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Apple boosts 30% recycled materials

Apple Inc. has announced that 30% of the materials used in its products shipped in 2025 came from recycled sources, the highest share recorded so far. The update was shared in its latest environmental report, highlighting steady progress toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral across its supply chain by 2030.

The company said it has significantly increased the use of recycled materials in core components, including cobalt in batteries, rare earth elements in magnets, and gold and tin in circuit boards. These changes are part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on newly mined resources.

Apple also confirmed that all product packaging is now fully fibre-based, eliminating plastic from boxes. This shift is aimed at making packaging easier to recycle and reducing overall environmental impact.

The company reported that its carbon emissions have fallen by more than 60% since 2015, even as production has grown globally. It also continues to expand recycling systems that recover materials from old devices, including automated disassembly robots.

Apple said the progress supports its “Apple 2030” plan to make all products carbon neutral within the next five years.

Also Read: BBC plans 2,000 job cuts as cost reduction drive

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Amazon bets on AI retail store in India

Amazon has launched an AI-focused online store in India, marking a strategic push to capitalise on the fast-growing demand for artificial intelligence-powered consumer electronics.

The new storefront groups together AI-enabled products across categories such as smartphones, laptops, televisions, and home appliances, reflecting how AI is becoming central to the next wave of tech upgrades.

Industry trends show that consumers are no longer treating AI as a niche feature. Instead, it is increasingly influencing buying decisions, especially in premium and mid-range devices. Searches for AI-enabled products have seen strong year-on-year growth, with computing devices and smart entertainment products leading the surge.

A notable shift is the geographic spread of this demand. A large share of interest is now coming from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, pointing to deeper market penetration and a broader digital adoption curve across India.

The AI Store is designed to align with this shift by simplifying discovery. It explains AI features in practical terms—how devices improve efficiency, personalise usage, and automate everyday tasks—rather than focusing purely on specifications.

This approach also helps address a key challenge in the AI device market: consumer awareness. While many products advertise AI capabilities, users often struggle to understand their real value. By making these benefits clearer, Amazon is attempting to bridge that gap.

The launch comes even as the electronics sector faces rising input costs and supply chain pressures. Despite this, the company is positioning AI as a long-term growth driver, expecting continued demand for smarter, more adaptive devices.

Also Read: 108 malicious Chrome extensions flagged

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108 malicious Chrome extensions flagged

A cybersecurity warning has been issued after researchers uncovered 108 malicious Google Chrome extensions that have impacted more than 20,000 users worldwide.

These extensions were designed to look like harmless tools such as games, ad blockers, or productivity apps, making them easy for users to trust and install. However, once added to the browser, they began collecting sensitive user data in the background.

According to researchers, the extensions could track browsing activity, access login information, and gather personal data without users being aware. In some cases, they were also capable of injecting advertisements into websites and running hidden scripts.

One of the most concerning findings was that all these extensions were linked to a single remote server, suggesting a coordinated effort by attackers. This setup allowed them to control the extensions and potentially expand their activity over time.

Despite being flagged, some of these extensions reportedly remained active, raising concerns about how quickly such threats are removed.

Users are urged to check their installed extensions and remove any unfamiliar ones, while also downloading add-ons only from trusted sources.

Also Read: IMF cuts global growth, India holds at 6.5%

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Tata invests ₹1,500 cr to expand iPhone production

Tata Group is stepping up its push in electronics manufacturing by investing an additional ₹1,500 crore into its iPhone production business.

The fresh funding will go into Tata Electronics, which has quickly become a key player in making iPhones in India. This investment is part of a larger plan to strengthen the company’s role in global supply chains and expand its manufacturing capacity.

Over the past few years, India has become an important base for smartphone production, especially for Apple. A growing number of iPhones are now being made in the country, and Tata is playing an increasing role in this shift alongside other global manufacturers.

The latest investment is expected to help Tata scale up operations, improve infrastructure, and support future expansion. It also reflects the group’s long-term commitment to the electronics sector, which is seen as a major growth area.

Tata has also been strengthening its position by taking control of existing manufacturing operations, including those previously run by international partners. This has helped the company quickly build capabilities and increase production.

Tata is aiming to build a broader presence in high-tech manufacturing, including semiconductors and advanced electronics. These sectors require large investments, but they are also key to the future of global technology.

The company’s growth in this space has been steady, with rising revenues and improving financial performance as production scales up. The new investment is expected to support this momentum.

Also Read: ₹10,000 cr fund 2.0 to boost India startups

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Google brings AI search to Windows desktop

Google has introduced a new desktop app for Windows users, making it easier to search the web and access information without opening a browser.

The app works on Windows 10 and newer versions and is currently available in English. It is designed to simplify how people search by bringing everything—web results, files, apps, and even cloud content—into one place.

One of its main features is “AI Mode,” which allows users to ask questions in a natural, conversational way. Instead of just showing a list of links, the app provides clear answers along with useful sources. This makes searching feel more like having a conversation than typing keywords.

Another useful feature is a quick shortcut. By pressing Alt + Space, users can instantly open the search bar and look for anything on their computer or online. This helps save time and reduces the need to switch between apps or browser tabs.

The app also includes tools like screen-based search and image recognition. Users can select something on their screen and ask questions about it, translate text, or identify images using built-in tools similar to Google Lens.

