Top Trending Technology News & Highlights

"AI cannot exist in a vacuum. Deep investments are being made in infrastructure development: Google executives announce the company's $15 billion commitment to an India data center powerhouse. "

Many tech companies' fortunes are directly tied to AI technology, and billions of dollars have been invested in building the AI infrastructure. However, a top Google executive has denied that artificial intelligence is in a bubble, despite growing voices in Silicon Valley and Wall Street suggesting that a bubble may be forming and could eventually burst."It cannot just be a bubble when you consider the magnitude of the money coming in from the entire ecosystem. The construction of AI infrastructure is a significant financial commitment. The process is self-fulfilling. At an event in Delhi on Tuesday, Karan Bajwa, President of Google Cloud, Asia Pacific, told IndianExpress.com, "We are developing capabilities, building infrastructure, bringing them to market, and customers are using them."Following the announcement of a $15 billion investment by the Mountain View, California-based corporation to construct data center capacity for a new AI hub in Andhra Pradesh, the CEO made these remarks. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw of Electronics & Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting attended the high-profile event in Delhi.The Visakhapatnam data center will become Google's largest AI hub outside of the US after the investment is implemented over the course of the following five years.  

Published 14 Oct 2025 09:14 PM

Keep music out of your ears rather than in them with SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2.

Keep music out of your ears rather than in them with SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2.

Given how many calls we have to answer, we all spend a lot of time between earphones. We also try to relax by taking walks and running while listening to music or podcasts. Since noise-cancelling devices literally create a vacuum in the canal, our ears are not really designed to handle in-ear audio.This explains why some people, at the very least, favor open-ear headphones and earbuds that allow for natural music listening without isolating you from the outside world. The alternative strategy is used by SHOKZ, a company that produces open-ear headphones that provide sound without causing any damage to the ear canals by using bone conduction technology. The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 maintains your ear canals entirely open while producing high-quality audio through the use of bone conduction and air conduction technology. You can simultaneously hear music and your surroundings thanks to this "open-ear" design, which is especially helpful for safety when running and cycling.  

Published 13 Oct 2025 05:31 PM

I gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold a try… I am now convinced that I don’t need multiple devices

I gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold a try… I am now convinced that I don’t need multiple devices

After a month of work-related travel to four major US cities, I returned to India and realized that managing three phones, a laptop, a tablet, a handheld console, and over-ear headphones was no longer feasible for me. It could be overwhelming at times – flying from one city to another, undergoing numerous security checks, and constantly fearing that a device might be left behind. This journey prompted me to reconsider the limits of excess, particularly given that I was going to consecutive tech events in various locations. It seems that I have at last come to understand that juggling several devices is simply not for me. For tech journalists, it is now far more sensible to have a single device, such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Though foldables are not yet mainstream (their high cost keeps them out of reach for most consumers), in my experience, the phone-tablet duo does provide a difference compared to carrying a separate phone and tablet; In addition, the user experience appears to have enhanced.While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold may appear similar to last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold that I reviewed, it boasts significant enhancements including a larger battery, a quicker Tensor G5 chip, upgraded cameras, improved displays, water resistance for folding phones, and enhanced integration with Google’s Gemini AI tools. It didn’t take me long to adapt to the folding Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which felt more polished and personal, but switching from my iPhone to the Google phone was still a challenge.  

Published 09 Oct 2025 04:24 PM

OpenAI DevDay 2025: ChatGPT introduces apps, AgentKit for developers, and cost-effective GPT models

OpenAI DevDay 2025: ChatGPT introduces apps, AgentKit for developers, and cost-effective GPT models

The third edition of the DevDay developer conference has been concluded by OpenAI. This year’s conference was a mixed bag, with some new and useful features alongside incremental upgrades, in contrast to last year when OpenAI did not conduct any major product launches. It appears that OpenAI may be working to develop ChatGPT into a fully realized AI-powered operating system. Additionally, the company launched two new, more affordable real-time voice models, a developer toolkit named AgentKit, and introduced apps within ChatGPT. Take a quick glance at all the announcements OpenAI made at DevDay 2025.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveiled AgentKit, a robust toolkit aimed at simplifying the creation and implementation of AI agents, in an exciting announcement at the recent Dev Day event. Altman explained, “AgentKit is a comprehensive set of resources on the open AI platform designed to assist developers in moving their agents from initial concept to full-scale production.” This effort forms part of OpenAI’s wider strategy to boost developer engagement by simplifying the process of building agents. With the introduction of AgentKit, OpenAI demonstrates its dedication to maintaining competitiveness in a fast-changing environment, where numerous AI platforms are working to offer integrated solutions for developing autonomous agents that can manage intricate tasks. A key highlight of the event was the introduction of a feature that allows users to build applications right within ChatGPT, which has recently reached an astonishing 800 million weekly active users.  

