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  • Jio and T-Mobile Achieve First 5G SA Roaming Connection Between India and US

    Jio and T-Mobile Achieve First 5G SA Roaming Connection Between India and US

    Reliance Jio and T-Mobile have successfully tested a 5G Standalone (SA) roaming connection between India and the United States. The milestone, facilitated by Syniverse, marks the first time a 5G SA roaming link has been established between the two countries, opening a new path for international 5G roaming.

    This partnership allows T-Mobile customers visiting India to stay connected through Jio’s extensive 5G SA network. Similarly, Jio users traveling to the US could benefit from T-Mobile’s network in the future. The collaboration is a significant step toward making 5G networks interoperable across borders.

    Key Benefits and Future Potential

    The 5G SA roaming connection promises faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity than previous network generations. It also lays the groundwork for advanced services that require direct 5G connections, such as AI-based applications and real-time data processing.

    Mark Yarkosky, Head of International Network, Partnership and Services at Jio, stated that this partnership is a step towards interoperability between 5G SA networks and is expected to support new consumer and enterprise services. T-Mobile authorities echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the collaboration will help travelers move between countries without losing connectivity.

    Significance for India’s Telecom Market

    Jio has built one of the largest 5G SA networks in India, and this test demonstrates how that infrastructure can connect with a major US operator. The development underscores the growing importance of international partnerships as telecom operators worldwide transition to 5G SA.

    T-Mobile has been working on its 5G SA network since 2020, and this test brings together the efforts of both companies. The successful trial indicates where international telecom is heading—towards seamlessly connected 5G networks that serve global customers.

  • Xiaomi 18 Pro Launching September 23: Dual 200MP Leica Cameras and 12.8x Lossless Zoom Revealed

    Xiaomi 18 Pro Launching September 23: Dual 200MP Leica Cameras and 12.8x Lossless Zoom Revealed

    Xiaomi 18 Pro Camera System Confirmed with Dual 200MP Leica Sensors

    Xiaomi is set to unveil the Xiaomi 18 Pro series in China on September 23. Ahead of the launch, the company has confirmed key details about the flagship smartphone’s camera system. The Xiaomi 18 Pro will introduce a dual 200MP Leica camera setup, combining a large primary sensor with a high-resolution periscope telephoto camera.

    Dual 200MP Leica Cameras

    The Xiaomi 18 Pro will feature two 200MP Leica cameras at the rear. The primary camera uses a large 1/1.28-inch sensor, focusing on light capture and image detail. The second 200MP sensor serves as the periscope telephoto camera with a 1/1.56-inch sensor, considerably larger than conventional smartphone telephoto sensors, and comes with an f/2.4 aperture.

    Zoom and Macro Capabilities

    Xiaomi confirmed support for up to 12.8x lossless zoom, offering flexibility for distant subjects without relying solely on digital zoom. The camera uses a dual-lens floating focus structure that can focus as close as 12cm, enabling telephoto macro photography. Xiaomi states that the telephoto camera on the Xiaomi 18 Pro increases light intake by 280% compared with its predecessor, while the Pro Max delivers an 83% improvement.

    What Remains Unconfirmed

    Xiaomi confirmed the primary and telephoto cameras, but some specifications remain unclear before the launch. Earlier reports indicated a three-camera system covering roughly 17mm to 75mm, with an ultrawide camera completing the setup, but those details have not received official confirmation. Video recording specifications and complete front-camera details are also expected to emerge during the launch event.

  • Vivo OriginOS 7 Debuts Globally with Jovi AI Agent and Dynamic Glow Interface

    Vivo OriginOS 7 Debuts Globally with Jovi AI Agent and Dynamic Glow Interface

    Vivo has officially launched OriginOS 7, its latest operating system based on Android 17, to international markets. The update introduces a redesigned interface, new multitasking capabilities, cross-device connectivity, and a built-in Jovi AI agent designed to streamline everyday tasks.

