- 2 months ago
Is 2026 the year premium tech finally becomes accessible to everyone?
In this episode of Tech Today, we dive into the massive shift in the sports world where AI has moved from post-match stats to real-time "Edge" intelligence. We explore how algorithms are now predicting athlete injuries with 90% accuracy before they even happen and how Indian startups are digitizing grassroots sports like Kabaddi and Volleyball.
Plus, we have the first look at the most talked-about laptop of the year - the MacBook Neo. Can Apple really deliver a premium experience for under ₹70,000? And we review the Google Pixel 10a, the phone that claims to be "quietly brilliant" in a crowded mid-premium market.
Got questions about the MacBook Neo’s performance or the Pixel 10a’s camera? Drop a comment below!
In this episode of Tech Today, we dive into the massive shift in the sports world where AI has moved from post-match stats to real-time "Edge" intelligence. We explore how algorithms are now predicting athlete injuries with 90% accuracy before they even happen and how Indian startups are digitizing grassroots sports like Kabaddi and Volleyball.
Plus, we have the first look at the most talked-about laptop of the year - the MacBook Neo. Can Apple really deliver a premium experience for under ₹70,000? And we review the Google Pixel 10a, the phone that claims to be "quietly brilliant" in a crowded mid-premium market.
Got questions about the MacBook Neo’s performance or the Pixel 10a’s camera? Drop a comment below!
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00:13Today, if you watch any sports event, be it cricket or football, it's so different from what you watched maybe
00:21a decade ago.
00:22Your screen is plastered with player stats, heat maps and review systems and there's so much more happening on the
00:29ground.
00:30We're truly in an era where tech and AI is playing a role, a pivotal one in enhancing the sports
00:37industry and on the show today, we dive a little into that pit.
00:41Plus, the laptop that everyone in the world is curious about, this is the MacBook Neo, Apple's most affordable laptop
00:50till date.
00:51We're getting you a quick first impressions of this one and who it is really made for.
00:57Plus, a phone that screams premium but doesn't take a toll on your pockets.
01:02This is the Google Pixel 10a and we have a review of this one on the show this week.
01:08Lots to unpack, I'm Cyrus and you're watching the Tech Today Show and let's get started with the top tech
01:13headlines of the week.
01:19Apple has officially released iOS 26.4, finally addressing the persistent keyboard lag and mistyping issues that have frustrated users
01:28for months.
01:29The update also introduces AI-powered playlists in Apple Music and several new emojis.
01:35Beyond the fixes, it expands Apple intelligence features like hold assist to more international reasons.
01:43The update is now available for download.
01:50In a landmark verdict, a Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube guilty of negligent design that contributed to
01:58social media addiction in minors.
02:00The companies have been ordered to pay $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old plaintiff who alleged the
02:07platform caused several mental health harm.
02:10Meta is responsible for 70% of the payout while YouTube will cover the remaining 30%.
02:16Both companies have already announced plans to appeal.
02:24OpenAI has decided to pull the plug on its hyper-realistic video platform, Sora, just six months after its standalone
02:31app launch.
02:32The abrupt decision comes amid a strategic pivot towards business and productivity tools as well as high computational costs.
02:40The closure also marks the end of a high-profile $1 billion content deal with Disney.
02:47OpenAI says it will provide a timeline soon for users to download and save their generated work.
02:58Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has clarified that a massive 25,000 crore deal with startup PushAI is currently
03:06non-binding.
03:07The backtrack follows intense social media scrutiny regarding the year-old startup's ability to execute projects of this scale.
03:15The state has now given the firm a 72-hour deadline to submit financial and technical proof of its capabilities.
03:23If the due diligence fails, the agreement will be terminated immediately.
03:31And Apple has officially set the stage for its biggest software event of the year, confirming WWDC 2026 will run
03:39from 8th of June to the 12th.
03:41The conference is expected to centre on iOS 27 and a major AI-driven overhaul for Siri, reportedly powered by
03:49Google's Gemini models.
03:51While the event remains primarily online, a special in-person experience will be held at Apple Park on opening day.
04:06Picture this. An athlete is about to sprint, but a computer in the dugout just sends a red alert.
04:13Why? Because an algorithm noticed his stride was off by a fraction of an inch, predicting an injury before it
04:20even happens.
04:21Now, what if your coach could predict your injury before you even felt the pain?
