Category: Tech

Microsoft has officially shut down Skype on May 5, 2025. The company had announced the plan back in February as part of its effort to simplify and enhance its communication tools. Now, Microsoft will focus on its communications software, Microsoft Teams (free), for messaging, video calls, and collaboration.

The company stated that retiring Skype would help it better align with how people use communication apps today. Following the announcement, Microsoft also discontinued the sale of Skype Credit and new calling plans for first-time users.

If you already have a paid plan, you can continue using your remaining credit and features until your current billing cycle ends. Paid users continue to access the Skype Dial Pad via the Skype web portal or within Microsoft Teams after May 5.

Between February and May, Microsoft provided users time to transition to Teams. Users can sign in to Teams using their existing Skype account, and their chats, contacts, and settings will be transferred automatically. If you choose not to use Teams, you can still download your Skype data before it is permanently removed.

Teams now includes most of Skype’s features, such as messaging and video calling, along with additional tools like calendar integration and shared group spaces for improved collaboration.

Looking for alternatives? Here are some reliable options to stay connected:

WhatsApp

Widely used app for personal messaging and free voice/video calls worldwide. Works well on smartphones and has a desktop/web version.

Zoom

Used for online meetings, webinars, and virtual classrooms. Supports large groups, screen sharing, and breakout rooms.

Microsoft Teams

Designed for both professional and personal communication. Offers messaging, file sharing, calendars, and video calling.

Google Meet

A simple and secure platform for video meetings. Accessible directly from your browser, no downloads required.

Viber

Provides free messaging and voice/video calls globally. Includes features like communities, public chats, and end-to-end encryption.

Webex

A professional video conferencing solution used widely by businesses. Offers screen sharing, meeting recordings, and breakout sessions.

Talky

A free and easy video chat service, no sign-up required. Just share a link to start a conversation instantly.

WeChat

Popular in China, this app offers messaging, voice/video calls, social media functions, and even payments.

Undoubtedly, over the years Xiaomi has become the best and leading smartphone and tech brand worldwide. It has made its mark in the field of technology with a significant standing overall. Surprisingly, Xiaomi Pakistan is strengthening its position in the market with a number of users loving it over other available brands. It’s not just happening in the case of smartphones but lifestyle products, eco products, smart watches, Xiaomi Bands and much more. The brand’s growth is not unanimous, there is a strong foundation coming from XiaomiSale – the authorized reseller website for Xiaomi. 

Xiaomi Sale Bringing the Brand to Limelight 

Ecommerce is taking part in the brand growth and offering some good leads for companies to make their standings. Similarly, XiaomiSale being a responsive and dedicated store is serving the Xiaomi customers all across Pakistan. It is committed to provide the pin packed, legally imported Xiaomi products at the best prices. The discounts and sales offered by the store are an attraction for customers to buy from here. 

Additionally, it provides deliveries to all the cities across the country on priority. Customers in Lahore can even enjoy same day deliveries of their Redmi phones and more on a preferential basis. 

Making Products Available 

Xiaomi is making its statement in public because of its product line and its availability. You are getting a wide range of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi phones along with smart bands, smart watches, air purifier, vacuum cleaners, Gaming monitors, and household essentials as well. The best part, all of these are not just listed on XiaomiSale but are in stock as well. customers are getting timely and damage free deliveries of these products. 

Just in case the products go out of stock, the platform is restocking it or the upgraded version for the customers to have uninterrupted supply. It’s the reason everyone is relying on the products and are in love with the brand. 

Meeting Customer Satisfaction Standards 

What satisfies a customer online? Best prices, timely service, customer support, and immediate action on complaint resolution. XiaomiSale is dedicated towards all of these factors. From the order placement to confirmation and delivery, the process is seamless and rapid. Customers get confirmations and deliver right in time. 

Moreover, the platform takes care of any possible damages, or warranty claims by the customers. Following proper returns, exchanges, and refund policies the e-store works the way out for the customers. Noticing the need of an added protection XiaomiSale is offering extended warranties for Xiaomi products. These are an exception to provide more coverage for the customers. 

