Samsung's 'Galaxy Forever' plan offers Galaxy S26 Ultra at 50% upfront cost

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | Technology

Samsung has introduced a new ownership programme in India called Galaxy Forever, aimed at making its flagship smartphones more accessible through a structured payment and buyback model. The company said the programme is designed for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus, allowing customers to use the devices for a year by paying 50 per cent of the total cost upfront through 12 no-interest EMIs. The remaining amount can either be paid later or offset through a return option.

The programme is available via Samsung.com and over 1,500 Samsung Experience Stores across India.

Galaxy Forever: How it works

Under the Galaxy Forever programme, customers can purchase eligible devices using either a credit card (no-interest EMI) or Samsung Finance+.

Over the first 12 months, users pay half of the device price through instalments, along with a programme fee of Rs 749.92 per month.

At the end of one year, customers are given three options:

Return: Users can return the device and receive an assured buyback value of 50 per cent of the original price which can be used against the next purchase.

Retain: Customers can keep the device by paying the remaining 50 per cent. For credit card users, this can be converted into another 12-month no-cost EMI plan, while Samsung Finance+ users are required to pay the balance in the 13th month.

Upgrade: Customers using Samsung Finance+ can return the device and move to a newer Galaxy flagship model.

Samsung said the return option comes with a no-questions-asked policy, provided under its service programme.

What’s included in the programme

The Galaxy Forever plan also includes Samsung Care+ coverage worth ₹13,999 for 13 months, which covers accidental and liquid damage with zero deductibles. Samsung said this coverage is intended to support the return and ownership model by ensuring the device remains eligible under the programme conditions.

The Galaxy Forever programme is currently limited to the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus. Here is the breakdown of the payment structure under this programme:

Galaxy S26 Ultra:

Starting price: Rs 1,39,999

No-interest EMI: Rs 5,833.29

Programme fee: Rs 749.92

Monthly payable amount (for 12 months): Rs 6,583.21

Galaxy S26 Plus:

Starting price: Rs 1,19,999

No-interest EMI: Rs 4,999.96

Programme fee: Rs 749.92

Monthly payable amount (for 12 months): Rs 5,749.88

Samsung said the programme is also being extended to select corporate employees and students through its Corporate+ and Student+ platforms, offering similar ownership and upgrade benefits tailored for these segments.

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Fitbit updates personal health coach with medical records, sleep insights

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | Technology

Fitbit is set to expand its personal health coach feature with support for medical records, enhanced sleep tracking and additional research-based insights. According to a blog post by the company, the update aims to give users a more comprehensive view of their health by combining wearable data with clinical information. Fitbit also said it is exploring new ways to integrate AI-driven guidance and personalised recommendations into the experience. The update will initially roll out to Public Preview users in the US, with a broader release planned later.

For context, Fitbit Health Coach is a Gemini-powered AI feature that provides personalised workout plans, sleep analysis and recovery recommendations based on user data. Here is what the update includes:

Improved sleep tracking and insights

Fitbit is introducing an update that it claims improves sleep tracking accuracy by 15 per cent for Public Preview users. The company said its updated algorithms are better able to distinguish between when a user is attempting to fall asleep and when they are actually asleep. It can also more precisely track interruptions, naps and transitions across different sleep stages. Fitbit noted that these improvements bring the system closer to clinical-grade measurement standards.

In addition, the company is rolling out a redesigned Sleep Score. The updated scoring system takes into account more detailed parameters, such as the time taken to fall asleep, rather than focusing only on total sleep duration. Fitbit said this is intended to help users better understand their sleep behaviour and make adjustments to improve rest and recovery. The update is expected to begin rolling out in the coming days, with the revised Sleep Score arriving shortly after.

Health research and AI insights

Fitbit said it is expanding its research efforts to further refine its health coach feature. These studies are expected to improve AI models so they can better interpret indicators related to heart health and metabolic conditions. The company said this could help users identify potential issues earlier and make informed lifestyle changes.

Over the coming weeks, Fitbit will also begin a new research initiative called “Get care now” in partnership with US-based healthcare provider Included Health. The programme is aimed at evaluating how AI can assist users during virtual medical consultations. In addition, users will soon be able to link a continuous glucose monitor through Health Connect, allowing them to track how different activities or foods impact their glucose levels.

Medical records integration and privacy

Fitbit said that integrating medical records will allow the health coach to provide more contextual and personalised recommendations. Users will also have the option to share their records with healthcare providers or family members through secure links. The company added that user data will be stored securely and will not be used for advertising purposes, with users retaining control over how their information is managed.

