After ChatGPT, Italy's Regulator Plans to Review Other Artificial Intelligence Platforms

Italy's data protection authority Garante plans to review other artificial intelligence platforms and hire AI experts, a top official said, as it ramps up scrutiny of the powerful technology after temporarily banning ChatGPT in March.

Garante is among the most proactive of the 31 national data protection authorities which oversee Europe's data privacy regime known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The agency was the first to ban AI chatbot company Replika, to impose fines on facial recognition software maker Clearview AI, and to restrict TikTok in Europe.

In March, it temporarily banned Microsoft-backed OpenAI's bot ChatGPT and launched a probe over the application's suspected breach of privacy rules.

"We plan to kick off a wide-scope review of generative and machine learning AI applications which are available online because we want to understand if these new tools are addressing issues linked to data protection and privacy laws compliance — and we will start new probes, if needed," said Agostino Ghiglia, a member of Garante's board.

The success of ChatGPT has prompted tech heavyweights from Alphabet to Meta to promote their own versions, and lawmakers and governments around the world are debating new laws that could take years to be enforced.

"We are looking for three AI advisers because we are aware AI tools are evolving very quickly and we need experts with tech background to help us in our data protection activity," Ghiglia said.

The move is the latest example of how some regulators are relying on existing laws to control a technology that could upend the way societies and businesses operate.

The four-member Garante board is made up of law experts. Ghiglia said the authority has 144 staff, well below its European peers in France, Spain and Britain. Most have a background in law, Ghiglia said.

In its crackdown on ChaTGPT, Garante used provisions of GDPR, particularly those that protect underage children and grant individuals the right to request cancellation and object to the use of their personal data.

After Garante took steps, ChatGPT maker OpenAI made changes to its chatbot to regain compliance.

"Members of the Garante board often become aware of potential breaches of privacy laws because we simply explore digital tools and applications once they are available," Ghiglia said.

"We explored ChatGPT and realised it was not compliant with EU data privacy rules."

It will take years for potential new legislation regulating AI to come into force.

"That's why we decided to act swiftly with ChatGPT", Ghiglia said.

© Thomson Reuters 2022

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Google I/O 2023 saw the search giant repeatedly tell us that it cares about AI, alongside the launch of its first foldable phone and Pixel-branded tablet. This year, the company is going to supercharge its apps, services, and Android operating system with AI technology. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Big Tech Gets Support From EU Regulators Against Telcos' Network Fee Push

EU telecoms regulators' group BEREC on Friday warned the European Commission against proposing legislation pushed by the sector to get Big Tech's help to pay for the rollout of 5G and broadband, saying it did not see a competition problem or a market failure.

The comments from The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) to the European Commission which is now looking into the issue underscores the high-stakes battle between Big Tech and Europe's major telecoms operators.

"There is no evidence of a competition problem or a market failure to the detriment of end-users regarding IP-interconnection," the group said.

Echoing Big Tech's arguments, BEREC said it has its doubts about a mandatory network fee levied on the companies.

"It is questionable that mandatory payments from CAPs (content and application providers) to ISPs (internet service providers) would lead to member states meeting the connectivity targets," BEREC said.

"On the contrary, it is rather likely that ISPs in already well supplied areas would benefit the most."

It said a mandatory fee may disadvantage smaller telecoms operators with less economies of scale and bargaining power, while other telecoms companies with their own streaming or cloud services may discriminate and unfairly promote these services.

Such a fee may also lead to price hikes for consumers, disincentivise Big Tech from investments and breach EU net neutrality rules, BEREC said.

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Telecom Italia have been lobbying for Big Tech to shoulder some of the network costs.

Alphabet's Google, Apple, Meta Platforms, Netflix, Amazon.com and Microsoft, which telcos say account for more than half of data internet traffic, have rejected the proposal.

© Thomson Reuters 2023 

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The Vivo X90 Pro has finally made its debut in India, but is the company's flagship smartphone for 2023 equipped with enough upgrades over its predecessor? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

HTC U23, HTC U23 Pro With Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1​ SoC Launched: Price, Specifications

HTC U23, HTC U23 Pro were launched in Taiwan on Thursday. The HTC U23 series was teased earlier by the company. The official teaser also suggested that the phones will be compatible with the company's Viverse VR platform. With the launch of the smartphones, we will soon see how exactly it will work together. The phones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipsets. Both handsets come with IP67 ratings. The base model sports a triple-rear camera unit, while the pro model features a quad-rear camera system.

HTC U23, HTC U23 Pro price, availability

Offered in Aqua Blue and Roland Violet colour options, the base HTC U23 model is available in a single storage variant of 8GB + 128GB. The company has not yet revealed the price and availability details of the phone.

Meanwhile, the HTC U23 Pro is available for purchase through the online HTC Taiwan store. The 8GB + 256GB is priced at TWD 16,990 (roughly Rs. 45,500) and the 12GB + 256GB variant is marked at TWD 17,990 (roughly Rs. 48,200). The Pro model is offered in Coffee Black and Muxer White colourways. In a limited-period launch offer, customers are being offered a free HTC True Wireless Bluetooth Headset II on their purchase of the smartphone till May 30.

HTC U23, HTC U23 Pro specifications, features

Both HTC U23 and HTC U23 Pro models share certain similar specifications. The dual nano SIM-supported smartphones, running Android 13 out-of-the-box, feature 6.7-inch full-HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) OLED display panels with a refresh rate of 120Hz. They are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC paired with up to 12GB RAM and up to 256GB inbuilt storage.

