Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual interaction with Google CEO Sundar Pichai today. They discussed Google's initiatives in India including efforts to expand access to AI tools in Indian languages. PM appreciated Google's plans to manufacture devices in India and open a fintech centre in Gujarat. He invited Google to contribute to the upcoming Global Partnership on AI Summit in Delhi. PM encouraged Google to leverage GPay and UPI for greater financial inclusion. The leaders agreed on the importance of digital inclusion and using technology ethically for social empowerment.

The upcoming Amazon Great Indian Festival and Flipkart Big Billion Days sales will see huge price drops for iPhone 12, 13 and 14 models in India. iPhone 12 will be available for Rs 38,999 on Flipkart after discounts, down from its Rs 79,900 launch price. Amazon will offer iPhone 13 below Rs 40,000, reducing the 2021 launch price by over Rs 30000 with exchange deals. Flipkart has hinted iPhone 14 and 14 Plus prices will dip below Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 respectively, down from their September 2022 launch prices of Rs 79,900 and Rs 89,900. The sales present great opportunities for buyers to purchase recent iPhones at significantly discounted prices.

  Google CEO Sundar Pichai has unveiled the company's initiative to manufacture Chromebook laptops in India in collaboration with HP. The move aims to bolster Google's presence in the market and aligns with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's $2 billion production incentive plan, encouraging tech giants to invest in the country. Chromebooks will be produced at a Flex Ltd. facility near Chennai, targeting the education sector primarily. This strategic step enables Google to compete with rivals like Dell and Asustek while ensuring compliance with local manufacturing regulations, contributing to India's growing electronics sector.

Google is reportedly considering moving a major part of its production from Vietnam to India after a factory worker in Vietnam allegedly leaked images of the upcoming Pixel 8 Pro, as can be seen in the photo window here. While Google produces some components in India, it hasn't invested as much as other brands. India's superior record in maintaining confidentiality compared to Vietnam could see more production shifting. The Pixel leak incident comes after Apple and Google faced breaches in China but rarely in India where leaks before launch are uncommon and embargoes are strictly followed. 

Google is rolling out an earthquake alert service in India that utilizes sensors in Android smartphones to detect earthquakes and estimate their intensity. Called the 'Android Earthquake Alerts System', it has been introduced in consultation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Seismology Centre (NSC). Through this service, Google aims to provide Android users in India with automatic early warning alerts when an earthquake occurs in their area. The system will be rolled out to all Android 5+ users in the country over the coming week. This launch aligns with Google's efforts to provide helpful alert services during natural disasters, leveraging sensors in smartphones.

  Avishkar Hyperloop, a student team from IIT Madras, created a prototype hyperloop pod designed to travel from Chennai to Bangalore in just 25 minutes. They are the sole Indian team to reach the finals of Elon Musk's Space X International Hyperloop Pod Competition. Hyperloop is seen as a transformative fifth mode of transportation, utilizing electric propulsion in low-pressure vacuum tubes. The IIT-Madras prototype aims to reach speeds of 400 to 450 km/h during the finals in Los Angeles. This innovative technology could significantly reduce inter-city travel times, such as the 5-hour Chennai-Bangalore train journey, down to 25 minutes.

ChatGPT now allows paid subscribers on Plus and Enterprise plans to communicate by voice and share images. The voice feature rolling out over the next two weeks lets users have conversations with ChatGPT using speech on iOS and Android devices. To use it, tap the new microphone icon when chatting. The image feature launching across platforms allows sending pictures to ask ChatGPT questions about them. Users can upload images from their camera roll or take new photos. These new capabilities expand ChatGPT's AI skills beyond just text, enabling more natural interactions. However, they are currently limited to paid users, with no timeline for free tier access.

For the first time, the newly launched iPhone 15 model assembled in India will be available on the global sales debut day in India and some other markets. While most iPhone 15s will still come from China, this marks a major shift for Apple. Apple started producing the iPhone 15 at Foxconn's India factory last month, reflecting India's growing manufacturing capabilities. The availability of India-made iPhone 15s on launch day closes the gap between Apple's India and China operations. This underscores India's rising production prowess that Apple's latest generation iPhone will be locally assembled and sold alongside Chinese-made models on day one of iPhone 15 sales expected shortly after Tuesday's unveiling.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the world's first 100% Ethanol-fueled car in New Delhi, marking a historic step toward self-reliance and reduced oil imports. Stressing the transport sector's 40% pollution contribution, Gadkari urged sustainability efforts. With 20% ethanol blending, India could save 35,000 crore rupees annually in import costs. The government advanced the 20% ethanol blending target from 2030 to 2025. This move not only cuts imports but also aids farmers, aligning with PM Modi's Aatma Nirbhar Bharat vision. The flex fuel technology allows engines to use over 20% ethanol, lowering carbon footprint and fuel dependency.