Sony Expands Vlogging Line-Up With New ZV-1F, The Vlog Camera That Boosts Creative Power

1.    1. Ultra-wide-angle 20 mm prime lens, ideal for group selfies and background scenery

2.    2. Vari-angle LCD for selfies

3.    3. ZV-1F accurately captures your skin tone, ensuring you a healthy and natural look

4.    4. 425 contrast-detection AF frame points for high-precision focusing

5.    5. Wind screen for Clear Voice Recording outdoors

6.    6. Built-in Directional 3-Capsule Mic for high quality audio

Sony today announced the new vlog camera ZV-1F. Packed with creative power, easy-to-use vlogging functions, advanced connectivity, and eco-friendly features, it is the new go-to camera for vloggers and creators who want to capture stunning stills and video. The pocket-size camera has been optimised for vlogging with Sony’s latest technology to make content stand out.

“ZV-1F is a compact camera designed to elevate the vlogging experience of next-gen content creators. With ever-increasing demand for high-quality content, creators need an all-in-one camera that delivers superior quality output whilst being easy to use and designed specifically for wireless content sharing. We have also incorporated eco-friendly features in the ZV-1F with an aim to achieve a zero environmental footprint as sustainability is one of the key focus areas for Sony” said Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Digital Imaging Business, Sony India.

1.    Ultra-wide-angle 20 mm[i] prime lens, ideal for group selfies and background scenery

The ZV-1F has been designed to let the subject shine in any scene with an ultra-wide 20mm prime lens for optimum selfie shooting and wide field of view to capture more background. The vlog camera also offers background bokeh in both stills and video to further highlight the subject or create a softer look.

2.    Vari-angle LCD for selfies

The ZV-1F has been designed for total ease of use, so that vloggers can focus on content capture and intuitively use the camera without difficulty. Weighing only approx. 229g[ii] it is compact and lightweight enough for everyday use and can be carried everywhere. It also features a Vari-Angle LCD touch screen with features and settings changed by touch, including the ability to zoom[iii], so operation is instinctive. The new vlog camera includes a Bokeh Switch button to allow users to quickly switch between background bokeh when they want to highlight the face and without, even whilst recording video. It also features a Product Showcase setting to allow users to seamlessly shift focus between face and products – perfect for reviews. The ZV-1F also features a self-timer[iv] and recording lamp to make video content even easier to capture.

3.    ZV-1F accurately captures your skin tone, ensuring you a healthy and natural look

With the ‘Soft Skin Effect’ option the camera smooths and reduces wrinkles when shooting video and creates a natural skin tone effect for stills. Face Priority AE automatically adjusts the brightness when shooting so that faces can be captured with optimal brightness, even in situations where the light changes.

4.    425 contrast-detection AF frame points for high-precision focusing

The ZV-1F also boasts high precision focusing and Eye AF for both humans and animals[v] which allows the autofocus to fix tenaciously on the face and eyes without getting diverted by other subjects. Users can easily change subjects via the camera’s touchscreen. What’s more, when shooting video, image stabilisation is available in Active Mode[vi] (electronic) to ensure footage is steady and smooth when walking. The newly available Creative Look function gives users several preset options to create desired atmospheres in both stills and video with differences in tone, brightness, colour depth and more. A total of 10 modes are available to enhance creativity and allows users to share content immediately with no need for editing. The ZV-1F also features S&Q mode[vii] to shoot in both slow motion at 5 x slower speed[viii] and quick motion at 60 x faster[ix] hyper lapse speed to achieve a desired effect.

5.     Wind screen for clear voice recording outdoors

In addition to stills and video, high-quality sound is vital to capture perfect content. Wind screen provides clear voice recording and reduced noise in windy outdoor conditions.

6.    Built-in Directional 3-Capsule Mic for high quality audio

ZV-1F has an in-built Directional 3-Capsule Mic which ensures high quality sound for your videos.

7.    Connectivity and Accessories

The new vlog camera, ZV-1F, has been optimised for use with a smartphone. Sony’s new smartphone app Imaging Edge Mobile Plus™ [x] allows users to connect to the camera via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and transfer images and video. Content captured can be easily transferred to a smartphone and then uploaded to social platforms. Users can even mark shots for posting on social using shot marks[xi] during shooting or on the camera. Additionally, users can cut out and transfer specific 15, 30, or 60 second[xii] marked clips to their smartphone and post directly to social without the need to edit the length to suit the platform.  The Imaging Edge Mobile Plus™ app also allows users to control many of the camera’s settings like date, time and area as well as software updates and support guides. It can also operate the ZV-1F remotely and display battery level and remaining storage capacity.  Users can even use the ZV-1F as a high-quality live-streaming device[xiii]. With an appropriate video conference application or similar software, the ZV-1F can function as a high-performance web camera when connected to a computer or smartphone via USB[xiv].

