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Want to know your death date? Ask Google AI: Google is training machines to predict death

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8 years ago

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Want to know your death date? Ask Google AI: Google is training machines to predict death

There is very little Google doesn’t know. You can Google just about any piece of information under the sun these days. Including your death date? Yes, you heard it right.

Google is using its unparalleled Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) capabilities to expand into the medical field, giving the company even greater access to every aspect of our lives, according to Bloomberg.

The tech giant has partnered up with Stanford University to help test a new computer system to predict the time-of-death of hospital patients. Using artificial intelligence, the techy types say the accuracy of their program is as much as 95%.

It works by taking in personal data such as age and ethnicity which is then combined with hospital data like vital signs and any prior diagnoses.

Though the project is still in relatively early stages, Google’s Medical Brain—the divisions of the company that focuses on the medical field—is reportedly combining its predictive technology with machine learning to, among other things, predict the likelihood that someone who’s been hospitalized will die.

Google predicts death time of a woman with breast cancer

A patient with late-stage breast cancer came to a city hospital, fluids already flooding her lungs. The woman saw two doctors took a radiology scan. The hospital’s computers after reading her vital signs estimated a 9.3 per cent chance she would die during her stay.

So what did Google say about this particular woman? A new type of algorithm created by the company read up on the woman — 175,639 data points — and rendered its assessment of her death risk: 19.9 percent. She passed away in a matter of days.

The harrowing account of the unidentified woman’s death was published by Google in May in research highlighting the health-care potential of neural networks, a form of artificial intelligence (AI) software that’s particularly good at using data to automatically learn and improve.

Google’s ability to sift through data impressed medical experts

What impressed medical experts most was Google’s ability to sift through data previously out of reach: notes buried in PDFs or scribbled on old charts. And it did it far faster and more accurately than existing techniques and also showed which records led it to conclusions. As much as 80 percent of the time spent on today’s predictive models goes to the “scut work” of making the data presentable, said Nigam Shah, an associate professor at Stanford University, who co-authored Google’s research paper, published in the journal Nature. Google’s approach avoids this. “You can throw in the kitchen sink and not have to worry about it,” Shah said.Want to know your death date? Ask Google AI: Google is training machines to predict death

Google’s next step is moving the predictive system into clinics

Google’s next step is moving this predictive system into clinics, AI chief Jeff Dean told Bloomberg News in May. Dean’s health research unit — sometimes referred to as Medical Brain — is working on a slew of AI tools that can predict symptoms and disease with a level of accuracy that is being met with hope as well as alarm.

Inside the company, there’s a lot of excitement about the initiative. “They’ve finally found a new application for AI that has commercial promise,” one Googler says. Since Alphabet Inc.’s Google declared itself an “AI-first” company in 2016, much of its work in this area has gone to improve existing internet services. The advances coming from the Medical Brain team give Google the chance to break into a brand new market — something co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have tried over and over again.

Software in health care is largely coded by hand these days. In contrast, Google’s approach, where machines learn to parse data on their own, “can just leapfrog everything else,” said Vik Bajaj, a former executive at Verily, an Alphabet health-care arm, and managing director of investment firm Foresite Capital. “They understand what problems are worth solving,” he said

Operation history of a patient predicted

Another Google researcher said existing models miss obvious medical events, including whether a patient had prior surgery. The person described existing hand-coded models as “an obvious, gigantic roadblock” in health care. The person asked not to be identified discussing work in progress.

Google is treading carefully when it comes to patient information, particularly as public scrutiny over data-collection rises. Few companies are better poised to analyze this organism than Google. The company and its Alphabet cousin, verily, are developing devices to track far more biological signals. Even if consumers don’t take up wearable health trackers en masse, Google has plenty of other data wells to tap. It knows the weather and traffic.

Dean, the AI boss, stresses this experimentation relies on serious medical counsel, not just curious software coders. Google is starting a new trial in India that uses its AI software to screen images of eyes for early signs of a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Before releasing it, Google had three retinal specialists furiously debate the early research results, Dean said.

