Archives February 2023

The 17th India Digital Summit (IDS 2023) was inaugurated by Mr Sanjay Gupta, Country Head and VP, Google India, and Chairman, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), on February 20-21, 2023.
In his opening address, Mr Gupta noted that India presents a unique opportunity for technology solutions that can surmount the country’s vast disparities and have the potential to succeed anywhere in the world. He cited the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as an example of how Indian companies can use their unique crucible to power an Atmanirbhar Bharat and a Bharat-Nirbhar Vishwa.
Mr Gupta announced that IAMAI was working with the National Security Council Secretariat to launch ICAMPS, an integrated system to secure mobile devices and data. He also unveiled the Founders’ Club, which will enable tenured entrepreneurs to mentor younger ones and foster a legacy of entrepreneurship.
The theme of the 17th IDS is ‘Amrit Kaal: Digital India@100’, which refers to an age where progress is equitable, and everyone can benefit equally from prosperity and growth. Mr Gupta emphasised the need for collaboration, thoughtfulness, and active participation in policy conversations for the Indian tech sector. He added that the industry must prioritise safety, privacy, and equity as defaults in its charters, not as mere compliance requirements.
The IDS is India’s largest and oldest digital conference and brings together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and subject matter experts across more than 60 sessions. The event features over 150 speakers, over 500 digital brands, and over 3,000 delegates. The conference will focus on the digital landscape across various sectors, including fintech, e-commerce & D2C, entertainment, health tech, online gaming, advertising, and logistics. The summit will conclude with the announcement of the winners of the India Digital Awards in 57 categories.
Mr Gupta’s opening address at the 17th IDS highlights the potential for Indian technology companies to create solutions that can surmount the country’s vast disparities and succeed globally. The event provides a platform for policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and subject matter experts to discuss the digital landscape across various sectors and pave the way for India to become an economic powerhouse.

Panasonic has launched its new hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera — Lumix S5II — in India. The latest hybrid camera expands the company’s Lumix S series lineup and packs a new Phase Hybrid auto-focus and built-in image stabilisation system that claims to deliver high-resolution images and videos.
Lumix S5II mirrorless camera: Price and availability
Lumix S5II full-frame mirrorless camera body is priced at Rs 1,94,990. The Lumix S5II with Lumix 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lens is priced at Rs 2,24,990 and Lumix S5II combo kit at Rs 2,44,990 with Lumix 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Lens and Lumix S 50mm F1.8 Lens. Lumix S5II will be available across Lumix Lounges, Panasonic Lumix 4K Zones and dealer network across India at Rs 2,44,990.
Lumix S5II mirrorless camera: Features
Lumix S5II comes with a newly developed 24-megapixl 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with Phase detection auto-focus system with around 2x faster signal processing for high-bit rate video recording. The company has also parterned with Leica to bring a new imaging engine to the camera.
The LUMIX S5II and S5IIX contain 14+ stop V-Log/V-Gamut capture to deliver a high dynamic range and broad colors. The cameras come with an additional function of real-time LUT, that enables colour grading on the videos and photos in camera by applying the LUT(.VLT/.cube) saved in the SD card.
The LUMIX S5II and S5IIX cameras come with built-in mage stabilisation system for wide-ranging shooting conditions and situations. The cameras also provide secure and stable connection not only with a smartphone/tablet but also with other devices on location for smooth remote control with Wi-Fi 5GHz support in addition to 2.4GHz.
The LUMIX S5II and S5IIX can be a choice of serious videographers. Adoption of new engine provides the LUMIX S5II and S5IIX with high video performance even comparable with LUMIX S1H. They provide 4:2:0 10-bit 6K (17:9 or 3:2) / 5.9K (16:9), unlimited 4:2:2 10-bit C4K/4K recording capability*1. With a new heat-dispersion mechanism, there is no limit in recording time due to overheating issue*2. HFR (High Frame Rate) in C4K/4K (48p), FHD (120p), Slow & Quick motion in C4K/4K(1-60fps) / FHD(1-180fps) are also available.
The LUMIX S5II and S5IIX contain 14+ stop V-Log/V-Gamut capture to deliver a high dynamic range and broad colors. V-Log renders a very flat image while maintaining all of the colour information within the image. Plus, a real-time LUT function is provided to enable colour grading on the compatible video and photo in camera by applying the LUT(.VLT/.cube) saved in the SD card. The camera can shoot up to 4K60p interval shooting and 4K HDR videos. In additon, the cameras also come with video assist functions such as Waveform Monitor, Vector Scope and Zebra Pattern are available. Some features offered on the S1H and GH6 such as System Frequency (24.00Hz), Synchro Scan, Fan mode and redesigned control panel which enables quick selection of menu are also available on the LUMIX S5II and S5IIX.
The cameras also support 48kHz/24bit audio using built-in microphone and external microphone. Along with that, users can also record 96kHz/24bit audio using external and XLR microphone.
The LUMIX S5IIX is capable of All-Intra, ProRes recording on SSD via USB. It also features wired/wireless IP streaming function and USB tethering. Moreover, Apple ProRes RAW recording is possible by HDMI RAW output to Atomos Ninja V+ monitor recorder on the LUMIX S5IIX. The ProRes RAW output to Atomos Ninja V+ monitor recorder will also be supported on the LUMIX S5II with a future firmware update.

