&w=3840&q=100)
Tech Wrap August 5: Spotify price hike, new ChatGPT features, Battlefield 6
BS Tech New Delhi
Spotify hikes premium subscription prices in India
Swedish audio streaming platform Spotify has raised the prices for its Premium subscription plans in India. The monthly prices for the subscription plan have been increased by up to almost 28 per cent. Notably, Spotify was launched in India in 2019, and this is the first time that the prices of Premium subscription plans have been hiked in the region.
OpenAI is rolling out a series of mental health-oriented features to its AI chatbot ChatGPT. The company said that these additions are designed to help the AI chatbot better recognise signs of emotional distress and respond more thoughtfully. ChatGPT will also now prompt users to take breaks during long interactions.
American video game publisher Electronic Arts has confirmed the early access beta for Battlefield 6 will begin on August 7, followed by an open beta running from August 9–10 and August 14–17. The studio will temporarily pause its Battlefield Labs testing during the open beta period, resuming after feedback has been collected.
American video game developer Valve Corporation has announced that it will soon end Steam support for macOS version 11 ("Big Sur"). As per Valve's announcement, Steam will officially stop supporting macOS version 11 on October 15. To keep using Steam and access any games or other content purchased through it, users must upgrade to a newer version of macOS.
Google has released a new teaser video for its upcoming Pixel 10 series, taking a jab at Apple over its delayed rollout of AI-powered Siri features. The video, posted by Google India on X (formerly Twitter), offers a stylised look at the Pixel 10 Pro in a new colour, while the voiceover ridicules Apple's failure to deliver on its AI promises.
Elon Musk-owned xAI has recently released an update for the Grok AI, introducing a new image and video generation tool called Grok Imagine with a 'spicy mode.' This tool essentially creates images and videos based on text prompts and can reportedly generate NSFW (not safe for work) content on a user's request.
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S25 FE smartphone as early as next month. According to a report by 9To5Google, availability in South Korea could begin on September 19, with other markets potentially getting it the same day. The launch itself could take place during the IFA (Innovation For All) 2025 trade show in Berlin, which runs from September 5 to September 9.
Chinese smartphone brand OPPO has announced that it will be launching its K13 Turbo series smartphones in India on August 11. Ahead of the launch, the company has also revealed the racing-inspired design of the smartphone, and stated that the OPPO K13 Turbo series will be the first smartphone in India to feature a built-in cooling fan.
Sony recently launched the Bravia Theatre Bar 6 in India — a 3.1.2 channel soundbar system designed for home use — priced at Rs 54,990. Although positioned as a mid-range offering within the Japanese electronics maker's soundbar portfolio, the system leans towards the company's more premium products in terms of configuration, soundstage, and features. As mentioned, it is a 3.1.2 channel system comprising three front-facing audio drivers, including a centre channel, and two top-firing audio drivers for vertical lift, along with a dedicated wireless subwoofer.
Over 84,000 online gaming account user details were leaked in India in 2024, the global cybersecurity and digital privacy company Kaspersky on Tuesday said. The maximum number of leaks of gaming account user details was witnessed in Thailand, the minimum such instances were in Singapore in the Asia-Pacific (APAC)Region, it said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
4 minutes ago
- Economic Times
AI news today: Over 10,000 jobs lost in 2025 due to artificial intelligence, Karnataka working with cos to assess workforce impact and more
Artificial intelligence continues to make headlines across sectors, from regulation to investment. OpenAI announced it would freely release two AI models used in chatbot development, a move expected to spark both praise and debate among AI experts. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities voiced concern over the use of AI in setting personalized airline ticket prices, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pledging an investigation. In Abu Dhabi, MGX is reportedly aiming to raise up to $25 billion for an AI-focused investment fund. At the same time, AI's impact on the job market is becoming evident, with over 10,000 U.S. job losses in 2025 linked to the technology, according to a new report. In India, the AI conversation spans both innovation and accountability. Force Motors launched an AI-driven fleet intelligence platform for its commercial vehicles, offering real-time analytics and predictive maintenance. Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge revealed that the state is conducting a survey on AI's workforce impact, expected to conclude in a month. On the cultural front, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar weighed in on the controversy over the AI-altered re-release of Raanjhanaa , expressing his support for creative integrity and the original vision of filmmakers. OpenAI to share parts of ChatGPT tech with public In a move likely to draw both praise and concern from AI experts, OpenAI announced on Tuesday that it will make two of its chatbot-powered AI models freely available. US criticizes use of AI to set personalized airline tickets, would investigate U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday the department has concerns about the use of AI to set personalized airline ticket prices and will investigate if anyone does so. Abu Dhabi's MGX could raise as much as $25 billion for AI investment fund, Bloomberg News reports Abu Dhabi-based MGX is considering plans to raise billions of dollars in third-party capital as it looks to ramp up investments in artificial intelligence, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday. MGX could raise as much as $25 billion for the vehicle, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. AI has led to more than 10,000 job cuts this year, shows report AI has been linked to over 10,000 job losses in the U.S. so far in 2025, according to a new report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Force Motors launches AI-driven fleet intelligence analytics platform Pune-based automaker Force Motors on Tuesday announced the launch of a new connected vehicle platform for AI-driven fleet intelligence and predictive analytics, and said the new offering will come as a standard feature across all its commercial vehicles besides as a certified aftermarket solution through authorized to complete AI workforce impact survey in a month: Priyank Kharge Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday said the state is talking to companies to evaluate the impact of AI on workforce and the assessment is expected to be completed in about a month. "I will always stand with the creator": Farhan Akhtar amid controversy over AI-altered re-release of 'Raanjhanaa' The controversy surrounding the AI-altered ending of the Dhanush-starrer 'Raanjhanaa' has gained momentum, as after filmmaker Aanand L Rai and Dhanush, now actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has spoken about it and shown his support for the creators. He said, "I will always stand with the creator of the film. And, if the creator of the film was unhappy about his or her work being changed, I will always support the creator. So that's where my loyalty lies. The rest, the finer print of what happened there, I am not privy to. But that's all I can say about that".
