Airtel Revises New Voice and SMS-Only Recharge Plans: Check Updated Prices

Airtel's voice and SMS-only recharge plan prices have been revised, days after the operator introduced new prepaid options for customers in compliance with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) guidelines that were announced last month. The operator has silently updated the prices of both voice and SMS-only special tariff vouchers (STV), shortly after the TRAI said that it would examine the newly launched vouchers. The operator previously updated its existing STVs that included data allowance with the new recharge vouchers.

Airtel Voice and SMS-Only Recharge Vouchers Price in India

Earlier this week, Airtel announced a new STV priced at Rs. 499, with unlimited voice calls, 900 free SMS, and 84 days validity. Similarly, subscribers could also opt for a Rs. 1,959 recharge plan that has a longer validity of 365 days — it offered unlimited voice calls and up to 3,600 SMS. These plans have now been removed from the telecom operator's website.

Airtel's new voice and SMS-only plans
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Airtel

 

Airtel's website now lists two new STVs that are cheaper than the ones it introduced a few days ago. The Rs. 499 voucher is now priced at Rs. 469, while the Rs. 1,959 plan will be available for Rs. 1,849. Subscribers who opt for these plans are eligible to receive the same benefits as the previously STVs.

There's no word from Airtel on why it slashed the price of its recharge plans. However, it's worth noting that a now-deleted post on X (via Hindustan Times) the TRAI stated that it was planning to examine the new vouchers offered by Airtel and Jio.

 “It has come to notice of TRAI that recently few service providers have launched voice and SMS only packs which will be reported to TRAI with in seven working days from the date of launch. The recently launched vouchers will be examined by TRAI as per extant regulatory provisions,” the regulator said.

Airtel's 84-day and 365-day STV vouchers with data allowance
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Airtel

 

The TRAI has yet to issue a response to the change in pricing for the voice and SMS-only plans that were updated on Airtel's website on Saturday.

Airtel subscribers looking for a voucher that includes a data allowance will have to opt for either the Rs. 548 plan that offers 7GB of data with 84 days validity, or pay Rs. 2,249 for the annual plan with 30GB of data.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/JsSACFD

iPhone 17 Series to Arrive With 'Largely Unchanged' Dynamic Island: Ming-Chi Kuo

iPhone 17 series — comprising the purported iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — could arrive without any major changes to the Dynamic Island this year, according to a market analyst. The latest claim contradicts previous claims that Apple would reduce the size of the Dynamic Island, which currently houses the selfie camera, and other sensors used for features like Face ID. The company is said to be working on the ability to eventually completely move these components under the display.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Said to Feature Same Dynamic Island as iPhone 16 Pro Max

TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in a post on X (previously known as Twitter) that he expects Apple to keep the size of the Dynamic Island "largely unchanged" on the iPhone 17 series. The post, which contradicts previously leaked information about the floating section, doesn't include any additional details related to the iPhone 17 lineup.

預期2H25 iPhone 17系列的動態島大小幾乎沒什改變

I expect the Dynamic Island size to remain largely unchanged across the 2H25 iPhone 17 series

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) January 24, 2025

It's worth noting that Kuo has a reliable track record when it comes to predicting details of Apple's upcoming devices. The latest claim contradicts one made in July 2024 by Jeff Pu of Haitong International Tech Research. Pu had stated that the Dynamic Island would use a “metalens” technology for the proximity sensor in this top-end variant — the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple previously shrunk the size of the display notch on older models, such, as the iPhone 13 series — a year before the Dynamic Island was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro. However, it looks like users might have to wait for at least another year before an iPhone with a smaller Dynamic Island arrives.

According to a recent report, Apple might be planning to equip the iPhone SE 4 with a body that closely resembles the iPhone 14, but also includes the Dynamic Island feature instead of a display notch. The company's successor to the iPhone SE (2022) is expected to arrive with several upgrades to the display, camera, processor, and could arrive with support for Apple Intelligence and Face ID.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/vKDnsiY

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Design, Rear Camera Module Spotted via Leaked Live Image

Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to launch in the coming weeks, as the company's top-of-the-line model in the flagship series. Previous reports suggest that the handset will be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite and a quad rear camera setup. Now, a tipster has leaked a hands-on image of the purported Xiaomi 15 Ultra, giving us a good look at the design of the high-end phone. The phone is expected to feature a large camera module like its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Design (Leaked)

An image of the purported Xiaomi 15 Ultra was leaked by X (formerly Twitter) user Kartikey Singh (@That_Kartikey). The hands-on image shows the rear panel of the handset in a black colourway, with a familiar design. There's a larger centre-aligned module at the top of the screen, which includes four cameras along with the usual Leica branding.

Breaking: Your very first look at the Xiaomi 15 Ultra

The only Imaging Flagship with 1'inch + 200MP Periscope combo in 2025 pic.twitter.com/BS8ter5YV5

— Kartikey Singh (@That_Kartikey) January 24, 2025

The tipster claims that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be the only flagship handset to be equipped with a 1-inch type sensor as well as a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera. The rear panel appears to have a matte finish, and the phone features rounded edges. The Xiaomi logo is seen in the bottom left corner, and the back of the phone does not include any additional text or logos.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Specifications (Expected)

According to a recent report, a listing for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra on China's MIIT certification website suggests that the phone will be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is the same chip that powers the other Xiaomi 15 series. It is also expected to run on Android 15, with the company's HyperOS skin.

The Chinese smartphone maker is also expected to equip the Xiaomi 15 Ultra with a quad rear camera setup, comprising an unspecified 1-inch type primary camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, and another 50-megapixel telephoto camera. It is also said to have an IP68+IP69 rated build for dust and water resistance.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/0SzYyjU

Tata Electronics Acquires 60 Percent Stake in iPhone Maker Pegatron Technology India

Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd (TEPL) on Friday announced the acquisition of a controlling 60 per cent stake in Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron's India unit, cementing its position as a key player in the Indian electronics manufacturing sector.

The financial details of the transactions were not disclosed.

Pegatron India is a subsidiary of Taiwanese Pegatron Corporation, engaged in the provision of contract-based electronics manufacturing services (EMS) to global giants like Apple.

The latest deal is expected to strengthen Tata's position as an Apple supplier and bolster its iPhone manufacturing plans.

Announcing the acquisition of a 60 per cent stake, Tata Electronics said Pegatron Technology India will undergo rebranding to reflect its new ownership structure and business direction while continuing to deliver high-quality electronics manufacturing services.

The latest move by the electronics arm of the salt-to-software conglomerate follows its acquisition of Wistron's India operations (based in Narsapura, Karnataka) less than a year ago in March 2024.

In fact, in his New Year message to employees, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran asserted that with global supply chains continuing to shift in India's favour as the world's largest businesses strike a new balance between resilience and efficiency, manufacturing has the potential to transform the country's economy.

Chandrasekaran termed it as "a new manufacturing golden age for India".

On Friday, Tata Electronics CEO and MD Randhir Thakur said the acquisition of a majority stake in Pegatron Technology India fits into Tata Electronics' strategy of growing its manufacturing footprint.

"We look forward to a new era of AI, digital, and technology-led manufacturing as we bring up these new facilities and expand our operations in India," Thakur said.

In addition to TEPL acquiring a majority stake in Pegatron Technology India, the two companies will work on integrating their teams to work seamlessly.

Tata Group has been scripting an aggressive blueprint for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

Tata Electronics is building India's first Fab in Dholera, Gujarat, with a total investment of Rs 91,000 crore. In addition, another Rs 27,000 crore will be invested in a greenfield facility in Jagiroad, Assam, for the assembly and testing of semiconductor chips. Together, these facilities will produce semiconductor chips for applications across automotive, mobile devices, artificial intelligence (AI), and other key segments to serve customers globally.

Tata Group will create 5 lakh manufacturing jobs in the next five years across sectors such as semiconductor, electric vehicles, battery and related industries, Chandrasekaran said in October last year.

Tata Sons' top honcho had asserted that India cannot achieve the goals of being a developed nation if the country cannot create manufacturing jobs.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/tT8IhAP

Samsung Official Teases Galaxy S25 Edge Launch Timeline at Galaxy Unpacked: Report

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge could launch in the next few months, according to a report. The South Korean technology conglomerate launched the Galaxy S25 series at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in San Jose, California on Wednesday. Alongside, it also debuted a new device with a thinner profile than its flagship models, bringing back its ‘Edge' branding and giving it the moniker Galaxy S25 Edge. However, the phone was only teased and no information about its price or specifications was provided.

Now, a new report suggests that a company representative might have officially teased Galaxy S25 Edge's launch timeline.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Launch Timeline

Citing an unnamed Samsung representative speaking at the end of the showcase, 9to5Google reports that the Galaxy S25 Slim will debut “around April”. This reasonably corroborates previously tipped launch schedules which hinted towards an April or May unveiling.

Not much is known about the device either. At Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung showcased internal components of the phone in a teaser video, suggesting the inclusion of a dual camera unit with vertically stacked lenses at the back. The Galaxy S25 Edge is said to pack a much slimmer profile than its flagship counterparts in the Galaxy S25 series.

