New Delhi: In a major step to curb the misuse of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) in messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a Direction on 20th August 2024, instructing all Access Providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs (Android Package Kit), or OTT (Over The Top) links that have not been whitelisted. The Direction is set to be implemented by 1st October 2024. To ensure smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs, TRAI advises registered senders to promptly upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of the respective Access Providers. So far, over 3,000 registered senders have complied with this requirement by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. Senders who fail to whitelist their links by the due date will not be able to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links. This initiative by TRAI is designed to safeguard consumers from unsolicited messages containing malicious links while fostering a transparent and secure communication system. By complying with these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can help in creating a more reliable and safe messaging environment.

New Delhi: Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom company has launched three new prepaid data plans to offer more options for its users. These data-only plans are priced at Rs 161, Rs 181 and Rs 351. These plans provide extra data without affecting your regular service validity. It’s Airtel’s latest effort to keep customers happy and stay ahead in the competitive telecom market. Here’s a quick overview of Airtel’s newly introduced data plans: – Rs 161 Plan: Offers 12 GB of data for 30 days with no daily usage limits. It comes at approximately Rs 13 per GB, providing flexibility for moderate data users. – Rs 181 Plan: Provides 15 GB of data for 30 days without any daily cap. Priced around Rs 12 per GB, it also includes access to Airtel Xstream Play, giving you 22+ OTT benefits for entertainment. – Rs 361 Plan: Delivers 50 GB of data for 30 days with no daily usage limit, making it cost-efficient at around Rs 7 per GB—ideal for heavy data users. Moreover, Airtel has revised some existing plans: Rs 77 Plan now offers 5 GB of data for 7 days. Rs 121 Plan provides 6 GB of data for 30 days. For smaller, one-day needs, the Rs 26 Plan offers 1.5 GB of data. These new Airtel plans are designed as data-only vouchers. This means that the users will need an active base prepaid plan to access the data. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea (Vi) has also made some changes to its plans. The Rs 479 prepaid plan, which originally offered 56 days of validity, now lasts for 48 days. This plan includes 1 GB of data per day, 100 daily SMS, and unlimited voice calls. The Rs 666 prepaid plan, which comes with Vi Hero benefits, has had its validity reduced from 77 days to 64 days.

New Delhi: More than 3,000 registered senders have whitelisted more than 70,000 URLs, APKs (Android package kit) or OTT (over the top) links as per the government directive to safeguard consumers from unsolicited messages containing malicious links, it was announced on Thursday.  In a major step to curb the misuse of URLs (uniform resource locators) in messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had issued a directive on August 20, and then extended it till September 30. The new rule, instructing all access providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that have not been whitelisted, is set to be implemented by 1st October 2024. To ensure smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs, TRAI advises registered senders to promptly upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of the respective Access Providers. “So far, over 3,000 registered senders have complied with this requirement by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. Senders who fail to whitelist their links by the due date will not be able to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links,” said the Ministry of Communications. This initiative is designed to foster a transparent and secure communication system. “By complying with these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can help in creating a more reliable and safe messaging environment,” said the telecom regulator. Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy under which only pre-approved or trusted users, entities, or actions are allowed to operate on a system or network. By preventing unauthorised access, whitelisting can greatly reduce the risk of malware infection and cyber intrusion. Telecom service providers blocked over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh mobile numbers and telecom resources earlier this month. The TRAI has also introduced punitive measures for non-compliance. Content templates registered under the wrong category will be blacklisted, and repeated offenses will lead to a one-month suspension of the sender’s services.

Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition India Launch: South Korean giant Samsung has launched the launch of Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition. It is set to offer users an enhanced smartphone experience with a Super AMOLED display, a 6000mAh battery, and a 50MP triple camera. The company claims that the phone will receive 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates to ensure users can enjoy the latest features and enhanced security for years to come. The phone is available in three trendy colours – Blue Topaz, Celestial Blue and Stone Grey colour options.   Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition Price In India And Availability  The smartphone is available in three storage models. The 4GB RAM + 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs 10,999, offering a balanced performance for basic tasks. For enhanced multitasking, the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage option is available at Rs 11,999. The top-tier 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model, priced at Rs 13,499, provides smoother performance for demanding apps and gaming. The phone will be available on Amazon.in, Samsung.com and at select retail stores.   Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition Display The phone dons a segment-best 6.5 inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution giving users an immersive viewing experience. The Vision Booster technology in Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition makes scrolling through social media feeds, even in outdoor settings, a breeze for tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial customers. Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition Battery It comes with a segment-best 6000 mAh battery that can power the smartphone for up to two days, allowing users to binge on their favorite entertainment and keeping them connected and productive throughout the day. Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition Camera It sports a 50MP triple camera setup including an ultra-wide camera and Video Digital Image Stabilization (VDIS) to reduce blur or distortion in videos arising from unsteady or shaky movements. Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition also houses a 13MP front camera for crisp and clear selfies. Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition Performance It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor allowing users to multi-task smoothly. The processor also delivers a smoother streaming, and uninterrupted browsing experience along with handling demanding tasks at ease. The Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition also comes with up to 8GB RAM with the RAM Plus feature. The unique RAM Plus solution allows users to add virtual RAM as per their requirements.  Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Prime Edition Features  It comes with innovations such as Voice Focus that cut the ambient noise for an amazing calling experience. It also features defence-grade Knox Security, ensuring that users are worry-free when it comes to privacy and security on their smartphones. The handset will also come with the Quick Share feature which enables users to instantly share files, photos and documents with any other device, even if they are far away, including your laptop and tab, privately.

