Top Tech News Today: Poco M6 Plus 5G To Launch Next Month, TRAI For Separate Recharge Plans, More

Handset maker Poco has announced the upcoming release of their latest smartphone model in India.

The Poco M6 Plus 5G is set to join the M6 series.

Source : Poco

Poco M6 Plus 5G To Launch Next Month In India

Handset maker Poco has announced the upcoming release of their latest smartphone model in India. The Poco M6 Plus 5G is set to join the M6 series, following the introduction of the M6 model in last month. This new device will expand Poco's lineup of 5G-capable smartphones in the Indian market.

TRAI For Separate Recharge Plans

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper to reassess mobile recharge plans, including the possibility of introducing separate vouchers for voice calls, data, and SMS services. This paper, titled "Consultation Paper on Review of Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations (TCPR), 2012," also explores the potential extension of the maximum validity period for Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) and Combo Vouchers (CVs) beyond the current 90-day limit. TRAI's paper acknowledges that despite the prevalence of bundled plans offering combined data, voice, and SMS services, many consumers find themselves paying for unused data. The regulator aims to investigate the need for product-specific tariff offerings in addition to existing plans, potentially necessitating changes to the current regulatory framework.

Apple Slashes iPhone Prices In India Post Import Duty Cut

Days after the government announced its decision to reduce import duties on foreign-made smartphones from 20 per cent to 15 per cent, Apple on Friday  implemented price cuts across its iPhone lineup in India. The price cuts vary by iPhone model, with the locally manufactured iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 seeing modest decreases of around Rs 300 ($3.6). However, more substantial price cuts have been implemented to other iPhone models, with the iPhone SE price dropping by Rs 2,300 ($27.5).

WhatsApp Hits 100 Million Monthly Active Users In The US

Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive officer of Meta, shared some significant news about WhatsApp's user base in the United States. Using his own WhatsApp channel, Zuckerberg revealed that the messaging platform has reached a milestone of 100 million monthly active users (MAUs) in the US. WhatsApp's growth appears to be particularly strong in major urban centres. The company said that cities like Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Seattle are experiencing rapid user adoption.

SearchGPT: OpenAI Enters Google Territory With Its Latest AI Search Platform

OpenAI has entered the competitive search engine market with the introduction of SearchGPT, an artificial intelligence-driven search platform that provides real-time internet information access. This strategic move positions OpenAI against established giants such as Google and Microsoft, as well as emerging AI search services.