Tech Wrap April 6: Samsung Messages, WhatsApp noise cancellation, iOS 26.5

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 6, 2026 | Technology

Samsung is set to phase out its native Messages app in the US by July 2026 and is encouraging users to switch to Google Messages. The company confirmed the decision through an “End of Service Announcement,” noting that the app will stop functioning after the deadline. This move reflects a shift in Samsung’s messaging strategy, as it steps away from its own platform and moves closer to Google’s ecosystem for a more unified Android experience. Google Messages is being positioned as the default option, with Samsung also assisting users during the transition.

WhatsApp is reportedly working to improve call quality by introducing a noise cancellation feature for voice and video calls. As per a report by WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available to a small group of Android beta users and is expected to roll out more widely over time, with the aim of cutting down background noise during calls. The report added that this feature could be particularly helpful for users who often take calls in noisy environments, as it filters ambient sounds while keeping the speaker’s voice clear.

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 26.5, allowing iPhone users enrolled in the iOS 26 beta programme to try out new features. According to 9To5Mac, the update brings the “Suggested Places” feature to Apple Maps, introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS, and enables support for pushing Live Activities to third-party accessories. The iOS 26.5 public beta 1 is now available for compatible iPhone models.

Realme is preparing to launch its new wireless earbuds, the Realme Buds T500 Pro, on April 16. Ahead of the launch, the company has disclosed key details, including support for Hi-Res Audio and the LHDC 5.0 Bluetooth codec for lossless audio. The company stated that this feature is designed to deliver improved sound quality with greater detail and reduced latency, especially for users who stream high-quality content. The Realme Buds T500 Pro will be offered in three colour options: Lemon Cola, Orange Mint and Chocolate.

Anthropic has widened access to a key Claude feature that links the AI to Microsoft apps. As per the company’s latest post on X (formerly Twitter), the Microsoft 365 connector is now available across all Claude plans, including the free tier. The company said users can connect Outlook, OneDrive and SharePoint to bring emails, documents and files directly into conversations. Previously limited to Team and Enterprise plans, the feature now allows users to access and analyse their data without manually uploading files.

If you are planning to buy a Mac Studio or Mac mini, you may need to wait up to five months for delivery. Shipments of certain variants of the M4 Max Mac Studio, M3 Ultra Mac Studio, and Mac mini models powered by M4-series chips have been delayed by several months, likely due to the ongoing global memory shortage.

OnePlus is gearing up to introduce the OnePlus Nord 6 in India on April 7, as the successor to the OnePlus Nord 5. Ahead of the launch, the company has revealed that the device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and feature a 9,000mAh battery. The smartphone will also come with IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings for dust and water resistance. OnePlus has confirmed that the device will be available as an Amazon Specials product, with sales on Amazon starting April 9.

The iPhone Air, launched alongside the iPhone 17 series in September last year, is currently available at a discount of up to Rs 29,000, including bank offers. On Amazon India, the 256GB variant can be bought at an effective price of Rs 90,990, compared to its original launch price of Rs 119,900. Buyers can also choose no-cost EMI options along with additional bank cashback offers.

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Realme Buds T500 Pro with Hi-Res audio, LHDC support launching April 16

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 6, 2026 | Technology

Realme is gearing up to launch its new wireless earbuds, the Realme Buds T500 Pro, on April 16. Ahead of the launch, the company has revealed key features, including support for Hi-Res Audio and the LHDC 5.0 Bluetooth codec for lossless audio. The company said that this feature will deliver better sound quality with more detail and lower latency, especially for users who stream high-quality audio. The Realme Buds T500 Pro will be available in three colour options: Lemon Cola, Orange Mint and Chocolate.

Realme Buds T500 Pro: What to expect

Realme said that the Buds T500 Pro will come in a compact charging case inspired by a “candy box” design. The upcoming earbuds will feature 12.4mm drivers and support Hi-Res Audio. According to the company, the inclusion of LHDC 5.0 suggests that the earbuds may offer better wireless audio transmission, provided the connected device supports it.

Realme will also offer active noise cancellation (ANC), with claims of up to 50dB noise reduction. Alongside this, the earbuds come with a six-microphone setup and an AI-based noise cancellation algorithm designed to improve call clarity in different environments.

On the battery front, Realme claims a total playback time of up to 56 hours with the case. The company also mentioned that the buds will offer 14 days of playback on a single charge.

The earbuds will support Bluetooth 6.1 and offer 45ms ultra-low latency, which could be useful for gaming or video streaming where audio delay matters. There are also multiple EQ modes, allowing users to adjust sound output based on their preference.

Another feature highlighted is real-time translation, including two-way and face-to-face modes. This could help users communicate across languages, although its accuracy and usability will depend on real-world performance.

Realme Buds T500 Pro: Specifications

Audio: 12.4mm drivers with Hi-Res Audio support

Codec: LHDC 5.0

Noise Cancellation: Up to 50dB ANC

Microphones: 6-mic setup with AI noise reduction

Battery: Up to 56 hours total playback (with case)

Single Charge: Up to 14 days playback

Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.1

Latency: 45ms ultra-low latency

EQ Modes: Multiple sound presets

Special Features: Real-time translation (two-way and face-to-face)

Design: Compact “candy box” style case

Colours: Lemon Cola, Orange Mint, Chocolate

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OnePlus Nord 6 with 9000mAh battery launching on April 7: What to expect

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 6, 2026 | Technology

OnePlus is set to launch the OnePlus Nord 6 in India on April 7, a successor to the OnePlus Nord 5. Ahead of the launch, the company has revealed that the OnePlus Nord 6 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and pack a 9,000mAh battery. The smartphone will come with IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K protection against dust and water. The company has also confirmed that the upcoming smartphone will be launched as an Amazon Specials product, stating its availability on the e-commerce platform Amazon from April 9.

OnePlus Nord 6 launch details

Date: April 7

Time: 7:00 PM IST

Availability: Amazon

Sale: April 9

OnePlus Nord 6: What to expect

OnePlus has confirmed that the Nord 6 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. As per the company, it will arrive with support for 165 FPS gameplay on Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). The smartphone will come with a “Touch Reflex” chip and a six-axis console controller gyro.

For Wi-Fi connectivity, the OnePlus Nord 6 will feature a G2 Wi-Fi chip. The smartphone will pack a 9,000mAh battery, which has been claimed to offer up to 2.5 days of battery life. As per the company’s website, the OnePlus Nord 6 will arrive in three colour options – silver, green and black. Additionally, the OnePlus Nord 6 will run on OxygenOS and will offer six years of software patches.

According to a report from 91Mobiles, the smartphone will likely sport a 165Hz 1.5K AMOLED display, the same panel used on the OnePlus 15. On the camera side, the smartphone is expected to get a 50MP Sony LYTIA-600 primary sensor paired with an 8MP ultrawide and a 32MP front camera.

As per the previous report, the OnePlus Nord 6 is likely to be priced higher compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus Nord 5, which was launched in India last July with a starting price of Rs 29,999.

OnePlus Nord 6: Expected specifications

Display: 1.5K AMOLED, 165Hz refresh rate

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

RAM: Up to 12GB LPDDR5X

Storage: 256GB UFS 4.1

Rear Cameras: 50MP Sony LYTIA-600 (OIS) + 8MP ultrawide

Front Camera: 32MP

Battery: 9,000mAh

Charging: 80W wired

Operating System: OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16

Water Resistance: IP66, IP68, IP69, IP69K

Software Support: 4 major OS updates, 6 years of security patches

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Claude AI can now pull data from Outlook, Teams, OneDrive for free users

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 6, 2026 | Technology

Anthropic has expanded access to a key Claude feature that connects the AI to Microsoft apps. According to the company’s latest post on X (formerly Twitter), the Microsoft 365 connector is now available across all Claude plans, including the free tier. The company said users can connect Outlook, OneDrive and SharePoint to bring emails, documents and files directly into conversations. Earlier limited to Team and Enterprise plans, the feature lets users access and analyse their data without manually uploading files.

What is Claude’s Microsoft 365 connector?

According to the company, the Microsoft 365 connector allows Claude to connect with apps like Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive. This means Claude can search, read and analyse data directly from these services. Instead of uploading documents or copying text, users can let Claude pull information such as emails, meeting transcripts and stored files in real time. This helps the AI understand context better and assist with tasks more efficiently.

What can Claude do with Microsoft apps?

According to Mint, the connector currently offers read-only access. This means Claude can view and analyse information but cannot make changes.

Here’s what it can do:

SharePoint and OneDrive: Search and read documents, pages and folders

Outlook: Search emails using filters like sender or date, and read full threads

Calendar: Check upcoming events and find available meeting slots

Teams: Search chat messages, channel conversations and meeting transcripts

However, Claude cannot send emails, schedule meetings, create documents or post messages on behalf of the user.

How to set it up

Mint reported that setting up the connector depends on the type of Claude plan. One key requirement is that users must sign in with a Microsoft 365 account linked to a Microsoft Entra tenant. Personal Microsoft accounts are not supported right now.