    Dynamic Glow Design Refreshes the Interface

    One of the standout features of OriginOS 7 is its new visual language. Vivo has incorporated translucent materials, dynamic lighting, and physics-based animations across system elements, creating an interface that responds naturally to user interactions. The Origin Animation system includes Fluid Motion, which allows interface elements to stretch, bounce, and move based on touch direction and speed, while Spring Animation applies similar principles across apps and system components.

    Personalization options have also been expanded with features like Wiggle Theme, Glint Theme, and StickIt, enabling users to customize photos, wallpapers, stickers, and other elements on both lock and home screens.

    Jovi Becomes a Cross-Device AI Agent

    OriginOS 7 introduces Jovi as a personal AI agent that works across connected devices. Through the Vivo Office Kit, Jovi can handle tasks involving smartphones and computers. For example, users can ask Jovi to retrieve a file from a connected computer, summarize its contents, and send the key information to their phone. Scheduled tasks can also be configured for activities such as preparing reports or organizing files.

    Vivo has added Jovi Security to provide greater visibility into autonomous actions. The system records actions performed by the agent and requires user authorization for important steps. Additionally, Snap Note can turn photographs of handwritten notes, whiteboards, and presentation slides into editable documents.

    Better Multitasking and Device Connectivity

    OriginOS 7 expands cross-device connectivity beyond Vivo’s own ecosystem. Compatible Apple Watch models can display notifications and synchronize health information, while AirPods users can access battery information and Spatial Audio on supported devices. The Vivo Office Kit also supports task handoffs, real-time note synchronization, and file transfers between Vivo phones and iPad, Mac, and Windows devices. Users can access iCloud photos and files through Vivo’s File Manager in supported markets.

    Global Preview and Rollout

    The OriginOS 7 preview program is now available for the Vivo X300 Pro and select iQOO devices in markets including India, Thailand, and Malaysia. The wider rollout will extend to additional Vivo and iQOO smartphones, though feature availability may vary by device and region.

    With this release, Vivo combines a major interface redesign with productivity tools, broader device connectivity, and the new cross-device capabilities of Jovi, marking a significant expansion of the OriginOS experience outside China.

  • Tech Giants Amazon, Google, and Microsoft Commit $80.5 Billion to India’s AI Infrastructure

    Tech Giants Amazon, Google, and Microsoft Commit $80.5 Billion to India’s AI Infrastructure

    Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have announced a combined investment of $80.5 billion in India’s AI and cloud infrastructure through 2030, signaling the country’s growing importance as a global technology hub. Meta and Nvidia are also expanding their presence through strategic partnerships and hardware supply deals.

    Amazon leads with a $48 billion commitment through 2030, including $13 billion specifically for AI and cloud infrastructure. The company plans to expand AWS capacity in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and support over 20 fulfillment centers and 100 delivery stations. Amazon also aims to provide AI tools for millions of small businesses in India.

    Microsoft has pledged $17.5 billion between 2026 and 2029 for cloud and AI infrastructure, including a fourth cloud region in Hyderabad. The company also launched a nationwide AI skilling program targeting 20 million people by 2030.

    Google is investing approximately $15 billion from 2026 to 2030 to build its first Indian AI hub in Visakhapatnam. The project includes gigawatt-scale computing, data centers, and new subsea connectivity, developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel.

    Meta is leasing capacity at Reliance’s 168 MW AI-enabled data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and has contracted nearly one gigawatt of renewable energy. While Meta did not disclose a specific financial commitment, the projects mark a significant step in its Indian infrastructure expansion.

    Nvidia is supplying advanced GPUs for India’s AI computing ecosystem. L&T is building an AI factory in Chennai with 10,000 Nvidia B300 GPUs to support Together AI workloads, demonstrating Nvidia’s role in powering India’s AI growth without a direct investment figure.

    The combined $80.5 billion from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google excludes Meta’s undisclosed deals and Nvidia’s hardware partnerships, reflecting different investment models. India’s growing AI demand, developer talent, and infrastructure plans continue to attract major technology investments, marking a shift toward building AI compute capacity inside the country.

