New Delhi: WhatsApp has recently revealed that nearly 90 people across two dozen countries were targeted by hackers using spyware, The victims included journalists and members of civil society. They were attacked through a hacking tool developed by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli company which specialises in spyware. Paragon’s software, often sold to government clients for purposes like combating crime and ensuring national security, was used to compromise the devices of these individuals, the WhatsApp official told Reuters. What makes this attack particularly concerning is that Paragon’s spyware uses a “zero-click” hack. This means the victims didn’t need to click on any harmful links to get infected. The spyware can infiltrate a device without any action from the user which silently breaches the security. Once installed, it gives hackers complete access to the phone. It also allows them to read encrypted messages on apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The victims were sent malicious documents that didn’t require any interaction to compromise their devices, making this type of attack especially stealthy, The WhatsApp official told Reuters. WhatsApp officials, speaking to Reuters, didn’t reveal the exact identities of those targeted but mentioned that the victims were located in over two dozen countries, including several in Europe. However, The Guardian reported that the main targets of the hackers were journalists and members of civil society. The WhatsApp official confirmed that the company had disrupted the hacking attempt and was directing the affected users to Citizen Lab, a Canadian internet watchdog group. However, they did not reveal how WhatsApp determined that Paragon was behind the attack. The official also mentioned that law enforcement and industry partners had been notified but didn’t provide further details. The FBI has not yet responded to a request for comment. Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton commented that the discovery of Paragon spyware targeting WhatsApp users “is a reminder that mercenary spyware continues to proliferate, and as it does, we continue to see familiar patterns of problematic use.”

Nothing Phone (3a) India Launch: London-based smartphone maker Nothing announced the launch of its latest device on 4 March this year. However, the company hasn’t disclosed the name of the upcoming device, it’s anticipated that they will unveil either the Nothing Phone 3 or 3a during the event.   In the X (formerly Twitter) post, the company shared a glimpse of its traditional LED lights and the rest is left for speculation. It is important to note that the Nothing Phone (2) was launched back in July 2023, the obvious choice for the launch of the new smartphone was its successor, the Phone (3). However, it appears that Nothing will launch the more budget-friendly Phone (3a) first.  Power in Perspective. 4 March 10:00 GMT. pic.twitter.com/D10WiYwov0 — Nothing (@nothing) January 27, 2025 Nothing Phone (3a) India Launch Event (Expected) The event, “Power in Perspective,” is scheduled for 10:00 AM GMT (3:30 PM IST). A teaser video hints at the back camera of the upcoming phone, showcasing the signature Glyph interface. However, the more details of the smartphones are expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress. Meanwhile, Flipkart has created a special page on its website to build excitement for this new Nothing product. Nothing Phone 3a Specifications (Expected)   The upcoming phone, codenamed ‘asteroids’ and spotted on the Nothing OS 3.0 build by Android Authority, is expected to feature the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, the same SoC found in devices like the Realme 14 Pro+ and Redmi Note 14 Pro+. The much anticipated smartphone is likely to retain the 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display seen in its predecessor, delivering smooth visuals and vibrant colours.  The phone might showcase a distinctive see-through design, in line with the brand’s signature style, and will run the latest version of Android customized with Nothing’s proprietary software. Adding further, it is expected to support e-SIM functionality, allowing users the flexibility to use two physical nano-SIMs or an eSIM in combination with a nano-SIM. 

Apple iPhone SE 4 India Launch: The Apple iPhone SE 4 is rumoured to be announced in the coming months as the successor to the iPhone SE (2022), which remains the most affordable smartphone in Apple’s current lineup. Even before the official announcement, several leaks have already surfaced, revealing key details about what could be Apple’s most budget-friendly iPhone of 2025. The latest leak by Majin Bu on X has provided a glimpse of the iPhone SE 4’s design. According to Ross Young, the device will feature a notch similar to the one on the iPhone 14, rather than the Dynamic Island, which has become a signature design element in Apple’s more premium models. It’s worth noting that the popular Dynamic Island, which debuted with the iPhone 15, offers a more interactive and sleek user experience. However, the decision to use the older notch design for the iPhone SE 4 is primarily driven by cost considerations.  Here’s what the iPhone SE 4 looks like pic.twitter.com/pEyIAJ34VR — Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 25, 2025 iPhone SE 4 Price In India And Launch (Expected) According to the report, the iPhone SE 4 may be priced under $500 globally and could cost between Rs 43,000 and Rs 49,000 in India. The device is expected to launch by April 2025.  iPhone SE 4 Specifications (Expected) The premium smartphone is expected to feature a 6.1-inch display, making it the largest in the SE lineup. It may also be the first SE model to include Face ID and Apple’s 5G modem, bringing it closer to the brand’s flagship offerings.  The device is rumored to come with a larger battery and USB Type-C charging, ensuring better power efficiency and faster charging speeds. Under the hood, it could be powered by either the A17 Pro or A18 Bionic chip, paired with at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for improved performance. iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 16 in comparison pic.twitter.com/tw3LiuFopG — Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 27, 2025 Adding further, this could be the first SE model to feature Apple Intelligence, integrating AI-powered Siri, image generation, and smart writing tools. On the photography front, the phone is expected to house a single 48-megapixel primary sensor with Smart HDR and Night Mode, promising enhanced photography, especially in low-light conditions. 

DeepSeek Vs ChatGPT Price: The emergence of DeepSeek R1, a Chinese competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has generated significant buzz in the AI community and is currently disrupting the tech landscape in the US. This marks the beginning of a new rivalry among AI chatbots, as the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek unveils its latest innovation, DeepSeek R1. Both DeepSeek R1 and ChatGPT are AI systems powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), designed to understand and generate human-like text. These models assist with various tasks, including writing, research, coding, and brainstorming ideas. Adding further, this article will guide you through the pricing structure of these models. The Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has become the most downloaded free app in the country. The app is available for free on Apple’s App Store and its official website. However, additional features and localized setups may require high-end hardware or subscription-based services for extended functionality. What Is DeepSeek, And Who Founded This AI App? DeepSeek was founded in Hangzhou, a city in southeastern China, and officially launched in July 2023. It is powered by the open-source DeepSeek-V3 model. The company is partially funded by Liang Wenfeng, who used capital from a hedge fund he also established, according to a report by the BBC. The 40-year-old information and electronic engineering graduate reportedly amassed a stockpile of Nvidia A100 chips, which are now banned from export to China. DeepSeek R1 vs. ChatGPT: Price And Training Cost While OpenAI’s training costs for each model reportedly run into tens of millions of dollars, DeepSeek claims to have trained its model for just over $5.5 million. API access for DeepSeek R1 starts at $0.14 for one million tokens, equivalent to approximately 750,000 words. Meanwhile, the OpenAI’s o1 model is priced at $7.50 for the same token volume. For users seeking more advanced features, both platforms offer paid subscriptions. ChatGPT starts at $20 per month, while DeepSeek offers a much more affordable option, starting at just $0.50 per month.  In addition to being budget-friendly for users, DeepSeek R1 is also cost-efficient to operate. It is reported to be approximately 27 times cheaper per token compared to OpenAI’s o1 model, making it an economical choice for businesses and developers. Meanwhile, the other AI systems, such as OpenAI’s o1 and Claude Sonnet, require paid subscriptions. Google Gemini is available for free but is limited to older models in its free versions and comes with usage restrictions.  DeepSeek Vs ChatGPT: Features DeepSeek excels in its ability to generate code, particularly in programming languages like Python and Java, making it a preferred tool for developers. It also demonstrates proficiency in solving complex equations, positioning it as a valuable resource for technical tasks. On the other hand, ChatGPT shines in creative domains, including storytelling, humor, and marketing copy. It is known for producing engaging and imaginative content, with a knack for crafting jokes and narratives effortlessly. How To Use DeepSeek R1 on Mobile Devices Step 1: Search for the DeepSeek R1 app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Step 2: Log in using your email, Gmail, or other supported credentials. How To Use DeepSeek R1 On Your Computer Step 1: Visit the DeepSeek R1 official website and log in with your email, Gmail, or phone number. If your phone number starts with +86, complete any additional verification steps required. Step 2: Once logged in, you’ll find an interface similar to ChatGPT’s, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience. Step 3: Start exploring the AI’s capabilities, including writing, research, coding, and brainstorming.

