Apple unveiled the biggest software update for iPhones, Apple Watch, Macs and Apple TV for the year 2024 at its annual developers conference WWDC this week. The company also announced a partnership with ChatGPT. It’s been a mixed week for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, while company shareholders approved his $56 billion pay package; he saw a few lawsuits filed against him. All this and more in Time of India-Gadgets Now’s weekly tech wrap.
WWDC 2024: Apple Intelligence, iOS 18, Calculator app for iPad, smarter Siri, Genmoji, and all that Apple announced at this year’s developer conference
Apple just wrapped up its high-octane keynote for the WWDC 2024, and it didn’t disappoint, oh boy. From Apple executives sky-diving right into the conference, Tim Cook is on the roof of Apple Park, Craig Fedrigghi doing parkour, and a whole lot of AI, oops I meant Apple Intelligence being sprinkled throughout the OS’, whether be it the iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, or iPadOS 18. And there’s ChatGPT right onto your iPhone.
Wait, did I tell you, iOS 18 is even more customisable than before? Sadly, iPadOS 18 wasn’t that big of an overhaul, but 14 years later iPad will have a Calculator app of its own. macOS Sequoia garnered some cheers too with its new iPhone mirroring feature, which seems to work much similar to Sidecar. Are we gonna talk about everything here? Let’s wrap everything up nicely, one at a time. Click here to read more
Tata Group may take majority stake in this Chinese smartphone company in India
The Tata Group is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in the Indian unit of BBK Group-owned Chinese smartphone maker Vivo, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to MoneyControl.
While the talks have progressed significantly, with a focus on valuations, a final deal has not yet been reached. MoneyControl’s sources indicate that the smartphone maker is seeking a higher valuation than what the Tata Group is currently offering. However, the Tata Group remains interested in the potential acquisition.
Vivo has been under scrutiny by Indian authorities for alleged tax evasion and violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Oppo, another smartphone brand of China’s BBK Group, is also said to be in talks with local players to divest its Indian unit.
The Indian government is keen on ensuring that any joint venture between a Chinese smartphone company and an Indian partner involves at least a 51% stake held by the domestic firm. Additionally, the government wants the joint venture to have local leadership and distribution. Read the full story here
Pakistan installs ‘China-like internet firewall’ to regulate Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and other social media platforms
Pakistan is implementing a nationwide internet firewall system to monitor and regulate content on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter), according to sources reported to be close to the development. Some say the internet firewall is akin to something that China has to monitor internet content in the country. This move follows the temporary blocking of X in Pakistan earlier this year. The stated goal is said to be to curb the spread of “undesirable content,” which includes propaganda and content deemed offensive by the Pakistani government.
Pakistan’s justification for blocking X centered on the platform’s non-compliance with Pakistani laws and its alleged failure to register within the country. The government maintains that these actions do not violate fundamental rights. Click here to read more
Watch: Indian Army inducts made-in-India Nagastra-1 suicide drones
In a significant boost to India’s self-reliance in defense technology, the Indian Army has inducted the Nagastra-1 Loiter Munition, the country’s first indigenous suicide drone. Developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries, the Nagastra-1 is a man-portable weaponized drone system designed to neutralize enemy threats with high precision.
The induction of Nagastra-1 marks a critical step towards India’s self-sufficiency in drone technology for military applications. It is said to mark first step in a journey towards enhancing India’s indigenous capabilities in utilising drones and UAVs as crucial components of warfare machinery. Read the full story here
14 years later, Apple iPad finally has a Calculator app
The wait is over. Apple has finally introduced the first-ever Calculator app for iPads with iPadOS 18 update. The company announced the much-requested iPad app at the WWDC 2024 event.
The iPad Calculator app looks like the regular Calculator app from the iPhone. However, it comes with several new features like Apple Pencil support and Match Notes that allow users to write a matching problem within the app and the app will solve it. Apart from this, the app also calculates in real time.
Additionally, the app appears to be well-optimised to utilise the bigger screen space of an iPad.
Rumours about Apple working on a dedicated Calculator app have been there for a while now and the announcement does not come as a surprise. Click here to read more
What the CEO of Microsoft-owned GitHub has to say on the company laying off 80% of its employees in India
Microsoft-owned developer platform GitHub has seen a surge in Indian users, adding a whopping 2.2 million developers. This brings the total number of Indian developers on GitHub to a staggering 15.4 million.
During his visit to India, Microsoft’s GitHub CEO, Thomas Dohmke, addressed various topics, including the company’s decision to lay off a significant portion of its Indian workforce in 2023 as part of a restructuring effort.
Dohmke spoke to the Economic Times, discussing the challenging nature of the decision due to economic factors impacting specific product areas within the Indian team.
Dohmke explained: “The layoffs weren’t a reflection on India itself, but rather the specific projects these employees were assigned to. It was a difficult decision, but not one taken lightly. Fortunately, since many of the impacted employees were originally from Microsoft, they possessed skillsets that allowed Microsoft to re-hire them. While the process wasn’t ideal, we remain incredibly enthusiastic about the potential of the Indian market.” Read the full story here
Elon Musk has unusual sexual relationships with women at SpaceX, claims WSJ report
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been accused of having sexual relationships with two of his employees, according to an exclusive report by Wall Street Journal (WSJ). According to the report, one of these employees was an intern at SpaceX. He is also alleged to have asked the third woman to have his children several times; she refused. He then reportedly denied her a raise and complained about her performance.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk in his companies — Tesla and SpaceX, created a culture which made the women staff uncomfortable. The WSJ’s article cites text messages, emails, and other documents. It is based on interviews with more than 48 people, including friends and family members of the women, as well as former employees. The women who described the encounters with Musk had jobs that meant they worked closely with him. Click here to read more
Google’s message to employees on AI errors: We need you to …
Google is putting more artificial intelligence (AI) into its products, but the company knows that this might lead to some mistakes. Even so, it seems that Google wants to keep moving forward with new ideas. In a recent all-hands meeting, Liz Reid, Google’s newly appointed vice president of search, addressed this delicate balance, urging employees to continue taking risks while acknowledging the potential for errors, according to audio obtained by CNBC.
Reid acknowledged that errors are bound to occur as AI becomes more prevalent in Google’s search and other products. However, she encouraged employees to continue taking risks and pushing out new features, suggesting that the company can address issues as they are discovered by users and staff. “We should take [risks] thoughtfully. We should act with urgency. When we find new problems, we should do the extensive testing but we won’t always find everything,” she said at the meeting, as per a CNBC report.
“It is important that we don’t hold back features just because there might be occasional problems, but more as we find the problems, we address them,” Reid said at the meeting, as reported by CNBC. Read the full story here
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, Watch FE, and Buds 3 Pro launch confirmed
Samsung is expected to host its next Galaxy Unpacked event in July. The company is said to launch its next generation foldable smartphones at the event. Along with this, the smartphone maker is also said to launch the latest Galaxy Watch, and true wireless earbuds at the event. Now the company has confirmed the launch of Galaxy Watch 7, Watch FE, and Buds 3 Pro.
According to a report by 9to5Google, the support page within the Samsung Members app confirms that the company will launch the Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Buds Pro 3 and the Galaxy Ring soon. The page listed the aforementioned devices alongside previously announced products like the Watch 6 and Buds 2 Pro.
Samsung is rumoured to host the next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10 and the company is expected to launch all the aforementioned devices at the event. Click here to read more
Samsung 2024 QLED 4K TV series launched in India, price starts at Rs 65,990
Samsung has expanded its premium smart TV lineup with the launch of 2024 QLED 4K TV series at a starting price of Rs 65990 in India. The 2024 QLED 4K TV line-up comes with a plethora of premium features.
