How Big is the Dating Industry?

We all have experienced dating apps at least once in our lives. Now, don’t spoil the excitement by saying you haven’t. Chalo, let’s assume you haven’t because we live in a country where matrimonial apps have more subscriptions than dating apps, and we’ve met many people in their twenty-somethings who are either interested in playing video games instead of dating or have lost faith in love due to several bummers.

Alas! We wish we could help you get a date, but we can’t. However, we can surely help you know more about the dating industry, where you might find something interesting that you can use to show off on your d-day. For instance, do you know back in the 20th-century, when newspaper ads became an integral part of human lives, “lonely soldiers” of World War I started connecting with their women over personal ads?

Now, please don’t overdo it by using the above reference while you’re on a first date. Getting back to the point, as technology started emerging in our lives, in 1965, a team of Harvard undergrads created the world’s first computer dating service, Operation Match, and since then, we have come a long way from launching the world’s first dating site in 1995 to inventing several mobile dating apps in the 2010s.

The Rise of Online Dating

When Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong founded match.com in 1995, the internet was already booming, at least in first-world countries. Later on, within a short span dating culture spread out in the rest of the world like a pandemic, and people started focusing on its benefits, especially singles looking for a match. However, dating culture is still considered taboo in many countries, including India. Though, the recent reports tell a different story.

Thanks to Millennials and Gen Z, India has about 31 million people on dating apps.

Nowadays, if you ask 10 people how they met their partner? At least 7 of them will answer online instead of through family or friends, which speaks volumes about the rise of online dating. It all happened in the last decade only, when dating sites were replaced by dating apps. At first, at least during the initial days of their service, they were trying to help singles get a partner/date, but as they understood the growth prospects of the field, it became a business of love.

Algorithms played a massive role in developing dating apps as the developers tremendously improved their basics to match couples more efficiently than ever before. Besides algorithms, another thing that helped the dating industry grow was numerous couple studies that say couples who met online and got married have a subordinate share in the overall contribution of divorce. The global online dating market is currently worth $8 billion and is expected to hit the mark of 10 billion by 2025, which shows how much people enjoy dating online.

Valuation of the Online Dating Industry

The online dating industry has grown tremendously well in such a short amount of time and is currently valued at approximately USD 8-billion. However, if you look at the matchmaking success rate of dating apps, it is far below what you might expect. Only 40-45% of the users get their ideal matches, while the rest either wait or uninstall the app.

The industry is expected to reach a value of USD 10-billion by the end of 2024, and users will pass the 500 million mark. Some of the top companies in the online dating industry, such as Tinder & Bumble, are already setting up their dating metaverses to develop more user-friendly options in the future. As a whole, the industry seems to have a bright future.

Why doesn’t online dating work for most people?

Now that we’ve shared the list of top 5 dating apps, you (especially if you’re a male) must be wondering, I’ve tried most of them or, in some cases, all of them, but they didn’t work for me, forcing you either waiting for a match or playing the game of install and uninstall the app after every other month. In some cases, people get a response now and then, but not from the one they want to date.

Don’t worry about it, you’re not the only one who’s dealing with it, and if dating apps were perfect, people would use it once, find their soulmates and end up uninstalling the app happily. The dating apps are here to stay, to earn profits, and they’ll only get it done if they’re bad at it. So, don’t get frustrated and annoyed by the results. Work on where you’re going wrong and hone your skills.

Why you’re failing at online dating?

Physiognomy

You’re always swiping right on the basis of looks, appearance and hotness. Well, there are thousands of people who do the same, which means that one attractive person receives thousands of requests and you end up being a part of the highly competitive race.

The first impression

Your profile picture and bio play a crucial role in online dating, and if it doesn’t instantly connect with the person at the other end, you’ll end up swiping right and left for a long time. Also, don’t try to impress with a fancy name, be authentic as possible.

Don’t skip the questions

Skipping questions on the dating apps will harm your match score just like it does in the exams. Why would someone make an effort to reply to your text or pick-up line when you’re not even taking a minute to fill up those forms that ask simple questions about you.

That lame icebreaker

Don’t expect a reply if you’re sending boring variations of – hi hottie, hello there, and hie sweetheart as they’re not going to even look at it. Now, don’t go on google to search for creative icebreakers, because google is accessible to everyone. Be a little innovative, and create your version to drive them crazy.

Don’t try too hard

When they’re not replying to you, don’t bombard them with lots of messages asking why are they not responding! Take a deep breath, dude, and move on to the next profile. That person might be not interested, and there are plenty of fishes in the sea. I like betta fish, though – they’re pretty aggressive.

Yes, we have solutions too!

The right app before the right swap

Every dating app has a different purpose and people, mostly girls do a little homework before installing the apps. So first, decide what’s your purpose and what do you want from the app. Only then things will fall in place otherwise, it would look like you’re fishing in a dead sea.

Appear as impressive as possible

Like I already said, the first impression is a key in online dating, but that doesn’t mean you’ve to wear branded clothes and pose like a runaway model. Just try to appear confident, and presentable but don’t overdo anything and upload only those photos which can trigger them to swipe right.

The anecdote

Don’t dare to describe yourself with a borrowed bio or with all the things mentioning you, you and only you. Write your bio in an interesting way, and mention a few of your hobbies along with interests while focusing at least 30% on what are your expectations from the other person.

