Micron Technology Inc., the leading US manufacturer of computer-memory chips, is positioned to receive $6.1 billion in grants from the Commerce Department to support domestic factory projects, as part of an initiative to reestablish semiconductor production in the United States. While the award is still pending finalization, individuals familiar with the matter anticipate its announcement next week. Additionally, Micron, alongside Intel Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., is expected to accept loans as part of its award package.

However, the exact value of these loans is currently unknown. Micron shares gained as much as 2.6 per cent in late trading after Bloomberg reported on the planned award. The stock was already up 36 per cent this year through Wednesday’s close. President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel on April 25 to the Syracuse, New York, region as part of the announcement, the people said. Micron, based in Boise, Idaho, is building factories near Syracuse, as well as in its home state. Representatives for Micron, the Commerce Department and the White House declined to comment.

The 2022 Chips and Science Act set aside $39 billion for direct grants, as well as loans and loan guarantees worth $75 billion, to revitalize American chipmaking after decades of production shifting to Asia. Officials have unveiled six preliminary awards so far: three to firms that produce older-generation semiconductors, plus multibillion dollar packages for Intel, TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said the agency plans to spend about $28 billion of the grant funding on leading edge projects.

After the preliminary agreement is announced, Micron would enter months of due diligence and then receive the money in tranches tied to project-specific benchmarks. Micron has pledged to build as many as four factories in New York state, plus one in Idaho. But those plans “require Micron to receive the combination of sufficient Chips grants, investment tax credits and local incentives to address the cost difference compared to overseas expansion,” Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Mehrotra said last month.

The company is proceeding with projects in China, India and Japan as well. Raimondo has said that her agency will prioritize funding projects that begin production by the end of the decade. Two of Micron’s four New York sites are on track to meet that benchmark, while the other two won’t be operational until 2041, the company said in a recent federal filing. That means that Micron’s award is likely to support only the first two New York facilities, people familiar with the matter said earlier. Computer memory and storage chips are a vital part of everything from smartphones to the biggest data centers, where they store information and help advanced logic process information. Production is primarily done in Asia.

Micron’s biggest two competitors, Samsung and SK Hynix Inc., account for the majority of that manufacturing. These companies also intend to establish factories in the United States — one for logic chips and another for advanced packaging — contributing to a surge of over $200 billion in private semiconductor investment catalyzed by the Chips Act.

A spokesperson for Alphabet-owned Google confirmed that the company is implementing layoffs, although the exact number of affected employees was not disclosed. This represents the latest round of cuts at the tech giant as it focuses on cost reduction efforts. The spokesperson clarified that the layoffs are not affecting all departments and that impacted employees will have the opportunity to apply for internal positions. However, details regarding the number of employees affected and the specific teams involved were not provided. A small percentage of the impacted roles will move to hubs the company is investing in, including India, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dublin.

The layoffs follow a slew of job cuts across Google and the tech and media industry this year, adding to fears that layoffs may continue as companies grapple with economic uncertainty. “Throughout the second half of 2023 and into 2024, a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, remove layers, and align their resources to their biggest product priorities,” the spokesperson added.

Employees across several of Google’s teams in its real estate and finance departments have been affected, according to a Business Insider report on Wednesday. The finance teams affected include Google’s treasury, business services, and revenue cash operations, it added. Google’s finance chief, Ruth Porat, sent an email to staff saying the restructuring includes expanding growth to Bangalore, Mexico City, and Dublin, according to the Business Insider report. Google let go of hundreds of workers across multiple teams in January, including its engineering, hardware, and assistant teams as the company ramps up investment and builds its artificial intelligence offerings. Company CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly told employees at the start of the year to expect more job cuts.

In a bid to revamp its iPhone lineup, Apple is reportedly planning significant changes to the screen sizes of its Plus and Pro models by 2025. According to industry analyst Ross Young, cited by reports, the upcoming 2025 iPhone Plus is expected to feature a smaller-sized display compared to its predecessors. This adjustment positions the iPhone Plus models to have a larger screen size than the standard iPhone model and iPhone Pro, but slightly smaller than the iPhone Pro Max.

The current generation iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro boast a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a larger 6.7-inch display. With this purported shift in screen sizes, Apple aims to further differentiate its product lineup and potentially enhance the appeal of the iPhone Pro Max model.