The Samsung QLED 4K TV comes in three screen sizes — 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch. The smart TVs are available online on Amazon.in and Samsung.com. Read the full story here
BenQ launches new TK710 4K UHD HDR laser projector: Price, features, and more
BenQ has unveiled its new laser projector – the TK710 4K UHD HDR laser projector, designed to deliver exceptional home entertainment experiences. Priced at Rs 349,000, the projector will be available through leading systems integrators across India from June onwards.
The TK710 projector boasts true 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, providing remarkable detail and clarity. With HDR10 support, it enhances contrast and colour range, making it an ideal choice for movie enthusiasts and gamers alike. The projector offers 3,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, ensuring vibrant and vivid visuals even in well-lit rooms. Click here to read more
Toshiba launches C350NP Google TV series with Dolby Vision and Atmos: Price, specs and more
Toshiba has expanded its product lineup with the new C350NP smart TV that runs Google TV and features an sleek bezel design. The smart TV also supports Dolby Vision and Atmos technology, Regza Engine ZR, and Regza Power Audio for an immersive experience.
“Our vision behind the launch of the Toshiba C350NP Smart TV series is to seamlessly integrate technology into everyday life and enhance the home entertainment experience, with this product launch we are offering stunning 4K visuals and an immersive experience, significantly impacting the way people enjoy their favorite content,” said Pankaj Rana, CEO of Toshiba Televisions. Read the full story here
Marshall launches Minor IV with 30 hours of battery life: Price, features and more
Marshall has announced the global release of its new Minor IV earbuds, available from June 15 on Marshall.com for Rs 11,999. The Minor IV earbuds are designed to cater to music enthusiasts, offering key features aimed at enhancing the listening experience.
The Minor IV earbuds comes with Marshall’s signature sound that claims to offer a balanced audio experience. The earbuds are built to withstand daily use and come with a redesigned structure for a better fit. They are also water-resistant, ensuring continuous use even in adverse weather conditions. Click here to read more
YouTube tests new features: AI live chat summaries, Google Lens search, and Shorts special effects
YouTube is trying out some new features that might make the site more fun and easier to use. These features are only available to a small group of people right now, and they might not become available to everyone.
One of the new features is called “AI live chat summaries.” When you’re watching a live video on YouTube, there’s a chat box where viewers can talk to each other. If you join the live video late, it can be hard to understand what everyone is talking about. The AI live chat summary will automatically give you a quick overview of what people have been saying, so you can catch up easily. Read the full story here
WhatsApp announces these updates to calling feature across devices
WhatsApp is bringing three major updates to its platforms across devices. These updates are aimed at making calls “even bigger and better” and will be rolled out over the next few weeks.
“Since we brought Calling to WhatsApp back in 2015, we’ve continued to improve it with the introduction of group calls, video calls, and multi-platform support. Today we have several updates, rolling out over the next few weeks,” the company said. Click here to read more
Elon Musk has shared this meme from a Tamil movie to trash iPhone-ChatGPT deal
Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears to be quite upset with Apple’s partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI. In a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, Musk slammed the partnership, terming it “unacceptable security violation”. He even threatened to ban Apple devices at Tesla, Starlink, SpaceX and other companies that he owns.
In one of the posts criticising Apple-OpenAI deal, Musk has shared an Indian meme. The Desi meme has been shared with the header of the photo that reads, “How intelligence works”. The meme is said to be from the 2017 Tamil movie ‘Thappattam’.
As to what the meme shows, it has a man and woman sharing coconut water. The photo apparently aims to show how Apple sharing data with ChatGPT makr OpenAI could lead to privacy issues. Read the full story here
Swiggy Instamart brings the world’s biggest and oldest toy retailer at a ’10-minute distance’
Swiggy Instamart has teamed up with Hamleys, the renowned toy store, to bring customers 10-minutes toy deliveries. This partnership marks Hamleys’ debut in the quick commerce space, allowing customers to get their hands on a selection of toys at their doorstep in a few minutes. Fulfilling those last-minute playtime needs or surprising the little ones with a quick gift is easier than ever due to the convenience of UPI and other payment methods on Swiggy Instamart.
