Our list of smartphones under Rs 20,000 this month has quite a few new faces as compared to our previous list of the same denomination. As always we have handpicked the best options for you that offer a good mix of features and performance. All phones have decent processing power, at least 128 GB internal storage, good cameras and a couple even with optical image stabilisation (OIS). Add to that high refresh rate displays, fast charging, 5G compliance and more. Time to meet our top 5 phones under 20K this month.
Best phones to buy under Rs 20,000 in India
Samsung Galaxy M34 5G
Rarely do we get to start a sub-20K phones list with a Samsung handset. The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G totally deserves a place in this list thanks to its impressive features. At the top of the feature list is a 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits peak brightness. It is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The phone runs the latest Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1.
Another speciality of this device is its 50MP primary camera with OIS; something not very common in this segment. Support cast features an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP depth sensor. You get a more than decent 13MP selfie camera up front. The phone is powered by an Exynos 1280 SoC and you get 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage that can be expanded further with a microSD card. A 6000 mAh battery keeps the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G powered for close to two days of moderate use. The company doesn’t bundle a charger along though.
Samsung Galaxy M34 5G price in India: Rs 18,999 for 6GB RAM/128GB storage
Realme Narzo 60 5G
The newly launched Realme Narzo 60 5G offers a great mix of style and value. It has a vegan leather back that looks classy, and the Mars Orange variant is particularly eye-catching. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 SoC, and you get 8 GB RAM and a choice of either 128 GB or 256 GB internal storage in this budget. It has a vibrant 6.43-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Rear camera department is largely handled by a 64MP camera with a 2MP depth sensor for company. The 16MP front camera is pretty good for selfies and video calls. Battery capacity of this phone stands at 5000 mAh, and it can keep the phone running for over a day and a half of moderate use. The company bundles a 33W fast charger that promises to charge 50% of it in less than half an hour. The Realme Narzo 60 5G runs the latest Android 13 with Realme UI 4.0.
Realme Narzo 60 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage; Rs 18,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
Motorola G73 5G
The Motorola G73 5G is another good option in this budget. It is probably the first phone in India with a Mediatek Dimensity 930 SoC. You get 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage with an option to expand it further up to 1 TB with a microSD card. This phone has a 6.5-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. This phone claims to have a water-resistant design but there is no IP rating. It also has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos compliance.
Its 50MP primary camera boasts of 2um larger pixels to capture more detail even in low light. You get an 8MP ultra-wide camera at the back and a capable 16MP selfie camera at the front. The Motorola G73 5G has a 5000 mAh battery that keeps it powered for close to a day and a half of moderate use, and is accompanied by a 30W fast charger. The phone runs Android 13, and like most Motorola phones, you get a near-stock user interface.
Motorola G73 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage
Poco X5 5G
If you are looking for loads of storage space well under 20K, the Poco X5 5G is the phone for you. You can purchase its 256 GB internal storage variant for just Rs 16,999. This phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip, accompanied by 8 GB RAM. And there’s more; this phone flaunts a 6.67-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1200 nits and 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
The Poco X5 5G has three cameras at the back with the combination of a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. A 16MP camera is located in a punch-hole at the top of the screen. This phone too has a 5000 mAh battery that lasts over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 33W fast charger promises to take it from 0 to 100% in an hour. The phone runs Android 12 with a layer of MIUI 13.
Poco X5 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G
We started the list with a phone with OIS and we will end with one too. The recently launched Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G has a lot of things going for it, but one of its standout features is its 64MP primary camera with OIS. The support cast is not all that great with a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor to make up the numbers. But its 32MP front camera will have the selfie enthusiasts interested. The phone runs Android 13 with HIOS 13 UI.
This phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8050 chip, making it the most powerful phone in this list in terms of processing power. You get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant in this budget. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for flicker-free scrolling. The battery backup is similar to most phones in this list with a 5000 mAh battery keeping it powered for a day and a half of moderate use. The company bundles a 33W fast charger to juice it up briskly.
Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 19,699 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage
Pros:
– Pretty solid display
– Good day-to-day performance
– Efficient SoC
– Great design
– Great thermal management
Cons:
– No HDR support
– Mono speakers
– Excessive bloatware
– No OIS
– Tough competition from others
– Could have been priced better
Rating: 4/5
Pricing: 19,999 for the tested 8GB + 256GB Variant
Realme has been launching some of the best entry-level phones under their Narzo series. So popular has the series been so far, that despite a few shortcomings, last year’s Narzo 50 series was a fan favourite.
Just like last year, the Realme Narzo 60 5G smartphone offers a pretty decent experience. What really stands out though, is the design. From the looks of it, the device looks like devices that typically cost three to six times more than what the Narzo 60 5G actually does.
The Narzo 60 5G boasts a wide range of features, impressive specifications, and eye-catching aesthetics that are sure to grab attention. However, it also has a few chinks in its iron, especially its software.
So how does the Realme Narzo 60 5G stand today, at a time when the Indian budget smartphone market has become even more competitive and fierce?
Realme Narzo 60 5G Review: The design
The design of the Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G is remarkably attractive considering its price. The phone is offered in two colour options: Mars Orange and Cosmic Black. The Mars Orange variant, which we received for review, features a luxurious vegan leather back that feels premium, while the Black version has a matte-textured rear panel.
Although the vegan leather material gives a high-end impression, it would have been better if Realme had placed the Narzo branding differently as it slightly detracts from the overall look. The camera module, positioned in a circular shape, houses two cameras and a flash. At the bottom of this lens module, the words “64MP AI Camera” are engraved. Overall, the design is beautiful, but it lacks an IP rating, which may be a concern for some individuals.
The Realme Narzo 60 5G has witnessed a significant improvement in terms of quality. It no longer feels like a budget device; instead, it resembles a mid-range smartphone.
The display of the phone has minimal bezels, which are well-balanced, except for the slightly thick chin that somewhat diminishes the premium look of the screen. A small punch-hole cutout is present for the selfie camera.
Realme Narzo 60 5G Review: The display
The Realme Narzo 60 5G comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, with a resolution of 1080X2400. It comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. You also get support for 90Hz refresh rate and 20,000 levels of Automatic Brightness adjustment which makes using the device easy on the eyes.
Although the display lacks HDR capabilities it is still vibrant and punchy enough to enjoy watching videos and OTT shows.
The display of Realme Narzo 60 5G is vibrant, sharp, and remarkably clear, even when used under direct sunlight. It provides no difficulties when it comes to reading content or playing games outdoors.
