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  • Anker sets bold new course with AI, robotics and solar at IFA Berlin

    Anker sets bold new course with AI, robotics and solar at IFA Berlin

    BERLIN: Anker Innovations, the Chinese consumer-tech firm best known for power banks and chargers, is no longer content with cables and batteries. At IFA 2025 in Berlin, chief executive Steven Yang unveiled a sweeping new brand direction, positioning the group as a global leader in “smart hardware” and pledging to “ignite new possibilities through ultimate innovation.”

    The company will now operate under three unified marques: Anker for charging and energy, Eufy for home and security, and Soundcore for audio and entertainment. Yang told the audience that the pivot is rooted in three principles: break problems down to fundamentals, pursue higher standards rather than easy wins, and grow together with partners and users. The rhetoric, he said, would drive a “maker spirit” across the group — more workshop than corporate HQ.

    IFA saw the debut of the EufyMake UV Printer E1, marketed as the world’s first personal 3D-texture UV printer. Already the most funded Kickstarter hardware project ever — raising $46m from 17,000 backers — it ships to early adopters now and will reach retail in December at $2,499 / €2,499. Bundled with upgraded AI design tools, it promises to turn sketches or photos into textured prints on wood, leather or metal.

    Eufy’s Omni S2 robot vacuum introduced HydroJet 2.0 scrubbing and a 30kPa AeroTurbo cleaning system capable of deep-cleaning carpets and crossing five-centimetre obstacles. More eye-catching was Marswalker, a robotic carrier that lugs the S2 up and down stairs — a long-standing Achilles’ heel of robot vacuums. Marswalker will ship in the first half of 2026.

    In security, Eufy announced AI Core, a large-model agent running locally in the home to detect over 100 scenarios, from package deliveries to trespassers, while keeping data off the cloud. Its companion, the eufyCam S4, is a hybrid 4K/2K PTZ camera promising panoramic views and facial detail up to 15 metres.
    Soundcore meanwhile stretched from earbuds into wellness and theatre. The Sleep A30, a pair of ANC sleep buds already selling in the US, has reached Europe. They adaptively cancel noise and play AI-generated brainwave audio to tackle snoring and other disruptions.

    The brand also introduced a coin-sized wearable voice recorder with real-time transcription and 97 per cent accuracy across more than 100 languages, aimed at students, professionals and journalists.

    Perhaps the boldest move was absorbing Anker’s Nebula projector business, reborn as Soundcore Nebula. The flagship X1 Pro projector, launching on Kickstarter on 23 September, combines a 4K triple-laser engine with Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos multi-channel audio. Its detachable wireless speakers and powered subwoofers turn it into what Soundcore dubs the world’s first “mobile theatre station.”

    Anker’s own division doubled down on power. Its new Prime line adds AnkerSense View smart displays to show charging speeds and temperatures. The Prime 160W charger, Prime 300W power bank, Qi2 wireless charging station and triple-display docking station all pitch efficiency and compact design as their edge.

    The group’s energy arm, Anker Solix, launched the Solarbank Multisystem, a modular kit linking up to four Solarbank units with 14kW solar input and 4.8kW output. Targeted squarely at Europe’s high-tariff households, it promises up to 80 per cent savings on energy bills and a four-year payback period. Its semi-DIY installation is marketed as 85 per cent cheaper than conventional solar. Complementing it is the V1 Smart EV Charger with gesture-based control and tariff-synchronised charging. The starter kit begins at €1,898, with the EV charger priced at €499. Germany gets it first, with France and the Netherlands following on 11 September.

    The showcase in Berlin marked more than another tech fair launch. Anker is re-casting itself as a systems company, fusing AI, robotics and renewable energy into everyday hardware. If successful, Yang’s bet could move the firm up from niche accessories into the ranks of household consumer-tech giants. The risk is execution: a vacuum that climbs stairs and a solar charger that pays for itself in four years are promises the market will hold him to.

