Weekly Tech Wrap: Flipkart Forays Into Instant Delivery, Apple Devices Get CERT-In Warning, More

Weekly Tech Wrap: From Apple working on its mini-est Mac to celebrities rumoured to be voicing Meta’s chatbots, here are the biggest tech headlines from the week that was.

Weekly Tech Wrap: Flipkart takes on Blinkit, Zepto, and other instant delivery platforms. Apple looking to bring its smallest Mac yet. US court finds Google monopolising Search market. The world of technology was dominated by these headlines in the week that was. Take a look.

Flipkart Takes On Blinkit, Zepto

In a bid to tap into the fast-growing instant delivery market, Flipkart has rolled out its new service, 'Flipkart Minutes,' in select areas of Bengaluru, including HSR Layout and Bellandur. The launch marks Flipkart's entry into a competitive sector where it will face off against established players like Blinkit by Zomato, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.

Although Flipkart Minutes has begun operations in these Bengaluru neighbourhoods, the company has not yet disclosed when the service will be available nationwide. The instant delivery market is rapidly expanding, making it a critical area for e-commerce platforms to secure a foothold.

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Apple To Launch Smallest Computer Yet?

Apple is expected to introduce a revamped version of the Mac Mini, featuring the latest M4 chip, which emphasises artificial intelligence capabilities. A report by Bloomberg highlights that this forthcoming desktop will be the smallest Mac Mini to date, marking the first significant design overhaul since 2010. 

The new Mac Mini is anticipated to be significantly more compact than earlier models. According to the Bloomberg report, this launch will also be notable as it will be the first time Apple integrates the same chip generation across its entire Mac lineup. The M4 chip, engineered to enhance AI functionality, is slated for release in October.

Google’s Monopoly Over Search Market

A US federal judge has determined that Google violated antitrust laws by investing large amounts of money to establish a dominant position in the global search engine market. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to limit the power of major technology companies.

Judge Amit Mehta highlighted Google's overwhelming control over the online search industry, with the tech giant commanding about 90 per cent of the market. Moreover, the judge noted that Google holds a 95 per cent share of the smartphone search market, further underscoring the company's far-reaching influence. 

This ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the technology sector as regulators continue to tackle the growing influence of big tech companies.

CERT-In Issues Apple Warning

Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In), the nation's cybersecurity authority, has released a critical advisory concerning several Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, Vision Pro, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs. According to the agency, these devices are vulnerable to a range of security threats.

CERT-In's alert highlights numerous security flaws within Apple's software that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. These vulnerabilities may enable attackers to gain unauthorised access to sensitive data, execute arbitrary code, bypass existing security measures, initiate denial of service (DoS) attacks, and carry out spoofing attacks on affected systems.

In response to these findings, CERT-In has also recommended measures that users can take to protect their devices from potential exploitation.

Celebrities To Voice Meta Chatbots?

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is reportedly working on an innovative AI assistant that would allow users to interact with virtual representations of well-known celebrities. According to recent reports by Bloomberg and The New York Times, Meta has initiated discussions with several Hollywood stars and their agencies, aiming to involve them in upcoming AI projects.

Among the celebrities being considered for participation are Awkwafina, Judi Dench, and Keegan-Michael Key. Meta is striving to finalise these deals ahead of its highly anticipated Connect conference in September, where the company is expected to showcase a range of new AI-driven products.

This development follows the discontinuation of a previous celebrity chatbot initiative, launched during last year's Connect event. That project featured 28 AI characters, including ones voiced by notable figures like Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and Kendall Jenner. Meta's new direction suggests a shift in focus towards more advanced and interactive AI experiences.

That’s it from the world of tech headlines this week. Stay tuned to this space for more top stories next week.

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