Technology

Google expands Gemini 3 lineup with budget-focused 3.1 Flash-Lite model

Google has unveiled Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, its fastest and most cost-efficient Gemini 3 model yet, targeting developers who need high-volume AI workloads delivered quickly, reliably and at significantly lower cost.

AI contracts start at $10 million while traditional deals run into hundreds of millions: Cognizant CFO

Firms are moving away from building small AI applications that demonstrate tech capabilities to deploying solutions that have a real impact on business operations, Jatin Dalal has said

ECI to meet social media firms on poll misinformation, deepfakes ahead of state polls

The talks will focus on tackling AI-generated content, misinformation and improving coordination with platforms during upcoming assembly elections

realme launches Narzo Power 5G in India with 10,001mAh battery, starting at Rs 23,999

realme Narzo Power 5G has been launched in India with a 10,001mAh battery, MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra chipset, 144Hz AMOLED display and 80W fast charging. The smartphone starts at ₹23,999.

FirstClub in talks to raise $50 million from Peak XV, Sofina and others doubling valuation in under six months

The company is being valued at around $250 million more than double from $120 million just six months ago, showing businesses with a layer of quick commerce continue to be a favourite among investors, sources told Moneycontrol

Amazon cuts over 100 jobs in robotics division as it shifts warehouse automation strategy

Amazon has laid off over 100 employees in its robotics division as it restructures warehouse automation efforts, shelves the Blue Jay robot project, and shifts focus to a new modular system called Orbital.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health chatbot struggles to identify urgent medical cases, study reveals

A new study published in Nature Medicine finds that OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health chatbot may underestimate the severity of medical emergencies, raising concerns about relying on AI for medical triage and health advice.

OPINION | AI’s social costs India cannot ignore

India’s AI surge is racing ahead of its institutional readiness and labour reality. Unless policymakers confront the trade-offs now, the technology dividend could quickly become a social liability. The real disruption is not the algorithm itself but the capacity to absorb its consequences

Anthropic CEO slams OpenAI’s Pentagon deal as ‘safety theatre’

A bitter divide between two leading AI firms has spilled into public view, with Anthropic accusing OpenAI of compromising on safeguards in pursuit of a sweeping new US defence contract.

Ionic Wealth crosses $1 billion AUM, with laser focus on mid-level wealth customers

By leveraging AI, Ionic Wealth can serve the Rs 1 crore- Rs 25 crore segment, overlooked by private banking, co-founder Shobhit Mathur tells Moneycontrol

Goat Brand Labs puts Pepe innerwear business up for sale; XYXX and Damensch also feel the squeeze

Several players, from established brands like Jockey to new-age startups, are grappling with a tepid retail environment amid muted consumer demand in the category, industry stakeholders tell Moneycontrol

Google sued by family who claim Gemini AI pushed son toward suicide and violence

Google is facing its first wrongful death lawsuit over Gemini, after a Florida man died by suicide while allegedly trapped in AI-fuelled delusions involving a sentient chatbot and a fabricated conspiracy.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select review: A safe upgrade with smart choices

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select aims to deliver an affordable yet reliable 4K streaming experience in India. With HDR10+ support, Alexa voice control, and a familiar interface, it covers the basics well — but skips premium features that enthusiasts may expect.

The importance of being Anthropic

After taking the world by storm with additions to the Claude AI agent ecosystem just a month ago, the AI giant is confronted with some hurdles

Fino Payments Bank's digital transactions slide amid mounting regulatory heat

With its CEO under arrest and digital revenues halving over three quarters, the crisis-hit Fino Payments Bank has seen its UPI transaction value plunge 50% between November 2025 and January 2026.

Why the MacBook Neo could be Apple’s smartest Mac bet in years

Apple does not often leave obvious gaps in its lineup. But in the Mac range, one has lingered for years. With the MacBook Neo, the company may finally address the missing middle — and, in the process, pull a fresh wave of users deeper into its ecosystem.

