Applications
Facebook launches Messenger app on Android
MUMBAI: Facebook has launched a new messenger app for Android phones which will allow mobile users to sign up for a messenger account with name and phone number and send messages to their phone contacts instantly.
The app has been launched on Messenger for Android, first in India, Australia, Indonesia, Venezuela and South Africa, and then to countries soon.
"Users can now sign up for a messenger account with just their name and phone number, so they can send messages to their phone contacts instantly," Facebook said in a statement. "The goal is to make the new messenger experience better by expanding its reach and giving its users the ability to connect with all of their phone contacts."
The Messenger will allow anyone with a phone number, and not just those on Facebook, to send and receive messages. While an update to Messenger for Android is available today, the Messenger accounts will become available over the next few weeks. It is a stand-alone mobile application and is free to download. It will use customer‘s existing data plan.
People who do not have the Messenger app on their phone will receive chats and messages sent to them wherever they log on to Facebook.
Applications
AI Impact Summit ’26: Adobe offers Firefly, Photoshop free to Indian students
Adobe to equip 15,000 schools, 500 colleges with free AI tools
NEW DELHI: Adobe has unveiled a major education-focused investment to expand access to its AI-powered creative and productivity tools for students in India, as the company deepens its alignment with the government’s skilling and creator-economy ambitions.
Announced at the India AI Impact Summit, the initiative will provide applications such as Firefly, Photoshop and Acrobat free of charge to students through accredited higher education institutions across the country. The package includes software access, structured curriculum, training modules and industry-recognised credentials.
The programme supports the government’s ‘Create in India’ vision and the Union Budget 2026 goal of generating two million jobs in the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector by 2030.
Working with the government, Adobe said it will make its AI tools and learning resources available at no cost to 15,000 schools and 500 colleges equipped with Content Creator Labs.
Shantanu Narayen, chair and ceo of Adobe, said the move would expand creative opportunity for millions of Indian students while accelerating the prime minister’s vision for a digitally skilled workforce.
Adobe said Firefly integrates creative AI models from partners including Google, OpenAI and Runway, enabling users to generate content using multiple models. Acrobat Pro will support productivity and collaboration tasks such as editing text and images.
Separately, Adobe India has partnered with NASSCOM FutureSkills Prime, a digital skilling initiative backed by the ministry of electronics and information technology, to offer free courses and certifications. The programmes are aimed at preparing students for roles across design, animation, gaming, marketing, media, e-commerce and technology.