Indian Express
7 minutes ago
- Indian Express
US proposes new drone rules that could lead to Starbucks, Amazon deliveries
The US Transportation Department is proposing new rules to speed deployment of drones beyond the visual line of sight of operators, a key change needed to advance commercial uses like package deliveries. 'We are going to unleash American drone dominance,' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference on Tuesday. Under current rules, operators need to get individual waivers or exemptions to use drones without visual line of sight. The department said eliminating those requirements 'will significantly expand the use-case for drone technologies in areas like: manufacturing, farming, energy production, filmmaking, and the movement of products including lifesaving medications.' The proposal includes new requirements for manufacturers, operators, and drone traffic-management services to keep drones safely separated from other drones and airplanes. 'It's going to change the way that people and products move throughout our airspace… so you may change the way you get your Amazon package, you may get a Starbucks cup of coffee from a drone,' Duffy said. 'Industry needs this rule to make sure they can use this technology that's going to allow them to do business more efficiently and effectively.' Amazon resumed testing drone deliveries earlier this year at two locations in Texas and Arizona. Amazon has a goal of delivering 500 million packages annually by drone by the end of 2030. Under the proposal, operations would occur at or below 400 feet above ground from pre-designated locations approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Operators would identify boundaries and approximate daily flights and takeoff, landing and loading areas and ensure procedures if communications with drones are lost. Drones would yield to all manned aircraft broadcasting their position and not interfere with operations at airports. The Transportation Security Administration would require flight coordinators and others to obtain security threat assessments and a fingerprint-based criminal history records check. Lawmakers and many state officials have raised concerns about drones being used to target high-profile US events like the FIFA World Cup. Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International CEO Michael Robbins praised the risk-based proposal as 'a critical step toward enabling drone operations that will enhance safety, transform commercial services, and strengthen public safety with drones as a force multiplier.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
36 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Elon Musk, Tesla sued by shareholders over concealing Robotaxi risks
Elon Musk and Tesla have been taken to court by a group of shareholders who allege the company misled them about the safety of its self-driving technology, including the much-publicised Robotaxi. The lawsuit, filed as a proposed class action on Monday, accuses Musk and Tesla of concealing serious risks associated with autonomous driving, according to a report by Reuters. The legal action follows Tesla's first public test of its Robotaxi fleet, which took place in late June in Austin, Texas. During the demonstration, vehicles were reportedly seen speeding, braking sharply, mounting a curb, driving in the wrong lane, and dropping off passengers in the middle of busy multi-lane roads. Tesla's share price fell by 6.1 per cent over the two trading sessions following the test, wiping out approximately $68 billion in market value. Shareholders say Tesla overstated tech readiness The lawsuit claims Musk and Tesla exaggerated the readiness and potential of their self-driving systems, inflating the company's valuation and stock price. Shareholders cited remarks made during an April 22 conference call, where Musk said Tesla was 'laser-focused on bringing Robotaxi to Austin in June'. On the same day, Tesla asserted its autonomous technology would allow for 'scalable and safe deployment across diverse geographies and use cases'. Tesla has not yet responded to media requests for comment. Also named in the lawsuit are Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja and former CFO Zachary Kirkhorn. Robotaxi rollout central to Tesla's future Scaling the Robotaxi service is considered vital to Tesla's long-term strategy, particularly as demand for its core electric vehicle models slows and Musk's political activities continue to draw scrutiny. Musk, currently the world's richest person, has said he intends to make the Robotaxi service available to half of the US population by the end of the year. However, the company must first secure regulatory approval and prove the safety of its technology. Legal developments and fatal crash verdict The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Austin, Texas, by shareholder Denise Morand. It seeks damages on behalf of investors who held Tesla shares between April 19, 2023, and June 22, 2025. In a separate development, a Florida jury on August 1 found Tesla 33 per cent liable for a 2019 fatal crash involving its self-driving software. The accident killed a 22-year-old woman and seriously injured her boyfriend. The court ordered Tesla to pay approximately $243 million in damages. Tesla argued the driver was at fault and has said it plans to appeal the ruling.
