"AI cannot exist in a vacuum. Deep investments are being made in infrastructure development: Google executives announce the company's $15 billion commitment to an India data center powerhouse. "

Many tech companies' fortunes are directly tied to AI technology, and billions of dollars have been invested in building the AI infrastructure. However, a top Google executive has denied that artificial intelligence is in a bubble, despite growing voices in Silicon Valley and Wall Street suggesting that a bubble may be forming and could eventually burst."It cannot just be a bubble when you consider the magnitude of the money coming in from the entire ecosystem. The construction of AI infrastructure is a significant financial commitment. The process is self-fulfilling. At an event in Delhi on Tuesday, Karan Bajwa, President of Google Cloud, Asia Pacific, told IndianExpress.com, "We are developing capabilities, building infrastructure, bringing them to market, and customers are using them."Following the announcement of a $15 billion investment by the Mountain View, California-based corporation to construct data center capacity for a new AI hub in Andhra Pradesh, the CEO made these remarks. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw of Electronics & Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting attended the high-profile event in Delhi.The Visakhapatnam data center will become Google's largest AI hub outside of the US after the investment is implemented over the course of the following five years.  

Keep music out of your ears rather than in them with SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2.

Given how many calls we have to answer, we all spend a lot of time between earphones. We also try to relax by taking walks and running while listening to music or podcasts. Since noise-cancelling devices literally create a vacuum in the canal, our ears are not really designed to handle in-ear audio.This explains why some people, at the very least, favor open-ear headphones and earbuds that allow for natural music listening without isolating you from the outside world. The alternative strategy is used by SHOKZ, a company that produces open-ear headphones that provide sound without causing any damage to the ear canals by using bone conduction technology. The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 maintains your ear canals entirely open while producing high-quality audio through the use of bone conduction and air conduction technology. You can simultaneously hear music and your surroundings thanks to this "open-ear" design, which is especially helpful for safety when running and cycling.  

I gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold a try… I am now convinced that I don’t need multiple devices

After a month of work-related travel to four major US cities, I returned to India and realized that managing three phones, a laptop, a tablet, a handheld console, and over-ear headphones was no longer feasible for me. It could be overwhelming at times – flying from one city to another, undergoing numerous security checks, and constantly fearing that a device might be left behind. This journey prompted me to reconsider the limits of excess, particularly given that I was going to consecutive tech events in various locations. It seems that I have at last come to understand that juggling several devices is simply not for me. For tech journalists, it is now far more sensible to have a single device, such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Though foldables are not yet mainstream (their high cost keeps them out of reach for most consumers), in my experience, the phone-tablet duo does provide a difference compared to carrying a separate phone and tablet; In addition, the user experience appears to have enhanced.While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold may appear similar to last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold that I reviewed, it boasts significant enhancements including a larger battery, a quicker Tensor G5 chip, upgraded cameras, improved displays, water resistance for folding phones, and enhanced integration with Google’s Gemini AI tools. It didn’t take me long to adapt to the folding Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which felt more polished and personal, but switching from my iPhone to the Google phone was still a challenge.  

OpenAI DevDay 2025: ChatGPT introduces apps, AgentKit for developers, and cost-effective GPT models

The third edition of the DevDay developer conference has been concluded by OpenAI. This year’s conference was a mixed bag, with some new and useful features alongside incremental upgrades, in contrast to last year when OpenAI did not conduct any major product launches. It appears that OpenAI may be working to develop ChatGPT into a fully realized AI-powered operating system. Additionally, the company launched two new, more affordable real-time voice models, a developer toolkit named AgentKit, and introduced apps within ChatGPT. Take a quick glance at all the announcements OpenAI made at DevDay 2025.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveiled AgentKit, a robust toolkit aimed at simplifying the creation and implementation of AI agents, in an exciting announcement at the recent Dev Day event. Altman explained, “AgentKit is a comprehensive set of resources on the open AI platform designed to assist developers in moving their agents from initial concept to full-scale production.” This effort forms part of OpenAI’s wider strategy to boost developer engagement by simplifying the process of building agents. With the introduction of AgentKit, OpenAI demonstrates its dedication to maintaining competitiveness in a fast-changing environment, where numerous AI platforms are working to offer integrated solutions for developing autonomous agents that can manage intricate tasks. A key highlight of the event was the introduction of a feature that allows users to build applications right within ChatGPT, which has recently reached an astonishing 800 million weekly active users.  

