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Category: Technology

  • Bybit turns cricket season into crypto referral push with new India focused game

    Vikas Gupta of Bybit said the India focused campaign turns cricket participation into a shared digital experience, with the company expecting a 30 to 40 percent uplift in referrals as users earn points that can be converted into crypto rewards.

    Bybit has launched a cricket themed referral game in India, linking the country’s strong connection with the sport to a reward based digital campaign aimed at user acquisition and engagement.
    The campaign is part of Bybit’s localisation strategy in India and is designed to attract new users while increasing participation on the platform. The company said the format builds on cricket’s wide cultural reach and its role in shaping how people interact and engage in digital spaces.

    At the centre of the campaign is a simple game mechanic where users catch a falling cricket ball to earn reward points. Those points can then be converted into free crypto rewards. The campaign also includes a referral layer that allows users to invite friends to the platform and unlock additional rewards, turning the experience into a social activity rather than a solo interaction.
    Bybit said the campaign reflects a broader move toward digital experiences that are more closely aligned with local interests and behaviour. With the current cricket season driving high levels of attention, the company expects the initiative to deliver a 30 to 40 percent uplift in referrals.

    Vikas Gupta said, “India is a key market for Bybit, and the focus has always been on creating experiences that feel relevant and engaging for users. Cricket is an emotion that connects millions, and bringing that energy into a digital experience allows users to interact, compete, and share rewards in a way that feels natural. The idea is to move beyond traditional engagement and create moments that users can enjoy and share with their communities.”
    The campaign positions cricket not only as a cultural touchpoint, but also as a format for driving interactive participation in crypto platforms through familiar and accessible digital behaviour.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • McLaren Strategic Solutions expands hiring in Goa, bringing global tech roles to local talent

    Rohan Khaunte, Minister for ITE and C, Government of Goa, and Sajan Pillai, Chairman, McLaren Strategic Solutions, highlight local opportunities, global exposure, and industry collaboration

    Panaji, April 2026: McLaren Strategic Solutions has expanded its hiring efforts in Goa, onboarding 20 final year engineering students from leading technical institutes into its global workforce.

    The selection was formalised during an interaction session attended by Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, along with company leadership and industry representatives.

    The initiative reflects a broader effort to create employment opportunities within the state, enabling students to access global career pathways without relocating.

    Rohan Khaunte said the focus is on building an ecosystem where local talent can grow within Goa, reducing the need for migration while strengthening the state’s technology landscape.

    Sajan Pillai, Chairman, McLaren Strategic Solutions, said Goa offers a combination of skilled talent, strong communication abilities, and a supportive environment, making it an attractive location for building teams.

    The recruitment process began earlier this year, with candidates selected based on technical capability and practical experience, including participation in hackathons and project based learning.

    The company increased its intake from 15 hires last year to 20 this year, selecting students from institutions such as Goa College of Engineering, Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, and Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering and Information Technology.

    The selected candidates are expected to begin their roles in August 2026.

    The initiative highlights growing collaboration between industry, academia, and government to build a sustainable technology ecosystem in Goa, positioning the state as a destination for skilled talent and innovation.

  • Real Time Translation Across 55 Indian Languages Unveiled with Vāķ by Shunya Labs

    Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Founder and Chief Scientist, Shunya Labs, India, and Ankit Bose, Head of AI, Nasscom, India, comment as open weight model spans 2,970 language pairs with sub 1.5 second latency

    Gurugram, February 18, 2026: Shunya Labs has introduced Vāķ, an open weight real time translation system covering 55 Indian languages across 2,970 language pairs. The model was unveiled in partnership with Nasscom at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
    The release includes three model families launched simultaneously: Pingala automatic speech recognition, a neural text to speech engine, and a real time any to any translation system. The company stated that the translation engine operates with end to end latency under 1.5 seconds and preserves speaker tone and vocal characteristics. Zero shot voice cloning is supported without prior training data.

    Pingala ASR currently ranks first on the Hugging Face OpenASR Leaderboard with a reported Word Error Rate of 3.10 percent. The architecture is designed for CPU first deployment with sub 250 millisecond latency, enabling edge and offline use cases.
    Vāķ enables translation from any one of India’s 55 covered languages into any of the remaining 54 languages, amounting to 2,970 translation pairs. Model weights are publicly available for download, allowing deployment on local infrastructure without reliance on external servers.

    Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Founder and Chief Scientist, Shunya Labs, India, said, “India does not need to depend on foreign APIs to hear its own people. With Vāķ, we are releasing an open weight voice AI system covering every Indian language with over one million speakers. Our objective is to enable developers and public institutions to deploy locally while ensuring that voice data remains within domestic infrastructure.”
    Ankit Bose, Head of AI, Nasscom, India, said, “Shunya Labs represents the type of technical capability emerging from India’s AI ecosystem. Building open weight models across Indian languages reflects both engineering depth and a focus on inclusive AI development. The launch of Vāķ highlights how the Nasscom GenAI ecosystem is supporting globally competitive innovation.”

    The system covers 43 Indo Aryan languages including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu, seven Dravidian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam, three Sino Tibetan languages including Meitei, Bodo and Garo, Santali from the Austroasiatic family, and Indian English. Collectively, these languages account for over 1.17 billion native speakers.
    Shunya Labs stated that the model supports on premise deployment across government, healthcare, judicial and educational use cases.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Telangana’s TechBio Ambitions Take Centre Stage as BioAsia 2026 Opens in Hyderabad

    Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, and D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industries, spotlight Next Gen Life Sciences Policy ahead of global forum

    New Delhi, February 14, 2026: The 23rd edition of BioAsia will be held on February 17 and 18 at HITEX in Hyderabad, with organisers expanding the venue to accommodate increased participation from international delegates, investors, startups and life sciences companies.
    BioAsia, co hosted by the Government of Telangana, has moved to a larger space at HITEX to enable multiple executive sessions, expanded exhibitions and investor founder interactions. The organisers indicated that the scale of this year’s edition reflects growing global engagement with Hyderabad’s life sciences ecosystem.

    In recent years, Hyderabad has seen expansion of global pharma and biotech capability centres, growth in biologics and vaccine manufacturing, and new investments in bioprocess design, advanced therapies and AI enabled healthcare.
    BioAsia 2026 will focus on the intersection of biology, artificial intelligence and automation, often described as the TechBio convergence. Discussions will examine the progression of innovation from research to clinical and commercial execution, with attention to AI driven drug discovery, automation in biomanufacturing, digital health systems and supply chain resilience.

    The Next Gen Life Sciences Policy was highlighted earlier this year at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. Telangana leaders presented the policy as part of the state’s effort to strengthen its pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and contract research and manufacturing services ecosystem.
    Telangana, under the leadership of Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, and D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industries, has positioned the state as a life sciences and healthcare hub with emphasis on sustainability, precision medicine, digital health and supply chain diversification.

    BioAsia 2026 will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, exhibition engagement and business to business meetings aimed at facilitating research collaborations, operational partnerships and cross border engagement.
    The state’s life sciences sector has evolved from a generics manufacturing base to a broader research and development focused ecosystem, supported by policy initiatives and international outreach.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • From Capital Concentration to Worker Transition, DICCI Focuses on Inclusion at AI Conclave

    Dr Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman of DICCI and Conclave Chairman, says inclusion must be embedded at the design stage of artificial intelligence systems

    New Delhi, February 13, 2026: The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will organise the International Conclave on AI for Inclusion and the Future of Work 2026 on February 18 at The Park, New Delhi. The event is being held in partnership with iCreate, the Indian Institute of Management Jammu, Infisum and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, and will precede the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
    Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, the conclave will bring together representatives from Union and State Governments, policymakers, industry leaders, economists, academic experts and social sector practitioners.

    The discussions will examine the implications of artificial intelligence on capital concentration, employment transitions and access to digital infrastructure. Sessions will address policy approaches and market interventions required to widen participation in AI systems, with focus areas including responsible governance, formalisation of MSMEs and informal workers, and the role of digital public infrastructure.
    The conclave will also emphasise participation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women entrepreneurs, gig workers, sanitation workers, artisans and first generation business owners in emerging AI value chains.

    A key outcome is expected to be the Delhi Declaration on Inclusive AI and the Future of Work, which will outline principles related to equity by design, worker transition frameworks, social protection mechanisms, multilingual skilling pathways and coordination between Centre and State institutions. The Declaration will inform discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
    Dr Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, DICCI and Conclave Chairman, Conclave on AI for Inclusion and the Future of Work, said, “Artificial intelligence will define the next phase of economic expansion. The central question is whether this growth will remain concentrated or become participatory. This conclave is anchored in six pillars — education, small business formalisation, financial literacy, future-ready agriculture, AI for speedy justice, and AI for empowering informal workers. Inclusion must be embedded at the design stage of AI systems and governance frameworks to ensure durable social mobility.”

