Tech Wrap Mar 3: OPPO Find X9 Ultra, Xiaomi Watch 5, Nothing Phone 4a

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 3, 2026 | Technology

OPPO has announced that the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will be launched globally later this year. The OPPO Find X9 Ultra will join the existing OPPO Find X9 and X9 Pro, which were launched in November last year. As per the company, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will integrate the most advanced imaging system that it has developed for a smartphone.

Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi Watch 5 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona. The Xiaomi Watch 5 sports a 1.54-inch display with thin bezels and is protected by sapphire glass on both the front and back. The smartwatch is powered by a dual-chip architecture comprising the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 and a BES2800 co-processor. It runs on Google’s Wear OS 6, bringing app ecosystem support and Google Gemini capabilities that enable hands-free assistance for everyday tasks, information and navigation. India availability hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Nothing Phone 4a is set to launch on March 5. Ahead of the global launch, the Phone 4a was displayed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. The smartphone has been previewed in four colour options: White, Black, Pink and Blue. In India, the company has announced an exclusive first drop of the Phone 4a at its newly opened store in Bengaluru on March 7.

Apple has released the third developer beta for iOS 26.4 for eligible iPhone models. While the update does not bring significant new features, it focuses on system-level refinements, stability fixes and performance improvements ahead of the public release. Apple has already introduced several changes across earlier iOS 26.4 beta builds, offering a glimpse of what users can expect from the upcoming update.

Anthropic’s Claude has announced that it is now making the Memory feature available to free users. Anthropic released the Memory feature for Claude last year; however, it was launched for Enterprise, Team, Max and Pro subscribers. Now, it will be accessible to non-subscribers as well. The company has also made it easier for users to import saved memories from other artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots into Claude. It has laid down some easy-to-follow steps for the same.

Google has rolled out its Now Playing feature as a separate app for Pixel smartphones. The app is now available on the Google Play Store, marking a shift from how the feature was previously delivered on Pixel devices. For years, Now Playing has been built directly into Pixel phones through Android System Intelligence. It quietly worked in the background, identifying songs playing nearby and displaying the track name and artist on the lock screen. Users did not need to open an app or manually activate the feature — it recognised music automatically.

Apple began its week-long product rollout with the launch of the iPhone 17e and a refreshed iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. The company is expected to continue announcements, leading to its March 4 event. During this period, Apple could introduce a new entry-level MacBook and refresh its base iPad model. Updates to the MacBook Air with the M5 chip and higher-end MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors are also anticipated.

Google has rolled out a fresh set of updates to the Google Home app, adding new automation triggers, expanded Nest lock controls and improvements to its Gemini-powered voice assistant. The changes are being released in phases, with some features limited to early access or gradual roll-outs.

Apple’s latest entry-level iPhone arrives as a measured but meaningful upgrade over its predecessor. Launched on March 2 as part of the company’s week-long product announcements, the iPhone 17e succeeds the iPhone 16e introduced in February last year. While the two models share much in common aesthetically, the 2026 model focuses on hardware improvements, enhanced durability and a revised storage strategy.

Apple has introduced a new version of the iPad Air powered by its M4 chip, replacing the last-generation model with the M3 processor. The M4 iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, similar to its predecessor, while both models have similar displays and an overall similar look. However, the main difference lies in the internal hardware. The newer M4 model brings improved processing power, memory capacity, and Apple’s in-house modem and networking chip for connectivity.

Apple has asked Google to explore setting up servers for a new version of Siri powered by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models, according to a report by The Verge, citing The Information. The development indicates that Apple could rely more on Google’s cloud infrastructure as it works to scale its delayed AI-driven Siri upgrade.

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Amazon Web Services (AWS) said drone strikes damaged two of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a facility in Bahrain, disrupting cloud services across the region.

Users across Asia, Europe, and Africa reported “elevated errors” on Anthropic’s artificial intelligence (AI) model Claude on Monday. The company later confirmed issues affecting claude.ai, the Claude console, Claude Code, Claude Opus 4.6, and Claude Haiku 4.5. The outage impacted the Claude website, mobile app, and application programming interface (API), according to the Times of India.

OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman said that the company’s rush to forge a deal with the Defence Department — following a clash between the Pentagon and rival Anthropic PBC — looked “opportunistic and sloppy.”

