New Delhi: Apple has announced India-centric tailored features for iOS 18, which is rolling out for iPhone models later this year. These India-centric features include new customization options and improved language support for the default keyboard, Siri, and Translate app, tailored specifically for users in the country. Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, designed to enhance eligible iPhones, will also introduce improved controls for users with two phone numbers. Notably, iOS 18 made its debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024.  What’s New in iOS 18? With iOS 18, users can now customize their Lock Screen clock to display the time in numerals using 12 Indian languages. On iOS 17, Apple allowed users to pick from English, Arabic (Indic), Devanagari, Khmer, and Burmese numerals, with plans to add more languages later this year. (Also Read: MSI Launches Its First-Ever Windows 11-Based Gaming Console And Laptop In India; Check Specs, Price) Moreover, users will also be able to customize the font weight and colour while setting up the Lock Screen and their Contact Poster. The upcoming update will support Arabic, Arabic Indic, Bangla, Devanagari, Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Kannada, Malayalam, Meitei, Odia, Ol Chiki, and Telugu. What’s New in Siri on iOS 18? With iOS 18, Apple will update Siri to respond to queries made in Hindi. Adding further, Siri will be able to understand Indian English commands combined with phrases from nine languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. (Also Read: Tech Showdown: Realme C63 Vs Moto G24 Power; Which Phone Wins Battery Battle Under Rs 10,000?) What’s New in the Keyboard with iOS 18? The default keyboard on iOS 18 will support typing in two more Indian languages, using Latin characters for English input. While typing in English, users can also enter text in Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu, with trilingual predictive typing support.

Moto G85 5G India Launch: Motorola has announced the official launch date of the Moto G85 5G smartphone in India. China’s Lenovo-owned smartphone brand has confirmed that the upcoming smartphone will launch on July 10 this month in the country.  The company has promised that the Moto G85 5G may run on Android 14 and could receive two years of Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates. Moreover, the company also claims that the Moto G85 5G software features such as Smart Connect, Family Space and Moto Secure. The Moto G85 made its debut in Europe last week as a rebranded version of Motorola S50 Neo which was launched in China alongside the Motorola Razr 50 series. The much anticipated might be available in three colour options: Cobalt Blue, Olive Green and Urban Grey. Notably, the launch date has been revealed on Flipkart confirming its availability on the e-commerce platform. (Also Read: Apple Announces India-Centric Features In iOS 18 With New Fonts, Multilingual Siri For iPhone Users) Get ready to elevate your style and give off main character energy vibes with the #MotoG85 5G. Launching on 10th July @Flipkart, https://t.co/azcEfy1Wlo and all leading retail stores.#AllEyesOnYou pic.twitter.com/nr2YhCEcS3 — Motorola India (@motorolaindia) July 3, 2024 Moto G85 5G Specifications (Expected) The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.67-inch pOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. It could be powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of built-in storage. The Moto G85 5G could be backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. On the optics front, the upcoming Moto G85 5G could come with a dual camera setup at the back, comprising a 50-megapixel with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide shooter.  For selfies and video chats, there is a 32-megapixel shooter on the front. Adding further, the handset could have an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance and the display might be protected under Corning Gorilla Glass 5. (Also Read: MSI Launches Its First-Ever Windows 11-Based Gaming Console And Laptop In India; Check Specs, Price) The Moto G85 is set to follow the Moto G84, which was released in India last September. As a mid-range phone, the Moto G84 was priced at Rs 19,999, so the Moto G85 is likely to be priced similarly. 

