Category: Technology

  • Odyssey signs, seals, and delivers a new era for secure digital messages

    Odyssey signs, seals, and delivers a new era for secure digital messages

    MUMBAI: In a world where your email inbox is a minefield and every SMS might as well be from a Nigerian prince, one Chennai-based company is putting its foot down – firmly, and with a cryptographic boot.

    Odyssey Technologies, a veteran in the Indian infosec scene, just dropped two new products that promise to stop cyber crooks in their tracks. Because let’s face it – passwords are passé, and spam filters are about as useful as an umbrella in a hurricane.

    On 10 April 2025, the three-decade-old listed company unveiled xorkeesign Mail and xorkeesign Spot – first-of-their-kind digital signature solutions targeting the two most abused forms of communication: email and SMS. Think of them as the high-tech bouncers at the nightclub of your inbox. If your message isn’t on the list, it’s not getting in.

    Odyssey’s chairman & MD B. Robert Raja, minced no words, “Our experience in providing security software for sensitive financial segments led us to identify the asymmetry of digital identity as the core issue here. Hackers know their victims, but the victims remain unaware of this. Odyssey’s new products directly tackle this problem. By enabling senders to authenticate their emails, SMS, and other messages, xorkeesign Mail and xorkeesign Spot prevent hackers from hiding behind false identities, empowering potential victims with the ability to verify the authenticity of the communication.”

    Let’s break that down. xorkeesign Mail is a browser or email extension that allows users to digitally sign their emails – cue a very visible green strip confirming the message is authentic. Individuals with a Digital Signing Certificate (DSC) can use it, and organisations can verify employee identities en masse, sidestepping the need for individual sign-ups.

    The kicker? Verification is totally free.

    Meanwhile, xorkeesign Spot is gunning for your mobile. It’s the world’s first app that allows SMS and message authentication using digital signatures. Just highlight a message, run it through the app, and boom—you’ll know if it’s legit. The app also flexes its cryptographic muscle by enabling proof of identity during voice calls, video meetings, and in-person chats. Take that, deepfakes.

    Both apps are available for download on Google Play Store and Apple Store.

    Signing requires a subscription, but verifying?

    Still free.

    Odyssey didn’t stop there. Their AltaSigna Enterprise suite has been beefed up too. Businesses can now create, sign, encrypt, and send digital documents without a single change to their existing systems. They’ve even integrated this with xorkeesign’s plug-and-play architecture – yes, DSC tokens now work on mobile.

    Oh, and there’s more tech under the hood. The company’s xorkeeauth feature – an OTP-free, password-free login method – plays right into the RBI’s growing push for stronger, simpler digital authentication across web logins and high-value transactions.
    In short, Odyssey is done playing defence. With digital fraud and ‘digital arrest’ becoming household terms in India, the firm is making it painfully easy for users to sniff out scams. Over 200 million email users and a billion smartphone owners worldwide now have access to tools that say, ‘Not today, phisherman’.

  • Alldigi Tech taps AI’s ears with Nikki to lend an ear to employee vibes

    Alldigi Tech taps AI’s ears with Nikki to lend an ear to employee vibes

    MUMBAI: At Alldigi Tech, the new boss isn’t in a corner office or on Zoom calls. She’s digital, tireless, and allergic to small talk. Meet Nikki, the newly appointed virtual chief listening officer, and the latest AI hire tasked with tuning into employee moods, gripes, and giggles—all in real time. Forget your HR suggestion box, this one comes with sentiment analysis and zero judgement.

    Alldigi Tech, a global player in customer experience management, just turned the tables inward by appointing Nikki to elevate internal culture and employee engagement. Developed by Umwelt.AI, Nikki isn’t your standard chatbot; she’s an AI-powered platform that listens, analyses, and nudges HR and leadership into action with actual insights instead of quarterly guesses.

    “With over 20 years of experience transforming global enterprises, Alldigi Tech has always placed people at the center of its innovation,” said Alldigi Tech head of human resources Anurag Vishwakarma. “Listening isn’t just a skill, it’s a strategy. By appointing Nikki, we’re deepening our commitment to employee well-being, transparency, and continuous feedback. Our partnership with Umwelt.AI brings us a step closer to truly understanding and acting on what matters most to our people.”

