Global foldable smartphone shipments are projected to pass the 100-million mark by 2027, a report has said. The increase in adoption of foldable smartphones is attributed to regional drivers, especially in China, as well as consumers’ growing willingness to buy foldables. According to Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Foldable Smartphone Tracker and Forecast, foldable smartphone shipments are estimated to reach 101.5 million in 2027 from 78.6 million in 2026.“At the moment, foldables remain niche. But it is an important segment for brands looking to maintain leadership in innovation and a premium market presence,” said Tom Kang, research director at Counterpoint Research. Samsung and Apple may lead the marketThe market research firm said that Samsung and Apple will account for the biggest market share. Samsung will be the top company and Apple will be a close second. “Samsung and the Chinese OEMs have been very active, especially in their home markets, with China emerging as the biggest market globally last year. If you want to make it in foldables, you have to make it there,” Kang added.It also claimed that foldables will account for 39% of all smartphone shipments in 2027. While Samsung has just launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphones, Apple is yet to unveil any plans to launch a foldable iPhone.“In the long term, we are waiting to see what Apple does. We are looking at 2025 as the possible year of iPhone’s foldable debut, which could provide another growth spurt for the segment,” senior analyst Jene Park noted.Foldable smartphone shipment in Q1Recently, a report by Counterpoint Research said that the global foldable smartphone market increased 64% year-on-year (YoY) in Q1 2023, based on sell-in volume, to reach 2.5 million units. The development was significant because the foldable market rose amid a 14.2% YoY decline in the overall global smartphone market during the same period. “When we look at the current consumer response, our latest Global Foldable Smartphone Preference Survey shows a willingness to purchase for the majority of respondents, most notably among current users. This is a good sign and tells us the hype around foldables is legitimate,” Park added.

It was in October 2021 when Facebook announced that going forward the company will be known as Meta. The name change wasn’t the only big announcement as the company signalled its intentions of making metaverse a reality — a world powered by augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality. Since then the going has been anything but easy. During its quarterly earnings call, Meta revealed that since the start of last year Reality Labs — the division dealing with Metaverse — has been losing quite a bit of money. As per Meta, the operating loss from Reality Labs in the quarter was $3.7 billion. A quarter ago, this number was $3.99 billion. In entire 2022, the losses from Reality Labs were in excess of $13 billion. In the last year, Reality Labs has lost more than $21 billion. What Meta has to say According to the company, the losses aren’t unexpected or surprising. In the earnings report, Meta said that operating losses from Reality Labs unit will “increase meaningfully year-over-year due to our ongoing product development efforts in augmented reality/virtual reality and investments to further scale our ecosystem.”The Reality Labs unit raked in $276.1 million in sales. Meta had launched the Meta Quest 3 headset in June. Metaverse still remains in its infancy and it’s not clear how the concept will evolve in the coming years. Meta has made a significant bet and despite murmurs of backing down, the company seems fully invested in it. When Meta announced thousands of job cuts earlier this year, speculation was rife about Reality Labs being hit the worst. However, the company issued a statement saying that it remains committed to its ambitious metaverse plans. The losses in the last 12 months haven’t deterred the company at all, even though it expects to bleed money year-over-year.

