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This week on Tech Today, we explore how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape and why a single software vulnerability could put a large part of the internet at risk. We also bring you our picks for the Top 5 Foldable Smartphones you can buy in India, including Samsung, Google, vivo and Apple. Plus, we review Samsung's premium Galaxy Tab S12+ and S12 Ultra. With prices crossing ₹1 lakh, are these tablets worth the premium, or should you consider more affordable alternatives from OnePlus and Xiaomi? In this episode: How AI is uncovering critical internet security flaws PHP2Shell vulnerability explained Apple launches its first touchscreen MacBook Pro Instagram tests 90-minute videos Microsoft offers employee buyouts Top 5 foldable phones in India Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ and S12 Ultra review Watch the full episode of Tech Today and stay updated with the latest in technology.
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00:13Your Instagram, bank accounts and even national service and utility websites
00:18can all come crashing down because of one flaw in the code.
00:22We saw a glimpse of that last week and that's why we are talking about it on this week's show.
00:28How vulnerable the internet is right now and what we need to do to prepare for the worst.
00:34That's our big tech story.
00:36And if you're looking for a sweet deal on a foldable phone in India,
00:40we have the top 5 phones we consider the very best and the ones that you should consider as well.
00:46That's coming up on the show.
00:47Plus, a tablet worth more than a lakh.
00:50How practical is the new Samsung Dapp series and is it even worth the money?
00:54Watch out for the review if you're considering buying a premium tablet.
00:59Lots to unpack on this week's Tech Today.
01:01I'm Cyrus, your tech expert and host and let's get the show going with the top tech headlines of the
01:07week.
01:10Instagram is testing a new video format called Features that allows selected creators to upload videos up to 90 minutes
01:18long.
01:18The format could support podcasts, interviews and vlogs, putting Instagram in more direct competition with YouTube.
01:27Testing is currently limited to select creators in Brazil and the US.
01:35Apple has launched its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, featuring an OLED display that supports touch gestures.
01:42The new models run on M5 Pro and M5 Max processors.
01:47Prices start at $3,49,900 for the 14-inch model with sales beginning November 6th.
01:58And Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 eligible employees, but expects only about 3,000 to accept.
02:06The scheme allows staff to leave the company in exchange for financial compensation.
02:11The move comes as Microsoft continues to restructure its workforce amid heavy investments in AI.
02:17Employees have until early December to decide with departures expected by the end of the year.
02:462 major cyber security scares in just 24 hours have exposed alarming vulnerabilities in the technology,
02:53underpinning the global internet.
02:56Last week, we got a reality check of how vulnerable the internet is.
03:07A flaw in the software that's running 70% of the website could potentially give a hacker control over the
03:14data on those sites.
03:21And thankfully, it was artificial intelligence that helped researchers uncover this flaw.
03:31This week on The Big Tech Story, we talk about how the internet is at the mercy of artificial intelligence
03:37and how big tech really had their hands pulled on making sure that they can keep the internet secure for
03:44all of us.
03:45So, let's start with what really kicked off this entire controversy and we also show you the bigger picture behind
03:52internet security.
03:55The main issue happened with PHP.
04:01Now, this is a programming language used to build and run websites.
04:05It powers platforms such as WordPress and is used by roughly 70% of websites whose server-side programming language
04:13is known.
04:14In October 2026, researchers disclosed two critical vulnerabilities collectively called PHP 2 Shell.
04:24Under certain conditions, an attacker could exploit them remotely without logging in to execute malicious code on an affected server.
04:32That could mean stealing sensitive information, tampering with websites or using a compromised server to launch further attacks.
04:42And these weren't necessarily new bugs.
04:45Some of the underlying weaknesses had existed for years.
04:49While the patches were released on the 21st of October, researchers reported evidence of successful exploitation on the 26th.
04:59Think about it, the problem really isn't that the bug exists.
05:04The bigger problem is that AI is able to find these weaknesses so easily and even attack the system.
05:10And PHP is a part of a much bigger problem here.
05:16The internet relies on layers of software, servers, cables, routing systems and services that must work together.
05:24And history has repeatedly shown what happens when one of those layers fails.
05:32In October 2021, a faulty change to Meta's backbone network disrupted communication between its data centers.
05:40The resulting network failure also affected the systems that tell the internet where to find its services.
05:47Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp became unreachable for users around the world.
05:56A few months later, a critical flaw in Log4j, a widely used Java logging component, exposed countless applications and services
06:05to potential remote attacks.
06:07Many organizations didn't even know their systems included the affected component.
06:13That made identifying and fixing every vulnerable system a major challenge.