That one icebreaker

Please don’t spend too much time reading about him/her profile and trying to understand what’s her view! It’s a complete waste of time, but that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to send messages out blindly. Tailor your one icebreaker and try to play around it according to the profile.

ONLY FOR MEN

Your male friends are not going to be a great help when choosing the right pictures. Instead, try to get female feedback, and if you don’t have any female friends, ask someone who’s hardcore straightforward. Trust me, they’re the only species that gives blunt answers without any second thought.

Samsung join hands with Swedish brand ABB to provide smarter homes & offices

The South Korean tech giant Samsung has partnered with Swedish–Swiss multinational corporation ABB, where the two leading giants will help in the expansion of Samsung SmartThings and its integration in more buildings, offices and homes.

ABB has expertise of over 130 years, and to date, they’ve manufactured and sold more than 5,50,000 products. The company’s ABB-free@home automation solution controls various building equipment, including access detection, communication and climate systems for residential and commercial complexes.

“With SmartThings, Samsung has been able to create an eco-system of smart appliances making homes smarter and more efficient. We are excited to build on that by partnering with ABB to expand the SmartThings experience to new customers making it easier for consumers to reduce costs and create positive environmental impact,” said Chanwoo Park, Head of IoT Business at Samsung Electronics.

The partnership aims to strengthen Samsung’s Home IoT solution in the residential and industrial construction market, combining smart domestic solutions with SmartThings for a greater advanced, cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for tracking and controlling houses and buildings.

Samsung SmartThings and ABB- free@home will develop a cloud to cloud integration which will be a smart, efficient and energy-saving solution to transform the house, office or building into an intelligent one, allowing consumers a wider control.

With Samsung’s SmartThings platform, customers can monitor and manage ABB’s portfolio of devices, like cameras, sensors and comfort structures included with SmartThings, permitting customers to access their smart home functions from anywhere with a single application.

SmartThings features a neat device control tab easily accessible from your Samsung phone’s drop-down menu. Samsung and ABB’s partnership gives a scalable, turnkey smart domestic solution with top-class Samsung appliances and ABB devices that could significantly reduce operational charges through efficiencies and predictive maintenance services.

10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A French Lifestyle?

The French Style Week-Offs

Week-offs are designed to reduce stress and increase productivity, but how do ordinary people spend their week-offs? They stay awake till the wee hours watching a movie or web show, then sleep till the next afternoon, and have breakfast post lunchtime. Later, they head out to the malls in the evening only to get stuck in traffic or end up sleeping more, to wake up again and worry about the next day, which makes their week-offs pathetic.

Whereas the French people who are famous for their love for sleep come back home right after work, relax a little and au dodo by 10-11 PM, wake up early and spend their week-off mornings listening to relaxing music. Later in the day, they indulge in cosy activities such as reading a book in the cafe, cooking a nice meal for their loved ones, meeting a friend over famille lunch, and all those little things that make their heart happy and relaxed.

Walking Over Driving

Since the inception of smartwatches, the whole world has been trying to follow the default 10,000 steps a day format, but it’s an old ritual for the Frenchmen as walking has been an integral part of their lifestyle for ages. Even if most French people have cars at home, they prefer to walk instead of taking their cars out, as they only choose to drive when required, and the destination is not walkable.

Also, the developed cities in France or, perhaps, Europe were designed to get everything you needed for your daily life by walking around the neighbourhood, and the number of cars in France is way greater than the number of parking spaces. Adopting this habit is one of the simplest ways to integrate the French lifestyle into our daily routines, as we all know the benefits of taking a walk in the morning, to the market and stroll after dinner.

The Sacred Meal Hours

The French people are crazy about their meals and drinks like nothing else, and if you don’t believe my words, watch them while they’re drinking or having breakfast, lunch or dinner. They spend about 2 hours and 13 minutes per day eating, and they don’t regret it even once. Eating at a slow pace while enjoying every element of the food and savouring each bite is a french way to salut the food maker.

The Frenchmen usually prefer to eat fresh and delicious food as they believe it’s easier to eat slowly when your meal tastes real good. Their meals include small portions of meat, vegetables, and coffee to finish off the meal. They prefer eating food with their family or friends while listening to soothing music instead of watching television or chatting over the phone. One must adopt this habit as it allows you to sit and eat peacefully.

The Minimalist Fashion

When it comes to fashion, French people are very sophisticated and go for the most subtle clothes as they’re fond of minimalist style. The French fashion is all about effortless basic clothes with one statement piece like a scarf, a dress shirt, a hat, over a great pair of jeans and shoes. Also, they don’t like to overdo or overdress anything, especially the French girls, they genuinely hate 5 pounds of makeup.

The French believe you should prefer pleasing yourself above all and define beauty as feeling good about yourself. They see beauty in effortless and natural aesthetics. The young generation in France follows the “less is more” mantra. Being well-dressed is one of the key practices the French likes to follow as it helps them walk with confidence throughout their day. These guys are not flashy and pick neutral colours for their outfits.

Shop at Local Farms

Up till here, if you think that you can’t adopt the French lifestyle outside the big cities, then you’re mistaken. The French always crave fresh and season-based foods, which helps them in their habit of eating mindfully. They’re keen on shopping from the local farmers’ markets as it allows them to interact with local farmers and other people. Shop this way to make your shopping experience enjoyable rather than a regular chore.

