New Delhi: The production of mobiles in India in value terms has increased by around 146 per cent from Rs 2,13,773 crore in FY 2020-21 to Rs 5,25,000 crore in FY 2024-25, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. During the same period, exports of mobile phones in value terms has increased by around 775 per cent from Rs 22,870 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 2,00,000 crore in 2024-25. The government’s PLI and national industrial corridor schemes have incentivized domestic manufacturing, leading to increased production, job creation and a boost in exports, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. PLI Scheme has encouraged major smartphone companies to shift their production to India. As a result, India has become a major mobile phone manufacturing country. Due to the PLI scheme, there has also been a significant reduction in imports of raw materials in the pharma sector. Unique intermediate materials and bulk drugs are being manufactured in India, including Penicillin-G, and transfer of technology has happened in manufacturing of Medical Devices such as CT scan, MRI, etc.). The PLI Scheme for White Goods is aimed at developing a robust component ecosystem for the Air Conditioners and LED Lights industry in India, with the goal of making the country an integral part of global supply chains. Following its launch, India has begun local production of key components such as compressors, copper tubes, heat exchangers, motors, and control assemblies for air conditioners, as well as LED chip packaging, drivers, engines, light management systems, and metallized films for capacitors in the LED segment. This shift is significantly reducing import dependency and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, the minister further stated. The government has also launched the Make in India 2.0 initiative, which presently focuses on 27 sectors implemented across various ministries/departments and state governments. He further stated that the government has approved 12 new project proposals under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) with a total project cost of Rs 28,602 crore to facilitate manufacturing investments into the country. Besides, Atmanirbhar Bharat packages provide investment opportunities under National Infrastructure Pipeline and National Monetization Pipeline, India Industrial Land Bank, Industrial Park Rating System, soft launch of the National Single Window System etc., to promote manufacturing, the minister added.

BSNL New Plan: BSNL, a telecom giant, has launched a new prepaid recharge plan priced at Rs 249, offering lucrative features including calling, data, and OTT access at an affordable rate. The company shared details of the plan on its official X handle (formerly Twitter). What Does BSNL’s Rs 249 Plan Offer? The key highlight of this plan is its extended 45-day validity. While most private telecom operators offer just 28 days at a higher cost, BSNL stands out by providing more benefits at a lower price, making it a value-for-money option for budget-conscious users. BSNL Rs 249 Plan Features The Rs 249 BSNL plan comes packed with multiple benefits. It offers unlimited calling, including free local, STD, and roaming calls across all networks. Users also get 2GB of high-speed data daily, amounting to a total of 90GB over the plan’s 45-day validity. Adding further, the plan includes 100 free SMS per day. To enhance entertainment options, BSNL is providing free access to its own OTT app, BiTV, which features over 400 live TV channels. Jio Rs 249 Plan Features This plan comes with a validity of 28 days and offers 1GB of data per day, totaling 28GB. In addition to data benefits, users get unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day. The plan also includes complimentary access to Jio’s digital services, such as Jio Cinema, Jio TV, and Jio Cloud. BSNL Challenges Rivals Jio, Airtel And Vi With this plan, BSNL has once again positioned itself as a budget-friendly alternative to private players like Jio, Airtel, and Vi. While other companies offer short-validity plans at higher prices, BSNL is aiming to regain customer trust by offering long-term value at a lower cost. BSNL 5G May Arrive Soon BSNL has also hinted at the rollout of its 5G network. Although an official launch date hasn’t been announced yet, the company claims that high-speed 5G internet will be launched in India soon. This could make BSNL’s affordable and fast plans even more attractive. Meanwhile, BSNL has placed an order for an additional 19,000 sites to further expand and densify its 4G network, with built-in software upgrade capability to support 5G. This move comes after the successful deployment of approximately 90,000 4G sites across the country.

New Delhi: Driven by easing inventory challenges and renewed vendor activity, India’s smartphone market rebounded in the April-June period, growing 7 per cent year to reach 39 million units, according to a new report. The growth was primarily fuelled by fresh launches concentrated in the second quarter, following a cautious Q1 where vendors held back due to elevated inventory levels, according to Canalys (now part of Omdia). “Heightened competition beyond the top five is reshaping India’s smartphone landscape, as premium incumbents and design-led challengers refine their playbooks,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst. Apple ranked sixth in Q2 2025, with the iPhone 16 family accounting for over 55 per cent of its shipments, while the iPhone 15 and 13 continued to drive demand across price tiers. According to the report, Vivo (excluding iQOO) led the market with 8.1 million units shipped and a 21 per cent market share. Samsung followed in second place with 6.2 million units and a 16 per cent market share. OPPO (excluding OnePlus) climbed to third with 5 million units, edging past Xiaomi, which also shipped 5 million. realme completed the top five with 3.6 million units. “With limited organic demand, India’s smartphone market in H2 2025 will hinge more on channel execution than product launches,” stated Chaurasia. Brands are actively locking inventory with distributors and retailers through channel incentive programs ahead of the upcoming festive season in India. These include high-value rewards – ranging from foreign trips to vehicle rewards – tied to performance during Monsoon sales, Durga Puja and Diwali cycles, the report said. Retail infrastructure upgrades are gaining pace, with improved booth setups, structured shelf placements and stricter quarterly targets for promoter engagement and in-store execution. At the same time, brands are doubling down on affordability by expanding long-tenure financing options, especially for mid- to high-end models.