A triple rear camera unit on the HTC U23 includes a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The quad rear camera unit of the HTC U23 Pro model, on the other hand, includes a 108-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 5-megapixel macro unit, and a 2-megapixel depth camera. Both phones, however, have a 32-megapixel front camera sensor housed in centre-aligned hole-punch slots at the top of the display.

Backed by 4,600mAh battery units, the HTC U23 series phones support 30W wired fast charging alongside 15W wireless charging. For security, both handsets have side-mounted fingerprint sensors. The phones also support WiFi 6, Bluetooth v5.2, GPS, USB Type-C connectivity, and even come equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack.

The HTC U23 Pro weighs 205 grams and measures 166.6mm x 77.09mm x 8.88mm in size. The base HTC U23 weighs 202 grams, but also measures 166.6mm x 77.09mm x 8.88mm in size. Both phones come with an IP67 rating.

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Google I/O 2023 saw the search giant repeatedly tell us that it cares about AI, alongside the launch of its first foldable phone and Pixel-branded tablet. This year, the company is going to supercharge its apps, services, and Android operating system with AI technology. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Bankrupt Crypto Lender Voyager Digital Hopeful to Provide 35 Percent Customer Payout

Crypto lender Voyager Digital said Wednesday that customers will recover about 35 percent of their cryptocurrency deposits as the company winds down its operations after a failed buyout attempt by crypto exchange Binance.US.

US Bankruptcy Judge Michael Wiles approved Voyager's proposed liquidation plan at a court hearing in Manhattan on Wednesday, allowing the company to return about $1.33 billion (nearly Rs. 11,000 crore) in crypto assets to customers and end its efforts to reorganize under Chapter 11.

Voyager filed for bankruptcy protection in July, citing volatility in cryptocurrency markets and a default on a large loan made to crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC).

Voyager suffered through two failed sale attempts during its bankruptcy. It initially sought to sell its assets for $1.42 billion (nearly Rs. 11,700 crore) to FTX, a deal that failed when FTX imploded in November. Binance.US stepped in with a $1.3 billion offer, but called off the deal on April 25, citing a "hostile and uncertain regulatory climate."

Voyager customers' recovery hopes are highly dependent on the outcome of litigation with FTX, which is seeking to claw back $445.8 million (nearly Rs. 3,670 crore) in loan repayments made to Voyager before FTX collapsed into bankruptcy.

If Voyager fully prevails in the FTX litigation, customers' expected recovery would be 63.74 percent, according to Voyager's court filings.

Voyager intends to repay customers with the same type of cryptocurrency that they had in their accounts. For deposits held in unsupported cryptocurrencies that cannot be withdrawn from Voyager's platform and for Voyager's proprietary VGX token, Voyager will instead repay customers using the stablecoin USDC.

Voyager was one of several crypto lenders to file for bankruptcy in 2022 after a boom in the COVID-19 pandemic. Others were Celsius Network, BlockFi, and Genesis Global Capital.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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OnePlus recently launched its first tablet in India, the OnePlus Pad, which is only sold in a Halo Green colour option. With this tablet, OnePlus has stepped into a new territory that's dominated by Apple's iPad. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Google Says in Compliance With CCI Order Regarding Play Store's Payments Policy

Google on Wednesday said its Google Play's payments policy is compliant with the anti-trust watchdog CCI's order and it is pushing ahead with plans to enforce the policy in the country.

"In 2020, we clarified the requirements of our payments policy, and developers in India have had considerable time to make the necessary changes to their apps," it said in a blog post. "We're respectfully following the CCI's October 2022 order, and in compliance with that order, we expanded user choice billing to all developers in India and updated our policy that went into effect starting April 26, 2023." Google said as the deadline of April 26 had now passed, it would be taking "necessary steps" to get developers to implement one of the billing options it offers.

Three routes are available for app developers — using Google Play's billing system, an alternative billing system called the user choice billing system alongside Google Play's billing system for users in India and operating on a consumption-only basis without paying a service fee, even if it is part of a paid service.

Google said it continued to "comply with local laws and cooperate with local proceedings, as applicable". Applying a service fee is a "sensible model as the platform only makes money when a developer makes money, so our success is aligned with theirs", it said.

It said the service fee it accrues from developers allows it to fund the large investments it has made for the growth of India's app ecosystem. The company insisted that its fees — 15 percent of lower for most developers — is the lowest of any major app store and a 4 percent reduction in that fee for those who implement an alternative billing system "fairly reflects that Google Play's billing system has not been used.

Less than 60 of the over 2,00,000 Indian developers on Google Play currently could pay a service fee of above 15 percent, Google said, citing its own estimations.

The Competition Commission of India in October slapped a fine on Google and directed the Android maker to give developers the choice of using third-party billing systems in the country.

"Most developers globally have already elected one of these routes. In India, now that the deadline has passed, we are informing developers in the country who have not yet implemented one of these options that we will be taking necessary steps to ensure our policy is applied fairly. We continue to comply with local laws and cooperate with local proceedings, as applicable," Google said.           

