Onething Design Transforms Royal Enfield’s Digital Experience with Cutting-Edge Mobile Innovation
New Delhi, India, March 11, 2025 – Royal Enfield has launched its all-new mobile app, marking a significant step forward in the brand’s digital evolution. Designed to enhance the rider experience, the app integrates cutting-edge features that bring the community closer and provide greater personalization options. At the heart of this transformation is the Make It Yours (MIY) platform, an industry-first customization tool that allows riders to personalize their Royal Enfield motorcycles—from color selection to accessories and seating—directly from their mobile devices. This seamless experience ensures that every Royal Enfield rider can design a bike that reflects their unique style before even stepping into a dealership.
Beyond customization, the app elevates community engagement by offering an integrated space where riders can discover, plan, and participate in Royal Enfield rides alongside fellow enthusiasts. Ownership has been made more intuitive with features that allow users to book services, track maintenance history, and access important vehicle documents—even offline.
This digital transformation has been brought to life in collaboration with Onething Design, one of India’s leading UX/UI agencies known for creating experience-driven digital solutions for brands and startups. The agency worked closely with Royal Enfield to build an intuitive, immersive platform that stays true to the legacy and ethos of the brand.
Jatin Chikara, Head of Digital at Royal Enfield, said: “Royal Enfield is not just about motorcycles; it’s an emotion, a way of life. We endeavor to deliver an experience as rich as riding a motorcycle to our riders on digital touchpoints, making every interaction intuitive and meaningful. One thing Design has been a key partner in this journey, helping us create a seamless and engaging platform that truly reflects the Royal Enfield philosophy”
Divanshu Thakral, Co-founder of Onething Design, adds: “Designing for an iconic brand like Royal Enfield comes with the responsibility of respecting its legacy while elevating its digital presence. Our focus was on crafting an experience that feels as effortless and exhilarating as riding a Royal Enfield itself. We’re thrilled to see the new platform empower riders with a seamless, immersive experience.”
HID Report Commends Security Industry’s Shift to AI and Biometrics
INDIA – March 11, 2025 – As organizations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape, security leaders are making strategic shifts toward unified platforms and emerging technologies, according to the newly released 2025 State of Security and Identity Report from HID. The comprehensive study gathered responses from 1,800 partners, end users, and security and IT personnel worldwide, and revealed a significant transformation in how businesses are approaching security, with mobile credentials and artificial intelligence emerging as key drivers of innovation.
“The security industry is at a pivotal moment where the integration of modern technology with existing infrastructure is no longer optional — it’s imperative,” said Ramesh Songukrishnasamy, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at HID. “The fact that 73% of security leaders now prioritize software-driven unified solutions shows we’ve moved beyond traditional siloed approaches. Organizations are demanding platforms that can scale with their needs while providing actionable intelligence.”
Key findings from the report include:
A marked increase in mobile credentials and biometrics adoption, signaling a shift away from traditional access methods
The rapid rise of mobile credentials, with 61% of security leaders identifying their proliferation as a top trend, signals a significant shift away from traditional access methods. Nearly two-thirds are either deploying or planning to deploy mobile solutions. Concurrently, demand for biometric technologies such as fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition is on the rise: about 35% of respondents currently use biometric technology, while 13% plan to, indicating significant growth potential in this segment.
Growing demand for unified security management solutions that streamline operations
As organizations diversify security technology today, many security leaders (67%) are making moves to adopt software-driven security solutions, citing that unifying multiple data collection methodologies would be “somewhat” or “very important” (73%) to their organization.
Strong preference for open platforms that facilitate seamless integration
Interoperability has become synonymous with progress across the security industry over the last few years, and the trend continues as more than half of security professionals reported open solutions as being “extremely” or “very” important to their organizations.
Strategic focus on converging platform solutions rather than standalone products
Nearly two thirds of organizations and 73% of integrators and consultants report a shift toward software-driven security solutions that bridge physical and digital functions like video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection into a more unified platform.
Significant channel transformation driven by digital innovation
The security channel is undergoing significant transformation driven by digital innovation. While 77% of channel partners believe they are adapting well to these changes, growing end-user demand for AI, cloud solutions, IoT integration, and advanced analytics is reshaping service expectations. To thrive, the channel must continuously evolve and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the market and keep pace with digital transformation within the security sector.
Accelerated adoption of AI agents to enhance security operations
AI agents are being rapidly adopted to enhance security operations. Use cases are proliferating across access control, identity management, video, and security management platforms. Key benefits cited include improved efficiency and speed of security processes (50%) and enhanced real-time data analysis capabilities (47%).
