The World Opinion

Category: Technology

  • Vivo V40e India Launch Officially Announced; Could Debut With AI Eraser? Check Expected Specs |

    Vivo V40e India Launch: Chinese smartphone brand Vivo has announced the official launch date of the Vivo V40e smartphone in the Indian market. The newly-launched smartphone will come in Royal Bronze and Mint Green color options.

    The phone is expected to come in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB storage variants. Furthermore, the company has revealed that the Vivo V40e will come with an AI Eraser to remove unwanted objects from photos and an AI Photo Enhancer as well. It is important to note that the upcoming smartphone has an updated design over its predecessor -Vivo V30e.

    Vivo V40e India Launch And Price

    The smartphone will launch on September 25 at 12:00pm IST. The price of the handset is expected to come in between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 in India.

    Vivo V40e Specifications (Expected)

    The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.77-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The smartphone is confirmed to pack a 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

    The company is expected to give 98 hours of music playback and 20 hours of YouTube playback. On the optics front, the smartphone could feature a 50MP primary camera with OIS + EIS, 4K video recording support, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera with Aura Light at the back. For selfies and video chats, there is a 50 MP shooter on the front.

    The phone could be a 7.49mm thin build and 183 grams weight. The processor details of the Vivo V40e smartphone is yet to be officially announced. However, the phone is tipped to ship with MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 SoC.

  • iPhone 16 Goes on Sale in India: Blinkit, BigBasket, And Zepto Offer 10-Minute Delivery; Check Price |

    iPhone 16 On Sale In India: Zomato-owned Blinkit and Tata Digital’s BigBasket have announced that Apple’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are available for purchase with a 10-minute delivery period in select cities. As the iPhone 16 series went on sale in India, several customers thronged Apple’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Apple Saket stores in Mumbai and Delhi, respectively. Meanwhile, both services have partnered with retail outlets in order to deliver the iPhone 16 to customers in India along with discounts, in select cities.

    iPhone 16 Series Price And Color Options:

    In India, the iPhone 16 is priced at Rs 79,900, while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at Rs 89,900. The iPhone 16 Pro is available from Rs 1,19,900, and the top-tier iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a price tag of Rs 1,44,900.

    The premium smartphone is now available for purchase in Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White through Apple’s website, Apple Stores in Delhi and Mumbai, as well as authorized retailers.

    iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus Go on Sale With 10-Minute Delivery Via Blinkit

    Blinkit has launched a 10-minute delivery service for the iPhone 16 series in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune. Partnering with Unicorn, an authorized Apple reseller, Blinkit is also offering an instant cashback of Rs 5,000 on ICICI Bank, SBI, and Kotak Mahindra Bank credit card purchases.

    In a post on Dhindsa also revealed that the platform will soon offer the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max for purchase.

    Get the all-new iPhone 16 delivered in 10 minutes!

    We’ve partnered with @UnicornAPR for the third year in a row, bringing the latest iPhone to Blinkit customers in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru (for now) — on launch day!

    PS – Unicorn is also providing discounts with… pic.twitter.com/2odeJPn11k — Albinder Dhindsa (@albinder) September 20, 2024

    It is important to note that the company is already about to complete 300 deliveries across India.

    iPhone 16 Go on Sale With 10-Minute Delivery Via BigBasket

    Tata Group-owned BigBasket has partnered with Croma Electronics to offer 10-minute delivery of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to customers in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai. According to BigBasket Co-Founder Hari Menon, the first order was delivered in just seven minutes.

    The latest iPhone 16 is just 10 minutes away! Available to order in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR from 20th September, 8 AM onwards. , .#bigbasket #apple #iphone #iphonelaunch #iphone16 #iphone16pro #iphone16promax #iphonedelivery#10mindelivery pic.twitter.com/Ts7qzHJ1q8 — bigbasket (@bigbasket_com) September 19, 2024

    iPhone 16 Go On Sale With 10-Minute Delivery Via Zepto

    Zepto, India’s fastest online grocery delivery app, has joined the race, offering iPhone deliveries in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Consumers can also enjoy a discount of Rs 5000 on iPhone 16 for eligible cards from Bank of Baroda Card, RBL Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank.

  • Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets Over Foreign ‘Interference’ |

    New York: Social media giant Meta announced that it has banned Russian state media broadcaster RT and other Kremlin-controlled networks over the alleged “foreign interference activity.”

    Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has alleged that the outlets were involved in deceptive influence operations and tried to avoid detection. Announcing the move in a statement on Monday, a Meta spokesperson stated, “After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity. “

    The ban will be implemented in the upcoming days across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The social media giant has been shrinking the influence of the Russian state-controlled media across its platforms since 2022.

    Before the ban, RT had 7.2 million Facebook followers and 1 million Instagram followers. This action is in response to recent allegations by the US that Russian media, especially RT, has been participating in covert activities to influence worldwide viewers.

    Earlier this month, two RT workers were charged by US authorities with money laundering. They are accused of planning to engage an American company to create material with the intention of impacting the 2024 US presidential election.

    On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on several countries to treat the Russian state broadcaster RT in the same manner as “covert intelligence operations.”

    The coordinator for the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, James Rubin, restated these worries, labeling RT as a channel where “propaganda, disinformation, and lies are spread to millions, if not billions, of people around the globe.”

    RT has derided the actions of the US, accusing it of trying to impede the broadcaster from operating as a journalistic organisation. Meanwhile, Russia has not yet commented on the ban.

  • Scared Of Long Queues Outside Apple Stores? Get iPhone 16 Delivered In Minutes At Your Doorsteps |

    New Delhi: You don’t have to wait in line to buy an iPhone anymore. Starting today, order it on quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit and BB Now it will be delivered to your doorstep within minutes.

    Albinder Dhindsa, the co-founder and CEO of Blinkit, informed in a social media post on Friday that the company will deliver the iPhone 16 in Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru on the very launch day of the iPhone.

    “Get the all-new iPhone 16 delivered in 10 minutes! We’ve partnered with @UnicornAPR for the third year in a row, bringing the latest iPhone to Blinkit customers in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru (for now) — on launch day! PS – Unicorn is also providing discounts with select credit cards and EMI options are available too,” said Dhindsa.

    Blinkit, known for delivering groceries and other essential items within minutes, is expanding its offerings to cater to the high-demand tech market.

    The company has collaborated with key Unicorn Stores and Apple retailers, to ensure the iPhone 16 is available to its users immediately on release.

    Meanwhile, long queues were seen outside the Apple store in Delhi’s Saket and the flagship store in Mumbai’s BKC.

    A customer Akshay says, “I came at 6 am. I purchased the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I liked iOS 18 and the zoom camera quality has become better now, I came from Surat.”

    Another customer Ujjwal Shah said “I have been standing in the queue for the last 21 hours. I have been here since 11 AM yesterday and I will be the first one to enter the store today at 8 AM. I am very excited today.. .The atmosphere in Mumbai for this phone is absolutely new…Last year, I stood in the queue for 17 hours.”

    Apple launched the new variants of the iPhone 16 during the second week of September, and the phone will be available for starting today Friday, September 20th. The price of the base variant of the iPhone 16 with 128 GB memory is Rs 79,900.

    To ensure timely deliveries, the companies have optimized its network of micro-fulfillment centres, positioning stock in strategic locations across major cities. The service will initially be available in select areas, with plans for expansion in the coming months.

    This move into tech product deliveries could set a new standard in the e-commerce space, especially for high-value items.

    With this offering, the platform aims to elevate customer satisfaction by blending speed and convenience, ensuring the iPhone 16 reaches its buyers within just 10 minutes of placing an order.

  • Apple iPhone 16 Series Go On Sale In India From Today; Serpentine Queues Outside Store, Some Wait For 21 Hours |

    New Delhi: As Apple has started the sale of its iPhone 16 series from today (September 20), serpentine queues outside Apple stores have caught the attention of social media. Similar to last year’s situation, Apple enthusiasts have been waiting in long queues outside Apple store in Delhi’s Saket and the flagship store in Mumbai’s BKC.

    A customer Akshay says, “I came at 6 am. I purchased the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I liked iOS 18 and the zoom camera quality has become better now, I came from Surat,” reported news agency ANI.

    Another customer Ujjwal Shah said “I have been standing in the queue for the last 21 hours. I have been here since 11 AM yesterday and I will be the first one to enter the store today at 8 AM. I am very excited today.. .The atmosphere in Mumbai for this phone is absolutely new…Last year, I stood in the queue for 17 hours.”