  • AMD Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap on Surging AI Chip Demand

    AMD Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap on Surging AI Chip Demand

    AMD’s market value surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, driven by surging demand for AI chips and record data center sales.

    The chipmaker’s share price jumped approximately 10% on September 21, reaching a record high of $615.52. The stock gained about 25% in five trading sessions as investors focused on AMD’s AI chip and data center growth.

    Strong Financial Performance

    AMD reported second-quarter revenue of $11.54 billion, up 50% year-over-year. Data center sales reached $6.7 billion, more than double the figure from the same period last year. CEO Lisa Su stated that the company expects to double its data center sales again in 2027.

    AI Chips Drive Growth

    The growth is not just from traditional PC and server processors but increasingly from AI chips. Companies are heavily investing in AI computing, requiring more chips to run these systems. AMD is capitalizing on this demand to expand its data center business and compete for a larger share of the AI hardware market.

    AMD is shifting its strategy from selling individual chips to offering complete systems that include processors, AI accelerators, networking equipment, and other hardware. This approach provides customers with a comprehensive solution for building and running AI infrastructure.

    Market Position

    The $1 trillion milestone underscores how AI has transformed AMD’s business. However, the company still trails behind NVIDIA, which has a market valuation of over $5 trillion. AMD will need to refine its strategies to become a stronger competitor in the AI chip market.

  • Bungie’s Next Chapter: Restoring Vaulted Destiny 2 Content and Expanding Marathon with Survival Mode

    Bungie’s Next Chapter: Restoring Vaulted Destiny 2 Content and Expanding Marathon with Survival Mode

    Bungie has announced a major shift in strategy for its two biggest franchises, Destiny 2 and Marathon. The studio plans to restore previously vaulted content in Destiny 2 while expanding Marathon beyond its original extraction-shooter format into a broader survival experience. These changes are part of a broader effort to rebuild player trust and focus development on fewer priorities.

    Destiny 2 Vaulted Content to Return

    Bungie confirmed that it has begun work on bringing back major pieces of Destiny 2’s history that were removed from the game. This includes campaigns, destinations, and raids that will be made available to all players. The developer acknowledged that removing older content had negatively impacted player trust and that restoring it is a key step toward preserving the game’s legacy.

    However, simply reactivating old files isn’t enough. Since the Beyond Light expansion, Destiny 2 has undergone significant changes, requiring updates to lighting, encounters, enemies, and underlying systems before the older material can return.

    Marathon Evolves Beyond Extraction Gameplay

    Bungie also detailed plans for Marathon, its sci-fi extraction shooter. While the game attracted players who connected with its unique style, it did not reach the expected audience. Instead of abandoning the project, Bungie is expanding Marathon beyond its original genre constraints, introducing a deeper survival experience.

    The studio wants to offer players more ways to play, including cooperative PvE, competitive PvP, and the existing PvPvE format. Bungie said it will continue refining combat, the game world, and competitive elements throughout Marathon’s first year.

    Major Updates Planned for Marathon

    The changes will arrive through a series of updates. Content originally planned for September has been moved to the Symbiosis update, scheduled for December 8. Symbiosis will introduce Marathon’s first permanent PvE experience, along with a refreshed Perimeter area, a social space with a firing range, a new Runner shell, and an experimental Team Deathmatch mode. A smaller October update will reset progression and the in-game economy while refreshing rewards.

    A Commitment to Transparency

    Bungie said its future strategy will focus on fewer priorities, greater transparency, and more consistent communication when plans change. Player feedback will play a larger role in shaping development. For Destiny, the immediate focus is restoring parts of its past while building a longer-term future. For Marathon, Bungie is betting on a broader gameplay experience to expand its audience and establish a more sustainable path forward.

