Meta to allow AI bot rivals on WhatsApp in bid to stave off EU action

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 6, 2026 | Technology

Artificial intelligence rivals will be allowed on WhatsApp for a year, Meta Platforms said, aiming to head off a possible temporary order from EU antitrust regulators after complaints from competitors shut out of the messaging service.

The European Commission, the EU’s competition enforcer, last month threatened interim measures to prevent potential serious and irreparable harm to rivals after Meta blocked them from WhatsApp, mirroring moves by Italy’s watchdog in December.

Meta has now told the Commission it will let rival AI chatbots access WhatsApp for a fee. The company barred them on January 15, allowing only its Meta AI assistant on the service.

“For the next 12 months, we’ll support general purpose AI chatbots using the WhatsApp Business API in Europe in response to the European Commission’s regulatory process,” a Meta spokesperson said.

“We believe that this removes the need for any immediate intervention as it gives the European Commission the time it needs to conclude its investigation.”

The Commission said it was analysing how Meta’s changes might affect both its interim measures review and its broader antitrust investigation.

Meta has previously said the rise of chatbots on its platforms strains its systems and that other channels exist for AI providers, including app stores, search engines, email services, partnership integrations and operating systems.

Meta allowed rival chatbots onto WhatsApp in Italy in January after an order from the Italian antitrust authority, which is still investigating.

The Interaction Company of California, developer of the Poke.com AI assistant and a complainant to EU and Italian regulators, urged Brussels to impose an interim order on Meta.

“What Meta presents as good-faith compliance is in reality the opposite. The company is now introducing vexatious pricing for AI providers that makes it just as impossible to operate on WhatsApp as the outright ban did,” its CEO Marvin von Hagen said.

“The so-called Italian ‘solution’ is thus no solution at all. It simply replaces one anti-competitive restriction with another,” he said.

Meta said its policy changes will also apply in Brazil after a court on Wednesday reinstated an injunction from the country’s antitrust authority that another court had suspended in January.

The Brazilian case is similar to the EU and Italian ones.

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Google Pixel 10a goes on sale in India: Price, availability, unboxing

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 6, 2026 | Technology

Google Pixel 10a is now available in India. The recently launched smartphone and the latest entry into Pixel’s A series smartphones is powered by the Google Tensor G4 chip and a 5,100mAh battery. The Pixel 10a can be purchased at Rs 49,999 in four colour variants, namely – Lavender, Berry, Fog and Obsidian.

Google Pixel 10a: Price and availability

8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 49,999

Colours: Lavender, Berry, Fog and Obsidian

The Pixel 10a is now available for purchase from Google Store, e-commerce platform Flipkart, and at select retail stores.

Google Pixel 10a: Offers

Cashback of up to Rs 3,000 for select bank cards

Trade-in bonus of Rs 3,000 on exchanging an old device

No interest equated monthly instalment plans for up to 24 months

Google Pixel 10a: Details

The Pixel 10a comes with a 6.3-inch Actua display capable of reaching peak brightness levels of up to 3,000 nits. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for added durability. Under the hood, the device is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It ships with Android 16 and is backed by Google’s commitment of up to seven years of operating system and security updates.

In terms of imaging, the Pixel 10a includes a dual rear camera system consisting of a 48MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. The smartphone houses a 5,100mAh battery that supports 30W wired charging as well as 10W wireless charging. It also carries an IP68 rating, offering protection against dust and water exposure.

The device introduces a Camera Coach feature that uses Gemini-based AI models to analyse scenes and provide suggestions to help users compose better photographs. Another addition is the Add Me tool, designed to ensure the person taking a group photo can also appear in the final shot. Through Google Photos, users can request specific edits in natural language, allowing the app to carry out adjustments automatically without manual editing.

Google has also streamlined the process of moving to a Pixel device. Buyers ordering through the Google e-store can prepare their data transfer in advance, including iOS passwords, wallet information and app data, so the setup process is quicker once the phone arrives.

To assist new users, Pixel devices provide contextual tips directly on the screen, along with built-in support tools and the My Pixel app that offers step-by-step guidance. After setup, users can stay connected through cross-platform RCS messaging. Quick Share on the Pixel 10a also enables file transfers between Android devices and supported iPhones.

