Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, its latest entry-level smartphone, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display and the powerful A18 chip. Positioned as an affordable alternative within the iPhone 16 series, the device supports Apple Intelligence features, bringing AI-powered enhancements to a wider audience.

The iPhone 16e comes with a single 48-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12-megapixel TrueDepth front camera for selfies and Face ID authentication. The handset also replaces the traditional mute switch with a programmable Action Button, offering users customizable functionality.

Apple has priced the iPhone 16e at ?59,900 for the 128GB variant, while the 256GB and 512GB models cost ?69,900 and ?89,900, respectively. Pre-orders begin on February 21, with official sales starting February 28. The device will be available in Black and White color options.

Running on iOS 18, the iPhone 16e sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1,170x2,532 pixels, 800 nits peak brightness, and Apple’s Ceramic Shield for added durability. The display retains a 60Hz refresh rate, unlike the Pro models.

Under the hood, the 3nm A18 chip powers the iPhone 16e, paired with up to 512GB of storage. While Apple doesn’t disclose RAM specifications, the inclusion of Apple Intelligence suggests it likely has 8GB of RAM.

The smartphone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and GPS connectivity. Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature is also available in select regions. Unlike previous budget models, the iPhone 16e comes with a USB Type-C port, supporting 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.

With its blend of high-end features and affordability, the iPhone 16e aims to attract users seeking premium Apple experiences at a lower price.

In a major technological breakthrough, ISRO has successfully developed a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer for solid propellant production, marking a significant advancement in India’s space capabilities. This cutting-edge equipment, the largest of its kind globally, will enhance the efficiency and scale of solid motor manufacturing.

Solid propulsion is crucial for India’s space transportation systems, and the precise mixing of solid propellants is essential for reliable rocket performance. The newly developed mixer, weighing 150 tonnes and standing 8.7 meters tall, will significantly improve the productivity, quality, and throughput of heavy solid motors.

The project was undertaken by the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru. The system features multiple hydrostatic-driven agitators and is remotely operated via a PLC-based control system integrated with SCADA stations, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

According to ISRO, the successful realization of this high-capacity mixer is a testament to India's growing self-reliance in space technology, aligning with the government's ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. “The realisation of the indigenous 10-tonne vertical mixer underscores India’s unwavering commitment to technological innovation and self-sufficiency,” ISRO stated.

The mixer has undergone rigorous factory-level acceptance tests and was officially handed over to the Director of SDSC SHAR by the Director of CMTI in the presence of ISRO Chairperson V. Narayanan at CMTI, Bengaluru.

This development strengthens India's ability to produce large-scale solid rocket motors, a critical component for launch vehicles. With this achievement, ISRO has set a new benchmark in solid propulsion technology, reinforcing its position as a global leader in space exploration and innovation.

Chinese tech giant Alibaba has launched an upgraded version of its AI model, Qwen 2.5-Max, claiming it surpasses leading models such as DeepSeek-V3, GPT-4o, and Llama-3.1-405B. The timing of the release—on the first day of the Lunar New Year—reflects the urgency Chinese companies feel in keeping pace with the rapid rise of AI startup DeepSeek.

DeepSeek's AI models have sent shockwaves through the tech industry, particularly in Silicon Valley, where its low-cost development has raised concerns about the sustainability of high-spending AI firms. The startup’s DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, released in January 2024, have sparked an AI race in China, forcing competitors like Alibaba, ByteDance, Baidu, and Tencent to accelerate their own AI innovations.

Following DeepSeek's R1 release, ByteDance updated its flagship AI model, claiming it outperformed OpenAI’s o1 in key benchmarks. DeepSeek, in turn, asserted that R1 matched OpenAI’s model in various performance tests.

DeepSeek’s rise has also triggered an AI price war. When it launched DeepSeek-V2 last year at an unprecedented 1 yuan ($0.14) per million tokens, Alibaba Cloud responded by slashing its own AI pricing by 97%. Other major players, including Baidu and Tencent, followed suit to remain competitive.

Despite the fierce rivalry, DeepSeek’s lean and research-driven approach sets it apart. Founder Liang Wenfeng has emphasized that his startup is not concerned with price battles but is focused on achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—AI capable of surpassing human abilities in most tasks.

With AI giants facing increasing pressure from agile startups, the landscape of China’s AI industry is evolving rapidly, pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities and global competition.

As 2025 approaches, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to significantly influence various sectors, notably healthcare and finance. AI's integration into these fields is expected to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility.

Advancements in AI:

AI technologies are anticipated to transition from pilot projects to fully scaled, enterprise-wide deployments by 2025. This progression will enable AI systems to autonomously develop superior AI models, fostering innovation and expediting technological advancements.

Impact on Healthcare:

In the healthcare sector, AI is set to revolutionize diagnostics, predictive analytics, and personalized treatment plans. The adoption of AI-driven tools is expected to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Additionally, the rise of telehealth services, bolstered by AI, will expand access to care while reducing costs.

Transformation in Finance:

The financial industry is also on the cusp of transformation, with investment banks planning to implement AI solutions to alleviate repetitive tasks for junior bankers. By automating number crunching and regulatory document drafting, AI will allow financial professionals to focus on higher-value activities, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.

Challenges and Considerations:

Despite these advancements, integrating AI into existing systems presents challenges. Organizations must adapt their structures and workflows to effectively leverage AI capabilities. Moreover, ethical considerations, including data privacy and the potential for job displacement, require careful attention to ensure responsible AI deployment.

