WhatsApp New Feature: WhatsApp, a meta-owned platform, is working on a new feature that lets users share motion photos in chats, groups, and channels, reportedly. This feature was first spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.8.12 update, which is currently rolling out to beta testers via the Play Store. The feature is still in development for Android, but iPhone users will eventually see these motion photos as Live Photos on WhatsApp for iOS. Motion photos capture a few seconds of movement before and after a picture is taken, making memories more dynamic by adding short video and audio clips to regular photos. This feature is especially popular on some smartphones, as it blends the best of photos and videos, bringing snapshots to life with subtle animations. WhatsApp is also working on an AI-powered “Rewrite” feature that can transform typed messages into different styles. It is reportedly designed to help users rephrase their messages and even proofread them before sending. According to media reports, the feature offers several rewriting options, including Funny, Proofread, Puns, Rephrase, Sarcastic, Shorter, Spooky, and Supportive. The Proofread option helps fix spelling and grammar mistakes, while the others adjust the tone of the message. Adding further, WhatsApp might be developing a two-way live voice chat feature for Meta AI, allowing users to interact with the chatbot hands-free.

WhatsApp Account Ban: To tackle telecom fraud, the government announced on Friday that it has disconnected over 3.4 crore mobile connections and blocked 3.19 lakh IMEI numbers through the Sanchar Saathi portal. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) stated that, leveraging AI and Big Data, it also deactivated 16.97 lakh WhatsApp accounts. Adding further, more than 20,000 bulk SMS senders were blacklisted under the DoT’s ‘Sanchar Saathi’ initiative, according to Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Through the Sanchar Saathi portal, the government facilitates citizens to report suspected fraud communications on Chakshu facility. DoT then carries out several analysis and takes action on such telecom resources that have been found linked to misuse, said the minister. Rather than acting on individual reported suspected fraud communications, DoT uses the crowd sourced data to carry out analysis and to zero down on misuse of telecom resources. The Department uses AI based tool and big data analysis to identify suspected mobile connections taken on fake documents. Further, DoT and telecom service providers (TSPs) have devised a system for near real time identification and blocking of incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers that appear to be originating from India, said the minister. Meanwhile, telecom service providers have blacklisted 1,150 entities/individuals and disconnected more than 18.8 lakh resources. The actions led to a significant reduction in the complaints against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs) — from 1,89,419 in August 2024 to 1,34,821 in January 2025. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 on February 12. A customer can now make a complaint about spam/unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) within seven days of receiving spam as compared to earlier three-day time limit. The time limit for taking action by the access providers against the UCC from unregistered senders has been reduced from 30 days to 5 days, according to the amendments. To ensure prompt action against the senders of UCC, the criterion for taking action against them has been revised and made more stringent. (With IANS Inputs)

New Delhi: The Oppo F29 series has launched, including the Oppo F29 and F29 Pro. These smartphones offer upgrades in design, performance, and features. Here’s a look at their price, camera, battery, chipset, and more. Oppo F29 Pro & Oppo F29: Price and Availability The Oppo F29 Pro is available in three variants: 8GB + 128GB for Rs 27,999, 8GB + 256GB for Rs 29,999, and 12GB + 256GB for Rs 31,999. Sales begin on April 1 through OPPO E-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and retail stores. The Oppo F29 comes in two configurations: 8GB + 128GB priced at Rs 23,999 and 8GB + 256GB for Rs 25,999. You can buy it starting March 27 from OPPO E-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and retail outlets. Oppo F29 Pro & Oppo F29: Colours The Oppo F29 Pro is available in two elegant shades—Marble White and Granite Black. Meanwhile, the Oppo F29 comes in Solid Purple and Glacier Blue, giving it a premium and stylish look. Oppo F29 & F29 Pro: Specifications Both Oppo F29 and F29 Pro feature a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1200 nits peak brightness for a smooth and vibrant viewing experience. Designed to handle tough conditions, these phones come with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, making them resistant to dust, water submersion, and powerful water jets. The Oppo F29 Pro 5G is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 Energy processor, the same chipset used in the Reno 12 Pro. It runs on ColorOS 15 (Android 15) and is promised two major Android updates along with three years of security patches. The standard F29 5G comes with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor for efficient performance. In terms of memory and storage, the F29 Pro 5G offers up to 12GB LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, while the F29 5G supports up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Both devices also feature stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience. For photography, the F29 Pro 5G boasts a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 16MP Sony front camera for selfies. The standard F29 5G also has a 50MP primary sensor, but with Samsung’s JN5 sensor, along with a 2MP monochrome sensor and a 16MP front camera. When it comes to battery life, the F29 Pro 5G packs a 6,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging, while the F29 5G features a larger 6,500mAh battery, though with 45W charging support.

