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The iPhone 16 Is Set to have Apple Intelligence. 10 Exciting Features Covered

Apple is set to host its fall event on September 9, with the iPhone 16 series expected to be the main highlight. The event, titled ‘It’s Glowtime,’ will also introduce the Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4. A key focus will be on Apple Intelligence, which, although not launching immediately, will be a significant topic. The event will showcase the features of Apple Intelligence, likely integrated into higher-end models like the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.

Here are ten features of Apple Intelligence:

  • Enhanced Photos App: Create Memory Movies from descriptions like ‘My cat in 2024’ or ‘Orlando in the summer.’ The app will automatically select photos and music, with options to customise through Memory Mixes or mood settings.
  • Clean Up Tool: Similar to Android’s Magic Eraser, this tool will let you remove unwanted elements from images while preserving the main subject.
  • AI-Powered Mail: Receive summaries of inbox messages and utilise smart replies for crafting responses in the Mail app 
  • Image Playground and Wand: Generate images from text prompts and use them across the platform, including in Messages 
  • Transcribing Calls: Record audio directly in the Phone app and get instant transcriptions and summaries in the Notes and Phone apps.
  • Genmoji: Create custom emojis for use in Messages. Inappropriate prompts will be filtered out by Apple Intelligence.
  • Siri with ChatGPT Integration: The iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a revamped Siri with GPT-4o capabilities and screen sharing for enhanced context. ChatGPT assistance will be free, with an option to sync with a Premium ChatGPT account for additional features.
  • Priority Notifications: Apple Intelligence will analyse and prioritise notifications, summarizing longer ones and integrating with Focus Modes to reduce interruptions.

Apple Intelligence is expected to be available on iPhone 16 Pro models later, with features arriving on devices with the A17 Pro chip or higher. The iPhone 15 Pro models will experience these features as well, though they may be rolled out with the iOS 18.1 update, with further updates potentially extending into 2025. The initial batch of iPhone 16 series may receive AI features a few weeks after launch.

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PM Modi Inaugurate Semicon India 2024 in Greater Noida Today

At Semicon India 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s rise as a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing. He announced the creation of an 85,000-strong workforce and emphasised the government’s focus on infrastructure and business-friendly policies. PM Modi also highlighted how semiconductor chips power India’s resilient Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), positioning the country for substantial growth in the sector, with the market projected to reach $80.3 billion by 2028.

The Noida Traffic Police have issued a traffic advisory in anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Greater Noida for the inauguration of Semicon India 2024, a three-day event focused on the semiconductor industry.

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Traffic Police have announced significant traffic changes for September 11 due to the high-profile event. To manage expected traffic disruptions, several routes will be diverted and alternate routes suggested to ensure smooth travel. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Modi is scheduled to arrive at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida around 10:30 a.m.

At the Semicon India 2024 event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that now is the right time for global investment in India, particularly in the semiconductor industry. Addressing the gathering at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, PM Modi stated, ‘In the 21st century, the chips are never down in India. The world can bet on India when the chips are down.’

The three-day event showcases India’s growing role in the semiconductor sector, with the government prioritising infrastructure development and policy stability to attract investors. PM Modi announced the creation of an 85,000-strong workforce dedicated to the semiconductor industry, including engineers, technicians, and R&D experts.

He also stressed the importance of semiconductor chips in powering India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which remained resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, even as banking systems in other countries struggled. PM Modi highlighted the nation’s “3-D power” — reformist governance, a robust manufacturing base, and a vast aspirational market — positioning India as a global semiconductor leader.

With India’s semiconductor market projected to reach $80.3 billion by 2028, the event reinforces the government’s commitment to establishing the country as a major player in global semiconductor manufacturing. 

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FSSAI Advises Street Food Vendors to Uphold Standards

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed street food vendors in Telangana to maintain hygiene and follow safe food handling practices in line with food safety regulations. These guidelines were emphasised during the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) sessions held in Mahabubnagar and Karimnagar districts.

Reports indicate that a total of 750 street food vendors from Telangana participated in the FoSTaC sessions. From August 27-30, 350 vendors in Mahabubnagar were trained, followed by training for 400 vendors in Karimnagar between September 3-6. Additional sessions are planned across the state to expand this initiative.

Earlier, FoSTaC sessions were conducted in Sangareddy district from August 21-24. Sponsored by Nestle India and organised by NASVI, the training included 400 street food vendors. The program covered best practices in food preparation and ingredient selection, and participants received certificates along with kits containing aprons, gloves, head caps, and towels.

In addition to the training, Telangana’s food safety department conducted raids at popular restaurants in Hyderabad. Inspections were carried out at Niloufer Cafe, Raja Deluxe, and Haiku restaurants. At Niloufer Cafe in Banjara Hills, expired items like cheese, Kashmiri paprika powder, and roasted peanuts were found. The inspection at Raja Deluxe Restaurant revealed stagnant water in the drains and a lack of insect-proof screens on doors and windows. At Haiku, expired ingredients such as cumin seeds, black sesame, tamarind, and red lotus flour were discovered.

