Galaxy AI Features Come On Samsung Galaxy Buds With All-New Galaxy S24 Series

Samsung, India’s largest electronics brand, has announced the OTA (over-the-air) roll out of Galaxy AI features on Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds FE. Users will now be able to unlock the full potential of Galaxy AI features such as Live Translate on Galaxy Buds series through the ‘Made in India’ Galaxy S24 series.

With the help of Live Translate, users can see real-time call translation on the screen of Galaxy S24 series, while they are talking via Galaxy Buds. Additionally, the new AI-driven interpreter feature on Galaxy S24 series provides a seamless two-way, face-to-face interpretation through Galaxy Buds interface.

Users can directly speak into the Buds mic and their translated voice will now be available via the Galaxy S24 series enabling near-natural conversation between two individuals each holding Galaxy S24 series smartphone and Galaxy Buds respectively, eliminating the need to hand over the phone and manage translated talking.

The roll out of the new Galaxy AI features elevates the already exceptional experience of top-of-the-line Galaxy Buds2 Pro. The premium Galaxy Buds2 Pro comes with 24bit hi-fi sound quality, enhanced 360 immersive audio and intelligent Audio Noise Cancelation (ANC). Galaxy Buds FE brings Samsung’s industry-leading sound experience to users. Its powerful bass offers deep and rich sound that allows users to enjoy music the way the artist intended, while powerful Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound enable users to hear more of what they love and less of what they don’t.

Consumers purchasing Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ will get benefits worth INR 12000, while those buying Galaxy S24 can avail benefits worth INR 10000. Consumers can also opt for No Cost EMI upto 24 Months on purchase of S24 Series..

Consumers purchasing Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds FE can avail limited period cash back or upgrade upto INR 6000.

Boeing Announces Winners Of Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development Program 2023-24

 •                Seven teams comprising university students and early-stage start-up entrepreneurs emerge as winners

•                Over 1200 ideas submitted by more than 2200 students and start-up participants

Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced seven teams comprising university students and early-stage start-up entrepreneurs as winners of the third edition of Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) program 2023-24.

The seven winning teams are Abyom SpaceTech and Defence Pvt. Ltd. and Green Aero Propulsion Pvt. Ltd. from Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FIIT) – IIT Delhi, Glovatrix Pvt. Ltd. from Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) – IIT Mumbai, dVerse Technologies Pvt. Ltd. from IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Backyard Creators Pvt. Ltd., BONV Technology Private Limited and Coratia Technologies Pvt. Ltd. from Technology Business Incubator (TBI) – KIIT, Bhubaneswar. These winners will be further supported by Boeing and their respective incubator partners for over a few months to help develop their ideas into market-ready and viable business solutions.

Shri Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited and Member of Legislative Assembly, Karnataka; Shri C.B. Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL; Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, President, The Aeronautical Society of India  (Former Secretary DD R&D, Chairman DRDO, and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri), Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, Department of Space, along with Boeing leadership and seven incubator partners awarded the winners at the finale event organized at the new Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus, Bengaluru.

“BUILD has evolved into an aspirational and dynamic start-up platform, nurturing young entrepreneurial minds of the country with the right skills and support to scale up operations, develop cutting-edge technologies, and help implement ideas that impact not only the nation but the world at large. I want to congratulate our incubator partners for leading this program to success over these years and would like to congratulate winners and the applicants for their active participation this year,” said Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India. “We continue to remain committed to fostering innovation by nurturing the country’s brightest talent and ideas through our industry-academia collaborations and partnerships”, added Gupte.

Each of these seven teams received INR 10 lakh as a financial grant, and their ideas covered solutions for community development, the defence and space industry, and sustainability.

In its third edition, Boeing continues to partner with seven incubators, namely, SINE – IIT Mumbai, FIIT – IIT Delhi, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center – IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Society for Innovation and Development – IISC Bengaluru, T-Hub Hyderabad, and TBI – KIIT Bhubaneshwar, to organize BUILD in India. The applicants were invited to submit ideas in the fields of aerospace and defense, technology start-up, social impact, and sustainability.

Ahmed Elsherbini, vice president, managing director, Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center, and chief engineer, Boeing India said, “Every year, as we invite ideas for BUILD, we remain excited about the possibilities these young minds and their ideas bring for the country. The entire process of nurturing each idea to make it into a viable business solution is delivered through interactions between our engineers, technologists, partner incubators, and the student and start-up community. The mentorship, resources, and access to the right networks help pivot growth for these start-ups and entrepreneurs.”

