News / Author / Vishal Mathur

Vishal Mathur

Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world.

Articles by Vishal Mathur

As buyers accept a premium for good audio, spotlight remains on headphones

Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have intentions of carving their slice of the premium headphones market amid competition from Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose

The customisable Dyson OnTrac headphones, and (right) new colours on the updated Apple AirPods Max. (Vishal Mathur/HT PHOTO)

Business

Updated on Sep 27, 2024 09:19 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

PC makers may design for US or China, we focus on Indian buyers: Asus’ Arnold Su

The strategy to make existing retail stores as the pick-up points for service too, may prove sound in the years to come, as it gives Asus a nationwide footprint for PC sales and service

Su talks about Asus’ strategy for the Indian market and touches upon plans for customising specific products. (Asus India)

Business

Published on Sep 26, 2024 03:26 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

SanDisk’s new drive, Jake Dyson talks about building for people, and iOS updates

SanDisk Desk Drive. In an era where we’ve become more attuned to cloud storage (it may be convenient; but many of us ignore the inherent risks)

Technology

Published on Sep 26, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Fears realised? Gen AI being used to create malware, confirms HP security report

Generative AI is being used to create more sophisticated malware, faster and amidst that increasing threat, there may well be a need to deploy the same AI tools to counter the threat

An example of a website spreading a fake PDF converter tool, leading to ChromeLoader. (HP image)

Business

Published on Sep 25, 2024 09:26 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

We’re focused on designing products for people, that solve problems: Jake Dyson

Dyson’s Chief Engineer talks about a research based approach to build products that tackle daily problems for users, refining product portfolio for India

The reason Jake Dyson is visiting India, is to underline the company’s push into the premium audio space. (Official photo)

Business

Published on Sep 24, 2024 12:16 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, Android’s newfangled motivation, is an operative genius

There’s generational substance, such as the battery stamina, and camera toolset, all with lighter price tags than before. Android phone makers will inevitably draw inspiration. And then, Apple Intelligence arrives

Before Apple Intelligence arrives, you’ll have time to appreciate improvements the latest iPhone Pro range imbibes. (Vishal Mathur / HT Photo)

Business

Updated on Sep 22, 2024 02:10 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Tech Tonic | Shouldn’t tech regulation be a proportionate, two-way street?

Regulatory pressure is what finally got RCS messaging support on iPhones they may do well to get the actual watchmakers and their OS developers to fall in line.

We are all familiar with Apple’s game of keeping the Apple Watch within the iPhone fold. That should change, and we can only hope some regulatory push helps open that door (Vishal Mathur | HT Photo)

Technology

Published on Sep 22, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is curiously versatile, as a phone and a small tablet

An example of relevant refinement, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold holds its footing among foldables with utilitarian, compact tablet vibes. But it too has typical foldable foibles

The 6.3-inch cover screen on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is nicer to use than pretty much all of its competition. (Vishal Mathur | HT Photo)

Business

Published on Sep 19, 2024 11:45 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Sony PS5 Pro’s appeal dilemma, safeguarding stolen phones and Truecaller update

There is a new Sony PlayStation 5 Pro that launches in early November. A desperate mid-cycle refresh?

Technology

Published on Sep 19, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

An Instagram for kids never happened, but this may be the next best alternative

Alongside giving parents more control over their child’s Instagram profile, Meta and Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica have also extended their smart glass partnership

Meta says this will essentially be a new form of an account. (Meta)

Business

Published on Sep 18, 2024 09:10 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Decoding Apple iPhone 16 pricing in India; why it bucks generational inflation?

Indians are spending more on premium phones, a trend reflecting in shipment trackers, and Apple hopes to take advantage of that momentum

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, in the new hero colour, called Desert Titanium. (Vishal Mathur/ HT Photo)

Business

Published on Sep 15, 2024 02:06 PM IST

ByVishal MathurVishal Mathur

Apple and OpenAI remind us of varying methods for innovation, work

Consolidation is often the more successful route for tech innovation, but it doesn’t have the most appealing of optics.

Attendees view new products during an event at Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, US, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Apple Inc. introduced the latest version of its flagship device, the iPhone 16, betting it can entice consumers with modest hardware upgrades and AI technology that's still on the horizon. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

Technology

Published on Sep 15, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Adobe’s Firefly AI videos arrive only when it is safe, amidst an India push

Can Adobe pip OpenAI’s Sora in terms of a safe, broader release? Adobe’s also countering Canva’s competition with Indian language support for Express

Adobe confirms that Firefly’s generative video capabilities will find priority integration within the Premiere Pro platform. (Official image)

Business

Published on Sep 14, 2024 01:31 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

The many talking points from Apple iPhone 16 keynote & behaviour of tech leaders

This was never going to be subdued, in case you had any expectations on those lines. The iPhone keynote is where new performance & experience benchmarks are set

Decoding the iPhone 16 series: Apple doing what Apple does best—simply resetting performance benchmarks.
(Vishal Mathur | HT Photo)

Technology

Published on Sep 12, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Apple Watch tracks sleep apnoea, AirPods as hearing aids & an idea of disruption

It is a clear intent to deploy wearables including the Apple Watch and AirPods to do more in terms of health and wellness tracking for users, building on the Watch’s extensive fitness suite

(Clockwise from left) The Apple Watch Ultra in the new colour, the Apple Watch Series 10 and the AirPods Max. (Vishal Mathur | HT Photo)

Business

Published on Sep 10, 2024 08:41 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

More buttons, strong AI: Apple iPhone16 series and the cyclical charm of tech

The overall iPhone 16 theme is built on new hardware where it was needed, but software is taking forward experience.

Technology

Published on Sep 10, 2024 08:11 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Apple unveils artificial intelligence-boosted iPhone 16 line

The company also unveiled a new model of its watch — the Apple Watch X — that chief executive Tim Cook described as being the company’s thinnest ever

CEO of Apple Tim Cook gives a presentation as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, US, on Monday. (REUTERS)

World News

Updated on Sep 10, 2024 12:33 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Tech Tonic | Where are all of the world’s chips being made?

Would it be hyperbole to say that hidden within a chip circuitry, is the destiny of the human race? No surprise then, everyone’s eyeing a stake in that pie

Semiconductors is a broader term for materials such as germanium, gallium arsenide as well as silicon. (Representative Photo)

Technology

Published on Sep 08, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

To say a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is an Apple Watch Ultra clone, is fallacious

Beyond the orange, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra’s feature set and AI play is in contrast to an Apple Watch Ultra

Samsung’s choice of a circular display is a complete contrast to Apple’s square-ish approach. (HT Photo | Vishal Mathur)

Business

Published on Sep 06, 2024 11:25 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Microsoft Copilot+ PC intricacy aside, Asus handholds AMD’s resounding comeback

Asus’ portfolio expansion adds a Zenbook S16 waiting for Copilot+, but definitively marks AMD’s accession to the powerful chips’ conversation, in a new era for laptops

Copilot+ PC is a combination of hardware (chips with a neural processing unit and baseline specs). (Vishal Mathur | HT Photo)

Business

Published on Sep 05, 2024 09:51 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Expectations from iPhone 16 keynote, India’s tablet market and OpenAI investment

There are very few certainties in life, and one of those is Apple setting a new benchmark for smartphones every September.

Technology

Published on Sep 05, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Brimmed with AI, Canva’s hiking subscription prices but skips India for now

It may more be a case of when and not if, but Canva confirms to HT that Canva Pro, Teams and Enterprise substitution pricing for users in India remains unchanged, though a significant surge is on the horizon in other countries.

A peek into the Canva AI interface. (Official image)

Business

Published on Sep 04, 2024 03:59 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Have tablet makers found a magic formula in India? Shipment data suggests so

Tablet sales in India are picking pace, since users find value in a refreshed ‘mid-spec’ price band, better balancing price alongside significantly improved specs, and therefore longevity as well as utility

The Indian tablet market is growing 23% quarter on quarter in Q2 2024. (Representative file photo)

Business

Published on Sep 03, 2024 11:53 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Tech Tonic | More tech bosses should be very worried about the law catching up

The larger a tech platform, the more a propensity to flout local laws, and show up smartly dressed for a regulatory earful. Durov’s arrest may have changed that

FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo(REUTERS)

Technology

Published on Sep 01, 2024 08:30 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Decoding Proton Docs and Zoom Docs suites, mounting a challenge to Google Docs

While the approach to a document editing suite within the web browser remains intact, Proton’s making a privacy pitch in line with their Google-rivalling ecosystem.

Proton Docs and Zoom Docs. (Official photos)

Business

Published on Aug 29, 2024 10:31 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Amazon and Flipkart face Blinkit, Zepto conundrum, and solving Telegram’s chaos

Either a lot has transpired in the past few days, or maybe I’m overthinking things (that’d be very much in line with my personality).

Technology

Published on Aug 29, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL as AI superphones, augmenting Android’s acumen

Pricing reflects significant annual inflation, but there is an overwhelming AI layer integrated deep within Android that needs Google One’s AI Premium subscription to derive best results

The Pixel 9 (as well as the Pixel 9 Pro) and Pixel 9 Pro XL are primarily differentiated by the screen size. (Vishal Mathur | HT Photo)

Business

Published on Aug 28, 2024 01:30 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Decoding smart rings for health metrics, as Ultrahuman and Boat play their cards

Fitness tracking doesn’t get more low-key than smart rings, which have a form factor advantage over smart watches, the bulk of which renders them less than ideal for tracking sleep.