New Delhi: Chinese smartphone brand iQOO has launched the iQOO Z9 Turbo+  in China. The newly launched smartphone is a new entrant in the iQOO Z9 series that already has the iQOO Z9, iQOO Z9x, iQOO Z9 Lite, iQOO Z9s series and iQOO Z9 Turbo. However, all the smartphones are not available in all markets.  The iQOO Z9 Turbo+ smartphone comes in Moonshadow Titanium, Starlight White, and Dark at Night colour options. The handset is offered in 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB model.  iQOO Z9 Turbo+ Price  The iQOO Z9 Turbo+ starts at CNY 2,299 (approximately Rs. 27,300) in China for the base variant featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 12GB + 512GB variant is priced at CNY 2,499 (around Rs. 29,700), while the 16GB + 512GB model is available for CNY 2,899 (roughly Rs. 34,500).  iQOO Z9 Turbo+ Specifications:  The dual-SIM (Nano+Nano) smartphone features a 6.78-inch 1.5K (1,260 x 2,800 pixels) AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC paired with a dedicated Q1 chipset for gaming.  The phone features a resolution of 2800 x 1260 pixels, a remarkable 93.42% screen-to-body ratio, and a peak HDR brightness of 4500 nits. It supports a P3 wide color gamut and comes with SGS certification for low blue light and low flicker. Adding further, it includes an anti-fatigue brightness adjustment 2.0 for enhanced viewing comfort. It is equipped with a 6,400mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. On the optics front, the smartphone comes with a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP secondary sensor. For selfies and video chats, there is a 16MP shooter on the front.  The handset ships with Android 14-based OriginOS 4 out of the box and comes with a 6K VC cooling, and mobile ray tracing.  

iPhone 16 Pro Touchscreen Issues: Apple recently launched the iPhone 16 series in the Indian market. Now, users are complaining that they are facing issues with the iPhone 16 Pro. However, there has been a rise in the number of complaints of facing issues with the iPhone 16 Pro touchscreen including delayed responses and unregistered taps, as per reported by 9to5Mac.  Moreover, the report suggests that the issue appears to stem from a software bug, rather than a hardware fault. Users reported that unresponsiveness after tapping or swiping the screen, particularly near the camera control on the right side. Some users speculated that the issue may be related to the phone’s very thin bezel.   iPhone 16 Pro touchscreen issues, such as delayed responses and unregistered taps, have been reported by several users. The problem seems to stem from a software bug rather than a hardware fault.#Techinformer #Apple #iPhone16 pic.twitter.com/KrBK25RJle — Tech Informer (@Tech_Informer_) September 23, 2024 Apart from this, a Reddit user highlighted issues encountered by iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max users. They explained that if the screen is touched near the camera control button; the display becomes unresponsive, except for the home bar, until the touch is released. This accidental screen contact seems to cause iOS to misinterpret inputs, resulting in a frustrating experience for users.  Apple Remains Silent On iPhone 16 Pro Touchscreen Glitch  Apple has yet to respond to the reported touchscreen issues affecting the iPhone 16 Pro. All models in the iPhone 16 series operate on iOS 18, and if the problem is software-related, it may be addressed in the forthcoming iOS 18.1 update.  Here’s How Netizens React iPhone 16 Pro touchscreen issues, such as delayed responses and unregistered taps, have been reported by several users. The problem seems to stem from a software bug rather than a hardware fault.#Techinformer #Apple #iPhone16 pic.twitter.com/KrBK25RJle — Tech Informer (@Tech_Informer_) September 23, 2024 iPhone 16 Pro users are experiencing an issue with the touchscreen where certain areas become unresponsive to presses and gestures. This appears to be a result of overly sensitive accidental click protection. The problem seems to be software-related. pic.twitter.com/unXWJKPvsA —  (@TechLiandr) September 24, 2024 iPhone 16 Pro Max has some serious issues with the touch response. Had to remove the screen protector, and even without that, it skips taking touch inputs every now and then. — Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) September 24, 2024 I’m experiencing touch issues with my iPhone 16 Pro screen especially around the portion marked in red. Thought it was my screen protector but with or without, it still has an issue. Haptics feed back registers but the characters don’t. pic.twitter.com/n68kT2f8iP — Ben Manzi (@HalfManHalfTech) September 23, 2024 iPhone 16 Pro Specifications:  The premium smartphone features a 6.3-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2,622 x 1,206 pixels, delivering a vivid and crisp visual experience.  It runs on iOS 18 and is powered by the A18 Pro processor, ensuring seamless performance. The camera setup includes a 48-megapixel fusion main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 5x telephoto lens, accompanied by a 12-megapixel front camera for clear selfies.  It comes in storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, with no expandable storage. The battery life supports up to 27 hours of video playback and up to 22 hours when streamed.  The handset offers 20W wired charging, along with MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W and Qi2 charging up to 15W. The features include Apple Intelligence, an Action button, a Camera Control button, 4x audio microphones, Dynamic Island, and a brightness range from 1 to 2,000 nits. The phone is IP68 resistant and comes in black, white, natural, and desert titanium colours. 