Google Pixel 10a: Specifications

Display: 6.3-inch Actua display, peak brightness of 3,000 nits

Processor: Google Tensor G4

RAM: 8GB

Storage: 256GB

OS: Android 16

Rear camera: 48MP + 13MP ultra-wide

Battery: 5,100mAh

Charging: 30W wired, 10W wireless

Durability: Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, IP68 rated

Google Pixel 10a unboxing

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Nothing launches Phone 4a series, Headphone a: Watch unboxing, check specs

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 5, 2026 | Technology

British consumer technology brand Nothing has launched the Phone 4a series smartphones, along with the Nothing Headphone (a) over-ear headphones. The Phone 4a series encompasses two models: the Phone 4a and Phone 4a Pro. The Phone 4a series is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets and comes with a 5,080mAh battery.

Nothing Phone 4a Pro: Price and variants

8GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs 39,999

8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 42,999

12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 45,999

Colours: Black, Silver and Pink

Nothing Phone 4a: Price and variants

8GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs 31,999

8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 34,999

12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 37,999

Colours: Black, White, Blue and Pink

Nothing Phone 4a series: Availability

The company said that global pre-orders for the Phone 4a Pro will begin on March 13, 2026, through nothing.tech and select partners, with open sales scheduled to start on March 27 in most markets. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the Phone 4a will start on March 5, 2026, with open sales beginning on March 13.

Nothing Phone 4a series: Details

Nothing Phone 4a Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, coupled with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 3.1 storage. Phone 4a Pro sports a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 5,000 nits. The display comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection.

Nothing Phone 4a Pro comes with a full metal construction, while featuring a transparent design on the camera module, which also includes a Phone 3-like Glyph Matrix display. According to Nothing, the metal finish improves thermal management, while the phone also features a 5,300mm² vapour chamber system. The Phone 4a Pro also offers IP65 dust and water resistance, along with submersion protection.

The Phone 4a Pro features an updated Glyph Matrix with 137 mini-LED lights. Nothing said that despite using fewer LEDs than the Nothing Phone 3, the setup covers a larger area and can reach brightness levels of around 3,000 nits for notifications. The phone also supports several Glyph features such as Battery Indicator, Timer, Digital Clock, Solar Path and Glyph Mirror, which are integrated into the Glyph Matrix always-on display experience, even without a dedicated Glyph button.

The Phone 4a Pro features a 50MP Sony main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), paired with a Sony ultra-wide camera and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom. The smartphone supports up to 140x digital zoom, which the company said is the highest zoom level offered on a Nothing smartphone so far. It also includes a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.

Nothing Phone 4a is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The Nothing Phone 4a features a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a peak HDR brightness of 4,500 nits and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

The Phone 4a features a new “Glyph Bar” interface next to the camera module, with a vertical strip of individually controlled mini LED lights. Nothing said that the Glyph Bar setup is designed to reduce distractions while still delivering clear visual notifications.

For photography, the Phone 4a includes a 50MP main camera with OIS, along with a 50MP periscope camera offering 3.5x optical zoom and OIS. It also features an ultra-wide lens and a 32MP front camera. The camera system supports zoom levels ranging from 0.6x to 70x.

Both models in the Nothing Phone 4a series come with a 5,080mAh battery. According to Nothing, the battery can deliver up to 17 hours of mixed use, including activities such as music playback, video streaming, gaming and messaging. The phones also support 50W fast charging, which the company said can charge the battery to around 60 per cent in about 30 minutes. Nothing said that the Phone 4a series runs on NothingOS 4.1.

Nothing Phone 4a Pro: Specifications

Display: 6.83-inch AMOLED, 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, up to 5,000 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

Memory: LPDDR5X RAM

Storage: UFS 3.1 storage

Protection: IP65 dust and water resistance

Glyph Interface: Glyph Matrix with 137 mini-LED lights and up to 3,000 nits brightness

Rear Cameras: 50MP main (OIS) + Sony ultra-wide + 50MP periscope telephoto (3.5x optical zoom)

Front Camera: 32MP

Software: Nothing OS based on Android

Nothing Phone 4a: Specifications

Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to 4,500 nits HDR peak brightness

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4

Memory: LPDDR4X RAM

Storage: UFS 3.1

Rear Cameras: 50MP main (OIS) + ultra-wide camera + 50MP periscope telephoto (3.5x optical zoom)

Front Camera: 32MP

Battery: 5,080mAh

Charging: 50W fast charging (up to ~60% in 30 minutes)

Software: NothingOS 4.1 based on Android

Nothing Headphone (a): Details

Nothing has launched the Headphone (a) alongside the Phone 4a series. The company said that it can deliver up to five days of continuous listening on a single charge, making it the longest-lasting battery on a Nothing product so far. The company also claims that a five-minute charge can provide around five hours of playback.

