Author: Aruna Kaim

Following its major autumn hardware event featuring the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and iPhone Duo, Apple is reportedly preparing a secondary wave of device announcements for October. The upcoming month is expected to focus heavily on long-awaited Mac redesigns, iPad updates, and an expansion of Apple’s smart home ecosystem. Upcoming Mac Lineup Touchscreen MacBook Pro / Ultra: Rumored to feature a major design overhaul, incorporating an OLED touchscreen panel, a thinner chassis, and a Dynamic Island. 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro: A performance-focused spec refresh bringing Apple’s next-generation M6 silicon to its standard pro laptop tier. M6 iMac: Expected to arrive…

Samsung has expanded its official Certified Re-Newed (CRN) programme in India to include its flagship Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphones. Designed to counter rising market prices, the initiative offers buyers an opportunity to purchase factory-refurbished flagship devices with savings of up to ₹15,000. The Refurbishment Process & Warranty Every phone entering the CRN program undergoes multi-layer testing and quality control before hitting the official Samsung portal. Key steps include: Comprehensive Inspection & Testing: Devices are strictly inspected, cleaned, and tested for performance and reliability. Genuine Component Replacements: Faulty parts are swapped out using authentic Samsung components, paired with…

Dolby Atmos can add a more spacious and immersive sound experience without the cost or complexity of a full home theatre system. A good TV can deliver impressive picture quality, but its built-in speakers often struggle to create the kind of spacious sound that makes movies and shows feel engaging. The ₹20,000 price segment features several soundbars offering dedicated subwoofers, modern audio formats, and wireless connectivity. Below are the top options evaluated for home entertainment setups, along with key factors to consider before purchasing. Our Top Picks Sony HT-S100F (Best Overall / Budget Pick) Price: ₹7,989 (MRP: ₹14,990) Channels &…

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched ICICI Life Partner Stack 2.0, an upgraded digital and AI-enabled ecosystem designed to streamline sales, onboarding, and customer servicing for its extensive advisor and distribution network. Key Features of Partner Stack 2.0 AI-Powered Sales Tools: The upgraded platform features the eQuote App, which leverages an AI-based product recommender to suggest tailored solutions based on customer segments and life stages, alongside LIVA, an AI conversational chatbot that assists advisors with product features and instant quotations. Streamlined Onboarding: Through deep database integrations with national networks (including UIDAI, CERSAI, CKYC, Vahan, GSTN, EPFO, CAS, and Perfios), the…

While artificial intelligence offers powerful tools for underwriting and operational efficiency, it cannot single-handedly solve India’s systemic protection gap. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, NITI Aayog’s Sanjeet Singh emphasized that addressing India’s persistent “missing middle”—the vast demographic caught between government-subsidized safety nets and high-end commercial insurance—demands a concerted, collaborative push from the broader financial sector. The Reality of the “Missing Middle” The Coverage Deficit: A substantial portion of India’s population remains unhedged against health and economic shocks because they earn too much to qualify for state-backed safety nets like PM-JAY, yet find commercial insurance products too expensive or rigid.…

As leaders gather in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, India has firmly steered the bloc away from the contentious idea of launching a common physical currency or pursuing aggressive de-dollarisation. Instead, New Delhi’s strategic alternative centers on a cashless, digital-first financial architecture. Core Pillars of India’s BRICS Payment Strategy Rejection of a Common Currency: India has explicitly opposed creating a unified BRICS monetary unit, a stance reinforced by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and foreign policy statements to avoid direct friction with Western economies and avoid sweeping tariff threats. CBDC Interoperability: Backed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) frameworks, the…

A comprehensive report released by Bain & Company and NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) at the Global Fintech Fest highlights that a centralised interoperable digital layer could successfully bridge India’s massive Rs 60 lakh crore ($700B+ approx.) formal MSME credit gap. The Scale of the Challenge The Deficit: Current institutional financing channels meet only 30% to 40% of the aggregate debt demand from smaller Indian enterprises. Delayed Receivables: Beyond access to credit, the report points out that micro, small, and medium enterprises struggle with an estimated Rs 8 lakh crore in pending delayed payments, largely driven by information mismatches, unverified…

In a joint statement issued by BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the bloc reaffirmed its commitment to establishing faster, low-cost, and transparent cross-border payment mechanisms. The discussions, held ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, centered on reducing transaction friction and expanding trade settlement in national currencies. Key Highlights of the Deliberations Progress by the BRICS Payment Task Force (BPTF): Member nations formally acknowledged ongoing work by the BPTF to design practical payment solutions. The task force has been analyzing the interoperability of existing national payment channels, messaging networks, and digital infrastructures. Focus on Local Currencies:…

Speaking at the launch of the Hindi edition of former State Bank of India chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya’s memoir, Indomitable: A Working Woman’s Notes on Work, Life and Leadership, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani urged corporate India to fundamentally transform its approach to female workforce retention and leadership. Key Highlights of the Appeal From Beneficiaries to Architects: Ambani emphasized that India is transitioning decisively from “women’s development to women-led development”. He noted that women are no longer just participants or beneficiaries of economic progress, but the core architects leading business, science, sports, and public institutions globally. The Call for Collective Action:…

Corporate governance in India’s mid-tier technology sector faced a rare and high-profile reckoning this week following the abrupt resignation of Coforge Chairman Om Prakash Bhatt. What initially appeared to be a routine leadership departure has unraveled into a governance crisis, triggered by an internal KPMG audit that revealed systematic failures in board evaluation transparency. The Hidden Reports and Missing Scores The seeds of the crisis were planted during annual board evaluation exercises conducted under the supervision of Bhatt and Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) chairman DK Singh. According to internal documents reviewed by investigators and regulatory disclosures, KPMG was brought…