Technology News

BMRCL claimed it is the first transit service globally to enable end-to-end QR ticketing on WhatsApp. Monday saw the official announcement of a collaboration between WhatsApp and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to introduce Namma Metro's WhatsApp chatbot-based QR ticketing service. 'Namma Metro' riders will be able to buy tickets and recharge their travel pass directly within WhatsApp thanks to the chatbot's integration with UPI-powered payments on that platform. BMRCL asserted that it is the first public transportation system in the world to support end-to-end QR ticketing on WhatsApp. The company claimed that all "Namma Metro" commuters can use its English and Kannada-speaking WhatsApp chatbot. Commuters can use the service by sending a simple "Hello" to BMRCL's official WhatsApp chatbot number +9181055 56677. From there, they can select from a variety of choices, including recharging their metro travel pass and buying single-t...

  The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying three NASA astronauts and an Italian crewmate from the ESA undocked from the ISS at 09:35pm IST. On Friday, the fourth NASA long-duration astronaut crew that SpaceX had deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) began their journey back to Earth, capping a nearly six-month science mission. At 12:05 PM EDT (09:35 PM IST), the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying three US NASA astronauts and an Italian crewmate from the European Space Agency separated from the International Space Station to begin a nearly five-hour return journey. A NASA livestream of the undocking displayed live video of the capsule drifting away from the station as the two vehicles flew high over the North Atlantic. The four astronauts were spotted strapped into the crew compartment wearing helmeted white and black spacesuits just before the spacecraft detached from the station, hovering roughly 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. The capsule was then autonomously move...

  Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese companies were deemed to pose national security threats in June 2021, with the FCC's vote to advance approval ban. According to a document shared by the organisation, the US Federal Communications Commission intends to prohibit permits of new telecom equipment from China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE in the country due to national security concerns. The proposed restriction was distributed to the other three commissioners last week by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for final approval. Without equipment authorizations, the businesses would be unable to sell new equipment in the US. The FCC decided in June 2021 to pursue the proposal to prohibit permits for technology in the US telecom networks from Chinese firms regarded national security concerns, such as Huawei and ZTE. That came after a 2019 law aimed at defending the US communications networks designated five Chinese companies on the so-called "covered list" as posing a threat to...

  Surface Pro 9 gets both Intel and Arm-powered versions. Microsoft made the Surface Pro 9 official today at the company's Surface October event. The most recent product from Microsoft has a number of new features, including improved processors and a few new colours. Additionally, the Surface Pro 9 is available with both Intel and Arm processors. Microsoft has announced a 5G model with Microsoft SQ 3 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon in addition to the 12th Gen Intel i5 and i7 choices. Price and accessibility of the Surface Pro 9 Today, Microsoft introduced two variations of the Surface Pro 9. Beginning this month, customers will be able to purchase both types. For those who are interested in purchasing the latest Surface model, pre-orders for the tablet are currently open. The price for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage option of the Surface Pro 9 Wi-Fi with 12th Gen Intel i5 will start at $999.99 (about Rs. 82,280), while the price range for the 12th Gen Intel i7 with 16GB RAM and 256GB...

  Adani Group entered the telecom sector after buying spectrum in the recent auction. According to two government sources, Adani Data Network has been given a unified licence for access services, allowing it to offer all telecom services in the nation. After purchasing spectrum in a recent auction, Adani Group entered the telecom industry. Adani Data Networks has received UL (AS), according to a reliable source. According to a different source, the permit was issued on Monday. Adani Group did not respond to an email inquiry. In the most recent 5G spectrum auction, Adani Data Networks (ADNL), a division of Adani Enterprises, won the right to use 400MHz of spectrum in the 26GHz millimetre wave band for Rs. 212 crore over a 20-year period. The Adani Group has previously stated that it intended to use the airwaves for both its data centres and the mega app it is developing to help industries ranging from gas retail to ports and energy delivery to airports. According to a statement from...

  PayPal controversy was also seized upon by conservative politicians and social media personalities. After receiving criticism for releasing a revised user agreement indicating such a scheme, PayPal Holdings stated that it had no intention of fining users for disseminating false information. The issue gained traction over the weekend after the company released policy updates prohibiting users from using the PayPal service for actions the company defines as "the sending, posting, or publication of any messages, content, or materials" promoting false information. The updated Acceptable Use Policy will take effect on November 3 and was published on the company's website over the weekend. The update states that each infraction might result in a fine of $2,500 (about Rs. 2,06,000). A PayPal spokeswoman told Bloomberg News that the message contained "incorrect information." "PayPal never intended for this terminology to be used to impose fines on users for sprea...