Additionally, reports suggest that Apple may introduce changes to the display sizes of the iPhone Pro line as early as this year. The anticipated 2024 iPhone Pro and Pro Max models are rumored to sport 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively.

Beyond alterations in screen dimensions, Apple is said to be transitioning to LTPO OLED display panels across all iPhone models from 2025 onwards. This move would enable all iPhones in the lineup to support a higher refresh rate, enhancing overall display performance. Currently, while the baseline models of the iPhone 15 series feature OLED displays with a 60Hz refresh rate, the higher 120Hz refresh rate display is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.

Traditionally, Apple unveils its new iPhone models in September. It is anticipated that the iPhone 16 series will follow this pattern and launch globally in September of this year. While minor hardware improvements are expected for this year’s model, the major highlight is anticipated to be the introduction of the iOS 18 operating system. iOS 18 is rumored to bring significant AI features, enhancing the overall user experience. More details about iOS 18 are expected to be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) on June 10, where the company will delve into the new features and tools it plans to introduce with the next-generation operating system.

Flipkart on Tuesday announced its annual week-long summer sale starting from April 17 to April 23, 2024, offering a wide selection of cooling.

Flipkart has announced the 6th edition of Super Cooling Days 2024, a week-long annual sale event offering exciting deals on cooling home appliances. The sale, scheduled from April 17 to April 23, 2024, aims to provide customers with a wide range of products at affordable prices to combat the intense summer heat. Super Cooling Days 2024 will showcase an extensive selection of cooling appliances, including Air Conditioners (ACs), Refrigerators, Air coolers, and Fans from leading brands such as Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Haier, Godrej, and IFB.

The sale will feature India’s biggest refrigerator store, offering various types of refrigerators with the latest technology and prices ranging from Rs 9,990 to Rs 2,00,000. ACs starting from Rs 25,000 In the AC category, customers can choose from a premium store featuring a variety of brands with prices ranging from Rs 25,000- to Rs 65,000. The sale will also offer an extensive range of Inverter ACs for different room sizes, with features like Wi-Fi connectivity and energy-efficient ratings. ACs, Air coolers starting from Rs 1,299 Flipkart will offer a vast array of ceiling fans ranging from Rs 1,299 to Rs 15,000, along with energy-efficient BLDC fans at Rs 1,999 and various Table, Pedestal, and Wall Fans.

Air coolers, including Personal coolers starting at Rs 3,999 and Desert coolers from Rs 6,499, will also be available to cater to diverse cooling needs. Deals and payment options To make the shopping experience more rewarding, Flipkart will provide multiple deals and payment constructs, including a New Customer offer, Tap & Win, and offers on SuperCoins.

Durov, Telegram’s sole owner, emphasized the app’s impressive growth, boasting 900 million active users and a versatile platform for seamless communication.

The Telegram messaging app, hailed as one of the most popular social media platforms in Ukraine and Russia, is poised to exceed 1 billion active monthly users within the next year, according to its founder Pavel Durov. In a rare interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Durov expressed his optimism about the app’s meteoric rise, likening its growth to that of a “forest fire.”

Durov, who fully owns Telegram, shared his insights during the interview, highlighting the app’s remarkable trajectory. With currently 900 million active users, Telegram has emerged as a ubiquitous platform for communication, offering users the ability to send and receive messages, make calls, and share files seamlessly.

Emphasizing Telegram’s commitment to neutrality, Durov stressed that the app aims to remain a “neutral platform” and avoid entanglement in geopolitical issues. This stance aligns with Durov’s personal experiences, as the Russia-born entrepreneur fled his homeland in 2014, citing government interference in his company.

Despite its massive user base, Telegram faces stiff competition from Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp, which boasts over 2 billion monthly active users. However, Telegram’s rapid ascent suggests its potential to challenge established players in the social media landscape.

