Google Cloud and Glance Join Forces to Redefine Consumer Experiences with Generative AI on Lock Screens and Ambient TVs

Bangalore, Singapore, Sunnyvale, Calif., 27 February 2025 ‒ Consumer internet company, Glance, and Google Cloud today announced a strategic partnership to bring the power of generative AI (gen AI) to millions of Glance-enabled smartphones worldwide. Through this collaboration, Glance will leverage Google’s AI models to develop consumer-facing AI applications designed to enhance and enrich user experiences on smartphone lock screens and ambient TV screens.

Glance, a pioneer in delivering AI-powered smart lock screen experiences, currently powers more than 450 million Android-based smartphones worldwide. The company has an active user base of more than 300 million across India, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and other countries. It is now building the next generation of Glance, which aims to turn every user’s lock screen into the center of their digital experiences, integrating their news, sports, games, entertainment, fashion, and shopping with gen AI to create a ‘personal internet’ for the user.

Glance will leverage Google Cloud’s Gemini intelligence capabilities and Imagen’s state of the art image generation capabilities via Vertex AI to power Glance’s next-gen experiences. One of the first experiences is an immersive, gen AI-enabled commerce feature for the lock screen. This feature allows users to upload a single image (selfie or upload from gallery), which is then analyzed to infer their interests and preferences. Users can then use gen AI to generate personalized images that place them in relevant contexts, transforming their lock screen wallpapers. As users visualize themselves with various products, they can make real-time purchase decisions seamlessly from their lock screens.

“Our mission at Glance is to inspire users to become the best version of themselves through discovery-led experiences on surfaces powered by AI. We want to be the world’s largest consumer tech platform, reaching a billion screens by 2028, and our partnership with Google Cloud is key,” said Naveen Tewari, Founder & CEO of InMobi & Glance. “Our combined knowledge, AI capabilities, and expertise uniquely position Glance to deliver the next level of AI-driven experiences for smartphone users, supported by viable business models such as commerce and advertising.”

The partnership comes as Glance prepares to launch ‘Glance AI,’ a gen AI-powered platform designed to deliver immersive discovery experiences on both smartphone lock screens and TV ambient screens. To be launched in the U.S. market first, Glance AI aims to supercharge ordinary smartphones into AI phones through experiences that redefine content and commerce.

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud added, “Generative AI technologies have the power to transform experiences for people around the world, and mobile phones are a key touchpoint. Glance can now harness Google Cloud’s cutting-edge gen AI technologies to develop groundbreaking applications across commerce, content, and more that will unlock new possibilities for customers.”

Spring into Wellness: How Rasayanam Amla Juice Enhances Digestion and Detox

As spring unfolds with its promise of renewal and rejuvenation, it’s the perfect time to reset our health from the inside out. One of the most effective ways to support gut health during this seasonal transition is by incorporating Amla juice into your daily routine. Also known as Indian Gooseberry, Amla is a powerhouse of nutrients that aid digestion, enhance detoxification, and boost overall well-being.

The Importance of Gut Health in Spring

Spring is a season of renewal, and just as nature sheds the remnants of winter, our bodies also need a gentle detox. After indulging in heavy, warming foods during colder months, the digestive system may feel sluggish. This is where Amla juice comes in; it helps cleanse the gut, improve digestion, and prepare the body for the lighter, more vibrant foods of spring.

Rasayanam Amla Juice is crafted with the finest quality Indian Gooseberries, ensuring maximum potency and purity. Free from artificial additives and preservatives, it delivers a natural boost to digestion, immunity, and overall vitality. Whether you seek a daily wellness elixir or a seasonal detox aid, Rasayanam Amla Juice is an excellent choice to embrace the essence of spring with renewed energy.

Amla Juice: A Superfood for Digestion

Amla is packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a natural remedy for digestive concerns.

• Enhances Digestion: Amla stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, helping break down food efficiently and preventing bloating or acidity.
• Regulates Bowel Movements: The high fiber content in Amla juice promotes regularity, preventing constipation and supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
• Balances Stomach Acidity: Its alkaline nature helps neutralize excessive stomach acid, reducing the risk of acid reflux and indigestion.

Amla Juice for Detoxification

Spring is the ideal time to detoxify the body, and Amla juice serves as a natural cleanser by:

• Flushing Out Toxins: Its diuretic properties help eliminate toxins from the liver and kidneys, enhancing overall detoxification.
• Boosting Liver Function: Amla supports liver health by promoting the production of bile, which is crucial for fat digestion and toxin removal.
• Strengthening Immunity: With its high vitamin C content, Amla juice helps combat inflammation and supports the immune system in flushing out impurities.

“Amla is a timeless Ayurvedic remedy known for its incredible ability to rejuvenate the gut and overall health. Incorporating Rasayanam Amla juice into your daily routine during spring can help detoxify the body, enhance digestion, and restore balance from within,” says Ayush Aggarwal, Founder, Rasayanam.

