Well, let’s take a breather first! This was one of those weeks where you needed a scoreboard to keep track of everything happening in tech. Elon Musk and Sam Altman finally faced each other in an Oakland courtroom, with Musk on the stand accusing OpenAI of betraying the very non-profit mission he helped build, and even calling himself a fool for ever trusting them with his money. Then, over at Google, the budget coming out of Alphabet for AI infrastructure was massive as the company is planning to spend over $190 billion this year. Here in India Google also laid the foundation for its AI centre in Vizag.
And then there was Apple, where fresh reports hinted that John Ternus is sketching a more intricate roadmap for Apple as he is taking over the position of CEO. This included possible scrapping of the Vision Pro. There are also growing whispers of a new “Ultra” series, including a foldable iPhone, a foldable iPad, and a broader product pipeline that suggests Apple may be done playing catch-up in the foldable segment and is ready to set the pace again.
A lot going on, and a lot to catch up on. Now that you are here, why not also run through what’s new this week that you might actually be interested in?
Because, well, this week’s launches had plenty. Haier has introduced another AI-powered air conditioner that wants to do the thinking for you. Samsung quietly refreshed its microSD lineup for creators and gamers. And there were a few pleasant surprises in audio and peripherals that are worth a closer look.
A lot happened — so let’s catch up.
Samsung T7 and T9 Micro-SD cards
Samsung is refreshing its storage lineup in India with the launch of the T7 and T9 microSD cards, targeting everyone from casual users to serious gamers and creators. The T7 is positioned as an everyday option, offering up to 1TB of storage, read speeds of up to 170MB/s, and broad compatibility across smartphones, laptops, tablets, and handheld gaming devices. The T9, on the other hand, is built for heavier workloads with faster read speeds of up to 200MB/s and added durability with 6-proof protection. Both cards support UHS-I interface standards and are designed to handle high-performance use cases like drones and action cameras.
On the pricing side, the T7 starts at Rs 4,849 for 128GB and goes up to Rs 30,399 for the 1TB variant, while the T9 begins at Rs 5,989 for 128GB and reaches Rs 18,999 for 512GB. Both series will go on sale in India starting the first week of May 2026, and will be available across major retail and online channels.
Haier Spartan AI Tower Air Conditioner
It’s hot out here in India, and what better time for a new air conditioner? Haier has introduced a premium option, the Spartan AI Tower AC to help you beat the heat.
Unlike traditional ACs, this one comes in a tower form factor and uses what Haier calls AI-Atmox to optimise cooling. It features AI Climate Control 2.0 that learns user habits, real-time environmental adjustments, and even a geofencing-based AI pre-cooling feature that starts cooling before you get home. There are also self-cleaning functions for both indoor and outdoor units, and the company claims “supersonic cooling” that can cool a room in about 10 seconds.
The Haier Spartan AI Tower AC starts at Rs 99,000 and will be available across online and offline retail channels in India. Buyers can also get up to 20 per cent instant cashback, along with EMI options starting at Rs 1,994, according to the company.
Portronics Strings
We’re always up for multi-functional devices, and this week Portronics has launched one that tries to do a bit of everything. Called the Strings, it’s a bedside gadget that combines a 16W speaker with features like wireless charging, an alarm clock, and ambient RGB lighting, all packed into a minimal, fabric-finished design.
It supports Bluetooth 5.3, along with USB and AUX inputs, and even includes white noise modes aimed at relaxation or sleep. On top of that, it can wirelessly charge smartphones at up to 15W, making it a handy addition to bedside tables or work desks.
The Portronics Strings is priced at Rs 2,249 and is available via the company’s official website, as well as on Amazon, Flipkart, and other online and offline retail stores across India.
Amkette XS Series
Looking for a mouse with a better scroll wheel? Amkette this week expanded its productivity-focused XS Series with three new wireless options — the XS Flow Plus, XS Natural Plus, and XS Flow 2 Speed.
The lineup brings features usually seen in higher-end peripherals, including adjustable DPI (up to 8000 on the Flow 2 Speed), a 1000Hz polling rate, tri-mode connectivity (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired), and multi-device support. The company is highlighting the XS Flow 2 Speed here, which adds a hyper-fast metallic scroll wheel that can zip through long documents or spreadsheets in seconds. Across the range, you also get horizontal scrolling, silent buttons, ergonomic designs, PTFE glide feet, and a web-based control centre for macros and customisation.
In terms of pricing, the XS Flow Plus and XS Natural Plus are positioned under Rs 2,299 and Rs 2,199 respectively, while the XS Flow 2 Speed comes in at Rs 3,299. All three models will be available across leading e-commerce platforms and retail stores in India.
GoBoult Bassbox Rave and Groove Series
If you want to turn up the volume and get your sound setup right, well you need to check out the latest portable speaker lineup by GoBoult. The new lineup includes Bassbox Rave and Groove series, introducing models like the Rave Q5, Rave Q10, and Groove 12, 14, and 20.
The Rave Q5 is a compact, pocket-friendly speaker with 5W output, up to 8 hours of playback, Bluetooth 5.4, and TWS pairing, while the Rave Q10 steps things up with 10W sound, RGB lighting, hands-free calling, and up to 12 hours of battery life.
The Groove side of the lineup focuses on bigger sound and design, from the 12W Groove 12 with dual drivers and 360-degree audio to the 20W Groove 20, which adds passive radiators, RGB lighting, and a more rugged, IPX5-rated build. Across the range, you also get multi-input support (Bluetooth, USB, TF card), TWS pairing, and a design that leans heavily on portability and visual appeal.
Pricing starts at Rs 699 for the Rave Q5 and goes up to Rs 1,999 for the Groove 20, with other models like the Rave Q10 (Rs 1,199), Groove 12 (Rs 1,399), and Groove 14 (Rs 1,599) sitting in between. The Rave Q5 is already available across e-commerce platforms and the company’s website, while the rest of the lineup is rolling out between April 26 and April 30 via Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and other retail channels in India.
Just Corseca JC Wall Art Wireless Speaker
And there’s more on the audio side this week, with a bit of a spiritual twist. Just Corseca has introduced the JC Wall Art Wireless Speaker, which is designed like a framed wall piece, and comes in devotional themes like Ganesha, Mahadev, Krishna, and Radha Krishna, while still packing in a 10W speaker. It supports Bluetooth, FM radio, USB, and TF card playback, runs on a 1200mAh battery, and even offers TWS pairing if you want a fuller sound setup. Alongside it, the company has also launched the JC Sounddrum TWS earbuds, featuring 10mm drivers, Bluetooth 6.0, and up to 40 hours of total playback.
The JC Wall Art Wireless Speaker is priced at Rs 2,999, while the JC Sounddrum TWS earbuds come in at Rs 799. Both are available via the company’s website, as well as on Amazon, Flipkart, and select offline retail stores across India.
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