In 2023, BUILD attracted a record number of entrants, with over 1200 ideas submitted by more than 2200 students and start-up participants applying from tier 1, 2, and 3 cities across India. Following a stringent evaluation process, 75 shortlisted teams entered the regional boot camp, of which regional and national finalists received guidance from start-up ecosystem experts, incubator partners, and Boeing engineers to incubate ideas. Participants further received access to Boeing’s innovation ecosystem.

Over the years, Boeing India has been helping contribute to skill development and capability building in the country through other programs such as the HorizonX India Innovation Challenge, Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Apprenticeship, and National Aeromodelling Competition with IIT.

About Boeing in India

Boeing is focused on delivering value to Indian customers with advanced technologies and is committed to creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector – developing local suppliers and shaping academic and research collaborations with Indian institutions. Boeing has strengthened its supply chain with more than 310 local companies in India and a joint venture to manufacture fuselages for Apache helicopters and vertical fin structures for the 737 family of airplanes. Annual sourcing from India stands at over $1.25 billion. Boeing currently employs over 6,000 people in India, and more than 13,000 people work with its supply chain partners. Boeing’s employee efforts and country-wide engagement serve communities and citizenship programs to inspire change and make an impact on more than 1.3 million lives. Learn more at www.boeing.co.in.

Photo Caption – From L-R (top row) – Second from left, Ahmed Elsherbini, VP and MD, BIETC, and chief engineer, Boeing India; Shri C.B. Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL; Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited and Member of Legislative Assembly, Karnataka; Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, President, The Aeronautical Society of India,  (Former Secretary DD R&D, Chairman DRDO, and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri); Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India; Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, Department of Space along with Boeing team, incubator partners, and the seven winners of BUILD 2023-24.

Rohit Sharma Unveils Numberless Prepaid Student ID Card With LEO1, MasterCard,, issued By NSDL Payments Bank

–         Revolutionising Fee Collection through Ground breaking Financial SAAS for Educational Institutions

A leading Edu-fintech company, has introduced India’s first numberless prepaid student ID Card in partnership with NSDL Payments Bank and Mastercard as part of its Financial SAAS for Educational Institutions. This innovative card serves as a secure prepaid card and a student ID card, marking a significant step in digitizing financial transactions in educational institutions, rewarding responsible behavior, and promoting cashless campuses. This strategic alliance underscores LEO1's unwavering commitment to financial innovation, inclusivity, and digital empowerment in the education sector.

In Mumbai, the launch event unfolded with great anticipation as the card was unveiled in the presence of Rohit Sharma, the Captain of the Indian Cricket team, before a distinguished gathering of officials from LEO1, Mastercard, and NSDL Payments Bank.

Powered by Mastercard, the new card will ensure a safe and secure payment experience for students, contributing to the shared vision of LEO1, Mastercard, and NSDL Payments Bank to promote digitization of financial transactions at educational institutes.

LEO1 transforms financial operations for educational institutions through its comprehensive Financial SAAS platform, empowering institutions with streamlined fee collection, enhanced transparency, and real-time insights. Institutions adopting LEO1's Financial SAAS gain access to an array of modules designed to enhance fee collection operations and improve financial transparency, facilitating informed financial decisions for a more efficient and transparent financial management process.

LEO1's integrated system encompasses various modules to enhance the overall student experience. The Rewards Module actively engages and motivates students by employing a dynamic rewards system, using LEO1 Coins to encourage timely fee payments. The Smart ID Card Module offers multifunctional smart ID cards, serving as versatile tools for students by combining access control, identification, and financial transactions into a single, convenient solution. Simultaneously, the Fee Management Module streamlines and automates fee-related processes, providing a seamless experience for both students and institutions. Complementing these features, the Financial Literacy Module empowers students with crucial financial knowledge through educational content and tools, contributing to an enhanced understanding of financial concepts.

Notably, LEO1 incentivizes responsible financial behavior by rewarding timely fee payments with LEO1 Coins, where each coin holds a value of one rupee. These coins can be redeemed across various platforms for discounts and vouchers, aligning with the broader mission of making education more accessible by potentially reducing or eliminating fees for students who consistently meet payment deadlines.

The LEO1 card stands as a transformative tool for parents, allowing them to send money digitally, monitor category-wise usage, and oversee overall spending. For students, it facilitates seamless transactions, including tap-and-pay for institute fees, retail purchases, online transactions, and ATM withdrawals, all while doubling as a multifunctional student ID card.

Rohit Gajbhiye, Founder and Managing Director of LEO1, expressed anticipation about the collaboration, emphasizing the mission to make quality education universally accessible. The partnership signifies a crucial stride in dismantling financial barriers, establishing an environment where stakeholders can confidently embrace digital solutions for fee payments.

Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia at Mastercard, said, “Backed by Mastercard’s promise of safe and secure transactions along with exciting rewards and deals, this new card will help in digitizing the education ecosystem. A key benefit to society at large is that it will encourage the youth to manage their spends from an early age, thereby inculcating responsible financial behavior in them.

“Strategically targeting the 18-23 age group, the collaboration extends beyond financial transactions, aiming to cultivate a digital mindset and foster responsible digital behavior and financial literacy among the youth.”

NSDL Payments Bank says: We are proud to introduce the student ID cum Prepaid Card, designed to streamline payment experiences for students. The versatile student ID cum Prepaid Card facilitates transactions seamlessly across all ECOM stores & POS stores. Together, we are shaping the future of payments and forging a path towards a seamless and uniform experience for educational institutions and students.

About LEO1 

LEO1 (formerly Financepeer) is a leading fintech company offering innovative Fee Payment solutions, allowing parents to pay education fees in multiple installments at zero additional cost. LEO1 envisions making education accessible to the masses, providing fee financing facilities to over 3 million students nationwide. Established in 2017, LEO1 is a Forbes-listed and Google-incubated School (K-12) fee financing company, aiming to facilitate access to education and support the growth of both educational institutions and learners worldwide. 

Marriott Bonvoy Becomes Official Loyalty Partner For Ed Sheeran +-= ÷ x Tour – India 2024

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program with more than 30 extraordinary brands and endless experiences, today announced it is the Loyalty Partner to the four -time Grammy award winner Ed Sheeran’s +-= ÷ x Tour – India 2024, brought to India by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow. The last and final stop of the global tour will be in Mumbai, India at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on March 16th, 2024. This strategic partnership grants Marriott Bonvoy members access to exclusive ticket with guided site tours and an exciting sweepstakes – an opportunity for fans to win tickets to the iconic Ed Sheeran + - = ÷ x Tour - India 2024.

Marriott Bonvoy members can gain access to this once-in-a-lifetime music experience from Marriott Bonvoy Moments, the platform where members can use points earned from travel and everyday activities to redeem exclusive experiences. Members can redeem their points for never-done-before guided site tours one day before the concert, they will also be awarded Marriott Bonvoy Lounge passes that grant exclusive access to the concert. In addition to this, Marriott Bonvoy will also grant GA passes to members which they can redeem through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform using their points. The moments have gone live on February 7th, 2024.

This strategic partnership also gives fans and music lovers the opportunity to participate in the sweepstakes with simple registration to the Marriott Bonvoy program, which is free and easy at marriottbonvoy.com. Ten lucky winners will be selected randomly from eligible entries received throughout the sweepstakes period. The sweepstakes go live from February 15th – March 1st, 2024.

“As the official loyalty partner for Ed Sheeran’ + - = ÷ x Tour - India 2024 through our strategic partnership with BookMyShow Live, we are excited to tap into the positive power of music and entertainment, to deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Marriott Bonvoy members.  This strategic partnership underscores Marriott Bonvoy’s commitment to constantly innovate the way we engage the next generation of travelers with some of the most iconic performers of this era, while showcasing the value proposition of our loyalty program and enrolling prospective new customers,” said Khushnooma Kapadia – Vice President Marketing – South Asia, Marriott International.

BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment division of BookMyShow will bring Ed Sheeran’s + - = ÷ x Tour to India as promoters for the tour along with AEG Presents.

To learn more about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. Join the conversation at @marriottbonvoy on Instagram and TikTok.

Tata.ev Reduces EV Prices Upto Rs. 1.2 Lakh Across Various Models

Passes on battery price reduction benefits to customers

India’s most feature rich EV, Nexon.ev now starting from Rs. 14.49 Lakh

Long Range Nexon.ev (465km) now starting from Rs. 16.99 Lakh

India’s fastest selling EV, Tiago.ev now starting at a never before price of Rs. 7.99 Lakh

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors and the pioneer of India’s EV revolution, today announced an exciting reduction in prices of its bestselling EVs - Nexon.ev and Tiago.ev, with the objective of making EVs more accessible to Indian customers.

Key highlights of the price reduction:

India’s most feature rich EV, the Nexon.ev gets a price reduction of up to Rs. 1.2 Lakh 

India’s fastest selling Tiago.ev gets a price reduction of up to Rs. 70,000, base model starts at Rs. 7.99 Lakh

Inaugural prices of the recently launched Punch.ev remain unchanged as they already factor in reduction in battery price in the foreseeable future. 

