Saturday, September 30, 2023

RJD neta's 'lipstick' remark sparks row

Senior RJD functionary Abdul Bari Siddiqui's remark that only "women with lipstick and bob-cut hair" would benefit from the women's reservation in Parliament and state assemblies has triggered a controversy, with BJP seeking an apology from him and describing Lalu Prasad's party as "anti-women". Siddiqui, who added that "reservation should be given to backward and extremely backward women", later said his intention was not to hurt anyone.

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Friday, September 29, 2023

Forced to pay 6.5L as bribe, says filmmaker; govt orders probe

Stung by Tamil actor-filmmaker Vishal’s public accusation of blatant corruption in the process of film certification by the Censor Board, the government on Friday called the incident “unfortunate” and ordered an immediate inquiry led by a ministry official.

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Apple Reseller Warns Against Using Android USB Type-C Charging Cable for iPhone 15 Series: Report

iPhone 15 series was launched on September 13 at the Apple 'Wanderlust' event. One of the significant changes in this year's flagship lineup from the company was the inclusion of the USB Type-C charging ports, similar to several Android smartphones. However, if you are wondering about using the Android cable for charging iPhone 15 lineup, an Apple reseller has reportedly warned against this practice. As per a previous report, the USB Type-C port on the latest iPhone series support multiple functions. 

The iPhone 15 lineup — including a base variant, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — debuted at Apple's launch event on September 13. The smartphones get significant changes over the predecessors in terms of its specifications. With this series, the company also introduced the USB Type-C port on all the recently launched Apple devices, similar to several Android smartphones. 

However, if users are planning to use and Android cable on iPhone products, an Apple reseller in China has warned not to do so. According to a report on Chinese website CNMO, an Apple store in Foshan City of the Guangdong Province in China has issued an article to request iPhone users to avoid using Android's USB Type-C charging cable on Apple smartphones as it may burn the devices.

The report also mentions that several users consider it to be a gimmick to ensure that buyers purchase the original Apple charging cables, in order to increase their revenue. It is to be noted that Apple has already mentioned on its support page that users can use USB Type-C standard cable to charge their recently launched iPhones. 

To recall, the new USB Type-C port in Apple claims to provide 15 times more power than the lightning port's 0.3W of output. The company offers a USB 2-compatible cable in the box on purchase of iPhone 15 Pro smartphones. For a better data transfer speed, users can purchase an optional USB-3-compatible cable from the company's online, offline, and reseller stores. 


From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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US, Canada dial down diatribe against India on Nijjar killing

The United States and Canada are dialling down their diatribe over the alleged New Delhi hand in the killing of Sikh pro-Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar amid a strong pushback from India about the “operating space” given to violent militants due to domestic political compulsions.

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Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS Earphones With 45-Hour Battery Life Launched in India

Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones were launched in India today. The entry-level wearable offers active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 30dB. It packs a 45-hour playback time on a single charge with the case. The latest earphones from Noise get an IPX5 rating for water and dust resistance. It houses quad mics with ENC support for better quality of calls. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones are already available for sale in India in two colour variants.

Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones: Price, Availability in India

In India, the Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones are available on sale starting today. The company is offering a lightning deal on the purchase of the earphones, with the discounted price of Rs. 1,699. It is available in Lustre Black and Champagne Gold colour variants. The earphones can be purchased through Flipkart, or online Noise website.

Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones: Specifications

The latest offering from Noise comes in a metallic finish case, with Noise branding on the case as well as each bud. The earphones get an in-ear design. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones get ENC (environment noise cancellation) for better quality of calls, with up to 30dB of ANC. It houses quad microphone setup. The earphones are powered by a 13mm driver.

With smart touch control, the Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones allow users to receive calls hands-free. They can also use Siri or Google Assistant, control the volume as well play music by tapping on touch-sensitive area on earbuds.

For battery, Noise claims to offer up to 45 hours of playback time with the case, and up to 7.5 hours of battery life on each bud on a single charge. The buds take up to 30 minutes to get fully charged, while the case can be charged from 0 to 100 percent in 90 minutes. The case also gets a charging indicator.

Talking about the weight, the buds weigh 3.3 grams each, while the case weighs 33.3 grams. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones get an IPX5 rating for dust and water resistance. It gets Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity support, and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.


Is the iQoo Neo 7 Pro the best smartphone you can buy under Rs. 40,000 in India? We discuss the company's recently launched handset and what it has to offer on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Galaxy S24 Ultra Design Revealed in Leaked CAD Renders, Specifications Suggested

Samsung Galaxy S23 series was launched in February this year. The South Korean tech giant has reportedly started working on its successor, the Galaxy S24 series, which may release early next year. The lineup is expected to include base Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra models. There has been several leaks and rumours regarding the smartphones, hinting at the specifications and the design. Now, the CAD renders of the Galaxy S24 Ultra have leaked online, suggesting significant design details. 

SmartPrix, in collaboration with tipster OnLeaks, has revealed the leaked CAD renders of the purported smartphone. The high-end variant of the Samsung's upcoming flagship series could be seen sporting a similar design as its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra (review). For optics, as the renders suggest, the Galaxy S24 Ultra houses a quad-camera setup, housing multiple sensors. The Stylus pen has been shown to get the same dedicated holster as the predecessor. 

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Leaked CAD Renders
Photo Credit: OnLeaks X SmartPrix

 

Previous reports have already suggested that the smartphone could sport a 6.8-inch display. The latest renders add that the model is expected to get narrowest bezels on any smartphone yet due to significant reduction in bezel size. It is said to feature WQHD+ resolution display. Moreover. the Galaxy S24 Ultra could incorporate an ultra-wideband antenna on the right edge. 

The dimensions of the upcoming smartphone are reported to be around 162.3 x 79 x 8.7mm, while it may weigh approximately 23g. Similar to Apple's iPhone 15 series, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is also said to get titanium build, making the smartphone lighter in weight. In terms of battery, it could pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. 

The report adds that the Galaxy S24 Ultra could be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It is expected to get a 200-megapixel primary rear camera. For selfies, the phone could house a 12-megapixel front snapper. It is to be noted that Samsung has not announced the upcoming series yet. 


Samsung Galaxy A34 5G was recently launched by the company in India alongside the more expensive Galaxy A54 5G smartphone. How does this phone fare against the Nothing Phone 1 and the iQoo Neo 7? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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New York submerged: Heavy rains paralyze subways, roads

Heavy rains in New York City have caused severe flooding, leading to a state of emergency being declared. Cars were submerged, roads were impassable, and the subway system was severely affected. The National Weather Service issued warnings of continued flooding throughout the day. The situation worsened during the morning rush hour, with flights being delayed and streets turning into rivers. While no fatalities or critical injuries have been reported, daily life has been severely disrupted.

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Thursday, September 28, 2023

His work transformed lives of millions: PM Modi

The death of pre-eminent agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan has been met with deep condolences from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, and other leaders. They all praise Swaminathan as a visionary who worked tirelessly to achieve food security for India. President Murmu highlights his rich legacy in Indian agriculture science, while PM Modi emphasizes his groundbreaking work that transformed the lives of millions.

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OnePlus Buds 3 Leaked Renders Reveal Specifications, Could Offer Battery Life of Up to 9 Hours

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 TWS earphones were launched in India in February this year at the company's Cloud 11 event. The Chinese electronics company is now working on OnePlus Buds 3, and the renders of the purported earphones have been leaked online. They reveal the specifications of the audio wearable, and also tease their design. To recall, OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earphones debuted alongside OnePlus 11. The device is priced at Rs. 11,999 in India and is available for purchase in Arbor Green and Obsidian Black colour options. 

In a recent report, MySmartPrice (in collaboration with OnLeaks) have revealed the renders of the OnePlus Buds 3, based on the testing stage phase. The wearable is shown to carry a similar design as the Buds Pro 2, except the metallic finish. 

The upcoming wearable is reported to get 48dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support. It can be connected using Bluetooth 5.3 or Google Fast pair, according to the report. The OnePlus Buds 3 are also said to get dual connection support. With an IP55 rating, the earbuds are expected to get water and dust resistance, while the charging case is said to get an IPX4 rating. 

In terms of battery, the earbuds could pack a 58mAh battery each, while the charging case is said to be backed by a 520mAh battery. It could offer 9 hours of battery life on each earbud, same as Buds Pro 2, with ANC turned off. Meanwhile, it would provide 33 hours of battery life with the case. On the other hand, with ANC turned on, the OnePlus Buds 3 are said to offer 6 hours of battery life on earphones and for 22 hours with the case.

The company has not revealed any details about the purported device yet. However, as per a previous report, the Buds 3 could make a debut in January 2024, alongside OnePlus 12. The earphones are expected to be lighter in weight as compared to the Buds Pro 2.


Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series at its first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea. We discuss the company's new devices and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Varanasi court junks plea to stop Gyanvapi ASI survey

A Varanasi court rejected Thursday a plea by the Gyanvapi mosque management to stop the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) scientific study and survey of the complex, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the city.

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EAM S Jaishankar meets US secretary of state Antony Blinken

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington. The meeting comes amid serious diplomatic tensions between India and Canada stirred by the killing of a Khalistani terrorist.

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Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2 Press Renders Leaked Ahead of October 4 Launch

Google Pixel 8 series smartphones are all set to launch on October 4, alongside Pixel Watch 2. The smartphone lineup includes Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Both the handsets will be available for purchase in India starting October 5. Ahead of the launch, there have been several leaks regarding the upcoming smartphone series and the smartwatch from Google. A new report has now leaked the press renders of the Google Pixel 8 series and Pixel Watch 2, revealing the design and hinting at specifications of the devices. 

A report by WinFuture has revealed the press renders of the upcoming devices. The base variant of the smartphone series, the Google Pixel 8 is said to sport a 6.17-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120HZ, and a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro will reportedly feature a 6.7-inch OLED display panel, with a resolution of 3120x1440 pixels. It too could offer a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. 

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Google Pixel 8 Pro as shown in leaked press renders
Photo Credit: WinFuture

 

As per the report, the Pixel 8 would pack 8GB RAM with 128GB and 256GB storage variants. It is said to be powered by a Google Tensor G3 SoC. On the other hand, Pixel 8 Pro would get three storage configurations: a 12GB RAM + 128GB storage model, another 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option and a 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. 

For optics, both smartphones would house a 50-megapixel primary rear camera. However, the Google Pixel 8 would house a 12-megapixel with Sony IMX386 sensor for ultra-wide-angle shots in the dual camera unit, while Pixel 8 Pro is said to get a triple camera unit which would include a 64-megapixel and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. For selfies, both models are expected to feature an 11-megapixel sensor. 

Talking about the price range, the Pixel 8 is expected to start at EUR 799 euros (nearly Rs. 70,200), while the Google Pixel 8 Pro could be available at a starting price of EUR 1099 (nearly Rs. 96,500). 

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Google Pixel Watch 2 as shown in leaked press renders
Photo Credit: WinFuture

 

Next in line is the Pixel Watch 2, which is said to feature a 1.2-inch OLED-based display. The company could use a Snapdragon W5 Gen1 chipset for the wearable. It is reported to pack 2GB RAM. The smartwatch would come with all smart features like optical heart rate monitor, oxygen saturation tracker, and a multi-purpose sensor. It could run Wear OS 4, and is expected to be backed by a 306mAH battery. The starting price of the Pixel Watch 2 could be EUR 399 (nearly Rs. 35,000). 


Google I/O 2023 saw the search giant repeatedly tell us that it cares about AI, alongside the launch of its first foldable phone and Pixel-branded tablet. This year, the company is going to supercharge its apps, services, and Android operating system with AI technology. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Karima Baloch's husband blames Pak's ISI for her killing, asks Canada to reopen case

The husband of Baloch political activist Karima Baloch, who was killed in Toronto in 2020, accused Pakistan's ISI of her murder and called on the Canadian government to reopen the investigation. He participated in a protest in Geneva organized by the Baloch National Movement (BNM) to demand justice for Karima and other Baloch activists killed in Pakistan and abroad.

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Wednesday, September 27, 2023

SPO dead, 3 hurt as police vehicle falls into gorge in J&K’s Ramban

A Special Police Officer (SPO) of J&K Police died while three others were injured when the police vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Chanderkot area of Ramban district on Wednesday. “On receiving information about the accident, police and locals rushed to the spot and evacuated the injured to a nearby medical facility,” said a source.

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US woman meets her saviour in Lucknow

Mahogany and her friend Christopher reached the home of septuagenarian Sunita Nigam in Lucknow on Wednesday afternoon. Sunita is the former superintendent of the children’s shelter home, Lilawati Bal Griha, in the city's Aishbagh area.

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Tuesday, September 26, 2023

21 British MPs call on UK to halt FTA negotiations with India



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Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Waheeda

Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman has been chosen as the recipient of the 53rd Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest film honor. Rehman, known for her beauty and acting skills, has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her, and the timing of the award coincided with the birth centenary of her co-star Dev Anand, with whom she frequently collaborated.

