Tech Bites

Microsoft and Google are eager to advance their efforts in generative artificial intelligence (AI), but they face potential resistance from shareholders due to the escalating costs associated with this pursuit. Despite strong quarterly results, both companies warned of substantial investments in data centres and servers throughout the year to develop cutting-edge AI products, dampening investor optimism about financial gains from generative AI. Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI, involving a commitment of up to $13 billion, propelled it into the forefront of the generative AI race, boosting its share price by over 60 per cent in the past year and surpassing Apple as the world’s largest company. However, investors remain cautious as Microsoft and Google project higher capital expenditures in 2024 for technological infrastructure supporting generative AI. In the final quarter of 2023, Microsoft reported a 20 per cent rise in cloud revenues to $25.9 billion, exceeding analysts’ expec

OnePlus 12 was recently launched in India, as well as globally, alongside the OnePlus 12R . The flagship model was initially unveiled in China in December 2023. The newly-launched OnePlus 12 ships with Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and carries a 5,400mAh battery which supports 100W SuperVOOC charging. Now, the Indian variant of the OnePlus 12 has received its first software update which offers users a few new and some improved features and functions. The OnePlus 12 update comes with the firmware version CPH2573_14.0.0.404(EX01) and a 6.48GB size. As per the changelog, this update brings the OnePlus Master Mode feature to the handset, which includes Hasselblad colour tuning that is claimed to offer accurate skin tones and natural-looking colours in photographs. The mode also lets users click in RAW format and allows room for more manual adjustments of ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus, etc. Notably, the OnePlus 12 is equipped with a Hasse

During a US Senate hearing, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology to families concerning the impact of social media on children. Senators grilled leaders of major social media companies, emphasizing the urgent need for legislation and accusing the companies of having “blood on their hands” for neglecting child protection from increasing threats on their platforms. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham accused Zuckerberg and other companies of having a product “that’s killing people.” “Mr. Zuckerberg, you and the companies before us, I know you don’t mean it to be so, but you have blood on your hands,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, referring to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “You have a product that’s killing people.” Zuckerberg testified along with X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and Discord CEO Jason Citron. Senator Dick Durbin, the Judiciary Committee’s Democratic chairman, cited statistics from the National Center for Missing and Expl

Xiaomi 14  series with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and HyperOS operating system was launched in Chinese markets in October last year. They are yet to make their India debut, but ahead of it, rumours about the next-generation flagship smartphones from Xiaomi have already started surfacing online. The Xiaomi 15 series is tipped to be powered by next-generation Qualcomm flagship processor. The Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro are said to go official in September. Tipster Smart Pikachu (translated from Chinese) on Weibo claimed that the Xiaomi 15 series will be equipped with Qualcomm's unannounced Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC. The displays of the purported devices are said to offer a 1.5K resolution. The Xiaomi 14 series was the first handset to feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. Previous leaks suggested that mass production of the Xiaomi 15 lineup will kick off in September. The regular model is expected to retain a flat display and have the same screen size as the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 13 . The Xia

Krutrim , the AI startup founded by serial entrepreneur Bhavish Aggarwal , has gained unicorn status after securing $50 million in funding from investors including Matrix Partners India. It becomes the first Indian AI startup to gain a billion-dollar valuation, a mere month after debuting a large language model, the firm said in a blog post. Krutrim, which translates to “artificial” in Sanskrit, is also developing data centers and will ultimately aim to create servers and super computers for the AI ecosystem. A clutch of Indian startups and academic groups are racing to build large language models in Indian languages, so called Indic LLMs, after the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT more than a year ago. Countries are hoping to create their own competing AI systems, rather than relying on technology from the US or China. In Europe, investors are pouring cash into France's Mistral AI, valued at $2 billion after being founded last year. The United Arab Emirates touts its Falcon model,

OnePlus Nord N30 SE was unveiled in the UAE on Monday, January 29. The smartphone, succeeds the OnePlus Nord N20 SE  and comes with several upgrades over the older model. The newly launched smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W wired fast charging. The handset is also equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a 50-megapixel dual rear camera system, and an 8-megapixel front camera. It is available in a single RAM and storage configuration and two colour options. OnePlus Nord N30 SE price, availability The lone 4GB + 128GB variant of the OnePlus Nord N30 SE is priced in the UAE at AED 599 (roughly Rs. 13,600) and is available for purchase via noon.com. Notably, the model is listed on the OnePlus Global website. It is offered in Satin Black and Cyan Sparkle colour options. OnePlus Nord N30 SE specifications, features The OnePlus Nord N30 SE features a 6.72-inch full-HD+ (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) LCD