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Samsung Files Patent for Sensor-Shift OIS Technology

Samsung might be working on developing a new camera technology that will offer optical image stabilisation (OIS) using a different process. The new technology was spotted in a patent application, and it described an actuator which would enable moving the sensor base plate. It is believed that this patent highlights image stabilisation using sensor shift technology, similar to what Apple uses in recent iPhone models. Notably, Samsung has yet to include any form of sensor-shift OIS in its smartphones.

The patent application was filed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics at the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and is titled (translated using Google) ‘Actuator for optical image stabilisation and camera module including the same’.

In the patent application, Samsung describes an actuator (a device that converts energy into mechanical motion) which is used for ‘shaking correction’. A movable part is also added to the sensor base plate, which likely refers to the Complementary 

Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.This actuator will move this base plate on a moving frame which will support the movement, as per the patent. The application claims that this movement will allow the camera system to offer stabilisation despite being moved around. Additionally, multiple bridges were also fixed across the circumference of the movable part, which supports the entire system.

Typically, OIS reduces image blur caused by camera shake in smartphones. It functions by using a small gyroscope powered by a motor within the camera system which moves and adjusts the lens in the opposite direction to the motion to keep the image feed stable. With sensor-shift technology, which is seen in iPhone 12 and later, instead of the lens, the image sensor moves to provide the stabilisation.

The sensor-shift OIS technology offers greater stabilisation in a smaller form factor. This technology also reduces the risk of lens distortion and aberration and the lens itself is not moving. Further, it also reduces blur in low-light conditions, where lens movement might reduce the amount of light that goes into the CMOS. This results in sharper videos in such conditions.

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Reverse Charge Mechanism Now Applies to Commercial Property Rentals

At its 54th meeting on September 9 in New Delhi, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council clarified the tax treatment for preferential location charges (PLC) and introduced the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) for renting commercial property from unregistered to registered persons. This measure aims to prevent revenue leakage by shifting the responsibility for GST payments from landlords to tenants for commercial rental services.

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra stated, ‘Renting of commercial properties has been brought under the reverse charge mechanism.’ This decision will increase compliance for registered taxpayers, who must now calculate GST liability for all their leased business premises.

Additionally, the Council clarified that PLC, paid along with property construction costs, is part of a composite supply and should be taxed at the same rate as construction services. Residential construction is subject to 5% GST, while commercial construction is taxed at 12%. This clarification resolves previous ambiguities surrounding PLC taxation, ensuring that it is now treated the same as construction services, alleviating concerns for builders.

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GST On Cancer Drugs and Namkeen Reduced

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Monday that, following the 54th GST Council meeting, the GST on cancer drugs has been reduced from 12% to 5%. Additionally, the GST rates on namkeens and savoury food items have been prospectively lowered from 18% to 12%.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) has been established to review and recommend a reduction in GST rates for medical health insurance, with a report expected by the end of October.

The GST Council is also planning to form a GoM to evaluate the future of the compensation cess, which is set to expire after March 2026. Sitharaman explained that while the extended compensation CESS, used to repay back-to-back loans and their interest, will be collected until March 2026, it may end earlier if the loans and interest are cleared by January 2026.

The Council decided to create a new GoM for medical and health insurance, led by the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar with additional members for this purpose. A decision on rate reductions will be made in November based on the GoM’s report.

To lower the cost of cancer treatment, the GST rate on cancer drugs such as Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab is being cut to 5%. The rate for namkeens and expanded savoury food items will be reduced to 12%, starting prospectively.

Additionally, the Council recommended exempting GST on research and development services provided by government entities. Funds given to government-affiliated universities and research centres, whether established by central or state laws, or those with income tax exemptions, will not be subject to GST.

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India’s MSME Loan Portfolio Sees 17% Growth

India’s MSME loan portfolio grew by 17.8 % to ₹64.1 lakh crore as of March 2024 from the year-ago period, said credit bureau CRIF High Mark in the fourth edition of its How India Lends report on Thursday. MSME loans included loans to entities with aggregate credit exposure of up to Rs 50 crore and self-employed individuals. 

Loans to self-employed individuals grew by a healthy 28.9 % to ₹ 35.7 lakh crore in comparison to a 6.6 % growth to ₹28.4 lakh crore in loans to MSME entities. The total MSME loans originated or sanctioned in FY24 were 2.74 crore involving ₹54.2 lakh crore, growing by 19.3 % in volume and 5.4 % in amount. 

Entity MSMEs witnessed 3.1 % year-on-year (YoY) growth in originations value and 18.9 percent YoY growth in originations volume in FY24. On the other hand, individual MSMEs saw 12.6% YoY growth in originations value and 19.4%  growth in originations volume in FY24. 

In terms of portfolio quality, individual MSMEs witnessed substantial improvement in delinquency as PAR 31-90 (portfolio at risk by 31-90 days) improved to 2.7 % as of March 2024 vis-a-vis 3 % as of March 2023. Likewise, PAR 91-180, PAR 181-360 and PAR 360+ improved to 1.1 %, 0.7 %, and 7.3 % respectively as of March 2024.

