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In this episode of Tech Today, we break down everything you need to know about smart surveillance in India, the growing use of CCTV cameras, and how AI-powered video analytics are transforming public safety. After the recent Red Fort incident, CCTV footage once again highlighted how crucial surveillance systems are for investigations, crowd monitoring and traffic control.
We explain the different types of CCTV cameras in India (IP cameras, dome cameras, bullet cameras, PTZ cameras) and the rising concerns around data security, facial recognition, privacy laws and digital rights.
We also cover Uber’s new in-cabin video recording feature in India, how the recording system works, what happens to the footage, and what it means for driver safety, rider protection, false complaints and privacy consent.
And in our review, we test the OnePlus 15, analysing its camera performance, battery life, chipset, display, and flagship features for 2025.
We explain the different types of CCTV cameras in India (IP cameras, dome cameras, bullet cameras, PTZ cameras) and the rising concerns around data security, facial recognition, privacy laws and digital rights.
We also cover Uber’s new in-cabin video recording feature in India, how the recording system works, what happens to the footage, and what it means for driver safety, rider protection, false complaints and privacy consent.
And in our review, we test the OnePlus 15, analysing its camera performance, battery life, chipset, display, and flagship features for 2025.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Big Brother is watching a famous line from a George Orwell novel 1984 which talked about
00:20living in a dystopian time where everything and everyone is being watched. While it shows
00:26an Aries side of surveillance, there is a side that is very important today for everybody's
00:31survival and we'll talk more about that on the show. Plus, news for everyone who takes
00:36an Uber cab in India. While it talks about safety, there is a privacy concern around it
00:41and we would love to hear what you think about it. Plus, one of the biggest flagship launches
00:47of 2025 perhaps. We have the OnePlus 15 with us in the studio. Does it really stand out?
00:53What are the compromises? A whole lot more we will discuss on this week's show. This
00:58is Cyrus and you are watching Tech Today and let's kick things off with the top tech headlines
01:02of the week.
01:07Google has launched Gemini 3, calling it its most intelligent AI model ever with deep reasoning,
01:14insight and nuance. It's natively multimodal and able to process text, images and audio
01:20all at once. Google also said that a lighter version of Nano Banana Pro is coming soon for
01:26people who want powerful AI in a more compact package.
01:34Zoho's made in India messaging app Aratai has rolled out end-to-end encryption for individual
01:39chats on Android, iOS and desktops. That means only the sender and receiver can read messages
01:45and not even Aratai can access them. The company says full group chat encryption is coming in
01:51the next few weeks.
01:56OpenAI has launched ChatGPT for teachers, a special version made for K-12 educators. Teachers
02:02can now use a safe space where AI helps grade student work, manage files and collaborate and
02:08all without students' data to trade models. The platform is free for verified US teachers
02:14until June, 2027.
02:20A Boston Dynamics robot called Spot is now being used by over 60 bomb squads and SWAT
02:26teams across North America. Weighing about like a German Shepherd, it can climb stairs, map
02:32dangerous areas and send live video, all controlled remotely. Each unit costs around 100,000 US
02:38dollars, which is roughly 90 lakh rupees in India.
02:44And iPhone users can now log on to two different WhatsApp accounts in the same app without needing
02:50a separate business app. But there is a catch. It's currently in beta and supports only two accounts.
02:56Each account keeps its own chat history, backups and notification settings so your personal and work
03:03stuff stays separate.
03:33The events of 10th of November have indeed devastated the entire country. Not only has
03:40it left a physical mark on it, but it also has left an indelible emotional mark. Now, the
03:47perpetrators of this crime have been caught, but they've been caught using very advanced technologies,
03:52one of them being surveillance CCTV technology. Now, in the big tech story this week, we are trying to
03:58understand how surveillance and CCTVs in India really work. What is the ecosystem like? How advanced
04:05it is? And what is really happening behind the scenes? Because remember, we do have a robust
04:11infrastructure in terms of the tech, but does it need any upgradation? Does it need AI and machine
04:16learning to be embedded into the system? That is what we will try to figure out on this week's
04:21big tech story on the Tech Today show. Most of us pass these cameras every single day, on flyovers,
04:35at traffic signals, in housing societies and outside small shops.
