on iOS. It will bring the tech giant’s advanced AI assistant to iPhone users. Combining voice, text, and camera inputs, it offers a highly versatile experience.

Riding on the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple’s iPhone production in the country has reached $10 billion in the seven months of this fiscal (FY25), with $7 billion in exports alone which is a record, the Centre said on Monday.

The tech giant manufactured/assembled $14 billion of iPhones in India last fiscal (FY24), with exporting more than $10 billion worth of iPhones.

In a post on X, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that this is yet another milestone for the smartphone PLI scheme in 7 months.

“$10 billion iPhone production by Apple with $7 billion exports. Total smartphone exports from Bharat crossed $10.6 billion in 7 months,” the minister informed.

Minister Vaishnaw further stated that the Apple ecosystem created 1,75,000 new direct jobs in four years with “over 72 per cent women”.

The Cupertino (California)-based tech giant touched Rs 60,000 crore (around $7 billion) in iPhone exports from India in the first seven months of the current fiscal (FY25). In the April-October period, the company exported iPhones at almost Rs 8,450 crore (nearly $1 billion) each month, as per industry data.

In the July-September period, Apple clocked an all-time revenue record in India. “We continue to be excited by the enthusiasm we’re seeing in India, where we set an all-time revenue record. This has been an extraordinary year of innovation at Apple,” said company CEO Tim Cook.

Amid the growing demand for its iPhones in aspirational Bharat, Apple clocked a 36 per cent increase in its operating revenue in India, surpassing Rs 66,700 crore (about $8 billion) in FY24. The tech giant also posted Rs 2,746 crore ($330 million) in profit last fiscal.

The company’s profit increased by 23 per cent in FY24 against Rs 2,229.6 crore ($268 million) in FY23.

Meta-owned WhatsApp has been introducing several features to ensure that users get the best experience on the instant messaging platform. To ensure this, the company has introduced a new feature called ‘voice message transcripts’. Voice messages have been a popular feature on this platform as it makes connecting with friends and family even more personal. 

Also, it comes in handy when you are not in a position to send a text message to someone. While there’s something special about hearing the voices of your loved ones when you’re far away, there are instances when you can’t listen to them.

The ‘voice message transcripts’ feature lets you transcribe your voice messages into text, “to help you keep up with conversations no matter what you’re doing”.

According to the company, transcripts are generated on your device so that no one else, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read your personal messages. 

“We’re excited to build on this experience and make it even better and more seamless,” said WhatsApp.

How to use the voice message transcripts feature?

Step 1: Open WhatsApp and go to settings.

Step 2: Select Settings > Chats > Voice message transcripts.

Step 3: Here you can turn transcriptions on or off.

Step 4: Now you long press on the message you want to transcribe and tap on ‘transcribe’

Step 5: Transcripts will be available on your screen.

Transcripts are rolling out globally over the coming weeks but a few select languages will be available initially. However, the company has stated that it plans to add more languages over the coming months.

Meanwhile, the company recently introduced the Message Drafts feature which addresses a common issue — forgetting to send an unfinished message.

When you start typing but don’t hit “send,” WhatsApp now marks the chat with a clear “Draft” label and moves it to the top of your chat list. This will make sure that users can easily locate and complete messages without scrolling through multiple conversations.

After the launch of the iPhone 16 series, people have flocked to buy the latest iPhones, leaving previous models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max behind. In line with its tradition, Apple has discontinued the model, as it does after launching the latest series. However, the craze for the iPhone remains unwavering, as Apple enthusiasts continue to look for offers on their favourite smartphone brand. In this regard, the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out as a crucial device with flagship features. 

Closely resembling the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro has recently seen a significant price drop, drawing attention from users seeking to upgrade their smartphones. Currently, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is available for Rs 1,15,900, which is considerably lower than its original price. Notably, the price is less than that of the iPhone 16 Pro. If you are in the market for a larger-screen smartphone and do not want to settle for a 6.3-inch phone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be a great choice —offered at nearly Rs 30,000 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro. 

On Amazon, the iPhone 15 Pro Max (White Titanium, 256GB) is priced at Rs 1,15,900. However, other colour variants may be slightly more expensive than the Titanium White option. If you have an Amazon ICICI credit card, you can avail of a discount of around Rs 5,000 on EMU, bringing the effective price down to around Rs 1.10 lakh. It is to be noted that this discount is not offered as an instant cashback but is credited to the Amazon Pay balance after the ICICI credit card billing cycle. 

Nevertheless, there are slight differences between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro. The most notable distinction is the chipset: the iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the latest A18 Pro chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is equipped with the A17 Pro chip. Another key difference is the absence of the camera button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Department of Telecommunication (DoT) have blocked at least 17,000 WhatsApp accounts used by cyber criminals from South East Asia, it was announced on Thursday.

In a post on X social media platform, CyberDost, a cyber-safety handle maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, informed that it aims to disrupt offshore criminal networks and strengthen India’s digital security.

“I4C, in collaboration with DoT, has successfully blocked 17,000 WhatsApp accounts used by cyber criminals from South East Asia. The initiative aims to disrupt offshore criminal networks and strengthen India’s #DigitalSecurity,” CyberDost posted.

In May this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs set up an inter-ministerial committee in reaction to a big rise in transnational organised cybercrime coming from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos-Philippines.

About 45 per cent of cyber-financial frauds in India come from places in Southeast Asia. These crimes have become more complicated and bigger, which costs the victims a lot of money.

The I4C has taken many steps to damage the infrastructure that hackers use.

Its investigation showed that cybercriminals trick people into giving them money by offering investment chances, games, dating apps, and fake trading platforms.

Notably, Indian teens and young adults have been tricked into going to Cambodia to find work, only to be forced to commit cybercrimes there.

Indian citizens who were protesting in a Cambodian city were arrested, and steps were taken to send them back home and keep them safe.

I4C focuses on tackling all the issues related to cybercrime for the citizens, which includes improving coordination between various Law Enforcement Agencies and the stakeholders, driving change in India’s overall capability to tackle Cybercrime and to improve citizen satisfaction levels.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre scheme was approved on October 5, 2018.

Since its roll out, it has worked towards enhancing the nation’s collective capability to tackle cybercrimes and develop effective coordination among the law enforcement agencies.

Nokia on Thursday announced a five-year expansion of its multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with data centre routers and switches.

Nokia’s data centre networking portfolio will enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure data centres around the world. The partnership will grow Nokia’s global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its role as a strategic supplier for Microsoft’s worldwide cloud infrastructure.

As part of the expansion, Nokia will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to deliver multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsoft’s data centres.

Nokia will also continue to deliver its custom developed management top of rack switch that is used extensively throughout the Azure network, said the company

The Nokia SONiC-based data centre routers and switches will be deployed both in greenfield locations and used in support of Microsoft’s migration from 100GE to 400GE connectivity within existing facilities.

“As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure data centres around the world. This win affirms Nokia’s commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies, and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory,” said Vach Kompella, SVP and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia.

This will enable Microsoft to meet increasing traffic demands for years to come with Nokia’s exceptional networking performance and reliability. Deployment of the Nokia 7250 IXR-10e will begin in February.

David Maltz, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Azure Networking, said as leaders in the advancement of cloud compute, we are continuously expanding our global footprint to support the massive growth in compute workloads.
“Over the past six years, we have worked with Nokia’s engineers to develop their routers running SONiC to rapidly advance our expansion at the quality our customers demand,” he added.

TECNO POP 9 Product Specs Display & design 16.94 cms (6.67”) |90Hz Refresh Rate | 90% Screen to Body Ratio | 180 Hz Touch Sampling Rate | PPI – 263 | 480 Nits Brightness | 20:09 Screen Aspect Ratio | 720×1600 HD+ Resolution Dimensions 165.62mm x 77.01mm x 8.35mm
165.62mm x 77.01mm x 8.55mm (Leather)
Weight: 188.5g Front Camera 8MP Selfie with Dual Color Temperature Flash, 2X Digital Zoom, AI Cam, Beauty Mode, Portrait, Time-Lapse, Video, Wide Selfie, 1080P Video Recording Rear camera 13MP, 4X Digital Zoom, AI Cam, Video, Beauty Mode, Portrait, Time-Lapse, Panorama, Professional, Slow Motion, 1080P Video Recording Memory RAM: 6GB (3+3GB) LPDDR4x, Internal Storage: 64GB, Expandable Storage: Up to 1TB Battery Capacity: 5000mAh, Charging: 15W Fast Charging Support, Type: Li-Polymer ion, 4G Standby: 840hrs, Calling: 32hrs, Video : 9.5 Hours, Music : 100 Hours OS Android 14 GO based on HiOS 14 Special Features 3 Years Lag Free Performance, In-built Infrared Remote Control Sensor, Dual Speakers with DTS, IP54 Rated Processor India’s 1st MTK G50 Processor| CPU: Arm Cortex-A53 up to 2.2GHz | AnTuTu: 180K | GPU Mali-IMG PowerVR GE8320 | 12nm Process Fast Multi Tasking Color Options Startrail Black, Glittery White, Lime Green

After a user ‘DogeDesigner’ put out a post about X being the top news app on Apple’s AppStore in India, billionaire Elon Musk said the platform has indeed become number-one for news in India.

Musk had bought X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, for USD 44 billion.

“X is now the #1 news app on the AppStore in India,” DogeDesigner said in a post on Friday.

Sharing the post, Musk said, “X is now #1 for news in India!”

Apple has issued a software update for bugs ‘actively exploited’ by cyber-criminals in targeting Intel-based Mac systems.

In a security advisory, the tech giant said it was aware of two vulnerabilities that “may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems.”

These bugs are considered “zero day” vulnerabilities. To fix those, Apple released a software update for macOS (called macOS Sequoia 15.1.1), as well as fixes for iPhones and iPads, including users running the older iOS 17 software.

“Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems,” said the company.

The issue was addressed with improved checks, it added. It’s not yet known who is behind the attacks targeting Mac users, or how many Mac users have been targeted.

The vulnerabilities were reported by security researchers at Google’s Threat Analysis Group.

These vulnerabilities relate to WebKit and JavaScriptCore, the web engines that power the Safari browser and for running web content.

Apple users should update their iPhones, iPads, and Macs as soon as possible.

In July, the tech giant Apple issued a fresh warning to iPhone users in at least 98 countries, including in India, about a potential new mercenary spyware attack like ‘Pegasus’.

According to the Apple warning, it detected that “you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID”.

In the warning, the iPhone maker further said that this attack is “likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do”.

In April this year, the tech giant sent threat notifications to select users in 92 countries, including some in India, who may have been targeted using ‘mercenary spyware’ like Pegasus from the NSO Group.

Vivo Y300 price in India: Vivo has extended its Y-series lineup with the launch of the Vivo Y300 in India. The newly launched smartphone is empowered by a Sony IMX882 main camera and is paired with the AI Aura Light and 2x portrait feature. 

Vivo Y300 price in India: Variants 

The Y300 will be available in three colour options – Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, and Phantom Purple and two storage variants of 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. They are priced at Rs 21,999 and Rs 23,999 respectively. 

Consumers can purchase the smartphone starting November 26, 2024, across vivo India e-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and all partner retail stores. Pre-booking for the Y300 starts starts today and runs until November 25, 2024.

 Vivo Y300 price in India: Features and Specs

The smartphone also comes with AI camera features including AI Erase and AI Photo Enhance. 

The Vivo Y300 comes with a high-gloss metal-like frame and boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED punch-hole display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the display, certified by SGS Low Blue Light Eye Care, protects users’ eyes. The smartphone has a 0.779 cm slim profile and weighs 188 grams. 

Vivo Y300 houses a dual camera set-up featuring a 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera and a 2MP bokeh camera. It comes with features including a 2x portrait mode along with AI Aura Light. For selfies, the Y300 houses a 32MP front portrait camera. The smartphone also comes with Dual-View Video which allows simultaneous recording with front and rear cameras. 

The Vivo Y300 has a 5000 mAh battery with a 80W FlashCharge. The smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, featuring a 4nm processor chipset with an 8 core CPU architecture. It has an IP64 dust and water resistance rating. The device runs on Funtouch OS 14 built on Android 14, delivering a responsive user experience.

Extending its obsolete and vintage products list, Apple has marked the iPhone XS Max (launched in 2018) and iPhone 6s Plus (launched in 2015) as ‘vintage’ gadgets. For context, Apple’s vintage list includes devices that have been there for more than five years. The inclusion of any device in the vintage list implies that there would be fewer chances to get those products repaired. 

The reshuffled vintage list now features the Apple Watch 2 with the ceramic casing, the iPhone XS Max (launched in 2018), and the iPhone 6s Plus (launched in 2015). 

Additionally, Apple has extended its “obsolete” list as well. A device is dubbed ‘obsolete’, when it remains in the market for at least seven years since being sold as a new product. The latest ‘obsolete’ list now includes aluminium and stainless-steel Apple Watch 2 models, as well as the iPhone 6s Plus with 32GB of storage. 

Notably, while ‘obsolete’ cannot be repaired, Apple or its authorised partners also can not sell parts of the old models. However, only a few MacBooks are eligible for battery replacement for up to 10 years. 

In other related developments, Apple is slated to launch the AirTags 2 model in 2025. It would be an upgrade of its AirTags unveiled four years ago. According to a report, the development of AirTags 2 is underway, and the device may be unveiled as early as 2025. It may sport a similar design to that of AirTags but is likely to receive significant upgrades. 

The AirTags 2 may come with a price increase, which can be attributed to the integration of some significant privacy-related and other upgrades. While the report does not explicitly mention the launch date, Apple might launch AirTags 2 alongside the iPhone SE or the iPhone 17 series later next year. Over the past few years, AirTags have proven to be quite useful.

The gaming industry is on the rise in India, with a significant number of gamers being added every year. According to a report sighted by Google in a blog post, approximately 23 million new gamers were recently added in India, taking the total number to 590 million this fiscal year. India is the world’s second-largest market for mobile gaming, with average weekly playtime increasing by nearly 30 per cent.

Notably, Squad Busters was ranked as the most popular game as well as the top game in the multi-player game segment on the Google Play store as of November 19, 2024. 

Here’s a list of top Android games on Google Play Store in India: 

• Best game: Squad Busters

• Best multi-device game: Clash of Clans

• Best Pick up and Play app: Bullet Echo India: Gun Game

• Best made in India game: Indus Battle Royale

• Best Indie app: Bloom- A puzzle adventure

• Best story: Yes, Your Grace

• Best Ongoing game: Battleground Mobile India

• Best game on Play Pass: Zombie Sniper War 3 – Fire FPS

• Best Google Play Games on PC: Cookie Run: Tower of Adventures

• Best multiplayer game: Squad Busters

In related developments, a report earlier this year suggested that India’s gaming market is expected to leap from $3.7 billion in FY24 to an estimated $ 9.8 billion by FY29, with a significant CAGR of approximately 20 per cent.

Spam messages and emails continue to be a major headache for internet users who rely heavily on these communication channels. Google has been toiling hard to mitigate the issue. In this regard, the tech giant is developing a new feature called “Shielded Email”, which will enable users to mask their real email addresses using temporary email aliases. 

