&w=3840&q=100)
Tech Wrap July 23: Sony Bravia 5, OnePlus Pad Lite, Realme Narzo 80 Lite
BS Tech New Delhi
Sony launches 98-inch Bravia 5 mini LED TV in India at ₹6.49 lakh
Sony has introduced a 98-inch model to its Bravia 5 mini LED TV series in India. This new variant joins the existing 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models, making it the fifth offering in the range. Equipped with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the large-screen TV is marketed as a high-end home theatre solution, enhanced with AI-powered sound and picture optimization.
OnePlus has released the OnePlus Pad Lite in India, with a starting price of ₹15,999. The tablet runs on the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset and features an 11-inch screen. It is powered by a 9340mAh battery, which the company claims offers up to 80 hours of music or 11 hours of video playback. The device also supports up to 54 days of standby time.
Realme has unveiled the Narzo 80 Lite 4G smartphone in India, with a base price of Rs 7,299. The phone features an octa-core processor and a 6,300mAh battery, which is claimed to provide up to two days of usage. With a slim 7.94mm body, it is among the thinnest in its category and sports Realme's signature Pulse Light design on the rear.
Samsung has begun rolling out the One UI 8 Watch update for its Galaxy Watch Ultra. The update introduces an upgraded health tracking experience and a refreshed interface for improved readability. While the Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic launched with One UI 8 Watch, this update ensures that the Galaxy Watch Ultra—recently refreshed in Titanium Blue at the July 9 Galaxy Unpacked event—also benefits from the latest software.
Google's latest Pixel Drop brings several new features to Pixel users. Highlights include AI-powered video generation through the Gemini app, a new Pixel VIPs widget for quick contact access, LE Audio support for hearing aids, and creative additions within Pixel Studio. The update aims to elevate creative potential and accessibility on compatible Pixel devices.
Apple has rolled out the fourth developer beta of iOS 26, offering further clarity on what users can expect in the upcoming public beta, which is expected later this week. As reported by TechCrunch, the new beta doesn't bring major overhauls but enhances visual appeal, refines AI features, and smooths app interactions.
Microsoft has shared details about its upcoming Windows 11 update, which brings a host of improvements for general users and those with Copilot+ PCs. The update enhances user interaction, accessibility, and core functions in Settings, Paint, Snipping Tool, and Photos. Additionally, it expands on-device AI support with features like Click to Do, Copilot Vision, and a new system settings agent.
Four new Everdark Sovereigns arrive in Elden Ring Nightreign
Japanese video game developer FormSoftware has introduced a fresh batch of enhanced boss fights for Elden Ring: Nightreign players. Earlier last month, Elden Ring: Nightreign introduced tougher fights with the 'Everdark Sovereigns,' which are more difficult versions of the game's Nightlord foes that they usually face to conclude a run. Now, building on that, a new batch of challenging fights has been introduced.
Microsoft has launched a 5G-enabled variant of its Surface Laptop, aimed at business users. This version is equipped with Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 processors and includes a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) to support AI features and enhance the Copilot Plus experience.
With its release still over a year away, GTA 6 continues to generate buzz—this time around possible performance specs. A new video has triggered speculation that Grand Theft Auto VI may support 60 frames-per-second gameplay, though this may be exclusive to select consoles like the Sony PS5 Pro.
Apple's iCloud and Google Photos both offer media cloud storage but operate within distinct ecosystems. While iCloud syncs across Apple devices with 5GB of free storage, Google Photos offers 15GB spread across its services and integrates smart tools for organization and sharing. As these systems don't directly sync, transferring data between them requires a few additional steps.
A recent report from UK research firm Public First highlights Android's economic impact in India. The Android ecosystem reportedly contributed around ₹4 trillion in revenue in 2024, supporting app developers and the broader digital economy. The findings, shared by news agency PTI, also note the creation of 3.5 million jobs linked to Android and the Play Store.
