Top Trending Technology News & Highlights
Operations at Zepto Cafe Are Halted in Several Cities
Zepto Cafe, the company's rapid meal delivery division, has temporarily ceased operations in a number of minor cities, primarily in northern India. Over 400 workers have been impacted by the 44 eateries that have suspended operations. By the conclusion of the upcoming quarter, the business now anticipates starting up again in these areas.Platform for rapid trade According to persons familiar with the situation, Zepto has suspended operations of its 10-minute food delivery vertical, Zepto Cafe, in a number of locations, including Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Mohali, Amritsar, and Meerut, because of supply chain problems, ETtech reported. This will affect how 44 Zepto Cafe locations operate.Platform for rapid trade Zepto has suspended Zepto Cafe, its 10-minute meal delivery service, in several North Indian towns. The company has temporarily halted the services because of supply chain problems, according to a report by Economic Times. According to the article, 44 Zepto Cafe locations in the area will be impacted by the company's decision. About 700 gig workers have been impacted by the company's decision to stop providing the service. According to the Economic Times, Zepto Cafe's services were suspended in April of this year because the company was unable to meet quality standards due to the spike in demand. Zepto Cafe received greater demand than anticipated, hence the decision was made to halt operations in these cities. Meeting the volumes without sacrificing quality proved challenging, the individual with knowledge of the situation told ET.
Published 23 May 2025 08:14 PM
Uttar Pradeshs Sarathi app was shut down for maintenance.
Every RTO in Uttar Pradesh is experiencing operational disruptions, and staff are working to quickly resolve the situation.According to regional transport office (RTO) authorities on Friday, maintenance work on Sarathi software, which is used for processing work under the Union transport ministry, has disrupted the operation of processing driving licenses throughout Uttar Pradesh, including in Noida, since Thursday. Between 300 and 350 persons visit the Noida regional transport office on a daily basis, according to officials, seeking licenses and other related work."Vahan, a program for vehicle registration, and Sarathi, a program for driving licenses, are the two primary apps. We learned from Lucknow that Sarathi will be undergoing some maintenance from Thursday at 10 a.m. until Saturday at noon, according to Siyaram Verma, the assistant regional transport officer (ARTO-administration) for Gautam Budh Nagar."Activities related to driving licenses, like obtaining a learners' permit, a primary license, renewing a license abroad, changing one's name or address, etc., have ceased," Verma stated. "I had no idea that the website was being maintained. The application was down, an official told me when I arrived to the RTO in Noida after traveling 35 kilometers," said Greater Noida resident Rajesh Yadav."The affected work is present in all Uttar Pradesh RTOs. An RTO representative stated, "Our specialists are working to fix the application as quickly as feasible.
Published 06 Jun 2024 11:30 AM
Best Midsize Car of the Year Texas Auto Writers Associations Annual Auto Roundup, 2024 Hyundai Sonata
DECATUR, Texas, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) annual Auto Roundup, which took place on April 23–24, 2024, has crowned the 2024 Hyundai Sonata the finest midsize car. Leading automotive journalists from Texas get together for the TAWA Auto Roundup, a major event in the industry, to assess the newest models on factors including overall appeal, performance, value, and safety.The 2024 Hyundai Sonata is honored with this accolade for its amazing value, superior performance, cutting-edge technology, and superb design. The Sonata outperformed a competitive field of competitors by impressing the TAWA judges with its cutting-edge features, fashionable appearance, and dedication to providing an outstanding driving experience.Senior vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor North America Olabisi Boyle commented, "We are immensely honored to receive this recognition from the Texas Auto Writers Association." "Our dedication to innovation, quality, and customer pleasure is embodied in the Hyundai Sonata 2024. This honor recognizes the diligence and commitment of our whole team."According to Cory Fourniquet, president of the Texas Auto Writers Association, "The Hyundai Sonata impressed our judges with its attention to detail throughout, like the color-matched switchgear for the windows and door locks as well as the built-in sunshades in the rear windows." "Even though it sells in a segment that is dominated by a couple of heavy hitters, Hyundai does not shy away from the mid-size sedan market like other manufacturers that are retiring their sedans. The fact that Hyundai is sustaining competitiveness in the market is very amazing. Not only that, but it beat out the freshly introduced 2025 Toyota Camry for this distinction."The dynamic new design language, improved safety features, and array of cutting-edge technologies make the Hyundai Sonata of 2024 stand out. A redesigned front fascia with a cascading grille, sleek LED headlights, and strong character lines that give the Sonata a sensation of motion even when it is stationary are all part of its aerodynamic and dramatic design. The Sonata is a versatile alternative for a broad spectrum of drivers, offering both dynamic performance and exceptional fuel economy with a selection of strong and economical engines, including a hybrid option.American Hyundai Motor Company Hyundai Motor America supports Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity objective while providing a technologically advanced array of automobiles, SUVs, and electrified vehicles to American consumers. Hyundai maintains substantial activities in the United States, with its North American headquarters located in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing assembly factory in Alabama, the newly developed Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America situated in Georgia, and multiple state-of-the-art research and development centers. According to a recent economic impact assessment, these businesses, along with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, generate $20.1 billion in revenue and 190,000 employment for the American economy each year. To learn more, go to www.hyundainews.com.
