Category: Tech

Air Link Communication Ltd. is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Select Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. has officially launched Xiaomi TVs in Pakistan. The launch event took place at the Lahore Expo Center, marking a significant development in the country’s consumer electronics sector.

Xiaomi’s full range of innovative and high-performance televisions are being locally distributed & manufactured by SELECT at its state-of-the-art production facility.

These products are known globally for their cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and superior functionality.

The range includes three distinct series:

• Mini Series: Featuring QLED mini technology for vivid colors and sharp images.

• Max Series: Offering 4K QLED displays for an unparalleled viewing experience.

• A PRO Series: Designed with 4K Full HD resolution for exceptional clarity.

Screen sizes range from 32 to an impressive 100 inches, catering to diverse consumer preferences and needs.

Here are key features of Xiaomi’s Smart TVs:

• Advanced Picture Quality: With support for Dolby Vision IQ and Full-Array Local Dimming, Xiaomi TVs deliver stunning contrast and vibrant colors, ensuring true-to-life images.

• High Refresh Rate: Equipped with a 120Hz refresh rate and 4K 120Hz MEMC technology, these TVs provide smooth and stutter-free visuals, enhancing the viewing experience for fast-paced content like sports and action movies.

• Smart TV Capabilities: Powered by Android 14 TV™, Xiaomi Smart TVs offer access to a vast array of apps and content, including popular streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. The inclusion of Google Assistant allows for easy voice control, making it convenient to search for content and control smart home devices.

• Superior Audio Experience: Featuring Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies, along with a speaker system that includes multiple drivers, Xiaomi TVs provide immersive and rich sound quality, complementing the high-quality visuals for a comprehensive entertainment experience.

• Ultra-Large 85″ Display: The Xiaomi TV Max 85″ features an ultra-large 85″ bezel-less display, providing a cinematic viewing experience with a high screen-to-body ratio and 4K ultra-HD resolution.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Muzzaffar Piracha, CEO of Air Link Communication Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture: “This launch symbolizes our commitment to innovation and to bringing world-class technology to Pakistan. By manufacturing Xiaomi- Google TV locally through Select Technologies, we aim to revolutionize the way Pakistanis experience entertainment, while also contributing to the country’s economic growth through job creation and technology transfer.”

Air Link Communication Ltd. is one of Pakistan’s leading manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of smartphones. Established in 2010, the company has formed strategic partnerships with global technology leaders and continues to drive innovation and excellence in the local market.

This initiative is aligned with Air Link’s strategic focus on enhancing local production capabilities to ensure product accessibility and affordability for consumers nationwide.

With the threat of a TikTok ban in the US looming, many Americans are turning to a new app called RedNote as an alternative. These users, who have been called “TikTok refugees,” have helped the newly discovered platform become the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store.

This Chinese-owned app, known as Xiaohongshu in China, allows users to post short videos and live-stream, similar to how TikTok works. It features content such as product reviews, comedy, and influencer videos and has even been compared to Pinterest for its e-commerce focus.

Launched in 2013, RedNote has gained massive popularity in China and is now seeing a surge in US users.

On January 13, 2025, the number of downloads for RedNote peaked on Apple’s App Store in the US, as people flocked to it in case TikTok is banned. Although most of RedNote’s content is in Chinese, the app has been updated to be more user-friendly for English speakers.

TikTok’s potential ban in the US comes after lawmakers raised national security concerns, believing the Chinese government might use the app to spy on Americans.

TikTok has denied these claims, but in April 2024, the US government passed a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the app by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. The Supreme Court could intervene to stop the law from going into effect.

If the law stands, app stores could stop allowing new users to download TikTok, and the app may no longer receive updates.

YouTube automation is booming owing to the fact it requires minimal effort in generating original and monetised content. Starting YouTube automation in 2025 can be a game-changer for those looking to grow their channel without spending hours creating content manually.

With the right strategies and tools, you can streamline the process and focus on scaling your channel effectively, that too while having a full-time job if necessary.

Here’s how you can create a YouTube video using AI tools without even showing your face or using your voice.

First, take a look at the YouTube channels below. They are all generating passive income without showing their faces or using their voices, instead leveraging AI to create quality content.

Here are some simple steps to generate a quality video using AI tools:

First, you need to create a YouTube channel based on a niche you want to work on. Now, analyze YouTube channels that create similar content to get an idea of what makes their videos unique.

Now, let’s dive into the video creation process from start to finish.

Step 1: Create an Engaging Script

You need an engaging script for your video to ensure viewers stay interested. While it’s best to write your script yourself, you can use tools like ChatGPT to generate an engaging script.