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Google I/O 2023 saw the search giant repeatedly tell us that it cares about AI, alongside the launch of its first foldable phone and Pixel-branded tablet. This year, the company is going to supercharge its apps, services, and Android operating system with AI technology. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

WhatsApp Rolls Out Chat Lock Feature for Keeping Conversations Hidden, Secure

WhatsApp has rolled out new Chat Lock feature to help its users keep their messages and conversations private and secure. While WhatsApp already provide an end-to-end encryption on the app, the new feature act as an added layer by letting users select the conversations that they want to keep hidden from access to anyone else. One can open these conversation only through correct passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID authentication. The feature has been globally launched and will be rolling out to all WhatsApp users on Android as well as iOS.

In a blog post on Monday, Meta announced rolling out a new security layer for WhatsApp chats with the new 'Chat Lock' feature. Using this feature will move locked chat threads to a different folder. Any notifications regarding these chats will neither show the sender's name, nor the message preview. Moreover, the media files shared in these chats will not be saved in the phone's gallery automatically.

These chats can be locked using several security options like passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID authentication. The Chat Lock feature is available on both WhatsApp for Android and iOS.

To get the feature, users will need to download the latest version of WhatsApp available on App Store, or Google Play Store. The feature is available with WhatsApp for Android version 2.23.10.71 and WhatsApp for iOS in version 2.23.9.77.

To move any conversation in the locked folder, one needs to simply tap on the thread and click on Chat Lock feature. As stated in the blog, Meta is working to introduce several new updates to the feature, such as creating customised passwords which are different from already existing passwords for unlocking the phone. The social media company is also working to make the Chat Lock feature work across all companion devices in which a WhatsApp account is active.

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OnePlus recently launched its first tablet in India, the OnePlus Pad, which is only sold in a Halo Green colour option. With this tablet, OnePlus has stepped into a new territory that's dominated by Apple's iPad. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

TRAI Gives 30 Days to Telcos to Check Misuse of Telemarketing Message Templates

Regulator TRAI on Friday directed telecom operators to take action against misuse of telemarketing messages templates within 30 days to curb pesky messages.

The regulator in the direction said that it has noticed some telemarketers are misusing headers and content templates of enterprises.

"Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) is a major source of inconvenience to the public and impinges on the privacy of individuals and TRAI has been taking various steps to curb it. Today, Trai has issued a direction to stop misuse of message templates under Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018)," the regulator said.

Instead of mobile numbers, the authorised telemarketing messages display headers which is indicative of the company from which it has come.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed telecom operators to make changes in the code of practices (CoPs) around headers and content templates of telemarketing messages under the TCCCPR 2018 rules and comply with the direction within 30 days.

The regulator said that look-alike message titles or headers are creating confusion among recipients of messages and are being misused by some of the entities for their gains.

TRAI said that the number of variables in a template is not defined in CoPs, which leads to misuse of the same, and moreover, the promotional content is being passed in the variable portions of content templates.

"...in order to minimize the said misuse, the number of variables allowed in content template needs to be limited in a way that not only gives PEs (Principal Entities) enough flexibility to phrase their content but at the same time, there are reasonable restrictions on number and placement of variables," the regulator said.

TRAI has directed telecom operators to re-verify all headers registered on blockchain based messaging platforms within 30 days and block unverified headers.

It has asked telecom operators to develop a system within 60 days to temporarily deactivate all headers which remain unused for 30 days.

Telecom operators are required to set up an online process to reactivate headers for the messages and ensure that each header is distinct.

TRAI's direction requires telecom operators to re-verify all content templates within 60 days and block unverified templates.

Telecom operators are required to incorporate procedures for quarterly re-verification of headers and content templates in their respective CoPs, under the TRAI direction. 

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Google I/O 2023 saw Google tell us repeatedly that it cares about AI, alongside the launch of its first foldable phone and Pixel-branded tablet. This year, the company is going to supercharge its apps, services, and Android operating system with AI technology. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

US Lawmakers Request Probe on Elon Musk's Startup Neuralink's Animal-Testing Panel

US lawmakers will ask regulators to investigate whether the make-up of a panel overseeing animal testing at Elon Musk's brain-chip startup Neuralink contributed to botched and rushed experiments.

US House Representatives Earl Francis Blumenauer and Adam Schiff, both Democrats, have signed a draft letter to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting a probe into how Neuralink oversaw its experiments, Blumenauer's office said.

The lawmakers have shared the draft with peers to gather more signatures and plan to send it to the USDA on Monday. The draft states that they are responding to a May 4 Reuters story which revealed that Neuralink filled its oversight board with company employees who stand to benefit financially from the start-up securing regulatory approval for its novel brain chip.

The panel approved experiments that resulted in the unnecessary deaths and suffering of animals, Reuters showed in a December 5 story. A spokesperson for Blumenauer said the USDA did not respond to an earlier request from lawmakers for a probe into Neuralink in the wake of that story.

"Congress has a significant interest in ensuring that all facilities using animals in research and testing — whether they are government-run, universities, or private companies — comply with the minimal standards of the Animal Welfare Act," the draft letter states.

Musk and Neuralink representatives, and spokespeople for the USDA and the agency's inspector general, did not respond to requests for comment.

Neuralink has already been the subject of federal probes. Reuters reported on December 5 that the USDA's Inspector General was investigating, at the request of a federal prosecutor, potential violations of the Animal Welfare Act, which governs how researchers treat and test certain types of animals. This probe has also been looking at the USDA's oversight of Neuralink.

The Inspector General and the USDA did not respond to a request for comment on the progress of that investigation.

The US Department of Transportation said in February it was investigating Neuralink over the movement of hazardous pathogens. An agency spokesperson said this probe is continuing, without providing details.

USDA inspectors visited Neuralink's California and Texas facilities in January in response to Reuters' reporting and the queries of lawmakers, but found no issues, Reuters reported last week.

Neuralink has been trying to secure clearance to advance to human trials after a prior attempt was rejected last year by the Food and Drug Administration because of safety concerns.

© Thomson Reuters 2023
 

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Smartphone companies have launched many compelling devices over the first quarter of 2023. What are some of the best phones launched in 2023 you can buy today? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

ONDC Expands Its Operations to 236 Cities, Adds More Than 36,000 Merchants: CEO

The Indian government's open e-commerce network ONDC has expanded its operations into 236 cities in the country while adding more than 36,000 merchants, a senior company official said on Thursday.

The government launched the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) last year to give small businesses and retailers access to processes and technologies usually provided by big e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Walmart.

The non-profit company's network currently displays products and services from all participating e-commerce platforms in search results across all apps on its network. 

"ONDC is handholding small merchants while aiming to make e-commerce more inclusive and accessible for consumers," T Koshy, CEO of the company, told reporters. 

The network is slowly and steadily recording an uptick in transactions, he said. 

The government has said existing platforms are tightly controlled, keeping out many small players. It expects ONDC to increase competition and foster start-up innovation.

T Koshy said the company was in talks with cab operators to launch operations in at least four cities, after successfully launching mobility operations in two cities in South India.

More than 55,000 taxi cab owners have already joined the network, and consumers were using it for about 35,000 rides a day, he said. 

The platform has helped cab owners to provide services while saving on hefty commissions paid to other platforms and offer lower rates to passengers, said Shaikh Salauddin, head of Telengana Four Wheeler Drivers Association, and a taxi driver. 

"The ONDC move has helped to promote fair competition in the e-commerce and helping consumers and small players."

ONDC aims to raise e-commerce penetration in the next two years to 25 percent of India's consumer purchases, from nearly 8 percent now, in a country of 1.4 billion people.

On Tuesday, the government said the state-run Indian postal service, which has a network of nearly 160,000 post offices, will also join the ONDC network to provide logistics services to small traders across the country.

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Realme might not want the Mini Capsule to be the defining feature of the Realme C55, but will it end up being one of the phone's most talked-about hardware specifications? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

WhatsApp Responds to IT Ministry's Call for Notice, Ensures to Ramp Up Safety Against Spam Calls

WhatsApp has responded to the Indian Government's call to send notice to the Meta's messaging platform regarding an increase in international scam calls. Promising to safeguard user's privacy and security, WhatsApp says it provides options like 'Block' and 'Report' for users to avoid any unwanted calls or messages. It also ensured to have ramped up its AI and ML system, which is expected to bring down the current calling rate by at least 50 percent. 

"Our users are at the heart of everything we do and we are fully aligned with the Government's goal of keeping users safe. WhatsApp is a leader among end-to-end encrypted services in protecting user safety," stated WhatsApp spokesperson in response to report regarding IT Ministry's decision to send a notice. 

"We have quickly ramped up our AI & ML systems to bring down such incidents significantly. Our new enforcement will reduce the current calling rate by at least 50 percent and we expect to be able to control the current incidence effectively," the statement added. 

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the IT Ministry will send a notice to WhatsApp on the issue of spam calls from unknown international numbers, in order to ensure privacy of users on digital platforms.

He added that all the digital platforms are responsible and accountable for ensuring the safety of 'digital nagriks'. Alleged misuse or alleged breach of users' privacy on any such platform will receive appropriate response from the. government. 

The incidence has come to light as WhatsApp users in India have reported to have received incoming international spam calls over the past few days. Users took it to Twitter to complain that these spam calls had country codes belonging to Indonesia (+62), Vietnam (+84), Malaysia (+60), Kenya (+254) and Ethiopia (+251).

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Smartphone companies have launched many compelling devices over the first quarter of 2023. What are some of the best phones launched in 2023 you can buy today? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Google Pixel 7a First Impressions: The Pixel 'A' Series Finally Goes Premium

Google's Pixel ‘A' series is designed to target the budget smartphone segment globally, but that doesn't aways line up with the "budget" segment in India. For example, the Pixel 3a was launched in India at Rs. 39,999 and it offered segment-leading camera quality (with just one camera), but also fell short in terms of processing power, lack of waterproofing, etc. The Pixel 6a was the first smartphone in the series to come close to justifying its Rs. 43,999 launch price. But in our review, we found that it still lacked that premium oomph compared to the competition, and fell behind on some basic features.

With the launch of the Pixel 7a, Google seems to have taken a big leap forward and has gone all-guns blazing, whether it's specs, design, or premium features. Let's take a closer look at what's new and different about it.

The Google Pixel 7a is available in a sole 8GB RAM and 128GB storage option, but it comes in three colours – Charcoal, Snow and Sea. The device is priced at Rs. 43,999 in India which is the same what the Pixel 6a launched at. There's still no charger bundled in the box, just a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a quick-switch adapter.

The Google Pixel 7a has a similarly sized display as the Pixel 6a, but adds a 90Hz refresh rate

The Google Pixel 7a's design has got a refreshed look. The display on the front gets Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, while the rear panels (above and below the camera band) are still made of plastic. The camera band and frame now have an upgraded look which is very similar to the Pixel 7 series. The band itself with the two rear-facing cameras is now made of metal and blends seamlessly with the rounded metal frame on the sides.

