Tech Today (April 28, 2026) Launch: Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2, Poco C81 Pro, Firefly AI Assistant, and more | technology news
Today (Tuesday, April 28) saw a mix of major announcements in consumer technology and AI tools. From newly introduced tablets to earbuds, we take a look at the most notable launches of the day, highlighting their key features, pricing, and availability.
Whether you’re keeping an eye on trends or planning your next big purchase, here’s a snapshot of everything new in the world of tech today.
Vivo has launched its new Vivo TWS 51, expanding its range of true wireless audio products in China Budget Section. The earbuds are priced at CNY 199 (roughly Rs. 1,600) and are available in multiple color options including White, Ink Black, and Sky Blue. They are currently listed for purchase through the company’s official channels.
The gadget has a 10mm dynamic driver and supports DeepX 3.0 stereo sound with spatial audio mode. It also offers Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with dual-device pairing, AI-based noise reduction for calls, and low latency of up to 42 ms for gaming scenarios. Additionally, the earbuds are claimed to deliver up to 11.5 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 50 hours of total playback with the charging case.
Poco C81 Pro, which has a water-drop style notch display
Poco has expanded its budget smartphone lineup by introducing the new Poco C81 in select global markets. The device features a 6.9-inch HD+ LCD with a water-drop style notch display. It is powered by Unisoc T7250 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. And regarding the price, the base model with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage starts at $99 (roughly Rs. 9,300), and the 128GB and 256GB storage variants are priced at $109 (roughly Rs. 10,000) and $129 (roughly Rs. 12,000), respectively. Currently, three color options are available for purchase: black, gold, and green.
In terms of optics, the Poco C81 Pro includes a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. Additionally, the smartphone packs a 6000mAh battery and is claimed to deliver over 79 hours of music playback time on a single charge. The device supports Wet Touch Technology 2.0, which is claimed to enable touch controls even with wet, soapy or oily fingers.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 launched in India with AI-powered performance
Lenovo has launched the Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 in India, introducing a new AI-powered tablet that aims to combine productivity, creativity and entertainment in a single device. The device features a 13-inch 3.5K PureSight Pro display, which aims to provide seamless viewing for reading, content creation and streaming. It comes with a metal body weighing 598 grams and includes support for accessories like a keyboard, allowing it to function as a laptop-like device while maintaining tablet portability. The gadget also offers Lenovo Tab Pen Plus (in-box), which allows users to write and sketch.
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The tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and is paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It includes AI-based features like AI Notes, Smart Reader, AI creation tools, and Live Transcript along with tools like Circle to Search, Google Gemini. Additionally, the device offers quad JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos, and runs on Android 16. Priced at Rs 39,999, the Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 will be available from May 1 across online and offline stores with a limited time bank discount of Rs 3,000.
Redmi Pad 2 9.7 compact tablet with optional 4G
The Redmi Pad 2 9.7 is currently limited to markets like Malaysia and Singapore. The device features a 9.7-inch display with a 2048×1280 resolution making it a more portable option within the series. Additionally, it is offered in both Wi-Fi and optional 4G variants for users who need on-the-go connectivity. In terms of specifications, the tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 6s Gen 2 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, while offering storage options of 64GB and 128GB.
It has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, as well as a 7,600mAh battery that supports fast charging. The tablet is claimed to deliver over 15 hours of online video playback, over 18 hours of audio playback or over 16 hours of online reading on a single charge. The device also has stereo speakers, metal design and runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS, aligning it with the brand’s wider ecosystem. The price of 4GB and 64GB variants starts at MYR 549 (approximately Rs 13,000), while the 128GB model is priced at MYR 599 (approximately Rs 14,000). The 4G variant is priced at MYR 649 (roughly Rs. 16,000) and MYR 699 (roughly Rs. 17,000) and is available in Silver and Graphite Gray colors.
Adobe’s Firefly AI Assistant enters public beta
Adobe has released its Firefly AI Assistant into public beta, making it available globally within the Adobe Firefly platform. The Assistant is designed to support creativity by allowing users to describe in natural language what they want to create, after which it executes multi-step workflows in Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere.
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Additionally, Assistant integrates access to a wide set of pro-grade tools with support for over 60 features including auto tone, generative fill, remove background, vectorize, presets, along with pre-built creative workflows for common tasks like photo editing, mood board creation and social media content creation. The beta is being rolled out to users on Creative Cloud Pro and paid Firefly plans with daily generator credits offered during the testing phase, as Adobe continues to expand capabilities and integrate third-party AI models onto its platform.
UST, IHub-IIT Roorkee sign MoU to promote deep-tech R&D in India
UST, an AI and technology transformation solutions company, has signed an MoU with iHub DivyaSampark, the technology innovation hub of IIT Roorkee, to advance engineering research and deep-tech innovation in India. This collaboration will focus on developing next-generation solutions in areas such as robotics, IoT, cyber security and AI-powered applications. It will combine UST’s expertise in digital engineering, AI/ML and cloud technologies with iHub’s research ecosystem and startup network.
Both organizations plan to jointly work on cyber-physical systems and advanced engineering solutions while enabling technology transfer and commercialization of innovations. This partnership aims to create scalable, real-world applications tailored to the needs of the industry in India. Officials from both sides said the collaboration will help connect academia and industry, strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and accelerate the development of high-impact technology solutions.
(This article was written by Shivani P Menon, intern at The Indian Express)