According to a recent report, the ‘Shielded Email’ feature was initially identified during an APK teardown of Google Play Services 24.45.33. The report, through strings of code, infers that this feature provides a limited-time or single-use email alias. These aliases automatically redirect messages to the user’s primary account.

The report also highlights that the Shielded Email feature was found in the ‘Autofill with Google’ menu under Google in Android’s Settings app. However, tapping on the option led to an empty page, indicating that the feature is yet under the development stage. 

As spam messages and emails are an ever-growing issue, the idea of temporary email to shield the personal information sounds feasible. However, details about its implementation remain unclear. 

There are some third-party apps that allow users to create a newly formed email address to sign up for a website that is not well known, or users are unsure of. Google’s Shielded Email feature could prove especially useful, as the company’s autofill service works seamlessly across the Android ecosystem and supports almost every app. 

An interesting aspect to consider is whether these temporary email aliases will use @gmail.com or any other randomly created email addresses. If the Shielded Email feature uses @gmail.com, it could make it challenging for companies to track personal data, as distinguishing between permanent email addresses and their aliases would not be easy. 

In other related developments, Google decided to expand its ‘Help me Write’ feature for web users as well. Earlier, the feature was available only for mobile users. However, it is important to note that the feature is available only for users who have subscribed to Google One AI Premium.

Tecno Pop 9 launch date confirmed: Tecno is all set to launch another device under its Pop Series – the Tecno POP 9 4G. The company has confirmed the launch date of this smartphone and has shared some details as well.

Tecno Pop 9 launch date 

Tecno has said that the smartphone will be launched on November 22. 

“Designed for those who love to explore, express, and excel, the POP 9 breaks free from the ordinary with vibrant design, unmatched entertainment features, and exceptional performance—all at an unbeatable value. It’s the perfect companion for young users looking to “Live Limitless” with style and substance,” the company said.

Tecno Pop 9 Features 

According to the company, the smartphone will come with a 6.67-inch HD+ dynamic punch-hole display with a 90Hz refresh rate.

This smartphone’s performance is backed by India’s first MediaTek G50 processor. 

It will be powered by a 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery built for endurance. According to the company, it will be capable of a solid 840 hours of standby on 4G, up to 32 hours of talk time, 9.5 hours of video playback, and 100 hours of music playback.

“In addition to vibrant style, POP 9 provides durability with IP54-rated dust and splash resistance, rare to find in this price segment. This ensures everyday protection, making it a companion for those who value solid reliability. Whether it’s for enjoying immersive entertainment or multitasking effortlessly, TECNO’s POP 9 redefines what it means to stay connected in style,” the company said in a release. 

Earlier, the company launched the POP 9 5G. The smartphone features the segment’s first 48MP Sony AI camera and the segment’s first 5G with NFC along with 4+ years lag-free experience. The POP 9 5G is now available at a limited-time launch price starting at Rs 8,499. 

After launching the Gemini AI app for Android phones several months ago, Google has now unveiled it for iPhones. Notably, the development comes after Apple introduced ChatGPT integration for iPhones in its iOS 18.2 beta, sparking speculations regarding Apple’s potential ChatGPT integration into Siri next month.

Announcing the Gemini AI app for iPhones, Google stated in a blog post, “Now, you’ll be able to have easy access to Google’s personal AI assistant, right on your iPhone, free of charge.” The app is now available for download by iPhone users. 

Google says, “Gemini can help use write the perfect email or text, create stunning images, and brainstorm fun new ideas.” It also enhances learning, making it easier for students to ask questions on any subject. Google adds, “Gemini can also provide custom, step-by-step guidance that adapts to your learning style, and you can even test your knowledge with quizzes.” 

iPhone users can now interact with Gemini in a conventional manner, allowing them to interrupt, ask questions, or change topics seamlessly. Users can also personalise Gemini’s voice with 10 distinct voice options. Currently, Gemini’s Live can be accessed in 10 languages by iPhone users. Additionally, users can also have access to Imagen 3, which is Google’s image generation model. It assists users by transforming text descriptions into AI images. 

Highlighting Gemini’s compatibility with Google’s apps and services, Google says, “With Extensions, Gemini can find and show you relevant information from the Google apps you use every day like YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, Calendar and more — all within a single conversation.” 

The app includes features such as intelligent searches, live voice conversations, and integration with Google’s services. These features make it a compelling tool for those looking to enhance productivity or explore the possibilities of conversational AI.

With Google continuing to refine its AI capabilities, iPhone users are likely to get even more sophisticated features in future updates.

Samsung is slated to launch its next smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra; however, the official launch date is yet to be announced. This flagship device is being seen as the brand’s bet against other notable contenders in the segment, including the iPhone 16 series and Google Pixel 9. 

Reports emerging in South Korea indicate a probable launch date of January 22 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While the launch date is likely to fluctuate between January 22 and 23 depending on the country, it is speculated that the device may make its India debut on January 22 itself. If this rumoured launch date stands true, it would mark a departure from Samsung’s usual launch schedule, which has traditionally been a few weeks later. 

The Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup is expected to include Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra. Additionally, there is speculation that Samsung might introduce its Galaxy S25 Slim model as well, though later in the year. 

The speculation regarding the launch date gets bolstered by the fact that the Android 15-based One UI 7 version is delayed until 2025, and Samsung might want to integrate its S25 lineup with the latest software, potentially giving it an edge over competitors, given that Google has not been able to offer the latest software with its Pixel 9 models. 

Furthermore, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, set for a broader release in upcoming weeks, may be leveraged by Samsung to power its latest devices. However, several other reports suggest that Samsung might opt for its Exynos SoC for the regular S25 model. 

In related news, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to get a more capable ultrawide camera, upgraded to 50MP from 12MP. Additionally, speculations also suggest that telephoto lens may provide fixed focal lengths. The device is likely to come with the same battery as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, while upgraded processors and RAM may give it an edge in terms of battery efficiency.

Smartphone shipments in India grew by around 6 per cent to 4.6 crore in the July-September quarter of FY25, states a report by research firm IDC. According to the report, Chinese smartphone manufacturers dominated the market with leading brands cornering around 72 per cent market share during the quarter.

Vivo led the chart with around 15.8 per cent market share and was followed by Oppo with around 13.9 per cent share. Samsung remained the only non-Chinese player in the top 5 with a 12.3 per cent market share in the quarter concerned. 

However, it registered a fall of 19.7 per cent when compared to the same quarter of last year. The South Korean tech major had a market share of 16.2 per cent in the July-September quarter of 2023.

“Oppo was the biggest gainer, while the share of Samsung and vivo declined, all three together making up 53 per cent of this segment,” the report said.

According to International Data Corporation’s (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker for the third quarter of 2024, Apple has clocked 8.6 per cent market share in the September 2024 quarter.

“Apple had its biggest quarter of shipments, with 4 million units, led by iPhone 15 and iPhone 13. This further widened the gap between the value share of Apple and Samsung, which stood at 28.7 per cent and 15.2 per cent, respectively,” the report said.

Oppo had a 13.9 per cent share, Realme 11.5 per cent, Xiaomi 11.4 per cent, Poco 5.8 per cent, Motorola 5.7 per cent, iQOO 4.2 per cent and OnePlus 3.6 per cent market share in total smartphone supplies during the reported quarter.

The share of 5G smartphones increased 

According to the report, the share of 5G smartphone shipments has increased to 83 per cent in the July-September quarter from 57 per cent in in the same quarter and year ago. However, the average selling price (ASPs) of the 5G smartphone declined by 20 per cent YoY to $292. 