04:26What if AI could scout the next-generational talent from a village tournament without even a single scout in the
04:34stands?
04:34All of this is possible in 2026 when AI is everywhere.
04:39We have moved from simple box scores into the agentic AI era with edge computing in sports right now.
04:47Today, the global AI in sports market has surged past $10 billion,
04:52fueled by a shift from post-production highlights to real-time live-streamed intelligence.
04:58And by 2033, that number is projected to cross $49 billion.
05:03So today, in our big tech story, let's dissect all of this, the stack behind all those stats, and let's
05:10just start the games.
05:20Global sports tech in 2026 moved from cloud-based post-match analysis to edge AI, where processing happens courtside.
05:28Real-time computer vision now tracks player biomechanics, allowing broadcasters to overlay life probability metrics instantly.
05:38And in this year, the focus has shifted heavily to injury prediction, with machine learning models now able to flag
05:46fatigue-related risks with over 90% accuracy before a player even steps on the field.
05:55Even in Formula One, Microsoft and Mercedes-AMG Petronus announced a multi-year AI partnership in early 2026, integrating Azure
06:04AI into race strategy.
06:08Catapult sports wearables now track fatigue and injury risk in real-time.
06:13And in broadcasting, AI-powered camera systems are revolutionizing professional sports like the NFL and NBA by automatically capturing, editing
06:24and producing instant highlights.
06:27Using computer vision, these systems track players and ball movement to generate real-time clips, reducing manual labor and enabling
06:36personalized multi-angle content for fans.
06:41I believe this AI, you know, and bringing the technology towards the edge that helps in creating real-time valuable
06:50insights for the live broadcast is going to help and is helping actually, you know, a lot of fan engagement
06:57and better sponsorship opportunities and also an improved storytelling.
07:03In India, companies like Google and OpenAI are already partnering with the biggest sports organizations already.
07:13In January 2026, the BCCI signed a landmark three-year deal worth 270 crore rupees with Google's AI platform, Gemini,
07:23making it an associate sponsor of IPL 2026.
07:29The goal, AI-powered match insights, real-time analytics and personalized fan content at scale.
07:38OpenAI's ChatGPT followed by sponsoring the Women's Premier League for the 26-27 season.
07:45AI brands are stepping into the commercial space vacated by real money gaming sponsors and the sport authorities are leaning
07:52in.
07:54And while the IPL has also pioneered the smart venue concept, the focus has quietly shifted to SaaS-based analytics.
08:02Indian engineers are democratizing elite sports tech, shrinking billion-dollar tracking systems into AI-native apps that work on a
08:10standard smartphone for grassroots talent scouting.
08:14So, it's just not about the numbers on a screen.
08:18We are seeing a massive shift from post-match analysis to live intelligence that's happening in front of you.
08:24Now, there are Indian startups which are embedding AI directly into the equipment and all of these sensors around the
08:31pitch.
08:32From the bat in the player's hands to the cameras in the rafters that are made in India, IPs are
08:38now playing the primary engine in global sports.
08:41Here's how.
08:45India's sports tech startup are solving problems that global platforms haven't even noticed yet.
08:51AI is being applied across the full chain from talent identification via video footage, injury risk monitoring through wearables and
08:59broadcast tools for tier 2 sports like Kabaddi, volleyball and table tennis that rarely get full production treatment.
09:08However, what sets India apart is the challenge underneath.
09:12Many sports federations here still operate without basic digital infrastructure.
09:17No structured data, no live scoring, no player records.
09:21And that's exactly where India's most innovative companies are starting.
09:25We reached out to one such startup which is putting India on the global sports tech map.
09:31So, with the movement of how AI is also empowering or fast tracking the development and the technology around the
09:40world, one thing I would be very open about is that the traditional system have been very, I would say,
09:48hefty systems and have been built to cover large scale productions and built with those kind of budgets as well.
09:55Wherein we, when we are focusing while building something from India, we have been very frugal about how we are
10:05building the solution and the kind of usage we want to have it.
10:08Like I explained, we want this to be a very, very adaptable, flexible and at the same time cost efficient
10:15solution.
10:20It's about building a powerful foundation for our own sports ecosystem.
10:25When we talk about winning medals, the real work begins at the grassroots.
10:30It requires structured tournaments, accurate data and strong operational systems.