New Delhi: AI is revolutionizing industries around the globe-from healthcare to the tech and creative industries-by automating tedious tasks and opening doors to new opportunities. While concerns about job displacement exist, AI offers avenues for growth through upskilling and the creation of roles that didn’t exist before. Ethical AI governance and public-private partnerships with appropriate cybersecurity infrastructure can ensure that this technology realizes humans’ best interests. As AI evolves, it transforms the global vista while finding a balance between progress, safety, and opportunity. In a recent email interview, Anand Birje, the CEO of Encora and former Digital Business Head of HCL Technologies, shared his insights on the existential risks posed by advanced technologies. How Is Generative AI Impacting Job Creation? AI is reshaping the job landscape, but it is not a simple story of replacement. We can see major shifts in healthcare, tech, creative fields and every vertical with AI augmenting the scope of existing roles by reducing repetitive and mundane tasks. However, while a percentage of roles that involve routine tasks may get phased out, AI will also create entirely new roles, responsibilities and positions that currently do not exist. For enterprises as well as individuals, the key to navigating these times of change is adaptation. According to him “We need to focus on training people and create a culture where upskilling and reskilling are constant. This cultural shift requires a change in individual mindset and must form an essential part of change management strategies for enterprises”. Forward-looking enterprises are already helping their people realize and appreciate the true scale of change being brought by AI–and the challenges, but also the opportunities this presents for them to progress in their careers. AI is not the existential threat to jobs that many fear, however, it will force us to reinvent the nature of work and evolve as individuals in the process to harness its full potential. You can draw a parallel with the wheel. Humans could and did travel and transport goods before its invention, but the wheel allowed us to save energy and time to focus on other areas and opened new avenues of progress for our civilization. End-to-End Encryption Fails to Prevent Data Leaks On Social Media Platforms? Trust in social media platforms nowadays is a big issue right now, affecting millions of users globally, including all of us. Encryption helps, but it is not enough; it’s just one piece of a complex puzzle. What we need is a multilayered approach that involves transparency, compliance, and accountability. Recent times have seen a shift in this direction, with companies disclosing the geographical location as well as how they plan to leverage user data. As for regulations, we need to find the right balance. According to him, “We need frameworks that protect users while still allowing for technological progress. These frameworks must address the unique complexities of different geographies, comply with local regulations and global standards, and safeguard user privacy while leaving room for innovation and creativity”. The tech industry must step up and adopt a ‘privacy by design’ approach. This means building guardrails into products and services from the ground up, not as an afterthought. This is truer than ever in a world where AI is being leveraged for identity theft, misinformation, and manipulation. Ultimately, building trust will require deeper collaboration between tech companies, regulators, and users themselves, and this is a key factor to consider as we redesign digital channels to adapt to an AI world. The Existential Risk of AI: Should We Be Concerned?  We should take these warnings seriously. But it is also crucial to differentiate between immediate, concrete risks and long-term, speculative concerns. The real threats we face today are not sci-fi scenarios of AI domination. They are more subtle – things like AI bias, privacy breaches, echo chambers, and the spread of misinformation. These are real problems affecting real people right now. To address these, we need collaboration. It is not something any one company or even one country can solve alone. According to him, “We need governments, tech firms, and academics working together to ensure that standards for ethics, transparency and compliance are set for areas that involve AI usage. Public education in the benefits of AI as well as the pitfalls associated with it is also important, to ensure safe use”. But here is the thing–while we work on these risks, we cannot forget the good AI can do. It is a powerful tool that could help solve big global problems. We need to be careful with AI, but also hopeful about what it can achieve. This is a big challenge for our generation, and we need to step up to it. Where Government Falls Short In Addressing Digital Fraud? Online financial fraud is a growing concern. While the government has made efforts, we are still playing catch-up. The main challenge is speed – cybercriminals move fast, and our legal and regulatory frameworks often struggle to keep up. With the advent of modern technologies such as Gen AI, cybercrime continues to grow in sophistication, scale, and speed. Regulatory bodies and government agencies must work together with technology companies and bring the best technological talent to bear against cybercrimes. According to him, ” We need to think outside the box, for instance, build a real-time threat sharing platform between technology companies and government agencies that can help identify and stop financial cybercrime in its tracks”. We also need a more proactive strategy and an update to the legal framework. Conventional laws are ill-equipped to deal with modern cybercrime and this can lead to apathy or lack of speed when addressing it. Digital literacy is crucial too, many frauds succeed simply because people are not aware of the risks. This holds true for a country like India, where widespread internet penetration to rural areas and so to the majority of the population is a new phenomenon. To sum

