Feature Request | Authored Article by Students of Jasudben ML School on World Students Day 2021

 Impact of Technology on Gen – Z

-   Kovidh Manel, Std 8 (Jasudben ML School)

Smartphones, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media. Generation “Z” is one of its kind, having been born into an age when technology is flourishing. The evolution of technology from the iMacs of the 90’s to the “Smartphones” of today, has dramatically changed how we view our world.

In the later part of 20^th Century, the Internet was just being introduced. Towards the 1990’s, new knowledge helped the evolution of our world to the way it is today. Modern technology helped to create the smart watches, phones and even televisions of today.

The pros of the impact of technology on Generation Z are:

Social Media has made the Generation Z more aware about their community and other people. Many children and young adults take part in social activities. An article by Forbes talks about 11 different activities which are popular among the Generation Z.

Since The Generation Z has been born and raised in the age of the internet, they have become ultra tech-savvy. They have quick thinking minds which enables them to operate the latest tools and gadgets. As more businesses are investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI), it creates a whole set of jobs for Generation Z in the future. With plentiful amounts of information available online, they end up making better decisions than others. Children and young adults have access to smartphones, the internet, and an immense amount of search engine tools.

Technology also has its cons which are very bad:

The over presence of teenagers in social media platforms dangerously influences their minds. Children around the world use platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. The presence of AI in the platforms increasingly leads to harm. Nearly half of the Internet’s users are under the age of 25. Most spend 48 hours on their devices every week. Most of Generation Z has access to smartphones. Some also have Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The advancement in technology has not only made people’s lives easier, it has also affected their thinking skills and behaviours. Spending a lot of time on the internet creates issues for them. As self-esteem decreases, they may face confidence issues. Cyber-bullying increases the chances for them to face lack of confidence with themselves. An article by the Guardian revealed that up to 35% of people in the age category of 11-17 experienced cyber-bullying. They suggest that it could also increase due to the unbelievable rise of the internet. Gen Z finds it very difficult to make relationships with friends as they falsify their appreciation on the posts of their cyber friends. This affects trust issues and maintaining jobs in their youth.

To summarise, excess use of technology and social media leads to addiction and, in the worst cases, ADHD. Technology, if used wisely, can be a boon to one’s life! It’s a double sided sword. Generation Z benefits only from an appropriate use of technology.

AARYA RESEARCH COMPETITION

“Is the GEN Z YOUTH MOVING FROM EXISTENTIAL TO INTENTIONAL ONLINE SOCIAL ACTIVISM?”With this question in mind, the youth of College of Home Science Nirmala Niketan Arwa Attarwala, Hetvi Doshi, Mariya Khokhar, Ruqaiyah Karu, Sakina Manasawala, Mariya Khokhar conducted a survey amongst the youth of Mumbai.

Generation Z (Gen Z) comprising 1.2 billion young people or 16% of global population, use digital technology since a young age and are comfortable with Internetandsocial media for communication. Social mediaare interactive computer-mediated technologies facilitating creation or sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities.Social media refers to all the applications and websites or blogs interconnect via internet, chats and share content.The use of social media has both positive and negative impact on our youths today.

Dr. Vishaka Karnad their guide says “In this research students aimed to bring to light the positive impact of social media specifically to the youth of this generation. The positive impact of social events happening around the globe enables them to network and stay connected to fellow youth and friends without physical meetings. It keeps them updated with current situations. It does not deny the harmful effects of social media but it purports that Gen Z realizes the use of social media for social activism than being simply existential by moving towards intentional social good”

Using India’s burgeoning internet culture acid victimshave become online activists establishing the stop acid attack campaign since 2013.The campaign has been raising awareness of the issue on social media and has used the internet to crowd fund resources for acid attacks survivors to gather funds for payments for medical treatment to legal fees to fight the perpetrators.

“THAT POST SAVED MY LIFE”Social media offers new home of justice to acid attacks survivor. Online community came to rescue social victims gave them the confidence stand on their grounds.

NIRBHAYA & SOCIAL ACTIVISM resulted as protests occurring online as well as on social media, Facebook and WhatsApp. Users replaced their profile images with a black dot symbol.Tens and thousands signed online petition protesting the incident.People were asking the lawmakers to awake and petition platform received more than 65,000 signatories.Government and judiciary pressurized to take cognizance to prevent repeat of such incidents.

With regards to obesity and social forum, World Health Organization has recognized the importance of social resources, as a valuable agent for behavior change in health promotion.Social resources are translated at the community level as a support provided by significant others such as family, partners and peers in the encouragement.Social support has been shown to improve health and well-being, whereas social isolation has been shown to have a negative impact on health outcome.Social support provided by peers has been shown to be a useful strategy to employ weight management programs.The documented increased use of ICT and social media has presented health promoters with a potentially useful medium to increase social support for weight management. Thus, social media has also abated obesity related issues.

In the case of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender [LGBT], social media is a way for similar people to connect with the community and to learn about theirgroups and individuals who have affinity for the third gender.In urban India, social media and corporate initiatives have created increased awareness of LGBT rights.

The study was undertaken to assess the use of social media amongst GEN Z for mediating youth problems such as mental illness, drugs and alcohol or substance abuse, obesity, etc. that youth are facing currently and to relate opinions on social media and its use for online social activism for a positive purpose and impact.Although social media is an indirect perpetrator, it is simultaneously becoming a forum for solving these issues. The study thus aimed at identifying positive influences of social media to address problems faced by Gen Z. 60% respondents invest two-four hours daily on social media. 85% respondents were of the opinion that using social media has positive effect on them with higher happiness score. 89% consider it as one of best platforms for bringing about awareness amongst youth, the problems that they face changing their outlook to problems of gender discrimination, acid victimization, drug or alcohol abuse. Gen Z is moving though gradually towards becoming intentionally active on social issues and will soon have a bandwagon effect to mediate and resolve them.

Disclaimer: The findings presented here have been obtained and derived from primary and secondary open data sources available online and from a survey involving 101 respondents in Mumbai. The results have been presented at a Research Competition AARYA held on 28^th February, 2020.

Snap study finds Indians have amongst the largest groups of friends in the world, but Gen Z is starting to buck the trend

June 25, 2019 - Snap Inc. today released a global study of 10,000 people across Australia, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and the US to explore how culture, age, and technology shape preferences and attitudes around friendship. Ten experts on friendship from around the world contributed to the report to contextualise the data.

“Snapchat’s commitment to enabling self-expression and connecting real friends compelled us to explore the attitudes, values and perceptions that shape friendship across cultures and generations,” said Amy Moussavi, Snap Inc. head of consumer insights. “While friendship may be different across regions and age groups, it plays a universally central role in our happiness and we are committed to finding new ways to celebrate and elevate it through Snapchat."

The Friendship Report sheds new light on the nature of friendship, including:

●        How different cultures’ interpretation of friendship impacts friendship circles: people in India, the Middle East and SouthEast Asia report having three times the number of best friends as those in Australia, Europe and the U.S.

●        How friendship is linked to happiness and how those without friends or with overly large friendship groups find it more difficult to talk about their problems or share when they are feeling low

●        How we consider and form friendships is most heavily shaped by when, rather than where we are born: Gen Z in the US have more in common with Boomers in India than their own grandparents

●        Gen Z are adjusting their approach to friendship away from the Millennial desire for widespread networks and are looking for more closeness and intimacy with a smaller group

In India, friendship is the most celebrated human relationship with a wealth of popular culture - from songs to movies - extolling its influence on our lives. The Friendship Report also provides an insight into how Indians think of and relate to their friends compared to the rest of the world.

Indians have more best friends

Indians have on average six best friends. Only Saudi Arabians have more with 6.6, while the UK ranks the lowest with an average of only 2.6. Interestingly, not only do people in India have more friends overall, they also want more; with 45% of respondents indicating they would like to expand their social circle. In the report, Amit Desai, a lecturer of anthropology at the London School of Economics suggested that the approach to friendship differs from ‘the East’ to ‘the West.’ He explains that in Western Europe and North America, “friendship is about finding people who are like you and bonding over your similarities.” In many Asian countries, including India, he says friendship is more relational and focuses on seeking out an array of new and different friends who bring alternative but complementary qualities to the relationship.

Gen Z is turning away from large friendship circles

This approach is changing for the youngest generations however; Gen Z is starting to turn away from such large friendship circles, with the lowest average (5.2) compared to Gen X having the most (7.5). They are also slightly less likely to want as many friends as possible than Gen Y, (44% to 46%), more likely to want a small friendship group of people they can trust (23% compared to 20%) and twice as likely as Gen Y to not be interested in friendships (4%). Gen Z are also half as likely as Gen Y to consider friends having a large social group they can tap into, to be an important trait.

Love is central to friendship in India

Whether in person or online, interactions with friends leave Indians with overwhelmingly positive emotions; ‘loved’ (55% in person versus 43% online), ‘happy’ (48% in person versus 46% online), and ‘supported’ (43% in person versus 36% online) are the three most reported.

Indians are most ready to fall fast for a friend, 23% became best friends at “first like.” A third of Indians also say that their best friend is the opposite sex, more than any other country outside of the US. Amit Desai has researched friendship in India extensively and believes that the shift is down to a change in romantic relationships. He suggests that while marriages in urban India have traditionally been arranged by parents, increasingly young people are seeing marriage in romantic terms that include dating, falling in love and having a spouse that is also your friend.

Honesty is the best policy

The report shows that regardless of generation, almost two-thirds of Indians consider honesty an important trait to have in a friend (63%). This does vary slightly by generation, however, being valued most by older generations (73%) and least by Gen Z (60%), who also value humour and lightheartedness (47%) - the highest of any generation.

Dynamics of communicating with friends has evolved over a period of time, and unlike earlier generations, 26% of Gen Z and Gen Y see technology as a boon that enables them to have more honest and open conversation, 25% Gen Y believes chatting through apps has brought them closer to their friends.

A picture paints a thousand words

The report also suggests that video and photos can also be an aid in clarity; 73% of Indians say that video and photos help them to express what they want to say in a way that they can’t with words. Unsurprisingly, video and images also help people to express themselves where they don’t share a native language with their friends; 29% of those from India state that communicating through the camera is more effective.

This could be to do with language barriers. Globally, India, Malaysia, and the UAE were the regions least likely to say they grew up speaking the same language as all of their friends, and in these countries, 24% of people state that communicating through the camera reduces language barriers. Regardless of language differences, an average of 56% of people from all countries love sending video and photos because it helps them to say what they can’t with words.

Miriam Kirmayer, an American Therapist and Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology specializing in interpersonal relationships says that, “Any medium that allows us to share both verbal and non-verbal behavior, like video, can help us to feel closer and more connected and to navigate relationship challenges with clarity.” She also suggests that research shows that even things like emojis can help to replace the subtlety of emotion and intent which is often lost in online conversations.

You can access the full report here.

About the Repor

The Friendship Report, commissioned in partnership with Protein Agency, polled 10,000 nationally representative people ages 13 to 75 in Australia, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the U.K. and the U.S. In India, 2,004 respondents participated in the survey in the month of April 2019. Respondents were a random sampling of consumers and not chosen for their use of Snapchat; they were broken into four main generational groups, Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and baby boomers, and were surveyed on their thoughts on friendship. The Friendship Report unlocks new findings around how friends interact across the globe and generations, while also highlighting the impact of technology on our lives.

About Snap Inc.

Snap Inc. is a camera company. We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. For more information, visit snap.com.

Half of Indian knowledge workers would quit or look for a job elsewhere if their employer’s actions are misaligned with their values, reveals Atlassian research

Bangalore, June 14, 2023 – Atlassian Corporation (NASDAQ:TEAM), the maker of Jira, Confluence and Bitbucket, has commissioned its Return on Action research in India, examining the impact of the action, or inaction, of businesses in tackling pressing social and environmental issues. 

The research, undertaken by PwC Australia with support from PwC India, reveals an overwhelming majority (97%) of knowledge workers expect action from businesses on issues related to the environment, health & wellbeing, the economy, technology, human rights and equality, and 82% believe businesses should be just as concerned with their social impact as they are with their financial performance. 

Crucially, there are high risks if an employer's actions don't align with the values held by their employees. Half (50%) of knowledge workers would go so far as quit their job or start looking for employment elsewhere as a result of value misalignment - this increases to 51% amongst Millennials, the core workforce, and 53% of women knowledge workers who are also more likely to admit feeling pressure from their employer to support causes they don’t believe in. 

As well as losing staff, there is a danger of a negative impact on workplace culture, performance, and organizational reputation if employer and employees’ values do not align. Nearly half (49%) would discuss discontent with their colleagues and over one-third (34%) with people outside of their organisation, while 43% would be “disengaged” at work. Discontent manifests differently across genders, with men more likely to discuss their grievances with colleagues, while women are more likely to consider an alternative job role with lower pay and fewer benefits, despite the current challenging economic environment. 

Consultation is key (and reaps rewards) 

Jessica Hyman, Head of Sustainability, Atlassian said, “Our inaugural Return on Action research in India sends a clear message to businesses that speaking up and acting on social and environmental issues is non-negotiable. It’s no longer a decision on whether to act, it’s a matter of how.” 

“But before making that leap, the research highlights the crucial need for businesses to consult with their employees from the outset, with over three-quarters (83%) of knowledge workers wanting to have a say in the societal issues their employer acts on. From here, businesses must determine its approach in a way that aligns with both employee values and its business strategy.” 

The business case for considered action is clear with the research revealing a strong correlation between satisfaction with the actions of an employer and overall job satisfaction, which is crucial for employee retention and attracting talent in an increasingly competitive market. 