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra India Launch: Samsung announced the launch of its most powerful laptop ever – the Galaxy Book4 Ultra, in India. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra is equipped with cutting-edge AI-powered technology for ultimate performance. The new Galaxy Book4 Ultra comes with a Windows 11 Home Operating System and a storage of up to 1TB. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra is equipped with the new Intel Core Ultra 9/7 Processor and comes with enhanced security via a new Samsung Knox security chip. The intelligent processor enhances AI capabilities for seamless multitasking and heavy workloads. The AI-powered Galaxy Book4 Ultra also comes with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card. It has a touchscreen interface and features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Adding further, the AI-powered creation tools backed by NVIDIA TensorRT enable the creation of stunning images with simple text and drawings in seconds, while NVIDIA DLSS technology enhances the quality of images, supporting more than 300 RTX AI games.  Galaxy Book4 Ultra Price And Colour: The Galaxy Book4 will be available in 32GB and 16GB memory variants at a starting price of Rs 233,990 In India. Consumers can purchase the laptop via Samsung.com, and select offline stores. It will be available with a 16-inch display in Moonstone Gray finish.  Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra Specifications:  Sound And Security: The device has AKG quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, delivering high octaves and rich bass for clear and crisp sound. Its studio-quality dual microphones with bi-directional AI Noise Canceling capture clear voice during video calls, allowing users to feel the depth and clarity of communication. The new Galaxy Book4 Ultra also integrates a discrete Samsung Knox security chip, securing critical system data separately and enhancing multi-layered security efforts, ensuring robust data privacy and security. Display: The laptop offers a 3K super-resolution and adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth videos and graphics without any stuttering. With touchscreen capabilities, this PC provides an interactive and intuitive touch-based user interface. The Vision Booster uses intelligent outdoor detection to enhance visibility and colour reproduction in bright conditions, ensuring a clear view even in bright sunlight whilst the anti-reflective screen reduces unwelcome light and eyestrain. AI-Enhanced Studio: The device comes with AI-enhanced Studio effects which allow users to edit videos made on their phone or tablet in more detail on their PC, reducing CPU power consumption by 30% for longer use. Furthermore, Photo Remaster automatically removes unwanted light and shade from the image with AI to get better results in old photos.  Users can also access their phone directly from Windows Copilot, providing seamless integration and enhanced productivity to read or send messages, check calls, and chat in Copilot- all in the blink of an eye! File Explorer integration allows for easy management of files across devices, streamlining workflows. Multi Control And Second Screen:  Multi Control allows users to control multiple devices simultaneously, by using Galaxy Book4 Ultra’s mouse and keyboard on Galaxy tablet and phone to easily copy and paste texts, images, and even files between Galaxy devices.  Second Screen lets users use their tablet as a monitor for their Galaxy Book4 Ultra with various modes such as Duplicate, Extension, and Rotation. Easy Phone Connection allows users to enjoy up to 5 phone apps without having to install them on a PC. Design: The Galaxy Book4 Ultra boasts a sleek and compact design, ensuring portability and ease of use. Its enhanced power efficiency allows for longer usage on a single charge, and the 140W adaptor quickly tops up an additional 55 per cent battery life in just 30 minutes with a USB-C cable for improved compatibility with other Galaxy devices. 

New Delhi: Meta platforms on Tuesday announced that it would lift its blanket ban on the word “shaheed,” which means “martyr” in English. This decision follows a year-long review by its oversight board, which concluded that the company’s approach to banning the word was “overbroad,” according to a report by Reuters. For years the company has faced criticism for its handling of content related to the Middle East. A 2021 study, which Meta itself commissioned found that its approach had a negative impact on the human rights of Palestinians and other Arabic-speaking users of its services. (Also Read: Reliance Jio Vs Bharti Airtel: New Mobile Tariff From Today, 3 July 2024 –Check Complete Plan And Price Chart) Hostilities between Israel and Hamas began in October and since then the criticism of the company has intensified. The oversight board funded by Meta but operating independently started its review last year because the word “shaheed” led to more content removals on the company’s platforms than any other single word or phrase. (Also Read: MSI Launches Its First-Ever Windows 11-Based Gaming Console And Laptop In India; Check Specs, Price) Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram conducted a review in March and found that its rules on the word ”shaheed” were too broad. The review also revealed that the word has various meanings and the company’s rules led to the removal of content that did not praise violent actions. Meta acknowledged the findings of the review on Tuesday and said its tests showed that removing content when “shaheed” was “paired with otherwise violating content captures the most potentially harmful content without disproportionally impacting the voice”. The oversight board welcomed the change, saying Meta’s policy related to the word had led to the censoring of millions of people across its platforms. (With Reuters Input)

