Category: Technology

Motorola on Tuesday launched its new entry-level smartphone, the Moto G06 Power, in India, aiming to offer premium features at an affordable price. Priced starting at ₹7,499, the device targets consumers seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone in the budget segment.

The phone will be available for purchase from October 11, 2025, through Flipkart, Motorola’s official website, and leading retail stores across the country.

The Moto G06 Power comes with a large 6.88-inch HD+ display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, promising smooth visuals and an immersive viewing experience.

The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing durability against scratches and minor impacts.

With up to 600 nits of brightness, the screen remains visible even under direct sunlight, enhancing usability for users on the go.

One of the standout features of the Moto G06 Power is its massive 7,000mAh battery, which Motorola claims can provide up to 65 hours of usage on a single charge.

The phone supports 20W TurboPower charging, capable of delivering several hours of battery life in just a few minutes of charging.

Complementing this, the device is equipped with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, ensuring an enhanced audio experience for multimedia consumption.

Under the hood, the Moto G06 Power is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

The device also supports expandable storage up to 1TB via a dedicated microSD card slot and offers expandable RAM up to 12GB, enhancing multitasking capabilities.

The phone runs on Android 15 with Motorola’s My UX skin, providing a clean and customizable interface for users.

Photography enthusiasts will find the Moto G06 Power appealing as it features a 50MP main rear camera capable of capturing high-resolution images, along with an 8MP front camera designed for selfies and video calls.

The phone also carries an IP64 rating, offering resistance against dust and water splashes, adding to its durability in everyday use.

Motorola has given the device a stylish vegan leather finish, available in three Pantone-validated colors: Tapestry, Laurel Oak, and Tendril.

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Perplexity AI has announced that its AI-powered browser, Comet, is now available to all users for free. Previously, Comet was accessible only to subscribers of the $200/month Perplexity Max plan.

The company has also introduced a new subscription tier called Comet Plus, which offers curated news content for $5 per month. Comet Plus is included with Pro and Max subscriptions.

Comet is designed to be an alternative to traditional browsers like Google Chrome. It integrates AI deeply into the browsing experience, offering features such as search tools, a personal AI assistant, and tools for tasks like shopping, booking trips, and general productivity.

The browser aims to assist users in navigating the web more efficiently, rather than merely serving as a platform for viewing content.

The introduction of Comet Plus brings curated news content from major publishers, including CNN, Condé Nast, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Fortune, Le Monde, and Le Figaro. This move aims to provide users with high-quality journalism and support publishers in the AI era.

Additionally, Perplexity has launched a new feature called Background Assistant.

This feature allows the AI to access multiple apps and work on tasks while the user is away, enhancing productivity by automating routine tasks.

Comet is built on the Chromium framework and supports popular browser extensions and bookmarks. It is available for download on both Windows and Mac platforms.

While the free version includes essential AI tools, Pro and Max users receive an upgraded experience with additional features like the Background Assistant.

Perplexity’s move to make Comet free for all users reflects the growing trend of integrating AI into everyday tools and services.

With the introduction of Comet Plus, the company aims to offer a balanced approach that benefits both users and content creators in the evolving digital landscape.

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Amazon said all four products will begin shipping in the U.S. later this year

Amazon on Tuesday announced the launch of four new Echo devices designed specifically for its next-generation AI assistant, Alexa+. The new lineup includes the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11.

“These new Echo products are the best way to experience Alexa+, and Early Access is now available out of the box with the purchase of an all-new Echo,” Amazon said in its announcement.

Custom chips and sensor platform

The company said the new devices are powered by two custom-designed silicon chips — AZ3 and AZ3 Pro — featuring a new AI accelerator “designed to run AI edge models of the future.” According to Amazon, the Echo Dot Max uses the AZ3 chip to improve conversation detection, while the AZ3 Pro, found in the Echo Studio and Echo Show models, supports “state-of-the-art language models and vision transformers.”

Built on top of this hardware is Omnisense, Amazon’s new sensor platform for ambient AI. It combines signals from cameras, audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, and other sensors to allow Alexa+ to respond more intelligently to events at home, including delivering reminders when specific people enter a room or sending alerts about unlocked doors at night.

Device features and pricing

The Echo Dot Max is described as “the best Echo Dot we’ve ever built,” offering nearly three times the bass of its predecessor and featuring a new two-way speaker system. It will be available for $99.99.

The new Echo Studio, priced at $219.99, is 40% smaller than the original and supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It includes a woofer and three full-range drivers for immersive sound, along with a new spherical design.

The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 feature upgraded displays with improved clarity, a 13-megapixel camera, and new front-facing stereo speakers. They are priced at $179.99 and $219.99 respectively.

Amazon said all four products will begin shipping in the U.S. later this year, with the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio available from October 29 and the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 from November 12.