Lt Gen (Retd.) Dr Rajesh Pant, AVSM, VSM National Cyber Security Coordinator, National Security Council Secretariat of India, Government of India, has emphasized the need for companies to invest more than 10% of their information technology assets in cybersecurity, as the number of internet users is expected to reach 25 billion by the end of 2023, with the advent of 5G technology.
Speaking at the 17th India Digital Summit, organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in partnership with Google and MessageBird, Dr Pant emphasized that cybersecurity must never be compromised and that companies must invest in security to meet the challenges of the future.
Dr Pant also discussed the ‘splinternet’ concept, where lack of cooperation between nations has led to cybercriminals taking advantage of the absence of international laws and regulations, making it difficult for agencies to solve cybercrimes. According to Dr Pant, cybercrime is the biggest man-made risk to the economic progress of a nation, with a total loss of approximately $6 trillion last year.
Regarding India’s role in dealing with cybercrime, Dr Pant highlighted the National Counter Ransomware Task Force created under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre that handles the cybercrime portal cybercrime.gov.in, where cybercrimes can be reported, and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), which has approximately 580 people who monitor and predict cyber threats. Dr. Pant also identified seven critical sectors, including power and telecom, with two of them being supercritical.
At the international level, Dr Pant mentioned that India, Australia, UK, and the US have come together to create an International Counter Ransomware Task Force to put perpetrators under sanctions, which has already saved approximately $150 million.
In his closing remarks, Dr Pant highlighted the three hard truths of cybersecurity – vulnerability, cyber-attacks, and attribution – and emphasized the importance of personal health and cyber hygiene as the two mantras for the post-Covid digital world.
The 17th India Digital Summit brings together policymakers, regulators, industry captains, and subject experts in over 60 sessions, with over 150 speakers and 500 digital brands, and the participation of over 3000 delegates. The summit aims to provide a platform for discussions on emerging trends and challenges in the digital space and to provide insights into the future of digital technologies.

The rumored iPhone 15 Ultra is expected to be Apple’s priciest phone so far, but even that flagship will be dwarfed by the price an unopened, original iPhone has just achieved at auction – a record $63,356 (around £52,635 / AU$91,630).

Before you go rummaging through your drawers, the key to that high price was that the auctioned iPhone was “factory sealed”, which means that even its cellophane wrapping is still intact. This is a big deal to collectors, which meant someone was willing to shell out the price of a Tesla Model 3 ($42,990 / £42,990 / AU$64,300) with enough spare to throw in a Subaru Impreza. 

WhatsApp has joined hands with metro rail service providers across Indian cities to bring transit solutions to the WhatsApp Business platform. This means that users will be able to book, buy, cancel, or recharge a ticket via a WhatsApp chatbot. Moreover, other information such as train timings, journey route, fare breakdown, and more will also be available.
Reflecting on this move, WhatsApp’s Business Messaging director of India Ravi Garg said, “India’s digital revolution is now making public transport safer, smarter and more convenient. We are proud that India’s world class metro services in multiple cities are now integrated on WhatsApp to offer commuters convenience at their fingertips. We would be happy to support other cities and help digitise train transits on WhatsApp to add value to the lives of daily commuters across the country.”

