ZEE’s Technology & Innovation Centre implements first-of-its-kind Common Media Application Format (CMAF) for ZEE5

03 October 2024 – ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform has successfully adopted the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) at a wider scale to transform content delivery and enhance viewer experience. The innovative move, implemented by Company’s Technology & Innovation Centre based in Bengaluru, facilitates smoother video playback across devices and allows ZEE5 users to experience good AV quality even in areas with low internet bandwidth.

By optimizing bandwidth consumption and reducing operational costs, ZEE5 is expanding its reach to 100 million users, ensuring more viewers can have access to high-quality streaming. CMAF is a versatile and extensible standard designed to package segmented media, enabling seamless cross-device compatibility. By adopting CMAF, ZEE5 is not only ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience but also reducing latency, a critical factor in live streaming of sports, news and events.

Reflecting on the impact of CMAF, Shiva Chinnasamy, Chief Technology and Product Officer, ZEE said, “Our strategic focus is to provide best-in-class AV experience even in areas with low internet. CMAF allows us to serve content more efficiently, ensuring no data wastage while delivering high-quality immersive experiences to every viewer, no matter their bandwidth. ZEE5 is focusing on building in-house capabilities to provide robust services and experience to their consumers and adoption of CMAF is a crucial step to achieve the same.”

Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India, said, “At ZEE5, we remain focused on enhancing viewer experience through cutting-edge technology. Adopting the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) is a step forward in ZEE5’s vision to democratise access to quality entertainment. This ensures that even in regions with low internet connectivity, our users can enjoy seamless viewing experiences. This strategic move reflects our commitment to bring quality content to a broader audience, which also aligns with our goal of delivering immersive entertainment across multiple devices. CMAF represents a significant step in further refining how our viewers engage with content on our platform.”

Commenting on the success of the format, Suneel Khare, Senior Vice President and Head of Video Engineering, ZEE, said, “The implementation of CMAF is strategic. It allows us to streamline and improve our content delivery, enabling real-time low-latency streaming while significantly reducing data requirements. This enhancement ensures smoother playback even in regions with low bandwidth, expanding ZEE5’s reach to a broader audience, including those with limited internet access.”

ZEE5’s successful implementation of CMAF has resulted in several key advantages, including:

  • Low-Latency Streaming: Essential for live events, CMAF ensures near real-time video delivery, minimizing delays and enhancing live event viewing.
  • Bandwidth Optimization: The efficient CMAF packaging reduces data consumption, enhancing video quality in low-bandwidth environments.
  • Cross-Device Compatibility: CMAF supports both HLS (HTTP live streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) formats, ensuring consistent video playback across mobile devices, Smart TVs, and more.
  • Future-Ready Encryption: CMAF utilises Widevine CBCS technology, a standard for content protection that allows for seamless playback across both Apple & Android devices and ensures a seamless and secure streaming experience.

Rahul Banerjee, Principal Architect of Video Engineering, ZEE, added, “With CMAF, the real-time improvements in video quality and reduced buffering have significantly enhanced viewer engagement. This upgrade ensures viewers enjoy higher-quality streams with minimal delays, even in regions with weaker internet connectivity.”

Apart from enhancing the viewer experience, CMAF has also brought significant operational benefits for ZEE5. By optimizing content packaging, it has reduced storage requirements by over 30%, while keeping CDN (Content Delivery Network) costs static despite the growing demand for higher-resolution content. Furthermore, CMAF’s scalability enables ZEE5 to seamlessly expand its global reach in more than 12 languages, ensuring consistent performance during peak usage.

By implementing CMAF, ZEE5 improves operational efficiency and reinforces its commitment to delivering high-quality content to a wider, more diverse audience. The platform’s pioneering approach to content packaging and delivery ensures that it remains future-ready as OTT consumption continues to evolve globally.

Jan Kathleen Hier elected as Chairperson of Mphasis Board

Mumbai, India, October 1, 2024

Mphasis, (BSE:526299; NSE: MPHASIS), a leading Information Technology (IT) solutions provider specialising in cloud and cognitive services, today announced the election of Ms. Jan Kathleen Hier, the Company’s Independent Director since December 2015, as the Chairperson of the Board, effective 1 October 2024. Ms. Hier succeeds Mr. Davinder Singh Brar, who retires effective 30 September 2024; consequent to successful completion of the term, as an Independent Director, approved by the shareholders.

