Technology News

Uber has begun testing in-app video recording for drivers in Delhi NCR and other major Indian cities to improve safety and reduce disputes. Here’s a clear explainer on how the feature works, why it’s being introduced, and what it means for both drivers and riders.

OpenAI is testing group chats in ChatGPT in select countries: What it is and how it will work

OpenAI is testing group chats in ChatGPT in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. Learn how group chats work, how to collaborate with friends or coworkers, and what privacy features are included.

FASTag annual pass contributes to 12% of National Highway trips within 3 months of launch

Launched on August 15, the annual pass worth Rs 3,000 gives customers toll-free access up to 200 trips through National Highways in a year, translating into Rs 15 per toll passing, considerably cheaper than the regular fares.

Apple’s latest iOS 26.2 beta shows Liquid Glass is still a work in progress

With two consecutive betas focusing on the same design system, it is increasingly clear that Liquid Glass is nowhere near its final form. Apple seems determined to refine it version by version rather than making abrupt, system-wide changes.

Apple updates App Store rules: apps must get permission before sending your data to AI

Apple has tightened its App Review Guidelines, adding a new rule that forces developers to clearly disclose and obtain explicit user permission before sharing personal data with third-party AI systems.

Google sues to shut down China-based ‘Lighthouse’ network accused of scamming millions with fake Google-branded phishing kits

The lawsuit accuses Lighthouse of wire fraud, trademark infringement, racketeering, and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Google is seeking a court order to dismantle the network, recover damages, and curb further harm.

Microsoft says old OpenAI deal blocked it from building its own AGI until now

The company is no longer just OpenAI’s partner — it is now competing head-on in the race to build the most advanced intelligence systems of the decade.

Instagram is pushing its Edits app to be a one stop shop for creators amid intensifying rivalry

More than half of the people watching Reels on Instagram each day are seeing content created with the Edits app, said Meta executive Peter Shields.

Data centres now attract more capital than new oil projects as global energy priorities shift

The rapid expansion of AI and cloud computing is driving this spending surge. The IEA expects electricity consumption from AI-focused data centres alone to increase fivefold by 2030.

Warren Buffett warns CEO pay has spiralled into envy-fuelled excess in his final Berkshire letter

Buffett’s warning arrives as debates over CEO pay intensify. Just days earlier, Tesla shareholders approved a record $1 trillion compensation plan for Elon Musk, structured around market-cap milestones that could make him the world’s first trillionaire

Apple Arcade gets five new games in December, including SpongeBob Patty Pursuit 2, Subway Surfers+

Apple is adding several new titles and expanding existing ones across its Apple Arcade lineup on December 4. The highlight of this new list includes the return of SpongeBob SquarePants in SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2.

Microsoft warns of ‘Whisper Leak’, a flaw that lets attackers infer what users discuss with AI chatbots

The company’s warning serves as a reminder that while encryption protects message content, metadata such as traffic timing and frequency can still expose valuable insights to skilled attackers.

Karnataka IT Policy: Up to Rs 50 crore in R&D reimbursements, biggest state-level incentive in India

Policy also encourages firms to shift from service-led models to product-centric innovation and early-stage prototyping to scalable technology development.

Karnataka's new IT policy eyes 90 lakh jobs by 2030, proposes return programme for overseas talent

The 2025-2030 IT policy also proposes ‘Technoverse’ technology campuses, a ‘Women in Global Tech Missions Fellowship’, and a unified digital network across innovation hubs.

Apple begins selling PlayStation VR2 Sense Controllers for Vision Pro, boosting precision gaming and input control

With this addition, Apple appears to be positioning the Vision Pro as a more versatile platform for gaming and interactive experiences.

The next Mac software update could bring ring light to your video calls, here's how

With remote work habits continuing, Apple appears keen to strengthen macOS as a strong platform for communication. The feature requires an Apple Silicon Mac.

Elon Musk’s xAI raises $15 billion, valuation hits $200 billion amid AI investment boom

Founded by Musk in 2023, xAI is seen as a challenger to OpenAI and Anthropic in the race to build general-purpose AI systems. Its rapid growth mirrors the current frenzy in the sector, with valuations soaring for companies working on foundational models.