Reports have surfaced indicating Telegram’s intention to pursue a US listing once the company achieves profitability. This strategic move could further solidify Telegram’s position as a formidable contender in the global market.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has emerged as a pivotal tool for both governments and citizens seeking unfiltered information about the conflict. Major media outlets, government entities, and public figures in both countries utilize Telegram to disseminate news and engage with their audiences.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy leverages the platform to share daily video addresses, while the Ukrainian armed forces utilize Telegram to provide updates on battlefield developments and warn of impending air raids. Similarly, the Kremlin utilizes Telegram to announce President Vladimir Putin’s activities, while Russia’s opposition leverages the platform to rally support.

However, Telegram’s growing influence has not been without controversy. Critics argue that the platform has become a breeding ground for misinformation and manipulation. In response to these concerns, a bill was submitted to the Ukrainian parliament in March, proposing stricter regulation of Telegram and other social networks. Moreover, the Kremlin has urged Durov to exercise greater vigilance, following allegations that Telegram was used to facilitate the recruitment of gunmen responsible for an attack on a concert hall outside Moscow in March.

This incident underscores the challenges associated with managing a platform of Telegram’s scale and reach. Despite these challenges, Telegram’s exponential growth and widespread adoption underscore its significance in the global social media landscape. As the app continues to expand its user base and influence, it remains to be seen how regulators and stakeholders navigate the complex dynamics of information dissemination and user privacy in the digital age.

Telegram’s ascent to becoming a powerhouse in social media has been propelled by its commitment to user privacy and encryption. Unlike many other platforms, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that users’ communications remain private and secure. This feature has garnered praise from users concerned about data privacy and surveillance, further contributing to Telegram’s popularity.

Moreover, Telegram’s open-source nature allows developers to create a plethora of third-party apps and bots, expanding the platform’s functionality and versatility. From productivity tools to entertainment options, Telegram’s ecosystem continues to evolve, offering users a wide array of features tailored to their needs.

The platform’s versatility extends to its role in facilitating communication during times of crisis. During emergencies, such as natural disasters or political unrest, Telegram’s ability to provide real-time updates and coordinate relief efforts has proven invaluable. Its decentralized infrastructure and robust encryption make it a preferred communication channel for activists, journalists, and citizens seeking to disseminate information securely.

However, Telegram’s rapid growth has also raised concerns about its potential misuse for nefarious purposes. The platform has been criticized for enabling the spread of fake news, hate speech, and extremist propaganda. In response, Telegram has taken steps to curb misinformation and illegal activities, including implementing AI-powered content moderation tools and banning channels promoting violence or hate speech.

Despite these efforts, the platform continues to grapple with the challenge of balancing free expression with the need to maintain a safe and responsible online environment. As Telegram approaches the milestone of 1 billion monthly active users, the company faces mounting pressure to address these issues effectively while preserving its core principles of privacy and neutrality.

Looking ahead, Telegram’s trajectory as a leading social media platform appears promising. With its commitment to innovation, user privacy, and decentralization, Telegram is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of digital communication. As the platform expands its reach and influence, stakeholders must work collaboratively to address the challenges and opportunities that accompany its growth, ensuring that Telegram remains a force for positive change in the global social media landscape.

Following its crackdown on ad-blocking browser extensions, YouTube has extended its enforcement efforts to third-party adblocking applications. In a recent blog post update, the Google-owned video streaming platform announced, “We are enhancing our enforcement measures against third-party apps that contravene YouTube’s Terms of Service, particularly ad-blocking apps.”

YouTube cautioned that individuals utilizing third party apps to block ads in the free tier might encounter buffering problems during video playback or encounter an error message stating, “The following content is not available on this app.” The video streaming platform said that its terms do not allow third-party apps to turn off ads as it prevents creators on its platform from being rewarded for viewership.

YouTube has already started blocking YouTube videos from various third-party mobile apps such as AdGuard. YouTube said that it will only allow third-party apps to use its API when they follow its API’s “Terms of Services”. It added, if an app is found violating its terms, YouTube will take appropriate action to protect the “platform, creators and viewers”.

For watching videos without ads, YouTube suggests subscribing to YouTube Premium, which offers adfree streaming along with additional content. YouTube initially started the crackdown on ad-blockers in June, last year, as an experiment. It later started restricting content for viewers who were using an adblocking browser extension on the web version of the platform.

The streaming platform started displaying a warning message that “adblockers violate YouTube’s terms of service”. YouTube mandated users to disable the ad-blocker to continue watching videos on the platform.