Supported cities and the services available there
These digitised metro rail services are accessible to residents in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune. For this WhatsApp has partnered with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Mumbai Metro, Pune Metro, and L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited.
In Bangalore, Namma Metro commuters can chat in English or Kannada and buy/cancel tickets, view fare details, view card information, and recharge cards using end-to-end QR ticketing service. Chatbot can be triggered by sending ‘Hi’ to ‘https://wa.me/+918105556677’.

Mumbai Metro users can purchase e-tickets on WhatsApp. These tickets require verification at the Automated Fare Collection gate. They contain every key journey detail, from fare to issue date. To get started, users have to message ‘Hi’ to ‘https://wa.me/+918105556677’.
Furthermore, Pune Metro commuters can also book e-tickets by messaging the chatbot number. They have to send ‘Hi’ to ‘https://wa.me/+918105556677’. In Hyderabad, metro travellers can ping the chatbot to get an e-ticket booking URL, which is valid for 5 minutes. Using this URL, they can access end-to-end digital payment-enabled ticket booking. Users can ping ‘Hi’ to ‘https://wa.me/+918105556677’.

Starlink, a satellite internet service from SpaceX, has started offering a ‘Global Roaming’ service to some of its users. As mentioned in the mail addressed to certain users, this new service is only available in the U.S. officially. It costs a hefty $200 per month, which is separate from the one-time purchase of the Starlink kit worth $599.
However, those who subscribe to this service will be covered by a money-back offer. The email highlighted, “If you are not fully satisfied with Global Roaming you can return for a full refund of the hardware within 30 days. Service can be paused or cancelled at any time.”

How Global Roaming service works
According to Starlink, “Global Roaming makes use of Starlink’s inter-satellite links (aka space lasers) to provide connectivity around the globe.” The service is not in its final form yet as suggested by the email. It said, “As this is a new technology, you can expect Starlink’s typical high speed, low-latency service intermixed with brief periods of poor connectivity, or none at all. However this will improve dramatically over time.”

Starlink Global Roaming plan outside the U.S.
While the roaming satellite internet service is only approved for use in the U.S. for now, the company has hinted others may still get their hands on it. The announcement noted, “If you are based outside of the US. you will also be responsible for acting as the Importer of Record for the Starlink Kit, which may include the payment of customs duties and import taxes, if required. Global Roaming services are contingent on regulatory approvals.”

Additionally, the Elon Musk-owned company has revealed that those who are already awaiting a residential connection can also apply for this service without any issues. Applying to the new service will not affect their place in the existing waitlist for a residential connection.

Google has started rolling out the 360-degree background for Meet on mobile. The feature is rolling out on both Android and iOS versions of Google Meet for both Google Enterprise and Personal Google accounts.
Currently, there are only two 360-degree video backgrounds available — beach and temple — and both use the device’s gyroscope to create a background that moved with users.
Now, if you are looking to try out the new 360-degree video background, here’s how you can do it.
But, before proceeding with the steps, there are certain things you need to know about using 360-degree video background. For starters, the feature is currently rolling out in Rapid and is Scheduled for release and Google has confirmed that this may take up to 15 business days to complete. So, in case, the feature isn’t available for you, it may take a while.
For the feature to work properly, you’ll also need a stable internet connection for 360-background.
How to use 360-background on Meet

Conclusion
Using 360-degree video backgrounds can be a fun and easy way to spice up your virtual meetings. By following the prerequisites and steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to start using these backgrounds in no time.

Google is rolling out a new feature for its paid email service G Suite. For those unaware, G Suite is part of Google Workspace, a collection of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools and software developed by Google. In a blog post, Google announced new features for G Suite admins. This feature will allow Gmail admins to disable spam filters and hide warning banners for all users. “You may consider turning off these warnings when conducting anti-phishing training with your end users,” the tech giant said in a Workspace update in a blog post.
Gmail’s new admin features: How will it work
In the blog post, Google said that the new options will offer users more flexibility around the visibility of these warnings across admins’ organisation. Moreover, this new feature won’t be dependent on the way admins choose to configure them as well. Google has also mentioned that users can enable or disable the warning banners at the domain and OU levels.
Other newly-launched Gmail security feature
In December 2022, Google introduced a beta version of its client-side encryption for Gmail users who access the service on the web. This encryption promises to keep sensitive data in mail bodies and attachments unreadable even to Google’s servers.

