iPhone Air 2 may launch this year with no major design changes: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Apple’s next-generation iPhone Air is expected to launch this year, sooner than previously expected. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the iPhone Air 2 is now reportedly set to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models and the anticipated foldable iPhone model.

Previously, it was reported that the iPhone Air 2 could launch alongside the base iPhone 18, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027, as part of Apple’s new staggered launch schedule.

iPhone Air 2: Launch timeline still unclear

There have been conflicting reports about when the iPhone Air model will launch. According to some previous reports, it was claimed that the device could launch in 2027, possibly allowing Apple to add new hardware like a second rear camera. However, the 9To5Mac report suggests that the iPhone Air 2 is on track for a fall launch, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line and iPhone Fold.

According to the report, the anticipated iPhone Air 2 may not bring major design changes. Instead, it is expected to be a routine upgrade with internal improvements. These upgrades could include a newer chipset, possibly the A20 Pro, but no major changes in camera setup or overall design.

The first-generation iPhone Air was launched alongside the iPhone 17 series in 2025 and is Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date, measuring around 5.6mm in thickness — slimmer than the 6.9mm profile of the iPhone 6.

As per the previous report, the iPhone Air 2 could be lighter than the current iPhone Air, while offering a larger battery. It may also be priced lower than the first-generation model.

iPhone 18 series

Apple is expected to split the launch of the upcoming iPhone 18 series. Based on previous reports, the standard iPhone 18 may launch in early 2027, while the Pro models could arrive later this year alongside the anticipated iPhone Fold.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to bring incremental design changes, with reports suggesting a new “Deep Red” colour option alongside existing finishes. This shift is said to be enabled by Apple’s move to an all-aluminium unibody design, which offers greater flexibility compared to earlier materials.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are said to feature Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, along with a possible in-house C2 modem for improved efficiency. Camera upgrades could include a variable-aperture main sensor, although its availability remains uncertain. The iPhone 18 Pro models may retain the existing pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout design that houses the TrueDepth camera system and Face ID sensors, but with a smaller overall footprint.

On the other hand, the standard iPhone 18 may not see major design updates. It is expected to keep the same look as its predecessor, with only minor changes to its dimensions. The 9To5Mac report mentioned that the smaller Dynamic Island cutout will be limited to the Pro models and that the base iPhone model will continue with the same design.

Source link

Intel elevates India region MD Santhosh Viswanathan as head of APAC, Japan

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Global chip design and manufacturing major Intel on Tuesday elevated its India managing director and vice president, Santhosh Viswanathan, to head the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region.

In the new role, Viswanathan will lead Intel’s overall business, brand, and customer engagements across both the Asia Pacific and Japan regions, the company said.

“APJ is one of the most diverse and fast-growing regions in the world, and its strength lies in its people, partners, and technology ecosystems,” Viswanathan said.

A company veteran of over two decades, Viswanathan has also worked for Intel in leadership positions across the Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand markets.

The company had announced him first as the managing director for the India market in July 2022, and later as the vice president and managing director in October 2024, after India was carved out as a separate region within the company. Early in his career with the company, Viswanathan had also served as the global director of operations in the United States.

What has been Viswanathan’s role in Intel India?

In his role as the managing director and vice president for the India region, Viswanathan has been crucial in spearheading Intel’s efforts to improve artificial intelligence (AI) education in the country’s schools by collaborating with 6000 schools.

Under his leadership, Intel has also established more than 275 Intel Unnati AI Labs at several colleges across the country. These AI labs help students focus and learn about critical areas such as generative AI, data centres, and security.

Source link

Google Photos adds AI Enhance, video playback speed controls on Android

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Google has rolled out two new features for Android users in Google Photos. According to Google, the update brings an AI-powered photo editing tool called “AI Enhance” and video playback speed controls. The AI Enhance tool can automatically adjust lighting, contrast and colours in a single tap, while the new video feature lets users control how fast or slow a clip plays. With these additions, Google is aiming to make everyday photo editing and video viewing simpler within the app.

Google Photos’ AI Enhance

According to Google’s latest post on X (formerly Twitter), the new AI Enhance button is designed to quickly improve photos with a single tap. Instead of manually adjusting settings, users can let the tool automatically fix lighting, contrast and overall colour balance.