The ZV-1F is compatible with the GP-VPT2BT[xv] Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander which offers cable-free control of zoom, recording and more, and expands into a mini-tripod for stable hands-free shots. An external microphone can also be easily attached to the accessory shoe[xvi] for clear sound recording.

8.    Supporting a Sustainable Future

The ZV-1F was designed with environmentally friendly features and technology to ensure a sustainable future. Recycled materials[xvii] including SORPLASTM[xviii]  are used in both the camera body and bundled accessories like the newly developed wind screen[xix] that have been adapted to maintain performance. Plant-based non-woven fabrics are used for product bags to reduce plastic packaging.

Price and Availability

The ZV-1F will be available across all Sony Center, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorized dealers, ecommerce websites (Amazon and Flipkart) and major electronic stores across India from 6th April 2023 onwards..

Manipal Academy of Higher Education Hosted An IVF Embryology Training Program In Collaboration With Merck Foundation, Germany

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), hosted an IVF Embryology training program in collaboration with Merck Foundation, Germany, with the aim to change societal attitudes towards infertility. The program was targeted at doctors from Africa, who received certification of having completed training in advanced in-vitro fertilization techniques, at an event held yesterday.

Dr HS Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE addressed the clinicians and embryologists gathered and pointed out the utmost importance of spreading awareness about the equal contribution of both male and female factors in infertility. He lauded Merck and KMC Manipal for their efforts in this aspect as well as in training people from various parts of the world.

Dr Hildagarda Aloyce from Tanzania said “KMC not only trained us in technique but also taught us how learning is a continuous process and constant practicing makes it perfect. The skills attained here will help us in improving every aspect of IVF treatment in our countries”

Dr Matthew Ndegwa from Kenya further emphasized the importance of ethical practice, patience, and proper techniques in enhancing the outcome of fertility treatment, which he found to be very well addressed in his training at Manipal.

Dr Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said “The embryology training program in Manipal is considered the best in the country and MAHE takes pride in extending the training globally through Merck Foundation.

Dr Satish Adiga, the coordinator of the training programme, said “We have trained over one hundred clinicians and scientists from across the globe and they are extremely successful in their profession today”

Mr Venu Nair, Vice President of Merck Foundation, congratulated the doctors and motivated them to use the expertise gained in Manipal to address the shortcomings present in infertility treatments back home. The Dean of KMC Manipal Dr Padmaraj Hegde and Director of International Affairs Dr Karunakar Kotegar were also present at the event. The training programme is jointly offered by MAHE and Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany. Merck Foundation aims to strengthen healthcare resources in Africa by connecting the continent to other countries. Through their partnership with India, Merck Foundation seeks to scale up fertility care capacity in Africa and other developing nations.

L&T Technology Services Earns Recognition As A John Deere “Partner-Level Supplier”

* LTTS Recognized For The Fourth Time For Outstanding Performance In Product & Service Quality

L&T Technology Services Limited (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS), a leading global pure-play engineering services company has earned recognition as a Partner-level supplier for the fourth time in the John Deere Achieving Excellence (AE) Program.

The Partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating. India-headquartered LTTS has been selected for the honor in recognition of its dedication to providing products and services of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement.

LTTS is a provider of multiple services to John Deere, including engineering services spanning areas like digital, product simulation, embedded software development & validation, mechanical design, cost management and analysis.

Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, delivery, process alignment, value creation and relationship. John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.

Abhishek Sinha, Chief Operating Officer and Board Member at L&T Technology Services said, “We are honored to receive the Partner-level recognition for the fourth time from John Deere. Our technology-led, long-standing expertise in product innovation has helped strengthen our relations with an industry leader like John Deere. This recognition is an example of our commitment to provide the best-in-class solutions and exceed expectations of our global customers.”

About L&T Technology Services Ltd

L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS) is a listed subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited focused on Engineering and R&D (ER&D) services. We offer consultancy, design, development and testing services across the product and process development life cycle. Our customer base includes 69 Fortune 500 companies and 57 of the world’s top ER&D companies, across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom & hi-tech, and the process industries. Headquartered in India, we have over 21,600 employees spread across 22 global design centers, 28 global sales offices and 91 innovation labs as of December 31, 2022.

