Johnson & Johnson has launched its TECNIS PureSee,  a refractive intraocular lens (IOL) for individuals with presbyopia is now available in India. “The TECNIS *PureSee IOL features a purely refractive design that delivers uninterrupted, high-quality, vision with high best-in-category contrast and low-light performance, comparable to a monofocal IOL,” a release by the company said.   “Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed globally, with 28 million procedures each year. But only 10-15% of patients are getting advanced optical IOLs specifically designed for addressing issues of astigmatism and presbyopia”, said Burzin Shahana, Country Manager, Surgical Vision India & South Asia, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “We’re proud to launch the TECNIS PureSee IOL, giving surgeons and a growing number of patients in India the choice of a premium IOL that combines clarity of vision and reduced visual symptoms.”   With its purely refractive design, the TECNIS PureSee IOL ensures surgeons’ ease of use in providing high tolerance to refractive error. The TECNIS PureSee IOL offers important benefits, including uninterrupted high-quality vision, with excellent distance and intermediate vision, as well as functional near vision for increased spectacle independence. A dysphotopsia profile that is comparable to monofocal IOL in frequency, bothersome and difficulty levels, which means little to no visual symptoms, such as halos, glares, and starbursts.

New Delhi: In order to further strengthen consumer protection, the government has warned telecom services providers of fine up to Rs 10 lakh over failure to implement revised regulations dealing with unsolicited commercial Communication (UCC) and SMSes.  The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced amendments to the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 that aim to deal with evolving methods of misuse of telecom resource and promote a more transparent commercial communication ecosystem for consumers. “A financial disincentive (FD) of Rs 2 lakh for first instance of violation, Rs 5 lakh for second instance of violation and Rs 10 lakh per instance for subsequent instances of violation, shall be imposed on access providers in case of misreporting of the count of UCC,” said TRAI. These FDs shall be imposed separately for registered and unregistered senders. Moreover, these FDs will be in addition to the FD imposed on access providers against invalid closure of complaints, and not fulfilling their obligations in respect of registration of Message Headers and Content Templates, said the telecom regulator. The amendments aim that the legitimate commercial communication occur through registered entities, based on the preference and consent of the customers, thereby, balancing the interests of consumers with the need for supporting legitimate economic activities in the country, according to the Ministry of Telecommunications. Consumers will now be able to make complaint against spam (UCC) calls and messages sent by unregistered senders without the need of first registering their preferences for blocking or receiving commercial communications. “To make the complaint process simpler and more effective, it has been mandated that if a complaint made by a customer contains bare minimum essential data such as number of the complainant, number of Sender from which the Spam/UCC has been received, date on which spam is received and a brief about the UCC Voice Call/Message, the complaint shall be treated as a valid complaint,” according to revised norms. Further, a customer can now make a complaint about spam/ UCC within 7 days of receiving spam as compared to earlier 3-day time limit. “Time limit for taking action by the access providers against the UCC from unregistered senders has been reduced from 30 days to5 days. To ensure prompt action against the senders of UCC, the criterion for taking action against them has been revised and made more stringent,” said TRAI.  As compared to earlier criterion of ‘having 10 complaints against the sender in last 7 days’ to trigger action, it has been modified to “having 5 complaints against the sender in last 10 days’.  This would enable faster action and at the same time, covering more number of spammers, according to the regulator. The revised regulations will enable TRAI in safeguarding consumer interests while promoting a more secure and trusted digital communication environment.