Lunar Eclipse 2026 Date, Time: Skywatchers across India are set for a spectacular celestial display in 2026, as a total lunar eclipse — popularly known as a Blood Moon — will grace the night sky on March 3. During the rare event, the Earth will move directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow over the lunar surface and bathing it in a striking reddish glow.

OpenAI is facing a sharp backlash from users after news broke of its partnership with the US Department of Defence (DoD), which has been renamed the Department of War. Within hours of the announcement, downloads slowed and uninstalls of the ChatGPT app surged across the United States.

Meta Platforms Inc. is testing a shopping research feature in its artificial intelligence chatbot, rivalling a similar tool offered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. The feature, which allows requests for product suggestions, is being rolled out to some US-based users of the Meta AI web browser. The chatbot responds with a carousel of product images that include captions with information about the brand, website, and price.

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Google launches dedicated Now Playing app for Pixel Phones: What's new

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 3, 2026 | Technology

2 min read Last Updated : Mar 03 2026 | 4:44 PM IST

Google has rolled out its Now Playing feature as a separate app for Pixel smartphones. The app is now available on the Google Play Store, marking a shift from how the feature was previously delivered on Pixel devices. For years, Now Playing has been built directly into Pixel phones through Android System Intelligence. It quietly worked in the background, identifying songs playing nearby and displaying the track name and artist on the lock screen. Users did not need to open an app or manually activate the feature — it recognised music automatically.

Pixel’s Now Playing app: What’s new

Google has separated the Now Playing tool into a dedicated app. According to a report from Android Authority, the core functionality remains the same, and the standalone version adds a more organised interface. When opened, the app shows a central icon that users can tap to manually check which song is playing around them. This gives users more direct control rather than relying only on automatic detection.

As per the images shared on the Play Store, the app also includes a Now Playing history section. This allows users to see a list of songs that were previously identified. From there, they can manage their history and even listen to the recognised tracks using their preferred music streaming services. The report stated that this makes the feature more interactive compared to the earlier background-only experience.

However, access to the app may not be available to everyone. According to the report, an automatic update was required before the app could be opened. A message reportedly asked users to “Check back in a few hours.” Despite this, the settings page of the app was accessible. Pixel users can now download and use the feature in app form instead of relying solely on system-level integration.

First Published: Mar 03 2026 | 4:44 PM IST

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Apple iPad Air M4 vs M3: Check performance gains, connectivity improvements

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 3, 2026 | Technology

Apple has introduced a new version of the iPad Air powered by its M4 chip, replacing the last-generation model with the M3 processor. The M4 iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, similar to its predecessor, while both models have similar displays and an overall similar look. However, the main difference lies in the internal hardware. The newer M4 model brings improved processing power, memory capacity, and Apple’s in-house modem and networking chip for connectivity. Here is a closer look at how the M4-powered iPad Air compares to the previous M3 version.

Performance: Chip and memory upgrade

The new iPad Air runs on Apple’s M4 chip, while the last-generation model uses the M3 chip. According to Apple, the M4 chip brings faster CPU and GPU performance compared to its predecessor. Together, this results in the M4 iPad Air being up to 30 per cent faster than the last generation, as per the company.

The M4 chip upgrade also brings a minor change in chip configuration. Both the M4 and M3 chips powering the iPad Air feature an eight-core CPU. However, the M4 model gets three performance cores and five efficiency cores, while the M3 model gets four performance cores and four efficiency cores. Both chips feature a nine-core GPU and a 16-core NPU.

Both chips support hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved lighting and reflections in supported games and apps. The M4 also supports mesh shading, which can further enhance graphics performance in compatible titles.

Another major upgrade in the M4 model is memory. The new iPad Air with the M4 chip comes with 12GB of unified memory, which is 50 per cent more than the previous generation. For reference, the M3 version features 8GB of unified memory.

Connectivity

Connectivity has also improved in the M4 iPad Air. The new model introduces Apple’s N1 networking chip and the latest in-house modem, C1X, designed to improve wireless and mobile network performance. This enables the iPad Air with M4 to support Wi-Fi 7 (via the N1 chip) and Bluetooth 6, while the M3-powered model is limited to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Design and display

In terms of design, both the M3 and M4 models are available with 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina display options. The overall look, build quality and accessory compatibility remain largely the same across both generations.