06:20And in July 2024, a defective update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused millions of Windows machines to crash, displaying the
06:29infamous blue screen of death.
06:31Airlines faced check-in problems, flights were delayed or cancelled, hospitals reported disruption and businesses worldwide struggled to operate.
06:43For years, finding serious vulnerabilities required specialized knowledge, time and painstaking manual analysis.
06:53AI is changing that equation.
06:55It can examine code, suggest attack paths, test hypothesis and help researchers build working proof of concept.
07:05And the shift is already happening beyond PHP.
07:08In May 2026, Microsoft said its new multi-agent security system helped researchers discover 16 vulnerabilities in Windows networking and
07:19authentication components,
07:21including four critical flaws that could allow remote code execution.
07:28So now AI agents can work through a task in stages and continue investigating with less human intervention.
07:36And the PHP case shows that once a vulnerability and its fix become public,
07:42attackers can analyze the patch to understand what was broken and look for systems that haven't been updated.
07:49And evidence for successful PHP 2 shell exploitation has now been reported.
07:56So is the internet really safe in the era of AI?
08:00Because it's not just about finding the problem.
08:02It's also making sure that you find it before any other attacker can take advantage of that vulnerability.
08:08And the bigger problem here is releasing the patch and making sure that the billions of computers being run by
08:15organizations,
08:15the same organizations that control your banking, your social media can patch the fix before an attacker can take advantage.
08:24The response to PHP shows what coordinated cybersecurity can look like.
08:32OpenAI, Calif, Wiz, Cloudfair and other security partners worked with PHP's maintainers to investigate the vulnerabilities,
08:41test fixes and prepare protections before public disclosure.
08:46After the patch, US cybersecurity agencies urged affected organizations to update immediately.
08:54Microsoft is developing AI-driven vulnerability discovery systems while security providers are using automated monitoring
09:02to identify attacks and help organizations respond faster.
09:07But there is no magic security patch for the entire internet.
09:14Companies still need to test updates before deploying them,
09:19monitor systems for suspicious activity, maintain older infrastructure
09:22and ensure that vulnerabilities discovered by researchers are actually fixed.
09:30So yes, AI can help find the cracks, but it cannot make sure that the cracks can be fixed on
09:36time
09:37and it cannot replace the people and the processes that make sure that these things keep running.
09:43Well, not at least right now.
09:46You might be wondering, if a flaw in the software running a website can expose its users,
09:52what can you do to protect yourselves?
09:56Firstly, install security updates for your phone, computer, browser and apps and don't keep postponing them.
10:05Use a password manager and unique passwords.
10:07If one service is breached, criminals shouldn't be able to use that password to access other accounts.
10:14Turn on multi-factor authentication.
10:16Prefer pass keys or authenticator-based verification where available, particularly for email, banking and work accounts.
10:25Watch out for phishing.
10:26AI can help criminals create convincing messages, fake websites and impersonations.
10:32Verify unexpected requests for money, password or verification codes through another channel.
10:38And backup important data.
10:40Keep a separate backup for essential files, so a compromised or damaged device doesn't mean losing everything.
10:49And remember, a website showing a padlock or HTTPS connection is not proof that the site itself is secure.
10:57It means your connection to it is encrypted.
11:00It does not guarantee that the website has no vulnerabilities.
11:06And while AI can help us find these weaknesses as quickly as possible, remember, the attackers are also using the
11:13same AI to find the fixes.
11:15Because now I feel the responsibility is on the people who are securing the internet to make sure that they
11:22can fix the patches as quickly as possible before the attacker comes and ruins everything for you.
11:28Remember, you have to scroll Instagram, right?
11:30For that, you need the internet.
11:32Please stay safe.
11:43All right, this is a tablet that costs more than some of the budget laptops in India.
11:48But the big question is, is it really worth it?
11:51Who is it actually for?
11:52And should you even consider buying something like this?
11:58Because this one is the Samsung Galaxy S12 Plus Ultra, which costs almost 1.5 lakh in India.
12:04And you add a keyboard and you're looking at an even bigger bill.
12:11So, in this review, we'll tell you what's good in this, if there are any substitutes that you can consider
12:17and what you really get with this premium tablet.
12:20Let's start.
12:24Now, I've been using both of the Samsung tablets and also the S12 Plus with the keyboard.
12:30Now, both the tablets look sleek, feel premium and have the kind of design you would expect at this price.
12:35The displays are vibrant, colors look rich and watching movies or playing games on them is a genuinely good experience.
12:51The S12 Plus has a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Ultra takes things up to a
12:58massive 14.6 inches.
13:00Both support a 120Hz of refresh rate.
13:07Both tablets have excellent speakers, deliver rich and immersive experience.
