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14/06/2024

WhatsApp is rolling out three major updates to enhance calling features across iPhones, Android, web, and PCs. These include screen sharing with audio, accommodating up to 32 participants in video calls, and a speaker spotlight feature that highlights the active speaker. Additionally, WhatsApp is introducing the MLow codec to improve call quality, offering clearer audio and higher resolution video, even on poor networks or older devices. These updates aim to make calls on WhatsApp more reliable and of higher quality, enhancing the overall user experience.

14/06/2024

YouTube is testing server-side ad injection, embedding ads directly into video streams to combat ad-blockers. This method integrates ads into the core video file, making them indistinguishable from content, thus bypassing ad-blocking extensions. SponsorBlock, an extension that skips sponsored segments, reported that YouTube’s new approach disrupts its functionality. This move is part of YouTube’s broader effort to protect its advertising revenue by targeting ad-blockers and third-party apps. Users are encouraged to subscribe to YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience. The test is currently limited but expected to expand, indicating significant changes to YouTube's video delivery infrastructure.

14/06/2024

At the WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple unveiled significant updates, including the introduction of Apple Intelligence and a Siri makeover. Key announcements highlighted advancements in AI and new features for the Vision Pro. Spotlight Search in iOS 18 now supports natural language queries, improving app content discovery. iOS 18 also introduces a two-step permissions process for address book access, enhancing user privacy. Additionally, Apple Watch users can now pause activity rings, a long-requested feature. Developers can explore more through the developer betas and sessions at the event. Watch the keynote archive for detailed insights.

14/06/2024

A devastating fire in Mangaf, Kuwait, killed 49 people, including 45 Indians, and injured 56 others. The blaze occurred in a seven-storey building housing 196 workers, rented by NBTC group. Most victims were from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern India. The fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, was exacerbated by inflammable partitions, leading to severe suffocation. Kuwait's authorities are cracking down on housing violations, with the building owner in custody and charges filed against two individuals for "erroneous killing" due to negligence. Investigations and inspections of similar buildings are ongoing.

19/04/2024

Google fires 28 employees for protesting in office space against Israel contract, project Nimbus.

19/04/2024

Toshiba is contemplating a significant reduction in its domestic workforce, aiming to cut about 5,000 jobs, or 7% of its total workforce in Japan. Primarily focusing on back-office roles, the reductions will be achieved through voluntary retirements, marking the largest cut since the 2015 accounting scandal. This move aligns with Toshiba's strategy to consolidate operations by reintegrating business units into the main headquarters. After its delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Toshiba is under pressure to stabilize financially, with plans to enhance business value through data-centric strategies and innovations in AI and quantum technology. Discussions with the labor union will finalize the job cut details, a pivotal component of Toshiba's midterm management plan.

19/04/2024

Tech Layoffs: Toshiba plans to fire 5,000 employees in biggest job cut since 2015.

19/04/2024

Google, owned by Alphabet, is reorganizing internally to advance its artificial intelligence (AI) efforts and strengthen its tech position. It plans to merge AI development, Android, and hardware teams, aiming for closer collaboration. Google will combine Research and DeepMind AI teams to enhance efficiency and collaboration. The Responsible AI teams will move to DeepMind to prioritize safety in AI development. This comes after DeepMind's success with the Gemini AI model, which can handle various data formats but faced criticism for image generation inaccuracies. Google is also creating a new "Platforms and Devices" team to oversee key products, emphasizing AI's central role.

19/04/2024

Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, has made strides in generative AI with the launch of Llama 3, a large language model, and a real-time image generator. Meta aims to compete with OpenAI, positioning its virtual assistant, Meta AI, as the most advanced among free-to-use counterparts. Meta plans to integrate Meta AI into its apps and a standalone website, offering interactive features like creating packing lists and generating artwork. The release of Llama 3 includes enhanced coding skills and text processing, with future versions expected to include multimodal capabilities. Meta's partnership with Google for real-time search integration aims to enhance search results. CEO Mark Zuckerberg touts Meta AI as the most intelligent freely available AI assistant, but concerns remain about its nuanced language comprehension.