According to the company, customers purchasing these new Echo devices “will get access to Alexa+ out of the box,” with Early Access continuing to expand.

YouTube is giving Indian users a budget-friendly experience to stream ad-free videos with the launch of its new ‘Premium Lite’ plan, priced at just ₹89 per month.

The plan is introduced for viewers who want uninterrupted video playback without paying for the full-featured YouTube Premium subscription. With Premium Lite, most videos on smartphones, tablets, desktops, and smart TVs can now be streamed ad-free.

However, the budget plan comes with clear trade-offs. Unlike the regular Premium subscription, Premium Lite does not include music streaming on YouTube Music, offline downloads, or background playback. These are features that are highly popular among users. There is no escape from Ads as they may also continue to appear in Shorts, music-related videos, search results, and browsing feeds.

By pricing the plan at less than a third of the standard Premium cost, YouTube is targeting India’s vast base of casual video-watchers who mainly consume short or long-form videos but don’t necessarily need premium music or offline perks.

The rollout also reflects YouTube’s wider strategy of tailoring subscription models to suit different markets and budgets. India, one of YouTube’s largest consumer bases, is likely to see strong uptake from price-sensitive users frustrated with frequent ad interruptions.

The Premium Lite plan is already being introduced gradually and is set to be available nationwide in the coming weeks. By doing so, YouTube is looking to balance affordability with user convenience that could reshape viewing habits in one of its fastest-growing markets.

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OnePlus has officially confirmed the upcoming global launch of its next flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 15, though the company has not revealed an exact release date.

The announcement, made on Monday, September 29, 2025, gives fans a first glimpse into what the Chinese smartphone maker describes as a “premium, performance-driven” device aimed at competing in the high-end smartphone segment.

OnePlus confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will feature a special Sand Storm edition in a dune colour. This variant is designed using aerospace-grade Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO) technology, which is applied to the middle frame and camera decorative elements.

The finish is expected to give the device a distinctive, durable look, combining both aesthetics and resilience.

The OnePlus 15 will be powered by Qualcomm’s newly launched Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, marking a significant performance boost over previous generations.

While official details on the processor’s specifications in the OnePlus 15 are limited, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to deliver enhanced CPU and GPU performance, improved energy efficiency, and better AI capabilities, making it ideal for gaming, photography, and multitasking on a flagship device.

Battery life is another highlight, with the OnePlus 15 expected to house a 6,000 mAh battery, coupled with support for 100 W fast charging.

This combination is likely to allow users to charge the device fully in under 30 minutes, keeping up with the growing consumer demand for extended battery life and rapid charging in flagship smartphones.

Camera capabilities are expected to be a major focus for OnePlus 15. Rumours suggest a triple rear camera setup comprising a 50 MP main lens, a 50 MP telephoto lens, and an ultrawide sensor. On the front, a 32 MP camera is expected to handle selfies and video calls.

While OnePlus has not confirmed these specifications, the combination of high-resolution sensors and versatile lenses is aimed at appealing to photography enthusiasts who demand quality imaging from a flagship device.

Display specifications are expected to match the high standards of modern premium smartphones.

The OnePlus 15 is likely to feature a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. Peak brightness is reported to reach 5,000 nits, which would allow for excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The combination of high refresh rates and peak brightness is expected to enhance the user experience for gaming, video streaming, and general smartphone use.

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Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal has announced the launch of a new feature called “Healthy Mode”, aimed at helping users make more informed and nutritious food choices. Acknowledging that while Zomato revolutionized food ordering, it fell short in promoting healthy eating, Goyal described this feature as a corrective step.

Healthy Mode, currently available in Gurugram, uses AI-driven analysis and restaurant data to assign a “Healthy Score” to dishes, ranging from Low to Super. The score evaluates meals based on protein, complex carbs, fiber, micronutrients, and calorie content. This allows users to filter and compare dishes not just by calories, but by overall nutritional value.

“This isn’t your basic healthy filter,” Goyal said. “We’ve set the bar high, even professional athletes can rely on it to find meals that meet their standards. This is personal for me. Zomato made indulgence easy, but not healthy eating. Healthy Mode is our first serious effort to change that.”

The platform’s new feature also aims to increase transparency, showing users why a dish is considered healthy. By offering detailed nutritional insights, it empowers users to choose meals that better align with their dietary needs.

Goyal also addressed common perceptions about food delivery leading to poor dietary habits. He noted that regular users in big cities often opt for simpler, home-style meals, while the majority of less frequent users indulge occasionally. The goal, he emphasized, is to ensure healthy options are clearly visible, accessible, and easy to choose.

Zomato plans to roll out Healthy Mode to more cities in the coming weeks and is inviting users to provide feedback to improve the feature further.

