Samsung has officially announced the forthcoming release of its Galaxy M35 5G smartphone in the Indian market. This mid-range addition to Samsung’s ‘M series’ is set to make its debut soon, following its initial introduction back in May. The company has shared a teaser on its social media channels, highlighting key features such as a powerful Processor and a substantial 6000mAh battery alongside its design.
Amazon Prime Day Exclusive Launch
Further details from an Amazon teaser confirm that the Galaxy M35 5G will be launched as part of Amazon’s Prime Day exclusive offerings. The Prime Day event is scheduled for July 20th and 21st in India, suggesting the phone will be available around this time. The teaser also reveals that the phone will be available in three colours: Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Grey.
Design and Features
The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G boasts a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing up to 1000 nits of peak brightness. It is powered by the Octa-Core Exynos 1380 processor, paired with the Mali-G68 MP5 GPU. The smartphone will come in two memory configurations: 6GB RAM with 128GB internal storage and 8GB RAM with 256GB internal storage, both expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card.
Running on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, the Galaxy M35 5G has a 50MP rear camera featuring optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The front houses a 13MP camera for selfies. Additional features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C audio, stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos support.
Connectivity and Battery
The Galaxy M35 5G supports 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, and USB Type-C 2.0. Its robust 6000mAh battery supports 25W fast charging, ensuring prolonged usage without frequent recharges.
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G: Price
The Galaxy M35 5G is already available in Brazil for R$2,699 (approx Rs 44,000). It is available in shades such as Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Gray. In India, it is expected to be priced at around Rs 30,000. However, the brand hasn’t confirmed anything about the same, and the official price will be known at launch.
iQoo has announced the upcoming launch of its new smartphone, the iQoo Z9 Lite 5G, in the Indian market. Scheduled for release on July 15, the new handset is expected to be a rebranded version of the Vivo T3 Lite 5G, which debuted in India on June 27. The iQoo Z9 Lite 5G will join the existing iQoo Z9 5G series, which includes the iQoo Z9 5G and the iQoo Z9x 5G models launched earlier this year in March and May, respectively.
Design and Features
The iQoo Z9 Lite 5G features a distinctive rear panel with a rectangular camera module positioned in the top left corner. This module houses two vertically aligned camera Sensors in separate circular units, accompanied by an LED flash unit. The phone’s design, showcased in a green shade with a marble-like patterned finish, mirrors that of the Vivo T3 Lite 5G, suggesting that both models may share similar specifications.
Expected Specifications
If the iQoo Z9 Lite 5G indeed mirrors the Vivo T3 Lite 5G, it is anticipated to include the following features:
Rear Camera: AI-backed 50-megapixel dual rear camera unit.
Front Camera: 8-megapixel selfie shooter.
Pricing Strategy
Based on iQOO’s current pricing strategy for the Z9 and Z9x models, both priced under Rs 20,000, the Z9 Lite 5G is expected to be even more budget-friendly. Speculations suggest a price point around Rs 12,000 or possibly lower, making it a competitive option in the entry-level 5G smartphone market. However, the official pricing will be confirmed at launch.
Market Position
The iQoo Z9 Lite 5G is set to compete with other affordable 5G smartphones, such as the Realme Narzo N65 and C65, which also feature the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. With its anticipated 50-megapixel Sony AI camera paired with a secondary sensor, the Z9 Lite promises decent photography capabilities at an accessible price point.
ASUS, the Taiwanese electronics maker, has commenced pre-bookings for its inaugural laptop, the ASUS Vivobook S15, built on Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform. This laptop is equipped with the Qualcomm X Elite chip and combines AI capabilities from Microsoft Copilot with ASUS’s Proprietary AI functionalities. The official release date for the ASUS Vivobook S15 is July 9.
Pre-Booking Details
Customers can pre-book the ASUS Vivobook S15 from July 2 to July 8 through ASUS Pegasus stores, the ASUS eShop, and the e-commerce platform Flipkart by paying a token amount of Rs 1. Those who pre-book can avail of benefits worth Rs 21,389 at no extra cost. These benefits include:
A warranty extension of two years.
Damage protection for up to three years.
A pair of earbuds.
Specifications and Features
The ASUS Vivobook S15 is powered by the Arm architecture-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. This Processor includes a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) capable of handling artificial intelligence workloads of up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Utilizing these AI processing capabilities, the laptop supports Microsoft’s latest Copilot+ PC platform, offering a range of new AI features.