While other specifications remain unknown, it is widely touted to be Samsung's answer to the rumoured iPhone 17 Air, which could debut this year as part of the iPhone 17 lineup. The phone is likely to be positioned between the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra models in the company's lineup.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Specifications (Expected)

Past reports suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may be equipped with a 6.66-inch display, similar to the Galaxy S25+ model. The phone is said to sport a 6.4mm thin profile without the camera unit, while it may measure 8.3mm in thickness around the camera module.

For optics, it could sport a dual rear camera setup headlined by a 200-megapixel primary camera. The Galaxy S25 Edge is believed to be powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset which also powers the flagship Galaxy S25 models. It may be paired with 12GB of RAM as standard.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/EkMigBQ

Seismic Data from NASA’s InSight Might Solve the Mystery of Mars’ Dichotomy

Recent seismic data from NASA's InSight lander could provide answers to a 50-year-old puzzle concerning Mars' unique structure. The planet is divided into the northern lowlands and southern highlands, separated by significant differences in elevation and crust thickness. This phenomenon, referred to as the "Martian dichotomy," has perplexed scientists for decades. Clues from seismic activity suggest ancient processes within the planet's interior may have caused this division, as opposed to external impacts like asteroid collisions.

Insights from Seismic Data

According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, seismic waves recorded by InSight were analysed to uncover differences between the planet's hemispheres. Situated near the boundary of the dichotomy, the lander captured how seismic waves traveled through the mantle beneath both the northern and southern regions. Researchers observed that seismic energy dissipated more rapidly in the southern highlands, suggesting the mantle beneath is hotter than in the north.

The study points to ancient tectonic activity on Mars as a possible cause. Scientists believe that movements of tectonic plates in the planet's early history, along with molten rock dynamics, could have shaped the dichotomy. When tectonic activity ceased, Mars transitioned to a "stagnant lid" structure, preserving the dichotomy over time.

Internal Processes or External Impact?

Lead researcher Dr. Benjamin Fernando noted in The Conversation that the findings support the theory of internal processes being responsible for the dichotomy. He explained that magma beneath the southern highlands was likely pushed upwards, while magma in the northern hemisphere sank toward the core. This difference aligns with the observed variations in crust thickness and mantle temperature.

Though the study favours an internal origin, researchers stress the need for additional seismic data and advanced planetary models to confirm these findings. External impacts, such as asteroid collisions, remain a possibility according to recent studies.

Further exploration of Mars' geological history will be critical to definitively solving this enduring mystery.
 

 

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/jdh24f6

Samsung Teases XR Headset With Multimodal AI Capabilities, Smart Glasses at Galaxy Unpacked 2025

Samsung once again teased its upcoming extended reality (XR) headset, dubbed ‘Project Moohan', this time at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in San Jose, California on Wednesday. During the announcement, a silhouette of an XR headset graced the screen with an appearance remarkably similar to the Apple Vision Pro. While the South Korean technology conglomerate did not delve into any specifics, it reiterated that the headset will be powered by the Android XR operating system (OS), developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm.

Alongside the XR headset, the company teased that it might be developing another wearable in the form of smart glasses.

Samsung XR Headset, Smart Glasses Teased

At the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event, Samsung teased that its XR headset will support multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. With it, the company aims to change the way people “interact with the physical and digital world”. Subsequent visuals showed how users may be able to control the XR headset.

Ways to Interact With Samsung's Upcoming XR Headset
Photo Credit: Samsung

The Samsung wearable might get eye tracking capabilities similar to the Apple Vision Pro, which leverages a network of LEDs and infrared cameras that project invisible light patterns onto each eye, enabling the wearer to select elements just by looking at them. Additionally, they may also be able to control the XR headset using hand gestures as well as speech.

While this was the extent of the Samsung XR headset teaser, the company also hinted towards the potential development of a pair smart glasses. It emphasised how multimodal AI will “change” interaction with new form factors like XR devices. The visual showed the aforementioned XR headset along with a pair of smart glasses.

First announced in December 2024, Samsung's ‘Project Moohan' XR headset is speculated to come with multimodal input, state-of-the-art displays, and passthrough capabilities. The company says it will also offer support for Google's Gemini AI assistant and will have apps optimised to run on a large, virtual display. It is confirmed to be the first offering in the market to be powered by the new Android XR OS and thus, may support several of its features including Circle to Search with gesture support, web browsing via Google Chrome, immersive views using Google Maps, and live translation of text seen within the wearer's point of view.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/3dhosVJ