Tech

Bitcoin started the week steady near $112,000 (roughly Rs. 99.4 lakh) as traders braced for a $22.6 billion (roughly Rs. 2,00,416 crore) futures expiry and key macroeconomic cues. Ethereum rose to $4,113 (roughly Rs. 3.65 lakh), aided by reduced exchange supply and whale accumulation. Altcoins posted modest gains, while analysts noted consolidation and investor caution.

YouTube Premium is the video streaming platform’s flagship subscription in India, which is priced at Rs. 1,490 per year. Now, the company is offering a more affordable plan for users in the country, dubbed YouTube Premium Lite. According to the company, “most” videos will be ad-free for subscribers from categories including gaming, fashion, beauty, and more.

Vivo has announced the preview programme for OriginOS 6 --- its upcoming Android 16-based firmware. It is initially being made available for the Vivo X200 Pro and iQOO 13, enabling eligible customers to experience all of the new features before the OS is publicly released. They will get access to a refreshed user interface (UI), improved customisation options, and new features backed by artificial intelligence (AI).

Zoho has launched Arattai, a new instant-messaging app targeting India’s vernacular audience. The name means “casual talk” in Tamil. Like WhatsApp, it supports chats, media sharing, audio and video calls, stories, channels, and even business accounts. A web version is also available, making it a full-fledged alternative to the Meta-owned platform.

Apple plans to introduce M5-powered MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. As per a seasoned journalist, the products are expected to enter mass production soon. Alongside, the company is gearing up to unveil two new external Mac monitors. However, the new MacBook models may not be launched during the October event, owing to supply-chain issues.