Here’s an example:

Step 2: Generate Visuals

Next, you’ll need visuals to make your video visually appealing. You can ask ChatGPT to generate text-to-image prompts for each part of the script. ChatGPT will provide image prompts, and you can use any text-to-image AI tool like Midjourney or Leonardo.ai. These tools will create high-quality images based on your script.

Tip: Leonardo.ai offers an option to animate images, but you’ll need to purchase the premium version for this feature.

Step 3: Generate Voice-Over

The third step is to create a voice-over for your script. ElevenLabs is an excellent tool for generating audio using AI in various languages and accents. The free trial allows you to generate voice-overs for up to 10,000 characters. After reaching the limit, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium version.

Step 4: Edit Your Video

The final step is editing your video, for which you can use CapCut since it’s user-friendly and free. With basic video editing knowledge, you can create a high-quality video using the voice-over from ElevenLabs, images from Leonardo or Midjourney, or even stock footage. CapCut also offers free captioning options to boost your video’s reach to a wider audience.

YouTube automation offers an excellent opportunity to build a successful channel with minimal manual effort.

By using the right tools and staying consistent, you can grow your audience and generate revenue while saving time. Remember to always keep your content relevant and engaging to ensure long-term success.

With constant technological advancements, mobile phones have become an essential part of our lives. But do you know which phones are the world’s most expensive and least expensive?

Companies around the world are rapidly introducing new phones with advanced features and the latest updates. Some of these phones are so expensive that they are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

However, there are two mobile phones that perform similar functions yet have a huge price difference.

According to international media, the most expensive mobile phone currently available is the Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond.

This phone is made from 24-carat gold and features a large pink diamond on its back, making it unique and exclusive.

The price of this phone is astonishing, costing 48.5 million dollars, which is over 13 billion Pakistani rupees.

This luxurious phone is owned by Anita Ambani, the wife of Mukesh Ambani, one of Asia’s richest men.

On the other hand, the Freedom 251, launched by an Indian company, is the cheapest mobile phone in the world. Its affordable price makes it accessible to everyone.

The cost of this phone is surprising as well. It is available for just 251 Indian rupees, which is about 813 Pakistani rupees.

Want to read about Starlink internet prices in Pakistan?

Amid widespread outages and slow connection speeds across the country, local IT companies have found a way to “illegally” use services offered by Starlink, the satellite-based internet provider owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.

Reports quoted a senior executive at an IT company as saying that they were using Starlink’s services since they needed reliable and uninterrupted connection to cater to overseas customers.

According to the official, the company had ordered all required equipment from the United Kingdom (UK), and even though the service was costlier, it had taken away their worries of losing business.

“Starlink’s standard residential package is GBP 79 [around PKR 27,000] while business packages start at GBP 110 [around PKR 37,000] per month. Our company has acquired their upgraded package, the monthly fee for which is about GBP 750 [over PKR 2.5 lacs]. Their rates are very high, but we are no longer worried about internet outages and disruption of business activities,” they said.

It merits a mention that Starlink has not yet been issued a license by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). While the usage of such a service prior to official approvals remains illegal, local IT companies are doing so with the involvement of third-parties abroad.

According to Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Starlink has already been registered with the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

A license to operate, however, is yet to be issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Earlier, Elon Musk had also confirmed that they were awaiting an approval from the government of Pakistan.

Starlink internet packages for Pakistan revealed

Starlink, the satellite internet service launched by SpaceX under the leadership of Elon Musk, is set to launch in Pakistan. In a tweet on X (Previously Twitter) on Sunday, Elon said, “We are waiting for approval from the government of Pakistan.”

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access. The system aims to deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable. The network is composed of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), working in combination with ground transceivers.

Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan; however, here are the possible prices for internet packages.

Starlink offers various packages tailored to different needs. These prices are estimated based on other regions, as Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan.

Want to know about the price of Starlink in Pakistan?

Another internet company has registered in Pakistan, aiming to provide high-speed satellite internet while Elon Musk’s Starlink also waits for government approvals.  

Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Limited (SSST), a Chinese space tech company, has officially set up operations in Pakistan with plans to launch a low-orbit satellite network called G60 Starlink to offer high-speed internet and satellite communication services, aiming to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Last year, SSST launched 108 satellites amidst plans to have 648 in orbit by the end of 2025, with a long-term goal of 15,000 satellites by 2030. Their network is expected to provide global coverage by 2027, with more than 1,000 satellites in place.

Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, confirmed in the National Assembly that SSST is now registered in Pakistan. 

According to regulations, only locally registered companies can apply for licenses from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Both SSST and Starlink have submitted their applications for the licenses.