Samsung has announced the India pricing, pre-order and availability details for Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+, Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Here’s the complete India pricing of all the products launched at Galaxy Unpacked 2023.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 5G: Price, pre-order and other details Pre-booking for Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are now live at all leading online and offline stores. Consumers can also pre-book at Samsung Live.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Price and variants Galaxy Z Flip 5 8GB + 256GB Rs 99,999 Galaxy Z Flip 5 8GB + 512GB Rs 109,999 Galaxy Z Fold 5 12GB + 256GB Rs 1,54,999 Galaxy Z Fold 5 12GB + 512GB Rs 164,999 Galaxy Z Fold 5 12GB + 1TB Rs 184,999 Prebook offers for Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip 5Customers pre-booking Galaxy ZFlip5 will get benefits worth INR 20000 and those pre-booking Galaxy Z Fold5 will get benefits worth INR 23000. Specifications Offers No Cost EMI Galaxy Z Flip5 Benefits worth Rs 20,000 Rs 12K Upgrade + Rs 8K Bank Cashback Up to 9 months Galaxy Z Fold5 Benefits worth Rs 23K Rs 5K Upgrade + Rs 8K Bank Cashback + Upgrade to Higher Storage Variant (Buy 256GB and Get 512GB – Rs 10K Benefit) Up to 9 months Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 Live Commerce offerCustomers pre-booking Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 during “Samsung Live” event starting 12 pm on July 27 will get additional exclusive gift of a Silicone Case with Ring worth Rs 4,199 on purchase of Z Flip5 and Standing Case with Strap worth Rs 6,299 on purchase of Galaxy Z Fold 5. The URL to pre-book the devices during live commerce are https://www.samsung.com/in/live-offers/Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series: Price, pre-booking details and moreGalaxy Tab S9 series is available for pre-order from noon on July 27, 2023 from Samsung Online Store https://www.samsung.com/in/tablets/galaxy-tab-s9/buy/ and all other leading online and offline retail stores. Detailed prices of all models are given below. Models Color Storage WiFi / 5G MOP (₹) Prebook Offer (₹) Net Effective Price (₹) Bank Cashback Upgrade Bonus Tab S9 Ultra GraphiteBeige 512 GB WiFi 119,999 12,000 8,000 99,999 5G 133,999 113,999 256 GB WiFi 108,999 88,999 5G 122,999 102,999 Tab S9+ GraphiteBeige 256 GB WiFi 90,999 11,000 7,000 72,999 5G 104,999 86,999 Tab S9 GraphiteBeige 256 GB WiFi 83,999 9,000 5,000 69,999 5G 96,999 82,999 128 GB WiFi 72,999 58,999 5G 85,999 71,999 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series: Price, pre-booking details and morePrice, availability & pre-book offerConsumers can pre-book the all new Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic from noon on July 27, 2023 from Samsung Online Store as well as other leading online and offlineretail stores. Consumers can also avail exciting pre-book benefits and can own the all-new Galaxy Watch6 series starting at Rs 19,999. Detailed prices of all models are given below. Model Dial Size Connectivity MOP (₹ ) Prebook Offer Effective Price Cashback Upgrade Bonus Galaxy Watch6 40mm BT Rs 29,999 6,000 4,000 Rs 19,999 LTE Rs 33,999 Rs 23,999 44mm BT Rs 32,999 Rs 22,999 LTE Rs 36,999 Rs 26,999 Galaxy Watch6 Classic 43mm BT Rs 36,999 Rs 26,999 LTE Rs 40,999 Rs 30,999 47mm BT Rs 39,999 Rs 29,999 LTE Rs 43,999 Rs 33,999

Jio Financial Services and BlackRock have agreed to form a joint venture with a 50-50 ownership structure, Jio BlackRock. The partnership aims to combine the strengths and trusted brands of BlackRock and JFS to provide affordable and innovative investment solutions to millions of investors in India enabled by technology. Jio BlackRock is a partnership between JFS and BlackRock that combines the expertise of both companies. BlackRock brings investment management, risk management, product excellence, and access to technology, operations, scale, and intellectual capital around markets. At the same time, JFS contributes local market knowledge, digital infrastructure capabilities, and robust execution capabilities. The partnership aims to introduce a new player to the Indian market with a unique scope, scale, and resource combination. JFS and BlackRock plan to invest an initial US$150 million each in the joint venture.The joint venture will commence operations once the regulatory and statutory approvals are received. The company will have a dedicated management team. According to Rachel Lord, the Chair and Head of APAC at BlackRock, India presents a significant opportunity due to its increasing wealth, favorable demographics, and digital transformation across various industries. This combination is reshaping the market in remarkable ways. BlackRock is thrilled to collaborate with JFS to revolutionize India’s asset management industry and transform financial futures. The partnership will result in Jio BlackRock, which will focus on combining its expertise to provide innovative solutions to the Indian market.Mr Hitesh Sethia, President and CEO of JFS, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership between JFS and BlackRock, a highly reputable global asset management company. The collaboration will combine BlackRock’s investment and risk management expertise with JFS’s technology and market knowledge to enhance digital product delivery. Jio BlackRock aims to become a customer-centric enterprise that prioritizes digital solutions, aiming to provide financial investment opportunities to all Indians and promote financial stability.

Domestic startup Excitel has launched a new ‘Cable Cutter’ plan. The latest home internet plan promises to offer speeds of up to 400 Mbps and a range of 12 OTT channels which will include a selection of 550+ Live TVchannels. This plan claims to improve the home entertainment experience for customers. Plans start at Rs 592 for 12 months of subscription.Excitel’sCable Cutter Plan intends to reduce users’ television expenses without compromising on their favourite shows and movies. Excitel already has 900,000 customers in 35+ Indian cities. Ookla has also recognised Excitel as the fastest and best-rated broadband network in India. According to TRAI, the company was also among the Top 10 ISPs in India in 2020.Commenting on the launch, Excitel’s co-founder and CEO, Vivek Raina said: “We are thrilled to launch our Cable Cutter Plan, a true game-changer in the home broadband and Cable TV arena. The ever-increasing popularity of OTT platforms and the soaring costs of traditional cable TV services have driven us to create a comprehensive solution for our customers. Our cable Cutter Plan offers a seamless blend of Live TV, OTT content, and lightning-fast internet speeds, all bundled together at an affordable price point, the perfect fusion of convenience, variety, and affordability, catering to the ever-evolving entertainment needs of consumers. This, we believe, will empower users to regain control of their entertainment choices and enjoy an unparalleled viewing experience.” Excitel Cable-Cutter plan: Key featuresThis new plan promises internet speeds of up to 400 Mbps. Plans start at Rs 592 for a year of subscription. This plan will also offer users a selection of over 550 Live TV channels and 12 popular OTT platforms. This includes Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV and ZEE5. Excitel’s Cable-Cutter plan aims to help customers to enjoy their favourite content without making a deep hole in their pockets. The latest plan also eliminates unnecessary channel bundles and works with a user-centric approach. With high-speed WiFi connectivity, the company also claims to deliver value for money, variety in content and uninterrupted streaming.

Genpact and Microsoft have announced a collaboration that will allow the global professional services firm’s workforce to access Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service and enable them to unlock new opportunities to implement generative AI capabilities for clients. Genpact will support its employees’ use of generative AI tools through comprehensive training programs and resources. Genpact has identified multiple opportunities to leverage large language models (LLMs) to drive enterprise efficiencies in areas such as transition management, global service desk management, infrastructure management and others. Generative AI can help companies improve employee productivity and enhance operational efficiency and agility, allowing Genpact’s business teams to develop use cases in order to solve several day-to-day challenges enterprises face. Azure’s cloud infrastructure coupled with the flexibility of the Azure OpenAI Service will help accelerate these solution development.“Generative AI’s potential to drive innovation is unprecedented, and by democratizing access to this technology, including Microsoft Azure’s powerful AI tools, we continue to foster our culture of innovation, experimentation, and knowledge across our more than 115,000 global workforce,” said Vidya Rao, chief information officer at Genpact. “Our continuous learning environment helps clients optimise AI’s rapidly evolving landscape, and we’re excited to leverage Microsoft’s AI tools to revolutionise the way we approach problem-solving,” Rao added.This relationship with Microsoft builds on Genpact’s deep expertise in AI innovation and its experience with LLMs across numerous industries, including consumer goods, retail, life sciences, healthcare, hi-tech and financial services.“Genpact is an innovator in combining AI and advanced analytics, and we are pleased to collaborate with them to expedite the development of new solutions that empower enterprises to strategically use generative AI for business value,” said Sangita Singh, general manager IT&ITES, Microsoft India. “Microsoft Azure AI, combined with Genpact’s industry knowledge, operational expertise, and experience in running processes for Global Fortune companies, will be a powerful combination,” Singh added.

Google, OpenAI and Microsoft were among the seven companies that recently committed to the responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. These tech giants, along with Anthropic are now launching the Frontier Model Forum — an industry body focused on ensuring safe and responsible development of frontier AI models. The focus of the forum is to help advance AI safety research to promote responsible development of frontier models, minimise its potential risks, identify safety best practices for frontier models, share knowledge with policymakers, academics, civil society and others to advance responsible AI development, among others.Frontier models are the largest, most advanced AI systems which currently exceed the capabilities of existing models across a variety of tasks. “The Frontier Model Forum will draw on the technical and operational expertise of its member companies to benefit the entire AI ecosystem, such as through advancing technical evaluations and benchmarks, and developing a public library of solutions to support industry best practices and standards,” the companies said in a joint statement.What the Frontier Model Forum will doThe forum will build on efforts to establish appropriate guardrails to mitigate risks posed by AI technology. It will work on safety standards and evaluations to ensure frontier AI models are developed and deployed responsibly. The Forum will focus on three key areas over the coming year to support the safe and responsible development of frontier AI models:Over the coming months, the forum will establish an Advisory Board to help guide its strategy and priorities. “We plan to consult with civil society and governments in the coming weeks on the design of the Forum and on meaningful ways to collaborate,” the statement said. The founding companies will also establish institutional arrangements, including a charter, governance and funding with a working group.

