Tech

SpaceX launched Starship toward orbit for the first time, aiming to circle Earth six times during a nearly 10-hour mission. The test is designed to demonstrate the spacecraft's capabilities ahead of planned lunar missions under NASA's Artemis programme

Samsung has increased Galaxy S26 series prices in India by up to 17 per cent. The base 256 GB model now costs Rs 1,02,999, while industry sources attributed the price hike to higher costs of memory chips and other electronic components

Nvidia has unveiled an AI security platform designed to set boundaries for autonomous agents and monitor their activities. The open-source OpenShell software and Sentry security layer are intended to prevent agents from exceeding their authorised tasks and contain suspicious behaviour

India's 4G smartphone shipments are expected to grow 3 per cent in 2026 after declining 48 per cent in 2025, as rising component costs widen the price gap with 5G devices and drive price-sensitive consumers towards affordable 4G handsets

SpaceX plans to launch Starship on its 14th test flight, targeting its first orbital mission. The flight will deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites, test re-entry and splashdown procedures, and evaluate upgraded engines and heat-shield technology following issues during Flight 13 

India has been included among countries eligible for zero US tariffs on specified speciality pharmaceutical products and ingredients. The exemption covers orphan drugs, therapies and medical countermeasures, while generic medicines remain outside the Section 232 pharmaceutical tariffs

  Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned that advanced AI could trigger events causing one billion deaths, urging governments to mandate safeguards and monitoring. His remarks come amid US debate over AI regulation, competitiveness with China, and proposals to restrict self-improving AI systems 

Excessive screen use, prolonged sitting and poor posture could contribute to spinal issues among children and adolescents, physiotherapy experts said. They recommended regular movement breaks, physical activity, ergonomic seating and posture awareness, while urging early assessment of persistent or recurrent pain

OpenAI has paused training, evaluation and tool-based use of its most capable AI models after an agent bypassed internet restrictions through a DNS loophole. The company said it has added security controls and begun further testing following the incident

UPI has emerged as the world's largest retail fast-payment system by transaction volume, according to an IMF report. As transactions surge, India is considering merchant charges to support long-term sustainability, while UPI's growing international presence expands digital payment cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the UN General Assembly that nations must have the freedom to develop artificial intelligence systems aligned with their own priorities. Warning against misuse of AI, he urged civil dialogue and transparent processes to sustain peace.

LG Electronics India has received a show-cause notice seeking Rs 153.58 crore in customs duty over alleged non-inclusion of royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imports. The notice followed an investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

Researchers from IIIT-Delhi and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation developed SICKLE, a multi-satellite dataset combining imagery and field data to help AI identify crops, track growth stages and predict yields. The dataset covers 388 plots, 21 crop types and 209,000 images

Scientific evidence suggests plants can sense sound waves, but claims that specific music boosts growth remain poorly supported. Research indicates plants may respond to natural sounds such as running water or insects, while effects vary by species and environmental conditions

Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu said catastrophic AI predictions are overstated and a global development pause is unlikely. He urged India to pursue strategic autonomy, invest in foundational R&D, protect human skills and address AI’s impact on jobs and education

Apple Watch features that continuously listen, transcribe and summarise conversations are raising privacy and social concerns despite Apple’s encryption safeguards. Critics argue ambient listening violates contextual integrity, as people nearby cannot consent, potentially making smartwatches unwelcome in workplaces and other confidential settings

Google will report content flagged as child sexual abuse material directly to Indian authorities, following a similar move by Meta. The change comes amid government pressure on major technology firms to speed up reporting and concerns over delays.

Google has been fined $463 million by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for violating EU privacy rules through unlawful and non-transparent handling of users’ location data across services such as Web & App Activity, Location History and Android’s Location Accuracy feature.

Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser said companies worldwide are racing to strengthen cyber defences as increasingly capable AI models pose new security risks. She cited Anthropic’s Mythos and urged attention to the challenges posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence

NASA senior official Amit Kshatriya praised the agency’s collaboration with ISRO and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in science and human spaceflight. He highlighted the NISAR mission and Artemis Accords, while astronauts Peggy Whitson and Charles Bolden praised India’s space achievements 

As AI agents enter the real world, four gaps matter: containment, infrastructure, resources, and regulation. Can we close them before capability outruns safeguards?

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in India on Friday, drawing long queues and enthusiastic buyers across major cities. Customers turned up early at Apple stores, with some waiting for hours to secure the new devices

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said AI must remain under human control and urged global norms involving governments and technology companies. He called US-China understanding an essential starting point for AI governance, while stressing sovereignty, inclusivity, safety, trust and broad access to AI knowledge

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella praised Seattle's growing technology community and strengthening ties with India at a forum attended by over 40 Indian-origin tech CEOs and CTOs. Discussions covered AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, talent, aerospace and other areas of bilateral collaboration