Google overhauls Play Store policies: Lower app commissions, external billing, Third-party app stores

Google is lowering its app commissions to 20 percent and introducing a Registered App Store programme that makes installation of participating third-party app stores easier.

Apple MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M5: What you get for paying Rs 50,000 extra

Apple’s MacBook Neo with A18 Pro chip costs Rs 69,900 in India, while the MacBook Air M5 starts at Rs 1,19,900. Here is what buyers get for paying Rs 50,000 more.

Apple unveils new affordable MacBook Neo with A18 Pro processor, 13-Inch Liquid Retina display: Price, key features

Apple has introduced MacBook Neo, a new 13-inch laptop powered by the A18 Pro chip, featuring a Liquid Retina display, fanless design, and starting price of Rs 69,900.

India’s TWS market sees a mild growth in 2025, Q4 sees the biggest jump: Report

The TWS market in 2025 reportedly experienced muted growth last year with a modest 1% YoY shipment increase. However, in Q4, due to festive sales, 12% YoY growth was there, marking a recovery from the market’s first downturn.

OpenAI announces GPT-5.3 Instant with fewer refusals, improved accuracy and smoother conversations

OpenAI has introduced GPT-5.3 Instant, an update to its most-used ChatGPT model that aims to deliver smoother conversations, fewer unnecessary refusals, improved factual accuracy and better responses when using web information.

Elon Musk’s X spins off messaging into separate X Chat app

X has launched a standalone beta for its X Chat messaging app on iOS via TestFlight, marking a shift from its “everything app” strategy, with an Android version expected soon.

MacBook Air M5 vs MacbBook Air M4: How the two popular laptops compare

Apple has unveiled the MacBook Air M5 with improved performance, double base storage and faster connectivity, but no design changes. Here's what's changed and what remains the same

After Iran strikes, Google, OpenAI employees demand limits on military AI contracts

Hundreds of employees at Google, OpenAI and other tech firms have signed open letters demanding clearer limits on military AI contracts, following U.S. strikes on Iran and the Pentagon’s move against Anthropic.

OpenAI CEO admits military AI decisions rest with government, not company

In an all-hands meeting, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees the company does not control how the U.S. Department of Defense uses its AI, saying operational decisions lie with senior military leaders.

Post AI war videos without a label? X says creators will be banned from revenue sharing program

X will suspend creators from its revenue-sharing programme for 90 days if they post AI-generated armed conflict videos without disclosure, escalating efforts to curb misinformation during wartime.

Android users can now send live bag location to Air India via Google Find Hub

Google is expanding Find Hub with a feature that lets Android users share luggage locations directly with airlines including Air India, aiming to streamline baggage recovery and improve travel peace of mind.

OpenAI says GPT-5.3 Instant will reduce ChatGPT’s ‘cringe’ tone

OpenAI says its new GPT-5.3 Instant model will tone down ChatGPT’s overly reassuring language, aiming to reduce “cringe” responses and deliver more direct, context-appropriate answers after widespread user complaints.

Accenture buys Ookla-parent unit, Downdetector from Ziff Davis in $1.2 billion cash deal

The acquisition strengthens Accenture’s network intelligence and AI-led enterprise capabilities.

Apple introduces 27-Inch Studio Display XDR with 120Hz and Mini-LED backlight

Apple has introduced an updated Studio Display and an all-new Studio Display XDR, bringing Thunderbolt 5, improved camera and audio, mini-LED backlighting and up to 2000 nits HDR brightness to pro users.

Apple launches MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max, 24-hour battery and up to 128GB RAM

Apple has launched updated 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, delivering major AI gains, faster SSD speeds, higher memory bandwidth and up to 24 hours of battery life.

Apple unveils MacBook Air with M5, faster AI performance and 512GB base storage

Apple has introduced the MacBook Air with its new M5 chip, doubling base storage to 512GB, adding Wi-Fi 7, and promising significant AI and graphics gains while retaining its thin, fanless design.

