San Francisco – In its latest move to redefine how users interact with content, Instagram has begun rolling out an auto-scroll feature for both Reels and traditional posts, allowing for a seamless, hands-free viewing experience.
The update, which is currently live for select users, introduces a feature that automatically scrolls through content at a steady pace, eliminating the need to swipe manually. While subtle, the change signals a major shift in how users may engage with content in the near future — moving toward a lean-back, passive consumption model similar to what platforms like TikTok and YouTube have explored with autoplay features.
Improve accessibility for users with limited mobility
Provide a more relaxed viewing experience, ideal for multitasking or casual scrolling
This update also aligns with Meta’s larger vision to increase in-app engagement, especially as Reels continues to compete with TikTok’s short-form dominance. With the line between entertainment platforms and social networks blurring, features like auto-scroll are critical to retaining user attention in a highly competitive digital landscape.
What Users Can Expect
Reels and posts will scroll automatically after a few seconds
You can pause, manually scroll, or return to standard swiping anytime
Initial rollout is limited to test groups, but a global release is expected soon
Industry Reactions
Social media strategists and UX designers are already weighing in. Many see this as a natural evolution of Instagram’s focus on passive content consumption, while others raise concerns about reduced user control and content fatigue.
Nevertheless, the move shows that Instagram is adapting to the changing behaviors of its global user base, offering features that promote both convenience and deeper engagement.
Panaji, Goa – In a proud moment for Goa’s green transformation and tourism innovation, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the state’s first private solar-powered passenger/cruise boat, M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution, at a formal ceremony attended by top government officials and dignitaries.
The event was graced by Union Minister Shripad Naik, MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar, and several other officials and stakeholders from Goa’s sustainability and tourism sectors.
The M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution is the first fully solar-powered private boat in Goa. Designed for passenger cruises and eco-friendly tourism, the boat operates solely on solar energy, eliminating the need for diesel and reducing carbon emissions. The launch is a symbol of Goa’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable tourism practices.
Chief Minister’s Statement
During the launch, CM Dr. Pramod Sawant remarked,
“Goa is not just India’s favorite tourist destination — it is also emerging as a leader in green tourism and clean energy adoption. The LRAJ GREEN Solution is a great example of what innovation and commitment to the environment can achieve.”
Why This Matters
This solar-powered boat opens the door to eco-tourism ventures in Goa that are cleaner, quieter, and more environmentally responsible. It sets a precedent for the future of transport and tourism in the coastal state, balancing economic growth with ecological responsibility.
What’s Next?
The success of the M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution could inspire more private and public sector players to adopt similar sustainable innovations. With Goa’s natural beauty and growing tourist footfall, solar boats offer a perfect intersection of green tech and economic opportunity.
This is more than a launch — it’s a leap toward Goa’s green future.
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) has officially launched admissions for its inaugural academic session, with classes set to begin in August 2025. With the creative economy booming globally, the institute is setting the stage for India to lead in the domains of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).
Announced by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw at the WAVES Summit earlier this year, IICT is envisioned as a world-class institution fostering talent in digital creative technologies. What sets it apart is its strategic collaboration with industry giants like Google, Meta, Microsoft, YouTube, Adobe, NVIDIA, and JioStar. These tech leaders will not only support curriculum development but also provide industry training, internships, scholarships, and direct job placements for graduating students.
The institute’s first wave of courses includes:
🎮 6 in Gaming
🎞️ 4 in Post Production
✍️ 8 in Animation, Comics, and XR
With a focus on immersive, hands-on learning, these courses aim to align with industry standards, preparing students for careers in global media, tech, and gaming companies.
IICT has also forged a key MoU with the University of York, UK, enabling students to access global certifications, research collaborations, and exchange opportunities, further enhancing the institute’s international credibility.
Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, the institute aims to position India as a global AVGC-XR hub. “We’re merging India’s immense creative potential with global standards. It’s a revolution in digital skill-building,” said Dr. Deoskar.
The institute will soon release its full curriculum, and admissions for the August 2025 batch are now open.
With India’s youth eager for high-growth careers and the AVGC-XR sector set to skyrocket, IICT is the launchpad for future creative innovators.
Tokyo, July 2025 — Japan has once again taken the lead in global technology by setting a new world record for internet speed: a jaw-dropping 402 terabits per second (Tbps). To put that into perspective, you could download the entire Netflix library — all shows, all movies — in just one second.
