Business

Global Swedish beauty and wellbeing company Oriflame has launched its latest whitepaper, *Beyond Anti-ageing: How Longevity Science Is Changing Beauty*, outlining how advances in longevity science are expected to reshape the skincare industry by shifting the focus from combating visible signs of ageing to promoting lifelong skin health, resilience and wellbeing. The whitepaper comes at a time when the United Nations projects that the global population aged 80 years and above will triple by 2050, while many children born today are expected to live well into their 90s. Against this demographic backdrop, Oriflame said the beauty industry is increasingly focusing on improving healthspan alongside lifespan through science-led and preventive skincare solutions. The publication highlights ...

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has reported a notable improvement in operational efficiency after reducing its savings cost-to-premium ratio to 13.6 per cent in the first quarter of FY2027, a decline of 50 basis points year-on-year. The development reflects the insurer’s continued investments in technology, automation and digital infrastructure, positioning it for sustainable and profitable growth in the competitive life insurance market. The company said digital transformation initiatives have accelerated policy issuance, strengthened claims processing and improved customer servicing. During the quarter, around 58 per cent of policies were issued using digital Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, while nearly 54 per cent of savings policies were issued on the same day. AI-powered unde...

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has expanded its prepaid portfolio through an exclusive partnership with Spotify, launching three recharge plans that bundle Spotify Premium at no additional cost, a strategic move aimed at increasing customer retention and driving higher engagement in India's fast-growing digital entertainment economy. The new offerings include the Rs. 435 Non-Stop Hero prepaid plan with unlimited 4G/5G data, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, JioHotstar (Mobile) and Spotify Premium for 28 days. The Rs. 250 prepaid plan provides 2GB data, unlimited calls, 300 SMS and Spotify Premium, while the Rs. 230 add-on pack offers 30GB high-speed data along with Spotify Premium and access to over 20 OTT platforms, including JioHotstar, ZEE5, SonyLIV, FanCode and Lionsgate Play, all with 2...

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has introduced a new 10-year life cover option under its ICICI PruiProtect Smart Plus plan, aimed at customers seeking affordable protection against short-term financial commitments such as home loans, children's education expenses and business loans. The insurer said the new policy enables customers to opt for a higher life cover at a lower premium during periods when financial responsibilities are at their peak. The plan also offers complimentary health and wellness services worth up to ₹67,100, an instant claims payout of ₹3 lakh and a 100 per cent payout upon the diagnosis of a terminal illness. Announcing the launch, ManikandanRajamani, Chief of Distribution at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, said customer expectations around financial protection a...

Flipkart has officially announced its upcoming Freedom Sale, scheduled to kick off on August 8, 2026, with early access starting a day prior for Flipkart Plus members. Ahead of the shopping event, platform teasers have revealed aggressive price cuts and lucrative bank offers across Apple’s smartphone lineup. Among the most anticipated highlights, promotional indicators suggest that the base Apple iPhone 17 will be available for under Rs 80,000 when combining seasonal discounts and partner bank promotions. Meanwhile, buyers looking for more budget-friendly options can secure the popular iPhone 15 for well below Rs 60,000, with effective prices hovering around Rs 55,900 alongside exchange bonuses. The sale event will also feature major reductions on premium flagships, including the iPhon...

SBI General Insurance has expanded its integrated brand campaign, 'ChuniyeBharosa, ApnoSa', with the launch of a new motor insurance film featuring actor and brand ambassador PankajTripathi, reinforcing its focus on trust and customer confidence in the country's growing motor insurance market. The campaign encourages consumers to look beyond policy pricing and choose a dependable insurance partner offering long-term protection and support. The company said the campaign highlights the importance of informed decision-making while purchasing motor insurance, positioning trust as a key differentiator. Managing Director and CEO Naveen Chandra Jha said customers increasingly seek simple, transparent and dependable protection as vehicles become an essential part of everyday life, adding that ...

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited has expanded its distribution network in the Northeast with the inauguration of a new branch in Shillong, signalling continued investment in India's growing life insurance market. The move increases the insurer's nationwide network to 185 offices and is aimed at improving access to policy services, financial advice and insurance solutions for customers in Meghalaya. The expansion comes as life insurers continue to strengthen their physical presence alongside digital channels to improve customer reach and deepen insurance penetration in emerging markets. PNB MetLife said the new branch reflects its commitment to making insurance more accessible while providing trusted financial guidance closer to customers. Commenting on the development, Sa...

Stayfree®, one of India's leading menstrual hygiene brands, has introduced the upgraded Stayfree® Secure XL, bringing a new 'Pad Change Alert' feature aimed at helping women manage their periods with greater confidence and comfort. The product, now available across supermarkets, kirana stores, e-commerce and quick commerce platforms, is designed to offer Double Protection for up to 12 hours through the brand's patented Double Leak Lock Technology. The upgraded Stayfree® Secure XL features two protective barriers that lock in menstrual flow. While the inner barrier provides protection against leakage, the outer barrier gradually turns red, serving as a visual 'Pad Change Alert' to let users know when it is time to replace the pad. According to STAYFREE, consumer research and testing con...

OpenAI is developing a dedicated line of consumer hardware products engineered to integrate ChatGPT directly into users' daily physical routines. Spearheaded in collaboration with former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive and his creative firm LoveFrom, the venture aims to move beyond traditional software applications by delivering continuous, voice-first AI assistance without relying on standard screens. The product roadmap kicks off with a portable, screenless home smart speaker featuring integrated cameras, sensors, and subtle mechanical movements designed to create a lifelike personal companion capable of proactive, real-time conversations via GPT-Live technology. Following the speaker, OpenAI plans to introduce an "AI agent phone" that merges proprietary operating software with cust...

For thousands of school students with aspirations of becoming future engineers, programmers and innovators, the launch of Robotsav – The Festival of Technology by Vi Foundation and Ericsson promises to transform curiosity into opportunity. The initiative, introduced under the Robotics Lab Programme in collaboration with knowledge partner Moinee Foundation, combines digital learning with practical exposure to prepare young minds for India's rapidly evolving technology-driven economy. The newly launched Robotsav website enables students from across the country to participate in quizzes, essay-writing competitions, explore blogs and access curated learning resources on robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, programming, virtual reality (VR) and generative AI. The open digita...