Published 07 Oct 2025 09:09 PM

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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.

Dubai Hosted PMFAIs International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.   

Tata Sons to invest $1 billion more in digital arm

Tata Sons to invest $1 billion more in digital arm

Tata Sons is poised to invest about $1 billion in Tata Digital, over the next few years, people familiar with the matter said. This comes as the parent of the diversified Tata group puts a pause on external fundraising for the ecommerce entity, which houses the superapp, Tata Neu as it reviews its digital strategy with the appointment of a new chief executive officer this week, the people said. Tata Digital will only tap external investors after the new CEO sets down to focus on execution and scale, one of the persons said. Earlier this week, Tata Digital appointed Naveen Tahilyani, the former managing director of Tata AIA Life Insurance, as its CEO & MD. Tahilyani replaced Pratik Pal who had been holding the charge since the company’s inception in 2019.Tata Sons has invested more than $2 billion in Neu so far and has board approvals for further capital infusion over a five-year period, the people said.  A spokesperson for Tata Sons did not respond to ET’s queries. Multiple people aware of the management changes said Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran wanted a senior hand with consumer background to steer the next stage of expansion for Neu. “The top brass wants Tata Digital to work on making its operational structure more efficient and agile and scale up the business,” a person said.   

Apple unveils AI image tool that lets you make edits by just describing them

Apple unveils AI image tool that lets you make edits by just describing them

The researchers highlighted the model's ability to derive explicit visual-aware intentions, leading to meaningful image enhancements. Apple researchers have introduced an AI model enabling users to write desired changes to a photograph using simple language, eliminating the need for traditional photo editing software. The groundbreaking model, named MGIE (MLLM-Guided Image Editing), is the result of a collaboration between Apple and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Capable of executing various editing tasks including cropping, resizing, flipping, and applying filters solely through text prompts, MGIE represents a significant advancement in image editing technology. This innovation can handle both straightforward and intricate editing requests, such as altering specific objects within a photo or enhancing brightness levels. MGIE harnesses the power of multimodal language models, first deciphering user prompts and then generating corresponding edits. For instance, a request for a "bluer sky" translates to adjusting the brightness of the sky portion of an image. This approach ensures precise interpretation and execution of editing instructions. For example, a prompt to "make it more healthy" when editing an image of a pepperoni pizza results in the addition of vegetable toppings. Similarly, instructing the model to "add more contrast to simulate more light" enhances the brightness of a dark image, such as tigers in the Sahara.  

The University of Wollongong in India is now accepting applications for its fintech and computer programs.

The University of Wollongong in India is now accepting applications for its fintech and computer programs.

The prerequisites for admission are identical to those of UOW's campuses in Australia: an undergraduate degree, professional experience, and an English language proficiency test.The University of Wollongong India (UOW India) GIFT City campus is now accepting applications from students.The University of Wollongong India (UOW India) has released a press release stating that it has announced two new programs for students this year: a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology and a Master of Financial Technology. Final approval is a must for both programs.The university had previously declared that its Graduate Certificate in Computing and Master of Computing (Data Analytics) programs would begin offering to students in July."We are thrilled to announce the opening of applications for UOW India and are eager to see our first student cohort arrive at our GIFT City campus. According to Patricia M. Davidson, president and vice chancellor of UOW, "this is a fantastic opportunity for students to get a world-class education and experience in the field of computing and financial technology. "The University of Wollongong India (UOW India) has the same entrance requirements for these programs as its Australian campuses, which include an undergraduate degree, job experience, and an English language proficiency test, according to the press release."With a well-deserved reputation for quality, UOW is listed among the top 250 universities in the world for accounting and finance courses. Professor Colin Picker, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, stated, "Our cutting-edge FinTech courses will give students the abilities, information, and experience needed for success in finance and the growing field of Financial Technology."  