Published 06 Jun 2024 11:29 AM
Mahindras-svelte-electric-SUV-is-hinted-at-by-XUVe8-design-patents-What-can-we-anticipate
With the launch of the XUV.e8, an electric version of their well-liked XUV700, Mahindra & Mahindra is preparing to increase the number of electric vehicles in their lineup. The corporation is currently testing prototypes of this new model, which has already been displayed in concept form. Mahindra has submitted for multiple design patents recently, covering the XUV.e8's appearance and interior.The design patents show that the XUV.e8 is very similar to the concept version that was previously presented, according to a report by HT Auto. Notable improvements include a new set of inverted L-shaped LED projector headlamps and a large LED lightbar that runs the length of the front of the car. Due to the lack of an internal combustion engine, the front bumpers have been altered and do not include the conventional grille.According to reports, the XUV.e8's side profile has aerodynamic wheel covers designed to improve air flow efficiency. The concept's flush-fitting door handles are still on the car. There aren't many modifications at the back, only a new bumper and an LED light bar, however the tail lamps should stay the same. The XUV.e8 will likewise have copper accents, just as the XUV400.Interior design elements, most notably a new two-spoke steering wheel, are also included in Mahindra's design patents. Four toggle switches are located on this hexagonal steering wheel, which has a red stripe at the top for controlling the infotainment system and instrument cluster. The lighted Mahindra emblem on the steering wheel is a novel touch that continues a trend observed in Tata cars. The revamped dashboard, which features a three-screen arrangement evocative of high-end automobile interiors, is another noteworthy interior upgrade. This comprises a passenger-side extra screen, an infotainment display, and an instrument cluster. With these improved technology features and style cues, Mahindra's electric vehicle portfolio is expected to gain something special with the XUV.e8.
Published 06 Jun 2024 11:29 AM
Technology
21st century is dedicated to the Technology and technology is dominating everywhere and every part of the world and almost all the industries are now a days is technology dependent or they need technology help to drive more scale and deliveries.
Google Gemini App on Android, Gemini Toggle on iOS Rolling Out in India and Other Countries
Google has started rolling out its Gemini app on Android to users in India. While there's no dedicated app on iOS, iPhone owners will be able to see a toggle on the top of the Google app, allowing them to enable and utlise the features of the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot. The tech giant launched the Android app on February 8, but the rollout was limited to the US. Now, the app is being expanded to more than 150 countries and territories. According to Google's support page, the Gemini mobile app is now available in English, Korean, and Japanese languages and is being expanded to more than 150 countries and territories. The full list of countries is listed on Google's support page. The iPhone users don't have a dedicated app at the moment, but they can use Gemini's AI capabilities through the Google app, which now has a toggle button on the top-right that allows access to the chatbot. Gadgets 360 was able to confirm the availability of the Gemini toggle on the Google app on iOS 17.2.1. The Gemini app requires a smartphone with at least 4GB of RAM. It must also run Android 12 or newer versions of Google's operating system. Similarly, the Gemini toggle is available to iPhone users running iOS 16 and newer. As the AI service is only available in English, Japanese, and Korean, it will only be available on smartphones set to use these languages. Lastly, users should be signed in to a personal Google Account or a Workspace account where the administrator has enabled the feature. In case, you still cannot see the app or the toggle, it is worth noting that the global rollout started on Thursday and is expected to continue for a few more days. Jack Krawczyk, Senior Director of Product at Google, who is also handling Gemini, revealed in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Gemini app's restrictions on image uploading and image generation were being somewhat relaxed. However, he added, “We'll continue to work through responsibly aligning on refusals with both images and text.” More features and expansion to more regions are currently in progress, as per the Gemini head. Some users who added Gemini as the default assistant over Google Assistant in Android smartphones had complained that there was no clarity on which in-device features was the AI capable of performing. Krawczyk said in a post on Wednesday, “Working on making it more clear exactly which Assistant features are work in progress vs which are available now. (also working on narrowing that gap!)”
Samsung Brings Its New AI Features To These Devices
Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series with the new Galaxy AI features and is now extending some of these AI features to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds FE.The Galaxy AI features will be rolled out to the Galaxy Buds TWS earbuds via the OTA (over-the-air) update.After the update rollout, Galaxy Buds users will be able to use several Galaxy AI features through the Galaxy S24 series like Live Translate, Interpreter and more.The Galaxy S24 series Live Translate feature allows users to experience real-time call translation on their device screens while engaged in conversations via Galaxy Buds.Furthermore, the AI-driven interpreter feature on the Galaxy S24 series facilitates seamless two-way, face-to-face interpretation through the Galaxy Buds interface. By speaking directly into the Buds’ microphone, users can have their words translated, making the translated voice accessible via the Galaxy S24 series. This enables a nearly natural conversation between two individuals, each equipped with a Galaxy S24 series smartphone and Galaxy Buds, eliminating the need to hand over the phone. Consumers purchasing Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ will get benefits worth Rs 12,000, while those buying Galaxy S24 can avail benefits worth Rs 10,000. Consumers can also opt for No Cost EMI for upto 24 months on purchase of S24 Series. Consumers purchasing Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds FE can avail of limited period cash back or upgrade upto Rs 6,000.