Samsung is expected to roll out its next series of smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S25, in January next year. The series will feature three models: the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S series is renowned for its high performance, advanced AI features, and cameras. It will be interesting to discover the upgrades Samsung’s next flagship has to offer. Rumours are afloat regarding the specifications and features of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which we shall compare with its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. 

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display, with a refresh rate up to 120Hz and a peak brightness of 2600nits. The device stands out as a content-viewing machine. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to boast a similar 6.8-inch display. 

In terms of performance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is likely to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. 

On the camera front, the Galaxy S24 features an impressive 200MP main sensor, complemented by a 12MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to have the ultrawide camera upgraded to 50MP from 12MP. Additionally, speculations suggest that telephoto lens may provide fixed focal lengths. 

While Galaxy S24 Ultra users have flagged concerns regarding its flat design and bulky build, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may be launched with slimmer profile, curved edges, and a more subtle finish. However, signature design elements, including quad-camera layout, titanium frame, S-pen, are expected to remain the same. 

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to pack the same battery as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Nevertheless, upgraded processor and RAM are likely to make the newer launch more efficient in terms of battery life.

India’s tablet PC market grew 46 per cent annually in the July-September quarter of this year and Apple’s iPad led the segment with 34 per cent share, market research firm CyberMedia Research (CMR) said on Wednesday.

According to the report, tablets in the price range of Rs 20,000-30,000 saw a significant 108 per cent YoY increase, highlighting a shift towards premium devices.

“Tablet PC India Market Report Review for the third quarter of 2024: the Indian tablet market experienced a remarkable 46 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) growth, and an impressive 79 per cent Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) growth in the third quarter of 2024. This surge is primarily driven by the rapid adoption of 5G tablets and a wave of premiumization in the market,” the report said.

Apple led the Indian tablet market with a commanding 34 per cent share and a robust 95 per cent year-over-year (YoY) growth.

“The new Apple iPad 10 Series contributed to 60 per cent of Apple’s shipments, underpinning Apple’s strong momentum in the market,” the report said.

Samsung was placed second with a market share of 25 per cent and a YoY growth of 70 per cent.

“The brand’s broad-based product portfolio, spanning premium and value-for-money tablets, have enabled it to appeal to a wide consumer base. The Samsung Galaxy A9 Plus 5G contributed to 52 per cent of Samsung’s total shipments,” the report said.

Xiaomi was in third place with 15 per cent market share despite 146 per cent growth in its volume.

Lenovo’s market share in the segment declined by 13 per cent and stood at 12 per cent during the reported quarter. OnePlus’ share increased to 6 per cent from 4 per cent a year ago.

“At CMR, our market estimates point to a strong growth momentum for the rest of the year, with the India tablet market growing in healthy double digits. This market growth will be steered by a robust consumer demand for premium as well as value-for-money tablets,” CMR’s Industry Intelligence Group Analyst Menka Kumari said.

She said that alongside, commercial tablet demand is also on the rise, steered by a growing pocket of opportunities in edtech, healthtech, and hospitalitytech, among others.

OnePlus, as a brand, is renowned for its continuous evolution in integrating technology to enhance user experience. In line with this, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has enabled its users to share files with iPhone users with ease. OnePlus rolled out a new feature named, ‘Share with iPhone’, doing away with the technical glitch faced while sharing files from Android to iOS. 

Simplifying file sharing across different operating systems, the ‘Share with iPhone’ feature is available in the OxygenOS15, which is OnePlus’ latest operating system. Earlier, some OnePlus users reported technical glitches after updating their smartphones to OxygenOS15. The OxygenOS15 is to be rolled out to OnePlus 12, and initially, the feature will be available in the beta version. 

It is to be noted that to avail the the new feature, users are not required to download any third-party app, rather it will be integrated with the operating system only. Once downloaded, the ‘Share with iPhone’ feature asks users for multiple permissions. Furthermore, the feature needs to be kept open to facilitate smooth sharing of files. In order to share a file from Android to iOS, users will just be required to select a file and click on the sharing option. 

To use the ‘Share with iPhone’ feature, users should follow these steps: 

• Select the file to be shared and open the share menu.

• In the share menu, choose the ‘Share with iPhone’ option.

• The feature will open a Wi-Fi hotspot from the OnePlus device, allowing the iPhone user to join the temporary hotspot. 

• Once connected, users can proceed with transferring the selected files through the temporary hotspot. 

In other related news, OnePlus’ OxygenOS 15 has unveiled a Parallel Processing functionality that will improve animation interactions and enhance usability. It will lead to seamless transitions between applications. According to the company, users will be provided with a stable and smooth experience even while using almost 20 apps continuously.

In the sixth edition of its annual Top 200 Most Common Passwords, NordPass, known for listing the most used passwords across 44 countries worldwide, has ranked “12345” as the most common password. The password “12345” is most widely used in India and globally. The research took into account almost 3,018,050 users worldwide who used this password. In India alone, 76,981 people were found to be using “12345’ as their password. 

Additionally, it was found that “123456789” was the second most used password worldwide, while it ranked 8th in India. The study, conducted in collaboration with NordStellar, reveals that almost half of the passwords used worldwide consist of some of the easiest keyboard combinations, such as “123456789”, “qwerty”, or “1q2w3e4er5t”. 

A previous study by NordPass provides an interesting insight that an internet user makes use of almost 168 passwords for personal accounts and around 87 passwords for work-related purposes. This indicates that people often rely on multiple passwords, and memorising all of them can be challenging, leading many to resort to commonly used and weak passwords. 

Experts have consistently warned users against using simple password combinations, as they are easily crackable and pose a significant cybersecurity risk. For instance, combinations like “qwerty123” are among the most commonly used passwords in several countries, including Lithuania, Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands. This password is also among the top ten most popular passwords in India. Another striking example for passwords is the term “password” itself. It ranks as the second most popular password in India and is the top choice for users in the United Kingdom and Australia. 

To enhance security, it is advisable for users to create strong passwords, containing at least 20 characters. According to some studies, longer passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters are relatively safer than simple ones. Users should also be mindful of the fact that the same password should not be used repeatedly.

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has officially introduced ‘Message Drafts’ for users. This feature is now available for all users – Android and iOS – around the world. According to the company, the new feature is designed to provide an easy and efficient way to locate and complete any unfinished messages.

This feature will help users quickly locate an unfinished message in the chat as a “Draft” indicator will now appear for any unfinished messages and move them to the top of the chats list.

“Whether you get interrupted or distracted while typing or simply forget to send a message, this feature helps you save time and effort, allowing you to find and get back to those messages quickly,” the company said in a release. 

How To Use WhatsApp Drafts

This is a very simple feature and users are not required do to anything. The app will itself start indicating “Draft” in green colour if you have left a message without sending it. 

The label will make it easy for users to find the chat and start it from where they had left off. Just like the feature available in emails, the recipient will not be able to see the draft.

WhatsApp Secret Code 

Meanwhile, WhatsApp has introduced a Chat Lock feature to enhance privacy by securing chats. This feature includes a Secret Code that users can assign to the Chat Lock folder and access simply by searching for the code within the app. When the Chat Lock feature is enabled, the locked chats are organized in a dedicated chat folder. 

The secret code enables users to set a customised password for the locked chats. Additionally, it also allows users to designate a unique name for the locked chats. Users can also hide the chats from the top of the app. Therefore, it becomes difficult for others to find the locked chats. 

Tech giant Apple on Wednesday announced to add 15 new games on its gaming service Apple Arcade.

The new gaming titles including Skate City: New York, Talking Tom Blast Park, FINAL FANTASY IV (3D REMAKE)+, Gears and Goo (Apple Vision Pro), and more, said the company.