    In short, Nikki is now the always-on therapist-slash-whistleblower keeping tabs on workplace sentiment, spotting red flags, and helping leaders act before an eye roll turns into a resignation. With hybrid work creating silos faster than you can say “workplace culture”, Nikki aims to bridge the empathy gap with cold, hard data – and perhaps a touch of virtual warmth.

    “The future of work demands more than periodic surveys; it calls for continuous, intelligent listening,” said Umwelt.AI founder & CEO Vishal Chopra. “Nikki is more than a virtual assistant, it’s a cultural catalyst. We’re thrilled to partner with Alldigi Tech to redefine how organisations engage, support, and grow their workforce.”

    By plugging Nikki into its workplace ecosystem, Alldigi Tech sends a clear message: employee well-being isn’t a quarterly KPI – it’s a full-time gig. From real-time feedback loops to mood tracking dashboards, this is HR with a software update. Nikki may not bring cupcakes to your desk, but she might just make you feel heard for once.

    This bold move underscores Alldigi Tech’s people-first strategy with a side of AI sass. As employee expectations skyrocket and quiet quitting becomes the loudest trend in HR circles, this virtual hire could be the secret sauce to retention, culture, and maybe even happier Mondays.

  • Global media titans converge, creator economy ignites as NAB Show 2025 concludes

    Global media titans converge, creator economy ignites as NAB Show 2025 concludes

    MUMBAI:  The National Association of Broadcasters (Nab) Show 2025 concluded on 9 April, solidifying its position as the premier global platform for technology for the media and entertainment industry. The event drew 55,000 registered attendees from 160 countries, demonstrating its international reach and influence.

    Nab Show executive vice president  Karen Chupka highlighted  the show’s role in showcasing the latest advancements in storytelling and technology. A significant 26 per cent of attendees travelled from outside the United States, and 53 per cent were first-time participants, highlighting the show’s expanding appeal.

    The exhibition floor, spanning an area equivalent to eight football fields, featured nearly 1,100 global exhibitors, including 125 new companies. Industry giants such as Adobe, AWS, Canon, Sony, and Verizon Business presented their latest innovations, driving forward the evolution of content creation and distribution. David Ross, CEO of Ross Video, described the show as a crucial platform for showcasing their entire product portfolio.

    Key trends at the show included artificial intelligence, the burgeoning creator economy, and the convergence of sports and technology. High-profile speakers, including Gotham Chopra from Religion of Sports, Jody Gerson of Universal Music Publishing Group, and WWE executives Nick Khan and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, engaged audiences with insights into the future of media. Dhar Mann and Steven A. Smith also captivated attendees with their perspectives on content creation and sports media.

    The show featured over 550 conference sessions and more than 1,000 speakers, addressing critical industry topics. The inaugural Sports Summit explored the intersection of sports, media, and technology, while the Business of Entertainment track, in partnership with The Ankler, examined media dealmaking and content strategies. Sessions on AWS, artificial intelligence, and sports streaming saw high attendance, reflecting the industry’s focus on emerging technologies. The Creator Lab provided a dedicated space for digital creators to explore new tools and resources.

    Nab launched its Creator Council, an advisory group comprising influential creators and thought leaders, to amplify creator voices and guide Nab’s engagement with the creator economy. This initiative underscores Nab’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of content creators.

    Major company announcements included Sony’s unveiling of the HDC-F5500V and HDC-P50A cameras, and Verizon Business’s introduction of a portable Private 5G Network framework designed to streamline live broadcasting.

    The Nab Show will return to New York from 22 -25 October 2025, and to Las Vegas from 18 to 22 April  2026.

  • Kamal Haasan hits Las Vegas tech show, NAB

    Kamal Haasan hits Las Vegas tech show, NAB

    MUMBAI: Actor-producer Kamal Haasan, currently deep in the throes of Thug Life preparations, sent social media into a frenzy today after his production house, Raaj Kamal Films, posted images of the actor exploring the NabShow at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.

    Haasan, known for his tech-savvy approach to filmmaking, was spotted perusing the latest film equipment, including cameras, sparking speculation about potential innovations in his upcoming projects. The photos, which quickly went viral, showed the actor immersed in the world of cutting-edge cinematic technology.

    The NabShow, a major event for broadcast, media, and entertainment professionals, provided Haasan with a glimpse into the future of filmmaking. Fans and industry insiders alike buzzed with excitement, wondering what new tricks the actor might be adding to his already impressive cinematic arsenal.

    Adding to the excitement, Haasan’s highly anticipated film, Thug Life, co-written with Mani Ratnam, is set to hit theatres on 5 June. The film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, including Silambarasan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Abhirami, and Nassar.

    Haasan is also gearing up for the release of Indian 3, the third installment in Shankar’s acclaimed “Indian” franchise. Looking ahead, the veteran actor is set to embark on his 237th film, collaborating with stunt choreographers Anbariv, known for their work on blockbuster hits like Beast, Leo, KGF, and Salaar.

  • NEP group launches TFC broadcast orchestration platform as a global service

    NEP group launches TFC broadcast orchestration platform as a global service

    MUMBAI: NEP group has announced the availability of its TFC broadcast orchestration platform as a service for broadcast facilities. TFC, originally developed for NEP’s internal use, integrates hardware and software from multiple vendors into a unified interface, streamlining control, automating tasks, and standardizing workflows.

    The platform, designed to simplify IP 2110 management, has been utilised in major productions globally, including the Super Bowl, the PGA TOUR, The Masters Tournament, and the World Cup.

    NEP Australia, New Zealand and Japan president Soames Treffry, stated that TFC is now available as a scalable service partnership. The platform is vendor-agnostic and supported by 24/7 global engineering support.

    TFC provides broadcast control, software-defined networking (SDN), real-time monitoring, and global technical support. It simplifies IP 2110 management through a user-friendly interface. The SDN component is designed for broadcast environments, offering real-time alerts on network health, uptime, latency, and device status.

    The platform is intended for customers managing IP environments, those without in-house network engineering expertise, or those transitioning from baseband to IP. Its security features also make it suitable for high-profile media platforms.

    Michael Raimondo, vice president of broadcast technology for the PGA tour highlighted the platform’s ability to simplify complex hardware and software management.

    TFC is scalable and can support various production environments, including sporting events, news facilities, and television productions. It is available as a licensed software solution.

    NEP group, headquartered in the United States with operations in 25 countries, provides media services for live sports and entertainment productions.

  • NAB Show 2025: Las Vegas event focuses on future of content and entertainment

    NAB Show 2025: Las Vegas event focuses on future of content and entertainment

    MUMBAI: NAB Show 2025, began on Saturday, 5 April, while exhibits opened on 6 April, showcasing innovations in content and entertainment. The event, being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is featuring technologies driving industry changes, including AI-driven tools, the creator economy, sports technology, cloud virtualization, and streaming/OTT platforms.

    NAB  executive vice president of global connections and events Karen Chupka, stated the show aims to be a central point for content creators across various mediums. Over 60,000 attendees are expected.

    The exhibit floor features nearly 1,100 companies, including 125 new exhibitors. Notable brands such as Adobe, AWS, Blackmagic, and Sony are participating. New exhibit areas are highlighting  emerging technologies and startups, including the “Startup Stage” in PropelME, the “AI Innovation Pavilion,” “Premiere Park,” and the “Sports Business Hub.”

    The conference program includes 550 sessions covering business, creativity, production, and technology. New session tracks include Business of Entertainment, produced in partnership with The Ankler, and Sports Summit: The Future of Sports Rights and Fan Experience.

    Over 1,000 industry leaders are slated to speak across more than 20 stages. Featured speakers include Dhar Mann from Dhar Mann Studios, Nick Khan and Paul “Triple H” Levesque from WWE, Gotham Chopra from Religion of Sports, and representatives from organisations such as NPR, Universal Music Publishing Group, the Women’s Tennis Association, the NFL, NASA, and ESPN.

    Interactive experiences are available, including the “Creator Lab” and the AWS Racing Simulator.
    NAB Show 2025 is projected to attract over 60,000 attendees from 160 countries, with 50 percent being first-time attendees. The show facilitates significant business connections, with nearly $17 billion in business generated annually.

  • 7Seas sails steady as boss duo steer ship for five more blockbuster years

    7Seas sails steady as boss duo steer ship for five more blockbuster years

    MUMBAI: It’s a full steam ahead at 7Seas Entertainment Ltd., and at the wheel? The company’s power duo: L. Maruti Sanker and L. Hemalatha. The board of directors, clearly not one for surprises, handed both of them extended contracts this week — and let’s just say, the couple who leads together, stays together.

    In a move smoother than a rom-com plot twist, the board on April 5 reappointed Sanker as MD and Hemalatha as executive director for another five-year term each.

    Effective dates? 1 April 2025 for him and 28 March 2025 for her.

    Tenure? Till March 2030.

    Shareholder approval? Pending, but likely a formality — after all, it’s not every day you get a managing couple with a combined stake of 64,90,821 equity shares to run the show.

    Both appointments came on the strong shoulders of the nomination and remuneration committee, which seems to believe, “If it ain’t broke, don’t reboot it.”

    “The board of directors of the company, based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, has reappointed L. Hemalatha… and L. Maruti Sanker… for a period of five (5) years,” read the formal filings to BSE.

    Corporate love story or just good business?

    For the uninitiated, Hemalatha, a B.Sc graduate with 13 years of experience in game testing and admin, has served the company in various avatars. She also holds 4,00,000 equity shares, proving she’s got skin in the game — quite literally.

    Sanker, on the other hand, is already something of a legend at 7Seas. The man juggles IT, games, marketing, operations, and HR like a tech-powered octopus on a Red Bull bender. And with 60,90,821 equity shares, he’s practically part of the furniture — the very expensive kind.

    Oh, and did we mention? They’re married. Yes, it’s an actual boardroom romance, not just a metaphorical one. They’re officially listed as spouses — a line that SEBI filings, in all their thrilling glory, made sure to include. Love, leadership, and legalities, all tied up in a bow.

    No red flags, no raised eyebrows.

    Both directors have passed the regulatory sniff test. According to the filings, neither is “debarred from holding the office of director by virtue of any SEBI order or any other authority.” The Nomination Committee double-checked, just to be sure. The coast is clear. No skeletons in the closet, no regulatory cobwebs.

    What does all this mean for investors and fans of 7Seas’ gaming and entertainment playbook?

    Stability.

    Vision.

    And probably a lot more titles rolling out under the careful watch of two people who’ve built the house — and now continue to live in it.

    So, while Hindi cinema plots twist every Friday, 7Seas has gone for a straight sequel: same cast, same crew, and five more years of what seems to be a winning formula.

    Here’s to steady hands on deck. Or as they say in the business world: “strong governance with marital synergy.”

  • Intel chips in with TSMC for US fab fix amid foundry fatigue

    Intel chips in with TSMC for US fab fix amid foundry fatigue

    MUMBAI: Fab mates in the making? In a twist worthy of Silicon Valley drama, Intel and Taiwan’s TSMC are reportedly close to a blockbuster chip deal with Washington pulling a few strings from the wings.

    According to The Information, via Reuters, the two semiconductor giants have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture that would see TSMC operate a 20 per cent stake in Intel’s U.S.-based fabs. The rest of the ownership remains under wraps, though whispers of potential investor pitches to AMD, Nvidia, Broadcom, and Qualcomm have swirled since early 2024, despite public denials by some of the players involved.

    Behind the scenes, the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce are said to be stage-directing the high-stakes collaboration. With Intel’s IDM 2.0 strategy stalling and its fabs failing to fire on all cylinders, this venture appears designed to stabilise an American chip titan without handing over control to foreign ownership, something the U.S. government has firmly resisted.

    The stakes are silicon-sharp. Intel has spent tens of billions of dollars on its domestic fabs, but only a select few are equipped for advanced 18A process technologies, the bedrock for Intel’s next-gen processors. The challenge? Many of these fabs are tailored for Intel’s own chips, not contract manufacturing, a space where TSMC reigns supreme.

    TSMC’s planned 20 per cent stake also raises eyebrows given its existing 165 million dollars investment in Arizona’s Fab 21, which already serves top-tier clients like Apple. How the Taiwanese foundry plans to juggle its own fab expansion with the new Intel tie-up remains unclear.