19/04/2024

Netflix has decided to stop reporting subscriber numbers quarterly, signaling a possible slowdown in customer growth. Despite adding 9.3 million subscribers in Q1, exceeding expectations with its ad-supported plans, Netflix's stock fell by 4.2%. The company plans to focus on revenue and margins over customer acquisitions. Concerns persist about future growth once it addresses password sharing. Netflix's decision aligns with tech giants like Meta and Twitter, which stopped reporting user metrics as growth slowed. Despite challenges, Netflix's shares surged by 89% in the past year. It plans to enhance content offerings, expand its advertising business, and continue with its ad-supported plans. Financially, Netflix exceeded Q1 earnings expectations, with revenue reaching nearly $9.4 billion and operating income at $2.6 billion. Looking ahead, Netflix projects a revenue of $9.49 billion for the current quarter. It is diversifying content, including a deal to stream WWE's "Raw" from January 2025. Netflix aims to make better films without reducing their quantity under new leadership.

19/04/2024

Meta AI is introducing a new feature to WhatsApp that allows users to generate images and videos directly within their chats. This tool, part of a broader rollout of Meta AI features globally, is in the testing phase in India. Users can type descriptions into the chat, and the AI will generate images and videos in real time, evolving with each word typed. This feature uses the latest Llama 3 large language model by Meta. The company aims to collect feedback to improve the tool. Meta has also announced the release of Llama 3, supporting the real-time image generator, making its AI offering competitive.

19/04/2024

WhatsApp is bringing AI-image creation to your phones and here's how it will work.

18/04/2024

Take-Two Interactive Software, known for "Grand Theft Auto," is cutting 5% of its workforce, around 600 employees, and canceling some projects to streamline operations. The move aims to reduce costs and generate annual savings of over $165 million. The gaming industry has faced challenges, leading to layoffs and project cancellations by companies like Tencent's Riot Games and Electronic Arts. Take-Two's recent acquisition of Gearbox for $460 million highlights industry consolidation. Despite adjustments, Take-Two is focused on developing the next "Grand Theft Auto," with reports suggesting a possible release delay to 2026 due to the shifting economic landscape post-pandemic.

18/04/2024

Tech layoffs: Grand Theft Auto maker Take-Two to fire 5% workforce, drops some new projects.

18/04/2024

Samsung has unveiled its latest lineup of Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, and OLED TVs, promising a new era of home entertainment. These TVs integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and security. The flagship Neo QLED 8K features the NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor for exceptional performance, along with AI Picture Technology and AI Motion Enhancer Pro for a superior viewing experience. The lineup also includes the Neo QLED 4K series and glare-free OLED TVs, setting new standards for picture quality. Samsung is offering enticing pre-order deals, including free soundbars and cashback offers, showcasing its commitment to delivering premium home entertainment experiences.

18/04/2024

Samsung launches new range of AI TVs in India including Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K and OLED

18/04/2024

Apple's iPhone exports from India nearly doubled from $6.27 billion to $12.1 billion in 2023-24, part of a larger surge in smartphone exports to $16.5 billion. Factors include diversifying the supply chain, leveraging India's consumer market, and government incentives like the PLI scheme. This growth impacts the US market, where India is the largest importer of smartphones, particularly iPhones. Apple's talks with Tata Group and Murugappa Group to manufacture camera modules locally signal a deeper integration into India's manufacturing ecosystem, reducing reliance on Chinese imports. These developments underscore India's growing role in Apple's global supply chain strategy.

18/04/2024

Apple iPhone exports from India double to over $12 billion in FY24.

18/04/2024

India's rapid progress in 5G deployment has been remarkable, with services now available in 738 districts and over 4.25 lakh Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) installed. This has propelled India into the top 15 markets globally for 5G media download speeds. Ericsson's Mobility Report indicates that by 2023, India's data usage per smartphone will reach 31GB per month, with 5G subscriptions projected to surge to 68% within five years. Focused on bridging the digital divide, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is gaining traction, offering high-speed internet to underserved areas cost-effectively. As India gears up for spectrum auctions in June 2024, acquiring spectrum across various bands will be crucial for seamless connectivity nationwide.

18/04/2024

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, anticipates the platform will surpass one billion monthly active users in the next year. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov likened Telegram's growth to a "forest fire". Currently, Telegram boasts 900 million active users globally, with Durov emphasizing his commitment to keeping the platform neutral and free from geopolitical influence. Durov's journey with Telegram began in Russia, where he faced pressure to compromise his principles, leading him to establish Telegram in Dubai. Despite challenges, including false rumors and competition, Durov remains dedicated to Telegram's role as a platform for unfiltered information and diverse ideas.

