Category: Electronics

OpenAI Launches Astra for Law With US Legal Search Index and Firm Controls

OpenAI on Thursday introduced Astra for Law. The product is aimed at law firms and legal-technology companies that build AI tools for professional work. It pairs GPT-6 Astra with a legal search index, specialised instructions, and research and writing tools. Privacy controls and 26 partner plugins complete the package.

The company calls GPT-6 Astra its most powerful model so far. Astra for Law is that model configured for legal tasks, not a separate base model. Selected firms get it first through a Trusted Access programme in ChatGPT and Codex. An API version, named gpt-6-astra-law, is planned later.

The search index is the centrepiece. Users can query US case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, and administrative decisions. OpenAI says the corpus covers more than 230 million URLs, with sources added daily. A partnership with the Free Law Project brings CourtListener case law into the same research flow. That collection, OpenAI says, includes more than 99.9 percent of published US precedential opinions.

The system is meant to find authorities, pull the relevant passages, and apply them to a legal question. On questions from Vals AI’s Legal Research Bench, OpenAI reports a 54 percent pass rate on the overall correctness check. GPT-6 Astra using only web search scored 38.7 percent on the same test. Both runs used the highest reasoning setting. The legal configuration also found 24 percent more reference cases on case-law questions. On an audited set of target passages, it retrieved up to 54 percent more relevant excerpts from the correct opinions. Independent comparisons with incumbent legal-research platforms were not published with the launch.

Custom instructions cover analysis and drafting. OpenAI says the model can apply research to a client’s facts, shape arguments or deal terms, flag weaknesses, and mark uncertainty. One example is separating a court’s holding from other remarks, then spotting cases that could undercut an argument.

Confidential work gets extra controls. Eligible firms in the Trusted Access Program can use Zero Data Retention on the API. ChatGPT Enterprise usage is excluded from human review by default, the company says.

Twenty-six partner plugins connect the chat to tools lawyers already use. An iManage plugin can save a draft negotiation brief to a matter file. Intapp can flag activity that may need a time entry. Thomson Reuters is bringing HighQ matter context into ChatGPT and previewing a CoCounsel Legal connector.

Availability remains limited at launch. Broader API access and a fuller plugin list are expected to follow. Firms will still need their own review of citations, privilege, and ethical walls before relying on any generated memo.

Vivo Confirms X500 Pro Series Will Debut MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro

MediaTek unveiled the Dimensity 9600 Pro earlier this week. It is the company’s first 2nm smartphone chipset. Peak clock speed reaches 4.55GHz. Vivo has now said the upcoming X500 Pro series will be first to use it. The brand also teased imaging and AI features. Oppo will follow a day later with the Find X10 Pro Max on the same processor.

Vivo posted the chipset news on Weibo. The X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max will carry the Dimensity 9600 Pro. Both phones are due on 21 September. The standard X500 launches the same day. That base model is expected to use the Dimensity 9600M.

Vivo has teased 4K video at 120fps with 10-bit Log. A dedicated imaging NPU 2.0 is claimed to keep autofocus at up to 60fps. A self-developed imaging chip is said to enable 4K Dolby Vision portrait video. Display support includes Demura 2.0 and 2K 10-bit Log hardware. The phones will ship with OriginOS 7.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro is an octa-core flagship platform. Three efficiency cores run at 3.10GHz. Three performance cores run at 4.35GHz. Two prime cores run at 4.55GHz. Graphics come from a Mali G2 Ultra NX GPU. The chip supports LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5 storage. MediaTek also lists a 1090 NPU.

Oppo is set to announce the Find X10 Pro Max with the same SoC. That launch is scheduled in China on 22 September. Full prices and camera hardware for the Vivo pair should appear at the 21 September event.

Asus Launches New Vivobook Laptops in India

Asus has launched a new Vivobook lineup in India. The series includes the Vivobook S16, Vivobook S14, Vivobook 14 Flip, Vivobook S14 Flip, and Vivobook 16. The laptops use metal bodies and carry MIL-STD-810H durability claims. Processors span Qualcomm Snapdragon X, Intel Core, Intel Core Ultra, and AMD Ryzen 7 7000 series chips, with on-device AI features. Asus also introduced the Wireless Silent Mouse MW103.

