Microsoft H-1B Visa Annual Fee: US tech companies, including Microsoft, have asked employees with H-1B and H-4 visas to return to the United States before September 21. From that date, a new rule announced by President Donald Trump will require a $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa, which will remain in effect for one year. Reports suggest that firms like Microsoft and JPMorgan have told H-1B workers already in the US to continue working there and avoid international travel until further notice. Microsoft has also recommended that H-4 visa holders remain in the country. The company reportedly said, “We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline.” However, no official statement has been released by either Microsoft or JPMorgan. US President Donald Trump’s Revised Visa Fee Programme Add Zee News as a Preferred Source According to President Donald Trump, the revised visa fee programme could generate more than $100 billion for the US Treasury, which would be used for debt reduction and tax cuts. Critics argue, however, that the policy could restrict talent mobility and hurt innovation. 71% Of H-1B Visa Holders Are From India Approximately 71 per cent of H-1B visa holders are from India, primarily working for technology companies including Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and Tata Consultancy Services. The shares of major IT services firms, including US-listed Indian companies, dropped by 2 per cent to 5 per cent following the announcement. H-1B Visa Validity And Annual Fee With visas typically valid for three years and renewable up to six, the new $100,000 annual fee could make it expensive for companies to retain Indian professionals, especially given the decades-long wait for Green Cards. The H-1B programme allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in fields like technology and engineering.

Vivo V60e 5G India Launch: Vivo is expected to launch the Vivo V60e 5G smartphone, about a month after introducing the Vivo V60 in India. The new model will likely sit below the Vivo V60 in the lineup and could come in gold and purple colour options. Leaks suggest that Vivo will highlight its durable build, with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. The display is also expected to feature Diamond Shield Glass for extra protection. Adding further, the company has promised three major Android OS updates and five years of security patches for the phone. Vivo V60e Specifications (Expected) The smartphone is expected to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, built on a 4nm process and capable of reaching a peak clock speed of 2.5GHz. It is said to house a large 6,500mAh battery with support for 90W wired fast charging, ensuring long-lasting performance with quick recharges. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source On the photography front, the phone could feature a dual-camera setup, though exact details are yet to be revealed. In terms of durability, the Vivo V60e is reported to come with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, offering solid protection against tough conditions. The image suggests that the Vivo V60e will feature a design similar to the Vivo V60, sporting a vertical dual-camera setup on the top right, accompanied by an LED ring light beside the camera module. Vivo V60e Price In India And Availability (Expected) The Vivo V60e is expected to start at around Rs 28,999 for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The mid-tier model with 256GB storage could be priced at Rs 30,999, while the top-end version featuring 12GB RAM and 256GB storage may come in at around Rs 31,999. The smartphone is expected to launch this month and will likely be available through major e-commerce platforms as well as offline retail stores. The phone is positioned in the Rs 30,000 segment, it is anticipated to take on established rivals such as OnePlus, iQOO, and Samsung. 