Ms. Hier previously served as a partner at a start-up and as Executive Vice President at Charles Schwab, where she led centralized support services, including Schwab Technology Services, Operational Services, Corporate Project Management, Operational Risk Management, and Offshore Services. During her tenure at Schwab, she also held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Information Officer, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, and Head of Electronic Brokerage Technology.

“Mphasis recognizes and values Ms. Hier’s contributions to the Board for many years. Her broad industry knowledge, long history of leadership, coupled with deep experience advising global clients, makes her an ideal person for this role. As she takes on Chairmanship of the Board, I look forward to her continued counsel and leadership, and we will continue to work closely with her, to make a positive impact for all stakeholders. I also wish to thank our outgoing Chairman, Mr. Davinder Singh Brar, for his years of service, leadership, and counsel to the Board,” said Mr. Nitin Rakesh, CEO and Managing Director, Mphasis.

“I feel very privileged to take on this role at such an inflection point in the technology services industry. Transformation with agility to meet the needs of clients, employees, regulators, and all other stakeholders is table stakes. I look forward to collaborating closely with my fellow Board members and Management to drive innovation and create sustainable, long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Ms. Jan Kathleen Hier, Chairperson, Mphasis.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Helping Fend Off Cyberattacks

Intellectual property cyber security

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of technology to think and act similar to a human and is being utilized to help fight off potential cyberattacks. Employing AI and machine learning to detect vulnerabilities significantly enhances human capabilities, as AI can analyze and report millions of cyber threats in a fraction of the time it might take a person to do the same.

AI can get “smarter” and “learn”; as an AI algorithm continues to search and monitor data, it can improve its understanding of different types of potential attacks.

What is a Cyberattack?

You’ve probably heard a lot about cyberattacks and data breaches on the news lately, but what exactly is a cyberattack and why is it important to protect our data?

“In short, a cyberattack is a deliberate and often targeted attempt to mount an action via or against digital technology,” says IEEE Senior Member Steven Furnell. “In practice, cyberattacks can take many forms, but we tend to most commonly associate things like hacking and malware, and perhaps phishing. However, there is a far broader range of labels that can be used to reflect the specific approaches and motivations that may be involved.”

“After the attack, the computer or the network will be destroyed, exposed, modified or lose some functions,” adds IEEE Senior Member Guangjie Han. “And your personal information or important data will be acquired by someone else without authorization. Consider the potential benefit behind the data — that’s why these attacks exist.”

Junior hackers might only have an interest in stealing money, acquiring personal data, or merely for the joy of hurting others. More senior hackers have the potential to breach entire companies or governments.

How AI Prioritizes Security Needs

Once AI has effectively identified the potential risks and threats, the next step is to prioritize what gets addressed and in what order.

“Since AI-based detection systems usually work with certainty, they are useful not only to raise alerts when something seems to be wrong but also to give a score on how close a given event is from a cyberattack,” says IEEE Member Marcos Simplicio. “Events with higher scores can then be prioritized accordingly. For example, above a certain score, automated measures may be taken to stop the highly probable attack without any human intervention. Events with a lower score can then be forwarded to administrators for further analysis, and some events with low scores may be simply logged without any additional action, since handling them may not be worth the effort.”

Other Methods of Stopping Cyberattacks

AI and machine learning are not the only mechanisms used to prevent and fight off cyberattacks. A wide range of robust technologies protect our systems and help fend off severe breaches.

IEEE Senior Member Aiyappan Pillai explains that in addition to AI, cryptography, emerging quantum cryptography, analytics, IoT security, blockchain security, and hardware authentication technologies are also helping technologists keep our digital infrastructure secure.

Lastly, another way to prevent cyberattacks is continuing to educate users to stay away from suspicious activity. “It is important to remember that security is largely a matter related to processes and behaviours and therefore administrative, education and awareness processes play a key role in any well-designed security strategy,” stresses IEEE Senior Member Raul Coucher.