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Govt extends Afspa in parts of Arunachal, Nagaland for 6 months

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been extended in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, giving armed forces personnel sweeping powers in "disturbed areas" to maintain public order. The declaration was made by the Union Home Ministry and will be in effect for a period of six months, starting from October 1, 2023.

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Monday, September 25, 2023

SC allows deaf lawyer to argue in sign language

The Supreme Court in India has started allowing sign language interpretation for hearing impaired lawyers, demonstrating that not everything needs to be spoken aloud in court. In a recent case, a deaf advocate was permitted to virtually argue with the help of a sign language interpreter.

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Most Indians are overdosing on salt by 3 grams, says study

A study published in the journal Nature Portfolio reveals that the average Indian consumes 8g of salt daily, exceeding the recommended daily limit of 5g. The study, based on a sample survey, found that men, employed individuals, tobacco users, obese individuals, and those with raised blood pressure had higher salt intake.

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Ukraine: Attack on Russian navy HQ killed 34, including fleet commander

The missile strike that blasted the Crimean headquarters of Russia’s navy last week killed 34 officers, including the fleet commander, Ukraine said Monday, though it provided no evidence to support its claim. Ukraine’s Special Operation Forces said on the Telegram messaging app that its strike on the main building of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the port city of Sevastopol had wounded 105 people.

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Dad's brave call proved right for double medallist Aishwary

Indian shooters made a telling statement at the Asian Games, winning three medals, including a team gold, as the country's marksmen asserted their class by grabbing five podium finishes in just two days of competition.

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Sunday, September 24, 2023

RBI may let wilful defaulters shed label after settlement

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a draft master direction on the treatment of wilful defaulters, allowing borrowers to remove the tag by reaching a compromise settlement with banks. The new rules aim to provide a transparent procedure for classifying borrowers as wilful defaulters while complying with the principles of natural justice. However, some criminal cases may lose ground as a result.

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Man moving suspiciously near LoC shot, shifted to Jammu GMCH

​A man spotted moving suspiciously very close to the Line of Control (LoC) was fired upon by the Army in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Sunday. The suspect was later rescued and shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, with bullet injuries.

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'You are Indian...you are the worst kind': Driver hurls abuses at woman

A Singaporean-Chinese cab driver is being investigated for racially abusing a Eurasian woman and her daughter, mistaking them for being Indian. The incident was captured in a heated conversation that the woman recorded and posted on Facebook. The driver can be heard shouting racial slurs and making derogatory remarks.

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Saturday, September 23, 2023

Canada flow ‘comfortable’, but India expands masur dal imports

The Indian government is "comfortable" with the amount of red lentils imported from Canada amid tensions between the two countries. India has received nearly one lakh tonnes of lentils at its ports, which is sufficient to meet the country's annual consumption of 23 lakh tonnes. The government is considering continuing the zero import duty on lentils beyond March 2024 to encourage overseas growers.

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Jamiat calls Bidhuri incident ‘shameful’, urges Speaker to take action

Maulana Arshad Madani of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has criticized BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's remarks in Parliament, calling them "shameful" and "filthy". Madani expressed concern over the use of such language against a Muslim MP and accused the ruling party of not taking any action to stop it. He also urged the Speaker to take legal action against Bidhuri for his comments.

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Brainless jellyfish wows scientists with its ability to learn

Researchers have discovered that box jellyfish, specifically the species Tripedalia cystophora, have the ability to learn. In a lab experiment, the jellyfish were trained to recognize and avoid patterns that represented mangrove roots, which they would typically collide with. After a few collisions, the jellyfish changed their behavior and began swimming farther away from the pattern. The study sheds light on the origins of learning and raises questions about the capacity to learn among nerve cells, regardless of whether they are part of a brain.

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Friday, September 22, 2023

MotoGP shows distorted map of India, apologises

MotoGP Bharat ran into a controversy on Friday when the organisers showed a distorted map of India while live-streaming on MotoGP TV the practice sessions from Buddh International Circuit.

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Probe shoddy: Supreme Court acquits two on death row of murder

The Supreme Court has acquitted two death row convicts and one lifer in a murder case due to a poorly conducted investigation. The court expressed concern over the inefficiency and lack of professionalism in police investigations and called for the development of a code of investigation to ensure better standards.

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Canada says 'no place for hate', reassures Hindus

Public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc and Sikh MPs Harjit Singh Sajjan and Randeep Sarai have reassured Canadian Hindus of their safety. The department stated that there is no place for hate in Canada.

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Canada shared intelligence on Nijjar murder with India weeks ago: Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said that ​​Canada shared evidence on allegations behind Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing with the Indian government weeks ago.

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I love to put myself in challenging situations: KL Rahul

KL Rahul, currently serving as India's stand-in captain, values the opportunity to immerse himself in "challenging scenarios," especially in the wake of his extended absence due to injury.

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Thursday, September 21, 2023

Authors vs AI: Grisham, Martin, Picoult among 17 to sue OpenAI

Seventeen authors, including John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and George R.R. Martin, are suing OpenAI, alleging that the company's ChatGPT program is using their copyrighted works without permission.

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'Defining moment', says PM as RS passes women's reservation bill

The women's reservation bill, which seeks to provide 33% reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a unanimous vote of 214-0. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all the MPs and said with the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India.

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YouTube Announces AI-Enabled Editing Products for Video Creators

YouTube will roll out a slew of artificial-intelligence-powered features for creators, the latest effort from parent company Alphabet to incorporate generative AI — technology that can create and synthesize text, images, music and other media given simple prompts — into its most important products and services.

Among the new products YouTube announced Thursday is a tool called Dream Screen that uses generative AI to add video or image backgrounds to short-form videos, which the company calls Shorts. It also announced new AI-enabled production tools to help with editing both short- and long-form videos on its platform.

“We're unveiling a suite of products and features that will enable people to push the bounds of creative expression,” Toni Reid, YouTube's vice president for community products, said in a blog post timed to the announcement Thursday. The Google-owned video platform first announced that it was developing the tools in March.

Google has been under pressure to show results and practical applications for its generative AI products. Some critics have been wary the company, which has long been seen as a leader in artificial intelligence, was falling behind upstarts like OpenAI or rival Microsoft, and that the products Google was rolling out weren't yet ready for public consumption. OpenAI's ChatGPT and a new Bing chatbot from Microsoft — which has invested $13 billion (nearly Rs. 1,08,100 crore) in OpenAI since 2019 — have been wildly popular and gained mainstream favour. 

Over the past few months, Google launched its own ChatGPT competitor, Bard, and released a steady flow of updates to the product. It's  also incorporated experimental generative AI features into its most important services, including its flagship search engine, in what the company calls its experimental “search generative experience.” The product generates detailed summaries based on information it's ingested from the internet and other digital sources in response to search queries.

