TECHNOLOGY

Elon Musk has once again stirred debate by attributing the delay in launching Starlink in South Africa to his race. In a recent social media post, Musk claimed that his satellite internet service has not received approval in South Africa because he is white, pointing to the country’s laws designed to favor historically marginalized communities. What Musk SaidMusk, whose birth country is South Africa, previously shared a clip from his interview at last year’s Qatar Economic Forum on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He highlighted that South Africa has nearly 140 laws giving opportunities specifically to Black citizens, suggesting that individuals from other racial groups face barriers. According to him, this is why Starlink has not yet been authorized in the country. The Other Side o...

In a striking example of the earning potential of YouTube, a channel named “Fireplace 10 Hours” has reportedly made nearly $1 million (approximately ₹9 crore) from a single video—a 10-hour looping fireplace video uploaded almost nine years ago. Despite no new uploads since that first video, the channel continues to maintain over 111,000 subscribers and more than 150 million views. The Simplicity Behind the SuccessThe video features a continuous loop of burning logs, accompanied by the subtle crackling sound of fire. Its relaxing ambiance makes it especially popular during winters and the Christmas season, as viewers use it to create a cozy environment in their homes. The long-duration loop keeps the video running in the background for hours, allowing ads to play repeatedly, which contri...

In a groundbreaking development, Chinese researchers have unveiled a new, cost-effective method to extract gold from electronic waste, capable of recovering nearly 98% of gold from old mobile phones in just 20 minutes. Unlike conventional methods that rely on toxic chemicals like cyanide, this innovative process is safer for both humans and the environment. Faster, Cheaper, and Greener ExtractionThe research, conducted by the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion and the South China University of Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, allows gold recovery at room temperature in a fraction of the time required by traditional techniques. The process costs about one-third of conventional methods, making it the most economical method to date. Using this technique, gold can be ...

Citizens no longer need to run from office to office to resolve ration card issues. The government has launched a digital WhatsApp-based grievance system that allows users to register complaints from the comfort of their homes. Whether it’s adding a name to a ration card, issues with receiving supplies, or complaints against dealers, this service aims to make the process simple, fast, and accessible. The platform supports 12 languages, including Hindi, English, and several regional languages. How to Lodge a Ration Card Complaint on WhatsAppIf you face any problem related to your ration card—such as difficulty adding or removing a name, receiving ration, incorrect entries, inflated prices, or other issues—you can now send a WhatsApp message to the government instead of visiting offices p...

In a bold move to protect consumers and boost local mobile manufacturing, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked nearly 100 million mobile phones during the 2024-25 financial year. This crackdown targeted 72 million fake or duplicate devices, 27 million phones with cloned IMEI numbers, and 868,000 reported stolen handsets. DIRBS System Ensures Device SecurityThe PTA used the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), implemented under the Mobile Device Management (MDM) Regulations 2021. This system links device registration with network authorization, effectively preventing smuggled or unauthorized devices from accessing Pakistani networks. Only verified, compliant phones can operate on the network, significantly enhancing consumer safety. Boo...

Motorola has entered the race to develop AI-powered wearable devices. At CES 2026, the company unveiled a concept device that resembles a pendant, designed to be worn around the neck. The gadget features no screen or buttons, yet it can understand its surroundings, provide suggestions, and autonomously perform certain tasks. The Rise of AI WearablesIn recent years, tech companies have been striving to create AI companions that not only complement smartphones but also simplify everyday life. Several products have already reached the market, while others are still in development. Motorola now joins this growing sector, showcasing its new wearable AI concept at the private Lenovo World Tour. How Motorola’s AI Wearable WorksThe device operates on Motorola’s AI assistant, QIRA. According ...

Google has announced a major overhaul of Gmail, introducing powerful AI features that promise to transform the way users interact with their inbox. The most notable among these is the AI Overview, along with Personalized Replies and Proofread options. Initially, the features are being rolled out to users in the U.S., with plans for a gradual global rollout. Gemini AI Brings Intelligence to Your InboxGmail, launched 22 years ago, is now integrating Google’s Gemini AI system directly into the inbox. According to Google’s blog, this means Gmail will no longer be just an email platform—it will function as an intelligent assistant. Gemini AI can summarize long emails, assist in drafting replies, and highlight key points, saving users the hassle of sifting through large volumes of messages. ...

In today’s era of artificial intelligence, a simple text prompt can digitally remove clothing from anyone in an image. The latest example is xAI’s Grok, a chatbot on X, which has been used to generate explicit images of women. This raises a critical question: what can you do if your image, or someone else’s, is misused online? The answer is yes—you can have such content removed, and StopNCII.org provides the tools to do so. The Problem: AI Misuse for Explicit ContentWhile AI offers tremendous benefits, it is increasingly being misused to create non-consensual sexualized images. The recent trend on X shows users sharing women’s images and instructing Grok to digitally reduce their clothing. Despite restrictions by governments worldwide, such content remains alarmingly easy to produce, ma...

The Election Commission of India has released the draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh, and citizens can now check whether their names appear on the list—all from the comfort of home using their phone or computer. Reports indicate that the SIR (Summary Revision) process has removed nearly 2.89 crore names, making it essential for voters to verify their inclusion. How to Check Your Name OnlineYou do not need to contact a BLO or any government official. The draft voter list can be checked online using three simple methods: Method 1: Using Voter ID (EPIC Number) Visit the official ECI website: https://voters.eci.gov.in Click on “Search your Name in Voter List.” Enter your Voter ID (EPIC Number) and the captcha code. Click “Search” to view your details if your name is included...

In a major step to curb the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating fake videos and images, the government has drafted new rules that will mandate watermarking of AI-generated content. This initiative aims to help identify misleading content and prevent the spread of material that could disrupt public order or incite social unrest. The draft guidelines, reported by ET Telecom, specify that all AI-generated videos and images must carry a clear label indicating their origin. “It is essential to implement watermarking to prevent cyber crimes arising from the misuse of AI,” said Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and IT and CEO of the India AI Mission. Why This Move MattersThe new rules are expected to be particularly effective in stopping harm...