The Pixel 7a has also maintained its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance just like the previous model. All-in-all, it looks and feels quite premium especially when compared to the older Pixel 6a.

Also upgraded, is the display. It still has the same form factor as the previous model but the refresh rate has been given a bump up to 90Hz. The 6.1-inch full-HD+ OLED display also comes with HDR playback support. Apart from making the Android 13 software experience fluid, it should also come in use while playing fast-paced games.

The upgraded camera hardware in the Pixel 7a benefits from the Tensor G2 SoC, with new features such as Long Exposure camera modes

 

Another major upgrade in the Google Pixel 7a is the Tensor G2 SoC. This processor can also be found in more premium devices such as the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. For the first time ever, Google has equipped a Pixel A-series device with 8GB of RAM as previous models have been limited to 4GB or 6GB only.

The cameras have also gotten an overhaul. There's now a 64-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), which should (in theory) help capture better zoom images thanks to Google's Super Res Zoom feature. Accompanying it is a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and you get a 13-megapixel selfie camera upfront, both of which have also been upgraded over the previous model.

The Google Tensor G2 SoC in the Pixel 7a also enables new camera features such as Unblur in the Photos app, faster Night Sight and Long-exposure modes, which are not possible on the Pixel 6a.

The Google Pixel 7a does looks quite premium with its refreshed design

 

Battery capacity is the only thing which has taken a bit of a step back. It has dropped to 4,385mAh from the previous 4,410mAh on the Pixel 6a. Google has added wireless charging on the Pixel 7a, a feature that has gradually made its way to many more mid-range devices such as the Nothing Phone 1.

Google's Pixel 7a seems like a solid upgrade over the Pixel 6a. It definitely feels more premium, both, in terms of design and added features. But are these upgrades enough for it to compete against the current crop of Android phones in India, and more importantly, does it justify its price tag? We'll find out in our full review.

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OnePlus recently launched its first tablet in India, the OnePlus Pad, which is only sold in a Halo Green colour option. With this tablet, OnePlus has stepped into a new territory that's dominated by Apple's iPad. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Microsoft's Salaried Staff Won't Get Raise This Year, Reveals Leaked CEO Mail: Report

Microsoft will not raise salaries for full-time employees this year and is reducing budget for bonuses and stock awards, Insider reported on Wednesday, citing an internal email by CEO Satya Nadella.

The tech giant did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

"Last year, we made a significant investment in compensation driven by market conditions and company performance, nearly doubling our global merit budget...this year the economic conditions are very different across many dimensions" the report quoted Nadella saying.

In January, Microsoft said it would let go of 10,000 workers, adding to the tens of thousands layoffs announced before that across the technology sector as it deals with slowing growth in a turbulent economy.

Microsoft has now squarely placed its focus on generative AI, an area the industry sees as a bright spot.

In collaboration with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which also has received billions of dollars in funding from Microsoft, the tech giant has been infusing the AI tech into its Office products as well as search engine Bing.

Last week, Microsoft expanded public access to its generative artificial intelligence programs, despite fears that tech firms are rushing ahead too quickly with potentially dangerous technology.

In March this year, it was reported that Microsoft-owned GitHub laid off 142 people in India, including the entire staff in its engineering division. Those affected by the decision were deployed across the company's offices in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi. A GitHub spokesperson termed the decision as a part of the company's reorganisation plan.

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Xiaomi launched its camera focussed flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone, while Apple opened it's first stores in India this week. We discuss these developments, as well as other reports on smartphone-related rumours and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Tecno Phantom V Yoga Tipped to Get MediaTek Dimensity 8050 SoC, 6 Rear Camera Sensors

Tecno Phantom V Yoga, an allegedly upcoming flagship model from the Chinese smartphone company Tecno, has been reportedly spotted on a Chinese platform. The post on the website has tipped several specifications of the flip smartphone, which is said to be powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 8050 SoC. The Tecno Phantom V Yoga has been spotted with model number Tecno AD11. Interestingly, it also houses six rear cameras, along with a 32-megapixel selfie sensor. Tecno has not officially confirmed the specifications or the existence of the smartphone.

Twitter user Bronya (@Bronya_0916) has shared images of the alleged features of the upcoming Tecno Phantom V Yoga, spotted on a Chinese platform. The smartphone, seen in a lavender colour variant, has the model number Tecno AD11. As revealed in the images, the Tecno Phantom V Yoga could come in a 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant.

The smartphone from the Chinese smartphone company is said to house seven cameras, which includes six rear sensors and one selfie camera. The rear setup of the Tecno Phantom V Yoga is expected to sport a 50-megapixel 1-inch sensor, a 64-megapixel camera, a 32-megapixel lens, an 8-megapixel sensor, a 5-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel lens. Meanwhile, for selfies and videos, it is tipped to get a 32-megapixel front camera.

Moreover, it could be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8050 SoC, and run the latest HiOS based on Android 13. The Tecno Phantom V Yoga is also expected to get a 4,000mAH battery with 66W super fast charging. It is tipped to get a 6.75-inch AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. However, it does not. get an outer display.

However, the leaked images have not revealed any information regarding the launch date or the expected pricing of the smartphone. However, the Twitter user has suggested that the Tecno Phantom V Yoga is suspected to cost around CNY 8900 (nearly Rs. 1,05,575). The company is yet to confirm the details or the existence of the smartphone.