Burger King launches new AI chatbot ‘Patty’ that keep track of employees’ ‘please’ and ‘thank you’

Burger King has introduced an AI chatbot called Patty that monitors employees’ use of polite phrases like “please” and “thank you” while assisting with operations across US restaurants.

‘Opportunistic and sloppy’: Sam Altman concedes OpenAI’s Pentagon deal was rushed

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the company “rushed” its Pentagon AI agreement and announced revisions to the deal to explicitly ban the intentional use of its technology for domestic surveillance and clarify other ethical limits. 

Find My explained: Track, lock and erase your Apple devices remotely

Apple’s Find My feature lets users track lost or stolen devices, share locations and even locate items offline. Here’s how to set it up properly — and use it when it matters most.

iQOO 15R is now available for purchase in India: Check price, discount details and more

iQOO 15R is now on sale in India starting at Rs 44,999 with a Rs 4,000 bank discount, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip and 7,600mAh battery.

Holi 2026: 5 WhatsApp features that can help you celebrate with friends and family

Holi 2026 is near. Here are five WhatsApp features, from Voice Chat to Status tools, that can help you plan, share and celebrate the festival with friends and family.

Internal emails show Meta’s focus on teen usage as app engagement climbed

Although Instagram has since introduced enhanced teen protections and parental controls, internal documents referenced in court suggest the company still aims to become the largest teen destination by monthly active users in the US and globally.

OPPO confirms global launch of Find X9 Ultra, expands ultra series beyond China

OPPO has confirmed the global launch of the Find X9 Ultra, its next flagship smartphone focused on advanced camera capabilities. More details about specs and availability are expected soon.

Australia may force Apple to remove AI apps without age checks

Australia is preparing to crack down on AI apps that lack age verification, potentially forcing Apple to remove non-compliant services from the App Store or face fines of up to $35 million.

Geopolitical risks and GPU arbitrage raise questions over IndiaAI Mission’s compute push

MeitY says there is no immediate sign of impact, but industry executives warn rising global chip prices could weaken incentives for firms to commit scarce GPUs to the national programme.

Planning to switch to Claude from ChatGPT: Here's how to make the move, transfer data and more

Users considering a move from ChatGPT to Claude can export chat history, transfer key preferences, enable memory in Claude, and permanently delete their ChatGPT account by following structured steps.

Playing Holi? 8 simple ways to keep your phone safe from water and colour

Holi lasts a day. Repair bills last longer. A little preparation means you can enjoy the festival — and still have a working phone when the colours wash off.

Elderly woman flooded with 100+ Amazon packages she never ordered

A 79-year-old woman in Illinois received over 100 Amazon packages she never ordered, raising safety concerns. Amazon has apologised and is investigating the mysterious deliveries.

Inside IIT Madras Brain Centre: How researchers are building a Google Earth for the human mind

Unlike most frontier neuroscience projects that rely primarily on state funding, this one has been built through a rare mix of philanthropy, corporate social responsibility funding, and government backing.

Apple plans to use Google Gemini AI to upgrade Siri with better privacy and performance

Apple is reportedly working with Google to use Gemini AI models for a smarter Siri upgrade. The move could improve performance, personalization, and privacy as Apple strengthens its AI strategy.

Claude down: Second outage in 24 hours as thousands report disruption in using popular AI tool

Claude suffered a second outage in less than 24 hours, disrupting users across the US and India, with thousands reporting issues across chat, app and web access.

Comparing iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: What’s new and what stays the same

Apple’s new iPhone 17e keeps the same starting price as the iPhone 16e but adds an A19 chip, more storage and improved wireless charging. Here’s how the two compare.

Anthropic expands Claude memory feature, makes it easy to switch from ChatGPT

Anthropic has expanded Claude’s memory feature to free users and introduced a new import tool, allowing people to transfer context and chat history from rival AI apps like ChatGPT and Gemini.