Category: Technology

Meta has officially launched a dedicated Instagram app for iPad, ending a 15-year wait for iPad users. The new app, available globally for free on the App Store, is optimized for iPadOS 15.1 and later versions, offering a tailored experience for tablet users.

The iPad app places Instagram's short-form video feature, Reels, at the center of its redesigned interface. Upon opening the app, users are greeted with a Reels feed, providing a "lean-back entertainment" experience. Stories are pinned at the top, and users have one-tap access to messaging, streamlining navigation and enhancing user engagement.

The interface introduces a "Following" tab with multiple viewing options, including recommended posts, content from mutual followers, and chronological feeds. Users can reorder these options to prioritize preferred content. The app also supports multitasking layouts, allowing messages and notifications to be viewed side by side, and comments can expand without interrupting video playback, optimizing the user experience on larger screens.

This launch signifies Meta's strategy to enhance user engagement through Reels, which now accounts for over 20% of user time on Instagram. The iPad app's design aims to compete with TikTok by providing a more immersive and user-friendly experience on tablet devices. The introduction of the iPad app is part of Meta's broader efforts to expand Reels' reach and functionality, including features like multi-audio tracks and AI-powered content discovery. 

An optimized version for Android tablets is currently in development, with plans for release in the near future. This expansion reflects Meta's commitment to providing a seamless and engaging experience for users across different platforms.

A U.S. federal jury on September 3 ordered Google to pay $425 million in damages after finding the company illegally collected user data from third-party apps even when users had disabled the Web & App Activity tracking feature. The verdict stems from a class-action lawsuit filed in 2020 that accused Google of violating privacy rights by continuing to gather location and app usage data without proper consent.

The lawsuit, initiated in July 2020, accused Google of gathering and storing user data from popular apps, including Uber, Venmo, and Instagram, between 2012 and 2020, even after users had opted out of personalized tracking. Plaintiffs contended that Google misled users about the effectiveness of its privacy controls and ignored their consent.

The jury held Google responsible for two of three claims, confirming violations of user privacy laws. However, it found no evidence of malice or intentional fraud, so no punitive damages were awarded.

The class-action lawsuit represents approximately 98 million users and covers 174 million devices. Although plaintiffs originally sought over $31 billion in damages, the jury’s $425 million award still ranks among the largest privacy-related settlements in U.S. history.

Google has denied any wrongdoing and intends to appeal the decision. Company spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated:

“When users disable personalization, we respect their choice. We disagree with the verdict and intend to appeal it. The decision reflects a misunderstanding of how our privacy features operate.”

This ruling adds to Google's increasing legal troubles surrounding user data privacy. In 2024, the company settled a similar case with Texas for $1.4 billion and agreed to delete data collected during Incognito browsing sessions in its Chrome browser.

Experts say the verdict highlights on the mounting pressure on tech firms to uphold digital consent, transparency, and user control as concerns over data surveillance intensify.

David Boies, attorney representing the plaintiffs, described the verdict as a significant victory for consumer privacy:

“This case sends a clear message: user privacy settings must be respected, and consent cannot be bypassed.”

While Google’s appeal looms, this decision could set a powerful precedent for future privacy cases. It may spur users and regulators alike to demand greater accountability from digital platforms regarding data collection and usage.

Nvidia posted blockbuster second-quarter results, yet investors greeted the news with caution. The chipmaker delivered 56% year-on-year revenue growth, reporting $46.7 billion in total sales and $26.4 billion in net income—both outperforming expectations. Its data center segment, the core engine of its AI-driven success, hit a record $41.1 billion, though slightly shy of forecasts. Despite these stellar figures, shares fell around 2 to 3 percent in after-hours trading as the company’s outlook signaled potential headwinds.

A major point of concern came from Nvidia’s subdued guidance for the coming quarter. The forecast centered on $54 billion in revenue, only slightly ahead of analyst expectations, but notably excluded any revenue projections from H20 chip sales to China. This omission reflected ongoing geopolitical tensions and regulatory pressures, as U.S. export controls and Chinese restrictions continue to complicate Nvidia’s access to its second-largest market.

Company executives, however, remain confident in the long-term AI market. Chief Executive Jensen Huang pushed back against fears of a technology bubble, projecting a massive $3 to $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spending by 2030. He described the AI surge as “a new industrial revolution,” emphasizing that demand remains strong across Nvidia’s latest Blackwell architecture chips and the still-popular Hopper generation. Huang noted that the company recorded a $650 million order from a single non-Chinese customer in the quarter, underscoring global appetite for its technology.

Investor sentiment nonetheless remains mixed, with concerns about a possible AI chip spending bubble weighing on market confidence. Analysts are increasingly drawing parallels to the dot-com boom, warning that a combination of high valuations, heavy capital investment, and rising competition could pose risks. Geopolitical uncertainty around China, which has been a critical growth market for Nvidia, adds to the nervousness, as Chinese tech firms accelerate development of homegrown chips to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

Despite these concerns, Nvidia’s influence over the AI market remains unmatched. The company dominates the high-end AI chip segment, powering data centers for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and major corporations worldwide. Its performance is viewed as a key barometer for the AI industry’s trajectory, and the latest results have intensified debate about whether the sector’s meteoric growth is entering a period of consolidation.

Honor on Monday announced the launch of its latest budget-friendly smartphone, the Honor X7c 5G, in India. Positioned in the sub-₹15,000 segment, the device is designed to appeal to users looking for a large display, dependable performance, and 5G connectivity at an affordable price point.