The breakthrough was achieved by researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) using advanced multi-core fiber-optic technology and next-generation wavelength division multiplexing. Unlike typical commercial fiber cables, which use a single core, this innovation utilizes 19 cores in a single fiber — drastically increasing data capacity.
Why It Matters
This record isn’t just about achieving insane speeds. It represents a leap toward the next era of internet infrastructure that could support massive data requirements in industries like AI, streaming, autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and even interplanetary communication.
With the rapid rollout of 6G trials, quantum computing, and the metaverse, demand for ultra-fast and stable internet is at an all-time high. Japan’s latest milestone lays the groundwork for a truly connected future.
What’s Next?
While this speed isn’t available to consumers just yet, it signals what’s on the horizon. Japan, already one of the world’s most tech-advanced nations, continues to pave the way for innovations that could redefine digital experiences globally.
As global players race toward faster and more efficient networks, Japan’s 402 Tbps feat is a reminder that the future of connectivity is closer than we think — and it’s faster than we ever imagined.
Panaji, July 12, 2025: Goa is emerging as a creative hub where technology meets imagination, grounded in community, collaboration and purpose-driven innovation. This evolving identity aligns with the vision of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, whose efforts are driving Goa’s transformation into an innovation-led state.
Reflecting this vision at the grassroots, Maker’s Asylum has been welcoming young people from across the world to Goa for its immersive & hands-on learning experiences & programs since 2021. 753 young people, from 15 countries, 150 schools and 50 cities across India have had the taste of the maker culture and immersed themselves in creativity and innovation through their space in Goa. This summer Maker’s Asylum hosted five dynamic immersions of its flagship program, Innovation School, at its campus in Moira. The program has welcomed 77 young makers (aged 13–18), representing 5 countries, 30+ schools and 15 cities across India and beyond. Over the course of the last two months, these students grouped into 24 teams, engaged in design thinking and rapid prototyping to address real-world challenges. From drones for emergency healthcare delivery to AI-powered wearables and assistive tech devices for the differently-abled, the teams built 24 working prototypes, demonstrating both technical skills and interdisciplinary learning.
Participants over the years have received mentorship from the likes of experts such as Ramesh Raskar, Associate Director MIT Media Lab, Jaideep Prabhu – Vice Dean Judge School of Business Cambridge, Niti Parikh – Director Learning Spaces & Makerlabs at Cornell Tech and many other from IIT Bombay, NID Ahmedabad, and leading startups, supported by Maker’s Asylum’s in-house curriculum and technical team.
“When we moved to Goa in 2020, we discovered that beyond its natural beauty, Goa is emerging as a vibrant hub for creativity, hands-on learning, and technological innovation. Known for attracting artists, makers, and changemakers, Goa has become the perfect home for Maker’s Asylum. Through our space in Moira, we’ve welcomed young minds from across India to dive into experiential learning — from carpentry, 3D printing, electronics, and AI, to robotics, drones, and laser cutting. It’s about empowering the next generation to build, create, and innovate in an environment that fuels both imagination and impact.” — Vaibhav Chhabra, Founder, Maker’s Asylum
Maker’s Asylum reflects Goa’s growing identity as a Creative Capital for meaningful tech and hands-on education. Its ethos resonates with the state’s upcoming Centre of Excellence for 3D Printing, which will bring together startups, healthcare professionals, students, government departments, and industries to collaborate and co-create. By nurturing a maker mindset and providing access to tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics, programs like this are laying the foundation for a future-ready innovation ecosystem in Goa.
To celebrate the students’ achievements and invite broader community participation, Maker’s Asylum will host two open events at its Moira campus. The first, a Repair Café on July 12 from 6:00 PM onwards, is being held in collaboration with the Repair Café Foundation (Bangalore). It is a hands-on sustainability initiative where attendees can bring broken household items and learn repair skills alongside mentors and student makers. The second, a Final Open House on July 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, will showcase the breakthrough projects developed during the program and offer a firsthand look at what young minds can accomplish when given the right tools and creative freedom. Both events are open to the public.
Applications are also now open for the Spring & Summer 2026 cohorts of Innovation School by Maker’s Asylum.
This initiative reflects the Department’s long-term vision of shaping Goa into India’s Creative Capital and Innovation Hub — a place where experiential learning and technological creativity go hand in hand.