In the fast-paced world of IT, where innovation and productivity are critical, a growing challenge is quietly undermining the industry’s workforce: silent resignation. This phenomenon, where employees mentally disengage while physically remaining at their jobs, is becoming alarmingly common. A recent study by AceNgage highlights that 68% of IT professionals in India report being disengaged at work, threatening the sector’s ability to maintain its competitive edge. Unlike active resignations, silent resignation is harder to detect but equally detrimental, eroding team morale and organizational success from within. Understanding Silent Resignation Silent resignation doesn’t involve formal resignations or job changes. Instead, it reflects a withdrawal from organizational goals and values, characterized by a lack of enthusiasm, reduced productivity, and minimal effort. “Disengaged employees are not actively vocal but cause significant damage through low morale and reduced collaboration,” explains Krish Hanumanthu, Founder of AceNgage.“Our research shows that disengaged employees can negatively impact team performance by up to 30%.” This subtle but pervasive trend is often driven by unmet expectations, lack of recognition, and poor work-life balance, particularly in a high-pressure sector like IT. The Role of Workplace Culture and Leadership According to AceNgage’s 2024 Exit Data, 40% of employees who left their IT jobs cited poor workplace culture and inadequate leadership as key factors for disengagement. Ashana K., Co-Founder of AceNgage, emphasizes, “Silent resignation is a symptom of systemic issues. Leadership must focus on listening to employees and addressing their pain points proactively.” HR professionals highlight that remote work has exacerbated the issue. While flexible models provide autonomy, they often lead to isolation and reduced connection with organizational culture. Preeti Sharma, Senior HR Manager at a Bangalore-based IT firm, adds, “In a remote setting, it’s challenging to spot disengagement early. Managers need to be trained to recognize subtle behavioral changes.” The Cost of Disengagement The financial implications of silent resignation are substantial. A Gallup study cited by AceNgage reveals that disengaged employees cost organizations approximately 18% of their annual salary in lost productivity. For India’s IT industry, which employs over 4.5 million professionals, the cumulative impact could reach billions of dollars annually. Moreover, disengagement impacts innovation, a cornerstone of the IT sector. Companies reliant on creative problem-solving and collaborative teamwork find it difficult to sustain momentum when employees are merely going through the motions. Engaging the Disengaged: Solutions for Silent Resignation To counter silent resignation, organizations must prioritize employee engagement. AceNgage’s Candidate Engagement Program data highlights that consistent communication and personalized feedback during onboarding can improve long-term engagement by 35%. Head HR at IT startup revamped our onboarding process based on AceNgage’s insights, focusing on mentorship and early recognition. The results were remarkable increase in engagement scores within the first six months. Companies like Infosys and Wipro have also invested in tools that foster engagement, such as gamified platforms and regular pulse surveys. AceNgage’s AceBot, an chat-powered feedback tool, has been instrumental in identifying early signs of disengagement and addressing them proactively. The Generational Divide Silent resignation is particularly prevalent among younger employees. AceNgage’s data shows that 60% of disengaged employees in IT are millennials or Gen Z workers. These generations value meaningful work, flexibility, and continuous learning elements often missing in traditional corporate setups. “Organizations must shift from a transactional approach to a more empathetic one,” says Krish Hanumanthu. “Gen Z employees want to feel heard and valued. Listening programs and peer-led initiatives can make a significant difference.” Technology as an Enabler Technology offers both challenges and solutions in combating silent resignation. While remote work technologies can lead to isolation, platforms like AceBot provide real-time feedback and insights into employee sentiment. Silent resignation poses a serious threat to employee engagement in India’s IT sector, but it is not insurmountable. By fostering a culture of empathy, leveraging technology, and addressing systemic workplace issues, organizations can re-engage their workforce and prevent productivity losses. As the IT sector continues to evolve, remote hiring is no longer a stopgap solution but a forward-thinking strategy. By leveraging technology, enhancing candidate engagement, and addressing onboarding challenges, companies can stay competitive in the global talent market. The key lies in adaptability, as organizations must refine their recruitment models to meet the changing demands of the modern workforce. AceNgage’s insights underscore the critical role of listening to employee feedback and investing in engagement strategies. With the right approach, remote hiring could indeed be the future of IT recruitment, bridging the gap between opportunity and talent in an increasingly digital world.

