Meta job cuts, Microsoft's deadline to employees; Google and Intel's work from office policy change and more top tech news of the week
This week Meta's Reality Labs division announced job cuts impacting Oculus Studios' Supernatural VR fitness app while Microsoft gave underperforming staff the option to take a payout instead of entering a performance-improvement plan.
Google
has mandated that certain remote employees return to the office three days a week or face termination, while Intel announced that it will require four in-office days from its employees starting September 1. Apart from this, major brands including Xiaomi, Oppo,
Vivo
and others expanded their portfolio with the launch of new products. All this and more in TOI weekly tech wrap:
Meta lays off more employees in another round of job cuts
Meta has announced layoffs within its Reality Labs division, specifically impacting teams in Oculus Studios, the unit responsible for developing apps and games for Meta's Quest VR headsets. Among the affected projects is Supernatural, a popular VR fitness app that Meta acquired in 2023.
Meta stated that the layoffs are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and focus on future mixed reality experiences. While the exact number of employees affected remains undisclosed, the company emphasized that the changes aim to help Oculus Studios work more efficiently while continuing to deliver engaging content for users.
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Microsoft HR head gives employees 5 days 'deadline' to …. or leave the company
Microsoft has implemented a new performance management strategy that gives underperforming employees the option to accept a payout and leave the company instead of entering a performance improvement plan (PIP), according to internal documents.
The company is now offering 16 weeks of pay to low-performing employees who opt for voluntary exit, according to Business Insider. This approach mirrors Amazon's controversial "Pivot" program, which has faced criticism for allegedly being designed to meet firing quotas rather than genuinely help employees improve.
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Google asks remote workers to start working from office 3 days a week or leave
Google is requiring some of its remote employees to return to the office three days a week or risk losing their jobs, marking a significant shift in the company's work policies years after the pandemic began.
According to CNBC, several units within Google have notified remote workers that their positions will be at risk if they don't adopt a hybrid work schedule. Some employees previously approved for remote work are being told to relocate within 50 miles of an office or accept voluntary exit packages.
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Intel makes 4-day work from the office compulsory starting September 1
Intel has announced a new policy requiring employees to work from the office four days a week, marking a shift from its previous hybrid model that allowed two remote workdays. The change, effective September 1, 2025, was revealed during Intel's Q1 2025 earnings call by CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who emphasised the importance of in-person collaboration. During Intel's Q1 2025 earnings call, CEO Lip-Bu
Tan
also outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at revitalizing the company's market position and driving sustainable growth. Reporting $12.7 billion in revenue, Intel exceeded expectations, with strong demand for its Xeon processors contributing to the results. Tan emphasized a return to fundamentals, focusing on streamlining operations, empowering engineers, and enhancing execution efficiency. The company announced plans to reduce operating expenses to $17 billion in 2025 and $16 billion in 2026.
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Apple removes 'Available Now' for Apple Intelligence from its website
Apple has removed claims that its Apple Intelligence features are "available now" from its website following a recommendation from the National Advertising Division (NAD). The advertising watchdog determined that Apple's marketing materials inaccurately suggested all AI features were immediately accessible when the iPhone 16 launched last year.
The NAD, part of the nonprofit BBB National Programs, recommended Apple "discontinue or modify" its claims, stating they "reasonably conveyed the message" that features like Priority Notifications, Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration were fully available at launch. According to an archived webpage, Apple removed the claim from its Apple Intelligence page in late March.
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US-based TCS employee Bitan Adhikary shot dead in Pahalgam attack
Bitan Adhikary, a US-based TCS engineer was among the 28 tourists who were brutally killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The 40-year-old techie, originally from West Bengal, had returned to India last month with his wife
Sohini
and three-year-old son Hridaan on a summer break. The news has left the family in deep shock. Bitan was the only support for his parents. I spoke to him just this morning," Bitan's cousin Debashish Chakraborty told state minister Aroop Biswas.