Supported by the Shanghai municipal government, SSST is looking to build a new satellite internet system. 

Meanwhile, Starlink, which has already launched over 6,400 satellites, is expanding its network with plans to reach 12,000 satellites. 

This will lead to intense competition in the growing market for space-based broadband services.

Want to know about Starlink prices in Pakistan?

Starlink, the satellite internet service launched by SpaceX under the leadership of Elon Musk, is set to launch in Pakistan. In a tweet on X (Previously Twitter) on Sunday, Elon said, “We are waiting for approval from the government of Pakistan.”

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access. The system aims to deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable. The network is composed of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), working in combination with ground transceivers.

Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan; however, here are the possible prices for internet packages.

Starlink offers various packages tailored to different needs:

Residential Package: 50-250 Mbps speed, priced at PKR 35,000 per month. The one-time hardware cost is PKR 110,000.
Business Package: 100-500 Mbps speed, priced at PKR 95,000 per month. The one-time hardware cost is PKR 220,000.
Mobility Package: 50-250 Mbps speed, priced at PKR 50,000 per month. The one-time hardware cost is PKR 120,000.

Note: These prices are estimated based on other regions, as Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan.

Starlink Prices in Other Countries

United States: USD 110 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of USD 599.
United Kingdom: £89 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of £499.
Australia: AUD 139 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of AUD 709.

If you’re new and interested in subscribing to Starlink for your residential place, here’s the process:

-Visit the Starlink website and enter your address to see if the service is available in your area.

-Sign up and pay a refundable deposit (usually USD 99) to secure your spot in the queue.

– You will receive the Starlink Kit, which includes the Starlink Dish, Wi-Fi Router, Power Supply, Cables, and Mounting Tripod.

– Install the dish in an area with a clear view of the sky, connect it to the router, and power on the system.

-Use the Starlink app to set up and manage your network, following the on-screen instructions.

-The dish will automatically connect to the satellites, and you can start using the internet service.

Starlink could revolutionize internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Want to know more about Starlink?

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of using its virtual assistant Siri to record conversations without permission. 

The lawsuit, filed five years ago in a California court, claimed that Siri sometimes recorded people even when they didn’t use the command “Hey, Siri.” It was also alleged that some of these recordings were shared with advertisers to target people with specific products.

This accusation went against Apple’s promise to protect its customers’ privacy, a principle often emphasized by CEO Tim Cook as a “fundamental human right.”

Apple did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement. However, if the judge approves the settlement, people who owned Siri-enabled Apple devices between September 2014 and the end of 2023 could claim up to $20 per device. Claims will be limited to five devices per person, and the final amount may depend on how many people file for compensation.

The court will review the settlement on February 14, 2025. 

Lawyers in the case may request up to $29.6 million from the settlement for their fees and expenses.

Want to read about WhatsApp?

Popular messaging app WhatsApp will be stop working on all Android phones running the KitKat operating system from January 1, 2025, it has emerged.

Under the development, all devices released over nine years ago will no longer be able to run the app.

The main reason for this move by the Meta sub-platform is to include new features for users and ensure compatibility with modern technology, performance and security.

The company has also released a list of Android phones that will no longer be able to run the app.

Samsung Galaxy S3
Motorola Moto G
HTC One X
Sony Xperia Z
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Motorola Moto G (1st Gen)
Motorola Razr HD
Moto E 2014
HTC One X
HTC One X+
HTC Desire 500
HTC Desire 601
LG Optimus G
LG Nexus 4
LG G2 Mini
LG L90
Sony Xperia Z
Sony Xperia SP
Sony Xperia T
Sony Xperia V

Internet giant Google has announced that its digital payment system Google Wallet will be introduced in 16 more countries including Pakistan.

Google Wallet is already available in dozens of countries. Now the company has announced that its facilities will be launched in 16 more countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, Venezuela, Tajikistan, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Monaco and Kosovo, between December 2024 and January 2025.

Google Wallet will be launched in Pakistan in January of next month.

Google Wallet is a digital payment and document storage system under which users can pay and receive money by linking their credit and debit cards to their accounts.

The aforementioned system and application are considered the most secure. The company claims that the information stored in Google Wallet is encrypted and is not available to any other person.

Google Wallet is actually a digital wallet or purse in which each user can also store different cards and documents.

According to the company, payments made through Google Wallet are encrypted, and each purchase is sent a unique code to use the wallet and process payment information.

In Google Wallet, users can store bank cards, boarding passes, tickets, and other digital passes like their wallets. The app also uses encryption and device security features to ensure data protection.