Issues where employees demand action 

As India leads the G20 Summit Presidency for 2023, there is a huge focus on digital transformation, sustainability and equitable growth for all, and these themes are mirrored in the Return on Action findings. 

A large proportion of Indian knowledge workers consider businesses to be primarily responsible for addressing issues relating to technology, the economy and the environment, and hold high expectations for businesses to do even more. 

Technology: Companies looking to compete in technologies like AI, Machine Learning and cloud have a big opportunity to prove they are adopting these technologies responsibly. Almost one-third (31%) of respondents agree that businesses have the primary responsibility for addressing issues related to technology pertaining to digital privacy, responsible use of technology and data and digital infrastructure, even more so than the government (18%). When asked the top issues businesses should act on, technology issues topped the list across all age demographics - specifically, digital privacy for Gen Z (86%) and Millennials (84%), responsible use of data for Gen X (88%) and digital infrastructure for Baby Boomers (91%). 

The environment: According to the 2022 World Air Quality Report, India was eighth globally in its rankings of PM2.5 concentration, i.e. harmful air pollutants, and 12 of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia are in India. Atlassian’s study found environmental pollution placed at the highest relative importance by respondents. 89% agree businesses need to do more in addressing waste and pollution, and 87% agree they should take full responsibility for their environmental impact e.g. renewable energy and zero waste. 

The economy: Over half (56%) of knowledge workers believe issues related to the economy, such as unemployment, corruption and poverty, are more important now compared to the past 12 months, and 43% believe businesses need to do more to address these issues. In the current economic environment, unemployment ranked fourth in relative importance of social issues overall. 

Empowering employees 

“There are many ways a business can demonstrate to employees its commitment to an issue, from setting public facing goals, reporting out progress against them, investing in external partnerships and advocating for critical policy,” Jessica Hyman added. “But above all, knowledge workers expressed a desire to be empowered to take action themselves, such as through education programs or opportunities for fundraising or volunteering. This is a powerful way for businesses to work alongside their employees creating the time, space and support for them to lead the change they want to see, rather than dictating the path ahead.” 

Methodology 

The survey was conducted Pan-India by PwC Australia with support from PwC India between 10th February and 23rd February 2023 with a sample size of 2,406 knowledge workers across a range of states, industries, and demographics. The data in this report is significance tested to a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of 2%.  

About Atlassian 

Teams of more than 250,000 customers use Atlassian's collaboration and productivity software to organize, discuss, and complete shared work. Learn more about its products, including Jira Software, Confluence, Jira Service Management, Trello, Bitbucket, and Jira Align at https://www.atlassian.com/  

OnePlus Unveils Heartwarming Diwali 2024 Campaign: Make It Special For Everyone

The ad film redefines sense of “community” by bringing to light the often over-looked community of animals who deserve equal compassion too
Please click here to access the ad campaign images!

Bangalore, 26th September — This Diwali, OnePlus is committed to making celebrations inclusive and meaningful with its new Diwali campaign, titled, “Make It Special for Everyone”. Embracing its community spirit at large, OnePlus focuses on spreading joy through thoughtful gestures, impacting the lives of people and animals alike.
The theme of this year’s OnePlus campaign, #MakeItSpecial revolves around extending small acts of kindness and their power to make a difference. The brand campaign highlights how Diwali is about acknowledging every bond that forms a community, over and above our families and loved ones, including pets and often overlooked homeless animals.
Conceptualised in-house by the OnePlus marketing team and directed by Kameron, the upcoming festive marketing campaign from OnePlus promises to bring warmth and joy to audiences with two heartwarming films. These films revolve around how one can effortlessly extend their Diwali celebrations to their furry friends by including their pets as well as the community animals through simple gestures of compassion and inclusivity.
The main film captures the festive spirit of Diwali through the touching story of a family and their pet dog, who quietly brings a truly wholesome vibe to the festivities in the house. The film beautifully reflects the unconditional emotions that pets can display not just towards their family, but also towards their fellow furry friends, including dogs in need of shelter too. Inspired by how pure their pet’s motives are, the family decides to include these homeless animals in their festive celebrations too, thereby demonstrating how simple acts of giving can make a meaningful Diwali for all.
The ad film seamlessly integrates OnePlus ecosystem of products such as the premium OnePlus 12, and the OnePlus Pad, highlighting how the brand’s offerings make for incredible gifts, making these celebrations even more meaningful.
Additionally, the second ad film, scheduled to release soon, adds a touch of humour to the festive season. It features a young couple who both unexpectedly gift each other the OnePlus Nord 4, showcasing the sheer popularity of Nord devices among the Gen-Z audience. The light-hearted twist comes courtesy of their adorable cat, whose presence adds incredible joy to the couple’s lives, while the cat playfully and unabashedly eyes for the Nord 4 too.
Addressing the campaign, Ishita Grover, Director of Marketing, OnePlus India, shared, “Our #MakeItSpecial campaign is a heartfelt celebration of joy and inclusivity this Diwali. This year, we are focusing on the profound impact of small acts of kindness and the beauty of extending our celebrations to everyone around us, including those often overlooked such as pets and animals in need of shelter. By sharing the spirit of giving and togetherness, we aim to strengthen our community spirit and hope this brings a sense of warmth and belonging to everyone who watches it.
We hope this campaign inspires people to embrace the true essence of Diwali, creating cherished memories and making the season truly special for all—family, friends, and even our furry companions.”
Addressing the campaign, a senior spokesperson from Kameron shared, “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the talented OnePlus India team on this Diwali campaign. It was inspiring to see our two directors, Sami Joensuu and Prince Shah, work in perfect harmony to capture the universal themes of community and the celebration of life’s blessings. One of the standout moments for us was the inclusion of the homeless dogs in the narrative, which reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that even the lost and lonely are seen, valued, and cared for. This partnership not only solidifies our bond but also highlights the powerful impact of unity and compassion in multicultural societies.”
Alongside these films, OnePlus is also spearheading a CSR initiative in collaboration with Heads Up For Tails Foundation to provide essential supplies such as food, medicines, seasonal care products, etc. for nearly 20,000 shelter animals, reinforcing the campaign’s message of inclusivity and kindness for community animals.
The ad film will be available across YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and can be accessed here.