WhatsApp Call Recording: WhatsApp is an essential part of daily communication, with over 3.5 billion users worldwide. From casual chats to professional discussions, it has changed the way people connect. The instant messaging platform continues to introduce new features to improve user engagement. However, one feature many users request—call recording—is still missing. Despite WhatsApp’s strong security and privacy measures, some people want to record important conversations for future reference. Since the app supports voice and video calls across many countries, if you need to record a WhatsApp call on Android for safety or reference, you could do it easily without using any third-party app and access them anytime.  How To Record WhatsApp Call Via Screen Recording Feature  Step 1: Open WhatsApp and begin a voice or video call.  Step 2: Swipe down (Android) or swipe up (iPhone) to access Quick Settings or Control Center, then tap the Screen Recording button.  Step 3: The recording stops automatically when the call ends. If it doesn’t, manually stop it from the recording notification or control panel.   Step 4: The saved recording will be available in your phone’s Gallery or Photos app.  How To Find Your WhatsApp Call Recording On Android  Step 1: Unlock your phone and go to the Gallery or File Manager app.  Step 2: Look for a folder named Screen Recordings or Recorded Videos.  Step 3: Your WhatsApp call recording will be saved as a video file in this folder. 

Internet At 40,000 ft: As in-flight Wi-Fi becomes increasingly common, have you ever wondered how it keeps you connected at 40,000 feet? With no traditional broadband or mobile towers in the sky, airplanes rely on advanced technology. In the past, air travel and internet access were considered mutually exclusive. If you were taking a flight, you’d be logging out of the digital world. However, this issue has been addressed by the Indian government. In March 2020, the central government permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services to passengers. Notably, there are two primary systems for in-flight connectivity: air-to-ground and satellite. Air-to-Ground System This system works like mobile data on the ground but in reverse. Instead of cell towers projecting signals downward, special towers send signals upward. Antennas beneath the airplane receive these signals and transmit them to an onboard server, which then provides Wi-Fi to passengers. These ground towers are linked to operation centers run by service providers. Satellite-Based Wi-Fi System In this system, antennas on top of the airplane receive signals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Since both the aircraft and satellites are constantly moving, the antennas adjust to maintain a steady connection. These satellites relay data to ground stations, which connect to service providers. Which Airlines Offer In-Flight Wi-Fi? Many airlines in the UK and US already provide in-flight Wi-Fi. In India, some airlines, including Air India, are rolling out this service. Passengers receive details about availability when they board. How To Connect Wi-Fi In Flight? Connecting is easy—just like regular Wi-Fi. Passengers can tap on the Wi-Fi option on their phones. In some cases, they may need to enter their ticket details to access the service. Is In-Flight Wi-Fi Free? Some airlines offer free Wi-Fi, while others charge a fee. Pricing details are usually available when booking tickets. Future of In-Flight Wi-Fi At higher altitudes, airplanes switch to satellite-based services. Many airlines use a mix of Wi-Fi providers and technologies based on their aircraft and routes. New players like Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, are also entering the market. Earlier this year, Starlink partnered with Hawaiian Airlines to offer high-speed internet through its low-Earth orbit satellites, marking a new era in in-flight connectivity.

