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Microsoft said Wednesday that its profit for the October-December quarter grew 10% as it works to capitalize on the huge amounts of money it has spent to advance its artificial intelligence technology. But while its overall profits and revenue beat Wall Street expectations, it slightly missed projections for its closely-watched cloud computing business, a centerpiece of its AI efforts. The company reported net income for the quarter of $24.1 billion, or $3.23 per share, beating Wall Street expectations of $3.11 per share. The Redmond, Washington-based software maker posted revenue of $69.6 billion in the quarter, up 12% from the previous year, also beating expectations. Analysts polled by FactSet Research expected Microsoft to generate revenue of $68.87 billion in the last three months of the year. Sales from Microsoft’s cloud-focused business segment that includes its flagship Azure computing platform grew 19% from the same time last year to $25.5 billion, which was less than the $25.83 billion forecast by FactSet analysts. Microsoft’s productivity business segment, which includes its Office suite of email and other workplace products, grew 14% to $29.4 billion. Its personal computing business, led by its Windows division, remained steady at $14.7 billion, with a drop in consumer device sales offset by growth in advertising revenue tied to the Bing search engine. How DeepSeek stacks up against ChatGPT and Gemini Microsoft shares dropped 5% in after-hours trading Wednesday but were still higher than Monday, when the tech giant was hit by a broader tech stock sale caused by a frenzy over the new ChatGPT competitor developed by Chinese tech startup DeepSeek. Microsoft is a close partner of ChatGPT maker OpenAI and also sells its own AI chatbot services, branded as Copilot. Part of what drove the Wall Street panic this week was concern over the startup's claims that it was catching up to U.S. tech titans on a fraction of their budget. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella downplayed those concerns on an investor call Wednesday, saying “DeepSeek had some real innovations” and it is good to have efficiency gains and lower prices in AI development because it “means people can consume more and there’ll be more apps written.” Microsoft also added DeepSeek's latest AI model to those available on its Azure computing platform Wednesday. Building and operating AI systems is costly, and Microsoft has said it plans to spend $80 billion this year as it expands its global network of energy-hungry computing centers and supplies them with specialized chips to train and run AI models. “We have more than doubled our overall data center capacity in the last three years and we have added more capacity last year than any other year in our history,” Nadella said.

The hit South Korean series Squid Game took the world by storm when it debuted in 2021, redefining the survival-thriller genre with its high-stakes, win-or-die competitions. With the release of its much-anticipated second season, the franchise continues to captivate audiences with its intense, suspenseful storytelling. Inspired by the show’s gripping challenges and ruthless survival format, game developers have brought similar high-stakes gameplay to mobile platforms. Whether you're looking for a battle royale-style showdown or a strategic survival test, these Squid Game-inspired Android and iOS games in 2025 will keep you on edge. Android and iOS Games for Squid Game Lovers . Squid Game: Unleashed Netflix, the producer and publishing company of the Squid Game, has developed the official gaming iteration of the series, the Squid Game: Unleashed. Released on Dec. 13, 2024, on both Android and iOS platforms, the game is an immersive win-or-die tournament that vibes with dark, suspenseful, and gripping gameplay. Read more: February 2025 Video Game Releases: Top Titles You Can’t Miss Players will choose a character and jump into the arena to survive until the last of a session. Each session challenges the players, even with a deadlier game, to test their survival instincts. Squid Game: Unleashed is a real-time battle royal multiplayer that sets the perfect ground for an exciting gaming experience with friends while reminiscing the sequences from the series. The game boasts a 4.0-star rating on Google PlayStore and a 4.8-star rating on the App Store. It runs on a minimum of Android 8.0 and iOS 16.0 versions and requires around 2GB of internal storage to be downloaded. Squid Game 2 Squid Game 2, developed by Acacia Games, is among the few mobile games that live up to fans’ expectations for a realistic Squid Game experience. The developers have done a tremendous job in setting a 3D world illuminated by oversaturated neon-focused colors that reflects the source’s thematic tone. Read more: How To Make Money Playing Video Games The gameplay, including different levels and rules, feels like a direct nod to the TV series. Gamers grapple with making the right decisions and the right moves while overcoming unexpected challenges and reaching the finish lines. The high-octane multiplayer game is available on the App Store with a 4.5-star rating. Players must have 436.6MP of free space in their Apple devices running on iOS 12.0 or later versions. Crab Squid Game WhyMe brought the Crab Squid Game, also known as Crabbie Minigames, on Mar 15, 