About OnePlus India

OnePlus is a global technology company challenging conventional concepts of technology. Created around the ‘Never Settle’ mantra, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high-performance hardware. OnePlus thrives on cultivating strong bonds and growing together with its community of users and fans. For more information, please visit oneplus.in.

For any media queries, please contact: indiaprteam@oneplus.com

For more information, please visit OnePlus.in or follow us on:  

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Samsung SmartThings Connects People to the Things That Matter Most

 

• Samsung reveals new research demonstrating consumers’ latest desires for technology in the home
• 

Global – August 31, 2023: Samsung Electronics today showcased its latest innovations for the connected home. During its IFA 2023 press conference, the company highlighted its vision for SmartThings is to enable consumers across Europe to prioritise the topics they care about — from saving energy, increasing security and access to great entertainment to making their everyday lives more efficient. The ever-growing SmartThings ecosystem allows its 285 million users to adapt and personalise their homes to suit their needs, seamlessly connecting and controlling multiple appliances and devices via one app.

Samsung’s presence at IFA 2023 comes as the company shares new consumer research, conducted across Europe to understand evolving needs for technology in the home.¹

“Samsung is passionate about connecting our users to the people, places and pastimes that matter most to them,” said Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Europe. “We will continue to take advantage of the possibilities offered by the latest innovations in technology to make sure the SmartThings ecosystem grows and develops in a way that allows people to make even more of the connections that matter.”

Enhancing the At-Home Experience

The SmartThings app allows users to control their homes from anywhere, helping them to enjoy seamless entertainment as well as keeping them safe. Across Europe, our homes continue to be more important than ever as they play multiple roles each day — from offices to places for relaxation and entertainment. Seven in ten consumers (71%) agree that technology has a positive impact on their everyday living, including how they interact with their friends and family, how they conduct their chores and how they enjoy their hobbies.¹

Now, those with a passion for food can fully connect themselves to the joy of cooking and eating with Samsung Food, the new all-in-one app for recipe searching, saving and sharing, meal planning, cooking and grocery shopping. Announced at the press conference, Samsung Food is available in 104 countries and eight languages and puts the world’s food knowledge at users’ fingertips, empowering them to make the food, health and cooking decisions that are right for them. It also connects to users’ kitchens, instantly sending the right time and temperature to their compatible Samsung oven. With more than 160,000 recipes, there will always be something new to cook.

By the end of the year, using Food AI, Samsung Food will provide personalised recipes reflecting users’ dietary requirements, such as converting recipes into a vegan version in just a few taps. In a further enhancement due later this year, it will link with Samsung Health so tailored meal plans can be adapted to suit preferences and dietary requirements, as well as support users in reaching their health goals. In 2024, using Vision AI technology, Samsung Food will use photos taken of meals to check nutritional information, recognise ingredients and recommend the best recipes to use them in.

