Business

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...

Shree Cement Ltd. has reinforced its commitment to sustainable industrial growth by announcing that its upcoming integrated cement manufacturing project in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district will incorporate advanced water stewardship and resource-efficient manufacturing practices, aligning with India's low-carbon development agenda. The company said the project will operate on a 100 per cent Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) model, under which industrial wastewater will be treated and fully recycled for cooling, dust suppression and greenbelt development, significantly reducing freshwater consumption. The facility will also deploy energy-efficient technologies and sustainable resource management systems based on circular economy principles from the initial phase of development. Shre...

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched a new Rs. 200 prepaid Vi Movies & TV value pack, strengthening its strategy to drive digital consumption through bundled entertainment and connectivity services. The 28-day recharge combines access to 20 leading OTT platforms, more than 200 live TV channels, 30GB of high-speed data and unlimited 5G data, offering consumers a single subscription for entertainment and mobile connectivity. The pack brings together premium streaming platforms including JioHotstar, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, ShemarooMe, ManoramaMAX, FanCode, Playflix, Klikk, Atrangii, Chaupal, OTTplay Live, Pocket Films, YuppTV, Addatimes, KancchaLannka, TimesPlay and NextGTV, among others. Vi Movies & TV offers content in 16 languages, enabling users to access national, internati...

Developments surrounding China's implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law and renewed protests over Tibet have drawn attention to potential geopolitical risks that could influence regional stability and India's long-term strategic environment. In a statement, Tibetans residing in Northeast India rejected the law, which came into force on July 1, alleging that it seeks to enforce assimilation of Tibetans with the Han majority under the banner of national unity. The group linked its concerns to the July 2 self-immolation of 52-year-old Tibetan activist LobgaRangzen outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, describing it as a protest against Chinese rule in Tibet and the criminalisation of Tibetan resistance. According to the statement, Rangzen's protest is a...

Poco has officially confirmed that its latest mid-range offering, the Poco M8 Power 5G, will debut in India on August 4, with availability locked in via Flipkart. Teased in a vibrant orange textured finish, the upcoming smartphone puts endurance and entertainment at the forefront, headlined by a massive 8,000mAh battery that the brand claims can deliver up to three days of power on a single charge. Alongside the extra-large battery, the device is confirmed to feature an AMOLED display and a 50-megapixel primary rear camera. Industry reports suggest the handset may arrive as a tweaked version of the Redmi Note 17, potentially equipping a large 7-inch 120Hz display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 chipset, 45W fast charging support, and HyperOS software out of the box.