Category: Technology

  • Infinix Hot 50 Pro Launched Globally With MediaTek Helio G100 SoC And AI Features; Check Specs |

    Infinix Hot 50 Pro India Launch: Infinix has launched the Infinix Hot 50 Pro smartphone in the global market. It comes in Glacier Blue, Sleek Black, and Titanium Gray colours. The handset runs on a MediaTek Helio G100 SoC.

    The dual SIM (nano) handset runs on Android 14-based XOS 14.5 and comes in two storage options: 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. Notably, the storage on both versions is expandable by up to 2TB via microSD card. The phone has integrated Infinix AI features as well.

    Infinix Hot 50 Pro Price In India

    However, the Price and sale details of Infinix Hot 50 Pro are yet to be announced by the company.

    Infinix Hot 50 Pro Specifications:

    The smartphone boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED LTPS display with a resolution of 1,080×2,436 pixels, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,800nits peak brightness.

    It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. On the optics front, the phone comes with a 108MP triple AI camera. For selfies and videos, there is a 32MP shooter on the front.

    The phone comes with many features which include an in-display fingerprint sensor, IP54-rated build, dual speakers with DTS Sound and Hi-Res audio. For connectivity, it supports Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, FM Radio, a 3.5mm audio jack, OTG, USB Type-C, and Wi-Fi.

    The phone also has an array of sensors including an e-compass, G-sensor, gyroscope, light sensor, and proximity sensor.

  • WhatsApp Introduces New Privacy Feature To Add And Manage Contacts Across Multiple Devices; Details Here |

    WhatsApp New Feature: WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging platform owned by Meta, has launched a new feature that allows users to privately add and manage their contacts across multiple devices. Earlier, users could only add contacts on WhatsApp through their mobile devices by entering a phone number or scanning a QR code.

    Now, with this update, users can manage contacts on WhatsApp Web, Windows, and soon on other linked devices using their keyboards. This feature is particularly useful for individuals who access WhatsApp on multiple devices or prefer using it on a computer for personal or business communications.

    it’s true, you no longer have to reach for your phone add or edit your contacts from whichever linked device you’re on pic.twitter.com/AKtYTqVZRD — WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) October 22, 2024

    The platform is also launching a new feature that lets users save contacts directly within WhatsApp, separate from the device’s main contact list. These WhatsApp-only contacts will be automatically restored when users switch devices or if their phone is lost. This functionality is expected to expand to other linked devices in the future.

    Adding further, WhatsApp has also rolled out a new storage system, Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS), to securely store contact information, allowing users to restore contacts even if they lose their phone. The system uses Key Transparency, which ensures the authenticity of contacts and monitors any changes to identity keys.

    Furthermore, Meta is working on enhancing the personalization of Meta AI within WhatsApp. This feature will allow Meta AI to retain user-shared details, offering more personalized responses based on learned user preferences.

  • India’s 5G Rollout Stands Out Globally In Bridging Coverage Gap: GSMA |

    New Delhi: Almost 750 million additional people were covered by 5G in 2023 and more than half of that was due to rollouts by operators in India alone, a new GSMA report said on Wednesday. The consumer experience on mobile networks continued to see significant improvement in 2023, with global average download speeds increasing from 34 to 48 Mbps.

    “This represents the largest proportional and absolute increase seen to date. The biggest increase was in South Asia, where India’s launch of 5G drove a 70 per cent increase in average download speeds in the region,” according to the GSMA’ State of Mobile Internet ‘Connectivity 2024’ report.

    Unlike many surveyed countries, smartphone ownership increased from 2022 to 2023 among rural populations in India. Across all seven survey countries with sufficient sample size for analysis, literate mobile internet users were more likely to perform a wider variety of tasks on a weekly basis than those with low literacy levels.

    “Interestingly, mobile internet users with low literacy levels in India are, on average, using mobile internet for at least eight different activities on a weekly basis, which is higher than both low-literacy and literate groups for all other countries analyzed,” the GSMA report mentioned.

    The report stated that mobile internet connectivity continues to grow globally but barriers for 3.45 billion unconnected people remain. Connecting those with access to existing mobile internet services would deliver an estimated additional $3.5 trillion in total GDP during 2023-2030, the findings showed.

    John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA, said that despite continued progress in expanding the reach of network infrastructure and in increasing mobile internet adoption, significant digital divides remain.

    “Although most users access mobile internet daily, their activities are often limited to just one or two activities, even though many express a desire to do more. This highlights persistent barriers to enabling meaningful connectivity, preventing users from getting online and getting the full benefits. of the mobile internet,” Giusti mentioned.

    The report said that 4.6 billion people (57 per cent of the global population) are now using mobile internet on their own devices and 350 million people (4 per cent of the global population) live in largely remote areas without mobile internet networks (the coverage gap). About 3.1 billion people (39 per cent of the global population) live within mobile internet coverage but do not use it (the usage gap).

  • Government Launches New Spam-Tracking System To Block International Calls; Details Here |

    Detect And Block International Calls: The government on Tuesday introduced a new spam-tracking system designed to detect and block international calls disguised as Indian numbers. Within the first 24 hours of operation, telecom service providers (TSPs) identified and blocked approximately 1.35 crore, or 90%, of such spoofed calls from reaching Indian users.

    Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, launched the ‘International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System,’ highlighting it as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to create a safer digital environment and protect citizens from cybercrime.

    This system aims to significantly reduce spoofed calls with Indian (+91) numbers, which cybercriminals have been using to commit fraud by manipulating the calling line identity (CLI). These spoofed calls often appear to originate in India but are actually made from abroad and are commonly linked to financial scams, impersonation, and spreading panic.

    There have also been cases of cyber-crime threatening disconnection of mobile numbers by DoT/TRAI officials, fake digital arrests, drugs/narcotics in courier, impersonation as police officials, arrest in sex racket etc.

    The Department of Communications (DoT) and TSPs have collaborated and devised a system to identify and block such incoming international spoofed calls from reaching the Indian telecom subscribers.

    “Despite such best efforts, there could be cases where fraudsters succeed through other means. For such calls, you can help by reporting such suspected fraud communications at Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi,” said the government.

    This is another step by DoT to protect citizens from cyber frauds as the system identifies and blocks the incoming international calls. (With inputs from IANS)

  • How To Find Cheap Flight Tickets Online? Try This Google Flight Tool |

    Cheapest Flight Tickets Online India: If you are planning to go home this Diwali 2024 or want to make a trip during long weekends, then you can book cheap flight tickets with the help of Google’s tool. The tech giant has introduced its Flights tool as an extensive travel planner for users.

    This Google Flight offers a range of features including the option to find the cheapest possible flight tickets, hotels and car/bike rentals. Moreover, the tool sports a feature that can help flyers find tickets and hotels at affordable prices.

    However, the company has announced that it will be rolling out the feature over the next 2 weeks worldwide. Notably, the tool offers a range of features designed to help you find the “best flight fares.” Let’s have a quick look at the features-

    Price Tracking:

    For travelers looking to wait for better deals, price tracking is a useful tool. By enabling it, you’ll receive notifications about significant price drops.

    Price Graph:

    The Price Graph feature offers insights into flight price trends, showing whether current prices are low, typical, or high compared to past averages for the same route.

    Data Grid:

    The Data Grid displays prices by specific dates, helping you choose the best time to book. You can also refine your search using filters like stops, airlines, baggage limits, time of day, connecting airports, and flight duration.

    How To Find Cheap Flight Tickets Online Via Google Flight Tool

    Step 1: Enter your trip details on Google Flights, such as departure, destination, and travel dates.

    Step 2: Google Flights will show the best options at the top, balancing price and convenience.

    Step 3: Tap on the new “Cheapest” tab to filter results for the lowest-priced flights.

    Step 4: The “Cheapest” tab displays affordable options for those willing to trade convenience for cost. Cheaper flights may include longer layovers, self-transfers, or multiple airline bookings.

    Step 5: Prices highlighted in green indicate the most affordable flight choices.

  • Acer Nitro V 16 Gaming Laptop Launched In India With Intel’s 14th Gen Processors; Check, Specs, Price |

    Acer Nitro V 16 Gaming Laptop India Launch: Taiwanese multinational Acer has launched the Nitro V 16 gaming laptop in India, equipped with Intel’s 14th-gen processors. This latest offering is designed to serve both gamers and content creators, delivering a balance between productivity and gaming performance.

    The Acer Nitro V 16 comes in two configurations: the Nitro V 16 i5 and the Nitro V 16 i7. It is powered by NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.

    Acer Nitro V 16 Laptop Price In India And Availability

    The Nitro V 16 i5 is priced at Rs 99,999, while the Nitro V 16 i7 is available for Rs 1,09,999. The laptop can be purchased from Flipkart, Amazon, the Acer Online Store, Acer Exclusive stores, and offline retail outlets across India.

    Acer Nitro V 16 Specifications

    The laptop features a 16-inch WUXGA IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate. It also includes a 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD and runs on Windows 11 Home. The gaming laptop is compatible with Windows Copilot and equipped with Acer TrueHarmony for enhanced audio.

    The Nitro V 16 is available with Intel’s 14th Gen Core i7-14650HX and i5-14450HX processors, alongside the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, making it ideal for both gaming and creative tasks.

    Additional features include Acer Purified Voice technology, which offers AI-powered noise reduction through a 3-microphone array for superior voice clarity.

    For connectivity, the laptop supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet ports, and Wi-Fi 6, providing seamless internet access and peripheral compatibility for a versatile user experience.

  • Want To Smooth Your Face On WhatsApp Video Calls? Here’s How To Activate Beauty Mode |

    New Delhi: WhatsApp is always working on new features to improve user experience and security. The latest update brings filters and background support to video calls which gives users more control over their video chats. These additions allow you to customize your video calls, making them more engaging and enjoyable.

    However, that’s not all—WhatsApp has also added a feature many will love: Beauty mode. This new addition is designed to improve your appearance during video calls. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Beauty mode, including how to enable it and more.

    What is WhatsApp’s Beauty mode for video calls?

    WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that smoothes out your facial features. It is similar to the beauty filters you find on smartphone cameras. This mode improves your appearance during video calls by reducing dark circles, blemishes, and other imperfections, helping you look your best.

    How to Activate WhatsApp Beauty Mode

    The Beauty mode is available on both Android and iOS. To use it, follow these simple steps:

    – Update the App: Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp from the Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS).

    – Start a Video Call: Open WhatsApp and begin a video call (individual or group).

    – Find the Icon: Look for a face mask-like icon on your video feed, next to the ‘low light mode’ option.

    – Enable Beauty Mode: Tap on the icon to activate the Beauty mode.

    – Enjoy the Smoothness: Once enabled, your face will appear smoother, with enhanced clarity.

    For an even better experience, you can combine this feature with the Blur background option.

  • TRAI Releases Consultation Paper On ‘Regulatory Framework For Ground-Based Broadcasters’

    New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’.

    The Guidelines issued by MIB from time to time for Uplinking and Down linking of Satellite Television channels in India, containing the terms and conditions for TV broadcasting services, make it mandatory for the broadcasters to use satellite medium i.e. uplinking and down linking of television channels through satellite, for providing their channels to the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs).

    “The advancement of technology has made it feasible for the broadcasters to provide their television channels to DPOs terrestrially also i.e. using ground-based technologies. Like traditional TV channels, which are uplinked and downlinked through satellite, the terrestrially transmitted channels may also be carried on multiple DPO networks simultaneously and the DPOs can retransmit them on commercial terms to the subscribers. Therefore, there is a need to have a regulatory framework enabling use of ground-based technologies,” said Ministry of Communications.

    TRAI had forwarded its recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Platform Services to MIB on 19.11.2014, which included certain recommendations related to ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based broadcasters’.

    Accordingly, the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’ is being released for seeking comments from stakeholders. The consultation paper may be accessed on TRAI’s website, www.trai.gov. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 15.11.2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 29.11.2024. The stakeholders are requested to submit their comments and counter-comments, preferably in electronic form, on the email- [email protected] and [email protected], said Ministry of Communications.

