Google Pixel 10a to Launch in India on February 18: Affordable AI Flagship Under ₹50,000

Google has officially confirmed the Pixel 10a launch in India on February 18, 2026, through its press communications and teaser videos. The announcement highlights India as one of the key launch markets, with sales via Flipkart and the Google Store.

Google’s official YouTube channe uploaded the teaser video on February 4, 2026, confirming the India launch date of February 18, 2026. The clip is about 16 seconds long and shows the phone in a soft blue/blue‑purple shade with a flat, bump‑free camera design.   

Popular leakster Evan Bliss also shared on X (formerly Twitter) the following images of what’s believed to be the Pixel 10a.

10a pic.twitter.com/lUCKTH49fW

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 4, 2026

Key Launch Details

• Launch Date: February 18, 2026
• Availability: Flipkart & Google Store (online)
• Pre-order Offers: Exclusive deals for Google Store subscribers who register before February 13, 2026, 1:29 PM IST
• Expected Price: Around ₹49,999

Expected Specifications

Feature	Details
Display	6.285–6.3 inch FHD+ OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 2,000 nits brightness
Processor	Google Tensor G4 chip
Design	Similar to Pixel 9a, teased in a blue colourway
Camera	Flush camera design, details to be revealed at launch
Software	Android 15 with Google’s AI features

Launch Offers & Benefits

• Google Store subscribers who register early will receive exclusive pre-order offers via email on launch day.
• Likely bundled deals with accessories or extended warranties.
• Flipkart may offer bank discounts and exchange offers.

Why It Matters

• Affordable flagship option: Entry-level Pixel 10-series device.
• Competitive pricing: Under ₹50,000 puts it against rivals like OnePlus 13R, Samsung Galaxy A-series, and iQOO Neo 10.
• India focus: Targeting the growing mid-premium smartphone segment in India.

India Joins Elite League With Successful Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Missile Test

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated its indigenous Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on February 3, 2026, at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha—placing India among a select group of nations (including the US, Russia, and China) with this advanced missile propulsion capability.

Key Highlights of the Demonstration

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology was successfully flight tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha today. SFDR is very crucial for development of long range Air to Air Missiles pic.twitter.com/66ZwE0micY

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) February 3, 2026

• Date & Location: February 3, 2026, at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
• Subsystems Tested: Nozzle-less Booster, Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Motor, Fuel Flow Controller.
• Performance: All subsystems functioned as expected, with flight data confirming successful propulsion and control.
• Strategic Significance: Enables development of long-range air-to-air missiles with superior speed and range.

What is SFDR Technology?

• Type: Advanced air-breathing propulsion system.
• How it Works: A solid fuel gas generator produces fuel-rich gases, which mix with incoming air and burn in a ramjet combustor.
• Advantages: Higher speeds, longer ranges, efficient propulsion for air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

Comparison: Conventional Rocket vs. SFDR

Feature	Conventional Rocket Motor	Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)
Propulsion Source	Self-contained oxidizer + fuel	Uses atmospheric oxygen + solid fuel gases
Speed	Supersonic	Supersonic to hypersonic
Range	Limited	Extended, long-range capability
Efficiency	Lower (due to oxidizer weight)	Higher (air-breathing reduces weight)
Applications	Short/medium-range missiles	Long-range air-to-air & surface-to-air missiles

Strategic Importance for India

• India joins the US, Russia, and China in possessing ramjet-powered missile technology.
• Enhances India’s ability to develop next-generation long-range air-to-air missiles.
• Potential adaptation for surface-to-air missile systems, strengthening India’s layered air defence.

OpenAI Unveils Prism: Free AI Workspace for Scientific Research

OpenAI has launched Prism, a free AI-powered workspace for scientific research, writing, and collaboration, available to anyone with a ChatGPT account. Built on GPT‑5.2 and integrated with LaTeX, Prism streamlines drafting, data analysis, and citation management into one cloud-based platform.

Key Highlights of Prism

• Launch Date: January 27, 2026
• Availability: Free for all users with a personal ChatGPT account
• Core Technology: Powered by GPT‑5.2
• Foundation: Built on Crixet, a LaTeX-native cloud platform acquired by OpenAI

Features & Capabilities

• Unified Workspace: Combines writing, editing, data analysis, and collaboration
• LaTeX Integration: Native support for LaTeX
• AI Assistance: Proofreading, citation search, claim evaluation
• Collaboration Tools: Unlimited collaborators in real time
• Automation: AI-driven formatting and editing

Why It Matters

• For Researchers: Eliminates fragmented workflows
• For Students & Professionals: Accessible at no cost
• For Academia: Domain-specific AI tool for scientific writing

Comparison with Traditional Tools

Feature	Prism (OpenAI)	Google Docs / MS Word	Overleaf (LaTeX)
Cost	Free	Free/Paid	Free/Paid
AI Integration	GPT‑5.2 (editing, citations, analysis)	Limited (basic grammar tools)	None (manual LaTeX coding)
Collaboration	Unlimited, real-time	Real-time, limited by platform	Real-time, but LaTeX only
Scientific Focus	Designed for research workflows	General writing	Academic LaTeX writing
Data Analysis	Built-in AI tools	External tools needed	External tools needed

Risks & Limitations

• Not Autonomous: Requires human oversight
• Early Stage: Institutional versions planned
• Dependence on AI: Risk of overlooking nuanced judgment

Google Parent Alphabet Doubles Down on India with Mega Bengaluru Hub

Google’s parent company, Alphabet inc. , is making one of its biggest bets in India yet, with a massive Bengaluru expansion that could add up to 20,000 jobs and more than double its footprint in the country. The company has leased one office tower and secured options on two more in Alembic City, Whitefield, Bengaluru totaling about 2.4 million square feet.