Vivo Ignite 2025 Sets New Milestone with 37,000 Registrations and 660+ Districts, Doubling Its Impact

27 February 2025, New Delhi – vivo, the innovative global smartphone brand, is thrilled to announce the tremendous response to the third edition of ‘vivo Ignite’, which has received over 37,000 registrations from 9,000 schools across more than 660 districts, covering over 85% of India’s total districts. Among the 112 aspirational districts defined by NITI Aayog, 80 districts have participated, highlighting the initiative’s deep reach and impact in empowering young innovators and providing them with opportunities to participate in such platforms across India.

Students from grades 8-12 submitted over 5,600 innovative project ideas as individual/ group entries under the ‘Tech for Good’ theme, showcasing their problem-solving skills and commitment to social impact aligned with United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The overwhelming participation highlights India’s youth’s creativity and passion for technology. Notably, this year’s participation has doubled compared to last year, significantly expanding the initiative’s reach and impact.

The North Indian region emerged as a key hub for young innovators, contributing 41% of total registrations. Technology, Agriculture, and Climate Change were the most popular categories, collectively accounting for 38% of total idea submissions, reflecting students’ strong and growing inclination toward solving real-world challenges through innovation.

Expressing excitement over the overwhelming response, Geetaj Channana, Head of Corporate Strategy at vivo India, said, “The response to the third edition of vivo Ignite: T&I Initiative is a powerful reflection of the growing spirit of innovation among young minds in India. In just three years, we have seen participation soar—from 3,000+ registrations and 1,100+ submissions in the first edition to over 37,000 registrations and more than 5,600 submissions this year.

This growth is a testament to the increasing enthusiasm for using technology to drive social change. With our reach now extending to 9,000+ schools across 660+ districts, and participation doubling from last year, we are proud to see so many students eager to turn their ideas into real-world solutions.”

He also added, “This initiative is more than just a competition; it’s a movement, empowering students with the tools, mentorship, and platform needed to transform ideas into real-world solutions. We are grateful to our esteemed partners, including CIET-NCERT, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, UN Global Compact Network India, and Shooting Stars Foundation, for their invaluable support in empowering these young innovators. Together, we are shaping a brighter tomorrow where technology serves a greater purpose.”

By providing a national platform for students to ideate, innovate, and address critical societal issues, vivo is shaping the next generation of problem-solvers through vivo Ignite. The initiative encourages students to harness technology for good, focusing on Software-Tech Innovations, Agriculture & Climate Change, and Community Development Innovations—all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The competition unfolds in three stages, ensuring that students receive the right mentorship and exposure throughout their journey.

• Stage 1: Students submitted an image along with a brief description of their unique idea, which must not have been previously recognized. This phase ended on February 17, 2025.
• Stage 2: The top 200 zonal winners—50 from each zone (North, South, East, and West)—will be shortlisted and announced on February 28, 2025. These young innovators will participate in workshops and receive one-to-one mentoring. Shortlisted students will then submit a video explaining their working model/prototype and provide details of the project in a Project Display Board format. The Top 10 ideas will proceed to the Stage 3.
• Stage 3: Participants of the Top 10 ideas will receive further mentoring and workshop sessions from IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation to refine their prototype. They will present their final prototypes at the Grand Finale on June 7-8, 2025.

To ensure wide outreach, cutting-edge mentorship and expert guidance, vivo India has partnered with leading institutions including Central Institute of Educational Technology – NCERT (CIET-NCERT), IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation – Innovation Hub of IIT Madras, and UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) as knowledge partners. This collaboration bridges academia, industry, and young innovators, ensuring students receive top-tier mentorship, access to advanced resources, and real-world insights to refine and scale their projects.

Vignan Online Debuts Online MBA in Marketing to Elevate Professional Expertise

Guntur 27th February 2025: Vignan Online, the online learning arm of Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed-to-be-University), has launched a two-year Online MBA program in Marketing. The program is designed to help learners sharpen their marketing acumen and expand their career opportunities in an increasingly competitive business environment.

This 2-year duration program will offer an in-depth exploration of strategic and tactical marketing by combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Learners will gain insights into contemporary marketing trends, consumer behavior, digital strategies, and brand management with guidance from experienced faculty and industry professionals. The program will help learners and professionals to strengthen their expertise to apply innovative marketing approaches to real-world business challenges.

The program syllabus includes subjects such as Principles of Economics and Markets, Managerial Effectiveness and Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing Management and Research, Operations Management, Consumer Behavior, Agricultural and Rural Marketing, Integrated Marketing, Global Marketing, B2B Marketing, Retail Marketing and Brand Management, Digital Marketing, and Data Analytics Communications. The program also features a research project, providing exposure to solving marketing-related challenges through analytical and strategic problem-solving.

During the program duration, learners will benefit from 120 study hours, interactive audio-video lectures, pre-recorded sessions for those unable to attend live classes, and short video modules for better comprehensive understanding. This flexible and structured approach will allow working professionals also to balance education with their other responsibilities while gaining practical expertise.

