Tech

WhatsApp is testing username reservation and four-digit keys in its Android beta, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers. Alongside AI features and call scheduling, Meta plans message limits for non-responding contacts to curb spam and improve privacy.

In a landmark study, ISRO has confirmed the first-ever direct observation of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun impacting the Moon’s exosphere. The findings, published in Geophysical Research Letters, offer vital insights for future lunar missions and the design of sustainable human habitats on the Moon.

The 25th anniversary of England’s Kew Millennium Seed Bank gives us the opportunity to see how humanity future proofs the planet — from agriculture to culture

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday described data as “the new oil” while highlighting India’s strides in 5G rollout, AI innovation, and digital infrastructure at the NDTV Word Summit. He said India aims for Aatmanirbharta in technology and critical minerals.

As the world marks World Anaesthesia Day, Hyderabad’s pivotal contribution to the evolution of anaesthesia is being remembered. In the late 19th century, under the patronage of the Nizam, British surgeon Dr Edward Lawrie led groundbreaking chloroform trials that reshaped global medical consensus.

Billion Hearts launches PicSee, the world’s first AI-powered mutual photo-sharing app, introducing a “Give to Get” concept. Users receive unseen photos taken by friends automatically, while privacy-first encryption ensures photos remain on-device, unseen by anyone else.

Bharti Airtel has partnered with IBM to enhance Airtel Cloud, offering AI-ready infrastructure and IBM Power Systems as-a-Service. The collaboration enables Indian enterprises in regulated industries to scale workloads across hybrid cloud, edge, and multi-cloud environments.

A global study finds 66% of workers rely on AI at work without verifying its output, contributing to rising "workslop" — low-quality, AI-generated content. Experts urge better AI literacy, transparency, and governance to prevent errors, wasted time, and trust erosion

Reliance Jio has introduced India’s first safety-centric mobile phone under its JioBharat series, aimed at protecting vulnerable users from digital threats. Unveiled at IMC 2025, the budget handset features real-time tracking, content filtering, and health monitoring, making it ideal for children, women, and senior citizens.

LG Electronics India unveils the Essential Series, a new line of home appliances designed for Indian households. The series combines durability, thoughtful design, and performance, including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and convertible ovens tailored for local needs.

HCLTech becomes the first global technology partner to join GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, aiming to accelerate programmable network adoption and unlock new revenue opportunities for CSPs worldwide. The collaboration emphasizes AI, integration, and industry-specific solutions.

PhonePe has announced a 2% cashback (up to Rs 2,000) on 24K Digital Gold purchases worth Rs 2,000 or more this Dhanteras. The offer, valid on October 18, allows users to buy gold from MMTC-PAMP, SafeGold, and Caratlane through the PhonePe app.

Canon India showcased its most advanced video ecosystem at the Broadcast India Show 2025 in Mumbai, featuring the India debut of EOS C50, immersive production zones, and technology collaborations empowering creators, filmmakers, and broadcasters with next-generation imaging solutions.

A new Zoom-commissioned study shows that while India’s AI-native generation welcomes AI for productivity and efficiency, 74% still prefer access to human agents in service interactions, underscoring growing demands for data privacy, accuracy, and empathetic digital experiences.

Samsung India recorded its highest-ever festive sales across premium smartphones, televisions, and home appliances during Navratri. Premium Galaxy AI smartphone sales rose 40%, television sales doubled, and home appliances grew 30%, driven by GST cuts, festive deals, and improved sentiment.

SpaceX launched its 11th full-scale Starship test flight from Texas, aiming to release mock satellites and land in the Indian Ocean. The mission tested maneuvers for future moon and Mars missions, critical for NASA’s upcoming lunar landing goals

After Webb's launch, Australian scientists used a unique instrument, AMI, to diagnose and correct image distortions. Their new method restored clarity, revealing hidden planets and black hole jets, and enhancing Webb’s potential to find Earth-like worlds beyond our galaxy

Researchers have reversed Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice using bioactive nanoparticles that restore blood-brain barrier function. The therapy rapidly cleared toxic amyloid-beta and improved behavior, highlighting vascular health as a promising new target for human Alzheimer’s treatments.

A new study explores “heartbeat consumption” — a metaphorical idea of managing daily heartbeats like a budget. While not a proven health metric yet, it highlights how heart rate patterns can reflect physical, emotional, and overall cardiovascular well-being

The Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) has launched a Policy Secretariat in Delhi NCR to promote structured engagement with government bodies, shape pro-innovation policies, and support the growth of India’s fast-evolving video games industry.

Amazon Pay has launched ‘UPI Circle,’ a new feature that allows users to add family members or trusted contacts for instant, secure UPI payments with spending limits. The company also announced smartwatch-based payments using biometric authentication and device encryption.

HCLTech has been recognized by TIME magazine in two flagship rankings — World’s Best Companies 2025 and World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025. It emerged as the highest-ranked India-headquartered technology firm and one of the top 20 global professional services companies.

Amazon Fresh has expanded its services to more than 270 cities across India, increasing its reach by 4.5 times in two years. The platform now offers over 40,000 products and saw 40% YoY growth during the first two days of AGIF 2025.

The Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025 has recorded strong sales growth across Telangana, with Hyderabad leading demand for premium TVs, kitchen appliances, and silver coins. The platform’s “Diwali Special” deals are now live, offering massive discounts across multiple categories.