Quick Summary
The July 2, 2026 TechPP Daily Brief covers India’s notice to Meta over WhatsApp usernames, Sony’s shift to digital-only PlayStation games, Xbox’s digital conversion plans, wider access to Claude Fable 5, expected GPT 5.6 rollout, Apple roadmap updates, and major gadget launches in India.
Hi friends, welcome to TechPP Daily Brief, where we bring you the top tech news from the past 24 hours. Today, we have news about the Indian government asking Meta to stop its WhatsApp username rollout and requesting further clarification, and Meta has provided more details on how WhatsApp usernames work. Anthropic’s Fable 5 is back, and it is finally available for everyone. OpenAI is also expected to launch its GPT 5.6 models for everyone on Thursday.
Sony has officially announced that it is ending the disc version of games starting January 2028. Soon, Xbox will also follow the same track and is also expected to convert physical games to digital versions, Apple MacBook and iPad line-up, and much more.
As a reminder, we publish TechPP Daily Brief every day to stay updated with the latest tech trends. You can bookmark our TechPP Daily Briefs page.
Table of Contents
The Daily Brief: July 2, 2026
Social Media News
The Indian Government Issued Notices to WhatsApp Over Username Rollout Without Consultation
The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, over the usernames feature in India. The government has asked Meta to pause the rollout of usernames until consultation with the government is finished. They have also given Meta three days to explain the feature to the government.
WhatsApp has responded to the government, saying that currently, they are only allowing users to reserve a username, and the feature is not live yet. WhatsApp has also provided more details about how exactly the username works in the form of frequently asked questions. You can read the full FAQ below to see exactly how the feature functions.
While WhatsApp has rolled out several features to combat scams, it still remains the biggest concern for the company. However, WhatsApp has a unique advantage over apps like Telegram: to use the app, the user needs to first verify with their phone number. This adds an extra layer of protection and makes it easier to find users behind the account, which is impossible to identify with only random usernames and only email verification.
This is the reason why Telegram was banned in India recently for a few days before the NEET 2026 exam. However, WhatsApp issued full clarity that a phone number is still required for the user to register on WhatsApp, even though they created a WhatsApp username. We have included the full FAQ regarding WhatsApp usernames in the section below to help you learn more about how they work.
More Details About WhatsApp Usernames
Username reservations are here, as more and more people claim theirs, here’s answers to the top questions you’re asking ⬇️
Q: Are usernames mandatory?
A: Nope, they are optional.
Q: What if the username I want isn’t available?
A: There’s a few reasons you might not be able to…
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) July 1, 2026
After the Indian government issued a notice to Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, WhatsApp has clarified its username feature with more details on how it works. First, WhatsApp clarifies that the username feature is not live yet. Currently, it is only allowing users to reserve their unique usernames. It also clarified that usernames are completely optional and still require users’ phone numbers to use WhatsApp.
Responding to the government’s claim that someone can impersonate a famous personality with usernames and scam people, WhatsApp has issued a clarification that some usernames are not available, including prominent usernames from institutions, the government, and others. WhatsApp also mentions that the username will not be searchable, and a user cannot directly search for a username to connect with another user.
WhatsApp also issued clarity that some users on the internet are making fake claims that they can register certain prominent usernames, and that is not possible. However, we don’t completely agree with WhatsApp because WhatsApp usernames have many variations. The user can still mimic the original username by using different combinations, similar to domain phishing attacks.
WhatsApp Username FAQs
Q: Are usernames mandatory?
A: Nope, they are optional.
Q: What if the username I want isn’t available?
A: There are a few reasons you might not be able to reserve the username you want:
1) It’s an existing Instagram or Facebook username; these are reserved for their owners.
2) We’ve held well-known names and some variations of them – like public figures, celebrities, government entities, and Meta-verified accounts – so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. If you try to reserve those, the system will say it’s not available.
3) Someone already claimed a common name; in that case, use the username generator.
Q: What if someone creates a username similar to mine to impersonate me or run a scam? How do you stop someone from pretending to be me?
A: Usernames are not available for messaging yet. When they are, and you get a message from someone new, we’ll let you know the country of origin and a warning for first-time outreach. Well-known public figures and their variations are reserved for verified owners. We’re also keeping a close eye on blocks and reports to take action against scammers.
Q: Can random people message me if they know or guess my username?
A: Just like you can’t search for a phone number in WhatsApp, you can’t search for a username. The best way to prevent someone from contacting you is to add a username key and to choose a username that is unique to WhatsApp.
All the current measures remain in place to prevent unwanted contact, including warnings with details about unknown senders (whether they’re a new account, if you share groups, what country they’re in) and the ability to block and report.
Q: What is a username key?
A: An extra layer of protection you can enable with your username, so that another user will have to know both your username and your username key to contact you. You can reset your key at any time to stop new inbound contact through your username.
Q: Do I have to link my other Meta accounts?
A: If you want the same username as your Instagram or Facebook account, you’ll have to link them. This one of the ways to reduce impersonation and to make sure you’re the legitimate owner of the account. But after that, you can unlink the account if you want, or you can choose a username unique to WhatsApp.
Q: Can I change my username later?
A: Yes, as long as the new one you want is available.