The laptop features a 15-inch Lumina OLED display housed within an all-metal chassis. While specific technical details have not been fully disclosed, ASUS assures that the Vivobook S15 will provide ample storage, sufficient RAM for enhanced computing performance, and a long battery life.
Availability
The ASUS Vivobook S15 will officially launch in India on July 9, 2024. Pre-booking is available now, and the 16GB + 1TB model is priced at Rs. 1,24,990.
In the future, you might have to pay a subscription fee to use Apple’s AI-powered iPhone features. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s long-term plan for its AI suite, Apple Intelligence, includes charging users for additional functionalities. This indicates Apple’s shift towards strengthening its digital services and reducing dependence on hardware sales.
Other companies, such as Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft, have already introduced paid versions of their AI tools, making Apple’s move part of this trend.
Apple Intelligence: What is it?
Apple Intelligence, the company’s entry into the generative AI market, was unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference last month. It includes ChatGPT integration, tools for proofreading and rewriting text, new Siri capabilities for tech support and personalized requests, and the ability to generate images and emojis. These features will be available in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia this fall, initially as a free beta.
Subscription Model on the Horizon
While Apple Intelligence will launch as a free beta, Bloomberg suggests that Apple might eventually introduce a subscription service, possibly named Apple Intelligence Plus. This potential introduction of a paid model could provide Apple with an additional revenue stream from its hardware products and also opens up exciting possibilities for the future of AI technology.
It’s important to note that Apple Intelligence will only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and iPad and Mac models with the M1 chip or later. This hardware exclusivity might drive consumers to upgrade their devices to access the new AI features.
Competitive Landscape and Upcoming Announcements
Apple is not the only smartphone company that is considering a paid model for its AI features. For example, Samsung’s Galaxy AI will offer free features until 2025, suggesting a potential shift to a paid service. Both companies and Google are expected to reveal more about their AI advancements in the coming months. Apple typically launches new iPhones in September, coinciding with the full release of its latest iOS version, where Apple Intelligence is expected to be highlighted. Samsung’s next Unpacked event on July 10 and Google’s Made by Google event on August 13 will likely also feature significant AI updates.
Shift Towards Software and Services
Gurman also pointed out that the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup might have a few hardware changes. This suggests that Apple is shifting its strategy towards improving software and services. This change highlights the company’s emphasis on using AI innovations as a crucial factor in the competitive market.
As the tech landscape evolves, it will be interesting to see how Apple, Samsung, and Google continue to integrate AI into their ecosystems and how these changes will impact consumer experiences and expectations.
French regulators reportedly plan to press charges against Nvidia for alleged anti-competitive practices. Nvidia has emerged as the dominant supplier of GPUs and high-speed networking equipment, which is essential for constructing training clusters for developing advanced AI models.
The charges, first reported by Reuters, follow a September raid on Nvidia’s French offices. The raid aimed to gather evidence about the American GPU manufacturer as part of a broader investigation into the cloud computing sector, which found some US companies may have hindered competition in the region.
French regulators are not the only ones closely examining Nvidia’s market dominance. The European Union is reportedly investigating the GPU vendor to determine if corrective action is necessary. Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice is reportedly gearing up for a probe into whether Nvidia has overstepped into monopoly territory.
While the specific charges that French regulators will bring against Nvidia remain shrouded in uncertainty, a recent report by the country’s competition watchdog has singled out Nvidia as a potential concern. The Autorité de la Concurrence has identified several risks, including price fixing, production restrictions, unfair contractual conditions, and discriminatory behaviour. The watchdog has also expressed unease about the sector’s reliance on Nvidia’s CUDA chip programming software, which is fully compatible with the GPUs essential for accelerated computing. Furthermore, Nvidia’s investments in AI-focused cloud service providers like CoreWeave have raised additional red flags.
The comments were part of a broader investigation into the competitive landscape of generative AI companies in France. The report explored issues such as access to compute infrastructure, data, and talent and offered recommendations for the next steps in the investigation.
YouTube has updated its privacy guidelines to address the growing concern over AI-generated videos that mimic individuals. As of a recent update, users can request the removal of such content if it realistically depicts them. This policy shift follows YouTube’s promise in November 2023 to implement these rules “in the coming months.”