Business

Published on Aug 27, 2024 11:51 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Tech Tonic | We must not ignore smart acquisitions as a route to AI domination

Tech giants want to obtain exceptional tech and talent, to boost their arsenal of tools for consumers and enterprises

Tech companies understood, quite some time ago, that smart acquisitions are the way forward, to achieve a level of dominance in this space.

Technology

Published on Aug 25, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Did that car just bleat again?: EVs are trying some wild experiments with sound

BMW is working with the Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer; Mercedes-Benz with rapper Will.i.am. Lamborghini may even draw inspiration from spaceships.

Tesla’s since-recalled Boombox feature offered tunes of an ice-cream van, applause and bleating sheep. Ferrari, Lamborghini and BMW are experimenting too.

Art and Culture

Updated on Aug 23, 2024 05:07 PM IST

ByVishal Mathur

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Vishal Mathur

Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world.

Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have intentions of carving their slice of the premium headphones market amid competition from Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose

The strategy to make existing retail stores as the pick-up points for service too, may prove sound in the years to come, as it gives Asus a nationwide footprint for PC sales and service

SanDisk Desk Drive. In an era where we’ve become more attuned to cloud storage (it may be convenient; but many of us ignore the inherent risks)

Generative AI is being used to create more sophisticated malware, faster and amidst that increasing threat, there may well be a need to deploy the same AI tools to counter the threat

Dyson’s Chief Engineer talks about a research based approach to build products that tackle daily problems for users, refining product portfolio for India

There’s generational substance, such as the battery stamina, and camera toolset, all with lighter price tags than before. Android phone makers will inevitably draw inspiration. And then, Apple Intelligence arrives

Regulatory pressure is what finally got RCS messaging support on iPhones they may do well to get the actual watchmakers and their OS developers to fall in line.

An example of relevant refinement, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold holds its footing among foldables with utilitarian, compact tablet vibes. But it too has typical foldable foibles

There is a new Sony PlayStation 5 Pro that launches in early November. A desperate mid-cycle refresh?

Alongside giving parents more control over their child’s Instagram profile, Meta and Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica have also extended their smart glass partnership

Indians are spending more on premium phones, a trend reflecting in shipment trackers, and Apple hopes to take advantage of that momentum

Consolidation is often the more successful route for tech innovation, but it doesn’t have the most appealing of optics.

Can Adobe pip OpenAI’s Sora in terms of a safe, broader release? Adobe’s also countering Canva’s competition with Indian language support for Express

This was never going to be subdued, in case you had any expectations on those lines. The iPhone keynote is where new performance & experience benchmarks are set

It is a clear intent to deploy wearables including the Apple Watch and AirPods to do more in terms of health and wellness tracking for users, building on the Watch’s extensive fitness suite

The overall iPhone 16 theme is built on new hardware where it was needed, but software is taking forward experience.

The company also unveiled a new model of its watch — the Apple Watch X — that chief executive Tim Cook described as being the company’s thinnest ever

Would it be hyperbole to say that hidden within a chip circuitry, is the destiny of the human race? No surprise then, everyone’s eyeing a stake in that pie

Beyond the orange, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra’s feature set and AI play is in contrast to an Apple Watch Ultra

Asus’ portfolio expansion adds a Zenbook S16 waiting for Copilot+, but definitively marks AMD’s accession to the powerful chips’ conversation, in a new era for laptops

There are very few certainties in life, and one of those is Apple setting a new benchmark for smartphones every September.

It may more be a case of when and not if, but Canva confirms to HT that Canva Pro, Teams and Enterprise substitution pricing for users in India remains unchanged, though a significant surge is on the horizon in other countries.

Tablet sales in India are picking pace, since users find value in a refreshed ‘mid-spec’ price band, better balancing price alongside significantly improved specs, and therefore longevity as well as utility

The larger a tech platform, the more a propensity to flout local laws, and show up smartly dressed for a regulatory earful. Durov’s arrest may have changed that

While the approach to a document editing suite within the web browser remains intact, Proton’s making a privacy pitch in line with their Google-rivalling ecosystem.

Either a lot has transpired in the past few days, or maybe I’m overthinking things (that’d be very much in line with my personality).

Pricing reflects significant annual inflation, but there is an overwhelming AI layer integrated deep within Android that needs Google One’s AI Premium subscription to derive best results

Fitness tracking doesn’t get more low-key than smart rings, which have a form factor advantage over smart watches, the bulk of which renders them less than ideal for tracking sleep.

Tech giants want to obtain exceptional tech and talent, to boost their arsenal of tools for consumers and enterprises

BMW is working with the Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer; Mercedes-Benz with rapper Will.i.am. Lamborghini may even draw inspiration from spaceships.

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like