Tech Wrap April 1: Lava Bold N2 Lite 4G, Gmail AI Inbox, ChatGPT on CarPlay

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 1, 2026 | Technology

Lava has launched the Lava Bold N2 Lite 4G in India as an entry-level smartphone, featuring a 6.75-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and powered by the UNISOC 9863A octa-core processor. The device comes with 3GB RAM, expandable storage, and a 5,000mAh battery. The Bold N2 Lite joins the Bold N2 lineup alongside the Lava Bold N2 Pro 5G, which was launched yesterday, and the Lava Bold N2, which was launched last month.

Google is reportedly rolling out AI Inbox in Gmail for AI Ultra users in beta. Google first announced the feature in January, and 9To5Google reported that the AI Inbox feature is now rolling out to select users for testing. The AI Inbox feature lets users reduce clutter by organising messages into smart summaries, highlighting urgent tasks, and surfacing key updates.

OpenAI has reportedly updated the ChatGPT app on iPhone to support Apple CarPlay. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the update allows iPhone users to access ChatGPT directly through CarPlay for the first time. This development comes shortly after Apple introduced support for voice-based AI apps with the iOS 26.4 update.

Google has announced the rollout of Veo 3.1 Lite, a new video generation model that it says is its most cost-effective offering yet. The company said the model is now available via the paid tier of the Gemini API and Google AI Studio and is aimed at developers building high-volume video applications. According to Google, Veo 3.1 Lite costs less than half of Veo 3.1 Fast while maintaining the same speed, as part of its broader push to make video generation more accessible.

Google is bringing its conversational “Ask” AI feature to YouTube TV apps, expanding a tool that was earlier being tested. According to Google, the feature is designed to let users interact with videos using voice, without leaving the screen. It was first introduced as an experiment in February and is now being rolled out more widely to TVs.

Ubisoft has rolled out Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence globally for Android and iOS users. The free-to-play third-person RPG shooter introduces a new storyline set between The Division and The Division 2, and is now available to download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Anthropic has reportedly confirmed to Axios that the company accidentally exposed the source code of its AI coding tool, Claude Code. This has happened for the second time in a year, with the first incident dating to February. According to a report by Axios, a debugging file was mistakenly included in a routine update and published to the public registry used by developers to access software packages.

Nothing is reportedly planning to expand beyond smartphones and audio devices with a new AI-powered product. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing Bloomberg, the company could launch its first AI smart glasses by 2027. Nothing’s smart glasses will likely feature a built-in camera and microphones for voice and visual input, while offloading processing to a paired smartphone.

Google is removing some editing shortcuts in Google Photos to simplify the overall editing experience. According to the Google support page, tools like Move, Erase, and Reimagine will no longer be triggered by tapping, circling, or scribbling directly on the photo in the main editor screen. The update focuses on reducing accidental triggers caused by gesture-based controls, which could unintentionally activate advanced editing tools while making basic changes.

Apple has updated its list of obsolete products, adding several older devices, including select Apple TV HD and iPad mini models. Devices in this category are generally no longer eligible for hardware repairs or replacement parts through Apple. Apple has also added the 13-inch MacBook Air, which launched in 2017, to the list of vintage devices.

Google has reportedly rolled out an update to its Find Hub website that adds support for tracking tags and compatible accessories such as headphones, expanding functionality beyond phones and tablets. According to a report by 9To5Google, the update will allow users to locate and manage more devices directly from a desktop browser.

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Google Find Hub website now lets users ring and locate tags, headphones

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 1, 2026 | Technology

Google has reportedly rolled out an update to its Find Hub website that adds support for tracking tags and compatible accessories such as headphones, expanding functionality beyond phones and tablets. According to a report by 9To5Google, the update will allow users to locate and manage more devices directly from a desktop browser.

With this update, users can ring trackers, mark items as lost, rename devices, and remove them online, similar to the Android app experience, reported 9To5Google. Previously, the web version was limited to devices like phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, and select audio products, but it now includes broader accessory support, including items like wireless earbuds.

As per the report, the refreshed website also brings a Material 3-based layout for desktop, while the mobile interface mirrors the native app design. A new “People” tab has also been added as part of the expanded interface.

This comes shortly after Google introduced Find Hub integration in the Messages app and announced a lost luggage sharing feature with airlines, as the company continues to expand its device-tracking ecosystem.

What is Find Hub and what can it do

Google Find Hub is a device-tracking service that helps users locate their lost or misplaced gadgets and accessories linked to their Google account. It works across a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, Wear OS watches, and supported audio products, and is accessible through both an Android app and a web interface.

The platform allows users to track the location of their devices on a map, make them ring to find nearby items, and mark them as lost if they go missing. In such cases, users can also manage device details remotely, such as renaming or removing them from their account, making it easier to stay in control even if the device is not physically with them.

With recent updates, Find Hub is expanding to support tracking tags and more accessories, along with features like sharing location details in specific use cases. Overall, it is designed to offer a centralised way to keep track of personal devices and improve the chances of recovering lost items.

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Nothing may enter smart wearable category next year with AI smart glasses

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 1, 2026 | Technology

Nothing is reportedly planning to expand beyond smartphones and audio devices with a new AI-powered product. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing Bloomberg, the company could launch its first AI smart glasses by 2027. Nothing’s smart glasses will likely feature a built-in camera and microphones for voice and visual input, while offloading processing to a paired smartphone.

Nothing AI smart glasses: How the glasses may work

As per the report, Nothing is working on AI smart glasses that could launch in 2027. The glasses are said to include basic hardware such as microphones, speakers, and cameras. However, there is no confirmation yet on whether the device will feature a display, which suggests it may rely more on audio and connected features rather than visual output.