Continued emphasis on sustainability in security decision-making, budget allowing.
Sustainability is still a key factor in security decision-making, with 75% of security leaders now factoring it into their solution selection process. However, sustainability is not the most critical factor when selecting new solutions as security and cost-effectiveness are still the highest priority for 80% of integrators and consultants.
Secret Ingredient to Spearhead Nationwide Expansion of Pekoe Café
New Delhi, 11 March 2025:– Secret Ingredient, India’s leading food consulting firm for the restaurant and hospitality industry, has announced a strategic partnership with the Dalmia Gold Tea Group to expand their popular Pekoe Café brand across India. This collaboration aims to bring Pekoe’s distinctive tea-drinking experience to cities nationwide, building on its current success in Patna and Siliguri.
Secret Ingredient will lead the expansion effort, leveraging its expertise in restaurant concept development and operational strategy. The firm’s comprehensive approach will ensure that each new Pekoe outlet maintains brand consistency while adapting to local preferences.
Nikita Dalmia, Co-Founder, Pekoe Cafe said, “Pekoe, is a vibrant celebration of India’s love for Chai Tapri and street food culture, reimagined with a touch of sophistication. We are on a mission to popularise Indian-Tapri culture along with quality teas from the House of Dalmia Gold, in a more contemporary and refined setting. Going forward, we see it as a unique proposition in the Indian café market and we wanted someone who understands this differentiated concept while enhancing the brand value. Therefore the Secret Ingredient team looks like an ideal fit to take its growth across India”.
Complemented by a diverse menu featuring Indian snacks that pair perfectly with their tea offerings. Pekoe Café stands out with its quirky interiors designed for comfort, creating an inviting atmosphere for customers. Despite offering an extraordinary experience, the café maintains budget-friendly pricing, making it accessible to a wide range of tea enthusiasts.
Kula Naidu, Director of Secret Ingredient, stated, “We have partnered with the Dalmia Gold Tea Group to bring the Pekoe café experience to more cities. Our team will work diligently to preserve the Brand’s essence while tailoring each location to resonate with local tastes and culture.”
Sid Mathur, Director at Secret Ingredient, added, “Pekoe has already captured the hearts of tea enthusiasts in Patna and Siliguri. As we expand, we’re committed to delivering a seamless and elevated experience that will delight customers across India.”
The expansion plan targets multiple cities across India, building upon Pekoe’s current locations in Patna and Siliguri. Secret Ingredient has outlined a phased rollout over the next year, focusing on key areas to ensure success. These include comprehensive market research and strategic location selection, creating inviting interior designs and ambiances that reflect the Pekoe brand, developing and localising menus to cater to regional tastes, and implementing rigorous staff training programs to maintain operational excellence across all new outlets.
Specialising in solutions for both new and existing restaurants, Secret Ingredient also extends advisory services to hotels, malls, and schools. The firm’s unique perspective stems from years of hands-on experience in the F&B industry, including operating restaurants and delivery outlets across India and advising some of the biggest names in the food industry.
Notable projects in their portfolio include: The Khyber at Gulmarg, Kaansa at Crowne Plaza Gurgaon, Lyrah at Trident Gurgaon, Koyo Koyo at Hyatt Centric Chandigarh, Select City Walk Mall in South Delhi, British School in Delhi, Olive Group, Swiggy, Anardana, and in Delhi – Bomba, Qavalli, Chica, Ditas, among several others across major locations.
STAAH Expands Reach, Optimizes Booking for Eight Praveg Hotels and Resorts
Vibrant Holi Celebration at Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park
Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park are thrilled to announce this year’s Holi Bash, transforming their rooftop terrace into a vibrant festival arena on March 14, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This immersive celebration will blend India’s rich cultural traditions with delectable cuisine, electrifying music, and engaging entertainment, promising an unforgettable experience for guests.
Building on the vibrant spirit of our Holi celebration, we are prioritizing safety and sustainability with dry, organic colors, so everyone can join the fun worry-free. Foodies, prepare for an authentic Indian Street Food Festival, a culinary journey across the nation’s diverse street flavors. A live Bollywood DJ will spin the hottest tracks, guaranteeing a lively dance floor and an electrifying atmosphere. To keep the energy buzzing, we’ve planned a range of traditional and interactive games, promising non-stop entertainment and memorable moments for all.
Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the spirit of Holi, enjoying a day filled with joy, laughter, and camaraderie.
