Monday, November 25
Ketan Patel, the COO of HP's global personal systems division, discussed the potential of foldable PCs, the Envy Move, and the Indian market in a recent interview. Patel believes that while foldable devices are still in their early stages, there is significant potential in India, especially among high-net-worth individuals and tech enthusiasts. He also mentioned that the Envy Move would be a good fit for Indian homes with limited space. Additionally, Patel highlighted the partnership with Google for Chromebooks and the growing market for these devices in India. He emphasized that India is a strategic growth market for HP and will continue to contribute to its global revenues.
An annular solar eclipse is set to occur on October 14, visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Brazil. However, it will not be visible in India. The eclipse will begin at 8:34 PM and end at 2:25 AM according to Time and Date. Other regions where the eclipse will be partially visible include West Africa, North America, South America, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic.
Google and Samsung are trying to convince Apple to adopt RCS (Rich Communication Services) through their #GetTheMessage campaign. RCS is the next generation of SMS, allowing users to share rich content like photos and videos. Google and Samsung want Apple to adopt RCS to offer seamless messaging capabilities and bridge the gap between Android and iOS ecosystems. Apple is resistant, but may be compelled to adopt RCS due to the EU's investigation into iMessage as a "core platform service.
Four executives of Chinese smartphone maker Vivo, including one Chinese national, have been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. The arrests are related to a case where the company's offices were raided by the country's financial crime agency and accused of money laundering. Last year, the ED blocked bank accounts linked to Vivo's India business.
Samsung has introduced its latest range of Bespoke refrigerators, including double door models. The Bespoke Premium Cotta model offers a vintage design and a Convertible 5-in-1 feature for flexible storage. The Bespoke Glass model comes with SmartThings AI Energy mode to monitor and optimize energy usage. The refrigerators feature Twin Cooling Plus technology for longer freshness and less food wastage. They are priced between Rs 30,500 and Rs 57,800 and will be available in various capacities across India. The new range aims to provide convenience, style, and sustainability in everyday living.
Bumble has launched a limited edition 'Cricket Fan' badge in India to help users express their love for cricket and potentially connect with others. According to a recent study by Bumble, a majority of Indians surveyed believe that cricket matches are perfect for dates, and they actively seek partners with an interest in sports. Bumble has also updated its Community Guidelines to promote authentic, respectful connections and crack down on inappropriate behavior. The company blocked over 8.2 million accounts in 2023 for violating these guidelines.
US online holiday sales are predicted to reach $221.8 billion this year, with a 4.8% YoY growth, according to Adobe. The report suggests that discounts will be at record levels, with the biggest deals expected in categories such as toys, electronics, and apparel. Additionally, the use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment methods is expected to increase, driving $17 billion in spending. Shopping on mobile devices is also predicted to surpass desktop, accounting for 51.2% of online spending. Cyber Monday is projected to be the biggest shopping day, with $12 billion in sales.
Twitter CEO has confirmed that the platform is testing three tiers of premium service, potentially paving the way for a subscription model that charges users different amounts based on the number of ads shown. Elon Musk first mentioned the idea of a subscription fee to combat bots on the platform, with the aim of making bot creators pay for every bot they make.
Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy SmartTag2, a competitor to Apple's AirTag. The second generation tracker offers improved features such as Ultra Wide Band (UWB) support and a Lost Mode that allows users to input their contact information. It also includes an improved Compass View feature and a pet walking mode. The battery life has been upgraded, and the design has been made more compact and ring-shaped. The SmartTag2 will be available for sale starting from October 11.
Microsoft Translator has added support for 20 more Indian languages, bringing the total to 23. This includes major languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu, covering about 95% of the country's population. The update is expected to impact around 61 million people, particularly those in regions where languages such as Bhojpuri, Bodo, Dogri, and Kashmiri are spoken. The expansion aims to empower India's diverse communities through technology access, improve education and literacy, enhance communication, and create economic opportunities for local artisans and businesses.