04:42It's become such a normal part of city life that we barely register them.
04:46But these cameras form the backbone of how cities respond to crisis, manage crowds, direct traffic
04:56and even trace missing persons. Traffic teams depend on these live feeds to ease bottlenecks,
05:04call out reckless driving and in many cases, cameras alert authorities to an incident even before
05:10a citizen manages to dial in. And back at home, smart cameras have slipped into our routines almost
05:19unnoticed, helping parents check in on their kids, families look out for elderly members, confirm
05:25deliveries and even giving small businesses a simple way to monitor customer flow or keep track of inventory.
05:31No wonder India's video surveillance market is set to touch 4.8 billion US dollars in 2025.
05:43This isn't some sophisticated gadget anymore, it's part of the everyday ecosystem.
05:53So here's the thing with technology, you can never understand it intricately just by sitting at your
05:57desktop and maybe learning about it online, you have to head outside. So to understand what kind of
06:02cameras are deployed, maybe in the city or your households, we head to maybe an experiential center
06:07to understand what the hardware is really about.
06:13You have IP cameras for crisp networked video, dome cameras that blend into indoor setups,
06:20bullet cameras that guard perimeters and PTZ cameras that literally rotate zoom and track movement.
06:27You have IP cameras, you have IP cameras, you have IP cameras, you have IP cameras,
06:31get this, we have shown you so many solutions, different types of cameras and each of them
06:35serves a very different purpose. However, for this story, the cameras that I wanted to show you
06:39are these. Now these are surveillance cameras which are mostly deployed in Delhi, around the city and
06:45they use enhanced algorithms, enhanced AI to track people's faces, track vehicles, their different
06:52types and even numbers. And this is where cameras like these, technologies like these are essential.
06:58However, in an array of cameras that we've shown you, what is important for you to understand what
07:03your requirement is and deploy the solutions accordingly. Because most of these cameras have
07:08different purposes, but what's the best for you that you have to find out?
07:11Okay, so market, you know, we segment into four buckets, consumer and home segment,
07:15where you don't need such rugged cameras. It's, you know, normally made of ABS. Then you have the
07:20private sector, masses at large, you know, shops, establishment, schools and all. You need a mix
07:25of both. Then you need really rugged metal body cameras, you need some non-breakable, which we call
07:30IK10 standard cameras, where you even put a hammer, it won't break. And then you need to go into the
07:36enterprises or manufacturing, you need explosion proof cameras also, you know. And similarly in government,
07:41you know, thermal cameras, where you capture thermal side of the body, you have video, night vision
07:46cameras. So we do all these buckets for different segments of the market.
07:49Remember, CCTVs are of different types. They also need to undergo very rigorous testing and also certain
07:56benchmarks that they have to pass in order to be installed. But there was the hardware part. Now,
08:01let's try to move into the software side of things, because remember, there are so many cameras out
08:05there that needs a little bit of upgradation, maybe in terms of the software, maybe in terms of what kind
08:11of AI or machine learning can be embedded into these cameras to make them a little more smarter. So for that,
08:17we spoke to another expert who gave us insights about how cameras can become smarter.
08:22India already have more than three crore cameras being bought last year. So no one is going to
08:27change the hardware and perform all the analysis to the main, the, the motive behind the software
08:33was to basically utilize the existing camera to perform different kinds of security analysis. And when
08:37I say security analysis, it could be facial recognition in terms of the criminals or terrorists,
08:41which we have the target, or maybe in terms of law enforcement, it could be a fake number plate
08:45vehicle, which might be roaming across the city and which may do the crime. The third, of course,
08:50is very important use cases that reviewed research. Let's say if I want to search for a particular
08:54vehicle or particular, let's say person in terms of the textual query, let's say I'm searching for a
08:58person who's wearing white shirt and blue jeans and black shoes, how I can perform that search across
09:0310,000 cameras which is might be deployed across the city. Instead of simply reacting, authorities can
09:15plan ahead. Instead of scrambling for clues, they're staying a step in front of them. Picture this,
09:23thousands of cameras streaming into a single dashboard, mapping live traffic, highlighting hot spots,
09:29marking accident-prone stretches, even predicting where crowds will build up next. This isn't sci-fi,
09:36it's already the reality inside command centers in Delhi, Hyderabad, Surat and more.