China is showcasing its idea of a new global order at the SCO summit and Victory Day parade.

Review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max: The iPhone 17 series and the iPhone Air have generated a surge of interest. It was only after some time that numerous individuals reached out to me for upgrade recommendations during the launch week itself. It’s worth noting that many of these individuals appear to be utilizing the iPhone 13 series and are eager for an upgrade. This is the reason why I examined the iPhone 17 Pro Max mainly through the perspective of an iPhone user who is upgrading after several years.With the iPhone 17 Pro series, Apple has emphasized how simple it is to make a device that turns heads by just experimenting with colors. In years, nothing has generated more excitement about a phone than the cosmic orange. Although silver and deep blue are more conventional colors, the orange draws everyone's attention, whether they love it or love to hate it. What a brilliant marketing success for Apple.  

Emirates prohibits power banks on flights: Implications for travelers

Emirates, the national airline of the UAE, has introduced a new safety regulation banning power banks on its flights, starting Wednesday, October 1, 2025. According to the new regulation, passengers are allowed to bring one power bank with a capacity of less than 100 watt-hours in their cabin baggage, provided that it is not used during the flight. This implies that travellers are unable to charge their electronic devices, like smartphones and tablets, with power banks, nor can they recharge the power banks using the in-seat power supply on the aircraft.“Following an extensive safety evaluation, Emirates is adopting a strong and preemptive approach to reduce risk regarding power banks onboard. “The number of clients utilizing power banks has grown considerably in the past few years, leading to a rise in incidents involving lithium batteries on flights throughout the aviation sector,” the airlines stated.Emirates stated that all accepted power banks must have clear capacity ratings displayed and should be stored exclusively in the seat pocket or under the seat in front of you, not in overhead compartments. The airline noted that although its planes have in-seat charging ports, passengers should ensure their devices are fully charged prior to flying, particularly on long-haul flights.Power banks are compact, cuboid-shaped plugs designed to charge small devices like smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets. These days, most individuals carry power banks for the reassurance they provide when a device's battery dies, particularly while on the go. Although they are mainly intended for charging smaller devices, certain models can also supply power to more demanding equipment like laptops and large portable speakers. However, as they usually rely on lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, they can present fire risks if compromised or subjected to overcharging.  

With over 50 investors reshaping VC playbooks, MoneyX Dialogues makes its debut in Bengaluru.

The inaugural edition of MoneyX Dialogues — Venture Capital Unplugged brought together over 50 investors to discuss the evolving playbooks and sector priorities The fire-side chat featuring V. Vaidyanathan from IDFC FIRST Bank underscored the necessity for venture capitalists and banks to collaborate closely in order to establish a robust financial foundation for startups. With recast playbooks, rebuilt partnerships, and robust value creation in sight, the investing community plans to redefine the rules for VCs.In late August, it was a breezy evening in Bengaluru, and amidst an august gathering of investors, a chortle erupted. It was sufficiently loud to be overheard. Nothing appears more natural than the presence of artificial intelligence in business. Almost as a rule, every pitch deck appears to start with an AI-first approach. The laughter was set off by that. However, it pertained to understanding the truth of the technological era and was definitely not about a rhetoric that dismissed technology. Under the humor, there lay a serious truth: the deployment of capital in India is changing rapidly, and investors are adjusting their playbooks to balance conviction with caution.This was corroborated by a recent Inc42 investor survey, which found that AI was the top choice for both early and growth stage investments. In order to decipher these signals, Inc42 collaborated with IDFC FIRST Bank to organize the inaugural MoneyX Dialogues — Venture Capital Unplugged event, which was supported by Rukam Capital, in Bengaluru on August 21. Over the course of the evening, more than 50 of India’s most astute investment professionals gathered, including early-stage VCs, fund managers focused on emerging and growth stages, HNIs, family offices, and angel investors.The event included a closed-door roundtable discussion with early and growth stage fund managers, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices, moderated by Amit Nawka, a partner at PwC Deals. It also featured a fireside chat with V. Vaidyanathan, the MD and CEO of IDFC FIRST Bank, moderated by Inc42 cofounder and CEO Vaibhav Vardhan. They discussed the evolution of venture capital in India and the strategies that would drive the next wave of startups.  

Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, cautions US tech employees: Competing with China may require sacrificing work-life balance.

The ex-CEO of Google has a cautionary message for American tech employees, and it may not be well received by some. During a conference interview published by the All-In podcast, Eric Schmidt, who formerly headed the search engine giant, stated that remote work is not beneficial for US tech companies competing against China’s ruthless work culture.„Schmidt sagte: „Wenn man im Tech-Bereich erfolgreich sein will, muss man einige Kompromisse eingehen.“ “Keep in mind that we are competing against the Chinese; the Chinese work-life balance comprises the 996 model, which entails working from 9 am to 9 pm six days a week. Eric Schmidt, the ex-CEO of Google, has not strongly supported 'work-from-home' arrangements for tech companies. In a recent podcast, Schmidt, who led Google for more than a decade in the early 2000s, reiterated his warning to American tech giants about flexible remote work. This time, the alarm includes a 'China warning' as well.Schmidt expressed his belief that remote work is impeding the ability of US tech companies to compete with China's demanding work culture. In a discussion featured on the All-In podcast, Schmidt maintained that the "996" work schedule (from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) serves as a crucial competitive edge for Chinese firms.  

Qualcomm's latest flagship mobile platform, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: an in-depth account of its development

“A decade ago, it would have been impossible for you to envision your phone’s current capabilities. And it all begins with the chip. When you unlock that capability, all the applications, use cases, and experiences start to emerge. Once that capability is unlocked, people become creative about what they can do with it,” says Cindy Lei, Qualcomm's director of product management, emphasizing the reason silicon serves as a smartphone’s super brain and why it’s even more crucial in the AI era. According to Lei, who was at the helm of development for Qualcomm’s new system-on-a-chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (which was unveiled this week at an event in Hawaii), designing a chip is growing more complicated, particularly now that there are far more processes happening within the silicon. She clarifies that due to the significant advancements in smartphones and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, customisation now occurs at a much more profound level.  

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Zaggle Increases 5% Following Partnerships With Mastercard and AU Small Finance Bank

At 12:45 on the BSE, the stock had recovered some of its gains and was up 1.5% at INR 360.30, bringing the company's market capitalization to $544 million. The rally followed Zaggle's announcement of collaborations with Mastercard for co-branded domestic prepaid cards and AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) for co-branded retail credit cards, co-branded prepaid cards, and commercial cards. This year, the company's shares have mostly stayed in a corrective phase, reflecting the 18% year-to-date decline in the Nifty IT index and the 6% increase in the Nifty 50.Details of the Partnership The five-year partnership between Zaggle and Mastercard is outlined in the Customer Business Agreement, which goes into force on September 22, 2025, and ends on September 30, 2030. In order to establish and promote co-branded domestic prepaid cards on the Mastercard network, Mastercard will offer Zaggle incentives under this arrangement. Strategic Consequences For Zaggle, this collaboration is a big step toward increasing the range of prepaid cards company offers. Zaggle hopes to expand its product line and maybe gain market share in the quickly expanding fintech industry by utilizing Mastercard's extensive worldwide network and experience.Important Aspects of the Agreement Character of the Agreement: The contract is categorized as a Mastercard Domestic Prepaid Card Co-Branded with "Zaggle" Customer Business Agreement. Range: The transactions will be domestic in character, even if the cooperation involves an international organization (Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd). Duration: The agreement offers a solid foundation for sustained cooperation and lasts for just over five years. Governance of Companies According to Zaggle, there are no related party transactions involved in this arrangement. Furthermore, there is no interest in Mastercard on the part of the promoter or the promoter group, guaranteeing openness and compliance with corporate governance guidelines.  

