India's Ministry of Communications responded to Elon Musk's accusations that regulatory barriers are unfairly blocking Starlink's entry into the country. The ministry stated that all satellite operators, including Starlink, are subject to the same regulatory procedures and security assessments before obtaining spectrum licenses. Despite years of efforts and partnerships with local telecom firms, Starlink has yet to commence commercial services in India, which has over a billion internet users.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-08
Meta is trialing a new Facebook interface in India that directs some users straight into full-screen video content upon opening the app, emphasizing Reels. This test allows users to switch back to the traditional feed and is part of Meta’s broader strategy to prioritize video content, especially Reels, on its platforms. India, as Meta’s largest user base, serves as a key testing ground for these video-centric features.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-06
Google has launched its screen-less Fitbit Air fitness tracker in India at ₹13,999 (about $146), compared to $99 in the US. The device tracks heart rate, A-fib alerts, blood oxygen, sleep stages and more, and goes on sale October 2 via Google Store, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital and Vijay Sales, bundled with a free three-month Google Health premium membership.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-30
Apple Pay has become available in India after more than a decade of delay, but only for Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank. Cards from other major banks like SBI and HDFC, as well as India's RuPay network, aren't yet supported, and the service only works at terminals enabled for it. Apple says millions of merchants including Zomato, Croma and its own stores will accept it at launch.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-30
Apple has begun rolling out Apple Pay in India, roughly twelve years after the service debuted, with Axis Bank serving as its initial banking partner for Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Apple confirmed the launch, and backend changes spotted on its servers indicate the rollout is now live, bringing the total number of supported countries and regions to 101.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-30
Apple is launching Apple Pay in India with Axis Bank as its sole initial banking partner, according to people familiar with the matter. The service will support only eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard cards at select enabled merchants, leaving out RuPay and India's dominant UPI system entirely at launch.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-29
An Indian Reddit user says Zotac denied warranty service for a GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge purchased in June 2025 and registered days later, even though Zotac's standard policy covers cards for three years. Zotac told the customer its records show the card was imported in April 2023, and that warranty runs from the import date rather than the purchase date, so the card fell outside the coverage window. The company advised the buyer to seek help from the original retailer instead.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-09-29
Peak XV Partners has increased the maximum per-company investment through its Surge seed program from $3 million to $5 million, applying the new ceiling for the first time to its latest batch, Surge 12. The firm put over $50 million into the 18-company cohort, which has raised more than $90 million in total seed funding, with at least three startups having secured outside capital before joining.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-29
Google is testing a feature that lets some Indian users buy Flipkart products directly within Gemini and AI Mode, using a 'Buy' button that leads to Flipkart's checkout without leaving the AI interface. The trial currently covers a limited set of items like smartphones and accessories, and Google plans a wider rollout in October ahead of the festive shopping season.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-27
Lightspeed is raising $250 million for its fifth India fund, Lightspeed India Partners V, aimed at early-stage AI startups, according to a letter sent to investors. The fund has already secured 80% of its target and is half the size of the firm's 2022 predecessor, with investments expected to begin within two months.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-25
MIT Technology Review reports that smart glasses are enabling covert recording, non-consensual image sharing and police surveillance in India, with experts warning such incidents will grow as the devices go mainstream. Separately, the outlet cites University of Pennsylvania finance professor Jessica Wachter's analysis showing hyperscalers are on track to spend nearly $1.1 trillion on AI data centers through 2027, requiring extraordinary earnings growth to break even by 2030.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-09-23
An Indian helpline reports a growing number of cases involving covert filming and nonconsensual footage, some linked to smart glasses with built-in cameras, according to reporting on the issue. Lawyer Apar Gupta says India's existing voyeurism and intimate-image laws were built around more overt abuses, like filming someone undressing, and offer limited protection when footage from an ordinary public setting is used to humiliate someone.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-09-23
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