Archives January 2024

Microsoft Teams is currently experiencing another outage, following a recent disruption in its video conferencing service. Users have taken to the microblogging platform, X, to report issues with Teams, and Downdetector, a real-time problem and outage monitoring platform, has confirmed the ongoing problem.
Outage details
The outage started around 7 pm, peaked at 9 pm, and is still ongoing at the time of reporting. Despite users encountering difficulties, Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the issue with Teams. On the company’s status website, the service is listed as “Active.”
Notably, the majority of reports are originating from the United States. However, TOI Tech has tested access to Teams in India, finding that the service appears to be functioning properly in that region.
Issues users are facing
Reports received by Downdetector indicate that 55% of users are experiencing issues with the Teams app, 31% are facing problems with server connections, and the remaining 14% are encountering difficulties with the Teams website.
What’s causing the issue
Despite the widespread user reports and data on the types of issues faced, Microsoft has yet to provide any information or acknowledgment regarding the cause of the ongoing outage. The lack of official communication leaves users in the dark about the root of the problem and any estimated time for resolution. This recurrent disruption highlights the potential impact on businesses and individuals relying on Microsoft Teams for remote collaboration and communication. As users await updates, concerns may arise regarding the reliability and stability of the platform for future usage.

The year commenced with significant momentum as numerous renowned brands unveiled their flagship offerings in various markets, including India. Samsung introduced the Galaxy S24 series, while OnePlus announced the OnePlus 12 series. However, the anticipation mounts for February, with an array of launches expected as companies gear up for the Mobile World Congress next month.Leaks and speculations hint at upcoming releases from brands such as Nothing, Xiaomi, and iQOO. Here’s a summary of the major launches anticipated in February 2024.

Mobile Launches in February 2024

Nothing Phone (2a)
Rumours suggest that Nothing is in the process of developing a budget-friendly smartphone model named Phone 2a, slated for announcement at the upcoming MWC 2024 in the imminent weeks. The Phone 2a may come in two colour variants: black and white. The device is anticipated to feature 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage in its base configuration, potentially priced below EUR 400, approximately translating to Rs 37,000 (INR).
iQOO Neo 9 Pro
iQOO aims to capitalise on the initial success garnered by the debut of the iQOO 12 in December. The upcoming iQOO Neo 9 Pro is set to hit the Indian market in February, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Anticipated specifications include a spacious 6.78-inch OLED display boasting a 144Hz refresh rate, alongside a dual rear camera arrangement. Additionally, the device is rumoured to ship with Android 14 pre-installed.
Honor X9B 5G
Honor is set to broaden its product portfolio in India through collaboration with Htech, unveiling the Honor X9b smartphone in February. Reports indicate that this phone will feature a robust screen, alongside potential specifications including 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Xiaomi introduced the 14 series in China a few months ago, and its imminent launch in India is anticipated. However, the brand is already focusing on the future, considering the unveiling of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra model, possibly included in its lineup at the MWC 2024 in February.
Samsung Galaxy M55
Anticipated for release in February, the Samsung Galaxy M55 is rumoured to feature a 5,000 mAh battery supporting 45W fast charging. Speculations suggest it could be equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC and offer a maximum of 8GB of RAM.
Oppo F25 5G
Reports indicate that OPPO’s renowned F-series is set to return with the F25, scheduled for a February release in India. However, there’s an intriguing development: speculation suggests that the OPPO F25 might be a rebranded iteration of the upcoming Reno 11F 5G, hinting at a strategic adjustment in OPPO’s F Series roadmap for the year. Expected to operate on ColorOS 14, built on Android 14, the OPPO F25 is anticipated to feature a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging capability.
Vivo V30 5G
Following the launch of the Vivo X100 series, the company is gearing up to unveil the global version of the Vivo V30 5G. The smartphone is anticipated to be powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and feature a 3D curved display. With a combination of 12GB RAM and 12GB Virtual RAM, it aims to deliver robust performance. Expected to be priced below Rs 30,000, the smartphone is poised to offer an attractive option in its segment.