Prices start at Rs. 1,18,990 for the Vivobook S14 (S5452MA). The Vivobook S16 (S5652MA) starts at Rs. 1,21,990. The Vivobook 14 Flip (TP3407AA) starts at Rs. 1,79,990. The Vivobook S14 Flip (TP5408QA) starts at Rs. 1,09,990. The Vivobook 16 (X1652XA) starts at Rs. 89,990. The silent mouse costs Rs. 649.

Sales will run through Asus Exclusive Stores, the Asus e-shop, authorised retailers, and e-commerce sites. A launch offer bundles two years of extra warranty and three years of accidental damage protection. Asus values that pack at Rs. 5,599 and is selling it for Rs. 99 for a limited time.

Most new models go on sale in India from 17 September. The Snapdragon Vivobook S14 (S5408QA) and Vivobook S16 (S5608QA) are due in the second week of October.

The Intel Vivobook S14 (S5452MA) and S16 (S5652MA) can use up to an Intel Core 7 Series 3 processor with up to 17 TOPS of AI performance. The S14 has a 14-inch screen. The S16 has a 16-inch screen. Both use Full HD+ IPS panels with a 16:10 ratio and 100 percent sRGB coverage. Asus claims up to 20 hours of battery life on the S14 and more than 15 hours on the S16. Ports include USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1. The laptops also ship with Microsoft Office Home 2024 and one year of Microsoft 365 Basic with 100GB cloud storage.

The Vivobook 14 Flip (TP3407AA) uses a 360-degree hinge and an all-metal convertible body. It can work as a laptop, tablet, or stand. Configurations go up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3 355 processor with a 49 TOPS NPU. The 14-inch Full HD+ OLED touchscreen supports a stylus. Asus claims up to 38 hours of battery life. An AI camera, webcam shield, and TPM 2.0 are included. Connectivity covers USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, and a microSD reader.

The Vivobook S14 Flip (TP5408QA) is also a metal convertible with a 360-degree hinge. It has a 14-inch Full HD+ OLED touchscreen with stylus support. A Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor with a 45 TOPS NPU powers it. Asus claims up to 30 days of battery life on a charge. It includes an AI full-HD camera, TPM 2.0, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and HDMI 2.1.

The Vivobook 16 (X1652XA) uses a 16-inch Full HD+ IPS panel with a 16:10 ratio. An AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and Radeon graphics handle performance, with up to 10 TOPS of AI acceleration. A 52.5Wh battery and a full-HD AI camera with facial recognition complete the spec.

The Snapdragon Vivobook S14 (S5408QA) and S16 (S5608QA) use a Snapdragon X chip with a 45 TOPS NPU. They keep metal builds, MIL-STD-810H ratings, and claims of up to 30 hours of battery life with Type-C fast charging. Displays are 14-inch and 16-inch Full HD+ panels.

The Wireless Silent Mouse MW103 comes in Green, Pink, and Blue. DPI settings are 1,000, 1,200, and 1,600. A 2.4GHz dongle provides the wireless link.

Asus is positioning the new Vivobooks as everyday AI laptops with stronger build claims. Shoppers should compare processor options and sale dates, since the Snapdragon models arrive later than the rest of the range.

Redmi Note 17 Pro and Note 17 Pro Max Launch in India

Redmi launched the Note 17 Pro series in India on Tuesday. The lineup adds the Note 17 Pro and Note 17 Pro Max to the Note 17 range. The standard Note 17 arrived earlier.

The Note 17 Pro Max has a 10,000mAh battery. The Note 17 Pro has a 9,000mAh battery. The Pro Max uses an octa-core Snapdragon 6 series chipset. The Pro uses a Snapdragon 6s series chipset. Both phones have dual rear cameras.

The Note 17 Pro starts at Rs. 36,999 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The 8GB + 256GB model costs Rs. 39,999. The Note 17 Pro Max starts at Rs. 49,999 for 8GB + 256GB. The 12GB + 256GB model costs Rs. 55,999.

