New Delhi: If you use UPI payment apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm, this news is important for you. New UPI payment rules will take effect from April 1, 2025. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that mobile numbers that haven’t been used for a long time will be unlinked from bank accounts. If your bank account is linked to an inactive number, it may be deleted, causing issues with UPI payments. Why did NPCI take this decision? NPCI has implemented this step to prevent rising cyber fraud and technical issues. When a mobile number remains inactive for a long time, telecom companies can reassign it to another person. If this number was previously linked to a bank account and the new user misuses it, the risk of fraud increases. Additionally, technical issues in banks and the UPI system could lead to incorrect transactions or payment failures. NPCI’s goal is to make UPI more secure and ensure users face no inconvenience. Why is a mobile number necessary for UPI payments? Your registered mobile number serves as an identity for UPI payments. When you send money to someone, the bank sends an OTP to your registered mobile number to ensure that the transaction is authorized and the money goes to the right person. If your number remains inactive for a long time and is reassigned to someone else, it can lead to incorrect transactions or fund misdirection. This could result in your money being transferred to someone else’s account. What should you do now? If the mobile number linked to your bank account has been inactive for a long time or hasn’t been recharged, you should check it immediately. Contact your telecom provider, such as Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL, to confirm whether the number is still registered in your name. If your number has become inactive, you should either reactivate it or update your bank account with a new mobile number. This will help you avoid any issues with UPI transactions in the future. NPCI’s New Guidelines NPCI has instructed banks and UPI apps to update records of inactive mobile numbers every week. This means that from April 1, 2024, banks will remove all numbers that have not been in use for a long time. If you want your UPI payments to continue without any interruptions, update your bank and mobile number details as soon as possible.

Google Pixel 9a India Launch: Google has officially launched the Pixel 9a in India, making it the most affordable member of the Pixel 9 series. The Google Pixel 9a is more affordable than Apple’s iPhone 16e and runs on Android 15. Google promises seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. Notably, the Apple’s iPhone 16e comes in three variants — 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at Rs 59,900. The smartphone comes in white and black colour options.  The Pixel 9a is a dual SIM (Nano+eSIM) smartphone is available in four colour options: Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain. Google has packed the Pixel 9a with several AI-powered camera features, including Macro Focus, Add Me, Night Sight, Reimagine, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, and Portrait Light. Adding further, it comes with built-in support for Google Gemini, just like the company’s flagship Pixel 9 Pro. For 4 years running, Google’s Pixel has stood out thanks in part to its bold industrial design. But with the new Pixel 9a, the bar has been lowered — or actually, eliminated entirely. Google says this was done to make the phone more pocketable. But it also makes the 9a blend… pic.twitter.com/84VSn26bCJ — Michael Fisher (@Captain2Phones) March 19, 2025 The new-generation Pixel 9a expands Google’s Pixel lineup, joining flagship models like the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold as a more budget-friendly option. Despite its affordability, the Pixel 9a boasts flagship-level features, including the Tensor G4 chipset, a dual-camera setup with AI enhancements, and built-in Gemini assistance. Google Pixel 9a Price In India And Availability The Pixel 9a is priced at Rs 49,999 for the 8GB+128GB variant, while the 8GB+256GB model costs Rs 56,999. The smartphone will go on sale in April through Flipkart, Croma, Vijay Sales, and other major retailers.  Google Pixel 9a Specifications The Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch Actua display with a resolution of 1080 x 2424 pixels. It offers up to 1800 nits of HDR brightness and a peak brightness of 2700 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight. The phone is powered by the device is a 5100mAh battery, delivering over 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. For photography, the Pixel 9a features a dual rear camera setup, including a 48MP wide camera with OIS and 8X Super Res Zoom (digital zoom), along with a 13MP ultra-wide camera offering a 120-degree field of view. On the front, there’s a 13MP selfie camera with a 96.1-degree ultrawide field of view. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and the phone comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. For security, the Pixel 9a includes features like Emergency SOS, Crisis Alerts, Car Crash Detection, Earthquake Alerts, and Theft Protection. 

New Delhi: With the rise of generative AI (Gen AI) and agentic AI, companies are looking to transform their customer service departments into key value drivers that enhance brand perception, improve customer loyalty, and drive operational efficiency, a new report said on Monday.  As customer service is no longer just a support function for businesses, companies in India and across the world are rapidly adopting AI-powered customer service solutions. A report by the Capgemini Research Institute showed that the 86 per cent of organisations have already implemented Gen AI, initiated pilots, or are exploring its potential. The report indicates that AI-driven customer service solutions are proving effective in reducing issue resolution time, cutting operational costs, and boosting agent productivity. Nearly 78 per cent of surveyed Indian executives believe using Gen AI in customer service reduces issue handling time, compared to 62 per cent of their global counterparts. Additionally, 67 per cent of Indian executives say AI helps lower operating costs, and 60 per cent believe it enhances agent productivity. These numbers highlight the growing confidence in AI as a transformative tool in customer service operations. However, while AI-powered chatbots and virtual agents are improving in quality and efficiency, customers still value human interaction. Over 70 per cent of consumers prefer human agents for their empathy and creative problem-solving abilities, although younger customers are more open to chatbot interactions. This suggests that the future of customer service will be a balanced mix of human and AI-driven solutions, offering both speed and personalisation. Looking ahead, Indian businesses expect key trends to shape customer service over the next three years. About 66 per cent of surveyed executives believe proactive customer service, which identifies and addresses potential issues before they arise, will be a game-changer. Similarly, 60 per cent expect the role of customer service agents to evolve, shifting from handling routine tasks to more value-driven roles like relationship-building and sales. Indian companies also expect significant benefits from Gen AI adoption. Around 62 per cent anticipate faster response times, 58 per cent expect improved first-contact resolution rates, and 56 per cent believe AI will enhance customer satisfaction. “With over half of consumers prepared to leave a brand due to poor customer service, even if their purchase is good, business leaders now recognise that exceptional customer service is no longer a luxury but a strategic imperative,” said Franck Greverie, chief portfolio & technology officer at Capgemini.

