Author: Sohil Nikam

Filmmaker Farah Khan joined content creators and industry figures at the Edits Film Festival in Mumbai on 14 October, sharing her approach to storytelling across feature films and short-form digital content. The festival concluded with awards for three creators recognised for their storytelling and use of Edits, Instagram’s video-editing app. The event saw the participation of festival jury members Ahsaas Channa, Dolly Singh, Nikhil Taneja and Rajeev Masand, alongside an audience of over 100 content creators. Ishank Gupta, Sanya Rohillaa and Ahsan Vazir emerged as the winners, with their submissions standing out for their diverse storytelling approaches and creative use…

BMW India has opened pre-orders for the first-ever BMW M2 xDrive Turbo Edition, a limited-run performance car inspired by the iconic 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo. The model will be available through authorised BMW dealerships across India on a first-come, first-served basis, with production numbers strictly limited. The special edition pays tribute to the original 2002 Turbo through a series of distinctive exterior details. Finished exclusively in Alpine White, it features hand-painted BMW Motorsport stripes, a black power dome and the reversed ‘turbo’ script on the bonnet, echoing the design of its 1970s predecessor. A bespoke ‘turbo’ emblem sits beneath the…

There was a time when getting a brand in front of millions of people was the ultimate marketing win. A television commercial during a popular show, a YouTube pre-roll before a much-awaited video, or a well-placed digital ad could do the job. Today, getting someone to actually pay attention is a different challenge altogether, with audiences scrolling past ads, skipping videos and juggling multiple screens. As a consequence, brands are beginning to rethink how they convey their messages and even how people experience them. Enter Playable Advertising Instead of asking audiences to watch, interactive campaigns invite them to participate. This…

Every once in a while, a product comes along and just forces you to admire how well it’s been put together. The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is that kinda product. It is one of those machines that makes a compelling first impression before you’ve even pressed the power button. And, having travelled with it, worked on it in my office, on flights, and in hotel rooms, I’ve grown rather fond of it. The version I’ve been testing costs ₹3,07,590. That’s a considerable amount of money for a 14-inch laptop, even one equipped with Intel’s latest Core Ultra X7 358H processor…

MINI India has opened pre-launch bookings for the MINI Cooper Oxford Edition, a limited-quantity special edition of the Cooper 3-door that celebrates the British marque’s heritage. The highlight of the new edition is a Union Jack motif on the contrasting roof, accompanied by additional design details inspired by the brand’s British roots. The Oxford Edition pays tribute to Oxford, UK, where the original Mini began production in 1959. BMW Group has continued the legacy at the same site since 2001, manufacturing modern MINI models there. With this special edition, the brand aims to build on the Cooper’s familiar design and…

The POCO X8 is technically the phone that sits at the start of the current X8 lineup, ahead of the X8 Pro, X8 Pro Max and the 10,000mAh-battery-equipped X8 Power. Somehow, though, it is the last of the lot to make its way into my hands for a review. Better late than never, I suppose. And the X8 has a fairly straightforward sales pitch: a massive 9,000mAh battery and serious durability. But spending some time with it made me realise there is more to the phone than those headline numbers. You get a 6.83-inch 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 6s…

This is my first proper foray into the world of electric toothbrushes. Yes, I have spent an embarrassing amount of time testing phones that cost more than some motorcycles, driven cars with more screens than a small cinema, and played around with all manner of smart gadgets. But when it came to brushing my teeth, I was still firmly in the old-school camp: toothpaste, a manual toothbrush and two minutes of pretending I was doing a sufficiently good job. So the Oral-B iO Series 2 was an interesting experiment. Priced at ₹2,449, it is the entry point into Oral-B’s iO…

Royal Enfield and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) have entered into a two-year partnership aimed at promoting responsible riding, cultural exploration and motorcycle-led tourism across the state. The collaboration, which will run from 2026 to 2028, kicked off with a 10-day motorcycle expedition covering some of Madhya Pradesh’s prominent wildlife and heritage destinations. The inaugural ride began in Bhopal on October 1 and takes a 20-rider group through Pachmarhi, Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna before returning to Bhopal. The 1,520-kilometre route combines mountain sections, jungle roads and historic hinterland passages, offering riders a way to experience the state beyond…

Before this, if anyone had quizzed me about aesthetic kettles that actually enhance the looks of your kitchen, Smeg would have been the only brand that came to mind. And that thought would almost immediately have been followed by a warning: “Yes, it looks gorgeous, but it’s ridiculously expensive.” Then I discovered EDT. The Flow Pureglass Electric Kettle was a rather pleasant surprise, not least because it undercuts the Smeg kettle by a good ₹10,000. But more importantly, this is one of those rare kitchen gadgets that doesn’t look like it was designed purely to be shoved into a cabinet…

Casio is expanding its PRO TREK lineup in India with the launch of the new PRJ-B001 and PRG-340 series, bringing together lightweight construction, solar-powered technology and a suite of features aimed at outdoor enthusiasts. The new watches also introduce bio-based materials, while the PRJ-B001 adds smartphone connectivity to the mix. The PRJ-B001 series is built around a compact, lightweight design that weighs approximately 44 grams. Its standout feature is a rotary guard bezel that can be positioned to protect the buttons during everyday use or rotated 45 degrees to expose them for easier access during outdoor activities. The watch uses…

BMW is bringing a slice of the Nürburgring to India with a highly exclusive collection of “100 Jahre Nürburgring” editions, created to celebrate the legendary German circuit’s upcoming centenary in 2027. The limited-run lineup combines five BMW M cars with one BMW Motorrad motorcycle, with pre-orders now open through authorised dealers. The highlight is arguably the first-ever BMW M5 Touring to officially arrive in India. The performance estate combines the M5’s high-performance credentials with the practicality, versatility and long-distance comfort expected from a Touring model. It joins the M2 Coupé, all-new M3 Sedan, M4 Coupé and M5 Sedan in the…

Race day means something different to every runner. For some, it is about shaving seconds off a personal best; for others, it is simply about making it to their first starting line. Nike is leaning into that diversity with a new race-day system of speed, bringing together three shoes designed around different goals, experience levels and approaches to racing. At the top of the lineup sits the Nike Apex, positioned as the brand’s most advanced expression of racing speed. It is aimed at runners chasing every possible second and pushing the limits of marathon performance. Alongside it is the Alphafly…

I’ve used Alexa for years, mostly for the usual stuff: timers, alarms, music, weather, and the occasional “Alexa, what’s the capital of…” when I’m too lazy to reach for my phone. Alexa+ feels like a fundamentally different proposition. I spent a few days using Alexa+ in Early Access on the Echo Show 8, and the biggest difference is that it remembers more, understands context better and can increasingly act on what you tell it. The promise is of an assistant that learns how you and your family live, rather than one that simply waits for a command. And that distinction…

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but until now, I had never actually used a pair of Sony WH-series headphones. The reason is fairly simple: I’ve always been perfectly happy with my AirPods Pro 2, while for studio monitoring and serious listening at home, I’ve relied on my wired Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. I review a lot of headphones and audio gear in between, but somehow a pair of Sony’s WH-series headphones had never found its way onto my desk. Until now. So, naturally, I was quite excited to finally see what all the fuss was about. And, thankfully, the WH-1000XM6…

Samsung has introduced on-device biometric authentication for UPI payments through Samsung Wallet in India, allowing Galaxy smartphone users to authorise transactions using their fingerprint instead of entering a UPI PIN. The feature is available for UPI payments of up to ₹10,000. Users can authenticate a transaction through the fingerprint sensor on their Galaxy device, making the payment process similar to unlocking the smartphone. The company said the move is aimed at making everyday digital payments faster while reducing the need to enter sensitive PIN information in public. Samsung also claims that biometric authentication could reduce transaction failures resulting from incorrectly…