Orios Venture Partners sells nearly 3% stake in Country Delight for Rs 225 crore

Orios Venture Partners sells nearly 3% stake in Country Delight for Rs 225 crore

Orios Venture Partners has made a partial exit from direct-to-consumer (D2C) fresh food brand Country Delight for around Rs 225 crore. People familiar with the matter said the early-stage venture capital firm has sold about a 3% stake in Country Delight to Temasek-backed asset management group Seviora. Orios had invested Rs 15 crore in Country Delight from its Fund-I, of which the first cheque of Rs 3 crore was infused in 2017. The firm had subsequently invested additional sums in Country Delight through its later funds.Across all its investments in the D2C company, Orios held 21-22% stake in Country Delight prior to the partial exit.On January 5, ET reported that the Gurugram-based company raised around $20 million (around Rs 164 crore) in a funding round led by one of its existing investors, Singapore’s sovereign fund Temasek. Another existing backer, Venturi Partners, also participated, in addition to Seviora, which invested through its agriculture and food-focused investment vehicle Seviora T3F Fund. The round valued Country Delight at around $820 million. Orios launched Fund-I in 2014, with a final close of Rs 300 crore in 2015. In January, the Mumbai-based investment firm announced that it had returned the initial corpus to its limited partners, or sponsors of the fund. Among the various sectors, Fund-I allocated 27% of its corpus to ecommerce marketplaces, followed by D2C at 18%, and healthtech at 14%. Key portfolio companies that emerged from the fund include Country Delight, PharmEasy, Intelligence Node, and Zostel. Orios also counts BatterySmart, Vedantu, Ixigo, Mobikwik and CarDekho among its portfolio companies. It had also backed beleaguered car repair startup GoMechanic but had to eventually write off the investment after GoMechanic’s founders admitted to financial wrongdoing. The Rehan Yar Khan-led investment firm also saw two of its managing partners Anup Jain and Rajeev Suri depart in September 2023.    

Court relief for Byju’s in TLB lenders’ suit

Court relief for Byju’s in TLB lenders’ suit

Byju’s won a legal reprieve on Monday when a civil court in Bengaluru declined to grant a plea by its lenders challenging Manipal Group Chairman Ranjan Pai’s acquisition of a 40% stake in the embattled edtech firm’s subsidiary Aakash Institute, two people aware of the development said. The lenders of Byju’s $1.2 billion term loan had moved the city court last Thursday seeking an ex-parte injunction on the transaction allowing Pai to convert a loan of about $250-$300 million he had advanced to the brick-and-mortar coaching network into equity in Aakash Institute. Thursday’s legal challenge by the TLB lenders caught both Byju’s and Pai “by surprise” the sources said. The lenders were petitioning the court about Pai's conversion of debt into equity at a lower valuation of $600 million compared to the valuation of $950 million ascribed to Aakash Institute when it was acquired by Byju’s parent Think & Learn in 2021. As such, the proposed deal hurts the lenders of Think & Learn, the lenders contended. This lender group controls 80% of the term loan raised by Byju's in November 2021. According to people present at the hearing on Monday, the court did not grant the injunction to block the deal as per the lenders' plea while also adding that the jurisdiction for the case was not correct. The lenders had cited the credit agreement which they said bars Byju’s parent Think & Learn from selling any asset without prior approval from the lenders, the sources said. Byju’s made its arguments over the weekend at the city civil court, they added.  

Banks await RBI nod on KYC challenges at Paytm before moving business

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.  

Jeff Bezos plans to sell 50 million Amazon shares over next year

Jeff Bezos plans to sell 50 million Amazon shares over next year

The disclosure came through a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where Amazon revealed Bezos' trading plan.In a move that has captured market attention, Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos is set to offload a significant portion of his company shares over the next year. Reports from various media outlets indicate Bezos' intention to divest at least 50 million shares of the e-commerce giant. The disclosure came through a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where Amazon revealed Bezos' trading plan. As the executive chair of the company, Bezos' move signals a strategic adjustment in his investment portfolio. The plan outlines the potential sale of up to 50 million shares by January 25 of the following year, subject to specific conditions. While Bezos, who recently marked his 60th birthday, retains a vast holding of nearly one billion Amazon shares, this divestment plan represents a substantial reduction in his stake. Additionally, the filing reveals that seven other top executives at Amazon have formulated similar trading plans to sell shares.Bezos' shareholding in Amazon is a cornerstone of his considerable personal wealth, currently estimated at $193.3 billion. The planned divestment underscores a deliberate repositioning of assets by one of the world's wealthiest individuals. Amazon's financial performance remains robust, with impressive figures reported for the holiday quarter ending December 31, 2023. The company saw a 14% increase in net sales, reaching $170 billion compared to $149.2 billion in the same period of the previous year. Net income also surged to $10.6 billion in Q4 2023, compared to $0.3 billion in Q4 2022. Notably, the Amazon Web Services (AWS) segment reported a 13% year-over-year increase in sales, totaling $24.2 billion. CEO Andy Jassy commented on the exceptional performance, describing the holiday season as "record-breaking." Jassy expressed optimism for the company's trajectory in 2024, highlighting ongoing efforts and forthcoming opportunities.As Bezos prepares to execute his share sale plan, the market will closely monitor its impact on both Amazon's stock value and Bezos' personal financial landscape.    

