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Andy Rubin’s Essential Spills Customer Data

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Andy Rubin, also known as the father of Android, acknowledged in a blog post yesterday that a customer service glitch led to some customers’ personal information being shared with other customers. Rubins’s latest startup Essential Products is in the process of getting its first product, Essential smartphone out the door.

The glitch, which appeared last week, asked some customers buying the smartphone to send photo ID’s to verify their shipping address and complete their orders. These photo IDs which included drivers licenses and passports from approximately 70 customers was inexplicably forwarded to the whole list of customers.

In the blog post titled ‘An Acquired Taste,’ Rubin addressed the potential crisis describing how it is hard to be a founder and how thousands of micro decisions are required to keep the company laser focused. He went on to apologize for the error and ended the note with a promise to invest in infrastructure and customer care.

Yesterday, we made an error in our customer care function that resulted in personal information from approximately 70 customers being shared with a small group of other customers. We have disabled the misconfigured account and have taken steps internally to add safeguards against this happening again in the future. We sincerely apologize for our error and will be offering the impacted customers one year of LifeLock. We will also continue to invest more in our infrastructure and customer care, which will only be more important as we grow.”

Essential is a tiny company with only 100 employees but an amateur error leading to data leak is never a good sign. Although the problem was resolved pretty early, Rubin did not provide additional information on how it will fix its shipment confirmation requirements. The founder and CEO of the startup took the entire blame personally and added that he continues to believe deeply in the innovation they are bringing to life via their Home, Phone and 360 Camera products. “Being a founder in an intensely competitive business means you occasionally have to eat crow. It’s humiliating, it doesn’t taste good and often, it’s a humbling experience,” he added.

The Essential smartphone was launched on 30 May this year and will reach customers very soon. The phone packs a 5.7 inch screen with a 2560 x 1312 resolution. It also packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor backed by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. One of the best features of this new age smartphone is that the phone works with a modular system as well, which lets users attach accessories such as a 360 degree camera and a wireless charging dock. But, similar to the Apple iPhone 7, Essential will not be supporting a 3.5mm headphone jack and neither will be it water resistant.

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Jio BlackRock Gets SEBI Approval to Launch Brokerage Operations in India

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Jio BlackRock Broking Private Limited, a joint venture between Jio Financial Services and BlackRock Inc., has received final approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence operations as a brokerage firm. The regulatory nod, granted via a certificate of registration issued on June 25, 2025, allows the company to function as both a stockbroker and a clearing member in India’s financial markets. This milestone follows a series of regulatory clearances for the Jio BlackRock ecosystem, including approvals for mutual fund and investment advisory businesses, underscoring the joint venture’s ambition to build a comprehensive, digital-first financial services platform.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio BlackRock Investment Advisers, the broking arm aims to deliver affordable, transparent, and technology-driven execution services to Indian investors. The company’s leadership has emphasized that the new platform will empower self-directed investors with seamless execution capabilities, complementing its broader strategy to democratize access to investment solutions in India. The approval is expected to further strengthen Jio BlackRock’s position in the rapidly expanding financial services sector, offering a full suite of products from mutual funds and advisory to brokerage, all accessible through user-friendly digital channels.

The market responded positively to the news, with Jio Financial Services shares rising over 4 percent following the announcement. Industry analysts view this regulatory milestone as a significant step in Jio BlackRock’s efforts to transform India’s investment landscape, moving the country closer to becoming a nation of investors rather than just savers.

 

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CoRover Unveils BharatGPT Mini: India’s First Offline Multilingual AI

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CoRover has launched BharatGPT Mini, India’s first offline multilingual AI model, at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, with the event officiated by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. This innovative Small Language Model (SLM), featuring around 534 million parameters, is specifically designed for edge devices and low-compute environments, enabling robust AI capabilities without the need for cloud connectivity. Its ability to function entirely offline and support 14 Indic languages makes it a powerful tool for digital inclusion, particularly in rural and remote regions where internet access is limited.

BharatGPT Mini’s architecture is optimized for deployment across various sectors, including healthcare, education, banking, and governance, allowing citizens to interact with essential services in their native languages. The model can be integrated into small businesses, government offices, and other organizations through the CoRover Builder platform, which offers a no-code solution for deploying AI assistants across web, telephony, and IoT systems. By processing data locally and encrypting it on-device, BharatGPT Mini ensures strong privacy and data sovereignty, aligning with India’s strategic goal of developing indigenous AI solutions. 

The launch has garnered strong support from both the Indian government and industry leaders, who see BharatGPT Mini as a catalyst for democratizing access to digital services. CoRover anticipates significant growth in the adoption of Small Language Models, with early feedback indicating a substantial increase in project demand. As CoRover looks to expand its expertise globally, BharatGPT Mini stands out as a scalable, multilingual, and privacy-centric solution, setting a new standard for inclusive and sovereign AI innovation in India’s diverse landscape.

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Kerala Startup E-Quark Launches Innovative Mobile Holder with Built-In Charger

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Kerala-based startup E-Quark Molecule Innovations Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Thrissur, has introduced an innovative device called Keratin that combines a mobile phone holder with a built-in charger. This unique gadget is designed to offer users a convenient solution to hold and charge their smartphones simultaneously, addressing the common challenge of managing power supply while using mobile devices.

The device enhances user experience by integrating two essential functions into one compact design. It securely holds the phone while providing efficient charging, making it perfect for use on desks, bedside tables, or other personal spaces where easy access and power are needed. This innovation aligns with the growing trend of multifunctional mobile accessories that prioritize both convenience and practicality.

E-Quark Molecule Innovations is a key player in Kerala’s dynamic startup ecosystem, which has been rapidly expanding in tech-driven areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With the launch of this mobile holder-charger, the company is establishing itself as a leader in user-centric mobile accessories, further cementing Kerala’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology development.

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