Key Highlights of Alphabet’s Bengaluru Expansion

• Location: Alembic City, Whitefield technology corridor, Bengaluru
• Scale: ~2.4 million sq. ft. across three towers
• Jobs: Up to 20,000 new positions expected, significantly boosting India’s tech workforce
• Timeline: First tower opening to employees in the coming months; additional towers under option for future growth
• Strategic Context: Expansion comes as U.S. visa restrictions push Alphabet to grow talent bases abroad, with India emerging as a critical hub

Why Bengaluru?

• Tech Ecosystem Strength: Bengaluru is India’s leading tech hub, home to startups, IT majors, and global R&D centers.
• Talent Pool: Large base of engineers, developers, and AI specialists.
• Infrastructure: Whitefield corridor offers modern office complexes, connectivity, and proximity to other multinational campuses.
• Policy Environment: India’s push for digital transformation and AI adoption aligns with Alphabet’s global strategy.

Impact on India’s Tech Landscape

• Job Creation: 20,000 roles could range from engineering and AI research to cloud services and support.
• AI & 5G Integration: Expansion coincides with India’s 5G rollout, positioning Alphabet to lead in AI-driven workloads and edge computing.
• Global Strategy: Strengthens India’s role as a key offshore base for Alphabet amid tightening U.S. immigration policies.
• Local Economy: Boosts Bengaluru’s commercial real estate market and reinforces its status as a global innovation hub.

Comparison: Alphabet’s India Footprint vs. Global Strategy

Region	Expansion Focus	Scale	Strategic Driver
India (Bengaluru)	AI, Cloud, Workforce	2.4M sq. ft., 20K jobs	Talent availability, visa restrictions
US (HQ)	AI R&D, Cloud infra	Existing campuses	Core innovation, leadership
Europe (Dublin, Zurich)	Cloud services, Ads	Smaller expansions	Regulatory compliance, EU market
Asia (Singapore)	Regional HQ	Limited	Southeast Asia market access

Risks & Considerations

• Talent Competition: Bengaluru’s tech talent is in high demand; Alphabet will compete with Amazon, Microsoft, Infosys, and startups.
• Real Estate Costs: Large-scale leasing could drive up commercial rents in Whitefield.
• Policy Shifts: India’s evolving data protection and AI regulations may affect operations.
• Global Dependencies: Expansion partly driven by U.S. visa restrictions—future policy changes could alter strategy.

Fractal Analytics to Launch ₹28.3 Billion IPO on Feb 9, Price Band ₹857–₹900

Management of Fractal Analytics Limited -  Mr. Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-Founder, Group Chief Executive & Executive Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ashwath Bhat, Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Satish Raman, Chief Strategy Officer along with Mr. Jayasankar Venkataraman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited and Mr. Pratik Loonker, Head Of ECM & Co-Head Of FSG, Axis Capital Limited at the press conference to announce their forthcoming Initial Public Offering

• Price Band fixed at ₹ 857 per equity share of face value ₹1 each to ₹ 900 per equity share of the face value of ₹1 each (“Equity Shares”) of Fractal Analytics Limited (the “Company”)
• Anchor Investor Bidding Date – Friday, February 06, 2026
• Bid /Offer Opening Date – Monday, February 09, 2026, and Bid/ Offer Closing Date –Wednesday, February 11, 2026
• Bids can be made for a minimum of 16 Equity Shares and in multiples of 16 Equity Shares thereafter
• Red Herring Prospectus (“RHP”) link: https://fractal.ai/docs/Investor-Relations/Offer-Documents/Fractal-RHP.pdf

Fractal Analytics Limited (the “Company”) proposes to open an initial public offering (“Offer”) of its equity shares of face value of ₹1 each (“Equity Shares”) on Monday, February 09, 2026. The Anchor Investor Bidding Date is one Working Day prior to Bid/Offer Opening Date, being Friday, February 06, 2026. The Bid/ Offer Closing Date is Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The Price Band of the Offer has been fixed from ₹ 857 per Equity Share of face value ₹ 1 each to ₹ 900 per Equity Share of face value ₹ 1 each. Bids can be made for a minimum of 16 Equity Shares of face value ₹ 1 each and multiples of 16 Equity Shares of face value ₹ 1 each thereafter.