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Price In India: If you are planning to upgrade your smartphone, this is the perfect time as the Indian e-commerce platforms are set to host their biggest festive sale of the year. Flipkart will hold its Big Billion Days sale starting September 23, while Amazon will launch the Great Indian Festival on the same day. The e-commerce giant will offer substantial discounts on a wide range of smartphones, accessories, and gadgets. Prime members will get early access, with the sale opening to them 24 hours before the general public. During the Annual Great Indian Festival 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be available at a discount of up to Rs 60,000. Annual Great Indian Festival 2025: Galaxy S24 Ultra Discounted Price During the sale, the 12GB RAM+256GB storage model, priced at Rs 1,34,999, will be available for Rs 80,499. With extra offers like no-cost EMI, the price can drop to Rs 71,999, with monthly payments starting at Rs 7,999 for nine months. The company announced that the new offers will make its AI-powered smartphones more affordable and help drive adoption in both premium and mid-range segments. The festive pricing will roll out on September 22, covering models like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy A55 5G, Galaxy A35 5G, Galaxy M36 5G, Galaxy M16 5G, and Galaxy F36 5G. The Galaxy S24, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, will be available at Rs 39,999, down from its original price of Rs 74,999. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 FE will sell for Rs 29,999, compared to its earlier price of Rs 59,999. The Galaxy A55 5G will be available at Rs 23,999 (down from Rs 39,999) and the Galaxy A35 5G at Rs 17,999 (down from Rs 30,999). (Also Read: Google Integrates Gemini AI Into Chrome: Smarter Browsing On Android And Desktop; Check New Features) Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Specifications The device features a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, protected by Gorilla Glass Armour that reduces glare by up to 75 percent in bright conditions. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 740 graphics, LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage, running One UI 7 based on Android 15, with an assured upgrade to One UI 8 on Android 16 and five years of OS updates. The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired and Qi wireless charging, and carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. On the photography front, it comes with a 200MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP periscope lens offering 5x zoom, while a 12MP front camera handles selfies and video calls.  Add Zee News as a Preferred Source

New Delhi: US tech giant Google on Friday announced the latest cohort of its free three-month ‘AI accelerator’ programme — a group of 20 start-ups selected from over 1,600 applicants in the country. The programme, titled ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First in India,’ began this week and aims to scale AI-driven solutions across healthcare, finance, climate, education and more. The programme is designed for AI First startups between Seed to Series A based in India, that are building core AI products, applications or foundational models, a release from the company said. The support for founders includes Google Cloud infrastructure and access to cutting-edge Gemini models, with technical mentorship and go-to-market strategies. “At Google, we see startups as our co-creators in building the future of AI with scalable, impactful, and responsible AI solutions that will set new standards for the industry,” said Darren Mowry, VP, Global Startups, Google Cloud. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source The strategic focus of this cohort is aligned with the IndiaAI Mission, said Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY and CEO, IndiaAI Mission. Among the cohort are startups which offer a full-stack agentic platform where AI creates AI, a healthtech startup offering a webcam-based autism screening tool. The program pairs founders with Google engineers and industry mentors to tackle scaling challenges, refine product roadmaps and ensure ethical AI deployment. The new cohort’s strategic focus directly aligns with the IndiaAI Mission’s startup pillar, with 45 per cent of the program dedicated towards leveraging Agentic AI. Multimodal AI solutions account for 30 per cent of the programme curriculum, with the remaining 25 per cent dedicated to foundational models and Responsible AI. India’s generative AI ecosystem has grown 3.7-fold over the past year, making it the world’s second-largest GenAI startup hub, the company said in the release.

Google Chrome AI Features: Google has introduced Gemini AI for its Chrome browser on Android and desktop, available to users in US with English as their language setting. The update makes web browsing more proactive by integrating Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, directly into Chrome. Users in the US will be able to access Gemini in Chrome, just weeks after Google avoided a forced breakup in an antitrust case. The AI will provide contextual help across tabs and tasks, making it easier to browse and manage information. Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini in Chrome will also be rolled out in the coming weeks to businesses through Google Workspace and on mobile devices in the US. Google has further linked Gemini with apps like Calendar, YouTube, and Maps for smoother cross-app support. Google AI Features For Google Chrome Add Zee News as a Preferred Source The new AI assistant in Chrome will help students and professionals handle multiple open tabs more easily. It can summarise articles, answer questions, and even recall pages visited earlier. It will also connect with Google services like Docs and Calendar, making workflows smoother across desktop and mobile devices. Google is also upgrading Chrome’s address bar, known as the omnibox, with a new AI Mode. This feature lets users type complex or multi-part questions directly in the bar and get context-aware answers in a side panel. The AI Mode will first launch in the US, with plans to expand to more regions and languages soon. (Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Series Sale In India Begins Today: Massive Crowd At Delhi, Mumbai Stores; Check EMI Options, Bank Offers, Price) Google Adds New Agentic Capabilities For Chrome Google has added agentic capabilities to Gemini in Chrome, allowing users to set up customised services that can perform specific tasks. In the coming months, Gemini will be able to take care of everyday jobs such as booking a haircut or ordering groceries. These features were first tested internally through a project called “Project Mariner,” which proved popular among employees. The move to integrate Gemini into Chrome is also seen as Google’s response to competition from other agentic browsers, like Perplexity, which in August made an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer for Chrome. 