    The company for the first time plans to start assembling iPhone Pro Series in India but those models will start selling at a later date, PTI quoting sources has reported.

    “The entire iPhone 16 lineup will be available across the country tomorrow,” an Apple India spokesperson said. The company, however, did not offer any comment on the availability of assembled in India iPhone Pro series.

    This is the first time the company is selling the iPhone Pro series at lower price than the previous version mainly on account of import duty cut in the recent budget.

    Apple iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max Bank Offers, Exchange Offer

    Customers who are eager to exchange their older iPhone model, can get up to Rs 67,500 being adjusted towards a new device, Apple has said.

    Cashbacks and bank offers include –Rs 5,000 instant cashback from select banks –American Express, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank. Apple is also offering no-interest equated monthly installment (no-cost EMI) plans of three and six months.

    Much to the delight of fans and enthusiasts, tech giant Apple on September 9 introduced the iPhone 16 series.

    The much-anticipated iPhone models boast of Apple Intelligence, larger display sizes, camera control, innovative pro-camera features and a humongous battery life.

    iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Price, Availability

    iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. The price of iPhone 16 Pro starts at Rs 119,900 while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 144,900. The phones will have color options in black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium and desert titanium colours.

    iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Price, Availability

    iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. The price of iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900 while iPhone 16 Plus starts at Rs 89.900. The phones will have color options in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black in capacities.

    iPhone 16 Pro Max Key Features

    6.9 inch Super Retina XDR display

    Titanium screen with textured matte glass back, Action button

    A18 Pro chip, 6-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine

    Pro camera system: 48MP Fusion 48MP Ultra Wide Telephoto

    Battery: Up to 33 hours video playback

    USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers

    Water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes

    iPhone 16 Pro Key Features

    6.3 inch Super Retina XDR display

    Titanium screen with textured matte glass back, Action button

    A18 Pro chip, 6-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine

    Pro camera system 48MP Fusion 48MP Ultra Wide Telephoto

    Battery: Up to 27 hours video playback

    USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers

    Water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes


    iPhone 16 Key Features

    6.1 inch Super Retina XDR display

    Aluminum screen with colour-infused glass back (Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black)

    A18 chip, 6-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine

    Advanced dual-camera system 48MP Fusion 12MP Ultra Wide

    Battery: Up to 22 hours video playback

    USB-C, Supports USB 2

  • Apple’s Limited-Time Offer In India: Free AirPods With Mac And Apple Pencil With iPad – Eligible Devices, Here’s How To Claim |

    Apple’s Limited-Time Offer In India: Apple is offering its limited-time Unidays offer for university students in India. This limited-time offer comes with significant discounts on various Mac and iPad models, with additional perks including free AirPods or an Apple Pencil.

    Furthermore, Apple’s limited-time Unidays offer includes a 20 percent discount on AppleCare+ plans. The university students can avail of this offer through the Apple Education Store. It is important to note that these plans provide protection against accidental damage. Apple is offering a special deal on its Apple Music Student Plan, which includes complimentary access to Apple TV+. This offer ends on September 30.

    For those who may not know, the AirPods 4, Apple’s latest TWS earbuds, were launched on September 10 alongside the new iPhone 16 series and Watch Series 10. Equipped with the H2 chip, the AirPods 4 provides fast pairing and enhanced audio quality. It features body temperature sensing technology for health tracking.

    Adding further, the AirPods 4 offers spatial audio, gesture tracking for Siri with head movements, and voice isolation to minimize background noise for clearer calls. They support wireless charging and provide up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.

    Eligible Devices Under Apple’s Limited-Time Unidays Offer

    MacBook Air with M2, MacBook Air with M3, MacBook Pro 14-inch with M3, MacBook Pro 16-inch with M3, iMac with M3, Mac mini with M2, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch ( M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2).

    How To Avail Apple Offer

    Step 1: Visit the UNiDAYS Apple Education Store by heading to the official platform.

    Step 2: Verify your student status by entering your student ID or university credentials to confirm that you are a current student.

    Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process by providing the necessary details.

    Step 4: Once verified, explore the Apple Education Store and enjoy exclusive student discounts on Apple products.

  • Infinix Zero 40 5G Launched In India With ‘Infinix AI’ Features, Starting At Rs 27,999; Check Specs |

    Infinix Zero 40 5G India Launch: Infinix has launched the Infinix Zero 40 5G smartphone in India. This is the first smartphone to come with ‘Infinix AI’ features, which is an AI-powered suite with GoPro support. The Infinix Zero 40 5G is offered in 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB storage options.