The announcement of the new features also comes as YouTube is locked in fierce competition with ByteDance's TikTok and Meta Platforms's Instagram Reels to gain more share of the vertical, short-form video market. YouTube said it now sees more than 70 billion daily views on Shorts, and the new generative AI tools appear to be aimed at attracting even more users and creators and gaining a competitive edge over its rivals.

The company also announced YouTube Create, a mobile app aimed at helping the platform's creators make video production work easier. The app includes AI-enabled features like editing and trimming, automatic captioning, voiceover capabilities and access to a library of filters and royalty-free music. The app is currently in beta on Android in “select markets,” the company said, and will be free of charge.

Beyond creation, YouTube said it would also provide creators with more tools to get AI-powered insights, help with automatic dubbing of videos and assist with finding music and soundtracks for videos.

© 2023 Bloomberg LP 


From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Wrestler Antim wins World C'ship bronze, seals Olympic quota

Antim Panghal, a promising wrestler, achieved a historic milestone on Thursday by clinching the bronze medal at the 2023 World Championship in the 53kg category. This victory secured an Olympic quota for India in the same weight category for the Paris Games.

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Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Forgot where you kept your keys? You could have 'pseudo-dementia'

Doctors are seeing an increase in cases of 'pseudo-dementia' among younger people, which is caused by excessive stress, multitasking, and high workload.

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Trudeau refused presidential suite offered by India during G20

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's security team caused concern among Indian intelligence officials when they refused to let him stay in the specially prepared presidential suite during the G20 summit in India.

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Turkish President Erdogan again brings up Kashmir issue at UN

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of Kashmir during his address at the UN General Assembly. He called for the establishment of a just and lasting peace through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan.

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Jilted lover kills girl’s grandpa, lynched by mob in Uttar Pradesh

A 25-year-old man, identified as Asim, was beaten to death by an angry mob after he repeatedly stabbed an elderly man in Ambedkarnagar early on Wednesday.

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Amazon Fall 2023 Launch Event: All the Biggest Announcements and Launches

Amazon is supercharging its devices and services with generative AI. At its September hardware launch event, the world's largest online retailer announced new Echo and Fire TV devices, revealed how Alexa is getting generative AI, and a number of interesting ways Amazon is bringing the power of LLMMs to offer real-world solutions to its customers. With generative AI, Alexa is set to become a more powerful and 'conversational' virtual assistant. Customers will be able to join a preview to test these new generative AI features which will work with all existing Echo devices in the market. 

Here's a roundup of all the major announcements Amazon made at its fall hardware launch event on Wednesday: 

All-new Echo Show 8 smart display launched

Amazon kicked off its fall event by announcing the all-new Echo Show 8. The new smart display features spatial audio support and smart home hub functionality. Echo Show 8 can also 'sense' acoustics in a room, and adjust the sound output accordingly. It features a new proximity sensor, a front-facing camera at the top with a physical switch to turn off its microphone. The all-new Echo Show 8 is available for pre-orders in the US starting today, priced at $149. 

Amazon Alexa gets generative AI capabilities 

Amazon Alexa is finally getting generative AI. The company's generative AI models will be available across all Echo-enabled devices, including the first-generation Echo smart speakers. Amazon says its generative AI model is designed and optimised for voice, and focuses on offering real-time information besides letting consumers control their smart home products more efficiently. 

Alexa's generative AI model will offer a much deeper conversational experience. Amazon will open up its API to allow third-party developers to add their own LLMs to Alexa. The AI model will enable Alexa to offer personal reminders based on user interactions. For example, Alexa will be able to recommend recipes based on your grocery purchases. 

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Amazon's outgoing SVP of devices and services division, Dave Lim said that Alexa will now be able to understand conversations and reply back with proper context. Alexa will also be able to respond to multiple requests from one command. 

Customers in the United States will get access to these new generative AI features on Alexa via a free preview soon. Amazon hasn't announced when Echo users in other countries will be able to access these features. 

New Fire TV Stick models, Fire TV Soundbar launched

Screenshot 2023 09 20 at 92220 PM fire

Amazon also announced the launch of its next-generation Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and a new Fire TV Soundbar. The new Fire TV Stick models are powered by upgraded processors, and promise faster performance compared to previous generation models. Fire TV Stick 4K comes with support for Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, HDR10 and HDR 10 Plus. Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is just $10 more expensive than the standard 4K stick, offers twice the amount of storage (16GB) and Wi-Fi 6E support. 

Fire TV Stick 4K Max is Amazon's first streaming media player to support the Fire TV Ambient Experience. The feature was earlier limited to customers using Fire TV Omni QLED series TV models. Fire TV Stick 4K is priced at $49.99 and Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($59.99). 

Fire TV Soundbar launched

Amazon also announced its new Fire TV Soundbar alongside new Fire TV updates. The new model comes in a compact 24-inch design, and is compatible with all existing Fire TV devices. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing customers to pair their devices when they're not streaming content on the TV. The new Fire TV Soundbar is priced at $119.99 in the US. 

An upgraded Fire TV experience powered by generative AI

Just like Alexa, Fire TV is also getting generative AI. The new Fire TV experience promises to improve search and recommendations by combining Fire TV's extensive library with generative AI. Amazon says the new Fire TV experience will make it easier for customers to discover new content in a more conversational way. Customers will be able to ask Alexa to find content based on specific keywords such as actors, specific scenes, genres, etc. 

All-new Amazon Echo Frames launched

At its fall event, Amazon announced a new version of its Echo Frames audio glasses. The next-generation Echo Frames now offer up to six hours of battery life. Amazon says you can now pair and switch frames between two devices. Priced starting at $269.99, Amazon's new Echo Frames audio glass come in five new styles, including prescription-ready and blue light lens. 

The new Echo Frames promise a much better audio quality with the new custom-built speakers that can deliver more bass while minimizing outside noise compared to their predecessors. The glasses look much more natural, and are designed to offer a complete hands-free experience. 

Amazon Echo Hub smart home control panel announced

Amazon launched its all-new Echo Hub at its fall devices event today. The Echo Hub is the company's first smart home controller that looks more like a simple touchscreen tablet than a smart display. It can be used to control your smart home experiences. The 8-inch tablet-like device runs the same operating system as the new Echo Show 5. However, it doesn't come with a camera. 

Echo Hub offers a customisable smart home dashboard that lets customers manage their smart home devices using a simple-to-use interface. Echo Hub uses infrared to detect when a customer is nearby, and automatically switches to the Home Screen. When the user is away, it can switch back to a default setting such as a clock. Echo Hub is priced at $179.99 in the US. 