New Delhi: India’s smartphone market grew by 2 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the first half of 2025, with 60 million units shipped, a new report said on Friday. Apple emerged as the fastest-growing brand with a strong 35 per cent jump in shipments, according to data compiled by International Data Corporation (IDC). The report said that premium smartphones priced above Rs 50,000 played a big role in driving growth, while the mid-range segment of Rs 10,000–20,000 remained the largest in terms of overall volumes. “Regionally, the northern states led the market with 33 per cent share, while the southern region grew the fastest,” the report said. Smaller Tier-4 cities, including Mysore and Shimla, also recorded strong double-digit growth, showing rising demand beyond metros and big towns. Meanwhile, another report by Cyber Media Research (CMR) said India’s premium smartphone market is set to grow by 18 per cent in sales and 24 per cent in value during the upcoming festive season. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Within this, super-premium devices in the Rs 50,000–1,00,000 category are expected to grow 15 per cent, while the uber-premium segment priced above Rs 1,00,000 could see a massive 167 per cent surge. According to Prabhu Ram, VP–Industry Research Group at CMR, aspirational buyers, especially Gen Z and millennials, are driving the premium segment as they seek powerful devices that match their digital lifestyles. “With increasing accessibility and affordability initiatives, more consumers are now looking to buy the latest premium devices,” he said. Samsung, Apple and OPPO led the premium smartphone market in July with 28 per cent, 23 per cent and 11 per cent share, respectively. Apple, backed by its latest iPhone 17 series and steady demand for older iPhones, is well placed for a strong festive season, the report added. Consumers are also giving more importance to chipsets that power smartphones. Features such as seamless multitasking, high-end gaming, advanced cameras and AI-driven experiences are becoming top priorities for buyers. Analysts said that while overall smartphone market growth remains modest, strong demand in the premium segment and intensifying competition among brands will give Indian buyers more options this festive season.

Nothing Ear 3 India Launch: Nothing has launched its new wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear 3. The devices are available in Black and White colour options. For the first time, the earbuds’ case includes a ‘talk’ button, designed for taking calls in noisy places. Users just need to press and hold the button to speak. The Nothing Ear 3 earbuds use two microphones and beamforming technology to deliver clearer voice quality in noisy surroundings. They are also the first in the series to combine metal elements with Nothing’s iconic transparent design. The company says the new Super Mic feature can reduce noise by up to 95 dB and can be activated using the ‘Talk’ button on the case. Beyond calls, this button can also be used to record voice notes directly through the default voice memo apps on both iOS and Android devices. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds Specifications It comes with 12mm dynamic drivers, promising deeper bass and a wider soundstage. They support static Spatial Audio along with AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs for high-quality streaming. The earbuds also feature in-ear detection, low-lag mode, Hi-Res certification, and an IP54 rating for both the earphones and the charging case, making them resistant to dust, sweat, and light rain. On the battery front, Nothing claims up to 5.5 hours of playback with ANC on and 10 hours without, while the charging case provides an extra 38 hours of backup. The case supports both fast charging and wireless charging, and a quick 10-minute charge can deliver up to 10 hours of playback. (Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Series Sale In India Begins Today: Massive Crowd At Delhi, Mumbai Stores; Check EMI Options, Bank Offers, Price) On the connectivity front, the Ear (3) is compatible with Bluetooth 5.4 and offers seamless pairing options like Google Fast Pair for Android, Microsoft Swift Pair for Windows, and iOS compatibility. Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds Price And Availability The Nothing Ear 3 earbuds are priced at Rs 25,800 in India. The global pre-orders will begin on September 18 through the official Nothing website and select retail partners, with open sales starting on September 25 in select regions. Meanwhile, the earbuds are also expected to arrive in India, the company has not yet revealed an official launch date. 