On-Ground Experience Store Availability 

Overall, the website interface of XiaomiSale provides complete insights about the products to the customers. However, understanding the craving of physical experience with the products before purchase, the platform is offering experience stores. It’s for the first time in Pakistan that the website is managing flagship physical stores at key locations for the customers. 

These experience stores in Packages mall, Lahore, Emporium Mall, Lahore and D-Ground Faisalabad are a centre of attraction. With the world class display setup and dedicated customer representatives, visiting these stores is itself an experience for you. here you can not only get hands-on the smartphones or gadgets but all other listed tech products. 

Exclusive Prices, Bundle Offers & Sale

Buying directly from the authorised reseller benefits customers to have exclusive prices. These are the offers no other third-party reseller can make. Plus, the store brings in special bundle offers on multiple products so customers can enjoy the exclusivity. Just in case anyone misses out a single opportunity, there are sale offers on specific intervals for the customers. Coming with the scope of up to 70% OFF occasionally, some products are used for clearance at unbelievable prices. 

Users Enjoying Versatility, Durability, Innovation, & Affordability 

There is no doubt in admitting that Xiaomi has now become a brand that entertains everyone. from the gaming lovers to the professionals, household managers to the fitness freaks. The brand has something for everyone. Above all, these products come in variations, are long lasting, well performing, and affordable as well. 

In the mobile phone range, you will get budget devices like Redmi A5 and flagship options like Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, Xiaomi 15, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra as well. Similarly, there is a wide range of bands, tablets, and more. Everyone can select the device or gadget according to the feature and budget preference. 

Final Verdict! 

Pakistanis are adopting technology rapidly. From smart devices to smart homes, the nation is growing diversely. That’s why brands like Xiaomi are getting decent attention from the users. So, e-commerce stores like XiaomiSale prove to be a foundation in connecting consumers to the leading brands. It makes it possible for everyone to benefit from tech and innovation exclusively. Check out the best Xiaomi products, deals and offers at the official reseller store and buy now! 

Disclaimer: The details and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Being polite towards AI chatbots like ChatGPT, and showing them respect by saying “please” and “thank you”, costs the company millions of dollars, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has revealed.

The revelation came in response to an X user who asked how much energy and money was lost due to people being polite to AI, to which Altman said it was “tens of millions of dollars well spent”.

According to experts, being kind to AI chatbots helps them generate better replies. Kurtis Beavers, the design manager at Microsoft, pointed out that courteous cues could result in the AI providing more courteous and cooperative responses.


As per a 2024 study, 67% of American users were courteous to chatbots, with 55% stating that it was the correct thing to do and 12% doing so in case of an “AI revolt in the future”.

However, even little modifications like additional sentences raise processing costs as ChatGPT and other generative AI models demand a lot of power amid an enormous number of requests sent every day.

As per a joint research by The Washington Post and the University of California, it takes 0.14 kilowatt-hours of electricity to create a single 100-word AI-generated email, which is equivalent to the power of 14 LED lights for an hour. That’s 7.5 kWh for a single weekly email over a year.

Data centers that house these systems already consume around 2% of the world’s power, and this percentage is predicted to rise as AI becomes more widespread.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman, has cautioned that revoking the licences of defaulting Long Distance and International (LDI) operators could significantly impact mobile and financial services across the country. He warned that such actions could disrupt 50 percent of mobile services and block 40 per cent of ATMs nationwide.

While briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on Monday, the PTA chief revealed that nine LDI companies currently owe substantial dues. Of these, five operators have already paid Rs. 64 billion, while the remaining principal amount stands at Rs. 24 billion.

Among the defaulting companies, five have expressed a willingness to settle Rs. 8.2 billion through instalments. However, the remaining Rs. 16 billion is linked to companies refusing to pay their dues. Show-cause notices have been issued, and license cancellations remain a possibility, the PTA chairman stated. However, he clarified that the authority lacks the legal jurisdiction to approve instalment-based recoveries independently.

Federal Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, echoed these concerns, warning that allowing payments in instalments could set a precedent across various sectors, potentially creating regulatory complications. She further explained that even if the outstanding amounts are recovered in parts, they would be held in an escrow account until legal proceedings conclude, rendering them unusable by the government in the meantime.