A group of more than 45 video game developers have reportedly approached the central government seeking a clear distinction between real money gaming, fantasy sports, and themselves from a policy perspective. The letter requests the government to implement a clear distinct recognition of the games industry in India, and to end the ambiguity in the online gaming industry, where video games and e-sports are often clubbed with real money gaming and online fantasy sports. These developers include Outlier Games, Dot9 Games, Lucid Labs, Newgen Gaming and SuperGaming. These gaming companies have flagged that recent campaigns by the real money gaming industry “project a homogenous image and suggest that the entire games industry of India is adversely affected” by the proposed 28% goods and service tax (GST) on online gaming. The letter comes in the wake of 28% GST imposed by the GST Council on the full face value for online gaming earlier this month. The GST Council exempted games that are played without stakes, these will be taxed at 18%.What the letter says ET has reviewed the copy of the letter which has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), and the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B). “Globally, irrespective of skill or chance, a clear distinction is drawn between games involving wagering (categorised as ‘iGaming’) and games without wagering (categorised as ‘video games’). Unfortunately, in India, these mutually exclusive categories have been consolidated under the common umbrella of ‘online games’,” said the letter.“…we wish to express our sincere appreciation to the GST Council, the Department of Revenue, and the Government of India for exempting Video Games from the recent 28% GST decision. Recognising that Video Games do not involve any form of wagering or staking, we are truly grateful for this thoughtful consideration, which acknowledges the diversity of business models within our industry,” the letter added.Incidentally, this is not the first time that video game developers have sought this demarcation. The need to make clear differentiation has been there since quite some time and was also raised following the notification of online gaming rules issued by MeitY in April.Real money gaming industry’s pleaThe real money gaming industry on its part claims that the GST Council’s decision of 28% tax could drive users away to illegitimate gambling and betting platforms. In addition, investors in these companies have also argued that the decision could lead to a potential write-off of the $2.5 billion capital invested in the sector. The letter requests the Indian government to implement a distinct recognition of the games industry in India, and to avoid video games and e-sports from being clubbed with real money gaming and online fantasy sports.