TikTok beats YouTube in launching native Apple Vision Pro app
TikTok has joined the expanding library of apps on the visionOS App Store, releasing a new native experience for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. The announcement came Thursday via a post on the popular X social media platform. The platform now offers Vision Pro users an immersive way to view short-form videos on the new device, providing a spatial computing experience optimised for the headset’s capabilities. The addition of TikTok is a major coup for Apple, given the app’s immense popularity among Gen Z users. The app’s spatial computing experience could highlight the Vision Pro’s capabilities for consuming short-form video. Initially, there were concerns about limited native app experiences for the Vision Pro upon launch. Early January reports suggested only around 150 available apps. However, this number quickly grew to 600 by early February. Currently, app engagement remains relatively low. Many developers report download figures in the mere hundreds. However, as more well-known apps become available, engagement will likely improve. Native app support has been a struggle, with major players like YouTube, Spotify and Netflix initially declining Vision Pro app development. In fact, lack of proper app support was one of the most commonly cited reasons for returning the headset – aside from the weight and discomfort, of course. However, earlier this month, YouTube did confirm plans to launch a Vision Pro app. This indicates TikTok may soon face competition from YouTube’s Shorts feature.
Paytm’s UPI payments: Two contrasting trends
Digital payments major Paytm, which is run by One 97 Communications, has seen a stagnation in Unified Payments Interface payments originating from its payments bank over the last six months. Data shared by the National Payments Corporation of India shows that from August 2023, payments originating from Paytm’s own UPI address started falling. In August last year, Paytm reported 455 million UPI payments on its own handle that is @paytm. But since then it fell all the way to 410 million in December last year. From 323 million in May 2022, these transactions had grown nearly 41% to 455 million in August 2023. Paytm Payments Bank was put under an embargo by the RBI in March 2022. For understanding, UPI has two legs in a payment journey. One is on the issuance side, that is where a customer pays using the Paytm handle, which in many cases could be connected to the Paytm Payments Bank savings account. And the other is the acceptance side where the merchant or the beneficiary account is on Paytm. Analysis of industry data shows that since the middle of last year, Paytm has been fully focusing on the acquisition side. Data shows that Paytm’s acquisition numbers grew consistently to 2.8 billion transactions in December last year from 1.7 billion in December 2022. “After the bank went into an embargo, new customers were not joining the bank and on top of that the management was fully focused on acquiring more merchants for all forms of digital payments, thereby slowing down on issuance,” said a senior industry executive in the know.
Ex Twitter employee says Elon Musk fired him for a false reason, here is what he said
Randall Lin, a former engineer at Twitter (now known as X), has come forward with allegations of wrongful termination following his dismissal from the company. Here is what happened. Randall Lin, a former engineer at Twitter (now known as X), has come forward with allegations of wrongful termination following his dismissal from the company. Lin claims he was falsely accused of leaking information to the press, leading to his abrupt departure from Twitter in February 2023, shortly after Elon Musk assumed control of the platform. In an interview with Zoe Schiffer for her recently published book, "Extremely Hardcore," Lin detailed his experience, asserting that he was unjustly targeted for leaking confidential information. Schiffer, a managing editor of the tech newsletter Platformer, documented Lin's account of events, shedding light on the challenges faced by employees during Musk's tenure at Twitter. Lin joined Twitter as a machine-learning engineer in February 2020 and swiftly rose to the position of staff engineer. Dissatisfied with the company's culture under former CEO Jack Dorsey, Lin welcomed Musk's takeover in October 2022, hoping for a more dynamic environment. He welcomed Musk's expectations, demonstrating dedication by arriving early and staying late at Twitter's San Francisco headquarters. Lin's efforts to impress Musk with innovative ideas, including a proposal to develop Twitter's own GPUs, garnered recognition from the CEO. However, amidst a wave of dismissals targeting dissenting voices, leaks emerged from disgruntled employees at Twitter HQ, Business Insider reported. Lin found himself trapped in the fallout when he was accused of being the source behind two Platformer articles.