What: Holi Wood – 1.0
When: 14th March 2025, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park
adidas and Liverpool Football Club announce multi-year partnership
New Delhi, 11th March 2025 – Today, adidas and Liverpool Football Club have agreed a multi-year partnership that will see the sports brand becoming the club’s official kit partner from the 2025/26 season onwards. From 1st August 2025 Liverpool FC will wear adidas for the third time in its history with the sports brand supplying match kit, training wear and culture wear to all men’s, women’s, academy teams and LFC Foundation staff.
Liverpool FC and adidas worked closely throughout some of the club’s most iconic eras from 1985-1996 and again from 2006-2012. During this time the club secured an array of trophies including three domestic league and eleven domestic cup titles, while some of the jerseys are considered among the most loved kits of the era. The announcement follows an exciting time for the club, with the men’s team sitting top of the domestic league and qualifying for the knock-out stages of the UEFA Champion’s League, as well as the women’s team firmly establishing themselves as a mainstay at the highest level of domestic competition.
Bjørn Gulden, CEO of adidas, said: “We are very excited that adidas and Liverpool Football Club are teaming up once again. The club is one of the biggest and most iconic names in world football with a huge fan base. We are honored to once again provide the players with cutting-edge technology to perform at the highest level. The jerseys worn during previous partnerships are some of the greatest ever created. We are looking forward to bringing back some of these classics and creating new exciting products for the fans.”
Billy Hogan, chief executive officer, Liverpool Football Club, said: “Everyone at the club is incredibly excited to welcome adidas back into the LFC family once again. We have enjoyed fantastic success together in the past and created some of the most loved LFC kits of all time. It’s the perfect time for us to partner together once again and we look forward to creating more iconic kits and continued on the pitch success, that will build on our wonderful, shared history.”
The deal builds on existing relationships between adidas and many Liverpool Football Club players, including Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Darwin Núñez, Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz, Ryan Gravenberch, Fuka Nagano, Mia Enderby and Jenna Clark.
Details of the first adidas Liverpool kits will be revealed via club and adidas channels on 1st August 2025.
PhonePe Celebrates Crossing 600 Million User Mark
National, March 11th, 2025: PhonePe, today announced that it has crossed 600 million (60 crore) registered users on its platform. This marks a significant milestone for the company, which will celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year, and has grown to serve hundreds of millions of customers with its financial services and technology solutions.
PhonePe’s consistent enhancement of its product and service offerings, combined with growing customer preference for the platform, has contributed to reaching this milestone. The company’s development of a secure payment system focused on reliability, speed, and personalized transaction experiences has gained traction among millions of users. This growth can also be attributed to PhonePe’s widespread adoption across its merchant network throughout the country, creating a robust digital payment ecosystem that serves both consumers and businesses alike.
Speaking about the milestone, Sameer Nigam, Co-founder & CEO, of PhonePe said, “Reaching 60 crore registered users is a proud moment for all of us at PhonePe. Every milestone we achieve brings us a step closer to realising our vision of building a truly inclusive financial ecosystem. We will continue building homegrown solutions to meet the evolving needs of our users and help drive India’s digital transformation.”
UPES to Launch MBA in Strategic Financial Management with EY India
New Delhi, March 11, 2025: UPES, a leading multidisciplinary university in India, has announced a knowledge partnership with EY India (Ernst & Young) to introduce MBA in Strategic Financial Management, where 50% of the curriculum is designed and delivered by a Big 4 firm, setting a new benchmark in industry-integrated management education.
As part of this unique knowledge partnership, students from UPES School of Business will receive over 600 hours of direct training from EY India, gaining first-hand exposure to cutting-edge financial strategies and industry best practices. Additionally, a select group of 6-10 high-performing students will have the opportunity to secure paid internships with EY India, offering them invaluable real-world experience and a competitive edge in the job market.
Shedding light on the collaboration, Dr. Ram Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, UPES, said: “Students today need an education that is deeply connected to industry needs. This collaboration with EY India ensures that our students receive real-world exposure, become market-ready, and develop the skills required to navigate the complexities of the finance function. They will not only gain technical expertise, but also acquire the business acumen needed to drive financial decision-making in leading organisations.”
Emphasising the significance of industry-academia interface, Furqan Warsi, Partner at EY India, said: “This knowledge partnership is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to excel in strategic financial management. Leveraging EY’s global capabilities, students can master essential finance concepts such as Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Finance, and accounting processes. The program also offers practical insights into the business applications of financial models, valuation techniques, and decision-making tools. Ultimately, this initiative empowers students to analyze diverse business scenarios and implement effective financial strategies with confidence.”
