Tag: Technology

TechPulse

Realme P4 Lite 5G Launches at ₹9,999 with Massive 6,300mAh Battery

Tanisha Cardozo

Realme has expanded its budget smartphone portfolio in India with the launch of the Realme P4 Lite 5G, a device aimed squarely at users seeking reliable everyday performance without stretching their budget. Priced starting at ₹9,999, the smartphone positions itself as an attractive option for first-time buyers and those looking for a secondary device that covers all the essentials.

The Realme P4 Lite 5G comes with a 6.74-inch HD+ display offering a resolution of 720×1600 pixels. While it sits in the entry-level category, the inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate ensures a smoother visual experience compared to standard displays in this segment. With a touch sampling rate of up to 180Hz, the device is also responsive enough for casual browsing, scrolling, and light gaming.

One of the standout features of the smartphone is its massive 6,300mAh battery, which is expected to easily last through a full day and beyond for most users. Paired with 15W wired charging support, the focus here is clearly on longevity rather than ultra-fast charging, making it ideal for users who prioritise battery life over speed.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Unisoc T7250 octa-core processor built on a 12nm process. It is paired with 4GB of RAM and offers storage options of 64GB and 128GB, catering to different user needs. Running on Android 15 with Realme UI, the phone brings updated software features and a clean interface experience for its users.

For photography, the Realme P4 Lite 5G features a 13MP rear camera capable of recording videos at 1080p at 30fps, while the front houses a 5MP camera for selfies and video calls. While the camera setup is modest, it is designed to handle basic photography and communication needs effectively.

The device also comes with an IP54 rating, offering resistance against dust and splashes, which adds a layer of durability for everyday use. In terms of connectivity, it supports 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, and multiple satellite navigation systems including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. Additional features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor.

Available in Beach Gold, Obsidian Black, and Sea Blue colour options, the Realme P4 Lite 5G brings a touch of style to its practical design. The smartphone will go on sale starting February 24 via Flipkart and Realme’s official channels, with launch offers including a ₹1,000 bank discount or coupon.

With this launch, Realme continues to reinforce its strategy of delivering feature-packed smartphones at competitive price points, catering to the evolving needs of India’s value-conscious consumers.

Social Media

WhatsApp Introduces Group Message History Feature for New Members

Tanisha Cardozo

Joining a group chat midway through an ongoing conversation has often been confusing, leaving new members without context and forcing them to rely on others for updates. Addressing this common issue, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Group Message History, aimed at making group interactions more seamless and efficient.

With this update, group administrators can now share recent chat messages with newly added members, helping them quickly understand the flow of conversation. Previously, users joining a group could only see messages sent after they were added, which often led to communication gaps, especially in work-related groups, community discussions, and long-standing family chats. Members frequently had to request screenshots or ask others to resend important details, creating unnecessary back-and-forth.

The new feature offers flexibility and control to administrators. It does not function automatically, meaning admins must actively choose to share message history when adding a new member. They can also decide how many messages to include, with options ranging from 25 to 100 recent messages. This ensures that new participants receive enough context without overwhelming them with excessive information.

Administrators retain full authority over the feature, including the ability to enable or disable it based on group preferences. While regular members cannot share chat history, admins continue to have exclusive control over what is shared with newcomers.

Importantly, WhatsApp has clarified that the introduction of this feature does not compromise user privacy. All shared messages remain protected under the platform’s end-to-end encryption system, ensuring that only group members can access the content. To maintain transparency, WhatsApp notifies existing group members whenever chat history is shared with a new participant. Additionally, these shared messages retain their original timestamps and sender details and are visually distinguished from regular messages for clarity.

The feature is currently being rolled out globally and will be available on both Android and iOS devices. Users who do not immediately see the update are advised to install the latest version of the app and wait for the rollout to reach their region. With Group Message History, WhatsApp aims to enhance user experience by reducing confusion, improving communication flow, and making group conversations more inclusive for everyone involved.

TechPulse

Godrej Champions Indian Handlooms with Handloom-Friendly Washing Machines

Tanisha Cardozo

The Appliances Business of Godrej Enterprises Group has taken a significant step toward reviving India’s rich handloom heritage with its ‘Tested for Handlooms’ initiative. The move combines advanced AI-powered front-load washing machine technology with a cultural mission — to make handloom care effortless and encourage Indians to wear their traditional fabrics more frequently and proudly.

India’s textile landscape is deeply diverse, with each state boasting its own distinctive handloom traditions — from Kasavu of Kerala and Mysore Silk of Karnataka to Pochampally Ikat of Telangana, Paithani of Maharashtra, Chikankari of Lucknow, Bandhani of Gujarat and Rajasthan, and Muga Silk of Assam. Despite their cultural and historical significance, many handloom fabrics are perceived as high maintenance, often requiring hand washing or dry cleaning. This perception has limited their everyday use and purchase.

To address this concern, Godrej has tested its advanced front-load washing machines on 25 different handloom fabrics, including Banarasi Silk, Patola Silk, Pochampally Ikat and Jamdani. The machines’ gentle wash program has been validated for up to 25 washes, ensuring minimal wear and tear. Beyond visual inspection, the fabrics were also examined under a microscope at 40x magnification to assess structural integrity and acceptable levels of fabric stress.

