The Pakistan Cricket Board (PC) has proposed that the Indian team may return to their country after each match to minimise their stay in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy 2025.

The board, owing to security concerns, has suggested that the Men in Blue’s return to Chandigarh or New Delhi after each match in the mega tournament set to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

The development comes due to uncertainty over India’s participation in the tournament, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeks the Indian government’s approval to visit the country for the mega tournament.

In light of the fact that the neighbouring country’s cricket team have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008. The arch-rivals have also not had any bilateral series since 2012-13.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to feature eight elite teams including India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, based on their performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Three venues — Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore — will host the matches of eight teams and according to PCB’s proposed schedule to ICC, all of India’s matches will take place in Lahore.

The PCB has reassured the BCCI of its commitment to providing every possible comfort and security to the Indian team, offering flexible arrangements to ensure their involvement in the highly anticipated event.

Initially, all of India’s matches were scheduled to take place in Lahore for convenience and ease of access for the Indian team and their fans.

However, recent proposals suggest that one of India’s group-stage matches — potentially against New Zealand — might be shifted to Rawalpindi.

This adjustment was suggested by broadcasters, who recommended distributing India’s matches between Lahore and Rawalpindi to enhance broadcast reach and fan engagement.

Prioritising the comfort and security of the Indian team, the board has indicated that they are open to accommodating this change and has expressed its willingness to provide top-notch facilities and ensure a smooth stay, regardless of the venue.

There is also a ten-day gap between India’s second and third group matches, offering the Indian team the option to return to India for training or rest during the interim period, with the PCB facilitating seamless travel logistics.

In their communication with the BCCI, the PCB emphasised that the proposal for India to return home between matches was not driven by security concerns but aimed at providing comfort to the Indian players.

The PCB reiterated its readiness to ensure excellent hospitality, whether India chooses to play all their matches in Lahore or prefers a venue change to Rawalpindi.

The close proximity of Lahore to the Indian border makes it a strategic location for India’s matches, while Rawalpindi, another city in Punjab province, remains a feasible alternative.

India is placed in Group A alongside host Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.

Final Fantasy XVI released exclusively on the PS5 in 2023, and the game finally made it to PC last month. The action-RPG is still not available on Xbox, with no confirmed launch plans on Microsoft’s console. Now, publisher Square Enix has provided an update over Final Fantasy 16’s potential release on Xbox Series S/X.

Final Fantasy XVI on Xbox

According to Final Fantasy 16 producer and industry legend Naoki Yoshida, popularly knowns as Yoshi-P, Square Enix wants to release an Xbox port for FFXVI, but the company can’t yet confirm a timeline for the same.

“Of course we did announce the PC version of the game, so looking towards the Xbox version, we do want to release it on Xbox,” Yoshida said in a Video Games interview published last week. “But when it comes to the specifics such as when the game would be available and such, we are not in a position to be able to share anything,” he added.

The producer, however, asked Xbox players to not give up hope, saying that Square Enix very much wanted the game to be ported to Xbox. “But of course, I want to say that it’s not as if there’s zero hope, and we very much do want to achieve that. So players should not give up in terms of their hopes.”

Neither Square Enix not Microsoft have yet confirmed an Xbox port of Final Fantasy 16.

Final Fantasy 16 first launched on the PS5 on June 22, 2023. The game recently made the jump to PC, launching on Steam and Epic Games Store on September 17. A Complete Edition, that bundles Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide expansions with the main game, was also recently launched on the PS5.

Square Enix has launched its recent Final Fantasy games exclusively on the PS5, a strategy that has ended up hurting sales. Earlier this year, the publisher said in an earnings report that sales of recent big-budget games were disappointing. According to company CEO Takashi Kiryu, sales of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Final Fantasy XVI and Foamstars — all PlayStation exclusives — fell short of expectations in terms of both revenue and profit.

As a result, Square Enix has since undergone considerable restructuring and is moving away from its practice of releasing its major titles first on PlayStation. According to Kiryu, going forward, big releases will be multi-platform launches, available across PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PC.

Raspberry Pi, the UK-based single-board computer (SBC) company, launched an AI Camera on Monday. The device, focused on artificial intelligence (AI) projects and workflows, is aimed to let users make full use of external AI accelerators, such as the Raspberry Pi AI Kit, which was launched in June. The AI Camera features a 12-megapixel Sony IMX500 Intelligent Vision Sensor which can capture visual data up to a resolution of 4056 x 3040 at 10fps. It is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models.

Raspberry Pi AI Camera: Price and Availability

The Raspberry Pi AI Camera is priced at $70 in the US. The visual data sensor is available to order globally. In India, users can order it online from Robu.in, the company’s only approved reseller in the country, where it is priced at Rs. 7,899. Notably, it is only available via backorder (it is currently out of stock, but will be shipped when the next batch arrives). The Raspberry Pi AI Camera is expected to start shipping from October 20.

Raspberry Pi AI Camera: Specifications and Applications

Equipped with a 12-megapixel Sony IMX500 Intelligent Vision Sensor, the Raspberry Pi AI Camera can capture visual data in 4056 x 3040 resolution at 10fps or 2028 x 1520 resolution at 30fps. The sensor has a 78-degree field of view and comes with manually adjustable focus. The cell size in the chip is 1.55 x 1.55 micrometres. It is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models and can be connected to the RP2040 microcontroller with a regular cable ribbon link.

Since it is an AI-focused device, it utilises Sony’s suite of AI tools to program frameworks for neural network models such as TensorFlow or PyTorch. The company highlights that new models can be designed to take advantage of the AI accelerator’s capabilities as well.

Further, the device can be connected to the Raspberry Pi camera software stack and the libcamera enhancement can process the Bayer frame using the company-specific ISP, a similar workflow for all Raspberry sensors.

The Raspberry Pi AI Camera is suitable for AI projects that require visual data collection. These can be robots with vision, car systems for driving automation or road mapping, or something as simple as an on-device AI model that can process real-world images. Further, these can also be used for augmented reality use cases.

Microsoft said Wednesday that it would be merging features from the Xbox Game Pass app to the Xbox app on mobile platforms this week. The new streamlined Xbox app with Game Pass features will be available on iOS, Android and iPadOS. Microsoft will also halt all downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app from November. Additionally, the company announced a few other Xbox-related features for PC and consoles, including Game Bar Compact Mode and improvements to the Xbox app on PC.

Xbox App to Get Game Pass Features

Features of the Xbox Game Pass app will be combined with the Xbox app as part of an update available for Xbox beta members on mobile this week. The new all-in-one Xbox app will be available to all users soon. Starting November, Microsoft will no longer support new downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app.

Some of the features coming to the Xbox app will include the ability to explore Microsoft’s game subscription service and manage your membership. “You’ll be able to browse the full Game Pass catalog to find your favorite games and stay in the loop with alerts for new games coming to the service,” the company said in an Xbox Wire post Wednesday.

Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will also be able to view and claim their perks, and stream select games via Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS or Android.

The regular features of the Xbox app will remain the same for all users, including its social features, updates on games, party chat while gaming, the ability to check achievements and remotely installing games on your console, and more.

Xbox Updates on PC

As part of its September update, Microsoft also confirmed that Game Bar Compact Mode, first announced in August, was now available for all PC players. Initially available to Xbox Insiders, the new mode optimizes Xbox Game Bar for smaller screens and Windows-based gaming handhelds.

Game Bar lets players on Windows view recently played games, access game launchers, capture gameplay footage and more. The Compact Mode brings simplified access to Game Bar widgets on smaller screens. A new feature in Game Bar Compact Mode now allows users to quit a game directly from the Home widget.

To turn on Game Bar Compact Mode, users can head to Game Bar Settings and switch on the Compact Mode toggle found in the General tab.

Users can view and manage add-ons at one place
Photo Credit: Microsoft

The Xbox parent also rolled out an update to the Xbox app on PC that improves the game management experience on the app. Users can now view and install related add-ons for a game, while installing that title, instead of searching for available add-ons on the app. Users can also manage add-ons or additional content for a game by right-clicking on an installed title, selecting “Manage,” and heading to the “Add-ons” section.

