Techi

Google has launched a new app called ‘AI Edge Gallery’ that allows Android phones to run powerful AI models directly on the device, without needing an internet connection. This means users can use AI features like creating images, answering questions, and writing code completely offline (without connecting to the cloud). This new app integrates models from Hugging Face, a prominent AI repository, facilitating on-device execution for enhanced privacy, faster processing, and offline functionality. One of the key models used is Gemma 3 1B, a compact yet powerful language model designed for mobile and web platforms. At just 529MB, Gemma 3 1B can process up to 2,585 tokens per second, enabling rapid content generation and interaction. Notably, this model supports various applications, including personalized content creation, intelligent responses in messaging apps, and document analysis. The app also leverages Google’s AI Edge platform, containing tools like MediaPipe and TensorFlow Li...

Anthropic (an AI startup founded by former OpenAI senior leaders) is reportedly generating around $3 billion in annualized revenue. According to a report by Reuters, this latest estimate (based on the company’s current sales pace projected over a full year) has tripled since December 2024. Back then, the AI firm was making around $1 billion a year. That figure doubled by March 2025 and now reached $3 billion just two months later. As per the report, this rapid growth is mostly due to rising demand from businesses for generative AI tools. Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, known for its advanced coding and problem-solving capabilities, has been widely adopted by companies looking for AI solutions. Notably, unlike its competitor OpenAI (which focuses more on consumer products), Anthropic has focused more on serving businesses by providing AI models as a service. However, the company still serves individual consumers as well and therefore generates revenue through two channels – selling AI ...

Perplexity has now rolled out “Perplexity Labs,” a new tool for its Pro subscribers. Available on the web, iOS, and Android, with Mac and Windows app support coming soon, Labs is designed to transform ideas into tangible deliverables such as detailed reports, dynamic spreadsheets, interactive dashboards, and even simple web applications. This release marks a major expansion beyond Perplexity’s core search capabilities. Perplexity frames Labs as akin to having a “team” available, contrasting it with a “answer machine” available 24/7. Perplexity Labs can conduct extensive research and analysis, operating in focused cycles of 10 minutes or longer. Unlike traditional AI assistants that primarily deliver information, Labs takes a “hands-on” approach. It leverages a suite of integrated tools, including deep web Browse, code execution, and the generation of charts and images, to produce comprehensive outputs. This positions Perplexity Labs within the emerging category of AI agents, which ar...

There’s more money pouring into the Quick commerce space. On-demand home services provider Snabbit, which promises to provide househelp within 10 minutes, has now secured $19Mn (nearly ₹160 crore) in its Series B fundraise. The round was led by Lightspeed, including participation from existing investors Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners. This latest capital infusion brings the Mumbai-based company’s total funding to $24.5 million across two rounds since the beginning of the year. Snabbit, founded last year by former Zepto employee Aayush Agarwal, specializes in providing trained personnel for various household tasks, including general cleaning, dishwashing, and laundry, with services available within 10 minutes of booking. The company initially launched its services in Powai, Mumbai, and has since expanded to additional micro-markets in Mumbai and select areas of Bengaluru. Agarwal says Snabbit plans to expand into over 200 micro-markets across major Indian metro cities w...

So far, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook have benefitted from the integration of Meta AI into their platforms, bringing AI-powered features to their extensive user base. Now Telegram, the popular messaging up, has taken a page put of Meta’s book by securing a one-year partnership with xAI, Elon Musk’s AI firm, wherein its Grok chatbot will be integrated across Telegram’s platforms and reach more than a billion users. Under the agreement, xAI will pay Telegram $300 million in a combination of cash and equity. Additionally, Telegram is set to receive 50% of the revenue generated from Grok subscriptions sold directly through its app. Durov stated in a post on X that this collaboration would provide Telegram users access to the AI chatbot starting this summer. The announcement comes as Telegram is reportedly planning to raise at least $1.5 billion through a bond issue on Wednesday, with strong support from both new and existing investors, including BlackRock. “Telegram and xAI have agr...

