Intel has named Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO, hoping to turn around the struggling chipmaker after a difficult four-year stretch under Pat Gelsinger. The announcement, made on Wednesday, immediately boosted investor confidence, sending the company’s stock up 12% in extended trading. Tan, a seasoned semiconductor industry veteran, previously led Cadence Design Systems, a firm that provides crucial software tools to major chipmakers, including Intel. While he was a member of Intel’s board until last year, he stepped down due to other commitments. Now, he returns not only as CEO but also as a board member, replacing interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and MJ Holthaus, who had taken over in December after Gelsinger’s abrupt departure. This leadership change comes at a critical moment for Intel, which has been under intense pressure from investors to cut costs and find ways to regain market relevance. The company has faced a steep decline in sales, falling far behind in the booming artificial intelligence (AI) market, and struggling to justify massive expenditures on new chip manufacturing ventures. In a statement on Intel’s website, Tan emphasized the need for aggressive action to reshape the company’s trajectory. He acknowledged Intel’s strengths but stressed the importance of taking calculated risks to outpace competitors and speed up progress in areas where the company has fallen behind. His appointment makes him Intel’s fourth CEO in seven years, underscoring the instability that has plagued the company. Since Brian Krzanich’s resignation in 2018 over a workplace misconduct issue, Intel has cycled through multiple leaders. Bob Swan took over in 2019, but his tenure was short-lived as the company struggled with chip delays and growing competition. He was replaced by Gelsinger in 2021, who pursued an ambitious plan to transform Intel into a major chip manufacturer for other companies. However, this required massive investments, including a $20 billion chip factory in Ohio, leading to skepticism from investors. Despite these efforts, Intel has struggled to compete with Nvidia, which has dominated the AI chip market with its powerful GPUs. This shift was starkly reflected when Intel was removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in November, replaced by Nvidia, a clear sign of changing industry dynamics. Intel’s market value has plummeted, now standing at $89.5 billion, a fraction of Nvidia’s soaring valuation. While Intel’s stock price dropped 60% last year, Nvidia’s skyrocketed 171%. Amid growing concerns over economic uncertainty, competition, and inventory challenges, investors are hoping Tan can steer the company in a new direction. Frank Yeary, who led the CEO search, expressed confidence in Tan’s leadership, calling him a "proven creator of shareholder value." Now, with the pressure mounting and Intel’s future on the line, Tan faces the daunting task of reviving one of the world’s most iconic semiconductor companies. Disclaimer: This image is taken from CNBC.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing to introduce its satellite-based internet service, Starlink, to Indian consumers through strategic partnerships with two of India’s largest telecom providers, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. While the agreements are yet to be officially signed, both companies have stated that their collaboration with SpaceX is contingent on the company receiving the necessary regulatory approvals to operate in India. Without these authorizations, Starlink will not be able to provide its services, and the partnerships will not move forward. Bharti Airtel’s Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Gopal Vittal, emphasized that working with SpaceX to bring Starlink to Airtel’s customers in India marks a significant milestone. He expressed that this collaboration reaffirms Airtel’s commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity, which will enhance internet access in regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is either unreliable or completely absent. On the other hand, Reliance Jio has also welcomed this initiative, highlighting that Starlink’s satellite-based internet service will serve as a valuable extension of its existing JioAirFiber and JioFiber networks. In a press statement, Jio Platforms Ltd (JPL) explained that Starlink has the potential to extend high-speed internet access to even the most remote and challenging locations in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Jio’s Group CEO, Mathew Oommen, further elaborated that integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem would significantly expand the company’s reach, improving both the reliability and accessibility of high-speed internet services across the country. He stressed that in a time when artificial intelligence and digital transformation are rapidly reshaping the world, seamless internet connectivity is more important than ever. By utilizing Starlink’s advanced satellite network, Jio aims to empower communities and businesses by bridging the digital divide and ensuring that even rural areas benefit from high-speed broadband access. Unlike traditional broadband services that rely on physical infrastructure like fiber-optic cables, Starlink uses an advanced low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to deliver high-speed internet to users, even in the most remote corners of the world. The technology behind Starlink allows data to be transmitted through space using radio signals, bypassing the need for underground cables. The system operates by sending signals from ground stations to satellites orbiting Earth, which then relay the data back to users. This low-latency space-based network ensures a more consistent and reliable internet