OnePlus 13 Series Discount In India: Chinese smartphone brand OnePlus is offering discounts on the OnePlus 13 series smartphones, including the Nord series, tablets, and IoT devices, during the “Red Rush Days” sale period. The sale starts today and runs until February 16 for its community members. Apart from the OnePlus 13 series, there are also offers on the OnePlus 12 series, OnePlus Nord series smartphones, OnePlus Pad tablets, and other ecosystem devices such as the OnePlus Watch 2 series and the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 earbuds. OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R Discounts in India The OnePlus 13 is set to launch at a starting price of Rs 69,999, while the OnePlus 13R will be available from Rs 42,999 onwards. During the OnePlus “Red Rush Days” sale, customers can enjoy a bank discount of Rs 5,000 on the OnePlus 13 and Rs 3,000 on the OnePlus 13R when using select bank cards. Adding further, they can avail an exchange bonus of up to Rs 7,000 on trade-in deals. To make the purchase more convenient, no-interest EMI plans of up to 24 months are also available. Where To Avail The OnePlus “Red Rush Days” Offer Customers can avail these offers from February 11 to February 16 on the OnePlus official website, the OnePlus Store app, OnePlus Experience Stores, and the e-commerce platform Amazon India. The Red Rush Days offers are also valid at mainline stores, including Reliance Digital, Croma, Vijay Sales, Bajaj Electronics, and more. OnePlus 13 Specifications:  The device features a stunning 6.82-inch QHD+ ProXDR LTPO display with a resolution of 3168×1440 pixels, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional peak brightness of 4,500 nits, and is protected by Ceramic Guard cover glass. The phone powered by a massive 6,000mAh battery with support for 100W SUPERVOOC wired charging and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging for fast and efficient power-ups. At its core, the device is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor paired with the Adreno 830 GPU, ensuring top-notch performance.  On the photography front, the camera setup includes a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP Sony IMX615 front camera for high-quality selfies. The smartphone runs on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, and promises 4 years of Android upgrades and 6 years of updates. Adding further, the smartphone supports Wi-Fi 7, NFC, a USB Type-C port, an Alert Slider, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and IP68/69 certification for dust and water resistance.   OnePlus 13R Specifications:  The device features a 6.77-inch 1.5K ProXDR LTPO display with a resolution of 2780×1264 pixels, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and an impressive peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The screen is protected by durable Gorilla Glass 7i. It is powered by a 6,000mAh battery that supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging for quick and efficient power delivery. Under the hood, the device is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Adreno 750 GPU, ensuring seamless performance and responsiveness.  On the photography front, the camera setup includes a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 16MP front camera for clear and sharp selfies. It runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15. The smartphone offers 4 years of Android upgrades and 6 years of security updates. Additional features include Wi-Fi 7, NFC, an optical fingerprint sensor, an Alert Slider, and IP65 certification for dust and water resistance.  

WazirX has initiated a comprehensive restructuring process under Singapore’s legal framework. This strategic decision follows a cyberattack the platform suffered, perpetrated by North Korean hackers in July 2024, targeting its crypto-to-crypto assets. Following this, WazirX opted for restructuring in Singapore, under its entity Zettai which handles the crypto to crypto transactions.Given that these operations were managed by its parent company, Zettai Pte Ltd, registered in Singapore, WazirX has opted for restructuring within the same jurisdiction. A Legal Framework for Recovery The restructuring is being carried out through a Scheme of Arrangement, a corporate rescue mechanism under Singapore’s Insolvency, Restructuring, and Dissolution Act 2018 (IRDA). This legal provision allows companies to propose structured debt resolutions that offer higher recovery prospects than liquidation. User Impact: Swift & Transparent Recovery The primary objective of the restructuring is to ensure a fair and expedited asset recovery process for WazirX users. Following the Singapore High Court’s approval for a scheme meeting, users are expected to recover 85% of their investments by April 2025, should they support the plan. Unlike traditional liquidation, which can take years with uncertain outcomes, this approach ensures equal treatment of all users as contingent unsecured creditors under Zettai. Why Singapore? Singapore’s robust regulatory framework makes it an ideal jurisdiction for managing cryptocurrency-related legal proceedings. Zettai’s scheme application was approved by the High Court of Singapore last month based on its efficiency and timely fund distribution to users, and better outcomes as compared to a liquidation. WazirX has also released the rebalanced tokens for each user to help them understand how much they are owed based on their fund balances on the day of the cyber attack. This step has been a positive move towards transparency in their restructuring process.The Companies Act (1967) provides a structured and transparent legal foundation, ensuring efficient dispute resolution. Furthermore, an unresolved ownership dispute with Binance adds complexity to the situation. Rather than waiting for its resolution, Zettai has taken proactive steps to safeguard user assets through Singapore’s well-established legal system. If the Scheme is effective with majority users voting YES, it will be one of the fastest restructuring to take place in the crypto world and could set a precedent for speedy resolutions and user friendly outcomes for all crypto projects going forward. WazirX has also released the rebalanced tokens for users to help them understand how much they are owed based on their fund balances on the day of the cyber attack. This step has been a positive move towards transparency in their restructuring process. How this whole episode plays out could serve as an interesting benchmark for the crypto industry, demonstrating how regulatory frameworks can facilitate recovery processes while prioritizing user interests.