The optical in-display fingerprint sensor, although slightly slower than optimal, performed adequately in our testing. The FHD+ resolution of the display offers ample crispness, especially considering the device’s price range. The colours are vivid, and the details are sharp, enhancing the overall visual experience.
The AMOLED panel is surrounded by thin bezels on three sides, contributing to a sleek look. However, there is a noticeable thicker chin at the bottom, which prevents the display from delivering a fully immersive viewing experience.
Furthermore, you also get the TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certificate, which makes the device even easier on your eyes.
Realme Narzo 60 5G Review: The camera
The Realme Narzo 60 5G features a dual AI camera setup at the rear, although only of them does anything meaningful. The primary camera boasts a 64MP sensor with an f/1.79, 25mm wide lens, which handles most of the tasks. In addition, there is a 2MP sensor with an f/2.4 lens for portraits, although it’s better if you just stick to the primary camera.
The front-facing camera on the Realme Narzo 60 5G is a 16MP sensor. You get various shooting options such as night mode, portrait mode, video, HDR, AI, and more.
In terms of photo quality, the images are sharp and vibrant, especially when using the full 64MP mode. The bokeh effect in portrait mode appears natural and smooth, with good detail in the focused area. The device generally performs well, although there were occasional instances of missed focus.
The photos captured by the Narzo 60 5G turned out to be really good for the most part. The device exhibits a solid dynamic range, and retains details well, with vibrant colours, which are slightly oversaturated.
Even in the dark, colours remain pleasing, the dynamic range is satisfactory, and the level of detail is adequate. Some amount of noise is present, but it is not excessive considering the device’s price range. Enabling the Nightscape mode helps reduce noise, although it can introduce a slightly unnatural appearance to the photos.
As for video recording, both the front and rear cameras are capable of capturing crisp footage, although the resolution is limited to 1080p at 30 FPS.
Realme Narzo 60 5G Review: The performance, software experience and UI
The Realme Narzo 60 Pro is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 SoC. It is an octa-core SoC that is made using the 7nm process and has a maximum clock speed of 2.2 GHz. For storage, you get up to 256GB onboard storage, which can be expanded to up to 1TB using a microSDXC card. For RAM, you get 8GB of LPDDR4X, which can be further expanded by another 8 gigs, using RAM extension. For our tests, we got the 256GB + 8GB variant.
The Dimensity 6020 is a relatively new SoC, and is very similar to the Dimensity 810, at least on paper. However, the newer SoC performs marginally better than the Dimensity 810. Considering the Narzo 60 5G’s price range, the processor delivers pretty decent performance.
The performance of the Realme Narzo 60 is pretty solid in day-to-day usage. Although users won’t be setting any benchmark records for its category, at no point in time did we feel that the device had any lags or performance issues.
In terms of real-world gaming performance, the phone provided smooth gameplay with consistent frame rates at medium graphics settings, and it did not experience significant heating during extended gaming sessions.
However, you cannot enjoy all of that performance thanks to the overwhelming bloatware that you get. The number of pre-installed apps is overwhelming, and the user interface experience is further marred by excessive pop-up notifications and “suggested apps” folders.
Overall, the Realme Narzo 60 delivers a smooth and reliable performance in the sub-₹20K price segment. While it may not be a revolutionary device, it provides a decent experience.
Realme Narzo 60 5G Review: The battery
The battery life of the Narzo 60 5G is highly impressive. Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, coupled with the power-efficient nature of the SoC and the use of a Super AMOLED display, the device delivers fantastic battery performance.
During our tests, with 70 per cent brightness, we got over 10 hours of screen-on time and over 14 hours of overall usage time. Typical usage scenarios such as video streaming, web browsing, gaming, emails, and conference calls do not significantly drain the battery, eliminating the need for frequent charging.
However, if the need to charge arises, the Narzo 60 5G supports 33W SuperVOOC fast charging. This feature enables the device to charge from 1 per cent to over 50 per cent in approximately 29 minutes, ensuring a quick recharge when necessary.
Realme Narzo 60 5G Review: Verdict
In the highly saturated sub-Rs 20,000 budget smartphone category in India, manufacturers must be cautious when cutting costs. The Realme Narzo 60 5G stands as a solid performer overall and offers great value for the price.
However, it faces tough competition not only from other brands but even within the Realme lineup itself.
Nevertheless, we have no hesitation in recommending the Narzo 60 5G to individuals seeking a 5G-enabled phone without exceeding a budget of Rs 18,000. The device features a highly responsive screen that produces vibrant colours, delivering an enjoyable visual experience. It also provides a balanced and well-rounded performance in various aspects.
The city of San Francisco has launched an investigation into a large “X” sign that was installed on top of the former Twitter headquarters, now owned by Elon Musk as part of his rebranding of the social media platform. City officials have raised concerns about the installation, stating that any alterations to building signage require a permit for design and safety considerations.
The appearance of the “X” sign came after workers were prevented from removing Twitter’s iconic bird and logo from the building earlier in the week due to safety issues. Replacement letters or symbols on the building’s facade would also need a permit to ensure they are in line with the building’s historic character and are securely attached.
Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the Department of Building Inspection, emphasized that erecting a sign atop a building necessitates a permit, along with planning review and approval. Consequently, the city has opened a complaint and is initiating an investigation.
Elon Musk introduced the new “X” logo to replace Twitter’s well-known blue bird, as he continues to revamp the social media platform he acquired for $44 billion the previous year. The “X” has started appearing on the desktop version of Twitter.
Elon Musk’s fascination with the letter “X” is not new, as he had already renamed Twitter’s corporate name to X Corp. after purchasing it, and one of his children is named “X,” whose actual name is a combination of letters and symbols.
Workers were seen adjusting the sign using a lift machine on Friday afternoon before leaving the site.
Recently discovered documents from Facebook have brought to light that the Biden administration exerted pressure on the social media giant to censor its users’ comments, potentially violating their right to free speech as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Jim Jordan, the US House Judiciary Committee Chairman and a Republican, obtained these documents during the committee’s investigation into the alleged “weaponisation” of the government. He asserted that the documents prove Facebook and Instagram altered their moderation policies and censored posts due to “unconstitutional pressure from the Biden White House.”
In another April 2021 email, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s president for global affairs, informed his team at Facebook that Andy Slavitt, a Senior Advisor to President Biden, was “outraged . . . that [Facebook] did not remove” a particular post. pic.twitter.com/5muflAQjcx
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) July 27, 2023
The smoking gun that got President Biden
One piece of evidence cited by Jordan was an email from a Facebook employee to top executives Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg in April 2021.