experience, especially in areas where conventional broadband infrastructure is either unreliable or completely absent. According to a report published by the Associated Press, Starlink currently has 6,900 active satellites in orbit, providing low-latency broadband connectivity to areas that were previously underserved or completely unconnected. This has been particularly beneficial in rural and remote regions, where traditional telecom providers have struggled to establish stable internet connections. In terms of speed, Starlink has demonstrated impressive performance in different parts of the world. A recent report by Ookla, which analyzed Starlink’s internet speed during the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December), found that Hungary recorded the fastest Starlink internet speed in Europe, with a median download speed of 135.11 Mbps. On the other hand, the slowest recorded speed was 36.52 Mbps in Cyprus, which, despite being the lowest in the region, still provided a relatively stable connection compared to other satellite internet providers. Starlink offers two major categories of plans for its users: Personal and Business. Within the Personal category, there are four different plans available. The Residential Lite plan is priced at $80 per month, while the Residential plan costs $120 per month. Both of these plans provide unlimited data but can only be accessed from a fixed location. For users who require internet access while traveling, Starlink offers two different Roam plans. The first option provides 50GB of data for $50 per month, while the second option offers unlimited data for $165 per month. These Roam plans allow users to access Starlink’s satellite internet service across the country, while traveling internationally, and even in coastal areas. For business users who require higher bandwidth and priority network access, Starlink offers nine different plans under the Business category. These plans are designed to meet the needs of enterprises, emergency response teams, mobile businesses, and maritime operations. Under the Fixed Site Priority plans, businesses can choose from 40GB of priority data for $140 per month, 1TB for $250 per month, or 2TB for $500 per month. Similarly, for businesses that require internet access while on the move, Starlink offers Land Mobility Mobile Priority plans, which start at $250 per month for 50GB of priority data, with higher-tier plans offering 1TB for $1,000 per month and 5TB for $5,000 per month. Additionally, for maritime operations, Maritime Mobile Priority plans provide the same pricing structure, catering specifically to offshore businesses and shipping companies. While these service plans only cover the monthly subscription costs, Starlink users must also pay a one-time hardware fee to set up their satellite internet system. This includes the cost of the Starlink dish and modem, which are necessary to connect to the satellite network. As India prepares for the introduction of satellite broadband services, Starlink will be entering a competitive market alongside major players such as Jio, Airtel, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and OneWeb. All of these companies are waiting for spectrum allocation to be finalized before launching their services in the country. Reports suggest that Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have already met the necessary compliance requirements to begin their satellite broadband operations. However, SpaceX is still awaiting regulatory approvals before Starlink can officially debut in India. If SpaceX successfully secures the required authorizations, Starlink has the potential to revolutionize internet access across India, particularly in rural and remote regions where traditional broadband infrastructure has struggled to provide stable connectivity. With its advanced satellite technology and low-latency network, Starlink could play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide, empowering businesses, and providing seamless high-speed internet access to millions of users across the country. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Shutterstock.

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox is rumored to be a "TV-friendly PC," signaling a significant shift in the company's gaming hardware strategy. According to a report by GameRant, the upcoming console will run on an operating system similar to Windows, making it feel more like a traditional PC rather than a standalone gaming console. Microsoft executives have been hinting at this transformation since 2024, promising the biggest technological leap ever seen in a single console generation. While specific details are still scarce, recent reports suggest that the new Xbox will essentially be a PC built for the living room, designed to seamlessly integrate with TVs while maintaining the power and versatility of a computer. This aligns with the existing architecture of the Xbox Series X and S, which already share similarities with PCs by using AMD’s Zen 2 CPUs and RDNA 2 GPUs. If the reports are accurate, the next-generation Xbox is expected to launch in 2027. A major advantage of this shift is its potential impact on game development. With a PC-like console, developers wouldn't have to navigate unique console hardware or rely on exclusive programming tools. Instead, they could develop games in the same way they do for PCs but with fixed hardware specifications, making optimization much easier. This could also mean that Microsoft might not need to provide traditional development kits, as game creators would only require hardware specs to start working on their titles. If true, this approach could simplify the game development process and potentially lead to faster, more efficient releases. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Shutterstock.