The Intellectual Wealth

The simple pleasures are irreplaceable, and French people choose to embrace them. When you walk around the streets of Paris or perhaps anywhere in the French land, you’ll easily notice people reading books by the cafe, river, parks or all around the places. They’re very fond of reading books, as being well-read is essential to the French lifestyle. Though Indians are already on top in reading as we spend an average of 11 hours a week on reading.

The Art of Doing Nothing

I was freakingly good at this one, as it was part of my studies. The art of doing nothing doesn’t mean being lazy, but it’s the idea of finding pleasure in idleness. Have you heard of that quote by Lao Tzu, “doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” If you haven’t heard it before, you have read it now. Adopt this one into your everyday life to rescue yourself from getting burned out in the rat race.

In my experience, “dolce far niente” (doing nothing) is a highly beneficial activity, introduced by Italians, who carry it regularly, but nobody does it better than the French. However, they have a similar term, “joie de vivre” (joy of living), which they practise passionately in day-to-day life. The French are very devoted to the art of doing nothing, as it aids them to fall in love with life every day.

The Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is heavenly popular in developed and developing countries, but nobody follows it in real-life scenarios. Statistically, people living in these countries constantly talk about work, except the French. It’s just not in their culture to talk about work outside the workspace, no doubt they’ve only 35 hours of the work-week. Besides fewer work hours, they also get five weeks of paid time off for vacations and have a life.

The Frenchmen never discuss work at a dinner table and when they’re chilling with friends even though they spend a lot of time eating and drinking. The Belgian guy told me the French sit together for hours but never care to ask where the other fellows work or what kind of work they do? as they’re culturally bound to not discuss such things while eating. Adopt this one in your life and focus on meaningful conversations at the dinner table.

Je ne sais quoi Over Anything

The French are recognised due to their different approach toward life and style of living. They’re always in favour of je ne sais quoi, be it food, drink, clothing, skincare, or home decor, which drives the rest of the world towards their culture. The people in France believe that less is more and one should own only those things that bring joy in life. It is the sole reason they go after high-quality items, which keeps them elevated in life.

Spend A Day Like You’re French

The reason behind most of life’s struggle is you’ve almost zero expertise in saying no, or you were perhaps born in a place where saying no is considered an insult or you’re a part of a generation where FOMO haunts. The world never forgets to describe the French people as a rude, cold and arrogant breed, but the truth is they’re good at maintaining boundaries and their raw culture.

Now, tell me, are you happy with your mundane routine? Well, being a part of the rat race, most of us are not, and even if you’re, what’s the harm in following a different lifestyle for a day. Be prepared, and this weekend give it a shot and try to spend a day like a French and note down what changes it brings to your life. I’m telling you, it has more benefits than you would ever have thought.

Let me help you with what a day looks like in a French lifestyle. First of all, they breathe discretion and stay low key as much as possible, the total opposite of the world that follows the American culture of always staying in the limelight, chasing the meat. The French have a natural talent to turn most boring things into poetic works of art with a little more mindfulness in the activity.

Being a newbie, let’s start with your normal routine (a week-off is better) but wake up a little early to enjoy every essence of life. Take a shower with skincare ingredients that smell wonderful, and slow down a little while sipping your morning tea/coffee. Listen to some serene music while wearing the dress that has a timeless silhouette in a neutral tone and while heading out, try to walk like a flaneur.

Walk into a cafe, take a few minutes to soak yourself and place your order as the french do, un cafe s’il vous plait. I know you can’t go all poetic in one day, but being polite has its magic. Slow down – enjoy every sip of the coffee and the surroundings while staying calm and composed. I’m telling you, if you follow this throughout the day, by the evening, you’ll fall in love with this cosy routine because c‘est la vie, and the French know it better.

Choose better with Shuffling Suitcases

A community of conscious consumers, working towards educating people and making sustainability a way of life. Shuffling Suitcases strongly believes that ‘sustainability is for everybody’ and is trying to drive people to live a slow life by giving them fashion & lifestyle alternatives, through their consciously curated sustainable pop-ups all over the world with their workshops, slow discussions and community building exercises.

Shuffling Suitcases is India’s first omnichannel sustainable platform that makes the makers meet the takers via their 2-day shops across India and Overseas. Founded by Devyani Kapoor in 2017, they have curated 29 editions to date and are ready to bring a whole new conscious line up to Mumbai with their 30th edition on 8th and 9th April at Cafe Reed in Quorum Club, Lower Parel from 11 am to 7 pm.

One would find sustainable alternatives for garments, jewellery, clean beauty and accessories, along with giving back to the planet via their “A billion begins with one” campaign. Where for every purchase made, Shuffling Suitcases shall plant a tree in the customer’s name. With complete information of where the tree is planted to what tree it is the geolocation and images, everything shall be shared with the customer. The entire cost and taking care of the trees shall be managed by Shuffling Suitcases.

So, let’s come together this Friday & Saturday and pledge to consume consciously.

This is how I fell in love with Podcasts!

We’re not the average of five people we spend the most time with, but we’re what we listen to and feed to our minds. Let me put it in a simple way by asking you a few questions. Why do lots of people struggle to get over a breakup? What do we do when we start to like someone? What do we prefer to do while commuting long routes? What do we do when we’re not able to sleep? We listen to the songs.

I agree we all need a little entertainment regularly, and there’s no damage in listening to the songs, only if you’re in control because songs and music can lead you anywhere. They have the power to change the whole perspective of your day or, perhaps, your entire week. However, after a specific time, you’ll get bored of that song you have been listening to for the last few weeks, ain’t it right?