NeoNiche pegs Silent Seminars as the way forward for immersive and personalised events

India, 30th September 2024: The events industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rise of Silent Seminars, a breakthrough in audio technology that’s reshaping how we experience conferences, exhibitions, and live gatherings. By leveraging wireless headsets to deliver customized content, Silent Seminars are setting a new standard for immersive, distraction-free audience engagement.

Prateek N Kumar, Founder and CEO of NeoNiche Integrated Solutions, shares his insights on this game-changing innovation, “As the events industry continues to evolve, Silent Seminars represent a pivotal shift in how we connect with attendees. The ability to offer a personalized audio experience, free from the noise and limitations of traditional systems, is empowering both event organizers and participants. It’s a step forward in creating experiences that resonate on a deeper level.”

In typical event environments, overlapping sound systems and background noise can often diminish the attendee experience. Silent Seminars overcome these challenges by delivering content directly to attendees’ headsets, allowing multiple sessions to run simultaneously within the same space. This isn’t just about eliminating noise—it’s about fostering stronger, more meaningful connections. Attendees have complete control over what they listen to, engaging with the content that matters most to them and elevating their overall experience.

From an organizational perspective, Silent Seminars also unlock a new level of flexibility. The ability to host multiple discussions in a single venue, without the need for additional rooms or extensive sound systems, is a major win for event planners. It optimizes space, time, and resources, while delivering a seamless experience for attendees.

Inclusivity and accessibility are also major advantages of Silent Seminars. With multi-language track integration, these systems allow diverse and international audiences to fully participate, breaking down language barriers and enhancing global connectivity. The goal with Silent Seminars is to create experiences that bring people together, no matter where they’re from or what language they speak. It’s about bridging gaps and connecting with a global audience on a more intimate level.

Sustainability is another key benefit. By reducing the need for large-scale sound systems and minimizing energy consumption, Silent Seminars provide a greener, more eco-friendly approach to event audio. This aligns with the growing industry demand for sustainable event management practices.

More than just an audio solution, Silent Seminars provide rich, actionable data insights. Organizers can track real-time engagement, session participation, and audience preferences, which can be leveraged to tailor future events. This data-driven approach adds a whole new layer of value. It allows in sustained improvement in the overall attendee experience, making each event better than the last.

As the demand for more interactive, personalized event experiences grows, Silent Seminars are leading the way. NeoNiche believes this is just the beginning of a broader industry shift. “The future of event audio is here, and it’s redefining what’s possible. Silent Seminars are enabling us to create deeper, more meaningful connections, and that’s what events are all about. It’s not just about staying ahead of the curve—it’s about shaping the future.”, Prateek added.

By embracing this innovative technology, NeoNiche Integrated Solutions is at the forefront of experiential marketing, offering transformative event solutions that enhance every touchpoint of the attendee journey.

AMD Instinct MI300X Accelerators Available on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for Demanding AI Applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept 30, 2024: AMD announced that Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) has chosen AMD Instinct™ MI300X accelerators with ROCm™ open software to power its newest OCI Compute Supercluster instance called BM.GPU.MI300X.8. For AI models that can comprise hundreds of billions of parameters, the OCI Supercluster with AMD MI300X supports up to 16,384 GPUs in a single cluster by harnessing the same ultrafast network fabric technology used by other accelerators on OCI. Designed to run demanding AI workloads including large language model (LLM) inference and training that requires high throughput with leading memory capacity and bandwidth, these OCI bare metal instances have already been adopted by companies including Fireworks AI.

“AMD Instinct MI300X and ROCm open software continue to gain momentum as trusted solutions for powering the most critical OCI AI workloads,” said Andrew Dieckmann, corporate vice president and general manager, Data Center GPU Business, AMD. “As these solutions expand further into growing AI-intensive markets, the combination will benefit OCI customers with high performance, efficiency, and greater system design flexibility.”

“The inference capabilities of AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators add to OCI’s extensive selection of high-performance bare metal instances to remove the overhead of virtualized compute commonly used for AI infrastructure,” said Donald Lu, senior vice president, software development, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “We are excited to offer more choice for customers seeking to accelerate AI workloads at a competitive price point.”