Samsung has made a big deal of the new materials used in the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – namely a titanium frame and new Gorilla Glass Armor – and now a YouTube video has given us some idea of just how durable those materials actually are.

YouTuber and repair expert Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything put the upgraded endurance of the Galaxy S24 Ultra to the test as part of his smartphone durability test series, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra not only surviving but passing with flying colors.

Embark Studios has released the mid-season update for The Finals which introduces a limited-time seasonal event.

The free-to-play squad-based shooter got a surprise launch back in December and has been receiving steady updates ever since, like addressing balance issues while also adding new content, like the Solo Bank It mode. 

Samsung is expected to launch its next-gen foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 around August. Rumours suggest that the Korean tech giant is planning to include multiple upgrades to the upcoming clamshell foldables. Samsung is reportedly planning to pack a battery with higher capacity and better camera setup with the Galaxy Z Flip 6.This smartphone will succeed the Galaxy Z Flip 5 which was launched in July 2023.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: What to expect
According to a report by Dutch publication Galaxy Club, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is expected to carry a 4,000mAh battery unit. For comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 carries a 3,700 mAh battery unit.
Due to the form-factor, the foldables have two battery units. The report claims that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will carry a 1,097mAh and 2,790mAh cell, totaling a rated capacity of 3,887mAh.
Just like the Galaxy S24 series (which is also rated at 3,880mAh), Samsung is expected to advertise the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s battery capacity at 4,000mAh, the report adds.

Samsung’s One UI also claims to extend battery life on devices it runs. So, at this battery capacity, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is expected to offer an efficient performance.
Another 9to5Google report claims that Samsung may also upgrade the display and camera of the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The upcoming clamshell phone may support a wider aspect ratio and may house a 50MP camera setup to bring it to the level of the company’s latest flagship smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S24 series.

Samsung also promotes the form factor of the foldable phones for their ability to act as its own tripod. More details about the upcoming foldables are expected to surface as the launch date nears.
The Times of India Gadgets Now awards: Cast your vote now and pick the best phones, laptops and other gadgets of 2023

Alan Wake 2 first update of the year has added a brand-new feature to the game alongside a host of quality-of-life improvements.

Patch 1.15 went live today (January 31) on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC and it’s a fairly significant patch, introducing the highly-requested Chapter Select feature which will allow players who have unlocked and completed certain missions to replay them again from the menu.

A growing number of Fitbit Charge 5 owners are complaining that a recent software update has bricked their fitness tracker – but Fitbit has now denied that the issue is firmware-related.

A pinned post at the top of the official Charge 5 forum for the device’s most recent firmware (version 194.91) now has over 400 comments, with many owners complaining that their updated tracker now loses charge overnight or is even “completely unresponsive”.

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday ordered Paytm Payments Bank Ltd., a unit of One 97 Communications Ltd., to stop its popular mobile wallet business along with other activities, citing persistent non-compliance and supervisory concerns. The regulator said the firm, which processes transactions for India’s digital payments giant Paytm, must stop its banking activities after Feb. 29. 

How are customers affected?

Existing customers, however, can withdraw their funds and use up the balance in the prepaid cards or wallets without any restrictions, the RBI said.

Setback after setback

The latest decision comes nearly two years after the regulator barred the bank, from taking on new customers because it violated certain rules, Bloomberg News had reported. Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma had then said the bank is fully compliant with Indian rules.

The RBI had asked the bank, which operates under a restricted license that doesn’t allow it to lend but accept deposits up to 200,000 rupees ($2,408.4) per account, to stop onboarding customers pending an audit of its information technology system. 

On Wednesday, the woes for the bank seem to have worsened with the regulator making scathing observations about its business.

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“The comprehensive system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of the external auditors revealed persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank, warranting further supervisory action,” the RBI said in a statement on its website. 

