Amazon Great Summer Sale 2025: Good news for customers who have been waiting for exciting offers — the wait is finally over! Amazon India has officially announced the Great Summer Sale 2025, which kicks off today, May 1. Notably, Amazon Prime members get 12-hour early access starting at midnight. The Amazon Summer Sale brings massive discounts across a wide range of categories, including electronics, fashion, home essentials, fashion, groceries kitchen products, and more.  However, the sale is already alive and the e-commerce giant has not revealed the end date of the sale in the country.  Amazon Great Summer Sale 2025: Bank Deals And Offers  The mega sale offers a 10 per cent instant discount on HDFC Bank card payments. Shoppers can also enjoy no-cost EMI options and exciting exchange deals. The dedicated sale page highlights standout offers across smartphones, home appliances, electronics, and more. Amazon Great Summer Sale: Starts 1st May, Noon  Curated Offer Page – https://t.co/wrqf4uNS1Q Home Appliances  Up to 65% off https://t.co/wrqf4uNS1Q  Smart TVs & Projectors  Up to 65% off https://t.co/4mnkTG66a6  Daily Needs  Up to 60% off… pic.twitter.com/nVU0hko8bl — Investment Books (Dhaval) (@InvestmentBook1) April 29, 2025 Customers can save up to 80 per cent on popular products, with electronics and accessories seeing discounts of up to 75 per cent. Meanwhile, there is a 40 per cent off on mobile phones and accessories. The sale also features big deals on smartphones, cameras, smartwatches, and other gadgets. No-cost EMI is available for up to 24 months, along with exchange benefits of up to Rs 10,000 on select devices. Amazon Great Summer Sale 2025: Deals On Smartphones And Laptops During the sale, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G is available for Rs 84,999, while the iPhone 15 is being offered at Rs 57,249. The iQOO Neo 10R, originally priced at Rs 26,999, is now available for just Rs 24,999 with bank offers. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is up for grabs at Rs 18,499, according to Amazon. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13R comes with a Rs 3,000 bank discount, reducing its effective price to Rs 39,999. Other smartphones, including the OnePlus Nord 4, iQOO Z10x, Redmi A4 5G, and Narzo 80 Pro 5G, are also available at special prices. The Mobile accessories are being offered at discounts of up to 40 per cent. Tech enthusiasts can also grab the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) for Rs 23,119, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE for Rs 28,999, and the GoPro Max for Rs 29,990. Laptop deals include the ASUS Vivobook with an Intel i5 processor priced at Rs 51,990, and the Lenovo Ryzen 5 laptop available for Rs 61,990.

New Delhi: Apple registered 28 per cent growth in iPhone shipments in India (year-on-year) in the first quarter this year (January-March period), industry data showed on Thursday.  iPhone 16 series was the highest-selling Apple device, capturing 54 per cent market share, with iPhone 15 series garnering 36 per cent share in Q1 2025, according to data provided by said the report by CyberMedia Research (CMR). Apple iPads saw 18 per cent annual growth in Q1 2025 compared to the year-ago period. In the entire 2025, iPhones are likely to garner 11 per cent share in the Indian smartphone market, with iPads clocking 33 per cent, the data projected, as the tech giant doubles down on local manufacturing. Apple maintained its strong growth momentum in India, recording double-digit year-on-year growth and its highest-ever quarterly shipments in Q1. The iPhone 16 series, led by the more accessible iPhone 16e, was the key growth driver. “With nearly three million units shipped in Q1 2025 alone, Apple achieved its strongest first-quarter performance in the Indian market to date,” said Prabhu Ram, VP-Industry Research Group (IRG), CMR. As supply chain realignments gather pace, India is emerging as a critical hub for iPhone production in the coming years. Ram said Apple is well-positioned to sustain this momentum — not only through expanded local manufacturing of iPhones and other products but also through increased investment in its retail footprint, with more Apple-owned and operated stores set to launch. In parallel, Apple is tapping into India’s skilled talent pool to support its broader initiatives across retail, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The country is now achieving ‘Make in India’ at a global scale, as reports suggest that tech giant Apple may shift the entire assembly of iPhones meant for the US to India by next year. This would be a major step in Apple’s global manufacturing strategy as the company looks to reduce its dependence on China. Meanwhile, Apple’s contract manufacturers in India are already scaling up their operations. Foxconn’s new plant in Bengaluru is expected to become operational this month and could produce up to 20 million iPhones at full capacity. In the past year, iPhones worth $22 billion were assembled in India, with Tamil Nadu-based Foxconn contributing nearly 50 per cent of Apple’s exports.

