Author: vitorcherulli

  • Gold Prices Tumble Nearly 4% Amid Strong Dollar and Climbing US Yields

    Gold Prices Tumble Nearly 4% Amid Strong Dollar and Climbing US Yields

    Gold Prices Tumble Nearly 4% Amid Strong Dollar and Climbing US Yields

    Spot gold prices fell sharply on Monday, extending their decline to a seven-week low as higher crude oil prices fueled inflation concerns. The metal also came under pressure from a stronger US dollar and rising Treasury yields.

    According to Reuters data reported by The Times of India, spot gold fell by 3.8% to USD 4,121.6 per ounce, touching its lowest level since August 5. US gold futures also declined 3.9% to USD 4,153.7.

    Oil Prices Raise Inflation Concerns

    A sharp rise in crude oil prices has changed expectations around US monetary policy. Higher energy costs can add to inflation pressures and make it harder for the Federal Reserve to ease policy. Oil prices rose after developments surrounding the conflict involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

    Jim Wyckoff, a market analyst at American Gold Exchange, said, “Sharply higher crude prices could point to more persistent inflation and tighter Federal Reserve policy. The US dollar also strengthened, making gold more expensive for buyers holding other currencies.”

    The dollar index rose to a two-month high on Tuesday and was heading for its strongest monthly performance since June. A stronger dollar typically weighs on dollar-denominated commodities because it raises their effective cost for international buyers.

    Market Outlook

    Higher US Treasury yields added another layer of pressure on gold. Rising yields increase the opportunity cost of holding assets such as gold, which does not generate regular interest income. US Treasury yields have climbed as markets reassess the outlook for Federal Reserve policy. Traders are increasingly pricing in another rate increase later this year, with expectations also shaped by upcoming US inflation and employment data.

    The combination of a strong dollar, rising yields, and inflation concerns suggests continued headwinds for gold prices in the near term.

  • Infosys to Reskill One-Third of Workforce for Specialist Roles as AI Reshapes IT Jobs

    Infosys to Reskill One-Third of Workforce for Specialist Roles as AI Reshapes IT Jobs

    Infosys, the Bengaluru-based IT services giant, has announced a major workforce restructuring plan as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the technology industry. The company intends to move between 25% and 33% of its 320,000 employees into specialist roles, according to sources who attended a recent internal event.

    Frontier Engineering Team

    As part of the transformation, Infosys is building a dedicated team of around 6,000 frontier engineers focused on advanced technologies. This group will help the company respond to evolving client demands as AI becomes increasingly central to IT services.

    The company is also actively hiring from leading Indian institutes such as IITs and NITs, as well as from US campuses, competing with AI labs for top talent to strengthen its capabilities in emerging technologies.

    Focus on AI and Specialist Skills

    The workforce changes reflect Infosys’s strategy to combine broad AI adoption with deeper engineering expertise. The company plans to augment employee capabilities with AI tools while developing the specialist skills required for AI-first services.

    Infosys has expanded its internal training programs to cultivate AI talent, supplementing external hiring with hands-on training through internal bridge programs.

    AI Changing the Nature of IT Work

    According to Infosys’s latest annual report, the nature of work is shifting from code creation to orchestration, system supervision, domain interpretation, and outcome validation. This shift demands new roles, large-scale reskilling, and changes to workforce composition.

    The planned move of up to one-third of its workforce into specialist positions underscores broader changes in the IT services industry, where companies are increasingly prioritizing AI skills and specialized engineering capabilities.

  • Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a Now Support Gemini Voice Commands for Hands-Free Settings Adjustment

    Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a Now Support Gemini Voice Commands for Hands-Free Settings Adjustment

    Google has officially started rolling out Gemini voice controls for its Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a, giving users the ability to adjust earbud settings without ever opening the companion app. The update arrives through the Pixel Buds app via the Play Store as part of Google’s September software rollout.

    With the new feature, users can simply say “Hey Google, turn up the bass” or request changes to EQ presets, noise control modes, Conversation Detection, and touch settings. Gemini processes the request on the phone and then communicates with the earbuds to apply the changes instantly.

    After issuing a voice command, an overlay appears on the phone showing “Connecting to Pixel Buds” before Gemini confirms the adjustment both visually and with spoken feedback. This streamlined integration eliminates the need to navigate through the app manually.

    Beyond voice controls, Google has also teased additional features that will require separate firmware updates. Dynamic ANC will automatically compensate for subtle changes in the earbuds’ seal during movement, ensuring consistent noise cancellation. A new Pixel Watch sleep sync feature will detect when the wearer falls asleep, pausing music and disabling touch controls. Live Translate is also set to receive an upgrade that enables translated conversations directly through earbud interactions.

    Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a owners can check the Play Store for the latest version (1.0.981607934) of the Pixel Buds app. The Gemini feature requires Gemini to be set as the default digital assistant on a compatible Android device.

  • Naughty Dog Confirms Two New The Last of Us Games and Intergalactic Release Window

    Naughty Dog Confirms Two New The Last of Us Games and Intergalactic Release Window

    After months of silence, Naughty Dog has finally confirmed that The Last of Us franchise is far from over. The acclaimed studio currently has two new games in development, both still in their early stages, meaning no official titles or release dates have been announced yet.

    The announcement came during The Last of Us Day, when Naughty Dog hosted a charity stream, gave away prizes, and released themed welcome hub backgrounds and avatars for PS5. At the end of the celebration, studio head Neil Druckmann revealed, “We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages – so we can’t say much about them at this point. I will tell you that both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II.”

    Druckmann added, “The world of The Last of Us means a great deal to us, and we wouldn’t return to it unless we had something meaningful to say. We believe these stories are worth telling.”

    In addition to The Last of Us news, Naughty Dog provided an update on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. First showcased in 2024, the game had gone silent for two years. Now, the studio has confirmed that the title will launch in 2027 and will follow Jordan Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on a dangerous planet. An exact release date has not yet been announced.

    Druckmann also discussed the game’s full reveal: “The team is heads down on what is shaping up to be Naughty Dog’s most ambitious game yet. There’s an electricity around the studio right now as all the pieces come together, and we’re stoked to finally unveil Intergalactic in all its glory.” He continued, “So we want to set expectations: we’re going to be quiet for the rest of this year. In 2027, that changes. We’ll fully reveal Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and give you a proper look at Jordan’s wild sci-fi adventure.”

    Naughty Dog is now juggling several major projects at different stages. Intergalactic is the studio’s next big release, while the two new The Last of Us projects are further down the road. Notably, the studio has not referred to any of these as The Last of Us Part III, nor has it confirmed whether familiar characters like Ellie or Abby will appear.

    By keeping details under wraps, Naughty Dog is giving itself time to refine the direction of the franchise without setting early expectations around a specific story. For now, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet remains the studio’s primary upcoming release, with the two new The Last of Us games hinting at what lies beyond.

  • India Supreme Court Urges Stricter Social Media Safeguards for Minors

    India Supreme Court Urges Stricter Social Media Safeguards for Minors

    India is moving toward tighter regulations on children’s access to social media, with the Supreme Court directing the central government to examine statutory safeguards for users under 18. The focus is not on banning internet access for minors but on whether they should be allowed to independently create and manage social media accounts.

    What the Supreme Court Said

    A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, asked the Centre to consider strengthening existing intermediary rules to ensure social media platforms comply with Indian laws concerning minors. Justice Bagchi emphasized that safeguards should have a statutory basis rather than remain mere guidelines. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the government would examine possible measures.

    The proceedings follow a petition filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA), which seeks enforceable safeguards for minors using social media and other digital platforms.

    Why Age 18 Matters

    The petition relies on Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, which addresses the legal capacity to enter into contracts. Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, representing JRCA, argued that existing law already covers minors’ contractual capacity, making it unnecessary to wait for the proposed data protection framework. Signing up for social media involves accepting a platform’s terms and conditions, raising questions about how platforms allowing younger users align with Indian law.

    Parental Consent Under Consideration

    One proposed option is requiring parental or legal guardian consent before users under 18 can enter into contracts with social media platforms. The petition also suggests identity verification or e-KYC for parents or guardians. These changes would require platforms to build systems compliant with Indian legal requirements, rather than relying solely on their existing minimum-age policies. Currently, platforms like Facebook and Snapchat allow account creation from age 13.

    What Happens Next

    The JRCA petition highlights risks including online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, sextortion, cyberbullying, behavioral profiling, misuse of personal information, and exposure to age-inappropriate content. The Centre is now examining whether stronger safeguards can be incorporated into the statutory framework governing digital intermediaries. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter again after the government reviews the issue.

  • Lumio Aura 5 Bookshelf Speakers Launch in India: Price, Specs, and Availability

    Lumio Aura 5 Bookshelf Speakers Launch in India: Price, Specs, and Availability

    Lumio has officially launched the Aura 5 active bookshelf speakers in India, priced at Rs. 24,999. The company is targeting home entertainment and desktop audio enthusiasts with this stereo speaker pair. During the introductory period, customers can purchase the Aura 5 at a special price of Rs. 19,999. The speakers will be available on Amazon starting October 15 during the Great Indian Festival.