As the number one TV brand for 17 years in a row,² Samsung has an unrivalled commitment to entertainment. It has completed its super screen line up with the launch of the 98” Neo QLED 8K and 4K Q80C and plans to bring its full range of Micro LED screens to Europe by the end of the year, offering incredible contrast and jaw-dropping detail that places viewers in the middle of the action whether gaming or watching films.

To celebrate Disney’s 100^th anniversary, Samsung has announced the launch of The Frame — Disney100 Edition. Featuring an exclusive bezel in the Disney 100 signature platinum silver metal and a unique Mickey Mouse inspired Disney remote. It also comes with 100 pieces of iconic art from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel, Lucasfilm and National Geographic, as well as classic images of Mickey, Minnie, Woody, Cinderella and many others. Users can also display their family photos for a magical home environment.

Also announced at the press conference was the global launch of The Freestyle 2^nd Gen. This versatile, portable projector delivers a big screen experience wherever the user chooses — even on the ceiling. The Smart Edge Blending feature offers landscape and portrait screen experiences, meaning two Freestyle 2^nd Gen projectors can be paired to give a 160” panoramic and 120” vertical viewing experience. What is more, with complete access to the Samsung Gaming Hub, users of the Freestyle 2^nd Gen can enjoy the biggest games from Samsung’s streaming partners.

In partnership with Xbox and Bethesda Softworks, this now includes Starfield, the stunning, next-generation role-playing game set amongst the stars. Playable through the Samsung Gaming Hub with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, without the need for a console.

Taking Small Steps for Our Planet

Samsung is committed to developing products and services that help people save money and take steps towards a better planet. These topics are high on the agenda for consumers too, over three quarters (77%) say they seek out tech products that save energy — not only to save money, but for the benefit of the environment too.⁴ Two-thirds (67%) also consider it important that their next appliance can connect to an app that allows them to monitor and reduce their energy consumption.⁴

With energy prices increasing across Europe,³ 72% of those asked are concerned about the cost of running appliances in their home.⁴ To help combat this, SmartThings Energy can help users optimise the energy used across their appliances to suit their needs and lower usage. For example, AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy allows you to monitor and reduce your washing machine’s energy use by up to 70%⁵ by using Ecobubble to wash with cool water instead of warm.

Samsung has also partnered with global ocean conservation organisation Ocean Wise and apparel maker Patagonia to find solutions to the issue of microfiber shedding. The Less Microfiber™ Filter is an external washing machine filter that cuts up to 98% of microplastic emissions from laundry cycles.⁶ Speaking at IFA, Charlie Cox, Manager of Microplastic Solutions at Ocean Wise said, “Through our collaboration with Samsung and Patagonia, Ocean Wise is proud to have shown a way for industry to play its part in stemming the flow of microfibers into the ocean. Through innovations like the Less Microfiber™ Filter, we can empower individuals to reduce their microfiber footprint at home. It is a simple, everyday solution that our oceans will thank us for.”

Heating technologies like heat pumps represent a rapidly growing market, and Samsung is at the forefront of this growth. Its innovative smart air source heat pumps have seen an unprecedented 97% growth in sales since 2022.⁷ These work with domestic hot water tanks or with Samsung’s ClimateHub, to make your home comfortable all year round, whatever the weather. They can also connect to the SmartThings ecosystem, so their energy use can be monitored and tailored to the user’s preferred environment.⁸ The latest addition to its range of high temperature monobloc heat pump solutions, the EHS Mono R290, launches in September.

Samsung’s journey is constantly evolving as it aims to design technology that helps people make the most of their day while taking small steps to reduce our environmental impact. The Galaxy Z Flip5⁹ and Z Fold5¹⁰ and the Galaxy Tab S9 series¹¹ feature a variety of recycled materials, including recycled aluminium, glass and plastics sourced from ocean-bound discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles. Even the Galaxy Watch6 series incorporate post-consumer recycled plastics. All of these Galaxy innovations come in packaging boxes made using recycled paper material.¹²

Keeping Your Home Secure

Samsung understands the reassurance that smart technology can provide across the generations. Security was an emerging theme from the research conducted. Watching their home while they aren’t there (54%), feeling safer when home alone (39%) and keeping their family safe when they are out of the house (39%) are seen as the key safety benefits of smart technology.13

The SmartThings ecosystem includes a range of partners who are committed to helping people keep their homes and loved ones safe. This now includes Yale, a leading brand in home security. The Yale Linus® Smart Lock and the new Smart Opener for Gate & Garage enable doors and gates to be locked remotely via the app to ensure peace of mind for all family members.