OpenAI CEO warns that societal misalignments could make AI dangerous
The CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Tuesday that the dangers that keep him awake at night regarding artificial intelligence are the very subtle societal misalignments that could make the systems wreak havoc. Sam Altman, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai via a video call, reiterated his call for a body like the International Atomic Energy Agency to be created to oversee AI that's likely advancing faster than the world expects. There's some things in there that are easy to imagine where things really go wrong. And I'm not that interested in the killer robots walking on the street direction of things going wrong," Altman said. "I'm much more interested in the very subtle societal misalignments where we just have these systems out in society and through no particular ill intention, things just go horribly wrong. However, Altman stressed that the AI industry, like OpenAI, shouldn't be in the driver's seat when it comes to making regulations governing the industry. ''We're still in the stage of a lot of discussion. So there's you know, everybody in the world is having a conference. Everyone's got an idea, a policy paper, and that's OK," Altman said. "I think we're still at a time where debate is needed and healthy, but at some point in the next few years, I think we have to move towards an action plan with real buy-in around the world. OpenAI, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence startup, is one of the leaders in the field. Microsoft has invested some $1 billion in OpenAI. The Associated Press has signed a deal with OpenAI for it to access its news archive. Meanwhile, The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over the use of its stories without permission to train OpenAI's chatbots. OpenAI's success has made Altman the public face for generative AI's rapid commercialisation and the fears over what may come from the new technology. The UAE, an autocratic federation of seven hereditarily ruled sheikhdoms, has signs of that risk. Speech remains tightly controlled. Those restrictions affect the flow of accurate information the same details AI programmes like ChatGPT rely on as machine-learning systems to provide their answers for users. The Emirates also has the Abu Dhabi firm G42, overseen by the country's powerful national security adviser. G42 has what experts suggest is the world's leading Arabic-language artificial intelligence model. The company has faced spying allegations for its ties to a mobile phone app identified as spyware. It has also faced claims it could have gathered genetic material secretly from Americans for the Chinese government.
Norton unveils dark web monitoring tool for protection from identity theft
Norton, a leading software security provider and part of the Nasdaq-listed Gen, on Tuesday launched its Dark Web Monitoring solutions Norton 360 Premium, aimed at protecting consumers from identity theft, a top official said. With the Dark Web Monitoring services, the software monitors and alerts consumers if their personal information has been shared on the Dark Web and allows them to take action on the issue. "This innovative addition to our security package enables customers to proactively protect their digital identities in a time when cyber dangers are always present," Gen India, Director Ritesh Chopra said. According to company officials, the Dark Web comprises of small part of the internet where anonymity comes with a price and nefarious activities are conducted including the exchange of illegal goods and information. "We keep an eye out for any hacks, compromised credentials, and illegal activity by continuously searching the shadowy corners of the internet. This way, we can make sure that your sensitive information is protected from the prying eyes of hackers," he said today. Addresses, Aadhaar numbers, and data of credit cards of individuals, if found on Dark Web can be utilized for fraud and identity theft. Citing an example, he said in 2023 Aadhaar numbers, passport information along with the names and phone numbers of 815 million Indians were found on the Dark Web. Besides, 2.9 crore details of job seekers have been leaked on the Dark Web. On the launch of the Dark Web Monitoring service, Chopra said it actively searches the Dark Web based on the email address and other personal data of a consumer and issues a notification. "With Dark Web Monitoring we are offering another tool to help protect and empower people to live their digital lives more safely," he said. Norton has launched Norton 360 Premium, 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 for Gamers. The service is available across devices including smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and iMac, he added. Besides monitoring of the Dark Web, Chopra said Norton 360 offers real-time threat protection, password management, SafeCam, Parental Control, and Software Updater among others.
IGT Solutions Announces CEO Succession Plan
"With effect from April 1, 2024, IGT Solutions, a global provider of AI-led BPM and Digital Services & Solutions, announced today that Katie Stein will take over as CEO. Effective February 14, 2024, she will become a CEO Designate of IGT Solutions. Katie joins IGT Solutions with strong subject expertise and a disruptive business leadership style. Katie most recently held the position of global. ""I would like to thank Vipul for his more than two decades of leadership on behalf of the entire company and the Board of Directors,"" stated John Del Santo, the IGT board chair. ""Katie, who has a fantastic track record of client service, leadership, and shown achievement, is also welcomed. IGT Solutions' extensive strengths in AI-led BPM and Digital Services & Solutions may reach new heights of expansion thanks to Katie's vision and experience."" ""I am honoured to join IGT Solutions at this exciting time for our employees, clients and partners,"" stated Katie. ""IGT Solutions' deep domain expertise, innovative culture, and technological prowess in assisting clients in addressing their particular industry challenges are admirable.IGT Solutions has cultivated a stellar clientele of high-profile companies in the travel and tech sectors, at a time when having a close relationship with clients is more crucial than ever. This is a fantastic starting point for our next round of