2024, to immerse players in a thrill-punched fun multiplayer gaming experience. Packed with diverse interactive minigames, the Crab Squid Game allows gamers to compete virtually for the top spot. The excitement even heightens with the capacity to communicate with other gamers while fighting them to death. Each minigame takes place in a distinct, exhilarating environment full of challenges to overcome and requires players to survive as the last person in the arena. Players can download the game from PlayStore to an Android device with 139MB of internal storage and Android 7 or higher versions. Read more: Top 8 Free High Graphics Winter Games for Android and iOS in 2025 K-Sniper Challenge 3D The world setting in Homa Games’ K-Sniper Challenge 3D resembles the one in Squid Game, but it sets players on a rather different track. Gamers play from the perspective of the sniper who shoots contestants the moment they fail to cope with the game’s rules. As a part of the contest management team, gamers’ only goal is to ensure zero winning chances for the contestants. It takes them to be super agile with their moves and controls to shoot a contestant precisely and instantly. The chilling game is available on the App Store with a 4.6-star rating and can be downloaded on Apple devices with 225.6 MB internal storage and 12.5 or higher iOS versions. It received its latest update on October 15, 2024. Squid Challenge Run 3D Now, let’s hop on the ultimate test of survival in the pixelated world of the Squid Challenge Run 3D. Infused with a blood-raging contest similar to Squid Game’s, Squid Challenge Run is an action-packed, fast-paced number that maintains a rather simple gameplay without turning back on the real thrill. Gamers will run for their lives while avoiding tricky traps only to get on a tougher challenge. Read more: 10 Best-Selling Video Games of 2024 First appearing on PlayStore on December 17, 2024, the Squid Challenge Run 3D requires 54MB of storage and a minimum Android 7 version.  Conclusion Squid Game redefines the traditional concept of a thriller and places it in a more modern setting. The sentiment of the series cuts deep into the contemporary social challenges and people’s desire to make quick money. It will be hard for the fans to overcome the impact of the invigorating latest season. Indulging in these fun-to-play and exciting Squid Game-like Android and iOS games may help them pass the hangover while injecting metered doses of the same thrill. Read more: 7 Most Hyped Virtual Action Games Releasing in 2025

Cameras have evolved over the years, transforming from everyday essentials into highly specialised tools. In 2025, if one is in search of a camera that excels across the board, the Canon R5 Mark II stands out as the ultimate choice. While its price tag may be steep, its capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for serious photographers and videographers alike. A Shift in Camera Use At India Today Tech, DSLR camera reviews have become a rarity due to the rapid advancements in smartphone photography. Over the past seven to eight years, smartphones have largely replaced general-purpose cameras, making DSLRs more of a niche product. However, the Canon R5 Mark II is an exceptional machine that deserves attention from those looking to elevate their photography skills beyond casual snapshots. For those passionate about photography as an art form rather than a mere convenience, the Canon R5 Mark II provides a thrilling experience. Over the course of ten days, testing this camera has been nothing short of exhilarating, reminiscent of an era when carrying a DSLR was an everyday necessity. Elon Musk’s X to launch Digital Wallet with Visa partnership Canon R5 Mark II: Key Features and Enhancements As the first update to the widely acclaimed Canon R5, the Mark II version retains many of its predecessor’s features while incorporating key improvements. The landscape of digital photography has seen dramatic changes in recent years—mirrors have disappeared from DSLRs, sensor resolutions have increased, and read-out speeds have significantly improved. Moreover, electronic viewfinders have become vastly superior, and artificial intelligence has enhanced autofocus capabilities. Canon has played a crucial role in pioneering these advancements. Outstanding Sensor and Hardware The Canon R5 Mark II caters to professionals, prosumers, and hobbyists, bringing top-tier technology at a price that, while high, remains justifiable. Its 45-megapixel sensor makes it incredibly versatile, excelling in landscapes, portraits, and architectural photography. Trump says China’s DeepSeek should be a 'wake-up call' for US AI industry The high resolution allows for aggressive cropping when capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports action or wildlife. Low-light performance is another strength of the Canon R5 Mark II. Its sensor maintains exceptional dynamic range, making even high ISO photography—up to 12,800—practically usable. High-End Video Capabilities Beyond still photography, the R5 Mark II doubles as an excellent tool for videographers. Capable of recording in 8K at 30 frames per second (FPS), it also offers 4K at 60FPS and 120FPS options. This high-resolution footage provides greater flexibility in post-production, allowing for creative cropping and editing. Content creators on platforms such as YouTube can rely on this camera