Weekly Tech Wrap: Mega Xbox Leak, X May Become Fully Paid, Data Protection Board Coming Soon, More Top Technology News

From iPhone 15 series going on sale to UN leveraging AI for sustainable development goals, here are the biggest tech news stories from the week that was.

Xbox head Phil Spencer clarified that not all the leaked information was current.

Source : Getty

Following up on the Apple launch event last week, the past seven days have been relatively quieter when it comes to developments in the tech sphere. However, a massive Xbox leak, iPhone 15 going on sale, and X (formerly Twitter) rumoured to be taking the fully paid route, kept technophiles agog with buzz. Take a look at some of the biggest headlines.  

Biggest Leak In Xbox History

Microsoft inadvertently disclosed substantial details regarding upcoming Xbox updates and their next-gen systems, marking a significant leak in the company's history. This disclosure occurred when unredacted documents related to the ongoing Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft case were uploaded to a court website. The leak has made waves in the online community, offering a rare glimpse into Microsoft's future plans and internal workings.

Responding to the leak on the X platform (formerly Twitter), Xbox head Phil Spencer acknowledged the ongoing discussions regarding the leaked emails and documents. He clarified that not all the leaked information was current and expressed disappointment in seeing the team's work shared in this manner. Spencer highlighted the notable changes and exciting advancements on the horizon, pledging to reveal genuine plans at the appropriate time.

Leaked internal documents hint at upcoming mid-cycle console updates from Microsoft. The Series X console refresh, codenamed Brooklin, is expected to launch in November with a sleeker design, 2TB storage, no disc drive, faster Wi-Fi, and a new controller, priced at $499. Ellewood, the Series S refresh, is less detailed but promises improved storage and Wi-Fi for $299. Microsoft envisions a cloud-centric hybrid game platform for their next console, aiming to enhance performance. Surprisingly, Elder Scrolls VI won't launch until at least 2026, disappointing PlayStation 5 owners hoping for an earlier release and indicating exclusivity for PC and Xbox.

X May Not Remain Free For Long

In a live conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk shared insights into his strategic plans for X (formerly known as Twitter). One significant aspect discussed was the possibility of implementing a reasonable monthly fee for X usage, intended to combat the proliferation of automated bot accounts. While the conversation didn't delve into specific pricing details for this new subscription model, Musk also remained discreet about the full range of features offered in the basic payment tier.

Additionally, Musk presented recent usage data for X, revealing a substantial user base of 550 million per month, contributing to a noteworthy daily post count ranging from 100 to 200 million.

Data Protection Board Expected Soon

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced on September 20 that Sanket S Bhondve, a current IAS officer serving as a joint secretary in the ministry, will take on the role of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for setting up the Data Protection Board under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.

Earlier in the day, MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that the government plans to formally notify the Data Protection Board (DPB) within the coming 30 days.

Although the DPDP Act has been enacted, its implementation is pending. The government aims to not only notify the DPB soon but also release operational rules and establish specific timelines for data fiduciaries to comply with the provisions of this legislation.

Strong Demand For iPhone 15 Pro Max 

iPhone 15 Pro Max is experiencing heightened demand compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, according to well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities. However, Apple is grappling with production challenges. According to Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is attracting the most interest from potential buyers, overshadowing the demand for last year's iPhone 14 Pro Max. Notably, the tech giant based in Cupertino must address delays in production, which are anticipated to lead to longer shipping durations.

Kuo remarked, "Wait times for the iPhone 15 Pro Max are notably extended compared to other models. However, this is not solely due to high demand. The current delays in iPhone 15 Pro Max shipments are a result of a later mass production schedule, and the production challenges for this model are more prominent than for others."

WATCH: Customers Queue Up In Front Of Apple Stores In Mumbai, Delhi As iPhone 15 Series Goes Up For Sale

AI For UN SDGs

During the United Nations' 78th Session High-Level Week in New York City on Monday, representatives from several countries including Japan, the Republic of Kenya, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, came together for a ministerial side event. This event, attended by stakeholders such as India, the United Nations System, the OECD, major AI companies, universities, and civil society organisations, focused on discussing how artificial intelligence (AI) could hasten progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the crucial stage of the SDG agenda, advancements in AI present new prospects for significant global advancements. The representatives stressed the responsible and secure utilisation of AI in addressing the most pressing challenges faced by society.

Prominent organisations like Amazon, Anthropic, Carnegie Mellon University, Google, IBM, Inflection AI, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Schmidt Futures, alongside their global partners, were key participants. They presented tangible AI applications that could contribute to progress in areas such as health, education, food security, energy, and climate action, aligning with the SDGs.

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated, "We're actively shaping AI governance moving forward."

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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