Category: Technology

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iPhone 18 Pro may get satellite upgrade

Apple may be preparing a major technology upgrade for its future iPhone lineup, with reports suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could receive improved satellite connectivity alongside several hardware enhancements.

The reported upgrade could expand the role of satellite communication beyond its current use. At present, satellite technology in iPhones mainly helps users access emergency services in areas where regular mobile networks are unavailable. The next generation of Pro models could reportedly bring stronger and more advanced capabilities, potentially improving communication in remote regions.

The development comes as smartphone companies increasingly focus on connectivity and AI-driven features to differentiate premium devices. Satellite technology, once considered a niche feature, is becoming a bigger area of competition in the smartphone market.

Apart from connectivity changes, reports also indicate Apple may introduce upgrades in performance, camera systems and display technology. Improved battery efficiency and design refinements are also expected to be part of the company’s plans for future flagship devices.

Although Apple has not officially confirmed details of future iPhone models, early reports have generated strong interest among technology enthusiasts. Final specifications could still change before launch.

The expected changes suggest Apple may continue focusing on improving practical features while strengthening the overall user experience in its premium smartphone range.

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Google rolls out Gemini 3.5 flash

Google has introduced a new artificial intelligence model called Gemini 3.5 Flash, along with upgraded AI-powered search tools, as part of its latest technology announcements.

The company said Gemini 3.5 Flash is built to be faster and more efficient, offering quick responses while using lower computing power. It is designed for tasks like answering questions, generating content, coding help and real-time assistance.

Google also unveiled new AI search agent tools that aim to make search more interactive. Instead of just showing links, the tools are designed to provide direct answers and help users complete tasks using AI.

The updates are part of Google’s efforts to make AI more practical and widely accessible. The company is focusing on improving both performance and cost efficiency as competition in the AI sector continues to grow.

With Gemini already being integrated across several Google products, the new version is expected to strengthen its AI ecosystem and expand use cases for both individuals and businesses.

Industry experts say the emphasis on faster and cheaper AI could help drive wider adoption of generative AI tools, especially in everyday digital tasks.

The announcement reflects Google’s continued push to lead in the global AI market through improved models and smarter search technology.

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Apple watchOS 27 to improve fitness tracking accuracy

Apple is preparing a software upgrade for the Apple Watch that could significantly improve heart rate tracking accuracy with the upcoming watchOS 27 update. The focus of the update is expected to be better health monitoring rather than introducing major new features or design changes.

Reports suggest Apple is working on improving the way the Apple Watch reads and interprets heart rate signals. While current models already provide features like continuous heart rate monitoring, ECG readings, workout tracking, and alerts for abnormal readings, users sometimes experience inconsistent data during fast-paced movement or high-intensity exercise. The new update aims to reduce such errors.

The key improvement is expected to come from enhanced algorithms that process heart rate data more intelligently. These improvements would allow the watch to filter out noise caused by motion and physical strain, resulting in more stable and reliable readings. This is particularly useful for athletes, runners, and users engaged in interval training or gym workouts.

Better heart rate accuracy could also improve other health-related functions of the Apple Watch. These include calorie estimation, workout intensity tracking, recovery time suggestions, and overall fitness analysis. As wearable devices become more central to personal health monitoring, even incremental improvements in accuracy are considered important.

The Apple Watch has evolved into a major health-focused device, offering features such as fall detection, irregular heart rhythm alerts, and oxygen monitoring in newer models. These tools have positioned it as both a smartwatch and a wellness tracker.

While Apple has not officially confirmed the details, watchOS updates are typically announced during its annual developer conference. More details are expected in the coming months, followed by a wider release later in the year.

watchOS 27 appears to be more of a refinement update rather than a feature-heavy release. Instead of introducing major new tools, Apple seems to be focusing on improving the performance of existing health and fitness features. This approach aligns with Apple’s broader strategy of strengthening its health ecosystem through incremental upgrades.

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Meta introduces Forum app for Facebook Groups

Meta has launched a new app called Forum aimed at improving how users participate in Facebook Groups. The app provides a dedicated space for community discussions outside the main Facebook interface.

The Forum app is designed to organise group content more efficiently, making conversations easier to track and engage with. It allows users to view group posts and discussions in a simplified format without relying on the main Facebook feed.

The move reflects Meta’s broader effort to promote community-based interaction across its platforms. Facebook Groups continue to play a major role in user engagement, covering a wide range of topics and interests globally.

By separating group activity into a standalone app, Meta aims to reduce feed clutter and offer a more streamlined experience for active group members. The company is also expected to test additional features to improve moderation and content discovery.

Details about global availability and full feature rollout have not yet been announced.

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Google introduces Gemini for science

Google has introduced Gemini for Science, a new artificial intelligence initiative aimed at helping scientists and researchers handle complex research work more efficiently. The company said the tools are designed to support researchers in analysing information, identifying patterns and assisting with scientific discoveries across different areas of study.

Research today often involves handling huge amounts of data, studies and technical information. Google said Gemini for Science is intended to reduce the time spent on repetitive and data-heavy tasks so researchers can focus more on experiments and innovation.

The AI system can assist in reviewing scientific papers, organising large datasets and helping researchers identify possible connections and insights that might otherwise take much longer to find. The technology is expected to support work in areas such as healthcare, biology, chemistry and other scientific fields.

Google said the goal is not to replace scientists but to create a tool that works alongside them, helping improve productivity and speed up the research process. Experts believe AI-powered research tools could become increasingly important as scientific work becomes more data-driven.

The launch reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence beyond consumer technology, with companies increasingly building specialised AI tools for research and industry applications.

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Apple blocks $2.2 bn app store fraud in 2025

Apple has reported that it prevented more than $2.2 billion worth of fraudulent transactions on its App Store in 2025, as it continues tightening security across its global digital marketplace.

The company said the figure reflects scams and suspicious activity blocked before users or developers could be impacted. These include fake apps, fraudulent payment attempts, impersonation schemes, and misleading subscription practices.

Apple credited its mix of automated detection systems and human review teams for catching much of the activity early. Every app submitted to the App Store is reviewed before it goes live, and the company said this process is a key barrier against fraud.

Alongside app screening, Apple said it also removed thousands of developer accounts linked to suspicious behaviour. These accounts were often found distributing deceptive apps or trying to bypass App Store rules.

The company noted that fraud attempts are constantly evolving, with scammers regularly changing tactics to avoid detection. As a result, Apple said it continuously updates its security tools and policies to stay ahead of new threats.

With millions of apps and billions of downloads globally, the App Store remains one of the world’s largest digital marketplaces. Apple said maintaining user trust is essential, especially as more people rely on apps for payments, shopping, entertainment, and subscriptions.

The company also highlighted its broader investment in privacy and payment security systems designed to protect users during transactions. According to Apple, these safeguards help reduce risks linked to online financial fraud.

While Apple did not break down the numbers by region, it said its anti-fraud systems operate across all markets where the App Store is available.

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Airtel launches Priority Postpaid plans with 5G slicing

Bharti Airtel has launched its new Priority Postpaid plans in India, introducing 5G network slicing to enhance mobile connectivity for users. The new service aims to provide better speed, lower latency, and more stable network performance, especially during peak usage hours.

5G slicing allows Airtel to divide its network into multiple virtual segments and allocate dedicated capacity to specific user groups. With this system, Priority Postpaid customers receive higher network priority, ensuring smoother data usage even in crowded locations such as business districts, events, and transport hubs.

The telecom operator said the new plans are designed for customers who rely heavily on mobile internet for work, streaming, and daily communication. Existing Airtel postpaid users will automatically be eligible for the priority benefits, while others can upgrade to postpaid plans through Airtel’s app or retail outlets.

The Priority Postpaid plans start at around ₹449 per month and go up depending on features and benefits. Higher-tier plans include additional perks such as unlimited calling, data rollover, international roaming options, and bundled OTT subscriptions like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.

Airtel said the rollout is part of its strategy to monetise its 5G standalone network and improve user experience through advanced technology. The company said the priority service will be especially useful in high-traffic situations where networks often slow down due to heavy usage.

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Google, Blackstone launch $5 bn AI cloud venture

Google and Blackstone have announced a joint venture to create a new artificial intelligence-focused cloud company, backed by an initial $5 billion investment from Blackstone. The move is aimed at meeting the rapidly growing global demand for AI computing infrastructure.

The new US-based company will focus on building large-scale data centre capacity and offering access to Google’s custom-built AI chips, known as Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), through a cloud service model. These chips are widely used for training and running advanced AI systems.

Under the plan, Blackstone will take a majority stake in the venture while providing the initial equity funding. Google will supply hardware, software, and technical expertise to power the platform.

The project is designed to bring around 500 megawatts of computing capacity online by 2027, with scope for further expansion as demand increases. The total investment could eventually reach as much as $25 billion, including additional financing over time.

The venture will be led by long-time Google executive Benjamin Treynor Sloss, reflecting Google’s deep involvement in the project despite it being structured as a separate company.

The partnership comes at a time when global demand for AI infrastructure is surging, driven by the rapid growth of generative AI tools and large-scale machine learning systems. Companies across industries are competing for access to high-performance computing power, particularly specialised chips that can handle AI workloads efficiently.

The initiative also positions Google more directly in competition with other cloud and chip players by allowing external customers to access its proprietary TPU technology outside its core Google Cloud platform.

Also Read: Copilot key on Windows can now be remapped

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Copilot key on Windows can now be remapped

Microsoft is updating Windows 11 to give users more control over the Copilot key, allowing it to be reassigned instead of always opening the AI assistant.

Introduced in 2024, the Copilot key was meant to provide quick access to Microsoft’s AI tool. However, some users complained it replaced useful keyboard functions and changed familiar layouts.

The upcoming update will allow users to remap the key through system settings. It can be switched to functions like Right Ctrl or the Context Menu key, depending on user preference.

The change is part of Microsoft’s effort to refine its AI integration while keeping traditional keyboard usability intact. The feature will be available directly in Windows Settings in a future update.

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OpenAI buyvoice AI startup weights.gg

OpenAI has acquired voice artificial intelligence startup Weights.gg, a company known for building advanced tools that can replicate human voices with high realism. The deal is part of OpenAI’s wider push to strengthen its capabilities in voice-based AI and improve real-time speech interaction systems.

Reports say the acquisition was completed earlier in 2026, although neither OpenAI nor Weights.gg has officially confirmed the transaction. The deal reportedly includes the startup’s technology, intellectual property and engineering team. The financial details of the acquisition have not been made public.

Weights.gg gained attention for its consumer-focused platform called Replay, which allowed users to generate and share AI-cloned voices using short audio samples. The tool became popular for its high-quality voice replication but also raised concerns about potential misuse. The platform was shut down earlier this year, close to the time of the acquisition.

The startup focused on voice synthesis and cloning technology, a rapidly growing segment of artificial intelligence. These systems can convert text into natural-sounding speech and replicate human voices with high accuracy, opening up use cases in entertainment, customer service, education and accessibility tools.

OpenAI has been steadily expanding its work in audio and speech AI, including real-time voice features in its products. The addition of Weights.gg is expected to help improve voice quality, responsiveness and natural conversation experiences across its systems.

At the same time, voice cloning technology has raised ethical and regulatory concerns globally. Experts warn that it can be misused for impersonation, deepfake audio and misinformation, prompting companies to develop safeguards and detection tools.

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