  • Flipkart exhibits its latest influencer campaign #FlipkartShoppingMela

    Flipkart exhibits its latest influencer campaign #FlipkartShoppingMela

    MUMBAI: Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, has released its latest influencer campaign #FlipkartShoppingMela, which is to primarily bring forth the platform’s affordability and high-quality selection across a wide range of products in beauty, fragrance, FMCG and furnishings. With this campaign, Flipkart aspires to expand its reach beyond Tier II areas in the country. It plans to do so with this campaign, by highlighting it as a value-driven shopping destination providing the best budget-friendly deals.

    This influencer campaign was put in place to cater to the diverse needs of customers across the country by extending an expansive selection of superior quality and value-driven products.

    Speaking about the campaign, Flipkart senior director consumables (FMCG), general merchandise and home Kanchan Mishra pointed out, “At Flipkart, we are committed to offering a high-value shopping experience to our customers by paying close attention to their dynamic needs. E-commerce shoppers in India, especially from Tier II and III markets look for quality, convenience, value-based, and reliable shopping experiences. We conceptualised the #FlipkartShoppingMela campaign ahead of the festive season, to strike a chord with Bharat and re-emphasise Flipkart as the quintessential value-driven shopping destination for everyone across the country.”

    The #FlipkartShoppingMela campaign will be augmented on social media channels by engaging with over 45 influencers across categories such as fashion, lifestyle and beauty. With an attempt to strengthen the platform’s connection across the country, the campaign will be elucidated in regional languages including Oriya, Bengali, Manipuri and Assamese. Some of the products highlighted in the campaign include bedsheets, blankets, curtains, bottles, lunch boxes, kitchen containers, wallpapers, clocks, posters, indoor plants, shampoos, moisturisers, hair oils, kajal, eyeliner, foundation etc.

    Flipkart offers a growing number of national, international, and regionally renowned sellers and brands including D2C, an opportunity to provide customers with an expansive product range across categories.

  • Building a dream home? Orientbell Tiles says ‘#TechNoTension’

    Building a dream home? Orientbell Tiles says ‘#TechNoTension’

    Mumbai: It is said that the most challenging thing for a person to accomplish in their life is building their dream home. Regardless of how many advent technologies have been introduced, the agitation of building a home remains the same.

    With its new campaign, ‘#TechNoTension’, Orientbell Tiles has offered to make everything easier and more convenient for the customer to build their desirable home.

    With the latest digital tools and technologies on the website, the campaign shows how customers find tiles of their liking by just uploading a picture from Instagram or Pinterest (Samelook); find the tile for their project by using filters of colour, project location or by other specifications and get combinations in a few seconds.

    Customers can also get a personalised 3D render of the chosen tiles in your project layout, along with recommendations from the company’s own in-house designers (Trulook); or even upload a photo of the actual sample flat to virtually try as many floor tiles from the range as you want to (Trialook)! Customers can even order samples or buy tiles directly on the website. 

    “The main focus of Orientbell Tiles is making tile purchasing easier and more convenient for its customers. From providing help to find the splendidly perfect tiles to visualising the best suited tiles for the customer’s home before buying, Orientbell helps you with every single detail because a customer’s concern is their concern as well,” the company said in a statement.

  • Asianet set to premiere ‘#Home’ on 25 December

    Asianet set to premiere ‘#Home’ on 25 December

    Mumbai: Malayalam general entertainment channel Asianet is set to premiere “#Home” on Christmas Day.

    The channel is gearing up to air the biggest releases in 2022 including “Marakkar- Lion of the Arabian Sea,” “RRR,” “Bro Daddy,” “Aarattu,” “12th Man,” “Kaaval,” “Bhramam,” “Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan,” “Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham,” “Kaane Kaane,” “Lalitham Sundaram Minnal Murali,” and “Malayankunju” to name few.