Shaza Fatima also emphasised that the PTA cannot act unilaterally and must work in coordination with the IT Ministry. She pointed out that ongoing court cases have stalled any decisive action, as the judiciary has explicitly ordered a freeze on proceedings for now.

The committee chair urged the PTA and the IT Ministry to engage with the LDI companies to seek a resolution. Concluding the discussion, the PTA chairman stated that a final decision, including potential license cancellations, would be made once all legal hearings are completed. However, he cautioned that if the government loses the court cases, any recovered funds would need to be returned.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Starlink, bringing the satellite-based internet service a step closer to launching in Pakistan. Sources confirmed this approval on Friday.

The Pakistan Space Activity Regulatory Board approved the NOC, which was a necessary step before Starlink could apply for a PTA licence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif played a key role in pushing for this decision as part of the government’s efforts to improve digital connectivity across the country.

Starlink, a company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), applied for a telecom licence on 24 February 2022. The request was sent to the Ministry of IT in March 2022 for review. Now, with the NOC secured, the final steps for issuing Starlink’s official licence are underway.

PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman recently met with Starlink’s team at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. The discussions focused on improving digital connectivity, making broadband more affordable, and reaching remote areas with internet services.

Before officially launching, Starlink must also register with the relevant satellite regulatory authority, which is a necessary step in getting PTA’s satellite internet licence.

Expected Packages & Prices

Although there is no confirmed launch date yet, reports suggest that Starlink will offer three internet packages in Pakistan:

Residential Package: Rs25,000 per month with a one-time hardware fee of Rs112,000–140,000.

Business Package: Rs95,000 per month with a one-time setup cost of Rs220,000.

Mobility Package: Rs50,000 per month with a one-time hardware cost of Rs120,000.

While Starlink’s high-speed internet is a major improvement over traditional broadband, the high prices may make it unaffordable for many Pakistanis.

Even after obtaining its PTA licence, Starlink will still face several challenges before starting operations in Pakistan. A number of factors could result in delays, including building infrastructure, obtaining security approvals to ensure smooth operations, and integrating with the existing telecom system. These steps could take at least a year.

Another challenge is the regulatory framework for satellite internet. Unlike fibre-optic or mobile internet, satellite-based services require extra security and frequency approvals, which could delay the rollout further.

Despite these challenges, Starlink’s arrival could shake up the broadband industry in Pakistan. It may push existing internet service providers (ISPs) to improve their services and offer better connectivity, especially in rural areas where reliable internet is still hard to access.

Overall, while Starlink’s launch may take some time, its entry into Pakistan’s market is expected to bring more competition and better internet services in the long run.

Meta has launched a new feature that allows Facebook users to make money from views on their public stories. The update is available to creators who are already part of Facebook’s content monetisation programme.

With this feature, creators can earn from content they have already shared. For example, if someone posts a cooking tutorial as a video or reel and shares part of it as a story, they can now earn money from the views on that story.

Users can also earn from everyday content they post in stories. According to Meta, earnings will depend on how well the content performs rather than a set number of views.

Meta hopes this will encourage creators to post more content on Facebook. Those already in the monetisation programme will automatically benefit from this new feature without needing to do anything extra.

Facebook started its content monetisation programme last year, inviting millions of users to join. The company plans to expand the programme later this year, allowing more people to participate. 

Users who are not yet part of it can show their interest through Facebook’s monetisation website.

Google has officially introduced Google Wallet in Pakistan, bringing a new level of convenience for digital transactions. This mobile payment service allows users to make online payments, in-app purchases, and contactless transactions using their smartphones. With this launch, Pakistan’s digital payment system is expected to become safer, faster, and more efficient.

How to Use Google Wallet in Pakistan

Getting started with Google Wallet is simple. Just download the Google Wallet app from the Google Play Store. If you already have a credit or debit card linked to your Google account, it will automatically appear in the app. Just follow the on-screen instructions to set it up for contactless payments.