18/04/2024

Intel has unveiled "Hala Point," the world's largest neuromorphic system, at Sandia National Laboratories, marking a significant advancement in AI research. Powered by Intel's Loihi 2 processor, Hala Point boasts over 10 times the neuron capacity and up to 12 times higher performance compared to previous systems like Pohoiki Springs. This innovation addresses the rising computing costs of AI models, offering unparalleled computational efficiencies exceeding 15 trillion 8-bit operations per second per watt (TOPS/W). Hala Point's potential applications range from real-time continuous learning to scientific problem-solving and large language models, promising to reshape AI deployment across various fields.

18/04/2024

Elon Musk is set to announce a substantial investment in India, estimated at $2-$3 billion, primarily focusing on building a new factory. The announcement is expected to coincide with Musk's visit to New Delhi next week, where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting is anticipated to unveil Musk's plans to enter India's electric vehicle (EV) market, which is on the rise despite being modest. Musk's visit comes as Tesla faces declining sales in the US and China. While specific details remain undisclosed, Musk is expected to reveal the investment amount during his visit, highlighting Tesla's interest in India's EV market potential.

18/04/2024

One 97 Communications Limited (OCL), parent company of Paytm, has received approval from the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) to migrate users to new Payment System Provider (PSP) bank handles. This follows NPCI's endorsement on March 14, 2024, to onboard OCL as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) on the Multi Payment Service Provider API Model. Paytm has integrated with major banks—Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, SBI, and YES Bank—to streamline user account transitions for UPI payments. A Paytm spokesperson expressed commitment to growing the UPI ecosystem with NPCI, ensuring uninterrupted and secure payments through its app with the support of banking partners.

18/04/2024

Paytm receives NPCI approval for user migration to new PSP banks.

18/04/2024

Pakistan's interior ministry has officially confirmed the shutdown of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, during the period surrounding February's national election. The move, motivated by national security concerns, was disclosed in a written submission to the Islamabad High Court. The ministry highlighted X's alleged failure to comply with lawful directives and address concerns related to misuse as the rationale behind the ban. Despite the ban, government officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have reportedly used virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the platform. The decision to block X was based on confidential reports from Pakistan's intelligence and security agencies, which identified "hostile elements" on the platform aiming to incite chaos and instability.

18/04/2024

Alphabet-owned Google has laid off an unspecified number of employees in its latest cost-cutting move. The layoffs are not company-wide, and affected employees can apply for internal roles. While the exact number of impacted employees and teams is undisclosed, a small percentage of roles will be relocated to hubs in India, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dublin. This restructuring follows a series of job cuts across Google and the tech industry amid economic uncertainties. Teams in Google's real estate and finance departments, including treasury, business services, and revenue cash operations, have been affected. CEO Sundar Pichai had previously hinted at more job cuts.

18/04/2024

Google lays off more employees, shifts some roles to India as part of 'large-scale' rejig.

18/04/2024

CleanMax, a leading renewable energy firm, has partnered with Apple to boost renewable energy adoption in India. They've installed 14.4 MW of rooftop solar across six industrial sites, set to cut 207,000 tons of CO2 emissions. CleanMax aims to be a sustainability partner to corporations, seeing this as a significant milestone. The collaboration's innovative model helps Apple offset its emissions in India. Lisa Jackson, Apple's VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, reaffirmed Apple's 2030 climate goal commitment, striving to transform grids and rejuvenate watersheds for a cleaner future. The partnership reflects a positive shift towards sustainability in corporate practices.

12/04/2024

Despite weak macros, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is expected to outperform its tier I peers such as Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, and LTI Mindtree in terms of growth and margin in the March quarter, thanks to the ramp-up of deals. Analysts predict TCS to lead with 2.2% QoQ CC revenue growth, driven by scaling up the BSNL business. Meanwhile, Infosys and Wipro are expected to see flat revenues. TCS' margins are likely to be at 25.2%, up 23 basis points sequentially, while its profitability is expected to grow 8.1% YoY. Analysts anticipate TCS to report a modest 5-6% YoY rise in net profit on a 3-4% rise in sales, with EBIT margin expanding 30-50 basis points sequentially.

12/04/2024

Q4 results preview: Will TCS beat Infosys, HCL, Wipro, LTIMindtree in key growth parameters?

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