TECHNOLOGY

If the person on the other end of your phone call keeps saying “Hello, hello” but cannot hear your voice clearly, the problem may not be the network—it could be your smartphone’s microphone. Low microphone volume during calls, video meetings, or voice recordings is a common issue, especially as smartphones age. In most cases, the problem is not due to serious hardware damage but caused by dust, incorrect settings, missing permissions, or outdated software. The good news is that many of these issues can be fixed easily at home without visiting a service center. Why Does Smartphone Microphone Volume Drop? There are several common reasons why your voice may sound faint or unclear: Dust or dirt buildup: The tiny microphone holes can get clogged with dust, especially when phones ar...

Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink is set to make a major leap in brain–computer interface (BCI) technology in 2026 by beginning large-scale production of its brain implant chips and introducing an almost fully automated surgical procedure. The announcement was made by Musk himself on X (formerly Twitter), where he outlined Neuralink’s roadmap to make brain implants more accessible, safer, and faster—especially for patients suffering from paralysis and severe neurological conditions. Automated Surgery to Simplify Complex Brain Implants One of the most significant developments is Neuralink’s automated surgical system, designed to reduce the complexity and duration of brain implant procedures. According to Musk, by the end of 2026, the implantation process will be nearly ...

Innovation does not always emerge from high-tech laboratories or corporate boardrooms. Sometimes, it begins in college cafeterias, hostels, and laboratories. Proving this, three Indian students have earned global recognition from Google for developing practical solutions to everyday campus problems—powered by Google Gemini AI. The students used Google Gemini as a “thinking partner” to conceptualize, refine, and present their ideas, transforming simple observations from daily college life into impactful technology-driven projects. Their work stood out among participants from across the country, earning them top honors. 1. Feko Pay: Ending the Bill-Splitting Hassle The first award-winning project, Feko Pay, was developed by Hardik Sachan, a student of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening Co...

The growing use of smartphones among young children has raised fresh concerns after a new study revealed alarming health risks for children below the age of 13. According to research published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), early exposure to smartphones can negatively impact children’s sleep, mental health, and physical well-being. The study highlights that giving smartphones to children at a young age may significantly increase the risk of sleep disorders, obesity, and depression, prompting experts to urge parents and policymakers to take the issue seriously. Large-Scale Study Across the US The research was led by Dr. Ran Barzilay, Professor of Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The study analyzed data from m...

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has hinted at a bold move that could reshape the creator economy: paying creators on X more than YouTube does. If implemented, this strategy could attract high-quality and original content creators to Musk’s social media platform, intensifying competition with YouTube. The discussion began when an X user suggested that the platform should offer higher payments than YouTube to fairly reward talented creators and encourage them to switch. Musk publicly responded to the post, signaling that the idea is under consideration. His response has sparked widespread debate among creators and industry observers. X Aims to Become an “Everything App” Musk has repeatedly stated that he does not see X as just another social media platform. His larger vision is to turn i...

Indian smartphone brand Lava has announced a major upgrade for its users by introducing Band 28 (700 MHz) network support across a wide range of its smartphones. This move is expected to significantly improve 4G connectivity, especially for customers living in areas where mobile network coverage has traditionally been weak. With this announcement, Lava aims to enhance call quality, data stability, and overall network performance—particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. What Is Band 28 (700 MHz) and Why It Matters Band 28 operates on the 700 MHz spectrum, which is known for its low-frequency, long-range signal propagation. Unlike higher-frequency bands, this spectrum can travel longer distances and penetrate buildings more effectively. For users, this means: Better sign...

UPI has become an essential part of everyday life in India—from buying groceries to making online purchases. A few taps and a PIN are usually all it takes to complete a digital payment. But what happens when there is no internet connectivity or when you don’t even have a smartphone? The answer is simple: UPI payments can still be made—without internet and even on basic feature phones—by dialing *99#. UPI Without Internet or Smartphone Many people are unaware that UPI works even without mobile data. Using the *99# service, users can send and receive money through their bank accounts using just the mobile network. This facility is especially useful in areas with weak internet connectivity or when data runs out. Even users with button-based feature phones can make UPI payments thr...

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has become one of the world’s most widely used AI chatbots. From drafting emails to solving complex problems, millions rely on it daily. However, many users are unaware that their conversations—and sometimes personal details—may be quietly stored to improve the system. For those concerned about privacy, the good news is that ChatGPT offers multiple settings and usage options to limit how much information is saved. Here are five simple and effective ways to prevent ChatGPT from storing your personal data. 1. Use ChatGPT Without Creating an Account According to a PCMag report, ChatGPT can now be used without signing in. Simply visit the official website and start chatting. In this mode, conversations are not linked to a personal account, significantly r...

A disturbing video circulating on social media has once again raised serious concerns over the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones. The clip shows a smartphone exploding inside a man’s jeans pocket, leaving the device completely burnt and tearing a large hole in his trousers. The phone is suspected to be a Motorola G-series model, though this has not yet been officially confirmed. Incident Caught on Camera According to reports, the incident allegedly occurred on the night of December 30, 2025, around 8 pm. The man was reportedly carrying his smartphone in his pocket when it suddenly exploded—without any apparent external trigger. The blast was so intense that it burned the phone beyond recognition and damaged his clothing. The video was shared on social media platf...

Running out of Gmail storage is a common problem today. A familiar pop-up warns users that their account is full, forcing them to either delete years’ worth of emails or pay for extra storage. But there’s a smarter solution—one that lets you free up the entire 15GB of Gmail storage without deleting a single email. The trick? Transfer your old emails to a new Gmail account. Why Gmail Storage Fills Up So Fast Every Gmail account comes with 15GB of free storage, but this space is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Large email attachments, backed-up photos, videos, and Drive files quickly eat into this limit. Once the storage is full, users can neither send nor receive new emails. While Google offers paid plans for additional storage, many users hesitate because ...