Today in Tech: Google to start manufacturing Pixel smartphones in India, OnePlus Open launch today

Your next Google Pixel phone could be made in India. Today, on Thursday, Google announced their plans to adopt the Make in India program, at their Google For India 2023 event. As part of this, they're also launching AI features geared towards users in India. Google isn't the only one making waves: OnePlus is set to launch their Open foldable smartphone today, and here's how you can watch the launch. Also, just hours ahead of the launch, a statement claiming the Open can do 1 Million opens is also making the rounds. Read this and more tech news in today's edition of Today in Tech.

Adopting the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Google said it aims to start manufacturing & assembling Pixel smartphones India. Rick Osterloh, Senior VP of Devices and Services at Google, said the company aims to start the local manufacturing with the current Pixel 8 smartphone in the country and expects to export those starting next year.

At the flagship ‘Google for India 2023’ event, the company also announced several generative AI-focused features in the country. Users in India will soon be able to get summaries of more than 100 government-led schemes in the country in both Hindi and English.

Generative AI in Search will soon help users explore local places and things to do in a city more seamlessly. Search Generative Experience will also help you with specific details about certain places (such as whether it is wheelchair accessible) by incorporating users reviews,” the company announced.

After a long wait, OnePlus is finally launching their first foldable phone, the Open today. The global launch event will be held in Mumbai, and will kick off at 7:30 PM on October 19. This event is expected to be a jam packed one, as most, if not all things about the OnePlus Open are new and completely different from a non-fold smartphone. If you're interested in watching the OnePlus Open launch stream, log on to YouTube, and keep an eye out for the official OnePlus channel, which should go live about half-an-hour ahead of the launch. After the launch, the phone will be available to buy later next week.

Microsoft has announced pre-orders for the new Surface Go 3 laptop in India. Those who pre-order the Surface Laptop Go 3 till November 8 will get a complimentary Marshall Major IV Wireless Headset. All pre-orders will also include a 1-month free subscription for Microsoft 365 and PC Game Pass. Starting at Rs 80,999, Surface Laptop Go 3 offers latest AI tools from Microsoft and the industry. It is an extremely light and portable device weighing under 1.13 kg with a vibrant 12.4-inch touchscreen display.

Internally, there's an Intel Core i5 processor, up to 15 hours of battery and fast charging, along with up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.

OnePlus Open’s folding mechanism has been rigorously tested and it can be opened 1 million times, an equivalent of 10 years of usage, Kinder Liu, COO of OnePlus, said on Thursday. There's a heavy design focus on durability and weight this time around. With many moving parts in the hinge, it increases the chances of something going wrong. The durability aspect has been taking into consideration solely for the purpose of making the phone more robust. Also, the company has claimed that as far as foldable phones go, this one is pretty light.

WhatsApp users can soon login to two WhatsApp accounts at the same time. The feature will be rolling out to Android users in the coming weeks and months. With this, you no longer need to log out each time, carry two phones or worry about messaging from the wrong place.

To set up a second account, you will need a second phone number and SIM card, or a phone that accepts multi-SIM or eSIM. Open your WhatsApp settings, click on the arrow next to your name, and click “Add account”. You can control your privacy and notification settings on each account, according to the company.

Mark Zuckerberg announced a Telegram-like “broadcast channels” feature for Facebook and Messenger. The feature will be available in the coming weeks.As part of this, pages will be able to share voice notes, text, photos/videos, and GIFs with anyone who joins their channels.

With this feature, creators and public figures can engage directly with their followers. Broadcast channels allow only the channel creator to send messages, but viewers can respond to these messages and vote in polls.

If the option to create channels is available, users who maintain a Facebook Page can start a channel directly from their Page. After they've created a broadcast channel and shared their first message, their followers will receive a one-time invitation to join.

HP has introduced refurbished laptops in India. They announced that they will run this programme through an HP certified partner who will sell these affordable PCs to retail customers and businesses. 

The refurbishment programme is being operated in a subscription model, allowing businesses to access the latest tech for 6, 12, or 24 months. HP’s certified partners will source devices from enterprise, and retail consumers and refurbish them as per the standards defined by HP. 

Post refurbishment, the partner can sell and provide comprehensive post-sales support, including warranty. Refurbished devices will undergo a rigorous refurbishment process ranging from memory enhancements to storage expansions, tailored to individual preferences and requirements.