In Talking Tom Blast Park by Outfit7, players can join Talking Tom and friends in an epic battle to save Blast Park from the mischievous Rakoonz on December 5.

“Armed with wacky blasters like the Duckinator and Power Plunger, players must blast through waves of Rakoonz and their trash to restore fun to the park,” said Apple.

FINAL FANTASY IV (3D REMAKE)+ by Square Enix is revived with updated graphics, and improved gameplay and voice acting for event scenes.

“The hit fourth game in the iconic FINAL FANTASY series is also the first title to introduce the Active Time Battle system that players have come to love in the franchise. The game launches on December 9,” according to the company.

According to Apple, Gears & Goo by Resolution Games, a new base-building and tower defense game, features interactive mechanics only possible in spatial computing. It will be available on Apple Arcade for Apple Vision Pro beginning January 9.

Over the coming months, the service will also release exclusive new games and award-winning titles from the App Store on Apple Arcade, said the company.

Apple Arcade is a family-friendly gaming service on the App Store. Arcade’s incredible catalog is available to play on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, and all 250+ games are free of ads and in-app purchases.

“Skate City: New York by Snowman and Agens is the ultimate skateboarding experience, with players navigating the iconic streets of the Big Apple and mastering hundreds of tricks in real-world locations. The game launches on January 9,” said Apple.

Vivo Y300 launch date in India: Vivo has announced the launch of another device under its Y Series – Y300 5G. According to the company, the smartphone will be launched on November 21, 2004. The launch event is expected to begin at 12pm. Vivo has created a dedicated landing page on its website for the Vivo Y300 5G giving us a glimpse of the design. The company has also created a dedicated landing page for the smartphone on its website.

Ahead of the official launch, the company has also shared some images of the upcoming smartphone.

Vivo Y300 Design

The images shared by the company show that the smartphone will have a capsule-shaped camera island. This includes two sensors and the company’s signature Aura Light flash module.

The images of Y300 5G, which is the successor of Y200 last year, show that the smartphone will be available in at least three colour options. It has been teased in black, green, and silver shades.

There are speculations that the smartphone could be a rebrand of the Vivo V40 Lite, which has already been launched in select global markets. 

Vivo Y200 Features and Details

Vivo launched the Y200 in India with features like a 64MP OIS anti-shake camera, aura light tech, 120 Hz ultra vision AMOLED display, and a fast 44W flash charge.

Vivo V200 Price and Features

The Vivo V200 is available in two colour options – Desert Gold and Jungle Green. The smartphone was priced at Rs 21,999 for the 8GB+128GB during the launch.

The smartphone has a glass design according to the company, the Desert Gold variation draws its inspiration from the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. “Meanwhile, the Jungle Green variant is inspired by the serene and enchanting beauty found within the depths of the Sundarbans,” the release said.

For those who feel they have had enough of Google’s search engine, OpenAI has introduced a compelling alternative. In what can be seen as an effort to challenge Google’s long-standing dominance in search, OpenAI has integrated search functionality in ChatGPT, called ChatGPT Search. 

It has been two weeks since OpenAI unveiled its AI-powered search engine, yet many people are still unaware that Google, along with other search engines, can be replaced by ChatGPT Search.

Note that it can be set as the default engine on all Chromium-based browsers, implying they support downloading extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Therefore, ChatGPT can be set as a default search engine in Google Chrome, as well as several other browsers like Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave. 

To set ChatGPT as the default browser, follow these simple steps:

• Open Google Chrome

• Search for ChatGPT

• Search extension and ensure that the extension gets added to the browser by checking the extension tab

Ensure that ChatGPT search extension is added to the favourites tray, because, sometimes, browsers may automatically end up disabling the ChatGPT extension. 

Currently, the ChatGPT search functionality can be accessed by the company’s Plus and Team subscribers, while access to Enterprise and Education customers is likely to follow in the upcoming weeks. While a specific release date for free users hasn’t been announced, OpenAI says access to free users will be coming soon. 

In related news, Apple has unveiled iOS and iPadOS 18.2 software updates into public beta. The update includes new features like an AI emoji generator app, ChatGPT integration with Siri, as well as visual search using iPhone 16 camera sensors.

The new Apple Intelligence features, which were previously available to developers, are now in public beta. Notably, ChatGPT access is free and doesn’t require an account.
 

Apple has started to offer spare parts for the iPhone 16 series, enabling users in the US and some other countries to repair their own devices. Seen as part of Apple’s ‘support user repairability’ initiative, which began in 2022, this service is yet not available in India. The initiative allows iPhone users to perform safe, do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs with original Apple components. 

iPhone 16 users now have access to several replacement parts via Apple’s service repair store. Commonly replaced components include batteries, priced at $99 for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, while it will cost $119 for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Display replacements, which are typically expensive, range from $279 to $379 depending on the model. Additionally, camera assembly replacements are slated to cost between $169 and $249. 

Additionally, Apple is offering repair tool kits, which can be availed for rent at $49 for a seven-day duration. These kits comprise specialised tools, which can be used for safely disassembling the device for repairs. Along with batteries and displays, users also get to replace other crucial parts, which include the rear back glass, camera system, TrueDepth camera, responsible for powering Face ID, and top and bottom speakers. Apple repair manuals are also available to assist users with each step of repair. 

Although the self-repair option is explorable for users to save costs, it is advisable for only those users who are well-familiar with handling electronics, since replacing components like batteries may involve safety risk. The company’s manual contains safety measures to be adopted to ensure repairs are safe and correct. 

In addition, Apple aims to enhance support for third-party battery and display replacements, making repair options more accessible. It is to be noted that for future DIY repairs, used Apple parts will be supported.

Amid geopolitical shifts and mega trends such as AI redefining tech landscape, the year 2025 is likely to see greater appetite and adoption of technology and forging of strategic partnerships, according to Nasscom chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan.

Weighing-in on global debate on whether AI will lead to major layoffs, she said Artificial Intelligence needs to be seen as an enabler that can help amplify skills and boost productivity.

“Just look around, we are living in a world where there is so much change… The year 2025, for me, is definitely going to be a lot more about technology adoption and more of strategic partnerships,” Gangadharan – who is the managing director of SAP Labs India told PTI.

She said that in order to stay relevant, businesses will need to embrace technology, irrespective of the size and scale of their operations.

“I think it is super important in today’s world that we build very strong partnerships, because it is only together that we can drive the bigger changes, and bigger challenges that the world is grappling with,” Gangadharan said.

Terming AI as a phenomenal, transformative technology, she said that it needs to be embraced as an enabler.

“It is very important that people understand this is a phenomenal, transformational technology, … Now you have the power to use (it) in a very safe, regulated, governed way. So really, leveraging that technology to help amplify your skills is how I would look at it,” she said.

She believes the issue is less about displacement of jobs, and more to do with leveraging technology to derive greater productivity and benefits.

When it comes to tech spends, there is now a realisation that embracing technology is the only way forward, she asserted.

“Everybody understands there’s no way around it. The faster you do it, the better it is for business,” he said.

She said that amid technology shifts, partnerships and collaborations would clearly be in focus.

“The whole topic of partnerships definitely plays out today when we look at some of the large language models that are pervasive all through, many of them come from the United States. So it would be very important that we understand better how these models are being put into action in the various use cases that we have here in India as well ” she said.

In India, AI mission and skilling would be among the key areas of priority.

Gangadharan, who is leading SAP Labs in India said the company’s headcount here has been growing at an average 2,500-3,000 net new hires every year, and that number may just accelerate.

“We see the growth happening at that pace, or even more, because if you just look at the portfolio growth in the location… We are, of course, in Bengaluru, but we are also in four other locations, in Gurgaon, Pune, Mumbai, as well as in Hyderabad. For us it is important that we are able to tap into the best-in-class talent ” she said.