New Delhi, Rau’s IAS Study Circle – Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), recently paid a heartfelt visit to his alma mater, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where he once prepared for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. This visit marked a significant moment in his life, reconnecting with the place that helped shape his illustrious career. Dr. Subbarao, who topped the Civil Services Examination in 1972, reminisced, “Visiting my alma mater took me 50 years back.” His nostalgic words resonated deeply with the current students, highlighting the profound impact Rau’s IAS Study Circle had on his journey. During his visit, Dr. Subbarao engaged with students, answering their questions and addressing their concerns. He shared personal experiences, emphasizing that failure is not a setback but a step toward success. His stories and advice provided valuable inspiration and guidance to the aspiring civil servants. Dr. Subbarao also mentioned his new book, Just a Mercenary?: Notes from My Life and Career. The book is a tribute to his roots, with the first chapter focusing on a pivotal moment in his life – when Dr. S. Rau, founder of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, personally called to congratulate him on passing the Civil Services Examination. Expressing his deep connection to Dr. S. Rau, Dr. Subbarao shared his gratitude and admiration. “I am glad to visit the coaching institute and happy to see the same philosophy of making small-sized batches for proper attention to all,” he said. His words underscored how Rau’s IAS Study Circle continues to prioritize individual attention and foster excellence. Dr. Subbarao’s visit evoked memories of his early days and reinforced the timeless values of dedication and perseverance that Rau’s IAS Study Circle still upholds. His journey from a dedicated student to a distinguished leader is a testament to the power of education and mentorship. “We are honored to have Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao share his incredible journey and wisdom with our students,” said the CEO of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, Mr. Abhishek Gupta. “His achievements exemplify the heights that can be reached with dedication and hard work.”

New Delhi: Chinese smartphone brand Oppo has launched the Oppo A3 in the Chinese market. The handset is available in three colour options: Mountain Stream Green, Aurora Purple, and Quiet Sea Black (translated from Chinese). The handset is offered in three storage models:  8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB.  The dual-SIM (Nano) Oppo A3 runs on ColorOS 14.0. The smartphone’s battery features a durability of up to four years. It comes with a fast charging technology that can charge the battery from 0 to 50 per cent in just 30 minutes. Adding further, a 10-minute charge provides up to 1.53 hours of video playback time. Oppo A3 Price And Availability:  The Oppo A3 smartphone is priced at CNY 1,599 (roughly Rs. 18,000) for the 8GB + 256GB storage model. The  12GB + 256GB carries a price tag of CNY 1,799 (roughly Rs. 21,000) and the 12GB + 512GB model is priced at CNY 2,099 (roughly Rs. 25,000). It is available for pre-orders and consumers can pre-book the phone via Oppo online store in China. The phone will go on sale from July 5.  Oppo A3 Specifications:  The smartphone features a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,412 pixels) AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and up to 240Hz touch sampling rate. It offers up to 1,200nits of peak brightness in sunlight. The Oppo A3 handset is powered by an octa-core 6nm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.  The handset is loaded with a 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging support.   On the optics front, the smartphone packs a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with support for autofocus alongside a 2-megapixel portrait camera. For selfies and video chats, there is a 8-megapixel shooter on the front.  It has an IP65-rated build. For connectivity, the Oppo A3 supports 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB Type-C port.  