Over 2 billion email addresses and 1.3 billion passwords exposed in massive data breach

The findings, highlighted by Microsoft regional director and Have I Been Pwned creator Troy Hunt, show the staggering scale of compromised credentials now circulating across the dark web.

OnePlus 15 launched: 5 ‘downgrades’ over the much-affordable OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 15 has launched in India with a higher starting price but arrives with five hardware reductions compared to its predecessor, including changes in display, camera, and haptics systems.

Spotify rejigs premium plans in India and four other markets, adds new lossless audio tier

Spotify is introducing three new premium plans in India, called Premium Lite, Premium Standard and Premium Platinum, with prices ranging from Rs 139 to Rs 299. The new Premium Platinum tier will offer advanced features aimed at audiophiles.

Oppo Reno 14F 5G Star Wars Dark Side edition set to launch on November 15 in Mexico

The Reno 14F 5G Star Wars Edition comes in a black shade with a Darth Vader image on the rear panel. It will also come with a limited edition collector’s box and could have a slightly higher price than the vanilla Oppo Reno 14 F variant

Sridhar Vembu shrugs off Arattai’s slide in the charts, says rankings don’t matter in a 15-year plan

Sridhar Vembu said it is unrealistic to expect any product to enjoy uninterrupted growth. He noted that he had already told his employees that the app’s earlier surge was temporary and nothing to celebrate.

Valve Steam Machine price, processor, features, operating system, available games and more

Valve has revealed the Steam Machine, a console-style device built to deliver PC-level gaming through SteamOS, Proton support, and next-gen AMD hardware, expected to launch globally in early 2026.

PhonePe partners with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to its customers for travel planning, shopping help and everyday assistance

Integration brings ChatGPT inside the PhonePe app for travel planning, product research and everyday queries

German court says ChatGPT training breached copyright, orders OpenAI to pay damages

GEMA accused OpenAI of using licensed musical compositions to train its models without authorisation, arguing that the company benefited from copyrighted work while bypassing the legal framework designed to protect creators

Google sues global ‘Lighthouse’ smishing network after text-scam wave steals millions worldwide

With smishing attacks escalating globally, Google argues that coordinated legal, technical, and educational efforts are essential to protect users.

Google plans stricter app verification on Android but will keep a sideloading path for power users

Google first announced its developer verification requirement in August, stating that all Android apps, including those installed manually, would eventually need to come from a verified developer account. Early access to that system begins today.

Apple updates Xcode to version 26.1.1 with smarter AI coding tools and key performance fixes

Xcode 26.1.1 adds compatibility for Swift 6.2.1 and addresses several issues affecting the new AI-assisted coding workflow. The update also introduces enhanced system tools for connected devices and improved Swift support.

iQOO announces pre-booking for iQOO 15 from November 20: All the details

iQOO has announced pre-bookings for its iQOO 15 flagship smartphone starting November 20, offering exclusive perks like free earbuds and extra warranty. The phone launches November 26 with India’s brightest 2K OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and 7000mAh battery.

Microsoft announces Project Gecko to make AI more inclusive and culturally aware

Microsoft announces Project Gecko, a new initiative to build inclusive AI systems that understand local languages and cultures. Using the MMCTAgent platform and light-weight models, the project aims to help farmers in India and Kenya and expand into education and healthcare.

Nothing Ear (open) review: A different beat

Nothing Ear (open) brings a fresh take on wireless earbuds with open sound, standout design, and all-day comfort at Rs 17,999.

Indian government issues 'High' severity warning for Apple iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Safari and other Apple products

CERT-In has issued a high-severity warning for multiple Apple products, citing vulnerabilities that may allow attackers to run arbitrary code, steal data, bypass security, and cause system disruption.

iQOO 15 price and specs leak ahead of India launch: Here’s what we know

The iQOO 15 is set to launch in India on November 26, and leaks reveal its price, key specs, and standout features. From a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip to a 7,000mAh battery and triple 50MP cameras, here’s everything we know about iQOO’s next flagship phone.