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'Samsung AI' goes Desi: Brings India-centric advanced AI-powered features to ACs, Refrigerators and other appliances
Samsung is marking a major strategic shift by embedding artificial intelligence (AI) across its entire consumer electronics product portfolio. The initial rollout of this ambitious plan begins right here in India, underlining the company's commitment to making AI capabilities a standard feature throughout its consumer electronics lineup and accessible to all its customers, thereby pushing widespread adoption of the technology.
According to Samsung, India ranks third globally for Samsung's SmartThings platform -- which recently got an AI boost for smarter home automation, allowing users to connect and control multiple devices quicker and easier. The AI features are available in Samsung's range of Bespoke AI products, including ACs, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and more.
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Elon Musk gets richer by $8 billion as he 'promises' more time to Tesla
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's net worth increased by $7.5 billion on April 23, after the tech billionaire recommitted to dedicating more time to the company. Speaking at Tesla's first quarter earnings call, Musk said that his time with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will drop 'significantly' next month. He said 'Starting next month, May, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly' to a day or two per week. 'I'll continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the President would like me to do so,' Musk said during Tesla's earnings call. Following the announcement, Tesla shares soared by 5% to $251. According to Forbes, the tech billionaire's total net worth rose to $369.2 billion after the Tuesday Q1 report.
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9 key numbers Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared at Alphabet's Q1 results
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai presented an optimistic outlook for the company's performance, highlighting the significant role of artificial intelligence (AI) and strategic investments in driving growth. During the company's first-quarter 2025 earnings call on Thursday, Pichai emphasised the 'strong results' achieved, attributing the positive momentum to robust performances in key sectors including Search, Cloud and YouTube. During the call, Pichai delved out some numbers in the last quarter.
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Xiaomi Redmi Watch Move debuts with AMOLED screen and long-lasting battery
Xiaomi has expanded its smartwatch range in India with the launch of Redmi Watch Move. The smartwatch comes with more than 140 workout models and has a 1.85-inch AMOLED screen. Redmi Watch Move can also be used to track health with features like SpO2 monitoring, stress monitoring, cycle tracking and more. The Redmi Watch Move is priced at Rs 1,999 and will be available starting May 1, 2025 across Mi.com, Flipkart, and Xiaomi's Retail. The smartwatch will be available in four colours — Black Drift, Blue Blaze, Silver Sprint, and Gold Rush. Pre-booking for the Redmi Watch Move starts on April 24, 2025.
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OPPO K13 5G with 7,000 mAh battery, 50MP main camera launched in India
Oppo K13 5G is here. Oppo has added a new smartphone to its K-series with the launch of Oppo K13 5G in India. The affordable Oppo smartphone houses an FHD+ display and is powered by a Qualcomm chipset. The smartphone runs Android 15 operating system and features a 50MP main camera. One of the main highlights of Oppo K13 5G is its 7,000 mAh battery. The smartphone also comes with 80W fast charging support. The company claims that the smartphone can charge up to 62% in 30 minutes.
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Vivo T4 5G with 7,300 mAh battery, 32MP selfie camera launched in India
Vivo T4 5G smartphone is here. Chinese smartphone maker Vivo has expanded its T-series of smartphones with the launch of Vivo T4 5G smartphone. The smartphone packs an FHD display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. The smartphone packs up to 12GB of RAM and is backed by a 7,300 mAh battery.
Vivo T4 5G smartphone comes in three variants — 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB and 12GB+256GB priced at Rs 21,999, Rs 23,999 and Rs 25,999 respectively. The smartphone comes in Emerald Blaze and Phantom Grey colour options. Customers will be able to purchase the smartphone online from Flipkart and Vivo India eStore stating April 29. As part of the launch offers, the company is giving instant bank discount of Rs 2,000 on HDFC, SBI and Axis Bank cards. Customers can also avail no cost EMI option for up to 6 months.
