Archives February 2023

Airtel recently rolled out its 5G service in Haridwar. The telco has now further expanded its 5G reach. The telco has now rolled out the Airtel 5G Plus service in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.
The Airtel users present at the above-mentioned locations can now enjoy Airtel 5G Plus service on their smartphones. In order to access the 5G service users need to have a 5G-enabled smartphone. Airtel has not yet announced any new 5G plan, so users can use the Airtel 5G Plus service on their existing 4G plan. Users must also keep in mind that they don’t need a new SIM card to access 5G services. The existing 4G Airtel SIM is already 5G-enabled.
Commenting on the launch, Pushpinder Singh Gujral, CEO Upper North, Bharti Airtel said, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of Airtel 5G Plus in Chandigarh, Mohali & Panchkula. Airtel customers in these three cities can now experience ultrafast network and enjoy speeds upto 20-30 times faster than the current 4G speeds. We are in the process of lighting up all the cities which will allow customers to enjoy superfast access to High-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more.”
Airtel hiked the price of entry-level prepaid plans
A recent online report by Telecom Talk revealed that the service provider has increased the price of its entry-level prepaid plan in Maharashtra and Kerala. Airtel used to offer an entry-level plan of Rs 99. Now the entry-level plan of Airtel starts at Rs 155 in the above-mentioned telecom circles.
After revision, the entry-level prepaid plan of Airtel offers unlimited calling benefits and it is valid for a period of 24 days. Along with this, the plan also offers 1GB of total data and 300 free SMS.

Apple is expected to unveil its next generation of smartphone lineup, the iPhone 15 series in the second half of 2023. The rumours about the different models in the upcoming iPhone 15 series have already started making rounds on the internet. According to a report by 9to5Mac, 3D CAD files for the vanilla iPhone 15 model have revealed some of the features and design changes that the Cupertino-based tech giant might be planning for its next-generation smartphone. The report claims that Ian Zelbo converted these CADs files into initial renders which are now available on the internet.
Apple iPhone 15: What to expect
As per the latest renders, the vanilla iPhone 15 model is likely to adopt a Dynamic Island by replacing the notch. This feature was introduced by the company on the iPhone 14 Pro models which were launched in 2022. Dynamic Island includes an oval-shaped cutout at the top of the screen. The cut-out hides the front camera and Face ID sensors. The Dynamic Island feature is expected to be included in all four iPhone 14 models.
The latest renders also revealed that iPhone 15 will also adopt USB-Type C charging port. USB-C is not only more versatile and compatible (than Lightning) but can also support faster charging and data transfer speeds. However, the company may retain its classic dual camera setup for the standard iPhone models and keep the triple camera and LiDAR setup exclusive to the Pro models.

iPhone 15 is also speculated to have a new display size of 6.2 inches. This size is slightly bigger than the latest base models of iPhones. The report didn’t reveal the display resolution and refresh rate of the display which is rumoured to remain the same as the iPhone 14.
Moreover, the capacitive buttons are also likely to be restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro models. The base models are expected to have physical buttons like previous iPhones. The details in the report seem to be aligned with a supposed iPhone 15 model that was leaked on Twitter recently. The report also didn’t outline any other details about the price, colour or specs of the iPhone 15.

Popular ride sharing service Uber has revamped its app with a host of new features. The new features are first being rolled out on the iOS version of the app and will soon come to Android as well. Here are some of them:
New look homescreen
According to Uber, the homescreen experience has been simplified to help riders book trips more easily, with fewer taps, right from the get-go. Users can also access the new Services tab, which is a hub for all things on Twitter — from a nearby Moto to Auto, Intercity, Rentals, Reserve, Connect and more. The new “Activity Hub” helps keep track of past and upcoming rides all in one place.
Ride features
The new Uber app makes it easier to booking favourites – you can see ride types, locations, and more. Further, upon tapping “where to?” on the homescreen, “Saved Places” will appear for each rider, and the app will suggest a list of personalised destinations and ride types based on preferences, past trips, and most likely destinations. The app will also share personalised recommendations for ways to plan travel and save, based on how each rider uses Uber, according to Uber
For instance, if a user often takes the Uber Auto, it is likely that it will be the first option they see on the app. There will also be suggestions regarding other affordable options.
Live Activities come to Uber
Those who have the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max can make use of the Dynamic Island. Now, with Live Activities on the lock screen, riders can easily track the live progress of their ride and receive critical updates like vehicle details, the latest ETA information, and trip status – all on the Lock Screen without opening the app.
Do keep in mind that riders will need to ensure their device is up to date with the latest available software, and the latest version of the Uber app to experience the redesigned app and its new features.