09:43And while cities scale up their big systems, people are quietly building their own mini versions at home.
09:49Smart doorbells, motion pings, cloud backups, baby and pet monitoring, even two-way talk.
09:58A few years ago, these felt like luxury add-ons. Today, they're just standard features.
10:06For small businesses, the value goes even further. Footfall insights, heat maps,
10:11theft prevention, better staff planning. Smart surveillance has moved way beyond security.
10:18It's about making life smoother, smarter and a whole lot more efficient.
10:22So, the Redford incident is indeed a reminder of how important surveillance is for this country.
10:31And remember, it is evolving. We showed you so much of tech and how it is enhancing each and
10:38every day. And remember, it's just not part of the city or your neighborhood. It is also a part of
10:44what's happening inside of your house. And that is exactly why you need to be aware of what's
10:49happening within the ecosystem. Because it is an integral part of your lives as well. And as this
10:54entire tech evolves, understand that as users, you have to evolve with it. And hopefully,
11:01you'll be able to understand the nuances in a better way after following this segment.
11:11Now, when a passenger gets into an Uber or maybe even Olaf, you're in a zone where you are not in
11:18control. The driver might have certain mischief planned, might misbehave. So many things could
11:23happen. However, there are even some passengers who misbehave and do not follow the rules. But again,
11:29it's tough to know who really is at fault without any kind of video evidence. So, on the show today,
11:35we talk about a technology that's trying to help solve this problem.
11:50Cab drivers in Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey and many other countries are required by law to install
11:56in-cabin camera systems to track the journey and catch any misdemeanors by the driver or passengers.
12:02This even helps law enforcement determine the culprit. However, in India, there is no such law. If any
12:12incident happens in the cabin, there is very little evidence to back a complaint. And installing a camera
12:19inside a car can cost the driver extra money. So, to tackle this, Uber has launched a new feature.
12:28The idea? Let drivers record video of the interior of their vehicle using their smartphone's front camera.
12:36So, how does this work exactly? Within the app, there is a feature that allows drivers to capture
12:41video using the front-facing camera. Riders receive an in-trip notification so they know they're being
12:48recorded. After the ride is over, the recording stops. That's all.
12:53Now, this move comes amid growing concerns by drivers, especially in the Delhi NCR region,
13:01who have complained that they are being threatened by riders with false complaints and accusations.
13:05A report said that a female passenger traveling late at night insisted that the driver follow the route
13:13they wanted. If the driver refused, they threatened to file a false complaint.
13:19At the same time, there are serious incidents on record. For instance, in a very high-profile case,
13:25a Delhi Uber driver Shiv Kumar Yadav was convicted of rape, kidnapping and assault of a passenger.
13:32And more broadly, app-based cab and delivery services in Indian cities like Bengaluru have
13:38seen rising crime complaints. Sexual harassment, assault and verbal abuse are among them.
13:43So, here's the question. What role could this new tool play?
13:50Of course, it would be very important because the driver also says that they misbehave
13:55or the driver also says that they misbehave or the driver also says that they misbehave.
13:59So, I mean, both of these things will remain clear and therefore it will be referred to.
14:03The camera is necessary to cover the whole car from inside.
14:07For drivers who feel vulnerable to false allegations, this offers a real backup.
14:36Instead of getting into a verbal spat, you now have proof.
14:41For Uber, it could reduce investigation time, making its safety review process more robust
14:47and deter bad behavior on both sides. And for riders, knowing that the trip is being recorded
14:54with a notification might discourage misbehavior as well.
