India's internet user base is expected to surpass 900 million in 2025, as revealed by the "Internet in India Report 2024" compiled by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar, a marketing data and analytics firm. This surge in users is largely driven by the growing popularity of Indic languages in digital content. The report indicates that the number of active internet users in India reached 886 million in 2024, reflecting a strong eight percent growth compared to the previous year. Rural India plays a significant role in this expansion, contributing 488 million users, or 55 percent, of the total internet population. Disclaimer:This image is taken from AI.

Samsung has scheduled its next Galaxy Unpacked event for January 22, where it plans to introduce the Galaxy S25 series smartphones, including the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra models. These devices will debut with Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15, which is expected to bring significant design changes and enhanced Galaxy AI features. Additionally, the event might showcase previews of other products, such as Android XR-based headsets, the second-generation Galaxy Ring, and a Galaxy S25 "Slim" variant. The event will take place in San Jose, California, at 11:30 PM (IST) and will be livestreamed on Samsung India's official website, Samsung Newsroom India, and Samsung's YouTube channel. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to feature a flat-frame design with rounded edges, deviating from the angular, Note-inspired design of its predecessor. The device will likely be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, providing a significant performance boost. A 16GB RAM option is also expected, surpassing the 12GB limit of the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The camera system will be upgraded with a 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, potentially using the Samsung JN3 sensor, replacing the previous 12MP sensor. The display might also incorporate second-generation Gorilla Glass Armor, enhancing durability and offering improved anti-reflective properties. The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are expected to undergo minor design adjustments, including brighter displays with slimmer bezels. Both models will likely be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which could be due to lower production yields of Samsung's Exynos processors. One UI 7 will bring several design enhancements, including a customizable Lock Screen Now Bar, which displays key activities based on user preferences. The Camera app will feature a simplified and intuitive interface, and system UI updates will include revamped icons, widgets, and a cleaner home screen layout. Other updates will include live notifications and a new charging animation with an updated battery icon. Galaxy AI features will also be introduced, such as writing tools integrated into the system keyboard for text summarization, writing style suggestions, spelling and grammar checks, and bullet-point formatting. Automatic call transcription will be available in 20 languages, including Hindi and English (India), when call recording is enabled. Advanced editing tools like Audio Eraser and Object Eraser will allow users to isolate sounds or remove unwanted elements from videos. Samsung might collaborate with Google to provide exclusive features, such as Gemini Live on the lock screen with the Now Bar, as well as a complimentary Gemini Advanced subscription. In terms of privacy and security, One UI 7 will introduce the Knox Matrix Dashboard for managing security across Samsung-connected devices. New recovery options for Samsung Cloud will ensure continuous data synchronization, even if a device is lost. There will also be enhanced protection features, including passkey-based logins, the option to disable 2G service, and safeguards against insecure Wi-Fi networks. Android 15 will introduce Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock, which will require biometric authentication for critical security changes. At the event, Samsung is expected to preview several upcoming devices, including the Galaxy S25 Slim variant, which is expected to have a sleeker design compared to the standard S25 series models. The second-generation Galaxy Ring will feature improved health monitoring sensors and longer battery life, with little change in design from its predecessor. Samsung will also debut the Project Moohan XR headset, built on Google's Android XR platform, featuring high-resolution displays, pass-through functionality, and multi-modal input. Additionally, Samsung may preview smart glasses, also based on the Android XR platform, which will use Google's Gemini AI assistant to offer features like real-time conversation translation, message summarization, and direction guidance. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard

Nvidia saw unprecedented growth in 2024, emerging as the biggest global gainer in market capitalization, a surge largely fueled by the growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI). The chipmaker, known for its powerful AI-centric chips, experienced massive demand across industries such as technology, healthcare, and automotive, where AI applications have become integral. This overwhelming interest in AI technology has had a profound impact on Nvidia’s business, as its graphics processing units (GPUs) are key enablers of AI development and deployment. The company’s market value skyrocketed by over $2 trillion last year, climbing from $1.2 trillion at the end of 2023 to a remarkable $3.28 trillion by the close of 2024. This extraordinary growth propelled Nvidia to the position of the second-most valuable publicly listed company in the world, behind only Apple. The rise of AI as a transformative force in various sectors has positioned Nvidia at the center of this technological revolution, solidifying its role as an industry leader in the semiconductor and AI spaces. This meteoric rise in market value highlights Nvidia’s ability to capitalize on the rapidly expanding AI market. As AI continues to advance and disrupt multiple industries, Nvidia’s chips have become essential for powering everything from machine learning models to autonomous vehicles, making the company a major beneficiary of the AI boom. With this impressive growth, Nvidia is now poised to continue shaping the future of AI and technology innovation. Disclaimer:This image is taken from Reuters.

The adoption of AI tools and products is growing at a steady pace. Today, companies are rolling out AI chatbots to serve almost every need of users. There are AI chatbots that can write essays, role-play as your partner, remind you to brush your teeth, take down notes during your meetings, and much more. These AI tools are mostly in the form of large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, the LLMs that are being developed and deployed everywhere could threaten users’ privacy. These models are trained on large amounts of data gathered by indiscriminately scraping the information that is available online. This practice could raise concerns about how personal data is handled and stored, especially when it comes to user confidentiality. Yet, many users remain unaware of the privacy and data protection risks that come with LLMs as well as other generative AI tools. A recent survey revealed that over 70 percent of users interact with AI tools without fully understanding the dangers of sharing personal information. This lack of awareness makes individuals vulnerable to privacy breaches and misuse of their data. The survey also found that at least 38 percent of users unknowingly revealed sensitive details to AI tools, putting themselves at risk of identity theft and fraud. This unintentional sharing of personal information raises critical questions about the transparency and safety of AI tools in protecting user data. Additionally, feeding in the wrong prompts could cause LLMs to “regurgitate” personal user data, as they are likely trained on data pulled from every nook and corner of the internet. This highlights the importance of being cautious while interacting with AI tools and understanding the risks involved in sharing any personal information. Disclaimer:This image is taken from unsplash.

Multivitamins are often touted as a path to optimal health, but do they live up to the hype? Are all vitamins the same, and is there solid evidence supporting their health benefits? Reged Ahmad sits down with science writer Donna Lu to discuss the various claims surrounding multivitamins and their true impact on wellness. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Recently, there’s been a surge of interest in blood sugar (glucose) monitoring, with wellness companies like Zoe in the UK, Nutrisense, Levels, and Signos claiming to provide personalized insights into how our bodies respond to food. However, the scientific basis for these claims is under scrutiny. In a July episode, Ian Sample delves into this debate by speaking with philosopher Julian Baggini, Zoe’s chief scientist, Dr. Nicola Guess from the University of Oxford, and Prof. Sarah Berry from King’s College London. Together, they explore what’s currently understood about blood glucose and health and whether the science supports personalized nutrition. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

In August, a global cybersecurity breach targeting the Mobile Guardian app impacted approximately 13,000 students across 26 secondary schools in Singapore, with hackers remotely wiping devices. This incident raises critical questions about the evaluation of IT vendors and the accountability for ensuring backups. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert discuss these issues with May Chng, COO and co-founder of Flexxon, and Ken Soh, chair of SGTech Cyber Security Chapter and CEO of Athena Dynamics. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a leading advocate for reforming the food system and regulating ultra-processed foods (UPFs), will deliver the prestigious Royal Institution Christmas lectures this year. His talks will explore how food has shaped human evolution, the critical role of the microbiome as a previously unrecognized "organ," and strategies for healthier eating to benefit both personal health and the planet. In a conversation with Nicola Davis, Van Tulleken delves into the lectures, the complexities of understanding UPFs' health impacts, and his advice for a healthier Christmas dinner. Madeleine Finlay captures their insights in a special Christmas edition of Science Weekly. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.