Redmi is offering instant discounts of up to Rs. 5,000 on SBI, Axis Bank, and IDFC First Bank cards. Cashback of up to Rs. 5,000 is also available through HDB Financial Services.

The Note 17 Pro goes on sale on September 17 via Amazon. The Note 17 Pro Max goes on sale on September 23. Pro Max colours are Matcha Green, Secret Sunrise, and Stealth Black. Pro colours are Cloud Blue, Purple Vibe, and Stealth Black.

The Note 17 Pro Max is a dual-SIM phone. It ships with HyperOS 3 on Android 16. Redmi promises four years of OS upgrades and six years of security updates. The display is a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel, at 1,280 x 2,772 pixels. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate, 12-bit colour, up to 3,500 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and a full DCI-P3 gamut. Instantaneous touch sampling reaches 3,200Hz. Wet Touch 2.0 is included.

A 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 chipset powers the Pro Max. Peak CPU clock is up to 2.6GHz. RAM goes up to 12GB LPDDR5x. Storage is 256GB UFS 4.1. The phone has IP66, IP68, and IP69K ratings.

The rear cameras are a 50-megapixel f/1.5 primary with OIS and an 8-megapixel ultrawide. The front camera is 32 megapixels at f/2.2. Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps.

Charging support includes 100W wired fast charging and 27W wired reverse charging. Connectivity includes 5G, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 6.0, and USB Type-C. Sensors include proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, e-compass, an IR blaster, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The phone measures 163.44 x 78.27 x 8.57mm and weighs about 229g.

The Note 17 Pro shares the same software support, display, and ingress-protection ratings. It uses a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset with a peak clock of up to 2.4GHz. The rear cameras match the Pro Max. The front camera is 16 megapixels at f/2.4. Video recording goes up to 1080p at 30fps. The 9,000mAh battery supports 67W wired charging and 22.5W wired reverse charging.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Launches in India at Rs 79,999

Samsung has launched the Galaxy S26 FE in India. It is the company’s latest Fan Edition phone. The device has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. An Exynos 2500 chip powers it. The rear cameras include a 50-megapixel main sensor and 3x optical zoom. The phone ships with One UI 9 on Android 17. Samsung says it is the first Galaxy S26 series model to launch with that software.

There is one India variant. It costs Rs 79,999 and pairs 8GB of RAM with 256GB of storage. Colour options are Pistachio, Blueberry, and Graphite.

Launch offers include an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 8,000 on an old phone. Buyers can also take up to 30 months of no-cost EMI through select NBFC partners, plus an extra Rs 3,000 upgrade bonus. Another route is Rs 7,000 cashback on major bank cards or a 12-month no-cost bank EMI. Samsung’s online store also lists an 18-month bank EMI.

The dual-SIM phone uses two nano-SIM slots. Samsung promises seven years of software and security updates. The FHD+ AMOLED panel can reach 1,900 nits. The Exynos 2500 chip is built on a 3nm process.

The rear cameras are a 50-megapixel wide shooter with OIS, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 123-degree field of view, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with OIS and 3x optical zoom. Selfies use a 12-megapixel front camera.

Gemini Omni can create and edit video clips from photos and videos in the Gallery. Connectivity includes 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 5.4.

The battery is rated at 4,900mAh. Wired charging is 45W. Samsung says a compatible 45W adapter can take the phone to about 69 percent in 30 minutes. Wireless charging is 15W. Wireless PowerShare is also supported.

The phone measures 161.6 x 76.9 x 7.4 mm and weighs 193g. It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

iPhone Duo at ₹2.99 Lakh Versus a Full Apple Setup in India

Apple’s first foldable phone has drawn wide attention. The iPhone Duo uses a liquid-metal hinge. It also uses a dual-screen design. That is a major change for iOS. In India, however, the price sets a hard limit.

The base model starts at ₹2,99,900. The 2TB version goes up to ₹4,49,900. Independent battery tests are still limited. The phone has no physical SIM slot. The cover screen measures 5.4 inches. Those points matter for everyday use.

One device can look exciting at launch. Still, ₹2,99,900 buys only a single pocket gadget. The same budget can cover a phone, a laptop, and premium earbuds. That split can serve work, photos, and audio more clearly.