Mahindra Auto Records Highest-Ever Vehicle Sales At 66,091 Units With 21% Growth; Sells Highest-Ever SUV Volume Of 35,976

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), one of India’s leading automotive companies, today announced that its auto sales for the month of March 2023 stood at 35,976 vehicles, its highest ever, with a growth of 31%. The company also clocked the highest ever annual sales of its SUVs at 356,961 units, with a growth of 60%. In the Passenger Vehicle segment (which includes UVs, Cars and Vans), the company sold 35,997 units (growth of 30%) in March 2023 and recorded an annual sale of 359,253 vehicles (growth of 59%).

The Commercial Vehicle segment recorded a sale of 22,282 vehicles in March 2023 (growth of 12%) and annual sale of 248,576 vehicles (growth of 40%). The LCV (2 - 3.5T) segment recorded its highest ever annual sales of 198,121 units in F23. Mahindra Truck and Bus Division (LCV > 3.5T + MHCV), also registered good performance with 1,469 units in March 2023 (growth of 77%) and annual sale of 10,036 units (growth of 56%)

Exports for the month were at 2,115 vehicles, and the company sold 5,697 units of 3-wheelers in March 2023.

According to Veejay Nakra, President, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd., “We are delighted to close the year with a growth of 50% for the Auto Sector on annual basis and the highest ever numbers, in almost all segments of the business. Our SUV business recorded all-time high numbers, with a growth of 31% in March 2023, while it recorded a 60% overall growth in F23, on the back of good demand across the portfolio. The Pik-up (LCV 2-3.5T) segment recorded highest ever annual volume with a strong 43% growth, consolidating its leadership position. We would like to thank our associates, dealers, partners, suppliers, and customers, who have made this a remarkable year”.

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate.   

The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise. 

Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise/ For updates subscribe to https://www.mahindra.com/news-room

Suzuki Motorcycle India Appoints Mr. Kenichi Umeda As The New Managing Director

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has announced the appointment of Mr. Kenichi Umeda as the new Managing Director of the company. Mr. Umeda succeeds Mr. Satoshi Uchida, who has completed his term as the Managing Director of the company.

Mr. Kenichi Umeda brings with him over 27 years of valuable industry experience across various global markets. At Suzuki Motorcycle India, Mr. Umeda will be responsible for the further growing and strengthening Suzuki Motorcycle India’s position in the Indian and overseas markets. Mr. Kenichi Umeda has a unique style of leadership, customer centric business approach and above all he comes with refreshed passion and commitment towards the brand Suzuki Motorcycle. 

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, "I am excited to take on this new role and lead Suzuki Motorcycle’s operations in one of the world's largest two-wheeler markets. India is an important market for Suzuki. Delivering innovative products and solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers has been the priority for Suzuki Motorcycle India since its inception. I am very excited to work with the talented team at Suzuki Motorcycle India and contribute to the growth story."

The appointment of Mr. Kenichi Umeda as the new Managing Director of Suzuki Motorcycle India reflects the SMC's commitment to focus on the growth of the India operations.

ABOUT SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE INDIA PVT LTD (SMIPL)

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited is a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan wherein they have the same manufacturing philosophy of PRODUCTS OF SUPERIOR VALUE right from the inception. SMIPL manufactures two-wheelers best suited for valuable Indian customers. The Company started its India operation in February 2006. 

Primebook 4G Makes A Mark Amongst Top Laptops Under 20000 On Flipkart

Shark Tank-funded, Primebook, an Android OS-based laptop manufacturing brand for students and learners, is proud to announce that their recently launched Primebook 4G has significantly impacted the Indian market. Primebook has already named itself one of the top laptops under 20,000 rupees. Moreover, the Primebook's presence amongst the top laptops under 20,000 Rupees on Flipkart is a testament to its quality and price-to-performance quotient. With so many pre-bookings already, it's clear that the Indian market is eager to get its hands on this new model.

Primebook 4G boasts 4G wireless sim connectivity and runs on PrimeOS, the brand's unique operating system based on Android 11. Extensively tested for compatibility with over 200 education and learning-centric applications, it offers access to various Android apps via the Prime Store. In addition, the laptop's multi-window feature provides a more productive learning experience than a mobile phone or tablet, is powered by a Mediatek processor and comes with 64 GB storage (expandable to 200 GB).

Priced initially at Rs 16,990, the Primebook 4G is available at a discounted price of Rs 14,990 for Flipkart users. Primebook 4G aims to narrow the nationwide e-learning opportunities gap for students. The brand's vision is to ensure that every student in the country has access to a laptop, enabling them to learn effectively and create a brighter future for themselves.