15:00But here's the thing, not every rider and passenger would be comfortable being recorded because
15:05privacy concerns are also something that they need to consider.
15:09It is a very good initiative, but at the same time, if my footage is getting leaked
15:13or maybe it is being misused, then it is a wrong initiative because
15:18if it is for safety purposes, then it should be purely for safety purposes.
15:21It's time for us to sleep.
15:23So, can a passenger deny being recorded? And what happens to the footage?
15:35Firstly, yes, you can say no before the trip starts.
15:38As when the recording starts, the rider does get a notification.
15:42But once the trip has begun, they don't have an option inside the trip to turn off the video
15:47recording. That said, if they are uncomfortable, they could raise a complaint later using the
15:53recorded video or choose not to share it. To ensure the data doesn't get leaked,
15:58all recordings are double encrypted and stored locally on the driver's device. Uber cannot access
16:04them unless the driver or rider submits the video as part of a formal safety report.
16:09If the video isn't shared, it automatically gets deleted after seven days.
16:15Still, question remains. What if a passenger feels pressured? Will someone be asked to cancel?
16:21Will Uber back their drivers consistently if a dispute arises? Some have expressed concern.
16:28I have mixed opinions about it, but it is a good thing.
16:31There are two sides to it. One is the beneficial side and the disadvantage side.
16:35It would be privacy and stuff like leak-weak. And the advantage side will be safety.
16:44But the question is, how will it help? Will it be online?
16:48Or if something is happening in the car, will it all the world or will it only be the driver?
16:55Who will it look like? How will it look like?
16:57I think this is a great idea to protect both the drivers and riders from false accusations,
17:03but it's not without its trade-offs. You see, you have privacy consent and trust,
17:09and all of these things are on the line. The success of this depends on how the drivers and the riders
17:15respond to how Uber handles the shared footage. For now though, it's a good step in the making,
17:22and it also makes sure that you get a safe ride-hailing experience.
17:32So today, we will be talking about OnePlus, specifically the OnePlus 15. Now, OnePlus,
17:36as we all know, has been a brand in the Indian market that's gotten people flagship-level features,
17:42but haven't charged them as much. However, the concerning bid for OnePlus is that their
17:47shipments in India have been dipping over the past couple of years. Take a look at this chart.
17:51This is the IDC data, the recent one, and in Q3, they really haven't been doing that good,
17:58and which is becoming concerning for OnePlus as a brand. However, it's still saying that we can give
18:03you the best, and a lot is riding on this phone, the OnePlus 15. So, can things really change for
18:10this brand in India? Let's try to find out in this review of the new OnePlus 15.
18:15All right, let's start with the display. Now, OnePlus has been known for its displays,
18:22even in the previous iteration. With the 13, they had a fantastic 2K display, LTPO, AMOLED.
18:27Nothing was wrong with it, but OnePlus says that we're going to up that game a little with a 165
18:33hertz refresh rate screen. Now, I know people might say that this seems overkill. Who uses 165 hertz?
18:40However, I don't think people would mind having a very smooth experience when they're scrolling
18:45content, which is evidently available on the OnePlus 15. Yes, I know the downgrade is that you are now
18:51getting a 1.5K screen instead of a 2K, but that doesn't kill my experience, and I don't mind that.
18:58Because again, this is a really bright screen, it's LTPO, it's got bright colors, the touch response
19:04feels great. And of course, the 120 hertz default that you get is good. The only thing is the 165
19:11hertz will only be used for a couple of games, and that's about it. And what really matters to buyers
19:17is what you're getting, that's consistency, because this display feels good every time you see it.
19:23There are no color shifts, there are no issues. So overall, I think even if it is a 1.5K display,
19:29it's still a very good display. Talking about the design, I know OnePlus hasn't really gone,
19:37you know, extravagant with its overall design philosophy, but I still like what they're offering.
