Author: Richard

As India’s existing phone manufacturing incentive program approaches its conclusion, the nation is set to implement new incentives to ensure production continues to thrive. Here are the specifics.

## India intensifies focus on recent manufacturing growth

While Apple has gradually moved its production away from China in recent years, its initiatives escalated last year when President Trump initiated his global tariff battle.

Consequently, India became one of Apple’s emerging manufacturing centers, achieving the landmark of assembling approximately 25% of the company’s iPhones, according to a report released earlier this week.

A significant factor in this successful transition was India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, which provides monetary incentives to firms that produce smartphones domestically.

Now, as reported by *Reuters*, India is preparing new incentives that are set to begin once the current PLI scheme expires at the end of this month.

As part of the new initiative, the Indian government is reportedly exploring the idea of connecting incentives to export achievements. This could serve as an effective strategy to motivate companies to designate the country as their global manufacturing center, rather than solely focusing on domestic markets.

The timing is significant: Apple is said to be planning to shift approximately 50% of its iPhone production to India within the next year, despite a U.S. court ruling that nullified Trump’s fentanyl-related tariff on China, potentially diminishing India’s bargaining power.

Nonetheless, *Reuters* indicates that India “produced nearly $60 billion worth of mobiles in the 2024-25 fiscal year, a 28-fold increase over a decade,” adding that as part of “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission to strengthen domestic manufacturing,” the nation “is working towards expanding its electronics manufacturing to $500 billion by the fiscal year 2030.”

The report further states that the country’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has engaged with industry representatives to devise the scheme, but declined to provide comments when approached.

**DIRECTV Improves Sports Central Functionality on iOS Devices**

DIRECTV has broadened the accessibility of its Sports Central feature beyond the conventional TV platform, now available on iPhone and iPad following a recent app update. This improvement enables users to manage and discover live sports with greater ease on their mobile devices.

In a blog announcement, DIRECTV revealed that Sports Central is now integrated into its iOS app, allowing users to enjoy a comprehensive hub for live sports right from their smartphones and tablets. To utilize the new features, users just need to update the app through the App Store.

### Main Features of Sports Central on iOS

The enhanced app presents six key features aimed at improving the sports viewing experience:

1. **Live Game Locator**: Users can effortlessly find live games currently broadcast on DIRECTV channels.

2. **Future Schedules**: The app offers a timetable of forthcoming games, ensuring users remain updated on what’s coming up.

3. **In-Depth Game Details**: Users can access league, matchup, and team pages for further insights and information regarding the games.

4. **Game Recording Feature**: Subscribers can record games shown on DIRECTV channels, enabling them to catch up on specific events or follow their preferred teams.

5. **Favorite Teams Selection**: Users can designate their favorite teams, ensuring their games and related updates are prioritized and easily reachable.

6. **Streaming Options**: The app permits users to view games from different streaming platforms, such as YouTube, Prime Video, ESPN Select, and Peacock, in addition to DIRECTV channels, although separate subscriptions may be required.

To access Sports Central, users should tap the “Sports” icon in the navigation bar after updating to the latest version of the DIRECTV app.

### Additional Features and Special Offers

Alongside the app update, DIRECTV has launched new multiview settings for March Madness, enabling viewers to simultaneously watch multiple games on one screen.

Additionally, the company is offering a promotional deal until April 23, which includes a complimentary month of its Sports Pack with the CHOICE package, priced at $59.99 per month.

For those wanting to elevate their sports viewing experience, the latest version of the DIRECTV iOS app can be downloaded from the App Store.

# The Upcoming M6 MacBook Pro: Six Thrilling Features to Look Forward To

Apple is believed to be preparing a new M6 MacBook Pro for release later this year, complete with a comprehensive design revamp. Here are six anticipated features that will accompany the M6 MacBook Pro.

## 1. Redesigned to be Thinner and Lighter

The MacBook Pro’s design saw its last update in 2021, but speculation suggests a noteworthy redesign is imminent. As reported by Bloomberg, this new version is expected to be more slender and lighter than the current iteration. While it is still uncertain whether the port count will be impacted, it is probable that Apple will strike a balance between an elegant design and sufficient cooling performance.

## 2. M6, M6 Pro, M6 Max Processors

A fresh lineup of M6 processors is scheduled to launch, though it remains unknown if the MacBook Pro will be among the first models to feature them. The M6 series is projected to deliver significant enhancements since it will be constructed using a new 2nm manufacturing process. The introduction of the M6 MacBook Pro might happen all at once, contrasting with the staggered rollout of the M5 series.

## 3. Touchscreen: A First for Macs

The M6 MacBook Pro is believed to be the first Mac to add touchscreen functionality. This feature will act as an additional input mechanism, alongside the conventional keyboard and trackpad. macOS 27 is rumored to be optimized for touch capabilities, ensuring a more intuitive experience while still accommodating users without touchscreens.

## 4. OLED Screen

The M6 MacBook Pro is expected to implement OLED display technology, making it the inaugural Mac to utilize this feature. This enhancement is likely to improve color fidelity, contrast, and viewing angles, while also contributing to a more compact design.

## 5. Dynamic Island Feature

The updated M6 MacBook Pro will substitute the notch with a hole-punch camera opening, introducing the Dynamic Island feature. Similar to that on the iPhone, this feature will obscure the camera cutout and offer new functionalities within macOS, including Live Activities.

## 6. Wildcard: Potential Cellular Capability with C2 Modem

Although Apple has yet to release a Mac with cellular capabilities, there are speculations that this might change. Reports indicate that Apple is considering the integration of cellular connectivity into the Mac, possibly synchronizing with the C2 modem’s launch in the iPhone 18 Pro. Nonetheless, this feature might not emerge until 2026.

With these expected advancements, the M6 MacBook Pro is set to be a major upgrade for Apple enthusiasts. Which of these new features excites you the most?