The initial public offering by the Company comprises a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to INR 10,235 million (the “Fresh Issue”) and an Offer for Sale of equity shares aggregating up to INR 18,104 million (the “Offer for Sale”, and together with the Fresh Issue, the “Offer”).

The Offer for Sale is being undertaken by existing shareholders including Quinag Bidco Ltd, TPG Fett Holdings Pte. Ltd., Satya Kumari Remala and Rao Venkateswara Remala, and GLM Family Trust (collectively, the “Selling Shareholders”). The Offer comprises of an Employee Reservation Portion aggregating up to INR 600 million for subscription by eligible employees.

The Offer is being made in terms of Rule 19(2)(b) of the SCRR read with Regulation 31 of the SEBI ICDR Regulations. The Offer is being made through the Book Building Process, in compliance with Regulation 6(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, where at least 75% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers (“QIBs”) (the “QIB Category”), provided that our Company in consultation with the BRLMs, may allocate up to 60% of the QIB Category to Anchor Investors, on a discretionary basis (the “Anchor Investor Portion”), of which 40% shall be reserved as under: (i) 33.33% for domestic Mutual Funds; and (ii) 6.67% for Life Insurance Companies and Pension Funds, subject to valid Bids being received from domestic Mutual Funds, Life Insurance Companies and Pension Funds at or above the price at which Equity Shares are allocated to Anchor Investors. Any under-subscription in the reserved category specified in clause (ii) above may be allocated to domestic Mutual Funds. In the event of under-subscription or non-allocation in the Anchor Investor Portion, the balance Equity Shares shall be added to the QIB Category (excluding the Anchor Investor Portion) ("Net QIB Category”).

Further, 5% of the Net QIB Category shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Mutual Funds only and the remainder of the QIB Category shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to all QIBs, including Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price. However, if the aggregate demand from Mutual Funds is less than 5% of the Net QIB Category, the balance Equity Shares available for allocation in the Mutual Fund Portion will be added to the remaining Net QIB Category for proportionate allocation to QIBs. If at least 75% of the Net Offer cannot be Allotted to QIBs, then the entire application money will be refunded forthwith. Further, not more than 15% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation to non-institutional investors (“Non-Institutional Investors” or “NIIs”) (the “Non-Institutional Category”) of which one-third of the Non-Institutional Category shall be available for allocation to Bidders with an application size of more than ₹200,000 and up to ₹1,000,000 and two-thirds of the Non-Institutional Category shall be available for allocation to Bidders with an application size of more than ₹1,000,000 provided under-subscription in either of these two sub-categories of the Non Institutional Category may be allocated to Bidders in the other sub-category of the Non-Institutional Category in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price. Further, not more than 10% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation to retail individual investors (“Retail Individual Investors” or “RIIs”) (the “Retail Category”) in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price.

All Bidders (other than Anchor Investors) shall mandatorily participate in this Offer through the Application Supported by Block Amount (“ASBA”) process and shall provide details of their respective bank account (including UPI ID for UPI Bidders using UPI Mechanism) in which the Bid Amount will be blocked by the SCSBs or the Sponsor Banks, as the case may be. Anchor Investors are not permitted to participate in the Offer through the ASBA process.

The Equity Shares of the Company are proposed to be listed on BSE Limited (“BSE") and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (“NSE”) (BSE and NSE together, the “Stock Exchanges”).

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, Morgan Stanley India Company Private Limited, Axis Capital Limited, and Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Private Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers (“BRLMs”) to the Offer.

All capitalised terms not defined herein would have the same meaning as attributed to them in the RHP.

Disclaimer: FRACTAL ANALYTICS LIMITED is proposing, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to make an initial public offering of its Equity Shares and has filed the RHP with RoC and the Stock Exchanges on February 2, 2026. The RHP shall be available on the website of Sebi at www.sebi.gov.in, and is available on the websites of the Stock Exchanges i.e. BSE and NSE at www.bseindia.com and www.nseindia.com, respectively, on the website of the Company at www.fractal.ai and the websites of the BRLMs, i.e., Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, Morgan Stanley India Company Private Limited, Axis Capital Limited and Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Private Limited at https://investmentbank.kotak.com, www.morganstanley.com, www.axiscapital.co.in and www.goldmansachs.com respectively. Any potential investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to such risk, see ‘‘Risk Factors’’ beginning on page 36 of the RHP. Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP filed with SEBI and the Stock Exchanges, and should instead rely on their own examination of our Company and the Offer, including the risks involved, for making any investment decision.

The Equity Shares offered in the Offer have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any other applicable law of the United States and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. Accordingly, the Equity Shares are being offered and sold (a) within the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act) in transactions exempt from, or not subject to the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and (b) outside the United States in offshore transactions as defined in and in compliance with Regulation S and the applicable laws of the jurisdiction where those offers and sales are made. The Equity Shares have not been and will not be registered, listed or otherwise qualified in any other jurisdiction outside India and may not be offered or sold, and Bids may not be made by persons in any such jurisdiction, except in compliance with the applicable laws of such jurisdiction.