Category Archives: electronics

OxygenOS 16 brings brains, beauty, and serious speed to OnePlus phones

OxygenOS 16 Launches With AI Smarts, Smoother Animations, and Redesigned Interface

OnePlus has just announced OxygenOS 16, the latest software update for its phones, built around the company’s “Intelligently yours” philosophy. Packed with advanced AI features, smoother animations, enhanced customization, and optimized performance, OxygenOS 16 is set to elevate the OnePlus user experience to a new level.

OxygenOS 16 Update: Speed and AI Enhancements

New AI Features

At the heart of OxygenOS 16’s AI improvements is Plus Mind, OnePlus’ personal intelligence engine. Plus Mind monitors what you do on your screen and organizes your data in a centralized hub called Mind Space. It can recognize the context of your saved content and supports long screenshot capture, preserving entire pieces of content seamlessly.

OnePlus has also integrated Google’s Gemini AI with Mind Space, enabling interactive assistance by pulling pertinent information from your stored data. This integration offers personalized results and insights. For instance, you can ask Gemini to curate a home decor plan based on your interior design content saved in Mind Space — a truly impressive feature that adds meaningful convenience.

Expanded AI Productivity Suite

The update also expands the AI Productivity Suite. The AI Writer now includes advanced content creation tools, such as mind maps, charts, and social media caption generation.

AI Scan converts documents into shareable PDFs and includes tools to edit or enhance scanned content. For creatives, OxygenOS 16 introduces AI Portrait Glow to enhance portrait pictures and AI Perfect Shot for photo optimization.

Additionally, users gain early access to experimental AI features via AI PlayLab. This includes image-generating tools like YumSee and Party Up — a feature that creates party-themed videos from pictures for lively sharing.

Performance and Smooth Animations

OnePlus has not forgotten speed and fluidity. The new Parallel Processing 2.0 technology enables animations to start before previous ones finish, creating a perfectly smooth experience when navigating the UI.

Seamless Cross-Ecosystem Connectivity enhances integration for sharing and connectivity on Windows PCs and Macs, with improved compatibility for the Apple Watch, including synchronized notifications to keep you in the loop.

Refined Design and Customization

OxygenOS 16 introduces Flux Theme 2.0, complete with MotionPhotos and dynamic video wallpapers that provide depth effects reacting to your interactions. The refreshed design features rounded corners and translucent interfaces across Quick Settings, Home Screen, and the App Drawer for a modern and elegant look.

Fluid Cloud now acts as an interactive hub, integrating with third-party apps such as Spotify, food delivery services, and sports apps to provide real-time alerts and live updates directly on your device.

Security has also been enhanced with Private Computing Cloud, ensuring robust protection for GPU and CPU processing.

Optimized Experience for Tablets

OxygenOS 16 is optimized for tablets with a revamped home screen featuring scalable icons and an expanded dock supporting up to 18 apps, boosting accessibility and productivity.

Open Canvas enables multitasking up to five simultaneous apps — three in split view and two in resizable floating windows — making great use of larger screens.

The update also deepens integration with Windows PCs, introducing features like a virtual trackpad and drag-and-drop file transfer for seamless workflow.

Upgraded Photos App

The Photos app gains built-in video editing, allowing you to trim clips, add music and captions, and convert videos into MotionPhotos — blending photo and video creativity effortlessly.

Launch Details: OnePlus 15 Debuts OxygenOS 16

The OnePlus 15 will be the first device to come with OxygenOS 16 out of the box. It is set to launch on October 27 in China, marking the arrival of OnePlus’ newest flagship phone, which will compete with the upcoming Galaxy S26 series and iPhone 17 models.

OnePlus has confirmed that OxygenOS 16 will roll out to other OnePlus phones following the OnePlus 15 launch, although no specific dates have been announced yet. A global launch of the phone will follow after the initial Chinese debut.

Looking Ahead: A Year of Gorgeous Software Updates

With its translucent design elements and fluid animations, OxygenOS 16 reflects a growing trend among Android OEMs, taking inspiration from iOS 16’s sleek aesthetic. Vivo’s recent OriginOS 6 also introduced similar design philosophies, enhancing Android’s visual appeal overall.

As OnePlus continues innovating, OxygenOS 16 positions itself as a strong competitor to Apple’s iOS 17, promising exciting times ahead for smartphone enthusiasts.


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https://www.phonearena.com/news/oxygenos-16-brings-brains-beauty-and-serious-speed-to-oneplus-phones_id174947

Jio introduces safety-first JioBharat phones starting at ₹800

**Jio Introduces Safety-First JioBharat Phones Starting at ₹799**

*By Mudit Dube | Oct 08, 2025, 03:57 PM*

Reliance Jio has unveiled its latest range of JioBharat phones, featuring an innovative “Safety-First” solution aimed at enhancing family connectivity and security. The announcement was made at the India Mobile Congress 2025 (IMC 2025).

The new Safety-First feature enables guardians to monitor their children, elderly parents, and other dependents through a simple and secure interface. Key functionalities include location tracking, control over calls and messages, and real-time updates on battery life and network strength, ensuring peace of mind for families.