Gaming News
Sony Will Stop Producing Physical Discs for New PlayStation Games from January 2028
Sony has officially announced that the company will no longer produce physical game discs for Sony games starting January 2028. After that, all the new PlayStation releases will be digital only.
This applies only to the new games launched after January 2028. Existing disc games and games launched before that date will continue to work if you have a PlayStation Disc Edition.
Sony claims that almost 80% of PlayStation users use digital versions of games. With this move, Sony wants to shift the remaining users to only digital versions slowly.
It is sad to see the disc version going away, but at the same time, digital versions also offer various benefits. And if you are already a PlayStation user, will this decision affect your future purchases? Let us know in the comments below.
Xbox to Convert Your Physical Games to Digital Versions
Just after Sony’s announcement that it is winding down physical versions of games starting January 2028 in favor of digital-only versions, Xbox also seems to be on the same track. According to the latest reports, Xbox is working on the ability to convert your existing physical versions of games into digital versions.
The feature is currently in internal testing, according to the report, and there is no information about public availability.
The feature is only expected to work with Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs for now, and it won’t be available for older Xbox 360 or original Xbox discs. We also got more details on how you can convert the game into a digital version. The report says you can simply insert the disc into the console to install and play the game.
For verification, the created digital version will use the disc and the linked Microsoft account. Microsoft will also allow you to sell the digital version. If you want to sell the game, your digital license can be transferred to another person, which means that you will lose access to the digital version as well.
AI News
Claude Fable 5 Is Finally Available for All Users
Claude Fable 5 is finally back, and now it is live for all users after the US government lifted the ban. Claude is offering access to Fable 5 with up to 50% off your rate limits until July 7th. We have checked this feature on our Claude app on macOS, and it is live.
OpenAI’s GPT 5.6 Models Are Also Expected to Be Available for Users Very Soon
OpenAI’s GPT 5.6 models are also expected to be available for users very soon. According to the latest report, these models are scheduled to roll out this Thursday, which is OpenAI’s favorite day for shipping. It is not confirmed by OpenAI yet.
Apple News
Apple Is Reportedly Working on a Redesigned Entry-Level MacBook Pro
According to the latest report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027. Gurman says the model will have a new design, and it will have a 14-inch display size. He also mentions that the design will be closer to the rumored upcoming touchscreen MacBooks.
Apple is rumored to be expecting a touchscreen MacBook, naming it a MacBook Ultra by the end of 2026 or in early 2027. The new MacBook Ultra with a touchscreen will have an upgraded OLED display and a Dynamic Island similar to the iPhones.
Mark Gurman says that Apple is also finishing work on another entry-level MacBook that is different from the redesigned one. He also mentions that Apple has already finished work on the upcoming Apple M6. It is rumored to launch next year without the Pro, Max, and Ultra versions and will quickly move on to the M7 processor.
Once Again, the Upcoming iPads Are Going to Look the Same
According to the latest report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we have details about the MacBooks and the upcoming iPad Pro Roadmap. According to a report, Apple is testing four new iPad Pro models. Gurman says that the primary focus on the upcoming iPads will be internal performance improvements. He also notes that the upcoming iPad Pro will not have a new design.
For years, Apple iPad models have looked the same, and Apple hasn’t even considered reducing the bezels. However, we previously reported in our TechPP Daily Brief that Apple’s upcoming iPad Pro models will feature an upgraded OLED display. These iPads are expected to launch in 2027.
Launch Monitor
Now, coming to Launch Monitor, we have several launches in the past 24 hours:
- LG XBOOM Bounce and XBOOM Grab Bluetooth speakers launched in India. Both come with support for AI sound and calibration, and feature an IP67 dust and water-resistant rating. The LG XBOOM Bounce is priced at Rs 12,999, and the LG XBOOM Grab is priced at Rs 9,999.
- Marshall Major V ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones launched in India for Rs 19,990. These headphones support Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC, LC3, and Marshall Signature Sound features.
- Logitech Signature Comfort Plus M8050L and M8040L wireless mice were launched in India. Both support easy switching, SmartWheel scrolling, silent clicks, and Logi Options+, offering up to two years of battery life. The Logitech Signature Comfort Plus M850L is priced at Rs 7,800, and the M840L is priced at Rs 6,500.
- Lenovo has launched the Tab Plus Gen 2 in India, especially at a time when the iPad is moving away from the Rs 30,000 segment. The new Tab Plus Gen 2 comes with a 12.1-inch 2.5K 120Hz display, JBL 9-speaker system with Dolby Atmos support, Bluetooth speaker mode, rotating kickstand, 10,200 mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. The pricing has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be around Rs 35,000.
- Lenovo also launched the Lenovo LOQ gaming monitors in India. They come in several models, and the price starts at Rs 9,800.
- ACT Fibernet launched Stream TV 4K in India. It supports multiple languages and offers over 4,000 live channels and OTT content. The service costs Rs 99 per month, while the device itself is available at a buying price of Rs 4,499.
- Sony has officially announced its new flagship camera, the Sony Alpha 7R VI, in India. The camera features a 66.8MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS sensor, 30fps continuous shooting, 8.5-stop image stabilization, video recording up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps. It is priced at Rs 471,000 and is currently on sale.
Read Previous TechPP Daily Briefs:
