Exciting Tech Wrap March 12: Unleash the Future with iQOO Z11x, Empower Pre-Teens on WhatsApp, and Discover the Xbox Revolution!

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature allowing parents to create and manage accounts for pre-teens, enhancing control over their usage on the platform. This initiative will enable younger users to send messages and make calls while giving parents oversight of privacy settings, contacts, and group memberships. The feature’s rollout will occur gradually over the coming months, aiming to provide a safer messaging environment for children.

In gaming news, Microsoft announced that its Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), now dubbed “Xbox mode,” will become available on Windows 11 PCs starting this April. This update will transition the gaming experience from handheld devices to laptops, desktops, and tablets, providing a console-like interface tailored for controller-based gameplay. The company revealed this update during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, indicating that it will first launch in select markets before expanding globally.

YouTube is set to introduce a non-skippable 30-second ad format specifically designed for viewers on connected TVs. Named VRC (Video Reach Campaign) Non-Skip, this new format will utilize an AI-driven system to dynamically select ad durations based on device type and content, enhancing the advertising experience for users.

Google is enhancing its Play Store with multiple updates to improve the discovery and accessibility of paid games across devices. The company aims to broaden the availability of paid titles, introduce game trials, and implement a pricing model allowing users to purchase a game once for access on both mobile and PC platforms. These updates reflect the growing trend of cross-device gaming among users, with more enhancements anticipated throughout 2026.

Apple has rolled out software updates for older iPhones, iPads, and iPods-including iOS 16.7.15, iOS 15.8.7, iPadOS 16.7.15, and iPadOS 15.8.7. These updates primarily focus on security fixes to address vulnerabilities affecting devices running outdated operating systems, ensuring continued protection for users of earlier models.

Canva has debuted a feature named Magic Layers, enabling users to convert flat images and AI-generated visuals into fully editable designs within its editor. This new capability allows users to separate static images into individual elements, facilitating adjustments to objects, text, and layouts without needing to rebuild designs from scratch. Currently in public beta in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, Magic Layers will expand to a broader audience soon.

In hardware news, Apple is reportedly making the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max thicker and heavier than its predecessor to accommodate a larger battery. According to a report from MacRumors, the battery capacity for the new model may range from 5,100mAh to 5,200mAh, a notable increase from the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 5,088mAh capacity.

Additionally, OpenAI’s video generation tool Sora may soon be available directly within ChatGPT, as reported by The Verge. This integration could offer users a seamless experience in generating AI-created videos without navigating separate applications, although it raises concerns about potential misuse, such as the creation of deepfakes.

Apple’s recent announcement of the MacBook Neo at ₹69,900 has generated considerable buzz, prompting reactions from industry leaders. In an earnings call, Asus Co-CEO S.Y. Hsu referred to the move as “a shock” to the technology sector, highlighting the competitive landscape.

Finally, India is poised to introduce a ₹1 trillion fund aimed at bolstering domestic chip manufacturing as part of its strategy to become a global manufacturing hub. This initiative, which will include subsidies for chip design and manufacturing development, is expected to launch within the next few months.

Meta Platforms has revealed plans to manufacture four new chips in-house to support its expanding data centers, joining the ranks of major tech companies like Alphabet and Microsoft in developing internal chip design capabilities. Meanwhile, Razorpay launched an innovative AI platform at its FTX 2026 event, introducing the world’s first Agent Studio built on Anthropic’s Claude SDK to streamline payment infrastructure for businesses.

Original Source: https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/tech-wrap-march-12-iqoo-z11x-whatsapp-for-pre-teens-microsoft-xbox-mode-126031200828_1.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-12 20:03:00