Google could license these systems to clinics

Over time, Google could license these systems to clinics, or sell them through the company’s cloud-computing division as a sort of diagnostics-as-a-service. To commercialize an offering, Google would first need to get its hands on more records, which tend to vary widely across health providers. Google could buy them, but that may not sit as well with regulators or consumers. The deals with UCSF and the University of Chicago aren’t commercial.

For now, the company says it’s too early to settle on a business model. At Google’s annual developer conference in May, Lily Peng, a member of Medical Brain, walked through the team’s research outmatching humans in spotting heart disease risk. “Again,” she said. “I want to emphasize that this is really early on.”

According to Bloomberg, Google’s ambitions span many areas of the health-care field, including radiology, ophthalmology, and cardiology.

At Google’s developer conference this year, Lily Peng, a member of the Medical Brain team presented a project in which a Google algorithm accurately predicted peoples’ risk of heart disease. “I want to emphasize that this is really early on,” she said. But the company’s ambitions are clear.

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OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu steps down, shutdown rumours resurface

OnePlus India confirms business continuity after CEO Robin Liu’s resignation sparks shutdown rumours online.

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 26, 2026

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The resignation of Robin Liu as India CEO of OnePlus has triggered fresh speculation online about the company’s future, even as the firm has firmly denied any plans to shut down operations.

Liu will step down from his role effective March 31, 2026. His exit comes months after he publicly dismissed similar rumours about the company withdrawing from certain markets.

Google searches spike after leadership exit

Following news of Liu’s departure, search trends for terms like “OnePlus shutdown”, “OnePlus shutting down”, and “OnePlus India shutdown” saw a noticeable surge, indicating rising public concern.

However, OnePlus India clarified that there is no change in its business operations and dismissed the shutdown claims as misinformation.

In a public statement, Liu said the company is “operating as usual” and urged stakeholders to rely on official sources rather than unverified reports. He reiterated that claims about the company shutting down are false.

Company says operations remain unchanged

The company stated that Liu’s decision to step down was due to personal reasons and not linked to any strategic withdrawal or operational challenges in India.

OnePlus further emphasized that its India business continues normally, with no immediate changes expected in its strategy or market presence.

Restructuring within OPPO group

Industry observers suggest Liu’s exit may be part of a broader restructuring within the OPPO group, which owns OnePlus.

The restructuring is believed to focus on streamlining operations, reducing costs, and accelerating product development amid challenges such as rising component costs and supply constraints.

Reports also indicate that OnePlus experienced a decline in shipments in 2025, which may have contributed to internal changes.

Reports hint at global strategy shift

According to a report by 9to5Google, the company may scale back its presence in some global markets, including parts of Europe, as early as April 2026.

At the same time, OnePlus is reportedly planning to strengthen its focus on India and expand further into the mid-range smartphone segment.

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Oppo K14 5G launched in India with 7000mAh battery, starts at Rs 17,999

Oppo has launched the K14 5G in India with a 7000mAh battery, fast charging and durability features, starting at Rs 17,999.

Published

4 weeks ago

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March 20, 2026

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oppo K14 5G

Oppo has launched its latest mid-range smartphone, the K14 5G, in India, positioning it as an “endurance powerhouse” with a strong focus on battery life, smooth performance and long-term reliability.

The smartphone starts at Rs 17,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant, while the 6GB + 256GB and 8GB + 256GB models are priced at Rs 19,999 and Rs 21,999 respectively. It will be available for purchase starting March 20 via Flipkart and the company’s official online store. Buyers can also avail an instant discount of up to Rs 1,000 along with no-cost EMI options for up to three months.

Focus on battery life and endurance

A key highlight of the Oppo K14 5G is its 7000mAh battery, designed to support extended daily usage without frequent charging. The company claims the device can deliver up to 738.8 hours of standby time. It also supports long usage across activities such as voice calls, video streaming, navigation and messaging.

The device comes with 45W fast charging, which can charge the battery from 1 percent to 37 percent in around 30 minutes, with a full charge taking about 92 minutes. Oppo says the battery is engineered to maintain durability for up to five years. Reverse wired charging is also supported for added convenience.