Unlocking the Future Through Smart Technology

Samsung is invested in a future built around the possibilities that technology can unlock. One area it aims to make a difference is in making the technology for smart homes more easily available. The research shows a quarter of Europeans consider the inclusion of smart technology to be a key factor in the desirability of their next home and over three quarters of respondents said fully functional smart homes are appealing (77%).

Understanding this, Samsung is working to make these possibilities a reality and it believes in the power of collaboration when it comes to driving this vision forward. By partnering with ABB Smart Buildings and SMA, one of the world’s leading providers of photovoltaic and storage system technology, it hopes to connect people more closely to their homes by embedding the possibilities of smart technology into houses before they are bought. By integrating ABB and SMA products into SmartThings Energy, homes can become even safer, smarter and more sustainable. For example, the ability to run appliances at the optimum time, tracking energy use to adjust consumption based on energy prices and usage patterns and optimising energy use based on solar production.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems and memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN

Zee Business and Choice Broking inspire Financial Confidence at ‘Bharose Ki Choice’ campaign in Delhi, Empowering Attendees to Make Smarter Investments

After the resounding success of its debut in Ahmedabad, Zee Business, in collaboration with Choice Broking, hosted the second edition of the ‘Bharose Ki Choice’ campaign in Delhi. This on-ground initiative is a testament to their shared mission of empowering individuals to confidently manage their financial futures. With a focus on investor education, trust-building, and seamless access to financial tools, the event brought together thought leaders and audiences eager to unlock the secrets of financial independence.

The Delhi edition featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on ‘How to Achieve Financial Freedom’. Moderated by Saurabh Manchanda, the session included distinguished speakers such as Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor of Zee Business; Kamal Poddar, Managing Director of Choice International Limited; and Mr. Vikas Khemani, Founder, Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors Pvt. Ltd.,. The conversation explored key topics like trading strategies, investment insights, risk management, the evolving preferences of Gen Z investors etc. Attendees left equipped with actionable advice and a deeper understanding of how to make sound financial choices.

This on-ground campaign has been designed to simplify investment processes and make them accessible to all. It also looks forward encourage citizens to invest in a wide range of financial products, including stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, insurance, and secured instruments. Choice Broking, a trusted name in financial services and listed on both NSE and BSE, ensures that individuals have the necessary tools to make informed financial decisions.

Mr. Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor of Zee Business, reflected on the campaign’s impact, highlighting, “Empowering individuals with financial knowledge has always been a cornerstone of our vision at Zee Business. The ‘Bharose Ki Choice’ campaign is not just a series of events but a movement to instil confidence and trust among investors. It is our endeavor to provide clarity, guidance, and inspiration for every individual’s financial journey.”

Mr. Kamal Poddar, Managing Director of Choice International Limited, emphasized the role of technology in financial empowerment, stating: “The role of technology in empowering investors cannot be overstated. With the Choice FinX app, we are revolutionizing how people approach their financial goals, making investing more accessible, transparent, and efficient for all. Collaborating with Zee Business for this campaign allows us to reach more individuals and help them achieve financial independence.”

Mr. Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), highlighted the synergy between media and technology: “Zee Media has always been at the forefront of delivering impactful content that drives change. The ‘Bharose Ki Choice’ campaign exemplifies our commitment to informing and empowering citizens through partnerships that combine journalistic excellence with technological innovation. Together, we aim to enable individuals to take charge of their financial destinies.”

The Delhi edition of the ‘Bharose Ki Choice’ campaign proved to be a remarkable success, offering attendees practical strategies for effective investment management and demonstrating how technology, like the Choice FinX app, simplifies the financial journey while enabling informed decision-making. Building on the momentum of its successful editions in Ahmedabad and Delhi, the campaign is emerging as a trailblazer in investor education. By leveraging Zee Business’s expertise in financial journalism and Choice Broking’s cutting-edge solutions, ‘Bharose Ki Choice’ is inspiring confidence, enhancing financial literacy, and empowering individuals to achieve lasting financial independence.

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 21 News channels, reaching more than 555+ million viewers in current year through its linear properties.

ROPOSO AND RANA DAGGUBATI GIVE MEN’S GROOMING INDUSTRY A MAKEOVER WITH LAUNCH OF BRAND ‘DCRAF’

Highlights:  

·         DCRAF is the latest in the line of celebrity-led direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands being launched by Roposo through “Glance Collective”  

·         The new brand aims to make grooming routines for men simple and effective with easy-to-use products for face, beard, and skincare  

·         Men’s grooming is amongst the fastest growing categories for live commerce on Roposo

Actor and celebrity Rana Daggubati and India’s leading creator-led live entertainment commerce platform Roposo today announced the launch of their co-created men’s grooming brand DCRAF.   

