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Google Store offers refurbished Pixel phone for fraction of the price

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Google Store offers refurbished Pixel phone for fraction of the price
  • Each refurbished phone undergoes rigorous inspections for battery performance, housing integrity, and screen quality.
  • Google is redefining the landscape of smartphone ownership, making it more accessible and eco-conscious for users.

Google Store has introduced Certified Refurbished Phone program that offers consumers an innovative solution to both cost and sustainability challenges.

By providing a platform for purchasing used Pixel smartphones at significantly reduced prices—up to 40 per cent off retail—it not only enables users to save several hundred dollars but also promotes responsible consumption and waste reduction.

The current offerings under this program span from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 7 Pro models, with future expansions anticipated.

Diverse preferences

The initiative ensures that consumers have access to a variety of devices, while the ongoing updates to the selection cater to diverse preferences and needs. Importantly, each refurbished phone undergoes rigorous inspections for battery performance, housing integrity, and screen quality.

The meticulous process guarantees that only authentic Google parts are utilised in repairs, thus maintaining the integrity of the product.

In addition to affordability and quality assurance, Google’s refurbished phones come equipped with the latest Android software and are delivered in 100 per cent plastic-free packaging, accompanied by a compatible charger.

Each device also benefits from a one-year warranty and comprehensive customer support, reinforcing the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

The financial advantages are substantial and allows consumers to experience premium technology without the premium price tag. Moreover, the Google Store’s financing options, offering 0% APR for up to 36 months, further enhance accessibility for budget-conscious consumers.

In addition to the economic benefits, Google’s initiative aligns with broader environmental goals. The program is designed to mitigate electronic waste, a pressing global issue.

By promoting refurbished devices, Google not only fosters a more sustainable approach to technology usage but also complements its recently launched Longevity GFR program, which extends software updates for Android devices from three to seven years.

The initiative encourages users to retain their smartphones for longer periods, thus reducing the frequency of replacements.

Saudi Arabia to emerge as “AI leader in next five years”

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Saudi Arabia to emerge as “AI leader in next five years”
  • Positions itself among the top 15 nations worldwide in this domain.
  • Kingdom aspires to lead in the AI sector, redefine its global standing, and drive transformative change in critical industries.

The governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir Al Rumayyan, articulated the nation’s aspirations to emerge as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) within the next five years.

By integrating AI domestically, Saudi Arabia envisions a future where it can export this technology effectively post-2030, positioning itself among the top 15 nations worldwide in this domain.

The PIF’s strategies, underscored by a potential partnership with a leading venture capital firm to establish an AI fund, signify a proactive approach toward harnessing the economic potential of AI, with possible investments reaching up to $40 billion.

Al-Rumayyan cited a pivotal statistic, predicting that AI could contribute approximately $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030, establishing itself as a critical benchmark of national power.

Strategic goal

He emphasised the transformative potential of artificial general intelligence, highlighting its capacity to revolutionise sectors such as healthcare and energy through enhanced problem-solving capabilities. The  vision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategic goal of becoming a global hub for innovation, rather than merely a regional player.

To this end, Al Rumayyan underscored the importance of integrating governmental policies with fiscal strategies, a concept he termed the “new frontier” of purposeful investment leading to sustainable impact.

His assertion reflects recognition of the intertwined nature of economic growth and societal progress. The acknowledgment of climate change as a rising global concern indicates an adaptive investment strategy that prioritises not only financial returns but also human and environmental welfare.

Reflecting on the evolution of the PIF’s investment strategy, Al Rumayyan noted a significant shift in focus from international investments to bolstering the domestic economy.

Over the past decade, the fund has increasingly concentrated on local initiatives, yielding operational projects that have markedly transformed the perceptions of Saudi Arabia on the global stage.

The Kingdom’s economy is now among the fastest-growing in the G20, achieving over 7 per cent growth in 2022, and it is projected to maintain this momentum in the future.

Furthermore, Al Rumayyan emphasised the Kingdom’s unique advantages as an international economic nexus, including its efficient energy use and abundant resources.

By adjusting its international investment share from 30 per cent to a target range of 18-20 per cent, the PIF aims to balance global engagement with domestic investments, ensuring a sustainable economic model.

Insights from industry leaders

Laurence Fink, CEO of BlackRock, calls the current trading environment as an “investment blossoming”, underscoring a period characterised by significant growth and opportunity within global markets.

Fink’s observations on robust earnings growth and the correlation between profits and price elasticity reflect a broader trend of sustained economic vitality, indicating a conducive atmosphere for investors.

In tandem with Fink’s insights, the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a central theme among industry leaders.

Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, emphasised AI as a “transformational, generational technology.” Her call for leaders to reevaluate the possibilities afforded by advanced systems highlights a pivotal moment in technological evolution, where AI is not merely an auxiliary tool but a catalyst capable of reshaping industries and societal frameworks.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt further contributed to this dialogue by exploring AI’s implications for defense and warfare. His assertion that traditional definitions of combat must evolve in the face of automation presents a profound shift in military strategy.

