Vijay Tank — Tech, Code & Game Dev

During his Townhall address at IIT Delhi in October 2015, Mark Zuckerberg defended Facebook's controversial "Free Basics" initiative (formerly Internet.org), asserting that the program was compatible with net neutrality principles while admitting zero-rating was necessary to bring non-internet users online. The Core Contention Free Basics offered mobile users free access to a curated selection of basic web services, news portals, and Facebook itself without data charges. Critics and Indian net-neutrality advocacy groups argued that allowing an telecom operator and a tech giant to pick which websites were free created a discriminatory two-tier internet that disadvantaged domestic startups. Zuckerberg's Argument Zuckerberg insisted that providing basic access was a moral imperative for digital inclusion, arguing that some access was better than no access. However, public opposition in India intensified, leading the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to for...

Addressing delegates and heads of state from 54 African nations at the third India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in October 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India and Africa as two bright spots of hope and opportunity in a sluggish global economy. A Shared Demographic Dividend Modi underscored the unique demographic alignment between the two regions, noting that two-thirds of both Indian and African populations were under the age of 35. This youthful workforce represented massive potential for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial collaboration. Pillars of South-South Cooperation The summit focused on deepening partnerships in renewable energy, affordable healthcare, digital education, agricultural technology, and telecom infrastructure. Modi pledged concessional credit lines and training scholarships, framing India's partnership model as one based on capacity building and mutual development rather than resource extraction.

Ahead of the US launch of the Priv smartphone in November 2015, BlackBerry began publishing its proprietary application suite directly onto the Google Play Store. The release gave Android users their first detailed look at how BlackBerry planned to integrate its legendary enterprise productivity tools into Google's mobile operating system. The 'Productivity Edge' Feature Among the standout utilities was Productivity Edge, an interface overlay designed for the Priv's curved display. By swiping inwards from the screen border, users could access an instant tab showing unread BlackBerry Hub messages, upcoming calendar events, pending tasks, and favourite contacts without switching away from active apps. Software as a Long-Term Business Model Distributing standalone apps via Google Play allowed BlackBerry to push frequent feature updates and security patches without waiting for carrier firmware certification cycles. This modular software approach foreshadowed BlackBerry...

In October 2015, Chinese smartphone maker Meizu released the stable build of Flyme 5.0 for its flagship MX5 handset. Based on Android Lollipop, the update delivered a comprehensive visual redesign and introduced several advanced multitasking features to custom Android firmware. Notable Features in Flyme 5.0 True Split-Screen Multitasking: Native side-by-side app execution ahead of stock Android's native implementation in Android Nougat. Floating Notifications and Call Alerts: Non-intrusive heads-up alerts that did not interrupt active gaming or video playback. Intelligent File Management: Automatic folder sorting and system cleanup tools. Revamped Lock Screen: Integrated music playback controls and customisable notification visibility. The MX5 Hardware Context The Meizu MX5, launched in mid-2015, featured an aluminum unibody, a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, and a MediaTek Helio X10 processor. Flyme 5.0 helped Meizu maintain a dedicated enthusiast following in international ...

In late October 2015, patent filings and supply chain leaks revealed that Xiaomi was actively developing a pressure-sensitive touchscreen feature for future flagship smartphones, directly inspired by Apple's 3D Touch technology on the iPhone 6s. The Industry Rush for Force Sensing Following Apple's introduction of "Peek and Pop" pressure gestures, Android manufacturers including Xiaomi, Huawei, and Meizu scrambled to explore force-sensitive hardware panels. The goal was to provide secondary contextual menus when users pressed firmly on home-screen icons or content previews. Why Force Touch Eventually Faded While the hardware was technically capable, pressure-sensitive displays faced persistent user adoption hurdles on Android: third-party app developers were reluctant to build custom workflows for non-standard hardware. In subsequent years, both Android and iOS phased out hardware-level force sensors in favor of long-press haptic software interactions.

In late October 2015, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi for a high-profile Townhall Q&A session. Student demand to attend the session in person was so overwhelming that the institute had to conduct a randomised lottery to allocate limited auditorium seating. Massive Demand Among Engineering Students When the application portal opened on the IIT Delhi campus network, over 1,300 students registered within the first two hours. Registration was halted after 3,500 applications were submitted for just 900 available student seats in the 1,100-capacity hall — leaving eight out of nine applicants to watch the live broadcast remotely. Silicon Valley Inspiration in India For IIT students pursuing entrepreneurship and technology innovation, Zuckerberg represented a premier role model. The Townhall featured questions ranging from artificial intelligence and physical hardware expansion to Facebook's controversial Free Basics connectivity ...

In October 2015, German automaker BMW launched the updated M6 Gran Coupe in India, priced at Rs 1.71 crore (ex-showroom Delhi). Alongside the vehicle launch, BMW inaugurated its first exclusive "M Studio" performance retail showroom in Mumbai to cater to the country's growing community of luxury sports car enthusiasts. Twin-Turbocharged V8 Performance Under the sculpted hood, the M6 Gran Coupe housed a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine generating blistering acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The car featured an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h, which could be expanded via the optional M Driver's Package. Chassis Dynamics and Safety Suite The updated model brought subtle visual refinements, including redesigned adaptive LED headlamps and an updated M kidney grille. Performance and safety equipment included an Active M Differential, M Dynamic Damper Control, six airbags, high-performance compound brakes, and Active Protectio...