Whatsapp Bill Payment Feature Android: WhatsApp, the widely used instant messaging platform, is constantly evolving to provide greater convenience to its 3.5 billion users worldwide. The Meta-owned app is reportedly testing a new feature that would enable users in India to make bill payments directly within the app, expanding its financial services beyond UPI-based peer-to-peer transactions. Fresh Challenge To Google Pay, PhonePe, And Paytm This move aims to streamline digital payments by eliminating the need to switch between multiple apps, positioning WhatsApp as a comprehensive utility platform. The new feature put WhatsApp in direct competition with platforms like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.  According to leaks, the bill payment feature has been spotted in WhatsApp’s Android Beta version 2.25.3.15. The feature is still in the testing phase. However, a timeline for its rollout remains unclear. According to media reports, the upcoming feature will allow users to pay a variety of bills, including electricity, water, mobile recharges, rent, and more—offering significant convenience for those who regularly manage household expenses through multiple platforms. WhatsApp UPI-Based Payment System This functionality is expected to integrate with WhatsApp’s existing UPI-based payment system, WhatsApp Pay. Currently, WhatsApp Pay enables users to send money to contacts and make payments to businesses via UPI. Notably, the platform launched its UPI payment service in India in 2020, initially available to a limited number of users due to regulatory constraints.   Market Share Of Google Pay, PhonePe In a major development, WhatsApp Pay recently received approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to extend UPI services to all users in India. Earlier, the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) service was limited to 100 million users, but this cap has now been removed. As of November 2024, PhonePe held 47.8% of the market share, while Google Pay had 37%. Other competitors include Paytm, Navi, Cred, and Amazon Pay. 

New Delhi: Riding on the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple has reached all-time high iPhone export figures from India at Rs 1 lakh crore for the 10 months (April-January) in the current financial year (FY25).  According to industry data, in the month of January, the iPhone exports reached around Rs 19,000 crore, an all-time high. The overall iPhone exports from the country grew more than 30 per cent in the 10 months this fiscal (April-January 2025) compared to the same period last fiscal (Rs 76,000 crore). “Another record performance under PLI scheme. PLI propels iPhone exports past Rs 1 lakh crore in just 10 months of FY25,” Union Minister for Railways and Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, posted on X social media platform on Monday. “Overall smartphones expected to cross Rs 2.25 lakh crore in FY25,” the union minister informed. More than 325 to 330 million mobile phones a year are being manufactured in India and on average there are about a billion mobile phones in use in India. India is a huge market for Apple and “we have achieved a December quarter growth record where the iPhone was the top selling model in the country for the October-December period of 2024,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said last month. He further stated that the iPhone was the top selling model in India for the December quarter. Notably, iPhones registered 7 per cent India smartphone market share in 2024, rising on robust local production and growing premiumisation trend in smaller cities. On year-on-year basis, iPhones registered 23 per cent growth and iPads an impressive 44 per cent growth in the country, according to data shared by CyberMedia Research (CMR). In the October-December quarter (Q4) of 2024, Apple, with its aspirational image and rising footprint, entered the top 5 smartphone players in India for the first time, garnering nearly 10 per cent market share by volume. Apple’s India shipments were set to cross 11 million marks in 2024.