Adobe has introduced Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, known as “Nano Banana,” into Photoshop’s Generative Fill feature. This integration aims to provide users with advanced AI-driven editing capabilities, enhancing their creative workflows.

Nano Banana is recognized for its precision in text-based edits and strong prompt accuracy. Unlike traditional AI models that generate new images from scratch, Nano Banana excels at editing and enhancing existing photographs with remarkable accuracy. Its capabilities include maintaining subject consistency across multiple images, making it particularly useful for tasks like adding props, adjusting lighting, or modifying backgrounds while preserving the integrity of the original content.

In Photoshop, users can access Nano Banana by selecting an area with tools like the lasso or marquee, then triggering the Generative Fill feature. The AI model processes the edit, aiming for highly realistic completions. Additionally, Nano Banana supports Smart Object adjustments, allowing for non-destructive editing, and offers a “Consistency Mode” to apply multiple edits while maintaining visual uniformity across the entire composition.

This integration follows Adobe’s broader strategy of incorporating multiple AI models into its suite of tools, providing users with a range of options to suit their specific creative needs. By embedding Nano Banana into Photoshop, Adobe offers enhanced flexibility and precision in image editing, catering to both professional and casual users seeking advanced editing solutions.

To utilize Nano Banana in Photoshop, users need to update to the latest version through the Creative Cloud app, navigate to Preferences > Generative AI Models, enable Google Gemini Nano Banana under partner model options, and restart Photoshop to activate the model. This seamless integration ensures that users can enhance their editing capabilities without disrupting their existing workflows.

Adobe’s collaboration with Google to incorporate Nano Banana into Photoshop underscores the growing trend of leveraging advanced AI models to augment creative processes. As AI continues to play a pivotal role in digital content creation, such integrations are expected to become increasingly prevalent, offering users powerful tools to bring their creative visions to life with greater ease and precision.

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Google has unveiled Mixboard, an AI-powered mood board application designed to help users brainstorm, design, and visualize ideas through generative artificial intelligence. Currently available in public beta in the U.S. via Google Labs, Mixboard is positioned as a direct competitor to platforms like Pinterest, offering a dynamic and interactive approach to creative ideation.

Mixboard allows users to create visual project boards using pre-made templates or by issuing simple text prompts. For example, users can type instructions such as “show me Memphis-style cups and plates” or “set up an autumn-themed party in my living room” to generate relevant images. Additionally, users may upload their own photos, mixing them with AI-generated visuals to shape unique boards.

The application is powered by Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash AI model, enabling users to build boards starting from ready-made templates or by issuing simple text prompts. This integration allows for seamless generation of visuals based on user descriptions, enhancing the creative process.

One of the standout features of Mixboard is its use of Google’s new image editing model, Nano Banana. This model allows users to make edits and other small changes to images, or even combine images, with ease. Users can ask the AI to make adjustments such as “make this image brighter” or “combine these two pictures,” streamlining the editing process and eliminating the need for complex design software.

Mixboard also offers features like natural language editing, quick regeneration of images, and board templates. Users can start with text prompts or choose from ready-made templates offering various styles, themes, and projects. This flexibility caters to a wide range of creative needs, from home decor and event planning to DIY projects and more.

As an experimental tool under Google’s Labs initiative, Mixboard is currently available in public beta in the U.S. Users can access the platform and join a dedicated Discord community to share feedback and ideas. Google has indicated that the platform may evolve based on user input, suggesting a commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric development.

In summary, Mixboard represents Google’s foray into the realm of AI-driven creative tools, offering users a platform to visualize and refine their ideas through an intuitive and interactive interface. By combining the inspiration-driven style of Pinterest with the creative power of generative AI, Mixboard aims to provide a comprehensive solution for users seeking to bring their ideas to life.

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Apple has made a significant breakthrough in the Indian smartphone market, entering the top five brands for the first time with a remarkable 35% increase in sales during the first half of 2025. The surge was driven by strong demand for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, highlighting a growing consumer shift towards premium devices in the country.

This milestone comes amid steady overall growth in India’s smartphone market, which expanded by 2% year-on-year in H1 2025. The growth is fueled by rising 5G adoption, a broadening digital ecosystem, and evolving consumer preferences across both premium and budget segments.

While price-sensitive Android brands continue to dominate the market, Apple’s entry signals a marked shift towards premiumization within India’s smartphone ecosystem. The company’s market share in the super-premium segment expanded by a striking 82% year-over-year, reflecting growing consumer willingness to invest in flagship devices.

Market analysts attribute the overall market growth to strategic product launches offering advanced features and competitive pricing, alongside India’s expanding digital infrastructure and increasing smartphone penetration.

The Indian smartphone market is poised for sustained growth through the remainder of 2025, underpinned by continuous technological innovation and evolving consumer demand, positioning India as a critical battleground for global smartphone manufacturers.

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