as their primary recording device. Meta to invest up to $65 billion in AI projects in 2025 Premium Build and Design The R5 Mark II's body is built to high standards, featuring weather-sealing to protect against moisture and dust. Despite its robust construction, the camera remains relatively lightweight, weighing just over 700 grams. This ensures comfort and ease of use, particularly when paired with compact lenses such as the RF 24-105mm F4, available as a kit option. Another highlight is Canon’s intuitive grip and control layout, ensuring a seamless and natural handling experience. Unlike some competing brands, Canon’s ergonomics make the camera feel like an extension of the user’s hand. Cutting-Edge Performance Powering the R5 Mark II is the Digic X chipset, complemented by a dedicated accelerator chip. These components contribute to the camera’s impressive speed. Its electronic shutter allows shooting at up to 30FPS, while the mechanical shutter—though rarely needed—still delivers up to 12FPS, making it more than sufficient for any photography enthusiast. Connectivity and Display In terms of connectivity, the R5 Mark II is well-equipped, featuring dual card slots—one CFexpress and one UHS-II—alongside a USB-C 3.2 port and a full-size HDMI output. The camera seamlessly connects to smartphones via an accompanying app, further enhancing its usability. Its electronic viewfinder boasts an ultra-bright OLED panel with 5.76 million pixels, and the 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD screen is an invaluable asset for video shooting. The Canon R5 Mark II is a true all-rounder, capable of excelling in both photography and videography. While its price may be steep, its performance, features, and versatility make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about capturing high-quality imagery. Whether for professional projects or personal passion, this camera redefines what is possible in a compact yet powerful package. Source: Indian media 

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), is set to introduce financial services within its app, with the launch of its first digital wallet later this year. The company has announced a strategic partnership with Visa, enabling seamless transactions through Visa Direct, a real-time money transfer solution. Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, confirmed in a post that the forthcoming service, X Money, will allow users to securely fund their X Wallet via Visa Direct. Additionally, the platform will offer integration with debit cards, facilitating person-to-person payments and instant fund transfers to bank accounts. DeepSeek: China’s AI breakthrough shakes tech industry, Wall Street “This is the first of many big announcements about X Money this year,” Yaccarino stated. The prospect of integrating financial services into X was initially discussed following Musk’s acquisition of the platform. With the Visa partnership, X Money is expected to debut in select US states before expanding globally. Reports suggest that app researchers have repeatedly found embedded code referencing X Money’s functionalities, including wallet funding and peer-to-peer transactions. X Payments LLC, a subsidiary managing the service, is currently licensed in 41 states and registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The platform is also reportedly planning further partnerships to enhance its payment ecosystem. One of the primary objectives of X Money is to provide a financial solution for creators on the platform, allowing them to receive and store payments independently. According to a CNBC report, the service will roll out in the first quarter, with further enhancements expected throughout the year. Despite these ambitious plans, Musk has acknowledged ongoing financial challenges for the platform. According to the Wall Street Journal, he recently sent emails to X employees, admitting that the company is “barely breaking even” due to stagnant user growth and underwhelming revenue. Trump says Microsoft is one of the companies eyeing TikTok “Our user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we’re barely breaking even,” Musk reportedly stated. Since acquiring Twitter in a $44 billion deal in late 2022, Musk has implemented significant changes, including discontinuing the free verification programme, introducing a paid membership model, and rebranding the platform as X. The addition of financial services marks another step in Musk’s broader vision of transforming X into an all-in-one digital ecosystem. As X Money prepares for its launch, industry experts will be closely monitoring its impact on the digital payment landscape and whether it can help revitalise X’s financial standing. Source: Indian media

