Latest news with #Aer
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Apple's iPhone worry, WaterField Design's imposing Tank backpack & securing Android
Google is simply freeing up the agenda for what I expect will be extensive artificial intelligence (AI) conversations next week at this year's I/O keynote. But of course, the developer conference has traditionally been the anchor for Android updates over the years, and this year will be no different. The only change in approach being, Google is detailing some of the important Android points of conversation, in advance. My favourite among the many (yes, there are a bunch of significant steps forward), are measures that make Android phones even less palatable for thieves (damn you, dishonourable people!). There's a lot more on the agenda for Android, Gemini and cross platform updates. The most visible would be the interface changes that are incoming with the next version of Android. It as four years ago, when Google last gave Android a coat of paint, and these changes as part of the 'Material 3 Expressive' design language, will focus on improvements such as fluidity and flexibility, rather than changing the identity of Android as millions around the world know it. Familiarity won't be lost, if that is what you're worried about. Gemini is making its way into vehicles with Android Auto and even those smarter cars that have Google Built-in, as will smart TVs that find a basis in the Google TV OS, earbuds from Samsung and Sony, as well as the Wear OS platform that underlines watches from Google and OnePlus, to name a few. Last week on Wired Wisdom: AI and apps frontier, Promate's unique TripMate-GaN160 adapter, and jobs Every once in a while, a genuinely interesting take on backpacks comes along. There have been a few that deserved a conversation in recent years, but one that's remained a loyal travel partner almost a decade is the Aer (another San Francisco based backpack maker) Fit Pack 2. It still holds up very well, with reassuring spaciousness. After a while, there is one we must chat about — the WaterField Designs' $419 (that's around ₹35,400) Tech Folio Tank Backpack. Could this take over from the Aer backpack for upcoming travels? Perhaps, and there are reasons why it may. You may not want to walk around with a heavy load on your back every day, but when you do need to, a backpack that is in sync with this demand, is a prized asset. The Tech Folio Tank Backpack has a 30-litre capacity, and it is not just a large compartment with a handful of pockets thrown in for good measure — there are as many as 11 pockets or segments (I may still have missed one or two) for everything from pens to wireless earbuds, trackers, and power banks. The visual cues don't immediately betray as such, but the SFBags Tech Folio Tank Backpack can hold mammoth 18-inch laptops. Lucky day — I had a 17.3-inch laptop at hand to check, and that fit very easily. In fact, there are two of these padded sleeves, the other being for an up to 13-inch laptop or tablet. The compartmentalisation is a crucial, winning detail. The tech folio compartment, as the larger one is called, has the full-length zip for a lie-flat position (this may be relevant when passing through airport security, for instance). The front pocket has an easy access magnetic opening. There is genuine smartness that underlines WaterField Designs' efforts with the Tech Folio Tank Backpack. Unlike 'smart' backpacks we have seen in recent years, which would call themselves that, by adding a separate compartment for a power bank. Important to talk about the high-quality materials as well. The variant I'm reviewing here is a mix of the full-grain leather with ballistic nylon. The latter, in particular stands out, because it's the material with which bulletproof vests are made. The SFBags Tech Folio Tank Backpack isn't expected to take a bullet for you, but it is as bulletproof as smart backpacks get. Where does Apple go from here? The words of Eddie Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, during the testimony as part of Google's antitrust hearing, does make one sit up and take notice. 'We're highly successful — that doesn't mean we're going to be around 10 or 20 years down the line. People still are going to need toothpaste 20 years from now, 40 years from now. You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now, as crazy as that sounds.' While one cannot discount posturing to illustrate the lack of a monopoly for Apple or Google, this does highlight a question about the long-term vision. We're are at a moment in time when tech innovation is taking longer leaps than it has for most of the previous decade, if we are to count back from today. At the same time, global tech companies are equally (if not more) nimble. The triple whammy would be, they're innovating quickly too. Take for example, Huawei's built an entire ecosystem without Google. Many didn't expect it to. And also made a trifold foldable smartphone, while at it. Apple needs to re-find that pace of innovation which it was known for. Perhaps even as far back as 8 years or so ago, when we saw the iPhone X mark a new chapter for the iPhone. The spark is very much there. You may have heard a conversation about Apple's intention to build smart glasses, the kind that'd compete with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses — that should appeal to a much wider demographic, that the virtual reality headset ever would. And of course, Apple may need a foldable iPhone at some point — more than anything else, to prove a point. Apple Intelligence still has gaps that need plugging, and that couldn't happen fast enough (unfortunately, that will be a test of patience). A few days ago, OpenAI explained what went wrong with the late-April update for GPT‑4o in ChatGPT, 'that made the model noticeably more sycophantic'. The change, since rolled back to an earlier version of the model, reverts to responses that will have better balance. Here are a few things that stood out in the AI company's explanation of what went wrong, and what's next. OpenAI says they are reworking approvals for model behaviour before release, one that'll explicitly approve both quantitative and qualitative signals. There will also be more weightage for spot checks and interactive testing to check model behaviour and consistency. 'While we have extensive evals in areas like instruction hierarchy and safety (e.g. privacy, disallowed content), we're working to improve our confidence in areas we're not already accounting for.' Thats where the updated Model Spec will play a critical role.
