TECHNOLOGY

The year 2025 proved to be a turning point for Artificial Intelligence (AI). What began as a useful digital tool at the start of the year evolved into a powerful force by December—one that began influencing internet traffic, job markets, global regulations, and even the balance of power between nations. As AI entered homes, workplaces, and governments, global debates intensified around how to regulate it, control its risks, and assign responsibility when things go wrong. Here are the four biggest AI developments of 2025 that reshaped the technology landscape and surprised the world. 1. Launch of More Powerful AI Models One of the biggest highlights of 2025 was the release of next-generation AI models. In August, OpenAI launched GPT-5, its most powerful model yet, featuring bui...

Cyber fraud cases are rising at an alarming pace in India, and scammers are finding increasingly convincing ways to trap unsuspecting citizens. In a recent incident from Hyderabad, a man lost ₹6 lakh from his bank account after clicking on a fake traffic challan link sent via SMS. The message claimed that he had violated traffic rules and needed to pay a ₹500 fine immediately through a link provided in the SMS. Trusting the message, the victim clicked on the link, entered his details—and within minutes, a large sum of money was siphoned off from his account. How the Scam Worked According to a report by Hindustan Times, cybercrime police have launched an investigation into the case. Fraudsters are sending fake traffic challan messages to vehicle owners, directing them to fraudulent...

In a major blow to South Korea’s semiconductor industry, ten former Samsung employees have been arrested for allegedly leaking highly sensitive chip-making technology to a Chinese company. The stolen technology, considered a core national asset, is estimated to have caused losses worth trillions of won to Samsung and could inflict long-term damage on South Korea’s economy. Secret Technology Sold to Chinese Firm According to reports, the accused individuals passed on Samsung’s 10-nanometer DRAM chip manufacturing technology to Chinese memory maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). This technology was Samsung’s proprietary intellectual property and a key factor behind its global leadership in advanced memory chips. All ten accused had previously worked in research and development...

Indian culture has long been admired for its depth, discipline, and expressiveness. But few could have imagined that an ancient classical dance form would one day help robots learn how to move their hands like humans. In a fascinating blend of tradition and technology, researchers in the United States have found that Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dances, holds the key to improving robotic hand movements. Scientists at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) have developed a new training framework for robots after closely studying the hand gestures—known as mudras—used in Bharatanatyam. Their findings reveal that these structured, meaningful gestures can significantly enhance how robots learn and replicate complex human hand motions. Why Hand Movements Mat...

Just like smartphones, laptops, and computers, smart TVs are also vulnerable to hacking. With constant internet connectivity and built-in microphones, cameras, and apps, smart TVs can become an easy target for cybercriminals. What makes the situation more alarming is that most users fail to realize when their TV has been compromised. If your smart TV behaves unusually, it may not be a technical glitch—it could be a sign that hackers have gained access. Here’s how smart TVs get hacked and the warning signs you should never ignore. How Hackers Break Into Smart TVs Smart TVs are typically connected to home Wi-Fi networks. If your Wi-Fi password is weak or outdated security patches are not installed, hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities. Once they access the network, all connecte...

Apple’s iPhone cameras have long been one of the brand’s strongest selling points. Now, a new name may be joining that legacy. Reports suggest that Apple could use Samsung-made camera sensors in its upcoming iPhone 18 series, marking a significant shift in Apple’s supply chain strategy. According to industry sources, Samsung is preparing to begin production of advanced camera sensors in the United States as early as March next year. These sensors, manufactured at Samsung’s Austin, Texas plant, could make their debut in future iPhones—possibly starting with the iPhone 18 lineup. Samsung’s Austin Plant Enters Camera Sensor Production A report by The Elec indicates that Samsung is installing production equipment at its Austin facility to manufacture CMOS Image Sensors (CIS). Until no...

Dark Mode has become one of the most popular features on modern smartphones. Many users enable it believing that it saves battery power and is easier on the eyes. However, experts and recent reports suggest that these claims may not be entirely true. In fact, there are several reasons why users are now reconsidering the use of Dark Mode. Does Dark Mode Actually Save Battery? According to a report by MakeUseOf, Dark Mode is often believed to save battery on smartphones with OLED displays because black pixels are supposed to turn off completely. While this is technically correct, it applies only when the pixels are truly black. In reality, most Dark Mode interfaces use dark grey shades instead of pure black. These grey pixels still consume power, which significantly reduces any pote...

If a child cannot attend school due to illness, a robot can now mark attendance, interact with classmates, and even join school picnics. This is no scene from a science-fiction movie, but a real innovation transforming education across the world. Norway-based technology company No Isolation has developed a unique telepresence robot called AV1, designed especially for school-going children who are unable to attend classes because of long-term illness or medical conditions. The robot acts as the student’s physical presence in the classroom, ensuring that learning and social connections continue uninterrupted. A Robot That Represents the Student The AV1 robot literally goes to school on behalf of the child. Placed on a desk in the classroom, it connects to the student through a secur...

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has officially launched its latest flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, in China. This marks the fourth flagship in the series and continues Xiaomi’s bid to compete with Apple in the premium smartphone segment. The Ultra model comes loaded with high-end features, including the most powerful chipset to date and a cutting-edge camera system. Price and Availability The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is priced starting at 6999 yuan (approx. ₹90,000) for the 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. The top-end model offers 16GB RAM and 1TB storage for 8499 yuan (approx. ₹1,09,000). Additionally, the Leica edition of the phone is priced up to 8999 yuan (approx. ₹1,15,000). Sales in China begin on 27 December 2025, with multiple color options available. Specifications and Featur...

Modern smart TVs come equipped with Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology, which collects data on everything you watch and sends it to companies for targeted advertising. Beyond content tracking, ACR can also gather personal information such as your IP address, email, and sometimes location. Most users are unaware of this background activity, which continues even while you watch TV alone. Fortunately, you can disable ACR and related ad-tracking features directly from your TV settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide for popular brands: Samsung TV Press the Home button on the remote. Open the Sidebar Menu on the left. Select Privacy Choices. Navigate to Terms & Conditions → Privacy Policy. Uncheck Viewing Information Services. Click OK to save the changes. ...