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US Federal Reserve leaves key interest rate unchanged

The Federal Reserve has decided to keep its primary interest rate unchanged at 5.25%-5.5% in an effort to achieve a "gentle landing" for the US economy. The central bank aims to cool down inflation without causing a severe recession. The Federal Reserve has been implementing a series of interest rate hikes since March 2022 to slow down the economy and rein in inflation. While progress has been made, certain service costs are still increasing at a higher rate than before the pandemic.

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Tuesday, September 19, 2023

On first day in new House, it is Adhir Ranjan vs Amit Shah

When Congress leader tried to claim credit for the bill, Amit Shah said the legislation brought by the Manmohan Singh government had lapsed. “The bill... was passed by Rajya Sabha and hence is still alive,” Chowdhury said.

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Centre launches initiatives focusing on agri-credit and crop insurance

The Indian government has launched three initiatives aimed at improving financial inclusion and livelihoods in the agricultural community. The initiatives include the Kisan Rin Portal for credit delivery, the Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan for short-term agriculture credit, and the WINDS Manual for weather data collection.

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CCI Said to Have Appointed Former WhatsApp Executive, Government Officials as New Members

India's antitrust body has appointed three new members to oversee cases, including a former government official from the commerce ministry and a former interim compliance officer of WhatsApp, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The new members appointed are Anil Agrawal, a former police official who recently worked at India's commerce ministry and worked on various startup initiatives and setting up of government's e-commerce network, Open Network For Digital Commerce. He confirmed the appointment to Reuters, but declined to elaborate.

Two other appointments are Sweta Kakkad, a lawyer whose LinkedIn profile showed she is a former interim chief compliance officer at WhatsApp. The third appointee is Deepak Anurag, who is a former official who worked at India's Comptroller and Auditor General.

Kakkad and Anurag could not be reached for comment. The appointment decisions were finalised and taken by the federal government, the sources said.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) did not respond to queries from Reuters.

The appointments come at a time when CCI is investigating several high-profile global companies for alleged antitrust violations, including Amazon, Walmart's Flipkart, Google and liquor giant Pernod Ricard.

The appointment of senior members is critical to functioning of CCI. In May, India named Ravneet Kaur as chairperson of the CCI. Kaur held several positions in the government over the last two decades, including as chairperson of India Tourism Development between 2017 and 2019.

© Thomson Reuters 2023 


Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Monday, September 18, 2023

Modi govt clears women's quota bill, 27 years after it was first introduced

The Indian government is set to table a bill in Parliament that would reserve one-third of seats for women. The bill will also provide a sub-quota for SC/STs. If passed, it could come into force by 2029.

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Udhayanidhi to TN governor: 'That's why need to eliminate Sanatan'

Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has defended his call to eliminate Sanatana Dharma, following comments by the state's governor on social discrimination. The governor had highlighted the problem of untouchability and inequality in Tamil Nadu. Stalin stated that his party also speaks out against caste discrimination and believes in equality. The DMK's remarks have caused controversy and strained relationships with allies.

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Canada pursuing ‘credible allegations’ Indian govt behind killing of Sikh leader: Trudeau



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Thailand eyes India to boost tourism recovery after waiving visa for China



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iOS 17 Update Rolling Out Alongside iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17: Check Features

iOS 17 is now rolling out to eligible iPhone models globally — including India. The company is also rolling out additional software updates including macOS Sonoma, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17 and watchOS 10 for compatible devices. These updates will add a few new features while improving several existing apps and services on Apple's currently supported devices. You can read our guide on how to download and install the latest iOS 17 software update on your iPhone and try out the latest features.

If you are looking for the new Journal app and the collaborative playlists for Apple Music — both features that were revealed at WWDC 2023 — you'll need to wait for a future update as they are not part of iOS 17.  Here are some of the best features coming to iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma that you should try out after installing the update.

Contact Posters and Live Voicemail 

While most elements of the user interface on iOS 17 are quite similar to iOS 16, the Phone app is getting a major revamp in the form of Contact Posters. This feature allows users to set their own poster and a profile photo that are shared with other people in their contacts. These can include full length images or Memoji, and customisable fonts with large text. In select regions, users will also see real-time transcription for Live Voicemail that is processed on-device, according to Apple.

NameDrop and AirDrop

iOS 17 will improve the company's proprietary wireless sharing mechanism, AirDrop. You can simply bring two devices together to share a file, start a SharePlay session, or play a game together. In addition to bringing your phone close to another user to share different types of data, you can also use a new feature called NameDrop that will allow you to share contact information — including your Contact Poster — with another user. 

StandBy mode

While Apple's smartphones have supported wireless charging since the iPhone 8, the company is finally adding support for a way to show useful information while its handsets are charging. After updating your iPhone to iOS 17, you will be able to see Live Activities, notifications, widgets, and Siri from your smartphone display, while it is in a horizontal position — the feature will work with both wired and wireless chargers.

Safari Profiles and Private Browsing Lock

Apple's web browser is gaining a few new tricks with the latest iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma update. Private Browsing tabs will be locked behind Face ID or Touch ID, which means unauthorised users won't be able to gain access without your consent. Safari is also gaining support for multiple profiles that will allow you to separate their cookies, bookmarks, and browsing history and switch across them for work and personal use. Competing browsers like Chrome and Firefox have supported profiles for several years now, and Chrome allows users to lock Incognito tabs on smartphones.

Check In and Live Stickers for Messages

Apple is adding support for a new Messages feature called Check In that will allow you to notify your family member when you have reached home safely. If you are not moving towards the destination specified, the Messages app will securely and temporarily inform your family member about your location, your battery level, and cellular service information. Meanwhile, you will be able to create stickers on your smartphone by long pressing and image and sharing it to the Messages app. These will appear in a new stickers section that can be used across iOS, according to Apple.


Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Xi Jinping’s security obsession turns ordinary citizens into spy hunters

As part of President Xi Jinping's efforts to strengthen national security and repel foreign threats, Beijing's top universities are incorporating spy-catching courses into their syllabus. Students are being instructed to become a "defense line" against foreign forces, and interactive training games are being organized. The Chinese Ministry of State Security has also joined social media app WeChat to raise awareness about national security.

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Sunday, September 17, 2023

PM Modi launches Rs 13,000 crore scheme for artisans

Narendra Modi followed through on his August 15 speech and launched the ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’, a central plan with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, on Sunday. He said it was high time that ‘Vishwakarmas’ (community of artisans and craftspeople) were recognised and supported, and his government had come forward as a partner to elevate their respect, enhance their capabilities and make them prosperous.

