TECHNOLOGY

Smartphone buyers may need to brace themselves for higher prices this year. Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, has explained that rising demand for AI and memory chips is set to reshape the smartphone market, making devices more expensive. A Decade-Long Trend Comes to an EndIn a recent post, Pei stated that 2026 will mark a significant shift in the consumer electronics market, particularly in smartphones. For the past 15 years, the industry relied on a simple assumption: component costs, such as memory (RAM) and displays, would continue to decline. This allowed manufacturers to offer better hardware year after year at the same or slightly higher prices. However, this trend is now coming to an end. Why Smartphone Prices Will RiseThe surge in AI applications has drastically increased the demand...

New Delhi: Millions of users proudly carry smartphones with powerful, multi-lens cameras, yet most of them use this advanced tool only for clicking photos or shooting videos. What many don’t realize is that the smartphone camera is a multi-purpose digital tool capable of making everyday life easier in ways people rarely explore. Here are six practical and smart uses of a smartphone camera that go far beyond photography—once you know them, you may wonder why no one told you earlier. 1. Check Whether Your Remote Control Battery Is Dead If your TV or AC remote suddenly stops working, the problem may not be the remote—but the battery. Simply point the remote toward your phone’s camera and press any button. If you see a blue or purple light from the IR sensor on your screen, the re...

New Delhi: State-run telecom company BSNL has launched a special Pongal Broadband Offer, promising high-speed internet at an aggressive price point. Under this limited-period scheme, customers can get 5,000 GB data at 200 Mbps speed for just ₹799 per month. The offer is valid till March 31, 2026. The announcement has sparked a key question among consumers: Is BSNL’s offer strong enough to compete with private players like Jio and Airtel? Here is a clear, newspaper-style breakdown of the plan, its conditions, and how it stacks up against the competition. What Is BSNL’s Pongal Broadband Offer? BSNL is offering a SuperStar Premium WiFi plan at a discounted price of ₹799 per month. However, this price comes with a major condition: The ₹799 tariff is applicable only if the customer...

New Delhi: A recent Reuters report has reignited a global debate over smartphone source code, often described as the “digital key” to modern devices. Although the Indian government later rejected claims that it had demanded access to companies’ source codes, the controversy has exposed a deeper and unresolved conflict between state security concerns and corporate secrecy. The episode has raised a fundamental question: What exactly is source code, and why are smartphone companies so reluctant to share it with governments? What Is Source Code and Why Does It Matter? Source code is the basic set of instructions that tells a software or application how to function. Written in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++, it can be compared to a recipe that determines how a dish ...

Seoul: In a breakthrough that could transform the future of housing and energy efficiency, South Korean scientists have developed a smart window made from modified wood that shines like glass, regulates indoor temperature, and works without electricity, sensors, or control systems. The innovative technology has been developed by researchers from Hanbat National University and Kongju National University, who combined liquid crystals with balsa wood to create a transparent, glass-like material. This newly engineered wood behaves like an intelligent window, automatically adjusting light and heat transmission based on surrounding temperature. How the Smart Window Works Unlike conventional smart windows that rely on electrical power, this wooden smart window functions entirely on natur...

Researchers in South Korea have developed a revolutionary smart window made from wood that can control indoor temperatures without using electricity, offering a potential game-changer for homes and offices in India. What Makes It Smart? The smart window is created by scientists from Hanbat National University and Kongju National University, who infused liquid crystals into balsa wood, turning it into a glass-like, transparent material. This innovation allows the window to block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays while controlling light and heat in a room. Remarkably, it requires no sensors, electricity, or external controls to operate, making it energy-efficient and eco-friendly. How It Works When the room is cold, the window becomes transparent, letting sunlight in to naturally wa...

Apple has launched its Apple Creator Studio in India with a monthly subscription of just ₹399, offering creators access to seven professional-grade apps under a single plan. This move positions Apple as a strong competitor to Adobe’s Creative Cloud, aiming to make premium creative tools more accessible and affordable. Subscription vs One-Time Purchase Apple Creator Studio is a subscription-based service designed for content creators working in video editing, music production, and graphic design. With this single subscription, users can access powerful software such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro, eliminating the need to purchase each app separately. For Indian users, the pricing is as follows: Monthly subscription: ₹399 Annual subscription: ₹3,999 Studen...

OnePlus is reportedly gearing up to launch a new smartphone equipped with a massive 8000mAh battery, promising long-lasting usage and high performance. The upcoming device is expected to feature a 6.59-inch 1.5K LTPS flat display, a MediaTek chipset, and a 165Hz refresh rate, making it a powerful option for mid-range performance enthusiasts. Display and Design Insider reports suggest that OnePlus is currently testing a 6.59-inch flat display with uniform bezels and rounded corners. The panel uses LTPS technology and is sourced from a Chinese supplier. With a mid-sized screen, the large 8000mAh battery can be easily accommodated, ensuring extended battery life without compromising on performance. Possible Model: OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra Earlier leaks pointed to a prototype featuring ...

After widespread criticism and government pressure, Elon Musk has claimed to make changes to his AI chatbot Grok on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), promising that it would no longer produce obscene images. However, recent tests by journalists suggest that the problem persists. What Happened? Grok had been widely misused to create deepfake images of women and minors, digitally removing or altering clothing. These fake images could potentially harm the reputation and privacy of individuals. Critics highlighted that, unlike other AI tools, Grok lacked robust filters to prevent the creation of such inappropriate content. In response to global backlash and threats of regulatory action, X announced that it had implemented policy changes to prevent Grok from generating ob...

Here are the top tech stories of 15 January 2026, covering major developments from global internet shutdowns to parental control features on YouTube and upcoming e-commerce sales. 1. Iran Enters 7th Day of Internet Blackout Iran has now entered the seventh day of a nationwide internet blackout, cutting the general public off from the rest of the world. Mobile internet services remain non-functional. In response, Elon Musk and the United States have made Starlink satellite internet free for Iranians, including waiving subscription fees for those who hadn’t paid. While this provides limited relief—since users must have Starlink kits—the Iranian government is reportedly seizing these kits from citizens, raising challenges for widespread connectivity. 2. Parents Can Control Children’s...