New Feature launch - Find, Message and Buy on WhatsApp

 at the first-ever WhatsApp Business Summit in Brazil, Mark Zuckerberg has shared an update on what we’re building to help people find, message and buy something from a business on WhatsApp. These new features are introduced to offer an enhanced end-to-end commerce experience for users and connect with their favourite brands while discovering new ones.

 

1. Find a Business 

• Business Search – Find a larger brand on WhatsApp using our API (select country launch – Brazil, UK, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia)
• Directory – Discover a local merchant (SMB) on WhatsApp (Brazil only; expanding to the entire country after testing in Sao Paulo)

  

2. Buy 

• P2M - Pay a local merchant directly in WhatsApp (Currently testing in Brazil; expected to expand to other markets as well)

 

The new Business Search feature will be available Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and the UK.

 

We hear from people all the time how they want a simple way to not only find but reach out to businesses on WhatsApp so they can get assistance quickly without having to look up a phone number, send an email to a support@ address or navigate a complicated website. And while many businesses already promote their own WhatsApp number in packaging materials, store signs and websites, they often ask us for a better way to help more people know about this channel. That’s why we’re launching the ability to find a business right on WhatsApp so people can now browse businesses by category – such as travel or banking – or search by the business name. This will save people from having to find phone numbers off websites or type a number into their contacts. To start, we’re bringing this feature to Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the UK. In Brazil, people will be able to browse categories of small businesses in their neighborhood as well.

 

Once people find a business they want to chat with, they can ask product questions, browse their catalog of goods and services and add items to a cart so the business knows what they want to buy. From there, we want people to be able to make a secure payment right from a chat with their credit or debit card. We recently launched this experience in India and we’re excited to now be testing this in Brazil with multiple payment partners. This seamless checkout experience will be a game-changer for people and businesses looking to buy and sell on WhatsApp without having to go to a website, open another app or pay in person. Our goal is to expand this experience to more countries in the future.

The India Game Developer Conference 2022 returned on-ground with 4000+ attendees and 60+ exhibitors

The 14th edition of the 1GDC – The India Game Developer Conference that was held between the 3rd and 5th of November, 2022 witnessed over 4000 attendees. This event featured game developers. publishers, investors as well as gaming enthusiasts at the Hyderabad International Convention Center.  This initiative with the tagline “by the industry, for the industry”, focused on empowering game developers with opportunities to network and upskill their craft. This event had 150 speakers featuring 80+ sessions ranging from workshops, talks and panels across games technology, art, design and production. The three-day event also featured CXOO panels that discussed the Indian gaming industry, investment trends and their predictions for the future. IGDC’s flagship networking initiative, the Investor- Publisher Connect saw the highest ever entries with around 75 startups, 28 investors and publishers conducting over 600 meetings in 2 days. The IGDC Awards also boasted a record number of 150+ game entries that featured a new category of popular choice. This quipped the interest of the audience and made it an engaging event. Lastly, the BYOG initiative (Build Your Own Game) also saw a record number of 700+ participants together making 170+ game submissions for the judges to evaluate.

Day 3 of the Conference saw a new initiative called IGDC Futures being launched with the sessions focussed on opportunities in the gaming industry with the intent of encouraging the next crop of talent into the gaming industry.  

Commenting on the conference, Rajesh Rao, Convenor and Chairperson, IGDC, said, “IGDC 2022 has exceeded all expectations as we made our on-ground appearance for the first-time post pandemic. It was heartening to see the tremendous turnout and participation from all parts of the gaming ecosystem, people clearly wanted to meet in person and network.  This year saw a record number of meetings between investors, publishers and startups. Key trends included seeing a number of upcoming games with Indian themes, with local cultural and social flavour. IGDC Awards saw a jump in overall quality of submissions. Wrapping up yet another buzzing year, we are confident that this edition’s success will yield greater achievements and contribute to the overall growth of the gaming industry.”

IGDC had strong support from across the Industry. Epic Games’ Unreal Engine was the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s conference, KRAFTON, Inc. the Platinum Sponsor, AWS as the Gold Sponsor, Rockstar Games & Kwalee partnering as Silver Sponsors; Games24x7 as Experience Partner; Microsoft, Xbox, Ventana Ventures, Arsht Rock, Winzo, Hyper Hippo, Hero Vired, Tezos as Bronze Sponsors; Nazara Technologies was the Awards Sponsor; London Stock Exchange Group, Payoneer, Loco and Hungama as Associate Sponsors. IGDC Futures was supported by Crazy Labs and PTW while Global Victoria was the Country Partner. Lakshya Digital and Yesgnome as the ecosystem partners.

-By Aaron and Rajesh

 

Taiwan Excellence Gaming Cup

 Gaming is no more simply about plugging in a controller to play, it’s about plugging into an entirely new realm, captivating youngsters like never before! During the pandemic, the esports industry has undergone a paradigm shift in terms of demographic engagement, appealing a lot more to younger cohorts like the Gen Z.

Catering to such gamers who look at gaming as a way of self-expression is Taiwan Excellence (TE) that has been offering uber cool, high-end and some of the most powerful gaming gadgets to enhance experiences of gamers across the world. Till date, TEGC has witnessed huge success from across India with the participation increasing from 500 gamers in its inception year to about 20,000+ gamers in its 8th edition last year depicting a growth of 4000 times.

On September 10, the stage was set at Mumbai’s Infinity Mall to kickstart the grand Taiwan Excellence Gaming Cup (TEGC) campaign in India, the first on-ground event after the pandemic. The campaign holds at its core a three-fold gaming extravaganza that includes the announcement of the 9th edition of the TEGC, the launch of TE Experience Truck and the TE Verse ─ World of Excellence.

Since years now, TEGC has been giving India’s passionate gamers the chance to experience great gaming, win big money and fulfill their dreams. This year, the Qualifiers for the games will be held online for Pan India from September 26 to November 13 while the Grand Finale will be held on-ground in Mumbai in end November.

The TE Experience Truck is a customized mobile showroom that aims to offer visitors a chance to experience some stylish, smart, and extremely intelligent technology in ICT and gaming. It will visit major events across cities including college festivals, food festivals, regional festivals, gaming events, and malls to let people catch a glimpse and first-hand experience the superb tech. It will cruise from September 10 to November 12 at prime locations across India

Another major highlight is a customized TE Verse ─ World of Excellence that takes visitors on a virtual tour to experience a wide range of the latest products offered by brands under TE. There will also be dedicated VR setup for the TE Verse at the TE Experience truck for audience to experience the virtual tour.

This year, leading brands like AIFA, AORUS, CoolerMaster, CyberPower, D-Link, Ipevo, MSI, Optoma, Predator, Republic Of Gamers, Thermaltake, Tokuyo, XPG, Zowie and Zyxel will be showcasing their products

The TEGC campaign comes to India at an opportune time when virtual gaming is no longer just a prerogative of young urbanites. The interest in esports is expanding beyond the metros to cover Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Speaking about this year’s edition of TEGC, Director Edison Po-yi Hsu, Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Liaison Office in Mumbai, said, “We have had an amazing journey in India. The passion and excitement in gamers are unmatchable. esports has become an aspiration for Indian youth today. TEGC already has a huge fan base in India and we are sure our other two offerings, the TE Experience Truck and TE Verse – World of Excellence which is extremely special creations will win hearts too. With this year’s gaming cup, we look forward to breaking all our previous records of participation.”

 

 

Haier India expands its smart home portfolio with Robot Vacuum Cleaner

 The 2-in-1 Dry & wet mop technology makes it an all-rounder for all essential cleaning requirements

Powered by 2200pa super strong suction power, a long lasting 2600 mAh battery backup and proximity sensors, Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner delivers powerful cleaning on all floor types

National, 30 May 2022: Haier, the global leader in Home Appliances & Consumer Electronics and the World’s Number 1 brand in Major Appliances for 13 Consecutive Years* today unveiled its first-ever smart Vacuum Cleaner technology – the 2-in1 dry & wet mop Robot Vacuum Cleaner in India with an aim to make cleaning more efficient, effective and user-friendly; reinforcing its commitment to strengthen the smart home solutions portfolio.

With 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Google Home Assistant, the all-new Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner offers a smart management with the Haier smart app, voice control, and also a remote control. The Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner can be conveniently monitored from anywhere on the globe. The Vacuum Cleaner performs forceful cleaning on all floor types while avoiding obstructions and preventing damages and scratches, thanks to its 2200pa ultra-strong suction power and proximity sensors. In comparison to traditional vacuum cleaners, this powerful Vacuum Cleaner has a 2600 mAh strong battery backup that allows it to operate for longer periods of time. It's an all-rounder for all basic cleaning needs thanks to its 2-in-1 Dry & Wet mopping technology.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Satish NS, President, Haier Appliances India said, “We are extremely happy to announce our foray into this new category. With our focused efforts in introducing Smart solutions powered by breakthrough technologies to give the best results that are effective and efficient, we at Haier India believe in making a positive difference in people's lives - and this new offering is a testament to our commitment. As we move ahead in time, we'll focus on demonstrating our innovative skills by outpacing our product and software advancements, putting us on the verge of revolutionizing the technological ecosystem continually.”

Some more notable product highlights and features are listed below.

Large dustbin - Because it stores more dirt for numerous cleaning cycles, a large 600 ml dust bin eliminates the inconvenience of frequent emptying.

350ml Electronic Water Tank - The best and largest electronic water tank in its class aids in better water flow management.

Automatic Self Charging - The Robot Vacuum Cleaner will automatically return to the charging station when the battery level runs low.

Spot Clean - When one picks "spot clean" in the Haier Smart app, the Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner will clean the area specified.

Edge Clean - The Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner starts cleaning along the edges and corners of the home when one taps "edge clean" in the Haier Smart app.

Cliff Sensor for protection from falls especially on Stair - The Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner has cliff sensors that detect and protect it from falling from heights. When it detects cliffs, it automatically turns and softly drives along the edge to clean thoroughly.

Auto Cleaning - This new age vacuum supports auto-cleaning technology, with the main engine taking a bow-shaped path, to plan and clean according to the user's surrounding home environment.

Product Pause, Wake Up and Turn off

Pause: During the operation, if the user requires the robot to pause, he can simply press the robot key to pause the operation of the robot

Awaken: The energy-efficient technology lets the robot automatically enter sleep mode (All the robot lights are off) if not being used for more than 10 minutes. Waking up the robot is also fairly simple by only pressing the robot key and then any key of the app to restart work.

Turning Off: Turn off the robot with only a single long press of the robot key, and wait for the indicator light to go out.

The Haier Robot Vacuum Cleaner also boasts a very quiet operation, an ultra-slim design - at around 76 mm height, the Robot Vacuum Cleaner easily slips under furniture & hard to reach locations, such as behind cabinets or beds, to give a clean floor, and super tiny size.

The reality of smart home goods as a functional utility rather than just a luxury is being reimagined and brought to reality by Haier. In keeping with its diverse line of smart gadgets, Haier's entry into the Robot Vacuum Cleaner sector bolsters its mission of transforming modern Indian contemporary homes and delivering a connected living experience to its consumers.

Haier’s new Robot Vacuum Cleaner will initially be available on Amazon and shop.haierindia.com at a price of INR 14,999/-.

JBL Tune 230 NC and JBL 130 NC Noise Cancelling Earbuds Launched

The latest true wireless earbuds from JBL deliver sound that fits you with noise cancellation and the perfect fit for every type of lifestyle – whether you’re an urban explorer or ready for a road trip.  

Launching, the JBL Tune 130 NC and 230 NC. The latest earbuds to enter the Tune series deliver active noise cancelling (ANC) at just Rs. 4999 and Rs. 5999 respectively. 