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Realme might not want the Mini Capsule to be the defining feature of the Realme C55, but will it end up being one of the phone's most talked-about hardware specifications? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

WhatsApp Could Soon Let Users Transfer Chats to a New iPhone Without Using iCloud: Report

WhatsApp is said to be working on a new feature for iOS that would allow users to conveniently transfer their chat history to another iPhone without using iCloud. The functionality is being tested on WhatsApp for iOS and has been released via the beta channel. iPhone users who are members of the TestFlight beta testing programme can get access to the feature as of now. Additionally, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform is reportedly releasing an automatic GIF playback feature for Andorid. The new feature has been spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta v2.23.10.2, which is available via the Google Play Beta programme.

As per a report by WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, the instant messaging platform is developing a new feature that will allow iPhone users to transfer chats to another iPhone without relying on iCloud. This means you will be able to migrate chat history including media from the old handset by scanning a QR code that shows up on a new iPhone. The feature dubbed “Transfer Chats to iPhone” can be accessed by heading to WhatsApp Settings > Chats.

WhatsApp is said to be rolling out the feature via the TestFlight beta Programme, with the v23.9.0.72 beta version for iOS. It is reportedly available to some beta testers and will reach more devices over the coming weeks.

Additionally, WhatsApp is testing automatic playback for GIFs shared in chat. At present, users have to tap the GIF to see the animation. With this proposed feature, animated GIFs will play automatically the first time they appear in a conversation. However, folks at WABetaInfo note that WhatsApp will animate the GIF only once. After the initial playback, users will have to tap the media file to play it again.

The automatic GIF playback is reportedly available to selected beta testers now. As always, it will be rolled out to more beta users over the coming days. WhatsApp may add improvements to the feature before the final release.

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The Vivo X90 Pro has finally made its debut in India, but is the company's flagship smartphone for 2023 equipped with enough upgrades over its predecessor? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra to Arrive in Three Additional Colour Options: Report

Xiaomi 13 Ultra was unveiled in China last month, and the flagship phone is currently available in three colourways. However, a new report claims that the company will add three more colour options for the recently launched handset. Meanwhile, two of the company's top executives have reportedly reached out to users asking about their preferred colour choices for the phone. The phone is currently available in Black, White, and Green colour variants in China.

According to a Mydrivers report, users have extracted three new wallpapers from the Xiaomi 13 Ultra firmware. The shades of these wallpapers appear to match the purported colourways of the newly launched phones — Starry Sky Blue, Chixia Orange, and Ginkgo Yellow. Additionally, Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun, along with company president Lu Weibing, recently asked Weibo users about their preferred colour choices for the phone.

## Xiaomi 13 Ultra specifications, features

Xiaomi 13 Ultra sports a 6.73-inch WQHD+ (1,440 x 3,200 pixels) AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a touch sampling rate of 360Hz. The smartphone runs on Android 13-based MIUI 14 out-of-the-box. It is powered by Qualcomm's flagship 4nm octa-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC paired with an Adreno 740 GPU, up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 inbuilt storage.

For photoss and videos, the flagship Xiaomi handset is equipped with a Leica-tuned rear quad camera setup led by a 50-megapixel 1-inch IMX989 sensor. Accompanying the main camera are three 50-megapixel IMX858 sensors. For selfies, there is a 32-megapixel front camera housed in a centre-aligned hole-punch cutout at the top of the display.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery along with 90W wired and 50W wireless fast charging support. The Chinese phone maker claims that the phone can be fully charged within 34 minutes. It also features a Hibernation mode to offer 60 minutes of usage when the phone has 1 percent of battery backup left, according to the company.

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Xiaomi launched its camera focussed flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone, while Apple opened it's first stores in India this week. We discuss these developments, as well as other reports on smartphone-related rumours and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Amazon Great Summer Sale May 2023: How to Find the Best Deals, Discounts and Offers

Amazon Great Summer Sale May 2023 is set to begin on May 4 for Amazon Prime subscribers, half a day before the ecommerce giant's biggest sale of the season opens for all customers. The company will offer several deals, discounts, and offers across a variety of product categories including smartphones, laptops, TVs and appliances, and Amazon-branded devices. It has begun teasing some of these deals via a landing page on its website. Users can also avail of a 10 percent discount on specific bank cards as well as use exchange discounts to lower the prices of eligible products during the upcoming sale. Here's a guide to help you prepare for Amazon's upcoming summer sale.

When is the Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023?

The upcoming Amazon Great Summer Sale begins at 12am (midnight) on May 4. However, only Amazon Prime will be able to access the deals during the first 12 hours of the sale. If you don't have a subscription, you will have to wait for the next day. Like Amazon's recent sales in the country, the company has not revealed when the sale will end.

What can you expect from the Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023?

You can expect to see several discounts and offers on a wide range of products during the Amazon Great Summer Sale, and the platform has already started teasing price-based categories for products that cost less than Rs. 99, Rs. 199, Rs. 299, Rs. 499 and so on. Amazon will also let you take advantage of deals that will be live between 8pm and 12am (midnight) as well as deals priced under Rs. 999. It will also offer 'Grand Opening' deals, and a 'Price Crash' store, as per the landing page for the upcoming sale.

Amazon has teased discounts of up to 70 percent on Amazon branded devices while TVs and appliances will see their prices drop by as much as 60 percent during the sale. Smartphones and accessories will be available starting at Rs. 5,899, while pricing for computer accessories will start at Rs. 99.