Software and battery

Both tablets run iPadOS, with the latest M4 iPad Air getting support for iPadOS 26 out of the box. It should also be noted that the last-generation iPad Air is eligible for the iPadOS 26 software update.

Both the Apple iPad Air with M4 and the Apple iPad Air with M3 offer similar battery life, with Apple rating them for up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi and up to nine hours of web browsing using a cellular data network.

Price Difference

The iPad Air with M3 launched in India last year, starting at Rs 59,900 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model. The newer M4-powered iPad Air starts higher at Rs 64,900, reflecting the hardware upgrades and improved performance.

The Wi-Fi + Cellular variant of the M4 iPad Air also costs more, starting at Rs 79,900 for the 11-inch variant. For reference, the M3 model started at Rs 74,900.

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Apple could debut entry-level MacBook on March 3, iPad likely to tag along

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 3, 2026 | Technology

Apple began its week-long product rollout with the launch of the iPhone 17e and a refreshed iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. The company is expected to continue announcements, leading to its March 4 event. During this period, Apple could introduce a new entry-level MacBook and refresh its base iPad model. Updates to the MacBook Air with the M5 chip and higher-end MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors are also anticipated.

What has Apple launched so far

Apple on Monday introduced the iPhone 17e as the most affordable model in its iPhone 17 line-up. The device starts at Rs 64,900 for the 256GB variant in India, with pre-orders beginning March 4 and sales from March 11.

The iPhone 17e runs on the A19 chip and features Apple’s C1X modem. It includes a 48MP rear camera, MagSafe support and satellite-based services in supported regions. The device ships with iOS 26 and supports Apple Intelligence features.

Alongside it, Apple unveiled a new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. The tablet is available in 11-inch and 13-inch variants, starting at Rs 64,900 for the Wi-Fi model. It comes with 12GB unified memory, Apple’s N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and the C1X modem on cellular models. Sales begin March 11.

Entry-level MacBook expected

One of the key products yet to surface is a lower-cost MacBook. Reports have suggested that Apple could introduce a MacBook powered by an A-series chip instead of its M-series processors.

The device is expected to use a variant of the A18 Pro chip. While it may not match the performance of current M-series machines in sustained workloads, it could narrow the gap with earlier M1-based MacBooks in everyday tasks.

The anticipated model may feature a 12.9-inch display and an aluminium chassis. It could also be offered in a broader range of colours than Apple’s traditional MacBook finishes. If launched, the device would mark a shift in Apple’s Mac strategy by extending the A-series architecture beyond iPads and iPhones into entry-level MacBooks.

iPad (12th generation) likely

Apple is also expected to update its entry-level iPad, which currently sits below the iPad Air in the portfolio. The 12th-generation model is tipped to receive the A18 chip, potentially enabling Apple Intelligence features.

Design changes are unlikely, based on recent update cycles. However, the new iPad could adopt Apple’s in-house modem for Wi-Fi and 5G connectivity, similar to the iPad Air with M4.

Other devices in the pipeline

Beyond the entry-level MacBook and iPad, Apple is also expected to complete its MacBook Pro range with models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. A refreshed MacBook Air with the standard M5 chip and an updated Mac Studio are also anticipated.

In addition, reports have pointed to updates for the Apple TV 4K, a second-generation HomePod mini and new Studio Display models.

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Apple launches iPad Air with M4 chip, 12GB memory: Price, availability

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 2, 2026 | Technology

Alongside the iPhone 17e, Apple has launched iPad Air with the M4 chip. The new iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes and adds Apple’s N1 wireless chip and C1X cellular modem for improved connectivity. Apple has also increased the unified memory, which is now 12GB on the new iPad Air. Apple said the new iPad Air will be available for pre-order starting March 4, with sales beginning March 11 in select markets, including India.

iPad Air (M4): India pricing and availability

Price: Starts at Rs 64,900 onwards (11-inch, Wi-Fi model)

Sizes: 11-inch, 13-inch

Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Colours: Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Grey

Pre-order starts: March 4

Sale starts: March 11

iPad Air (M4): What’s new

The new iPad Air is powered by Apple’s M4 chip, featuring an eight-core CPU and a nine-core GPU. Apple said the device is up to 30 per cent faster than the previous M3-based iPad Air and up to 2.3 times faster than the M1 version. The GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, aimed at improving graphics performance in supported apps and games.

