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Indian-Origin Sabih Khan Is Apple’s New COO
Technology, Tech Evolution, Trending

Indian-Origin Executive Sabih Khan Named Apple’s New COO

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Apple Inc. exists somewhat mysteriously behind a veil of secrecy in Cupertino. It has appointed Sabih Khan, a veteran Indian executive, as its new Chief Operating Officer. Current COO Jeff Williams’ planned departure precedes this transition quietly. Khan is set to officially step into the new role later this month, having served nearly three decades as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Operations. Jeff Williams will keep reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook for now, having served quite capably as COO since 2015. He will keep tabs on the Apple Watch and design teams, and Apple says the design division will report straight to Cook after Williams bows out later this year. About Sabih Khan Sabih Khan, born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, spent his early years in Singapore before relocating to the United States to pursue higher education and his professional career. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Khan launched his career at GE Plastics, then joined Apple’s procurement team in 1995 with considerable enthusiasm. He played a crucial role in reshaping Apple’s global footprint by streamlining the supply chain and spearheading sourcing initiatives behind innovative products. His promotion coincides with India gaining huge strategic importance in Apple’s global plans as a rapidly emerging manufacturing hub and fast-growing market. Tim Cook Applauds Khan’s Leadership Tim Cook praised Sabih Khan’s leadership for significantly reducing Apple’s carbon emissions by over 60%. Cook also highlighted Khan’s massive role in advancing manufacturing tech, rapidly expanding production capabilities domestically, and strengthening Apple’s agility in a very dynamic global landscape. “Sabih is a master strategist and a key architect of our supply chain.” Sabih stands out as a master strategist and key architect behind our complex supply chain operations quite effectively nowadays.

Jack Dorsey Unveils ‘Bitchat’: An Offline, Encrypted Messaging App
Technology, Tech Evolution, Trending

Jack Dorsey Unveils ‘Bitchat’: An Offline, Encrypted Messaging App

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Bitchat, a novel messaging app for iPhone users, has been introduced by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, without internet connectivity, reportedly by Hindustan Times. The app quickly hit its 10,000 tester limit via Apple’s TestFlight and is now in beta. Bitchat operates stealthily via Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networks, enabling clusters of nearby smartphones to surreptitiously swap encrypted messages between devices. Messages hop across phones as users move, effectively expanding communication beyond the standard 30-meter Bluetooth range in a novel manner. Unlike WhatsApp or Telegram, Bitchat relies on a fully decentralized structure driven by its innovative core design. Messages linger on users’ devices briefly and vanish automatically after a short span, preserving privacy. Registration on the app remains fully anonymous and doesn’t require users to provide phone numbers or email addresses. Bitchat boasts stellar features like rock-solid end-to-end encryption and operates without internet or mobile network. Messages get shared within a mesh network only, and no central server or user database exists. Currently, the beta version is heavily focused on ramping up battery efficiency and stabilizing relays. Future updates will likely include Wi-Fi-based mesh networking for higher data capacity and support sharing of various multimedia content. Dorsey publicly released the app’s whitepaper and beta invitation recently.

Honor X9c 5G Now in India – Full Specs, Price & Offers Inside
Technology, Tech Evolution, Trending

Honor X9c 5G Now in India – Full Specs, Price & Offers Inside

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Honor has launched its latest X9c 5G smartphone in India, and it will go on sale during Amazon’s Prime Day from July 12. The device is offered at ₹19,999 with launch discounts and eligible bank offers, available at a special introductory price for a limited time only. Honor X9c emerges as a quite compelling choice under ₹20,000 for buyers seeking a phone with long battery life and a somewhat robust build. The phone’s original price tags at ₹21,999, with pretty attractive specs for its segment, in just one variant available pretty much everywhere now. Pricing, Availability & Launch Offers Honor X9c will cost ₹19,999 during the Prime Day event, which includes a flat discount of ₹1,250 off its original price, basically. SBI and ICICI Bank cardholders can snag an extra ₹750 instant discount on top of existing offers pretty seamlessly. This cannot be combined with the no-cost EMI option available for up to 9 months and is also offered pretty much everywhere. Customers benefit hugely from lucrative exchange offers worth up to ₹7,500 on their old devices being exchanged for new ones quickly. Honor is offering a free 1-year extended warranty worth ₹1,099 as part of the launch bundle pretty aggressively nowadays.The phone comes in Jade Cyan and Titanium Black color options, featuring a single configuration with 8GB RAM paired alongside 256GB storage. Honor X9c: Specifications and Features Honor X9c boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor fabricated on a 4nm process with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage onboard. A large 6600mAh silicon-carbon battery with 66W fast charging support stands out as a key highlight pretty remarkably. Honor claims the battery life lasts pretty long on a single charge, delivering roughly three days of usage quite effortlessly, it seems. The Honor X9c features a robust Anti-Drop Display that can reportedly withstand falls from up to 2 meters without significant damage. It boasts an IP65 rating, affording pretty decent resistance to random dust particles and splashes of water from various angles. The phone weighs 189 grams and stays remarkably slim at 7.98mm thickness despite looking pretty rugged on the outside. The device sports a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display on the front with a 1.5K resolution, and the refresh rate bumps up pretty quickly to 120Hz. The screen supports 3840Hz PWM dimming and has TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light emission; flicker-free tech reduces eye strain greatly. Honor X9c boasts a 108MP primary camera equipped with OIS and EIS, yielding significantly improved image stabilization for photography purposes effectively. The camera software boasts AI-powered features such as Motion Sensing and AI Eraser, alongside a HIGH-RES mode designed to beef up image quality under wonky lighting. The phone runs MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15, bringing smart features like Magic Portal for drag-and-drop across apps pretty seamlessly over time.