Gmail Account Security Check: In today’s online world, your Gmail account holds much more than just emails. It can store private chats, important documents, bank information, and access to many other apps. So, if you think someone else might be using your Gmail, it’s important to act fast. The best part? Google makes it easy to check your account activity and see where it’s currently logged in. Just like you protect your bank account, it’s important to keep your email and social media accounts safe too. Gmail has a helpful feature that lets you check where your account is being used.  Gmail Security Features: How To Check If Someone Else Is Using Your Gmail Step 1: Go to Gmail and sign in to your account.  Step 2: In the top-right corner of Gmail, click on your profile photo. Step 3: From the menu, select Manage your Google Account to open your account settings. Step 4: On the left-hand side of the screen, click Security to view your security settings. Step 5: Look for the Your Devices area and click on Manage All Devices. Step 6: You’ll see a list of devices where your account is active. Click any unfamiliar device and tap Sign out to secure your account. Gmail Account: What To Do If You Spot Unauthorized Access  If you see anything unusual on your Gmail account, the first thing to do is change your password right away. Go to your Google Account settings and choose a strong, new password that you haven’t used before. After that, sign out of all other devices by clicking “Sign out of all other web sessions” in the Last account activity section. This will log out anyone else who might be using your account. To keep your account even safer, turn on 2-Step Verification. It adds an extra layer of security when you sign in. At the end, check all the devices and apps connected to your Gmail. Go to the Security section of your Google Account and remove anything you don’t recognize. Notably. Google sends you an email or notification if it detects any suspicious login activity on your account. 

New Delhi: Whatsapp, a popular messaging platform is a daily lifeline for many of us to stay connected. However, if you’re using an older iPhone, you should consider upgrading it. Starting May 5, 2025, the app will stop working on iPhones that aren’t running iOS 15.1 or later. So if your device can’t support the update, you won’t be able to send messages, make calls, or access your chats. It might be the right time to check your iPhone and consider an upgrade if needed. Which iPhones will lose access to WhatsApp? If you’re using one of these older models, WhatsApp will no longer work after May 5, 2025: – iPhone 5s – iPhone 6 – iPhone 6 Plus What can users do? If you want to keep using WhatsApp after May 5, you’ll need to switch to a newer iPhone. Right now, the oldest models that still support the app are the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. But keep in mind—Apple stopped updating these phones after iOS 16 in 2022, so WhatsApp might stop supporting them soon too. Upgrading to a more recent model is the safest way to stay connected. Will this Affect WhatsApp Business? Yes, the update won’t just impact regular WhatsApp users—it also applies to WhatsApp Business. This version of the app is popular among small businesses for staying in touch with customers.  Along with essential features, WhatsApp has been rolling out new privacy tools, including one that stops others from copying your messages and media. With existing options like chat lock and disappearing messages, the app already offers strong privacy—but this latest feature adds an extra layer of protection to keep your chats and photos even more secure.

New Delhi: The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Tuesday welcomed the government’s decision to step in and address the growing menace of spam and scam calls originating from Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has decided to take the lead on this issue, as was conveyed during a recent meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR). The industry sees this as a much-needed move, especially since spam and scam activities are increasingly shifting to OTT communication apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and others. While the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), along with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), has been tightening regulations around Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) on traditional telecom networks, similar control over OTT platforms has been missing. According to COAI, the MeitY’s involvement shows a shift in thinking, where the responsibility of regulating digital platforms will now lie with the relevant ministries, instead of unfairly placing the burden on telecom operators. The COAI said this is important because TSPs have limited control over what happens on OTT apps, even if the user is the same. COAI Director General Lt. Gen. S. P. Kochhar explained the challenge using a simple example: a telecom operator can trace a phone number to a particular city and provide legal assistance if needed. “But when an OTT app is used on a different device, it becomes harder to track, as the app and the SIM card are no longer linked after installation,” Kochhar stated. While the telecom number can only be traced to the city where the mobile is residing, there are no ways to trace the activities of the OTT Communication App which was initially issued on the mobile number, but is now running off a separate handset, while the SIM is on a different handset, he added. “This happens because the App and the SIM are not tightly bound together after the installation of the App,” Kochhar mentioned. According to the COAI, another rising threat is steganography, where harmful content is hidden inside regular files like images or documents.This makes it easier for cybercriminals to carry out fraud and attacks without being detected. The COAI stressed that strong cybersecurity measures are needed across telecom and OTT platforms. The industry body believes that a unified set of rules for all digital communication players is the only way to protect people from spam, fraud calls, and messages. “The aim should be clear — to ensure a safer digital environment for users and reduce the nuisance of spam and scam communications as much as possible,” the COAI said.