Oppo Find N5 Global Launch: Chinese electronics brand Oppo has finally confirmed the official launch date for its next-generation foldable smartphone, the Oppo Find N5, after teasing the device for over a month. The much-anticipated smartphone is set to launch globally alongside the Oppo Watch X2 smartwatch. The company claims that it will be the world’s slimmest foldable smartphone yet and has also revealed its design and colour options. According to the teaser video, Oppo has revealed the colour options of the Oppo Find N5. The device will be available in Jade White and Satin Black with a glass back, and a Twilight Purple variant with a leather back. Slimmer, stronger, more powerful  Discover the ultra-thin #OPPOFindN5 in Cosmic Black and Misty White.#SlimYetPowerful pic.twitter.com/3Zyzr1ovQN — OPPO (@oppo) February 10, 2025 Oppo Find N5 Global Launch Date The upcoming Oppo Find N5 will be launched at a global event in Singapore on February 20. The event will begin at 7 PM SGT (4:30 PM IST), according to the company. However, despite being labeled a global launch, there is no trace of this teaser on the Oppo India website. Based on previous trends, the Oppo Find N5 is expected to be rebranded as the OnePlus Open 2 and launched in India. The company has also disclosed that the Oppo Find N5 will be the first foldable smartphone to feature a 3D-printed titanium alloy hinge for improved durability. Oppo Find N5 Specifications (Expected) The upcoming smartphone is expected to feature an 8.12-inch inner foldable display, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC with a 7-core variant of the chipset. The device will come with 16GB of RAM, further expandable with 12GB of virtual RAM, and 512GB of internal storage. It will be backed by a 5,600mAh battery, supporting 80W wired fast charging and 50W wireless fast charging. Running on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15, the smartphone will boast a triple 50MP rear camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP secondary camera, and another 50MP sensor, likely a 3x telephoto periscope lens. OnePlus Open Price in India (Expected) The OnePlus Open debuted in India in 2023 at a price of Rs 1,39,999. The upcoming OnePlus Open 2 is likely to launch in a similar or slightly higher price range.

Meta Layoffs 2025: Mark Zuckerberg–led tech giant Meta is set to lay off around 3,000 employees, about 5% of its workforce, according to a leaked internal memo, reports said on Sunday. The memo, posted by Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, was shared on the company’s internal Workplace forum. It states that affected employees will receive an email on Monday morning informing them of their job status. For some international employees, layoffs will begin early Sunday at 2:30 a.m. IST. In the U.S., employees will be notified on Monday at 6:30 p.m. IST. An hour after receiving the email, they will lose access to company systems. The email will also include details about severance packages. Gale acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, especially for teams losing a manager or colleague. She mentioned that Meta offices will remain open, but employees who prefer to work remotely on Monday can do so. Since Meta follows a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week, working from home on Monday will still count as an in-person workday. The company has not disclosed the names of the employees being laid off. Some of these roles may be refilled in the future, but there is no set timeline. Employees whose managers are laid off will be assigned new reporting heads. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously hinted at job cuts, stating that the company was raising performance standards. Typically, Meta phases out low performers over a year, but this time, the layoffs are happening on a much larger scale based on recent performance reviews. Meanwhile, Amazon recently laid off dozens of employees, while Salesforce cut about 1,000 jobs earlier this year. The trend of job cuts in the tech industry continues as companies focus on efficiency and cost-cutting. (With IANS Inputs)

New Delhi: The finance ministry has directed its officers not to download or use AI tools and apps such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek in office computers and devices, saying they pose confidentiality risks to data and documents. In a communication last month to all its departments, the ministry said AI tools/AI apps in office devices may be strictly avoided. Why Has India’s Finance Ministry Directed Its Officers Not To Download Or Use AI Tools And Apps Such As Chatgpt And Deepseek In Office Computers And Devices “It has been determined that AI tools and AI apps (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek etc) in the office computers and devices pose risks for confidentiality of Govt, data and documents,” Department of Expenditure under the ministry said in a note on January 29. The move comes at a time when countries like Australia and Italy have shielded their official systems from Chinese DeepSeek over privacy and data safety concerns. Currently, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, which has developed artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT is on a whirlwind tour to India. He is meeting top government officials, industry captains and participated in a fireside chat on Wednesday morning. DeepSeek’s latest AI offering has drawn global attention for its low-cost model — at just USD 6 million against global average of billions of dollars. Further, DeepSeek’s R1 used a fraction of compute power as compared to established AI models like ChatGPT. DeepSeek overtook ChatGPT as the top-ranked free app on Apple’s Appstore, as the US tech industry — that has long-justified injecting billions of dollars into AI investments — watched in sheer disbelief last week.