In contrast, podcasts are immensely educational and add more knowledge to your life. Now, some of you will ask, what about the entertainment part? Don’t worry, buddy – they’re entertaining as well. I was the guy who used to wear earphones all the time (on and off, doesn’t matter), mainly to avoid human interaction, and then one fine morning, Spotify updated me about the hours I’ve spent listening to the songs.

At first, I was shocked but, fortunately, that happened a few weeks before the new year, and slowly-steadily I moved on from songs to podcasts. Yes, that knack to avoid human interaction stays the same, we’ll discuss it someday. I’m a big-time fan of storytelling and was looking for one when Spotify recommended me “Death, Lies and Cyanide” by Indian Journalist Sashi Kumar.

I listened to the above podcast in one go and was thrilled to know why people were so addicted to radio shows back in the century. Since my first podcast, I’ve listened to several others, and I’ve been working hard on lowering my music intake. What you want to listen to is ultimately a matter of personal preference as both podcasts and songs are designed for a specific audience in mind.

Okay, let’s see the benefits!

A certain song that appears randomly on your music app or radio can put you in a spot where you might feel an urge to recollect those memories or re-read those chats connected to that one song. Whereas in the case of podcasts, they only offer solutions and thoughts that provoke you to do something in life. Also, they don’t sink you after a while as they come in various genres and offer versatility.

The term podcast is a combination of two words – pod + broadcasting, and it is a relatively new phenomenon in India. Yet, it is getting popular rapidly, thanks to the pandemic and a few popular YouTubers who decided to come up with podcasts that offer entertainment and knowledge at the same time. A typical podcast usually ranges from 10 minutes to 2 hours and consists of episodes that make us cling to them.

Podcasts are perfect for mindless chores as they offer almost everything you want, such as from soothing sounds of meditation to heart-pounding true crime stories. Whenever you listen to narrative podcasts, it stimulates multiple parts of your brain and activates your auditory cortex, which ultimately helps you boost the feelings of trust, compassion, empathy and building relationships.

I’m a sucker for crime stories, as they trigger the production of dopamine and serotonin, which are happy hormones, and they also help improve your mental concentration. I started listening to this podcast named “Serial Killings: A Podcast”, and it helped me know more about how a person grows from a normal human being to a killer and understand their overall thought process.

We all know laughter is the best medicine for almost everything, and that’s why comedy is one of the most popular genres in nearly every sector, be it movies, web shows or even podcasts. Every time we listen to comedy podcasts, it activates our frontal lobe and cerebral cortex, which triggers things like laughter, surprise and delight. Comedy podcasts are best known as stress busters, as they help you cure the stress in no time.

A number of Indian stand-up comedians have started their podcasts on various platforms where they elaborate on common topics and give the podcast a more conversational angle. Amongst Indian comedy podcasts, No New Notifications by Kanan & Manek, Simple Ken by Kenny Sabastian, The Overthink Tank by Surbhi Bagga and The Internet Said So by Varun Thakur are the podcasts that could make your day anytime.

Along with comedy, educational and personal growth podcasts are gaining a considerable audience lately. Woice with Warikoo by Ankur Warikoo, The Ranveer Show by Ranveer Allahbadia, Simmy Said Whatt? by Simmy Goraya and On Purpose with Jay Shetty are some of the top podcasts in these genres. Besides the above mentioned popular genres, there are hundreds of other genres, and they all have different impacts on our brains.

Nowadays, all types of Podcasts are gaining popularity as they’re available for free listening on most popular platforms, which sets them apart from the music as you don’t have to encounter commercial breaks. Over the last few months, I’ve managed to get over my music addiction, and I’m not regretting it. Well, off we go now, as I can’t wait to see where this podcast love takes me!

Top 10 Incredible Road Trips In India That You Must Take In 2022

Being a frequent traveller, I’ve learned road trips are not about how quickly you reach your destination, but it’s all about how much you enjoy the journey while heading towards your goal. All you need is a road trip when life hits hard because it will help you focus on the way ahead and help you realise that every exit takes you to an entrance somewhere else. The time has arrived when you must look at life through the windshield, and to help you, we’ve jotted down the top 16 incredible roads in the world for you to take in 2022.

Kolkata to Kumaon

Distance: 1600 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: October to February

The Route: Kolkata→ Varanasi→ Lucknow→ Nainital→ Pithoragarh→ Munsiyari

A road trip from Kolkata to Kumaon is considered one of India’s unique road trips as it takes you on a journey to witness the plains and uphills altogether in one trip. On the first day of the trip, you can seize the longest and the most challenging leg of the entire road trip, which takes you to the holy city of Varanasi. You can start your day two by taking a dip into the River Ganges and head further towards the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow.

Spend a day by visiting the famous tourist attractions in the city of Nawab’s and head towards Bhimtal, which is on the foothills of the Kumaon mountains. The final leg of the road trip will take you on the challenging ride up the hills of Kumaon, from Nainital to Pithoragarh and at the end to Munsiyari, a paradise for travel enthusiasts. Visit the stunning places around Munsiyari, such as Thamari and Maheshwari lake or go on a hike to the glaciers of Ralam and Milam.