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Traces of rare metal vanadium, key for batteries, found off Gujarat coast

Vanadium, a critical raw material for many industrial applications, has been found in sediment samples collected from Gulf of Khambhat, which opens into the Arabian Sea off Alang in Gujarat. What makes this find a significant one is that the war mineral, used to strengthen steel and make batteries, is scarce in India.

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Kashmir army jawan dies as colleague’s gun fires ‘accidentally’

An army jawan died and another was injured after a colleague’s rifle allegedly went off accidentally in a camp in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday. The deceased jawan has been identified as Vipin Batya, 40, of 14 Rashtriya Rifles and the injured as Yogesh, 37.

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More Indians applying for visas this year than record 2019



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Saturday, September 16, 2023

Free speech not hate speech: Madras high court on Sanatan plea

The Madras High Court has stated that free speech cannot be considered hate speech and that untouchability is unconstitutional, both within and outside of the Sanatan Dharma. This came as the court heard a petition against a Tamil Nadu college that had sought students' views on the topic of "Opposition to Sanatan."

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In a first, NSIL to help Euro firm test re-entry capsule on PSLV last stage

Come January, a petite European spacecraft, christened “Bikini,” will hitch a ride aboard India’s trusted PSLV, soaring to a staggering altitude of 500km before making a re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere and plunging into the deep sea.

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'Rising ammunition prices set back Nato efforts to boost security'

Nato's top military official warned on Saturday that a drastic rise in prices for weapons and ammunition means that allies' higher defence spending does not automatically translate into greater security.

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'They don't play fearless…': Doull on India's approach in ICC events

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull expressed concerns about India's performance in major ICC events, stating that fearless cricket is crucial on the grand stage. Doull argued that Team India has struggled to adopt this approach, as they focus too much on statistics and are too worried about their stats, which is a concern for their batting side.

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Friday, September 15, 2023

Wounded soldier's death takes J&K toll to 4

A soldier wounded in a three-day operation against Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag has died in the hospital, bringing the total casualties to four. The search is ongoing for three Pakistani terrorists and a local recruit in the forests near the village of Gadool.

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Google to Pay Over $155 Million to Settle Claims About Tracking Location Data

Google agreed to pay $155 million (nearly Rs. 1,300 crore) to settle claims by California and private plaintiffs that the search engine company misled consumers about how it tracks their locations, and used their data without consent.

Both settlements resolve claims that the Alphabet unit deceived people into believing they maintained control over how Google collected and used their personal data.

The company was accused of being able to "profile" people and target them with advertising even if they turned off their "Location History" setting, and deceive people about their ability to block ads they did not want.

"Google was telling its users one thing--that it would no longer track their location once they opted out--but doing the opposite and continuing to track its users' movements for its own commercial gain," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "That's unacceptable."

The California settlement requires Google to pay $93 million (nearly Rs. 770 crore), and disclose more about how it tracks people's whereabouts and uses data it collects.

Money from Google's $62 million (nearly Rs. 515 crore) settlement with private plaintiffs would, after deducting legal fees, go to court-approved nonprofit groups that track internet privacy concerns.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs said this made sense because it was "infeasible" to distribute money to the approximately 247.7 million US adults with mobile devices.

Some critics say this type of settlement, known as "cy pres," offers little benefit to class members.

Google denied liability, and both settlements require court approval.

Last November, Google agreed to pay $391.5 million (nearly Rs. 3,250 crore) to resolve similar allegations by 40 US states.

The Mountain View, California-based company has also reached $124.9 million (nearly Rs. 1,040 crore) of settlements with Arizona and Washington.

A spokesperson for Google on Friday referred to a blog post discussing the multistate settlement, and said it related to "outdated product policies that we changed years ago."

Lawyers for the private plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Google generated $110.9 billion (nearly Rs. 9,22,100 crore) of advertising revenue in the first half of 2023, accounting for 81 percent of its total $137.7 billion (nearly Rs. 11,44,840 crore) of revenue.

© Thomson Reuters 2023


Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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'US consulate in Frankfurt sets aside visa interview appointments for Indian applicants’

The US consulate in Frankfurt has set aside nonimmigrant visa interview appointments specifically for Indian applicants, with a wait time of just three days. In contrast, the wait time for B1/B2 visa interview appointments in India ranges from 441 to 607 days.

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ISRO to Conduct Key Test for Gaganyaan Space Mission in October

India is set to conduct a key test in its ambitious crewed space mission Gaganyaan as early as next month, the project director of the mission R Hutton told Reuters.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is currently training four astronauts and looking to expand the cohort as it aims for more future manned missions, Hutton said.

The Gaganyaan mission is aimed at developing a human-habitable space capsule that will carry a three-member crew into an orbit of 400 km (250 miles) for three days, before returning to safety in a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

ISRO has said it will explore ways to achieve a sustained human presence in space once Gaganyaan is completed.

The team is aiming to test its crew escape system, which can be used to eject astronauts in emergencies, before undertaking a battery of other tests before the final launch phase, Hutton said, adding: "Safety is the most important thing we need to ensure".

About Rs. 90.23 billion has been allocated for the mission, which comes after the space agency's historical landing of its Chandrayaan-3 craft on the lunar south pole. 

While an exact timeline has not been shared, the mission is expected to be launched from the country's main spaceport in Sriharikota before 2024.

The space agency has previously said its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre had successfully tested systems for stabilising the crew module and safely reducing its velocity during re-entry.

© Thomson Reuters 2023


From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Kamal Haasan hosted Bigg Boss Tamil season 7 to premiere on Oct 1; watch promo

Host Kamal Haasan is back with a bang. As per reports, Bigg Boss Tamil 7 will have its grand premiere on October 1. The preps are in full swing for the grand launch of the Bigg Boss Tamil 7 premiere episode.

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Thursday, September 14, 2023

SAP's India Arm Eyes More Patents, Jobs Amid AI Push

SAP SE's Indian arm hopes to double its share of the German software giant's patents and add 3,000 jobs per year as it bets bigger on artificial intelligence, a top executive told Reuters on Thursday.

SAP Labs India Managing Director Sindhu Gangadharan hopes the Indian unit will scale up its share of global SAP patents to 50 percent from 25 percent currently, she said in an interview on the sidelines of an event in Bengaluru.

The company, which looks to double its AI talent base by 2024, expects "3,000 new joinees to enter the organisation every year", Gangadharan said, in a bid to quell fears that the rise of the emerging technology could hurt job growth.

SAP Labs India, which employs over 15,000 people, aims to embed generative AI across its products to cater better to the changing needs of its clients ranging from Thermax to Dabur India. 

"Through AI, India can solidify its IT supremacy," Gangadharan had said in the event, earlier in the day. 