Kamal Nandi, Business Head – Appliances Division, stated that preserving India’s handloom traditions requires collective effort and that technology designed specifically for Indian needs can play a pivotal role. Swati Rathi, Head – Marketing, Appliances Business, emphasised that the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to technology that is truly made for India, enabling consumers to care for handloom fabrics conveniently at home.

The Appliances business of Godrej & Boyce, part of Godrej Enterprises Group, has been a leading player in India’s home appliance sector since 1958, when it became the first Indian company to manufacture refrigerators. Over the decades, the portfolio has expanded to include washing machines, air conditioners, microwave ovens, thermo-electric cooling solutions, air coolers, deep freezers, medical refrigerators, dishwashers and insulin coolers — all guided by its philosophy of ‘Things Made Thoughtfully’.

Environmental protection remains central to the company’s operations, with both manufacturing units earning Platinum Plus GreenCo certification for eco-friendly practices. With over 950 service centres and more than 4,000 SmartCare service experts across India, the brand continues to combine innovation, sustainability and consumer-focused design while reinforcing the revival of India’s timeless handloom traditions.

EduConnect

SVVM College of Commerce Hosts CONVERGE 3.0 Summit on AI for Career Building

Tanisha Cardozo

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce (SVVMCC) organised an Academia–Industry Summit under CONVERGE 3.0 – Shiksha Udyogik Sangam on February 12, 2026, focusing on the theme “AI for Career Building.” The programme was conducted under the aegis of the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, in association with the Goa State Higher Education Council and the Institution’s Innovation Council. The summit aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and evolving industry expectations in the digital era.

The event commenced with an address by Principal Prof. Achut Pednekar, who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the institution’s commitment to nurturing enlightened youth through excellence in higher education. He emphasised the importance of strong academia–industry linkages and aligned the initiative with the Directorate of Higher Education’s efforts to enhance internships, placements and industry exposure for students.

The first technical session, titled “Bridging Academia and Industry Expectations,” was delivered by Damodar Pai Patnekar, CEO and Co-founder of Bodhami. He spoke about the changing demands of industry in the age of Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for practical skills, adaptability and a strong problem-solving mindset. His session provided students with clarity on aligning academic knowledge with real-world industry requirements.

The second session, “Empowering Students with AI Awareness,” was conducted by Rohir Naik, CEO of Coderix Solutions LLP. He introduced students to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its applications across sectors, particularly in commerce and business. He encouraged students to develop digital competencies and embrace AI-driven tools to enhance employability.

The final session, “Getting Career AI-Ready through AI Education,” was led by Vishwa Naik Raikar, Assistant Professor (Finance) and Programme Coordinator – PGP Banking and Finance. She highlighted the importance of AI education in career planning, ethical AI usage and continuous upskilling to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.

Students from First, Second and Third Year B.Com actively participated in the summit, engaging in discussions and interactions with the speakers. The sessions collectively offered valuable insights into how Artificial Intelligence is shaping future careers and redefining industry expectations.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Gayatri Behare, TIP Coordinator, who expressed gratitude to the Principal, resource persons, compere Florencia Souza, faculty members, students and the organising team. She noted that the summit strengthened industry ties and advanced AI-centric career strategies, reaffirming SVVMCC’s alignment with the vision of the Directorate of Higher Education for quality, future-ready education.

Business

Labour Market Resilience in Focus at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Labour market resilience emerged as a central theme at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 during a session titled “Global Dialogue on AI Usage – Data for Labour Market Resilience.” The discussion examined the changing nature of work amid accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and the policy choices required to manage the transition effectively.

Drawing on emerging international evidence, panellists noted that AI’s impact on employment is differentiated across age groups, sectors and geographies. Early trends suggest that younger workers in roles with higher AI exposure may be experiencing employment pressures. However, the absence of comprehensive and comparable cross-country data continues to limit governments’ ability to design timely and targeted interventions.

The discussion underscored the importance of moving forward with adaptive policy frameworks even in the absence of perfect information. Strengthening social protection systems, expanding reskilling pathways and designing context-specific strategies for sectors such as services, agriculture and public delivery were highlighted as essential steps to ensure inclusive growth.

Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, observed that India shows one of the highest levels of firm-level AI adoption, characterised by openness and optimism. While productivity effects are still being measured, she noted that AI in India is likely to be applied to long-standing challenges in health, education and services, particularly where last-mile connectivity constraints have limited outcomes.

Yoshua Bengio, Professor at Université de Montréal and a leading AI expert, stated that employment trends observed over the past five years are likely to continue shaping the job market. He cautioned that access to AI will increasingly become a competitive advantage, underscoring the need for international coordination and dialogue to ensure AI development benefits all.

Representatives from Microsoft and OpenAI highlighted that much of the existing evidence on AI’s employment impact is concentrated in a few countries, particularly the United States, with limited data available from emerging economies. This gap makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions and reinforces the need for systematic global data collection on AI adoption and employment outcomes.

The session concluded that strengthening labour market resilience in the AI era will require better measurement of technology adoption, anticipatory governance, coordinated investments in skills and institutional capacity, and robust social protection systems. Only through such integrated efforts can productivity gains from AI translate into broad-based economic and social benefits.