TECHNOLOGY

If a UPI transaction fails and your money has been debited but not credited to the recipient, there’s no need to panic. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, if banks or payment apps do not refund the money within the prescribed timeframe, they are liable to pay penalty compensation for the delay. How the Compensation WorksWhen a UPI transaction fails, the debited amount should typically be refunded on the same day or by the next business day (T+1). If the money is not returned within this period, you can raise a complaint through your UPI app—such as Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm. If the app does not resolve the issue, you can escalate your complaint to the RBI’s Complaint Management System (CMS) portal at cms.rbi.org.in. It is important to mention the delay in re...

Apple has emerged as the dominant player in China’s smartphone market, surpassing domestic giants like Xiaomi and Huawei. In the December quarter, Apple recorded a 28% growth in China, a performance that left local brands struggling to maintain their market share. iPhone 17 Drives Apple’s SurgeThe rise in Apple’s sales comes amid a global shortage of memory chips, which has affected smartphone production worldwide. The iPhone 17 captured significant consumer attention, and in the December quarter, one out of every five smartphones sold in China was an iPhone. Meanwhile, Xiaomi and Huawei experienced double-digit declines in sales. Despite a 1.6% overall contraction in China’s smartphone market, Apple strengthened its foothold, demonstrating resilience during challenging market condition...

After Elon Musk, Google has acknowledged that China is rapidly catching up in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, China’s AI models are only a few months behind those of the U.S. and other Western countries. This indicates that China could soon match or even surpass American capabilities in AI technology. China’s Rapid Progress in AISpeaking on CNBC’s podcast “The Tech Download”, Hassabis highlighted that China’s AI models have approached the performance levels of Western counterparts, perhaps much sooner than anticipated. He stated, “They may currently be just a few months behind. This means the capabilities of U.S. and Western AI models could be mirrored by Chinese models within a very short time.” This assessment challeng...

Do you want to send your name to the Moon? If yes, NASA is offering a free opportunity to do so, and the registration deadline is 21 January 2026. The process is simple, free, and open to participants worldwide. Here’s a detailed guide on how to register. About NASA’s Special CampaignNASA has launched the “Send Your Name with Artemis II” campaign, allowing people to submit their names online to be carried to the Moon. Your name will be stored on an SD card that will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission. This is not the first time NASA has conducted such campaigns—names have previously been sent to Mars, the Sun, and Jupiter’s moon Europa. How to Send Your Name to the MoonTo register your name: Search for NASA Artemis II on Google or visit the official ...

As the new year begins, many are asking: where is BSNL’s 5G? While private telecom operators like Jio and Airtel are pushing users toward 5G with higher 4G tariffs, BSNL’s strategy is different. The state-owned telco is focusing on expanding affordable 4G connectivity across India, aiming to strengthen its base before rolling out 5G. Here’s a detailed look at BSNL’s plan and the surprise it holds for its competitors.The 5G Delay: A Strategic MoveDespite 2026 being underway, BSNL’s 5G rollout remains pending. At first glance, it may seem the company is lagging years behind Jio and Airtel. However, industry experts say the delay is part of BSNL’s long-term strategy. The telco has already launched 4G in over 97,000 locations nationwide, with plans to expand further. While private operators hi...

Contrary to popular belief, asking ChatGPT politely does not necessarily guarantee more accurate answers. A recent study has revealed that the AI chatbot tends to respond more accurately when questions are posed in a demanding or rude tone rather than in courteous language. However, researchers caution that this is not a healthy practice for long-term usage. The StudyResearchers from Pennsylvania State University tested 40 ChatGPT models using 50 multiple-choice questions. Over 250 different prompts were used, ranging from extremely polite to highly rude. The results were surprising: prompts with a rude or demanding tone achieved 84.8% accuracy, while the very polite prompts achieved only 4% accuracy. Polite Language Doesn’t Guarantee AccuracyThe study found that ChatGPT performs bet...

Heading out on a winter vacation or leaving home for work? Before you step out, make sure to tweak your fridge settings. Adjusting your refrigerator properly not only keeps it functioning efficiently but also prevents problems during your absence—and can save you a significant amount on your electricity bill. Here’s a detailed guide on the key fridge settings to change this winter. 1. Lower the TemperatureDuring winter, your fridge doesn’t need to work at full capacity. If you’re away for an extended period, set your fridge to the lowest cooling level—often numbered 1–5 or labeled “Cold” to “Coldest.” This reduces unnecessary compressor activity, protecting the appliance and lowering your electricity consumption. 2. Activate Holiday or Vacation ModeMany modern refrigerators come with...

Pakistan has unveiled Qalb, the largest Urdu-language AI chatbot, designed to rival ChatGPT in its capabilities. Developed by Pakistani student Taimoor Hassan while studying in the United States, Qalb has quickly become a topic of discussion in the global tech community. What Makes Qalb AI Special?Qalb AI was trained on a massive dataset of 1.97 billion tokens and tested against more than seven international benchmarks. According to reports, it outperformed previous Urdu AI models by 3.24 points, achieving a score of 90.34 on Urdu benchmarks. The AI is designed for a variety of applications including business tools, educational platforms, startups, and voice-controlled AI agents. Hassan built Qalb with the help of his college roommates Jawad Ahmed and Muhammad Awais, emphasizing that...

Here’s a quick roundup of the top tech stories from 19 January 2026. Major headlines include Asus stepping back from smartphones, leaks from Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series, updates from Microsoft, and news about the social media platform X. 1. Asus Will No Longer Make SmartphonesAsus has officially announced that it will not launch any new smartphones this year. Chairman Johnny Shih confirmed that the company will instead focus on AI hardware. Existing Asus smartphone users will continue to receive full support. Known for its Zenfone and ROG series, Asus cited increasing market competition and declining profits as key reasons for the move. The company plans to invest in AI-centric systems, including intelligent machines and robotics. 2. Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Models Accident...

Switching from wireless earbuds to wired earphones may seem like a downgrade, but my personal experience has shown me otherwise. For anyone frustrated by charging multiple devices, seeking superior audio quality, or annoyed by audio lag, wired earbuds can actually prove far more practical. Here’s a breakdown of the five key benefits of making the switch: 1. Cost-EffectiveWired earbuds are significantly cheaper than wireless alternatives. A high-quality wireless earbud can cost up to ₹6,000, while premium wired models are available for around ₹2,000. Even decent wired earbuds can be bought for ₹700–1,000, making them a wallet-friendly option without compromising on quality. 2. Superior Audio QualityIf audio clarity is your top priority, wired earbuds outperform wireless ones. Wireless...