10:34And that's where a platform like ours can make a real difference by digitizing and managing the entire ecosystem end
10:42to end.
10:46So, we see how Indian startups are changing the global game by positioning made in India intellectual property as the
10:53primary engine for sports technology.
10:55And ultimately, these efforts mean that India has a genuine shot at leading the next chapter of global sports technology.
11:06The perfect shot on a game saving play that's being run.
11:10Remember, there's a good chance it was powered by a line of code written right here in India.
11:16The game is faster now, it hits harder and all of this is happening thanks to AI.
11:22The stories are getting much more deeper because of the analysis.
11:25Now for athletes, it means smarter training and fewer injuries.
11:29And for fans, deeper engagement is definitely in play.
11:33And for India, it means a genuine shot at leading the next chapter of global sports technology.
11:47The brand Apple and the word budget, we don't usually see them being used in the same sentence a lot,
11:53do we?
12:00But this is the new MacBook Neo and it's breaking that stereotype because this is a new MacBook that's coming
12:07in at under 70,000 rupees.
12:09But this is just a first look, we're not diving into the review or the details of this device.
12:15But the big question here to ask is, has Apple finally cracked the affordable laptop formula or are there any
12:22big compromises with this one?
12:25Everything in this first look of the new MacBook Neo.
12:37First things first, the design and this one feels very Apple.
12:41Because the MacBook Neo comes with a full aluminium body, clean lines and that unmistakable MacBook finish.
12:47Plus these new colors are really funky and especially will appeal with the youth.
12:55It feels premium the moment you pick this one up and it feels kind of rare at this price point.
13:06At 1.23 kilos, I won't call it lightweight but it is compact and designed to be extremely portable.
13:13And it's clearly, like I said, aimed at students and those young college folks who want a MacBook but don't
13:20want to pay a lot.
13:24And then there are the colors.
13:26Apple is clearly going for a more fun, youthful vibe with multiple color options and all color matched which gives
13:33it a fresh personality.
13:37But this is exactly where you start noticing a few trade-offs.
13:43Because there is no backlit keyboard here, slightly thicker bezels and a simpler trackpad compared to the high-end MacBooks.
13:50It doesn't even have the haptic clicks, so this is a downer.
13:57Yes, this laptop does give a very premium feel but obviously there are a few cutbacks and noticeable ones.
14:08You open this up and the display is quite impressive for the price.
14:13Because this one comes with a 13-inch IPS liquid retina display, has sharp resolution, vibrant colors and about 500
14:20nits of peak brightness.
14:22Texts look crisp, videos look good and for everyday use, this is a very pleasant screen.
14:31But this isn't the same display that's being used on the MacBook Air, so there are certain display technologies that
14:37are missing in this one.
14:39Like the high-end color support and advanced display tech and also the bezels are more noticeable which slightly breaks
14:45the immersive feel.
14:52So overall I would say this is a very good display, just not as impeccable as the ones that you
14:58get on the flagship but still, it's good.
15:05Now performance is a department where things get a little interesting.
15:10Because the MacBook Neo runs on Apple's A18 Pro chipset.
15:14Yes, the same chip you find on the iPhone 16 Pro.
15:19Yes, an iPhone chipset inside a MacBook.
15:24And how does that translate to performance?
15:26For everyday tasks, browsing, documents, video calls and even light editing, it really feels smooth and responsive.
15:34You still get the full Mac OS experience along with Apple intelligence features, which means this is a proper productivity
15:40machine, not just a basic laptop.
15:44But the important bit here is Apple knows what it's offering and so should you because this one is not
15:51a heavy multitasking mammoth.
15:55Which clearly means it's not built for heavy users.
15:59This one comes with 8 GB of RAM and has limited headroom for intensive tasks.
16:04Heavy multitasking, high-end editing or demanding workflows, that's not what this machine is designed for.
16:10While I did try a couple of editing softwares and yes, it is working with full HD content.
16:17But again, if you go high-end, maybe even 4K with multiple layers in the timeline, that's where it will
16:23start to struggle.
16:29So to say the MacBook Neo isn't really about raw power, it's more about these everyday tasks that you have
16:36to do and for the basics, this is just perfect.
16:42Battery life is where Apple usually delivers and Apple claims that this one comes with 16 hours of battery life,
16:48which I feel is impressive on paper.
16:50In real-world early impressions, you're looking at a solid all-day usage for typical tasks.
