Microsoft to bring its console interface to Windows 11 PCs with 'Xbox Mode'

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 12, 2026 | Technology

Microsoft has announced that its Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), now referred to as “Xbox mode,” will begin rolling out to Windows 11 PCs starting April. The feature will extend beyond handheld gaming devices to laptops, desktops and tablets, offering a console-style interface designed for controller-based gaming. The company revealed the update during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, saying the interface will first arrive in select markets before expanding more broadly.

Alongside the software update, Microsoft also shared new details about its upcoming next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, which is currently targeted for developer testing around 2027.

Xbox mode on Windows PCs: Details

The Xbox mode interface is designed to provide a full-screen, controller-optimised environment for launching and managing games on Windows 11. The feature essentially places a console-like layer on top of Windows, making it easier for users to navigate game libraries without relying on keyboard and mouse input.

Microsoft first introduced the Xbox Full Screen Experience in November 2025 through preview builds available to Windows Insider and Xbox Insider programme participants. The interface also debuted on the ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming systems developed in partnership with Asus.

On those handheld devices, the system boots directly into the Xbox interface while still running Windows 11 underneath. The layout resembles the Xbox console UI and provides quick access to a user’s profile, Game Pass library, installed titles and the Xbox Store. Games from other platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store and EA Play can also appear in the library.

In practice, the system still retains the ability to switch back to the standard Windows desktop, meaning users can move between productivity tasks and gaming modes. Microsoft said Xbox mode will allow players to “seamlessly switch between productivity and play” while maintaining compatibility with the broader Windows ecosystem.

The interface is also designed to prioritise controller navigation, allowing users to manage games, settings and downloads through a console-like layout rather than traditional Windows menus.

Microsoft also announced that it is expanding its Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which allows users to purchase a game once and play it across both Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. According to the company, the programme now includes more than 1,500 games.

Next-generation Xbox: Details

Alongside the Windows update, Microsoft shared new information about its next-generation Xbox hardware, internally known as Project Helix.

According to Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation at Xbox, early versions of the console will be made available to game developers around 2027. The new platform will use custom AMD system-on-chip (SoC) to support the next generation of DirectX and FSR, offering improvements in graphics performance.

Microsoft said the upcoming hardware is expected to bring a major increase in ray-tracing performance and will integrate new forms of machine intelligence directly into the graphics and compute pipeline to improve efficiency and visual performance.

Microsoft has been signalling that the next generation of Xbox hardware will increasingly blur the line between a traditional console and a PC.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma recently confirmed that Project Helix will be capable of running both Xbox and PC games, indicating a shift toward a more unified ecosystem across devices.

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OpenAI may bring Sora's video generation capabilities to ChatGPT: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 12, 2026 | Technology

OpenAI’s video generation tool Sora is expected to be integrated directly into ChatGPT, according to a report by The Verge, citing The Information. The move is expected to allow users to create AI-generated videos inside ChatGPT instead of accessing the tool separately. The integration could make Sora more widely accessible, as several users already generate text and images through ChatGPT. However, the integration may also raise concerns about the spread of deepfakes and other forms of misleading AI-generated content.

What does Sora app do

According to OpenAI, Sora allows users to generate new videos based on text prompts, remix existing content and discover creations through a personalised feed. One of the key features is Cameos, which lets users insert themselves or friends into AI-generated scenes. Cameos require a one-time video and audio recording to capture likeness and voice. Users maintain full control over their Cameos, including revoking access or removing videos that include their image. The app was launched as a competitor to Meta’s Vibes, which allows users to create, remix and explore AI-generated video and audio content.

OpenAI’s Sora could become part of ChatGPT

Sora is currently available through its own website or a standalone application. However, the report mentioned that the tool has not reached the same level of popularity as ChatGPT. Integrating Sora directly into ChatGPT could help bring the video generator to a much larger audience.

The reported move would follow a similar approach taken by OpenAI last year, when it added image generation features to ChatGPT. By embedding these tools inside the chatbot, users can generate content without leaving the main platform. If the integration goes ahead, ChatGPT users would be able to generate videos using text prompts within the chat interface itself. This could make AI video creation easier and more accessible for everyday users.

Concerns around deepfakes and misuse

While the integration could expand access to AI video tools, it may also increase concerns about misuse. According to the report cited by The Verge, making Sora available within ChatGPT could lead to a larger number of deepfake videos being created.

OpenAI launched Sora in October last year. According to the report, some users created highly realistic but misleading videos using the tool, including deepfakes of historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. The report also noted instances where the generated videos included copyrighted material.

Greater accessibility through ChatGPT could make it easier for users to create similar content. The report mentioned that some experts also worry that users may attempt to bypass the safety restrictions built into the system.

