YouTube Premium to get new tools, including auto-playback speed adjustment

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

YouTube is reportedly testing two new features for its Premium users: “Auto speed” and “On-the-go.” According to a report from 9To5Google, these features will let users watch videos with automatically adjusted playback speed and access simpler controls that adapt when they are moving. As reported, the features have been spotted in the YouTube Android app as experimental tools for Premium users. They are disabled by default and need to be enabled manually. Here are these two features:

Auto speed: Playback adjusts on its own

The first feature, called “Auto speed,” is described in the report as an advanced version of playback speed controls. Instead of manually selecting speeds like 1.5x or 2x, this feature automatically adjusts the playback speed as the video progresses.

According to the report, this could be especially useful for certain types of content, such as cooking videos, where some parts can be sped up while others need normal speed. The report added that the feature is currently limited to English-language content and only works with supported videos. When available, the “Auto” option appears alongside existing playback speed controls.

On-the-go: Motion-based interface changes

The second feature, “On-the-go,” focuses on making video controls easier to use while moving. As per the report, the feature takes inspiration from the YouTube Music interface.

It can activate automatically when motion is detected for at least 60 seconds or users can enable it manually through video settings. Once activated, the interface shifts to a simpler layout with more accessible playback controls.

The report suggested that elements like the play button and timeline may become convenient to access, while options like download could be made more prominent.

Limited rollout

According to 9To5Google, both features are currently limited to Android devices. The report noted that “Auto speed” was functional during testing, while “On-the-go” appeared less stable. Since these are experimental features, YouTube may change or remove them in the future. For now, Premium users can try them out until April 27, after which Google may decide whether to expand or discontinue them.

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ASUS unveils 2026 Zenbook, Vivobook laptops in India: Check details, price

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

ASUS has expanded its portfolio in India with the launch of multiple laptops. The company has announced the start of pre-orders for its latest Zenbook lineup in India, including the Zenbook S14, Zenbook DUO, and Zenbook A14. ASUS has also unveiled refreshed Vivobook models. The new range, which is said to focus on lightweight design and next-generation processors, starts at Rs 1,79,990 for Zenbook models and Rs 98,990 for Vivobooks.

New ASUS laptops: Price and availability

Zenbook S14 (UX5406AA): Rs 179,990 onwards

Zenbook DUO (UX8407AA): Rs 299,990 onwards

Availability: ASUS Eshop and e-commerce platform Amazon, ASUS Exclusive Store, ASUS Hybrid Store, Croma, and select retail stores

Zenbook A14 (UX3407NA): Rs 185,990 onwards

Zenbook A16 (UX3607OA): Rs 199,990 onwards

Availability: ASUS Eshop and e-commerce platform Amazon, ASUS Exclusive Store, ASUS Hybrid Store, and select retail stores

Vivobook 14 (X1407AA): Rs 98,990 onwards

Availability: ASUS Eshop and the e-commerce platform Flipkart

Vivobook 16 (X1607AA): Rs 101,990 onwards

Availability: ASUS Eshop and e-commerce platform Amazon, ASUS Exclusive Store, Reliance Digital, Croma, Vijay Sales, and select retail stores

Vivobook S14 (S3407AA): Rs 128,990 onwards

Availability: ASUS Eshop and e-commerce platform Flipkart, ASUS Exclusive Store, ASUS Hybrid Store, Reliance Digital, and select retail stores

Vivobook S16 (S3607AA): Rs 131,990 onwards

Availability: ASUS Eshop and e-commerce platform Amazon, ASUS Exclusive Store, ASUS Hybrid Store, and select retail stores

All of the aforementioned devices will be available for purchase from April 21 on the respective platforms. However, the exact availability date for the Zenbook A16 has not yet been announced.

ASUS Zenbook S14: Details

ASUS positions the Zenbook S14 as a thin and lightweight laptop, featuring a Ceraluminum chassis with a profile of around 1.1cm and a weight of approximately 1.2kg. The device comes with a 14-inch 3K OLED display and is claimed to offer up to 27 hours of battery life, aimed at extended usage without frequent charging.

In terms of performance, the laptop is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, with configurations going up to the Core Ultra 9 variant. It will support AI-driven tasks, with the chipset offering up to 50 TOPS of NPU performance for handling multitasking and on-device AI workloads.

ASUS Zenbook DUO: Details

The ASUS Zenbook DUO features a Ceraluminum chassis and is designed to offer a balance between durability and portability. It comes equipped with dual 14-inch OLED touch displays with 3K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously across two screens.

The laptop is powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, aimed at handling demanding workloads and multitasking. It also includes multiple usage modes that adapt to different work setups. Despite the dual-screen setup, the device is claimed to deliver up to 32 hours of battery life on a single charge.