  Amazon has halted testing of its home delivery robot "Scouts" that shows its beginning to pare down experimental initiatives as sales growth slows. Amazon has stopped testing its "Scouts" home delivery robot, the latest sign that the e-commerce behemoth is starting to scale back on experimental projects as sales growth slows. The six-wheeled, cooler-sized vehicles, which were intended to deliver goods to the front door, will reportedly be placed on hold for the time being, but Amazon has said that it may revisit the concept in the future. Although multiple witnesses stated that the firm had trouble getting around debris or other small objects on the pavement, the company declined to elaborate. Amazon spokesperson Alisa Carroll was quoted by the New York Post as saying, "During our Scout restricted field test, we strove to create a unique delivery experience, but we realised through feedback that there were some components of the programme that weren't mee...

  Hero's debut model, Vida Plus, will start at Rs. 1,45,000 rupees — higher than most electric scooters in India. In an effort to catch up with newer companies that have taken the lead in the transition to greener transportation, India's Hero Moto, the largest motorbike manufacturer in the world by sales, debuted its first electric scooter on a global scale on Friday. Hero has lagged behind some other established automakers in India in introducing electric two-wheelers, offering an advantage to startups like Ather Energy, which is sponsored by Tiger Global, and Softbank Group-supported Ola Electric. Chairman Pawan Munjal told reporters at the launch event in Jaipur, "While it may have been our desire to launch this product earlier than we have, we had to get it completely right for the greater interest of everyone." By 2030, India wants e-scooters and e-bikes to account for 80% of all two-wheeler sales, up from 2% currently. Despite the fact that sales are increasing ...

  Apple's original fine had been imposed by France's antitrust watchdog in 2020 for the company's anti-competitive behaviour. According to two sources with knowledge of the case, a French court on Thursday significantly reduced the penalties against iPhone maker Apple for suspected anti-competitive behaviour from EUR 1.1 billion (approximately Rs. 8,800 crore) to EUR 372 million (almost Rs. 3,000 crore). For what it deemed to be Apple's anti-competitive behaviour toward its distribution and retail network, France's antitrust watchdog had levied the first penalties in 2020. At the time, it was the largest fine the antitrust regulator had ever imposed. The regulator claimed that Apple had set pricing on retail premium resellers to ensure that they were comparable to those imposed by the California company in its own stores or online. One of the two sources claimed that the appeals court upheld the antitrust watchdog's claim that Apple had abused the merchants'...

  SWIFT's main advantage is that its existing network is already usable in over 200 countries and connects more than 11,500 banks and funds. After an eight-month experiment with several technologies and currencies, the financial messaging system SWIFT has revealed its design for a worldwide central bank digital currency (CBDC) network. The study examined how CBDCs may be used worldwide and even turned into fiat money if necessary. It included the national central banks of France and Germany as well as large multinational lenders including HSBC, Standard Chartered, and UBS. The majority of central banks throughout the world are currently utilising, testing, or researching CBDCs. The majority are attempting to avoid falling behind bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies but are having trouble due to technological challenges. The trial, which will be followed by additional in-depth testing over the coming year, was like a bicycle wheel, with a total of 14 central and commercial banks conne...

Binance has been taking efforts to expand its crypto literacy and training programme among law-enforcement officers around the world. With the goal of promoting the crypto and Web3 cultures, the Binance cryptocurrency exchange and the government of Kazakhstan have inked an agreement. The Financial Monitoring Agency of Kazakhstan is interested in hearing from Binance on how to frame regulations for the cryptocurrency industry. Both organisations intend to focus on illegal activity related to the virtual digital assets (VDAs) industry. The Block reports that Kazakhstan would serve as the location of Binance's regional office, where staff members will collaborate on developing the region's crypto legislation. Binance has been working to increase the number of law enforcement officials who participate in its crypto training programme. This initiative will be launched across the region, which is home to many cryptocurrency miners, through its base in Kazakhstan. Binance will link po...