The company noted, “Google Workspace already uses the latest cryptographic standards to encrypt all data at rest and in transit between our facilities. Client-side encryption helps strengthen the confidentiality of your data while helping to address a broad range of data sovereignty and compliance needs.”
Google’s email service claims to protect its users from nearly 15 billion unwanted messages a day and block more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware-laden messages. Users can also choose to mute email threads to stop seeing every update in their inbox as these emails are then sent to the “All Mail” section. Moreover, Gmail users can also create multiple email addresses.

Instagram has evolved from just being photo and video sharing platform. It now also let users create Reels, increase followers and also engage with their followers. The platform also let content creators go live to engage and interact with the followers. That being said, it offers a slew of tools for content creators to engage and interact with followers.
Following that trend, Mark Zukerberg has officially announced a new Broadcast Channel feature for Instagram. The feature. The new feature is designed to help creators reach out to their followers better and also engage with them.
So, what exactly is Broadcast Channel on Instagram? How it works? and How it can help users? Let us explain.
What is Instagram Broadcast Channel?
Broadcast Channel on Intagram is somewhat similar to Broadcast feature on WhatsApp, except it is intended for content creators to engage with followers. They are basically “a public, one-to-many messaging tool for creators to invite all of their followers into and engage with their fans.
Broadcast channel allows creators to use text, photo, video and voice notes to share latest updates with their followers.
What content creators can do with Broadcast Channel?
According to the official blog post, content creators can create a broadcast channel as a casual, easy and quick way to keep up with their followers and also keep them up to date on what to expect from them, future projects and more.
Apart from sending text, photos and form of multimedia content, content creators are the one that can share content in a channel and followers can react to content and vote in polls.
Meta has also confirmed that more features will be added to Broadcast Channel in coming months that will allow creators to collab with other content creators. Also, a new feature that will be allow creators to collect questions for an AMA via question prompts and more.
How does the feature works?
Once the creator has access to the Broadcast Channel on Instagram. The followers will receive a notification to join the channel upon sending the first broadcast channel message. Creators will also have the option to prompt their followers to join their channel via Join Channel sticker in Stories or by pinning the link in their profile.
Content creators also have the opinion to restrict access to the channel or open the channel for all followers. Also, they will get the option to mute a broadcast or mute the entire channel.

Mark Zuckerberg, officially announced the new Broadcast Channel feature for Instagram via an official blog post. For those unaware, the Broadcast Channel feature is a public channel created by content creators on the platform to interact and engage with their followers and share their activities, projects and more.
The blog post also confirms that Meta is planning to bring the same Broadcast Channel feature on Messenger as well as Facebook soon. The company will also start testing the feature on both platforms soon.
The blog post does not specify when exactly the feature will be available on Messenger and Facebook platforms and neither it has confirmed by when it is planning to expand Instagram’s Broadcast Channel feature to more regions.
For those who aren’t aware, Meta has currently rolled out the Broadcast Channel feature to a limited number of creators. Also, the company has announced a waitlist program for creators who want to get early access to the feature. To signup for the waitlist, head to the provided link and then click on Request Early Access. Meta does request users to open the list on mobile devices.
Will Meta allow cross-platform broadcast channel support
Considering Meta already allows Messenger and Instagram integration for users. This hints at the possibility that Meta may integrate Facebook and Messenger’s Broadcast Channel feature with Instagram in future. However, these are merely speculation. Meta hasn’t officially confirmed anything officially about this as of now.
Steps to join a Broadcast Channel on Instagram
Users can find a Broadcast Channel either by name or using stories or profile links. Also, if you are an existing follower, a one-time notification will arrive when the creator posts its first Broadcast message.
Tap “Join a broadcast channel.” People not yet following the creator will be prompted to do so.
After joining the channel, it will appear in the Instagram inbox next to other message threads.