A bumpy auto-rickshaw ride in India may seem like an unlikely test for a smartwatch, but for Samsung’s Noida R&D team, it became a useful lesson in how wearable technology needs to account for local conditions. Samsung Research Institute-Noida (SRI-N) is contributing to health and wellness capabilities on the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2, while also testing software against conditions and behaviours specific to India. The centre, established in 2007, works across Samsung’s global Galaxy ecosystem, with digital health among its key areas of focus. Among the features receiving contributions from the Noida team are Vital Tracker, Daily Cardio…

Nothing is preparing to spin off CMF as an independent, majority Indian-owned smartphone company, with Optiemus set to join its upcoming Series A funding round. The partnership will also see CMF build an end-to-end smartphone R&D operation in India. CMF, the consumer technology brand founded by Nothing, is set for a significant restructuring that could see India become the centre of its product development and engineering operations. Nothing has announced an expanded partnership with Indian electronics manufacturer Optiemus, under which Optiemus will participate in CMF’s upcoming Series A investment round. The move is expected to put CMF on a path…

The creator economy is changing the way people approach photography and videography, with smartphones lowering the barrier to entry and AI reshaping what is possible behind the lens. As creators move from casual content to more ambitious, professional storytelling, the demand for versatile imaging tools is evolving with them. The other day, I sat down for a virtual chat with Vishesh Magoo, Assistant Director (Head of Camera Business Unit), Canon India, about the rise of India’s creator economy, the growing role of hybrid cameras, how AI will influence visual storytelling, and where dedicated cameras fit into a smartphone-first world. SN:…

Canva has launched ‘Aap Aur Canva, Jodi Wah Wah!’, its biggest brand campaign in India to date, focusing on how AI can make creative tools more accessible to creators, professionals and small businesses. The campaign builds on the company’s earlier ‘Dil Se Design Tak’ initiative and shifts the narrative from encouraging people to believe they can create to helping them turn ideas into finished work. The campaign features Farah Khan, Raghu Ram and Terence Lewis, who take on a familiar reality-show judging format. Instead of critiquing performances, the trio reacts to creators, working professionals and entrepreneurs who use Canva to…

boAt has introduced its new ‘Intelligent Ears’ proposition, bringing AI-powered capabilities to its latest range of earbuds through boAt CREST AI, built with Google Gemini. The company says the new platform is designed to move earbuds beyond traditional audio, enabling them to listen, understand, converse and assist users without requiring a phone or screen. At the centre of the experience are three features: Crest Ask, G-Assist and Crest Translate. Crest Ask allows users to have natural conversations with AI, ask questions and follow up on responses directly through their earbuds. G-Assist extends this into everyday productivity, with integration across Google…

Samsung has expanded its smart-home portfolio in India with its 2026 Bespoke AI appliance range, bringing artificial intelligence, connectivity and automation across refrigerators, air conditioners and laundry appliances. The lineup was unveiled at Samsung’s experiential event, The Brief Gurugram, with the company positioning AI as the connective layer between different parts of the home. Leading the range is the 32-inch Family Hub refrigerator, which integrates AI Vision and Google Gemini-powered contextual experiences. It can recognise food items, suggest recipes and help users track use-by dates, while features such as Video-to-Recipe, Family Care and Pet Care extend its functionality beyond conventional…

Nike has unveiled the Alphafly 4, the latest iteration of its marathon racing shoe, with a focus on improving efficiency and maintaining speed as runners tire over the course of a race. Positioned for everyone from elite marathoners to recreational runners chasing personal bests, the shoe has been redesigned as an integrated system rather than a collection of individual components. According to Nike, the Alphafly 4 delivers 10 per cent more energy return than its predecessor and is five per cent lighter in a men’s US size 8.5. The shoe introduces a new Atomknit upper, ZoomX LT foam, updated Air…

The camera is no longer just a tool for photographers. As India’s creator economy expands, imaging is finding new relevance across filmmaking, OTT, advertising, live events, social media and an increasingly diverse professional landscape. At the same time, smartphones have made high-quality imaging more accessible than ever, forcing dedicated cameras to evolve with greater portability, smarter autofocus, AI-assisted features and faster workflows. In this conversation, Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Imaging & Professional Solution, Sony India, discusses the changing landscape of India’s digital imaging market, why dedicated cameras still matter in the smartphone era, how AI is reshaping the creative process,…