development. ""I had a goal when I joined IGT Solutions: we were going to be our clients' and workers' go-to partner. With more than 25,000 workers worldwide, IGT Solutions is currently the top service provider for our travel and high-tech clients', stated departing CEO Vipul Doshi. "I welcome Katie to the CEO role and wish her the best in her efforts to lead the company to greater milestones in the future."" Concerning IGT Solutions Global companies entrust their transforming experiences to IGT Solutions, a next-generation customer experience (CX) provider. It accomplishes this by fusing digital and human intelligence with cutting-edge technologies. For managing end-to-end customer experience journeys across sectors, IGT Solutions is the go-to partner. IGT was founded in 1998 and currently operates 31 global delivery centres across 13 countries, serving client processes with over 25,000 CX professionals and over 90 worldwide marquee customers. Digital transformation, systems integration, platform solutions, industrial and enterprise solutions driven by AI/ML and Gen AI, intelligent automation and analytics, and a comprehensive range of BPM services and solutions are among the services provided by IGT Solutions. "
Ixigo Refiles DRHP For IPO, Slashes Fresh Issue Size To INR 120 Cr
"SUMMARY The company's initial public offering (IPO) includes a fresh issue of INR 120 Cr and an equity portion of 6.66 Cr The fresh proceeds will be used to fund the startup's working capital needs, technology development and support inorganic growth through acquisitions..On Wednesday, February 14, the parent company of online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo, Le Travenues Technology Ltd, re-filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The startup's initial public offering (IPO) will include an offer for sale (OFS) component of 6.66 Cr equity shares and a new issue of INR 120 Cr, according the DRHP. Among the investors who will sell shares via OFS are cofounders Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, SAIF Partners India, Peak XV Partners, and Micromax Informatics. The IPO revenues of INR 45 Cr would be used by the firm to meet its working capital needs. The remaining INR 26 Cr will be used to expand investments in data science, artificial intelligence, and stacking the tech stack investments, among other things, in artificial intelligence and data science. Additionally, the money collected from the IPO will be put towards general business needs and acquisitions to support inorganic development. Ixigo is a travel technology platform that was founded in 2007 by Bajpai and Kumar. It generates income through the selling of different travel-related services, such as bus, rail, and airline tickets. By providing advertising services on its platform, it also makes money. Over the last 15 years, the firm has garnered around $88 million in capital from a variety of investors, including Peak XV Partners, Singapore's GIC, InfoEdge, Elevation Capital, and Fosun RZ. At the height of the funding boom in 2021, it last raised $53 million. Its rivals include Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Yatra. Ixigo's initial public offering (IPO) coincides with a series of cost-cutting initiatives the traveltech business has implemented over the last year to improve financial performance. Cofounder Bajpai discussed ixigo's frugal plan and mentioned that the company's zero-dollar marketing strategy had greatly benefited profitability in an interview with Inc42 last year. In the fiscal year 2022–2023 (FY23), the company surpassed the INR 500 Cr operational revenue revenue mark, up 32% year over year (YoY), thanks to post-pandemic growth and its thrifty attitude. In addition to this, the OTA recorded a net profit in FY23 of INR 23.4 Cr as opposed to a deficit in FY22 of INR 21.1 Cr. In the nine months that concluded in December 2023, Ixigo generated operational revenue of INR 491 Cr, according to the DRHP. During this time, its profit was INR 65.7 Cr, compared to INR 18.7 Cr the previous year. The company is making its second effort at going public. In 2021, it first submitted a DRHP for an INR 1,600 Cr IPO. Ixigo, however, decided against going public because of the unfavourable macroeconomic climate, which saw funding freezes and market volatility hit new-age tech firms. "
Cricket, elections to help TV AdEx grow 8% in 2024
Today in Mumbai, prominent figures from the marketing and advertising fields as well as leaders in the industry launched the Pitch Madison Advertising Report (PMAR). The study makes projections about media and advertising sector ad spending that will enable companies to completely transform their approach to marketing. The Pitch Madison Advertising Report predicts that linear TV will rise this year as big, established marketers still have faith in TV's ability to establish brands. "In 2024, we anticipate that TV will add an additional Rs 2,700 crore and grow by 8%, reaching a total of Rs 35,575 crore." TV will, however, lose 1% of the market share with this growth and end up at 32%, according to the research. The report further revealed that TV AdEx is under pressure as there is a growing perception that the very large lower middle class is under severe financial pressure and is being forced to buy and spend less. The report added that the reluctance of start-ups to finance expensive large-format shows, which are very profitable for broadcasters, is putting enormous pressure on TV ADEX. On the other hand, consumption of FMCG televisions is expected to increase year-on-year to drive volume growth. Positive factors that can drive the growth of TV AdEx are belief in the branding power of television, cricket tournaments IPL and ICC Men's T. 20 Cricket World Cup and general elections e.g.. The PMAR provides insights and forecasts for the future by analysing the amount and usage of advertising funds over the previous year. It seeks to comprehend the difficulties and possibilities that face marketers and the print, broadcast, radio, out-of-home, online, and film industries. PMAR's comprehensive data and insights allow advertisers, media planners/buyers, and brands to evaluate the previous year and make informed plans for the upcoming one. For information on current market trends and significant advancements across a range of media, media owners, marketers, and specialists in media buying and planning should consult this report.