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has expressed concerns over the growing complexity of artificial intelligence (AI) models, emphasizing that their secrecy stifles innovation. He believes that making AI development more open would allow a larger pool of people to contribute and drive advancements in the field. Speaking at the People+AI Mela in Bengaluru, Nilekani pointed out that many AI models are treated as closely guarded secrets, preventing public scrutiny. “They keep refining these models, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are getting better. Most remain locked within companies, like black boxes, inaccessible to the rest of us,” he said, as reported by The Economic Times. The Need for Transparency in AI Development: Nilekani argued that keeping AI models secret hinders innovation and limits collaboration. He highlighted China's DeepSeek project as a positive example of openness in AI research. “They have done a great service to the world by making their research accessible. It ties back to the idea of commoditization,” he explained. He further noted that AI models are now being developed at a rapid pace, with hundreds emerging globally. The transparency demonstrated by DeepSeek—publicly sharing its AI development methods—has made AI research more accessible to a broader audience. “I have always believed that models are becoming commodities, and this is proving true. Hundreds of models are being built worldwide. DeepSeek has demystified the process by sharing its open-source practices. The knowledge needed to create AI models is becoming widely available,” he added. Strengthening AI in India Through High-Quality Data: Nilekani also stressed the importance of high-quality datasets, particularly in Indian languages, to support AI growth in India. He cited AI4Bharat, an initiative by IIT Madras, as a significant effort in this direction. “The real challenge is in how we use AI to create real value for people. That’s where we can lead. The models themselves can always be replaced,” he noted. He has been a strong supporter of AI4Bharat for several years and has committed to backing it for at least three more. The initiative aims to make AI more inclusive and accessible to different linguistic communities across India. The Role of Startups and the Future of AI in India: Discussing India’s startup ecosystem, Nilekani highlighted its rapid expansion—from about 1,000 startups in 2016 to over 150,000 today. He believes AI and digital technologies will play a crucial role in shaping their future. “These startups will leverage large-scale technological advancements in innovative ways. There’s also going to be a significant influx of capital,” he remarked. While AI continues to evolve, Nilekani emphasized that the real challenge is its practical application. He urged businesses and developers to focus on using AI to solve real-world problems and improve lives, rather than just building more complex models. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

After five years as a flight attendant, Jane Tan made a bold career shift to become a software engineer. The transition was challenging, but giving up was never an option. She discusses how she applies her transferable skills, overcomes imposter syndrome, and thrives in the tech industry. Disclaimer:This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In a real-life scenario resembling science fiction, a 100-meter-wide asteroid has prompted global planetary defense measures for the first time. Telescope observations indicate a possible collision with Earth in 2032. To understand the next steps and assess the level of concern, Ian Sample speaks with Richard Binzel, an MIT professor of planetary sciences and the creator of the Torino scale, which is used to classify the threat of asteroids and comets. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Multivitamins are often touted as a path to optimal health, but do they live up to the hype? Are all vitamins the same, and is there solid evidence supporting their health benefits? Reged Ahmad sits down with science writer Donna Lu to discuss the various claims surrounding multivitamins and their true impact on wellness. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Recently, there’s been a surge of interest in blood sugar (glucose) monitoring, with wellness companies like Zoe in the UK, Nutrisense, Levels, and Signos claiming to provide personalized insights into how our bodies respond to food. However, the scientific basis for these claims is under scrutiny. In a July episode, Ian Sample delves into this debate by speaking with philosopher Julian Baggini, Zoe’s chief scientist, Dr. Nicola Guess from the University of Oxford, and Prof. Sarah Berry from King’s College London. Together, they explore what’s currently understood about blood glucose and health and whether the science supports personalized nutrition. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.