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Razorpay unveils AI platform to automate payment operations for businesses

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 12, 2026 | Technology

Razorpay has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) platform aimed at reshaping how businesses build and manage payment infrastructure. Calling it the world’s first Agent Studio built on Anthropic’s Claude Agent SDK, the fintech launched it at its FTX 2026 event on Thursday. The company also launched an agentic experience layer designed to simplify onboarding, payment integration, and operational management for online merchants.

“Businesses don’t just need more software anymore. They need intelligence that can act. With the launch of the world’s first Agent Studio for payments, we’re enabling companies to deploy AI agents that can understand and monitor their revenue flows, resolve payment issues, and unlock insights across billions of transactions in real time,” said Harshil Mathur, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Razorpay, at FTX event. “Our goal is simple: let businesses focus on growth, while payments work in the background for them. I believe this is the beginning of a new operating layer for businesses, where intelligent agents work alongside teams to make financial operations faster, smarter, and more autonomous.”

Commenting on the partnership, Irina Ghose, managing director (MD), Anthropic India said, “Razorpay’s work with Claude shows how AI agents can address real commerce challenges — recovering revenue, resolving disputes, and predicting cash flow. It’s a great example of what AI can do when it’s embedded into the operating fabric of business.”

Razorpay said its AI agents can automatically intervene when customers abandon a purchase, using the context of the transaction to initiate a voice, or message conversation, and encourage completion of the payment.

The agents can also connect with platforms such as Shopify, Shiprocket and WhatsApp to access transactions, and customer data across systems. Razorpay said businesses can also create custom agents using a no-code tool that allows them to define tasks in plain language, enabling automated actions, such as payment follow-ups, dispute responses and cash-flow management.

The firm also introduced an Agentic Experience Platform, an AI layer built with Anthropic’s Claude technology, that allows businesses to manage payment operations through natural-language commands rather than traditional dashboards and forms.

The platform includes tools for faster onboarding, automated reconciliation and simplified payment integrations. Razorpay said businesses can complete onboarding by submitting basic details such as PAN and website information, reconcile settlements by uploading financial records, and integrate payment systems through AI coding or no-code environments, reducing processes that once took hours to minutes.

The company is expanding its push into AI-driven payments, building on earlier demonstrations of “agentic payments” developed with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and OpenAI, and later extended through collaboration with Anthropic.

The company is now integrating these capabilities into in-app commerce, with partners including Zomato, Swiggy and PVR Inox. It is allowing users to discover products, make decisions and complete payments within a single conversational interface rather than traditional checkout flows.

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WhatsApp launches parent-managed accounts for pre-teens: How to set up

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 12, 2026 | Technology

WhatsApp is rolling out parent-managed accounts for pre-teens, which will let parents or guardians set up and supervise WhatsApp usage for young users. The feature will allow pre-teens to communicate through messaging and calls on the platform, while giving parents more control over privacy, contacts, and group participation. WhatsApp said that the rollout is expected to expand gradually over the coming months.

According to WhatsApp, Parent-managed accounts will be available for users under 13 years of age, or below the minimum age required to use WhatsApp in their country. To create these accounts, a parent or guardian must be at least 18 years old and use the latest version of WhatsApp on Android or iPhone.

WhatsApp for Pre-teen: How parent-managed accounts work

According to WhatsApp’s support page, in some regions, app stores operated by Apple or Google may share a child’s age range with WhatsApp based on local legal requirements, instead of the information being entered manually during setup. If users believe the age range shared is incorrect or want more details, they can review their device settings or visit the help centres of Apple or Google.

Parental controls and safety features

The parent-managed system introduces several tools designed to help guardians oversee how younger users interact on WhatsApp. Parents can decide who is allowed to contact the child’s account and which groups they are able to join. They can also review message requests from unknown contacts before interaction happens.

In addition, parents can manage privacy settings directly from the linked account. Access to these controls on the child’s phone is restricted behind the parent PIN, meaning only the parent or guardian can modify them.

Privacy and encryption

WhatsApp says that conversations on parent-managed accounts will still use the platform’s standard end-to-end encryption, meaning messages and calls remain private and cannot be read or heard by WhatsApp itself. The company said the feature is intended to support how families already use the app to stay in touch. The rollout will expand gradually as WhatsApp collects feedback from users and families.

How to set up WhatsApp account for pre-teens

Download WhatsApp on your child’s phone

As a parent, you can download WhatsApp and set up a parent-managed account for your child.

Download WhatsApp Messenger from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your child’s device.

Choose your language and tap Agree and continue.

Tap More options and select Create a parent-managed account.

Enter your child’s birthday and confirm their age.

