Ex: Xiaomi recently entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s largest oil lamp. What was the thought that went behind this achievement? Manu:India is all about festivities and we love celebrating all these festivals with our Mi Fans and consumers. For Durga Puja this year, our intent was to create a ray of hope for our users and Mi Fans across the nation. To bring that light and happiness for all in a grand way, we ignited the world’s largest diya installation as a symbol of a ray of hope for a better tomorrow.
Ex: With 50 lakh smartphones sold in just 7 days, what are your projections for the rest of the festive season? Manu:As we head towards the end of the year and the start of something better, we wanted to bring the festive season to a close with another incredible offer – the Mi Smart Upgrade which is an assured buyback offering from Mi India.
Ex: What has been the primary driving force behind making Xiaomi India’s No.1 smartphone brand for the third year and counting? Manu: Being a customer-centric brand, we are always on a lookout for insights that define changing trends, behaviour and requirements of the consumers. In the last 6 years of operations, we have introduced products across price segments, offering features that best suit user requirements.
Ex: With digitization increasing rapidly and wfh culture gaining significance, which products do you think will sell like hotcakes in the coming times? Manu: With more employees voluntarily opting for work from home in the new normal, we see the demand surging for products that will enable the users to comfortably function from within their homes. Due to the growing dependence on technology during the lockdown period, we witnessed a rise in the usage of smartphones. Smartphones almost served as an essential commodity, be it for work, education or to stay connected in general. We also witnessed an increasing demand for grooming products like our Mi Beard trimmer category that saw over 100% growth during the lockdown. In addition to this, water purifiers and mask categories have also done well and we believe that it will continue to see demand in the market.
Ex: What do you think are the challenges and opportunities ahead for Mi? Where do you see Mi in the next five to ten years? Manu: At Mi India, we have always been committed to offering innovative and integrated services. Aligned with the same thought, we are not only
creating a local manufacturing base for our smartphones but also developing the base for our entire ecosystem. We have successfully made a name for ourselves as a leading smartphone manufacturer in India. Now, we hope to make the same mark towards our larger ecosystem focused journey. We will focus our efforts more towards establishing a wide range of product portfolios right from Smart TVs to fitness bands and Laptops to the connected IoT ecosystem. Riding on this, the journey will be a challenge and testament to long term strategy for our position in India. The offering will enable users to avail the best value of their old smartphone when they want to upgrade to the latest devices from Redmi and Mi.
Ex: With your recently announced INR 2 crore scholarship, thousands of children will be able to get the education they deserve. What other steps do you plan to take to encourage child education in India? Manu: We announced the INR 2 crore scholarship in partnership with ‘Buddy4Study’ to enable the student community from underprivileged segments to pursue higher education and empower themselves. In addition to this, we also partnered with ‘Teach For India’ in August and pledged 2500 smartphones worth INR 2 Crores for children from communities that are worst affected by the pandemic.
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? Madhav: Keep things simple
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn? Madhav: Agility – This is one of the most important aspects. You need to be agile and do things better than before.
Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth? Madhav:Having a vision and clarity about your goals is something that I consider is very important for sustained growth.
Ex: One book you keep coming back to? Madhav:Steve Jobs – Autobiography is something that I can keep coming back to and read over again and again.
Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple) Madhav:“Dream about your success and make that dream as your goal” “See beyond what is visibly seen”
Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance? Madhav: It’s definitely a cost to be fanatic about tech and bringing users the best of it, though I try to balance work-life over time but not each day.
Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic? Madhav: I would say having more patience, learning from your past actions, and a better approach towards making a decision is my biggest learnings in the pandemic.
Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life? Madhav:Email, word, and excel are a few of the key productivity apps that I use in my daily work.
Ex: What is your technology detox like? Madhav:Getting deeper & Learning more about it.
Ex: When can we expect a comprehensive Realme ecosystem? Madhav: Realme aims to be the most popular tech-lifestyle brand in India and globally, led by our redefined 1+4+N product strategy, which is 1 Core Smartphone + 4 Smart Hubs + N smart accessories. Realme aims to launch several products based on our latest strategy to benefit the life of the young and build a community for the trendsetting young people to communicate and share. We will keep working towards enriching the interconnected lives of our consumers and we will keep growing.
Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Ali: In our world, where change is the only constant, I personally feel that ‘Nothing is permanent’. Everything is constantly changing and evolving around us. Be it science, technology, society, human evolution, nothing stays the same. We are
always seeing new mutations and generations with each passing day.
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?
Ali: An aspiring leader should not only have the effect to keep their management and work in sync, but one should also have the Ability to Listen as well. Good listening skills and the perfect amount of humbleness can be the answer to a lot of tricky situations.
Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth?
Ali: I believe that Hard work and persistence is the only way to reach the top. There are no shortcuts in life to success.
Ex: One book you keep coming back to?
Ali: The book is called Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim which gives a whole different perspective on how to compete in the market today with a more challenging and innovative approach.
Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple)
Ali: This quote is one true quote I believe in with all my heart: “Integrity is the quality needed to succeed in business – John Maxwell”.
Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?
Ali: Work-Life Balance seems like a big obstacle for many. But It’s not if you really want a balance. It’s something you need to do to keep a healthy life be it professionally or your personal life.
Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?
Ali: These past few months have been really tough for everyone. I am extremely grateful for all the things around me that have made my life comfortable and I have been able to sustain the pandemic from the comfort of my house.
Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?
Ali: Since the pandemic has forced us to find alternative ways of working out from indoors, I have been hooked onto the Cult Fit App, religiously following their workout regime, and has helped me keep an active workout schedule at home.
Ex: What is your technology detox like?
Ali:My technology detox is definitely, No Internet, all gadgets off, and quality time with self and family.
Ex: How extensive is your data on offline navigation?
Ali: Garmin offers a robust satellite navigation system to its users, which means internet data is not required. Thus the cost of navigation is zero. We offer Navigation features to Outdoor expedition, Golf, Marine, cycling & automotive ensuring they get the best and accurate navigation results.
Ex: Apart from wearables, is there any personal electronic accessory that you would like to delve into?
Ali:To me Self Driving cars & Gesture Control Technology is quite interesting and this is something I would like to get my hands on.
Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Harish:As a leader of a large organization, I strongly believe in the amalgamation of diverse skills of teams for success. A good team brings to the table diversity of thoughts, creativity, perspectives, opportunities, and problem-solving approaches. I encourage constructive criticism which is healthy and strengthens accountability and can help make effective decisions faster, than when done alone.
Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple)
Harish: There are a lot of leadership quotes that I live by. Few are as below:
● “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” by Nelson Mandela.
● “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?
Harish: 1.Teams: The app which lets me stay connected to all my colleagues and conduct meetings on my laptop and phone has been a boon during these times.
2.To Do apps: App that helps me to first list everything that I need to get done no matter how small it is. This helps me to organize my daily tasks
3.Amazon Kindle: My travel companion and the best way to carry your favorite books
Ex: What is your technology detox like?
Harish: From staying fit to connected with people, technology has become a crucial part of my life. But for everything, there has to be a balance. The key to maintaining balance in our hyper-connected world is adopting healthy and sustainable habits around the way we use tech so that you are in control of it.
Ex: What’s coming next from Acer?
Harish: Acer is bringing 5G tech-enabled laptops to the market that offers much faster data download and upload speed. Also, we believe that there is a drastic increase in the creation and consumption of content which encourages us to introduce concepts, especially for creators and designers. For AI-based technology, Acer is bringing customized solutions across industries. For example, smart wearable devices, smart parking, smart water meter, and air quality monitor. We believe in the coming future, digital communication, tools for mobile working might become the preferred form of communication. AI and IoT will also play a major role in the future to assist enterprises or individuals to engage in communication more easily and effectively. That’s also what Acer is focusing on at the moment. Through AI and IoT, we are determined to offer a smarter and more convenient lifestyle for people.
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.
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.
We recently attended the launch of The Vu Group’s new flagship television Vu Masterpiece. We had a brief chat with Devita Saraf, CEO of The Vu Group where she talked about the idea behind creating this masterpiece. Stay tuned for our first impressions & review video of the VU Masterpiece TV, dropping soon…
Airpods are no longer the only true wireless earphones available in the market but with so many options which one suits you best? Find out in this video..
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.