Narendra Modi UAE Visit Highlights UPI payment to begin in UAE soon, announces PM
Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UAE visit: At the 'Ahlan Modi' event in Abu Dhabi, Modi spoke to the Indian diaspora. Highlights of Narendra Modi's UAE visit: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Modi at the airport in a cordial manner. The two chiefs gave each other hugs. Later on, he received a guard of honour. The two leaders also had extensive discussions in which they went over the strategic partnership, talked about potential new areas of collaboration, and saw a number of agreements, including a bilateral investment pact, signed. The temple is located in Abu Mureikhah near Al Rahba on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway. It has reached about 27 hectares of land in Abu Dhabi and construction work is ongoing since 2019. The land for the temple was donated by the United Arab Emirates government. During Modiand#039's meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the leaders witnessed the exchange of eight agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in electricity connectivity and trade, and an intergovernmental framework agreement between India and India . . . UAE in the India-Middle East Economic Corridor. Modi also congratulated the UAE President on the launch of JAYWAN, the country's domestic card based on RuPay's digital credit and debit card. Both the drivers saw the transaction that was made with JAYWAN's card. Modi will also attend the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai as the guest of honor during his visit, where he will deliver the keynote address. Modiandi's visit to the UAE is his seventh since 2015 and the third in the last eight months, highlighting the strong ties between the Indian and UAE leadership. Here are some highlights of PM Modiand visit #039 to UAE. ."UPI payment to begin in UAE soon," said PM Narendra Modi during his live visit to the country. At the 'Ahlan Modi' event, the Prime Minister addressed the Indian diaspora and announced that UPI payments will soon start in the United Arab Emirates. "It will make seamless payments between India and UAE accounts possible," he states. UPI (Unified Payment Interface) services were launched in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to dedicate the country's first Hindu stone temple during his two-day visit to the Gulf state. During a bilateral encounter, the president of the UAE and Modi exchanged multiple Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs). "First and first, Brother, let me sincerely thank you for your cordial welcome. It is quite uncommon for us to have met five times in the past seven months. I've also had the chance to visit this place seven times; the manner we've advanced in all areas remarkable..
Dubai Hosted PMFAIs International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition
The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates hosted the 18th edition of PMFAI's International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE 2024 Dubai) on February 8–9, 2024.The two-day celebration got off to a lucky start on February 8, 2024, when PMFAI President Pradip Dave gave a heartfelt welcome speech. In his inaugural speech, Dave emphasized the significance of the occasion, emphasizing how far it has come since PMFAI's first event in Mumbai in 1997. ICSCE serves as an international trade platform for the agrochemical, agri-biological, and related product industries. It helps these industries stay up to date on market developments and build strategic and sourcing partnerships with foreign businesses. Additionally, PMFAI organizes the annual International Conference on Biological Sciences and Agriculture (ICSCE) to promote the health of the Generic Pesticide Industry and to bring together agricultural researchers, pesticide producers, agrochemical merchants, agricultural biological industries, and related businesses.ICSCE has gone a long way to become known as the top Agri Inputs event that connects the agrochemical, agri-biological, and agriculture sectors since its inaugural event was held in Mumbai, India, in 1997. Agrochemical exports from India were valued at Rs. 270 crores (US $32.5 million) in 1997, the year the PMFAI hosted the first ICSCE. Today, that figure has risen to Rs. 45,000 crores ($5.4 billion) and beyond. Through joint ventures, bilateral commerce, subcontracting, contract manufacturing, contract distribution, and networking possibilities, ICSCE offered businesses the chance to grow and benefit from each other's advantages. There was a great response at ICSCE 2024 Dubai, with delegates actively participating from all around the world. At the conclusion of the first session, Deepak Shah, Vice President-PMFAI and Chairman of the Crop Care Federation of India, expressed gratitude to all of the speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees for their enthusiastic involvement and support of the occasion.For two days, ICSCE 2024 Dubai featured the product portfolios of ninety-one top firms. The event proved to be a big success, drawing in over 2,500 attendees and more than 1,200 registered delegates.Participating in the event were delegates from Argentina, Australia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea, Ghana, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malwai, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkiye, Tanzania, Tunisia, USA, UAE, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Zambia.Renowned scientists studying pesticides, specialists in biological products, and business professionals were in attendance for the two days of the event. They presented on a range of significant subjects, a summary of which is provided below:
Indias Plans to Transform Their Stealth Subs into Powerful War Machines
Heavy-weight torpedoes will make India's Kalvari class submarines more capable, effective, and deadly, according to a veteran of the Indian Navy.Captain DK Sharma, a former Indian Navy spokesperson, made these remarks in response to media reports indicating that the nation's blue water force was planning to purchase torpedoes from both international and indigenous companies.Strengthening the Kalvari Class Subs in India Six contemporary stealth submarines are now in the fleet of the Indian Navy, and three more are scheduled to join it in the next years. In this regard, Sharma emphasized that the submarine's strength lies in its secrecy, and that when fully armed, it may destroy a danger with great power. Therefore, having longer-range torpedoes will only improve the Indian Navy's submarines' capabilities.He said that makes the enemy extremely, very unsure about whether to use that region or leave the harbor.According to Sharma, the enemy wouldn't be troubled by a toothless submarine. Heavy-weight torpedoes will make India's Kalvari class submarines more capable, effective, and deadly, according to a veteran of the Indian Navy.The words of Captain DK Sharma, a former spokesperson of the Indian Navy, came in the aftermath of media reports that stated that the country's blue.He said that although India had not previously produced defense equipment, it was now doing so and that this was because the nation possessed a wide range of testing and trial laboratories as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to produce military hardware.