This launch is part of Google’s broader push to bring artificial intelligence into daily use. By placing AI tools directly on the desktop, the company is trying to make technology more helpful and less time-consuming.

For now, the app is limited to English, but more languages are expected in the future. With this move, Google is taking a step towards making search more personal, faster, and easier to use.

Also Read: Anthropic brings in Novartis CEO Narasimhan to board

 

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Microsoft to end Outlook Lite app

Microsoft has decided to discontinue its Outlook Lite, with the service set to shut down on May 25, 2026, as part of its broader strategy to streamline products.

Outlook Lite was built as a low-resource alternative for emerging markets, offering essential email features with minimal data usage. Its discontinuation signals a shift toward a unified app ecosystem centred around the main Outlook Mobile platform.

Microsoft has been gradually phasing out the app, including halting new downloads and encouraging existing users to migrate. Post shutdown, the Lite app will no longer support any functionality.

The company says the transition will not affect user data, as all information remains cloud-based and accessible via the primary app. The move highlights Microsoft’s focus on enhancing performance, security, and feature integration through a single, standardised application.

Also Read: Travel platform data breach exposes user details

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XChat to launch on iOS

Elon Musk’s social media platform X is preparing to launch a new messaging service called XChat for iPhone and iPad users. The app is expected to go live later this month and is already listed for pre-order on Apple’s App Store.

XChat is being built as a separate messaging app from the main X platform, designed to focus purely on conversations. The idea is to give users a cleaner, more private space for messaging without the distractions of a social feed.

Privacy is a major selling point. The app is expected to use end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and receiver can read messages. It will also include features like disappearing messages, the ability to edit or delete sent texts, and options to block screenshots in chats.

XChat will also support larger group conversations, reportedly allowing hundreds of participants in a single chat. Voice and video calling will be included too, and users won’t need to share a phone number to connect.

Another key aspect is cross-device use, letting people switch smoothly between iPhone and iPad while continuing their chats. Reports also suggest the app will be ad-free and won’t track user activity, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in the messaging space.

There are also hints that X’s AI assistant, Grok, may be integrated to help users inside chats, although some of those features may not work within encrypted conversations.

With XChat, the company is clearly aiming to move beyond traditional social media and build a more complete communication platform focused on private, secure interactions.

Also Read: Musk post reignites debate on COVID vaccine safety

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OpenAI launches $100 ChatGPT Pro

OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT Pro plan priced at $100 per month, designed for users who need more power than the standard Plus subscription but do not require the top-end tier. The plan mainly targets developers and heavy users who rely on OpenAI’s Codex tool for coding tasks.

The Pro tier offers significantly higher usage limits, around five times more than the Plus plan, allowing longer and more complex coding sessions without interruptions. This makes it more suitable for professional and intensive workflows.

In India, the plan costs approximately ₹10,699 per month. It is part of a broader pricing structure that now includes a free tier, a low-cost “Go” plan, Plus, and Pro, giving users more flexibility based on usage needs.

Alongside the launch, OpenAI has also adjusted usage limits for Plus subscribers, indicating a reshuffling of resources as demand for AI tools continues to grow. The company appears to be balancing system load while expanding access to higher-performance options.

The move comes amid increasing competition in the AI coding space, with rivals also offering premium developer-focused tools. OpenAI’s new pricing strategy aims to retain advanced users while capturing a wider segment of the market.

Also Read: Unilever builds 300,000-strong Influencer network

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Instagram rolls out stricter safety rules for teens

Instagram is introducing new safety features aimed at making the platform safer for teenagers.

With this update, all users under 18 will automatically be placed under stricter content settings. This means they will see only age-appropriate posts, similar to content rated suitable for teens.

The platform will now reduce exposure to posts that include violence, strong language, or adult themes. It will also limit interactions with accounts that regularly share such content.

Search results are being tightened as well. Teens won’t easily come across sensitive or harmful content, even if they try to search for it in different ways.

One of the biggest changes is that these safety settings cannot be turned off freely. Teens will need approval from parents to make any changes, giving families more say in how the app is used.

The update also introduces a “limited content” option, which applies even stricter filters for those who want extra protection.

Parent company Meta says the changes are based on feedback from parents and are part of a larger effort to improve safety for younger users.

The move comes at a time when social media platforms are facing growing pressure to better protect teenagers online, especially around issues like mental health and exposure to harmful content.

Also Read: World Bank raises India growth forecast to 6.6%

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Muse Spark powers Meta’s AI reset

Meta Platforms has launched a new artificial intelligence model called Muse Spark, as part of its efforts to strengthen its position in the fast-growing AI space.

The move comes under CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is focusing on rebuilding the company’s AI strategy after earlier setbacks. Muse Spark is the first major product from Meta’s revamped AI division, created to accelerate innovation and compete with global tech rivals.

The new model is designed to power Meta’s AI tools across its platforms. It will be used in the Meta AI app and gradually rolled out to services like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

Muse Spark can handle both text and images and is built to answer more complex questions. It also offers different response modes, allowing users to choose between quick replies and more detailed explanations.

Meta says the model is faster and more efficient, while still being powerful enough to compete with other leading AI systems. Unlike some of its earlier models, Muse Spark will not be open-source and will mainly be used within Meta’s own platforms.

The launch is part of a larger reset, with the company investing heavily in AI talent and infrastructure. Zuckerberg has said this is just the beginning, with plans to build more advanced AI tools in the future.

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