Behold the epoch of streaming, an awe-inspiring tapestry of entertainment that stretches beyond horizons, beckoning with untold delights – movies, TV shows, and live sports dancing at our fingertips. But alas! Concealed within this paradisiacal bounty, a riddle emerges – the enigmatic realm of geographical restrictions. As streaming services wield their geolocation sorcery, content becomes bound within ethereal borders, tantalizingly out of reach for viewers yearning to traverse the bounds of their physical confines. Fear not, for within these arcane pages, we unveil the mystic powers of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), a liberating elixir, empowering users to embark on a cosmic voyage through a cornucopia of global content. Embrace this mystic expedition, traversing ethereal boundaries, freeing streaming enthusiasts to bask in unparalleled entertainment experiences, no matter where in the world they may find themselves. Understanding Geographical Conundrums Venture forth into the labyrinthine domains of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, where celestial cartographers chart the stars of geolocation. Witness as they unravel the enigma of the user’s IP address, divulging their earthly abode. Alas, as astral gatekeepers descend, content restrictions cloak coveted movies, TV shows, and sports events beyond mortal reach. In this cosmic enigma, contractual spells, legal incantations, and esoteric forces weave a tapestry of content confinement, vexing viewers whose souls yearn to transcend these boundaries, thirsting for the sweet nectar of global entertainment. The Potent Alchemy of VPNs in Streaming Amidst this grand cosmic ballet emerges the arcane artistry of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), spinning a spell of liberation. Embrace the convergence with VPN servers scattered across diverse lands, igniting a cosmic metamorphosis, transmuting earthly IP addresses into the essence of far-off realms. A mirage of the virtual kind unravels, streaming services unwittingly opening their astral gates, as users don the cloak of distant lands. Witness the epiphany! Content restrictions crumble into the digital ether, unveiling a celestial trove of global content. The Enigmatic Potency of VPNs Reveals Access to Exclusive Vistas Cast aside the shackles of geographical bounds! Embrace the freedom to frolic across servers in far-flung realms, a cosmic masquerade transcending terrestrial tethers. Unravel the veiled treasures of exclusive movies, TV shows, and sports events lurking within esoteric confines. Subverting Censorship’s Veil Amidst lands where the iron fist of censorship casts its shadow, VPNs part the astral veil. Behold the unyielding gaze of oppressive forces averted, as users sup upon the nectar of an unbridled internet, savoring unrestricted streaming, venturing into diverse realms of content. The Grandeur of Live Sports Sporting enthusiasts, hark! Bear witness to the triumphant prowess of VPNs! Amidst fervent devotees yearning to witness the splendor of live events, find solace within the mystical embrace of VPN servers. United with distant lands, cheer for chosen teams, exulting in the grand rhapsody of live sportsmanship. The Cloak of Privacy and Security Beyond the astral gateways, witness the shroud of protection cast by VPNs. Within their encrypted sanctum, online activities veil from the watchful gaze of prying eyes – be they mundane ISPs or insidious cyber marauders. Choosing the Right VPN – An Oracular Quest Embark upon an ethereal quest to find the ideal VPN, guided by the spirits of discernment. Seek the vital elixir of diverse server locations across cosmic realms. In this voyage, swiftness reigns supreme – streaming speeds must rival the cosmic winds, buffering naught but seamless delight. Praise the harmony of this enchantment, ensuring concord with beloved streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Heed the whispers of customer support, for the arcane realm may proffer unforeseen enigmas – a responsive guide shields seekers from entanglements, charting their path with clarity. Conclusion Thus, the enigma of geographical restrictions shatters beneath the potency of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The streaming experience ascends to celestial heights, unbound by terrestrial fetters. Each viewer, now a cosmic voyager, traverses the digital universe, a mosaic of cultures and storytelling. Choose with sagacity, embrace a reliable VPN, blessed with swift speeds, far-reaching servers, and boundless support. Step into the enigmatic prowess of VPNs, elevate your entertainment journey, and behold! Unrestricted access to the glories of global content awaits, from the cradle of your home to the farthest reaches of the cosmos.

All is reportedly not well between Goldman Sachs and the iPhone maker. Apple and Goldman Sachs’ partnership, which created the Apple Card and other financial products, is said to have become strained over time. Goldman is reported to be considering ending its association with Apple and moving away from consumer cards altogether. A recent report by The Information delves into how the alliance deteriorated over four years, leading to Goldman’s desire to extract itself from the partnership, revealing other intricate details of the deal. If you thought you were the only one who was denied a credit card, then you will be surprised to know that the CEO of a trillion-dollar company was denied a credit card, that too, the card his company designed and conceptualised. According to the report, Apple CEO Tim Cook faced difficulty getting approved for an Apple Card during the application process. This happened a few months before the card’s launch, and the issue had both engineers from Apple and Goldman Sachs working to resolve the issue.Despite Cook’s strong financial credentials, his high-profile status made him a target for fraud. As a result, Goldman Sachs had to intervene and make a one-time exception to their underwriting system to issue the Apple Card to Cook, said people familiar with the issue.Apple Card did not come easy; it constantly faced challenges due to differences between customer-oriented Apple and regulation-focused Goldman, according to the report.Apple’s engineers were dissatisfied with a physical card, and complying with guidelines, including using the Mastercard logo, was a concern. Goldman’s proposal to use their Marcus brand was rejected. Apple’s ideas, such as aligning billing statements with the calendar month, were not feasible due to financial regulations. Cashback rewards were originally supposed to go directly into users’ accounts, but the Daily Cash feature was created as a workaround due to processing issues.The Apple Card has around 10 million US users as of early 2023, and despite wanting to leave the consumer credit sector, Goldman Sachs may have to keep these customers as it is bound under contract, which ends in 2026. American Express and JPMorgan Chase are unlikely to take over Goldman Sachs’ contract with Apple for the Apple Card. Instead, a less well-known bank may handle the $17 billion credit card portfolio while remaining invisible to customers, according to people familiar with the development. Further, Apple could also become more involved in underwriting, fraud prevention, and customer service.