Govt’s Rs 1 lakh crore RDI scheme to fund quantum, chip and AI innovation

The ANRF-led Rs 1 lakh crore RDI scheme will channel funds into quantum computing, semiconductor fabrication, and AI applications across agriculture, health, and education

BGMI 4.1 update: Frosty Funland, Anamika event and Porsche supercar and everything new it brings to the game

BGMI’s 4.1 update mixes winter-themed gameplay, India-exclusive horror content, a Porsche supercar and the return of Metro Royale, bringing fresh modes, events and tactical upgrades for the festive season.

Microsoft tempts users with rewards to stay on Edge instead of switching to Google Chrome

Microsoft is using its loyalty programme to incentivise people to stay with its browser rather than defect to its biggest rival.

Noida announces real-time Google Maps speed-limit integration to curb accidents

Noida has introduced real-time Google Maps speed-limit integration to help curb road accidents by showing drivers both their actual speed and the legal speed limit across major routes.

iPhone stolen in Las Vegas travels to China after victim accidentally helps thieves unlock it

A Reddit user’s iPhone was stolen at a Las Vegas music festival and later tracked all the way to China. After falling for a phishing message and removing it from iCloud, he unknowingly helped thieves unlock the device — a reminder to never unlink lost Apple devices.

OpenAI pushes back as The New York Times seeks access to millions of ChatGPT logs

OpenAI is fighting to limit The New York Times’ request for access to 120 million ChatGPT logs in an ongoing copyright lawsuit. The company argues the demand threatens user privacy and is pushing for a smaller sample size instead.

Google Drive adds Gemini-powered Audio Overviews to turn PDFs into podcast-style summaries

The update brings the same Audio Overview capability previously seen in NotebookLM and Google Search directly to Drive, allowing users to listen to conversational, podcast-like overviews of lengthy documents.

Meet iPod Socks: The product launched by Steve Jobs and ‘inspired’ the iPhone Pocket

Apple’s new iPhone Pocket accessory revives the idea first seen in the multi-coloured iPod Socks launched in 2004, linking a past Apple product to a modern, wearable design.

Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist, said to be leaving to launch his own world-model startup

According to a report by the Financial Times, Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist and one of the pioneers of deep learning, is preparing to leave the company to start his own artificial intelligence venture.

Fallout 76: Here’s when the Burning Springs update arrives

Players will explore the “charred remains of Ohio, conflagrated during the Great War into a place now called Burning Springs.”

Threads bets on podcasters to fuel community growth with new discovery and engagement tools

Rather than distributing podcasts directly, Threads intends to focus on hosting the conversations that podcasts spark, providing creators with deeper insights into how their content resonates within communities.

Research is not a luxury, but a necessity: Infosys founder NRN Murthy

Infosys Science Foundation announced the Infosys Prize 2025 laureates, honoring scholars for their extraordinary contributions to scientific research in India across six categories.

Valve announces Steam Machine for 2026 launch with SteamOS and compact TV-focused design

Valve has announced the Steam Machine, a compact PC-based gaming device coming in early 2026, expanding the Steam hardware lineup with SteamOS, desktop-class performance and full access to the Steam library.

Battlegrounds Mobile India 4.1 update is now rolling out: How to download, new features and more

BGMI has started rolling out the 4.1 update in India with a winter theme, new gadgets, Penguin Town, and an upgraded Royale Pass. Here’s how to download and what’s new.

OpenAI launches GPT-5.1: a warmer, smarter ChatGPT that finally listens better

ChatGPT now processes simpler tasks faster, while taking more deliberate time on complex or analytical ones. That means quicker answers for routine prompts, and deeper thinking where it counts—without users having to toggle settings manually.

Google brings AI photo remixing, smarter notifications, and a new Maps mode to Pixel phones

The update introduces features like notification summaries, a low-power Maps mode, enhanced scam detection, and prompt-based photo editing powered by Gemini Nano.

ZTE Blade V80 leaked through new renders, looks strikingly similar to iPhone 17 Pro

ZTE is set to launch its next budget smartphone, the Blade V80, with a new leaked image revealing the potential design of the smartphone. This render suggests that the upcoming phone bears a strong resemblance to the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro.