Technology

Last week, OnePlus launched its next generation of phones – the OnePlus 12 series. Today, we will talk about the flagship device. We have had access to the OnePlus 12 for the past few days, and while the full review will take a bit longer as new software updates continue to drop every other day, there are a handful of things about the phone we can tell you about. More importantly, how it compares to its predecessor, the OnePlus 11 5G, across various key parameters like design, display, performance etc. In 2023, we hailed the OnePlus 11 as one of the best phones of the year, and certainly one of the best launches from the company in years. It incorporated some massive changes and it was always going to be a daunting task for its newly launched successor to beat it convincingly. Realistically, we were expecting incremental updates this time. So let’s take a look at what new stuff the OnePlus 12 brings to the table as compared to the 11. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi We will ...

Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, continues to evolve with each update, striking a balance between cool advancements and an intriguing touch of creepiness. Elon Musk recently posted a video on X, highlighting Optimus’ walking capabilities, which has undergone significant improvements since its initial demonstration. The latest video captures Optimus walking around Tesla’s facility, showcasing a remarkably human-like gait—a stark contrast to its initial jittery and robotic movements. Observers noted that the robot’s walk now appears so natural that it resembles a person attempting to sneakily move past someone without detection. Going for a walk with Optimus pic.twitter.com/6mLJCUp30F — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2024 This marks the second video shared by Musk this month, with the previous one featuring Optimus showcasing a new skill—shirt-folding. In the footage, the humanoid robot retrieves a black shirt from a nearby basket and neatly folds it, demonstrating a level of ...

On Tuesday, companies in the AI sector experienced a substantial decline of $190 billion in their combined stock market value. This followed disappointing quarterly results from Microsoft, Alphabet, and Advanced Micro Devices, which failed to meet the high expectations of investors. The sell-off highlighted the elevated anticipation created by a recent AI-driven stock market surge, propelling these companies’ shares to record highs with the promise of widespread integration of AI technology in the corporate landscape. Alphabet saw a 5.6 per cent drop as its ad revenue for the December quarter fell short of expectations. The company also announced increased spending on data centres to support its AI initiatives, emphasizing the costs incurred in its competitive battle with AI rival Microsoft and OpenAI While Google Cloud’s revenue growth slightly exceeded Wall Street targets, Microsoft’s Azure outpaced it in growth. Microsoft, despite beating analyst estimates for quarterly revenue...

Toyota Kirloskar Motor is temporarily suspending the dispatch of its three models — Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux — in the country after “irregularities” were found in the certification tests for the diesel powertrain. Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), a company affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), on January 29, 2024, announced that irregularities in horsepower output certification tests were found on three diesel engine models. In case of India, such engines are used in Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux. “The irregularities concern the smoothing of power and torque curves but did not lead to any over-stating or over-claims on horsepower, torque or other powertrain related values,” a Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) spokesperson said in a statement when contacted over the issue. The issue does not have any impact on the emissions or safety of the affected vehicles, the company stated. “Toyota is working with relevant authorities to re-confirm the data used for the ...

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...

A recent study conducted by data privacy services firm Arrka has shed light on the alarming extent to which Google and Facebook are major recipients of data collected from children’s apps. The research, encompassing 60 children’s Android applications across nine categories, including games, edtech, school, coding, and childcare, revealed that Google leads the pack, gathering 33 per cent of the data, followed by Facebook at 22 per cent, as reported by The Economic Times. Shivangi Nadkarni, the Co-founder and CEO of Arrka, expressed concern over the processing of personal data from children without sufficient safeguards, despite a global increase in focus on children’s privacy and the implementation of various regulations over the past year. The study highlighted that edtech, childcare, and coding apps accessed the highest number of dangerous permissions, with about two-thirds of childcare and edtech apps having access to children’s exact locations, and 100 per cent of edtech and codi...

Beijing wants the people of China, along with small-scale Chinese industries to adopt AI and use it on a massive scale. The communist country, which has had a tight grip on what sort of LLMs and AI applications are available to the public has loosened its grip and is allowing all sorts of LLMs to be released to the public. China has now granted approval for the first batch of large language models (LLMs) this year, marking a significant stride in the country’s AI landscape. With 14 LLMs and enterprise applications receiving the green light for commercial use, major tech players like Xiaomi, Beijing Fourth Paradigm Technology Co, and 01.AI are among the beneficiaries, as reported by local media and company announcements. This brings the total number of LLMs and AI applications available in the country to 40. This move follows Beijing’s requirement, implemented in August last year, for tech companies to obtain regulatory approval before making their LLMs available to the public. The a...

Although iOS 17 is bringing some of the biggest updates to the iPhone, the next iteration of Apple’s iOS is going to be a game changer for Apple. Apple has already announced some major departure from the way it operates on the software side of things, especially when it comes to iPhones. Apple now plans to allow third-party apps, browsers, and payment gateways on iPhones, signalling a substantial shift in its long-term strategy. This move is attributed to Apple’s commitment to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), reflecting a more open ecosystem for users. While the update in iOS 17 is limited to some countries in the EU, all that may change with iOS 18. According to a Bloomberg report, this shift may extend globally, with the iOS 18 update potentially serving as the catalyst for this transformation. The company is set to roll out these features in the iOS 17.4 update, with a focus on the European region initially. Apple has clarified that these features will ...

Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a warning to social media companies, indicating that they will be held accountable for AI-generated deepfakes posted on their platforms. The Minister of State for Electronics and IT stressed the importance of clear and explicit rules, asserting that social media companies will be responsible for content created through deepfake technology. India, with its large online population of 870 million internet users and 600 million social media users, is gearing up for the 2024 general elections, which, reports have touted will be one of the biggest targets for AI-generated misinformation. In an interview to the Financial Times, Minister Chandrasekhar said, “We are the world’s largest democracy [and] we are obviously deeply concerned about the impact of cross-border actors using disinformation, using misinformation, using deepfakes to cause problems in our democracy.” “We have been alert to this earlier than most countries because it impacts us in bad ways muc...

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...

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...

ASML Holding NV, Europe’s leading technology company, reported a substantial surge in orders during the last quarter, especially from China. This signals a potential recovery in the semiconductor industry. The company disclosed that order bookings for the fourth quarter reached 9.19 billion Euros or about $9.98 billion, more than tripling the 2.6 billion Euros recorded in the preceding three months. Analysts, surveyed by Bloomberg, had estimated an average of 3.6 billion Euros. A significant portion of the orders, amounting to 5.6 billion Euros, was attributed to ASML’s cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet lithography machines. This uptick in demand suggests a positive shift in the semiconductor market. While ASML had licenses for certain machines before the new restrictions, the company anticipates that up to 15 per cent of its China sales in 2024 will be impacted by the latest export control measures. Although ASML is not allowed to sell its latest lithography machines to China, beca...

Japan’s “Moon Sniper” spacecraft achieved a precise lunar landing, making it the fifth nation to accomplish a soft lunar landing after the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), nicknamed the “Moon Sniper” for its precision technology, successfully touched down within 55 meters of its targeted landing spot on a lunar crater. Despite last-minute engine problems and issues with the craft’s solar batteries, the pin-point landing is a significant achievement. SLIM’s goal was to land within 100 meters of the specific target, showcasing advanced precision technology compared to typical landing zones that have a range of several kilometres. A photo taken by a mini-rover released by JAXA displayed the yellow lander sitting intact on the rocky lunar surface, with lunar slopes rising in the background. The mission’s primary objective is to explore a lunar crater w...

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 ...

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of Britain’s GCHQ spy agency, issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is likely to result in a surge in cyberattacks. The agency anticipates that the lower entry barriers facilitated by these advancements will empower less sophisticated hackers to inflict digital harm, contributing to a global increase in ransomware attacks. In a report, the NCSC highlighted the uneven impact of AI on the cyber threat landscape, emphasizing that the greatest boost in capability would benefit opportunistic hackers lacking the skills for more advanced attacks. The use of generative AI tools, such as chatbots, was identified as a potential method for creating more convincing elements in online phishing campaigns. At an advanced level, state-backed hackers were identified as being well-positioned to leverage AI’s potential for sophisticated cyber operations, including the generation of ad...

Google believes 2024 is going to be the year in which they will launch one of the biggest and most powerful AI models to have ever existed. This is also the year, they plan, where they take on OpenAI and establish themselves as the leader in generic software solutions. In the year 2023, the artificial intelligence landscape experienced a rapid surge, fueled by the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This triumph initiated an AI arms race, witnessing tech giants like Meta, Google, and Microsoft competing fervently to establish themselves as leaders in the field. OpenAI continued to maintain its lead, but recent leaks suggest that Google is aggressively pursuing the goal of delivering the world’s most advanced, safe, and responsible AI. An internal document obtained by The Verge revealed Google’s ambitious objectives, encompassing seven key goals. These include enhancing knowledge, learning, creativity, and productivity, building the most helpful personal computing platforms and devices, e...

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...

Even though it has been just days since we started to put the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra through its paces, Samsung’s newest flagship has already impressed us. While of course, it comes with some of the best specs and hardware that money can buy, this year around, its all about the ton of new AI features that Samsung is launching as part of its Galaxy AI. Contrary to most other tech manufacturing companies who are jumping on the AI bandwagon to cash in on the latest tech buzzword, Galaxy AI brings a ton of noteworthy changes and features to the table. Samsung says that their new AI features mean that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a new way to think about a smartphone, and what a device as personal as the smartphone can do. For once, this may not be mere marketing fluff, but have some truth to it. We’ve had the chance to spend some time on the phone, and here are our first thoughts and impressions. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra First Impressions: The design Even though the design ...

