Weekly Tech Wrap: CMF Phone 1 Price Creates Buzz Around Rumour Mill, Google Pixel 9 Leaks Surface, More

From Pixel 9 rumours starting to surface a month before the anticipated launch to Threads celebrating its 1st birthday, here are the biggest tech headlines from the week that was.

CMF Phone 1 will be the first smartphone offering from the Nothing sub-brand.

Source : Other

Weekly Tech Wrap: CMF Phone 1 sets tech tongues wagging. YouTube and WhatsApp lead trust among newsreaders in India. The world of technology was dominated by these headlines in the week that was. Take a look.

CMF Phone 1 Price Speculations Begin

CMF, the affordable-product brand under Nothing, is set to launch its first modular phone under much fanfare on July 8. Understandably, tech aficionados are left agog with rumours and discussions of the price tag that comes with CMF Phone 1. 

Since all CMF products are notably priced cheaper than Nothing offerings, and considering that the Nothing Phone 2a is the company’s cheapest smartphone at just Rs 23,999, it’s safe to speculate that CMF Phone 1 could be priced at around Rs 20,000. 

CMF has also released images of what the Phone 1 will look like, highlighting its vertical camera panel and modular design, marked by a screw-on back panel and a circular dial for music playback. 

Google Pixel 9 Leaks Start Pouring In

Google has hinted at the launch of the Pixel 9, set for August 13. While official details are scarce, leaks and rumours have provided a glimpse into what consumers might expect from the tech giant's latest flagship device.

A recent leak from tipster @reparation_mobile23 on TikTok showcased a video of what is believed to be the Google Pixel 9. The video highlighted a pink variant of the phone, displaying its design from various angles, including the back, sides, and front with the screen on.

According to the leaked footage, the Pixel 9 appears to retain the design language of its predecessor, the Pixel 8. It features a flat glass front panel complemented by a noticeable camera bar. The video also shows symmetrical bezels on all sides, with the lower bezel matching the side bezels, contributing to a streamlined and elegant look.

YouTube, WhatsApp Top Choice For News 

A significant shift in how Indians consume news has been observed, with social media and messaging platforms taking the lead, according to the 2024 Digital News Report. The survey highlights that a substantial portion of the population now turns to YouTube and WhatsApp for their weekly news updates, with usage rates of 54 per cent and 48 per cent, respectively.

The study, conducted by the Reuters Institute, also indicates a decline in the popularity of traditional social media giants like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) for news consumption. Despite this, Facebook still ranks third in news consumption, with 35 per cent of respondents using the platform. Instagram, another Meta-owned platform, follows closely with 33 per cent, while Telegram and X lag behind at 20 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

These findings underscore the evolving landscape of news consumption in India, reflecting a growing preference for visual and instant messaging platforms over conventional social media sites.

WhatsApp Users Will Soon Be Able To Generate AI Avatars

WhatsApp is set to enhance its AI-driven tools with the introduction of a new feature called 'Imagine Me.' This development, currently in beta testing, is being rolled out to users in select markets, including India and the United States.

The 'Imagine Me' feature allows users to create AI-generated photos of themselves by uploading reference selfies. This new tool was identified by WABetaInfo in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (2.24.14.13), which is available via Google Play beta.

Though still in the testing phase, 'Imagine Me' represents WhatsApp's ongoing efforts to integrate advanced AI capabilities into its platform, providing users with innovative and personalised ways to interact with their photos.

Threads Turns 1

Threads has reached a significant milestone, boasting more than 175 million monthly active users worldwide, with India emerging as one of its most engaged markets. This announcement comes as Threads marks its first anniversary, accompanied by the introduction of new features and updates aimed at improving user experience, including several "hidden surprises" within the app.

Threads, which debuted on July 5 of last year, was created as a counterpart to Instagram, aiming to challenge the dominance of X, formerly known as Twitter. This strategic launch followed a wave of discontent from users and advertisers after Elon Musk acquired X in 2022. The rollout of Threads was hastened in response to Musk’s controversial decision to limit the number of posts non-subscribers could view on X.

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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