**Tailored for Every Member of the Household**

Jio has designed these safety features specifically to cater to the diverse needs of Indian households. For children, the device offers distraction-free connectivity by eliminating social media access. Elderly users benefit from a straightforward phone experience complemented by health and location alerts. Additionally, women can rely on the phone as a dependable safety and connectivity companion when they need it most.

**Empowering Indians Through Technology**

Speaking at IMC 2025, Sunil Dutt, President of Reliance Jio, emphasized the company’s vision: “Technology should serve a deeper purpose to connect and empower every Indian.” He described the JioBharat Safety-First solution as more than just a phone feature—it is a life-enabling innovation designed to provide families with affordable and accessible peace of mind.

**Availability**

The new JioBharat phones featuring the Safety-First solution are now available on various sales platforms, starting at just ₹799.

Stay connected and safeguard your loved ones with Jio’s latest innovation in affordable mobile technology.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/jiobharat-phones-launched-with-enhanced-safety-features/story

PhonePe’s new SmartPOD smart speaker supports card payments too

**PhonePe’s New SmartPOD Smart Speaker Supports Card Payments Too**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025, 08:03 PM*

PhonePe, a leading player in the digital payments space, has unveiled its next-generation SmartSpeaker, called SmartPOD, at the Global Fintech Fest 2025. This innovative device marks a significant step toward integrating card payments with UPI-based solutions, specifically targeting small merchants.

Designed and manufactured in India, the SmartPOD combines the functionalities of a Point-of-Sale (POS) device and a smart speaker into one compact unit, aiming to simplify digital payments for small businesses.

**Catering to Merchant Needs**

Small businesses in India primarily accept UPI payments but often miss out on sales due to the high costs and complexity of card acceptance solutions. The SmartPOD addresses this gap by offering an affordable way for smaller merchants to accept all forms of digital payments.

Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, PhonePe’s Chief Business Officer, explained, “It’s an ideal upgrade for smaller merchants who want to accept all forms of digital payments in an affordable way and helps them tap opportunities to expand and grow their business.”

**Enhanced Device Specifications**

Building upon the popular SmartSpeaker 2.0, the SmartPOD retains features such as celebrity voice confirmations, 4G connectivity, and fast charging. It also introduces a dual-display setup — one screen for the customer and another for the merchant — ensuring transparent transaction processes.

The device supports card payments across major networks including Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, and American Express, with NFC tap and EMV chip capabilities, making it versatile and user-friendly.

**Strategic Vision and Availability**

PhonePe emphasizes that the SmartPOD aligns with its broader mission to provide affordable digital payment devices to merchants of all sizes. The company also reassures that its existing hardware solutions will remain available, enabling businesses to choose options that best suit their operational requirements.

As of March 31, 2025, PhonePe boasts over 61 crore registered users and a merchant network encompassing 4.4 crore outlets across India, underscoring its significant footprint in the digital payments ecosystem.

With the launch of SmartPOD, PhonePe continues to empower merchants, especially small businesses, to embrace comprehensive digital payment methods seamlessly and affordably.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/phonepe-launches-smartpod-a-smart-speaker-with-card-payment-capabilities/story

PhonePe’s new SmartPOD smart speaker supports card payments too

**PhonePe’s New SmartPOD Smart Speaker Supports Card Payments Too**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | October 7, 2025, 8:03 PM*

PhonePe, a leading name in the digital payments space, has launched its next-generation SmartSpeaker, called the SmartPOD. Unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest 2025, the SmartPOD marks a significant advancement by integrating card payments alongside UPI-based solutions specifically designed for small merchants.

**Designed for Small Businesses**

The SmartPOD is designed and manufactured in India, combining the functionalities of a Point-of-Sale (POS) device and a smart speaker into one compact unit. This device caters to the growing demand among small businesses that primarily accept UPI payments but often miss out on sales due to the lack of affordable card acceptance options.

Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, PhonePe’s Chief Business Officer, commented, “It’s an ideal upgrade for smaller merchants who want to accept all forms of digital payments in an affordable way and helps them tap opportunities to expand and grow their business.”

**Advanced Features and Specifications**

Building on the foundation of the SmartSpeaker 2.0, the SmartPOD retains popular features such as celebrity voice confirmations, 4G connectivity, and fast charging. It also introduces a dual-display setup—one screen for customers and another for merchants—to enable transparent and seamless transactions.

Importantly, the SmartPOD supports card payments from all major networks including Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, and American Express. It supports modern payment technologies like NFC tap and EMV chip, broadening the payment options available to merchants.

**Strategic Vision and Availability**

PhonePe emphasizes that the launch of SmartPOD aligns with its broader vision to provide affordable and accessible digital payment devices to merchants of all sizes. The company also confirmed that all its existing hardware solutions will remain available, allowing businesses to choose devices that best suit their operational requirements.

As of March 31, 2025, PhonePe boasts over 610 million registered users and an extensive merchant network comprising 44 million outlets across India, underscoring its dominant position in the digital payments ecosystem.

With the introduction of SmartPOD, PhonePe continues to empower small merchants by offering versatile and cost-effective payment solutions, further driving digital payment adoption across the country.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/phonepe-launches-smartpod-a-smart-speaker-with-card-payment-capabilities/story