Anthropic, a leading AI firm from Silicon Valley, has warned that the US is falling behind China in energy production, which could hinder its AI advancements. The company urged U.S. policymakers to streamline infrastructure development. Citing a February 2025 report from Climate Energy Finance, Anthropic noted that China added 400 gigawatts of new capacity last year, while the U.S. added only 'several dozen', roughly one-tenth of China's total.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has raised alarms about the growing risk of AI-driven voice fraud in the financial sector. Speaking at a Federal Reserve event in Washington, Altman noted that the ability of AI tools to mimic voices could bypass security measures. 'A thing that terrifies me is apparently there are still some financial institutions that will accept the voiceprint as authentication,' he said. 'That is a crazy thing to still be doing. AI has fully defeated that.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
China PM warns against a global AI 'monopoly'
China PM warns against a global AI 'monopoly' China will spearhead the creation of an international organisation to jointly develop AI, the country's premier said, seeking to ensure that the world-changing technology doesn't become the province of just a few nations or companies. Artificial intelligence harbours risks from widespread job losses to economic upheaval that require nations to work together to address, Premier Li Qiang told the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Saturday. That means more international exchanges, Beijing's No 2 official said during China's most important annual technology summit. Li didn't name any countries in his short address to kick off the event. But Chinese executives and officials have taken aim at Washington's efforts to curtail the Asian country's tech sector, including by slapping restrictions on the export of Nvidia chips crucial to AI development. On Saturday, Li acknowledged a shortage of semiconductors was a major bottleneck, but reaffirmed President Xi Jinping's call to establish policies to propel Beijing's ambitions. The govt will now help create a body - loosely translated as the World AI Cooperation Organization - through which countries can share insights and talent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Female Athletes Right Now Undo "Currently, key resources and capabilities are concentrated in a few countries and a few enterprises. If we engage in technological monopoly, controls and restrictions, AI will become an exclusive game for a small number of countries and enterprises," Li told hundreds of delegates huddled at the conference venue on the banks of Shanghai's iconic Huangpu river. China and the US are locked in a race to develop a technology with the potential to turbocharge economies and - over the long run - tip the balance of geopolitical power. This week, US President Donald Trump signed executive orders to loosen regulations and expand energy supplies for data centers - a call to arms to ensure companies like OpenAI and Google help safeguard America's lead in the post-ChatGPT era. At the same time, the breakout success of DeepSeek has inspired Chinese tech leaders and startups to accelerate research and roll out AI products. The weekend conference in Shanghai - gathering star founders, Beijing officials and deep-pocketed financiers by the thousands - is designed to catalyze that movement. The event, which has featured Elon Musk and Jack Ma in years past, was launched in 2018. This year's attendance may hit a record because it's taking place at a critical juncture in the global race to lead GenAI development. It's already drawn some notable figures: Nobel Prize laureate Geoffrey Hinton and former Google chief Eric Schmidt were among heavyweights who met Shanghai party boss Chen Jining Thursday, before they were due to speak at the event.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Sundar Pichai net worth: How rich is the Google CEO - is he a billionaire?
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet Inc., which owns Google, has officially become a billionaire. As of now, Pichai's net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This billionaire status comes mainly from: Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Analytics Degree Management Others Digital Marketing Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Leadership Product Management others Cybersecurity PGDM MBA Data Science Healthcare Design Thinking Technology Data Science Finance CXO Operations Management Project Management healthcare MCA Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Visualization Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning Business Intelligence & Data-Driven Decision Making Analytics Strategy & Implementation Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Applied Business Analytics Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details His 0.02% ownership stake in Alphabet. Large cash reserves he's built up. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has a market value of over $2.3 trillion, which helped boost the value of Pichai's shares. In the past month alone, Alphabet's Class A stock jumped by 13%, which gave a fresh boost to Pichai's personal fortune, as per the report by Bloomberg. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Highlights from Bollywood 2025 that captured attention Learn More Undo Pichai didn't found google — but still became a billionaire Unlike other tech billionaires like, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. Pichai did not start Google himself. Because of that, Pichai never had a massive stockholding from the early days of the company — which is why his net worth is much lower than those founders. His billionaire status came only after years of compensation packages and steady stock gains at Alphabet, as per the report by Fortune. ALSO READ: SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites after rare network outage — Here what you need to know Live Events Pichai has sold a lot of stock over the years Over the last 10 years as CEO, Pichai has sold about $650 million worth of Alphabet shares. If he had kept those shares, they could be worth more than $1 billion today, and his total net worth would be around $2.5 