The headphones weigh 310g and feature memory foam ear cushions. They are available in Yellow, Pink, Black and White colour options. The device also carries an IP52 rating for protection against dust and light water exposure.

Headphone (a) supports Hi-Resolution Audio Wireless and the LDAC codec for higher-quality wireless audio. It uses a 40mm titanium-coated driver, which the company said is designed to deliver clearer sound with lower distortion.

For controls, the headphones include physical buttons integrated into the ear cups. These include a Roller, Paddle and Button that allow users to adjust volume, control playback and switch noise-cancellation modes. The headphones support Channel Hop, which lets users switch between apps or functions using the control button. The same button can also work as a camera shutter for taking photos or starting video recording on a connected smartphone.

Headphone (a) features Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with three levels — low, medium and high. Users can adjust sound settings using the Nothing X app, which offers an eight-band equaliser for custom audio tuning. For calls, the headphones use a three-microphone system with AI noise reduction, which is designed to reduce background noise during voice calls. The Headphone (a) will be available in Black, White, Pink and Yellow.

Nothing Headphone (a): Specifications

Driver: 40mm titanium-coated audio driver

Audio Support: Hi-Resolution Audio Wireless and LDAC codec

Noise Cancellation: Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation with three modes (Low, Mid, High)

Microphones: 3-mic system with AI noise reduction for calls

Controls: Physical Roller, Paddle and Button on ear cups for volume, playback and ANC control

Special Features: Channel Hop app switching and camera shutter control

App Support: Nothing X app with 8-band advanced EQ

Battery Life: Up to 5 days of continuous listening on a single charge

Fast Charging: 5-minute charge provides up to 5 hours of playback

Weight: 310g

Protection: IP52 dust and water resistance

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OPPO Find X9 series to get Quick Share compatibility with Apple AirDrop

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 5, 2026 | Technology

Chinese smartphone maker OPPO is set to roll out Android’s Quick Share interoperability with Apple’s AirDrop to the OPPO Find X9 series later this month. The company said that the feature will allow users to wirelessly share files between OPPO smartphones and Apple devices without installing additional apps. This comes after Google expanded Quick Share interoperability with AirDrop to its Pixel 9 series smartphones, following its initial roll-out last year on Pixel 10 series smartphones.

OPPO is also set to expand the Find X9 lineup with the OPPO Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s models. The company has confirmed that the Find X9s will launch in India, while the Ultra model will be getting a global launch. The OPPO Find X9 Ultra may also arrive in India; however, it has not been confirmed yet. Currently, the OPPO Find X9 series in India includes the OPPO Find X9 and Find X9 Pro.

Google’s Quick Share compatibility with AirDrop

According to OPPO, the feature will arrive on its OPPO Find X9 series through a software update in March. The company said the functionality has been developed in collaboration with MediaTek and Google. Once enabled, users will be able to transfer files between OPPO phones and devices running AirDrop on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. OPPO said the system will allow secure file sharing without requiring third-party applications.

Support for cross-platform sharing between Android and Apple devices was first launched last year with the Google Pixel 10 series. The feature later expanded to the Google Pixel 9 series models, including the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold.

Google had previously confirmed that Quick Share compatibility with AirDrop support will expand to more Android smartphones, and OPPO is among the first few brands to offer a roll-out schedule.

Apart from OPPO, UK-based smartphone brand Nothing had earlier confirmed that it is working on adding similar functionality to its devices. Chipmaker Qualcomm had also said that Android phones powered by its Snapdragon processors will gain support for cross-platform file sharing with Apple devices in the future. According to a report by 9To5Google, there are also indications that Samsung may bring AirDrop–Quick Share support to the Galaxy S26 series, although this has not been officially confirmed yet.