The updated guidelines state, “If someone has used AI to alter or create synthetic content that looks or sounds like you, you can ask for it to be removed. In order to qualify for removal, the content should depict a realistic altered or synthetic version of your likeness. We will consider a variety of factors when evaluating the complaint.”
YouTube will assess the following criteria when reviewing takedown requests:
Whether the content is altered or synthetic
Whether the content is disclosed to viewers as altered or synthetic
Whether the person can be uniquely identified
Whether the content is realistic
Whether the content contains parody, satire, or other public interest value
When a privacy complaint is submitted, it is reviewed by human moderators. YouTube may give the uploader 48 hours to address the complaint by removing or editing the private information. If the uploader fails to comply, YouTube will review and potentially remove the content. Users are cautioned against re-uploading content that has been removed for privacy violations, as this may result in account suspension.
“YouTube privacy guidelines aim at protecting users’ privacy while balancing public interest and newsworthiness. Our privacy guidelines apply to all users across the world. In other words, while the video in question may not violate your country’s privacy laws, it may still violate YouTube’s privacy guidelines,” the company emphasized.
For a video to be considered for removal due to a privacy violation, the individual must be uniquely identifiable. The complaint must come from the individual or their legal representative. It must identify the individual using a combination of image, voice, full name, government identification number, bank account number, contact information, or other uniquely identifiable information. YouTube will also consider public interest, newsworthiness, consent, and the availability of the information in the public domain.
Users can follow YouTube’s Privacy Complaint Process to report a privacy violation. This process requires users to provide clear and concise information to help the YouTube team identify them within the video, including timestamps and descriptions of distinguishing features. The video URL must also be included in the report.
The Oppo Reno 12 5G series is expected to debut in India next week, although Oppo has not officially confirmed the exact date yet.
The launch is scheduled for July 12, according to a report by Techoutlook. The report also includes detailed information about the RAM and storage configurations of the Oppo Reno 12 5G and Oppo Reno 12 Pro 5G. These new models will feature MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy SoCs that will power CMF Phone 1 as well.
Oppo Reno 12 5G Series Pricing and Variants
The report suggests that the Oppo Reno 12 5G will be available with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Oppo Reno 12 Pro 5G is expected to come in two configurations: 12GB RAM with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM with 512GB storage.
In global markets, the standard model is offered in a 12GB + 256GB variant priced at EUR 499.99 (approximately Rs 44,700). The Pro model is available in a single 12GB RAM + 512GB option, priced at EUR 599.99 (approximately Rs 53,700).
While the exact launch date of the Oppo Reno 12 5 G series in India is yet to be revealed, Oppo has confirmed that the series will soon make its debut. Both Flipkart and Oppo India have created dedicated landing pages on their websites to tease the arrival of the new phones. The Indian variants are set to ship with a host of artificial intelligence (AI) powered features, including AI Record Summary, AI Clear Voice, and AI Writer.
Specifications of the Oppo Reno 12 Series
The Chinese versions of the Oppo Reno 12 and Reno 12 Pro are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8250 Star Speed Edition SoC and Dimensity 9200+ Star Speed Edition chipset, respectively. However, the global versions, including the Indian models, are equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 7300. Both models feature triple rear cameras with two 50-megapixel sensors, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 50-megapixel front camera. They are equipped with 5,000mAh batteries and support 80W SuperVOOC fast charging.
Samsung is preparing for what’s expected to be the biggest launch event of the year at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 in Paris on July 10. The event will see unveiling of a range of new devices, including the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Watch7, and the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Ring, all of which are expected to be available for purchase shortly after the event.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 is expected to be the event’s main attraction. Leaked renders suggest a more rectangular design, similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It is also anticipated to be lighter and thinner than its predecessor.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, the Z Fold6 will come with a large cover display outside and a sizable foldable screen inside, likely with dimensions similar to its predecessor. The device is expected to support stylus input, but unlike the Galaxy S Ultra series, the stylus will not be built into the phone. Instead, it will be part of a special case expected to be sold separately.
The Z Fold 6 will likely have Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz displays, a 4,400mAh battery, 50MP+12MP+10MP rear cameras, and 4MP and 10MP front cameras. The starting price is expected to be around $1,899.99.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 from Samsung is expected to have a design similar to its predecessor but with a new cover display. Despite its small size, it will come with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Chipset as the Galaxy Z Fold6.