ASUS Zenbook A Series (A14 & A16): Details

The ASUS Zenbook A14 and Zenbook A16 feature a Ceraluminum chassis and are positioned as lightweight laptops with a focus on portability. The Zenbook A14 is expected to weigh under 1kg, while the Zenbook A16 is said to weigh around 1.2kg.

The lineup is powered by Snapdragon X2 series processors, with higher-end configurations to include the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme variant. These chips are designed to handle AI-driven tasks, offering up to 80 TOPS of NPU performance for multitasking and on-device processing. The Zenbook A14 is also claimed to deliver up to 33 hours of battery life, along with an OLED display for media consumption and everyday use.

ASUS Vivobook Classic Series: Details

The ASUS Vivobook 14 and Vivobook 16 are positioned as AI-enabled laptops designed for everyday use, with features such as search, summarisation, and task management aimed at improving productivity. The devices are powered by Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 3 processors, which are expected to deliver up to 47 TOPS of NPU performance for handling AI-assisted tasks and smoother multitasking.

The laptops also include an AI-backed camera system that supports face unlock through Windows Hello. This setup is designed to enable secure login with facial recognition, along with basic privacy features, and is expected to work in low-light conditions using infrared sensors.

ASUS Vivobook S Series: Details

The ASUS Vivobook S14 and Vivobook S16 have been claimed to feature a lightweight metallic build and are designed for portability with a relatively slim form factor. The laptops are claimed to offer up to 29 hours of battery life, aimed at extended usage across work and everyday tasks without frequent charging.

In terms of performance, the devices are powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 Series processors, with support for up to 49 TOPS of NPU performance for handling AI-assisted workloads and multitasking. The broader Vivobook lineup, including the standard Vivobook 14 and 16 models, is also expected to offer AI-based features, along with security enhancements and performance suited for daily use.

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Realme Narzo 100 Lite 5G with 7000mAh battery launched in India: Know more

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Realme has launched the Narzo 100 Lite 5G smartphone in India. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, the smartphone packs a 7000mAh battery. The Realme Narzo 100 Lite smartphone comes with an IP64 rating and Military-Grade durability. The smartphone also offers several AI-powered features, including AI Eraser, AI Clear Face, Circle to Search, Google Gemini integration, and more.

Realme Narzo 100 Lite 5G: Price and availability

4GB RAM + 64GB storage: Rs 13499

4GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs 14499

6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs 16499

Colours: Thunder Black and Frost Silver

Realme Narzo 100 Lite 5G: Availability and offers

According to the company, the first limited sale of the Realme Narzo 100 Lite is scheduled for April 21 through the company’s official website and Amazon. The company said customers can get a Rs 1,500 discount on the top model variant and a Rs 1,000 discount on the other two variants.

Realme Narzo 100 Lite 5G: Details

Realme Narzo 100 Lite 5G features a 6.8-inch LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate and offers up to 900 nits peak brightness. It also includes features such as DC dimming and improved touch response for better usability across different conditions. The smartphone includes a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera.

The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset paired with up to 6GB RAM and up to 128GB storage. The device packs a 7000mAh battery, which supports 15W charging and also offers reverse charging.

The smartphone runs on realme UI based on Android 16. Realme has added several AI-based features, including AI Eraser, AI Clear Face, and tools for document summarisation and translation. The phone also supports features like Circle to Search and integrates Google Gemini.

The Narzo 100 Lite 5G comes with IP64 dust and water resistance and military-grade shock resistance. The phone measures 8.45mm in thickness and weighs around 212g.

Realme Narzo 100 Lite 5G: Specifications

Display: 6.8-inch LCD, 144Hz refresh rate, up to 900 nits brightness

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300

RAM: Up to 6GB

Storage: Up to 128GB

Rear camera: 13MP

Front camera: 5MP

Battery: 7000mAh

Charging: 15W charging and reverse charging

Software: Realme UI 7.0 based on Android 16

Build: IP64 rating with military-grade shock resistance

Design: 8.45mm

Weight: 212gm

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Soon, you will see fewer redirected ads after clicking on 'Back' in Google

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Google has announced a new spam policy targeting a deceptive practice known as “back button hijacking”, saying websites that engage in it could face penalties in Search rankings. The company said the move is aimed at improving user experience, as the practice interferes with normal browser navigation. The updated policy will come into effect on June 15, 2026, giving site owners time to review and fix their implementations.

What is back button hijacking

According to Google, back button hijacking occurs when a website interferes with a user’s ability to return to the previous page using the browser’s back button. In this, instead of going back as expected, users may be redirected to pages they never visited, shown unsolicited content or ads or blocked from navigating away normally.