OPPO’s upcoming Find X9 devices

OPPO is set to launch multiple new devices in its flagship Find X9 series. The company previously stated that it would be launching a Find X9s model in India, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor. It could be accompanied by the Find X9 Ultra, which is now confirmed to get a global launch this year. The Ultra model has previously been limited to China.

According to OPPO, the Find X9 Ultra will feature what the company describes as its most advanced smartphone imaging system yet. The device is expected to combine upgraded optical engineering with camera technologies while continuing the partnership with Hasselblad, as seen on previous Find X9 models.

OPPO said the smartphone is being designed as a camera-focused flagship aimed at delivering professional-level photography in a mobile form factor. The company added that the “Ultra” branding should represent meaningful hardware improvements, with the Find X9 Ultra intended to push the limits of mobile imaging.

This also suggests that the upcoming flagship may bring upgrades over the OPPO Find X9 Pro. The Pro model currently features a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP Sony LYT-828 wide-angle sensor, a 50MP Samsung 5KJN5 ultra-wide camera and a 200MP Samsung S5KHP5 telephoto lens. On the front, the OPPO Find X9 Pro includes a 50MP Samsung 5KJN5 camera for selfies and video calls.

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South Korean chip industry worried Iran crisis to disrupt material supply

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 5, 2026 | Technology

South Korea’s chip industry is concerned that a prolonged Iranian crisis will disrupt supplies of key materials from the Middle East and increase chip prices due to a spike in energy costs, a ruling party lawmaker said on Thursday.

The chip industry also warned the crisis could deal a setback to plans by big tech firms to build AI data centres in the Middle East for the longer term, thus weighing on strong chip demand, Kim Young-bae said.

Kim made the comment after meeting with executives from companies such as Samsung Electronics, the world’s top memory chipmaker, and business and trade groups.

“We say the semiconductor supercycle has arrived, but data centre plans are highly likely to be disrupted, potentially creating problems with chip demand,” he said at a briefing with reporters.

“Officials raised a possibility that semiconductor production could be disrupted if some of these key materials cannot be sourced from the Middle East,” he said.

The chip industry is worried that the Iran crisis could disrupt supplies of some key chip-making materials like helium from the Middle East, Kim said.

Helium is essential for heat management during semiconductor production and it has no viable alternatives currently.

South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix said in a statement that it had sufficient â€‹helium inventory and did not expect disruption to its procurement.

Samsung Electronics declined to comment.

Industry officials said chipmakers have diversified their material sourcing as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have persisted for years, and many have secured supplies in advance as a precaution.

Data Centres

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have benefited from surging prices of memory chips, driven by a global race among tech firms to build AI data centres.

Amazon said on Monday some of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes in the Middle East conflict, sparking questions around Big Tech’s pace of expansion in the region.

U.S. tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia have been positioning the UAE as a regional hub for artificial intelligence computing needed to power services such as ChatGPT.

Iran fired a barrage of drones and missiles at Gulf states in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.
(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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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang hints at end of investments in OpenAI, Anthropic

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 5, 2026 | Technology

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the latest investments in OpenAI and Anthropic might be the chipmaker’s last in those companies, as the AI companies prepare to go public this year.

The opportunity to invest $100 billion in OpenAI is probably not in the cards as the ChatGPT creator is set to go public later this year, Huang said at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom conference on Wednesday.

Nvidia and OpenAI had announced a $100 billion deal in September last year. Nvidia has instead finalized a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, which might be the last time it has the opportunity to “invest in a consequential company like this,” Huang said.

OpenAI is laying the groundwork for an IPO that could value the company at up to $1 trillion, Reuters exclusively reported last year.

Nvidia’s $10 billion investment in Anthropic probably will be the last as well, Huang added. The startup is reportedly looking â€‹to go public this year.

Anthropic, which is embroiled in a dispute with the Pentagon, has said it has not finalized an IPO decision.

OpenAI and Anthropic did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The Financial Times reported in February that Nvidia and OpenAI had abandoned their $100 billion deal amid doubts about the health of the AI sector.

Some analysts had raised concerns about the circular arrangement, as the large investment in Anthropic would have made Nvidia a major investor in one of its biggest customers and the money it would pour into the startup was likely to be spent on its own AI processors.

(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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