Category: Technology

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Apple Inc. may launch ‘Ultra’ iPhone, MacBook soon

Apple Inc. may soon take its premium lineup a step further by introducing a new “Ultra” category for its devices, including the iPhone and MacBook.

According to recent reports, the company is exploring the idea of launching an “iPhone Ultra,” which could become its most advanced smartphone yet. This model is expected to stand above the current Pro versions, offering cutting-edge features and a fresh design.

One of the biggest highlights could be Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Unlike its traditional designs, this device may feature a screen that folds like a book, giving users a larger display in a compact form. If launched, it would mark a major shift for Apple, which has so far stayed away from foldable phones.

Alongside the iPhone, Apple is also said to be working on a “MacBook Ultra.” This could be a high-end laptop designed for users who want top performance and advanced features. Reports suggest it may come with an OLED display, offering brighter colors and better picture quality than current models.

There are also talks of possible touchscreen support in future MacBooks—something Apple has not offered so far. If this happens, it would be a significant change in how users interact with Mac devices.

The “Ultra” branding is not new for Apple. The company has already used it for products like the Apple Watch Ultra and its most powerful chips. Extending this label to iPhones and MacBooks would clearly position these devices as the most premium options in Apple’s lineup.

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WhatsApp blocks 9,400 scam accounts in India

WhatsApp has blocked 9,400 accounts linked to “digital arrest” scams in India since January 2026, according to information shared by the Central government with the Supreme Court. The disclosure came during ongoing proceedings related to the growing threat of cyber fraud in the country.

Digital arrest scams have emerged as one of the most common forms of online fraud in recent months. In these cases, scammers contact victims through calls or messages while pretending to be police officers, CBI officials, customs officers or other government authorities. They often accuse people of crimes such as money laundering or illegal parcels and then threaten arrest unless money is transferred immediately.

According to the government’s status report, WhatsApp launched a focused investigation earlier this year after concerns were raised by Indian enforcement agencies. Instead of removing only accounts reported by users, the platform reportedly used internal systems to detect suspicious activity, identify linked numbers and track organised scam networks. This wider crackdown led to the blocking of 9,400 accounts.

Officials also told the court that earlier takedown requests had identified around 3,800 suspicious accounts, but only a small number were directly linked to digital arrest frauds. However, deeper investigation later revealed a much larger network operating through multiple accounts.

The Centre informed the court that several agencies are now working together to curb such crimes. Telecom companies, financial institutions, regulators and digital platforms have been asked to coordinate more closely to detect fraud quickly and prevent money transfers. Authorities are also focusing on faster blocking of suspicious SIM cards and stronger identity verification measures.

WhatsApp is said to be developing additional tools to detect misuse of police or government logos in profile photos and identify impersonation attempts more effectively.

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Samsung launches EMI plans from ₹33 a day

Samsung India has introduced a new financing programme aimed at making home appliances more affordable, allowing customers to purchase products through EMIs starting from ₹33 per day.

The offer is available under the company’s Samsung Finance+ platform and covers a wide range of products including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and microwaves. Samsung said the scheme is being launched across more than 8,000 retail stores nationwide.

To attract buyers, the company is also offering a ₹1,000 cashback for a limited period on eligible purchases made through the financing option.

Samsung said the approval process has been designed to be quick and simple. Customers can apply digitally at stores using basic KYC documents such as Aadhaar and PAN cards, with approvals expected in just a few minutes.

The move comes at a time when financing options are becoming increasingly important in India’s consumer durables market. Many families now prefer smaller monthly instalments instead of paying the full amount upfront, especially for expensive products such as air conditioners and refrigerators.

The launch is also timely as summer demand typically boosts sales of cooling appliances. Easy EMI options may encourage more households to upgrade older machines or buy premium models with smart features.

Samsung’s newer appliance range includes connected devices that offer mobile app control, energy monitoring and automation features.

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Windows 11 updates get user-friendly makeover

Microsoft is making Windows 11 updates less disruptive by giving users more control over when updates are installed and when their computers restart.

The changes come after years of complaints from users who said forced updates often interrupted work, meetings, gaming sessions and important tasks.

Under the new system, users will be able to pause updates for longer periods and extend those pauses when needed. This means people can choose a more convenient time to install updates instead of being pushed into immediate downloads.

Microsoft is also improving restart options. Even when updates are waiting, users will be able to shut down or restart their computers without being forced to install updates right away.

Another useful change is during the setup of a new PC. Users will now have the option to skip updates during the initial setup process and complete them later, helping them start using the device faster.

The company is also working on smarter update delivery so multiple updates can be combined, reducing the number of restarts required.

Microsoft said the changes are based on customer feedback and are designed to make Windows smoother to use while still keeping devices secure and up to date.

The features are currently being tested with Windows Insider users and are expected to roll out to more users in upcoming Windows 11 updates.

Tech experts said the move reflects a more user-friendly approach from Microsoft. Instead of forcing updates at inconvenient times, the company now appears focused on giving people flexibility while maintaining system security.

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Google plans a huge $40 bn investment in Anthropic

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has announced plans to invest up to $40 billion in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, one of the leading rivals in the fast-growing AI space. The deal strengthens an already close partnership between the two companies.