New Delhi: US space firm SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is expected to be available in South Korea this year, following a recent revision to the Radio Waves Act, the science ministry said on Sunday.  Starlink Korea LLC applied for approval of a cross-border supply agreement from the Ministry of Science and ICT in May 2023 to provide its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service. According to the ministry, the government amended related regulations this month concerning Elon Musk-owned Starlink’s use of local frequencies, reports Yonhap news agency. “For the approval, Starlink Korea submitted its business plans, and the Telecommunications Policy Bureau is reviewing their business feasibility,” Kim Nam-cheol, director general of the ministry’s radio policy bureau, said during a recent briefing. Regarding the specific launch timeline, Kim said the service could begin as early as June or later this year. Starlink’s British rival, OneWeb, is also exploring opportunities to offer its LEO satellite internet service in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, he added. Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet service worldwide through a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. Under South Korean law, foreign companies must sign a supply agreement with a local telecommunications operator to introduce their communications network services domestically. If adopted, LEO satellite communication services will enable high-speed internet access in regions with traditionally poor connectivity, as well as on ships and aircraft, where low-speed satellite internet is currently common, the ministry said in a press release. “In particular, the maritime industry stands to benefit significantly. Crews on long-haul voyages will gain access to over-the-top (OTT) media services and video calls, marking a major improvement in welfare and communication options for seafarers,” it said. To compete with first movers, South Korea announced plans last year to launch two homegrown LEO satellites using sixth-generation (6G) communications network technology by 2030. LEO satellites, orbiting between 300 and 1,500 kilometers above Earth, can provide high-speed, low-latency communications thanks to their proximity to the planet, compared with geostationary orbit satellites. On Friday, the government designated the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), telecommunications equipment manufacturer SOLiD and Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), the nation’s sole aircraft maker, as key organizations for developing a domestic 6G-based LEO satellite communications system. “We are aiming to launch two domestically developed LEO satellites aboard the homegrown space rocket Nuri by 2030,” Kim said. The government plans to invest a total of 320 billion won (US$234 million) over six years through 2030 in the development project, anticipating the global LEO satellite internet service market will grow to 740 trillion won by 2040.

New Delhi: In recent months, the rise of fake loan apps has sparked concerns about the safety of personal data and financial security. While these apps may initially appear to offer quick and easy loans, they come with significant risks, including data theft, harassment, and even blackmail. The Indian government has issued an urgent alert to warn users about these malicious apps and provide advice on how to protect themselves. What Are Fake Loans? Fake loans are scams where fraudsters pretend to offer loans but never actually lend any money. They often lure people with promises of easy approval, low interest rates, or quick payouts. To make the scam work, they may ask for personal details like bank account information or charge an upfront fee for processing. Once the victim shares the info or pays the fee, the scammer disappears, leaving them without the loan and out of pocket. Fake loans can also damage your credit score, as they won’t be repaid. Fake Loan Apps Alert! What looks like an easy loan could be a dangerous trap! Some apps steal your data, demand unnecessary permissions and even harass you for repayments. – Swipe through to know the risks and protect yourself! #I4C #FakeLoanApp #GooglePlay pic.twitter.com/By5RCsIsdS — CyberDost I4C (@Cyberdost) April 26, 2025 How Do They Work? Fake loan apps like ProtopFin and FinScore typically lure users with promises of fast, easy loans. However, once downloaded, these apps ask for unnecessary and intrusive permissions, such as access to contacts, photos, and messages. After gaining this access, these apps often misuse your data for malicious purposes. What These Apps Do: – Link to Hostile Foreign Entities: Both ProtopFin and FinScore are suspected of being connected to hostile foreign groups, making them a significant security threat to users’ data and privacy. These apps may compromise not just your financial details but also sensitive personal information. -Steal Private Information: Upon installation, these apps may request access to your phone’s contacts, photos, and private messages. This information is then stolen and can be used for fraudulent activities, blackmail, or sold on the dark web. – Harassment and Blackmail: If you do end up using these apps and fall behind on repayments, the consequences can be severe. These apps have been known to blackmail or shame users by exposing personal information gathered during the loan process, causing emotional distress and financial damage. How to Identify if There’s a Fake Loan in Your Name: Review Your Credit Report: Request a free report from platforms like CIBIL, Experian, or Equifax to spot any unfamiliar loans or credit activity. Check Your Bank Statements: Look for any unauthorized loan-related transactions or withdrawals in your bank and loan statements. Contact the Lender Directly: If you spot an unrecognized loan, reach out to the lender or bank for detailed loan information.//

New Delhi: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India, its Army, and security agencies.   The decision was taken by the Government of India based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs following the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir. The banned channels include Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama. These channels were found to be disseminating disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order. Together, these YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 6.3080 crore. They were spreading false and unverified information aimed at creating panic, inciting communal disharmony, and disturbing public order within India, according to an official statement. The banned channels were posting fake news on various subjects, such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations in light of the Pahalgam terror attack. In a related move, the official X handle of the Government of Pakistan had also been withheld by India following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent civilians and injured several others. Following the deadly attack, India launched a strong diplomatic offensive, summoning Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handing over a formal Persona Non Grata note for all Pakistani military attaches. The moves are part of a series of sweeping retaliatory actions by India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the assault a “cowardly attack on innocent civilians.” The attack, orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front, has triggered a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries. In response to the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Modi, announced several stringent measures. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, expulsion of Pakistan’s military attaches from New Delhi and a reduction in diplomatic staff at both High Commissions.