Mumbai to Rann Of Kutch

Distance: 950 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: October to February

The Route: Mumbai→ Ankleshwar→ Vadodara→ Bhuj→ Rann of Kutch

People living in metro cities of India are always looking for a quiet place, especially Mumbaikars, who can’t even imagine living peacefully in the middle of their dream. We all need a little peace of mind to function well in a fast-moving world, and the Rann of Kutch is the best destination to bring back peace in your life. On the way to Rann of Kutch, your first pit stop would be Ankleshwar, a small town 10kms away from the Bharuch district of Gujarat, famous for a Golden Bridge, a British era bridge constructed between 1877-1881.

You can stay for a day or two in Vadodara, exploring its beautiful streets, royal paces and plethora of temples. Take an early morning drive to Bhuj and experience the beauty of ruins like Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal, and Rani Mahal. The final destination of a road trip from Mumbai to Rann of Kutch would make you think how barren landscapes can be so mesmerising? The salt desert looks beautiful when it reflects the moonlight at night. Also, don’t forget to buy embroidered bedsheets, carpets, clothes, sarees, and jackets to treasure the trip winks.

Bangalore to Munnar

Distance: 480 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: August to February

The Route: Bangalore → Mysore → Masinagudi → Ooty → Udumalpet → Munnar

Munnar is the most picturesque destination in South India, thanks to the surrounding hills and tea plantations, making the place popular amongst the British officers during the 19th century and now for everyone looking for the elegant beauty of nature. Bangalore to Munnar road trip via Mysore can be a pleasant one even during a monsoon season, but only if you’re comfortable taking a ride in the middle of rains. The first stopover on this route would be Mysore, a city known for its palace, sweets and highway restaurants.

The next major stop on this route would be Ooty, which would demand an enormous level of patience as when you leave Mysore and get back on the road to Ooty, you’d witness heavy traffic, full of numerous trucks and buses. However, you’ll not regret it, thanks to the abundant natural beauty of the place. Spend a day in Ooty to enjoy beautiful lakes, waterfalls, the famous Nilgiri railway ride and head to the final destination, Munnar, which will tempt you with its greenery and take away all the exhaustion from your body, mind and soul.

Srinagar to Leh via Zoji La Pass

Distance: 420 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: April to July

The Route: Srinagar → Sonamarg → Kargil → Leh

Srinagar and Leh are two of the most famous dream destinations for road lovers, and covering these two in one go is like feeding two birds with one seed. Srinagar To Leh via Zoji La Pass is the best alternative for going to Leh compared to the Manali-Leh road, as it remains drivable for a longer time. The 420-Km road doesn’t offer the regular bushes and forests we see on familiar Indian roads, instead, it presents thrilling passes, mesmerizing mountains, and picturesque valleys.

The Zoji La Pass is one of the world’s most dangerous mountain roads. The pass is a part of National Highway 1 (NH1), which offers stunning views of the valley and heart-stopping arches. The 25.8 km long pass consists of unpaved roads, is the gateway to the majestic Ladakh, but indeed not recommended for Sunday drivers. The route runs through the famous war town of India, Kargil, where you can stop for sightseeing before heading towards your final destination Leh.

Jaipur to Daman

Distance: 1000 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: October to February

The Route: Jaipur→ Udaipur→ Ahmedabad→ Vadodara→ Daman

“Thelma & Louise” and “Y Tu Mamá También” are two of the most popular films on road trips, and if you ever feel like recreating these two road trips in India, then you should consider taking a drive from Jaipur to Daman. The journey starts from the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and till you reach Ahmedabad, you’ll witness vast deserts and grainy yellow sands, just like Utah from Thelma & Louise. After the first half of the trip, when you’re headed towards the beach town of Daman, you’ll catch Y Tu Mamá También vibes.

Jaipur is constantly flooded with tourists, and if you’re a Jaipurian who’s exhausted with all the local sites, then take out that car from your garage and drive down to Daman via Ahmedabad. Explore the city of lakes, Udaipur, which is more peaceful than busy Jaipur and head to Ahmedabad. Spend a day visiting the local diamond cutting shops and have some mouth-watering snacks to satisfy your taste buds. Take a leave from Ahmedabad and head to Daman to enjoy the tranquil beach life you’ve ever desired.

Guwahati to Tawang

Distance: 450 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: September to March

The Route: Guwahati → Tezpur→ Bhalukpong→ Dirang→ Tawang

After Kashmir, the North-East region of India deserves to be called heaven on earth, and even a madman will not say no to the road trip from Gangtok to Tawang. The 450-Km long stretch consists of ancient Buddhist monasteries, mighty landscapes, stunning lakes, and high mountain passes. The unique and adventurous trip is for those who like to go offroad and explore offbeat places but make sure you obtain an Inner Line Permit before entering the region. Arrive a day before in Guwahati, get your body acclimated to the cooler weather, and then begin your road trip.

The first destination on this route would be Tezpur, a city located on the banks of the river Brahmaputra. Halt for a day in the cultural capital of Assam and explore the tourist places such as Cole Park, Bamuni Hills and Kalia Bhomora Setu. On the next day, leave early in the morning as your next stopover- Bhalukpong has a lot to offer, as it is the dawn of scenic vistas of Arunachal Pradesh. The Bhalukpong to Tawang road, which consists of towns like Bomdila and Dirang, will keep you engaged with its beautiful hills and valleys.

Delhi to Jaisalmer

Distance: 800 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: November to February

The Route: Delhi→ Jaipur→ Ajmer→ Jodhpur → Pokhran → Jaisalmer

The road trip from the capital city of India, Delhi, to the Golden City, Jaisalmer, allows you to explore a number of stunning places and helps you get an experience of a lifetime. One should avoid taking this route or this trip during summers as these regions are one of the hottest zones in India but happen to be one of the best routes during winters due to their major attractions. The first stopover on this road trip would be Jaipur, where you stay for a day to explore the famous spots like the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort.