The email mentioned “continued pressure from external stakeholders, including the White House and the press, to remove more Covid-19 vaccine-discouraging content.” For instance, the White House insisted on censoring a humorous meme suggesting vaccine risks.
How Biden’s White House pressured Meta
During the same period, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s president for global affairs, informed his colleagues that Andy Slavitt, a senior adviser to Biden on Covid-19 policies, was upset that the platform did not take down the anti-vaccine meme.
Clegg argued that removing the content would infringe on free expression in the US, but Slavitt believed the meme could hinder the government’s vaccine rollout effort.
While social media platforms have the legal right to determine content restrictions, government interference in those decisions could encroach upon free speech rights. The American Civil Liberties Union expressed concern about the government’s attempt to control content moderation requests to Big Tech, stating that the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating what is considered true or false online.
Meta and Zuckerberg in trouble over documents
Jordan issued a warning earlier in the week, stating that his committee would hold Zuckerberg in contempt of Congress unless Facebook provided the subpoenaed documents on government interventions in content moderation. He alleged that there was sufficient evidence to suggest Facebook withheld evidence of facing similar government pressure, as previously seen with Twitter.
According to Jordan, Facebook executives feared consequences if they did not comply with the White House’s demands. In an April 2021 email, Facebook’s vice president for public policy, Brian Rice, expressed concern about the company’s relationship with the White House and the pressure it faced. Meanwhile, another document revealed that “talking points” were prepared for Clegg to improve relations with the administration. The company highlighted its handling of a Tucker Carlson video that angered the White House, reducing its distribution by 50% pending fact-checking, even though it didn’t violate platform policies.
During the annual semiconductor conference in Gujarat, Micron Technology’s CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, announced that the company’s upcoming semiconductor manufacturing facility in Gujarat will produce chips for both Indian and international customers.
Mehrotra expressed his pride in the company’s commitment to establishing India’s first semiconductor test facility and the significant investment it represents for the nation.
“Prime Minister your support for the semiconductor industry and workforce development has fostered an environment of innovation and business growth that is already creating strong results. I am proud to be here today to represent the company’s commitment to build a semiconductor test facility right here in Gujarat. It is a first for India and the first major semiconductor company investment in the nation,” Mehrotra said at Semicon India 2023 event.
Mehrotra also highlighted Micron’s successful expansion in India, where they have built a team of over 3,000 engineers in a short span of time. He credited the strong performance of their operations in Hyderabad and Bangalore for instilling confidence in the success of the assembly unit in India.
Regarding the Gujarat facility, Mehrotra estimated that it will create around 5,000 direct jobs and an additional 15,000 jobs in the community, which he hopes will stimulate further investments in the sector. The project’s total investment is set to be $2.75 billion, with support from the Central government and the state of Gujarat.
“Micron is committed to build a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Gujarat. We estimate that our project in Gujarat will create nearly 5000 direct jobs and additional 15,000 jobs in the community. We are hopeful that this investment will help catalyse other investments in the sector,” Mehrotra said.
India’s initiatives, such as “Digital India” and “Make in India,” have been instrumental in attracting global companies to invest in the country’s semiconductor industry. “Digital India and Make in India are creating a truly transformative energy that will continue to drive positive progress,” Mehrotra said.
The Indian semiconductor market has been growing steadily, and the government unveiled a substantial incentive program of $10 billion in 2021 to bolster the chip sector’s development.
Despite India’s growing semiconductor market, the nation has yet to produce chips locally, but the establishment of Micron’s facility marks a significant step towards changing this landscape. The construction of the Gujarat facility is expected to commence in 2023, with the first phase becoming operational by late 2024, and further expansions planned in the latter half of the decade.
Following Prime Minister Modi’s address to tech companies, investors and all other attendees at the Semicon India 2023 exhibition at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Young Liu, Chairman of Taiwanese tech manufacturing giant Foxconn said that Taiwan will continue to be “India’s most trusted and reliable partner.” “Let’s do this together,” the chairman said addressing Semicon India 2023.
Foxconn has planned to set up at least 4-5 chip fabrication units in India and has been looking for manufacturing partners. Even though the joint venture between Foxconn and India’s Vedanta fell through for a variety of reasons, Foxconn has stated that they have complete confidence in India’s Semicon ambitions, putting out a statement that read, “Foxconn is committed to investing in India. We have no intention to do anything but continue to strongly support the government’s ‘Make In India’ ambitions and establish a diversity of local partnerships that meet the needs of stakeholders.”
Speaking at the Semicon India 2023 exhibition, Chairman Young Liu said, “Where there is a will there’s a way, I can feel the determination of the Indian government. I am very optimistic of the way India will be headed.”
He then went on to say, “PM Modi, once told me that IT stands for India and Taiwan. Prime Minister Modi, Taiwan is and will be your most trusted and reliable partner.”
Foxconn is set to establish a chip fabrication unit in India, even though it is not with Vedanta as it had initially hoped. For that, the Taiwanese manufacturing giant is in discussions with several technology partners that would help them facilitate manufacturing silicon chips in India. Reports have suggested that Foxconn may be partnering up with Taiwan’s TSMC and Japan’s TMH for the project it had initially planned with Vedanta.
Besides that, Foxconn is in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a components manufacturing unit in the state, somewhere near Chennai, where it already has one of India’s largest Apple factories.
As per reports from Reuters, the company presented a plan to invest an initial sum of $180-200 million in the facility. However, it remains uncertain whether the components produced at this new plant will be utilized for iPhones or other products manufactured by the company.
Apart from Tamil Nadu, Foxconn is also in negotiations with Gujarat as it endeavours to venture into India’s semiconductor sector.
According to scientists from the University of Virginia, recycling campaigns, while helpful in diverting waste from landfills, have inadvertently overshadowed the more significant issue of over-production and undermined other sustainable waste reduction strategies.
In their essay for The Conversation, the interdisciplinary research group focused on the psychology of waste, revealing that many people place excessive emphasis on the recycling component of the waste management industry’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” slogan. As a result, recycling has been misconstrued as a simple solution to all waste-related problems, leading to confusion about which items are truly recyclable and disregarding the alarming problem of increasing waste production.
The wrong idea about recycling
In a series of experiments, the researchers asked participants to rank “reduce,” “reuse,” and “recycle” in terms of effectiveness, following the order of the original slogan.
Shockingly, 78 per cent of the participants got it wrong. Subsequently, in another experiment, participants were asked to sort waste into recycling, compost, and landfill bins using a computer program. Unfortunately, many incorrectly placed non-recyclable items, like plastic bags and lightbulbs, into the virtual recycle bin.