According to Fitbit, Public Preview users in the US will be able to link their medical records to the app starting next month. This will allow them to access lab results, medication details and visit history in a single interface.

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OpenAI to merge ChatGPT, Codex, browsing into one desktop superapp: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | Technology

OpenAI is reportedly planning to bring its growing range of products into a single desktop application, signalling a shift in how users interact with its tools. According to a report by Reuters, OpenAI confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that the company is working on a unified desktop “superapp” aimed at simplifying the overall experience.

The move comes as OpenAI expands beyond its core chatbot, highlighting its focus on coding and browsing. Instead of maintaining separate apps, the company now reportedly plans to consolidate these into one platform to reduce fragmentation and make it easier for users to move between different tasks.

OpenAI’s superapp: What to expect

As per the report, the aforementioned superapp will combine the ChatGPT interface, the Codex coding tool and OpenAI’s browser-related efforts into a single desktop environment. The idea is to allow users to handle conversations, programming and web-based tasks within one app, rather than switching between multiple services.

The report added that OpenAI has acknowledged that managing multiple standalone products has slowed development and affected overall efficiency. By bringing everything together, the company is aiming to streamline internal operations while offering a more consistent user experience.

The transition will be overseen by Chief of Applications Fidji Simo, with support from company president Greg Brockman, who currently heads computing initiatives, reported Reuters. The shift also comes amid increasing competition from companies such as Anthropic, whose Claude tools are gaining traction, particularly among developers for coding purposes.

OpenAI releases GPT-5.4 mini and nano

In related news, OpenAI recently introduced GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano, smaller AI models designed for faster responses and more efficient handling of high-volume tasks. The company said GPT-5.4 mini brings improvements in coding, reasoning and multimodal capabilities over its predecessor, while running over twice as fast and approaching the performance of the larger GPT-5.4 model in some areas. GPT-5.4 nano is positioned as the most lightweight and cost-efficient option, aimed at simpler tasks such as classification, data extraction and ranking. Both models are intended for use cases where speed is critical, including coding assistants and real-time multimodal applications.

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Perplexity launches Health feature with Apple Health, Fitbit integration

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | Technology

Perplexity has introduced Perplexity Health, a new feature that connects users’ personal health data to its AI platform, allowing queries to be answered using information from sources such as Apple Health, medical records and wearable devices.

The company said the feature is being rolled out as part of its Perplexity Computer tool and will initially be available to Pro and Max users in the US, with wider availability expected over time.

Perplexity Health: What it does

Perplexity Health is designed to bring together health-related data that is typically spread across multiple platforms. This includes data from Apple Health, electronic health records and wearable platforms such as Fitbit, Ultrahuman and Withings. Support for services like OURA and Function is expected to be added later.

The system aggregates this data into a single interface and allows users to ask health-related questions. Responses are generated using a combination of personal health data, medical records, lab results and activity metrics.

For example, a query about resting heart rate can take into account recent activity levels, past medical history and available test results, instead of relying only on general information.

The feature also includes a dashboard that tracks trends across different health metrics over time.

Integration with Perplexity Computer

Perplexity Health is integrated into Perplexity Computer, which the company describes as a system that uses AI agents to perform tasks such as research and analysis.

With health connectors enabled, users can generate outputs such as summaries before a doctor’s visit, training plans based on fitness data or personalised nutrition suggestions. The system can also be used to search for relevant medical information based on user data.

Perplexity said responses are based on clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed research, and include citations linked to source material. The company also noted that responses may include guidance on when users should seek professional medical care.

Privacy and rollout

According to Perplexity, health data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, with access controls in place. Users can disconnect linked services or delete their data at any time. The company said that personal health data is not used to train AI models and is not sold to third parties.

Perplexity Health will initially roll out to Pro and Max subscribers in the US over the coming weeks, with plans to expand to additional users and regions later.

Other platforms

Similar to this, Amazon recently introduced Health AI, an assistant that helps users ask health questions, review records and manage prescriptions. OpenAI has also introduced ChatGPT Health, which allows users to connect medical records and wellness apps for more personalised answers. Meanwhile, Microsoft launched Copilot Health last week within its Copilot service, which brings together medical records, wearable data and health history to help users understand their health information through AI-driven insights.

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Google eases sideloading of Android apps with focus on safety: How it works

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | Technology

Google has outlined a new system that will allow Android users to install apps from unverified developers while adding multiple safeguards aimed at reducing scam-related risks. The company said the update introduces an “advanced flow” that gives users the option to bypass existing verification requirements, which were introduced to limit malware, fraud and data misuse on certified Android devices.