The growth is also in sync with market opportunities and ecosystem potential that exists, she said, pointing to rapid pace of innovation, the wide network of partners, and deep research with academia as driving factors.

India is among the fastest-growing markets for SAP and poised to become one of the largest markets in future, CEO Christian Klein had said recently adding that the German software maker plans to “over proportionally” invest and hire here.

SAP is betting big on the country’s engineering talent and digitisation push and given its thrust on “overproportional growth” Klein said it is only a matter of time before India becomes the largest base for SAP Labs in terms of sheer number of people.

On the sales and revenue side, India is among top 10 markets for SAP globally, and the company expects the market here to grow “heavily and faster” than some of its top markets.

The India market is set to climb further up the chart for SAP, according to the company.

“Our focus will also be on building up AI skills in our teams because the work we will be doing will be about infusing AI into the core of our portfolio,” Gangadharan said.

 

iQOO has already announced that its next flagship – iQOO 13 – will be launched in India on December 3, 2024. As the launch date is coming closer, the company has started sharing some details about the upcoming launch. In this series, iQOO has now shared a glimpse racetrack-inspired Nardo Grey colour of the smartphone.

“Drawing inspiration from the ionic racetrack of Italy, this bold and sophisticated shade embodies the spirit of power and speed, mirroring the sleek allure of asphalt,” the company said in a release. 

The company has also shared the image of Legend Edition which features blue-back-red tricolour patterns, thanks to iQOO’s collaboration with BMW. 

Already unveiled on October 30 in China, the device is expected to sport the same design and key specifications in India. 

iQOO 13 to be powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer has already announced that the upcoming device will be powered by the latest octa-core Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. 

iQOO 13 Expected Specs

Expected specifications for this device include a Halo light feature and a 2K LTPO AMOLED display panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. The device is also going to be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC paired with a Q2 gaming chipset. 

Notably, the iQOO 13 could be only the second Snapdragon 8 Elite powered device in India, following the Realme GT 7 Pro. 

In China, the iQOO 13 has been launched with the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, an in-house Q2 gaming chipset, and up to 16GB of RAM. The internal storage of the device can be expanded to up to 1TB. The device runs on Android 15-based OriginOS 5, and In India, it will likely come with a FuntouchOS 15 skin. Additionally, the handset will feature a 6,150mAh battery with 120W wired fast charging support.

The device packs a triple camera setup, encompassing a 50-megapixel triple rear camera unit, which includes a 50-megapixel telephoto sensor, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide shooter. The smartphone has a 32MP sensor for selfies. The IQOO 13 is expected to have an IP68-rated build for dust and water resistance.

If you are one of those people who want to keep their cars clean, here is one product that can be helpful. The good thing is that it is compact yet powerful. Here we are talking about the NUUK REN GO cordless vacuum cleaner. Let’s check out the key features and how the product performed during our review.

This is a 4-in-1 vacuum cleaner that can do much more than just regular cleaning. It features vacuuming, blowing, inflating, and deflating capabilities. Also, it comes with good attachments – 2 vacuum nozzles, 3 air blower nozzles and 2 connectors – and therefore serves almost all the purpose.  

The product also has two suction power modes – eco and turbo with 8kPa and 11kPa. The turbo is powerful and is suitable for most of your cleaning needs. The good thing about the device is that it can offer around 15-20 minutes of cleaning on a full charge as a 2,200mAh dual-cell battery powers it i.e. it comes with a 4,400mAh battery.

This device can be charged with a Type-C charging cable. However, it will take around three hours to charge the vacuum cleaner fully. There are three power indicators on the device and they indicate 100 per cent, 60 per cent and 30 per cent battery level.

Another key highlight of this vacuum cleaner is that it comes with a dual filtration system – the primary one is steel mesh and the secondary one is a HEPA filter. This dual filtration system ensures that all the dust and debris are captured in the cleaner. The filters are easy to clean and can be fitted back into the vacuum cleaner without any trouble.

However, I noticed some irritation in my nose (I am very sensitive to dust particles and start sneezing as soon as they enter my nose) while cleaning the home with the help of this vacuum cleaner and this could probably be because some minute dust particles were spilling out through the filter.

Pros

– Lightweight

– Decent battery life

Cons

– It takes a long time to charge
 

Just Corseca has launched its latest smartwatch in India called the Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716. If it’s not already obvious from the image, the design of the Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716 is strangely similar to Samsung’s premium smartwatch – the Galaxy Watch Ultra. 

The Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716 in orange colour looks exactly similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra. What is not similar is its price. This watch is priced at Rs 10,999. 

Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716 Features

The smartwatch features an AMOLED display and Bluetooth calling. It has multiple sports modes, and heart rate monitoring and also comes with an IP68 water resistance rating. 

The company has also launched some other products like Sound Shack Pro Soundbar, SkyVolt Power Bank JST514 and Sprint Smartwatch JST710.

Specifications and Features

Sound Shack Pro Soundbar JST618 – The Sound Shack Pro Soundbar offers 40W output and is equipped with versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth, AUX, USB, TF card, and COAX. Its sleek design and 2.2 Channel features built-in subwoofer diaphragms to enhance deep bass. 

SkyVolt Power Bank JST514 – The SkyVolt Power Bank JST514 has a 20,000mAh capacity. It supports fast charging through both Type-C and Micro USB ports. Equipped with dual USB outputs, it offers universal compatibility.
 
Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716 – The Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716 features an AMOLED display and Bluetooth calling. It has multiple sports modes, heart rate monitoring and an IP68 water resistance rating.
 
Sprint Smartwatch JST710 – The Sprint Smartwatch JST710 offers SpO2 and heart rate monitoring, along with multiple sports modes to track fitness activities. The smartwatch is equipped with Bluetooth calling, an LED display, and a dedicated breathing exercise function, delivering a holistic approach to health management. 

Price and Availability

– Sound Shack Pro Soundbar JST618: Rs 11,990

– SkyVolt Power Bank JST514: Rs 3,999 

– Sprint Pro Smartwatch JST716: Rs 10,999 

– Sprint Smartwatch JST710: Rs 4,990 

Apple has released iOS and iPadOS 18.2 software updates into public beta that include new features like an AI emoji generator app, ChatGPT integration with Siri and visual search using iPhone 16 cameras.

 

The new Apple Intelligence features, that were earlier available to developers, are now in public beta, like Genmoji and the Image Playground feature that generates pictures. ChatGPT access is free and doesn’t require an account to use it.

 

Now, public beta users can ask Siri to show them information from inside their apps, or take action on something that appears on their screen. You can ask ChatGPT to help you write text, answer questions, create images and more.

 

The ‘Image Playground’ tool allows you to create new images via prompts. Genmoji offers a similar system for creating custom emojis.

 

In the new software update, iPhone 16 users can press the new Camera Control button to launch Visual Intelligence to search and identify real-world objects and places through the camera lens.

 

Apple also released the first public betas of iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, and tvOS 18.2.

 

Before the iOS 18.2 release, the tech giant launched AI features including Writing Tools and notification summaries powered by Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1.

 

Meanwhile, Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages and in April next year, English (India) will be supported along with several others.

 

Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that harnesses the power of Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks while taking an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI.

 

Deeply integrated across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, Writing Tools allow users to refine their language by rewriting, proofreading, and summarising text virtually everywhere they write, including Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.

 

With Rewrite, Apple Intelligence allows users to choose from different versions of what they have written, and adjust the tone — professional, concise, or friendly — to suit the audience and task at hand. Proofread checks grammar, word choice, and sentence structure while also suggesting edits — along with explanations of the edits — that users can review or quickly accept.