iQOO Z9 Lite 5G India Launch: Chinese smartphone brand iQOO is set to roll out a new Z-series smartphone in the Indian market. The company has confirmed the official launch date of the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G smartphone in the country on July 15 this year. The handset is offered in brown and blue colour options and could be a more affordable variant of the standard iQOO Z9. It could be a rebranded version of the Vivo T3 Lite 5G, originally launched in India starting at Rs. 10,499, as both share identical designs and SoC. The smartphone will expand the iQOO Z9 5G series lineup in the country, joining the iQOO Z9 5G and iQOO Z9x 5G models, which were released in March and May this year, respectively. Consumers can purchase the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G smartphone via Amazon.in, in addition to iQOO.com. (Also Read: iPhone 15 Plus Receives Massive Discount On Flipkart During Big Bachat Days Sale; Check Specs, Price) Get ready to dive into a world of adventure and experience the Flow of Aqua. Stay tuned for the #FullyLoaded5G Know More – https://t.co/9aJYuteA85#FullyLoaded5G #iQOO #AmazonSpecials #StayTuned pic.twitter.com/0xCb3mxapq — iQOO India (@IqooInd) July 2, 2024 iQOO Z9 Lite 5G Specifications (Expected): The iQOO Z9 Lite 5G smartphone could be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM. The smartphone may pack a dual rear camera setup which includes a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The handset is expected to sport a 6.56-inch HD+ LCD display with up to a 90Hz refresh rate. The smartphone could be loaded with a 5000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging support. The company has said that the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G has scored over 4.14 lakhs on AnTuTu 10. Notably, the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G is likely to come with a starting price tag of Rs 10,000.

New Delhi: WhatsApp, an instant messaging platform, is working on a new feature to make the Meta AI chatbot even more amazing. The Meta-owned messaging platform is planning to bring an update which will allow users to create their personalised avatars using Meta AI, as reported by WABetaInfo.   Moreover, users can also use them as stickers and profile pictures. However, this feature is currently under development.  WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.14.13: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on an optional feature to allow users to generate images of themselves using Meta AI, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/3SE9pjOx6a pic.twitter.com/UtVhG0RROn — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 1, 2024 How This WhatsApp Feature Could Work?  The much anticipated feature lets users create AI images from a single set of photos. Meta AI will check these photos to ensure the generated images accurately reflect the user’s appearance. Users will have full control over this feature and can delete their setup photos anytime in the Meta AI settings.  How to Create an Avatar With a Photo On WhatsApp? Step 1:  Open the App: Start by opening the app where you want to create your avatar. Tap on More Options (usually represented by three dots or lines). Step 2:  Go to Settings: Select Settings from the dropdown menu. Step 3:  Start Avatar Creation: Tap on Avatar, then select Create your Avatar. Step 4:  Begin the Process: Tap Get Started. Step 5:  Enable Camera: Allow the app to access your camera by tapping Allow Camera, then tap Take Photo. Step 6:  Capture and Confirm Photo: Take a photo by tapping the camera button. You can retake the photo or choose to create your avatar manually. Step 7:  Customize Your Avatar: Select a skin tone and tap Next. Make further edits if needed or tap Done to finalize your avatar.  Apart from this, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow users to pin messages within chats and groups. The feature might be useful for users as it will allow users to pin important messages to the top of the chat, reports WABetaInfo.