WhatsApp will add support for cross-platform messaging

WhatsApp will add support for cross-platform messaging

Cross-platform messaging support will soon be added to Meta's messaging app, which already supports end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Third-party chat support will enable users of other messaging apps to text WhatsApp users. Meta has stated that this feature will only be available to users who voluntarily sign up, in order to avoid cross-service spamming. The organization has confirmed that it is working to make cross-platform messaging possible ahead of the EU's March 6 deadline for the Digital Markets Act (DMA).Users will be able to send messages with different kinds of attachments when WhatsApp's upcoming chat interoperability is activated, WhatsApp Engineering Director Dick Brouwer told Wired. Messages received from users on other platforms will be reported to them through a new "Third Party Chats" section at the top of their chat list, which will also distinguish between chats that are encrypted with WhatsApp's E2EE technology and those that are not.    Other chat platforms can connect to the Meta-owned chat platform in order to send and receive messages, and encrypt messages using the open source Signal Protocol. This allows them to message users of WhatsApp. According to Brouwer, WhatsApp is documenting its client-server protocol, which will enable other chat services to establish direct connections between their clients and WhatsApp's servers in order to send messages to users on different platforms. According to the report, the third party chat feature will not support regular SMS messages. Calling and group chats across chat platforms will not be possible this year, in contrast to individual chats. Furthermore, according to Brouwer, the features of WhatsApp chats will advance more slowly than those of third-party chats. In order to avoid spam and scams, users will also need to explicitly consent to receive chats from third-party platforms.

Ranveer Singh becomes a Brand Ambassador and Stakeholder at boAt.

Ranveer Singh becomes a Brand Ambassador and Stakeholder at boAt.

The well-known lifestyle brand boAt has attracted the attention of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who has invested in the company and is now the official spokesperson for its audio products.The well-known lifestyle brand boAt has attracted the attention of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who has invested in the company and is now the official spokesperson for its audio products. With this relationship, boAt makes a calculated strategic move by adding Singh to their esteemed roster of brand ambassadors, which already includes well-known athletes and celebrities.A Well-Moved Investment More than just a business move, Ranveer Singh's investment in boAt is a team effort to transform the audio experience for the Indian market, with a focus on the Gen Z and Millennial markets. Singh is well-known for his lively demeanor and strong affinity for music, thus it is anticipated that his involvement would infuse the brand with new life and inventiveness.Several of the biggest figures in the entertainment and sports industries, including Kiara Advani, Rashmika Mandanna, and cricket players Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Jemimah Rodrigues, are now boAt's brand ambassadors thanks to the addition of Ranveer Singh. This group of brand ambassadors embodies boAt's dedication to creating a brand that appeals to young people and those who are young at heart. The Partnership's Vision Co-founder and chief marketing officer of boAt, Aman Gupta, expressed his excitement at having Ranveer Singh on the team. Singh's contagious enthusiasm and love of music were emphasized by Gupta as important components that perfectly complement the tenets of boAt. With an emphasis on innovation, high-quality sound, and community building, boAt's objective to improve the audio experience in India is recognized as validated by this relationship.Ranveer Singh expressed his excitement in collaborating with boAt, highlighting the company's dedication to excellent sound quality and its strong affinity for the younger demographic. To Singh, contributing to the cause of "amplifying the sound of India like never before" is the main motivation behind investing in boAt."Lost in Nirvana" Initiative The "Lost in Nirvana" campaign, which was designed and carried out in conjunction with the creative firm Talented, marked the beginning of the partnership. The campaign consists of commercial films that highlight the remarkable qualities of the Nirvana line, including its 120-hour battery life, boAt distinctive sound, and active noise cancellation technology. In the ad, Ranveer Singh presents himself in a distinctive and never-before-seen avatar, inviting viewers to join him on a musical trip.BoAt's Tour and Provisions Established in 2015 by Aman Gupta and Sameer Mehta, boAt has quickly become a well-known brand in the wearable technology industry, providing a wide variety of devices such as speakers, smartwatches, and headphones. The business has raised $177 million in funding thus far, indicating strong growth and promise in the cutthroat industry.  