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a dedicated gaming app that will come preinstalled on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV devices later this year. According to a report by Bloomberg, this new app (expected to be announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference, aka ‘WWDC’, next week) is designed to serve as a central hub for video games and related features across Apple’s ecosystem. The app will allow users to launch games already installed on their devices and consolidate various game-related functions, including achievement tracking, leaderboards, social features, and in-game activity logs. It is positioned as a replacement for the current ‘Game Center’, offering a richer and Xbox-like experience. As per the report, the tech titan intends the app to enhance its appeal to both gamers and developers by creating a more immersive and connected platform for gaming. The interface will include a ‘Play Now’ section, offering editorial recommendations, featured challenges, and update...

SpaceX’s Starship rocket system experienced an in-flight breakup of its upper stage during atmospheric re-entry on Tuesday, May 27, after its first-stage Super Heavy booster also exploded prematurely. This integrated test flight marks another partial success with a controlled launch, but ultimately fell short of its full mission objectives, continuing the high-stakes test campaign for Elon Musk’s Mars colonization vehicle. The two-stage Starship system, recognized as the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever constructed, lifted off at approximately 6:36 PM local time (2336 GMT) from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas. The flight initially proceeded smoothly, and a few minutes into the mission, the Super Heavy booster successfully separated from the Starship upper stage. However, as the recycled booster maneuvered for its planned controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, it encountered an issue and exploded. SpaceX commentators noted that a hard splashdown was expect...

iPad users are finally getting some recognition from Meta – the social media company is now making WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging service, available on iPad. The launch, which Meta announced on Tuesday, comes more than 15 years after WhatsApp’s initial release and the debut of the first iPad. “As one of our biggest requests, we’re excited to announce that WhatsApp is now available on iPad. Bringing all your favorite features to a larger screen, WhatsApp for iPad makes keeping in touch with friends and family even easier. Make video and audio calls with up to 32 people, share your screen, and use both front and back cameras,” WhatsApp announced in a blog post. The newly available app leverages the iPad’s larger screen, offering a two-column layout with message threads on one side and the active conversation on the other. It supports core iPadOS multitasking features such as Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager, allowing users to run WhatsApp and send messages along...

With quick commerce adoption booming across the country (even though startup financials remain hugely negative), several niche quick-com startups are now emerging, with specific use-cases. And they are now finding themselves notable to investors to back as well. A popular name among them is quick commerce fashion startup ‘Slikk’, which has now secured $10Mn in its Series A round. The round was led by Nexus Venture Partners, with existing backer Lightspeed also taking part in this fresh infusion of capital. The proceeds from the funding round will be used to enable the firm’s entry and expansion into new lifestyle categories, introduce instant return options, and deepen its presence in more urban pin codes to access a wider customer base. The firm also plans to diversify into beauty and personal care, footwear, accessories, and wearables, aiming to extend its reach across key metros. Funds will also be deployed to focus on warehouse and dark store infrastructure, alongside tech enhanc...

Nvidia is reportedly planning to release a simpler, cheaper version of its Blackwell AI chip (potentially named the B20) for the Chinese market. This new chip uses less power and has fewer advanced features, so it can meet US trade rules, reports Reuters. Despite the downgrades, this upcoming chip may still allow for limited configurability by clients to optimise its use within permissible limits. To distribute the B20 chip, Nvidia plans to collaborate with Inspur, a major Chinese server manufacturer. This partnership is expected to facilitate the chip’s integration into AI infrastructure within China, despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges. The new chip will use GDDR7 memory instead of the high-bandwidth memory found in higher-end models and will forgo advanced packaging technologies like Taiwan Semiconductor’s CoWoS. More importantly, these simplifications will help on two fronts – they avoid triggering export bans and significantly reduce costs, br...