Galaxy Watch 8 Series Leak Reveals Full Specs, Design, and Pricing Ahead of Launch
Technology, Tech Evolution, Trending

Galaxy Watch 8 Series Leak Reveals Full Specs, Design, and Pricing Ahead of Launch

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Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event looms just days away, and a slew of details regarding the Galaxy Watch 8 series have already spilled out online. A major leak has exposed almost every detail about the Galaxy Watch 8 series, revealing that the lineup will consist of the Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and the new Watch Ultra model for 2025. Previous leaks hinted at slight alterations and novel functionalities, but this latest report divulges almost all details—from internal enhancements to display specifications. Dealabs via 9to5Google states that all three models will run Samsung’s new One UI 8 Watch skin with the Exynos W1000 chip, built on a bleeding-edge 3nm process. The Galaxy Watch 8 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, while the Watch 8 Classic features a 46mm version, and the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a massive 47mm titanium case. Battery life will supposedly improve remarkably under certain conditions. The Galaxy Watch Ultra packs a whopping 590mAh battery, while the Watch 8 Classic and standard models sport 445mAh and up to 435mAh batteries, respectively. Samsung has doubled the storage on the Classic and Ultra variants, equipping them with 64GB, compared to the standard Watch 8’s 32GB. All three watches are tipped to feature Super AMOLED displays that can supposedly hit extremely high brightness levels of up to 3,000 nits. The Watch 8 Ultra and Classic models sport 1.47-inch displays at 480×480 resolution, whereas the 40mm version features a 1.34-inch screen with 438×438 resolution. All models deliver a pixel density of 327 ppi. The Galaxy Watch 8 boasts an aluminum frame, while the Classic model features stainless steel, and the Ultra has a remarkably durable titanium body encased in sapphire crystal glass. Each watch includes a suite of sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, ECG, BIA, and an ambient light sensor. Band materials differ, with the Watch 8 typically shipping with a silicone strap, while the Classic sports a hybrid leather-rubber design. Pricing in France hints at a modest hike for the Galaxy Watch 8 and Classic, whereas the Ultra sticks with last year’s steep price tag. The Galaxy Watch 8 Bluetooth-only 40mm variant will likely retail at €379.99 (roughly ₹38,400), and the 44mm version costs €409.99 (nearly ₹41,400). LTE variants cost €429.99 (₹43,400) and €459.99 (₹46,400) for the 40mm and 44mm sizes, respectively. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in its 46mm form will supposedly set you back €529.99 (₹53,500) for the Bluetooth model and €579.99 (₹58,500) for the LTE version. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 47mm LTE will cost €699.99 (roughly ₹70,700). The Galaxy Watch 8 series is likely to be officially launched at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9 in New York, together with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.