ABOUT PRIMEBOOK 

Fostering a new realm in the learning ecosystem, Primebook is a revolutionary first-of-its-kind, made-in-India Android laptop intended for students and vocational learners. Primebook was founded by IIT Delhi alums and co-founders Aman Verma and Chitranshu Mahant in 2018. The brand has since worked with NGOs, schools and EdTech companies across geographies to enable a smooth transition to hybrid and e-learning. Pioneering cutting-edge technology, Primebook is integrated with the brand's proprietary Android 11-based operating system- PrimeOS, which is extensively tested for compatibility with over two lakh android apps that can aid learning. 

To empower students from the ground up, Primebook's laptop is designed to offer outstanding price-to-performance ratios, catering to every learner's need. Over the last four years, Primebook has witnessed tremendous success in the B2B category and is now on the pathway to further expanding its operations in the B2C category. Understanding the need gap in the market, the brand sought to design a high-quality laptop with a coherent user experience, allowing students across strata to commit to a learning program with seriousness, efficiency, and ease. 

Demand For Tax Professionals Saw Robust 47% Growth: Justdial

-          Non-metro cities drive growth for Chartered Accountants and Income Tax consultants

-          COVID-19 pandemic spurs freelance work, fuels the need for financial experts

-          Chennai witnessed a 12% growth, while Ahmedabad saw a spike of 10%

India’s No.1 hyperlocal search engine, has reported a significant surge in demand for chartered accountants and income tax consultants in FY-2023. The report highlights that the first quarter of FY 2023 saw a 47% growth in demand, as compared to the same quarter of FY 2022. The non-metros like Indore (72%), Chandigarh (71%) and Lucknow (59%) witnessed the highest ever growth in the same period.

According to the report, the demand for finance professionals is driven by the resumption of economic activities post-COVID, and the critical time for tax returns is from January to June. While the government is simplifying the taxation regime, the option of two tax regimes and intricate details of the taxation laws, necessitates expert guidance while tax filing.

As expected, the report observed growth in searches from Q3-FY 2023 to Q4-FY 2023, especially in non-metro cities like Karnal (36%), Mangalore (22%) and Surat (15%). Among Tier-I cities, Chennai witnessed a 12% growth, while Ahmedabad saw a spike of 10%. This growth in demand is expected to continue until June - July.

“Based on our experience, the demand for finance professionals peaks in mid-April as people rush to file their tax returns before the deadline. Our firm primarily caters to retail customers, freelancers, and smaller firms, with a turnover of 10 to 30 crore revenue,” said Mr. Santhaseelan, the proprietor of V.S. Santhaseelan & Associates, Chennai.

He further added, “With the startup ecosystem booming, we have seen a significant spike in demand for CA/IT consultants from new businesses seeking guidance on tax compliance and other financial matters. The demand for finance professionals is expected to grow in the coming years as the Indian economy recovers and more businesses enter the market.”

Commenting on the search insights, Mr. Shwetank Dixit, Vice President, Justdial, said, “The increased demand for Chartered Accountants and Income Tax Consultants reflects the resurgence in economic activity as well as need for expert guidance to navigate the constantly evolving financial system. We expect the demand to grow in the upcoming year as well.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many professionals switching to freelance work or starting their businesses, which has further increased the demand. The government's focus on digitization and preventing tax evasion has made it essential for businesses and individuals to seek expert guidance to avoid penalties. With the Indian economy growing, the demand for chartered accountants and income tax consultants will continue in the coming years.

About Just Dial Limited

Just Dial Limited provides local search related services to users in India through multiple platforms such as Desktop/PC website (https://www.justdial.com), mobile site (https://t.justdial.com), mobile apps (Android & iOS), over the telephone (Voice, pan India number 88888-88888) and text (SMS). Justdial’s latest version of JD App, is an All-in-One App, replete with features like Map-aided Search, Live TV, Videos, Stock quotes, etc. to make the life of the consumer infinitely smoother & more engaging.

The Company has recently launched its B2B marketplace platform, JD Mart. JD Mart platform, available at https://www.jdmart.com and via apps on Play Store and App Store, is aimed at enabling millions of India’s manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers to become internet-ready in post-COVID era, get new customers and sell their products online. The platform offers digital product catalogues to businesses and aims at digitalising India’s businesses, especially MSMEs, across categories. Buyers can discover quality vendors offering a wide selection of products to choose from, spread across millions of categories to suit all B2B needs.

Justdial has also initiated transaction-oriented services for its users. These services aim at making several day-to-day tasks conveniently actionable and accessible to users from one App. With this step, Justdial is transitioning from being purely a provider of local search and related information to being a direct/ indirect enabler of such transactions. Justdial has also recently launched an end-to-end business management solution for SMEs, through which it intends to transition thousands of SMEs to efficiently run business online and have their adequate online presence via their own website, mobile site. Apart from this, Justdial has also launched JD Pay, a unique solution for quick digital payments for its users and vendors.