The RBI said the bank will not be allowed to take any further deposits or conduct credit transactions or carry out top ups on any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, cards for paying road tolls after Feb 29. Interest, cashbacks, or refunds can be credited anytime. 

Also, special purpose accounts of parent firm One97 Communications Ltd and Paytm Payments Services Ltd., used to make settlements are to be terminated at the earliest and no later than Feb 29, the RBI said. All settlements in the pipeline will have to be completed by March 15, the central bank added. 

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AI roundup: With most companies across the globe developing their AI tools and services, Volkswagen, one of the biggest car companies in the world, has also created an AI lab for building new digital prototypes for its products and features. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is all set to visit India and Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok said that the country will benefit the most from the global AI shift. Know what’s happening in the world of AI.

1. Volkswagen joins AI race with new lab; now in search of partners

Volkswagen has founded an AI lab for curating ideas for new products integrated with AI. To take the initiative forward, the company is looking for potential partners in the technology sector across China, North America and Europe. It aims to develop digital prototypes for “AI-optimised charging cycles, predictive maintenance services and voice recognition,” according to a Reuters report.

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2. Microsoft India president Puneet Chandok talks about global AI shift, says India will benefit

Microsoft’s first AI Tour in India is happening just before the visit of CEO Satya Nadella. During the event, Microsoft India and South Asia’s President Puneet Chandok said that India will benefit the most from the global AI shuft. He said, “India is not just incredible, it’s unstoppable. It is our time to shine. AI is a massive platform shift, it’s a defining technology shift for a lifetime. The impact it will have on our lives are incredible and finally, you’ll get to use co-pilot integrated with your emails, Word doc and more.” According to a MoneyControl report.

3. ByteDance CEO fears mediocracy in the wake of AI

ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo conducted a company-wide meeting in which he warned employees that the company may face challenges due to the AI race and new advanced startups emerging in the industry. Liang said, “Our company is not sensitive enough (to new technologies)” and it may slip into mediocracy. According to Liang, the company did not pay much attention to artificial intelligence technology and it getting tougher for them to catch up, according to a Reuters report.

4. ThoughtFocus introduces AI software robots for workforce enhancement

ThoughtFocus, a digital and financial services provider announces the integration of AI software robots (AI agents) into business processes. The AI agent is expected to improve business operations and decision-making. Bradley Clerkin, Director, of Technology Innovations said, “Integrating AI agents into your business processes is a seamless and intuitive decision. With AI agents and human professionals collaboratively driving the value chain, the benefits are evident and substantial,” according to press release.

5. Exterro announces AI assistant for E-discovery for automation process

A risk management software company named Exterro announced its AI Assistant for E-discovery, privacy and data governance, forensic investigations, and cybersecurity experts. The AI assistant will help automate complex workflows, investigations, and help risk management professionals. Ajith Samuel, Cofounder and Chief Product Officer at Exterro said, “Our users may now efficiently complete the majority of their E-discovery tasks and workflows through simple conversational interactions,” according to press release.

Also read other top stories today:

Brain Chip Implanted! A lucky individual has become the first human to receive a brain implant from Elon Musk’s Neuralink, marking a step toward being able to steer computers with our minds. Is that the right way to go? Find out out here. 

Bad news for Apple! Influential technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that the company is expecting lower demand for iPhone 15 and the upcoming iPhone 16 in 2024. Know all about it here. 

Samsung Woos China with Ernie Bot! Samsung will feature Baidu Inc.’s Ernie Bot as a key attraction of its new Galaxy S24 smartphone series in China. Dive in here. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians hasn’t been renewed for a second season yet, but its writing team is already hard at work on its scripts.

In a Variety article posted after Percy Jackson‘s season 1 finale aired on Disney Plus today (January 31), co-showrunner Jon Steinberg dropped a huge hint over the hit fantasy show’s future. Indeed, the fate of the Walker Scobell-starring TV show is still up in the air, but Steinberg suggested that a second season was likely to happen, given that its writers’ room has re-assembled to outline the direction of a potential sequel.