  • Google Hit with €403 Million Fine by Irish Regulator Over Location Data Privacy Violations

    Google Hit with €403 Million Fine by Irish Regulator Over Location Data Privacy Violations

    Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has imposed a €403 million fine on Google for mishandling users’ location data between 2018 and 2020. The penalty, equivalent to nearly ₹4,000 crore, follows a six-year investigation under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

    The investigation focused on three Google features: Web & App Activity, Location History, and Location Accuracy. Regulators found that Google’s settings were unclear and gave users insufficient control over their location data, violating GDPR rules on lawfulness, fairness, and transparency. The case began after European consumer groups filed complaints in 2020.

    Location data can reveal sensitive details about a person’s daily life, including where they live, work, travel, and spend time. The DPC stated that users must receive clear information and simple controls over such data. The inquiry also noted that the wording and design of Google’s settings pages may have made it difficult for users to understand their choices, limiting their control.

    Google responded by stating that the case relates to outdated policies and that the company has made significant changes since 2019, including simpler settings, easier data deletion options, and less precise location tracking in some cases. The company has been ordered to bring its practices fully into compliance with GDPR within six months. This fine is the fourth-largest issued by Ireland’s privacy regulator and adds to the growing scrutiny of how major tech companies collect and use location data.

  • Altcoin Momentum Builds as Glassnode Index Reaches 75, but Full Season Remains Uncertain

    Altcoin Momentum Builds as Glassnode Index Reaches 75, but Full Season Remains Uncertain

    Glassnode’s latest data reveals a notable uptick in altcoin momentum as of September 2026, with the firm’s Altcoin Cycle Signal climbing to 75. However, broader market indicators present a more cautious picture, suggesting that while conditions are favoring altcoins, a sustained “altcoin season” is not yet confirmed.

    Glassnode’s Altcoin Cycle Signal

    Glassnode’s Altcoin Cycle Signal, which tracks the performance of the top 250 altcoins excluding stablecoins, rose to 75 in late August. The signal indicates that market conditions have shifted toward an altcoin-favoring phase. Yet, Glassnode’s September 15 Market Compass report cautioned that the rally that drove this reading subsequently faded, warning that simultaneous gains across assets can occur during riskier market phases.

    Mixed Signals from Broader Indicators

    Another widely followed measure, BlockchainCenter’s Altcoin Season Index, stood at just 53 on September 22, well below the 75 threshold typically used to define an altcoin season. This index measures how many of the top 50 cryptocurrencies have outperformed Bitcoin over the previous 90 days. The divergence between the two indices highlights an important dynamic: altcoins can rise in dollar terms without necessarily outperforming Bitcoin. Glassnode acknowledged this in its September research, noting that while altcoin market capitalization increased, altcoins had not yet taken meaningful market share from Bitcoin.

    Bitcoin Remains a Key Driver

    Bitcoin’s performance remains crucial for any broader rotation. Glassnode’s recent analysis shows Bitcoin consolidating after a period of gains, with capital flows and derivatives activity continuing to influence market direction. For a more established altcoin rotation, market participants will likely watch Bitcoin dominance, relative altcoin performance, and trading breadth. A sustained improvement across these indicators would provide stronger evidence of a broad-based shift.

    Outlook for a 2026 Altcoin Season

    The market appears to be in a transition phase. Whether this develops into a sustained altcoin season in 2026 will depend on whether altcoins can continue outperforming Bitcoin over a longer period. Until then, investors should approach the current momentum with caution, as the signals remain mixed.

  • Apple macOS 27.2 Beta 2 Adds Multi-Language Siri AI Support and Developer Fixes

    Apple macOS 27.2 Beta 2 Adds Multi-Language Siri AI Support and Developer Fixes

    Apple has released the second developer beta of macOS 27.2, build 26B5091g, arriving one week after the first beta and following the initial launch of macOS 27 earlier this month. This preview continues testing for the upcoming Golden Gate update, with a strong focus on refinements, bug fixes, and ongoing evaluation of known issues.

    Expanded Siri AI Language Support

    The most significant addition in macOS 27.2 is the expansion of Siri AI to multiple languages beyond English. The first beta introduced support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish, and Beta 2 continues that effort. This marks a major step in Apple’s push to bring advanced on-device intelligence and natural-language capabilities to users worldwide through the Foundation Models framework and App Intents APIs.