Dangerous consequences
The consequence of this misperception is severe. Microplastics from consumer waste continue to pollute oceans, land masses, and even human bodies. Additionally, the production of these items generates greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Despite efforts by some governmental bodies to curb the use of single-use plastics, the industries responsible for creating these items continue to produce them, often without mandatory regulations.
Consumers and marketing largely to blame
Ultimately, the burden of waste reduction falls on consumers, who, as demonstrated by the studies, lack sufficient knowledge and training on how to effectively reduce, reuse, and recycle. This status quo perpetuates the global waste crisis and requires significant logistical and labour efforts to manage.
To address these issues, it is essential to reevaluate waste management strategies and place more emphasis on reducing production, promoting reuse, and ensuring accurate recycling practices. This would require collaborative efforts from industries, governments, and individuals to effectively tackle the growing waste problem and its environmental consequences.
The European Union has approved new regulations aimed at facilitating seamless travel for EV owners throughout Europe and, at the same time, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
The regulations offer three main benefits for EV and van owners: First, they tackle “range anxiety” by expanding the EV charging infrastructure along Europe’s main highways.
Second, the rules simplify the payment process by enabling users to make payments at charging stations without the need for apps or subscriptions.
Third, the regulations ensure transparent communication of pricing and availability to avoid surprises.
Powering Europe’s EVs
Starting in 2025, the new regulations mandate the installation of fast charging stations with a minimum power capacity of 150kW every 60km along the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) highways.
This move is expected to significantly reduce range anxiety for EV owners using the main transport corridor. Moreover, charging stations along the “core” road network, which connects major cities and nodes, must have a total output capacity of at least 400kW by December 31st, 2025, with at least one charging point capable of 150kW output.
To accommodate the deployment of EV fast chargers on the “comprehensive” road network, which connects EU regions to the core network, the regulations set a longer timeframe. By December 31st, 2027, these charging stations must have a total output of at least 300kW, including one charging point capable of 150kW output, for at least 50 per cent of the comprehensive roads.
A Solid Plan
This requirement will be expanded to cover all of these roads by the end of 2030. By December 31st, 2035, charging stations on these roads should have a total output capacity of at least 600kW, with at least two charging points capable of 150kW output.
The new regulations also address the issue of misleading marketing by ensuring that charging stations marketed as 150kW must provide at least one charging point capable of delivering that speed. This is vital for current and future EV models that can handle higher power outputs.
The rules also require charging payments to be made via cards or contactless devices without the need for subscriptions, making it convenient for EV owners to access charging stations across different networks. Operators must clearly display prices, wait times, and availability of their charging points through electronic means.
Apart from electric cars and vans, the regulations also set deployment targets for heavy-duty electric vehicles, address maritime ports and airports, and promote hydrogen refuelling for both cars and trucks.
EU’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Goals
The adoption of these regulations is part of the “Fit for 55” package, a set of initiatives aimed at achieving the EU’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent before 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
Transportation, responsible for 25 per cent of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the majority coming from road use, is a major target for these initiatives.
Before becoming law across the EU, the regulations need to go through further formalities after being formally adopted by the Council.
Raquel Sánchez Jiménez, Spanish Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, expressed optimism about the new regulations, stating that they are a significant step towards providing more public recharging capacity on European streets and motorways, ultimately allowing citizens to charge their electric vehicles as easily as they currently refuel at traditional petrol stations.
Microsoft reported a significant 20 per cent increase in quarterly profits, which has bolstered its position in the competition against rivals like Google, Amazon, and Meta (parent company of Facebook) in the field of selling the latest artificial intelligence technology.
The software giant’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit reached $20.1 billion, equivalent to $2.69 per share, surpassing the analysts’ expectations of $2.55 per share. Moreover, it achieved a revenue of $56.2 billion in the April-June period, marking an 8 per cent increase compared to the previous year and exceeding the forecasted revenue of $55.49 billion.
Despite the positive financial results, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, acknowledged that the AI features added to their existing products, such as cloud computing services, workplace software, and Bing search engine, have not yet had a significant impact on their financial outcomes.
However, the company has been actively investing in generative AI tools, capitalizing on its investments in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to launch a Bing chatbot and other AI tools tailored to business customers. Microsoft is also planning to charge $30 per user for its new AI “Copilot,” which integrates with software like Word, Excel, and email.
The company’s stock experienced a slight drop in after-hours trading despite beating Wall Street’s expectations for profit and revenue. Investors have been closely monitoring Microsoft’s early revenue from AI investments, the performance of its Azure cloud computing platform, and the potential closure of its deal to acquire video game company Activision Blizzard, which could drive more users to Xbox game systems and other Microsoft platforms.
Microsoft’s cloud business segment, with a 15 per cent growth, was the highest-earning in the quarter, generating $24 billion in sales. The flagship Azure platform, along with other cloud services, contributed significantly to this growth.
The company’s productivity software business, led by its Office suite, saw a 10 per cent increase in sales, reaching $18.3 billion for the April-June quarter.
Although AI has captured the attention of the public and investors, Microsoft’s personal computing business, centred around licensing fees for Windows software, remains a crucial revenue stream. This segment earned $13.9 billion in the quarter, down 4 per cent from the previous year, partly due to a decline in PC shipments. However, Gartner suggests that the PC market may stabilize and see growth again in 2024.
While Microsoft’s business-oriented approach has provided some insulation from economic challenges, the company has still undergone workforce reductions, including layoffs of hundreds of workers near its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Earlier this year, Microsoft cut around 10,000 employees, amounting to almost 5 per cent of its workforce.
As the tech industry gets ready to see Samsung launch the Galaxy Flip 5 and the Galaxy Fold 5, and setting yet another benchmark as to how foldable devices ought to be in 2023, I can’t help but look back at the outgoing Galaxy Flip 4 and what a cracker of device it was.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Galaxy Flip 5 will be an even better phone – afterall, Samsung has had some pretty tough competition from smartphone makers like Oppo and Motorolla and the only way to stay relevant in today’s market is to bring meaningful upgrades with each product cycle. However, even after almost a year, the Galaxy Flip 4, remains to be a cracker of a phone, in every single way.
The design of the Galaxy Flip 4 in itself is a great conversation starter, particularly if you owned the Bora Purple variant. Not many people have adopted the return of foldable phones, mainly because of the price, perhaps. But people who have been using foldable devices for some time now will probably find it extremely difficult to return to slab, non-foldable devices.