Bringing Trusted Performance and Open Choice for AI Training and Inference

The AMD Instinct MI300X underwent extensive testing which was validated by OCI that underscored its AI inferencing and training capabilities for serving latency-optimal use cases, even with larger batch sizes, and the ability to fit the largest LLM models in a single node. These Instinct MI300X performance results have garnered the attention of AI model developers.

Fireworks AI offers a fast platform designed to build and deploy generative AI. With over 100+ models, Fireworks AI is leveraging the benefits of performance found in OCI using AMD Instinct MI300X.

“Fireworks AI helps enterprises build and deploy compound AI systems across a wide range of industries and use cases,” said Lin Qiao, CEO of Fireworks AI. “The amount of memory capacity available on the AMD Instinct MI300X and ROCm open software allows us to scale services to our customers as models continue to grow.”

Galaxy Tab S10 Series is Samsung’s AI-Ready Tablet

GURUGRAM, India – September 30, 2024 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+, Samsung’s first tablets purposefully built for AI. The premium hardware includes 14.6-inch and 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays — the ideal canvas for the intuitive S Pen bundled with both models. Performance upgrades for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra include an 18% increase in CPU, 28% increase in GPU, and 14% increase in NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
This improved processing power enables faster and more responsive AI features, which are now easily accessible with written prompts using the new Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboards to customize AI assistant. Cutting-edge software includes features such as Note Assist and Drawing Assist, optimized for the tablet form factor. The Galaxy Tab S10 series also acts as a home AI device, with a that gives a visual overview of the home and all connected devices to streamline device management across the SmartThings ecosystem. Robust Samsung Knox security ensures data privacy and control, while innovative materials underscore Samsung’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
“The Galaxy Tab S10 series is Samsung’s first tablet built with AI enhancements available right out of the box, and it’s the latest addition to the Galaxy AI family,” said MC Lee, VP, Head of Galaxy Ecosystems Business Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re proud to add to our seamless ecosystem of connected devices, bringing versatile experiences that only an AI tablet can offer through the Galaxy Tab S10 series’ blend of power and portability.”
Peak Performance on the Go
Built on Samsung’s legacy of providing powerful experiences, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ harness significant leaps in AI processing power to deliver a supercharged, lag-free experience. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra includes a more than 18% increase in CPU, 28% increase in GPU, and 14% increase in NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Coupled with long-lasting battery life and Super-Fast Charging, the Galaxy Tab S10 series allows the device to be used for longer, with less time spent waiting for it to charge.
Elegant Build Quality, Mesmerizing Display
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s 14.6-inch display and Galaxy Tab S10+’s 12.4-inch display both feature cutting-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and offer a vibrant yet natural viewing experience, even outdoors. Every detail remains clear from any angle and in any environment with advanced anti-reflective technology, minimizing distracting glare and reducing reflection rate. The series’ quad speaker setup is further enhanced with AI-powered Dialogue Boost, which amplifies voices over unwanted noise to create ultra-clear audio. And for use on the go, the Galaxy Tab S10 series offers uncompromised durability with an IP68 rating further protected by enhanced Armor Aluminum — built to handle bumps and scrapes to use anytime, anywhere.
Work Smarter, Achieve True Creativity
The Galaxy Tab S10 series offers an efficient experience — enhancing productivity —and serves as the ideal canvas to let out your creative side.
  • With Note Assist and the intuitive S Pen, notetaking is a breeze on the tablet‘s large display. Schoolwork, note-taking, and personal journaling become more efficient with automated transcriptions and summaries provided by AI. With PDF Overlay Translation, the Galaxy Tab S10 series can also seamlessly translate PDFs via an on-screen overlay. Handwriting Help cleans up untidy handwritten notes, too.
  • Galaxy AI’s Sketch to Image makes the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra perfect for turning imagination into reality, acting as the ideal creative assistant for overcoming mental roadblocks.
  • With Circle to Search with Google on the Galaxy Tab S10 series, you can Circle to search anything without switching apps. Instantly translate anything you see on your tablet with Google. Without switching apps, you can translate any image, video or text in two taps. Quickly get the info you need, then get right back to what you’re doing. Circle to Search can even recognize and outline steps for solving physics and math problems.
  • The Galaxy S Pen’s Air Command with AI provides instant access to Galaxy AI Assistant features without toggling between menus. AI Assistant apps can also be easily launched by the Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboard with written prompts, making it easier for users to choose between Samsung’s Bixby and Google’s Gemini for a customized AI experience.
Intelligent Home Device
Galaxy Tab S10 doubles as a Galaxy home AI device, simplifying device management. With large screen-optimized features such as  it’s easy to see status of SmartThings-enabled devices via the SmartThings widget. Users can also enable SmartThings Energy and AI Energy Mode to easily monitor their devices’ energy consumption. Galaxy AI doesn’t just enhance life on the go, it also takes the stress out of home life.
 The Galaxy Ecosystem, Secure and Expanded
The Galaxy Tab S10 series expands Galaxy’s unique connected experience and third-party app ecosystem, offering new and enhanced apps. The Tab S10 series provides access to leading third-party apps including Goodnotes, LumaFusion, Noteshelf 3, Clip Studio Paint, Picsart and Sketchbook. Users can easily control speeds and add dramatic visual effects when editing videos on LumaFusion or seamlessly create content for social media with Picsart’s AI design tools. With the Galaxy Tab S10 series’ extensive third-party app ecosystem, there’s something for everyone.
Samsung is committed to providing users with choice and control over their devices and their data. With Advanced Intelligence settings, users can choose to disable online data processing to ensure their data remain