    Beta 2 Focus on Testing and Stability

    Apple has not unveiled any major new user-facing features specifically for Beta 2. Instead, the release emphasizes continued testing and resolution of issues flagged in the first beta. The official release notes list several known problems under investigation, including potential Xcode crashes during code completion ranking, notification failures after a clean installation, and a glitch affecting the Shortcuts ‘Describe a Shortcut’ function. Apple advises developers to review the release notes carefully before installing.

    How to Install macOS 27.2 Beta 2

    Registered developers can download the beta via System Settings > General > Software Update, then select the macOS developer beta under Beta Updates. Apple strongly recommends backing up your Mac before installing any beta software, as preview builds may contain bugs, compatibility issues, or other problems. The stable release is expected later in October after additional beta iterations.

  • India Retains 30% Crypto Tax and Enforces Stricter VDA Reporting Rules

    India Retains 30% Crypto Tax and Enforces Stricter VDA Reporting Rules

    India has reaffirmed its 30% tax on income from virtual digital assets (VDAs) and the 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) on qualifying transfers. At the same time, the government has expanded transaction reporting requirements for prescribed crypto entities, effective from April 1, 2026.

    The Income Tax Department’s new VDA explainer consolidates the tax, TDS, and reporting provisions into a single document. It also clarifies which digital assets are covered and outlines penalties for non-compliance by reporting entities.

    India Keeps 30% VDA Tax and 1% TDS

    According to the Income Tax Department, income from transferring a VDA remains taxable at a flat 30% rate, plus applicable surcharge and cess. The new reporting framework does not alter this rate or the method for calculating taxable income.

    Under Section 115BBH, taxpayers may only deduct the cost of acquiring the asset. Other expenses are not allowed, and VDA losses cannot be offset against other income or carried forward to a later financial year.

    Section 194S continues to mandate 1% TDS on payments made to Indian residents for VDA transfers. For specified individuals and Hindu Undivided Families, the annual threshold is Rs. 50,000; for others, it stands at Rs. 10,000.

    VDA Definition Includes Crypto Assets and Certain NFTs

    The VDA definition covers cryptocurrencies, certain non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other notified digital assets. It also includes digital representations of value that use a cryptographically secured distributed ledger or similar technology to validate transactions.

    However, Indian currency, foreign currency, and India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) are not classified as VDAs. The government may exclude additional digital assets through official notifications.

    Exclusions include gift cards, vouchers, reward points, loyalty cards, and subscriptions to websites or digital platforms. Some NFTs are also excluded when their transfer legally passes ownership of an underlying physical asset.

    Crypto Reporting Rules Take Effect

    Section 285BAA introduced a separate reporting duty for prescribed entities handling crypto-asset transactions. These entities must provide transaction information to the Income Tax Department in the required form, within the specified period, and through the designated filing process.

    The Income-tax Act, 2025, which took effect on April 1, 2026, now carries the reporting requirement under Section 509. Thus, Section 285BAA refers to the earlier framework, while Section 509 contains the corresponding rule under the current act.

    The reporting duty does not replace individual tax filings. Crypto investors must continue reporting their transfers through Schedule VDA in their income tax returns and maintain records of acquisition costs, sale values, swaps, and other transfers.

    Penalties for Delayed or Inaccurate Reports

    A prescribed entity that misses the reporting deadline may face a penalty of Rs. 200 for each day the failure continues. Authorities may also impose a Rs. 50,000 penalty if an entity submits inaccurate information, fails to correct an identified error, or does not complete required checks.

    When authorities identify a defective statement, they may direct the reporting entity to correct it. Entities must also amend information when they discover errors after filing. These requirements place the reporting responsibility primarily on exchanges, service providers, and other prescribed intermediaries.

    The new framework increases transaction information available to the tax department but does not create a new tax for investors. The 30% VDA tax, 1% TDS, deduction limits, and loss-offsetting restrictions remain unchanged.