Both Hamley’s and Swiggy Instamart took to the popular social media site Instagram to announce the new partnership with the tagline: “Making imaginary friends real”. Click here to read more
WWDC 2024: Apple Intelligence, iOS 18, Calculator app for iPad, smarter Siri, Genmoji, and all that Apple announced at this year’s developer conference
Apple just wrapped up its high-octane keynote for the WWDC 2024, and it didn’t disappoint, oh boy. From Apple executives sky-diving right into the conference, Tim Cook is on the roof of Apple Park, Craig Fedrigghi doing parkour, and a whole lot of AI, oops I meant Apple Intelligence being sprinkled throughout the OS’, whether be it the iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, or iPadOS 18. And there’s ChatGPT right onto your iPhone.
Wait, did I tell you, iOS 18 is even more customisable than before? Sadly, iPadOS 18 wasn’t that big of an overhaul, but 14 years later iPad will have a Calculator app of its own. macOS Sequoia garnered some cheers too with its new iPhone mirroring feature, which seems to work much similar to Sidecar. Are we gonna talk about everything here? Let’s wrap everything up nicely, one at a time. Click here to read more
Tata Group may take majority stake in this Chinese smartphone company in India
The Tata Group is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in the Indian unit of BBK Group-owned Chinese smartphone maker Vivo, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to MoneyControl.
While the talks have progressed significantly, with a focus on valuations, a final deal has not yet been reached. MoneyControl’s sources indicate that the smartphone maker is seeking a higher valuation than what the Tata Group is currently offering. However, the Tata Group remains interested in the potential acquisition.
Vivo has been under scrutiny by Indian authorities for alleged tax evasion and violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Oppo, another smartphone brand of China’s BBK Group, is also said to be in talks with local players to divest its Indian unit.
The Indian government is keen on ensuring that any joint venture between a Chinese smartphone company and an Indian partner involves at least a 51% stake held by the domestic firm. Additionally, the government wants the joint venture to have local leadership and distribution. Read the full story here
Pakistan installs ‘China-like internet firewall’ to regulate Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and other social media platforms
Pakistan is implementing a nationwide internet firewall system to monitor and regulate content on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter), according to sources reported to be close to the development. Some say the internet firewall is akin to something that China has to monitor internet content in the country. This move follows the temporary blocking of X in Pakistan earlier this year. The stated goal is said to be to curb the spread of “undesirable content,” which includes propaganda and content deemed offensive by the Pakistani government.
Pakistan’s justification for blocking X centered on the platform’s non-compliance with Pakistani laws and its alleged failure to register within the country. The government maintains that these actions do not violate fundamental rights. Click here to read more
Watch: Indian Army inducts made-in-India Nagastra-1 suicide drones
In a significant boost to India’s self-reliance in defense technology, the Indian Army has inducted the Nagastra-1 Loiter Munition, the country’s first indigenous suicide drone. Developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries, the Nagastra-1 is a man-portable weaponized drone system designed to neutralize enemy threats with high precision.
The induction of Nagastra-1 marks a critical step towards India’s self-sufficiency in drone technology for military applications. It is said to mark first step in a journey towards enhancing India’s indigenous capabilities in utilising drones and UAVs as crucial components of warfare machinery. Read the full story here
14 years later, Apple iPad finally has a Calculator app
The wait is over. Apple has finally introduced the first-ever Calculator app for iPads with iPadOS 18 update. The company announced the much-requested iPad app at the WWDC 2024 event.
The iPad Calculator app looks like the regular Calculator app from the iPhone. However, it comes with several new features like Apple Pencil support and Match Notes that allow users to write a matching problem within the app and the app will solve it. Apart from this, the app also calculates in real time.
Additionally, the app appears to be well-optimised to utilise the bigger screen space of an iPad.