5 Key Considerations When Choosing an AI Cloud Platform

Choosing the right AI cloud platform is a critical decision for organizations looking to leverage artificial intelligence effectively. As AI technologies continue to evolve and integrate into various business processes, the demand for robust, scalable, and efficient cloud solutions has never been higher. Selecting an appropriate platform can significantly impact the success of AI initiatives, influencing everything from performance and cost to security and collaboration. To make an informed choice, organizations should consider several key factors that align with their specific needs and objectives.

1. Performance and Scalability

Performance and scalability are paramount when selecting an AI cloud platform. AI workloads can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful computing capabilities to handle tasks such as model training and inference. It’s essential to choose a platform that offers high-performance computing options, including GPU instances designed specifically for AI tasks. Additionally, the ability to scale resources dynamically based on your needs is vital, allowing your organization to manage fluctuating workloads without incurring unnecessary costs. Organizations can also partner with experienced cloud and AI consultants like Onix to achieve enhanced performance and workload optimization.

2. Data Management and AI-Ready Cloud Platform

Effective data management is crucial for the successful training and deployment of AI models. When evaluating cloud platforms for AI, organizations should focus on the cloud platforms that are AI-ready and provide strong capabilities for data ingestion, storage, and processing. An ideal platform will enable seamless integration with existing data sources and tools, ensuring efficient workflows throughout the AI lifecycle. An AI-ready cloud platform has the foundation ready to implement AI, supports a variety of data formats and manages both structured and unstructured data effectively. A well-structured data management strategy enhances accessibility and empowers organizations to fully leverage their data assets, which is vital for creating accurate and impactful AI solutions. By emphasizing comprehensive data management features, organizations can maximize the potential of their data in AI initiatives.

3. Cost Efficiency

Cost efficiency is another key consideration when selecting an AI cloud platform. While cloud services can reduce capital expenditures, they can lead to increased operational costs if not managed carefully. It’s important to analyze the pricing models of different platforms and understand how costs are structured based on usage. Look for platforms that offer cost management tools, providing insights into resource utilization and spending patterns. This will help you optimize your cloud strategy and ensure that your AI projects remain financially sustainable.

4. Security and Compliance

With the increasing importance of data privacy and security, evaluating a cloud platform’s security measures is essential. Protecting sensitive data is crucial in today’s regulatory environment, so ensure that the platform implements robust security features such as encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. Additionally, verify that the platform complies with industry-specific regulations relevant to your organization. This will help mitigate risks associated with data breaches and ensure that your organization adheres to necessary compliance standards.