The Honor X7c 5G features a 6.8-inch LCD display with a 20.1:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2412×1080 pixels, making it one of the larger screens in its category. The device is IP64 rated for splash resistance and also retains a 3.5mm audio jack, a feature increasingly absent in modern smartphones.

Powering the handset is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage, which should be sufficient for multitasking and media consumption. On the software side, it runs MagicOS 8.0, based on Android 14, ensuring users get the latest UI improvements and system features.

In terms of cameras, the Honor X7c 5G comes equipped with a 50MP main rear sensor, supported by a 2MP depth sensor, while the 5MP front camera handles selfies and video calls. The device is backed by a 5,200 mAh battery, supported by 35W fast charging, aimed at keeping the phone running through a full day of heavy use.

The phone will go on sale from August 20 exclusively on Amazon India, priced at ₹14,999.

Honor, which returned to the Indian market in 2023 after a brief hiatus, has been focusing on the budget and mid-range smartphone segments, where competition is fierce with rivals such as Xiaomi, Realme, and iQOO. With the X7c 5G, the company is aiming to strengthen its presence among value-conscious buyers who want future-ready 5G devices without stretching their budget.

Google will launch its new Pixel 10 series on August 20 at the “Made by Google” event in New York. This launch is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the company’s hardware division and deepening its presence in the premium smartphone segment.

Growing Stakes in the Premium Market

While the overall global smartphone sales remain slow, the demand for high-end models is growing with the assurance of good profit. Priced at around ₹75,000–₹80,000, the Pixel 10 is expected to take on Apple’s iPhone 16 and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 in India. Analysts say Google’s challenge lies in converting its software and AI edge into stronger sales.

A Lineup Built on Refinement

The Pixel 10 family is likely to include Pixel 10, 10 XL, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and the foldable 10 Pro Fold. Google appears to be adhering to its familiar design philosophy while making incremental refinements. Leaks point to a slimmer horizontal camera bar, a titanium frame, and a matte glass back. New colours such as Emerald Green will give buyers more choice. 

Camera Leadership Still Central

The Pixel brand is synonymous with advanced cameras, and Google aims to reinforce that reputation. The Pixel 10 may feature a 50MP primary sensor and a 48MP ultra-wide lens, alongside enhanced computational photography tools. New features such as Astrophotography 2.0 and improved low-light shooting could help the device stand out against rivals.

Tipped to Support Qi2 Charging and Battery

Google may add Qi2 magnetic wireless charging to the Pixel 10 lineup under its new “Pixelsnap” brand. The device could pack a 4,800mAh battery with 45W fast charging support, alongside wireless and reverse wireless charging. Reports of thicker Pixel 10 models suggest room for magnets, fueling speculation that Google will finally adopt Qi2.

Enhancing Performance with AI

Performance will be driven by the Tensor G5 chipset, produced on TSMC’s 3nm process. The processor is expected to bring faster performance and higher energy efficiency. The Pixel 10 will ship with Android 15, featuring exclusive AI-powered functions, underlining Google’s strategy to make artificial intelligence its unique selling point in a crowded market.

Dust-Resistance Pro Fold model

The upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold is expected to be the first foldable phone with an IP68 rating, offering complete protection against dust and particles. No foldable has achieved this standard so far, highlighting Google’s engineering push to safeguard delicate folding mechanisms.

Strategic Role for Alphabet

Hardware still contributes only a fraction of Alphabet’s revenue compared with advertising, but the Pixel line is strategically important. It helps lock users into Google’s services, showcases its AI ambitions, and strengthens its position in the premium device market. In India, the Pixel 10 will be sold through Flipkart and select retail partners.

Ultimately, the Pixel 10’s success will depend on how well Google balances pricing and execution, determining whether it emerges as a serious contender in the premium market or remains confined to a loyal niche of enthusiasts.

Anthropic is offering its Claude AI chatbot to U.S. government agencies for just $1, stepping up efforts to become a key player in Washington’s rapidly evolving AI landscape. The Amazon-backed startup now joins OpenAI and Google in providing discounted access to AI tools as the federal government accelerates adoption across departments.

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar move by OpenAI, which recently offered ChatGPT Enterprise to government agencies at the same nominal price. Just last week, the U.S. government officially approved Claude, ChatGPT, and Google’s Gemini for federal use, thus clearing a path for these tools to power everything from national security to research and administrative operations.

“By offering expanded Claude access across all three branches of government, we're helping the federal workforce leverage frontier AI capabilities to maintain our competitive advantage and better serve the American people,” Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a statement.

The symbolic $1 offers reflect a broader strategy by AI companies: securing a foothold within government operations as a way to influence how AI is regulated, developed, and deployed. Federal agencies represent not only a major market but also a powerful endorsement in the global AI race.

Anthropic has already released models designed specifically for U.S. national security needs and has landed contracts from the Department of Defense, alongside Google, OpenAI, and xAI- Elon Musk’s AI venture, which has introduced a “Grok for Government” product line.

With OpenAI also planning to open a Washington, D.C. office, the push to win over policymakers is intensifying. Companies see long-term partnerships with federal agencies as critical, keeping in mind the revenue, elevated industry standards, and regulations perspective.

As the U.S. government lays the groundwork for responsible AI use, tech firms are racing to become its go-to providers. Their offers that are available for free are strategic intentions to become embedded in the infrastructure of AI governance and deployment.

Anthropic’s $1 offer is aimed with a clear objective to play a defining role in how AI supports, secures, and serves the public sector.