According to Google, the feature works as a one-step edit option, making it easier for users who don’t want to spend time tweaking individual settings. It focuses on improving image quality by balancing brightness and colours to make photos look clearer and more polished. The feature is currently rolling out to Android users globally.

Once available, users will see the AI Enhance option in the photo editor inside Google Photos. Tapping it applies automatic adjustments instantly. This makes it useful for quick edits, especially for photos taken in poor lighting or with uneven exposure. It essentially acts as a shortcut compared to traditional editing tools.

Video playback speed controls

Alongside photo editing, Google has also introduced playback speed controls for videos in Google Photos. On its community page, the company said that the feature allows users to adjust how fast or slow a video plays.

How to use it:

On your Android device, open the Google Photos app.

Open the video you want to edit.

Tap More (3 vertical dots) and then Playback speed.

Choose the speed that you want:

0.25X, 0.5X, 1X, 1.5X, 2X

Tap Done (checkmark).

Availability

The AI Enhance feature is already rolling out globally to Android users. The video playback speed control, however, appears to be in an earlier stage and may not be available everywhere yet. Both updates are expected to reach more users gradually.

Source link

Google brings 'AI Edge Eloquent' app for offline speech-to-text on iOS

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Google has launched a new AI-powered dictation app called Google AI Edge Eloquent. The app focuses on offline speech-to-text and is currently available on iOS. According to Google, the dictation app converts speech to text in real time and can work offline after downloading models, using Google’s Gemma AI for speech recognition. With this release, Google is entering the growing space of AI transcription tools that turn spoken words into clean, usable text.

What is Google AI Edge Eloquent

As per the app’s listing on the App Store, Google AI Edge Eloquent is an “advanced dictation app engineered to bridge the gap between natural speech and professional, ready-to-use text.”

It further added that, “unlike standard dictation software that transcribes stumbles and filler words verbatim, Eloquent uses AI to capture your intended meaning. It automatically edits out ‘ums’, ‘uhs’ and mid-sentence self-corrections, outputting clean, accurate prose.”

Google AI Edge Eloquent is a dictation app that converts speech into text in real time. Once users download the required models, the app can work without an internet connection. It is based on Google’s Gemma AI models for automatic speech recognition. The app shows live transcription as you speak. When you pause, it automatically cleans up the text by removing filler words like “um” and “ah”, and makes the output more readable.

Users can switch off cloud mode to rely only on on-device processing. When cloud mode is enabled, the app uses Gemini models for refining text. It can also pull in keywords, names and jargon from Gmail if needed, and lets users add their own custom words.

The app displays the history of the transcription session and lets you search through all of them as well. It can show you words dictated in the last session, your words-per-minute speed and the total number of words spoken.

Key features of the app

The app includes several tools to improve and customise text:

Live transcription with offline support

Automatic removal of filler words

Text formatting options like “Key points”, “Formal”, “Short” and “Long”

Option to switch between local processing and cloud-based processing

Ability to add custom words, names and jargon

Availability and plans

As of now, the app is only available on iOS. However, the App Store listing mentions an upcoming Android version. The app currently requires iPhones running iOS 16 or later. It also supports Macs with macOS 13 or newer and Apple silicon (M1 chip or later), as well as Apple Vision devices running visionOS 1.0 or above.

Source link

Netflix launches Playground app for kids with ad-free games: What's it

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Netflix has launched a new app called Netflix Playground, aimed at children aged eight and under. According to Netflix, the Playground app is designed to go beyond regular video streaming by combining games with familiar characters. The app is part of the existing Netflix subscription and focuses on offering an ad-free experience without in-app purchases. The company is expanding its push into gaming by creating a dedicated space where kids can interact with content based on popular shows. It is currently available on iPhone and iPad in select markets and will roll out globally on April 28.

Netflix Playground: What it is

Netflix Playground is a standalone app that users can access by signing in with their Netflix account. It features a curated collection of games built around well-known characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street. The company said that all games are instantly playable and can also be used offline, making them accessible even without an internet connection. The app is specifically designed for children, with a simple interface and content suited for younger users. Netflix said that the platform does not include ads or in-app purchases, which keeps the experience straightforward and free from interruptions.

Netflix Playground is currently available in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, the Philippines and New Zealand. The company has confirmed that a wider global rollout is scheduled for April 28.

Netflix first introduced mobile games in 2021, but the Playground app marks its first dedicated gaming app focused on children. The company is also positioning Playground as an alternative to services like Apple Arcade. While both offer ad-free games, Netflix includes its gaming content within the existing streaming subscription instead of offering a separate plan.

