TECHNOLOGY

Starting February 2026, the way you use WhatsApp could change significantly. In November 2025, the Indian government directed all messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, to implement SIM binding. This new regulation will come into effect in February, 90 days after the directive was issued. What is SIM Binding?SIM binding means that a messaging app will only work if the SIM card used to register the account is inserted in the device. If you remove the SIM card from your phone, the app will stop functioning. Users will no longer be able to run the same account on multiple devices without repeated verification. Desktop App ChangesMessaging apps that support desktop versions will now be required to auto log out every six hours. This means users linking WhatsApp to a com...

Here are the top technology updates from India and around the world on January 16, 2026: 1. India’s Largest Battery Smartphone – Realme P4 PowerRealme is set to launch India’s first smartphone with a 10,001mAh battery, making it the device with the largest battery capacity in the country. Known as Realme P4 Power, the phone is generating buzz on social media. Even if the actual battery is 10,000mAh, it will still hold the record for the biggest battery in an Indian smartphone. 2. Motorola Signature Launch on January 23Motorola will introduce its premium smartphone, Motorola Signature, in India on January 23, 2026. The device has already debuted in European markets and has received praise for its design, display, and camera capabilities. Expected to fall in the ₹80,000–₹1,00,000 price...

According to Delhi government data, the average resident in the capital owns two mobile phones. Yet, the number of landline connections in Delhi continues to rise year after year, highlighting an interesting trend in the city’s telecom landscape. Delhi’s Telecom NumbersDelhi now has over 60 million telephone connections. As of last year, mobile (wireless) connections totaled approximately 56.1 million, while landline (wired) connections reached 4.71 million. The consistent growth of landline connections indicates a demand for stable, fixed-line services at homes and offices. From 2018 to 2025, total telephone connections in Delhi fluctuated slightly—from 57.4 million in 2018 to 60.8 million in 2025. While mobile subscriptions experienced minor ups and downs, landline connections stea...

The first major sale of 2026, Amazon Great Republic Day Sale, is now live for Prime members. Non-Prime users will get access starting January 17, the same day Flipkart’s Republic Day Sale begins. Both e-commerce giants are offering discounts on gadgets and electronics, and NBT Tech is bringing you all the latest updates. Key Highlights of the Sale: iPhone Deals: iPhone 15 is available for ₹69,900, while the ultra-thin iPhone Air can be purchased for ₹91,249 with bank discounts applied. Samsung Smartphones & Accessories: Galaxy A55 5G at ₹23,999, Galaxy M17 5G at ₹12,999, and Galaxy Buds3 Pro at ₹10,999. OnePlus 15: Available for ₹68,999 after a bank discount of ₹4,000. iQOO Smartphones: iQOO 15 at ₹65,999, iQOO Neo 10 5G from ₹33,999, and iQOO Z10R 5G at ₹18,499 with ad...

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...