Some laptops you appreciate more the longer you use them. They aren’t necessarily the fastest machines in the room, nor do they have the longest spec sheet. Instead, they are the laptops you reach for when you’re heading to the airport, working from a cafe, sitting in a hotel room or simply don’t want to think too hard about which computer to carry with you. The Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 has become that laptop for me. I’ve spent a fair amount of time travelling with it, including busy trips to Delhi, Leh, Kochi and elsewhere, and it has proved remarkably…

The GA-2100 has become one of G-SHOCK’s most recognisable modern designs, bringing the brand’s signature toughness into a slimmer and more understated form. Conceived as a reinterpretation of the traditional G-SHOCK aesthetic, the watch combines an octagonal bezel inspired by the original DW-5000 with a slimmer profile enabled by the Carbon Core Guard structure. In this interview, Junichi Izumi, Product Manager at Casio India and creator of the 2100 series, discusses the thinking behind the GA-2100, the challenge of balancing heritage with contemporary design, and why preserving the watch’s fundamental identity is just as important as evolving it. SN: The…

Oral-B has launched its iO Series 2 (iO2) electric toothbrush in India, bringing the brand’s iO magnetic cleaning technology to a more streamlined, single-touch design. The toothbrush is available exclusively through Flipkart, with prices starting at Rs 2,449 and going up to Rs 2,999 depending on the variant. The iO2 uses Oral-B’s frictionless magnetic drive motor, which replaces conventional mechanical gears with magnetic energy delivered directly to the brush bristles. The system is paired with the company’s round brush head and uses micro-vibrations designed to clean individual teeth. Oral-B claims the toothbrush can remove up to 100 per cent more…

G-SHOCK has evolved from a watch defined primarily by extreme durability into a global cultural icon spanning fashion, music, sport, design and street culture. In India, the brand is witnessing growing engagement from younger consumers, collectors and watch enthusiasts, while continuing to balance its core identity with changing consumer tastes. In this interview, Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, discusses G-SHOCK’s evolution, the importance of self-expression, what makes the Indian market unique, the brand’s approach to collaborations and why the GA-2100 remains an ideal introduction to G-SHOCK. SN: G-SHOCK has evolved from being a tool built for extreme durability into…

For Xiaomi, the next phase of its India journey is taking the company beyond the devices consumers carry in their pockets and deeper into their homes. The company is now looking to strengthen the ‘Home’ pillar of its global Human x Car x Home strategy with the introduction of Mijia, its home and lifestyle sub-brand. According to Mr. Sudhin Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, Xiaomi India, the move is a natural evolution of the company’s presence in the country. “We started with smartphones, expanded into personal technology, and over time, consumers began bringing more and more Xiaomi products into their homes.…

PYIE has announced brand associations with global technology companies Inateck, AUKEY and ARZOPA at IFA 2026 in Berlin, as it looks to expand its house-of-brands strategy and bring more international technology products to Indian consumers. The association will see PYIE act as the three brands’ extended arm in India, covering their global operations, products and market presence in the country. The announcement builds on PYIE’s debut at CES 2026, where it introduced its house-of-brands vision and announced a long-term partnership with mechanical keyboard maker Keychron. At IFA, each of the three brands is showcasing products spanning different areas of consumer…

It’s no secret to folks around me that I have been a diehard Pixel fan from the very start. I bought the first-ever Pixel back in 2016, then bought three of its successors, and after a short drought, I joined Exhibit Magazine, and ever since then, my work phone has almost always been a Pixel. Whichever model was available in the office, I haven’t cared. At one point I had shunned latest flagships in favour of a three-year old Pixel 8 Pro. That’s how comfortable I am with Pixel devices. It’s their clean, no-nonsense software and their simple yet gorgeous…