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 in 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.

JioBharat V3, JioBharat V4 India Launch: Ahead of Diwali, Reliance Jio has launched the JioBharat V3 and JioBharat V4 feature phones in India at the Indian Mobile Congress 2024. With its sleek, modern design, the JioBharat V3 is a style-focused feature phone aimed at users who want more than just functionality. It offers a blend of fashion and technology. On the other hand, the JioBharat V4 caters to users who want minimalistic beauty and premium quality.  The JioBharat V3 and JioBharat V4 feature Jio’s exclusive services, delivering a complete digital experience. Both phones come with JioPay UPI, enabling seamless digital payments. Users can access over 455 live TV channels, while JioCinema offers a vast selection of movies, videos, and sports content. Adding further, the JioBharat phones are available with a monthly recharge plan for just Rs 123, which includes unlimited voice calls and 14GB of data. JioBharat V3, JioBharat V4 Price In India And Availability  Both the phones are priced at Rs 1,099. Consumers can purchase both models via all physical phone-selling stores, Amazon, and JioMart.  JioBharat V3, JioBharat V4 Specifications Both models are equipped with a 1000 mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting usage throughout the day. The phones also support expandable storage of up to 128 GB, providing ample space for apps, photos, music, and videos.  Moreover, JioChat allows users to stay connected with friends and family through unlimited voice messaging, photo sharing, and group chat options. The JioBharat V3 and JioBharat V4 models also offer support for 23 Indian languages. 

Apple October Event 2024: After an exciting September unveiling of the iPhone 16 lineup at the “It’s Glowtime” event, along with updated Apple Watches and the fourth-generation AirPods, the Cupertino-based Apple is expected to host another product launch event by the end of October this year.  Apple is expected to unveil 4 new products at its MacBook and iPad launch event later this month. However, an official invitation from Apple confirming the date and time of the event is still awaited.  Notably, it is suggested that the much-anticipated event will be dedicated to Apple Silicon M4-powered chips for Macs. It is speculated to include a refreshed iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and more. Besides new Macs, Apple could also introduce a much-needed refresh to the iPad mini along with possible design changes.  Here’s a list of products Apple might unveil at its October event:  iPad Mini With A18  The tech giant could come with a new iPad model – the iPad mini. It is expected to be powered by the A18 chip with 8GB of RAM, the same chip that drives the iPhone 16 and supports Apple Intelligence. Adding further, the iPad mini, Apple’s smallest tablet, is likely to gain compatibility with the new Apple Pencil Pro, currently available with the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro models.  Moreover, another anticipated upgrade is an increase in base storage, moving from 64GB to 128GB, enhancing its overall performance and user experience.  MacBook Pro M4:  The device is expected to feature a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It will likely come with a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, boasting ProMotion technology and a sharp resolution of 3024×1964 pixels. On the design front, the device reportedly shares many similarities with its predecessor, the MacBook Pro with the M4 chip. Its dimensions are said to be 1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12 cm, and it weighs 1.6kg. For connectivity, the MacBook Pro M4 is rumored to include three USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a MagSafe 3 port, a headphone jack, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot.  iMac M4:  The device is expected to receive a significant upgrade this month with the addition of Apple’s latest M4 series chipset. Furthermore, the new iMac could come equipped with 16GB of RAM, doubling the 8GB found in its predecessor, potentially to support enhanced Apple Intelligence features. Adding further, the device could be accompanied by updated versions of the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard. These accessories are expected to transition from Lightning to USB-C ports, in line with Apple’s recent shift to USB-C across its product lineup, including the latest iPhones.  Wi-Fi 7 Support With iMac M4   Apple is expected to integrate Wi-Fi 7 support into the upcoming M4 iMac. Wi-Fi 7 can deliver speeds of up to 46 Gbps, far exceeding the 9 Gbps maximum of Wi-Fi 6E. The device could also utilize 320 MHz channels and operate on the 6 GHz band, reducing interference and improving signal quality. This upgrade will offer users faster, more reliable internet connectivity, ideal for streaming, gaming, and other data-heavy activities. 