According to Bloomberg, the device is expected to depend on smartphones and cloud services for AI processing. This indicates that the glasses may not function as a standalone product and could require a connected device with internet access. This setup could also mean the glasses are designed to work closely with Nothing’s smartphones, potentially acting as a companion device rather than an independent platform.

Shift in strategy

The report noted that Carl Pei had initially resisted the idea of smart glasses. However, he has reportedly changed his stance and is now encouraging the company to explore new categories beyond its current lineup of smartphones and audio accessories.

As per the report, Nothing’s plans come at a time when other companies are also exploring similar products. Google and Samsung are both working on smart glasses under the Android XR platform, while Apple is also reportedly planning to expand its Vision line of products with smart glasses.

While details about Nothing’s design and software remain limited, the company is expected to bring its own approach to the category. The report suggested that AI implementation could be a key differentiator, especially as companies experiment with AI assistants and agents in wearable devices.”

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YouTube rolls out 'Ask' AI button for voice-based queries on TV: Details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 1, 2026 | Technology

Google is bringing its conversational “Ask” AI feature to YouTube TV apps, expanding a tool that was earlier being tested. According to Google, the feature is designed to let users interact with videos using voice, without leaving the screen. It was first introduced as an experiment in February and is now being rolled out more widely to TVs.

The “Ask” feature already exists on Android, iOS, and web versions of YouTube. With this update, Google is extending the same experience to TVs, allowing users to ask questions about what they are watching in real time.

YouTube’s Ask AI feature for TV: How it works

As per Google’s support page, users will see an “Ask” button below the video player on supported TVs. When selected, it opens an AI panel on the side of the screen. From here, users can either choose from suggested prompts or use their remote’s microphone to ask a question.

Once a query is sent, the system processes it in the background and shows a response on screen. This allows users to continue watching the video without interruption while getting additional information. The feature works similarly to how it functions on mobile and web. It uses voice input through the TV remote, making it easier to interact without typing.

Google has said in its earlier blog that the feature runs on its Gemini AI models. It pulls information from YouTube as well as other online sources to generate answers based on the video’s context. According to the company, the goal is to help users understand content better or explore related topics without switching apps. For example, users watching a music video can ask about lyrics, while those watching a podcast can request a summary or explanation.

If a TV remote does not support voice input, users can still access the feature through suggested prompts available in the AI panel. These prompts allow them to get basic information or recommendations without needing to speak. Google noted that on such devices, interaction with the tool will rely entirely on these on-screen options.”

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Google releases Veo 3.1 Lite video generation model, here's what it brings

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 1, 2026 | Technology

2 min read Last Updated : Apr 01 2026 | 4:01 PM IST

Google has announced the rollout of Veo 3.1 Lite, a new video generation model that it says is its most cost-effective offering yet. The company said the model is now available via the paid tier of the Gemini API and Google AI Studio and is aimed at developers building high-volume video applications. According to Google, Veo 3.1 Lite costs less than half of Veo 3.1 Fast while maintaining the same speed, as part of its broader push to make video generation more accessible.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI announcing that it is shutting down its video generation app, Sora. The company did not provide any explanation as to why it was discontinuing the app.

What can Veo 3.1 Lite do

Google said Veo 3.1 Lite supports both text-to-video and image-to-video generation, allowing developers to create videos using different input formats. The model also offers flexibility in output, with support for landscape (16:9) and portrait (9:16) aspect ratios, along with 720p and 1080p resolutions.

In addition, developers can customise video duration, choosing between 4-second, 6-second, or 8-second clips, with pricing adjusted based on the selected length. Google said this approach is intended to balance cost and usability for different use cases.

Availability and pricing changes

The new model is rolling out starting today and can be accessed through Google’s developer platforms.

Alongside the launch, Google said it will also reduce the pricing of Veo 3.1 Fast starting April 7, which could allow more developers to integrate video generation into their products.”

First Published: Apr 01 2026 | 4:01 PM IST

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Apple updates list of obsolete devices: Apple TV HD, iPad mini 4 added

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 1, 2026 | Technology

Apple has updated its list of obsolete products, adding several older devices, including select Apple TV HD and iPad mini models. Devices in this category are generally no longer eligible for hardware repairs or replacement parts through Apple. Apple has also added the 13-inch MacBook Air, which launched in 2017, to the list of vintage devices. These devices are now included in the updated categories listed below.

Devices Apple added to the obsolete list

Apple TV HD, 32GB

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular

The Apple TV HD, also called the 4th-generation Apple TV, was introduced in 2015. In the same year, Apple launched the iPad mini 4 in Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants.

Device Apple added to the vintage list

MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)

Apple’s obsolete and vintage categories: What’s it

Apple classifies a product as vintage when it has not been sold through its official retail channels for more than five years. At this stage, the device is no longer part of Apple’s active lineup, but it can still receive service support. Apple Stores and authorised service providers may offer repairs for vintage products, though this depends on whether the required spare parts are still available.

After seven years, Apple classifies devices as obsolete. At this stage, the company generally stops offering hardware repairs and replacement parts. While the device may continue to function and receive some software support, it signals the end of official hardware service options.

Apple determines whether a product is vintage or obsolete based on the date it was last distributed for sale, rather than when it was originally launched. However, the company does stretch the timeline sometimes, depending on parts availability and other factors.

What users should expect

Users holding on to older devices like the Apple TV HD or iPad mini 4 should be aware that official repair support is no longer available. At the same time, newer versions are expected, with reports suggesting a new Apple TV 4K and an updated iPad mini with an OLED display could launch later this year.”

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