In summary, 2025 is poised to be a pivotal year for AI, with significant developments expected across multiple industries. The successful integration of AI technologies holds the promise of enhanced efficiency and innovation, provided that organizations navigate the accompanying challenges thoughtfully.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, is set to enter India’s competitive telecom market, potentially transforming the way millions of users access broadband. Musk, currently the world’s richest person, will face formidable competition from industry giants like Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel, and the state-run BSNL, all of which dominate the market. India’s broadband sector already boasts some of the world’s lowest pricing for internet services, and Starlink’s entry is likely to disrupt the status quo, especially as it offers high-speed satellite-based connectivity.

Starlink, which uses satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit to deliver wireless internet, is currently seeking the necessary clearances to operate in India. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that the company is in the process of obtaining the required security clearance, with the condition that it adheres to local data storage regulations and ensures 100% secure satellite signals. If Starlink meets these criteria, it is expected to be granted a licence to offer satellite broadband services.

Starlink’s entry into India comes after a significant policy shift last month, when the Indian government decided to award satellite broadband licences administratively, rather than through spectrum auctions, a move that aligns with Musk’s strategy. This change could give Starlink a major advantage over domestic players, who have invested heavily in spectrum auctions.

Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, which has more than 14 million wired broadband subscribers and nearly 500 million mobile internet users, and Airtel, with around 300 million broadband subscribers, may face increasing pressure. In regions like Africa, Musk has aggressively priced Starlink services at just $10 per month, while in the U.S., the cost is much higher, at $120. It remains to be seen if Musk will adopt a similar pricing strategy in India.

Brazil's decision to block Elon Musk's social media platform, X, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The platform's refusal to comply with a court order to appoint a legal representative in Brazil led to the suspension. De Moraes accused Musk of disregarding Brazilian sovereignty and the judiciary, framing the platform's actions as a defiance of local laws and an encouragement of extremism and misinformation.

The blocking of X is part of a broader effort by de Moraes to combat misinformation and protect democracy, particularly as Brazil approaches its October municipal elections. The move is controversial, drawing comparisons to past shutdowns of other platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram in Brazil. Critics argue that while the suspension of X may be justified, extending punitive actions to Starlink, another Musk-owned company, is questionable. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between the Brazilian judiciary and global tech companies over the regulation of online content and corporate accountability.

The government has launched a bid invitation for the empanelment of entities to provide artificial intelligence (AI) services on the cloud as part of the Rs 10,372-crore India AI mission, approved by the cabinet earlier this year. The selected entities, which may include data centers and cloud service providers, will be tasked with offering high-speed AI computing infrastructure, such as GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), accelerators, and TPUs (Tensor Processing Units). This infrastructure will be accessible to academia, startups, researchers, and government bodies, all at the lowest rates determined through the competitive bidding process.

As part of the IndiaAI Mission, over 10,000 GPUs will be made available to support the development of a robust AI ecosystem in the country. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), through its Digital India Corporation’s IndiaAI initiative, has issued a Request for Empanelment (RFE) to engage service providers who can supply the necessary AI computing power and storage.

Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY, emphasized that this move is a response to the growing global demand for GPU-based servers, which are essential for the rapid processing of data required in AI applications. Currently, GPU-based cloud services in India are more expensive than in countries with extensive GPU installations, highlighting the need for this initiative.

The empaneled agencies will provide the high-performance computing, networking, and storage solutions needed for the mission’s activities, including the development of indigenous large language models (LLMs) and other AI applications. The empanelment will last for 36 months, with the possibility of extension based on mutual agreement.

The RFE clarifies that this is not a procurement agreement but an invitation for proposals from interested bidders. The chosen entities must make 1,000 AI compute units available on their cloud platforms within six months of signing the agreement with IndiaAI.

Elon Musk filed a lawsuit on Monday against OpenAI and its founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, accusing the ChatGPT-maker of betraying its founding mission of serving the public good in favor of profit-seeking. The lawsuit, submitted in a Northern California federal court, describes the case as a “textbook tale of altruism versus greed.” According to the complaint, Altman and others allegedly “intentionally courted and deceived Musk, exploiting his humanitarian concerns about the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence.”

Musk, an early investor in OpenAI when it was established in 2015, co-chaired its board alongside Altman. In the lawsuit, Musk claims he invested “tens of millions” of dollars and helped recruit top AI research scientists for the company. He resigned from the board in early 2018, a move that OpenAI said at the time was intended to prevent conflicts of interest, as Musk was also recruiting AI talent for Tesla's self-driving technology.

This new legal action follows Musk’s withdrawal of a previous lawsuit against OpenAI in June, which he dropped without explanation. That lawsuit alleged that when Musk initially funded OpenAI, he secured an agreement with Altman and Brockman to keep the organization as a nonprofit, focused on developing technology for the public’s benefit and maintaining open-source code.

In response to the new lawsuit, a spokesperson for OpenAI referenced Musk’s earlier legal filing, which was withdrawn, stating that “Elon’s prior emails continue to speak for themselves.” OpenAI had released emails in March that appeared to show Musk’s earlier support for transitioning the company to a for-profit model.

Musk's latest lawsuit asserts that he and OpenAI’s original mission were “betrayed by Altman and his accomplices.” The complaint describes the alleged deception as being of “Shakespearean proportions.”