If you don’t have a saved card, you can add one manually:

Open the Google Wallet app.
Tap “Add a card” at the top.
Accept the issuer’s terms and conditions.
Complete the verification process.
Once verified, your card will be ready to use for payments.

Supported Banks and Cards

Google Wallet currently supports debit and credit cards from several major banks in Pakistan. These include:

Bank AlFalah (Visa & Mastercard)
Bank of Punjab (Mastercard credit cards)
Faysal Bank Noor (Mastercard debit cards)
HBL (Visa & Mastercard)
JazzCash (Mastercard debit cards)
Meezan Bank (Visa & Mastercard)
UBL (Visa & Mastercard)

More banks will be added soon, including:

Allied Bank (Visa debit cards)
Easypaisa Digital Bank (Visa debit cards)
JS Bank (Visa & Mastercard)
Zindigi (Visa & Mastercard)

Besides bank cards, Google Wallet also supports loyalty cards and boarding passes, making it a useful tool for travel and shopping.

Soon, popular Pakistani brands like Onic, Gul Ahmed, Sana Safinaz, J., and K-Electric will accept payments through Google Pay via PayFast. Airlines like Batik Air and Thai Airways will also allow travellers to store boarding passes in Google Wallet, providing real-time updates on flight departures and gate changes.

Additionally, Safepay’s integration will enable more businesses in Pakistan to accept secure contactless payments in the near future.

With these innovations, Google Wallet is set to transform digital payments in Pakistan, making financial transactions seamless and more accessible than ever before.

WhatsApp has refined its emoji reactions interface in its latest beta update, making it more user-friendly and visually appealing.

The update, available in WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.25.6.15 through the Google Play Store, enhances how users interact with emoji reactions in chats, groups, and channels.

With this update, WhatsApp has optimised the presentation of emoji reactions, particularly in channels where reactions are more frequent and can accumulate in large numbers. Previously, reactions appeared in a long vertical list, making scrolling cumbersome, especially in highly active channels. Now, a compact design has been introduced, displaying four reactions per row. This reduces excessive scrolling and improves screen space utilisation.

While the new layout is especially beneficial for channels—where user identities remain hidden, and reactions are often more abundant—WhatsApp has also refined emoji reactions in private and group chats.

Emoji reactions are now displayed in a cleaner and more structured manner, making navigation faster and more efficient. In chats and groups, the list of emoji reactions remains vertical, but WhatsApp has introduced modern and visually enhanced tabs at the top.

Additionally, in personal chats, each reaction now includes the name of the user who reacted, ensuring greater clarity in conversations.

The improved emoji reaction sheet is currently available to selected beta testers who have updated to the latest version of WhatsApp Beta for Android. The feature is expected to roll out to more users in the coming weeks, ensuring wider accessibility across different devices.

WhatsApp continues to refine its design and interface to create a smoother messaging experience. Updates like these make the platform more efficient and user-friendly, enhancing how people interact through messages and reactions.

Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (Retd) Hafeez ur Rehman met with a Starlink team in Barcelona, Spain, to discuss opportunities for enhancing digital connectivity in Pakistan.

According to a press release issued by PTA, the meeting took place during the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona. Discussions revolved around improving digital connectivity in Pakistan, particularly focusing on providing affordable and high-quality broadband access in remote and underserved areas.

The PTA chairman expressed his commitment to leveraging modern technologies to bridge the digital divide. He also mentioned that Starlink is currently being registered with Pakistan’s Satellite Regulatory Body. 

During the meeting, the Starlink team briefed PTA officials on satellite internet solutions and their potential impact on mobile phone services and connectivity in remote areas. Both sides also explored strategies for an effective regulatory framework and seamless integration of satellite services in the country.

On January 23, 2025, the PTA confirmed that Starlink intends to establish two to three ground stations in Pakistan. 

The telecommunication authority had submitted a written response to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, stating that Starlink aims to provide direct internet services to Pakistani users through LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites.

Earlier, on January 4, Elon Musk confirmed in a tweet posted on Saturday that the internet satellite is waiting for government approvals to launch its services in Pakistan.

Read more about Starlink packages price in Pakistan