Improved Game Management on Xbox Consoles

On Xbox consoles, players can now pre-download game updates and start playing as soon as the update is live. This can be done by heading to My Games & Apps on an Xbox console, then selecting Manage, and then Updates. Here, users will be able to see all available pre-downloads for their games. This feature is currently supported by select games and will be available for more titles later.

Finally, Xbox users will now get notified when a wish listed game is released, joins Game Pass, or becomes available as part of a Free Play Day promotion.

A potential deal to buy Intel could accelerate Qualcomm’s diversification but will burden the smartphone chipmaker with a loss-making semiconductor manufacturing unit that it may struggle to turn around or sell, analysts said.

A buyout will also face tough antitrust scrutiny globally as it would unite two crucial chip firms in what would be the sector’s biggest ever deal, creating a behemoth with a strong share of the smartphone, personal computer and server markets.  

Shares of Intel rose nearly three percent on Monday, after media reports late on Friday about Qualcomm’s early-stage approach for the struggling chipmaker. Qualcomm’s shares were down 1.8 percent. 

“The rumored deal between Qualcomm and Intel is intriguing on many levels and, from a pure product perspective, makes a certain degree of sense as they have a number of complementary product lines,” said TECHnalysis Research founder Bob O’Donnell.

“The reality of it actually occurring, however, is very low. Plus, it is unlikely Qualcomm would want all of Intel and trying to break apart the product business from the foundry business right now just would not be possible,” he said.

Once the dominant force in the semiconductor industry, five-decade-old Intel is facing one of its worst periods as losses mount at the contract manufacturing unit it is building out in hopes of challenging TSMC. 

Intel’s market value has fallen below $100 billion (roughly Rs. 8,36,313 crore) for the first time in three decades as the company has missed out on the generative AI boom after passing on an OpenAI investment. 

As of last close, its market capitalisation was less than half that of potential suitor Qualcomm, which has a value of about $190 billion (roughly Rs. 15,88,934 crore).

Considering Qualcomm had around $7.77 billion (roughly Rs. 64,980 crore) in cash and cash equivalents as of June 23, analysts expect the deal will mostly be funded through stock and would be highly dilutive for Qualcomm’s investors, likely raising some apprehension.

Qualcomm, which also supplies to Apple, has quickened its efforts to expand beyond its mainstay smartphone business with chips for industries including automotive and PCs under CEO Cristiano Amon. But it still remains overly reliant on the mobile market, which has struggled in recent years due to the post-pandemic demand slump.

Amon is personally involved in the Intel negotiations and has been examining various options for a deal for the company, sources have told Reuters.     

This is not the first time Qualcomm is pursing a large acquisition. It had offered to buy rival NXP Semiconductors for $44 billion (roughly Rs. 3,67,973 crore) in 2016, but abandoned the bid two years later after failing to secure a nod from Chinese regulators.

Foundry Conundrum 

While Intel designs and manufactures its chips that power personal computers and data centers, Qualcomm has never operated a chip factory. It uses contract manufacturers such as TSMC and designs and other technology supplied by Arm Holdings. 

Qualcomm lacks the experience needed to ramp up Intel’s fledgling foundry business, which recently named Amazon.com as its first major customer, according to analysts. 

“We do not know why Qualcomm would be a better owner for those assets,” said Stacy Rasgon of Bernstein. 

“We do not really see a scenario without them either; we do not think anyone else would really want to run them and believe scrapping them is unlikely to be politically viable,” he added.

Intel’s foundry business is seen as crucial to Washington’s goal of growing domestic chip manufacturing. The company has secured about $19.5 billion (roughly Rs. 1,63,079 crore) in federal grants and loans under the CHIPS Act to build and expand factories across four US states. 

Some analysts said Intel would prefer outside investments instead of a sale, pointing to a recent move to make the foundry business more independent. 

Bloomberg News reported over the weekend that Apollo Global Management, already a partner in Intel’s Ireland facility, has offered an investment of as much as $5 billion (roughly Rs. 41,814 crore) in the company.