Whether smartphone makers had planned this or not, foldable devices like the Galaxy Flip 4 were a huge blessing for women. Women’s clothing has a very fatal flaw – most of them don’t have any usable pockets. Even in their jeans and pantsuits, the pockets are designed just for the sake of it – rarely do they have any functional value.
My mom for example has been using a Galaxy Flip 4 for almost 6 months now and she swears that the compact like clamshell design of the Flip 4 just works seamlessly for her. She doesn’t need to carry her phone in her hand, she can simply slip it into the pockets of her blazer or her clutch bag and she is good to go. She says she loves it as much as her original Moto Razr from 2006 and her Nokia 6350, a flip phone that wasn’t available in India, which she had to get it sent over from the US. Coming from her, this is as high as praise can get.
Recently, the CEO of an up-and-coming smartphone company made some comments on the foldable concept as to how foldable devices are something that people don’t necessarily need but they are being pushed upon the consumers by smartphone makers.
While it is an interesting take, anyone who has spent a week with a foldable device would tell the CEO that he is wrong. Smartphone makers wouldn’t pump the sort of money they do to develop their own foldable displays and hinges, just to go for a fad. Foldable smartphones are set to become the mainstay, at least in the flagship category for some years now, in one way or the other.
And besides, I would rather have a phone that opens up and doubles the display size, or that folds away and can be tucked nicely away, over a phone that has glorified unicoloured disco lights, any day of the week.
The Galaxy Flip 4 particularly stands out among other flip phones because of its performance. Yes, it may not beat some of the more recent flip phones in synthetic benchmarks but it always performed better in real-life scenarios. That’s because the software was optimised really well. I have spent some time with a few flip phones from Oppo and Motorolla and both of them used to glitch out in a couple of scenarios. The new Moto Razr and the Razr+ has shown none of these issues, but because I am not reviewing them, I can’t say for sure just how good they are.
The Galaxy Flip 4, during my usage rarely glitched out in any way. Yes, there are a few issues with a couple of apps, mainly, because they are yet to be optimised. We’re looking at you Google for this one.
Even otherwise, The Galaxy Z Flip 4 delivers exceptional performance, all thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. It ensures that apps open up instantly, menu scrolling is seamless, and gameplay is smoothie even with graphically intensive games. Although the phone may experience some heating during resource-heavy tasks like extended gaming or prolonged hotspot use, it never becomes uncomfortably hot to handle. Considering its slim design as a foldable phone, the Z Flip 4’s performance is truly impressive.
Alongside the standard set of Samsung features, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 also had some unique functionalities that are specific to its foldable form factor, with the most noteworthy one being the “Flex mode panel.” By enabling Flex mode for a particular app and opening it while the Z Flip 4 is propped upright, the app automatically moves to the top portion of the screen, leaving the bottom half available for a range of controls and interactions.
From the bottom half of the screen, users can conveniently access the notification panel, take screenshots, adjust brightness and volume settings, and utilize the lower part of the display as a trackpad for seamless navigation within the app displayed above. This innovative Flex mode offers a versatile and efficient way to interact with apps and multitask on the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Then, there are the cameras. The camera setup of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 may appear modest with its 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, and 10MP selfie camera, but it is a reliable package that should satisfy most users. Following the typical Samsung style, the photos taken directly from the Z Flip 4 exhibit bold and vibrant colors, though they might not always be entirely true-to-life. Nonetheless, these visually striking images are perfect for sharing on social media without requiring any additional editing. The phone also handles nighttime photography commendably.
The 10MP selfie camera performs adequately for self-portraits and video calls. However, most people who I know using the device generally lean towards the 12MP primary camera, thanks to the Z Flip 4’s folding design and cover screen.
Given these unique and practical use cases, some of the camera’s technical limitations become less bothersome. While it may not be the absolute best camera on the market, the Z Flip 4 produces attractive images, handles lowlight situations impressively, and offers distinctive shooting modes not found in other phones tested throughout the year.
All in all, The Galaxy Flip 4 was a cracker of phone when it was launched last year, and continues to be one. I wouldn’t be surprised if people actually go for the Flip 4, if Samsung or one of India’s e-commerce platforms decides to cut back on the prices when Samsung launched the Flip 5 series.
On July 28 in Gandhinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating ‘Semicon India 2023,’ a prominent exhibition showcasing India’s semiconductor capabilities and chip design advancements. The event will feature renowned companies such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, LAM Research, NXP Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics, illuminating India’s impressive progress in fostering a global semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.
This mega event will provide a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies and innovations in chip-making, bringing together the most prominent players in the semiconductor and technology industry.
VIDEO | “I am very happy that the ‘SemiconIndia 2023’ exhibition was inaugurated today in Gandhinagar. PM Modi will arrive here on July 28 to inaugurate (the main event),” says Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. pic.twitter.com/VpDmyQsrhx
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2023
According to an official statement, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is on the brink of revolutionizing the semiconductor landscape in India, and the inauguration of ‘Semicon India 2023’ in Gandhinagar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 28, 2023, will be a significant milestone in this endeavour.
“I am very happy that SemiconIndia 2023 exhibition is being inaugurated in Gandhinagar. The event exhibition is scheduled to take place across three days 28, 29 and 30 July. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the exhibition on the 28th,” said IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
“Semicon India in of the most important event in our country’s technology annual calendar. Fifteen months ago, in 2022, India’s first Semicon exhibition was organised in Bengaluru. It was conceptualised, visualised and executed because, in December of 2021, PM Modi presented his vision and his goal to the people of India, of making this country into a major semiconductor nation,” he added.
SemiconIndia 2023 is set to witness the enthusiastic participation of major semiconductor giants, including Micron Technology and Applied Materials. These companies have recently pledged significant investments in India’s semiconductor ecosystem. Micron Technology, for instance, has committed a staggering $825 million towards a semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat, while Applied Materials plans to invest $400 million in their Engineering Collaborative Centre.
The exhibition will be a grand affair with a lineup of 150 stalls representing 80 leading companies. These diverse participants cover the entire spectrum of semiconductors, encompassing the supply chain, global Integrated Device Manufacturers, and domestic majors.
Beyond the established companies, SemiconIndia 2023 will also be a platform for 25 startups to showcase their innovations and network with industry leaders, providing them with valuable exposure and opportunities.
The international appeal of the event is evident with participation from 23 countries and the presence of multiple states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, which will showcase their collective efforts in supporting the growth of the semiconductor industry.
