The Week In Tech: CRED’s Fintech Leap, Airtel’s Spam Breakthrough, Apple’s AI-Powered OS

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In an action-packed week for the tech and fintech sectors, three major developments have captured attention. India’s fintech platform CRED is evolving into a mature financial ecosystem with expanded offerings, Bharti Airtel continues to advance its AI-driven spam call detection, and globally, Apple has rolled out its latest generation of operating systems featuring next-level AI and design innovations. Together, these updates paint a vibrant picture of innovation and strategic growth shaping user experiences and technology landscapes in 2025.

Key Highlights To Watch

CRED expands product suite and broadens user engagement beyond the elite, nearing 1.5 crore monthly active users

Airtel’s AI-powered network filters over 100 million spam calls daily, expanding detection to international numbers and 10 regional languages

Apple releases its biggest OS update with a new unified design language called Liquid Glass and powerful AI-capabilities including enhanced Siri integration

Each development signals growth driven by technology, user-centric innovation, and expanding service footprints

CRED’s Evolution: From Exclusive Fintech To Broad-Based Financial Ecosystem

CRED, once known primarily for rewarding creditworthy users for timely credit card payments, is now positioning itself as a mature fintech platform addressing multiple customer tiers. Founder Kunal Shah explains the company’s strategy centers on moving beyond a selective 1% user base toward a broader, more functional service offering, dubbed Yosemite internally.

This shift involves an expanded product portfolio that includes a marketplace (Store), travel services, payment solutions, vehicle-related services (Garage), and a soon-to-launch credit card in partnership with IndusInd Bank. The objective is to unlock diverse revenue sources while deepening engagement with India’s affluent and creditworthy consumers.

With over 1.5 crore monthly active users, CRED combines exclusivity with usability, offering premium experiences such as luxury subscriptions and curated spending for top-tier clients, alongside practical financial tools for wider audiences. The launch of a consolidated asset tracking and net worth tool enables members to monitor investments, bank balances, digital gold, and more with integrated insights to optimize wealth.

Airtel’s AI-Powered Spam Detection: An Unseen Shield

Bharti Airtel continues to set benchmarks in combating telecom fraud and spam with its pioneering AI-driven spam detection system. Processing over 2.5 billion calls and 1.5 billion messages daily, Airtel flags more than 100 million suspected spam calls and 3 million spam SMSs every day.

This system now extends protection to calls and messages originating from international networks—a domain increasingly exploited by scammers. To enhance user experience, Airtel delivers spam alerts in 10 regional languages, fostering inclusivity in its notifications.

The company’s multi-layer AI algorithm analyses calling patterns, frequency, duration, and sender behavior in real time to proactively block malicious communications and alert customers instantly. This robust defense mechanism marks a significant step in reducing fraudulent activity and improving telecom trustworthiness in India’s vast and diverse market.

Apple’s Bold Leap: Liquid Glass And AI-Powered OS Upgrades

On the global tech front, Apple unveiled an extensive update across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS. This represents Apple’s broadest design refresh to date, introducing a translucent, vibrant design system named Liquid Glass that offers continuity and expressiveness across devices.

Beyond aesthetics, Apple Intelligence—the suite of AI-powered features—raises the bar with enhanced Siri integration powered by ChatGPT, live translation within messaging and FaceTime, and personalized audio workout insights via the new Workout Buddy on Apple Watch. The update also brings the biggest overhaul ever to the Mac’s Spotlight search and reimagines productivity and entertainment across platforms.

Privacy and security enhancements complement the AI focus, with improved call screening and new content filters. For gamers, Apple introduces a unified Games Hub consolidating downloads and achievements for a streamlined experience. These OS upgrades reflect Apple’s push to provide not only powerful tools but also more natural, intuitive user interactions.

What This Means For Users And Markets

The CRED transformation demonstrates how fintech companies mature by diversifying offerings and expanding user bases while balancing exclusivity with accessibility. Consumers stand to benefit from richer product ecosystems that address broader financial needs.

Airtel’s spam detection advances safeguard millions of users daily, significantly reducing the harassment and risks posed by tele-fraud, especially as scams increasingly abuse international connections. This innovation shows the critical role of AI in enhancing digital trust and security.

Apple’s OS updates showcase the evolution of AI from a functional tool to a seamless, integrated experience layer, pushing the frontiers of user interaction, productivity, and privacy. The unified design language also signals Apple’s focus on harmony across devices, making technology feel more cohesive and immersive.

Looking Ahead

CRED, buoyed by strong backing and strategic initiatives, is set for incremental growth though it remains cautious about an IPO in the immediate term. Airtel will continue refining its AI models to outpace emerging spam threats and maintain customer trust. Apple’s progressive AI features and design philosophy set a roadmap that competitors are sure to watch closely.

Together, these developments highlight a dynamic landscape where financial services, telecom, and consumer technology intersect, driven by innovation, data intelligence, and a relentless focus on user trust and engagement.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Economic Times, Indian Express, Apple Newsroom, Airtel Press Releases