    Padma Shri awardee Ravi Kumar Narra, National President, DICCI, added, “Economic empowerment delivers impact when policy intent is matched with institutional execution. AI must be deployed with similar discipline to enhance productivity in the informal economy, expand market access for small enterprises and enable credible worker transition pathways. Inclusion must be measurable, not aspirational.”
    Through the conclave, DICCI seeks to advance structured dialogue on aligning artificial intelligence with equity, employment and national development priorities.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • With 734 DPIIT Startups, Goa Introduces Structured Accelerator to Back Early Stage Founders

    Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Tourism and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, says nearly half of the state’s registered startups are women led

    Panaji, February 13, 2026: The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, through the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, has launched the Goa Startup Accelerator Programme, a five month initiative aimed at supporting early stage founders with mentorship, market access and investment linkages.
    The programme comes at a time when Goa has 734 DPIIT registered startups, according to data shared during the launch event. Nearly half of these ventures are women led.

    The launch event brought together startups, industry representatives and government officials. The programme will run from February to June 2026 and will conclude with a Demo Day where participating startups will present their progress.
    Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Tourism and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, said, “Today, Goa is not just known for its quality of life, but for its forward-looking policies and a growing startup ecosystem of 734 DPIIT-registered startups, nearly half of which are women-led. Through the Goa Startup Policy 2025 and its 12 comprehensive schemes, along with initiatives like the Goa Accelerator Program and the Goa Open Innovation Challenge, we are creating an environment where startups have access to capital, mentorship, skills, infrastructure and real market opportunities. The Government is committed to providing every possible resource and support and we encourage our entrepreneurs to leverage these platforms.”

    The event began with an orientation session for startups enrolled in the accelerator. Participants were briefed on the programme structure and roadmap, followed by startup pitches and interactions with mentors.
    During the event, winners of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 were felicitated. In the startup category, the winners were SOLO Network, Cidroy Technologies LLP and So-AIR. In the student category, Shri Suraj Vishwakarma and team from Padre Conceição College of Engineering, Verna, and Shri Dattaprasad Narendra Prabhu and team from Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, were recognised. The Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 Report was released at the event.

    Winners of the MedTech Hackathon organised by the National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH and Integrative Medicine in collaboration with DITE&C were also awarded. The winning teams were Team Biomade, Team My Pallo Friend and Team Kindred Tech.
    Those recognised for their contribution to the innovation ecosystem included Shri Praveen Volvotkar, MD, InfoTech Corporation Ltd; Smt Revati Kumar, CEO, Goa Electronics Limited; Shri Mangirish Salelkar, President, Goa Technology Association; Shri Milind Anvekar, Senior Vice President, India Operations, Open Destinations; Shri Americo Ricky Noronha, Director, Online Productivity Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Vincent Toscano, Managing Partner, Uzoorba Technologies LLP; Shri Prajyot Mainkar, Founder and CEO, SoFueled; Dr Anil Wali, CEO, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup and IT Promotion Cell.
    Officials stated that the accelerator is intended to provide structured support to startups at different stages of growth within the state.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Public Ballots Open for Gadgets Now Awards 2025 as Sixth Edition Adds Creator Honours

    Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head at Timesofindia.com, Indiatimes and WhatsHot, says the awards track tech shaping how India lives, works and connects

    New Delhi, February 13, 2026: Public voting has started for the sixth edition of the Gadgets Now Awards 2025, with consumers invited to choose winners across more than 20 categories.
    The 2025 edition has over 40 brands competing across segments that include smartphones across multiple price and use cases, laptops, gaming devices, audio products, wearables, smart televisions and home automation devices. The organisers said voting is currently live, with only a few days left before the lines close.

    This will also be the first edition to recognise technology influencers and creators, a category added for the sixth run of the awards.
    Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony scheduled for February 23, 2026 at The Westin Gurgaon.
    Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head at Timesofindia.com, Indiatimes and WhatsHot, said, “These awards recognize the technology that’s actually shaping how India lives, works, and connects. Not just what’s new, but what’s genuinely making a difference in people’s lives.”

    The organisers said the final outcome combines public voting with expert assessment. Partners supporting the awards include GoKiwi, Sling TV, Cetaphil and Bissell.
    Gadgets Now is a technology news platform under Times Internet, covering consumer technology, smartphones, laptops, gadgets and digital innovation.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Entry-Level Gaming Hardware Gets a Performance Push with Portronics Vader X

    Portronics positions Vader X with up to 12,800 DPI sensitivity, seven programmable controls, RGB lighting, and a ₹599 price point

    Affordable gaming peripherals continue to gain traction in India’s consumer electronics segment, with Portronics introducing the Vader X wired gaming mouse as part of its expanding computer accessories range.
    Designed for both competitive and casual players, the device features a high-precision optical sensor capable of delivering up to 7000 frames per second. The tracking system is engineered to maintain consistent responsiveness during fast-paced gameplay, including first-person shooters and strategy-based titles.

