Technology

FBI confirms hack of Director Kash Patel’s personal email, says no government data compromised

Iran-linked hackers breached FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal email, leaking personal data. Officials confirmed no classified or government systems were affected, highlighting risks tied to personal accounts.

Hormuz disruption tests India's chip resolve, exposes weak links in gases, petrochemicals and power

From helium shortages to LNG-linked cost spikes, the Gulf crisis is beginning to squeeze India's semiconductor ambitions

PS5 price hike: Sony increases console prices globally; here’s how it affects Indian buyers

Excerpt (30 words): Sony has announced a fresh PS5 price hike globally citing rising costs, with prices increasing by up to $150. Indian buyers may see a similar hike soon. Introduction Sony has announced a new global price hike for its PlayStation 5 lineup, including the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro. The revised prices will come into effect from April 2, 2026, marking the second increase in less than a year. The company said the decision was driven by “continued pressures in the global economic landscape,” including rising component costs such as memory chips. New global prices announced Sony has increased prices across all major PS5 models. In the US, the standard PS5 now costs $649.99, while the Digital Edition is priced at $599.99, both seeing a $100 increase. The PS5 Pro has received the steepest hike of $150 and is now priced at $899.99. The PlayStation Portal remote player has also become more expensive, now costing $249.99 compared to its earlier $199.99 price. Similar price revisions have been rolled out in markets including the UK, Europe, and Japan, reflecting a broad global adjustment across Sony’s gaming hardware. Why Sony increased PS5 prices Sony attributed the price hike to rising costs of key components and ongoing global economic pressures. The demand for memory and semiconductor components has increased, partly driven by artificial intelligence workloads, pushing up manufacturing costs. The company said the move was taken after evaluation to ensure it can continue delivering gaming hardware while managing rising expenses. This is the second such revision within a year, following a $50 increase announced in 2025. What it means for Indian buyers India has not been officially included in the price announcement, but a price increase is expected in the coming months. Historically, Sony has adjusted India pricing in line with global changes. Currently, the PS5 Digital Edition is priced at around Rs 49,990, while the disc version costs about Rs 54,990. With the new global hike, industry estimates suggest prices in India could rise further once new stock arrives. Retail pricing in India is influenced by import duties, currency fluctuations, and supply conditions, which could amplify the impact of global price changes. What buyers should keep in mind Indian buyers planning to purchase a PS5 may consider current pricing before the revised rates are reflected locally. Existing inventory with retailers may still be available at older prices for a limited period. However, once new shipments arrive after April, higher prices are likely to be implemented. Buyers may also see variations in pricing across online and offline retailers depending on stock availability. Sony has advised customers in markets outside its primary list to check with local retailers for updated pricing.

Zerodha warns of rising online scams, explains how to verify intermediaries and stay safe

Zerodha warns users about rising online scams driven by urgency and fear, and shares practical steps such as verifying intermediaries, avoiding unsolicited offers, and never sharing sensitive financial information.

Resident Evil: Requiem gets Photo Mode, bug fixes with new update

The Photo mode is now live for all game platforms.

Philips launches One Stroke Hair Straightener in India with ThermoShield tech, priced at Rs 7,599

Philips has launched the One Stroke Hair Straightener in India with ThermoShield technology, Ionic Care, longer plates, and claims of faster styling and reduced heat damage priced at Rs 7,599.

Microsoft set for worst quarter since 2008 as AI fears converge

Although Wall Street remains optimistic that it will emerge as a long-term winner from AI, Microsoft still has to keep up with the hyperscaler spending race, a posture that could complicate any near-term sentiment reversal.

iQOO Z11 goes official with 9,020mAh battery, 165Hz display, and Dimensity 8500 SoC: Price, specs

The iQOO Z11 has been launched in China, featuring a 50MP primary camera, a 9,020 mAh battery, a MediaTek Dimensity 8500 chipset, and a 165Hz high-refresh-rate display.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’s first story DLC “Cost of Hope” announced

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is getting a story expansion with two new regions.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max to launch later this year: Here’s everything we know so far

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to launch later this year with design tweaks, a new A20 Pro chip, improved battery capacity, and camera upgrades, based on early leaks.

How to add a Grok widget to your Android home screen

Grok now offers a home screen widget on Android, allowing users to access the AI assistant quickly without opening the app. Here’s a step-by-step guide to set it up

Vivo X300 Ultra, Vivo X300s, and Vivo Pad 6 Pro colours and design teased ahead of launch

Vivo is set to launch the Vivo X300 Ultra, Vivo X300s, and Vivo Pad 6 Pro in China next week. Ahead of their anticipated launch, the company has revealed the colour shades and design of these devices.

Dream11 targets 50 million monthly active users with creator-led push during IPL 2026

Dream11 parent Dream Sports now operates like a 'private equity-meets-incubator' after splitting into 11 businesses, CEO Harsh Jain told Moneycontrol

SoftBank secures $40 billion loan to boost OpenAI investments

The Japanese investment conglomerate, led by founder Masayoshi Son, continues to strengthen ties with OpenAI as global tech firms race to gain an edge in the increasingly competitive generative AI space

Google expands Search Live to Bengali, Malayalam, and other Indian languages

Google expands Search Live in India to more languages, enabling voice-based AI conversations in regional languages, powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash Live for real-time search and assistance.

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro review: Gets the job done

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro delivers comfort, stable connectivity, and useful features, with a sound profile and ANC performance that lean more towards everyday casual use.

Redmi 15A 5G launched in India with 6300mAh battery, 120Hz display

Redmi 15A 5G launched in India with a 6300mAh battery, 120Hz display, Wet Touch support, and features aimed at everyday usage and extended battery life.

Indian fintechs yet to fully realise potential of AI, says QED’s Sandeep Patil

AI is a 'great equaliser' and a universal tool, enabling companies to jump ahead and scale without needing a traditional evolution curve, says Patil

MC Interview: IPOs are just a financing event, companies must accept where markets are: Lightspeed's Bejul Somaia

In a conversation with Moneycontrol, Somaia also said secondary share sales remain a preferred liquidity route, adding that Indian founders should move faster on AI. 

Samsung Galaxy Book6 series launched with latest Intel Panther Lake processor and up to Nvidia RTX 5070: Price, features and more

Samsung launches Galaxy Book6 series in India with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU on Ultra, AI features, and prices starting at Rs 1,27,990.

Xiaomi 17T Pro surfaces on NBTC certification site, global launch imminent

Xiaomi 17T Pro has now reportedly been listed on a certification database, suggesting that it could see a global launch soon. This comes after the standard model was spotted on Singapore’s IMDA platform.

OnePlus India pulls the plug on offline retail, expands service network via Oppo

The number of authorised service centres will be increased from 400 to more than 600, taking coverage to more than 500 cities, including Tier 2 and 3 markets

OPINION | India must tackle addictive design without hurting innovation

Digital platforms are designed to maximise attention. Experts warn of rising harm to young users. India must regulate design features to protect mental health

Vivo Y21 5G, Vivo Y11 5G with 6,500 mAh battery, Dimensity 6300 SoC launched in India: Price, specs

Vivo has two new handsets in its Y lineup, named the Vivo Y21 5G and Vivo Y11 5G. Both smartphones offer large 6,500 mAh batteries, IP65 durability, and are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC.