Apple HomeView Launches in India and Other Select Markets with Siri AI-Powered Smart Home Features

Beginning today, November 13, Apple HomeView is available for purchase at Apple Store locations, on the Apple Store online, and in the Apple Store app in select regions.¹ Apple HomeView gives customers a new way to enjoy entertainment, stay connected, and manage their home, all powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI.

Featuring a stunning 7-inch Liquid Retina display along with Siri AI, an entirely new version of Siri that is profoundly more capable and conversational, Apple HomeView is designed to be the centre of the home and personal to everyone in it.² It brings entertainment, connection, and smart home management together in one place, from playing music and making FaceTime calls to home monitoring and hands-free automations with voice control — all with privacy and security built in.³

HomeView recognises up to six people by face and adapts to show their personal content in Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, and Find My. And with Siri AI’s broad world knowledge, users can ask about virtually any topic and get a detailed answer. Siri AI also has onscreen awareness, so it can answer questions or take actions based on the content on the user’s screen. When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, Siri AI can draw on a user’s personal context, such as their Calendar, Messages, and relevant information across their apps, to provide more personalised responses. And it can take action across apps to help get things done.

With powerful new features and unrivalled privacy protections, Siri remains the world’s most private digital assistant. Even when the whole household shares HomeView, personal content stays private to each person, appearing only when a user is recognised by face and their paired iPhone or iPad is present and recently unlocked.⁴

Designed to fit in any space, HomeView can be placed on a tabletop as the centre of the home or wall-mounted to fit in spaces like the entryway or hallway. Both models work seamlessly with the Home app to manage settings, automations, and smart home accessories. The tabletop model is available in four beautiful colours: silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray. The wall-mounted model is available in two: silver and space gray.

Pricing and Availability

• Customers in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S. can order Apple HomeView in silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray for INR 39900, and Apple HomeView (Wall Mounted) in space gray and silver for INR 39900, starting today from apple.com/in/store and in the Apple Store app. Apple HomeView is not available for sale in the European Union, as Siri AI is currently unavailable in iOS in the EU. Apple is working constructively with the EU in an attempt to find a path forward.

• HomeView (Wall Mounted) is available with a choice of three purpose-built mounts from Schneider Home. Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector, available starting at INR 6900, and Power Mount AC Wired, available starting at INR 8900, can be ordered today from apple.com/in/store and in the Apple Store app. Power Mount PoE Wired will be available starting in early 2027 for INR 14900.

• Siri AI on HomeView is available in English in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK.

• Canadian French-language support will be offered later via a free software update.

1. Available in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S.
2. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in HomeView software version 27.2. Personal context requests require a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad running the latest software version with Siri AI turned on and set to a supported language. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to Apple Intelligence terms and conditions. Learn more at support.apple.com/en-in/148587.
3. Apple HomeView setup and multiuser support require a compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest software.
4. When a paired device is disconnected from Wi-Fi, personal information may remain accessible provided the user is recognised by their face, and the device was recently on the same Wi-Fi network, has an active cellular connection, is in the same location, and has been recently unlocked.

Shield AI Opens Bengaluru Engineering Centre to Develop Autonomous Defence Software for India's Self-Reliance Push

Shield today announced it has opened an engineering office at the GoodWorks GCC Nexus in Bengaluru, where Indian engineers will develop and test autonomy software for Indian aircraft and defence systems to support India's goal of self-reliance in defence. The team will work on Hivemind, Shield's software platform for developing, deploying and operating autonomous systems. Bengaluru is Shield’s second office in India; the company opened its New Delhi office in April this year.

Shield will hire engineers in autonomy, flight software, simulation, systems integration, and test and evaluation. Bengaluru is home to top Indian talent and a large base of software and aerospace engineers. The team will work with Shield’s New Delhi office, which leads engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the Indian armed forces and Indian industry.

In October, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Indian Army’s Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 and called for faster progress in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Enabling sovereign development of these systems accelerates locally designed capabilities, while preserving India’s control over its critical defence technologies.

“New Delhi brought us closer to our customers. Bengaluru gives us the engineering team to build for them,” said Sarjan Shah, managing director for India at Shield. “Self-reliance in defence depends on the software layer. We are hiring here to build, test, and improve mission autonomy for Indian platforms, so that India’s armed forces can own this capability for the long term.”

Congratulating Shield leadership, Dr. Manjula N., IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology said “Shield’s Bengaluru engineering centre is a welcome addition to Karnataka's growing ecosystem of global technology and R&D centres. The focus on autonomy software, simulation and advanced engineering will create opportunities for specialized talent and strengthen the state's capabilities in emerging technologies. We look forward to supporting such high-value investments that contribute to Karnataka's innovation-led growth.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) said, “Shield’s expansion into Bengaluru reinforces Karnataka's attractiveness as a destination for next-generation innovation centres and advanced engineering operations. At KDEM, our focus is on enabling global enterprises to leverage Karnataka's deep technology talent, industry ecosystem and innovation capabilities. We welcome Shield and look forward to supporting its growth and engagement with the state's technology ecosystem.”