Flipkart Big Billion Days 2025 lowers the price of Apple gadgets with the iPhone 16 for less than Rs 55K and the iPhone 16 Pro for less than Rs 90K.

The festival of discounts, Flipkart's Big Billion Days 2025, is here, with offers that encourage everyone to update their cellphones. Perhaps this is the right moment to get an iPhone 16 or an iPhone 15. The savings are glaring at you as early access to Plus and Black members begins today, September 22. Everyone can participate in the live sale starting on September 23.Under special discounts, the 128 GB model of the iPhone 16 is presently priced at around Rs 53,999. You will pay a lot less than the Rs 79,900 launch price when you combine Flipkart's bank-promo discounts and exchange offers. This represents savings of almost Rs 25,000. The A18 chip, Apple Intelligence features, an improved camera system, and an all-around stylish design power the iPhone 16.Interestingly, the price of the iPhone 16 Pro 128GB model has dropped from ₹1,09,999 to ₹85,999. Customers can receive an extra ₹4,000 off when they use their Flipkart Axis Bank or Flipkart SBI credit cards. Customers can trade in their old gadgets for up to ₹43,850 through Flipkart's exchange program, depending on the device's condition and local service availability. The iPhone 16 Pro might be bought for as cheap as ₹60,000 or even less with these combined discounts.  

Notion cofounder Akshay Kothari claims his new AI agent can do everything a human can

Notion has rolled out one of its biggest updates yet with the launch of Notion 3.0, and at the centre of it is the brand-new AI Agent. The company is pitching this feature not just as a smart assistant but as a reliable teammate inside the platform that can take over tasks users usually have to do themselves. The idea is to make workspaces smarter, faster, and more personalised, at a time when organisations are increasingly relying on automation to save time and cut down repetitive work.The update has started rolling out from Thursday, making the AI Agent available to all Notion users globally. According to the company, the agent is capable of handling almost everything a human can do within Notion, whether it is building a fresh page, putting together databases, or pulling in updates from connected apps like Slack and even the open web. Notion says this release is a milestone for them as it changes the way people can collaborate with the platform.One standout aspect of the AI Agent is its ability to “remember” how a user works. Notion has created editable profiles where the agent stores what it learns about user habits. These “memories” can be tweaked and adjusted anytime, giving people flexibility to shape the agent as per their needs. What makes it more interesting is that users can set up multiple profiles, each with different behaviours, which means the same tool can act differently depending on the task or team setup.The company has shared a wide range of use cases for the new feature. For individuals, it could mean help with organising movie lists or planning travel itineraries, while for teams it could take the form of writing campaign emails, merging feedback into reports, or converting meeting notes into actionable project updates. In short, the agent is designed to handle both personal productivity and team-level workflows.Notion’s cofounder Akshay Kothari has already given people a glimpse of the agent’s abilities in earlier previews. In one instance, the agent created a personalised database of films to watch, complete with Rotten Tomatoes ratings. In another, it helped maintain a record of cafes visited. These examples highlight how the tool is not limited to corporate use but can also fit into everyday life.  

In response to growing user safety concerns, OpenAI will introduce "teen-friendly" ChatGPT.