In addition to the discounts listed alongside products during the Amazon Great Summer Sale, you can also avail of 10 percent discounts on Kotak Bank and ICICI Bank credit, debit card, and EMI transactions. Similarly, exchange discounts on eligible products will allow you to lower their prices even further.  

Finding the best deals, discounts and offers during the Amazon Great Summer Sale May 2023

There are several ways to make sure that you're getting the best deals and maximise your savings during the upcoming Amazon Great Summer Sale. You will need to prepare in advance in order and be aware of upcoming deals and timings for specific sale discounts, such as Amazon's "8pm deals".

1. Plan ahead, add products to your Wishlist

While you should definitely browse through the various sale offers and discounted products when the Amazon Great Summer Sale begins at midnight on Thursday, having a few of your most wanted products added to your Wishlist will let you quickly check if their prices have dropped and then take a decision on whether you should purchase them.

2. Sign up for Amazon Prime or gain access to the 30-day trial

Some of the best deals will be available when the sale begins on Thursday — but these will first be available to Amazon Prime subscribers. Some of these deals only survive for a few hours as more customers avail of the offers, and you might want you make sure you have access to the sale when it begins, especially if you are looking forward to purchasing a specific product that has already been confirmed to go on sale via the company's landing page.

3. Do your research and track prices

You can use websites and apps to track the prices of specific products that you're interested in, which will allow you to keep track of their lowest prices and whether it's a good idea to buy them — or some of them — during the upcoming sale. If you see that a product is at its lowest ever price point, it might be the best time to pick up that product. 

4. Update your apps and refresh the website regularly

The first thing you should do is update your Amazon Prime app via the Google Play store or the App Store. This should ensure that you have a glitch-free experience when the sale goes live and you receive updates for the latest deals and discounts when you open the app. However, you should also keep an eye on the Amazon website as some of the deals may not be listed on the mobile app. 

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Apple is opening its first stores in India, one in Mumbai and the other in Delhi. What does this mean for Apple customers in India? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023 Now Live for Prime Members: Best Offers on Mobile Phones

Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023 is now live in India for Amazon Prime subscribers. The seasonal sale brings offers and discounts for new handsets from different brands including Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Redmi and Vivo. The sale will open up to all shoppers, or non-Prime from May 4 starting 12pm. ICICI and Kotak bank credit cardholders can avail of additional discounts during the Amazon Great Summer Sale. Further, shoppers will get exchange offers, no-cost EMI payment options, and Amazon Pay-based discounts during the sale.

Here, we've included the handpicked best smartphone deals that you can get during the ongoing Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023.

iPhone 14

Released in 2022 September, Apple's iPhone 14 has a starting price of Rs. 39,293 (including bank offers and exchange discount) in the ongoing Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023. Interested buyers can swap an old iPhone model to get this special discount price. The iPhone 14 was launched with a price tag of Rs. 79,900. It is powered by Apple's A15 Bionic SoC and features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G

The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is priced at Rs. 12,490 for the base 4GB RAM + 128GB storage variant during the sale, instead of the original launch price of Rs. 13,490. The discount is inclusive of the bank offer and interested customers can get up to Rs. 13,250 off by exchanging an eligible smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is powered by a 5nm Exynos 1330 SoC and houses a 6,000mAh battery.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

In the ongoing sale, OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite can be grabbed at a starting price of Rs. 18,999 after applying additional bank offers and discounts. The smartphone also comes with a bundled exchange offer capped at Rs. 18,750. It has a Snapdragon 695 SoC under the hood and flaunts a 108-megapixel triple rear camera unit. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite originally had a price tag of Rs. 19,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant.

OnePlus 11R 5G

Amazon has listed the OnePlus 11R 5G for Rs. 38,999 (inclusive of bank offers) during the sale. The handset was launched in February with a starting price of Rs. 39,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. Interested buyers can exchange an old smartphone for an extra discount of up to Rs. 25,000. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 5G SoC powers the OnePlus 11R 5G. It features a 6.74-inch full-HD+ curved AMOLED display and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 100W SUPERVOOC S flash fast charging.

Realme Narzo N55

The Realme Narzo N55 debuted in India last month with a Mini Capsule feature similar to Apple's Dynamic Island. The handset originally priced at Rs. 10,999 can be grabbed at a discounted price of Rs. 10,249 during Amazon's summer sale (including bank offers). An exchange offer can fetch you another instant discount of up to Rs. 10,300. Paying with the Amazon Pay wallet offers will sweeten the deal further. Realme's Narzo N55 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 SoC and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 33W SuperVOOC fast charging support

Redmi 12C

Xiaomi sub-brand's entry-level smartphone Redmi 12C is available at a reduced price of Rs. 8,499 (including bank offers) during the ongoing sale. It is also listed with up to Rs. 8,400 exchange offer. The Redmi 12C was launched in March and runs on MediaTek Helio G85 SoC. It has a 50-megapixel dual rear camera setup and carries a 5,000mAh battery with 10W wired charging support.

Vivo Y56 5G

The Vivo Y56 5G was launched in India in February with a price tag of Rs. 19,999. During the running Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023, this Vivo Y series smartphone is available at a discounted price of Rs. 18,999 (including bank offers). You can also swap your old smartphone for an additional discount of up to Rs. 18,750. The Vivo Y56 5G has a MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC under the hood. It sports 50-megapixel dual rear cameras and packs a 5,000mAh battery.