iPhone 17 India Sale: Apple’s iPhone 17 series is now officially on sale in India starting today, September 19, 2025. The lineup includes the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, each available in multiple storage options. The launch drew massive crowds and created chaotic scenes at the Apple Stores in Delhi and Mumbai. The Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune stores are open for buyers to experience and purchase the new devices. Adding further, leading retailers such as Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales are offering launch deals, including bank discounts, exchange bonuses, and EMI plans. Apple iPhone 17 Series: Bank Offers, EMI Options, And Price Add Zee News as a Preferred Source The Cupertino-based tech giant is offering attractive purchase options for the new iPhone 17 series in India. Customers can get up to six months of No Cost EMI with most leading banks, along with instant cashback of up to Rs 10,000 on eligible American Express, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank cards. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max can be purchased starting at Rs 21,650 per month with cashback and No Cost EMI, or at a flat price of Rs 1,34,900. The iPhone Air is available from Rs 19,150 per month or Rs 1,19,900 outright, while the iPhone 17 starts at Rs 12,983 per month or Rs 82,900. Adding further, buyers can take advantage of the ‘Apple Trade In’ program to save up to Rs 64,000 by exchanging an eligible smartphone, with the offer applicable both in-store and online, and combinable with EMI plans. iPhone 17 Series Sale Offers On Reliance Digital, Chroma And Vijay Sales The Retailers are also rolling out special launch offers on the iPhone 17 series. At Reliance Digital, buyers can get a discount of Rs 6,000 on the iPhone 17 and Rs 4,000 on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. Croma is offering an instant discount of Rs 6,000 on the iPhone 17 along with an exchange bonus of up to Rs 12,000, plus the option of six months EMI on both online and offline purchases. Meanwhile, Vijay Sales is providing a discount of Rs 6,000 on the standard iPhone 17 model and Rs 4,000 on the 2TB variant of the iPhone 17 Pro. (Also Read: Nano Banana Trend: Google Gemini Tops App Charts In India; How To Turn 3D Figurines Into Videos For Free) iPhone 17 Pro Max Specifications: The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a massive 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, now reaching an impressive peak brightness of 3,000 nits, a jump from 2,000 nits on its predecessor. It supports ProMotion with refresh rates up to 120Hz and an Always-On display for seamless viewing. The phone is equipped with the Ceramic Shield 2 on both front and back, offering three times more scratch resistance and four times more crack resistance than earlier models. At its core lies the powerful A19 Pro chipset paired with iOS 26, supported by a new vapor chamber cooling system for better thermal management. Apple claims this model delivers the longest battery life of any iPhone to date, with 50% charge in just 20 minutes using the 40W USB-C adapter. A 16-core Neural Engine enables advanced AI tasks like on-device translation, screenshot recognition, and real-time machine learning, with Apple Intelligence designed to run offline for added privacy. On the camera front, the iPhone 17 Pro Max debuts a triple 48MP “Fusion” system, enabling up to 8x optical zoom. The main and ultra-wide lenses benefit from Photonic Engine enhancements for improved low-light shots, while the 18MP “Centre Stage” front camera supports dual-capture video and adaptive framing for both portraits and landscapes. C On the connectivity front, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equally advanced, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 powered by the N1 wireless chip, while Apple Intelligence further boosts AirDrop and Personal Hotspot performance. 