A sample bundle stays under the Duo’s base price. The iPhone 17 Pro Max was listed at ₹1,49,900 at launch. It has a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display. It also has the A19 Pro chip. A triple-camera setup includes a 48MP Fusion Telephoto lens. Street prices may vary by retailer.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at ₹1,19,900 in the same comparison. It offers a keyboard and a larger screen. Apple claims up to 18 hours of battery life. Base storage starts at 512GB. It also supports Wi-Fi 7.

AirPods Pro 3 were listed at ₹25,900. They add active noise cancellation and Spatial Audio. They connect easily across Apple devices. Apple also lists heart-rate sensing during workouts. Listening time can reach eight hours with noise cancellation on.

Those three items total ₹2,95,700. That leaves ₹4,200 against the Duo’s ₹2,99,900 starting price. Bank offers, trade-ins, and shop discounts could widen the gap.

A laptop still helps long work. Email, spreadsheets, writing, and editing are easier on a physical keyboard. The unfolded Duo can handle some of that. A Mac remains more practical for long sessions.

Camera reach is another difference. The 17 Pro Max lists 4x optical zoom and an 8x optical-quality option. That helps portraits, sports, and distant subjects. The Duo does not have a dedicated telephoto camera.

Apple’s software ties the three devices together. Universal Clipboard, AirDrop, and Handoff can move text and files. AirPods can switch between devices on the same account.

The iPhone Duo is still a bold first foldable. It packs a folding screen and software built for two displays. The extra premium is not essential for every buyer. At ₹2.99 lakh, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a 13-inch MacBook Air M5, and AirPods Pro 3 can fill the same budget. A little money would remain.

The Duo suits buyers who specifically want Apple’s first foldable. For others, three dedicated devices may deliver more daily value from the same spend.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3 Leak Points to New Shape and Two Colours

Samsung’s next Galaxy SmartTag may use a redesigned body and two colour options. The report arrives nearly three years after the Galaxy SmartTag 2. Launch plans and full specifications are still unconfirmed. Samsung has not announced the product.

SammyGuru posted images that show the alleged SmartTag 3 from several angles. The body looks like a squircle: a rounded square with a circular centre. The White sample has a light outer frame. The middle appears brushed metal, set off by a raised ring. Black and White are the finishes in the leak.

The photos show no hole for a keyring or lanyard. A separate case with a loop may be needed for keys and bags. The outline is closer to the first Galaxy SmartTag than to every later accessory.

The SmartTag 2 launched in October 2023. It used Bluetooth Low Energy 5.3, with a stated range of up to 120 metres, plus Ultra-Wideband for finer location. It pairs through the SmartThings app on Galaxy phones and tablets running Android 9 or later. It carries an IP67 rating. NFC Lost Mode can show a registered contact and a message on a finder’s phone. Battery life is listed at up to 500 days in Normal mode and up to 700 days in Power Saving mode. None of those figures has been confirmed for the next model.

The new tag would compete with Apple’s AirTag and Google Find Hub trackers. Suggested European pricing is EUR 45.95, or about Rs 5,100, in both colours. That would be about EUR 6, or Rs 700, above the previous model. A US price of $29.99, or about Rs 2,900, has also been tipped. The device is said to have received certification from South Korea’s National Radio Research Institute.

Treat the images and prices as a leak. Battery life, UWB support, and a launch window will only be firm when Samsung publishes a spec sheet. Until then, the story is a new shell and two colours, not a finished tracker.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Leads Dimensity 9600 Pro in Early Geekbench Tests

Qualcomm and MediaTek plan to launch new flagship mobile platforms this month. Both companies have confirmed that they will unveil two chipsets each. That is a change from last year, when MediaTek introduced the Dimensity 9500 and Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

MediaTek is expected to brand its chips as Dimensity 9600 and Dimensity 9600 Pro. Qualcomm may use the names Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. Early benchmark listings now give a first look at expected performance.

Unspecified Xiaomi and Oppo devices have appeared on Geekbench 7. Their model numbers are M1544F and PMX110. Notebookcheck says the Xiaomi listing is a reference device using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, identified as QTI SM8975. The PMX110 listing is linked to the Oppo Find X10 Pro Max. That device was spotted with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro, listed as Mediatek MT6995.