The device now comes with 12GB of unified memory, which is 50 per cent more than the previous generation, and offers memory bandwidth of up to 120GB/s. Apple said the 16-core Neural Engine in the M4 chip is up to three times faster than that of M1, helping run on-device AI features more efficiently.

On the connectivity front, the iPad Air gets Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread support. Cellular models feature the C1X modem, which Apple claims delivers up to 50 per cent faster cellular data performance while using less power compared to the previous generation. The device supports 5G and eSIM.

The iPad Air continues to offer a 12MP front camera with Center Stage placed along the landscape edge. Apple also highlighted improvements in stereo speakers, particularly on the 13-inch model.

The device runs iPadOS 26, which introduces a redesigned interface, a new windowing system, updated Files app, Preview app for PDFs and images, and support for background tasks. The update also brings Apple Intelligence features, including on-device AI capabilities integrated into apps.

The iPad Air supports Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Magic Keyboard, with the keyboard attaching magnetically and featuring a built-in trackpad and function row.

iPad Air (M4): Specifications at a glance

Display: 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina display

Processor: Apple M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)

Memory: 12GB unified memory

Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip), Bluetooth 6, Thread, 5G (cellular models with C1X modem), eSIM support

Cameras: 12MP rear camera, 12MP front camera with Center Stage (landscape orientation)

Battery: All-day battery life (as per Apple)

Operating system: iPadOS 26

Accessories support: Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C), Magic Keyboard

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Motorola Edge 70 Fusion unveiled, set to launch in India on March 6: Specs

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 2, 2026 | Technology

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion has been unveiled ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, scheduled to run from March 2 to March 5. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset and a 7,000mAh battery, will be launched in India on March 6 in three colour options. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion was unveiled alongside the Motorola Razr Fold.

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion: Details

The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion will sport a 6.8-inch Extreme AMOLED display with Super HD resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 5,200 nits of peak brightness, along with HDR10+ support. It will offer dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for audio. The device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage, and will run on Android 16.

For photography, it will feature a 50MP Sony LYTIA 710 primary sensor alongside a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, while a 32MP camera will handle selfies. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion will be powered by a 7,000mAh battery with 68W TurboPower charging support. It weighs 193g and is available in PANTONE Silhouette, PANTONE Country Air and PANTONE Blue Surf colour options.

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion: Specifications

Display: 6.8-inch Extreme AMOLED, Super HD resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, up to 5,200 nits peak brightness, HDR10+

Audio: Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4

RAM: 8GB, 12GB

Storage: 128GB, 256GB

OS: Android 16

Rear camera: 50MP Sony LYTIA 710 + 13MP ultra-wide-angle

Front camera: 32MP

Battery: 7,000mAh

Charging: 68W TurboPower

Weight: 193g

Durability: IP68 and IP69 rated, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i

Colour: PANTONE Silhouette, PANTONE Country Air, PANTONE Blue Surf

Motorola Razr Fold: Details

Ahead of MWC 2026, Motorola also unveiled the Razr Fold, marking its entry into the book-style foldable segment. The company confirmed that the device will sport a 6.6-inch outer display that unfolds into an 8.1-inch 2K LTPO main screen, measuring 4.6mm when open and 9.9mm when folded. It will feature a stainless steel teardrop hinge, titanium inner screen plate, ultra-thin glass and an anti-shock layer for added durability.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset will power the smartphone, paired with 16GB RAM and up to 1TB storage, supported by a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. Its camera setup will comprise a 50MP Sony LYTIA 828 primary sensor with 8K and Dolby Vision recording, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens (3x optical, up to 100x digital), a 50MP ultra-wide with macro, a 32MP internal selfie camera and a 20MP external camera. Motorola is also committing to seven years of Android OS and security updates.

The Motorola Razr Fold is compatible with the Moto Pen Ultra stylus, offering pressure sensitivity, tilt support, low latency and palm rejection for productivity tasks. It includes features such as hover mode, quick-access tools, AI-powered transcription and notification summaries. Thanks to its flexible hinge, the device supports laptop and tent modes for multitasking and hands-free use, effectively doubling as a built-in stand.

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