New Delhi: Online dating often comes with its share of ups and downs, where each encounter can be a hit or miss. For some, a seemingly promising date can quickly turn into a nightmare. In a similar incident. When a civil service aspirant swiped right on a dating app he had no idea he was entering a scheme designed to scam men seeking love. What started as a hopeful match quickly turned into a cautionary tale about the unexpected risks of online dating. The victim, an IAS aspirant, whose name was withheld by the police on Sunday arrived at the Black Mirror Cafe in East Delhi’s Vikas Marg area to celebrate the birthday of Versha, a woman he had recently matched with on Tinder. At the cafe, they ordered snacks, two cakes, and four shots of a non-alcoholic drink. Everything seemed fine until Versha suddenly left and claimed that there’s a “family emergency”. When the man finished his meal and asked for the bill he was shocked to see a total of Rs 1,21,917.70, an outrageous amount for food that should have cost only a few thousand. (Also Read: Snowblind Malware Explained: Know How It Steals Bank Data From Android Devices) After this, the victim raised objections to the bill but he faced threats, confinement and was forced to pay the huge amount. He eventually transferred the amount online to Akshay Pahwa, one of the cafe’s owners. Pahwa, aged 32 resides in Shahdara, East Delhi has completed education up to class 10. (Also Read: TRAI Modifies Rules For New SIM Replacement Under Mobile Number Portability) Once he got out of the cafe he immediately reported the incident to the police. Inspector Sanjay Gupta led a four-member team to investigate the case which resulted in Akshay Pahwa’s arrest. During the investigation, he explained to the police that he along with Ansh Grover and Vansh Patwa own the Black Mirror Cafe. Akshay and Vansh are cousins while Ansh is their friend. The cafe employs several “table managers,” with one named Aryan. These managers are supervised by Digranshu. Aryan, who dropped out in Class 7 is currently unemployed. It was revealed by Akshay that the real identity of Varsha is Afsaan Parveen, a 25 year old woman who also uses the names Ayesha and Noor. When the police located her, she was at another cafe on a date with a man from Mumbai whom she had connected with on Shaadi.com. Ms. Praveen described their plan to the authorities. Aryan had pretended to be Versha and invited the victim to the cafe and claimed it was to celebrate her birthday. Ms. Parveen left the victim to deal with a fraudulent bill after staging the family emergency and departing. The scam was carefully planned and involved different individuals who received a share of the money. Ms. Parveen received 15% of the total amount, 45% was divided among the table and cafe managers, and the remaining 40% went to the owners. Police disclosed that similar schemes are operating in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. They exploit victims through sophisticated collaborations among cafe owners, managers, and accomplices who specifically target men using dating apps.

Xiaomi launched its latest flagship series, the Xiaomi 14 in India last week. The lineup includes two models — the vanilla Xiaomi 14 and the Xioami 14 Ultra smartphone. These new phones promise to offer a flagship smartphone experience, featuring next-generation Leica optics and are powered by the new Android 14-based Xiaomi HyperOS.Customers in India can now order both smartphones from the company’s official website.However, the less-expensive Xiaomi 14 is now available for purchase, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra Reserve Edition is available only for pre-booking. Here are all the details: Xiaomi 14 series: Sale and pre-booking details Xiaomi 14 is available in the 12GB + 512 GB variant and will be available across multiple platforms – Mi.com, Xiaomi retail outlets, Amazon India and e-commerce platform Flipkart. Users can avail of a discount of Rs 5000 on ICICI Credit cards and Debit cards, and a further exchange bonus of Rs 5,000 on select devices and get their hands on the Xiaomi 14 for a net effective price of Rs 59,999. Additionally, users can also opt for a 24-month no-cost EMI option.Xiaomi has also opened pre-bookings for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra Reserve Edition model which claims to offer even better photography performance. Users can pre-book the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which is available in limited units, for just Rs 9,999. The Reserve Edition will come with a limited-edition case, a 67mm filter adapter and other gifts. Early access sale starts on April 08 at 12 noon exclusively at Mi.com and across Mi Homes. Xiaomi Priority Club: All the details Xiaomi India has also rolled out exclusive benefits via Xiaomi Priority Club, a service for all Xiaomi premium smartphones including the Xiaomi 14 Series. These include a free Priority Pick-up and Drop; a guaranteed 2-hour repair turnaround time, or the customer will be given a standby device for uninterrupted use; half-yearly phone check-up and updates; and priority customer support.The other devices covered under Xiaomi Priority Club include – Mi 11 Ultra, Xiaomi 12 Pro, and Xiaomi 13 Pro; and Xiaomi TVs- Mi QLED TV 75, Xiaomi OLED Vision TV 55 as well as Xiaomi Smart TV X 65 2023.