Here's a look at some of the top tech news today:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Dominates Headlines
AI continues to be a central theme in the tech world. Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ to all U.S. customers, making its AI assistant free for Prime members. In India, the AI Summit 2026 saw Prime Minister Modi outlining the MANAV vision, and Jio, in collaboration with Reliance, announced a significant investment of ₹10 lakh crore over seven years in AI. French President Macron has also advocated for an inclusive AI future, emphasizing "Technology with humanity". Google CEO Sundar Pichai believes AI will usher in "hyper progress" and help emerging economies leapfrog.
Concerns about AI are also being raised, with new research indicating that 40% of employee AI use involves sensitive corporate data, often through unsanctioned generative AI apps. There's also ongoing discussion about the impact of AI on the future of work, with some viewing it as bleak and others as an opportunity. Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales weighed in on the AI world, stressing the continued importance of human judgment, reliable sources, and editorial debate.
Mobile and Gadget Updates
Several new phones and updates are making waves. The Nothing Phone 4a series is confirmed to run a Snapdragon processor and is expected to launch in India on March 5. Google has debuted the mid-range Pixel 10a, with details emerging about its features like faster charging and satellite SOS. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is surprisingly the most traded-in phone currently. Samsung's upcoming Wide Fold and Galaxy S26 series are also generating buzz, with a launch for the latter expected on February 25.
In other gadget news, Apple CarPlay is receiving a significant AI upgrade in iOS 26.4, allowing for conversational AI bots beyond Siri. Apple is also reportedly exploring AI smart glasses, an AI pin, and AirPods equipped with visual capabilities. Apple Music is set to introduce new features and a revamped user interface. Xiaomi has launched its QLED TV X Pro 75 4K Ultra HD TV in India, and Vivo introduced its V70 Elite and V70 models.
Social Media and Online Safety
Social media platforms are under scrutiny, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg being questioned in a landmark social media trial concerning underage users. Globally, there are pushes for increased online safety; the US plans an online portal to bypass content bans in some regions, and the UK intends to enforce a 48-hour takedown rule for nonconsensual intimate images. In the UK, tech firms could face being blocked if they don't remove "revenge porn" within 48 hours.