    Chip watchers say this uneasy alliance may be less about synergies and more about survival, with the White House acting as the matchmaker. As part of a broader push to keep chipmaking competitive and domestic, Washington seems determined to bring Intel back into the game, even if it means nudging rivals into bed together.

    Adding to the plot, Intel recently brought in industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as CEO to guide its comeback after it fumbled the AI-driven semiconductor surge. While Intel and TSMC have stayed silent on the matter so far, industry insiders suggest that this deal, if sealed, could redefine global chip geopolitics.

  • Adobe cranks up the AI: Premiere Pro gets an upgrade

    Adobe cranks up the AI: Premiere Pro gets an upgrade

    MUMBAI:  Adobe has unleashed a game-changing update to Premiere Pro, turbocharging the edit suite with AI-powered features designed to make video professionals faster and more efficient.

    The headline act? Generative Extend, powered by Adobe’s Firefly Video Model. This AI wizard can now seamlessly stretch clips in 4K and vertical formats, filling gaps in footage with eerily natural-looking extensions. Just click and drag, and—voila!—extra frames appear as if they were always there. Need an ambient sound to last longer? No problem, the AI stretches audio too.

    Next up is Media Intelligence, a search tool on steroids. Sifting through terabytes of footage is now a thing of the past. The AI scans metadata, objects, locations, and even camera angles, serving up the perfect clip in seconds.

    Adobe has also thrown in AI-powered caption translation, which automatically localises subtitles in 27 languages—ideal for creators reaching global audiences. Meanwhile, Premiere Color Management takes raw and log footage and instantly optimises it for HDR and SDR, no fiddling required.

    “We’re thrilled to see how filmmakers use Generative Extend and Media Intelligence to craft compelling stories,” said Adobe senior vice president and general manager, digital media Ashley Still. “These tools remove tedious tasks and let editors focus on creativity.”

    After Effects is getting a high-performance preview engine, new 3D motion design tools, and HDR monitoring, making it easier than ever to create jaw-dropping visuals. Meanwhile, Frame.io V4  is rolling out expanded storage, transcription tools, and enterprise-level security upgrades, keeping creative teams organised and secure.

    Adobe’s video tools have already played a starring role in this year’s biggest films. Oscar-winning flick Anora—which bagged best picture, best film editing, and best director—was cut with Premiere Pro, along with Dune: Part Two and The Substance. TV series like The Jinx – Part Two and John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. also relied on Adobe’s Creative Cloud.

    Director and editor Sean Baker, who crafted Anora, said Premiere Pro let him experiment freely while staying true to his vision. “It’s my go-to tool for everything from quick edits to complex sequences.”

    The new features in Premiere Pro and After Effects are available from today. Adobe is offering free Generative Extend generations for a limited time, while new Frame.io tools—including transcription and access groups—are rolling out in beta. The full suite will be on show at the NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas, April 6–9, at Booth SL2210.

  • Endeavor Streaming promotes Anshul Jaiswal to director sales, engineering

    Endeavor Streaming promotes Anshul Jaiswal to director sales, engineering

    MUMBAI: Anshul Jaiswal, a veteran of the over-the-top video technology arena, has taken the plunge into a more elevated position at Endeavor Streaming, assuming the role of director, sales engineering for the EMEA and APAC regions.

    During his previous stint as presales engineer at the same firm, Jaiswal made quite the splash, reeling in 12 new sports and media clients with an annual recurring revenue exceeding $15m. His knack for engaging with C-suite executives and orchestrating cross-functional teams has clearly not gone unnoticed by the powers that be.

    Endeavor Streaming is the leading provider of over-the-top video digital entertainment technologies with  prestigious clients including WWE, Real Madrid, UEFA and others who have been caught in the company’s net.
    Before diving into Endeavour’s talent pool, Jaiswal cut his teeth at Accedo.tv, where he swam upstream from presales engineer to senior manager of strategic accounts in Asia over a four-year period. Earlier career tributaries include stints at Amagi Media Labs, Sharp Vision and Siti Cable Network, where he first got his feet wet in the digital entertainment ecosystem.

    The newly minted director brings to the table an impressive arsenal of skills, ranging from bid management and solution selling to strategic thinking and CXO-level engagement—presumably a perfect storm of talents for navigating the choppy waters of the competitive streaming technology landscape.