  • Google Announces AI-led Collaborations For India’s Health, Sustainability, And Agriculture Sectors |

    New Delhi: Google has unveiled a series of new AI-powered partnerships aimed at advancing healthcare, sustainability, and agriculture in India. The tech giant is collaborating with both local and international organizations to implement AI-driven solutions in diabetic retinopathy screening, urban waste management, and agricultural development.

    According to Google, these announcements were made during a roundtable in Bengaluru, marking the fifth anniversary of Google’s Research Lab in the city. This follows the 10th edition of the Google for India event, which showcased the potential of AI to benefit individuals, businesses, and society at large.

    Dr Manish Gupta, Research Director of Google DeepMind, stated, “Collaborating with key Indian organizations, our focused research in India across language understanding, healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability is helping tackle many of the country’s unique challenges and creating AI-led solutions that will improve billions of lives.”

    Google is working with Forus Health and AuroLab in India and Perceptra in Thailand to provide 6 million AI-assisted screenings for diabetic retinopathy over the next decade. These screenings aim to detect and prevent blindness in diabetic patients, particularly in resource-limited communities. The AI ​​model has already supported over 600,000 screenings worldwide, with initial research and deployment carried out in India.

    Sunny Virmani, Group Product Manager, Health AI Research at Google, remarked, “From our initial research to the first patient screening in Madurai, India, we’ve been committed to translating AI’s potential into meaningful change for people globally. And now the partnerships with Forus Health, AuroLab, and Perceptra are helping us expand on this commitment, as a global network of innovators comes together to eradicate preventable blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.”

    Google’s CircularNet, an AI-driven computer vision model for waste management, is being deployed in partnership with Bengaluru-based Saahas Zero Waste. CircularNet helps identify and sort plastic waste, facilitating recycling and reducing the strain on landfills. Powered by Google’s TensorFlow, the model has shown approximately 85% accuracy in detecting plastic waste during a pilot program, potentially boosting revenue for material recovery facilities by 10-12%.

    To support data-driven decision-making in agriculture, Google is also opening its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) Research API to developers. The API leverages satellite imagery and machine learning to provide farm-level insights, such as field boundaries, water bodies, and vegetation. The technology aims to optimize resource allocation and guide sustainable farming practices in India.

  • Over 2.75 Lakh URLs Whitelisted By 10,000 Entities After TRAI Guidance |

    New Delhi: Over 10,000 business entities have whitelisted more than 2.75 lakh URLs, after the guidance issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in August, the telecom regulator said in a release said on Wednesday.

    The TRAI directed all Access Service Providers to stop transmitting messages containing URLs, APKs and OTT links, which are not whitelisted by the Senders. The direction came into effect from October 1.

    Whitelisting a URL is the process of adding a URL to a list of approved resources that can be accessed. Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy that helps to protect devices and data from threats like malware, phishing, and hackers.

    “In compliance with TRAI’s August 20, 2024, directive, Access Providers have implemented mandatory whitelisting of URLs, APKs, or OTT links in messages by sending Entities,” the TRAI release added.

    TRAI has introduced stricter measures to combat the spam calls. It includes disconnection of telecom resources for violators. Over 800 entities have been blacklisted, and more than 18 lakh numbers have been disconnected for non-compliance, as per the release.

    Additionally, TRAI has enforced the migration of telemarketing calls using the 140 series to the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform, improving monitoring and reducing misuse, the release added. Other actions include the blocking of 3.5 lakh unused headers and 12 lakh content templates prone to fraud, further safeguarding consumers, as per the TRAI release.

    Access Providers are in the process of implementing technical solutions to ensure better message traceability. This involves mandating the Senders to define the complete chain of TMs through which messages travel before reaching the consumers. This would ensure that Heads and Content templates of the Senders are not misused by fraudulent elements, the regulator stated.

    With expanded collaboration through the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR), TRAI continues to work with agencies like RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI to tighten control over commercial communications and explore future enhancements, as per the regulator.