New Delhi: A team of Apple researchers has questioned the formal reasoning capabilities of large language models (LLMs), particularly in mathematics. They found that LLMs exhibit noticeable variance when responding to different instantiations of the same question. Literature suggests that the reasoning process in LLMs is probabilistic pattern-matching rather than formal reasoning. Although LLMs can match more abstract reasoning patterns, they fall short of true logical reasoning. Small changes in input tokens can drastically alter model outputs, indicating a strong token bias and suggesting that these models are highly sensitive and fragile. “Additionally, in tasks requiring the correct selection of multiple tokens, the probability of arriving at an accurate answer decreases exponentially with the number of tokens or steps involved, underscoring their inherent unreliability in complex reasoning scenarios,” said Apple researchers in their paper titled “GSM-Symbolic: Understanding the Limitations of Mathematical Reasoning in Large Language Models.” The ‘GSM8K’ benchmark is widely used to assess the mathematical reasoning of models on grade-school level questions. While the performance of LLMs on GSM8K has significantly improved in recent years, it remains unclear whether their mathematical reasoning capabilities have genuinely advanced, raising questions about the reliability of the reported metrics. To address these concerns, the researchers conducted a large-scale study on several state-of-the-art open and closed models. “To overcome the limitations of existing evaluations, we introduce GSM-Symbolic, an improved benchmark created from symbolic templates that allow for the generation of a diverse set of questions,” the authors wrote. GSM-Symbolic enables more controllable evaluations, providing key insights and more reliable metrics for measuring the reasoning capabilities of models. “Our findings reveal that LLMs exhibit noticeable variance when responding to different instantiations of the same question,” said researchers, adding that overall, “our work provides a more nuanced understanding of LLMs’ capabilities and limitations in mathematical reasoning”.

New Delhi: Tecno has launched the Tecno Camon 30S in Pakistan. It runs on Android 14 and offers Celestial Black, Dawn Gold, and Nebula Violet colour options. However, there is no official confirmation from the company on India Launch. The Tecno Camon 30S is available in three configurations: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, 8GB RAM with 128GB storage, and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage.  Tecno Camon 30S Price, Availability  The top variant of the handset, featuring 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, is priced at PKR 59,999 (approximately Rs. 18,200). The pricing details for the 6GB+128GB and 8GB+128GB configurations have not yet been disclosed by the company. Tecno Camon 30S Specifications:  The dual-SIM (Nano) smartphone operates on the company’s HiOS 14 skin. It features a 6.78-inch Full-HD+ (1,080×2,436 pixels) curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,300 nits. The Phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G100 chipset, it offers up to 8GB of RAM and is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. The device includes a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication. For selfies and video calls, it boasts a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The IP53-rated handset also features a 13-megapixel selfie camera housed in a hole-punch cutout, complemented by a dual LED flash. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and has a USB Type-C port. It also includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.

New Delhi: Infinix has announced the official launch date of the Infinix Inbook Air Pro+ laptop alongside a new Infinix Zero Flip smartphone in the Indian market. However, the Infinix Zero Flip smartphone is already available in the global market.  The company will launch both the products on October 17, 2024, at 12 PM. Consumers can purchase the Infinix Inbook Air Pro+ laptop and Infinix Zero Flip smartphone via e-commerce giant Flipkart.  Infinix Inbook Air Pro+ laptop specifications (Expected) The laptop is expected to feature a 14-inch AMOLED display with a QHD+ resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate.  The much anticipated laptop is powered by  an Intel Core i5 1334U processor.  It may include Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 integrated graphics and could come with 16GB of LPDDR4X 4266MHz RAM, and a 512GB SSD, and will run on Windows 11. The design of the Inbook Air Pro+ takes inspiration from the Apple MacBook Air series laptops reportedly, with a thin metal body, a large trackpad, and a minimalist lid.   The laptop may come with a peak performance output of 4.6GHz, paired with Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 integrated graphics and casual gaming with playable frame rates at 900p resolution.    The laptop is expected to come with Windows 11 pre-installed.   Infinix Zero Flip Smartphone (Expected) The handset could sport a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels. There will also be a 3.64-inch external AMOLED display with a resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels.  The smartphone is expected to come with a 4720mAh battery with 70W fast charging support and could be powered by the Dimensity 8020 chipset with 8GB RAM (plus 8GB virtual RAM) and 512GB storage.  The phone could feature a 50MP front camera and a 50MP dual rear camera setup supporting 4K video recording. The foldable handset highlights the integration of GoPro, which enables the users to control settings and use the phone as a display for GoPro footage.  The upcoming smartphone is likely to come with a dual speaker setup, tuned by JBL.  