Triumph Unveils 2025 Trident 660 in India, Priced at ₹8.49 Lakh
Automobile, Trending, Two Wheeler Updates

Triumph Unveils 2025 Trident 660 in India, Priced at ₹8.49 Lakh

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Triumph has rolled out the refreshed 2025 Trident 660 in the Indian market with a price tag of ₹8.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The new model brings updated styling and added features, enhancing its overall appeal with some fairly significant changes introduced recently. Design and Features of 2025 Trident 660 Subtle cosmetic updates on the 2025 edition lend the bike a sharper overall look, with visibly refined features. It now includes an extra riding mode, offering significantly improved adaptability on diverse road surfaces and under varying weather conditions. Triumph has packed in plenty of features as standard, making it a great deal for roadster enthusiasts seeking a well-equipped middleweight bike. Engine and Performance The bike retains its proven 660 cc liquid-cooled inline-three engine under the tank. This engine delivers 81 PS of peak power at a high-revving 10,250 rpm, mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox. Its linear power delivery, combined with a super-responsive throttle, makes it ideal for city cruising and spirited weekend rides. Pricing and Market Positioning of 2025 Trident 660 The new Trident 660 remains competitively priced at ₹8.49 lakh, offering a strong value proposition in the middleweight bike segment. Its potent blend of performance, technology, and premium build quality makes it an appealing choice for thrill-seekers upgrading from entry-level bikes.

Trump Backs Potential TikTok Restructuring: Oracle-Led Deal and “M2” App in Focus Amid US Law Pressures
Technology, Tech Evolution, Trending

Trump Backs Potential TikTok Restructuring: Oracle-Led Deal and “M2” App in Focus Amid US Law Pressures

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TikTok might soon morph dramatically in the US as reports suggest the platform is prepping the launch of a revamped edition squarely aimed at American users. ByteDance undertakes this initiative as part of a broader effort to adhere to new US legislation aimed at limiting foreign tech influence. ByteDance’s China-based operation is brewing a revamped TikTok version internally dubbed M2, apparently scheduled for release in US stores by September 5. Users will gradually make the transition. Users will probably have to migrate before March 2026 or risk losing access when the current TikTok app’s functionality eventually stops working. Rising pressure from US lawmakers amid national security concerns over certain Chinese tech firms prompts this rather sudden strategic move. Former President Donald Trump recently floated the notion that some deal involving TikTok was almost finalized under American ownership. Talks with China regarding the app’s fate might kick off as early as this week, he said vaguely in a recent statement. Sources hint that an Oracle-led US investment group is nearing deal finalization for acquiring TikTok’s US operations amidst ongoing confidential negotiations. Under the arrangement, ByteDance would hold onto a minority share, as majority ownership moves into the hands of US-aligned investors. Such a deal has been considered previously under somewhat similar circumstances — not for the first time, apparently. A previous bid fell apart under Beijing’s scrutiny after Trump suddenly imposed stiff tariffs on Chinese imports. Geopolitical tensions still heavily influence outcomes, meaning any new arrangement will likely need approval from China, which could delay the deal. ByteDance seems quite busy hedging its bets with the M2 app, aiming squarely at the same user experience under a new operational framework. Reports suggest the original TikTok app would eventually be removed from US app stores, and users would migrate gradually, avoiding major disruption. Oracle has reached a highly unusual agreement with the US government, offering its cloud services at deeply discounted rates, reportedly. Oracle’s position in the TikTok deal might be significantly bolstered, since robust cloud infrastructure will be crucial for app management post-transition. TikTok has been suspended in the US for just one day this year, even amid significant regulatory scrutiny and political contention. ByteDance seems utterly focused on safeguarding its American presence via restructuring efforts and strategic technical workarounds as the clock ticks down rapidly.

Vision S: Mahindra’s Scorpio N EV Concept Set for August 15 Reveal
Automobile, Car Updates, Trending

Vision S: Mahindra’s Scorpio N EV Concept Set for August 15 Reveal

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All eyes are on August 15, as Mahindra prepares to reveal Vision S, its second electric vehicle concept, at the Freedom_Nu event. This concept previews an electric version of the popular Scorpio SUV, with a name that clearly hints at its Scorpio lineage. Vision S: Design Cues and Teaser Insights The teaser visuals reveal a flat bonnet complemented by Mahindra’s signature slatted grille. Notable design elements include boldly coloured wheel arch trim and prominent scoops on the hood. Mahindra is expected to keep the Scorpio N’s boxy profile mostly unchanged, with slight exterior tweaks. Charging into the Future Mahindra accelerated its EV plans back in 2023, confirming the electrification of iconic nameplates like the Scorpio, Thar, and Bolero. The Vision S concept introduces the electric Scorpio and Bolero variants for the first time, amid much fanfare and high expectations. It offers a first glimpse at the electrified direction of the Scorpio lineup, while the Thar.e concept continues to evolve.