Apple iOS 26 Beta Update: Apple is likely to roll out the public beta of its much-anticipated Apple iOS 26 sometime around July 23, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The update will give early testers a glimpse of the biggest revamp in iPhone software since iOS 7. It was first announced at WWDC earlier this year and has already gone through several rounds of developer testing. The iOS 26 update will give iPhone users a chance to try out new features and the refreshed interface before the official release. Meanwhile, the stable iOS 26 build is expected to roll out in September, alongside the launch of the iPhone 17 series. Those interested in accessing the new features can prepare to download and install the iOS 26 public beta on their eligible iPhones. Adding further, iOS 26 introduces a new Apple Games app designed to simplify game discovery and management. CarPlay is also getting enhanced with features like pinned conversations, widget support, and a compact view for calls. iOS 26 Public Beta Release: Is Your iPhone Eligible For Update? The iOS 26 update will be compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models this year. If you’re still using an iPhone Xs or Xr, it’s time to consider upgrading within the next 12 months, as these older models will no longer support the latest software. The iPhones eligible for the iOS 26 public beta include: iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max; iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max; iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max; iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max; iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max; and the upcoming iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. How To Download iOS 26 Public Beta Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to General > Software Update. Step 2: Tap on Beta Updates to view available beta versions. Step 3: Select iOS 26 Public Beta, and your iPhone will begin checking for the update. Step 4: Tap Download and Install, then follow the on-screen instructions. Step 5: After the download completes, choose to install the update immediately or later as per your preference. 

Seoul: Samsung Display said on Tuesday its latest foldable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel has successfully passed a 500,000-fold durability test, demonstrating the company’s advances in flexible display technology. The panel, used in Samsung Electronics Co.’s newly launched Galaxy Z Fold 7 smartphone, remained fully functional after undergoing 500,000 folds over a 13-day period in a temperature of 25 C, according to testing results verified by global certification agency Bureau Veritas, reports Yonhap news agency. The result is more than double Samsung Display’s previous internal durability standard of 200,000 fold and reflects the company’s confidence in the long-term resilience of its foldable OLED technology, the company said. Samsung Display explained the 500,000-fold benchmark equates to over 10 years of use for average consumers and more than six years for heavy users folding over 200 times daily. The company attributed the enhanced durability to a newly developed shock-resistant structure inspired by bulletproof glass. Samsung increased the thickness of its Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) cover by 50 percent and adopted a new high-elastic adhesive, improving impact recovery performance fourfold compared with previous materials. “This new panel not only builds consumer confidence in foldable OLED durability but also underscores the technological advantage that makes Samsung Display distinguished in the industry,” said Lee Ho-jung, head of the mobile display product planning team at Samsung Display. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics said that preorder sales of its new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 smartphones have set a fresh record for its foldable Z series models in South Korea. The pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 series, introduced on July 9, amounted to 1.04 million units as of Monday, outnumbering the 1.02 million set by the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5, according to the company. The previous Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 series recorded 910,000 units in pre-orders. The company said sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which opens and closes like a book, accounted for 60 percent of total presales, while the clamshell-style Flip 7 made up 40 percent. It is the first time that the Fold model has outsold the Flip model since Samsung Electronics launched its foldable lineup in 2019.

New Delhi: Tech giant Microsoft has issued urgent security patch after observing “active attacks” on server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organisations. According to Microsoft, the vulnerabilities apply only to SharePoint servers used within organisations. SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, which is in the cloud, was not hit by the attacks, the organisation informed. “Microsoft is aware of active attacks targeting on-premises SharePoint Server customers by exploiting vulnerabilities partially addressed by the July Security Update,” said the tech giant in ints security advisory. The company recommended security updates that customers should apply immediately. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also said it is aware of the attacks and is working closely with its federal and private-sector partners. The vulnerability is related to a case of remote code execution that arises due to the deserialization of untrusted data in on-premise versions of Microsoft SharePoint Server. Microsoft said the current published content is correct and that the previous inconsistency does not impact the company’s guidance for customers. “After applying the latest security updates above or enabling AMSI, it is critical that customers rotate SharePoint server ASP.NET machine keys and restart IIS on all SharePoint servers,” Microsoft said. “If you cannot enable AMSI, you will need to rotate your keys after you install the new security update,” its added. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added ‘CVE-2025-53770’ vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to apply the fixes by July 21, 2025. “Microsoft has released security updates that fully protect customers using SharePoint Subscription Edition and SharePoint 2019 against the risks posed by CVE-2025-53770, and CVE-2025-53771. Customers should apply these updates immediately to ensure they’re protected,” said the company in its security update. 