To set it apart from the Z Flip 5, the Z Flip6 is anticipated to come with new colour options, a slightly larger battery, and updated camera features. This Clamshell foldable, the successor to the Z Flip 5, is expected to have AMOLED screens, a 4,000mAh battery with 25W charging, 50MP and 12MP rear cameras, and a 10MP selfie camera. It’s rumoured to start at $1,099.99.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Samsung’s upcoming wireless earbuds are anticipated to resemble Apple’s AirPods lineup. The Galaxy Buds3, a more affordable variant, will have a design similar to the 3rd-Gen AirPods, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro will mimic the AirPods Pro.
Unlike the previous Galaxy Buds’ unique bud-like shape, the new series will feature a stem design. Expected features include:
Active noise cancellation (ANC).
Enhanced battery life.
HD audio output.
The ability to pair with two devices simultaneously.
Both buds are expected to come in Silver and White colour options, and their pricing is likely to be similar to the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Pro, at $139 and $229, respectively.
Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch7 Ultra
Samsung is preparing to launch two new smartwatches: the Galaxy Watch7 and the Galaxy Watch7 Ultra. The Ultra will be the company’s most advanced smartwatch, featuring a titanium frame similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It will come in a square frame with a circular display. Renders suggest it will have a rotating bezel, similar to the Galaxy Watch6 Classic. The watch may have a 47mm dial, a 3nm processor, a 590mAh battery, a new button, and extra features over the Watch 7. The Watch Ultra may start from $699.
On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is anticipated to offer two dial size options: 40mm, equipped with a 300mAh battery, and 44mm, featuring a 425mAh battery. According to reports from Android Headlines, the Galaxy Watch7 will be powered by a 3nm chipset and include an array of health tracking features. It will support 15W charging, have an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, and meet MIL-STD-810H military durability standards.
The Galaxy Watch7 aims to deliver advanced functionality and robust performance, starting at an expected price of $299. Additionally, Samsung may introduce the Galaxy Watch FE during the event, expanding its smartwatch lineup further.
Galaxy Ring
Samsung is also expected to unveil the Galaxy Ring at the upcoming showcase. The finger accessory was first teased at the January Galaxy Unpacked 2024 and later at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024. The smart ring may offer a host of health monitoring sensors (ECG, heart rate, sleep tracking, and more) to help users stay on top of their health, as well as wireless transactions via Samsung Pay for convenient and secure payments. The Galaxy Ring could sit in the $300-$350 price range.
While these are the major products expected at the Galaxy Unpacked event in 2024, Samsung may surprise attendees with additional announcements.
Remote desktop software provider TeamViewer has revealed a cyberattack on its corporate network. The company assured that no customer data or product functionality was compromised during the incident.
The attack occurred on June 26 and was detected and mitigated by TeamViewer’s security team in collaboration with cybersecurity experts, according to a statement issued by TeamViewer.
The statement further added that the attack was carried out by the Russian hacking group APT29, also known as Midnight Blizzard. According to Mitre, a non-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers for the US government, APT29 is connected to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
As per the information available on the TeamViewer website, it provides remote access tools to corporate customers, including DHL and Coca-Cola, has over 600,000 paying customers and facilitates remote access to more than 2.5 billion devices worldwide.
Incident Detection and Response
TeamViewer explained that its security team detected an irregularity in its internal corporate IT environment on June 26, 2024. The company activated its response team and procedures, started investigations with cybersecurity experts, and implemented necessary remediation measures.
TeamViewer emphasized that its internal corporate IT environment is completely independent of the product environment, and there is no evidence to suggest that customer data or the product environment was affected.
TeamViewer’s internal security team and cybersecurity experts discovered that the attackers accessed the system using a compromised standard employee account. Continuous security monitoring detected suspicious activity related to this incident, leading to an immediate incident response action. TeamViewer’s actions involved isolating the compromised account and containing affected systems to prevent the spread of the attack within the network, as per the company’s statement.
Security Measures and Transparency
In a statement, TeamViewer highlighted its strong segregation between the corporate IT environment and the production environment where customer data resides, describing this segregation as a core element of its “defence-in-depth” security strategy designed to prevent unauthorized access.
