Tech Weekender: Top news in the world of technology this week

Apple is the most dominant brand in India’s pre-owned smartphone market, a study by India's leading retail platform for pre-owned phones OLX says. According to the report, Apple iPhones are the most preferred smartphones in the pre-owned market, followed by Xiaomi and Samsung, respectively. The data shared by OLX states that the demand for mobile phones continued unabated even after the second COVID-19 wave hit the country this year. Tier 3 cities saw the highest demand for pre-owned smartphones at 43 percent, followed by Tier 2 cities at 30 percent and Tier 1 cities at 27 percent.

One of the key experiences in software is search. It's likely the first thing that user's do when they get a new device or run into a problem or look for something online. So, it makes sense that there is a value attached to being a primary search engine on one of the biggest ecosystems in the world. An ecosystem so big that Google is willing to pay Apple $15 billion to stay the primary way to search on Apple devices. As per a report by Ped30, Analysts from Bernstein Research estimated that payments from the search giant to the hardware maker totalled $10 billion in FY 2020. That figure was derived from Apple's public filings and analysis of Google's traffic acquisition costs.

Some 38 million records stored on a Microsoft service, including private information, were mistakenly left exposed this year, security firm UpGuard said Monday. The data, including names, addresses, financial information and Covid-19 vaccination statuses, was made vulnerable -- but not compromised -- before the problem was resolved, according to the digital security company's investigation. Among the 47 affected organizations were American Airlines, Ford, JB Hunt and public agencies such as the Maryland Department of Health and New York City's public transit system.

The Realme GT 5G scores maximum points for its performance and display but the camera isn’t the best in the segment. The iQOO 7 Legend clicks better shots and also offers a more versatile camera system with a 13MP telephoto sensor instead of a gimmicky macro lens. That being said, if the camera isn’t your top-most priority and want the best-performing phone under Rs 40,000, you can certainly consider buying the Realme GT 5G. Check out the full review.

Xiaomi is letting go of its “Mi” brand. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer debuted in India with the Mi 3 as its first phone. According to a report, 10 years after the launch of the original Mi 1, Xiaomi has decided the ditch the Mi branding from its products going forward.

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Watch 4 series in India. The standard Watch 4 comes in two models with Bluetooth and LTE versions. The 40mm Bluetooth variant is priced at Rs 23,999, whereas the LTE variant is priced at Rs 28,999. It comes in Pink, Gold, Black and Silver colours. The Galaxy Watch 4 44mm Bluetooth model is priced at Rs 26,999, whereas the LTE model is priced at Rs 31,999. It comes in Black, Green and Silver colours. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic price in India starts at Rs 31,999 for the 42mm Bluetooth model. The LTE model is priced at Rs 36,999. The 46mm variant also comes in Bluetooth and LTE models. They are priced at Rs 34,999 and Rs 39,999, respectively. It comes in Black and Silver colour options.