A busy week in the tech world saw a mix of exciting launches, legal battles, and positive employee news. From the anticipated arrival of the Realme GT 7 Pro to Google facing legal action and Infosys rewarding its employees, here’s a recap of the top tech stories of the week.
Realme GT 7 Pro smartphone with with Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset in India
Realme has unveiled a new flagship smartphone in India, further expanding its portfolio. Earlier this month, the Chinese smartphone giant introduced the Realme GT 7 Pro in its domestic market, and now it has brought the device to Indian consumers. The Realme GT 7 Pro is the first smartphone in India powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, delivering exceptional performance. It also features NEXT AI capabilities, including innovative tools like “AI Sketch to Image.” The advanced camera system includes an underwater photography mode, catering to adventurous users. The phone boasts a stunning RealWorld Eco² Display, offering a wider color gamut and enhanced brightness for a more immersive viewing experience. Backed by a long-lasting battery, it supports 120W fast charging for quick power-ups. Click here to read the complete story.
HMD Fusion smartphone launched in India
HMD Global has introduced its latest smartphone, the HMD Fusion, featuring customizable “Smart Outfits” and next-generation reparability for hassle-free maintenance. The device boasts a 108MP rear camera and a 50MP front camera for high-quality photography. Priced at Rs 17,999 in India, the HMD Fusion comes in the Tech Block concept and includes complimentary HMD Casual, Flashy, and Gaming Outfits worth Rs 5,999. For a limited time, the phone will be available at a special launch price of Rs 15,999 (with offers from all banks) exclusively on Amazon.in. Click here to read the complete story.
Mumbai court issues contempt notice to Google CEO Sundar Pichai
A Mumbai court has issued a contempt notice to Google CEO Sundar Pichai over YouTube’s failure to remove a defamatory video targeting the Dhyan Foundation and its founder, Yogi Ashwini. According to The Economic Times, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Ballard Pier took this step on November 21, 2023, citing non-compliance with a March 2022 court order to delete the video titled “Pakhandi Baba ki Kartut.” The contempt plea, filed in October 2022, accuses Google of “intentionally and deliberately” ignoring the directive to take down the video, which allegedly contains false and malicious allegations tarnishing the foundation’s reputation. The notice reflects growing concerns over the accountability of global tech platforms in moderating harmful content. Click here to read the complete story.
Infosys to give 85% average performance bonus to employees
Infosys has announced an 85% performance bonus for eligible employees for Q2 of FY 2025, which ended in September, according to The Economic Times. The bonus will be paid alongside November salaries and will be determined by individual performance and contributions during the quarter. Targeted mainly at mid- and junior-level employees in delivery and sales roles, this incentive is expected to benefit a large segment of Infosys’ 3.15 lakh-strong workforce. The company has sent email to eligible employees. The email, as reviewed by ET reads “In line with our organizational goals on building high-performance work culture, we have continued to drive performance differentiation while closing bonus payouts as well.” Click here to read the complete story.
CCI launches probe against Google on Winzo‘s complaint
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated an investigation into Google following allegations by online gaming company Winzo, marking a potential challenge to the tech giant’s dominance in the app market. Winzo accuses Google of abusing its market power by restricting real-money gaming apps from being listed on the Play Store. According to the gaming company, this policy forces developers to resort to sideloading—direct app downloads from websites—which is considered less secure and limits consumer choice. Winzo argues that this restrictive practice hampers the accessibility of apps offering real-money games of skill, as these can only be downloaded through their website, creating unnecessary hurdles for developers and users alike. Click here to read the complete story.
PAN 2.0: Rs 10,000 penalty for duplicate PAN card
The government has unveiled the PAN 2.0 project, introducing an upgraded PAN card system available free of cost to all taxpayers. PAN 2.0 features enhanced security, including a dynamic QR code designed to automatically detect duplicate PAN cards and identify incorrect information. This measure aims to simplify the detection of violations, such as individuals possessing multiple PAN cards or providing false PAN details, which can result in a penalty of Rs 10,000.
Taxation experts highlight that the new system addresses fraud cases where fake PAN cards have been used for illegal activities like setting up fraudulent companies or committing GST and input tax credit fraud. Instances have emerged where original PAN holders were unaware of their credentials being misused. Taxpayers are advised to verify and deactivate any duplicate PAN cards issued under their name to prevent potential misuse. Click here to read the complete story.
AI tool RBI is promoting to detect and flag accounts used for financial fraud
The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) is ramping up efforts to tackle financial fraud by promoting the adoption of its AI-driven tool, Mulehunter.Ai, across the banking sector, according to CEO Rajesh Bansal. In a report by The Economic Times, Bansal disclosed that the platform is already in use by two major public sector banks, with discussions underway to onboard 10 more institutions. Mulehunter.Ai is designed to detect and flag “mule accounts”—bank accounts often exploited to launder illicit funds. Unlike traditional detection methods, which rely on rule-based systems and manual reviews prone to errors and delays, the AI-powered tool offers a faster, more accurate solution to identify fraudulent activities, enhancing the overall integrity of financial systems. Click here to read the complete story.
Reliance invests in American Helium company
Reliance Finance and Investments USA LLC (RFIUL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has acquired a 21% equity stake in Wavetech Helium, Inc. (WHI), a US-based helium exploration and production company. The investment, amounting to $12 million, was made through a stock purchase agreement with WHI.
According to Reliance’s filing with the stock exchanges, WHI was incorporated on July 2, 2021, in the United States and commenced commercial operations in 2024. Helium, a vital resource for industries such as healthcare, aerospace, electronics, fiber optics, and research, has witnessed rising demand, driven in part by the rapid expansion of AI and data center technologies. This strategic acquisition aligns with Reliance’s broader vision of investing in high-growth, future-ready sectors. Click here to read the complete story.