Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on? Kaushal: Personal growth is as important as professional growth. We have to create a work environment where we positively impact individuals’ character and make them better human beings.
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn? Kaushal: Emotional Intelligence. This is what helps you successfully coach & manage teams, deliver feedback, and collaborate with others. A good leader should be masterful at managing their relationships in a positive way.
Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth Kaushal:Our chairman, Mukesh Ambani has said that a business must serve a larger societal purpose, and as long as everyone in the value chain benefits, there will be sustained growth. For us growth is life and we have to keep growing at all times.
Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by. Kaushal: ● “Think Big, Think Fast, Think Ahead. Ideas are no one’s monopoly “– Dhirubhai Ambani
● “Relationships and trust. This is the bedrock of life.” – Mukesh Ambani
● “I never dreamed of success, I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder
Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance? Kaushal: I wish I could say it’s easy, but it’s not. It is absolutely necessary though. Work and life have to go hand in hand. A balanced personal life aids a good professional life.
Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic? Kaushal:Life comes first. Health, safety, mental health – these are top priorities. Life can be uncertain. On the professional side, adversity presents different opportunities.
Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life? Kaushal: Jio Mags – a great app to have all my readings in one place, MS Teams, Breathe, Audible.
Ex: How do you see the physical retail world shaping up post-COVID? Kaushal: I feel things will get back to normal once the vaccine is widely available. But this has surely impacted consumer behavior. Technology in-store will play a big role. Stores will have to be realigned to being as contact-less as possible, adequately spaced out for key demonstrations & be less intrusive as well.
Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on? Sajjan:I believe to achieve anything one should have and take out time for oneself and family. It is imperative to do things that help one revive and start fresh.
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn? Sajjan:The ability to learn new things, change & constantly evolve with time Importance of each team member and keeping them motivated to perform
Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple)? Sajjan: “What is now proved was once only imagined.” – William Blake “There’s a way to do it better – find it.” – Thomas A. Edison
Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic? Sajjan:The time of crisis has historically also been an opportunity for change. As the world continues to fight and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic which has unsettled lives, livelihoods, and businesses worldwide, the outbreak has accentuated people in becoming more resilient and sharing their personal experiences through various mediums. In unprecedented times like these, we must think about ways to reinvent and renovate the current ways of operating efficiently.
Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life? Sajjan: Smartwatch, Health apps, and Meeting organizer apps.
Ex: What is your technology detox like? Sajjan:I particularly look forward to the weekend as it gives me a chance to rejuvenate myself from the routine that usually involves the usage of technology to a great extent. I start my days with brisk walking and jogging. It helps me avoid screen-time. If it’s a long weekend I prefer going to wildlife parks and sanctuaries with family, to get close to nature and explore my passion for photography too.
Ex: If you would like to make a category-specific camera, which category would you opt for and why? Sajjan:As an imaging brand we have to meet the expectations of various professionals through our innovative product range (Cameras and Lenses). Apart from professionals such as Wedding, Wildlife, Fashion, Nature photographers one segment which has emerged in the last few years and growing at a brisk pace due to high video consumption and SNS penetrations is “Content Creators”. As we continue to stay indoors, people are relying on different methods to stay creative and communicate their art to the world. This has in turn given rise to a new set of business models, creating a plethora of opportunities. Although we have introduced a range of offerings for this category, including the latest innovation – The Mirrorless Z50 & Z 5 with the range of NIKKOR Z lenses. We will continue to offer more to creators and enthusiasts who desire to elevate their artistic aspirations.
Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on? Prashant: “Quick decision making will not impact business negatively; it does not mean lack of enough thinking thru an issue”. I really liked what Michael Dell said about decision making- if an action from any decision is reversible, take it asap. You can change it tomorrow. Most of the decisions we take are reversible on a day to day basis. We just need to be cognizant of that fact and have a regular cadence to review decisions.
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn? Prashant:Finance and accounts – Everything needs to be measured in terms of financial impact. I recently saw an interview with Aditya Puri, ex. MD of HDFC Bank, who had a ‘Laddu’ theory which really makes sense to me. At the end of any action, we need clear results which are measured in terms of financials! This is either cost reduction, revenue increase, etc.
Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth? Prashant:Consumer Centricity. Deep understanding of what really matters to consumers. Really easy to preach, but not easy to practice.