New Delhi: If you use Mozilla Firefox, it’s time to take caution. The Indian government has issued a new security warning for Firefox users and have pointed out serious vulnerabilities in the browser. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has flagged these issues which could allow hackers to take control of your device. To protect yourself, it’s important to update your browser right away and secure your system from potential attacks. The advisory, tagged as CIVN-2024-0317 highlights serious security flaws in several Mozilla products. Users of Mozilla Firefox versions before 131, Firefox ESR versions earlier than 128.3 and 115.16, and Thunderbird versions below 128.3 and 131 are particularly vulnerable. These flaws could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems if exploited. Users of these versions are urged to update immediately to protect their devices. Which Software are affected? Here are the Mozilla products affected by the vulnerabilities: – Mozilla Firefox: Versions before 131 – Mozilla Firefox ESR: Versions before 128.3 and 115.16 – Mozilla Thunderbird: Versions before 128.3 and 131 If you’re using any of these older versions, it’s important to update your software to stay protected. The advisory explains that attackers could take advantage of these vulnerabilities in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird using various methods, such as: The advisory warns that attackers could use various techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. One method involves disguising harmful downloads with misleading filenames which makes it difficult for users to tell them apart from safe files. Attackers might also use clickjacking to trick users into interacting with dangerous content. Moreover, specially crafted WebTransport requests could lead to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Most concerning are memory safety bugs that could let attackers execute malicious code, potentially taking full control of affected systems. Here’s how To protect Your Devices: To protect your device from these serious vulnerabilities, CERT-In recommends updating your software immediately. Follow these simple steps to check if you’re using the latest version of Mozilla Firefox or Thunderbird: – Open the menu in Mozilla Firefox or Thunderbird. – Go to the “Help” section. – Click on “About Firefox” or “About Thunderbird.” – Check for any available updates. If updates are available, they will start installing automatically. – If an update is available, a pop-up will prompt you to install it. – Once the update is complete, a green checkmark will confirm that your software is up to date.// By following these steps and regularly updating your software, you can greatly lower your risk of cyberattacks. Keeping your browser and email client up to date is a simple yet crucial way to protect your online safety and security.

New Delhi: Reliance’s Jio Financial services Ltd officially launched its new Jiofinance App for Android and iOS users. This app comes as a result of valuable feedback aimed at enhancing user experience, following the introduction of its beta version on May 30, 2024. Jio reports that over six million users have already explored the new digital platform and the company has made improvements to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for its customers. Where can the app be downloaded? The app can be accessed through the Google Play Store for Android devices, the Apple App Store for iPhones, and also on MyJio, featuring a variety of services. What new products and services are offered on the JioFinance App? – Loan Options: The app now provides loans on mutual funds, home loans (including balance transfers), and loans against property. – Digital Savings Account: Users can open a digital savings account with biometric authentication and receive a physical debit card, with the process taking less than five minutes. – Payment Features: The app includes UPI payments, mobile recharges, and the ability to pay credit card bills. – Insurance Plans: It offers 24 digital insurance plans covering health, life, two-wheeler, and motor insurance. – Investment Opportunities: JFSL and its joint venture partner, BlackRock, are working to provide clients with advanced, premium investing options. “At JFSL, our mission is to democratize access to seamless and convenient financial services by leveraging technology. With the refreshed JioFinance app, which is truly Made in India, and with many more new features coming soon, we are well on our way towards becoming a trusted financial companion for the people of India, helping them fulfill their aspirations with our comprehensive suite of financial products,” stated Hitesh Sethia, Managing Director and CEO of JFSL.