Qualcomm could also decide to buy parts of Intel’s business, instead of the entire company. Reuters had reported earlier this month that it had particular interest in Intel’s PC design unit.

© 2024 Bloomberg LP

Apple rolled out the stable version of macOS 15 update, also known as macOS Sequoia, to all users on Monday. However, it appears the update has created some unexpected issues for users, especially around third-party security tools. As per a report, the Cupertino-based giant’s operating system (OS) is breaking down network-based security software by Microsoft, CrowdStrike, and others. Since the security tool makers offer enterprise-grade tools, the update could have put businesses running exclusively on Mac devices at risk. Currently, the cause of the issue is unknown.

TechCrunch reports that the macOS Sequoia update has impacted the functionality of security tools developed by Microsoft, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and other manufacturers. The publication cited a Mac-focused Slack channel where many users complained about the issue.

Gadgets 360 staff members also found Reddit multiple threads where users found that the security apps were not working after updating macOS. Some claimed the lack of support for the security tools could be because of numerous glitches in the operating system.

One user said, “Amazing it isn’t supported yet. Beta’s have been available for a while, dev builds even earlier – I assume they have a dev account. Unless something is really, really, broken on Apple’s side – there isn’t an excuse.”

The main concern with this issue is that Mac devices are used by many organisations exclusively, and issues with security systems can pose a major risk. As per the report, one CrowdStrike sales engineer mentioned in the abovementioned Slack room that the security tools will not be supported despite the company’s best efforts on day one. It is unclear whether the tool is currently supported or not.

Another Reddit user claimed that the macOS Sequoia issues are affecting apps outside of the security tools as well. The user found that almost 90 percent of the apps were suffering from issues in the M1 Max-powered MacBook Pro. “Also met the wifi issue, fully cannot access the internet even tho can connect to phone hotspot[..]if it is still like this, then tomorrow I will do nothing at work,” he added.

Will Dormann, a security researcher, posted on Mastodon that he faced issues with DNS for several apps as well as the firewall working properly on his device. So far, Apple has not issued any statement regarding when these issues will be fixed.

Qualcomm has explored the possibility of acquiring portions of Intel’s design business to boost the company’s product portfolio, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The mobile chipmaker has examined acquiring different pieces of Intel, which is struggling to generate cash and looking to shed business units and sell off other assets, the people said.

Intel’s client PC design business is of significant interest to Qualcomm executives, one of the sources said, but they are looking at all of the company’s design units.

Other pieces of Intel such as the server segment would make less sense for Qualcomm to acquire, another source with knowledge of Qualcomm’s operations said.

Qualcomm has not approached Intel about a potential acquisition and declined to comment on its plans, an Intel spokesperson said. Intel is “deeply committed to our PC business,” the spokesperson said.

Qualcomm declined to comment.

The $184 billion (roughly Rs. 15,44,218 crore) Qualcomm, which is known for chips found in smartphones and counts Apple as a customer, has been working on plans to buy pieces of Intel for months. Qualcomm’s interest and plans have not been finalised and could change, according to the sources.

The two sources declined to be named as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

Intel reported a disastrous second quarter last month, which included a 15 percent reduction in its staff and a pause on paying dividends. Executives are grappling with how to continue to fund the company’s manufacturing plans and generate cash.

Its PC client business revenue dropped eight percent to $29.3 billion (roughly Rs. 2,45,900 crore) last year, amid overall weakness in the PC market.

Once known for it’s “Intel Inside” marketing campaign, Intel’s client group makes laptop and desktop chips used in machines around the world. Executives have said the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) PCs will drive consumers to upgrade their computers and generate more sales.

Qualcomm generated $35.82 billion (roughly Rs. 3,00,451 crore) in overall revenue in its last fiscal year.

Earlier this week Intel launched a new PC chip called Lunar Lake that its executives said offers superior performance for AI applications. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. fabricated significant portions of the chips, which Intel historically did in-house.

Intel’s board is set to meet next week to weigh a proposal from Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and other executives on how to trim its operations in an attempt to save cash. Potential options include a sale of its programmable chip unit, Altera, Reuters reported.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)