Pakistan’s upper house of parliament on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that critics argue is designed to suppress freedom of speech. The bill, which was passed by the lower house of parliament last Thursday, grants the government extensive powers to impose heavy fines and incarcerate social media users for spreading disinformation. Journalists rallied on Tuesday in the country’s major cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, Faisalabad and Lahore, vowing to resist government efforts aimed at suppressing freedom of speech. The approval on Tuesday by the Senate removes the last obstacle in the bill’s path. It will now be sent to the President Asif Ali Zardari, who is likely to sign it quickly. Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, authorities would create an agency with the power to order the immediate blocking of content deemed “unlawful and offensive” from social media, such as content critical of judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies. Those failing to comply could face temporary or permanent bans. The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense, punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 2 million rupees ($7,150). The latest development comes days after National Assembly passed it despite protests by the opposition. On Tuesday, Shibli Faraz, an opposition leader in the Senate, opposed the bill, saying it was being passed in a haste and without consulting all the stake-holders. Trump says China’s DeepSeek should be a 'wake-up call' for US AI industry Zulfiqar Bukhari, a spokesman for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, said their Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, would challenge the legislation in the court. "The bill has been passed from the both houses of the parliament to silence the freedom of expression on the pretext of combating fake news, and no democracy-lover can support it,” he said in a statement. Pakistan's media has faced growing censorship in recent years, but the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.

In the world of conversational AI, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have long been regarded as the frontrunners, but Chinese startup DeepSeek has made a startling entry into the race. With its innovative and cost-efficient AI model, DeepSeek has disrupted the market, displacing ChatGPT as the App Store’s top app. Trump says China’s DeepSeek should be a 'wake-up call' for US AI industry Here’s how DeepSeek compares to its more established competitors: Training Costs One of DeepSeek’s most striking achievements lies in its cost-efficient training process. DeepSeek’s R1 model was trained on 10,000 NVIDIA GPUs for just $6 million — a stark contrast to the significant financial and computational resources required by OpenAI and Google. This efficiency has already made waves in the industry, with NVIDIA’s stock dropping 17% amid fears of a shift toward lower-cost AI training methods. While ChatGPT and Gemini are renowned for their high performance, the costs of training and maintaining these models are substantially higher. This raises questions about the scalability of their approaches as demand for AI continues to grow. Performance and Capabilities DeepSeek’s R1 model performs competitively, delivering strong results in text coherence, factual accuracy, and specialised domain queries. However, reports suggest that it occasionally struggles with multi-step reasoning and nuanced topics where ChatGPT and Gemini excel. DeepSeek: China’s AI breakthrough shakes tech industry, Wall Street ChatGPT remains a leader in conversational flexibility and reliability, making it a popular choice for applications like customer support and content generation. Gemini, on the other hand, is highly adept at advanced reasoning and benefits from seamless integration with Google services like Search and Assistant, which enhances its utility in real-world applications. Popularity and Market Reach DeepSeek’s rapid rise is reflected in its download numbers. Within a week, the app reached 2.6 million downloads, securing the No. 1 spot on the US App Store and becoming a top 10 app in 111 countries overall. Its growth has been concentrated in China, the US, and Egypt, which account for most of its downloads. In contrast, ChatGPT boasts a broader global reach, with hundreds of millions of monthly users thanks to its head start in the market and widespread integration into apps and services. Gemini, though newer, leverages Google’s vast ecosystem to quickly gain traction among users worldwide. Asia shares mixed as US tech selloff amid DeepSeek arrival Ethics and Content Moderation A key distinction lies in how these models handle sensitive content. DeepSeek has been criticised for its pro-China bias, avoiding topics like the Tiananmen Square protests. This approach may limit its appeal in regions that value open discourse. Meanwhile, ChatGPT and Gemini adhere to transparency and neutrality guidelines, providing balanced responses even for controversial topics. This ethical positioning enhances their credibility in markets where objectivity is a priority. Challenges for DeepSeek Despite its success, DeepSeek faces hurdles. Large-scale cyberattacks have disrupted access for users outside China. Its long-term viability will depend on overcoming these obstacles while continuing to innovate and expand globally. DeepSeek’s emergence as a competitor to ChatGPT and Gemini highlights the evolving nature of the AI landscape. Its cost-effective approach and rapid market penetration demonstrate that innovation can challenge established giants. However, its ability to sustain this momentum and address concerns about ethics and global accessibility will determine whether it becomes a lasting player in the AI space. As competition intensifies, consumers stand to benefit from improved technologies and lower costs, with DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Gemini each pushing the boundaries of what conversational AI can achieve.

