Technology

In a bid to establish itself as a major player in smartphone exports, India faces the risk of losing ground to competitors like China and Vietnam. Government documents obtained by Reuters reveal that India’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasised the need for swift action to entice global companies with reduced tariffs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic agenda prioritises smartphone manufacturing as a cornerstone for growth and job creation in the country. Despite India’s status as the world’s second-largest mobile market, with production reaching $44 billion last year, concerns loom over the country’s competitiveness in attracting tech giants like Apple, Foxconn, and Samsung. While financial incentives have driven production growth, high tariffs pose a significant challenge. Critics argue that these tariffs deter companies from diversifying their supply chains beyond China, prompting them to favour countrie...

As Valentine’s Day approaches, cybersecurity experts issue a chilling warning: romance scams are on the rise in India, with a staggering 66 per cent of individuals falling victim to deceptive online dating schemes. In a shocking revelation, it has been disclosed that in 2023 alone, 43 per cent of Indians became prey to AI voice scams, resulting in a financial loss for 83 per cent of those targeted. A recent report by Tenable, the exposure management company, highlights the evolution of romance scams, blending traditional tactics with cutting-edge technologies like generative AI and deepfakes. The findings underscore a disconcerting reality: AI-generated deepfakes have reached a level of sophistication where more than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Indians struggle to differentiate between artificial and genuine human voices. Exploiting these advancements, scammers craft convincing personas for romance scams, with celebrity impersonations, particularly targeting older demographics, bec...

The buzz surrounding Apple’s next-generation iPhone, the iPhone 16, has been steadily growing since the release of the iPhone 14 in late 2022. Initial speculation hinted at a complete removal of the front notch, but with the adoption of this feature in the regular iPhone 15, enthusiasts are now left pondering what innovations the iPhone 16 will bring to the table. Recent rumours indicate a potential overhaul in the design of the rear-facing camera lenses, with talks of a stacked configuration for the regular iPhone 16 and the addition of a dedicated camera button for the iPhone 16 Pro. Display options are also expected to diversify, catering to a wider range of preferences, particularly within the Pro tier. However, details remain speculative until Apple officially unveils the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. Despite the lack of confirmed information, anticipation continues to mount among consumers eager to get their hands on the latest technology from the tech giant. Release Timeline ...

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has surged past the $50,000 mark for the first time in over two years. This notable milestone comes as optimism grows around potential interest rate cuts later in the year and following regulatory approval for US exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking Bitcoin’s price. The cryptocurrency market has witnessed a 16.3 per cent increase in Bitcoin’s value since the beginning of the year. On Monday, Bitcoin reached its peak value since December 27, 2021, hitting $49,899 at 12:56 PM EST, marking a 4.96 per cent increase for the day, with its value oscillating around the $50,000 level. Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of the crypto lending platform Nexo, described the $50,000 mark as a significant milestone for Bitcoin. He attributed this achievement to the launch of spot ETFs last month, which not only failed to push Bitcoin above this key psychological level initially but also led to a 20 per cent sell-off. The positive momentum extended beyond Bitcoin, with...

In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) permeates various aspects of daily life, the online dating has become a battleground for scammers and catfishers using AI to deceive unsuspecting people, looking to find a real connection. India, in particular, grapples with a prevalent issue of online dating scams, as highlighted in a recent study conducted by McAfee. The second edition of McAfee’s annual report titled “Modern Love” focuses on the interplay between AI and online dating in India, shedding light on the intricate dynamics between technology’s potential to foster genuine connections and its exploitation in fraudulent activities. Surveying 7,000 participants across seven nations, with a significant emphasis on India, the study underscores the escalating concern surrounding catfishing and romance scams, especially with the integration of AI technology. An alarming 77 per cent of Indian respondents reported encountering AI-generated fake profiles or photos on dating platforms a...

Jeff Bezos, the executive chairman of Amazon, recently filed a statement with federal regulators disclosing the sale of nearly 12 million shares of Amazon stock, amounting to over $2 billion. The transaction, which took place on February 7th and 8th, saw Bezos divesting himself of 11,997,698 shares of common stock in five blocks ranging from 1 million to more than 3.2 million shares. While Bezos, who founded Amazon in a Seattle garage nearly three decades ago, officially lists his address as Seattle, reports suggest he has relocated to Miami. In addition to the recent sale, Bezos also listed a proposed sale of 50 million Amazon shares around February 7th, with an estimated market value of $8.4 billion. Bezos’s decision to offload Amazon shares comes amid a rise in his estimated wealth, with Bloomberg Billionaires Index reporting a $22.6 billion increase in his net worth this year due to surging company stock. As of February 11th, Bezos is listed as the second-wealthiest person global...

OpenAI has achieved a remarkable milestone, with its annualised revenues crossing the $2 billion mark, driven primarily by the widespread adoption of its leading artificial intelligence product, ChatGPT. This success propels OpenAI into the ranks of the fastest-growing technology companies in history. According to sources familiar with the company’s finances, OpenAI reached the $2 billion annualized revenue milestone in December 2023. Buoyed by robust interest from business clients keen on integrating generative AI tools into their workflows, the company aims to more than double this figure by 2025. This exponential growth trajectory positions OpenAI alongside esteemed Silicon Valley counterparts like Google and Meta, achieving revenues of $1 billion within a decade of its inception. Originally established as a not-for-profit AI research lab in 2015, OpenAI transitioned into a commercial powerhouse after establishing a business arm in 2020. Despite internal disruptions in November, ...