    It comes in three color options: Moving Titanium, Rock Black, and Violet Garden. Notably, the Infinix Zero 40 5G debuts as the successor to the Zero 30 5G, featuring design enhancements, camera improvements, and faster charging. Running on XOS 14.5, based on Android 14, the device is set to receive two years of Android updates and three years of security patches.

    Infinix Zero 40 5G Price In India, Availability

    The smartphone is priced at Rs 27,999 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the 12GB+512GB model costs Rs 30,999. Consumers can purchase the Infinix Zero 40 5G smartphone starting September 21 via Flipkart. (Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Massive Discount: Get It For Rs 54,900; How To Grab The Deal)

    Infinix Zero 40 5G AI Features

    The Infinix Zero 40 5G features an ‘AI Eraser’ to remove unwanted objects from photos and an AI Wallpaper tool that generates custom wallpapers from text or images. Adding further, the AI ​​Cut-Out Sticker feature allows users to create stickers from image cutouts.

    You’ll also find the AI ​​Vlog feature, which helps create social media-ready vlogs effortlessly. The device includes an AI Image Generator for creating images from scratch, AI Translate for multilingual translations, and an AI Text Generator to simplify content creation.

    Infinix Zero 40 5G Specifications:

    The Infinix Zero 40 5G boasts a 6.78-inch FHD+ 3D curved AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1,300 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

    Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset, it offers up to 24GB extended RAM. The device is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery, supporting 45W wired fast charging and 20W wireless charging. (Also Read: Apple’s Limited-Time Offer In India: Free AirPods With Mac And Apple Pencil With iPad – Eligible Devices, Here’s How To Claim)

    According to Infinix, the Zero 40 5G can charge up to 60% in just 25 minutes. Additional features include Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, an in-display fingerprint sensor, Always On Display, and JBL sound tuning.

    On the optics front, the smartphone comes with a triple-camera setup with a 108MP primary OIS camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies and video chats, there is a 50MP ultra-wide camera for selfies with 4K 60fps video recording support.

  • iPhone 16 Goes On Sale In India From Tomorrow, Pre-Order For ‘Made In India’ Phone Surges |

    New Delhi: Apple has seen a surge in pre-orders for its ‘Make in India’ iPhone 16 in the country, as the company gears up to make its latest iPhone line-up available on September 20, trade analysts said on Thursday, adding that the new devices are set to break previous export records.

    The ongoing channel checks suggest that iPhone 16 Pro models are also witnessing a strong traction from buyers, owing to its more strategic and accessible pricing, in comparison to the 15 series.

    The new iPhones will be available at Apple retail and online stores in India — Apple BKC (Mumbai) and Apple Saket (New Delhi) – along with the company’s authorized sellers, from September 20.

    According to Counterpoint Research Director Tarun Pathak, there is a strong pre-order demand for the base iPhone 16 model compared to last year, and with attractive financing options, “the new 16 series is set to break previous records”.

    The analysts expect a healthy mix of upgrades this year for Apple in the country. The momentum is great with the government’s thrust on local manufacturing as the iPhone 16 models are being manufactured/assembled in India with simultaneous availability along with global market.

    Prabhu Ram, VP-Industry Research Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR), told IANS that Apple is benefiting from the strong tailwinds rising from the premiumisation wave in the Indian smartphone market.

    “The older generation iPhone 14 and 13 series will also gain traction in the festive season,” he added.

    Apple’s latest iPhone 16 is being produced and launched globally from the Indian factories. Driven by the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, the tech giant reached around $5 billion in iPhone exports from India in the April-August period this fiscal (FY25).

    As per industry data, this is a growth of over 50 per cent from the same period of first five months in FY24.

    The iPhone 16 Pro series benefits from more strategic and accessible pricing compared to its previous generation. This is expected to drive upgrades in the Indian market, making it more appealing to a wider range of consumers.

    Globally, iPhone 16 series first-weekend pre-order sales are estimated at about 37 million units, as per industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

    Meanwhile, Apple revenues in India are likely to grow 18 per cent (year-on-year) in 2024 and the new iPhone 16 series would help the company further solidify its presence in the country, along with boosting its exports figures.

