Indian businesses are rapidly adopting direct-to-consumer models to cut out intermediaries, gain control over pricing, and collect first-hand customer insights. With digital payments, logistics, and social commerce fuelling growth, consumers now expect seamless buying journeys and transparent communication. D2C is no longer a passing trend but a structural shift that is reshaping India's retail.

Google has announced a big update for Google Photos that takes the hassle out of image editing. Starting first with the Pixel 10 devices in the US, one can now edit photos just by describing the changes wanted. The feature will expand to other Android and iOS devices over the coming weeks.

Nearly 80% of content that goes viral is built around emotions like humor, awe, or inspiration. Social media algorithms reward posts with high engagement, and emotional resonance drives more likes, comments, and shares than plain information. Brands that craft narratives with relatable emotions see their reach multiply exponentially compared to fact-driven campaigns.

Zscaler announced an expanded partnership between Red Canary, a Zscaler company, and strategic partner CrowdStrike to deliver enhanced protection across endpoints, users, and workloads. Together, Zscaler and Red Canary are delivering a seamless path forward for customers migrating from legacy endpoint products to CrowdStrike's Falcon platform.

Voice search optimization means crafting content to match how people speak long-form questions, conversational keywords, and local intent. Use structured data (like FAQ schema), optimize for featured snippets, and ensure fast load times. This helps voice assistants deliver your answers not competitors.

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan revealed the space agency detected a leak in SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket, which carried astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. He said SpaceX initially dismissed it as "minor" but ISRO's probe forced it to postpone the launch. Narayanan said SpaceX took the leak "little lightly" which could've caused "catastrophic" mid-flight failure, adding, "We've saved four astronauts' lives."

Launching an online store is more than setting up a website. It begins with identifying a niche, validating demand through market research, and drafting a solid business plan. The next steps include choosing the right e-commerce platform, managing inventory, enabling secure payments, and building marketing campaigns. Success depends on executing each stage with clarity to ensure smooth operations.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems centralize valuable data such as purchase history, contact details, and past interactions. Customer Engagement Platforms (CEPs) then activate this data, using automation and personalization to deliver consistent experiences across channels. When combined, they help businesses send timely, relevant messages, strengthen loyalty, and scale support.

Electric vehicle costs remain high due to expensive battery production and limited availability of key minerals like lithium and cobalt. Manufacturers are addressing this by simplifying vehicle designs, standardizing parts across models, and forming partnerships for joint component development. These measures aim to make EVs more affordable while maintaining performance.

Performance marketing ensures businesses only pay when desired actions occur, such as clicks, leads, or purchases. With metrics like Cost Per Acquisition (CPA), Cost Per Click (CPC), and Lifetime Value (LTV), marketers can closely track efficiency. This model turns advertising spend into a measurable investment, where each rupee is tied to outcomes.

Zepto's seller registration supports growth by making onboarding simpler for small businesses. The process requires digital submission of documents, cutting down approval time and allowing sellers to join the platform quickly. Once listed, these sellers can serve customers within a 10-15 minute delivery radius, helping local shops compete in the fast-commerce model driven by speed and proximity.

Nazara Technologies, India's only listed gaming firm, may write down its PokerBaazi investment as Parliament cleared a ban on online real-money and gambling games. Nazara's $122-million (over ₹1,000 crore) investment in PokerBaazi stands to be written down or provisioned for now, CEO Nitish Mittersain told Bloomberg. He said PokerBaazi's team will meet shortly to discuss ideas to pivot business.

Quick commerce is projected to grow rapidly, reaching $265.7 billion globally by 2029, with India expected to cross $9.95 billion. Its edge lies in delivery speeds of 15-30 minutes, reshaping consumer expectations toward immediacy. As logistics and technology advance, the model is expanding beyond groceries into categories like electronics and personal care.

Structured incubation programs significantly raise survival chances for startups. Data shows incubated ventures achieve nearly double the five-year survival rate compared to those without support. By guiding founders through stages like idea validation, MVP development, mentorship, and investor readiness, incubation provides clarity, resources, and direction that reduce early-stage risks.

Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins recently stated that the company wanted the employees to be innovative and productive, stating that the layoffs would not be announced by the company due to AI. Days after, the latest round of Cisco layoffs has been announced affecting 157 employees including vice president roles.

Edge computing brings data processing closer to vehicles, reducing latency and bandwidth use. This enables real-time features like hazard alerts, infotainment updates, and smarter traffic routing all without heavy reliance on distant cloud servers. The outcome is faster responses and enhanced in-car experiences.

Researchers at University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) have built a portable plastic recycler that melts waste like bottles and containers at 70–80°C and reshapes it into new products in 15–20 minutes. Compact, affordable, and patent-approved, it enables small institutions to manage plastic waste. The prototype was tested on Independence Day with tricolour badges and crafts.

Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS) has announced the launch of its brand mascot Mira a smart, approachable digital advisor created to help India Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) navigate their digital journey with ease. As India SME sector accelerates its digital adoption, many businesses face challenges in understanding and implementing the right technological tools.

Wipro is acquiring the Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS) business of Harman, which is a Samsung-owned company. This deal will expand its engineering research and development services. The DTS unit specialises in digital engineering with expertise in domain-led design, connected products, and software platforms. As part of the acquisition, more than 5,600 DTS employees will join Wipro.

A strong brand identity helps new businesses connect emotionally with customers before they even make a purchase. Choosing relatable names, balancing colours that convey trust and energy, and designing logos that feel familiar can build instant recognition. This approach reduces the barrier to trial and accelerates market acceptance for emerging brands.

Automation dashboards can reduce reporting errors by up to 60% by directly pulling data from integrated sources like CRMs, finance tools, and marketing platforms. Instead of manual entry, they auto-refresh metrics in real time, flag inconsistencies instantly, and provide unified views. This not only minimises human mistakes but also speeds up decision-making with reliable insights.

Consulting partnerships help Indian SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) bridge expertise gaps in finance, compliance, and technology without hiring full-time teams. By collaborating with consultants, SMEs improve Return on Investment (ROI), streamline processes, and adapt to market shifts quickly. This approach lowers costs while giving smaller firms a competitive edge in crowded sectors.

Pakistan faced a nationwide internet outage after heavy rainfall, impacting nearly two-thirds of internet users in the country. A similar blackout hit Pakistan in 2022, when floods damaged main fibre routes. "For two-thirds of Pakistan to go dark in 2025, on the very date we saw the same collapse in 2022, should ring alarm bells," said an internet industry official.

Rajya Sabha has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, to ban real-money online games. Speaking on the Bill, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that 45 crore people in India lost an amount of over ₹20,000 crore on online money gaming. He called online money gaming a menace like drugs, warning that addiction has claimed several lives.

Apple has rolled out new patches for iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1 and urged all users to install this update after a major security threat cyber attack. As per the company, the patch fixes a major security loophole that appears to have been used in what it called a "highly advanced attack” aimed at select users.