19:42It's minimalist, it's got everything that you need, and it's very lightweight too. Because the story
19:49isn't about the looks, it's about durability. Because this is a new scratch resistant display,
19:54I kept it in my pocket with coins and keys, and it didn't pick up any scratches, which means that
19:58the glass back is really good. So I am totally saying that OnePlus has created one of the most
20:03rugged smartphones in the market. Again, it has everything that you would need, because the design
20:08is good, it's got a glass pack, the buttons are all there. However, one little thing that I would have
20:14loved is the alert slider, which is gone and has been replaced by this plus key. It is customizable,
20:21just like what we get on the iPhone, but I've hardly been using it.
20:28Now coming to the performance, this is the best that you get in the market,
20:32because this one is running on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which we have even tested
20:38in terms of benchmarks against the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this one did better. Check out these benchmarks.
20:52And the phone is genuinely super fast in day-to-day use, apps open instantly, animations are clean.
20:57Oxygen OS XVI is doing a lot behind the scenes with AI and with RAM management and background
21:02optimizations. This phone takes everything to just a whole new level. So you're getting an optimized phone
21:09with performance and a clean UI. It's really a banger. And the part that's interesting is that OnePlus is
21:14also pushing the gaming narrative on this phone, because it's offering higher sustained performance,
21:18better touch latency and fancy graphics, even at the launch event. But honestly, how many people in
21:24India would actually care about the gaming prowess of the OnePlus 15? Because this brand started out
21:30by saying that we will give you flagship features, you know, everything bundled into one smartphone,
21:34but they never went after a target market. But this time they're saying gamers, we have a phone for you.
21:40But how many gamers are there in India? So to sum it up, it's crazy fast. It's loaded to the brim
21:45with the best of software and hardware. And I think if you want performance on your phone,
21:51the OnePlus 15 is right up there.
21:56All right, moving to the cameras, I will confess and say that the experience hasn't been that good.
22:01The Hasselblad branding is gone. And well, OnePlus was never known for its cameras,
22:07but even this time when they had the opportunity to improve without Hasselblad's engineering,
22:12they really haven't done a lot. Because when I use this camera, the photos are fine, not bad,
22:17but again, not amazing. The dynamic range is okay. Colors can be a bit inconsistent and low light
22:23shots are a little soft. And I am not alone. A lot of reviewers are saying the same thing.
22:27Cameras is not really the strongest suit on the OnePlus 15. And if you are okay with that,
22:32they're no legal. But I will not be the judge of it all. You can have a look at these samples
22:37and maybe take a smarter decision.
22:48Now, when it comes to the battery, this indeed is a behemoth. 7300 mAh on a phone this slim. And also,
23:07it gets stocked up with 120W fast charging, which means you can charge your phone from
23:120 to 100 in just 53 minutes, which is fantastic. And I was able to get around two days of battery
23:20backup on medium and regular usage, your WhatsApp, your Instagram and emails. And that is fantastic,
23:25especially for people who are always on the go and want a phone that can sustain charge for a longer
23:31time. So again, no drama, no overheating, no throttling. This is indeed one of the best battery
23:36phones that you can get in the market. The good part is you also get the charger bundled in the box.
23:41So comprehensively, a good battery phone is what you're getting with the OnePlus 15.
23:47So here's where things get a little interesting. OnePlus has priced the OnePlus 15 in India at
23:5272999 for the base weight in which is higher than what they launched the OnePlus 13 for. Now,
23:59this becomes a little puzzling because in terms of hardware, they have hit the nail. Everything on
24:04this phone, except yes, the camera could have been better, is spot on. And if you want a comprehensive
24:09flagship with all of the additions and a future proof device, the OnePlus 15 is indeed a good
24:15phone and I will definitely recommend if you're looking for a flagship under 75,000 rupees.
24:20That's it for this week's show. Now, before going, I want to remind everyone to reach out to us
24:26with your tech queries and suggestions for the show. Next week, we're going to talk about how smartphone
24:32cameras are getting redefined with some very cool accessories and that may just change the DSLR industry.
24:40Until next time, this is Cyrus signing off on Tech Today. Take care.
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