Notably, the exhibition will also include showcases from renowned institutions like SCL, ISRO, and the Space Application Centre, emphasizing their contributions to the field. Additionally, esteemed educational institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, BITS Pilani, Ganpat University, and Nirma University will actively participate, highlighting academia’s vital role in driving India’s semiconductor advancements.
SemiconIndia 2023 stands as a testament to India’s strong commitment to establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem. Through its grand scale and innovative showcases, the exhibition proudly demonstrates India’s potential as an emerging global hub for semiconductor excellence.
Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency initiative founded by OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, is commencing its launch on Monday.
At the core of this project lies the World ID, an exclusive account accessible only to real individuals. To obtain a World ID, customers must undergo an in-person iris scan using Worldcoin’s ‘orb,’ a silver ball resembling the size of a bowling ball. Once the orb confirms the person’s authenticity, a World ID is created.
Tools for Humanity, a company based in San Francisco and Berlin, is the driving force behind Sam Altman’s latest crypto project.
During its beta phase, the project amassed 2 million users. Now, with the official launch on Monday, Worldcoin is expanding its ‘orbing’ operations to 35 cities across 20 countries. As an incentive, individuals signing up in select countries will receive Worldcoin’s cryptocurrency token, WLD.
The incorporation of cryptocurrency into World IDs is crucial as it enables the storage of these IDs on blockchain technology, ensuring privacy and immunity from control by any single entity.
World IDs are deemed essential in the era of advanced AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which produce remarkably human-like language. These IDs can be employed to distinguish between genuine individuals and AI bots online.
Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its intention to list Worldcoin, with trading expected to tentatively begin on Monday at 09:00 GMT.
Altman also shared how Worldcoin can contribute to reshaping the economy under the influence of generative AI. He envisions AI empowering people and foresees significant economic implications. Altman highlights universal basic income (UBI) as an example—a social benefits program where each individual receives regular payments. With AI taking over more human tasks, Altman believes UBI can combat income inequality. Moreover, since only real people can possess World IDs, it could help reduce fraud when implementing UBI.
Although Altman acknowledges that a world with UBI is distant and lacks a clear entity to oversee it, he sees Worldcoin as a stepping stone towards making it a reality. He emphasizes the importance of experimenting with innovative ideas to determine the best course of action.
A few days ago, BYD, also known as Build Your Dreams, one of the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, announced that it plans to invest $1 billion in India and set up a factory for making EVs and batteries in the country. They also announced that the plant will be set up in partnership with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd.
However, recent developments show that the Indian government has rejected BYD’s proposal. The companies had jointly applied to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to set up an electric vehicle plant in Hyderabad.
Why India rejected a $1 billion plant from BYD
During the evaluation process, various departments were consulted for their input, and concerns related to security, particularly regarding Chinese investments in India, were raised.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, existing regulations do not permit such investments from China. The proposal put forth by the partnership aimed to manufacture 10,000-15,000 electric cars annually, with Megha providing the capital and BYD contributing the technology and know-how.
This rejection is consistent with the ongoing tensions between India and China, which have been affecting the business endeavours of Chinese companies in India. Notably, Great Wall Motor, another Chinese automobile manufacturer, faced a similar setback last year when its proposed $1 billion investment plan was unable to secure government approvals.
The background to these investment policies lies in India’s 2020 policy, which was implemented after hostilities with China. The policy imposed restrictions on Foreign Direct Investments originating from China, mandating prior approval for investments from nations sharing land borders with India. This policy has been perceived by experts as anti-China. In May of this year, the Indian government also introduced measures to scrutinize Chinese companies attempting to bypass this rule by using shell companies and availing subsidies usually denied to Chinese businesses.
BYD’s growing presence in India
Despite this setback, BYD currently operates in the Indian market, offering two fully-electric cars – Atto 3 and e6. The company plans to launch its Seal EV in India by the end of the year, which was showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo. The introduction of the Seal EV is expected to follow a similar route as the Atto 3 and e6, using semi-knocked down kits (SKD).
Industry insiders have told Firstpost that there is a substantial fear that Chinese EV brands manufacturing in India will bring several challenges. First, Chinese companies operating in India have a history of fraudulently dodging taxes and underreporting their tax liabilities. Second, bringing physical components from China to a Chinese-owned company in India opens up a Pandora’s box of potential issues and problems.
India’s Tesla Dreams
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing between the Indian government and Tesla, owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, for establishing a factory in India. While the government has shown interest in Musk’s proposals, it has not offered any additional incentives or tax breaks, requiring Tesla to apply under the existing incentive plans for EVs.
Ever since news broke that Elon Musk would be taking over Twitter, industry experts, especially those who have been following Elon Musk and his various business ventures were saying that Musk will one day turn Twitter into a super app.
Basically, Twitter will be made into an app that does pretty much everything, from being social media platform, to a messaging app, to a payments and banking app and, even to let users order food, book a cab, or just shop online. With Twitter now being rebranded as X, and Musk stating that he will be ‘killing all birds’ The transition everyone knew was on the way, is now finally happening.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023
Elon Musk made an announcement on Sunday stating that “X dot com” now directs to Twitter dot com. He also tweeted that the interim X logo would be live later in the day. Mr. Musk has been vocal about his aspiration to create an all-in-one app that combines the functionalities of social media and payment apps, similar to China’s WeChat, which is owned by the Chinese tech giant Tencent.
WeChat, a crucial part of Chinese society, boasts more than 1 billion users who rely on it for a wide array of tasks, including social media, messaging, food ordering, and cab payments. Its significance is such that it is often referred to as “the app for everything.”
In the past, Mr. Musk openly expressed that his acquisition of Twitter, which stirred controversy, served as a catalyst for his vision of creating “X,” an all-encompassing app he envisions as the “everything app.”
Twitter’s CEO Linda Yaccarino, shed some light on what new features will come with X, the everything app, saying that X’s unlimited interactivity is powered by AI, and “it will connect us all in ways we’re just beginning to imagine.”
X is the future state of unlimited interactivity – centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking – creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways we’re just beginning to imagine.
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 23, 2023
There’s absolutely no limit to this transformation. X will be the platform that can deliver, well….everything. @elonmusk and I are looking forward to working with our teams and every single one of our partners to bring X to the world.
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 23, 2023
From Linda’s Tweets above and the rumours of the features that some of Twitter’s top engineers have been working on, here are just some of the features that Elon Musk’s X super app will have
Centred around audio and video content
While Twitter is very text heavy, it will transition into audio, video and photographic content more as they are easier to interact with. Having said that, Twitter will still continue to support text but will urge creators to supplement those textual content with video or images.