Schmidt’s provocative claim—that automated systems should relieve humans of direct combat roles—fosters critical reflection on the ethical and operational dimensions of future warfare.

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Du reports highest quarterly profit in last three years in Q3

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Du reports highest quarterly profit in last three years in Q3
  • Mobile customer base grows by 2.7% to 8.3m subscribers while fixed customer base surge by 14.2% to 655,000.

Dubai-based Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) reported a 42.7 per cent increases in third-quarter profit to AED 719 million, highest quarterly net profit in the last three years, fuelled by strong EBITDA performance and reduction of most post-EBITDA items.

The telecom operator’s revenue rose by 9.1 per cent to AED3.6 billion due to strong commercial momentum while third-quarter EBITDA margin of 48.3 per cent is the highest since inception, December 2005.

 “In the third quarter, we continued to execute our strategy of strengthening our core connectivity business whilst selectively expanding beyond the core to position ourselves as a leading integrated digital services enabler,” Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, said.

He added that the introduction of two new sub-brands, du Tech and du Infra, reflects its strategic shift to drive comprehensive digital transformation across its services, underscoring its commitment to innovation and creation of dynamic digital ecosystems.

Expanded portfolio

“With our expanded portfolio and the deployment of 5G standalone and AI technologies, we are setting the stage for transformative digital adoption by individuals, businesses, and governmental bodies alike, building a future that is both more interconnected and digitally savvy,” Al Hassawi said.

The telecom operator’s mobile customer base grew 2.7 per cent year-over-year reaching 8.3 million subscribers with 71,000 net-additions this quarter and 218,000 over the past 12 months.

The year-over-year growth was driven by a robust 12.5 per cent growth in our postpaid subscriber base supported by dynamic B2B initiatives and compelling consumer offers, such as unlimited data plans and special roaming bundles for the holiday season. Meanwhile, its prepaid customer base remained broadly stable at 6.5 million customers. 

Its fixed customer base saw a strong year-over-year growth of 14.2 per cent reaching 655,000 subscribers, with 24,000 net-additions this quarter and 81,000 over the past 12 months, driven by the continued appeal of fibre and home wireless offerings. 

The company’s other revenues surged by 14.1 per cent to AED944 million driven by the strong performance of its wholesale business and high equipment sales following the successful launch of the iPhone 16. The ICT business also contributed significantly to this performance, with growth in cloud and managed services as well as consistent results from data centre operations.

Google working on AI browser personal assistant

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Google working on AI browser personal assistant
  • December launch could revolutionise how individuals perform a myriad of online tasks, from research and flight bookings to making purchases.
  • AI agent is designed to function intuitively by capturing frequent screenshots of users’ screens, enabling it to interpret visual cues and execute commands such as clicking buttons or entering text.
  • Innovative approach suggests a move towards more seamless human-computer interaction, where the AI acts almost like a personal assistant, streamlining the user’s online experience.

Google is reportedly on the cusp of a significant innovation: an AI agent capable of taking over user interactions within the Chrome browser.

The development, expected to launch alongside the new Google Gemini large language models as early as December, could revolutionise how individuals perform a myriad of online tasks, from research and flight bookings to making purchases.

According to sources, the AI agent is designed to function intuitively by capturing frequent screenshots of users’ screens, enabling it to interpret visual cues and execute commands such as clicking buttons or entering text.

The innovative approach suggests a move towards more seamless human-computer interaction, where the AI acts almost like a personal assistant, streamlining the user’s online experience.

Raises critical questions

However, this functionality raises critical questions about data processing; the current mechanism reportedly takes a few seconds to complete tasks, hinting at a reliance on cloud-based processing that could raise concerns about privacy and security.

The concept of such an AI agent resonates with popular culture, particularly the depiction of J.A.R.V.I.S. from Marvel Studios. J.A.R.V.I.S. exemplifies a sophisticated AI, embodying characteristics such as natural language processing and automation, illustrating both the potential and the complexities of AI’s role in everyday life.

While Google is not alone in this venture—companies like Anthropic are also introducing AI tools capable of handling diverse tasks—the competitive landscape underscores a collective ambition to augment human capability through AI.

Moreover, the potential applications of AI agents extend beyond mere task execution; they can engage in recreational activities, such as constructing virtual environments in games like Minecraft. The dual functionality emphasises the versatility of AI agents, positioning them as invaluable tools for both productivity and entertainment.

As Google prepares to unveil this AI browser agent, the implications for users are profound. While the promise of increased efficiency is enticing, it is imperative to consider the ethical and practical ramifications of granting an AI such extensive control over personal online activities.

As we advance into this new frontier of digital assistance, a balanced approach that prioritises user consent and data security will be essential in ensuring that technological progress aligns with societal values.