This launch is the latest in the line of celebrity-led original labels to be launched by Roposo through Glance Collective - a joint venture between Roposo’s parent company Glance and talent management firm Collective Artists Network. In November 2021, they had jointly launched their first co-created brand ‘EK’ with Ekta Kapoor, in the home and wellness category. Roposo is looking at co-creating around 100 such celebrity and creator-led brands across multiple segments, with an aim of fueling the creator economy through multiple entrepreneurial opportunities.   

DCRAF is derived from ‘D’ for Daggubati, and ‘craf’ - a colloquial short form of the English expression ‘Hair Craft’ - popularly associated with men’s grooming in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It will cater to millennial and Gen-Z men in tier-I and tier-II markets. The brand has grooming products for face, beard, and skincare categories. DCRAF believes that grooming and taking care of oneself should not be tedious. By overly complicating grooming rituals, most brands tend to alienate consumers and deter men from experiencing the joy that comes with looking and feeling good. DCRAF aims to simplify grooming through well-designed products and communication that "keep things simple".   

DCRAF prides itself on being an Indian brand with inclusivity as its core philosophy. For instance, it uses fun, creative adaptations of Indian faces from across the country and various regional scripts in its branding as a celebration of India’s diversity. The brand also plans to launch a unique reality show, live and exclusive on Roposo and Glance, to find a user who will be the next face of DCRAF. The winner will be featured on the uber-cool DCRAF packaging and will join Rana in representing the brand.  

“I have been conceptualizing a simplified men’s grooming brand for quite some time now. With Roposo enabling the co-creation of celebrity-led brands, it became possible to take this concept to the market at such a large scale, very quickly,” said Rana Daggubati. “I believe that men neglect skincare and grooming because it seems overly complex to them. With DCRAF, my aim is to make ‘looking good’ simple for men through trustworthy, effective products. I’m happy to have found a partner like Roposo to make DCRAF a reality,” he added.   

Mansi Jain, Vice President and General Manager, Roposo said, “Our intention has been to partner with celebrities and creators to launch brands that reflect their unique persona and become an extension of who they are.” Jain added, “Rana is one of the most fashionable contemporary male celebrities and is followed by many for his sense of style and grooming. We are delighted to be partnering with him to launch DCRAF. With the live commerce technology and the scale of our platforms, we expect DCRAF to be discovered by millions of users across India.”    

The men’s grooming market has been growing rapidly in India and is one of the major focus areas for live commerce on Glance and Roposo. According to market estimates, the industry is expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 11%. Fashion and beauty, which includes men’s grooming, is the top-performing category on Roposo, and 50% of its total live commerce creators belong to it. The platform expects the launch of DCRAF to further accelerate growth in this segment. 

Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO, Collective Artists Network said, "Co-creating this brand with Rana has been exciting and we can’t wait for this vision to come to life. The brand exemplifies the aura and philosophy of Rana Daggubati in every way. We believe DCRAF’s ethos of simplicity will connect deeply with consumers and create impact.”   

Consumers can discover the DCRAF product range via Roposo (active user base of around 30 million) and lock screen platform Glance (active user base of 173 million). In addition, it will be available on other popular e-commerce platforms and retail outlets soon. They can also pre-order the product range on www.dcraf.com now.   

About Roposo       

Roposo is a creator-driven live entertainment commerce platform, that brings together creators, shopping, and entertainment in a single destination. On Roposo, consumers shop live with hundreds of creators and on pop stores, for leading brands, across categories. With a vision to power the creator economy, Roposo endeavours to bring its creators a range of unique entrepreneurial opportunities, through live entertainment and commerce. The platform is a business unit of Glance. For more information visit www.roposo.com. The Roposo app can be downloaded on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.      

About Glance   

Founded in 2019, Glance is a consumer internet company that has created two highly disruptive digital platforms - Glance and Roposo. Glance has redefined the way internet is consumed on the lock screen, removing the need for searching and downloading apps. Over 400 million smartphones now come enabled with Glance’s next generation internet experience. Roposo has revolutionized commerce by launching a destination for creator-led live entertainment commerce. Headquartered in Singapore, Glance is an unconsolidated subsidiary of InMobi Group and is funded by Google and Mithril Capital. For more information visit glance.com, roposo.com and inmobi.com  

About Glance Collective     

Glance Collective is a JV between Glance and Collective Artists Network. It co-creates and operates multiple unique brands in partnership with some of India’s biggest celebrities and digital creators. Backed by the scale and the live commerce technology of Glance Lock Screen and Roposo, Glance Collective enables creators to launch successful direct-to-consumer brands that reflect their unique identities.