Tap Continue to link to a parent’s account.

Link to your child’s account from your phone.

Scan the QR code displayed on your child’s device with your phone’s camera and tap the link to be taken to WhatsApp.

Tap Agree and continue.

Verify you’re an adult.

Create a 6-digit parent PIN.

This PIN is required to access and make changes to your child’s privacy settings and should not be shared with your child.

Confirm your parent PIN and then Next.

Tap Done and finish account setup on your child’s device.

Finish account setup on your child’s device

Enter your parent PIN.

Tap Continue.

Your child’s managed account is now set up. They’ll be able to enter their name and profile photo.

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Apple issues fix for security bug exploiting older iPhone, iPad, and iPod

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 12, 2026 | Technology

Apple has released new software updates — iOS 16.7.15, iOS 15.8.7, iPadOS 16.7.15 and iPadOS 15.8.7 — for older iPhones, iPads and iPods that are no longer eligible for the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS.The updates primarily include security patches aimed at fixing vulnerabilities that could affect devices running older operating systems.

Apple initially described the updates as containing “important security fixes”, but later confirmed that they address vulnerabilities associated with the “Coruna” exploit disclosed last week by Google and security firm iVerify.

What Apple has released

Apple has issued four updates for older devices:

iOS 16.7.15

iOS 15.8.7

iPadOS 16.7.15

iPadOS 15.8.7

According to Apple’s security documentation, the updates fix multiple vulnerabilities affecting the kernel and WebKit components of the operating system.

One of the vulnerabilities could allow a malicious app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Another set of issues involved WebKit, where processing specially crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution or memory corruption.

Apple said some of these fixes were previously included in newer iOS versions but are now being extended to devices that cannot upgrade to the latest operating systems.

Availability

The updates are available for several older iPhone and iPad models, including:

iPhone X

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone SE (1st generation)

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus

iPad (5th generation)

iPad Pro (9.7-inch)

iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1st generation)

iPad mini (4th generation)

iPad Air 2

iPod touch (7th generation).

What the Coruna vulnerability was

The updates come shortly after Google’s Threat Intelligence Group and iVerify disclosed details about an exploit framework known as Coruna.

According to Google, Coruna is an exploit kit that chains multiple vulnerabilities together to target iPhones running older iOS versions. The framework reportedly combines five exploit chains and 23 individual vulnerabilities to compromise devices running iOS 13 through iOS 17.2.1.

The attack typically begins when a user visits a compromised website that runs hidden JavaScript to detect device details such as the model, system version and security configuration.

Once the device is identified as vulnerable, the exploit can bypass several layers of iOS security protections and gain higher system privileges. Attackers could then install malware capable of collecting data or downloading additional malicious modules.

Google and iVerify said the exploit kit was used in “watering hole” attacks involving compromised websites. Some campaigns reportedly used fake cryptocurrency platforms designed to lure victims into visiting malicious pages.

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Meta lays out roadmap for in-house AI chips to power expanding data centers

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 12, 2026 | Technology

Meta Platforms on Wednesday unveiled a roadmap of four new chips that the company is making in-house, as it rapidly expands its data centers.

Like many big tech companies, such as Alphabet and Microsoft, Meta has invested heavily in building a team that can design chips in-house in addition to purchasing off-the-shelf products made by Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.

Making chips designed to tackle the specific types of data crunching Meta requires can lead to designs that use less energy and at a better cost.

The new chips are part of the company’s Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) program and the first of the new chips, called the MTIA 300 is in use, powering the company’s ranking and recommendation systems.

The other three will be rolled out this year and in 2027, with the final two chips, the MTIA 450 and 500, being designed to perform inference, the process when an AI model, such as the one that powers the ChatGPT app, responds to customer queries and requests.

“We see inference demand exploding at the moment and that’s what we’re currently focused on,” Yee Jiun Song, Meta’s vice president of engineering, said in an interview. Meta has had some success with inference chips but has struggled with its long-time ambitions to make a generative AI training chip, capable of building the large models that power AI apps.

Beginning with the MTIA 400, which the company says is on the path to being used in its data centers, Meta has designed an entire system around the chips, which is roughly the size of several server racks and includes a version of liquid cooling.

The company plans to release the new chips at six-month intervals because it is rapidly expanding the number of data centers it uses to run apps like Instagram and Facebook, Song said.

“That is the reality of how quickly our infrastructure is being built out,” Song said. The company said in January it expects capital spending of between $115 billion and $135 billion this year.

Meta contracts Broadcom to help with some elements of the designs, though Song did not specify which chips. The company uses Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to fabricate the processors.

In February, Meta signed big deals with Nvidia and AMD to buy tens of billions of dollars worth of chips.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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