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.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro India Launch: Motorola is set to launch the Motorola Edge 60 Pro variant in the Indian market after introducing two sub-Rs 25,000 smartphones under the Motorola Edge 60 series. The company says that the phone will be launched on April 30 in the country. It runs on Android 15 and promises three major OS updates along with four years of security maintenance releases (SMRs). The Motorola Edge 60 Pro variant will be available for pre-order on the same day. Consumers can purchase the smartphone via Flipkart. Motorola Edge 60 Pro Price in India (Expected) The company has remained tight-lipped about the pricing of the smartphone. However, according to leaks and rumours, the phone is expected to launch at a starting price of Rs 31,999. Motorola Edge 60 Pro Specifications The smartphone features a 6.67-inch 1.5K (2712 x 1220 pixels) 10-bit pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of up to 4500 nits. It supports Dual SIM (nano + nano) functionality. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Extreme chipset, paired with the Mali-G615 MC6 GPU for smooth performance. The smartphone is backed by a robust 6000mAh battery, the device supports 90-watt fast charging and 15-watt wireless charging. On the photography front, the smartphone is equipped with a 50MP main camera featuring the Sony LYTIA 700C sensor, ensuring detailed and vibrant shots. It is accompanied by a 50MP autofocus ultra-wide camera, allowing users to capture expansive landscapes and group photos with impressive clarity. For selfies and high-quality videos, there is a 50MP shooter at the front. The device offers water and dust resistance with IP68 and IP69 ratings and is built to military-grade durability standards (MIL-STD-810H).

Whatsapp Fraud Alert: The Ministry of Defence on Sunday issued an alert against a misleading message circulating on WhatsApp, which falsely seeks donations to a specific bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and for soldiers injured or killed in action. The message falsely claims that the appeal is based on a Cabinet decision and names actor Akshay Kumar as the prime supporter of the initiative. “The account details mentioned in the message are incorrect, resulting in online donations being dishonoured. Citizens are advised to stay vigilant and avoid falling victim to such fraudulent messages,” the ministry stated. The government has implemented several welfare schemes to support soldiers who are killed or disabled during active combat operations. In 2020, it established the ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)’, aimed at providing immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who lose their lives or suffer grievous injuries during military operations. The Indian Army, on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, maintains the accounts for the fund. Contributions can be made directly to the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund account. Details Of Bank Accounts Are Given Below: First Account Fund Name: Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund Bank Name: Canara Bank, South Block, Defence Headquarters, New Delhi – 110011 IFSC Code: CNRB0019055 Account No.: 90552010165915 Type of Account: Savings Second Account Fund Name: Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund Bank Name: State Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110011 IFSC Code: SBIN0000691 Account No.: 40650628094 Type of Account: Savings The Defence Ministry’s statement said donations can also be made through a Demand Draft drawn in favour of AFBCWF, payable at New Delhi, which may be sent by post to the following address: Accounts Section: Adjutant General’s Branch Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate Room No. 281-B, South Block IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi – 110011 (Inputs From IANS)

New Delhi: Who doesn’t love free Wi-Fi, especially when it’s available at airports, coffee shops, or public spaces? While it may seem like a convenient way to stay connected, using public Wi-Fi can put your private and financial information at serious risk. The government has issued a strong warning and urged citizens to avoid using these networks for sensitive activities like financial transactions to protect their personal data. Public Wi-Fi networks often lack proper security, making them prime targets for hackers and scammers. To boost awareness about digital safety, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a new reminder as part of its ‘Jaagrookta Diwas’ initiative. The advisory warns citizens against performing sensitive activities, like banking or online shopping, over public Wi-Fi networks. CERT-In explained that cybercriminals can easily intercept unprotected connections on public Wi-Fi, putting users at risk of data theft, financial loss, and even identity fraud. The government has urged people to avoid making transactions or entering personal information when connected to such networks. As part of its awareness drive, CERT-In has also shared a few important safety practices. Citizens are advised not to click on links or attachments from unknown sources, use long and strong passwords for all online accounts, and regularly back up important files to external drives. These habits can help build strong protection around personal information. The advisory further stressed that even simple activities like checking emails or logging into social media accounts on public Wi-Fi can be risky if proper precautions are not taken. Using a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) and avoiding the use of autofill options on web browsers are also recommended for extra safety. CERT-In is the national agency responsible for incident response and cybersecurity in India. It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. CERT-In acts as the national nodal agency for responding to cybersecurity incidents, as mandated by the Information Technology Act, 2000. Its role includes collecting, analysing, and sharing information about cyber incidents, providing emergency measures, and coordinating response activities across sectors. (With IANS Inputs)

Whatsapp Protect IP Address In Calls: In today’s time, the Meta-owned platform WhatsApp has become one of the most widely used apps. It allows users to chat with friends and relatives using the internet. Along with this, you can also make audio and video calls through the app. Meanwhile, there have been many reports of digital scams happening through WhatsApp recently. However, did you know that your location can be tracked during a WhatsApp call?  Fortunately, WhatsApp offers a feature called “Protect IP Address in Calls”. When activated, it makes it more difficult for others to track your location during a call, adding an extra layer of security to your conversations.  How To Prevent Location Tracking on WhatsApp Calls   During a WhatsApp call, your IP address may be shared with the person you are speaking to, potentially allowing them to trace your location. However, by enabling the “Protect IP address in calls” feature on WhatsApp, you can safeguard your location and prevent it from being exposed.  How WhatsApp IP Address in Calls Feature Works  This feature routes incoming WhatsApp calls through WhatsApp’s servers, making it harder to trace your location. Your IP address stays hidden from the person you’re calling, effectively protecting your location from being tracked. How To Enable WhatsApp Protect IP Address in Calls Feature Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your phone. Step 2: Tap the three dots at the top right corner of the screen. Step 3: Select Settings and then go to the Privacy section. Step 4: Scroll down and tap on the Advanced option. Step 5: Find Protect IP Address in Calls and turn the feature on. 