NDTV
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Lights, Music, Action: 7 Indian Cities With Nightlife That Doesn't Sleep
When night falls, certain Indian cities truly come alive, buzzing with neon lights, booming music, and endless energy. From stylish rooftop bars and lively street cafes to underground music gigs and iconic nightclubs, the country's nightlife scene is as spirited as its bustling daytime life. Whether you're in the mood for craft cocktails, a night of dancing, live music, or just a hearty midnight snack, these cities deliver experiences that linger long after the night ends. Each one offers a unique vibe, drawing night owls and revellers looking for fun, laughter, and a little slice of after-dark magic. These 7 Cities Is Where The Party's At In India: 1. Mumbai: For Partying Till Dawn Mumbai doesn't just set the trends — it defines them. The city's nightlife is legendary, from the glamorous clubs of Lower Parel to the chilled-out beach bars in Juhu. Hit up hotspots like Todi Mill Social, Trilogy, or the ever-iconic Aer at Four Seasons for a night of cocktails, celebrity sightings, and dance floors that stay busy until sunrise. Don't miss the bustling after-hours street food scenes in Mohammad Ali Road and Carter Road. 2. Delhi: For Dazzling Jazz Nights The capital city knows how to turn up the heat after dark. Whether it's the chic lounges of Hauz Khas Village, the live gigs at Piano Man Jazz Club, or the posh dance floors of Kitty Su, Delhi's nightlife is bold, diverse, and always surprising. Pick Sidecar for the most delicious cocktails and a fun, laidback vibe — the finds its mention in the 'The World's Best Bars 2022" listing)! For a more offbeat evening, check out the underground techno parties around Mehrauli and Shahpur Jat — if you know, you know. 3. Goa: For Beach Vibes And All-Night Raves Goa's nightlife needs no introduction. From the psychedelic trance parties of Anjuna to the luxurious beach clubs like Soro and Antares, every night in Goa feels like a festival. Saturday Night Markets, silent noise parties, and beachfront shacks keep the music flowing and the vibe mellow yet electric. Whether you're chasing sunsets or sunrises, Goa's got your back. 4. Bengaluru: For Craft Beers And Indie Gigs India's tech capital knows how to blow off steam after a long work week. Bengaluru's pub scene is legendary, thanks to its love affair with craft beer. Breweries like Toit, Byg Brewski, and Arbor Brewing Company are always buzzing. For indie music fans, venues like Fandom and The Humming Tree (now sadly closed but forever iconic) have set the stage for a thriving live music culture. Expect a night full of great pints and even better playlists. Think Hyderabad is all about biryani and historical forts? Think again. The city's nightlife scene has exploded, with sleek bars like Amnesia, TOT, and Prost Brew Pub drawing in the after-dark crowd. From rooftop lounges with panoramic views to massive dance clubs, Hyderabad's nights are full of surprises — and yes, you can still squeeze in a midnight biryani run. 6. Pune: For Live Performance Pune might be laid-back by day, but by night, it turns into a buzzing hub of energy. Thanks to its massive student population, there's always something happening. Bars like High Spirits, Euriska, and The Urban Foundry are where the cool crowd heads for great music, potent drinks, and an easygoing vibe. If you love live performances, Pune's gig calendar is packed year-round. 7. Kolkata: For Culture By Day, Party By Night Kolkata knows how to keep things lively after dark. Park Street remains the classic heart of the city's party scene, with vintage favourites like Someplace Else and Roxy offering everything from classic rock gigs to swanky cocktails. But step outside the old haunts and you'll find new spots around Salt Lake and Southern Avenue that prove Kolkata's nightlife is anything but stuck in the past.
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Business Standard
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
From HUL to Dabur, consumer firms incentivise supply chain to drive growth
Consumer companies are incentivising the supply chain in order to push for growth. Companies like Hindustan Unilever (HUL) have pushed for incentives such as offering credit to the supply chain, while Dabur India is now offering higher target-based incentives on meeting sales targets. This comes at a time when the market is pushing for growth in urban areas, which has been impacted, while rural sales have been on an upward swing for the past few months. According to distributors that Business Standard spoke to, in the March quarter, HUL offered seven credit days to distributors to pay for the stock they purchased. The company had started offering credit to the supply chain a year ago—something it never practised earlier—but at the end of the last quarter, the supply chain was offered credit for up to seven days. It also incentivised distributors by offering a 0.1 per cent incentive on completing primary targets (which refers to buying stock from the company) for the month of March. Distributors said on condition of anonymity, 'We've never been offered an incentive before for meeting primary sales targets.' Another distributor said that this cushion by the company has never been extended to distributors before. Dabur also typically incentivises its supply chain for meeting primary and secondary targets, which is typically dolled out once or at most twice a year for a month. However, for the April–June quarter, distributors will be incentivised 0.85 per cent on meeting the highest slab of the target. The distributor has to meet the target for every month of the quarter to get a better payout. 'Typically, these incentives are given for a month or at most two months in a year, not for a full quarter. Also, the incentive is if the distributor meets 110 per cent of its primary sales target,' a distributor said on condition of anonymity. Godrej Consumer Products is also offering retailers higher margins on its room freshener Aer. A distributor said that it is offering almost 10 per cent more margin on the product. Dabur India and Godrej Consumer Products did not respond to Business Standard's email. HUL also did not respond to Business Standard's email and cited a closed period ahead of its earnings, which are slated to be released on Thursday. In its pre-quarterly update ahead of its January–March quarter earnings, Dabur said that rural markets continue to remain resilient and continue to grow ahead of urban markets. It also said that in terms of channels, organised trade—including modern trade, e-commerce and quick commerce—maintained its growth momentum, while general trade continued to be under pressure. It also said that overall fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) volume trends continued to be subdued during the quarter ended March.