The Bengaluru office builds on Shield’s work in India. In November 2024, Shield announced a strategic partnership with JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd. to indigenise and manufacture its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system in India. As part of a $90 million investment, JSW Defence began building a V-BAT production facility in December 2025 at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad. In January 2026, India selected Shield AI to supply V-BATs and Hivemind autonomy software licenses to the Indian Army.

Namasthe World Signs ₹36.24 Crore MoU with Andhra Pradesh Government to Build Handloom and Toy Manufacturing Centres, Creating 1,050 Jobs

Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, unveils the Namasthe World calendar at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam.

• Proposed Sustainable Apparel, Handloom and Toy Manufacturing Centres to create 1,050 employment opportunities across Kurnool and Visakhapatnam
• Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal unveils Namasthe World Calendar, appreciates its ‘glocal’ approach

Namasthe World, the Hyderabad-based storytelling and toy startup founded by Bhuma Mounika Manchu with actor and entrepreneur Manchu Manoj, signed a handlooms and textiles MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh at the 31st CII Partnership Summit on Thursday to establish sustainable apparel, handloom and toy manufacturing centres in Kurnool and Visakhapatnam, with a proposed investment of ₹36.24 crore.

The project is designed as an integrated, sustainable manufacturing ecosystem in which nothing a weaver makes goes to waste: handloom fabric becomes garments, and surplus material becomes dolls and soft toys. The two facilities are expected to generate around 950 direct jobs, along with 100 indirect employment opportunities across supply chains, logistics and ancillary services.

“Our vision with Namasthe World is to turn India’s incredible cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship into contemporary, globally relevant businesses. Having grown up in a political family, I have seen how governance, public institutions and community engagement play a critical role in translating vision into action. This partnership is a significant step towards empowering artisans, creating sustainable manufacturing opportunities and taking Andhra Pradesh’s handlooms, textiles and toys to the world. We are excited to build something that creates both economic and social impact,” said Bhuma Mounika Manchu, Founder and CEO, Namasthe World. She added, “We already have a retail partnership with Reliance Brands, and now we are partners with the Government of Andhra Pradesh as well.”

Bhuma Mounika Manchu, Founder and CEO, and Manchu Manoj, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Namasthe World, at the MoU signing with the Government of Andhra Pradesh at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam.

“Cinema and entertainment have always had the power to influence culture, connect communities and create aspirations. I believe the creative industries can go much beyond storytelling and become powerful engines of economic opportunity. Through Namasthe World, we want to explore how creativity, technology and entertainment can support traditional industries, create new livelihoods, take India’s cultural strengths to a global audience and make ‘Made in Andhra Pradesh’ a global identity,” said Manchu Manoj, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Namasthe World. He added, “We are also reaching out to leading technology companies to bring AI and robotics into Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toys.”

At the Summit, Namasthe World presented its toy collection to Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, who then launched the company's calendar.

“I appreciate the glocal approach of Namasthe World, taking something deeply Indian and presenting it in a format that can resonate with the world. I particularly like the brand name Namasthe World and its underlying thought of promoting Indian culture through storytelling, especially through native toys. Our traditional toys and cultural narratives have enormous potential to become ambassadors of India’s identity in global markets,” said Shri Piyush Goyal.

The initiative was also welcomed by leaders in government and public life.

“Our artisans are the custodians of India’s incredible cultural heritage, and they deserve stronger platforms and wider market access. I am very keen to support initiatives that create a structured ecosystem for local artisans, and a format like Namasthe World offers an interesting approach to connecting their skills and craftsmanship with larger opportunities. We must ensure that our local talent gets the recognition and markets it deserves,” said Shri K. Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

“Andhra Pradesh is keen to attract investments that create meaningful employment, strengthen local industries and unlock the potential of our traditional sectors. The Namasthe World initiative aligns with our vision of positioning the state as a destination for sustainable manufacturing, and we welcome entrepreneurs like Manoj and Mounika to participate and grow with India’s Sunrise State,” said Shri T.G. Bharat, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

“Andhra Pradesh is committed to creating an enabling environment for investments that combine innovation, entrepreneurship and employment generation. The proposed Namasthe World initiative presents an opportunity to strengthen sustainable apparel, handloom and toy manufacturing while creating new avenues for local artisans, entrepreneurs and the state’s manufacturing ecosystem,” said Sagili Shan Mohan, IAS, CEO, Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board.