 

Users can also select text and have it summarised in the form of a digestible paragraph, bulleted key points, a table, or a list.

Best-Selling Smartphone in Q3 2024: A lot of flagship smartphones have been launched in the year 2024. From Apple’s iPhone 16 Series to Samsung’s Galaxy S24, there is a long list of smartphones that have hit the shelves of late. But you will be surprised to know that a one-year-old smartphone has topped the list of best-selling smartphones globally in the third quarter of this year. 

Best-Selling Smartphone in Q3 2024: Apple iPhone 15 

Best-Selling Smartphone in Q3 2024: According to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, Apple iPhone 15 has become the best-selling smartphone globally in the third quarter (Q3) this year. This is followed closely by iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro.

According to the report, South Korean smartphone manufacturer Samsung has maintained the biggest presence in the global top-10 best-selling smartphones list with five spots. Tech major Apple is second with four spots and Chinese brand Xiaomi has one.

While Apple’s share of the top-10 list has declined slightly, Samsung’s presence has grown to keep the combined market contribution of the top 10 smartphones at around 19 per cent.

“The growing consumer preference for high-end smartphones is gradually narrowing the market share gap between the iPhone’s base and Pro variants,” the report mentioned.

Notably, for the first time in the third quarter, half of the total iPhone sales were contributed by the Pro variants in Q3. This shift is helping Apple drive higher-value device sales.

Samsung Galaxy S Series enters in top 10 list

For the first time in a third quarter since 2018, a Galaxy S series variant entered the top 10. 

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 retained a spot in the top 10 in Q3 2024 for the third consecutive quarter. Also, for the first time in the third quarter since 2018, a Galaxy S series variant entered the top 10. 

The top 10 models captured 19 per cent of the global smartphone market’s sales in Q3 2024, the report mentioned.

“Apple and Samsung are further strengthening their premium positioning with Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI, which will help them continue to dominate these rankings. Both brands are leveraging GenAI as a differentiating factor in the premium segment,” the report said.

Top 10 Best-selling Smartphones Globally In Q3 2024

1. Apple iPhone 15

2. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

3. Apple iPhone 15 Pro

4. Samsung Galaxy A15 4G

5. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

6. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

7. Samsung Galaxy A05

8. Apple iPhone 14

9. Xiaomi Redmi 13C 4G

10. Samsung Galaxy S24
 

The landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in smartphones is rapidly evolving. The reliance on cloud-based AI processing is giving way to a new paradigm: powerful on-device AI capabilities. This shift, fueled by advancements like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, is transforming the mobile experience. On-device AI enables faster processing, enhanced security, and a new generation of sophisticated features, from real-time content creation and intelligent image processing to adaptive performance and personalized user experiences.

In this dynamic landscape, realme has established itself as the ‘Dark Horse of AI,’ solidifying its position through strategic partnerships with industry giants Qualcomm and Google. This collaboration has positioned realme to pioneer the next era of AI technology, making advanced capabilities more accessible to users worldwide. The culmination of this vision is the GT7 Pro, powered by India’s first Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, representing a breakthrough in blending unparalleled power with cutting-edge AI innovation.

Central to realme’s AI vision is the ‘NEXT AI Lab’, through which realme is creating an ecosystem that empowers creativity and innovation, particularly resonating with the younger generation. The GT7 Pro, with its comprehensive suite of AI features, stands as a testament to realme’s commitment to advancing mobile AI technology.

The GT7 Pro’s most groundbreaking innovation lies in its AI Sketch to Image capability. In the past, finding the perfect image meant endless searching through existing photos. Now, the GT7 Pro transforms this experience entirely – users can simply sketch their vision, and watch as AI brings it to life. Through sophisticated AI Cloud Recognition and Transcoding processes, the system interprets hand-drawn elements with remarkable accuracy, converting them into detailed, vibrant images.

Whether you’re seeking a realistic photograph, a 3D cartoon, a watercolour painting, or a futuristic design, the AI understands and translates your creative intent instantly. This feature represents more than just an image generator; it’s a creative companion that breaks down the barriers between imagination and reality.

The ‘AI Sketch It Real’ feature takes this capability even further. Users can now draw new elements directly onto existing photos, seamlessly blending AI-generated content with real images. This opens up unprecedented possibilities for creative expression – add objects, change backgrounds, or introduce entirely new elements to your photos, all through intuitive sketching. The AI’s understanding of context and style ensures that these additions feel natural and cohesive, maintaining the original image’s integrity while expanding its creative potential.

Underpinning these creative features is the GT7 Pro’s remarkable AI efficiency, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This cutting-edge processor delivers a 30 per cent improvement in AI performance while reducing power consumption by 20 per cent – a breakthrough in mobile AI processing.

The system continuously learns from user behaviour, optimizing everything from app loading times to battery management. This intelligent optimization ensures that whether you’re creating AI-generated artwork or editing photos, the GT7 Pro maintains peak performance while managing resources efficiently. The device’s AI engine adapts to your usage patterns, predicting needs and adjusting system resources in real-time, delivering a truly personalized experience that gets smarter over time.

While these cornerstone AI features define the GT7 Pro’s innovative spirit, the device’s AI capabilities extend far beyond creative tools and system efficiency. The imaging capabilities showcase another dimension of AI innovation, with ‘AI Motion Deblur’ technology working intelligently to restore clarity to motion-blurred images, ensuring split-second moments are captured with crystal clarity.

This works in perfect harmony with AI Zoom Ultra Clarity, which maintains exceptional detail even at extreme zoom ranges. Through sophisticated algorithms, the system analyzes multiple frames in milliseconds, enhancing details while reducing noise for unprecedented image quality. The AI Ultra-clear Snap Camera takes this further, incorporating Flash Snap Mode for instant capture and introducing the world’s first Underwater Image Mode.

For gaming enthusiasts, the GT7 Pro introduces AI-powered features that transform the mobile gaming experience. AI Super Resolution intelligently upscales gaming visuals to 1.5K resolution, while AI Super Frame ensures butter-smooth gameplay at up to 120fps. These features work in concert to deliver an immersive gaming experience that dynamically adapts to both the game’s demands and the user’s preferences, setting new standards for mobile gaming performance.

Through these comprehensive AI capabilities, the GT7 Pro represents more than just technological advancement – it embodies realme’s vision of making sophisticated AI accessible and practical for everyday use. It stands as a testament to how far mobile AI has come and offers a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the evolution of smartphone technology.

Be on the lookout — realme GT7 Pro is coming soon to revolutionize the smartphone AI experience.

iQOO, one of the few smartphone brands making significant inroads into the Indian market, has announced the upcoming launch of IQOO 13 in India. The smartphone manufacturer has already confirmed that the iQOO 13 will feature the latest octa-core Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. 

iQOO 13 launch date in India 

Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO India, took to a social media platform today to announce the launch date of the highly anticipated device. According to information shared, the iQOO 13 will be launched on December 3, 2024. 

“The countdown begins! #iQOO13 is almost here—get ready to #BeTheGOAT!” he posted on X. 

Already unveiled on October 30 in China, the device is expected to sport the same design and key specifications in India. 

The countdown begins! #iQOO13 is almost here—get ready to #BeTheGOAT! pic.twitter.com/ZUOJqEyaf9

— Nipun Marya (@nipunmarya) November 8, 2024

The phone will be available in a Legend Edition featuring blue-back-red tricolour patterns, thanks to iQOO’s collaboration with BMW. 

Customers will be able to purchase the iQOO 13 via the official iQOO e-store and Amazon, with the Amazon microsite already live. 

iQOO 13 Expected Specs

Expected specifications for this device include a Halo light feature and a 2K LTPO AMOLED display panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. The device is also going to be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC paired with a Q2 gaming chipset. 