Deep Research OpenAI: Sam Altman’s OpenAI has added a groundbreaking tool called Deep Research to ChatGPT, allowing users to perform multi-step research on the web for more complex tasks. The new tool showcased on a YouTube livestream on Sunday, shortly after being presented to lawmakers, policymakers, and officials in Washington. It is important to note that the Deep Research is OpenAI’s second AI agent, following the launch of Operator AI for browser-related tasks last month.   OpenAI founder Sam Altman announced the launch on X, saying, stating, “Today we launch deep research, our next agent….this is like a superpower; experts on demand..it can go use the internet, do complex research and reasoning, and give you back a report…it is really good, and can do tasks that would take hours/days and cost hundreds of dollars.”  today we launch deep research, our next agent. this is like a superpower; experts on demand! it can go use the internet, do complex research and reasoning, and give you back a report. it is really good, and can do tasks that would take hours/days and cost hundreds of dollars. — Sam Altman (@sama) February 3, 2025 What Is Deep Research?  The Open AI’s tool Deep Research is powered by OpenAI’s latest o3 reasoning model, optimised for web browsing and data analysis. Deep Research currently only supports text output. The company claims that the latest AI agent searches interprets and analyses vast amounts of text, images and PDFs on the web to produce a comprehensive report. Adding further the OpenAI says it plans to add embedded images, data visualisations and other analytical output in the coming weeks.  How Does ChatGPT’s New AI Agent Work? The company claims that the latest AI agent searches, interprets and analyses vast amounts of text, images and PDFs on the web to produce a comprehensive report that is close to the level of a research analyst. The deep research queries will take between 5 and 30 minutes to return a result, and the chatbot will send users a notification when their research is complete.  ChatGPT’s New AI Agent Price And Who Can Access It Initially, Deep Research will be available to OpenAI’s Pro users, who pay $200 per month. There are plans to extend access to the $20-a-month Plus tier after safety evaluations in the next month. The tool is designed for professionals in fields like engineering, finance, literature, and biology, helping them save time and effort on in-depth research.

Mahakumbh 2025 Prayagraj: BSNL is playing a crucial role in enhancing communication at Maha Kumbh 2025 by providing free SIM cards and ensuring uninterrupted services. The telecom provider has also set up internet leased lines, Wi-Fi hotspots, high-speed fibre internet, webcasting, SD-WAN, bulk SMS, M2M SIMs, and satellite phone services across the Mela area. To assist pilgrims, BSNL has also established a dedicated customer service center for on-site support, complaint resolution, and seamless communication, according to the Ministry of Communications. At the Kumbh Mela, pilgrims from different parts of the country are being provided with free SIM cards from their respective circles. If any pilgrim loses or damages their SIM card, they will not need to return to their home state.  BSNL has arranged to supply SIM cards from all circles across the country to the Mela area. “This service is completely free, ensuring that pilgrims can easily stay in touch with their family and friends. BSNL has set up a camp office at Lal Road Sector-2, from where all communication services are being managed,” according to the Ministry. BSNL SIM Cards From Different State Made Available There has been a significant increase in demand for services like fibre connections, leased line connections, and mobile recharges in the Kumbh area. Keeping in mind the convenience of the public, SIM cards from different states have been made available, benefiting not only the pilgrims but also the security forces stationed there. BTS Towers Activated In Mela Area To ensure uninterrupted communication services during Maha Kumbh 2025, a total of 90 BTS towers have been activated in the Mela area. These include 30 BTS (700 MHz 4G band), 30 BTS (2100 MHz band), and 30 BTS (2G-enabled). “Through this initiative, BSNL is ensuring seamless communication for millions of pilgrims, administrative officers, security forces, and volunteer organisations, helping in the smooth operation of the event,” said the ministry. (With IANS)