According to Google, the move is intended to balance platform openness with security, particularly for users who prefer installing apps from outside official distribution channels. The company added that the new process has been designed with additional checks to prevent users from being coerced into installing malicious apps, a tactic commonly used in scams.

Android Sideloading: How the advanced flow works

Google said the advanced flow is a one-time process that allows users to enable sideloading from unverified developers after completing several steps. The process begins with enabling developer mode in system settings, which is intended to avoid accidental or one-tap bypasses often used in scam attempts.

Users are then required to confirm that they are not being guided by someone else while disabling security protections. After this, the device must be restarted and reauthenticated, which Google said helps cut off any remote access or ongoing calls that may be used by scammers.

A mandatory one-day waiting period follows, after which users must verify their identity using biometrics such as fingerprint or face unlock, or a device PIN. Google noted that this delay is designed to counter urgency-driven scam tactics by giving users time to reconsider the action.

Once the process is completed, users can install apps from unverified developers, either for a limited period of seven days or indefinitely. The system will continue to show warnings for such apps, but users can choose to proceed with installation.

Limited distribution accounts for developers

In addition to changes for users, Google said it will introduce limited distribution accounts aimed at students and hobbyist developers. These accounts will allow app sharing with up to 20 devices without requiring government ID verification or a registration fee.

Google said both the advanced flow for users and limited distribution accounts for developers are expected to roll out in August, ahead of the new developer verification requirements coming into effect.

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Tech Wrap Mar 19: Fortnite returns, OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro, Realme P4 Lite

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 19, 2026 | Technology

Fortnite has finally returned to Google’s Play Store in India for Android users after a long wait of almost six years. Epic Games’ battle royale game is now available with a download size of 314MB. For the uninitiated, Fortnite was first released in 2017 but, since 2020, it has been delisted from the Play Store due to Epic Games’ legal battle with Google over the in-app payment system.

OnePlus has launched the Nord Buds 4 Pro in India, expanding its Nord audio lineup with a new pair of true wireless earbuds priced under Rs 4,000. The earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 55dB, support for LHDC 5.0 audio and a claimed battery life of up to 54 hours with the charging case. They also include spatial audio, multiple microphones for calls and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity.

Realme has launched the P4 Lite 5G smartphone in India. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip and packs a 7,000mAh battery. The company claims it can deliver up to 1.47 days of usage on a single charge. Notably, the company also launched the P4 Lite smartphone last month with a UNISOC T7250 chip.

Instagram has introduced a new tap-to-pause feature for Reels, allowing users to pause videos with a single tap. Earlier, users had to press and hold the screen to pause a Reel. According to Instagram, the update aims to make playback controls simpler and improve the overall viewing experience. YouTube also offers a similar feature for its Shorts, where users can tap once to pause or play a video.

Perplexity’s AI browser, Comet, is now available on iPhones. As per the App Store listing, Comet is an AI-powered browser designed to act as a personal assistant and thinking partner. Perplexity said that the AI-powered browser adapts to how users think and work, and learns habits to help keep them organised. Comet AI browser was released in November last year and is already available on Mac, Windows and Android. It is now rolling out for iPhones running iOS 18 or newer versions.

Apple-owned Beats has launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition earbuds in India. Powered by Apple’s H2 chip, the earbuds support Class 1 Bluetooth. According to Apple, the workout-focused earbuds come with secure-fit earhooks, heart rate monitoring, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and up to 45 hours of battery life. They also support fitness tracking and integrate with the Nike Run Club app. Notably, the standard Powerbeats Pro 2 launched in India in February last year at Rs 29,900.

Apple has started rolling out the release candidate (RC) build of the upcoming iOS 26.4 update to developers and public beta testers, indicating that the software is nearing its official release for eligible iPhones. The iOS 26.4 RC build is expected to be the final version and incorporates all the features introduced throughout the iOS 26.4 beta cycle.

The BGMI 4.3 update has been released, bringing back the Ancient Secret Rise theme mode while also introducing a redesigned in-game interface as part of what Krafton describes as a major overhaul of Battlegrounds Mobile India. The update also adds new content tied to IPL franchises such as the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, alongside additional gameplay systems and collaborations.

Meta has rolled out its v23 update for Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses. According to a report by 9To5Google, this update adds Hindi among the newly supported languages for the live translation feature. As per the report, the update also brings a more natural, real-time conversational experience with Meta AI, allowing users to interact in a more fluid manner, alongside a set of new features aimed at outdoor and sports use cases.

Spotify has announced that it has fixed an issue that was causing some Premium users to hear ads and see their accounts incorrectly marked as “Free” on the app. The company confirmed the fix after multiple users reported that their paid subscriptions were not functioning as expected.

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