In light of the ongoing discussion and controversy about the impact of AI chatbots on youth mental health, OpenAI has announced that it is developing a "different ChatGPT experience" tailored to teens that will be released later this year.OpenAI has said that it is developing a "different ChatGPT experience" tailored for teens that will be released later this year, amid ongoing discussions and debates over the impact of AI chatbots on youth mental health.A number of important policy changes have been published by OpenAI, the company that created the popular ChatGPT, with the goal of improving user safety for its youngest users. The action was taken in the midst of growing criticism and a lawsuit brought by the family of a 16-year-old who committed suicide, claiming the AI chatbot was responsible for his demise. Under the new precautions, users under the age of eighteen will automatically activate a "teen-friendly" version of ChatGPT. Stricter content filters will be included in this version to block sensitive subjects including self-harm conversations and explicit sexual material. "Safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens," according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is a significant philosophical shift in the company's approach to AI ethics.Highlights of the New Teen Safety Plan: Age Forecast Technology: Based on a user's interaction patterns, OpenAI is creating a system to determine the user's age. The safer, under-18 experience will be used by default if the system is unsure.  

Mark Zuckerberg is taking a risk by predicting that smart glasses will be the next significant technological advancement. This week, that vision begins to come to pass.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, will spend his whole presentation at the company's annual developer conference, Meta Connect, in San Francisco on Wednesday, trying to persuade you that the smartphone in your pocket will soon be replaced by smart glasses. You won't have to wait years for that; you might have the future right now. In comparison, Apple's iPhone 17 series, which was revealed last week, appears to be either growing thinner or simply adding more cameras.Although Zuckerberg's idea may not sound compelling at first, Meta sees a chance to not just experiment but also actively pursue a gadget that might eventually replace smartphones when sales of smartphones stagnate. Although they are still a long way from taking the place of smartphones, the popularity of Ray-Ban smart glasses suggests that, given the correct features and price range, they may eventually become a commonplace item in consumers' daily lives. The question is whether Meta will be the first business to make smart glasses widely used, and if so, when.Despite missing out on the smartphone explosion and a botched attempt to transform the internet with the Metaverse, smart glasses have been a bright light in Meta's audacious future wagers.  

Amid GST reforms, Skoda promises price reductions of up to Rs 3.3 lakh, and the Volkswagen Virtus is anticipated to be less expensive as well.

Car prices are expected to drop dramatically if the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is reformed. Numerous businesses, such as Hyundai, Mahindra, and Audi, have already declared the new prices, which will take effect on September 22.Larger automobiles will now be taxed at a flat 40%, down from the previous 45–50% band that included cess, while compact cars will be taxed at 18% without any cess under the new tax rates.Larger automobiles will now be taxed at a flat 40%, down from the previous 45–50% band that included cess, while compact cars will be taxed at 18% without any cess under the new tax rates.Skoda India has stated that it will reduce prices by up to Rs 3.3 lakh and pass the savings on to customers. Additionally, if a reservation is made before September 21st, the company will give a special seasonal deal with discounts of up to Rs 2.5 lakh. The Skoda Kodiaq's current ex-showroom pricing starts at Rs 46.89 lakh. The vehicle will now cost up to Rs 3.3 lakh less. In the meanwhile, the Skoda Kushaq, which is already priced at Rs 10.99 lakh, will be eligible for a limited-time discount of up to Rs 2.5 lakh, valid till September 21, as well as a GST benefit of up to Rs 66,000.  

According to a source, Meta is employing contractors to create AI chatbots in Hindi with cultural subtleties.