Apple has come out strongly opposing the UK government’s proposed amendments to the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016, which would require pre-approval for new security features introduced by tech firms. The amendments suggest that if the UK Home Office rejects an update, it cannot be released globally, and the public would not be informed. The government aims to update the IPA to balance technological innovation with national security. According to the proposed changes, decisions about lawful access, aimed at protecting the country from threats like child exploitation and terrorism, would be made by democratically accountable entities and approved by Parliament. However, Apple considers this an “unprecedented overreach,” expressing deep concern that the amendments could jeopardize users’ privacy and security. The tech giant argues that if enacted, the UK government could secretly veto new user protections globally, preventing Apple from offering them to customers. Apple had pre

Neuralink, the brain-machine interface startup founded by Elon Musk, has successfully implanted a brain chip in its first human patient, according to a recent announcement by Musk on the social media platform X. Musk reported that the patient is recovering well, and the initial outcomes of the procedure show promise. The innovative brain implant developed by Neuralink is designed to empower individuals with traumatic injuries to operate computers through their thoughts. In May last year the company secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence its initial human trials, targeting individuals with quadriplegia resulting from cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Elon Musk revealed that Neuralink’s inaugural product, named “Telepathy,” aims to facilitate control over phones, computers, and a wide range of devices simply by thinking. The initial users of this technology are envisioned to be individuals who have lost the use of

Honor X9b is expected to launch in India soon. The phone has earlier been spotted on certification sites. Its launch and price details have also been previously leaked. The model is available in select regions worldwide, and its anticipated India variant is likely to share similar features to its global version. Now the phone has surfaced online again - this time, briefly, in an e-commerce listing, further backing its India launch rumours. The listing showed the RAM and storage configuration that the phone is expected to launch in and also hinted at its colour options. Tipster Paras Guglani (@passionategeekz) shared a screenshot of the Honor X9b Amazon India listing. Although the Amazon page has since been taken down, the screenshot suggests that the smartphone will be available in a Sunrise Orange colour option and 12GB RAM + 256GB onboard storage.  {Exclusive} Honor X9B 5G Listed on Amazon India!! Sunrise Orange with 12GB/256GB is confirmed ✅✅???? As leaked Combo offer will b

Searches for Taylor Swift on Elon Musk’s X platform have been temporarily blocked after sexually explicit deepfake images of the pop star surfaced and spread widely across the platform. The incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in addressing deepfakes—realistic images and audio generated using artificial intelligence, often utilized to depict public figures in compromising situations without their consent. Attempts to search for terms such as “Taylor Swift” or “Taylor AI” on X resulted in an error message over the weekend. This measure aims to restrict access to AI-generated explicit content involving the renowned singer. Joe Benarroch, Head of Business Operations at X, stated that this action is temporary and taken with an abundance of caution to prioritize safety. Notably, Elon Musk acquired X for $44 billion in October 2022, and since then, he has reportedly reduced resources dedicated to content moderation, citing a commitment to free speech

Krutrim, an artificial intelligence startup founded by serial entrepreneur Bhavish Aggarwal, cofounder of Ola Electric, has achieved unicorn status, securing a remarkable $50 million in funding, with Matrix Partners India among the investors. Notably, this accomplishment comes just a month after the introduction of a significant language model by the company. Krutrim, translating to “artificial” in Sanskrit, proudly claims the title of the first Indian AI startup to reach a billion-dollar valuation. In a blog post, the company revealed its plans to expand beyond language models, venturing into the development of data centres. The long-term vision includes the creation of servers and supercomputers dedicated to serving the evolving needs of the AI ecosystem. The race to build large language models in Indian languages, known as Indic LLMs, has intensified among various Indian startups and academic groups. This surge in activity follows the unveiling of OpenAI’s ChatGPT over a year ago

In a pioneering move, ViewSonic has introduced the world’s first line of projectors specifically crafted for Xbox enthusiasts. The X1-4K and the short throw X2-4K LED projectors promise an unparalleled gaming experience, supporting 1440p at 120Hz. With an emphasis on delivering detailed and immersive visuals, these projectors cater to gamers seeking top-notch performance. The X1-4K and X2-4K LED projectors showcase 4K UHD visuals on a colossal 100-inch screen, ensuring a cinematic gaming atmosphere. Boasting theatre-level sound, courtesy of Harman Kardon speakers, these projectors aim to redefine gaming audio-visuals. ViewSonic asserts that these projectors are meticulously designed to elevate gaming to new heights of excitement and realism. Featuring cutting-edge technology, gamers can now immerse themselves in high-quality visuals with faster refresh rates and enhanced clarity. Key Specifications The X1-4K and X2-4K LED projectors are tailored to enhance the Xbox gaming experienc