Nokia X30 5G

The Nokia X30 5G, powered by Snapdragon 695 5G SoC was launched in February this year with a price tag of Rs. 48,999 for the lone 8GB + 256GB storage variant. Now, this 5G smartphone can be grabbed for Rs. 35,999 during the ongoing sale by applying bank offers. It is worth noting that this is the effective price after bank discounts and with all offers applied. You can exchange your old smartphone and receive another instant discount worth up to Rs. 28,000. The Nokia X30 5G has a 6.43-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,400 pixels) AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate and is backed by a 4,200mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.

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The Vivo X90 Pro has finally made its debut in India, but is the company's flagship smartphone for 2023 equipped with enough upgrades over its predecessor? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Meta Said to Be Targeting $7 Billion in Its Second Blue-Chip Bond Sale

Meta Platforms emerged as the first mega-cap technology company to tap the US investment-grade bond market as turmoil in the financial sector has toppled five banks since March.

The social-media behemoth, which reported earnings last week, is looking to raise $7 billion (nearly Rs. 57,250 crore) in a five-part deal, according to a person familiar with the matter. The longest portion of the offering, a 40-year security, may yield 215 basis points over Treasuries, the person said.

Eleven companies have already come forward with bond offerings Monday as companies look to issue debt before the Federal Open Market Committee meeting and subsequent rate decision Wednesday. 

Meta raised $10 billion (nearly Rs. 81,790 crore) in its first ever corporate bond issue last year. The Facebook parent plans to use the fresh funds to help finance capital expenditures, repurchase outstanding shares of its common stock, and for acquisitions or investments, the person added.  

The Menlo Park, California-based company has spent the last months cutting costs and restructuring its workforce, while advertising sales rebounded in the first quarter. Even though it touts strong cash flow, the company is likely looking to shore up extra cash for future bond buybacks, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Robert Schiffman.

“After it boosted repurchase authorization by $40 billion (nearly Rs. 3,27,160 crore) in January, we envision shareholder returns will keep growing — similar to Alphabet and Apple — as free-cash-flow prospects improve,” he wrote in a note. “With initial price talk wide to peers, we perceive little credit risk and strong relative value out the curve.”

Representatives for Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

© 2023 Bloomberg LP

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Smartphone companies have launched many compelling devices over the first quarter of 2023. What are some of the best phones launched in 2023 you can buy today? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

MediaTek Shifts Focus to Cars, AI Amid Supply Glut in Smartphone Market

Taiwan's top chip design company MediaTek is focusing more resources on chips for cars and AI computing as its smartphone clients face a supply glut and inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty dent demand for consumer electronics.

"We are definitely moving our resources very, very rapidly towards the automotive and computing areas, because those areas will provide our growth in the next three to five years," MediaTek Chief Executive Rick Tsai told an earnings call.

"In this very demanding environment, we are not reducing people. We're not increasing either. The critical thing is to allocate those precious resources," he said.

Tsai said everyone, including MediaTek, was rushing to claim that they were able to support generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT.

"We're confident that we will be able to provide the capability to our customers," Tsai said.

MediaTek is investing heavily in AI because the new areas the company is focusing on are all related to computing, Tsai said. The development of autonomous vehicles, for instance, requires AI chips.

While smartphone demand has remained lacklustre in the first quarter, the company expects signs of recovery later this year.

"Demand for certain consumer electronics such as smartphones is weaker than we expected," Tsai said. "As customers remain cautious about future demand, we expect our mobile revenue to be flattish in the second quarter and to improve in the second half."

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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Apple is opening its first stores in India, one in Mumbai and the other in Delhi. What does this mean for Apple customers in India? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

iPhones, AirPods Replaced With Replicas by E-Commerce Delivery Executive in Gurugram

A delivery executive of an e-commerce firm allegedly stole 10 iPhones by replacing them with dummy phones on the way to deliver them to the customer here, police said on Thursday.

Station in-charge of Matrix Finance Solution, which delivers Amazon's parcel, Ravi in his complaint alleged that on March 27 delivery executive Lalit was handed over a customer's parcel, which contained 10 iPhones and an AirPods, at his address, they said.

However, instead of delivering the parcel, Lalit replaced the iPhones with replicas and sent his brother Manoj to deposit them back to the company claiming that the customer could not be contacted, Ravi said in his complaint.

Suspecting some tampering with the packaging, the parcel was opened and the delivery company found the fake phones inside, police said.

Meanwhile, upon not receiving his parcel, the customer also cancelled his order, they said.

An FIR has been registered against Lalit under sections 420 (cheating), 408 (criminal breach of trust by employee) of the Indian Penal Code at Bilaspur police station on Wednesday, they said.

Efforts are on to nab the accused who is absconding, they said.

Meanwhile, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the deputy minister for information technology, said that the US tech giant Apple could double or triple investments in India, along with exports, over the next few years as the company opened a second store in the world's biggest smartphone market after China.

Apple mainly assembles iPhones in India through Taiwan contract manufacturers but plans to expand into iPads and AirPods, as it looks to cut reliance on China.

Its iPhones made up more than half of total smartphones worth about $9 billion (roughly Rs. 74,000 crore) exported from India between April 2022 and February, data from the India Cellular and Electronics Association shows.

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Apple is opening its first stores in India, one in Mumbai and the other in Delhi. What does this mean for Apple customers in India? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.