Airtel is busy expanding its 5G services in the country. Now in order to showcase the 5G service, the telco has created 5G experience zones across all its retail stores in the country. The service provider is demonstrating the power of 5G via these specially curated zones. All these 1000+ stores will have specially trained executives who will not only demonstrate use cases but will also answer all 5G-related questions along with Airtel’s own offerings.
Commenting on the launch, Shashwat Sharma, director – consumer business, Bharti Airtel said, “Customer obsession continues to be the core tenet driving us at Airtel. We heard from our customers about their curiosity and desire to experience the new technology, as the networks get rolled out. The Demo zones in our stores will provide first-hand experience of Airtel 5G Plus and the potential it holds to transform the lives of our customers. I am certain, the customers will love the experience provided here, as we construct our network across the length and breadth of the country”.

Airtel claims that it was the first company to launch 5G services in the country and today its services are available across 20 states. The company is rolling out its services in a phased manner and continues to construct its network in the country. Customers with 5G-enabled devices will enjoy a high-speed Airtel 5G Plus network at no extra cost until the rollout is more widespread as the existing data plan works on 5G.
Airtel hiked the price of its prepaid plans
Recently, an online report revealed that Airtel has hiked the price of its entry-level prepaid plans. As reported by Telecom Talk, Airtel has increased the price of its entry-level prepaid plan in Maharashtra and Kerala regions. The telco has increased the price of the Rs 99 prepaid plan to Rs 155 per month. The plan offers unlimited local and STD calling, 1GB of data and 300 SMS. The plan comes with a validity of 24 days.

Samsung has announced a new secured and standardised 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN) modem technology. The technology will enable direct communication between smartphones and satellites. The company is planning to integrate this technology into its Exynos modem solutions. The company claims that this integration will accelerate the process of commercialization of 5G satellite communications.
“This milestone builds on our rich legacy in wireless communications technologies, following the introduction of the industry’s first commercial 4G LTE modem in 2009 and the industry’s first 5G modem in 2018. Samsung aims to take the lead in advancing hybrid terrestrial-NTN communications ecosystems around the world in preparation for the arrival of 6G”, said Min Goo Kim, Executive Vice President of CP (Communication Processor) Development at Samsung Electronics.
What is Non-Terrestrial Networks technology?
NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) is a communications technology that uses satellites and other non-terrestrial vehicles to bring connectivity to regions that were previously unreachable by terrestrial networks, whether over mountains, across deserts or in the middle of the ocean. It will also be critical in assuring operability in disaster areas and powering future urban air mobility (UAM) such as unmanned aircraft and flying cars.
Samsung claims that its NTN technology will help ensure interoperability and scalability among services offered by global telecom carriers, mobile device makers and chip companies.

Samsung revealed that it has developed and simulated the 5G NTN standard-based satellite technology using its Exynos Modem 5300 reference platform to accurately predict satellite locations and minimize frequency offsets caused by the Doppler shift. Based on this technology, Samsung’s future Exynos modems will support two-way text messaging as well as high-definition image and video sharing.
Meanwhile, Samsung also launched its Exynos 1380 and Exynos 1330 chipsets. Both the new SoCs are based on the 5nm process and offer support for FHD+ display. The chipsets are designed to support up to 200MP cameras and are capable of recording 4K videos at 30fps.

If you’re already a Wordle addict then Quordle could be your next must-play game. This spin-off takes the familiar Wordle format and makes it harder by giving you four puzzles to solve simultaneously. 

As you might imagine, it’s hard – particularly today! So if you already find yourself searching for Wordle clues, you’ll probably need some for Quordle too.

Bing Chat, the ChatGPT-infused search engine preview that’s all the rage is now on your iPhone and Android phones where I found it just as wild an experience as it is on the desktop.

Actually, it’s wilder. Unlike the desktop, mobile ChatGPT Bing has the added special ingredient of a voice. That’s right, Bing speaks to you. There is some irony here that the most interesting thing Microsoft has done in years is also a moment to reflect on the company’s last Quixotic foray into voice-enabled assistants: Cortana.

Generative AI software like — Midjourney, Dall-E and ChatGPT has witnessed a meteoric rise in the past few months. Meanwhile, a US agency has enclosed its decision on the scope of acquiring copyright protection for the works created with AI. According to a report by Reuters, the US Copyright Office has said that the images of a graphic novel were created by an artificial intelligence system named Midjourney and these images should not have been granted copyright protection.
A graphic novel with AI-created images
“Zarya of the Dawn” is a graphic novel which is authored by Kris Kashtanova. As per the letter from the copyright office, Kashtanova is entitled to copyright the parts of the book she wrote and arranged. However, the images produced by Midjourney shouldn’t have been granted copyright.
The US-based office has also mentioned that it would reissue its registration for “Zarya of the Dawn”. The agency claims that the author should exclude the images that “are not the product of human authorship” and therefore cannot be copyrighted.
Kris Kashtanova’s reaction
The US Copyright Office’s decision to allow copyright protection for the novel’s story and the way the images were arranged was “great news”, claims Kashtanova. She also mentioned that the decision “covers a lot of uses for the people in the AI art community.”
Kashtanova is considering the best ways to press ahead with the argument that the images were a “direct expression of my creativity and therefore copyrightable,” the report claims
Midjourney’s reaction
Midjourney is an AI-based tool that can produce images based on the text prompts entered by users. Kashtanova wrote the text of the novel “Zarya of the Dawn,” while Midjourney created the book’s images based on prompts.
Meanwhile, Midjourney general counsel Max Stills suggested that the decision was “a great victory for Kris, Midjourney, and artists.” Stills also mentioned that the Copyright Office is “clearly saying that if an artist exerts creative control over an image generating tool like Midjourney …the output is protectable.”