13:11For watching films, sports or YouTube videos, you may not even feel the need to reach your headphones.
13:20Under the hood, both tablets use MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 processor.
13:24You get 12GB of RAM in the standard configuration, with storage options starting at 256GB.
13:30The Ultra also has a 512GB option and both support microSD cards for additional storage.
13:38Everyday use, performance has been good for me.
13:41The interface is smooth, multitasking works well and Samsung's software makes it easy to run multiple applications side-by-side,
13:49even while splitting windows.
13:52Now, where the experience gets a little interesting with the tablet is when you bundle a keyboard with this one.
13:57Because I have been using the S12 Plus with the keyboard and functionality has changed completely.
14:02You can type documents, you can respond to emails and if you want to use it as a substitute for
14:07your office laptop, you can even do that.
14:10Now, Samsung is making a very strong case for its premium tablet because this one has all of the bells
14:15and whistles that you'd want in a premium form factor like this.
14:19However, many people would ask the question, spending almost 1.3 to 1.5 lakh on a tablet, is it
14:25really worth it?
14:26Especially in a market that is offering almost similar specifications at almost half the price.
14:34Take the OnePlus Pad 4 for example.
14:37It starts at Rs.60,000 and comes with a 13.2-inch display, 144Hz refresh rate and Qualcomm Snapdragon's
14:448 Elite Gen 5 processor.
14:46It also packs a massive 13,380 mAh battery with 80-watt charging and 8 speakers.
14:56Then there is the Xiaomi Pad 8 which starts at Rs.36,000 following its recent price revision.
15:02It offers an 11.2-inch 144Hz display, a Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 processor and 9200 mAh of battery with
15:1145Watt charging.
15:15Now, these tablets aren't identical to Samsung's offering.
15:19Samsung has an AMOLED display, S-Pen support in the box, IP68 certification and a broader set of productivity features.
15:26The OnePlus uses an LCD panel while Xiaomi occupies a more affordable segment.
15:32But look at the price difference.
15:34The OnePlus Pad 4 costs less than half the starting price of the Samsung S12 Plus.
15:39While the Pad 8 costs considerably less again.
15:47And for streaming, gaming, browsing, reading and even plenty of everyday productivity tasks, both can make a compelling case.
15:56Now, here's the thing.
15:57When you are paying more than a lakh for a tablet, you're just not paying for the performance.
16:01You're paying for the display technology, the software ecosystem, the cohesiveness that a tablet like this can bring.
16:06But the thing that people ask, is it really premium for you?
16:13Now, battery life has been a highlight in my experience with the Samsung tablets.
16:17In my daily use, I was comfortably getting around three days of regular use.
16:22Of course, that will vary depending on screen brightness, gaming and how heavily you use the tablet.
16:31Charging, however, was a disappointment.
16:33Even with a large battery, getting from 0 to 100 can take more than two hours.
16:38The cameras are decent for video calls and occasional photos.
16:41But they are not a major reason to buy these tablets.
16:44In fact, I have seen better camera results from the Xiaomi Pad 8.
16:52Gaming is where the Ultra's massive screen really shines.
16:55You can see smaller characters and details more clearly, which can be useful in competitive games.
17:01The combination of a larger display and smooth refresh rate and powerful processor makes for an enjoyable experience.
17:08But remember, that big screen also makes the Ultra less comfortable to hold for longer periods.
17:13If you mostly play games with the tablet resting on a desk or your lap, that's less of a problem.
17:19If you prefer handheld gaming, go for the smaller variant.
17:23If you're a Samsung loyalist who already uses Galaxy devices and wants a good AMOLED display, the S Pen support
17:31for creative work and genuinely plan to use the tablet as a productivity machine, the S 12 Plus or the
17:37Ultra can make sense.
17:44For artists, professionals who travel frequently and people who need that larger screen for demanding creative work, the premium may
17:52be justified.
17:53And if you want the biggest possible display for gaming and entertainment, the Ultra delivers an experience that smaller tablets
17:59simply cannot replicate.
18:02But if you're someone who wants it for basic regular use, like watching your emails, basic content, and maybe if
18:08you want to play games occasionally, then the other options like the Pad 8 or the OnePlus Pad 4, which
18:14I mentioned from OnePlus, are good options because they are relatively cheaper and give you all of the functionalities.
18:22But my biggest takeaway from using Samsung tablets are these, they are excellent devices, they have good hardware and don't
18:30automatically make them good value for money for just everyone.
18:35So before you buy anything right now, you need to ask yourself one important question, will this really help me
18:41replace my laptop experience and add more productivity for my workflow or just become another expensive screen that just lays
18:50on my table?