New Ather Rizta S 3.7 Launched – All Variants & Prices Explained
Automobile, Trending, Two Wheeler Updates

New Ather Rizta S 3.7 Launched – All Variants & Prices Explained

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Ather introduced the new Ather Rizta S 3.7 variant quickly, building on the momentum and bringing the total number of Rizta variants to four. Here’s a breakdown of what each Ather Rizta version offers for potential buyers considering a purchase now or later. Rizta comes mainly in two trims, namely S and Z. Key differences are largely due to battery capacity and distinct feature sets. Buyers can now tailor their choices effectively based on different performance metrics or simply on price. Ather offers two battery packs for the Rizta: a smaller 2.9kWh unit and a larger 3.7kWh variant. The 2.9kWh battery delivers a 123km claimed IDC range, while the 3.7kWh pack increases the range to 159km. Charging times vary — the 2.9kWh models require 6 hours 30 minutes to reach 80 percent and 8 hours 30 minutes for a full charge. The 3.7kWh variants charge faster, taking just 4 hours 30 minutes to reach 80 percent and 5 hours 45 minutes for a full charge. Pricing for the Rizta lineup is as follows: the base S 2.9 variant costs Rs 1.15 lakh, while the Z 2.9 is priced at Rs 1.30 lakh. Priced at Rs 1.38 lakh, the S 3.7 is the latest addition to the lineup, while the top-spec Z 3.7 costs Rs 1.50 lakh. The S trim features an LCD instrument cluster with phone connectivity, LED lighting, telescopic front suspension, and a front disc brake. The premium Z variant includes a TFT display and adds advanced technology such as traction control and Ather’s Magic Twist. Customers can also pay extra for a Pro Pack on any variant, which unlocks additional features.

BMW CE 04 Gets Global Launch with Fresh Looks
Automobile, Trending, Two Wheeler Updates

New BMW CE 04 Breaks Cover Globally with Fresh Colours and Customisation Options

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BMW Motorrad has launched an updated electric scooter model, the BMW CE 04, in various global markets quite recently. The latest iteration brings notable cosmetic tweaks and a wider array of equipment options, boosting practicality with some slick visual flourishes. The new CE 04 gets a visual refresh with additional colour options now available. The base model comes in a Lightwhite uni shade, paired with a black-grey seat and a remarkably clear windshield. The Avantgarde trim boasts a Gravity Blue metallic matt finish, matched with vibrant Sao Paulo Yellow highlights — a combo that works surprisingly well. Seat options include black or light grey upholstery, enhanced with yellow and white detailing that ties the look together. The Exclusive variant sports a rather fetching Spacesilver metallic paint job. Rider comfort is improved with features like heated grips, a comfort seat with heating, and updated upholstery throughout. One side of the rear wheel rim stands out with a sleek laser-etched design. A 10.25-inch TFT colour display takes center stage on the CE 04, offering integrated map navigation and seamless smartphone connectivity. Navigation maps can now be viewed directly on the instrument cluster, eliminating the need for a separate device. LED lighting is used extensively — from indicators to taillights. On the performance front, the CE 04 retains its 42 hp electric motor that generates 62 Nm of torque, offering solid reliability. It reaches a top speed of 120 kmph, powered by an 8.9 kWh battery pack that delivers a range of up to 130 km. In India, the previous version is priced at ₹15.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), though BMW has yet to confirm a launch date for the refreshed model.

Mahindra XUV 3XO Roars into Australia – Starting at Just $23,490
Automobile, Car Updates, Trending

Mahindra XUV 3XO Roars into Australia – Starting at Just $23,490

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Mahindra broadened its passenger vehicle lineup Down Under with the launch of the new Mahindra XUV 3XO, bringing the total models offered there up to four. The compact SUV joins the Scorpio-N and XUV700, alongside the S11 4X4 Pikup — also known as the Scorpio Getaway in some circles. The XUV 3XO has arrived in Australia, offered in two trims — the practical AX5 L and the premium AX7 L. Variants and Colour Options of Mahindra XUV 3XO Both variants come with different colour options. Buyers of the AX5 L can choose from Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Stealth Black, and the bold Tango Red. AX7 L, meanwhile, comes in Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Tango Red, and the eye-catching Citrine Yellow. Metallic finishes are available for all shades at an added cost. Key Features of Mahindra XUV 3XO The Australian XUV 3XO closely resembles its Indian sibling in design and layout. Key features include dual 10.25-inch displays (for infotainment and instrumentation), a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitoring, Harman Kardon sound system, six airbags, Level-2 ADAS, and a panoramic sunroof. Engine and Performance Powering the SUV is a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, producing 111PS and 200Nm of torque. Pricing in Australia (On-Road) Pricing is set at AUD $23,490 for the AX5 L and AUD $26,490 for the AX7 L (on-road).

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