Built for durability and everyday use

The smartphone is designed with durability in mind, featuring SGS 5-star certification and MIL-STD-810H military-grade testing. It has undergone multiple drop tests and transportation shock testing to ensure resistance against accidental falls and rough usage conditions.

The device also carries IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion and high-pressure water exposure. Additional features like water-repellent camera coating and glove and splash touch support further enhance usability in different environments.

Display and design

The Oppo K14 5G features a 6.75-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and brightness of up to 1125 nits in high brightness mode. It is available in three colour options — Icy Blue, Prism Violet and Prism White — with a matte finish and subtle reflective design elements.

Performance and cooling

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, the smartphone is designed to handle everyday tasks such as browsing, streaming and multitasking efficiently. It runs on ColorOS 15, which includes system optimisation features aimed at maintaining smooth performance over time.

To manage heat during extended usage, the device includes a vapor chamber cooling system with graphite layers for improved thermal management. This helps maintain stable performance during gaming and heavy usage.

Camera and AI features

The smartphone is equipped with a 50MP main camera, supported by a 2MP monochrome sensor, along with an 8MP front camera. It offers AI-powered features such as portrait retouching, AI eraser, AI clarity enhancement and dual-view video recording.

These tools are designed to improve image quality, assist in editing and enhance overall photography experience for users.

Availability and after-sales support

The Oppo K14 5G will be available starting March 20 with launch offers including discounts and EMI options. The company is also offering a 30-day inspection and replacement policy in case of manufacturing defects, supported by its nationwide service network.

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OnePlus Freedom Sale 2026 brings discounts on 15, 15R, 13, Nord 5 and tablets

OnePlus Freedom Sale 2026 begins Jan 16 with discounts on phones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline stores.

Published

3 months ago

on

January 13, 2026

By

OnePlus has announced its Freedom Sale, offering discounts on smartphones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline platforms. The deals include the recently launched OnePlus 15 series, Nord lineup, Buds audio devices, and other gadgets.

When and where to shop

The OnePlus Freedom Sale starts on Jan. 16 and will run both online and offline. Shoppers can purchase smartphones through OnePlus.in, OnePlus Experience Stores, Amazon, as well as offline retailers including Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and others. Tablets are available on Flipkart during the sale period.

Discounts on OnePlus smartphones

  • OnePlus 15: Launched at Rs 72,999, buyers can get an instant Rs 4,000 discount, lowering the effective price to Rs 68,999. Additional benefits include six months of no-cost EMI and a bundled OnePlus Nord Buds 3.
  • OnePlus 13: Originally priced at Rs 69,999, the phone receives an Rs 8,000 price drop, plus a bank discount of Rs 4,000, bringing the price down to Rs 57,999.
  • OnePlus 15R: Listed at Rs 47,999, buyers can avail Rs 3,000 off until Jan 26. After the date, the effective price is Rs 45,999.
  • OnePlus 13R: Launched at Rs 42,999, this device gets up to Rs 6,000 price cut and an additional Rs 1,000 bank discount.

Discounts on OnePlus tablets

  • OnePlus Pad 2: Rs 2,000 instant bank discount reduces the price to Rs 34,999.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: Eligible for a Rs 3,000 instant discount, making the price Rs 44,999. Purchases until Jan 26 include a free Stylo 2 stylus.
  • OnePlus Pad Go 2: Rs 1,000 price drop plus Rs 2,000 bank discount, now Rs 23,999.
  • OnePlus Pad Go: Price reduced to Rs 13,999 after Rs 3,000 cut and Rs 1,000 bank discount.
  • OnePlus Pad Lite: Available for Rs 11,999 after a Rs 2,000 price drop and Rs 2,000 bank discount.

Audio devices on offer

  • OnePlus Buds 4: Rs 700 price cut with Rs 300 bank discount, bringing the effective price to Rs 4,999.
  • OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Now Rs 9,999 after Rs 1,000 price drop and Rs 1,000 bank discount. No-cost EMI options are available for both Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3.

Additional discounts are also applicable to the Nord Buds series — including Nord Buds 3, Nord Buds 3 Pro, and Nord Buds 3R — and neckband devices such as Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC and Bullets Wireless Z3.

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