“India’s handloom and textile traditions are a valuable part of our cultural and economic identity. Initiatives such as Namasthe World can help connect our artisan communities with contemporary markets, design innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. Our focus must be on preserving traditional skills while creating commercially viable opportunities for the next generation,” said Rekha Rani, IAS, Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

“What I particularly appreciate about Namasthe World is its approach to bringing art, culture and technology together. Our traditional art forms and indigenous craftsmanship have immense potential, and technology can play a transformative role in preserving, promoting and taking them to newer audiences. Such initiatives create an exciting bridge between our cultural roots and the opportunities of the future,” said Shri P.V.N. Madhav, BJP State President, Andhra Pradesh.

This builds on Namasthe World's MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board, signed on October 26, 2026, in Tirupati to promote tourism and cultural heritage. The three-year agreement focuses on developing characters, short films and QR-linked experiences around traditional Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toys, taking the state's craft heritage to wider audiences.

Since its inception, Namasthe World has developed over 55 original plush designs and sold more than 43,000 BIS-certified toys, establishing its presence across India and drawing interest from the Indian diaspora abroad.

ABOUT NAMASTHE WORLD

Namasthe World is a self-funded Hyderabad-based storytelling startup that brings Indian art, craft, heritage and culture to life through toys, characters and thoughtfully designed products for children. With the tagline “Celebrating Kids”, the company aims to create meaningful connections between India’s cultural identity and the next generation through play and storytelling. Namasthe World is the brand of Namasthe Toys Private Limited, which is building an ecosystem of culturally rooted children’s products, original intellectual properties and youth-focused experiences.

Re-Aliving the Lost Species: Inside the Science That Could Change Nature Forever

For centuries, extinction was considered the ultimate endpoint of life. Once a species disappeared from Earth, it was gone forever, surviving only in fossils, museum exhibits, and history books.

Today, however, a new generation of scientists, geneticists, and entrepreneurs is challenging that assumption. Their goal is not merely to preserve endangered animals but to explore whether extinct species can, in some form, be brought back to life.

At the centre of this bold movement is Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, a company that has transformed the once science-fiction concept of de-extinction into a serious scientific endeavour. Founded in 2021 by Ben Lamm and renowned geneticist George Church, the Dallas-based biotechnology company is pioneering what many are calling the era of "re-aliving" lost species.

What Does Re-Aliving a Species Mean?

The term "de-extinction" often evokes images of Jurassic Park-style resurrections. In reality, the science is far more complex and nuanced.

According to Colossal Biosciences, de-extinction involves creating animals that are genetically similar to extinct species by restoring key genetic traits through advanced gene editing technologies rather than cloning an entire extinct organism.

Scientists analyse ancient DNA recovered from fossils, preserved tissues, or remains found in permafrost. By comparing this DNA with that of a living relative, researchers identify the genes responsible for distinctive traits.

Technologies such as CRISPR are then used to edit the DNA of the living species, potentially producing animals that resemble their extinct ancestors.

In essence, re-aliving a species is not about turning back the clock. It is about reconstructing biological characteristics that have been lost to time.

The Mammoth Mission

Among the most ambitious projects undertaken by Colossal Biosciences is the effort to recreate the woolly mammoth. Scientists are studying mammoth DNA preserved in Arctic permafrost and comparing it with the genome of the Asian elephant, the mammoth's closest living relative.

The goal is to introduce mammoth traits such as cold-resistant hair, fat storage adaptations, and other survival characteristics into elephant cells. The resulting animal would not be an exact woolly mammoth but a mammoth-like elephant capable of thriving in cold environments.

Supporters believe such animals could eventually contribute to ecosystem restoration efforts in Arctic regions, while critics argue that the ecological consequences remain uncertain.

More Than Mammoths

The company's vision extends beyond the Ice Age giant. Researchers are also working on projects involving the dodo, Tasmanian tiger (thylacine), dire wolf, and other extinct species.

A 2-years old Dire Wolf

These projects have generated global attention because they represent the possibility of restoring species that vanished due to natural events or human influence. They also serve as testing grounds for technologies that could help living species survive in an increasingly challenging world.

A New Tool for Conservation

Perhaps the most compelling argument for re-aliving lost species is its potential impact on conservation.

According to Ben Lamm, the technologies being developed for de-extinction can also be applied to endangered animals. Techniques such as gene editing, reproductive technologies, stem-cell engineering, and biodiversity preservation could help species that are currently at risk of disappearing.

Many conservationists see value in these innovations because traditional conservation methods alone may not be enough to counter habitat loss, climate change, disease, and declining genetic diversity. By creating new scientific tools, researchers hope to strengthen existing conservation efforts rather than replace them.

The Ethical Questions

As exciting as the science may be, it raises profound ethical questions.