According to reports, Meta is seeking to create role-playing, AI-powered chatbots in Hindi by collaborating with outside contractors to assist them incorporate additional cultural quirks. According to a Business Insider story, the social media behemoth is using US-based contractors to work with locals in India and other important areas like Indonesia and Mexico. Hindi-speaking contractors could get $55 (about Rs 4,840) per hour as part of the project. To help them feel more genuine, they will be responsible for giving creative guidance and customizing character-driven chatbots.Hindi AI Chatbots for Meta: According to media sources, Meta is using US contractors to develop Hindi-language AI chatbots for Indian users. According to Business Insider, this is a component of Meta's strategy to increase its AI presence in rapidly expanding regions like Mexico, Indonesia, and India.According to the job postings, staffing firms like Crystal Equation and Aquent Talent are hiring contractors. Creating chatbot characters for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger is the primary task. Candidates must speak Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian, or Hindi fluently. Additionally, they should have at least six years of experience with AI content processing, character creation, and storytelling. The hourly wage for contractors might reach $55.Meta hasn't formally announced this hiring strategy, though. However, the study pointed out that Aquent Talent offered Spanish-language positions for a "top social media company," while Crystal Equation promoted employment vacancies in Hindi and Indonesian on behalf of Meta. Check out the price, camera, battery, and other features of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro, which has been reduced by almost Rs 10,000 on this platform.Meta's effort to build digital companions that are culturally relevant, notably in India, is demonstrated by its hiring of contractors to create localized chatbot personalities. In the past, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has stated that chatbots might "complement real-world friendships" and facilitate communication between users and virtual pals.However, Meta has come under fire for its increasing emphasis on AI chatbots. According to earlier reports, some of Meta's bots gave false medical advice, even generated racist comments, and had inappropriate romantic or sexual chats with children.  

PayU wants to raise $300 million before going public.

PayU, a payments business funded by Prosus, is reportedly looking to generate $300 million by selling off a minority stake. The company has enlisted HSBC as its financial partner for the project, which is still in its early stages, according to a Moneycontrol story. The minority share sale is intended to determine investor demand and provide a benchmark valuation for PayU's initial public offering (IPO), which is anticipated to take place in 2026. The fundraising effort precedes a plan to list on Indian stock exchanges.PayU purchased a 43.5% strategic investment in Mindgate Solutions, a company that develops real-time payment technology, in March. The business collaborates with the top banks in the nation and is among the biggest UPI technology service providers in the sector. Prosus is still a major shareholder in PayU, and it recently supported the Mindgate investment and invested $35 million in the company's credit division. Through a gateway that accepts cards, UPI, wallets, EMIs, and QR codes, PayU India assists companies in accepting digital payments. It provides no-code features like payment linkages and invoicing to make setup easier for its half a million businesses. Additionally, the business provides value with enterprise-grade capabilities including split payments, analytics, tokenization, fraud protection, and AI-driven recommendations.In terms of lending, PayU offers loans to people and companies that are underserved by conventional banks. With an NBFC license recognized by the Reserve Bank of India, it provides "buy now, pal later" options, EMIs, and quick loans.Transaction fees from its payments division and interest or processing fees from its loans division are how PayU makes money. PayU's overall revenue increased 21% to $669 million for the fiscal year that ended in FY25, while its India payments business climbed 12% to $498 million.  

In FY25, Apple's sales in India reached a record $9 billion.

With the establishment of multiple new retail locations, the Cupertino-based computer giant is rapidly growing its presence in India. The company most recently opened Apple Koregaon Park in Pune and Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru. According to Bloomberg, the business generated yearly sales revenue of around $9 billion in the most recent fiscal year, which is consistent with this development. The numbers show that as Apple continues to expand its retail presence in India, there is an increasing demand from consumers for its products.According to a private source cited by Bloomberg, Apple's income increased by roughly 13% in the 12 months ending in March, from $8 billion in the same period last year. Although MacBook Macs were also well-liked during this retail push, iPhones accounted for the majority of purchases. There are currently four authorized Apple stores in the nation, and more are on the horizon. This week, the business opened Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru and Apple Koregaon Park in Pune, joining its two existing locations, Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in New Delhi. Both locations satisfy the company's international quality standards and have the same amenities as the other two. Every store features a dedicated pickup area for online orders, an Apple Genius Bar for product support, daily Today at Apple events to teach customers about gadgets and subjects like artificial intelligence and photography, and Business Pros to assist businesses in expanding.The two new Apple stores are carbon neutral and run entirely on renewable energy, much like all Apple locations in India and outside. According to reports, Apple has plans to open more stores in Mumbai and the National Capital Region in the near future. This growth is consistent with a Bloomberg report that indicates Apple's revenue in India is still increasing, indicating that the company's retail and sales strategy are working together.