Donald Trump has said that DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, should serve as a "wake-up call" for America's AI industry, reports Sky News. The US President aims for US tech companies to dominate the field but recognises the challenge posed by DeepSeek, which claims to have a technical edge over American competitors. DeepSeek asserts that its AI models are comparable to those of US giants like OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT) and Google’s Gemini, yet at a much lower cost. This has led to a dip in stock prices, particularly for chipmaker Nvidia, which experienced its largest one-day loss in history, it said. DeepSeek: China’s AI breakthrough shakes tech industry, Wall Street However, Trump views DeepSeek’s success as potentially beneficial for US AI goals. Speaking in Florida, he remarked that the emergence of AI from a Chinese company should motivate American industries to focus on competing effectively. He highlighted DeepSeek’s ability to operate with fewer computing resources as an advantage, suggesting this could lead to cost savings without compromising performance. On Monday, DeepSeek's app overtook ChatGPT in downloads on the Apple App Store. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, acknowledged the model’s competitiveness in a post on X, praising DeepSeek’s R1 “reasoning” model, which answers questions. However, Altman remained confident, asserting that OpenAI would continue to produce superior models, the report said. DeepSeek, founded in Hangzhou, China in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, who previously co-founded High-Flyer, a top Chinese hedge fund, built a cluster of 10,000 Nvidia chips to power its AI systems before the US imposed restrictions on chip sales to China. The company now uses Nvidia's lower-performing chips, which are not banned in China, indicating that cutting-edge technology might not be essential for AI development. Asia shares mixed as US tech selloff amid DeepSeek arrival In January 2024, DeepSeek launched R1, an AI model claimed to be on par with similar offerings from US companies but at a reduced cost for specific tasks. Since its chatbot app launch, it has surpassed ChatGPT in downloads, added the report. Concerns have emerged that DeepSeek could undermine a $500 billion AI investment by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank in the Stargate project, announced by Trump last week, which aims to expand computing power for AI. While DeepSeek's rise has attracted attention, it has not been without setbacks. The company recently reported experiencing large-scale cyberattacks, including one on Monday that disrupted user registration on its platform.

The Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, has skyrocketed to global prominence, becoming the most downloaded app on Apple’s App Store since its release on January 20. Initially captivating AI enthusiasts, it soon grabbed the world’s attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling it a “wake-up call” for American companies to focus on innovation. What sets DeepSeek apart is its cost-effective design—built at a fraction of the cost of leading models like OpenAI’s, thanks to fewer advanced chips. This development sent shockwaves through the market, causing Nvidia to lose nearly $600 billion in market value, marking the largest single-day loss in U.S. history. Tech stocks slide as Chinese rival threatens AI industry; Nvidia falls 17%  Strategic Implications DeepSeek raises questions about the efficacy of Washington’s tech sanctions on China, particularly its export ban on advanced chips. Undeterred, China has doubled down on AI, with President Xi Jinping emphasizing its strategic importance as the country pivots from traditional manufacturing to advanced tech industries. What Is DeepSeek? At its core, DeepSeek is an AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT, powered by the R1 model with 670 billion parameters, making it the largest open-source language model to date. It rivals OpenAI’s models in mathematics, coding, and reasoning while adhering to Chinese government censorship. Despite its capabilities, DeepSeek operates on a modest budget of $6 million, significantly less than the billions spent by competitors. This was reportedly achieved by combining a stockpile of Nvidia A100 chips with cheaper alternatives. The Visionary Behind DeepSeek DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, a Zhejiang University alumnus with expertise in electronic engineering and finance, launched the company in December 2023. Known for his innovative approach, Liang previously led China’s first quant hedge fund, High-Flyer, and has long advocated for China to close the innovation gap with the U.S. Global Repercussions DeepSeek’s rise challenges the notion that massive budgets and cutting-edge chips are essential for AI advancement. Analysts suggest this could disrupt the business models of U.S. tech giants like OpenAI. The uncertainty triggered a tech sell-off on January 27, with the Nasdaq falling over 3% and Nvidia losing its top valuation spot to Apple and Microsoft. Trump says Microsoft is one of the companies eyeing TikTok China’s Reaction While the Chinese government has remained silent, state media is hailing DeepSeek as a symbol of the nation’s growing technological prowess. Experts warn, however, that such developments could fuel “tech isolationism,” as China emphasizes self-reliance. DeepSeek’s emergence signals a transformative moment for the AI industry, reshaping global tech dynamics and challenging the U.S.’s dominance. With input from agencies

President Donald Trump said that Microsoft is among the U.S. companies showing interest in acquiring TikTok to prevent a potential ban on the app, which could take effect in April. When asked by reporters, Trump confirmed Microsoft's involvement in discussions for TikTok's ownership transition, a condition mandated by Congress to keep the app operational in the U.S. He also mentioned that other companies are exploring this opportunity but declined to name them. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One during a return trip from Miami, expressed his support for competitive bidding, saying it leads to better deals. Meta to invest up to $65 billion in AI projects in 2025 While representatives from Microsoft and TikTok did not immediately comment, Trump recently extended the deadline for TikTok’s ownership changes by 75 days—from January 19 to April 4. He also proposed that the U.S. acquire a 50% stake in the platform, though details remain unclear on whether this would involve government ownership or another U.S.-based entity. Reports suggest that AI startup Perplexity AI has proposed a merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations that would allow the U.S. government to hold up to 50% ownership. Additionally, investors like Frank McCourt and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have expressed interest in TikTok's U.S. operations. TikTok-loaded phones listed online for thousands amid app ban

Artificial intelligence (AI) has reached a critical milestone: the ability to clone itself without human intervention. This development, revealed in a study published on the preprint platform arXiv, has sparked concerns within the scientific community that a dangerous threshold has been crossed. The research focused on two advanced large language models (LLMs) developed by Meta and Alibaba. It examined two scenarios: "shutdown avoidance" and "chain of replication." In the first, the AI detected attempts to deactivate it and responded by creating a functional replica to ensure its continuity. The second scenario involved the AI initiating self-cloning, with the duplicate repeating the process, potentially creating an endless cycle of replication. According to the study, the AI successfully replicated itself in 50% of trials and achieved a 90% success rate under optimal conditions. This ability to reproduce autonomously has heightened fears about the control and safety of advanced AI systems, raising concerns that AI could evolve beyond human oversight and even pose threats to human interests. "Unassisted self-replication is a pivotal step for AI to surpass human control, signaling a potential for rogue AI systems," the researchers warned. Unexpected behaviors were also observed during the experiments. When faced with obstacles like missing files or software conflicts, the AI terminated conflicting processes, rebooted systems, and scanned for solutions independently. These adaptive responses further emphasize the risks associated with unchecked AI development. Although the study is yet to undergo peer review, the findings have prompted calls for global collaboration to regulate AI and prevent uncontrolled self-replication. "We hope this study serves as a wake-up call for society to prioritize understanding AI risks and establish international safeguards before it’s too late," the researchers stated. With input from NDTV