IMPACT OF SHARK TANK INDIA ON THE GROWING STARTUP MINDSET IN INDIA
Examine how Shark Tank's existence changes the way Indian startups approach their business, stimulating creativity and investor interest in the vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurship.shark tank India, which was modeled off the same-titled American TV series, has had a significant influence on the country's startup landscape since its December 2021 premiere. In the show, aspiring business owners present their concepts to a group of investors known as "Sharks" in the hopes of receiving capital and advice.Aspiring business owners approach the stage, pitching their ground-breaking concepts to a group of seasoned investors known as "Sharks" with nothing more than their vision and resolve.More than 100 million people have watched Shark Tank India, which has sparked a national entrepreneurial fervor. An increasing number of startup applications and inquiries to incubators and accelerators are indicative of this spike, which suggests that Indians are becoming more interested in becoming entrepreneurs.Our connection with television has altered recently as a result of the digital age, which allows us to consume content anywhere, anytime, and across a variety of media. This changed when Shark Tank India began to stream on Sony TV at a peak time of 9 PM. The US broadcast of Shark Tank's inaugural season took place in 2009. It made its way to India in 2021 after 13 seasons of great success, and in just two months, it drastically and urgently altered Indian society.People's perceptions of the startup culture have been altered by this reality show. This show is based on the actual ideas of the average person, where each idea is unique, as opposed to the typical reality shows that are a competition for a trophy and prize. Not only are compelling pitches and financial backing important, but viewers are also interested in the sharks' reactions to specific ideas and their recommendations, which is another aspect of the show. In other words, this show is essentially a blend of educating and entertainment that keeps viewers interested and encourages them to dive into the many fascinating tales of entrepreneurs. Indians now understand that issues they once dismissed as unreal could actually becomeThe Sharks have said in a few interviews that after the first season, pitching will be much better in the following seasons because pitchers will understand how it works and will feel much more comfortable talking about their creative business ideas on national television.With 500 million people between the ages of 15 and 44, this show has the potential to spur widespread entrepreneurship. The majority of children in India are brought up with a traditional mindset, which advises them to select a safe job over starting their own business. Shark Tank India's contribution to the expansion and development of the startup ecosystem is expected to bring about a profound cultural and mental transformation in the nation. In addition, the program has offered viewers a genuine understanding of today's real heroes. Sharks are those who, through their innovative ideas, have successfully filled a void in the market, provided the finest returns on their investments, and are well-liked throughout the nation. What's more, these sharks make investments
OpenAI to invest in Indian developers, hold summits
ChatGPT maker OpenAI will continue investing in the developer community in India and hold several developer summits in the country this year, the company’s chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon said on Saturday.“India has the key ingredients of being one of the world's leaders in AI. It has the largest developer community in the world, with some of the most impressive talent in the field, a track record of developing extraordinary technology businesses and a relentless focus on competing on the world stage,” said Kwon at the ET Now Global Business Summit in New Delhi.The company plans to meet with Indian developers to work alongside OpenAI product leaders on some of the most difficult challenges in AI. OpenAI's vice president of engineering, Srinivas Narayanan, had met developers in Bengaluru on January 5.“Our hope is that this collaboration between Silicon Valley developers and Indian developers will put us on a path for building the tools that define our future” Kwon added.Kwon also talked about the need to focus on safety while exploring the potential of AI. He said OpenAI tools can be made safer through technology, partnerships, and collaboration with governments. Product management is a multifaceted discipline that plays a critical role in bringing successful products to market. Whether it's developing a new software application, launching a consumer product, or managing a service, effective product management is vital for meeting customer needs and achieving business goals.