"The all new True Wireless JBL Tune 230 NC and JBL 130 NC are the ideal customer delight earbuds, designed to mold into different needs and moods of the listener. JBL’s 75 years of legacy of creating unmatched customer experience intertwined with our innovative sound engineering adoption has inspired us towards coming up with these beauties. You want style, quality, convenience, noise cancellation, customization, attractive pricing, we have it all covered with JBL Tune 230 NC and JBL 130 NC.” Said Vikram Kher, Vice President, Lifestyle, HARMAN India. 

JBL Tune 230NC  

From upgrades to whole new features, the JBL Tune 230 NC earbuds are packed full with Active Noise Cancellation, JBL pure bass sound delivering impressive sound through a seamless, wireless experience, perfect for life on-the-go. Designed with a Stick form factor with four microphones for ensuring crisp and clear calls, they retain the cool, stylish design of their predecessor. However, their new silicone tips give a more secure fit and even better bass performance. With a total of 40-hours of playtime, you will never be without your music, and the speed charge feature will give you a whole hour of listening with only 10 minutes of charge. 

The new Tune 230 NC TWS are powered by JBL Headphones App, which enables user to explore a bunch of features and customize their headphones in terms of having their own choice of Equalizer, Music or Video mode, activating / deactivating of Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Aware, Talk-through and many more to opt from.  

With superb JBL sound, massive battery life, and speed charge, the new JBL Tune 230NC are the perfect buds for music lovers who live with music by their side.  

JBL Tune 230 NC will be available at HARMAN Brand Stores, in.JBL.com and across all other major retail and online stores from May 03, 2022 for an inaugural price of Rs. 5999 in Black, Blue and White. 

 

Features of the JBL Tune 230 NC:  

• Active noise cancelling and Smart Ambient with Ambient Aware and Talk Through features  
• 40 hours of play time (10 + 30 hours with case with BT; 8 + 24 with ANC on)  
• Speed charge (10-minute charge = 1 hour playtime)   
• IPX4 water and sweat resistant  
• JBL Pure Bass sound with make your own Equalizer feature using JBL Headphones App 
• TWS stick shape  
• 4-mic technology for crisp, clear calls (2-mic on each)  
• Voice assistant with built in Google and Alexa voice assistants  
• Bluetooth 5.2 with Fast Pair enabled by Google 
• Dual Connect + Sync  
• Touch controls  
• Compatible with JBL Headphones App  
•  

JBL Tune 130 NC  

The new JBL Tune 130 NC delivers JBL pure bass sound for hours on end, no matter where you are. These Buds are perfect for listening on the move with Active Noise Cancellation and 40 hours of combined playtime. 4 microphones keep your voice crystal clear during calls whether working or catching up with mates. Whether you’re travelling or chatting, the JBL Tune 130 NC pack a punch of style and substance.  

The new Tune130 NC TWS are powered by JBL Headphones App which enables user to explore a bunch of features and customize their headphones in terms of having their own choice of Equalizer, Music or Video mode, activating / deactivating of Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Aware, Talk-through and many more to opt from. 

JBL Tune 130 NC will be available at HARMAN Brand Stores, in.JBL.com and Amazon.in from May 03, 2022 for an inaugural price of Rs. 4999 in Black, Blue and White. 

 

Features of the JBL Tune 130 NC:  

• Active noise cancelling and Smart Ambient with Ambient Aware and Talk Through features 
• 40 hours of play time (10 + 30 hours with case with BT; 8 + 24 with ANC on)  
• Speed charge (10-minute charge = 1 hour playtime)   
• IPX4 water and sweat resistant  
• JBL Pure Bass sound with make your own Equalizer feature using JBL Headphones App TWS bud shape  
• 4-mic technology for crisp, clear calls (2-mic on each)  
• Voice assistant with built in Hey Google and Alexa  
• Bluetooth 5.2 with Fast Pai enabled by Google 
• Dual Connect + Sync  
• Touch controls  
• Compatible with JBL Headphones App