Integration with food ordering apps, cab booking apps
Because of Musk’s fascination with WeChat, we can assume that some of the most popular features of the Chinese super app will be added to Musk’s X, the everything app. Some of the most common features would be social messaging, ordering food, and booking train/flight tickets or cabs.
E-commerce platform or an online marketplace
Almost every social media app has dabbled with the idea of having its own e-commerce platform, or at the very least, a marketplace. And although the way the idea may have been implemented differently by different social media platforms, Twitter’s online shopping platform is pretty rudimentary. That is all set to change because of X. It will be interesting to see if Musk’s X platform becomes a threat to Jeff Bezos’ Amazon in any way
A UPI-like payment and banking system
Payments and banking will be a cornerstone for X. Musk has indicated several times that Twitter, now X, needs its own payment system and that he hopes to start an online bank within the Twitter ecosystem. Given how many of X’s proposed features are based on buying and selling stuff services, it only makes sense to have a banking system within the app itself.
A dating platform
Twitter has already announced that it will now allow verified companies to post vacancies they have at their companies, muck like LinkedIn. There is a very possibility that Musk and Linda may decide to add a dating feature to the app. As anyone who has spent any time on the Internet would know, almost all social sites can be made into a dating site.
Moreover, Musk has at times encouraged people on Twitter to find their partners using the social media platform.
Apple has announced that it will remove services like FaceTime and iMessage from the UK rather than compromise on security if new proposals in the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016 become law.
The UK government is seeking to update the IPA and wants messaging services to get approval from the Home Office for their security features before releasing them to the public.
A little too much oversight
Currently, the Home Office can demand security features to be disabled without informing the public, but the proposed update would require immediate action without a review or independent oversight process.
Messaging services, including WhatsApp and Signal, have expressed opposition to a clause in the Online Safety Bill that would allow the communications regulator to mandate the installation of technology to scan for child-abuse material in encrypted messaging apps and other services. They have refused to comply with this provision, with Signal even threatening to leave the UK.
Apple has also voiced its objections to the plan, standing in solidarity with other messaging platforms in prioritizing user privacy and security.
The government has launched an eight-week consultation on the proposed amendments to the IPA, which already allows the storage of internet browsing records for 12 months and permits the bulk collection of personal data. The government claims that the amendments are not about granting new powers but rather updating the act to align with current technology.
Why the Investigatory Powers Act is problematic
Apple has consistently opposed the Investigatory Powers Act, which has been criticized as a “snooper’s charter” by its detractors. In response to the current consultation on proposed amendments to the act, Apple has submitted a nine-page document outlining its objections.
Some aspects of the amendment require tech companies to inform the Home Office about any changes to product security features before their release. Non-UK-based companies need to comply with changes that would impact their products globally, such as providing a backdoor to end-to-end encryption. Tech companies will also need to take immediate action if the Home Office issues a notice to disable or block a feature, without any consultation
Apple’s stance is based on these is issues is as follows:
The company firmly advocates for maintaining strong data security and privacy standards and expresses concerns that complying with the proposed changes could have far-reaching consequences.
Pulling up the national security card
In response to the concerns raised, the Home Office stated that the Investigatory Powers Act’s primary goal is to safeguard the public from criminals, child sex abusers, and terrorists. The government emphasizes that they continuously review all legislation to ensure it remains robust, and the current consultation is part of that ongoing process. No final decisions have been made yet.
The issue highlights a clash between the government’s aim to strengthen national security and protect the public and the concerns raised by technology companies and experts about potential implications for data security and privacy. The outcome of the consultation and the subsequent decisions will likely have significant implications for the relationship between tech companies and government surveillance policies in the UK.
Google has secretly unveiled an AI tool known as Genesis, capable of producing news stories for major newspapers like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
According to reports from The New York Times, this signals a potential influx of AI-generated or AI-assisted content on the internet.
Although Google denies intending to replace journalists, they assert that Genesis will act as a “personal assistant” for journalists, automating certain tasks to allow more time for others.
Google downplaying its AI’s capability to get Journalists on board
Media executives who have seen a demo of the AI chatbot revealed that the tool can not only write and edit stories but give them headlines, straplines and summaries, all without the input of a trained media professional.
Media executives expressed concerns about Google’s pitch, feeling it downplayed the effort and skill required to create accurate and well-crafted news stories.
Publications, such as CNET, Gizmodo, and BuzzFeed, have already embraced AI-generated news stories, but they often suffered from errors and plagiarism issues.
The entrance of an influential company like Google into this space could accelerate the adoption of AI technology by media outlets, increasing pressure on traditional journalists.
“Goodness gracious,” tweeted The Information founder Jessica Lessin. “Let it be said, journalists don’t need Google to write their articles as ‘a personal assistant.’ And anything that Google (or any AI) could write has no real original reporting value.”
Google is killing the news
Google maintains that its tools are not meant to replace journalists entirely, but rather offer assistance with tasks like generating headlines or different writing styles.
“Quite simply, these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating and fact-checking their articles,” Google spokesperson Jenn Crider told the NYT. “For instance, AI-enabled tools could assist journalists with options for headlines or different writing styles,” she added.
Recently, Google unveiled a new AI-powered search interface called “Search Generative Experience” (SGE) that can summarize webpages through “AI snapshots,” potentially undermining human-based journalism further.
Hallucinations mean reputations are on the line
However, there are reasons to be sceptical about Google’s AI technology, as past instances like the AI chatbot Bard have shown its unreliability in distinguishing truth from fiction and generating misinformation at scale.
The media industry is exploring ways to incorporate generative AI into newsrooms, but concerns remain about potential job cuts and the ability of AI to produce coherent and more importantly fact-based truthful information.
Ultimately, the reputation of news publications is at stake, prompting media executives to carefully consider the implications before fully embracing Google’s AI offer.
Although most AI models rely on data generated by humans, certain companies are now exploring the utilization of data produced by AI itself.
This concept, known as “synthetic data,” presents a promising opportunity for significant advancements in the AI ecosystem, although it also raises comparisons to an algorithmic ouroboros.
Feeding a data-hungry monster
According to the Financial Times, OpenAI, Microsoft, and the startup Cohere, valued at two billion dollars, are actively researching synthetic data to train their large language models (LLMs). The primary motivation behind this shift is the cost-effectiveness of synthetic data compared to expensive human-created data.
In addition to cost benefits, the issue of scale arises when training cutting-edge LLMs. The existing pool of human-generated data is already substantially utilized, and to further enhance these models, more data will likely be required.