billion instead of $1.1 billion. For example, in June 2025, Pichai sold about 33,000 Class C Alphabet shares at $169 each, earning about $5.5 million. But now those same shares are worth around $193 each, meaning they'd be worth over $6.4 million. Despite these sales, Pichai has stayed disciplined and transparent — and follows a legal rule called Rule 10b5-1, as stated by Fortune report. Why Pichai's share sales are legal and planned in advance Pichai's stock sales are made under Rule 10b5-1, a SEC-approved rule that lets executives plan their stock sales in advance. This rule: Prevents insider trading. Uses a pre-set formula to decide how many shares to sell, at what price, and on what date. Requires an independent third party to handle the sales. His recent sales on June 4 and July 16, 2025, were both made under this rule. Other top CEOs like Jensen Huang of Nvidia also use this same method. Fortune reported last summer that Huang was selling around $14 million in stock almost daily using Rule 10b5-1. James Reda, a compensation expert from Gallagher's HR consulting firm, explained this approach makes sense. He said, 'If you don't sell stock, you may end up like Elon Musk—borrowing big loans using stock as collateral.' Selling some shares regularly is a safer way to manage wealth, according to Reda. AI Boom Helps Push Pichai Into the Billionaire Club A big reason for Alphabet's recent stock growth is the AI boom. On Alphabet's Q2 earnings call, the word 'AI' was used around 90 times, showing how important it is to the company's strategy. The company reported 14% revenue growth year-over-year, reaching $96.4 billion in Q2, according to the report by Fortune. Google Search, YouTube ads, Google Cloud, and subscriptions all saw double-digit growth in the quarter. The stock rally—and Pichai's wealth jump—are part of a larger trend. In 2023, tech billionaires like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison added $585 billion combined to their fortunes, mostly thanks to AI. What Pichai said about keeping AI talent at Google Investors are concerned about whether big AI companies can hold on to their best people, especially after some staff left OpenAI to join Meta's AI team. But Pichai seemed confident on the earnings call. He said, 'We've always invested deeply in talent, including AI, for over a decade now.' ALSO READ: JD Vance torches Microsoft for axing US jobs while doubling down on H-1B visas He explained that top AI researchers care about: Working on cutting-edge technology Having access to top computing power Collaborating with the best people in the industry Pichai added that Google is competitive in all these areas and expects to keep attracting and retaining top AI talent. Sundar Pichai is now officially a billionaire. His wealth mostly comes from a small stake in Alphabet and steady compensation. He has sold a large number of shares over time—but in a legal, well-planned way. The AI boom has boosted Alphabet's value and helped grow his fortune. Pichai's path to billionaire status is different from that of the founders, but still impressive, according to the report by Fortune. FAQs Q1. Is Sundar Pichai a billionaire now? Yes, Sundar Pichai is officially a billionaire with a net worth of $1.1 billion, thanks to his Alphabet shares and long-term compensation. Q2. .How did Sundar Pichai become so rich if he didn't start Google? He became wealthy through years of stock awards, a 0.02% stake in Alphabet, and the company's AI-driven growth, despite regularly selling shares.


Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Plan to develop Lucknow as India's 1st AI City gets ₹10,732-crore push
The state capital has received a corpus of ₹10,732 crore for developing the AI ecosystem under the IndiaAI Mission approved in March 2024. The move comes at a time when plans are afoot to develop Lucknow as the country's first AI City. According to the state government, this investment is 67% higher than any other technology infrastructure in the country. (FOR REPRESENTATION) The initiative is part of a major push to develop Uttar Pradesh as the new IT destination. The proposed investment is meant for 10,000 Graphics Processing Units, multi-modal language models and an AI innovation center. The state government will soon come up with the draft AI policy in line with Vision 2047. According to the state government, this investment is 67% higher than any other technology infrastructure in the country. Apart from this, a high-tech AI-based traffic management system is being proposed for Lucknow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency, Varanasi, is already in the process of implementing an AI-enabled smart traffic system. Under the state government's flagship initiative, AI Pragya, over 10 lakh youths, teachers, gram pradhans, government employees, and farmers are being trained in AI, machine learning, data analytics and cybersecurity in partnership with tech giants like Microsoft, Intel, Google, and Guvi. The state government aims to train 1.5 lakh people every month, with industry-ready certifications part of the programme. AI-powered systems such as CCTV surveillance, facial recognition, number plate tracking, and SOS alert systems have been implemented in 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Buddh Nagar. These are directly integrated with the 112 helpline and police control rooms. Additionally, the 'Jarvis' AI monitoring system is active in 70 prisons, ensuring 24x7 surveillance of inmates. Under the UP Agris Project, 10 lakh farmers are being connected to AI-based technologies such as smart irrigation, drone mapping, pest detection, and digital market access. The initiative also involves 10,000 women's self-help groups as active partners. In the revenue department, satellite imaging and AI algorithms are being used for land consolidation and record management. This has enabled accurate digital mapping, transparent land distribution, and reduction of disputes. To protect mineral resources, 57 unmanned AI enabled check gates have been set up across 25 districts. Illegal mining is being monitored using RFID tags, geofencing, and AI camera-equipped weighbridges. In the healthcare sector, the country's first AI-based breast cancer screening centre has been established in Fatehpur, according to the state government.