Ex: One book you keep coming back to? Prashant:“Surely, you’re joking, Mr. Feynman”- Book by Richard Feynman. There is a chapter in that called “Lucky numbers” in particular. I just loved it since my Engineering days. In this chapter, Feynman uses approximations to arrive at an answer and is able to arrive at quick and easy solutions that are very close to the right answer without having all the tools and information to support the decision. And this mirrors what I believe should happen for decision making in the real world too.
Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance? Prashant: I have personally never faced this dilemma. As long as you keep enjoying your work and taking care of your family, it doesn’t really matter.
Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic? Prashant: The biggest learning for me is that there are always unknowns and you can’t plan for all of them. It is important to be flexible and agile to adapt. Adaptability is key!
Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life? Prashant:In the current context, I am spending most of my time using all kinds of connectivity apps such as Microsoft Teams/Zoom/Hangouts, etc. For a personal time, I tend to spend a lot of time binge-watching on OTT platforms.
Ex: What is your technology detox like? Prashant:Spending time with my kids without my smartphone around me!
Ex: What’s coming next from Motorola? Prashant: Motorola has stood for trailblazing innovation for almost a 100years..with innovations that matter to consumers. It goes without saying that we will continue to deliver the same through our wide range of products even going forward!
Ex: One futuristic technology you can’t wait to bring in smartphones? Prashant:Bendable Phones, Gesture-based UIs
We give you an insight into the world of gaming audio with HyperX, one of India’s leading accessory makers. Be it PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or even mobile gaming, HyperX has something to offer for every gamer.
HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., today announced the release of the HyperX Cloud Core Gaming Headset with 7.1 surround sound for PC and PS4 gamers. Expanding HyperX’s impressive headset lineup, the Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 features virtual 7.1 surround sound for clear positional audio and a more immersive gaming experience. Plus, with HyperX’s signature Cloud DNA, the new headset offers the comfort, durability and sound to fit a range of gaming – or today’s virtual classroom meeting – needs at a competitive price point.
The HyperX Cloud Core + 7.1 features an advanced audio control box for convenient controls of headset volume, mic volume, mic mute, and an easily accessible toggle for turning 7.1 surround sound on and off. The Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 also offers multi-platform compatibility with a USB audio control box for PC and PS4 and offers a 3.5mm connection for platforms with a 3.5mm port.
The Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 is certified by Discord and Teamspeak for seamless chat compatibility and offers a flexible detachable noise-cancelling microphone that reduces background noise and provides clearer voice quality for an improved in-game chat or virtual classroom discussions. 14:43:23Aligning with the high-quality build of its predecessors, the Cloud Core + 7.1 utilizes robust aluminium frame construction that provides long-lasting durability and stability. The headset also features soft leatherette and plush memory foam for signature HyperX comfort.
The HyperX Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 is available for INR 6490/- on Amazon.
As promised here is our First Impression about the extravaganza gadget, the Vu Masterpiece TV. Well, we believe that this TV can totally fulfill the luxurious aesthetics of your home. Tell us in the comments below what do you think about this masterpiece?
We experienced the future of smartphones with Samsung’s latest innovative product. Open up to the future and immerse yourselves in the latest technology with our unboxing & first impressions. Stay tuned for the detailed review, till then let us know which feature attracted you the most about this uber-luxurious smartphone.
A flying car: Something that fans of The Jetsons and tech freaks have always been pining for. After all the fantasizing and day-dreaming, finally, it is one step closer to reality. The AirCar, an experimental prototype by KleinVision has recently taken its maiden flight!
Developed by the aforementioned KleinVision, which is a Slovakian company founded by Stefan Klein, the AirCar is predominantly built from advanced composite materials that were produced by the certified Slovak company SKMODEL, s.r.o. All construction parts were manufactured meeting the highest quality standards using high-tech methods. It was tested successfully at Nitra airport in October 2019.
To test a number of aerodynamic and flight control characteristics predicted by digital simulation and analyses, a Flight Demonstrator Testbed (FDT), a model in the scale 1:1, had been built and used in flight mode. All the results measured and observed with the FDT confirmed the theoretical predictions. Currently, the FDT has been donated to and is displayed in the Aviation Museum in Košice.