New Delhi: If you use UPI payment apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm, this news is important for you. New UPI payment rules will take effect from April 1, 2025. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that mobile numbers that haven’t been used for a long time will be unlinked from bank accounts. If your bank account is linked to an inactive number, it may be deleted, causing issues with UPI payments. Why did NPCI take this decision? NPCI has implemented this step to prevent rising cyber fraud and technical issues. When a mobile number remains inactive for a long time, telecom companies can reassign it to another person. If this number was previously linked to a bank account and the new user misuses it, the risk of fraud increases. Additionally, technical issues in banks and the UPI system could lead to incorrect transactions or payment failures. NPCI’s goal is to make UPI more secure and ensure users face no inconvenience. Why is a mobile number necessary for UPI payments? Your registered mobile number serves as an identity for UPI payments. When you send money to someone, the bank sends an OTP to your registered mobile number to ensure that the transaction is authorized and the money goes to the right person. If your number remains inactive for a long time and is reassigned to someone else, it can lead to incorrect transactions or fund misdirection. This could result in your money being transferred to someone else’s account. What should you do now? If the mobile number linked to your bank account has been inactive for a long time or hasn’t been recharged, you should check it immediately. Contact your telecom provider, such as Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL, to confirm whether the number is still registered in your name. If your number has become inactive, you should either reactivate it or update your bank account with a new mobile number. This will help you avoid any issues with UPI transactions in the future. NPCI’s New Guidelines NPCI has instructed banks and UPI apps to update records of inactive mobile numbers every week. This means that from April 1, 2024, banks will remove all numbers that have not been in use for a long time. If you want your UPI payments to continue without any interruptions, update your bank and mobile number details as soon as possible.

Google Pixel 9a India Launch: Google has officially launched the Pixel 9a in India, making it the most affordable member of the Pixel 9 series. The Google Pixel 9a is more affordable than Apple’s iPhone 16e and runs on Android 15. Google promises seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. Notably, the Apple’s iPhone 16e comes in three variants — 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at Rs 59,900. The smartphone comes in white and black colour options.  The Pixel 9a is a dual SIM (Nano+eSIM) smartphone is available in four colour options: Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain. Google has packed the Pixel 9a with several AI-powered camera features, including Macro Focus, Add Me, Night Sight, Reimagine, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, and Portrait Light. Adding further, it comes with built-in support for Google Gemini, just like the company’s flagship Pixel 9 Pro. For 4 years running, Google’s Pixel has stood out thanks in part to its bold industrial design. But with the new Pixel 9a, the bar has been lowered — or actually, eliminated entirely. Google says this was done to make the phone more pocketable. But it also makes the 9a blend… pic.twitter.com/84VSn26bCJ — Michael Fisher (@Captain2Phones) March 19, 2025 The new-generation Pixel 9a expands Google’s Pixel lineup, joining flagship models like the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold as a more budget-friendly option. Despite its affordability, the Pixel 9a boasts flagship-level features, including the Tensor G4 chipset, a dual-camera setup with AI enhancements, and built-in Gemini assistance. Google Pixel 9a Price In India And Availability The Pixel 9a is priced at Rs 49,999 for the 8GB+128GB variant, while the 8GB+256GB model costs Rs 56,999. The smartphone will go on sale in April through Flipkart, Croma, Vijay Sales, and other major retailers.  Google Pixel 9a Specifications The Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch Actua display with a resolution of 1080 x 2424 pixels. It offers up to 1800 nits of HDR brightness and a peak brightness of 2700 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight. The phone is powered by the device is a 5100mAh battery, delivering over 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. For photography, the Pixel 9a features a dual rear camera setup, including a 48MP wide camera with OIS and 8X Super Res Zoom (digital zoom), along with a 13MP ultra-wide camera offering a 120-degree field of view. On the front, there’s a 13MP selfie camera with a 96.1-degree ultrawide field of view. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and the phone comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. For security, the Pixel 9a includes features like Emergency SOS, Crisis Alerts, Car Crash Detection, Earthquake Alerts, and Theft Protection.