Latest news with #ManuelOrbegozo
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Google begins direct online sales of Pixel phones in India
The new Pixel 9 smart phone series is displayed at a Made by Google event in Mountain View, California, U.S. August 13, 2024. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo/File Photo (Reuters) -Google on Thursday began direct online sales of its popular hardware devices in India, including Pixel phones, watches and earbuds, ahead of an anticipated launch of its first physical stores in the South Asian nation. The Alphabet-owned firm said it has for the first time enabled direct online purchases for Indian users on the official Google Store website. The company currently sells it products in India through authorised retailers and via Walmart-backed e-commerce platform Flipkart. Apple , its bigger rival in the premium smartphone category, already sells its phones directly to Indian users, and operates its own retail stores in Mumbai and in New Delhi, with more planned. Google is close to deciding on locations in India where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the United States, Reuters reported in February. In launching the physical stores, Google has sought to mirror a retail approach that helped Apple Inc rake in billions of dollars in the last two decades by showcasing its own products. Apple has 500 plus stores worldwide. Pixel phones in India cost from about $360 to $1,900 for top-end models. Apple's iPhones cost from about $520-$2,100. Google has also started making Pixel smartphones in India. In 2024, Apple dominated the local market for premium phones, priced above $520, with a roughly 55% share, compared with Pixel's 2% share, estimates from research group Counterpoint showed. The fast-growing Indian market has about 712 million smartphone users currently. (Reporting by Munsif Vengattil in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry)
Economic Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
What is Apple Pay Prank? Here's what we know about new TikTok Trend and can someone steal money by just tapping on your phone
A new TikTok trend, known as the 'Apple Pay Prank,' is causing concern. Pranksters play the Apple Pay sound near strangers to simulate theft, filming reactions for viral videos. Some pranks have resulted in confrontations, prompting online criticism. FILE PHOTO: An attendee holds two iPhones 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo/File Photo Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Apple Pay Prank? Incident in Kmart Turns Hostile Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Public Reactions to Prank FAQs A new TikTok trend involving fake contactless payment sounds is drawing attention. Known as the ' Apple Pay Prank ,' the trend has caused confusion and anger in public places. Videos of these pranks are spreading across TikTok and prank centers around playing the Apple Pay 'ding' sound from a phone near strangers. Pranksters pretend to make a contactless payment using their phone against another person's pocket or device. After hearing the sound, some targets believe a real transaction has occurred. In many clips, pranksters add a verbal 'thank you' to escalate the a video filmed in a Kmart store, a teenager approached a man with dreadlocks. He asked for the time, then played the Apple Pay sound while pretending to tap the man's phone. The man reacted angrily. He demanded an explanation and tried to take the prankster's phone. The teen backed away, apologizing. The man eventually grabbed the phone as the video cut of the videos have expressed concern. Many people commented that the prank was dangerous and disrespectful. Some said strangers should not be targeted. Others warned pranksters could face serious consequences. The prank is seen by many as a way to provoke strong emotional responses for online a separate video, a prankster approached a man in Woolworths. He pretended to steal $20 using his phone and claimed he needed it for gambling. The man pursued him, and the teen ran through the store. The video ended before showing what happened clip on the teen's TikTok showed him making loud moaning sounds in strangers' ears in stores like Bunnings. The purpose appeared to be filming confused reactions. Viewers criticized the behavior as Apple Pay requires authorization and a payment terminal. Phones cannot transfer funds by involves deceiving strangers and may lead to confrontation or legal issues. Public reaction can be unpredictable.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Apple considers raising iPhone prices, WSJ reports
FILE PHOTO: An attendee holds two iPhones 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo/File Photo