The AirCar comprises several functional units. Its aerodynamic fuselage provides enough space for the passengers and simultaneously contributes to better lift characteristics during the flight. Among advanced technologies are retractable wings, folding tail surfaces, and a parachute deployment system, among others. The folding tail surfaces contribute to better longitudinal stability and take-off characteristics, just like in a conventional aircraft. However, in the car mode, the retracted tail results in a more compact size.
A fully functional flying of the AirCar prototype has been developed, from an initial idea to final product in the experimental category within 18 months. Experimental categories support the complete research and verification of all technical and design tasks.
Simulation methods and design optimization have been used throughout the entire R&D stage. A simulation, based on the CFD analyses was carried out at VUT Brno in close cooperation with experts in aerodynamics. The team has performed extensive analyses using state-of-the-art simulation methods such as FEM to achieve the best overall outcome. The load and stress calculations were conducted by Dalibor Vlček, MSc., who also contributed with his experience gained while acting as a Compliance Verification Engineer within several projects overseen by EASA.
The AirCar prototype is currently subject to intense ground and flight tests in the experimental category since October 2019. The flying prototype of AirCar was introduced to the general public on November 5, 2019, at CIIE in Shanghai, China. Thorough testing will continue in the next months to come. Variations of two engines will be included in the tests, along with an amphibious version.
Though there is no news of the official launch of the AirCar in the Indian or international market, its research is expected to conclude soon, which will lead to the initiation of its commercial production.
What do we do when we go to the restaurant for lunch or dinner? We skim through the complete menu card for a couple of minutes, and then except for the foodies, the rest of the people order the same favorite food they have ordered in the last few yea₹ But, we can not apply this logic when we're looking for a nice pair of earphones, earbuds, or headphones . The confusion starts from there and we will stick to True Wireless earbuds which are all having some great deals going on on Amazon and Flipkart around the world. I have kept a few parameters in mind while choosing these, such as:
Great Battery life , it’s a must and all of them have 20-30 hours of juice.
Water & sweat resistance. Don’t need to go swimming underwater but anywhere near a pool is ok.
Descent to great sound quality.
Should work with Android and iOS both.
All of them have magnetic properties and won’t fall off accidentally while
opening.
All of them have C type Charging and a wireless charging case to hang
around with.
OPPO Enco W51 True Wireless Headphone Good:
Premium Design
Wireless Charging Support
Excellent Call Quality Bad:
Audio Lacks Refinement
Customization Is Limited To Oppo Smartphones
Oppo has been contributing to the Indian market with some excellent audio
products and W51 is one of them. These headphones are available in two colors, one in starry blue and another one is in floral white; the price of these earbuds is ₹4,999, but now have deals going on in e-commerce sites.
Just 15 minutes of charge can entertain you for 9 hours of music playback/calls with ANC (active noise cancellation) on. Connect them once with your device, and then you don’t have to repeat that ever. Open the case, and the buds will connect with your device automatically, and they’ll disconnect when you put them back to the case.
The Enco W51 earbuds are half in-ear buds with soft silicone tips. The buds feel comfortable in the ears and offer a reliable fit. They stay at their place and do not fall off even while running or cycling. Weighing only 3.95 grams, these earphones are professionally designed and are certified IP54 dustproof and waterproof. The sound quality is not so refined, but at this price range, they are one of the best and can pass off as Apple buds. Verdict: It's going to be my pick at sub 5k level and is the only one amongst these five which comes with wireless charging and is light in your ears.
OnePlus Buds
Good:
Looks good especially the Nardo blue. Bad :
No advanced Bluetooth codec support
The sound quality is below the oppo w51
Does not have rubber tips , and it might just slip out of your ears.
OnePlus is like that excited teenager who wants to try his hands at everything; First, they started with smartphones, then they moved on to accessories and audio products, and then last year, they launched their television sets. Launched alongside the OnePlus Nord smartphone, these OnePlus buds are priced at ₹4,990, and are the company’s first true wireless headset.