For free, Pro and Max users, a Microsoft Entra Global Administrator must first approve access for the organisation. After that, users can connect their account through the “Connectors” section in Claude settings.

For Team and Enterprise plans, Workspace Owners need to enable the connector from organisation settings. Once admin approval is complete, individual users can activate it from their own settings.

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iPhone Air sees price cut on Amazon, down to Rs 90,990 with offers: Details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 6, 2026 | Technology

The iPhone Air, which was introduced alongside the iPhone 17 series in September last year, is currently available with a discount of up to Rs 20,000, including bank offers. On e-commerce platform Amazon India, the 256GB storage variant of the iPhone Air can be purchased at a net effective price of Rs 90,990, compared to its original launch price of Rs 119,900. Buyers can also opt for no-interest equated monthly instalment (EMI) plans, along with additional bank cashback offers.

iPhone Air on Amazon: Offer details

The iPhone Air debuted in September last year with a starting price of Rs 119,900. At present, the base 256GB variant in the Cloud White finish is listed at Rs 94,990 on Amazon India.

In addition to the price cut, customers can get a discount of up to Rs 4,000 on select bank cards. The listing also includes no-interest EMI options for up to 12 months, along with a five per cent cashback for users of the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card.

iPhone Air (256 GB) launch price: Rs 119,900

Offer price: Rs 90,990

Bank discount: up to Rs 4000

No-interest EMI: up to 12 months

iPhone Air: Details

The iPhone Air was launched alongside the iPhone 17 series in 2025 and is positioned as Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date, measuring around 5.6mm in thickness — slimmer than the 6.9mm profile of the iPhone 6. To maintain durability despite its slim design, Apple has used a Grade 5 titanium chassis with a polished finish, combined with Ceramic Shield protection on both the front and rear.

The device is powered by Apple’s A19 Pro chipset, which the company claims offers high-end GPU performance supported by neural processing units integrated across its cores. Connectivity features include Apple’s N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, along with the updated C1X modem. The model also marks Apple’s shift to an eSIM-only design globally. Below are the specifications:

Display: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion (1-120Hz refresh rate), 3000nits peak brightness

Processor: A19 Pro

Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Rear camera: 48MP Fusion camera

Front camera: 18MP Center Stage camera

Battery: Up to 27 hours of video playback

Charging: Fast charging (Up to 50 per cent charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher)

Colours: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue

Water resistance: IP68

Thickness: 5.64mm

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Samsung to discontinue Messages app by July 2026: What it means for users

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 6, 2026 | Technology

Samsung is preparing to shut down its native Messages app in the US by July 2026 and is asking users to move to Google Messages instead. Samsung has announced the move through an “End of Service Announcement,” stating that the app will stop working after the deadline. The change marks a shift in Samsung’s messaging approach, as it moves away from its own app and aligns more closely with Google’s platform for a more consistent Android experience. Google Messages is being positioned as the default alternative, with Samsung also guiding users through the transition.

Samsung Messages app: What is changing

Once the Samsung Messages app is discontinued, users will no longer be able to send messages through it. The only exception will be emergency services or pre-defined emergency contacts on the device. After July 2026, the app will also be removed from the Galaxy Store, meaning it cannot be downloaded again.

Samsung has already started limiting access. For instance, users of newer devices like the Galaxy S26 cannot download the app. The change mainly affects Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer, while older devices on Android 11 or below will not be impacted.

Samsung advises users to move to Google Messages

Samsung has advised users to switch to Google Messages to continue using messaging services without disruption. In its official note, the company said users should “upgrade your messaging experience” by making Google Messages their default SMS app.

To make the shift easier, Samsung has also shared a step-by-step guide for users, with in-app notifications and instructions. On devices running Android 14 and above, the Google Messages app icon may automatically move to the home screen dock once the switch is complete.

Step-by-step guide to switch to Google Messages

Open or download Google Messages.

The first time you open the app, a message appears: “To use Messages, make it your default SMS app.”

Tap the “Set default SMS app” button.

Select Google Messages. Google Messages is the white icon with the blue conversation bubble.

Tap “Set as default.”

Google Messages is now your default messaging app.

Things to keep in mind

For devices launched before 2022, switching apps may temporarily interrupt ongoing RCS chats. However, these conversations can resume once both users move to Google Messages. Regular SMS and MMS messaging will continue to work during this transition period.

Samsung also pointed out that Google Messages offers several improvements, including better integration with Android features and support for modern messaging standards.

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