Apple Watch Series 10 ECG Feature: The Apple Watch Series 10 once again proved to be a life-saver when it detected an irregular heartbeat in an elderly woman, alerting her to a potential medical emergency. The watch’s advanced heart monitoring features promptly notified her of abnormal readings, prompting her to seek immediate medical attention. This incident highlights how Apple’s cutting-edge health technology continues to play a crucial role in saving lives. An Apple Watch helped safeguard an elderly woman’s health by detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib), a potentially life-threatening heart condition. The device’s ECG feature identified an irregular heartbeat, prompting her to seek urgent medical attention, and ensuring she received timely care.  My Apple Watch Series 10 detected my grandmother’s atrial fibrillation today using the ECG feature. She’s now at the hospital and receiving the care she needs. I still can’t believe it. pic.twitter.com/KK2kqhL0Kb — Nikias Molina (@NikiasMolina) October 8, 2024 Nikias Molina shared the incident on X, explaining how his Apple Watch Series 10 detected his grandmother’s irregular heartbeat. He also posted a photo of the watch alert, adding that “My Apple Watch Series 10 detected my grandmother’s atrial fibrillation today using the ECG feature. She’s now at the hospital and receiving the care she needs. I still can’t believe it.”  This is one of the reasons I made the switch to Apple for my daily. They are actually making huge differences in people’s lives with products like these. Now the AirPods are hearing aids and the satellite texting is also saving lives. Great stuff —  Joey Riz  (@jerflash) October 8, 2024 The post quickly went viral on X, garnering over 2.2 million views as users chimed in with their own experiences of the Apple Watch’s health-tracking capabilities  Netizens are praising the Apple Watch’s ECG feature after it helped save an elderly woman by detecting her irregular heartbeat. The life-saving capability of this wearable has sparked widespread discussion, highlighting the growing importance of tech in healthcare. Here’s How Netizens Reacted-  The phone saved my friend’s life last Christmas. He was on his way home from working an overnight shift, ran in a pole, the car flipped and went over and embankment. The phone notified his mom, sister, and 911. — Avonie (@Islandlatte) October 8, 2024 This happened to my dad as well. Probably saved his life! — MatthewBerman (@MatthewBerman) October 8, 2024 /blockquote> I had the same with my mom’s Apple Watch where it detected her AFIB. The first test they ran with their huge machine didn’t find anything. So the ER doctor insisted on getting another one due to the Apple watch alerts. Lo and behold it truly was AFIB and she’s alive because of… — John Hillier (@JohnMHillier) October 8, 2024 When I had an Apple Watch it detected that I had early stage pericarditis, I was only 16 years old and I was doing heavy sport everyday, without it I probably would have had a heart attack. — Max Musgrave | Ecom VSL Ads (@maxmvsgrave) October 8, 2024 My mom wears an Apple Watch and I want her to continue to because of this alone. WOW — ladidai (@ladidaix) see linkinbyeo (@ladidaix) October 9, 2024