Giving a loud and clear output, they are equipped with a unique noise cancellation algorithm and three microphones to improve clarity. They have a powerful sound and allow you to enjoy up to 30 hours of listening time. The case we get alongside these buds work like a power bank. Charge it for 10 minutes and you can enjoy up to 10 hours of listening. You can experience 3D stereo with Dolby Atmos or stunning sound quality with Dirac Audio Tuner support. I quite liked the Nord blue colour buds that were sent for review, but you also have another option for buying the OnePlus Buds, they are also available in white. These buds are said to work best when used with an OnePlus smartphone, but to our surprise, they work just fine with other devices too. The charging case is tiny and easily pocketable. The USB Type-C port for charging is at the bottom, and the pairing button is at the back. Verdict: Once paired, it’s easy to connect and reconnect and the same silicon tip might just work best for some ears If you are a OnePlus user its best recommended.
Creative Outlier Air TWS
Good: IPX5 water resistance
Almost 50% discount on the e-com sites now. Bad:
Slippery charging case
Poor isolation
The cylindrical shape is a little bulkier to tug along and not pocketable.
The Creative Outlier Air earbuds and its charging case are lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport them in a purse or pocket. Like their name their manufacturing is also a little creative, they come with IPX5 certification, they are sweatproof, water-resistant, and can handle all that hard-earned sweat, accidental splashes, and even rain very easily.
The Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds have a 10-meter wireless range, and the 380mAh
charging case it comes with provides an additional two charge cycles, carrying you through nearly a full day of listening. Charging takes up to two hours, and the same applies to the USB-C charging case. They have stunning 30 hours of battery life and graphene-powered audio excellence, and dual voice calls along with controls. One can hear audio out of both earbuds when making a call and enjoy convenient access to Siri or Google Assistant with Outlier Air.
They are said to be graphene drivers, but I’m not sure these drivers are completely built from graphene. I found the sound output to be playful and more tuned towards bass response. It prioritizes the bass response over clarity, but still, the sound output is appreciable. It has a decent design with IPX5 certification but also fragile in terms of the structure of the case. Verdict: Not the best bet; If the charging case was not so bulky, it would have made a perfect cut.
Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless ANC Bluetooth Earbuds
Good :
Fantastic Carrying Case.
More comfortable, smaller design.
Good sound quality with thumping bass.
Easy to pocket, looks premium Bad :
Average Jabra ANC.
Controls can get confusing
At ₹13,999 Jabra hits the second place in our list. They are claimed to be the best-fit earbuds yet in the market. Jabra says they have scanned thousands of ears to create these best-fitting sport earbuds with a special grip coating to make sure they stay in while you work out, and I guess Jabra is right. You can run, jump, you can do any physical activity while wearing them, and they will stick with you all the time like they are one of the parts of your body. Although entirely plastic, the earphones look and feel good. The Jabra Elite 75t is available in a single color – titanium – and is IP55-rated for dust and water resistance. This is the biggest difference between the Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t; the latter is IP57-rated for better water resistance. That said, the Elite 75t will be able to handle reasonable amounts of exposure to sweat, water, and dust, making them appropriate for standard everyday use.
The earphones each have a physical button, an indicator light, and a motion sensor. The sensor is used to automatically pause music when either earphone is removed, and resume when it is worn again. The buttons can be used to control everything on the earphones, including volume, playback, hear-through mode, and the voice assistant on a paired smartphone. However, the button-press combinations are a bit complicated, and I often pressed the wrong button because to remember each function with the tap will not be easy and anyways our memories are all gone to surf the internet.
The headset uses Bluetooth 5 for connectivity, with support for the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. 6mm dynamic drivers power the earphones, with a frequency response range of 20-20,000Hz. Up to two Bluetooth source devices can be actively connected to the earphones at a time, and up to eight devices can be remembered. The earphones have four microphones (two on each earbud) for calls and noise reduction on calls. Verdict: It’s the best premium TWS earbuds that you can buy and has practicality, style , quality all mirrored in. And through the Jabra Sound App you can customize controls and hear through.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless Earbuds
Good:
Excellent sound Quality, best in its class.
Customizable controls.
Solid ANC performance. Bad:
High price
Unintuitive default controls
No wireless charging on the case
Charging Case bulky
Weight of the buds is on the heavier side.
Now, it’s time to know about the last one but the best one in our segment, when it comes to sound quality: The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless in-Ear Bluetooth Headphone with Multi-Touch Fingertip Control. With these advanced headphones, you can control your music, calls, and voice assistant simply through intuitive touchpad technology built into both earbuds.