Notably, the iQOO 13 could be only the second Snapdragon 8 Elite powered device in India, following the Realme GT 7 Pro. 

In China, the iQOO 13 has been launched with the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, an in-house Q2 gaming chipset, and up to 16GB of RAM. The internal storage of the device can be expanded to up to 1TB. The device runs on Android 15-based OriginOS 5, and In India, it will likely come with a FuntouchOS 15 skin. Additionally, the handset will feature a 6,150mAh battery with 120W wired fast charging support.

The device packs a triple camera setup, encompassing a 50-megapixel triple rear camera unit, which includes a 50-megapixel telephoto sensor, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide shooter. The smartphone has a 32MP sensor for selfies. The IQOO 13 is expected to have an IP68-rated build for dust and water resistance.

Google Pixel is expected to introduce a new feature, called ‘AI Replies’ enabling the Pixel devices to answer calls on behalf of users. This feature will use advance language models to facilitate seamless responses. According to the latest report, Google is working to develop AI-powered responses that can engage with callers in a more intelligent way. 

When a Pixel device receives a call, the ’AI Replies’ feature will work by crafting a response based on what the caller says. Hence, the feature will provide an AI-generated reply that is more natural, instead of choosing from a set list. The responses will be sourced from Google’s advanced language models, including the Gemini Nano model. The feature aims to handle more complex situations and go beyond generic answers. 

Notably, Pixel phones already come with a feature known as ‘Call Screen’ for managing incoming calls. Launched a few years ago, this feature helps filter calls from unknown numbers or unwanted callers with the help of Google Assistant. It asks the callers to state the reason why they are calling, which can be seen in the form of a text response on the screen, allowing Pixel users to decide whether to take the call. 

Last year in December, Google unveiled ‘contextual replies’ to Call Screen, enabling Pixel devices to provide tailored responses. 

Google has also implemented safeguards for AI replies, including a disclaimer that says, “This information is AI generated and could be inaccurate”. These safeguards inform users that the AI-generated responses may sometimes be inaccurate or fail to capture the caller’s intent. 

To use the ‘AI Replies’ feature, users will need to manually turn it on in the Phone app settings. Currently, the feature is in beta testing, and its official rollout may take some time. This feature can be a game changer for people who generally feel overwhelmed by calls, eliminating the need for user interruption.

US tech giant Microsoft is working to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into Notepad on Windows. The feature, currently as a preview on Windows 11, is available in select regions like the US, UK, France, Italy, Canada, among others. The new AI-powered ‘Rewrite’ feature facilitates rephrasing sentences, modifying the length of the content, and adjusting the tone. 

To use the ‘Rewrite AI’ tool in Notepad, users need to follow these steps: 

– Highlight the text to be edited and right-click on it.

– Select the ‘Rewrite’ option from the drop-down menu.

– The rewrite tool can also be accessed using the Ctrl + I keyboard shortcut. 

– Users have various editing options, including rewriting the text, adjusting the length of the text, and altering the tone or format of the text. 

– After selecting the preferred option, the AI writing tool generates three versions of the rewritten text. 

– Users can then review the variations and apply changes directly to the selected text. 

In other developments, Microsoft is currently testing a major update for systems that run on Qualcomm’s Arm-based processor. This tool is available in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, allowing for more x64 apps and games to run on Copilot Plus PCs, which are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus processors using its Prism emulation layer. 

This update will enable even intensive games to run on Android-based Windows devices. Being currently under testing, the wider rollout may take place in the upcoming weeks. 

The latest update will enable more 64-bit x86 software to use processor extensions such as AVX, AVX2, and others, ultimately enhancing performance and compatibility. Notably, Microsoft has stated that while these updates will seek to improve compatibility for various games and apps, 32-bit software may still have its limitations.

Nikon India has announced the release of the APS-C size (Nikon DX-format) Nikon Z50II mirrorless camera in India. According to the company, the mirrorless camera has been designed to redefine creative possibilities and targets content creators across all genres vloggers, and streamers of all skill levels.

 

Nikon Z50II Price and Availability 

 

Nikon Z50II will be available for purchase by the end of November 2024 with a starting price of Rs 77,995 (body only). 

 

Furthermore, the camera will be available in different kit combinations – 

 

– Z50II +  NIKKOR 16-50MM at Rs 91 645.00

 

– Z50II + NIKKOR 16-50MM + 50-250MM VR at Rs 1 12 645.00 

 

– Z50II + NIKKOR Z DX 18-140MM F/3.5-6.3 VR at Rs 1 15 795.00

 

Nikon Z50II Primary Features 

 

Nikon Z50II comes with an EXPEED 7 image-processing engine, the same used in the Nikon flagship mirrorless camera Z9. It supports high video resolution of 4K from 5.6K oversampling. It also supports the recording of N-Log video with RED LUTS available for free download for subtle and rich tonal gradation, enabling high-quality video recording.

 

The Z50II also offers AI-driven features such as Skin Softening and Portrait Impression Balance. 

 

Furthermore, the Z50II is the first Z Series camera to feature a product review mode that focuses on objects in the foreground, as well as a video self-timer function that allows the user to specify an interval of two seconds or seconds before recording begins after the record button is pressed. 

 

The Z50II comes packed with an auto-focusing system, the same 9-type subject detection as that of the flagship model Z9. 

 

“The Z50II also inherits the Pre-Release Capture function which enables the camera to buffer images up to one second before the shutter-release button is fully pressed, ensuring you never miss critical moments. This feature is available exclusively in  High-Speed Frame Capture mode, supporting continuous shooting at an impressive 30 frames per second. Making it an excellent choice for capturing the fleeting moments,” the company said. 

 

Also, the performance of Auto-Area AF [AF-A], which automatically sets the AF mode in accordance with subject movement and changes in composition, has greatly increased. The camera can focus on the intended subject without any adjustment of settings, even when photographing subjects whose movements are unpredictable, such as pets and children.

Google Cloud is committed to empowering artificial intelligence (AI) startups in India to drive innovation and growth, the tech giant said on Thursday, as it unveiled several new initiatives at an event here.

 

At its ‘AI Startups Summit’, the company announced several programmes and partnerships designed to accelerate the growth of AI startups in the country.

 

These programmes support early-stage AI founders by helping them build, grow, and gain customers for their solutions using Google Cloud.

 

“Google is committed to empowering AI startups to drive innovation and growth. These initiatives demonstrate our dedication to providing critical support and resources to early-stage founders, helping them build and scale successful AI-powered businesses,” said Dr Manish Gupta, Senior Director, Research, Google DeepMind.

 

The tech giant recently introduced the ‘Emerging ISV Partner Springboard’, a 12-week programme designed to supercharge growth for AI startups.

 

Early-stage founders will receive increased support through the Google for Startups Cloud Programme, which will now provide $200,000 in Google Cloud credits over two years, giving founders the runway to build and scale their vision.

 

AI-first startups will receive even greater support with $350,000 in credits, recognizing the increased computational demands of cutting-edge AI development, according to Google Cloud.

 

The company also announced that it is launching Startup School: GenAI, a comprehensive four-week immersive training programme designed to empower startups in leveraging the full potential of AI.

 

Google Cloud also announced a collaboration with DeliverHealth, a leader in healthcare clinical documentation to transform the way healthcare providers document patient care.

 

“Together, we aim to reimagine the future of clinical documentation, enabling clinicians to focus more on patient care,” said Bikram Singh Bedi, Vice President and Country MD, Google Cloud India.

 

In the ‘Global Google Cloud Summit’ last month, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian shared his admiration for the innovation and resilience of startups leveraging AI and cloud technology to fuel transformative growth.