5. Support for Collaboration and Development

Finally, consider how well the platform supports collaboration among diverse teams involved in AI projects. Successful AI initiatives often require input from data scientists, developers, and IT operations professionals working together effectively. Look for platforms that provide collaborative tools and environments conducive to teamwork, as well as support for popular development frameworks. A flexible development environment will empower your teams to innovate and streamline the deployment of AI solutions. By keeping these five key considerations in mind, you can choose an AI cloud platform like Onix that aligns with your organization’s goals and enhances your capabilities in artificial intelligence!

Consistent Infosystems Shines at IT Awards 2024: ‘Best Made in India Surveillance Brand’ and ‘Fastest Growing Brand’

New Delhi, 30th September 2024: Consistent Infosystems better known as Consistent, one of India’s fastest-growing IT brands has emerged as a major winner at the prestigious IT Awards 2024 organized by IT Voice and held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The company was honored with two coveted titles: ‘Best Made in India Surveillance Brand’ and ‘Fastest Growing Brand’, further cementing its status as an industry leader driving innovation and growth across the IT landscape.

Consistent @ IT Awards 2024 (2)

The awards celebrate exceptional companies making strides in India’s IT sector. Consistent Infosystems’ groundbreaking advancements in surveillance technologies and consistent market expansion have positioned the company as a trusted name in the industry.

Yogesh Agarwal, CEO and Co-Founder of Consistent Infosystems, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are truly honored to receive these prestigious awards. Winning the ‘Best Made in India Surveillance Brand’ reflects our commitment to delivering world-class surveillance solutions developed right here in India. At Consistent, innovation is in our DNA, and this recognition validates the hard work our team has put into revolutionizing the industry. The ‘Fastest Growing Brand’ award only fuels our passion to push boundaries further, as we aim to scale even greater heights in the years to come.”

Speaking on the company’s marketing success, Pradeep Singh, Head of Sales, Consistent Infosystems, added, “Our journey to becoming the ‘Fastest Growing Brand’ is a testament to the strong relationships we have built with our partners, customers, and distributors. Through focused marketing strategies and a customer-first approach, we have accelerated growth across diverse markets. These awards reinforce our belief in creating tailored solutions that resonate with our audience, and we will continue to raise the bar for excellence.”

With innovation at its core, Consistent Infosystems has introduced cutting-edge solutions in both the surveillance and IT spaces. Its surveillance products have gained prominence for their durability, performance, and the ability to meet the unique demands of Indian businesses and institutions. This recognition is a significant milestone for the brand, as it continues to lead the market with unparalleled customer satisfaction and quality.

The IT Awards 2024 brought together the crème de la crème of the Indian IT industry, recognizing excellence and celebrating the achievements of those driving technological progress. Consistent Infosystems stood out as a beacon of innovation, with its impact resonating across the nation.

ASUS ushers in a new era of Intel powered computing solutions with their latest launches

India, 30th September 2024: ASUS, a Taiwanese tech giant today launched its new lineup of AI-enabled PCs powered by the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2) across its consumer and commercial portfolio. The next-generation ASUS Copilot+ PCs – Zenbook S 14, ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI (Desktop), and ExpertBook P5405 – feature integrated NPU (Neural Processing Units) delivering up to 47 TOPS (Tera Operation Per Second). The new PCs are further enabled with on-device AI capabilities designed to significantly upgrade user experience, augment productivity and streamline creative workflows for users.

The new launches will receive a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences, when available, with timing varying by device and region. ASUS India as an innovative PC manufacturer offers cutting-edge sustainable technology with a diverse lineup that meets the evolving users’ need for durable and reliable solutions. The brand’s partnership and the strategic decision to incorporate the prowess of Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) is an endeavour to make computing more intuitive while retaining superior software performance across form factors. The ultra-portable ultimate Zenbook S 14 is one of the most refined AI equipped laptops, blending exquisite design with power-packed performance.

The latest laptop comes with a stunning OLED display and ergonomic designs featuring premium chassis made from exclusive Ceraluminum™ – a high-tech ceramic material, the laptop seamlessly integrates high-functionality, efficiency and a design factor. The Intel software solutions are also prevalent in the commercial-focused computing solutions by ASUS. The ExpertBook P5405 is an AI-powered computing for businesses. It features cutting-edge Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2) and integrates ASUS AI ExpertMeet tools for an unparalleled AI-enhanced work experience. The ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI offers desktop capability in a compact form factor, delivering advanced AI capabilities and unmatched performance for demanding applications. ASUS NUC 14 Pro shows a sleek design that is apt for office use or edge computing as it strikes a balance between portability and power.