Should humans attempt to reverse extinction? Can recreated animals truly be considered the same species as those that once existed? Would resources be better spent protecting animals that are still alive today?

Some scientists argue that genetically modified animals are not genuine de-extinctions because they are modern organisms carrying selected traits from extinct species. Others worry about ecological risks and animal welfare concerns.

These debates highlight a larger question: just because science can achieve something, should it?

Rewriting Humanity's Relationship with Nature

The idea of re-aliving lost species represents one of the most ambitious scientific experiments of the twenty-first century. It challenges long-held beliefs about extinction, conservation, and humanity's role in shaping the natural world.

Whether projects led by Ben Lamm and Colossal Biosciences ultimately succeed or not, they have already transformed the conversation around biodiversity and genetic technology.

For the first time in history, extinction is no longer viewed solely as a permanent ending. Instead, it is becoming a scientific frontier, one that could redefine the future of conservation and our understanding of life itself.

As genetic technology advances, the question may no longer be whether we can re-alive lost species, but how responsibly we choose to use that extraordinary power.

Spotify Opens a New Chapter in India with the Launch of Audiobooks

From today, more than 3,50,000 English titles and 7,000 Indian-language audiobooks join your favourite songs and podcasts at launch, with many more stories still to come.

A thriller on the local train. A memoir on the morning walk. Philosophy before lights out. From today, Spotify brings audiobooks to India, putting your music, podcasts and books in one place.

India has always listened. Its epics travelled by voice, grandparents told stories at bedtime, and a new generation has made podcasts a daily habit. Audiobooks on Spotify are the next chapter. With Audiobooks+, listeners get 15 hours a month, with an option to top up or buy individual titles, across a vast catalogue of classics, blockbusters and new discoveries, moving with them alongside their music and podcasts.

Amarjit Singh Batra, GM South Asia, Middle East, Africa & MD India at Spotify, said, “Storytelling in India has always been as much about listening as reading. By bringing audiobooks to Spotify, we are making books as accessible as the music and podcasts our listeners already enjoy. Our focus is on helping listeners in India discover their next book, and helping Indian authors, including independent and self-published voices through Spotify for Authors, reach new audiences in India and around the world.”

The world is listening too. Spotify's monthly audiobook listeners are up around 40% year on year, listening hours have grown more than 30%, and in the US, 18 to 34 year olds make up 57% of audiobook listeners on the platform. Spotify now carries more than 8,00,000 audiobooks from nearly 300 publishers and over 50,000 authors worldwide.

What listeners in India get

A catalogue built for India: Choose from more than 3,50,000 English titles and almost 7,000 Indian-language audiobooks at launch, from global bestsellers to Indian voices. Audiences can delve into rich regional narratives across Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. The collection spans literary masterpieces such as Premchand’s Godaan, Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan, and Tagore’s Kabuliwala, along with celebrated works including Dharamvir Bharati’s Gunahon Ka Devta and Ami Ganatra’s Mahabharata Unravelled.

Pricing that gives you freedom to explore: For ₹199 a month, Audiobooks+ gives you 15 hours of listening across the full catalogue, whether you’re on Free or Premium. How you spend those hours is entirely up to you: move between several books at once, sample a few chapters, explore an unfamiliar genre, or start a new title whenever inspiration strikes. Need more time? Top up your hours or buy individual titles outright. Start listening today with Audiobooks+, right in your Spotify app, or head to the hub to learn more.

Discovery that knows your taste: Your next favourite book finds you the way your next favourite artist does, through personalised recommendations and audiobook charts shaped by what you love. Thrillers, mysteries, romance, self-help, fantasy, there’s a story for every mood.

Page Match, so you never lose your place: Scan the ISBN of the book in your hands and Spotify picks up the audiobook from the exact page, so the story keeps going when you have to get going. More than one million people have used Page Match globally since February.

Listen offline: Download audiobooks and listen without a connection, just like your music and podcasts.

Set a Sleep Timer: Drift off to a story, and it’ll stop playing when you do.

Spotify for Authors comes to India

With this launch, Spotify for Authors is available to writers in India. Self-published and independent authors can distribute their audiobooks on Spotify, view insights on their listeners worldwide, and access marketing tools including redemption codes. Partnerships are non-exclusive, and authors retain the freedom to distribute their work on other platforms.

How to get started:
• Update to the latest version of the Spotify app and open the Audiobooks hub, or search for any title
• Choose a book and add Audiobooks+
• Manage your plan at spotify.com/account or at http://spotify.com/audiobooks
• Press play

About Spotify

Spotify’s platform revolutionized music listening forever when we launched in 2008. Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks, 7 million podcast titles, and 700,000 audiobooks in select markets on Spotify. We are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 777 million users, including 300 million subscribers across 184 markets.