Apple iPhone 17 Series Price In India: The Pre-bookings for Apple’s iPhone 17 series in India have surpassed those of the iPhone 16 during the launch period, with the new series projected to account for 15–20% of sales, as per industry sources. The pre-booking numbers for iPhone 17 indicate a potentially strong Diwali quarter for Apple, according to analysts, despite supply constraints of iPhone 17 Pro models. The data indicated that total iPhone shipments in India are expected to surpass 5 million units in the July–September period in 2025. Apple shipped approximately 4 million iPhones in Q3 2024, with new models accounting for 10 per cent of sales. Analysts said that demand for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max is particularly high, creating the possibility of supply shortages in the early weeks of launch. Base-model pre-orders for the upgraded 256 GB storage have surged, with ‘Cosmic Orange’ being the most sought-after colour. The base variant has been upgraded to 256GB, making it a better value proposition compared to last year’s launch, they said. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source iPhone 17 Series Price In India iPhone 17 series will be available for purchase in India starting today. Apple’s latest lineup starts at Rs 82,900 for the iPhone 17 (256GB). The new iPhone Air, a slimmer model, begins at Rs 1,19,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) is priced at Rs 1,34,900. At the top end, the iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) comes in at Rs 1,49,900. Retailers indicate that base models will be widely available, while Pro and Pro Max allocations are significantly limited, comprising only about 10 per cent of typical deliveries. This scarcity is leading to black-market premiums of 10–20 per cent. Analysts noted that the iPhone 16 was India’s highest-selling model in H1 2025, driving 96.50 per cent growth in the premium smartphone segment. Apple has recently opened two new stores in Bengaluru and Pune as part of its retail expansion in India, anticipating it to be the next key market. In Apple’s largest overseas market, China, sales grew by only 4.4 per cent in the June quarter following two years of declines. India is also becoming central to Apple’s manufacturing plans, with one in every five iPhones now being produced in the country.

New Delhi: Artificial intelligence is fast emerging as one of the most transformative forces in global business, with the potential to reshape labour markets and significantly increase corporate valuations. According to a new Morgan Stanley Research report, AI adoption could affect 90 per cent of occupations while unlocking trillions of dollars in economic value. It stated, “AI could affect 90 per cent of occupations. In the long term, this potentially translates to a market cap increase of USD 13 trillion to USD 16 trillion for the S&P 500 alone”. The report estimated that full AI adoption across S&P 500 companies could deliver an annual net benefit of USD 920 billion. Of this, the report stated that USD 490 billion would likely come from agentic AI, software capable of planning, decision-making, and task execution with minimal human oversight, while USD 430 billion would stem from embodied AI such as humanoid robots. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Over the long term, the report added that this productivity surge could translate into a market capitalization increase of USD 13 trillion to USD 16 trillion for the S&P 500. “As corporations pour billions into artificial intelligence, investors are asking the trillion-dollar question: Will this tech revolution supercharge productivity and profits, or simply automate away jobs?” the report stated. The report also suggested a more optimistic outlook, with AI seen as a force that could elevate labor markets and create new roles, rather than merely displacing workers. The report highlighted that technological revolutions, from electrification to the internet–have historically reshaped work and employment. Similarly, while AI may displace some jobs, it is also expected to create entirely new professions and drive demand for re-skilling. Heather Berger, U.S. Economist at Morgan Stanley, said, “While some roles may be automated, others will see enhancement through AI augmentation, and AI is likely to create entirely new roles.” Companies are already preparing by creating positions like Chief AI Officer to oversee adoption. Growth is also expected in areas such as data governance, compliance, and information security. Morgan Stanley identified three key sectors with the greatest potential for AI-driven value: consumer staples distribution and retail, real estate management and development, and transportation. From supply-chain optimization and personalized pricing in retail, to humanoid assistance in real estate, and autonomous delivery systems in logistics, AI adoption could redefine operations across industries. As AI capabilities continue doubling every seven months, the report concluded that investors should closely track adoption potential, as the pace of improvement and its implications for value creation remain underappreciated.