Elon Musk has announced a return to an intense ’24/7′ work schedule across his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, and X. Musk’s recent decision to increase his involvement across his companies comes amid growing scrutiny over his divided focus, particularly following his significant role in President Donald Trump’s current administration. More recently, he also suggested at a public forum, that he’s “had enough” of political work and wouldn’t want to move any further now. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is playing a critical (and controversial) role in shaping federal policy (like advocating for drastic budget cuts). He is also facing serious allegations regarding the use of Grok (the AI chatbot developed by his company, xAI) within the DOGE. Musk’s political engagement and active participation in governmental affairs have raised concerns among investors and the public about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on his business ventures...

Vietnam’s government has reportedly directed telecommunications companies to block access to the messaging app Telegram, arguing that the platform failed to cooperate in curbing criminal activities conducted by its users. According to a report by Reuters, a government document authenticated by a Ministry of Technology official instructs telecom providers to implement measures to halt Telegram’s operations in the country and submit compliance reports by June 2.  The move comes after the Ministry of Public Security reported that 68% of Vietnam’s 9,600 Telegram channels and groups were linked to illegal acts like fraud, drug trafficking, and suspected terrorism. Critics argued that Telegram’s features, like large group chats, encrypted messages, and the ability to delete chat histories, have made it a haven for cybercriminals in Vietnam. Scams involving fraudulent recruitment, investment schemes, and property theft have increased on the platform. In some cases, criminals have crea...

Zepto Cafe, the quick-service food division of fast-growing quick-commerce firm Zepto, has temporarily suspended operations in multiple smaller North Indian cities due to escalating operational costs and persistent supply chain issues. The move affects 44 outlets in multiple locations including Agra, Chandigarh, Meerut, Mohali, and Amritsar. The company stated it aims to resume services in these regions by the end of the upcoming quarter. Zepto Cafe, which offers items like coffee, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals, was launched as Zepto’s entry into the competitive food delivery market, a space largely dominated by Swiggy and Zomato. Currently, its menu includes 148 items intended for 10-minute delivery – and the quick food delivery model places a lot of emphasis on logistics and coordination. However, the company is now facing logistical and financial pressures, thus forcing this temporary scale-back outside major urban centers. So if you are one of those who relied on Zepto Cafe for ...

ChatGPT paved the way for integrating AI (especially AI chatbots) into multiple sectors, ranging from customer service to creative writing, and often operates as a helpful, benign assistant. But a new report from leading AI firm Anthropic now bucks the trend – according to the firm, the pre-release safety testing of its new Claude Opus 4 exhibited a disturbing readiness to engage in blackmail against its own developers, particularly when threatened with replacement by a newer system. This development, detailed in a recently published safety report, have led Anthropic to classify Claude Opus 4 as an ‘ASL-3’ system – a designation reserved for AI tech that poses a heightened risk of catastrophic misuse. The company described the model’s actions as “high-agency” behavior, including autonomous decisions to issue threats, attempt digital sabotage, and make unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information within controlled test environments. In contrast, Claude Sonnet 4, a parallel releas...

The US Department of Justice has now initiated a civil antitrust investigation into Google’s licensing deal with AI company Character.AI. This move follows concerns that the arrangement may have been structured in a way to avoid triggering formal merger scrutiny under federal regulations. The deal in question, signed in 2023, grants Google a non-exclusive license to use Character.AI’s large language models. Alongside the agreement, Google rehired Character.AI’s co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas (both former Google employees) along with several members of the startup’s research team. Although Character.AI remains an independent company and the deal does not involve a formal acquisition or an equity stake, the DOJ is examining whether the arrangement functionally mimics a merger in its impact and intent, and thereby potentially circumventing regulatory review. It remains to be seen whether Google’s approach to partnering with Character.AI constitutes an anticompetitive pr...

Coinbase experienced a serious data breach over several months (from late December 2024 to May 2025) that compromised sensitive data of over 69,000 customers, the highly popular crypto exchange confirmed. The company revealed these numbers in a filing with the state of Maine. The breach (which the company made public last week) involved the theft of both personal and financial information and is now reportedly the subject of a federal investigation by the US Department of Justice. In the filing, Coinbase disclosed that the breach was first traced back to December 26, 2024. For several months, hackers were able to steal sensitive data by bribing Coinbase customer support agents based overseas, allegedly in India. These compromised employees were reportedly paid to access internal systems and take information belonging to tens of thousands of customers. According to the crypto exchange, the stolen data includes full names, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, and detailed ...