Commenting on the launch of the Zenbook S 14, ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI and ExpertBook P5405, Mr. Eric Ou, Country Head, President and Director, Systems Group, ASUS India, said, “We at ASUS pride ourselves on being pioneers in bringing the latest technology and innovations in the country. Comprehending how AI will become a driving factor in laptop experience and align with our vision of ‘Ubiquitous AI.

Incredible Possibilities,’ I am elated to introduce our latest innovation that delivers optimum performance in exquisite designs. Our strategic decision to integrate Intel Core Ultra Processors in our latest offerings will ensure that our users experience best-in-class AI capabilities, promised to make functioning and interface more seamless and refined.” ” The Intel Core Ultra 200V series of processors is an incredible new product that raises the bar on AI PC experience.

With this new family of processors, we are delivering incredible performance gains across traditional and AI computing, while being up to 40 percent more efficient, yielding incredibly competitive battery life. At Intel, we’re always in the pursuit of delivering the best possible user experiences and with Intel Core Ultra 200V series, we’re redefining the x86 paradigm,” added Santhosh Viswanathan, Vice President and Managing Director, India Region, Intel.

This upcoming lineup of consumer and business PCs highlights ASUS’ commitment towards making high-performance, efficiency-driven and ergonomically designed devices. The Zenbook S 14 will be available for sale starting today and the ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI will be available for sale from December 2024. The Zenbook S 14 starting at a price of INR 1,42,990 while the ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI price will be confirmed closer to the release date. On the other hand, the ASUS ExpertBook P5404 will be available in India starting November 2024 through their extensive partner network, offering businesses a powerful, secure, and sustainable solution for their computing requirements.

NIIT Foundation and Ciena India Empower Over 10,000 Beneficiaries Digitally

National, 30th September 2024: NIIT Foundation, together with Ciena, a networking systems, services, and software company, has launched an initiative called the “Digital Empowerment Program through the Digital Transformation Vehicle (DTV)” initiative in Faridabad, Haryana .This program is a mobile education and training program that aims to provide digital literacy and skills to underserved and remote communities, with the goal of narrowing the digital divide.

The initiative features a mobile training facility equipped with 16 computers, internet connectivity, and comprehensive training materials. Certified trainers, including an IT trainer and a mobilizer, who encourages individuals to enrol in the program, travel with the vehicle to provide hands-on support. The program offers customizable courses tailored to community needs, covering digital literacy, financial literacy, and vocational skills.

Since its inception, the program has made significant strides in impacting lives. The DTV has reached 8,667 beneficiaries, while the Hole in the Wall Learning Stations, which are installed in the villages after the DTV departs, have engaged 2,190 individuals. The initiative has successfully installed 12 Hole in the Wall Learning Stations across various locations from August 2023 to March 2024, promoting digital literacy and self-directed learning.

Highlighting the need for such initiatives, Amit Malik, Vice President, Ciena India, said, “In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, it has become increasingly crucial to equip our youth with the skills they need to thrive and navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively. Our collaboration with NIIT Foundation allows us to manifest our commitment to narrowing the digital divide while also encouraging skill development – creating meaningful opportunities for communities far and wide.”

Further highlighting the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, Charu Kapoor, Country Director at NIIT Foundation, noted, “Leveraging the expertise and resources of the private sector, paired with an NGO’s reach, and understanding of the demographic landscape paves the way for maximising the impact of such initiatives. Our collaborative efforts with Ciena, in this regard, have made substantial strides since its commencement and we aim to continually stride towards effectively prepare the youth for the highly competitive job market in our ever-evolving world.”

Looking ahead, NIIT Foundation and Ciena aim to expand the program’s reach across Faridabad (Haryana) to impact more than 8,500 beneficiaries, introducing new courses aligned with emerging digital trends and exploring further opportunities to empower the youth and allow them to confidently steer through the rapidly digitising world.