The Qualcomm chip led both CPU tests. It scored 3,582 points in the single-core test and 12,247 points in the multi-core test. The Dimensity 9600 Pro scored 3,242 and 11,132 points.

Clock speeds also favored the Snapdragon listing. The unreleased Qualcomm chip is shown with three efficiency cores at 3.74GHz, three performance cores at 4.03GHz, and two prime cores peaking at up to 5.11GHz. That would place it among the first mobile platforms to cross 5GHz.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro listing shows three efficiency cores at 3.10GHz, three performance cores at 4.35GHz, and two prime cores peaking at 4.55GHz. Those scores and cluster clocks sit below the Qualcomm sample in this comparison.

These results come from early devices. Final software and retail phones may change the numbers. Geekbench 7 scores also cannot be compared directly with older Geekbench 6 results.

Qualcomm will host Snapdragon Summit 2026 from September 22 to September 24. The company is expected to launch the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 there. MediaTek is scheduled to launch the Dimensity 9600 Pro and Dimensity 9600 on September 15. Official specifications should follow those events.

Redmi 17 5G Goes on Sale in India Starting at Rs. 23,999

The Redmi 17 5G is now on sale in India. Xiaomi launched the phone last week. It joins the brand’s affordable 5G lineup and follows the Redmi 15 5G.

The base 6GB RAM and 128GB storage model starts at Rs. 23,999. The 8GB RAM variant is priced at Rs. 26,999. Buyers can order it from the Xiaomi India website, Amazon, and Xiaomi retail stores.

Colour options include Absolute Black, Endless Blue, and Eternal Orange. The Eternal Orange model uses a vegan leather finish.

The phone has a 6.9-inch HD+ display. AdaptiveSync can raise the refresh rate to 120Hz. Peak HBM brightness reaches up to 825 nits. Corning Gorilla Glass 7i covers the screen. TÜV Rheinland certifications cover Low Blue Light, Flicker Free, and Circadian Friendly viewing. Dual stereo speakers handle audio.

A Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chipset powers the handset. Storage is 128GB, with RAM options of 6GB or 8GB. Users can expand storage up to 2TB with a microSD card. The software is Xiaomi HyperOS 3.

Photography comes from a 50-megapixel AI dual rear camera. An 8-megapixel camera sits at the front. The phone also carries an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance.

Connectivity includes 5G, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, USB Type-C, a 3.5mm audio jack, and GPS.

A 7,900mAh battery supports 45W fast charging. Wired reverse charging goes up to 22.5W. The phone measures 170.12 x 78.42 x 8.8mm and weighs about 232g.

Oppo Find X10 India Launch Tipped for October 28 at Up to Rs 1.5 Lakh

Oppo will launch the Find X10 series in China this month. A wider global rollout is expected later in 2026. India still has no official date or price. A tipster has now floated both.

Yogesh Brar wrote on X that the series could arrive in India next month. October 28 is the date he named. He also put the expected price band at Rs 90,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh. The top of that range is widely read as the Find X10 Pro Max.

The same leaker had already pointed to an October global window and an India event near the end of the month. He had earlier pegged the Pro Max near Rs 1.5 lakh. The new post matches that earlier claim. Oppo has not confirmed either figure.

Regulatory paper trails add some weight. The Find X10 Pro Max has appeared in Indian certification listings, including BIS. Those filings suggest the company is preparing a local sale. They do not reveal specifications or a launch calendar.

Oppo has started teasing cameras. Promotional material highlights a 200-megapixel sensor on the Pro Max. The standard Find X10 is said to use two 200-megapixel rear cameras. China’s lineup is expected to include three phones: Find X10, Find X10 Pro, and Find X10 Pro Max. Which of those reach India is still unofficial.

None of this is a company announcement. Dates slip. Prices change after China reviews. Festive-season timing before Diwali would fit Oppo’s recent Find X pattern. Until the firm names a day, October 28 and the Rs 90,000–1.5 lakh band should be treated as tips, not a price list.