The comments come as SAP looks to "double down" on investments in India, its fastest growing region and home to 40 percent of its global Research and Development (R&D) activity.

From banks to big tech, companies across the world have advanced on investments in AI following the massive success of ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

Gangadharan, while referring to the regulation of AI, said there should be a "great amount of responsibility barriers with flexibility to the end-user". 

Her comments come after ChatGPT creator Sam Altman called for self-regulation in June as governments across the world race to regulate the use of AI tools.

© Thomson Reuters 2023


From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Tata Motors Testing EVs in Global Markets, Plans to Open Dealerships in India

Tata Motors, India's biggest electric carmaker, is testing its electric vehicles in some global markets where it could look at a potential launch if the experiment succeeds, its managing director told Reuters.

The tests are in early stages and based on how the cars perform, Tata may need to make some changes to the product before it can finalise and develop a "go to market" strategy, Shailesh Chandra said in an interview. 

"It is about which markets I should be in, with what products and with what kind of distribution strategy. We are assessing some markets, running our cars, discussing with business partners," he said.

Chandra said it was too early to discuss details of the export markets and there would be more clarity next year.

Tata also plans to roll out new car dealerships over coming quarters in some Indian cities that will exclusively sell EVs as sales of its clean cars gain momentum and it lines up faster launches of new electric models, Chandra said.

Sales of EVs globally have been growing as tighter emission regulations push carmakers to increase the share of electric cars in their portfolio. While Tesla still leads the EV race, Chinese rivals like BYD are catching up with new factories and aggressive exports.

Tata Motors, which already sells three EV models, launched its fourth electric car in New Delhi on Thursday — a new version of its Nexon electric SUV with a starting price of Rs. 1.5 million, which can be driven for 465 kilometres on a single charge. 

The EV maker has a more than 80 percent share of India's electric car market, which is small but growing, and where it competes with China's MG Motor and home-grown Mahindra & Mahindra. Tesla is also eyeing an India factory and is in talks with the government to build a $24,000 (nearly Rs. 20 lakh) car. 

Electric models made up about 2 percent of total car sales in India of 3.9 million last fiscal year and the government wants to grow this to 30 percent by 2030. 

The Mumbai-based automaker has said it plans to have 10 electric cars in its portfolio over the next 3-4 years with EVs making up 25 percent of its total car sales by 2025. Chandra said the company is on track to meet its targets, including plans to sell around 1,00,000 EVs in the current fiscal year.

Growing sales and the new Nexon EV have become the catalyst for its plan to launch EV-only dealerships, Chandra said.

"It is not going to be a pan-India roll out, it is going to be a progressive roll out. We want to understand fully the implication of an exclusive outlet versus what we were selling with the existing outlets," Chandra said. 

Tata has a country-wide dealership network for its gasoline and diesel cars through which it currently also sells its EVs. Chandra said the roll out of new EV outlets would be in small and big cities, depending on its current network of dealerships.

Tata's ability to ramp up production of its EVs and launch new electric car models at a faster pace will also support its plan for new dealerships, which can now offer a broader portfolio, making them more viable, Chandra said. 

"Earlier, the bigger problem was our lack of assessment of demand... today we are very well prepared to deal with a faster ramp up," he said.


Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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How Sri Lanka pipped Pakistan in Asia Cup thriller

Top-order batter Kusal Mendis conjured a match-defining 91 as he along with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka guided Sri Lanka to the Asia Cup final, defeating top-ranked ODI side Pakistan by 2 wickets (DLS) in the rain-marred last-over Super Four thriller in Colombo on Thursday. Kusal fired a dazzling 87-ball 91 while Samarawickrama hit a crucial 48 as the duo shared a masterful century stand for the third wicket in a tricky 252 chase. In the final leg of the chase Asalanka showed nerves of steel to hand the co-hosts a famous win off the last ball at 10 past one post midnight.

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iPhone 12 Sale Banned in France Over Radiation Issues: What Would Happen Next

France's radiation watchdog has banned sales of Apple's iPhone 12 after tests that it said showed the smartphone breached European radiation exposure limits.

The Agence Nationale des Frequences (ANFR) said on Tuesday the model's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) — a measure of the rate of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body from a piece of equipment — was higher than legally allowed.

Jean-Noel Barrot, France's junior minister for the digital economy, told newspaper Le Parisien a software update could fix the problem. If Apple does not resolve the issue, the ANFR said it would order a recall of the device across France.

Apple disputes the watchdog's conclusions, saying the iPhone 12 was certified by multiple international bodies as compliant with global radiation standards.

What is SAR?

"Standard Absorption Rate" refers to the dose of energy that the body absorbs from any source of radiation. It is expressed as watts per kilogram of body weight.

The radiation from mobile phones is a result of the way they work, by transmitting radiofrequency waves, creating electromagnetic fields. Unlike the radiation from X-rays or gamma rays – caused by radioactive decay – phones cannot break chemical bonds or cause changes to cells in the human body, a process which can ultimately cause harm like cancer.

What has ANFR found?

The ANFR said it recently carried out random tests on 141 phones, including iPhone 12, bought from shops. In independent laboratory tests, two iPhone 12s did not comply with EU standards, the office of the Digital Minister told Reuters.

Smartphone radiation tests have so far led to 42 imposed sale stops in the country, it said.

How dangerous is it?

The main issue caused by a phone's "non-ionizing" type of radiation is the heating up of body tissue. Above set limits, and depending on the duration of exposure, this can lead to health effects such as burns or heat stroke, according to the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), a body which sets guidelines for the limits globally.

The ANFR said accredited labs had found an SAR of 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests of the iPhone 12 being held in the hand or kept in a trouser pocket. The EU standard is 4.0 watts per kilogram. However, this represents no risk to human health, the chair of ICNIRP, Professor Rodney Croft, said.

The WHO and other international health bodies say there is no definitive evidence that radiation from mobile phones causes other adverse health effects. However, it has called for more research.

In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classed the radiation from mobile phones as "possibly carcinogenic", or class 2B. This designation is used when the agency cannot rule out a potential link.

The agency said there was "limited" evidence of an increased risk of brain tumours in some, but not all, of the research available — and particularly for "heavy users" — but it could not rule out bias or errors in the data, meaning no definitive conclusions could be drawn.

How has Apple responded? 

The ANFR has said a software update should be sufficient to fix the issue.

In simple terms, this is because the software — the apps, programmes and other operating information running on a device — affects how the hardware (the device) works. So a software update should be enough to reduce iPhone 12 users' SAR exposure.

However, Apple has rejected the agency's findings. The company said it had provided ANFR with multiple Apple and independent third-party lab results proving its compliance with all applicable SAR regulations and standards in the world.