In contrast, the entity MSME segment saw deterioration in PAR 31-90 to 2.5 % and in PAR 91-180 to 1.1 % as of March 2024 vis-a-vis 2.1 % and 1 % respectively as of March 2023. Microfinance loan portfolio in FY24 also grew by 26.8 % to ₹4.4 lakh crore while origination volume grew by 6 % to 8.35 crore involving ₹3.8 lakh crore, growing by 19 %.

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Patent Secured for Device Offering Real-Time Insights into Plant Energy

 Researchers from colleges affiliated with Calicut University have secured a patent for their invention, the ‘Botanic Energy Harvesting Device,’ which is expected to transform the way plant energy production is monitored and optimised. The device is set to have a major impact on agricultural science, environmental research, and sustainable farming, according to the researchers.

The device was developed through a collaborative effort between Kayeen Vadakkan, Meena K. Cheruvathur, and Blessy Santhosh of Marian Centre for Advanced Research (MCAR) at St. Mary’s College (Autonomous), Thrissur, with financial support from DST-FIST, and Mashhoor K., head of the Biotechnology department at EMEA College of Arts and Science, Kondotty.

The Botanic Energy Harvesting Device uses specialised sensors that measure key plant functions, such as photosynthesis and carbon dioxide exchange. These sensors are attached to plant leaves to capture real-time data on the plant’s energy dynamics and health.

The collected data is processed by an integrated unit that provides detailed reports and insights. This information is valuable for optimising plant growth, improving agricultural productivity, and enhancing understanding of plants’ role in carbon sequestration.

‘Though currently a prototype, the device opens up new possibilities for both researchers and farmers. By better understanding plant energy dynamics, we can improve farming practices and support environmental sustainability,’ said Vadakkan.

Biotechnologist Mashhoor and botanist Meena K. Cheruvathur emphasized the device’s potential for environmental research. They noted that real-time monitoring of carbon assimilation offers important insights into how plants reduce atmospheric carbon, which is crucial in fighting climate change. This invention has been published in the Indian Patent Office Journal.

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FSSAI Urges to Control Chemical Contamination in Agricultural Raw Materials

 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) emphasised on Saturday that controlling chemical contamination in agricultural raw materials is crucial for the progress of the food industry. FSSAI Executive Director Inoshi Sharma noted that enforcing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in crops, fruits, and spices is a major challenge.

At an event hosted by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Sharma highlighted the importance of regular audits and rejecting non-compliant produce directly at farm gates. 

She also stressed the need to educate buyers about the harmful impact of excessive pesticide use, which leads to contamination of raw materials. Sharma announced plans to form a committee with representatives from various ministries and departments to tackle this issue.

Additionally, she emphasised the need for accurate labelling and the avoidance of misleading claims by Food Business Operators (FBOs), encouraging a culture of ‘Self-Compliance.’ She recommended FBOs engage certified third parties to ensure adherence to standards.

Bharat Chamber Senior Vice-President Naresh Pachisia highlighted that detecting chemical residues from crop production often leads to penalties for food processors and cancellation of export consignments. He called for greater awareness and vigilance regarding the use of chemicals in agricultural and post-harvest processes. Vakilsearch makes FSSAI compliance hassle-free, protecting your reputation and ensuring smooth business operations. Avoid penalties and safeguard your export consignments with trusted legal support. Contact Vakilsearch for all your FSSAI compliance needs!

GST Council May Propose 18% Tax on Payment Aggregators

The GST Council may discuss implementing an 18% tax on payment aggregators for transactions up to ₹2,000. The GST Fitment Panel believes payment aggregators, like BillDesk and CCAvenue, act as intermediaries rather than banks, and should therefore be taxed. At its meeting on September 9, the GST Council may consider this proposal, affecting digital transactions made via debit and credit cards. 

Currently, transactions under ₹2,000 are exempt from GST, as per a 2016 notification issued during demonetisation. Over 80% of India’s digital transactions fall into this category. Recently, tax authorities began collecting taxes from the 2017-18 fiscal year, coinciding with the GST implementation. The GST Council may soon clarify the taxation rules for these transactions.

Payment aggregators typically charge merchants between 0.5% and 2% per transaction, and the proposed GST could result in additional costs for merchants. For example, a transaction of ₹1,000 currently incurs a ₹10 fee at a 1% payment gateway charge. With the GST, this would increase to ₹11.80, a modest rise that could accumulate over multiple transactions.

UPI (Unified Payments Interface), which now accounts for more than 80% of retail digital payments in India, will remain unaffected by the proposed tax. UPI transactions do not incur Merchant Discount Rates (MDR) and will continue to be free for both merchants and customers. UPI’s transaction volume grew by 57% year over year in FY2024, reaching over 131 billion transactions. Therefore, it remains the most cost-effective option for transactions under ₹2,000.

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