“We keep all servers, networks, and accounts strictly separate to help prevent unauthorized access and lateral movement between the different environments,” TeamViewer said in a statement.
“Security is of utmost importance for us, it is deeply rooted in our DNA. Therefore, we value transparent communication and will continuously update the status of our investigations as new information becomes available.”
TeamViewer
Advisory for Healthcare Sector
After TeamViewer’s team d”detected a cyber “attack, the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (H-ISAC), a non-profit organization that provides a central resource for gathering information on cyber threats in the US, issued a bulletin. The bulletin warned the healthcare sector of active TeamViewers exploiting TeamViewer and advised organizations to review logs for unusual remote desktop traffic.
It recommended implementing multi-factor authentication and access controls to mitigate potential risks. H-ISAC also suggested enabling two-factor authentication and using allowlists and blocklists to control who can connect to their devices.
Truecaller has launched a new feature called Truecaller Fraud Insurance, initially available in India for iOS and Android users. This service aims to protect premium subscribers against various types of fraud. Truecaller has partnered with HDFC Ergo to offer this service, covering digital theft of funds under the HDFC ERGO Cyber Sachet Insurance.
Fraud insurance will reimburse users for up to ₹10,000 of the stolen funds due to call/SMS fraud on their Truecaller number if they have activated the service. We are waiting for a response from Truecaller regarding whether this service also works with fraud originating on WhatsApp. We will update the story once we receive more information. Also, note that this service is only available for non-business and professional use.
Coverage Details
Truecaller Fraud Insurance offers comprehensive coverage, providing a maximum of upto ₹10,000 for financial losses resulting from unauthorized access, phishing, and spoofing in bank accounts, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets. It also includes coverage for financial losses, credit monitoring costs, legal prosecution costs stemming from personal information misuse on the internet, and psychological consultation costs for affected victims. This extensive coverage is designed to provideTruecaller users with a sense of security and protection.
The insurance covers the expenses associated with recovering lost or corrupted data due to malware attacks, as well as the cost of replacing personal devices or their components affected by malware attacks. It also includes legal fees and the cost of removing objectionable content posted by cyberbullies.
Furthermore, the insurance covers financial losses incurred from fraudulent online shopping where the user does not receive the product after making a full payment. It also encompasses financial loss incurred from selling products online to a fraudulent buyer who refuses to pay and return the product.
Truecaller Fraud Insurance covers legal costs incurred to defend against third-party claims if a social media post causes privacy breaches or copyright violations. It also addresses legal expenses incurred to defend against third-party claims if their devices are infected by malware originating from the insured’s device.
Additionally, the insurance encompasses legal costs incurred due to unintentional data leaks from the insured’s devices or accounts. It also includes legal expenses incurred to pursue a case against a third party for leaking confidential information or data.
Exclusions
As far as exclusions are concerned, losses resulting from actions or omissions in a professional capacity are not covered. Also, losses from investment or trading are not included. There are a few more claims that are not covered under the policy, as follows:
– Claims from legal suits by family members or people living with the insured are excluded.
– Costs for improving personal devices beyond their original state before the insured event are only covered if unavoidable.
– Losses involving cryptocurrencies are not covered.
– Losses incurred from accessing restricted or banned websites are not covered.
– Losses from gambling activities are also excluded.
Subscription and Cost
If you are considering purchasing the Truecaller premium plan, new users can choose from Connect, Assistant, Assistant Family, or Gold yearly subscriptions to access Fraud Insurance. Existing users with premium subscriptions will automatically receive this feature upon upgrading to the latest App version.
The Connect plan costs ₹ 529 per year or ₹ 179 for three months. The Assistant plan costs ₹1499 per year or ₹149 per month. The Assistant Family plan, which allows family sharing for up to four additional accounts, costs ₹ 2999 per year or ₹ 299 per month. The Gold plan costs ₹ 5000 per year. Users can submit multiple claims with a maximum cumulative payout of ₹ 10,000.
Premium Features
As a premium subscriber, you will benefit from a range of features, including ad-free usage, call recording, advanced spam blocking, and live caller ID. You will also have access to features such as who viewed your profile, who searched for you (available only on Android), unlimited contact requests (Android only), incognito mode, ghost call (Android only), premium badge, premium app icon, live chat support, call screening, multiple assistant voices, custom greeting, voicemail, and gold caller ID for Gold plan users.