16:59Rest assured, we'll be getting you all of the details about the battery capacity and also how it fares in
17:04daily usage in our full review.
17:06But in terms of charging, it is relatively slow, just 20 watts. Yes, you get the charger in the box.
17:13But in 2026, I feel that's just too slow.
17:19So yes, overall I feel it's great for endurance, but the charging speeds could happen better.
17:28So what really are the first impressions for the MacBook Neo?
17:31I feel that the MacBook Neo is not really trying to compete with the Pro or the MacBook Air.
17:37It's just trying to get more people into the MacBook ecosystem.
17:42Because you get a premium design, a solid display, smooth everyday performance and the full Mac OS experience.
17:49But at the same time, you're also getting clear compromises like there is no backlit keyboard, limited performance headroom and
17:56slightly stripped down overall experience.
18:01But the question is, who is this one really for?
18:04I would say students who are starting their college journey and do not want a heavy performance machine.
18:10And also for people who go to work, but do the basics like emails and documents.
18:15And for those, I think that the MacBook Neo is absolutely perfect.
18:21However, if you are a power user, I would strongly recommend you stay away from the MacBook Neo and go
18:27for maybe the Pro series,
18:28which will definitely serve your purpose.
18:43Every year, Google launches a Pixel smartphone and begs us to ask,
18:48do I need to pay more for the Android flagship experience?
18:52And this year, we're trying to answer that question with the newly launched Pixel 10a,
18:56which has been launched under Rs. 50,000.
18:59Premium Android experience, but at a competitive price.
19:03But the big question here is, and it's kind of a threat for the Pixel,
19:06is that there are so many smartphones these days in the sub-50,000 category that offer better specs than
19:12the Pixel 10a.
19:13So why should you even consider buying this Google smartphone?
19:26So let's start with the design and this one in practicality is exactly like the Pixel 9a,
19:33just with a lesser camera bump.
19:36Sure, it keeps things clean, minimal and is very familiar.
19:40And that really works for a lot of people because some do not like a lot of changes in their
19:44bit-range devices.
19:45So for them, this is good.
19:47You get the signature camera bar at the back, which is as flat as it can be,
19:51a matte finish, and the design feels really premium and minimalistic.
19:55But what I really love about the Pixel 10a is that it fits perfectly in the hand,
20:00feels durable, it's very premium, has matte finish,
20:03and also for people who do not like bulky devices, this is just perfect.
20:08The only deal breaker is that there is no major design evolution here.
20:12The bezels are still noticeably thick, which I do not like.
20:15And if you are expecting something fresh or bold, this is not the phone for you.
20:20But to conclude, the design is practical and more comfortable than ever.
20:25So for people who want to keep it safe, this is good.
20:34Now the display is a department where things get better, but just slightly.
20:40Because with this one, you get a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
20:45So everything from scrolling to animations feels smooth and fluid.
20:49Just make sure you switch the default refresh rate from 60 to 120.
20:54Colours are vibrant, contrast is great, and for everyday use,
20:58whether you are watching videos or just browsing, this one looks really good.
21:02I took it outdoors and it is surprisingly usable,
21:05thanks to the 3000 nits of peak brightness you get on this one.
21:09But when you compare it to some of the competitors in this price range,
21:11like the nothing 4A and the OnePlus Nord phones,
21:15it's not really the brightest and not the most punchy panel out there.
21:20So yes, overall, I still feel it's a good display, but definitely not the best out there.
21:31Performance is a department where the pixel story is a little underwhelming,
21:36especially for those who want pure performance.
21:38Because the Pixel 10a runs on Google's Tensor G4 chip paired with 8GB of RAM.
21:43This is the same chip that is already available on the Pixel 9a.
21:47In day-to-day use, the phone feels fast.
21:50Apps open quickly, switching between them is smooth,
21:52and the overall experience is very clean.
21:55Now the question I want to ask Google is,
21:57why would you put last year's chip on a phone you're launching in 2026?
22:01Because the customer kind of feels robbed of the opportunity of having the latest processor.
22:06However, I think the performance and the overall UI and UX that you're getting with the Pixel 10a,
22:13I think that's what you're really paying for.
22:15So you don't get really a lot with the performance, it's the experience that comes.
22:19You get stock Android the way Google intended it to be,
22:23which means no clutter, no unnecessary apps, and the updates come directly from Google.