Apple said it would contest the results of ANFR's review and would continue to engage with the agency to show it is compliant.

Are there more bans to come?

The ANFR said the iPhone 12 had failed to meet European Union standards, raising questions over whether more sales bans could be coming elsewhere.

ANFR will pass on its findings to regulators in other EU member states.

While it remains unclear if other authorities are investigating, Germany's Federal Office for Radiation Protection said on Wednesday "the question of the need for change is currently the subject of discussions".

© Thomson Reuters 2023


Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Hunter Biden indicted on federal firearms charges

Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, is facing criminal charges related to gun possession after failing to reach a plea deal. This is the first time a sitting president's child is being prosecuted. The charges were brought by US Special Counsel David Weiss, who has been investigating Hunter Biden's business dealings. These charges add drama to the upcoming 2024 presidential campaign, where President Biden is expected to seek reelection against former President Donald Trump. Hunter Biden has been targeted by Republicans for years, but there is no evidence that President Biden personally benefited from his son's activities.

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Wednesday, September 13, 2023

5th Nipah case in Kerala, contact list swells to 789

A 24-year-old healthcare worker at a private hospital in Kerala's Kozhikode district tested positive for Nipah fever on Wednesday, a day after four people, including two who have since passed away, were confirmed to be infected with the virus. The health worker's samples were tested at National Institute of Virology, Pune, according to health minister Veena George.

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Army Col, Major & J&K DSP die fighting Pak-backed terrorists

Three security personnel, including an army colonel, were killed in a gunfight with suspected terrorists in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter took place in the forests surrounding Gadool village and is still ongoing. The terrorists are believed to be from The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

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Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Centre rushes team to Kerala as state reports 2 Nipah deaths

According to Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, two fatalities have occurred as a result of Nipah virus infection in Kerala. Additionally, samples from four individuals in the coastal state, who are suspected of having the disease, have been dispatched to Pune's National Institute of Virology (NIV) for further testing.

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iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus With Dynamic Island, 48-Megapixel Camera Launched in India: Price, Specifications

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were launched globally on Tuesday at Apple's 'Wonderlust' launch event. Both handsets feature a few notable hardware upgrades over last year's iPhone models. These include the company's A16 Bionic chipset, Dynamic Island and a 48-megapixel primary camera — features that were available on last year's Pro models. This year, all of Apple's iPhone models are equipped with a USB Type-C port, making them the first handsets to arrive without Apple's proprietary Lightning charging port.

iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus pricing and availability

iPhone 15 pricing in India starts at Rs. 79,900 while the iPhone 15 Plus is priced at Rs. 89,900 for the base 128GB variant. Both phones will be available in Black, Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow colour options, according to the company. While pre-orders for the phones begin on September 15, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will go on sale on September 22. The handsets will be available with up to 512GB storage.

iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus specifications and features

The iPhone 15 is a dual SIM (Nano) smartphone that sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Ceramic Shield material for additional protection. This year, Apple has also equipped the iPhone 15 with the Dynamic Island that was introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models last year. The display offers up to 2000 nits of peak brightness and the handset has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 15 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.

iphone 15 plus inline iphone 15

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus colour options

 

Unlike last year's model, the primary camera on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models is a 48-megapixel wide angle camera with a 2um quad pixel sensor and an f/1.6 aperture. The smartphone is also equipped with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with an f/1.6 aperture and sensor shift stabilisation. The handset is equipped with a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front, located in the new camera island for selfies and video chats.

Apple's new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are equipped with the company's A16 Bionic chip that powered last year's iPhone 14 Pro models. The handsets are the first phones from Apple to feature a USB Type-C port (instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning connector). There's no word the iPhone maker on the amount of RAM or battery capacities on both handsets, but we can expect to find out additional details through third-party sources over the coming weeks.


Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 With S9 SiP, Double Tap Gesture Launched in India : Details

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were launched at the company's 'Wonderlust' event on Tuesday (September 12). The new Apple Watch Series 9 arrives as the tenth iteration in the series of smartwatches launched by the Cupertino giant. The new models look quite similar to the Apple Watch Series 8. However, it does boast new hardware features that are touted to deliver improved performance. Apple's new wearables include the Apple S9 SiP (system in package). The Apple Watch Series 9 is offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes, while the Apple Watch Ultra is launched in 49mm size. They include support for the WatchOS 10 software version as well. 

Apple Watch Series 9 price, availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 price starts at Rs. 41,900 in India. It has an initial price tag of $399 (roughly Rs. 33,000) in the US. The wearable comes in five shades — Midnight, Starlight, Silver, (Product) Red, and a new Pink.

The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at Rs. 89,900 in India. In the US, it'll cost you $799 (roughly Rs. 64,000). 

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are currently up for pre-orders. They will go on sale starting Friday, September 22. 

To recall, the Apple Watch Series 8 GPS was launched with a price tag of $399 (roughly Rs. 31,800) in the US and Rs. 45,900 in India. The Apple Watch Ultra was unveiled last year for Rs. 89,900. It is priced at $799 (roughly Rs, 63,600) in the US.

Apple Watch Series 9 specifications, features

The Apple Watch Series 9 comes in 41mm and 45mm case options. Like the previous Watch Series 7 and Watch Series 8 models, they have the always-on Retina display with up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. It is claimed to deliver up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. 

The smartwatch is powered by a new Apple S9 SiP (system in package) with a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. Apple claims that the new chip is 60 percent faster than the Apple Watch Series 8. The new wearable allows users to access their health data through Siri. It comes with a "Double Tap" gesture that lets users answer or end a call, stop a timer, snoozer alarm, control music, access camera and more just by tapping their thumb and index finger fingers together. Fuelled by Digital Crown and Taptic Engine, the Double Tap feature will also allow users to open the Smart Stack from the watch face and scroll through widgets in the stack. Further, the wearable also has the ability to ping the user's iPhone. It can be integrated with HomePod as well.

The Apple Watch Series 9 runs watchOS 10 and the new operating system comes with redesigned apps, a fresh Smart Stack, new watch faces, new cycling and hiking features, and tools to support mental health. Further, the smartwatch comprises a four-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks faster than previous Watch Series 8 models. It is also said to make dictation up to 25 percent more accurate than the Apple Watch Series 8.

The new model is claimed to be Apple's first carbon-neutral product. 

Apple Watch Ultra 2 specifications, features

The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a 49mm case with an improved Retina display that now offers up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Like the Apple Watch Series 9, the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 also runs on the S9 SiP. The flagship smartwatch also comes with advanced features like on-device Siri processing and improved location tracking. 

The Apple Watch Ultra is said to deliver up to 36 hours of battery life during normal use.


Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.


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