JEE Main 2024 Answer Key Live NTA JEE Mains response sheet and provisional key at jeemain.nta.ac.in before the deadline

JEE Main 2024 Answer Key Live NTA JEE Mains response sheet and provisional key at jeemain.nta.ac.in before the deadline

Today, February 6, the National Testing Agency is expected to make the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2024 session 1 preliminary answer key available. The release date of the JEE Main 2024 answer key will probably be revealed soon at jeemain.nta.ac.in. To get the preliminary JEE Main answer key 2024, candidates need have their login information, including their date of birth and JEE Main application number, close at hand.How can I get the 2024 Provisional JEE Main Answer Key? The actions listed below should be followed by candidates in order to download the NTA JEE Mains session 1 provisional answer key. Visit jeemain.nta.ac.in, the official website. On JEE Main 2024 Answer Key, click. Enter your date of birth, application number, and any other requested information. Select "Submit" from the menu. The JEE Main question paper, answer key, and response sheet will be available to candidates.Candidates can contest the official JEE Main answer key if they believe it contains any errors or wrong answers. We'll shortly announce the date for the JEE Main 2024 answer key challenge. NTA will publish the official JEE Main answer key 2024 after assessing the challenges submitted by the candidates. Online tests for the JEE Main 2024 were administered on January 24, 27, 29, 30, 31, and February 1, 2024. Previously, on February 2, JEE Main 2024 session 2 registration opened.Live Updates on the JEE Main 2024 Answer Key: Applicants can get the JEE Main session 1 answer keys from jeemain.nta.ac.in, along with their recorded responses.Live Updates for the JEE Main 2024 Answer Key: The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2024 was administered for the first time by the National Testing Agency (NTA) between January 24 and February 1. The NTA will soon release the provisional answer keys. Interested candidates can download the JEE Main session 1 answer keys and their recorded responses from jeemain.nta.ac.in.Candidates will have a window to voice any concerns to the answers, if any, following the release of the JEE Main answer key, provided they pay a fee for each question. Subsequently, NTA will examine the candidates' feedback and compile the final answer key.Exam dates for the JEE Mains Session 1 were January 24, 27, 29, 30, 31, and February 1, 2024, at locations across the nation.A total of 11,70,036 candidates sat the paper 1 (BE/BTech) test, and 55,493 candidates showed up for the paper 2 (BArch, BPlanning) exam.  

On February 11, IIT Bhubaneswar will introduce the 100-CUBE Startup initiative.

On February 11, IIT Bhubaneswar will introduce the 100-CUBE Startup initiative.

IIT-B: The park will grow from 20,000 square feet to roughly 80,000 square feet over the course of the next two years with assistance from the ministry of education, according to the director of the institute.NEW DELHI: According to institute director Shreepad Karmalkar, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar will unveil its groundbreaking 100-CUBE Startup program at its research and entrepreneurship park on February 11. This announcement was made here on Monday. By the time Odisha celebrates its centennial in 2036, the goal of this effort is to establish 100 companies, each valued at Rs 100 crore, according to Karmalkar. He underlined that in order to accomplish this, the park would offer crucial tools, guidance, startup funding, and connections to possible investors.Over the next two years, the park will grow from 20,000 square feet to roughly 80,000 square feet thanks to kind support from the ministry of education, he continued. According to him, this program is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's objectives, which center on encouraging entrepreneurship and aiding in company incubation. Karmalkar emphasized that, based on India's notable increase in the global innovation rank from 76 in 2014 to 40 in 2023, the next 25 years will be driven by startups.According to him, the 100-CUBE Startup initiative uses a mind-to-market strategy to support companies in all sectors, genders, and geographical areas in an effort to improve this ranking even more. On February 11, faculty heads of IIT research parks, businesspeople, and venture capitalists will lead concurrent technical workshops for faculty and entrepreneurs. The signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with around 20 sectors, 30 startups, and 30 venture capitalists would come next, he continued, in order to establish strategic partnerships for accomplishing the 100-CUBE goal.According to organizers, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will formally open the 1500-seat auditorium and lay the groundwork for infrastructure projects valued at Rs 450 crore. He continued, saying that all things considered, the program represents a critical turning point in IIT Bhubaneswar's efforts to develop the startup culture in the nation and position Odisha as a center of entrepreneurship.  

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