18:51Because if you're looking for that, then this is not the tablet for you.
19:00All right, I understand the iPhone Duo is really expensive in India.
19:05I mean, I'm sure there are people who would not be comfortable spending more than 3 lakh rupees on a
19:09foldable phone.
19:10And that's what I like about the Indian smartphone market.
19:13There are so many other brands that are also offering their foldable devices, which are almost half the price.
19:19And these could be something that you can consider if you're looking for a foldable experience in India.
19:25So let me tell you about the top 5 foldable phones which you can buy in India, starting from the
19:29most affordable, going all the way to the most expensive option.
19:38So let's start with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
19:41Now remember, Samsung has been in the foldable segment for more than half a decade, which means they have a
19:45lot of experience to bring,
19:47especially when you're spending almost 1.8 lakh rupees on a smartphone.
19:56The Galaxy Z Fold 8 gets a 5.5-inch cover display for everyday tasks, along with a much larger
20:027.6-inch inner display when you open it up.
20:10This is almost the same resolution as the iPhone Duo.
20:13Both support 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations look smooth.
20:21Powering the phone is Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor.
20:29There is also a 4800mAh battery, 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging.
20:35On the camera front, you get a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto camera.
20:46Samsung's multi-tasking tools and Galaxy AI features add to the experience.
21:01Next on our list is the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which is relatively much bigger and a little more
21:07expensive.
21:08But here's what Google brings to the ecosystem, because it's just not about a folding display.
21:12It's the Google software and also computation photography that just changes the game.
21:19The 11 Pro Fold features a 6.5-inch outer display and an 8-inch inner display and a peak
21:25brightness of up to 3600 nits.
21:30Under the hood is Google's Tensor G6 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM.
21:36The camera system includes a 48MP main camera, along with ultra-wide and telephoto cameras.
21:44Google also brings its Gemini powered AI features to the foldable experience.
21:50The phone has a gearless hinge, IP68 dust and water resistance and Google promises 7 years of operating system, security
21:59and pixel drop upgrades.
22:09And it's no surprise that we have another Samsung candidate on this list, which is the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8
22:14Ultra, which kind of brings the ultra experience to this one.
22:17With the bigger screen, better hardware and an overall better utility and experience.
22:22Let's check out what this one offers.
22:27It features an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED inner display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, alongside a 6.5-inch
22:36outer display.
22:37It's one of the smallest foldables in the market.
22:44It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon's 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and comes with a 5000 mAh battery.
22:51The rear camera setup includes a 200MP primary camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 10MP telephoto lens.
23:03Samsung's inner screen is designed by people who want more room for documents, multiple apps, video and other demanding tasks.
23:12Its Galaxy AI tools also add features for productivity and everyday use.
23:26However, if camera and battery are the priority on your list, if you're looking for a foldable experience, then this
23:33one, the Vivo X Fold 6 is the ideal option at 2.1 lakh rupees.
23:38Because yes, it is more than 2 lakh, but it also offers the hardware.
23:45The Vivo X Fold 6 features a large 6.5-inch outer display and an 8.02-inch inner AMOLED
23:52display, both designed for smooth everyday use.
23:56It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Processor and packs a massive 16900 mAh battery.
24:07That's one of the biggest selling points, particularly for people who spend hours streaming, travelling, taking pictures or working on
24:16their phones.
24:17On the back, there is a 200MP main camera, backed by additional cameras for different shooting situations.
24:23The phone also supports 80W wired charging and 40W wireless charging.
24:38And we've finally arrived to the most expensive proposition on this list, which is the iPhone Duo.
24:44Now, it's not the book style, the foldable format, that is the only thing that the Duo offers.
24:49It's something much bigger, which is the Apple ecosystem on a foldable form factor.
24:58The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch folding Super Retina XDR OLED
25:06display.
25:07It comes with a 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera.
25:11Apple has also focused on premium materials and the integration of a foldable experience with iOS and its wider ecosystem.
25:24For people already using a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods, that familiar software experience could be a major reason
25:33to consider the Duo.
25:39So, these are the top five foldable smartphones which you can buy in India.
25:43Remember, we are recommending them because we have experienced them.
25:46And if you have any recommendations, if you feel there is a smartphone that deserves a spot on this list,
25:51you can definitely write to us.
25:53As for this segment, that's all we have. I'll see you on the other side.
25:57That's a wrap for this edition of the Tech Today Show.
26:00If you have any suggestions or any gadget you want us to review on the show, do shoot us an
26:06email.
26:06I'll see you next week, right here on the Tech Today Show.
26:09Till then, stay curious and take care.