Rumours about Apple working on a dedicated Calculator app have been there for a while now and the announcement does not come as a surprise. Click here to read more
What the CEO of Microsoft-owned GitHub has to say on the company laying off 80% of its employees in India
Microsoft-owned developer platform GitHub has seen a surge in Indian users, adding a whopping 2.2 million developers. This brings the total number of Indian developers on GitHub to a staggering 15.4 million.
During his visit to India, Microsoft’s GitHub CEO, Thomas Dohmke, addressed various topics, including the company’s decision to lay off a significant portion of its Indian workforce in 2023 as part of a restructuring effort.
Dohmke spoke to the Economic Times, discussing the challenging nature of the decision due to economic factors impacting specific product areas within the Indian team.
Dohmke explained: “The layoffs weren’t a reflection on India itself, but rather the specific projects these employees were assigned to. It was a difficult decision, but not one taken lightly. Fortunately, since many of the impacted employees were originally from Microsoft, they possessed skillsets that allowed Microsoft to re-hire them. While the process wasn’t ideal, we remain incredibly enthusiastic about the potential of the Indian market.” Read the full story here
Elon Musk has unusual sexual relationships with women at SpaceX, claims WSJ report
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been accused of having sexual relationships with two of his employees, according to an exclusive report by Wall Street Journal (WSJ). According to the report, one of these employees was an intern at SpaceX. He is also alleged to have asked the third woman to have his children several times; she refused. He then reportedly denied her a raise and complained about her performance.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk in his companies — Tesla and SpaceX, created a culture which made the women staff uncomfortable. The WSJ’s article cites text messages, emails, and other documents. It is based on interviews with more than 48 people, including friends and family members of the women, as well as former employees. The women who described the encounters with Musk had jobs that meant they worked closely with him. Click here to read more
Google’s message to employees on AI errors: We need you to …
Google is putting more artificial intelligence (AI) into its products, but the company knows that this might lead to some mistakes. Even so, it seems that Google wants to keep moving forward with new ideas. In a recent all-hands meeting, Liz Reid, Google’s newly appointed vice president of search, addressed this delicate balance, urging employees to continue taking risks while acknowledging the potential for errors, according to audio obtained by CNBC.
Reid acknowledged that errors are bound to occur as AI becomes more prevalent in Google’s search and other products. However, she encouraged employees to continue taking risks and pushing out new features, suggesting that the company can address issues as they are discovered by users and staff. “We should take [risks] thoughtfully. We should act with urgency. When we find new problems, we should do the extensive testing but we won’t always find everything,” she said at the meeting, as per a CNBC report.
“It is important that we don’t hold back features just because there might be occasional problems, but more as we find the problems, we address them,” Reid said at the meeting, as reported by CNBC. Read the full story here
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, Watch FE, and Buds 3 Pro launch confirmed
Samsung is expected to host its next Galaxy Unpacked event in July. The company is said to launch its next generation foldable smartphones at the event. Along with this, the smartphone maker is also said to launch the latest Galaxy Watch, and true wireless earbuds at the event. Now the company has confirmed the launch of Galaxy Watch 7, Watch FE, and Buds 3 Pro.
According to a report by 9to5Google, the support page within the Samsung Members app confirms that the company will launch the Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Buds Pro 3 and the Galaxy Ring soon. The page listed the aforementioned devices alongside previously announced products like the Watch 6 and Buds 2 Pro.
Samsung is rumoured to host the next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10 and the company is expected to launch all the aforementioned devices at the event. Click here to read more
Samsung 2024 QLED 4K TV series launched in India, price starts at Rs 65,990
Samsung has expanded its premium smart TV lineup with the launch of 2024 QLED 4K TV series at a starting price of Rs 65990 in India. The 2024 QLED 4K TV line-up comes with a plethora of premium features.
The Samsung QLED 4K TV comes in three screen sizes — 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch. The smart TVs are available online on Amazon.in and Samsung.com. Read the full story here
BenQ launches new TK710 4K UHD HDR laser projector: Price, features, and more
BenQ has unveiled its new laser projector – the TK710 4K UHD HDR laser projector, designed to deliver exceptional home entertainment experiences. Priced at Rs 349,000, the projector will be available through leading systems integrators across India from June onwards.