Graduates of the Online MBA in Marketing can pursue roles such as Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Market Research Analyst, Advertising Manager, Product Manager, and Business Development Manager.

Voltas Marks Expansion with New Brand Store Opening in Shahjahanpur

India, 27th February 2025: Voltas Limited, India’s No. 1 AC company, from the house of Tata’s has launched a new and exclusive brand store in Shahjahanpur, today. Voltas, which holds the top position in the Indian AC market, is also a prominent brand in East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. With these new additions, Voltas now boasts a total of 29 brand stores in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and 54 across the UP and Uttarakhand region.

 Voltas remains a market leader in both Split and Window Air-conditioners in India. This new brand store is part of a strategic initiative to expand the company’s reach nationwide, ensuring accessibility even in the most remote areas. A significant portion of India’s air conditioner sales comes from smaller towns, particularly those with populations under one million. The rising demand for ACs in tier 2 and tier 3 towns is driven by soaring temperatures, changing climate conditions, increased spending power, and affordable financing options.

M/s Pathak Enterprises, located at Station Road, Near Ghantaghar, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, will offer a wide range of Voltas and Voltas Beko products, including Air Conditioners, Air Purifiers, Air Coolers, Commercial Refrigerators, Water Dispensers, Water Heaters, Water Coolers, Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Microwaves, and Dishwashers.

Commenting on the launch of the new brand store, Mr. Pradeep Bakshi, Managing Director & CEO, Voltas Limited said, “As a company, we have achieved significant milestones and made substantial progress in establishing a holistic ecosystem designed to enhance the shopping experience for our customers. We are thrilled to announce the inauguration of our new brand store in Shahjahapur today. As we embark on this new growth journey, with an aim to consistently extend our geographical presence in the region, our unwavering commitment to offering our customers a superlative shopping experience remains intact. We seek to further accelerate our geographical expansion across India to make our products more accessible to our consumers.”

EV Startup Vidyut Expands BaaS Offerings with dollar2.5M Funding from Flourish Ventures

India, 27 February 2025: Vidyut, a full-stack electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem platform, has raised $2.5 million in funding from global fintech investor Flourish Ventures. The funding will fuel expansion of Vidyut’s Battery-as-a-Service offerings in both passenger and commercial EV segments. This investment reinforces Vidyut’s mission to accelerate India’s clean energy transition by making EV ownership accessible and affordable for SMBs.

 “With proven unit economics, strong 15% month-on-month growth, and long-term OEM partnerships, this investment will help us scale our innovative financing and lifecycle solutions across new vehicle segments,” said Xitij Kothi, Co-Founder, Vidyut. “Vidyut has solved one of EV financing’s biggest challenges – battery degradation risk. By analyzing real-time performance data across state of health, discharge patterns, and usage metrics, we accurately predict battery life and value. This data-driven approach enables us to offer usage-based financing that aligns with actual asset performance, making EVs both affordable and financially viable for businesses in a way traditional finance cannot replicate. We’re excited to partner with Flourish Ventures to make EVs accessible and profitable for businesses nationwide.”

 Founded in 2021 by ex-Swiggy and Bounce executives Xitij Kothi and Gaurav Srivastava, Vidyut revolutionized commercial EV financing. By unbundling batteries from EVs and offering them on a pay-per-km subscription basis, Vidyut reduced upfront 3W EV costs by 35-40%, making them significantly cheaper than ICE vehicles from day one.

“We at Flourish Ventures believe that finance will have a key role in enabling actions towards climate change. As the economy transitions to sustainable solutions like electric vehicles, access to credit will play a key role to adoption in India,” said Harsh Gupta, Principal, Flourish Ventures. “With its unique Battery-as-a-Service offering, Vidyut provides innovative financial solutions that help users reduce their upfront costs while addressing common concerns around battery life and replacement costs. We are continually impressed by the team and the growth they have demonstrated, and we look forward to their continued impact in accelerating the transition to climate-friendly solutions.”

 In 2023, Vidyut expanded its offering to include EV resale and lifecycle management solutions, a move that has seen rapid customer adoption and market traction. In Sep 2024, the company entered the passenger EV market through a partnership with JSW MG Motor India, marking India’s first BaaS model for four-wheelers that cuts upfront vehicle costs by 30%.

 With key industry partners like TATA Motors, JSW MG Motor India, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Piaggio, Euler Motors, and a strong distribution network across 30 cities, Vidyut has empowered micro-entrepreneurs and fleet operators to make the sustainable choice, while increasing their earnings by 10-15% through EV adoption.

 With its data-centric approach, Vidyut has in a short span of time also launched an EV resale platform for the three-wheeler commercial vehicle segment, which manages the entire process—from inspection and valuation to sale and RTO documentation. This new platform has streamlined the resale process for commercial EV owners and has helped customers realise upto 10-15% better than ICE counterparts in secondary markets.