Having spent over ten years reviewing smartphones, I sometimes wonder that with every new release, I might get a little jaded. But here’s the thing- Apple still has this remarkable knack for keeping things exciting. This time, it’s the iPhone 16 series that has done just that. As always, the new iPhones launched with all the usual buzz, and of course, a review unit of the iPhone 16 Pro Max has landed in my hands too. So, it’s October again, and like every year before, I find myself reviewing the latest iPhone. It’s almost become a yearly ritual at this point.  For context, I had been using the iPhone 14 Pro as my secondary phone for over a year before switching to the 16 Pro Max. While it’s been a reliable companion, the new Pro Max moniker is capable of taking things to the next level. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out in this review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Design: The iPhone 16 Pro Max looks almost identical to its predecessor. Apple hasn’t reinvented the wheel here but went with the idea of “why change something that already works well?”. This is not at all a bad thing. The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes clutched in the titanium frame, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models. The Grade 5 Titanium feels premium to the core. If you’re coming from the iPhone 14 series or base models of the 15 series, you’ll instantly appreciate the difference in the feel. Apple says it’s the same material used in spacecraft and aerospace industries, and has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal. This makes it more durable and scratch resistant than the lower-grade titanium used in other smartphones.  They sent over the Natural Titanium variant for me to try out, and to me it’s the fanciest among all options. Other finishes are: Black, White and Desert Titanium. The micro-blasted texture on the Natural Titanium finish adds to the premium feel.  Now, let’s be real- it’s a big phone, weighing 227 grams and measuring at 163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm. That’s six grams heavier, 3.1mm taller, and 0.9mm wider than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. So, this isn’t something you’re going to slip into your pocket without noticing. Apple has tried its best to make the iPhone 16 Pro Max feel balanced, and they’ve succeeded to an extent. The weight distribution is on point.  The bottom edge features microphone and speaker perforations, along with a USB-C port that now supports Thunderbolt 4 data-transfer speeds (if you’ve got the right cable, of course). On the button front, it’s largely familiar territory. The volume buttons and the new Action Button are on one side, while the larger power/sleep button sits on the other. But here’s the interesting part: Apple’s introduced something new- Camera Control. Though, Apple insists it’s not a button (classic Apple). Whatever you want to call it, It’s been designed to give you instant access to the camera settings. This multipurpose key is a useful inclusion and it comes in handy while capturing photos on the go. With its haptic responses, you can navigate through different camera settings and lenses without jumping into the app manually. A light double press brings up an overlay with quick access to features like exposure, depth of field, zoom, and even Photographic Styles. You can slide your finger across to browse through the options, and a simple tap selects the control you want, like zoom. A quick press gets you right back to the last control you used. With this, it offers a DSLR-style control without a heavy setup. The phone’s internal structure is also revamped. The iPhone 16 Pro Max now has a new machined chassis with a graphite-clad aluminium substructure that increases thermal efficiency by up to 20 percent. The phone remains cooler than ever during multitasking, including intensive gaming or video editing. Display: Moving from the 14 Pro’s already stunning display to the 16 Pro Max was certainly an adjustment. I’m not a fan of big-screen devices, but to give the new iPhone a proper test, I had to upgrade. The larger display does have its perks, but it’s a change I had to get used to over time. That said, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a giant 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel, the biggest display ever in any iPhone. Apple has achieved this size not just by increasing the chassis slightly but also by slimming down the bezels. This offers more screen real estate without making the phone feel unwieldy. It’s big, but not bulky. The resolution has also been bumped to 2868 x 1320 pixels from the 2796 x 1290 on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. While that’s a slight increase in pixel count, it doesn’t change the pixel density. Still, everything looks crisp and sharp​. The screen can hit up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, which means you can use it under direct sunlight without any issues. The display stays clear and easy to read. Whether you’re watching HDR content or just trying to reply to a message while out in the sun, it holds up brilliantly. Combine that with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and you’ve got a display that’s ready to handle anything, from intense gaming sessions to streaming your favourite Netflix shows in the highest quality. The ProMotion tech is still here. So, the screen automatically adjusts from power-sipping 1Hz to  smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and transitions​. The display is protected by a layer of latest-generation Ceramic Shield. Apple says the material is 50 percent tougher than the first generation and two times tougher than glass found in any other smartphone. Other than this, Dynamic Island, sitting at the top of the screen, continues to be a handy and an adaptable little feature. It’s where you’ll find