Leave Jaipur early in the morning and stop at Ajmer Sharif Dargah – the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, visited by millions of pilgrims every year. The next pitstop for the day could be Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur, known for its beautiful architecture. Spend a night in Jodhpur, wandering the local markets, enjoying the starry view from the fort, and head towards the Pokhran to visit Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Pokhran Museum. The trip’s final destination, Jaisalmer, will amaze you with its fort, which has incredible yellowstone architecture and Longewala War Memorial close to the Pakistan border.

Hyderabad to Kannur

Distance: 900 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: November to April

The Route: Hyderabad→ Hampi→ Kannur

It will be unfair if a place from God’s Own Country isn’t included in the top 10 incredible roads list. A road trip from Hyderabad to Kannur via NH167 takes you from the ancient history of the Nizams to Hampi, the medieval Hindu kingdom of the Vijayanagara Empire and at the end to the Manchester of Kerala, Kannur. Once you commence the journey from Hyderabad, stay on the road till the next 380-Km, and you’ll enter into the ancient Hindu Empire. Though all you can see are ruins, they have their own beauty, only if you have eyes for the same.

Spend a few days in Hampi and explore the famous spots such as Matanga Hill, Virupaksha Temple, Elephant Stables, Lotus Mahal, and Hippie Island by driving down the road, cycling or walking. Next up on the itinerary is Kannur, a city of looms and lores. Head to Kannur, and you’ll witness the exact opposite of what you have seen in Hampi. Kannur is a coastal city often called the crown of Kerala due to its natural treasures and is also known for its handloom industry and folk art called Theyyam. The beaches and backwaters of Kannur are a pleasant sight, and you’ll soon lose the soreness caused by the Hampi ruins.

Visakhapatnam to Pondicherry

Distance: 950 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: October to March

The Route: Visakhapatnam→ Guntur→ Ongole→ Nellore→ Pondicherry

When water bodies from three sides surround a country, it indeed creates a great chance of having scenic roads that run along the sea, and being a peninsula country, we have a few such roads in our quiver. Mumbai to Goa is one of India’s most-travelled and famous coastal roads, thanks to several Bollywood movies that were shot on this route, but the east coast of India also offers some of the best scenic roadside attractions, and the port city of Visakhapatnam is the Jewel of the East Coast.

The 950-Km route takes you from Vizag – a place of many scenic beaches and drops you at the ex-French colonial settlement where you can explore the preserved French legacy with tree-lined streets, mustard-coloured colonial villas and chic boutiques. Pondicherry is a vibrant city located on the south-eastern coast of India and offers a plethora of things to do and see. A drive from Visakhapatnam to Pondicherry would be a pleasant journey, and you’ll not regret the decision of taking your car out on this route.

Old Silk Route

Distance: 350 Km (approx)

Best time to Take the Trip: October to March

The Route: Siliguri → Reshi→ Old Silk Route→ Zuluk→ Gnathang→ Sillery

Hotel Belvédère is the iconic Swiss Hotel on the edge of the Rhone Glacier and perhaps one of the most photographed hotels in the world due to its location. In India, we don’t have such a hotel lying lonely on the beautiful edge of the road, but fortunately, we have a similar route, and it is called the Old Silk Route. The ancient hilly road is a rare confluence of natural beauty and used to play a significant role in cross-country trades and cultural exchanges between the Western and Oriental civilizations.

The route used to connect Lhasa in Tibet via the Jelep La Pass to India, and outlying, it used to connect China and other South Asian countries to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Nowadays, only a tiny part of this route exists in India, in East Sikkim and West Bengal. The Old Silk Route is only a 70-Km long journey, but you must arrive at Siliguri to reach the place. Further, you’ll have to reach Reshi and then drive to Old Silk Route, where you can visit Jelep La Pass, Kupup & Memencho Lake. Later on, you can take the Zuluk→ Gnathang→ Sillery route to reach Siliguri.

The Return of Colours in Smartphones

The father of Canadian photojournalism, Ted Grant, once quoted, “When you photograph people in colour, you photograph their clothes, but when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls!” The quote is true to every word, as the colour duo, black and white, is said to be more realistic as it contains all colours, and at the same time, it excludes all, but we all know in which era we’re living and how much colours are important in today’s times. Then, why would our gadget-makers stay behind?

Colour plays a vital role in the world we live in and has always been a prominent aspect of human life. However, the gadget making companies took a lot of time to put coloured clothes on their products. Since the mid-50s, we have been witnessing coloured devices in the form of telephones, radios, speakers, etc. But later on, in the mid-90s, colours moved a little away from us, at least in the gadget sector, due to several concerns and again put on a band of bland colours, including black, white, grey and sometimes blue.

The phones in the early days mainly came in one or two colours, offering limited options for the customer as the companies were bound not to manufacture phones with particular colours as each geography in the world has colours for good and bad omens. Also, customers are treated like a god in most countries, and companies have to show sensitivity to people’s sentiments before launching a global variant. Though in recent times, everything has changed and now gadget makers are competing fiercely over coloured gadgets.

