Tech news roundup for today, December 31, 2025
tech news roundup for today, December 31, 2025
Here is the tech news roundup for today, December 31, 2025, covering major headlines, AI developments, and India-specific updates as we close out the year.
🔥 Top Stories & Year-End Wrap
Google’s AI Comeback: Reports confirm that Google’s Gemini 3 has significantly eaten into OpenAI’s market share. Data shows ChatGPT’s traffic share dropped to 68% (down 19%), while Gemini tripled its reach to 18.2%, marking a major shift in the “AI Wars” of 2025.
Meta Acquires ‘Manus’: In a massive year-end deal, Meta has acquired the AI startup Manus (known for autonomous “agentic” AI) for approximately $2-3 billion. This signals a shift for 2026 from “chatbots” to “AI agents” that can perform tasks independently.
Ubisoft Server Shutdown: Ubisoft was forced to emergency shutdown servers for Rainbow Six Siege today after hackers distributed in-game currency worth ₹110 Crore, causing chaos in the game’s economy.
🇮🇳 India Tech News
Zomato/Swiggy Strike: A nationwide strike by gig workers for Zomato and Swiggy is reported for today, December 31st, protesting low wages and unsafe “ultra-fast” delivery pressures. This may impact New Year’s Eve food deliveries.
iPhone 16 Dominance: Apple’s iPhone 16 has officially become the highest-selling smartphone in India for 2025, with over 6.5 million units sold, outpacing Android rivals in the premium segment.
Adani on AI Sovereignty: Gautam Adani stated today that AI is now a “contest for global domination,” urging that India must build its own AI models and compute infrastructure rather than relying on foreign tech.
Medical Tech Milestone: The Army Hospital in Delhi successfully performed India’s first 3D flex aqueous angiography, a major advancement in ophthalmic (eye) surgery.
📱 Gadgets & Consumer Tech
WhatsApp New Year Features: WhatsApp has begun rolling out specific New Year 2026 features, including animated status stickers and new video call effects to ring in the new year.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Leaks: Reports surfaced today that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 series (expected Jan/Feb 2026) will likely see a significant price hike compared to the S25.
Apple “Siri” 2026 Overhaul: Rumors indicate Apple is preparing a massive “Revamped Siri” for 2026, backed by a reported $130 billion cash reserve allocated for AI expansion.
⚠️ Security Alert
WhatsApp Malware Warning: Cybercrime authorities have issued a warning about “New Year 2026” greeting links circulating on WhatsApp. Do not click unknown links promising “special wishes,” as they may contain malware designed to steal banking data.