WhatsApp Monetization Advertising Features In India: Meta is taking a crucial step toward monetizing WhatsApp by testing new advertising features. In the latest Android beta update (version 2.25.21.11), The features include Status Ads and Promoted Channels on WhatsApp. It is now available to select beta users, as reported by WABetaInfo. WhatsApp Status Ads Function Status Ads function much like Instagram Stories ads, allowing business accounts to share sponsored content directly in users’ Status feeds. These ads appear between updates from friends and family and are clearly marked as “sponsored” to differentiate them from personal content. To enhance user control, WhatsApp is also offering the option to block ads from specific advertisers — once blocked, those ads won’t appear again. WhatsApp Promoted Channels The second feature, Promoted Channels, aims to increase the discoverability of public channels by boosting their visibility within WhatsApp’s channel directory. Just like Status Ads, these promoted channels will be marked as “sponsored”. When a business or creator pays to promote their channel, it will appear higher in search results, making it easier for users to find and follow them. These changes could be very useful for brands, creators, and organisations who want to grow their audience quickly. WhatsApp Entry In World Of Advertising It also signals WhatsApp’s serious entry into the world of advertising and creator monetisation — something already common on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Meta has assured that these ads won’t affect users’ privacy. The company says all promotional content will only be shown in public areas like Status and Channels, not in private chats. So, your personal messages will remain ad-free. WhatsApp Detailed Ad Activity Reports Earlier, in a previous beta update (2.25.19.15), WhatsApp also started testing a feature that lets users download detailed ad activity reports. These reports show which ads were displayed, who the advertisers were, and when the ads were seen. This adds more transparency compared to traditional ad platforms. (With IANS Inputs)

Apple iPhone 17 Pro And iPhone 17 Pro Max India Launch: The India launch of the Apple iPhone 17 series is just a few months away, and rumours are already swirling across the country. Apple is reportedly planning several changes to its flagship iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models this year, along with the new iPhone 17 Air — and one major shift could be the removal of titanium from the premium lineup. Notably, the iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet, measuring just 5.5mm — slimmer than even the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge. Over time, multiple leaks have surfaced, hinting at changes in design, new colour options, and hardware upgrades. These early revelations offer a sneak peek at what the Cupertino-based tech giant might unveil during its anticipated September launch event this year. Apple never fails to surprise with fresh colour choices in its iPhone lineup each year, and the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models appear to follow suit. According to media reports, the new Pro variants are likely to arrive in bold new shades of dark blue and copper. Meanwhile, there could be a display upgrade for the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air models. On the other hand, all iPhone 17 models are tipped to receive a new Dynamic Island user interface. This update will likely be part of iOS 26 and could remain exclusive to the iPhone 17 series. iPhone 17 Series India Launch Date (Expected) The premium phones are expected to launch between September 8 to September 11 of 2025. Apple may also reveal the official launch date. Apple is expected to announce the official launch date of the iPhone 17 series in the coming weeks. All iPhone 17 models are expected to be powered by the A19 series chips reportedly, bringing upgraded performance. iPhone 17 Pro Price In India (Expected) The iPhone 17 Air could launch at around Rs 1,20,000—especially if Apple raises the starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro to Rs 1,34,999 this year.

Elon Musk’s Child-Friendly AI App: Tech billionaire Elon Musk has revealed that his AI venture, xAI, is working on a child-friendly version of its chatbot Grok. The new app, tentatively named ‘Baby Grok’, aims to build on Grok’s capabilities while tailoring its features for younger users. The announcement follows criticism of Grok’s previous versions, particularly for featuring sexualized AI avatars that experts warned could negatively influence children. According to media reports, xAI stated that the program will bring its advanced AI capabilities to federal, local, state, and national security customers, signalling the firm’s growing interest in public sector partnerships. In response, the upcoming chatbot is expected to feature stricter content controls and safety measures. However, Musk has not yet shared detailed insights into how Baby Grok will differ from xAI’s standard offering. Earlier this month, xAI launched Grok 4, just months after its prior release, signaling the rapid pace of AI advancement. The update came in the wake of controversy over antisemitic remarks generated by the chatbot on X (formerly Twitter), which drew sharp public backlash. Google’s Gemini Chatbot For Kids  Meanwhile, Google has announced it is developing a children-focused version of its Gemini chatbot. Designed to assist with homework, answer questions, and foster creativity, the app will come with parental controls through the Family Link platform. Google has confirmed that the kids’ version of Gemini will not include ads or collect data, focusing purely on educational and creative use.