    The mouse supports adjustable sensitivity levels of up to 12,800 DPI, allowing users to switch between controlled, low-sensitivity precision and faster on-screen navigation. Seven programmable buttons can be configured through dedicated software, enabling macro assignments and custom command setups tailored to different gaming styles.
    Vader X incorporates customizable RGB lighting, adding a visual layer to gaming setups while maintaining functional clarity in button placement and controls. The ergonomic design is shaped to support extended usage, and the wired format ensures stable connectivity without signal interruptions. A 1.5 metre braided cable enhances durability and long-term reliability.

    The device offers plug-and-play compatibility across laptops, desktops, and supported gaming systems.
    Priced at ₹599, the Portronics Vader X wired gaming mouse is available in Black and Blue through the official website, major e-commerce platforms, and authorised retail outlets across India. The product includes a 12 month warranty.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Samsung unveils nationwide offers on Vision AI Big TV portfolio

    Samsung India announces bundled Soundbar benefits, cashback of up to 20 percent, extended warranty coverage and financing options under its Made for India PLUS platform

    Gurugram, 11 February 2026: Samsung has announced limited period consumer offers across its Vision AI Big TV portfolio in India, combining bundled audio products, cashback schemes and financing support aimed at encouraging upgrades to large screen televisions.
    The offer includes a complimentary Soundbar valued at up to INR 92,990 on select models, cashback of up to 20 percent, zero down payment options and equated monthly instalments extending up to 30 months. The programme is being rolled out nationwide across authorised retail channels.

    Samsung’s Vision AI Big TV range integrates AI driven picture optimisation intended to enhance motion clarity and image precision, particularly for high speed content formats such as live sports and action programming. The portfolio focuses on large screen formats designed to support immersive home viewing.
    The offers are being extended under the company’s Made for India PLUS platform, which combines hardware upgrades with additional consumer benefits. Customers under this platform receive access to Samsung TV Plus, offering more than 150 free national and international channels spanning entertainment, movies, news and regional content.

    The programme also includes Samsung Care Plus, providing extended warranty coverage and after sales support. The extended protection plan offers two years of comprehensive coverage starting at INR 599, supported by Samsung’s service network and genuine parts assurance.
    Flexible purchasing options are enabled through Samsung Finance Plus, which facilitates paperless transactions and structured payment plans.
    The limited period offers are available across Samsung’s authorised stores and partner outlets across India.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Board-Level AI Strategy Focus Sharpens at CriticalRiver with Appointment of Dr. Vijay Gurbaxani

    Dr. Vijay Gurbaxani, Taco Bell Endowed Professor of Technology Management at UC Irvine and Founding Director of the Center for Digital Transformation, joins CriticalRiver as Board Advisor to guide enterprise AI governance and strategy

    As enterprises move from pilot AI initiatives toward structured governance and measurable outcomes, CriticalRiver Inc. has brought academic and boardroom perspective into its strategic framework with the appointment of Vijay Gurbaxani as Board Advisor.
    Dr. Gurbaxani has spent over four decades at the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, where he serves as the Taco Bell Endowed Professor of Technology Management and previously held the role of Senior Associate Dean. He is also the Founding Director of the Center for Digital Transformation, a research institution focused on evidence-based insights into digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

    His work has centred on understanding how AI and digital technologies reshape operating models, enterprise structures, and economic value creation. He has advised senior executives and board members globally on integrating technology decisions with long-term strategy and competitive positioning.
    “AI is no longer about experimentation; it is about making disciplined choices that align technology, organizational design, and economic value,” said Dr. Vijay Gurbaxani. “CriticalRiver’s focus on outcome-driven, pragmatic AI transformation reflects exactly what enterprises need at this stage, and I look forward to supporting the team in this journey.”

    In his advisory capacity, Dr. Gurbaxani will collaborate with CriticalRiver’s leadership team to refine enterprise strategy, guide AI-led transformation programmes, and contribute to thought leadership on economically grounded and responsible AI adoption.
    Commenting on the appointment, Anji Maram, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CriticalRiver Inc., said Dr. Gurbaxani brings depth in connecting digital strategy with measurable business impact at a time when enterprises are transitioning from experimentation to accountability in AI deployment.

    Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Pleasanton, California, CriticalRiver positions itself as an AI-first technology services firm focused on accelerating business outcomes through automation, systems optimisation, and vertical solutions. The addition of board-level academic expertise reflects a broader shift in enterprise technology, where governance, economics, and oversight increasingly define successful AI adoption.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.