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Lenovo launches IdeaPad Slim 3 2025 with Intel Raptor Lake H and AMD HawkPoint processors in India
Lenovo has launched IdeaPad Slim 3 2025 in India, featuring an all-new metal chassis option and improved performance capabilities aimed at hybrid workers, students, and content creators. Starting at Rs 63,790, the redesigned laptop comes equipped with the latest Intel Raptor Lake H and AMD HawkPoint processors, delivering up to 25W TDP performance with Smart Power optimization for balanced power consumption and efficiency.
Customers can purchase the device through Lenovo.com, Lenovo Exclusive Stores, major e-commerce platforms, and retail partners across India. Each purchase includes a 1-year warranty and 1 year of Accidental Damage Protection.
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Asus launches new Vivobook S14 and S14 Flip models with Intel processors in India
Asus has expanded its laptop lineup in India with the launch of two new Vivobook models—the Vivobook S14 (S3407VA) and Vivobook S14 Flip (TP3402VAO). The two new laptops, according to the company, target young professionals, students, and content creators by combining performance with portability.
The Vivobook S14 models are priced starting at Rs 67,990, while the Vivobook S14 Flip starts at Rs 69,990. Both are available through the ASUS e-shop, Flipkart, ASUS Exclusive Stores, and other retail outlets.
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Sennheiser HD 505 in Copper Edition launched in India
Sennheiser has launched its HD 505 headphones in India, priced at Rs 27,990 and available through Sennheiser's official website and Amazon India. The new Copper Edition model targets emerging audiophiles and gamers seeking high-fidelity sound experiences.
The HD 505 features a custom 120-ohm transducer developed at Sennheiser's Tullamore facility in Ireland, offering a frequency response range of 12 to 38,500 Hz with less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion. The headphones employ angled transducers that mimic nearfield loudspeaker placement to create an expansive soundstage.
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Signify launches Ecolink ceiling fan range
Signify has expanded its product portfolio in India with the launch of a new range of Ecolink fans. The company claims that these new ceiling fans are designed to meet customer demands for the summer season. The new lineup includes four models with BLDC Technology — AiroElevate, AiroQuad, AiroGeometry, and AiroJewel — as well as two smart models, AiroGeometry Smart and AiroJewel Smart, that come powered by Signify's Iot platform, Wiz. The company promises that the fans are designed for high-speed performance, efficient air delivery, and energy-saving technology.
The 4 new models in the product lineup come within a price range of Rs 5,850 and Rs 8,700. The Ecolink range is available in multiple colour options which include -- Espresso Brown-Copper, Silk White-Rose Gold, Galactic Silver, Rusty Brown,
Titanium Grey
, Smoke Mocha Brown, Aspen Gold, Pearl White, and Cherrywood.
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Google settles Android TV antitrust case in India with Rs 20 crore penalty, read the company's statement here
Google has agreed to pay a penalty of Rs 20.2 crore to settle an Android TV matter with the Competition Commission of India (CCI). This comes after the competition watchdog found a prima facie case of abuse of dominant position by the tech giant. As part of the settlement (that Google applied under Section 48A of the Competition Act), the company has agreed to a 'New India Agreement'. This will allow Google to offer separate licences for the Play Store and Play Services on Android smart TVs in India. The latest agreement will even remove the need for TV manufacturers to bundle these licences or set default placement rules. The latest settlement follows previous penalties imposed on the company by the CCI in cases related to its Play Store policies and dominance in the Android mobile ecosystem.
Click here to read Google's statement here
YouTube celebrates 20th birthday: CEOs message, new features and 5 fun facts about Google-owned content streaming platform
YouTube has officially entered its third decade, marking 20 years since its inception. The Google-owned platform underscored its monumental growth on April 23, revealing that an astounding figure of over 20 billion videos have been uploaded to the site since its inception. To commemorate its two-decade journey, YouTube has unveiled a series of new statistics highlighting its immense scale and influence.
'Today's the day: @YouTube's 20th birthday🎈On April 23, 2005, the very first video was uploaded to YouTube,' said Neil Mohan, CEO of YouTube.
'What started as a simple video-sharing platform has grown into a force, driving culture and fundamentally reshaping how we watch and create entertainment,' he added.
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