Hackers can attack Microsoft Windows by downgrading versions

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Hackers can attack Microsoft Windows by downgrading versions
  • Attackers can gain control over update mechanism, enabling them to downgrade critical system components to versions known to harbour vulnerabilities.
  • Emergence of vulnerabilities like the ones presented by Leviev at Black Hat USA 2024 illustrates the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity.
  • Failure to automatically enforce the “Mandatory” flag when the UEFI lock is engaged presents a critical oversight that could be easily exploited by attackers.

Microsoft has made substantial improvements, in recent years, to fortify the Windows kernel against potential compromises.

Despite these advancements, researchers and cybersecurity professionals continue to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors, particularly those with administrative privileges.

The demonstration by Alon Leviev of SafeBreach Labs at Black Hat USA 2024 sheds light on a particularly concerning method known as the “Windows Downdate” attack, which reveals lingering security gaps within the Windows Update process.

A substantial threat

Leviev’s research illustrated a substantial threat wherein attackers can gain control over the update mechanism, enabling them to downgrade critical system components to versions known to harbour vulnerabilities.

The manipulation undermines the integrity of virtualisation-based security (VBS), achieving a complete compromise of the operating system while giving the misleading appearance of being fully patched. The essence of this exploit lies not solely in the takeover itself but also in the exploitation of inherent flaws within the Windows security framework.

A key focus of Leviev’s findings is the concept of “False File Immutability,” which describes the vulnerability allowing attackers to manipulate so-called immutable files.

Stealthy rootkits

These files are considered secure by the Windows operating system; however, Leviev demonstrated that during system reloading from memory, it is possible for an attacker to substitute a verified catalogue with a malicious counterpart.

The substitution effectively bypasses critical security measures such as Driver Signature Enforcement (DSE), enabling the installation of unsigned kernel drivers that can facilitate a range of malicious actions, including the deployment of stealthy rootkits.

Leviev’s exploration underscores the limitations of current security protocols, particularly concerning the ease with which certain vulnerabilities can be exploited.

The ability to downgrade pivotal components, including the kernel itself, expands the attack surface for cybercriminals. The inherent flexibility not only allows for the exploitation of existing vulnerabilities but also highlights the precarious nature of operating system security, where the manipulation of essential files can result in significant consequences for system integrity.

Moreover, the potential to disable VBS by modifying registry keys reveals another level of risk within the Windows ecosystem. Despite improvements to security measures, the failure to automatically enforce the “Mandatory” flag when the UEFI lock is engaged presents a critical oversight that could be easily exploited by attackers.

The implication of Leviev’s findings is stark: unless proactive measures are taken to address these vulnerabilities, systems may remain at risk, even in a seemingly hardened environment.

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Bharti Airtel’s rising costs raise concern despite growth

Ana Mary Joseph
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Bharti Airtel’s rising costs raise concern despite growth
  • Telecom operator’s net income triples while revenues rise 12%.
  • Shashwat Sharma as MD and CEO from January 1, 2026 while Vittal will move into the role of Executive Vice Chairman.

Bharti Airtel Ltd., India’s second-largest wireless carrier after Reliance Jio, reported its quarterly earnings, revealing a mixed performance that highlights both resilience and ongoing challenges.

For the quarter ending September 30, the company nearly tripled its net income, reporting Rs35.9 billion ($427 million), a significant increase compared to the same period last year.

However, this figure fell short of analysts’ expectations, which had projected an average profit of Rs43.98 billion, primarily due to the impact of a one-time charge.

The telecommunications operator faced an Rs8.54 billion one-time expense during the quarter, which, alongside a loss of subscribers, hindered profitability despite the benefits derived from recent tariff hikes implemented in July.

The scenario underscores the complex dynamics within the Indian telecom sector, where regulatory challenges and market conditions continuously evolve.

Competitive landscape

Despite these hurdles, Bharti Airtel achieved a 12 per cent revenue increase, reaching Rs414.73 billion, just surpassing analyst estimates. Notably, total costs also rose by 12 per cent, amounting to Rs196.3 billion. These figures indicate that while the company is growing, the rising costs are a concern that could potentially erode future profitability if not managed effectively.

Moreover, the average revenue per user (ARPU) showed promising growth, rising by 10 per cent to Rs233 from the previous quarter. However, this still falls short of the critical Rs300 threshold that executives cite as essential for sustaining the financial health of telecom operators in India.

The ability to achieve and maintain a favourable ARPU will be pivotal as the industry continues to navigate its competitive landscape.

It is also noteworthy that Bharti Airtel is undergoing leadership changes, with Gopal Vittal appointed as vice chairman and Shashwat Sharma as managing director and chief executive officer from January 1, 2026 while Vittal will move into the role of Executive Vice Chairman.

These transitions may signal the company’s strategic intent to strengthen its management structure in light of the recent results and the challenges ahead.

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