In October 2022, the Copyright Office told Kashtanova that it would reconsider the book’s copyright registration because the application did not disclose Midjourney’s role. Later, the office said that it would only grant copyright protection for the book’s text and the way Kashtanova selected and arranged its elements. However, it also mentioned that Kashtanova was not the “mastermind” behind the images themselves.
The letter from the US Copyright Office also said, “The fact that Midjourney’s specific output cannot be predicted by users makes Midjourney different for copyright purposes than other tools used by artists,”

The age-appropriate design code also known as the children’s code laid down by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) outlines 15 standards that online services need to follow. This ensures that the apps and services that are aimed towards kids are complying with their obligations to protect children’s data online under the data protection law. According to a report by Independent, new research conducted by the consumer group Comparitech has discovered that nearly 25% of apps that are aimed at children on the Google Play store don’t comply with ICO’s age-appropriate design code.
During the research, the group studied 400 children’s apps available on the app store. The research found that nearly one in four apps violated the ICO’s guidelines in multiple ways and most of them did it by collecting the personal data of kids. Moreover, the apps that were collecting data also didn’t have a “comprehensive, child-specific privacy policy in place,” the report adds. Comparitech claimed that it conducted the study by choosing 50 apps from each of the individual app categories within the Google Play Store tab that is available for children.
Google Play apps collecting data from children’s apps in the UK
As per the research, most of the apps that were found to be violating the code were collecting the user’s IP addresses. However, in some cases, more data like the user’s name, address, online contact information, telephone number, or geolocation was found to be collected by some apps. The study also found that all the apps that were found violating the code were graded as “expert approved” by Google.
Read what Comparitech has to say
Rebecca Moody, the head of data research at Comparitech said, “Almost 25% of the apps we reviewed were found to violate the ICO’s guidelines in some way. The vast majority collected some kind of personal data without a clear and comprehensive section on children’s data protection within their privacy policy. Perhaps even more concerning was that 5.5% of the apps we reviewed claimed not to be targeted toward children, despite being featured within the child-specific section on Google Play and sometimes featuring the word ‘kids’ in the app name.”

Read what UK’s ICO has to say
Another spokesperson from ICO said, “The children’s code makes clear that children are not like adults online, and their data needs greater protections. We want children to be online, learning, playing and experiencing the world, but with the right protections in place to do so that reflect their best interests. All online services likely to be accessed by children must conform with the children’s code to be compliant with data protection legislation. It applies to all companies who will process data on UK children. We will investigate when evidence suggests that online services are not complying with their responsibilities to protect children outlined by the code or wider data protection law.”
Google’s reply to Comparitech’s study
While replying to the research, Google revealed that it is investigating the study’s methodology and findings of the report. A person from the tech giant said, “Google Play takes the protection of children on its platform seriously. Play has policies and processes in place to help protect children on our platform and has invested significant resources into related features. Apps that target children must comply with our Google Play families policy, which requires developers to adhere to all relevant laws and all of Play’s developer programme policies, plus imposes additional privacy, monetisation and content restrictions like prohibiting access to precise location data. Developers are responsible for ensuring their apps are compliant with all relevant laws and appropriate for their target audiences, including children.”

According to a report by Counterpoint Research, the global smartwatch market shipments grew 12% YoY in 2022 due to the strong YoY growth witnessed in the first three quarters. However, the shipments fell 2% YoY in Q4, 2022 because of inflationary pressures and slow India growth.
Reason for the growth in global smartwatch market
The Counterpoint report adds that price polarisation in demand is the main reason behind this growth. “Shipments in the mid-price range decreased while those in the >$400 and ≤$100 segments increased 129% and 34%, respectively, compared to the previous year”, adds the report.
The report also suggests that Apple strongly drove the average selling price (ASP) rise in the global smartwatch market in 2022. “There are two main reasons for this ASP rise – a diversified Apple smartwatch line-up and a rise in the exchange rate. This year, Apple released its first premium model, Ultra, at a release price of $799 in the US. “
Apart from this the low-price band smartwatch market also expanded with the remarkable growth of India’s market.
Here’s how the companies performed
Apple’s shipments increased by 17% YoY as the Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra and SE 2022 enjoyed strong sales. For the first time, the annual shipments also increased by 50 million.
The second spot in the global smartwatch market is captured by Samsung as its shipments increased by 12%. The company witnessed positive sales of its newly launched Galaxy Watch 5 series. Huawei sits in the third position as its market share fell 1%p YoY due to the Chinese smartwatch market losing momentum to India in 2022.
The fourth and fifth positions are captured by Indian manufacturers Noise and Fire-Boltt. The two brands surpassed 5% of the global market share and performed very well in the home market.