    Apple has 6 percent share by volume and 16 percent by value in India. The double-digit growth will continue, with revenues expected to cross the $10 billion mark in 2025 in the country.

    The iPhone production in India has gone up from less than 1 per cent in 2017 to 10 per cent in 2023 and plans are to scale it up to 25 per cent of global shipments by 2025, according to global investment firm Jefferies.

  • Free JioAirFiber For 1 Year: Check Dates, How To Avail Reliance Jio Offer |

    New Delhi: Reliance Digital has come up with its Diwali Double Dhamaka offer, under which it is giving customers one year of free JioAirFiber service.

    The festive promotion is available at all Reliance Digital stores in the country from September 18 to November 3, 2024.

    Shop and Earn Free JioAirFiber

    Customers who spend Rs20,000 or more at any Reliance Digital or MyJio store will qualify for one year of complimentary JioAirFiber. The offer can be availed by both new and existing JioFiber and JioAirFiber customers

    How To Get Free JioAirFiber For 1 Year

    New Customers have to either spend Rs 20,000 or more at any Reliance Digital or MyJio store or subscribe to a 3-month Diwali plan for Rs 2,222 when setting up their JioAirFiber connection.

    Existing Customers of JioFiber and JioAirFiber users can participate by making a one-time advance recharge of Rs 2,222 with the same 3-month Diwali plan.

    Redeemable Benefits

    Eligible customers will receive 12 coupons, each matching the value of their active JioAirFiber plan, redeemable monthly from November 2024 to October 2025. Each coupon can be redeemed within 30 days of issuance at any Reliance Digital, My Jio store, JioPoint, or JioMart Digital Exclusive store on their next purchase of electronics worth over Rs 15,000.

  • Explained: Are Smartphones And Smartwatches At Risk Of Exploding? ,

    In a rare and concerning incident on September 18, hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon, leading to at least nine deaths and over 2,750 injuries, according to official reports. The blasts caused significant destruction and chaos, heavily affecting Hezbollah units and institutions. While such pager explosions are unusual, they have sparked worries about the safety of lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in devices like smartphones. However, the risk of battery explosions in untampered devices remains low. Reports suggest that the pagers involved were deliberately modified before shipment to trigger the explosions remotely, rather than being hacked or subjected to a cyberattack.

    Why do smartphones explode?

    Battery explosions in smartphones have only occurred due to manufacturing defects. Lithium-ion batteries, which power both pagers and smartphones, come with inherent risks due to their high energy density and rechargeability. While efficient, these batteries can fail under excessive heat, overcharging, or physical damage, potentially leading to overheating or even explosions. Manufacturing defects and design flaws also play a role in these risks. For example, smartphone explosions, though rare, are typically caused by overheating from prolonged use, external damage, or faulty components. Such incidents are generally isolated and result from manufacturing or usage issues, rather than intentional attacks.

    Some people worry they won’t wake up without setting an alarm on their phones, and some even sleep with their phone under the pillow. But is that really safe? Mobile phone battery explosions, though rare, can happen, and charging a phone overnight under a pillow can be risky. As the phone and charger heat up during charging, the lack of airflow under the pillow can trap the heat, potentially leading to overheating and even a fire hazard.

    Cases of mobile phone explosion

    Last year in Nashik district, mobile phone exploded while charging at a residence shattering nearby windows. Three people were injured in the incident, which took place in the CIDCO Uttam Nagar area. The explosion’s intensity increased due to a nearby deodorant bottle, a highly flammable item, catching fire, causing significant damage.

    A 76-year-old man in Kerala’s Thrissur district narrowly avoided burn injuries when his mobile phone, placed in his shirt pocket, suddenly burst into flames. Also, an 8-month-old baby tragically lost her life after a phone’s battery, which was being charged next to her, exploded.

    A smartwatch explosion can harm users, as it poses risks of burns, injuries, and potential fires. Explosions are usually caused by battery malfunctions, overheating, or manufacturing defects. It’s important to handle smartwatches with care, avoid overcharging, and ensure proper ventilation to minimize the chances of such incidents.

    Avoid placing smartphones and smartwatches under pillows while charging, as this can lead to overheating and potential explosions. The heat generated during charging may not dissipate properly, increasing the risk of battery malfunctions and fires. Prioritize safety by charging devices on hard, well-ventilated surfaces away from flammable materials.