According to reports, Google will immediately invest about $10 billion in Anthropic. A further $30 billion may follow, but only if the startup meets certain performance targets. The investment values Anthropic at around $350 billion.

Anthropic is best known for its AI chatbot family called Claude, which competes directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini models. The company has seen rapid growth in demand, especially for its coding-focused tools.

Along with funding, the deal also includes major support for computing power. Google will provide large-scale access to its cloud infrastructure and specialized AI chips to help Anthropic train and run its models. This kind of computing capacity is seen as critical for building advanced AI systems.

The investment comes as competition among big tech firms intensifies. Amazon recently announced its own multi-billion-dollar backing for Anthropic, making the startup one of the most heavily funded AI companies in the world.

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DeepSeek launches V4 AI model, challenges US giants

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has launched its latest large language model, DeepSeek V4, in a fresh challenge to major US players such as OpenAI, Google and Anthropic. The release strengthens China’s growing push to compete in the fast-moving artificial intelligence race.

The company introduced two versions of the model, V4 Pro and V4 Flash. While the Pro version is aimed at advanced reasoning, coding and research tasks, the Flash version is designed to be faster and cheaper for lighter everyday use. Both versions are currently available in preview mode.

DeepSeek said the new model can process very large amounts of text at once, allowing users to analyse long reports, documents and code files more efficiently. This could make the model attractive to businesses, researchers and developers handling large workloads.

The company also claimed improved performance in coding, logic and knowledge-based tasks compared with earlier versions. Independent testing of these claims is still awaited, but the launch has already drawn attention across the tech industry.

Another key feature is compatibility with Huawei’s Ascend chips, showing China’s efforts to reduce dependence on US chipmaker Nvidia amid export restrictions.

DeepSeek gained global visibility last year by offering lower-cost AI models that surprised the market with strong performance. Its latest launch is expected to increase pricing pressure on bigger rivals and expand AI choices for users worldwide.

The V4 release highlights how competition in artificial intelligence is no longer limited to Silicon Valley, with Chinese firms now emerging as serious challengers.

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ChatGPT images 2.0 comes with realistic AI photos

OpenAI’s newly launched ChatGPT Images 2.0 is drawing major attention online, with users praising its ability to create realistic photos, posters and digital artwork from simple text prompts. The upgraded tool is now available inside ChatGPT and is being widely shared across social media.

One of the biggest improvements is its ability to generate clear and readable text inside images. Earlier AI image tools often struggled with spelling errors or distorted words, but users say the new version performs far better. Many have shared examples of menus, ads, product labels and magazine covers that look professionally designed.

The tool is also being praised for photorealistic results. Users have created portraits, travel scenes, fashion images and street photography that closely resemble real camera shots. Many say the level of detail, lighting and texture is a major step forward.

ChatGPT Images 2.0 can also create artwork in different styles such as anime, branding designs, packaging concepts and social media graphics. Experts say it could become useful for creators, marketers and small businesses looking for quick design solutions.

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Meta to monitor employee activity for AI training

Meta has started using a new internal system that tracks employee computer activity, including clicks, mouse movements and typing patterns, to help train its artificial intelligence tools. The company says the goal is to teach AI systems how people use software and complete everyday office tasks.

Meta said the data will be collected only from work devices and will not be used to judge employee performance. It also said safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information.

Still, the move has raised concerns among some employees, who worry about privacy and increased workplace monitoring. Critics say it reflects the growing tension between fast AI development and employee trust.

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YouTube lets users turn off shorts

YouTube has introduced a new feature that allows users to effectively turn off Shorts through its time management settings. The update is designed for users who want to reduce distractions and spend less time watching short-form videos.

With the new option, users can set their daily Shorts viewing limit to zero minutes. Once activated, the Shorts feed stops appearing in the app and users see a message saying they have reached their limit.

Earlier, YouTube only allowed users to limit Shorts usage between 15 minutes and two hours. The addition of a zero-minute setting gives users much stronger control over how they use the platform.

To enable it, users need to open the YouTube app, go to Settings, tap Time Management, choose Shorts Feed Limit, and set it to 0 minutes.

The feature is rolling out for Android and iOS users. Some users may receive the update later as the rollout continues globally.

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iPhone 18 Pro may get variable aperture camera

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series is reportedly moving closer to production, with early leaks pointing to a major upgrade in its camera system. The biggest expected change is the introduction of a variable aperture lens, a feature commonly seen in professional DSLR cameras but never used in an iPhone before.

According to industry reports, Apple is working on integrating this system into the main 48MP rear camera of the iPhone 18 Pro models. A variable aperture allows the camera to adjust how much light enters the lens depending on the surrounding conditions. In low light, the aperture opens wider to capture more detail, while in bright environments it narrows to prevent overexposure.

This upgrade is expected to significantly improve photo quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. It could also give users more control over depth of field, making background blur more natural in portrait shots.

Along with the camera changes, leaks suggest Apple is testing improvements in zoom performance and optical systems. These upgrades may help deliver clearer long-range photography, addressing one of the key areas where smartphone cameras still face limitations compared to dedicated cameras.

In addition to camera enhancements, Apple is also expected to refresh the colour lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro series. While exact shades are not confirmed, reports indicate that the company may introduce deeper and more premium-looking finishes compared to current models.

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