New Delhi: A total of 34 supercomputers with a combined compute capacity of 35 Petaflops (10 lakh gigabytes) have been deployed across the country under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), the government said on Monday.  These supercomputers have been deployed across various academic institutions, research organisations and R&D labs, including prominent institutions like IISc, IITs, C-DAC, and other institutions from Tier-II and Tier III cities of the country under NSM. The supercomputing systems commissioned under NSM have achieved an overall utilisation rate of over 85%, with many systems exceeding 95 per cent, demonstrating a high level of usage and efficiency in their computational capacity, according to the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The contribution of these supercomputing systems to the Research and Development (R&D) sector has been highly impactful, facilitating over 10,000 researchers, including more than 1,700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic institutions and R&D labs across the country. “These supercomputing systems have supported research in critical domains such as Drug Discovery, Disaster Management, Energy Security, Climate Modeling, Astronomical Research, Computational Chemistry, Fluid Dynamics, and Material Research,” according to IT Ministry. NSM has created opportunities for researchers from Tier II and Tier III cities to conduct research by providing access to state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities. These researchers have completed over 1 crore compute jobs and published more than 1,500 papers in leading national and international journals. Additionally, more than 22,000 individuals have been trained in HPC and AI skills. Start-ups and MSMEs are leveraging these supercomputing resources to advance their HPC-driven projects. Also, C-DAC has developed the indigenous high-speed communication network, “Trinetra,” to enhance data transfer and communication between computing nodes, strengthening India’s supercomputing capabilities. In 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers to the young researchers, scientists and engineers of nation facilitating advanced studies in physics, earth sciences, and cosmology. These supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research, according to IT Ministry.

New Delhi: The App Store ecosystem in India facilitated Rs 44,447 crore ($5.31 billion) in developer billings and sales in 2024, a new Apple study showed on Monday. The study was conducted by Professor Viswanath Pingali from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.  In one of its most important findings, the study showed that more than 94 per cent of that commerce accrued solely to developers and businesses of all sizes, without any commission paid to Apple. And over the last five years, the global earnings of India-based developers have tripled, underscoring the tremendous business opportunity and global reach the App Store provides, the company said in a statement. “The App Store has been an economic miracle for developers in India and all around the world, and we’re thrilled to support their work,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “This study underlines the power of India’s incredibly vibrant app economy. And we’re committed to keep investing in the success of developers of all sizes as they build apps that make an important impact and enrich people’s lives.” The study from Professor Pingali takes a closer look at the key drivers shaping the App Store ecosystem in India, including increased app usage in sectors like food delivery, travel, gaming and entertainment. In 2024 alone, App Store developers generated Rs 38,906 crores ($4.65 billion) in total billings and sales from the sale of physical goods and services, Rs 3,014 crore ($352.9 million) from in-app advertising, and Rs 2,527 crore ($302 million) from digital goods and services. Since its launch more than fifteen years ago, developers have more ways than ever to monetise their apps and build successful businesses on the App Store, resulting in a healthy and dynamic ecosystem. In 2024, developers active in India have been successful across a diverse range of app categories such as games, health and fitness, lifestyle and utilities. In 2024, close to 80 per cent of India-based developers’ App Store earnings came from users outside of the country, and 87 percent of developers were active on multiple storefronts. Many apps from India-based developers have also appeared on the most-downloaded app charts in storefronts outside of India, and apps from India-based developers were in the top 100 most-downloaded apps in 70 storefronts outside of India, said Apple. In addition to building successful global businesses on the App Store, developers continue to reach local audiences across India. In the last five years, downloads from Indian users have more than tripled, and earnings from these users have increased more than fivefold. Notably, India-based developers have also designed popular apps targeted at India’s growing quick commerce and gig economy industries. These apps provide essential on-demand services, making daily tasks more convenient for millions of users while providing workers with access to flexible job opportunities in the country, according to Apple. Small developers, in particular, have been supported by Apple’s ecosystem. The total App Store earnings of small developers increased by 74 per cent between 2021 and 2024. Initiatives like the App Store Small Business Program, designed to support small developers, provide a reduced commission rate for these developers. Apple said it is committed to helping developers across India build their app businesses.