Samsung Galaxy M55s 5G India Launch: South Korean giant Samsung has launched the latest Samsung Galaxy M55s 5G smartphone in the M series in India. It runs Android 14 with One UI 6 and the handset is offered in Coral Green and Thunder Black colour options.  The company has promised four generations of Android updates and 5 years of security updates for the phone. The phone is equipped with Samsung Knox Vault, a unique hardware-based security and tamper-proof solution.  It is important to note that the newly launched smartphone shares similarities with the Samsung Galaxy M55 5G and the Samsung Galaxy F55 5G, which are already available for purchase in the country.   Samsung Galaxy M55s 5G Price And Bank Discount  The phone is priced at Rs 19,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model. Consumers can purchase the smartphone in the country via Amazon, the Samsung India website, and select offline retail stores starting September 26. Consumers can avail of a Rs. 2,000 bank discount on all leading banks’ credit and debit cards EMI and full payment to get the phone at a lower effective price. (Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Expected To Launch Next Week In Global Market; Check Expected Specs, Price) After applying all the discounts, the effective starting price of the phone is Rs. 17,999.  Samsung Galaxy M55s 5G Specifications:  The smartphone features a 6.7-inch full-HD+ sAMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,000nits of peak brightness level. It is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC.  The handset is powered by a 5,000mAh battery in the Galaxy M55s 5G with support for 45W wired fast charging. On the optics front, the smartphone comes with a triple rear camera unit, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) support, an 8-megapixel sensor paired with an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. For selfies and video chats, there is  50-megapixel sensor on the front.  The smartphone offers two RAM configurations, 8GB and 12GB, providing a smooth multitasking experience. It also comes with internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB, which can be expanded up to a massive 1TB using a microSD card, giving users ample space for apps, media, and files.  The hybrid dual SIM setup allows flexibility, supporting either two nano SIMs or one nano SIM. For audio, the device features a USB Type-C port and Dolby Atmos support, delivering immersive and high-quality sound output. 

New Delhi: Microsoft has officially launched a new Windows app designed for a variety of platforms, including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Windows PCs. This innovative application serves as a central hub for streaming Windows from multiple sources, such as Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Remote Desktop, effectively unifying the experience for users across different devices, according to The Verge. After nearly a year of testing, the new app reportedly includes features such as a customizable home screen, multi-monitor support, and USB redirection, allowing users to connect local devices-like webcams, storage devices, and printers-as if they were directly linked to a cloud PC. This functionality enhances the versatility of remote work and streamlines the user experience. However, the app is currently limited to Microsoft work and school accounts, primarily targeting existing users of Remote Desktop clients. It reportedly aims to facilitate a smoother transition for these users to the new platform.Microsoft has offered similar remote access applications for years, including the Remote Desktop Connection tool that remains part of Windows 11. Despite the app’s robust features, there are currently no indications that Microsoft intends to support consumer accounts, as per The Verge. Last year, the company disclosed its long-term vision of transitioning Windows entirely to a cloud-based model to enhance AI-powered services and allow users greater flexibility in their digital experiences. The Verge reported that users can download the new Windows app from the Microsoft Store, while macOS, iOS, and iPadOS versions are available via Apple’s App Store. As per reports from The Verge, the Android version is also entering public preview today, broadening access to a wider range of users. (With Inputs From ANI)

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 colour options.   The phone is expected to come in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB storage variants. Moreover, 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.