New Delhi: India’s smartphone exports crossed a staggering Rs 1.75 lakh crore ($21 billion) in 11 months of FY2024-25 (April-February) which constitutes a 54 per cent jump over the corresponding figure for the same period of FY2023-24, according to latest industry data.  Minister for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that he expects smartphone exports to reach $20 billion (Rs 1.68 lakh crore,) during 2024-25, but the estimate has already been exceeded in 11 months of the current financial year, as per data from the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). India’s electronics goods exports, led by smartphones, have been accelerating in recent years on the back of government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme which has succeeded in attracting foreign tech giants such as Apple and its suppliers, looking to set up alternative supply chains outside China after the Communist country came under US sanctions. The PLI scheme has boosted exports and reduced imports, as domestic production now meets 99 per cent of domestic demand. Around 70 per cent of the exports were contributed by Apple’s iPhone supply chain with Tamil Nadu-based Foxconn plant, accounting for close to 50 per cent of the overseas shipments. Exports from the Foxconn factory registered an over 40 per cent jump over the same period of the previous financial year. Another 22 per cent of the exports came from iPhone vendor Tata Electronics, which has acquired the Wistron smartphone manufacturing factory in Karnataka. Another 12 per cent of the export consignments came from the Pegatron facility in Tamil Nadu in which Tata Electronics acquired a 60 per cent stake towards January-end. With the acquisition of the two Taiwanese companies, the Tata group has also emerged as a major producer of iPhones in the country. South Korean tech giant Samsung contributed around 20 per cent of the total smartphone exports from India. The PLI for electronics manufacturing has succeeded in attracting a cumulative investment to the tune of Rs 10,213 crore till December 2024, leading to the creation of over 1.37 lakh direct jobs and boosting the country’s exports, according to latest information tabled in the Parliament. Under the special incentive scheme, cumulative production of Rs 662,247 crore has been achieved. “Due to the policies of the government for promotion of electronics manufacturing, India has become a mobile phone exporter now from a mobile importing country in 2014- 15,” Union Minister of State for electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, informed Parliament recently. Driven by the PLI scheme, the production of mobile phones has increased from about 60 million mobile phones in 2014-15 to about 330 million mobile phones in 2023-24. This is a more than 5 times increase in the number of mobile phones manufactured over the last 10 years. In value terms, the production of mobile phones has increased from a mere Rs 19,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 422,000 crore in 2023-24 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41 per cent. Since the inception of the PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing, mobile phone exports have increased from Rs 22,868 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 129,074 crore in 2023-24 growing at a CAGR of 78 per cent. Further, whereas in 2015, 74 per cent of all mobile phones sold in India were imported, India has now reached a point where 99.2 per cent of the mobile handsets being used in India are made in India.

Samsung Galaxy F16 5G India Launch: South Korean tech giant Samsung has launched the Galaxy F16 5G, expanding its popular Galaxy F series portfolio. The Galaxy F16 5G continues the legacy of the F series, with India’s largest consumer electronics brand claiming that the handset will receive six generations of Android upgrades and six years of security updates. The phone runs on Android 15-based One UI 7. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G: Colour Options And Features The Samsung Galaxy F16 5G is available in three colour options: Vibing Blue, Glam Green, and Bling Black. Adding further, Samsung is introducing its innovative Tap and Pay feature with Samsung Wallet for the first time in this segment, allowing users to make secure payments effortlessly. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G: All-New Design and Segment-Leading Display The newly launched smartphone features a refreshed design with a Ripple Glow Finish and measures just 7.9mm slim. It boasts a segment-leading 6.7-inch FHD+ sAMOLED display, delivering stunning visuals with vibrant colors and deep contrasts. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G: Camera The handset sports a stylish, linear-grouped camera design and features a 50MP triple-camera setup, enabling users to capture high-quality photos and videos. For selfies, the 13MP front camera ensures stunning shots. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G: Processor and Battery Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, the Galaxy F16 5G ensures smooth multitasking and lag-free gaming. The device packs a 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging, keeping users powered throughout the day. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G: Connectivity The smartphone offers a range of connectivity options, including 5G, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS + GLONASS, a USB Type-C port, and NFC. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G Price in India and Availability The Galaxy F16 5G is priced at Rs 11,499 for the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, inclusive of all offers. The 6GB + 128GB model is available for Rs 12,999, while the top-end 8GB + 128GB variant costs Rs 14,499. The smartphone is available for purchase on Flipkart, Samsung.com, and select retail stores. Samsung Galaxy F16 5G: Bank Offers For a limited time, Samsung is offering an instant Rs 1,000 discount on purchases made through its official e-store. Additionally, SBI and Axis Bank cardholders can avail of an extra Rs 1,000 discount, making the deal even more attractive.