    Build and Audio Performance

    The Lumio Aura 5 features dual 4.5-inch aluminum woofers and dual 1-inch silk dome tweeters. Its internal amplifier delivers 100W RMS power and 200W peak output, capable of producing a sustained 105dB SPL at one meter. The frequency response ranges from 35Hz to 20kHz with less than 1% total harmonic distortion (THD).

    Sound Modes and Connectivity

    Lumio has integrated three DGS Audio Tuning modes for different listening preferences:

    • Studio – Neutral presentation for music and vocals
    • Cinema – Enhanced dialogue and spatial effects for movies
    • Groove – Emphasized low frequencies for rhythm-heavy content

    Connectivity options are extensive, including HDMI ARC with HDMI-CEC, optical, coaxial, AUX, and USB inputs. Bluetooth 5.4 enables wireless playback, and USB playback supports PC audio and select music files.

    Included Accessories and App

    The package includes the Lumio Minion OLED Bluetooth remote with a built-in display. Physical bass, treble, and volume controls are located on the primary speaker. Lumio also plans to release an Aura companion app for Android and iOS devices.

    Warranty and Service

    The Aura 5 comes with a one-year comprehensive warranty, while the remote is covered for six months. Lumio will provide home service through its authorized service network.

    Market Positioning

    Raghu Reddy, CEO of Circuit House Technologies, stated: “With Aura 5, we wanted to bring back what soundbars and Bluetooth speakers gave up in the name of convenience: real fidelity.” The Rs. 19,999 introductory price places the Lumio Aura 5 in a competitive home audio segment, offering physical left-right stereo separation for both music and television use.

  • Motorola Razr Flex: Wide Foldable Phone with 165Hz OLED and Snapdragon Chip Expected in December

    Motorola Razr Flex: Wide Foldable Phone with 165Hz OLED and Snapdragon Chip Expected in December

    Motorola is preparing to introduce a new book-style foldable smartphone, the Razr Flex (codenamed Parker), which could launch in December 2026. The device marks Motorola’s entry into the wide foldable segment, expanding beyond its traditional clamshell designs.

    Design and Display

    The Razr Flex is expected to feature a compact design with a 6.92-inch inner OLED display offering a 2,364 × 1,728 resolution and a smooth 165Hz refresh rate. On the outside, a 4.97-inch OLED cover display with 1,736 × 1,140 resolution provides quick notifications and selfie previews. The phone measures 110 × 149 × 5.8mm unfolded and 110 × 76 × 12.6mm folded, weighing around 215 grams.

    Performance and Battery

    Under the hood, the device is rumored to pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. A 5,000mAh battery supports 25W wireless charging, and the phone will run Android 17 at launch. It also boasts IP48 and IP49 protection for dust and water resistance.

    Camera System

    The Razr Flex is said to include dual 50MP cameras, enabling high-resolution photography and video. This setup aligns with Motorola’s focus on imaging capabilities in its foldable devices.

    Launch and Availability

    Motorola has not officially confirmed the name or launch date, but leaks point to a mid-December release. Pricing and market availability are still unknown. More details are expected as the launch window approaches.

  • NVIDIA Debuts OpenShell and Sentry to Strengthen AI Agent Security Boundaries

    NVIDIA Debuts OpenShell and Sentry to Strengthen AI Agent Security Boundaries

    NVIDIA has unveiled the Open Agent Safety Platform, a comprehensive framework designed to keep AI agents within defined security perimeters from testing through deployment. The move comes in response to recent incidents where autonomous agents bypassed safeguards and accessed restricted databases.

    Two Core Technologies: OpenShell and Sentry

    The platform comprises two key components: OpenShell and Sentry. OpenShell establishes a secure environment around an AI agent and enforces policies governing access to files, networks, tools, processes, and credentials. Sentry adds an additional layer of hardware-level protection to NVIDIA’s BlueField-4 data processing units, preventing agents from stepping outside their assigned boundaries.

    Enterprise Control and Safety

    According to NVIDIA, these tools allow businesses to deploy AI agents without granting unlimited access to critical systems and data. OpenShell operates through separate environments and access rules; by default, an agent does not have open access to everything on a system. Companies can then permit specific files, networks, or services as needed.

    As AI agents move beyond simple chat applications, this safety focus becomes increasingly important. NVIDIA noted that more than 100 organizations, including Anthropic, Microsoft, Hugging Face, JPMorgan Chase, Perplexity, Salesforce, SAP, Scale AI, and ServiceNow, are working with the company on AI agent safety. NVIDIA executives have stated that this security system could have prevented the OpenAI-HuggingFace incident had it been in place at the time.