According to Cohere’s CEO, Aiden Gomez, acquiring all the necessary data directly from the web would be ideal, but the reality is that the web is too chaotic and unstructured to represent the precise data needed. Therefore, companies like Cohere and others are already employing synthetic data to train their LLMs, although this approach is not widely publicized.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, expressed confidence that synthetic data will eventually dominate, and Microsoft has started publishing studies on how it can enhance less sophisticated LLMs. Additionally, there are startups solely focused on selling synthetic data to other companies.
AI’s questionable integrity and reliability
However, critics point out a significant drawback: AI-generated data’s integrity and reliability might be questionable, as even AI models trained on human-generated data are known to make substantial factual errors. This process also carries the risk of creating messy feedback loops, labeled “irreversible defects” in a recent paper by Oxford and Cambridge researchers.
Nonetheless, companies like Cohere aim for a moonshot goal of self-teaching AIs that can generate their own synthetic data. The ultimate dream is to have models capable of asking their own questions, discovering new insights, and creating knowledge autonomously.
The problem with AI black box
Even developers who work on AI models have failed to understand how exactly do most AI algorithms work. Most AI studios are updating their existing AI models and LLMs by feeding them data, not by updating core code that controls the algorithm.
The AI block box is so opaque, that almost all AI models that have been allowed to operate freely have picked up some or other language on its own. Back in April, Google exec James Manyika admitted that even though they had not trained their experimental AI in Bengali, the model had picked up the language as well as few of its dialects, and perfected it.
This sort of behaviour, where an AI model teaches itself things is called emergent properties, and it is virtually impossible to stop AI models from doing it, without destroying it.
The way most AI models work is that it does not forget or rather erase anything that it has learnt. This includes things that are categorically wrong. Developers can put on filters on the output that it generates, but the AI model still has that piece of factoid within itself and uses it in its workings.
If developers are using faulty data or a data set that has been generated under a hallucination, the resulting AI bot will also generate faulty results.
And it’s not just that the results generated may be faulty, they can be biased as well. Several AI-generated content on Wikipedia, would be a great example of this. Biased articles were used to train a certain AI model, which in turn generated articles that were more biased than the previous one, to the point, where they were riddled with ‘facts’ that are hilariously incorrect.
In the Indian automotive scene, EVs are a brand new and exciting chapter, not just for regular customers, but for driving enthusiasts as well, in its own peculiar way. Tata and MG are the two car brands that are leading the Indian EV revolution, at least for passenger four-wheelers.
Even though MG India loads up their EVs with more practical features and tons of creature comforts, they are only able to manage a fraction of what Tata manages to sell. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Tata is thrashing MG in India when it comes to EVs.
Number Game
While MG has just two EVs in India, the MG Comet and the MG ZS EV, Tata has the widest EV portfolio in the passenger car market. The two most popular selling EVs in India, the Nexon EV, and the Tiago EV, are both Tata products. Because of Tata’s wide range of EVs, there is an EV for practically everyone looking for an EV.
Up until June of this year, Tata has sold just under 30,000 EVs in India. In comparison, MG has managed to sell around 10 per cent of that number, about 3200. In May, for example, Tata sold 5,959 EVs. In the same month, MG reports that they sold 457. Two months before this, in March, when the financial year ends and car makers usually offer some pretty attractive deals, Tata sold 7,298 EVs, compared to MG’s 516.
All of this has a compounding effect on a consumer who is in the market looking to buy an EV. Not everyone follows automotive news and reviews as closely as enthusiasts and for people like these, the best indicator of how good a car or an EV is, is by the numbers that they see on roads.
MG seriously need to amp up its portfolio and bring some exciting new offerings if it wants to take on Tata, or any other legacy car brand in India.
Legacy Loses Out
If we look at the motoring history of the world, MG has a far better and rich legacy than Tata. However, legacy is good only for a history lesson, PR, and for a great marketing story. It rarely translates into recurring sales.
Despite its legacy, MG is not able to compete with Tata. This boils down to two main reasons. MG has had a bad reputation in India for its reliability issues with its ICE vehicles. The internet is filled with videos and social media posts of brand-new MG Hectors breaking down in the middle of nowhere and the horrendous and high-handed ways that service agencies dealt with MG customers.
Then, there is the experience of servicing your vehicles and the cost associated with it. India is a price-sensitive market and will continue to be one for aeons to come. Tata is notorious for the nightmares it puts its customers through when they go in to get their vehicles serviced. Yes, in the last couple of years, the service experience at Tata has improved exponentially, especially if you own one of their premium offerings, but that all depends on which service centre you take your car to.
In comparison, people who have actually bought an EV from MG will testify that apart from lengthy waiting times on certain days of the week, the experience is smooth and pleasant.
And yet, people still go for Tata’s offerings, overwhelmingly. The reason for that comes down to service cost or rather the cost of parts and consumables. MG made the critical mistake of offering spare parts and other consumables for a considerably higher price than most other car makers in the Indian market.
In the last year or so, prices of their parts have come down significantly, but there is this impression on people’s minds that the servicing cost of MG’s cars, be it EVs or ICEs, is expensive.
MG needs to advertise that its servicing costs are affordable and comparable with other major EV brands. If they manage to undercut their pricing even by a little, they will capture a sizeable portion of the market going forward, in no time.
MG’s Strange Product, Pricing Strategies
This is where MG India has missed the mark, and that too by a wide margin. In a market that was dominated by a compact sedan EV, MG decided to compete using a kei car, their Comet EV. This was a mistake that cost them doubly.
First, India is a market that is obsessed with the SUV and compact SUV form factor, even in jampacked urban centres. Even though kei cars have their utility, they are not fit for the Indian market, given the sentimentalities people and families have with their cars.
Second, for a kei car, the Comet was very expensive. Even though the Maruti WagonR and the Ignis are petrol vehicles, they are seen as the Comet EV’s competitors. Despite the fact that the Tiago EV is substantially more expensive than the Comet, people have this perception that the Comet is substantially more expensive than the WagonR and Ignis.
When we come to the ZS EV, MG is going up against the Nexon EV, and yet, it is priced as if it is in a segment or two higher than the Nexon EV. The base model of the ZS EV starts at 23.38 Lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Compared to that, the top model of Nexon EV Max goes for Rs 19.54 ex-showroom Delhi.
The only solution to this is that MG brings more EVs that are suited to India, specifically, Indian families. As much as brands would believe otherwise, in India, buying a car is always a family decision, even though it may be used by a single person.