It doesn’t come with many accessories, but they cover the basics. You get the
earbuds, the charging case, a piddly 20cm USB-C cable to charge the case, and four different sizes of silicone ear tips, ranging in size from extra small to large. There are no extra little wings to hold the earphones in your ear’s cartilage, but thankfully, I didn’t find them necessary. I popped the MTW2s in my ears, and they fit snugly the first time.
In fact, whether I was exercising or out on a cycle ride (with noise-cancelling turned off, naturally), the earbuds stayed snugly in my ears The only time I had to take them out mid-exercise was when I couldn’t remember if they were IP rated high enough to deal with my sweat. I needn’t have worried; they’re IPX4 rated, meaning they should survive light splashes. They protrude a little more from your ears than the smallest of earbuds like the Jabra Elite 75ts.But the important thing was that they still felt snug, and they didn’t feel like they were dangling at all. I tried wearing them while eating, and they held firm.
I think that everyone should customize the controls of the MTW2s when they first get them because, out of the box, the controls are wildly unintuitive. By default, you tap the left earbud once to play/pause, twice to skip to the next track, three times for the previous track, and you hold it to turn the volume down. The right earbud summons your voice assistant, turns on transparent hearing, turns on ANC, and raises the volume using the same commands. It feels oddly one-sided. The transparent hearing keeps you aware of your surroundings, allowing you to easily listen and chat without having to remove your earbuds.
Their premium price (and, for some, the touch controls) mean they won’t be for everyone, but if you’re after a pair of truly wireless earbuds that come close to matching the quality of a premium pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, then Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 2 are easy to recommend. You can experience the good quality sound of these headphones which are made for every environment with durable, tough, splash-resistant materials.
Verdict: If it was not the weight of the earphones and the beautiful but bigger charging and carrying case. I would have put my money on it. But If you are an audiophile it’s the closest you can come in TWS. Period.
From the day Quibi was launched, I had my eyes fixated on it. Firstly because it was Meg Whiteman who raised an eye popping USD 1 Billion, secondly it was trying to enter a space where the grand daddies like Apple, Google, Netflix, Amazon are heavily invested and willing to lose billions for their share of eyeballs. Literally this time. Back in India, I used to get these OTT platform startup pitches and my reply was simple: it is the airline business which will make you a millionaire from a billionaire. There is no way under the sun that any new OTT platform without any strategic bundle can be a profitable and sustainable business. Case in point, Netflix – Early mover advantage and the man Reed Hastings is simply outstanding. Let’s look at Amazon- Its prime membership and e-commerce play is big to keep churning content and throwing it for free. Imagine in future while you are watching an Amazon original and a pop up comes selling you any of its products. They are building their own advertising audience ready to be monetized in a few clicks Disney + Hotstar – For them the stakes are too high not to be in this space and even MX player for The Times of India is backwardly integrated with their own production jungle and their media muscle. Zee5 – Similarly if they don’t have their own OTT they will not be relevant any more, and if you are still not tired of all the above then there’s YouTube with billions of hours worth of free content which you can keep watching with your next generations ahead.
Coming back to Quibi, with its 10 minute – 5 USD service, on the face of it is a great idea. We want smackable content and just like 20/20 cricket matches, they are the need of the hour. But how many will pay for it? 10 minutes is a free spot served by YouTube. At first, the idea of mobile-first content, 10 minutes content and a great team led by Meg Whitman who has been associated with HP, Procter & Gamble, Walt Disney and that this will succeed was a no-brainer. But having attempted many startups myself and failed in many I can vouch that what looks on the surface as a brilliant idea, sometimes does a somersault once it goes on the floor. The project faced skepticism from the beginning, but there was a Hollywood heavyweight of Katzenberg’s reputation involved. As former chairman of Walt Disney Studios and a co-founder of DreamWorks Animation, it seemed that if anyone could disrupt the OTT shape in mobile viewership patterns, as Quibi was trying, it would be Katzenberg.
It’s easy to blame the present times for any failed business, but OTT and streaming apps have seen a huge uptick. But possibly, for Quibi dearth of content production since they were new in the business and the content factory was slammed with hard “Covid brakes.” In spite of shows like 50 states of fright and a dream team with 1.7 billion dollars in funding , streaming is a complicated space to disrupt. It’s almost like the e-commerce business after Amazon, Flipkart. That is where your search ends.