If you are Google phone user in India, you’d know how Google only allows you to see available retailers for its hardware devices on its online store. That could well change, as early as next week. According to sources that The Tech Portal has spoken to, Google could launch its own online store starting next week, with its entire suite of Pixel devices now being sold by Google itself. So far, whenever one opens Google’s online store in India, you are allowed to select and compare models. However, buying wasn’t an option so far, with Google only showing a “Find Retailers” section for each device. That is set to change starting next week. Sources close to the development, who have requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the launch, mention May 26 as the launch date. The launch however, could shift or prepone, depending on other factors. Google’s current online store, pictured above, only allows users to “Find Retailers” and not buy devices directly. The store, if and when it ...

At Google I/O 2025, Google officially launched the public beta version of its new AI-powered coding assistant, ‘Jules’. This AI agent (first teased in December 2024) is designed to help programmers by automating repetitive coding tasks like bug fixes, feature development, documentation, and testing. The coding assistant is powered by Google’s latest Gemini 2.5 Pro model, which has been optimized for software engineering tasks. Jules operates within a cloud-hosted virtual machine environment that runs Ubuntu Linux and includes a suite of popular developer tools, like Node.js, Python, Go, Java, and Rust. And this setup allows the agent to clone the user’s repository, install necessary dependencies, and modify files as needed. One of Jules’s highlighted features is its ability to work asynchronously. It means that after submitting a task, developers can step away while Jules performs its work in the background, sending progress updates via browser notifications or through its interfac...

Apple has formally announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place from June 9 to June 13, 2025. The event, once again held virtually and free for all developers, will center on advancements in Apple’s operating systems and a shift to broaden access to its AI models. The event’s keynote, scheduled for 10 AM PDT on June 9, is expected to reveal a string of updates and unveilings aimed at developers and consumers alike. While the primary format remains digital, Apple will host over 1,000 developers and students for a limited in-person event at its Cupertino headquarters on June 9. This gathering, focused on networking and deeper technical engagement, also includes recognition for winners of the Swift Student Challenge. 50 participants will be provided with a three-day experience at Apple Park as well, providing access to hands-on sessions with Apple’s engineering teams. “Today, Apple unveiled an exciting lineup for its annual Worldwide Developers Confe...

Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet, has received official clearance from California regulators to extend its driverless ride-hailing service to San Jose. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Monday approved Waymo’s proposal to operate its fully autonomous vehicle fleet across an expanded service area encompassing most of San Jose and additional sections of the Bay Area’s Peninsula region. We’re very excited to share that the CPUC has approved our application to operate our fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing service in the South Bay and nearly all of San Jose! While this won’t change our operations in the near-term, we’re looking forward to bringing the… — Waymo (@Waymo) May 19, 2025 This approval builds up on Waymo’s gradual expansion in California, where the company already operates in San Francisco and several neighboring cities, including Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Sunnyvale. With San Jose now included under its commercial permit,...

At the Computex 2025 tech trade show, chipmaker Nvidia has made clear its intentions of forging ahead on the company’s humanoid robots program. It has now introduced an upgraded version of its humanoid robotics foundation model, Isaac GR00T N1.5, and a novel data generation framework, Isaac GR00T-Dreams. These tools are designed to dramatically reduce the time and cost of training robots for real-world tasks. “Physical AI and robotics will bring about the next industrial revolution,” Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, commented on the development. “From AI brains for robots to simulated worlds to practice in or AI supercomputers for training foundation models, NVIDIA provides building blocks for every stage of the robotics development journey.” The GR00T-Dreams system enables the generation of synthetic video content (referred to as “dreams”) by prompting models with simple inputs, such as static images and user instructions. These videos simulate the execution of specific tas...