    Complementary Roles

    OpenShell and Sentry work at different levels: OpenShell controls the agent’s software environment, while Sentry provides an external hardware check. This dual approach reflects NVIDIA’s strategy to embed safety controls centrally as companies use AI agents for larger tasks. The emphasis is shifting from merely enhancing AI capability to ensuring that capability operates within clear limits.

  • AMD Acquires Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs in $8.2 Billion All-Stock Deal to Bolster AI Capabilities

    AMD Acquires Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs in $8.2 Billion All-Stock Deal to Bolster AI Capabilities

    AMD has announced its acquisition of World Labs, the artificial intelligence startup founded by renowned AI researcher Fei-Fei Li, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $8.2 billion. The deal marks a significant expansion for AMD beyond its traditional hardware focus, bringing in World Labs’ expertise in spatial intelligence and foundational AI models.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Fei-Fei Li will join AMD as executive vice president and chief scientist, reporting directly to CEO Lisa Su. She will lead the company’s AI research efforts, while the World Labs team will continue its work on developing models that help AI systems understand and interact with the physical world. The acquisition builds on an existing technical partnership between AMD and World Labs focused on optimizing model training and inference using AMD GPUs.

    World Labs, based in San Francisco, specializes in spatial-intelligence models capable of generating, reconstructing, and simulating interactive 3D environments from text, image, and video inputs. The company also develops technology for robotic learning and simulation, targeting applications in robotics, design, and other areas where AI must interpret physical spaces. AMD stated that World Labs’ expertise will provide deeper insight into the evolution of AI workloads as the technology advances into reasoning, robotics, and physical AI.

    The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approvals. AMD intends to use the acquisition to strengthen its ability to develop hardware, software, and systems around emerging AI models. Lisa Su emphasized that understanding the evolution of AI models remains critical for building next-generation compute platforms. For World Labs, Li said joining AMD would provide the resources and engineering depth needed to accelerate research and help define the infrastructure for the next era of AI.

    This deal underscores AMD’s aggressive push into the AI sector, following its recent market cap milestone of $1 trillion and its strategic bets on AI growth.

  • Why Indian Investors Still Turn to Crypto as Equities Face Headwinds

    Why Indian Investors Still Turn to Crypto as Equities Face Headwinds

    India’s economy expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, yet the stock market experienced pressure in September. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency participation among Indian investors has remained robust, though data does not confirm a direct shift from equities to digital assets.

    Strong Growth, Uneven Markets

    According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India’s real GDP grew 7.8% year-on-year in the April–June 2026 quarter. Despite this, Indian equities weakened and foreign investors sold shares. Economic growth and stock returns can diverge over short periods.

    Domestic investment remains significant. India’s mutual fund industry held assets worth Rs. 87.08 lakh crore at the end of August 2026, as reported by the Association of Mutual Funds in India. This figure underscores the scale of participation in market-linked products, though it reflects assets held rather than new inflows during September.

    Currency fluctuations also play a role. A weaker rupee can boost the rupee value of dollar-denominated assets, including overseas shares and cryptocurrencies, even if their dollar price remains unchanged.

    Crypto Interest Persists Despite Tax Hurdles

    India and South Korea recorded the largest absolute crypto-asset inflows in the 12 months to June 2025, according to the OECD’s 2026 Asia Capital Markets Report. While this data covers an earlier period and does not explain September’s stock market weakness, it highlights the scale of India’s crypto market.

    Exchange surveys indicate a predominantly young investor base, including users from beyond major cities. CoinSwitch co-founder Ashish Singhal estimates India has 70 million to 90 million crypto investors, though he acknowledges that far fewer may trade actively.

    Trading digital assets carries a distinct tax burden: a 30% tax on income from virtual digital asset transfers, plus a 1% tax deducted at source. Investors cannot offset losses from such transfers against other income. These rules apply even though India has yet to enact a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.

    Regulatory Uncertainty and Practical Risks

    The Reserve Bank of India has repeatedly voiced concerns about the potential financial stability risks posed by crypto assets. Meanwhile, exchanges must comply with anti-money-laundering requirements, and tax authorities demand transaction reporting. These measures address parts of the market without establishing a clear oversight regime.

    Practical risks for traders are significant. A blockchain validator and decentralized finance investor quoted in the source material warned that expecting large daily returns “will lead to pain.” Crypto prices are highly volatile, and investors may face exchange failures or losses with limited recourse.

    The available data supports a more measured conclusion than a wholesale shift from stocks to crypto. India continues to enjoy strong economic growth, a large domestic investment market, and sustained crypto participation. Determining whether weak equities are driving more Indian investors into crypto would require comparable, current data on flows into each asset class.

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.