The First Step

Since Apple launched its first iPhone in 2007, whatever happens in the world of tech is directly co-related to Apple. It’s more like when other companies do things they seem ordinary to us, but it becomes cool when Apple tries the same with their products. Apple unveiled the iPhone 5C in 2013 and brought life to their phones with 4-colour variants – banana yellow, bubble gum pink, kiwi green, and Slush Puppie blue.

Since then, almost every smartphone manufacturing company has become colour obsessed. Being one of the top smartphone manufacturing companies globally, Apple has always come up with impressive marketing ideas that attract consumers. For instance, every time someone buys an iPhone with PRODUCT RED colour, they contribute to the Global Fund’s support of AIDS programmes and COVID‑19 Response.

The company has been collaborating with RED for the last 15 years and has raised nearly $270 million since the inception of the idea, including a $21 million donation to the Global Fund’s COVID‑19. Recently, Vivo launched India’s first colour changing smartphone Vivo V23 & V23 Pro. The smartphone has Fluorite AG glass that changes colour when exposed to sunlight and other sources of artificial UV rays.

Along with smartphones, various gadgets boast colours nowadays, and the list includes earphones, headphones, speakers, tablets, smart home gadgets, smartwatches, power banks, and portable mouses. The arrival of various colours in devices made consumers happy as it opened more options. When smartphones were introduced to the world, companies wanted to play it safe, so they only experimented with neutral colours.

Samsung was one of the first who introduced smartphones with colourful backs, but they created a kind of blue and red for their LTE-A phone that is fresh and new to people, which helped them stand apart. Nowadays, people are more open to trying different colours than in the earlier days when people were not welcoming towards various colours, and it allows companies to come up with more colourful designs.

Why are smartphones coming in a coloured back panel?

The younger generation prefers to flaunt colours in every way possible, and all over the world, these fellas are very casual towards new things, especially gadgets. Also, when you can have a smartphone or gadget in your favourite colours, which adds some joy to your life, why would you go for the neutral ones! The smartphone maker understands this mindset and decides to implement the same.

Polycarbonate back panels are usually considered the cheapest material as most mid-range smartphones come with them. Glass has been the preferred smartphone material in the past couple of years, and most flagship smartphones come with glass panels. The glass-panelled back on the smartphones looks premium, and it can be painted in different colours, which paves the way for smartphone makers.

The brighter and gradient colour panelled back in the smartphones was popular among Chinese smartphone makers, but the world accepted it when global players such as Apple and Samsung launched their phones with coloured panel backs. In the future, we might witness something more advanced in this back panel sector where we could get an option to change the colours according to the touch.

Hyperice Hypervolt Go | Handheld Percussion Massager

While you’re in your comfort zone reading this article, you must be working from home, traveling, or sitting idle in an absurd posture, leading to fatigue or even major physio issues. One could probably be working out heavily or even indulging in vigorous sports activities, which could cause muscle soreness. While you could feel the pain, you must be craving a good massage. But, owning a massage chair or visiting a spa frequently is not feasible for everyone. You would wish for a portable massager, which could be a one-stop solution to all the physical beating your body takes on day-to-day life.

Considering all this, Hyperice has launched its latest percussion massage device called the Hypervolt Go. The brand had recently incited into the Indian market and shared one unit with us to fidget around with and get you a comprehensive review of the device. Before we unfurl more about it, for your information, the Hypervolt Go is a premium device and comes with a price tag of Rs 16,999.

There can be several reasons your body might feel sore right now, from sitting for long durations, working in front of the screen that’s not set to the correct height, and especially working out or any physical activity, which could take a toll on your body. But you no longer have to deal with the discomfort all day.

How Does the Hyperice Hypervolt Go function?

In reality, the Hypervolt Go is about the size of a small blow dryer and includes two attachments to use on the body as per comfort. You can toggle in between three vibrating speeds at the press of a button — the first speed being the least intense and the last one being the most intense percussive motion.

Level one is more than enough for anyone going through minor fatigue. Levels two and three are meant for those who face major back issues or undergo vigorous training or sports activities.

The Hypervolt Go comes with 2.5+ hours of battery life per charge which is pretty decent considering the amount of power that it packs within. The ultra-lightweight GO delivers up to 3,200 percussions per minute, which is all the power you need to relax, recover, and recharge.

According to the company, the new device is 30% smaller than the previous Hypervolt, with surprisingly more power and quieter operation and decreased vibration compared to the outgoing model.

It is relatively compact, and its ergonomic design helps it fit perfectly in your hands and efficiently in your bag so you can carry along some profound muscle-massaging relief with you anytime, anywhere. The Hypervolt Go is also equipped with a patented QuietGlide technology which results in a near-silent operation so that your work or play never stops.

What do you get with the Hyperice Hypervolt Go?

The package includes two head tips in the box with the Hypervolt Go. The attachments are designed for different areas, but they help cover any soreness you might feel on your body. Switching between the two head attachments couldn’t be easier — all you have to do is twist the head and pull it out of the Hypervolt Go.

One of the Hypervolt Go’s heads has a flatter surface, which the brand notes is ideal for more extensive areas like your chest, back or quads. We liked using the flat attachment on our lower back, especially on our stiff hamstrings, holding the Hypervolt Go in our hand and slowly applying pressure to the sore muscles with the head attachment until it felt like they loosened up.

On the other hand, the “Bullet” attachment is narrower with a rounded edge, and we used it on our shoulders and lower-back when stretching didn’t help. Thanks to QuietGlide tech, the Hypervolt Go is a very quiet gadget.