The TK710 projector boasts true 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, providing remarkable detail and clarity. With HDR10 support, it enhances contrast and colour range, making it an ideal choice for movie enthusiasts and gamers alike. The projector offers 3,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, ensuring vibrant and vivid visuals even in well-lit rooms. Click here to read more
Toshiba launches C350NP Google TV series with Dolby Vision and Atmos: Price, specs and more
Toshiba has expanded its product lineup with the new C350NP smart TV that runs Google TV and features an sleek bezel design. The smart TV also supports Dolby Vision and Atmos technology, Regza Engine ZR, and Regza Power Audio for an immersive experience.
“Our vision behind the launch of the Toshiba C350NP Smart TV series is to seamlessly integrate technology into everyday life and enhance the home entertainment experience, with this product launch we are offering stunning 4K visuals and an immersive experience, significantly impacting the way people enjoy their favorite content,” said Pankaj Rana, CEO of Toshiba Televisions. Read the full story here
Marshall launches Minor IV with 30 hours of battery life: Price, features and more
Marshall has announced the global release of its new Minor IV earbuds, available from June 15 on Marshall.com for Rs 11,999. The Minor IV earbuds are designed to cater to music enthusiasts, offering key features aimed at enhancing the listening experience.
The Minor IV earbuds comes with Marshall’s signature sound that claims to offer a balanced audio experience. The earbuds are built to withstand daily use and come with a redesigned structure for a better fit. They are also water-resistant, ensuring continuous use even in adverse weather conditions. Click here to read more
YouTube tests new features: AI live chat summaries, Google Lens search, and Shorts special effects
YouTube is trying out some new features that might make the site more fun and easier to use. These features are only available to a small group of people right now, and they might not become available to everyone.
One of the new features is called “AI live chat summaries.” When you’re watching a live video on YouTube, there’s a chat box where viewers can talk to each other. If you join the live video late, it can be hard to understand what everyone is talking about. The AI live chat summary will automatically give you a quick overview of what people have been saying, so you can catch up easily. Read the full story here
WhatsApp announces these updates to calling feature across devices
WhatsApp is bringing three major updates to its platforms across devices. These updates are aimed at making calls “even bigger and better” and will be rolled out over the next few weeks.
“Since we brought Calling to WhatsApp back in 2015, we’ve continued to improve it with the introduction of group calls, video calls, and multi-platform support. Today we have several updates, rolling out over the next few weeks,” the company said. Click here to read more
Elon Musk has shared this meme from a Tamil movie to trash iPhone-ChatGPT deal
Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears to be quite upset with Apple’s partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI. In a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, Musk slammed the partnership, terming it “unacceptable security violation”. He even threatened to ban Apple devices at Tesla, Starlink, SpaceX and other companies that he owns.
In one of the posts criticising Apple-OpenAI deal, Musk has shared an Indian meme. The Desi meme has been shared with the header of the photo that reads, “How intelligence works”. The meme is said to be from the 2017 Tamil movie ‘Thappattam’.
As to what the meme shows, it has a man and woman sharing coconut water. The photo apparently aims to show how Apple sharing data with ChatGPT makr OpenAI could lead to privacy issues. Read the full story here
Swiggy Instamart brings the world’s biggest and oldest toy retailer at a ’10-minute distance’
Swiggy Instamart has teamed up with Hamleys, the renowned toy store, to bring customers 10-minutes toy deliveries. This partnership marks Hamleys’ debut in the quick commerce space, allowing customers to get their hands on a selection of toys at their doorstep in a few minutes. Fulfilling those last-minute playtime needs or surprising the little ones with a quick gift is easier than ever due to the convenience of UPI and other payment methods on Swiggy Instamart.
Both Hamley’s and Swiggy Instamart took to the popular social media site Instagram to announce the new partnership with the tagline: “Making imaginary friends real”. Click here to read more