New Delhi: With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming an essential tool for a tech powered economy, it is heartening to see the introduction of Centres of Excellence (COE) for Artificial Intelligence in education, industry leaders said on Sunday. Aligning with India’s broader vision to become a global AI hub, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the creation of three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in AI for education with a budget allocation of Rs 500 crore. “To position India as a leader in the global AI race, it is imperative to prioritise investment in STEM talent. We also have the digital infrastructure, and the talent pool required to cultivate a thriving startup ecosystem capable of propelling innovation,” said Aparna Iyer, CFO, Wipro Limited To unleash this potential, it is also important to offer financial support and streamline the process of conducting business to bolster the startup community. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) will provide the impetus to boost this ecosystem, she mentioned. According to Atul Soneja, Chief Operating Officer, Tech Mahindra, the Budget’s forward-looking focus on deep-tech innovations like AI, global capability centres (GCCs), and future-ready talent underscores a strong commitment towards “Viksit Bharat.” “The other initiatives like Deeptech Fund of Funds and 10,000 fellowships for tech research, 5 National CoEs and a CoE for AI in Education, reiterate our commitment to developing an ecosystem for next-gen tech,” he noted. According to the government, these new AI Centres of Excellence will work on advanced research, the development of AI learning tools, and foster collaboration between educational institutions and industries. The goal is to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the future. Chocko Valliappa, Founder and CEO of Vee Technologies, said the Finance Minister’s announcement for setting up a Centre for Excellence in AI for the education sector deserves to be raised to create novel technologies for the rapid reskilling of manpower that may find itself out of jobs due to the integration of AI in various workplaces. “In keeping with the FM’s focus on AI and research, I believe that technical higher education institutions in the private sector demonstrating excellence in new technologies, AI, robotics and Data Sciences are granted autonomous or central university status in a fast-track mode nationwide,” he said. This will also help enhance capacity building in novel technologies at a much lower cost to the nation compared to what it will cost to add the 6,500 more engineering seats in the IITs, as announced in the budget speech. According to Anjani Kumar, Partner, Deloitte India, the investment in setting up AI CoE for education is a critical step towards government’s ongoing efforts in leveraging AI for societal development. “This investment comes on the heels of the Rs 990 crore investment announced in October last year in establishing AI CoEs for agriculture, healthcare, and sustainability. The capacity building in these four key areas provides India an opportunity to unlock new possibilities to position itself as a global powerhouse in AI,” Kumar emphasised.

New Delhi: In today’s fast-paced world, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become an essential part of our daily lives. From paying for a cup of coffee to handling bigger transactions like online shopping or even paying rides, UPI is our go-to solution for instant payments. These IDs are usually a mix of letters and numbers, but occasionally, you might spot some special characters thrown in. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that starting February 1, the central system will reject any transactions that include special characters. NPCI, which is backed by the Reserve Bank of India and the Indian Banks’ Association, oversees retail payment and settlement systems across the country. It operates the UPI, which enables instant payments between individuals or for purchases at merchant locations. The January 9 circular advised all UPI system participants to generate transaction IDs using only alphanumeric characters to meet UPI’s technical standards. While the issue has mostly been addressed, some participants are still not in compliance. NPCI, to ensure full adherence to the specifications decided that UPI transaction IDs will no longer be allowed to contain special characters. Transactions with IDs that include special characters will be rejected by the central system. All parties involved are advised to be aware of this and ensure they follow the guidelines. Notably, UPI payments have grown rapidly in recent years especially after the 2016 demonetisation. Recent data reveals that UPI transactions reached a new high of 16.73 billion in December 2024, marking an 8 per cent increase from November’s 15.48 billion transactions. In terms of value, December saw Rs 23.25 lakh crore, up from Rs 21.55 lakh crore in November. NPCI addressed recent media reports about a new online fraud called the ‘Jumped Deposit’ Scam, stating, “In light of recent media reports concerning a new online fraud called ‘Jumped Deposit’ Scam, we have observed certain inaccuracies and technical discrepancies in these descriptions, that has led to unnecessary panic and confusion among users about the UPI platform.”