TECHNOLOGY

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 ...

The year 2025 marked a significant shift in the smartphone industry, as manufacturers focused on features that balance performance, durability, and everyday usability. Leading brands such as Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, Oppo, and others rolled out multiple new devices, showcasing major upgrades in AI integration, battery capacity, camera technology, and ultra-slim design. While some innovations struck a chord with consumers, others failed to translate buzz into sales. Overall, 2025 revealed a clear industry direction: smartphones are no longer just about raw power, but about making daily life simpler, smarter, and more efficient. The Return of Ultra-Slim Smartphones Over the past few years, smartphones had grown noticeably thicker due to larger cameras and batteries. In ...

The year 2025 proved to be a landmark for the world of technology. While Artificial Intelligence and robotics made major strides, it was a series of unusual, creative, and sometimes downright bizarre gadgets that truly captured public attention. From humanoid robots helping with household chores to AI-powered beauty tools and robotic companions, these inventions showcased just how imaginative modern technology has become. Here’s a look at seven of the strangest yet most fascinating tech devices of 2025: 1. Neo: The Household Humanoid Robot One of the most talked-about robots this year was Neo, a humanoid robot developed by company 1X. Designed as a domestic helper, Neo can fold clothes, clean cupboards, and organize homes. It responds to voice commands or app-based instructions an...

Have you ever discussed a product with someone, only to see advertisements or social media reels about the same thing moments later? If yes, you’re not alone. Many smartphone users suspect that their phones are constantly listening to them. While the reality is more complex, Android smartphones do offer a powerful hidden feature that gives users full control over their device’s sensors—and, in turn, their privacy. This feature is called “Sensor Off.” With just a single tap, it allows users to disable almost all sensors on their phone, including the microphone and camera. What Is the ‘Sensor Off’ Feature? Modern smartphones are equipped with multiple sensors—such as microphones, cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and proximity sensors—that help devices function smartly. However, ...

After transforming India’s telecom landscape with Jio, Reliance Industries is now setting its sights on a far bigger frontier—Artificial Intelligence. In a move that could redefine India’s digital future, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has unveiled a bold AI Manifesto, outlining the conglomerate’s vision to make AI affordable, accessible, and transformative for every Indian. Calling Artificial Intelligence “the most important technological development in human history,” Ambani said the world has only seen a small glimpse of AI’s true potential so far. According to him, AI holds the power to solve some of humanity’s most complex challenges—provided it is deployed responsibly and inclusively. A Two-Part AI Blueprint According to an ANI report, Relia...

Poco is all set to launch its latest smartphone, Poco M8 5G, in India on January 8, 2026. The device promises to bring several exciting features, including a 50-megapixel AI-powered camera, though if it turns out to be a rebranded Redmi Note 15 5G, the rear camera could be 108 megapixels. Key Specs and Features The new Poco M8 5G will be a sleek 7.35mm device powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. The phone is expected to include 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. Its 5520 mAh battery supports 45W fast charging and 18W reverse charging, although it is slightly below the current trend of 7000 mAh batteries. The device will sport a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3200 nits peak brightness, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The rear design will ...

In India’s growing 5G landscape, Reliance Jio has emerged as the clear leader, leaving Airtel trailing, while Vodafone-Idea is still a newcomer finding its footing. A recent report by network intelligence firm OpenSignal highlights the differences in 5G usage among the country’s top telecom operators. Jio vs Airtel: The Numbers Between September and November 2025, Jio users spent significantly more time on 5G compared to Airtel subscribers, even though both networks offer similar 5G coverage. According to OpenSignal: Airtel: 5G availability – 66.6%; time spent on 5G – 28%; 5G download speed – 187.2 Mbps (7x faster than 4G) Jio: 5G availability – 68.1%; time spent on 5G – 67.3%; 5G download speed – 199.7 Mbps (11x faster than 4G) These figures show that Jio users not only c...