Apple has announced a surprise Halloween event scheduled for October 30, generating excitement among tech enthusiasts. The event is expected to unveil new iMacs and MacBook Pro models, although Apple has remained tight-lipped about the specifics. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to showcase an updated 24-inch iMac and two new MacBook Pro models. There are also hints of a larger Pro version of the iMac in the pipeline for a future release. The event will kick off at 5 pm PT on October 30, which corresponds to 5:30 am IST on October 31 for viewers in India.
In other news, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, shared positive progress in its social media expansion efforts. During its quarterly earnings call, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that Threads, the company’s new social media platform, has gained nearly 100 million monthly users since its launch in July. Zuckerberg expressed his satisfaction with the platform’s growth and emphasized Meta’s commitment to further expanding the Threads community. He also highlighted the significant revenue generated from Click-to-Message advertisements in the Indian market, indicating India’s importance as a key market for Meta.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi introduced its latest flagship series, the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro, at a launch event in China. These smartphones feature Qualcomm’s advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and Xiaomi’s new HyperOS. They come with LTPO OLED displays, 2K resolution, and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. Both models are equipped with a triple rear camera setup developed in collaboration with Leica and offer IP68 water and dust resistance. They also offer ample memory and storage options, with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of onboard storage. The pricing for the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro starts at CNY 3,999 and CNY 4,999, respectively.
In a legal battle, Meta and Instagram are facing accusations from multiple US states, alleging their platforms’ adverse impact on youth mental health. The states claim that Meta has misled the public about the risks associated with its platforms and intentionally encouraged compulsive usage among young users. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 per violation, which could amount to substantial sums considering the large number of youthful users. Meta has responded by defending its efforts to enhance the safety of young users online.
Furthermore, during the India Mobile Congress, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the country’s progress in 6G technology. He highlighted India’s impressive rise in mobile broadband speed rankings and its swift implementation of 5G networks, with 400,000 5G base stations deployed within a year. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significant impact of these technological advancements on the nation’s future, acknowledging their potential to positively transform the lives of millions.
That concludes this week’s top tech news. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming week.
