Technology

Apple is doubling down on its efforts to introduce a foldable iPhone. Reports suggest that the Cupertino-based company, led by CEO Tim Cook, is actively exploring the concept, with two foldable iPhone prototypes currently in development. While details remain scarce regarding the specifics of these prototypes and how they might integrate into Apple’s existing product lineup, sources familiar with the matter indicate that the devices are reminiscent of clamshell-type designs similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series. This design allows for the device to fold lengthwise, offering the potential for enhanced portability and novel use cases. Concerns over the durability of foldable devices have reportedly been a focal point for Apple’s engineering team, with efforts focused on mitigating issues such as fragility and creasing—the latter being a common drawback associated with foldable displays. Despite these challenges, Apple appears committed to exploring the possibilities of foldable te...

As the tech world eagerly awaits Apple’s entrance into the foldable smartphone arena, speculation runs rampant regarding the potential release date, features, and design of the highly anticipated device. Nearly five years after Samsung introduced its first foldable handset, the Galaxy Z Fold, Apple enthusiasts are still left wondering about the Cupertino-based company’s response. Despite a plethora of rumours swirling around, Apple has yet to provide any official confirmation regarding its plans for a foldable device. Reports have been conflicting, with some suggesting an imminent launch in 2025 while others argue that consumers may have to wait until at least 2027 for Apple’s foldable offering. Industry analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo and Ben Wood have weighed in on the matter, offering differing perspectives on the potential launch timeline and form factor of Apple’s foldable device. Kuo predicts a possible 2025 release, while Wood speculates that Apple may debut a foldable iPad be...

The tech sector has kicked off 2024 with another round of job reductions, further scaling back following widespread layoffs in the preceding year. According to Layoffs.fyi, a startup monitoring industry job cuts since the onset of the pandemic, approximately 32,000 tech professionals have been displaced so far this year. Founder of Layoffs.fyi, Roger Lee, explained that tech firms are still adjusting their workforce sizes in response to over-hiring during the pandemic surge, exacerbated by prolonged economic challenges and a downturn in the tech sector. Lee identified two primary waves of job cuts: the initial spike coinciding with the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, and a subsequent trend beginning in the second quarter of 2022, influenced by rising interest rates. While this year’s layoffs are characterised as more targeted and smaller in scale compared to those of the previous year, economic factors remain the driving force behind these decisions. Additionally, companies ar...

In an era where online safety is paramount, especially for young users, Snap Inc. has released its second edition of the Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI), shedding light on the psychological well-being of Gen Z online. The report, which surveyed 9,100 respondents across Australia, the UK, the US, France, Germany, and India, underscores India’s leading position for the second consecutive year. The report also suggests that at least 60 per cent of Indian parents are well aware of online safety issues and routinely check in on their children and their online activities. According to the DWBI findings, India secured an impressive overall score of 67, with a notable emphasis on parent-child engagement in online safety practices. Over 82 per cent of Indian parents turn to their teenage children for technical assistance, reflecting a strong bond and open communication channels within families. Moreover, 60 per cent of Indian teens actively seek guidance from their parents when confronted wit...

NASA has made a significant discovery of a ‘super-Earth’ planet named TOI-715b, located 137 light-years away in the habitable zone, suggesting it could be a potential candidate for hosting life. The exoplanet is 1.5 times larger than Earth and orbits a small, reddish star that emits temperatures suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface — a crucial component for supporting life. Scientists, led by the University of Birmingham, utilized Earth-based telescopes in conjunction with NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which launched six years ago. TESS observed ‘transiting’ planets, and once it hinted at TOI-715b’s existence, telescopes were employed to pinpoint its location. The super-Earth has a tighter orbit than Earth, completing one orbit every 19 days, and always presents the same side to its star. This unique orbital position may result in extreme temperature differences between day and night sides, influencing the exoplanet’s climate and weather patterns...

Samsung’s recent collaboration with Chinese search giant Baidu to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S24 series, has generated tepid interest among consumers in mainland China. The strategic partnership between Samsung’s China division and Baidu AI Cloud, announced in late January, entails deploying Baidu’s Ernie large language model (LLM) and search engine to enhance the AI search functions of the Galaxy S24 series released in China on January 25. These AI features, tailored for the Chinese market, resemble those offered by Google’s Gemini AI in the global version of the Galaxy S24 series, which is unavailable in China. However, Chinese consumers have expressed concerns on social media that the local version’s search features may not match the quality of the international variant. Weibo user “Sun Weilun” noted differences after testing various models in a Samsung store in Hong Kong, stating that the “Circle to Search” ...

Following the trend set by tech giants like Google and Samsung adding AI features in their latest flagships, OnePlus is also gearing up to introduce AI-powered features to its smartphones, with the latest ColorOS update in China making strides in this direction. While the initial release of the OnePlus 12, the company’s most powerful phone to date did not showcase any AI capabilities, the ColorOS 14 version PHB110_14.0.0.403(CN01) update is set to change that narrative. A recent post on X by Android enthusiast Mishaal Rehman revealed that a Reddit user made an intriguing discovery about the ColorOS update. The update, which is applicable to both the recently launched OnePlus 12 and the year-old OnePlus 11, introduces several AI-powered features aimed at enhancing user experience. Among the noteworthy additions is the AI Summariser, a tool designed to generate summaries by extracting relevant information such as places, times, and action items from phone calls. Additionally, OnePlus...