What’s New Today: Google Reveals Android 16: Beta in Jan, Full Release by May
Fast-Track Insights: SamVed Unveils $50M Fund for Indian Tech Startups
Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest tech headlines making waves today. From Google revealing Android 16 to HCLTech announcing 5,000 new jobs, let’s dive into the top tech stories of the day.
Google has announced that the first public beta of Android 16 will arrive by the end of January, with a stable release expected by May 2025. Android 16, codenamed "Baklava," promises to enhance the user experience with improved UI, battery life, adaptive refresh rates, and better connectivity. It will offer new features like predictive back animation and richer haptic feedback. Pixel 6 and newer models can access the second developer preview, though it's not recommended for primary devices due to potential bugs. The update will likely debut alongside the Pixel 10 series, which is expected to ship with Android 16.
SamVed, a US-based venture capital firm, has announced a $50 million fund to support early-stage tech startups in India. Targeting sectors like AI, agritech, healthcare, fintech, and e-commerce, the fund will invest $80K–$120K in early-stage startups, with larger investments ranging from $250K–$1M for pre-Series A rounds. The firm, led by experts from companies like Bridgewater Associates and Google, aims to address education, healthcare, finance, and lifestyle gaps. SamVed has already invested in three startups and partners with LetsVenture to identify high-potential businesses for growth.
HCLTech, a global technology leader, is expanding its operations in Hyderabad by launching a new tech center, creating 5,000 additional employment opportunities. This move highlights the company's commitment to strengthening its global delivery footprint and contributing to the local economy. The new center will support HCLTech’s growth and further enhance its capabilities in providing innovative tech solutions. This expansion will provide job opportunities across various tech domains, benefiting the local workforce and reinforcing HCLTech’s presence in the region.
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event is set for January 22, where the company will unveil the Galaxy S25 series, featuring models like the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The event will introduce One UI 7, based on Android 15, with new features such as the AI-powered “Now Bar” on the lock screen, Google Gemini Live integration, and an enhanced camera interface. Samsung is also set to reveal Galaxy AI, with AI-driven writing tools, multimodal text, speech, and photo support, and advanced video editing capabilities. The event will be live streamed.
Creating visually appealing and comprehensive presentations is no longer a tedious task. The Microsoft AI PowerPoint generator simplifies the process for users, allowing them to save time and enhance their creativity while designing slideshows. Recently, this tool has proven to be an effective resource for research and has gained significant attention. This article focuses on maximizing the use of this tool.