Some of the games available include:

Playtime With Peppa Pig

Sesame Street

Dr. Seuss’s Horton!

Storybots

Bad Dinosaurs

Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches

Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish

Let’s Color

Netflix Kids shows lineup expansion

Netflix is expanding its kids and preschool content lineup alongside the launch of its new Playground app. The company has announced a mix of new shows, returning favourites and fresh episodes of popular titles for younger audiences. The update includes new series, renewals and a steady rollout of content over the coming months.

Netflix is adding a new preschool series called Young MacDonald to its lineup. The show follows the grandson of Old MacDonald and his group of animal friends as they solve problems and learn about farm life.

Netflix said that the series is expected to focus on simple storytelling, music and everyday learning, aimed at younger viewers. According to the company, it is designed to encourage creativity and problem-solving through relatable situations.

Netflix is also continuing some of its existing kids titles with new seasons and episodes:

Trash Truck has been renewed for a third season

The Creature Cases will return with more episodes

OnePlus Nord 6 to launch today: How to watch live, Expected specs

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

OnePlus is set to launch the Nord 6 smartphone today, April 7. Ahead of the launch, the company has confirmed several specifications including the chip powering the smartphone, camera details and more. The OnePlus Nord 6 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and pack a 9,000mAh battery. The company said that the smartphone will come with a 50MP main camera with a Sony sensor, ‘Dual-axis’ Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and a 32MP front camera. The smartphone will come in three colourways– holographic Quick Silver, Fresh Mint and low-Reflection Pitch Black.

OnePlus Nord 6 launch details

Date: April 7

Time: 7:00 PM IST

How to watch: The launch will be livestreamed on OnePlus India’s YouTube channel

Alternatively, readers may also watch the event through the livestream embedded at the end of this article.

OnePlus Nord 6: What we know so far

According to the company, the upcoming device will have the same 165Hz 1.5K AMOLED “Sunburst HDR” display as the OnePlus 15. It will support 1800 nits HBM and can go up to 3600 nits peak brightness. It will also include Aqua Touch 2.0 technology to ensure accurate touch response even with wet or sweaty fingers.

The OnePlus Nord 6 will feature a 50MP Sony main camera with dual-axis OIS, along with a 32MP front camera. The phone will also support 4K video recording at 60fps. The phone will also include AI editing tools like AI Portrait Glow, AI Eraser, AI Unblur, and AI Perfect Shot. These will help fix issues like poor lighting, unwanted people in the background, and blurry subjects, making photos easier to share.

OnePlus has previously 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 will support 80W wired charging and 27W reverse charging. The company claims to offer up to 2.5 days of battery life. Additionally, the OnePlus Nord 6 will run on OxygenOS and will offer six years of software patches.

The smartphone will come with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings for protection against dust and water, along with MIL-STD-810H durability standards. The front will get a Crystal Guard Glass which is said to offer better protection against drops and scratches, similar to Gorilla Glass Victus+.

The company said that the OnePlus Nord 6 will come with AI tools similar to the OnePlus 15, centred around OnePlus Mind Space. It will let users save on-screen content quickly and use Google Gemini for personalised suggestions. The phone will also include features like real-time translation, AI Ghostwriter, and AI Scan.

OnePlus Nord 6: Specifications

Display: 165Hz 1.5K AMOLED “Sunburst HDR”, 1800 nits HBM, 3600 nits peak brightness

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

RAM: Up to 12GB RAM

Storage: Up to 256GB storage

Battery: 9000mAh

Chragig: 80W wired and 27W reverse charging

Rear camera: 50MP Sony main sensor with dual-axis OIS

Front camera: 32MP

Gaming: Supports up to 165 FPS on BGMI with Touch Reflex chip and six-axis gyro

Connectivity: G2 Wi-Fi chip

Software: OxygenOS with up to six years of software patches

Protection: IP66, IP68, IP69, IP69K ratings and MIL-STD-810H certification

Glass Protection: Crystal Guard Glass

Colours: Quick Silver, Fresh Mint, Pitch Black

Camera AI Tools: AI Portrait Glow, AI Eraser, AI Unblur, AI Perfect Shot

OnePlus Nord 6 launch: Livestream

Source link

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Times Top News

Times Top News