Realme 12 5G and Realme 12+ 5G are said to be in the works and details of the new handsets have surfaced online, shortly before the company launches the Realme 12 Pro series in India. Two new Realme 12 series handsets have been spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website, which suggests they could make their debut in the near future. The Realme 12+ 5G has also been listed on China's MIIT certification website, along with images of the purported handset. Both the Realme 12 5G and Realme 12+ 5G are now listed on the BIS website with the model numbers RMX3868 and RMX38667, respectively. The listings that were published on January 24, do not reveal any of the handsets' specifications. The appearance of the listings suggest that both the Realme 12 models will be launched in India soon — readers might recall that the Realme 12 Pro models that will debut in India on January 29 were spotted on the BIS website in mid-December. Photo Credit: Screenshot/ BIS website   Mea

Infinix Smart 8 Pro has been silently launched by the company. The latest addition to the Smart 8 series is equipped with a 50-megapixel rear camera and sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 500 nits. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G36 SoC paired with up to 8GB of RAM and runs on Android 13 (Go edition). The handset packs a 5,000mAh battery that can be charged at 10W.  While the company is yet to reveal the price of the Infinix Smart 8 Pro, the details of the smartphone published on Infinix's website confirm that the handset will be available with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of inbuilt storage. It will go on sale in Galaxy White, Rainbow Blue, Shiny Gold, and Timber Black colour options. We can expect to hear more about pricing and availability of the handset in the coming days. Infinix Smart 8 Pro specifications The dual SIM (Nano) Infinix Smart 8 Pro runs on Android 13 (Go edition) out-of-the-box. It sports a 6.66-inch

Spotify said on Friday that Apple's new plan to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act ( DMA ) is "a complete and total farce." From early March, developers will be able to offer alternative app stores on iPhone and opt out of using Apple's in-app payment system, which charges commissions of up to 30 percent, under the bloc's new rules. However, developers will still be required to pay a "core technology fee" of EUR 50 (roughly Rs. 4,500) per user account per year under Apple's new EU regime. "From the beginning, Apple has been clear that they didn't like the idea of abiding by the DMA. So they've formulated an undesirable alternative to the status quo," the music streaming-giant said on Friday. Spotify said it would have to pay a 17 percent commission if it stays in the App Store and offers its own in-app payment under the new terms. "Every developer can choose to stay on the same terms in place today

Moto G34 5G launched in India on January 9 as an affordable 5G smartphone and is now available for purchase as well. The Moto G lineup has been around for more than a decade now. I still remember the very first Moto G launched in 2013 with stock Android, some Moto exclusive features, a single 5-megapixel rear camera, and thick bezels. 10 years later, there are a lot of changes with the G lineup, but Motorola has managed to keep the pricing affordable. The new Moto G34 5G costs less than the launch price of the original Moto G. And instead of a 5-megapixel camera, you now get 50-megapixels. I've been using the newly launched Moto G34 5G for over a week now, and here's my take on the latest G phone! Moto G34 5G price in India Before I start on the Moto G34 5G, I'd like to mention its pricing in India. The base variant, which gets 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, is priced at Rs. 10,999. We're reviewing the 8GB + 128GB variant, which is priced at Rs. 11,999. The original Mot

Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has expressed concerns about the potential of being removed from his position at the company due to his relatively small stake of approximately 12 per cent. During an earnings call, Musk mentioned the influence of shareholder advisory firms like Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services, jokingly referring to them as “ISIS” due to their unconventional ideas. Musk highlighted the possibility of increasing his stake to at least 25 per cent by exploring options such as creating a dual class of shares, similar to Meta Platforms. This revelation follows Musk’s recent appeal to Tesla’s board for a significant stock award and his sale of nearly $40 billion in Tesla stock to cover taxes and fund his acquisition of the social media platform Twitter, renamed X. During the earnings call, Musk shifted the discussion toward Tesla’s potential in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, expressing his commitment to these fields. He stated that without a minimum

The stock value of Tesla saw a significant dip of just over 12% on Thursday following remarks by CEO Elon Musk highlighting the challenges posed by Chinese electric-car manufacturers, whom he referred to as “the most competitive car companies in the world.” During Tesla’s earnings call on Wednesday, Musk praised Chinese carmakers such as BYD, Geely, and SAIC, emphasizing their excellence and warning that, without trade barriers, they could potentially outshine most other global car companies. Musk’s remarks contributed to a substantial decrease in Tesla’s market capitalization, which plummeted by $82 billion on Thursday. In addition to Musk’s comments on the Chinese market, lower sales projections for 2024 and uncertainty regarding potential interest rate adjustments by the Federal Reserve further impacted Tesla’s market value. The stock traded around $182 on Thursday afternoon, marking a 27% decline year-to-date. Earlier this month, Tesla lost its position as the world’s largest