New Delhi: Popular messaging app, WhatsApp is setting up its privacy game with a new feature called Advanced Chat Privacy. This has been designed for both individual and group chats. This setting adds an extra layer of protection to keep your conversations more secure and private, especially when you don’t want your messages shared outside the app. How Does WhatsApp’s Advanced Chat Privacy Feature Work? WhatsApp’s new Advanced Chat Privacy feature gives you more control over your messages. When enabled, it stops others from exporting chats, downloading media automatically, or using your messages with AI tools. Simply put, it helps keep your conversations private and ensures they stay within the chat. WhatsApp groups have become a big part of our daily lives whether it’s staying in touch with family and friends or connecting with coworkers and schoolmates. But not all groups feel equally personal. While WhatsApp already offers tools like disappearing messages and chat locks, the new privacy setting is specially designed for semi-public or topic-based groups, like health support forums or community chats. These groups often involve sensitive conversations, even if the members don’t know each other well. This is just the start for WhatsApp’s new privacy feature. The platform has promised more updates soon, bringing even stronger privacy options. The feature is already rolling out globally and will be available to everyone through the latest app update in the coming days. How to Enable Advanced Chat Privacy in WhatsApp: Step 1: Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to secure. Step 2: Tap on the chat name at the top of the screen. Step 3: Select Advanced Chat Privacy from the options. Step 4: Turn on the setting to add extra privacy to that chat.

New Delhi: Meta, a multinational technology company is taking its smart glasses to more corners of Europe. The company on April 23 announced that its AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are now available in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland—complete with voice-activated Meta AI to help users stay connected hands-free. Launch Date & Price For now, Meta hasn’t announced the official launch date or price for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses in India. New Features  The new rollout brings a bunch of handy features to make everyday life easier. Meta says users in these countries can now talk to the glasses to ask questions and get instant answers. One standout addition is the live translation tool, now available to more users. It supports real-time conversations in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Real-Time Info Coming to the EU Users, starting next week across all supported EU countries will be able to get real-time info about what they’re looking at just by wearing the glasses. Meta first brought its AI assistant to Ray-Ban Meta glasses in France, Italy, Ireland, and Spain back in November 2024. This lets users ask questions with simple voice commands. Until now, the feature that gives information based on what you see was only available in the US, Canada, and Australia. Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Coming to India Meta also shared that its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will soon be launching in India, Mexico, and the UAE. As part of a big software update, the live translation feature is now going global. Users can have real-time conversations in English, French, Italian, and Spanish even without an internet connection if the language pack is downloaded in advance. Translation and Instagram Features Added Translations are spoken aloud through the glasses, while a written transcript pops up on the paired phone. Just say, “Hey Meta, start live translation,” and you’re good to go. And that’s not all—Meta is bringing Instagram into the mix too. Soon, you’ll be able to send messages, share photos, and even make audio or video calls straight from your glasses.

Asus Vivobook S14 Series Price in India: Asus has launched two new Vivobook series laptops in the Indian market. The new lineup includes the Asus Vivobook S14 (S3407VA) and the Vivobook S14 Flip (TP3402VAO), aimed at young professionals, students, and everyday creators. These newly launched laptops are equipped with 13th Gen Intel H-series processors, catering to a wide range of users in the country. The Asus Vivobook S14 and Vivobook S14 Flip run on 13th Gen Intel H-series processors. Both laptops come preloaded with Windows 11 Home, Microsoft Office Home 2024 (with lifetime validity), and Microsoft 365 Basic, which includes 100GB of OneDrive cloud storage for one year. Both models are available in a Cool Silver colour option. Asus Vivobook S14 Laptop Price in India: The Asus Vivobook S14 is priced starting at Rs. 67,990, while the 2-in-1 Vivobook S14 Flip starts at Rs. 69,990. The Vivobook S14 Flip is available for purchase via the Asus e-shop and Flipkart, and will also be sold through Asus Exclusive Stores, regional retail partners, and multi-brand retail outlets. Meanwhile, the standard Vivobook S14 will be available exclusively through the Asus e-shop and Flipkart. Asus Vivobook S14 Specifications: The laptop measures just 17.9mm in thickness and weighs approximately 1.4kg, making it a highly portable option for users on the go. It features a 14-inch IPS display with WUXGA resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and an impressive 86 percent screen-to-body ratio for an immersive viewing experience. It is powered by either an Intel Core i5-13420H or i7-13620H processor, paired with Intel UHD graphics, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks. It packs a 70Wh battery that supports 65W fast charging via a Type-C port, offering long-lasting usage with quick recharging. Adding further, the laptop is equipped with stereo speakers enhanced by Dolby Atmos audio support, delivering rich and immersive sound quality. Asus Vivobook S14 Flip Specifications: The laptop measures 18.9mm in thickness and weighs approximately 1.5kg, making it a compact yet versatile 2-in-1 device. It sports a 14-inch IPS touchscreen display with FHD+ resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 16:10 aspect ratio—ideal for both work and entertainment. It is available in a single variant powered by an Intel Core i5-13420H processor, paired with Intel UHD graphics for reliable performance. The device is equipped with a 50Wh battery and supports 90W fast charging for quick top-ups. In terms of connectivity, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and stable wireless performance. For audio, the Vivobook S14 Flip features stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos support, delivering an immersive sound experience.