Lenovo has introduced the Legion 9i gaming laptop in India, featuring cutting-edge technology and innovative specifications. Marketed as the “gaming studio in your backpack,” the laptop is equipped with notable features, including a dedicated AI chip, integrated liquid cooling, and a durable forged carbon chip-patterned lid. One of the standout features of the Legion 9i is the Legion Coldfront integrated liquid-cooling system. Co-engineered with Cooler Master, this system supports a maximum 230W TDP for the 16-inch laptop. The liquid cooling activates when the GPU reaches 84°C and runs over the GPU VRAM to manage heat during intensive gaming sessions. Complementing the cooling system is an AI-tuned triple-fan air-cooling system with over 6,300 individual intake vents. The laptop’s weight is balanced by a forged carbon chip-patterned lid. Powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, the Legion 9i boasts high-performance gaming capabil...

Alphabet’s innovative technology lab, known as X, is undergoing a strategic shift and laying off several employees as it seeks external funding to support its ventures. The division, recognized for pursuing ambitious projects, is in discussions with venture capitalists and other investors to secure funding. X aims to establish a new structure allowing its projects to spin out as independent startups with backing from Alphabet and external investors. Eric Teller, who leads X, communicated the changes to staff in an email obtained by Bloomberg. In the email, Teller stated, “We’re expanding our approach to focus on spinning out more projects as independent companies funded through market-based capital.” The restructuring involves layoffs, predominantly affecting support staff. The move aligns with X’s effort to emphasize lean teams, capital efficiency, and collaboration with a broader base of industry and financial partners. X, launched by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin...

Apple has settled a Russian fine of 1.2 billion roubles ($13.65 million), according to Russia’s FAS antitrust agency. The fine was imposed due to allegations of Apple abusing its dominant market position in relation to in-app payments, as per a report by Reuters. Apple had previously expressed a “respectful disagreement” with the FAS ruling, contending that the distribution of apps through its iOS operating system did not unfairly favour its products. Russia’s anti-monopoly watchdog, FAS, announced on Monday that it received the payment following a November ruling. The ruling found Apple guilty of preventing app developers from informing customers that they could make purchases outside of the App Store. The payment will contribute directly to the Russian budget, supporting the government’s financial needs amid increased defense spending related to the conflict in Ukraine. This dispute between Apple and Russia’s competition regulator predates the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022...

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a recommendation for airlines operating Boeing 737-900ER jets to inspect door plugs to ensure proper security, following reports of unspecified bolt issues during inspections as per Reuters. The move comes after the recent grounding of 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, prompted by a mid-air cabin blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 jet on January 5. While the 737-900ER is not part of the newer MAX fleet, it shares the same optional door plug design, allowing for an additional emergency exit door when carriers choose to install more seats. The FAA, through a “Safety Alert for Operators,” disclosed that some airlines conducting additional inspections on the 737-900ER mid-exit door plugs found issues with bolts during maintenance inspections. The recommendation urges air carriers to perform crucial portions of a fuselage plug assembly maintenance procedure related to the four bolts securing the door plug to the airframe...

Scientists operating Europe’s Mars Express Orbiter have identified extensive ice water deposits hidden beneath the surface of Mars. The findings, based on data from the orbiter, indicate that these deposits could be as thick as 3.7 kilometres, raising the possibility that Mars, in its past, supported conditions suitable for life. The estimated volume of these deposits is staggering, with the potential to fill Earth’s Red Sea upon melting or blanket the entire Martian surface in a two-meter-deep layer of water. According to experts, this evidence suggests that Mars exhibited a vastly different environment in the past, featuring glaciers, lakes, and river channels. Colin Wilson, a project scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA), explained, “We’ve seen evidence of glaciers, extinct glaciers which are no longer there, but also some glaciers covered with dust. Most of the water ice we’ve seen on Mars today is at higher latitudes, where the temperatures are colder and so the ice can...

China’s BYD, surpassing Tesla in global electric vehicle (EV) sales, is causing a ripple effect in the automotive industry, leaving German auto suppliers uneasy. Several auto parts supplying companies, like Schaeffler and Continental, which have long thrived alongside German automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, are now finding themselves challenged by the rise of Chinese EV manufacturers. As BYD and other Chinese EV makers expand their global presence, German suppliers face increased competition in a sector they once comfortably dominated. The transition to electric vehicles has disrupted the traditional advantages these German suppliers enjoyed for decades. Newer suppliers in Asia, focusing on batteries, software, and semiconductors, now enjoy higher margins, and more importantly, more volume. German suppliers are grappling with the need to invest in EV technology while maintaining their market position in traditional cars. To address these challenges, Schaeffler t...

Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled a set of ambitious goals for the tech giant in 2024 in a company-wide memo. Pichai emphasized that Google will be making substantial investments in its key priorities, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), extending its impact from consumer to enterprise platforms. The CEO’s memo highlighted seven key objectives for Google in the coming year: Deliver the World’s Most Advanced, Safe, and Responsible AI Google aims to lead in AI development, with a specific focus on safety and responsibility. The company is on the verge of launching Gemini Ultra, with ongoing work on future versions to enhance generative AI features. Improve Knowledge, Learning, Creativity, and Productivity Google is committed to advancing knowledge, learning, creativity, and productivity through its platforms and services. Build the Most Helpful Personal Computing Platforms and Devices The company seeks to create the most helpful personal computing platforms ...