India has awarded its third highest civilian honour, the Padma Chushan to Taiwan’s Liu Young-way, the Chief Executive Officer of Foxconn, in a move that will send a very strong message to the Communist Party of China. The 66-year-old Liu is set to receive the accolade in a ceremony later this year, with the presentation to be made by the President of India. The announcement of the 132 recipients across various Padma categories was made on the eve of India’s Republic Day. This recognition comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to attract foreign investments and position India as the next manufacturing hub in Asia. It aligns with the broader context of global initiatives to shift supply chains away from China, led by the United States and its allies. Liu Young-way had previously visited New Delhi and held discussions with Prime Minister Modi in March. Foxconn, in a statement, expressed its commitment to building an ecosystem in India, fostering collaboration and growth amon

Microsoft has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing a market capitalisation of $3 trillion, joining its longtime rival Apple as only the second company in history to reach this valuation. The news, announced on Tuesday, follows closely on the heels of Microsoft briefly overtaking Apple as the world’s most valuable company just two weeks ago. The decades-long competition between Microsoft and Apple has seen them jockeying for the top spot in corporate America. Microsoft’s recent surge, led by CEO Satya Nadella, reflects a remarkable turnaround for the tech giant. In fact, since taking over as CEO, Nadella, has overseen Microsoft’s stock go up by 1006 per cent In the early 2000s, Microsoft faced challenges as Apple gained prominence with successful products like the iPod, iPhone, and Apple Watch. However, under Nadella’s leadership since 2014, Microsoft has experienced a resurgence, reclaiming its position at the forefront of the industry. Nadella’s strategic initiatives, i

Google Pixel 8 is still new in the market, but early renders of the Pixel 9 have already started emerging on the Web, giving us a look at what the company's next flagship smartphone could look like. The renders show the handset in a blue shade and suggest three cameras on the rear. This would be a significant update for the vanilla model. It looks like Google may have redesigned the rear camera module. The images indicate flat edges on the Pixel 9, similar to what we saw on the Pixel 9 Pro. It also has a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera on the display. After posting CAD-based renders of the Google Pixel 9 Pro, tipster Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks), has leaked renders and specifications of the Google Pixel 9 in association with 91Mobiles. The renders suggest a compact design for the handset with flattened sides, resembling the latest iPhone 15 series. The phone appears to get a redesigned rear camera module housing three sensors and an LED flash. This would be a huge upgrade f

Tesla’s aggressive strategy of slashing prices to boost sales, coupled with the expenses associated with bringing the Cybertruck into production and other research and development (R&D) costs, has reportedly strained profits in the fourth quarter, according to the latest earnings report released on Wednesday. Despite achieving a remarkable milestone by delivering a record 1.8 million electric vehicles (EVs) in 2023, Tesla’s financial growth did not mirror its sales success. The widening gap in profits can be attributed to the company’s deliberate price cuts aimed at stimulating sales and increased expenditures related to upcoming products. In the Q4 and annual earnings release, Tesla issued a cautionary note, stating that it is currently “between two major growth waves.” While the Model Y and Model 3 have contributed significantly to the company’s success in recent years, Tesla anticipates a potentially lower growth in vehicle sales in 2024 as it gears up to launch a new vehicle

A team of Japanese scientists has achieved a remarkable breakthrough by capturing real-time footage that showcases plants communicating with each other. The discovery, reported by Science Alert, reveals that plants release a fine mist of airborne compounds, similar to smells, to warn nearby plants of potential dangers. The video, recorded by molecular biologist Masatsugu Toyota and his team from Saitama University, demonstrates how plants both receive and respond to these aerial alarms. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. The research team, including PhD student Yuri Aratani and postdoctoral researcher Takuya Uemura, observed how undamaged plants responded to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by neighbouring plants under threat, such as those damaged by insects. If #plants could talk, they’d do so thru chemical signals about predators (aphids, caterpillars, gardeners with shears/pesticides…). Plants CAN talk (which we’ve known), but molecular

Pros: – M3’s powerful punch handles popular games at high settings. – Unbelievable battery life for uninterrupted gaming sessions. – Cloud gaming and emulation expand game library possibilities. – Thin and light design, perfect for the mobile gamer. Cons: – Still not quite a dedicated gaming laptop in terms of raw power. – Limited native MacOS game library. – Emulation performance can vary depending on the game. For years, MacBooks have been ostracized from the hardcore gaming scene. Underpowered graphics cards, limited compatibility, and a notorious lack of developer love conspired to keep Apple’s laptops firmly in the productivity camp. However, with the arrival of the Apple M3 MacBook Pro, equipped with the revolutionary M3 chip boasting an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, Apple throws down the gauntlet. Can this seemingly sleek machine finally crack the gaming fortress? We spent weeks battling goblins, racing through neon landscapes, and conquering strategy empires to find o