UPES School of Business continues to build strategic collaborations with industry leaders to create transformative learning experiences, ensuring that its students are well-prepared to thrive in the competitive global economy. This knowledge partnership with EY India marks yet another milestone in UPES’ mission to deliver world-class education that is aligned with industry needs.
Agora Unveils Conversational AI Toolkit for Smarter IoT Interactions
INDIA – March 11, 2025: Agora, Inc. (NASDAQ: API), a global leader in real-time engagement solutions, is expanding into AI-powered robotics and interactive toys with its new ConvoAI Device Kit. This breakthrough solution—developed in partnership with chip-maker Beken—delivers an all-in-one toolkit that empowers developers and manufacturers to create intelligent, voice-driven interactions for next-generation conversational AI in smart devices.
The ConvoAI Device Kit integrates Beken’s high-performance AI chip modules with Agora’s Conversational AI technology, enabling ultra-low latency voice interactions, intelligent dialogue processing, and seamless real-time communication. This innovative solution is designed to make AI-driven devices, toys, and robots more interactive, intuitive, and emotionally responsive.
“Conversational AI is key to making robots and AI-driven toys truly interactive, engaging, and intuitive,” said Tony Zhao, CEO of Agora. “By integrating Agora’s technology into Beken’s chips, IoT toymakers like Robopoet will transform entertainment, education, and emotional support by enabling more natural conversations, adaptive learning, and personalized interactions that evolve with the user over time.”
As part of this expansion, Agora is proud to power Robopoet’s latest AI companion robot, Fuzzoo, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) last week. Designed to redefine emotional wellness, Fuzzoo is an AI-powered emotional companion that listens, senses, and responds in real-time. Robopoet’s Multimodal Emotion Model (MEM) leverages Agora’s ConvoAI Device Kit to offer personalized support and foster emotional connection.
“Agora’s AI technology enables toys and robots to interact in a way that feels natural and engaging,” said Yuna Pan, Co-Founder and CTO of Robopoet. “With real-time voice processing, emotional AI, and advanced speech capabilities, Agora makes seamless human-machine interaction possible and ensures exceptional performance and reliability.”
iQOO Teams Up with India’s Elite Esports Players to Certify Smartphones for Ultimate Gaming
New Delhi, March 11, 2025 – iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand from the vivo group, announces going deeper and bigger on its commitment towards mobile gaming excellence in India. The company has partnered with India’s top seven gamers- Dynamo Gaming, GamerFleet, Mortal, Payal Gaming, Scout, Shreeman Legend, and UnGraduate Gamer- to help the brand in designing high performance devices for a seamless gaming and live streaming experience.
The gamers will use, test, provide feedback and certify all the iQOO smartphones starting with iQOO Neo 10R. In addition to this, the gamers will be using iQOO devices as their primary device for their YouTube streams. With this partnership, iQOO aims to deliver a gaming and live streaming experience built by gamers, for gamers, ensuring that every aspect of the smartphone meets the demands of both professional and casual gamers.
The iQOO Neo 10R is the first smartphone tested and certified by these gamers, featuring the Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 processor. It also boasts the India’s slimmest 6400mAh battery*, offering long-lasting power without sacrificing design. Set to launch on 11th March 2025, the device promises an exceptional gaming experience.
Commenting on the partnership, Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO, said, “These gamers are the real questers, the catalysts behind the Esports culture in India. As a company committed to pushing the boundaries of gaming, we are collaborating with them to ensure the best gaming experience on iQOO smartphones.
With iQOO at the forefront of mobile Esports in India, we envision this partnership further enhancing the Android gaming experience for everyone- from casual to serious gamers. By collaborating with these gamers to test and certify our smartphones, we are ensuring a product built by gamers in our shared quest to redefine mobile gaming.”
With the Indian gaming market projected to reach $9.2 billion by FY’29 (Report by Lumikai in a partnership with Google), iQOO is reinforcing its position as a key enabler of this booming gaming ecosystem in India. This collaboration focuses on advancing gaming technology and providing the next generation of Android mobile gamers with a device designed for peak performance.
In December 2024, iQOO partnered with 6 BGMI Esports teams and over 100 gamers to promote Esports in India. Additionally, in 2023, the company onboarded a 23-year-old Gen Z Chief Gaming Officer to collaborate directly with Gen Z gamers, gathering valuable feedback on the gaming performance of iQOO smartphones.iQOO was the official mobile phone partner for Esports in the 2022 Asian Games.