How to use the Hypervolt Go Massage Gun?

The Hyperice app can be downloaded on your smartphone, and it’s filled with valuable tips for using the Hypervolt Go.

We liked the app’s efficiency and the interface that allows you to search massage motions according to the parts of your body you want to use the Hypervolt on. The app shows you a clickable full-body illustration, both for the muscles on the front and back of your body, which makes it very handy to use.

Verdict

Now, here’s the bottom line: after a few weeks of usage, we think the Hypervolt Go is one of the best portable handheld tools you can use to ease muscle soreness right now. The brand’s app and a versatile assortment of attachments make it a worthy rechargeable recovery gadget for any situation, from fitness relief to targeting specific muscles by yourself. With this analysis, we have understood that the device is beneficial for people suffering from minor and major muscle issues. The Hyperice Hypervolt Go reduces muscle soreness and stiffness; it enhances muscle performance and accelerates recovery. If you’re a traveler, I must recommend this device as this can be a great relaxation therapy.

To add more icing to the cake, the Hypervolt Go now comes with an exciting price tag of Rs.16,999/- and with a set of 5 attachments.

Evolution of OTT Platforms

With the advancement of technology and the emergence of the digital era, on-demand video streaming services have snowballed in recent years. With the Covid-19 outbreak and the ensuing shutdown, OTT services among Indian customers has increased. Unlike most businesses, the Covid-19 outbreak changed the media and entertainment industry forever. If the previous decade saw the rise of movie theatres, 2020 proved to be the year of OTT culture, with cineplexes and movie theatres closing for most of the year. The pandemic caused widespread devastation throughout the world.

People were forced to stay home and enjoy entertainment and other media through over-the-top (OTT) services when sporting events, theatres, and other public places were closed. These service companies experienced tremendous growth during the lockdown. Despite the sluggish return to normalcy, this expansion will continue for many years. According to industry and internet search statistics, viewing on OTT platforms grew in April 2020, particularly in smaller towns and cities. Although net viewing has been significantly more significant than in the months preceding the epidemic, the initial effect has not been successfully sustained across all platforms.

People are drawn to social media and OTT services to keep themselves occupied. According to industry analysts, the lockdown has increased the viewing of OTT players like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Voot Select, Hotstar, and Eros Now. The number of new consumers has also risen. There are now over 30 OTT players and 10 music streaming applications available to meet various entertainment and media interests.

As the internet streaming viewership grew beyond millennials and urban centres, and homemakers and retirees became OTT consumers, regional streaming applications that cater to non-Hindi and non-English markets proliferated. Many regional portals, such as Oho Gujarati, Hoichoi, Aha, and NeeStream, have witnessed a significant increase in demand for regional content.

Dil Bechara, starring Sushant Singh Rajput, had the highest opening ever on Disney+ Hotstar in July. This was just one of several web platform success stories this year. Similarly, Kay Kay Menon’s Special OPS, Sushmita Sen’s Aarya, and Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Manoj Bajpayee’s Family Man were among the most popular web series on OTT. The Indian OTT market is estimated to reach Rs 237.86 billion (US$3.22 billion) by FY25, up from Rs 42.50 billion (US$576.73 million) in FY19.

Top 10 OTT Releases of this Month

Rudra – The Edge of Darkness:

Ajay Devgn, Esha Deol, and Raashi Khanna starrer released on March 4 on Disney+ Hotstar. In and as Rudra, Ajay plays the role of a police officer hunting highly intelligent criminals, making it a psychological thriller to watch.

No Time To Die 007:

The 25th film of the James Bond franchise made its digital premiere on March 4 on Amazon Prime Video. The movie stars Daniel Craig, Lashana Lynch, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux and Ana de Armas.

The Adam Project:

Netflix Original series starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead and Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Walker Scobell. The story revolves around a man who time travels to his past to take help from his younger self. The show went live on March 11.

Jalsa:

Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah starrer is releasing on March 18 on Amazon Prime Video. The story revolves around a celebrated journalist, her cook, and their conflict. Also starring Manav Kaul and Iqbal Khan.

Bloody Brothers:

Story of two brothers who live contrasting lives unless a tragic accident creates a rift and changes their destinies. The show stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Zeeshan Ayyub in the lead roles, releasing on March 18 on Zee5.

Moon Knight:

Marvel’s mini-series revolves around Marc Spector, a former boxer who gets involved in mysteries connected to Egyptian Gods. Played by Oscar Isaac, the show is all set to release on March 30 on Disney+ Hotstar.

Bridgerton (Season 2):

After a successful season 1, the show is back with yet another season 2 revolving around Lord Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest Bridgerton sibling and Viscount on a journey to find love. Releasing on March 25 on Netflix.

Pieces of Her:

Andy Oliver and Laura Oliver are stuck in a series of events when mother’s dark past comes into the limelight. Making it a thriller watch, the show was released on March 4 on Netflix.

Undekhi (Season 2):

The show is back with its season 2 is crime drama inspired by real-life incidents. Released on March 4 on SonyLIV stars Ram Kapoor, Harsh Chhaya, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Nandish Sandhu, Ankur Rathee, and Surya Sharma.

Sutliyan:

The show’s storyline revolves around family drama. The unresolved conflicts and emotional baggage from the past returns, taking them on the road to emotional and spiritual cleansing. Sullivan stars Ayesha Raza, Plabita Borthakur Vivaan Shah, and Shiv Pandit, released on March 4 on Zee5.