Google said this breaks a fundamental user expectation and disrupts the standard browsing experience, often leading to confusion and frustration.

What did Google say about this

Google said it is expanding its spam policies to explicitly classify back button hijacking as a violation under its “malicious practices” category. The company noted that such behaviour creates a mismatch between what users expect and what actually happens, resulting in a deceptive experience.

The company added that it has seen a rise in such practices and reiterated that inserting manipulative pages into a user’s browser history has already been against its Search guidelines. Under the updated policy, affected pages may face manual spam actions or automated ranking demotions in Google Search results.

What does it mean for websites

Google has advised site owners to ensure their websites do not interfere with normal browser navigation. This includes removing or disabling any scripts or techniques that insert or replace misleading pages in a user’s browsing history.

The company also pointed out that such behaviour may sometimes originate from third-party libraries or advertising tools, urging site owners to review their technical setups carefully. If a site is penalised and the issue is fixed, owners can submit a reconsideration request through Google Search Console.

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Microsoft to retire Outlook Lite app next month: What it means for users

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Microsoft has reportedly confirmed that it will shut down its email app, Outlook Lite, on May 25, 2026. Confirming to TechCrunch, the company said that the Outlook Lite app will technically still open after the deadline, but it will no longer function properly. The Outlook Lite app was introduced in 2022. It was built as a lighter version of the standard Outlook app, aimed at Android devices with limited storage and regions with slower internet connectivity.

According to Microsoft’s support page, the app had already been marked for retirement, with the company announcing last year that it would be removed from the Google Play Store in October 2025. The company said users will need to switch to the main Microsoft Outlook Mobile app, which offers broader support for mailbox features and compliance capabilities.

Microsoft to retire Outlook Lite app: Details

According to Microsoft, users will not be able to access their mailboxes, and core features such as navigation and in-app actions will stop working after the deadline. Microsoft had stopped allowing new downloads of Outlook Lite from October 6, 2025. The existing users are now being advised to switch as soon as possible to avoid disruption.

Another report from Neowin mentioned that user accounts will not be deleted as part of this change. Emails, calendar entries and attachments will remain safe and accessible. Users can retrieve all their existing data simply by signing in to the Outlook Mobile app with the same account credentials.

To make the switch easier, Microsoft has included an ‘Upgrade’ option within the Outlook Lite app itself. This option redirects users to the Google Play Store, where they can download the Outlook Mobile app. Alternatively, users can manually search for the app on the Play Store.

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Google rolls out support for Meet on Android Auto: Here's what you can do

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Google is rolling out support for using Google Meet on Android Auto, enabling users to join meetings and make calls directly from their car’s display while driving. The feature is designed with an audio-first approach to reduce distractions on the road. Details about its functionality, supported features and limitations have been outlined on a Google Support page, highlighting how the experience works and what users can expect during calls and meetings.

Notably, this development comes on the heels of the company rolling out support for Google Meet on Apple CarPlay recently.

What can users do with Meet on Android Auto

Google says users can access Google Meet on Android Auto to join meetings and make calls through a simplified, audio-first interface designed for use while driving. Once a phone is connected to a compatible vehicle via Bluetooth or USB, users can open the Meet app on the car’s display and join scheduled meetings or call recent contacts directly. Meetings joined through Android Auto skip the pre-call screen, and video remains turned off by default, with audio routed through the car’s speakers.

According to Google, users can view upcoming meetings under a Scheduled tab and join them with a single tap, while the History tab allows calling recent contacts or groups. During calls or meetings, basic controls such as mute or unmute and ending the call are available on the car display. Incoming calls also appear on the screen, allowing users to accept or decline them without switching devices.

Google notes that the experience is designed to remain consistent between phone and car, with audio automatically switching between devices when connecting or disconnecting Android Auto. Users may also receive audio alerts for events such as meeting recordings, transcriptions or when Gemini is in use. In cases like waiting rooms or breakout sessions, status updates are shown on the display, and users are automatically moved between rooms when required.

The company adds that Android Auto uses a safe driving mode with a simplified interface that shows only essential call information and controls. Users are required to grant permissions such as microphone access on their phone, and the system ensures minimal interaction while driving by limiting on-screen elements to reduce distractions.

What users can’t do

Google says several features are restricted on Android Auto to prioritise safety. Users cannot use video, view presentations or access interactive tools such as chat, polls, Q&A or hand-raise functions from the car display. Work profile accounts are not supported, and while active calls may appear, upcoming meetings and call history linked to such accounts are not shown. Additionally, meeting hosts cannot admit or reject participants using car controls, and for full functionality, users need to park their vehicle and use the Meet app on their phone

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