Speaking about this price reduction, Mr. Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, TPEM, said, “Battery costs constitute a substantial part of the overall cost of an EV. With battery cell prices having softened in the recent past and considering their potential reduction in the foreseeable future, we have chosen to proactively pass on the resulting benefits directly to customers.

While EVs have grown rapidly over the last few years, our mission is to accelerate the mainstream adoption of EVs by making them more accessible nationwide. Our portfolio already offers a wide choice of body styles, range and price points for our smart, feature rich EVs. We believe that at these accessible prices, the best-selling Nexon.ev and Tiago.ev become an even more compelling proposition to attract a larger pool of customers.”

EV have shown a strong growth momentum and are substantially outperforming the overall passenger vehicle industry growth. In CY2023, the EV segment grew by over 90% against the 8% growth recorded by the PV industry. This growth momentum has continued in CY2024 with EV sales registering 100% YoY growth in January 2024. TPEM with over 70% market share is the market leader in this fast-growing segment.

Bank of Baroda Wins “Best AI & ML Bank” And “Best Tech Talent” Awards At IBA’s 19th Annual Banking Tech Awards 2023

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, was named the winner for “Best AI & ML Bank” and “Best Technology Talent” among Large Banks at the Indian Banks' Association’s (IBA) 19th Annual Banking Technology Awards 2023. The Bank also received a Special Mention in four award categories – Best Technology Bank, Best IT Risk Management, Best Fintech & DPI Adoption and Best Financial Inclusion.

Shri Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said “Technology is today at the heart of a banking institution. With the rapid advancements in the tech landscape along with our customers’ expectations from their bank, we will continue to invest in emerging technologies as we lay the foundation for the bank of the future. We would like to thank IBA for conferring Bank of Baroda with these prestigious awards.”

Bank of Baroda has been working on a wide range of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning use cases over the last few years and has also started initial exploration of potential use cases in Generative AI (GenAI). The Bank is also implementing enhanced cyber security capabilities with the help of AI & ML. The Bank has established an enterprise wide data and analytics platform and is undertaking an architecture and application modernisation programme, aimed at transforming the Bank into a customer-first digital organisation.

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of ~165 million through over 70,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instil a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank.

Buddy Loan Recognized Among The Top 10 Fast-Growing Digital Personal Finance Companies

Buddy Loan, a leading loan service provider in the fintech arena, recently ranked 8th in SimilarWeb’s Digital 100 fastest-growing online businesses report under the personal finance category in India.

In a data-driven triumph, Buddy Loan has clinched the spotlight in SimilarWeb's Digital 100 ranking. The methodology, focused on the percentage increase in average monthly traffic from 2022 to 2023, reveals Buddy Loan's meteoric rise with 23.3 million web traffic and 1.2 million average monthly unique visitors.

Since its establishment in 2018, Buddy Loan has been dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technology to bridge the gap between borrowers and lenders. Buddy Loan's success lies in its transparent and user-friendly lending ecosystem, in partnership with RBI-approved Banks & NBFCs. The platform's recognition among the top fintech platforms by SimilarWeb is a testament to its commitment to excellence.

Expressing enthusiasm about this accolade, Amitabh Bishnoi, President Growth & Initiatives, stated, "Our goal is to empower consumers with accessible and efficient financial solutions. This recognition validates our efforts in transforming fintech, prioritizing speed, efficiency, and consumer-centric solutions."

Buddy Loan's dedication has not only earned prestigious recognition but has also positively impacted the financial well-being of consumers. Bishnoi extends gratitude to valued customers, partners, and employees for contributing to this significant milestone. As the company continues to innovate, its unwavering commitment remains: to redefine fintech boundaries and deliver unparalleled value to users. Buddy Loan stands as a testament to fintech evolution, embodying innovation and consumer-centric solutions in every digital transaction.

About Buddy Loan

Buddy Loan, a leading loan service provider in the fintech arena i.e. gently transforming digital lending dynamics with instant loan approvals. Acting as a seamless bridge for borrowers and lenders, the app offers user-friendly features, thoughtful credit score checks, and real-time information in collaboration with RBI approved Banks & NBFCs across India. Operating in both the US and the Indian markets, Buddy Loan’s revolutionary soft approval system makes it easy for instant feedback and simplifying the loan application process. With exceptional 80% Loan Approval Rate we have profoundly made it to over 1 billion soft loan approvals & 2 billion active users/month. Buddy Loan envisions financial future with fair distribution of credit, making way for sustainable fintech innovation.