22:29Plus the AI features that you get with this phone like smart voice typing, call screening, photo editing,
22:34actually feel useful in real life.
22:37But again, to conclude, I would say this is really not a powerful smartphone
22:41and not meant for heavy gaming or heavy multitasking.
22:44If you want a smartphone that's just basic and gives you all of the everyday functionalities,
22:49then the Pixel 10a makes more sense.
22:52And yes, people agree, even Google agrees that this is not class-leading,
22:56because if you look at the benchmarks on offer,
22:58these are some of the benchmarks that you get in sub-30k phones.
23:01So Google is clearly not competing in the performance department,
23:05it's trying to sell you the performance plus user experience package.
23:16Now to the real reason why people buy a Pixel phone, the camera.
23:21And this is where the Pixel 10a really delivers.
23:24It comes with a 48-megapixel primary and a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor.
23:28There is a slight color shift in the sensors when you click pictures,
23:32which you will notice, but again, not a deal breaker.
23:35Photos with the primary sensor come out sharp, detailed and very natural looking.
23:39Skin tones are also accurate, dynamic range is good
23:42and the consistency is something that Pixel does better than almost everyone in this price category.
23:48So if you're looking for a simple point-and-shoot camera phone,
23:51the Pixel 10a is really a good option.
23:54Low-light photography is strong as well.
23:56Night shots retain detail without looking overly processed
23:59and there's also the Google software magic with features like magic eraser
24:03and AI enhancements that genuinely add value.
24:06Video is still not as good compared to the competitors in this price segment
24:11because remember, the Pixel is great for photography.
24:14But when it comes to video, it's just giving you the basics.
24:18Yes, you also get 4K recording.
24:20But again, for people who create a lot of content,
24:23I think you're getting more versatile camera systems out there.
24:27So, to conclude, for photography, I think the Pixel 10a is really a good option,
24:31especially for people who create a lot of content photo-wise for social media.
24:36But when it comes to video, like I said, try going for the ones that offer more versatility and more
24:42megapixels.
24:50Now, the battery life on the Pixel 10a is reliable, but not extraordinary.
24:55That's because it uses the same 5100mAh battery like on the Pixel 9a with just slightly higher charging speeds.
25:02Yes, you will be able to get a full day's battery with this one and with moderate use like calls,
25:07social media and some video streaming,
25:09you will have enough charge left at the end of the day.
25:12Google's adaptive battery also learns from the usage patterns that you have over time,
25:16which helps you stretch it a little bit further.
25:19But charging and that's where Google really needs to kick things up.
25:24Because this one offers just 30W of charging and that's one of the slowest in 2026
25:30and could be a deal breaker for many of the users,
25:33especially when smartphones in this price category are offering you 80 to 100W charging.
25:38So, to conclude, I would say the battery is dependable,
25:41but again, not the fastest when you want to just quickly charge and dash.
25:53So, verdict time, the Pixel 10a I feel doesn't try to be everything,
25:59but just focuses on certain features that I feel the Pixel does really well.
26:04Like you get clean software experience, one of the best cameras in the segment
26:08and also a phone that just feels comfortable and reliable.
26:12On the flip side, yes, the design feels a little repetitive,
26:15performance is not meant for heavy users and charging is just too slow for 2026 users.
26:23But the thing is, who is this phone really for?
26:25I feel the Pixel 10a is perfect for people who absolutely want a no-nonsense smartphone,
26:31regular software updates and a good camera experience.
26:35And also, I mean, if you like a clutter-free screen, this phone is apt.
26:39But if you're looking for cutting-edge design, top-tier performance and also great battery charging,
26:45then please do not buy the Pixel 10a because it doesn't offer any of those things.
26:49So, there you have it from the high-tech sidelines of the world's biggest stadiums where AI is now taking
26:56over
26:56to Apple's most aggressive play for your pocket yet with the MacBook Neo.
27:02And finally, Google's quietly brilliant Pixel 10a.
27:06We have covered them all for you this week.
27:08And one thing is super clear, 2026 might be the year where premium tech finally becomes accessible to everyone.
27:17If you have any questions about the MacBook Neo or even the Pixel 10, do write to us and we
27:23will try to answer all of the questions.
27:25I'm Cyrus, thanking you again.
27:27Please come back next week for a brand new episode of the Tech Today Show.
27:30Take care.
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