New rules for Amazon Prime, Google layoffs, TCS hiring plans for 2025, Jio gadget launch, and other top tech news of the week – Times of India

From Google streamlining its management structure to TCS expanding its hiring plans and Infosys launching a new development center in West Bengal – this week witnessed a mix of major developments. Realme introduced its latest 5G smartphone, while OpenAI made ChatGPT accessible via phone and WhatsApp. In another story, Amazon announced new restrictions on Prime Video usage in India. All this and other tech news of the week.

Amazon Prime membership rules are changing starting January 2025

Amazon is revising its Prime membership terms in India, introducing a cap on the number of TVs that can stream content simultaneously under a single account. Starting January 2025, Prime members will be able to access Prime Video on up to five devices, with a limit of two TVs. Details on what is changing.

Google layoffs saw 10% reduction in managers, directors, and vice presidents

Google has reportedly cut its number of top management roles by 10% in its yearslong push for efficiency. According to a report in Business Insider, CEO Sundar Pichai told employees the same in an all-hands meeting earlier this week. Pichai reportedly said that Google had made changes over the past couple of years with the aim to “simplify the company and make it more efficient.” Read the full story here.

TCS HR head Milind Lakkad on hiring plans for 2025

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reportedly plans to increase its hiring of fresh graduates from engineering campuses in the upcoming fiscal year (FY26), exceeding the current year’s commitment of 40,000. TCS’ Chief Human Resources Officer Milind Lakkad told Economic Times that this decision is driven by optimistic growth projections. What Lakkad said.

Infosys’ “New Year gift” to West Bengal, what CM Mamata Banerjee said

Infosys launched a Rs 426 crore development center in New Town, West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at the inauguration, hailed it as a “New Year gift” to the state. She emphasized the center’s potential to attract further IT investment to West Bengal, highlighting the state’s leading position in the Indian IT sector with approximately 2,200 IT companies already present, including major players like TCS, Wipro, IBM, and Accenture. Read what Banerjee said.

Google names new India chief

Google has appointed Preeti Lobana as vice president and country manager for India. Lobana takes the helm from Roma Datta Chobey, who served as interim leader after Sanjay Gupta’s promotion earlier this year to President of Google Asia Pacific. With a career spanning over three decades, Lobana’s appointment marks a new chapter for Google India, making it the second major tech company in India to appoint a female leader after Meta. Read all about her.

Realme 14x 5G launched in India with IP69 rating

Realme 14X 5G smartphone is here. The affordable Realme smartphone houses a 6,000 mAh battery and is powered by MediaTek Dimensity chipset. The smartphone has passed the rigorous SGS Military-Grade Shock Resistance Test, earning the coveted Military-Grade Shock Resistance certification. Here’s the price, specifications and features of the phone.

What Dell CEO Michael Dell has to say to employees overworking

Michael Dell, the billionaire CEO of Dell Technologies, has offered a simple piece of advice for the modern workforce: work smarter, not harder-and enjoy the process along the way. In a recent episode of In Good Company, Dell shared insights into his management philosophy and approach to achieving work-life balance. He underscored the value of combining professional commitment with personal well-being. Read what he said.

JioTag Go launched: Price and features

Reliance Jio has introduced JioTag Go, a coin-sized Bluetooth tracker that works with Google’s Find My Device network. This makes it the first tracker in India to leverage this extensive network, allowing users to track their belongings in real time using the Google Find My Device app. It is available at a price of Rs 1,499 on Amazon, JioMart and at Reliance Digital as well as My Jio Stores. Read more to know about colours and features.

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal’s ‘stern warning’ to employees

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has voiced his dissatisfaction with employees failing to maintain regular office attendance. In a firm company-wide email, Aggarwal addressed the issue of poor attendance, emphasizing the need for workplace discipline. The email has gained traction on social media, sparking widespread debate. What Aggarwal said.

Amazon is postponing its order to make all employees work from the office

Amazon is postponing its mandatory five-day return-to-office policy for thousands of corporate employees due to insufficient workspace, with some delays stretching into May 2025 across multiple US cities. The e-commerce giant has notified staff in at least seven cities – including Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, and New York. Read more to know about the reason.

Apple is fighting again with Facebook and Instagram

Apple and Facebook parent Meta Platforms are fighting again. The iPhone maker has slammed Meta, accusing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of making numerous requests to access Apple’s software tools in ways that could risk user privacy and security. The remarks highlight the intensifying rivalry between the two tech giants. Read details here.

ChatGPT is now available on WhatsApp, calls: How to access

ChatGPT, the chatbot developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, is now more accessible than ever. Users can now interact with the Al chatbot through a dedicated phone number (1-800-CHATGPT) or via WhatsApp. According to the company, users in the US will receive 15 minutes of free usage per month through the phone number while ChatGPT on WhatsApp is “available everywhere ChatGPT is”. All details here.

SEBI bans YouTube influencer with 19 lakh-plus subscribers

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the country’s securities market regulator, has taken strict action against YouTuber Ravindra Balu Bharti and his company, Ravindra Bharti Education Institute, for operating an unregistered investment advisory business. SEBI has barred them from participating in the securities market until April 4, 2025, and ordered them to repay Rs 9.5 crore earned through their unauthorized activities. Here are the details.