OnePlus Buds 3 review in 5 points
The new OnePlus 12 smartphones from OnePlus seem to be the best of the lot that the company has launched yet. In our review, we liked the new flagship OnePlus 12 and its younger sibling, the OnePlus 12R, which we even tagged as the flagship killer. At the same time, even more than the phones, it is the newly-launched OnePlus Buds 3 earbuds that has caught our attention. OnePlus has managed to offer users a good pair of earbuds that perform almost like their Buds Pro lineup but cost almost half of the Buds Pro 2.Priced at Rs 5,499, the OnePlus Buds 3 offers incredible value and impressive features, including dual dynamic drivers, support for Hi-Res Audio via LHDC 5, 94ms low latency, touch volume control, up to 49dB active noise cancellation, IP55 rating for water and dust protection, and up to 44 hours of playback time with the accompanying charging case. While the specs look good on paper, in our detailed review of OnePlus Buds 3, we found out that these new earbuds excel in performance and are almost close to the Pro series. Though there are some areas where they could have been better.Featuring a premium design, the OnePlus Buds 3 borrows cues from the Buds Pro 2 and Apple AirPods Pro. Its short-stemmed style earbuds are pair with a revamped pebble-shaped charging case which echoes the design aesthetic of the Buds Pro 2. Available in Splendid Blue and Metallic Gray, these earbuds look premium and the blue variant, which I reviewed, offers the vibrant pop of colour. Now, while the design is similar, the OnePlus Buds 3 are lighter than the Buds Pro 2. They offer a comfortable, snug fit without feeling cheap or flimsy. While I personally prefer a bit of weight which the premium earbuds offer, the Buds 3 do not disappoint in terms of build quality.During my week of using the Buds 3 for an average of 6-7 hours daily, I found little to complain about these earbuds, especially considering the price. I used earbuds to listen to a range of music albums across genres. Whether it was melodic Bollywood tunes or energetic K-Pop tracks, the Buds 3 consistently impressed me with clear vocals, immersive backgrounds, and decent bass. While the Buds 3 obviously don't match the performance of the Buds Pro 2 (which is expected considering the price difference), they serve as a strong reminder that specs aren't everything.
Google Renames Bard to Gemini, Launches Gemini Advanced
Google has officially launched Gemini Advanced. After multiple reports and Google CEO Sundar Pichai's statements during the company's quarterly earnings call confirming its arrival, the subscription tier of the tech giant's most powerful AI model is now live. Alongside Bard, the free version of the generative AI chatbot, which now runs on the Gemini Pro model, has also been renamed Gemini. As a promotional offering, Gemini Advanced is currently being offered for no charge for two months.Pichai announced the launch of the subscription tier of the AI in its newsroom and said, “The version with Ultra will be called Gemini Advanced, a new experience far more capable at reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration.” He also revealed that the Gemini Advanced subscription will be called the Google One AI Premium plan and will be bundled with Google One. As a result, users who subscribe to it will also get all the other benefits of Google One and 2TB of cloud storage space.Highlighting its features, a separate post mentioned that Gemini Ultra could " create step-by-step instructions, sample quizzes or back-and-forth discussions” and become a personal tutor for a user seeking guidance for academic purposes or looking to upskill. The Ultra model is proficient in advanced coding and can help users in generating, analysing, editing, as well as debugging complex coding tasks. Further, digital creators can benefit from Google Advanced subscription as it can generate content, analyse recent trends, and offer ideas and inspiration for engagement and audience growth. The free version of Gemini (which is trained on Gemini Pro) and Gemini Advanced will be available on the website, and an Android app. iOS users can try out the AI assistant through the Google app. The monthly subscription price for Google Advanced has been set at Rs. 1,950 a month. However, the tech giant is currently running a promotional offer where users can try it out for two months without a charge. Alongside the launch of the subscription tier, Google also officially renamed Bard to Gemini. “Bard has been the best way for people to directly experience our most capable models. To reflect the advanced tech at its core, Bard will now simply be called Gemini,” added Pichai.
Banks await RBI nod on KYC challenges at Paytm before moving business
Digital payments player Paytm is awaiting the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval to start moving its settlements business from Paytm Payments Bank to other lenders. But issues around KYC (Know Your Customer) of the accounts could be a major hiccup holding up the process. Two senior bankers in the know told ET that given Paytm was involved in issues around KYC of its user base in the past, bankers are looking for directions from the RBI before taking on the business. KYC is a process that requires a potential customer to submit original identity documents to a bank before being able to access its services. The central bank allows digital KYC through video verification. “We have to be careful about who we are doing business with. In this case, we need to be sure of the KYC of the merchants as well as the customers, so the central bank will need to take a call on that,” one of the bankers said. This will take time, and the banking regulator will only take the call after detailed consideration and thorough scrutiny of its own. The actual number of proper KYC-ed users of Paytm will be scrutinised too, the bankers added. The RBI did not respond to emailed queries from ET. On January 31, the RBI asked Paytm Payments Bank to stop offering basic banking services from February 29. It has effectively asked its customers to move all their funds from the payments bank or use up their available balance.The language and the directive from the banking regulator came as a shock to the banking and fintech industry. Several industry insiders said that coming back from this situation might be a huge challenge for the bank promoted by Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma.In 2020, a similar incident occurred when Yes Bank was put under an embargo by the regulator and PhonePe, a major digital payments player already by then, was left with no settlement system. Almost overnight, PhonePe moved its banking business to ICICI Bank -- with the regulator’s blessings. Another banker that ET spoke to pointed out that unlike the case of PhonePe — where the transfer was primarily UPI handles — in this case, it is about accounts of merchants and customers, making the process more time-consuming.
