Tech

AI-powered holograms of Vijay are transforming election campaigns in Tamil Nadu, enabling virtual outreach and immersive voter engagement, as political parties adopt advanced technology to enhance visibility, strategy, and appeal ahead of Assembly elections

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts safely splashed down in the Pacific after a historic 10-day mission around the Moon, marking humanity’s return to deep space after over 50 years and paving the way for future lunar exploration missions.

Google has introduced notebooks in the Gemini app, enabling users to organise chats, files and sources in one place. The feature syncs with NotebookLM, enhancing productivity through streamlined workflows and improved access to contextual information across platforms.

Samsung has expanded its One UI 8.5 beta programme to more Galaxy devices, including the S23 series and foldables. The update introduces improved cross-platform file sharing via Quick Share, with rollout underway in India and other select markets.

Indian Space Research Organisation successfully conducted the second air drop test for the Gaganyaan mission at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, validating crew module recovery systems crucial for India’s first human spaceflight planned next year

NASA’s Artemis II mission is nearing completion after astronauts travelled farther than any humans in history during a lunar flyby. The Orion spacecraft is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, marking a milestone in humanity’s return to deep-space exploration.

Pokémon Champions launches on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 with Mega Evolutions, new Abilities, and cross-platform play. Players can claim Dragonite and Mega Stones, participate in tournaments, and battle globally, blending classic Pokémon strategy with fresh gameplay.

Google, in partnership with Back Market, launches ChromeOS Flex USB Kit to modernize PCs and Macs reaching Windows 10 end-of-support. The free, energy-efficient OS extends device life, reduces e-waste, and makes older computers fast, secure, and sustainable.

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are increasingly replacing traditional web searches. From drafting emails and generating content to everyday shopping and health queries, AI is becoming an integral part of daily life and personal productivity.

For Gen Z, accessories are more than add-ons — they are expressions of identity. From bag charms to colourful earbuds, technology is increasingly merging with fashion, shaping how young consumers present themselves and connect with peers.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals received US Food and Drug Administration approval for generic progesterone vaginal inserts, equivalent to Endometrin, boosting its women’s healthcare portfolio and expanding presence in the US fertility treatment market

Global semiconductor revenue is expected to exceed $1.3 trillion in 2026, driven by surging demand for AI processing, data centre infrastructure and rising memory prices, according to Gartner, which predicts the industry’s fastest growth in more than two decades.

The first quarter of 2026 has seen massive layoffs across global tech and multinational companies, with over 61,000 jobs lost worldwide, including thousands in India. Oracle led the cuts with 30,000 jobs, followed by Amazon, Dell, Block Inc., Epic Games, and Salesforce.

Artemis II brings a sense of collective purpose to a divided world, rekindling scientific curiosity and expanding the horizons of knowledge

Scientists from Paul Scherrer Institute and University College London developed bioactive nanoparticles that cleared toxic proteins in mice, reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms and restoring cognition, offering a potential shift toward vascular repair-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases

An Australian-led study published in Nature found evidence of rare exploding stars called pair-instability supernovae, revealing a “forbidden gap” in black hole masses and offering new insights into how massive stars end their lives

NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission have launched ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana to provide structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs. This rollout builds on AIM’s national mission of nurturing one of the world’s largest student innovation ecosystems.

Snapchat has reaffirmed its focus on authentic, user-generated content on Spotlight following an April Fools’ prank. The platform plans to reduce AI-driven and syndicated posts while highlighting strong growth in creators, engagement, and user activity, particularly in the US.

Google has introduced a feature allowing Gmail users in the US to change their username without losing data. The update requires developers using Google Sign-In to review authentication systems to prevent account duplication and ensure seamless user access.

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts shared striking images of Earth as their spacecraft travelled towards the Moon. The mission, the first crewed lunar journey in more than 50 years, will see the crew swing around the Moon before returning to Earth.

Google has introduced Gemma 4, its most advanced open AI model family, featuring improved reasoning, multimodal capabilities and support for agentic workflows. Released under an Apache 2.0 license, it enables developers to build and deploy AI applications efficiently across devices.

Iranian drone strikes targeting commercial data centres in the UAE and Bahrain mark a new phase in warfare, highlighting the strategic importance of cloud infrastructure. The attacks disrupted services and raised concerns over the vulnerability of AI-driven systems and global technology networks

India has 8.52 million tonnes of rare earth resources but remains dependent on imports due to low-grade deposits, regulatory limits and lack of processing capacity. The government is promoting domestic magnet manufacturing through incentives and infrastructure development

NASA launched the Artemis II mission from Florida, sending four astronauts on the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years. The mission will test Orion’s deep-space capabilities and pave the way for future lunar landings and eventual human missions to Mars.