    “Asianet is a household name in Kerala and we remain committed to delivering high-quality entertainment that resonates with the viewers in the market,” said Star and Disney India head – network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “Watching movies on television as a family continues to be the norm and there is a high demand for quality movies from Malayalam speaking audiences across demographics. Asianet’s library of contemporary and quality movies makes it a sought-after destination for brands to reach out to their key target segments,” he added.

    Asianet has a library of 1500+ Malayalam films. In the last few years, the channel has significantly ramped up movie acquisitions in line with the constantly evolving tastes of the audience. These include some of the biggest 2021 hits like “Drishyam 2,” “Nayattu,” “Joji,” and “The Great Indian Kitchen,” all of which were well received by audiences outside of Kerala as well. Asianet also has 41 out of the all-time top 50 IMDb-rated films in Malayalam.

  • Royal Enfield’s new ad-film kindles the joy of returning home

    Royal Enfield’s new ad-film kindles the joy of returning home

    Mumbai: Royal Enfield has rolled out a new digital film capturing the joy of returning home after a long journey alone.

    The film called ‘Home‘ is conceptualised and executed by Mumbai-based production house Coconut Films and was taken up by Royal Enfield. It follows a sole rider’s journey through Ladakh on a motorcycle, the wheels mapping out the circle of life beneath them.

    The film, which is extensively shot in the beautiful locales of Ladakh, touches upon various emotions and feelings attached to returning to one’s safe haven- one’s home. It captures a solo traveller’s emotions and what she feels through her journey back home like reminiscing the good old days and light-hearted moments that are experienced by her while travelling a long distance on her bike. It strikes a connection with its core message : ‘Going the distance is not about how far away you will get, but from what length you’re willing to return.’

    Targeting all biking enthusiasts, the film has been released digitally across all social media platforms.

    Shedding light on producing and shooting Royal Enfield’s new brand film, Coconut Films co-founder, Tushar Raut said, the team has put its soul into making the film. “The campaign idea was born out of conversations with our team which has a lot of biking enthusiasts. They all beamed a common passion around the bike, its looks and its performance. One thing we knew was to let the story emote itself while showing the bike in all its glory and yet create a narrative that touches the audience’s heart. As for the music, the choice of the folkloric vocals and background music is like an uplifting crescendo that gives a charismatic, authentic touch to the film,” he said.

    Speaking about the film, Royal Enfield, global head of marketing, Shubhranshu Singh said, “As a brand we welcome creative expression and are fortunate to be at the heart of an evolved community of gifted creators. ‘Home’ is an evocative piece of content by Coconut Films that tells a heartfelt story in a very authentic manner”.

    Speaking about the film, director, Aiman Ali said, “Seldom, we get to do projects crafted with so much perseverance, honesty, and love. Shooting at one of the humblest places in the world – Ladakh, and exploring the raw beauty and wholehearted emotions of its people was a side we hadn’t seen before. Their way of life made us wonder if we are missing a point when we say we need to go the distance in life. Maybe at times going the distance could mean taking a step back, towards your roots. This introspection is what fuelled our latest project ‘Home’ for the Royal Enfield Himalayan”.

  • Q3-2015: Dreamworks Animation YoY revenue up 43% at $259.22 million

    Q3-2015: Dreamworks Animation YoY revenue up 43% at $259.22 million

    BENGALURU: DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA) reported 43.3 per cent YoY revenue growth in the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q3-2015, current quarter) at $259.22 million as compared to the $180.86 million, which was driven by performance across all operating segments.

     

    For Q3-2015, DWA posted adjusted operating income of $26.8 million. The increase in revenues and segment gross profit was partially offset by an increase in adjusted general and administrative expenses says DWA.

     

    “DreamWorks Animation delivered solid third quarter results, highlighted by strong top-line growth and meaningful segment gross profit across all of our businesses. While we still have considerable work ahead of us, I am proud of the team’s collective efforts and remain confident that we are well positioned to meet or even exceed our stated goals for the year while continuing to drive long term value for our stakeholders,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

     

    Segment Revenue

     

    Feature Film segment

     

    Revenues for Q3-2015 from the Feature Film segment increased to $157.9 million, up from $142.4 million in the prior-year period. Segment gross profit decreased to $54.3 million compared to $64.3 million in the same period of last year, primarily due to contributions earned in the prior-year period in the worldwide theatrical market from How To Train Your Dragon 2, which was a higher margin title.

     

    Home contributed feature film segment revenue of $49.7 million in Q3-2015. Home was released in the digital market on 26 June, 2015 and into the physical domestic home entertainment market on 28 July, 2015. The film reached an estimated 4.7 million home entertainment units through the end of the third quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns claims DWA.

     

    The Penguins of Madagascar contributed feature film segment revenue of $39.8 million in the current quarter, primarily from domestic and international pay television. Through the end of the third quarter, the film reached an estimated 3.6 million home entertainment units sold worldwide, net of actual and estimated future returns.

     

    How To Train Your Dragon 2 contributed feature film segment revenue of $7.4 million in the quarter, primarily from international pay television and home entertainment. The film reached an estimated 8.9 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the third quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.

     

    Mr. Peabody and Sherman contributed feature film segment revenue of $2.6 million in the quarter, primarily from home entertainment. The film reached an estimated 4.2 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of Q3-2015, net of actual and estimated future returns.

     

    Television Series and Specials segment

     

    Revenues for the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 from the Television Series and Specials segment increased to $50.7 million in Q3-2015, compared to $14.3 million during the prior-year period. The increase in revenues was attributable to a significantly higher number of episodes delivered under DWA’s episodic content licensing arrangements. Segment gross profit increased to $15.3 million in the current quarter, from $2.3 million in Q3-2014. The increase was primarily driven by higher revenues along with favourable amortisation rates associated with episodic series, partially offset by up-front marketing costs associated with the release of DWA’s new television series.

     

    Consumer Products segment

     

    Revenues from the Consumer Products segment increased to $27 million in Q3-2015, compared to $12.1 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to revenues earned from new and extended location based entertainment license arrangements in the quarter, as well as merchandise licensing agreements related to intellectual property rights associated with characters from DWA’s feature films and episodic television series. Revenues also included contributions from merchandising and other licensing activities. Segment gross profit increased to $15.8 million in Q3-2015 from $4.2 million in Q3-2014, as revenues earned from location based entertainment license arrangements have lower associated costs.

     

    New Media Segment

     

    Revenues for Q3-2015 from the company’s New Media segment were $20.7 million compared to $8.5 million during Q3- 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to revenue generated from licensing and distribution of content and brand sponsorship arrangements. In Q3-2014, DWA reported certain advertising and talent management revenues in this segment on a ‘gross’  basis rather than on a ‘net’ basis. For comparative purposes, if the New Media segment’s revenues had been reported on a ‘net’ basis during Q3-2014, revenues for Q3-2015 would reflect an increase of 226 per cent compared with the prior-year period. Segment gross profit, which is not affected by this item, increased to $10.9 million from $2.3 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to higher revenue contributions from licensed content and reduced amortisation of intangible assets.

     

    All other segments

     

    Revenues from All Other segments for Q3-2015 were $2.9 million compared to $3.6 million in the prior-year period and gross profit was $2.4 million compared to a loss of $1.1million in Q3-2014.

  • DreamWorks Animation loses $38.6 million in Q2 due to restructuring

    DreamWorks Animation loses $38.6 million in Q2 due to restructuring

    MUMBAI: Including the impact of the restructuring plan, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc reported net loss attributable of $38.6 million, or $0.45 per share for the quarter ended 30 June, 2015. The company’s operating loss stood at $21.8 million.

     

    DreamWorks Animation’s revenues for the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 at $170.8 million, were up 39.7 per cent from the same period in 2014. In addition, the company reported an adjusted operating loss of $1 million and adjusted net loss attributable to DWA of $11.6 million.

     

    Adjusted financial results exclude a $20.9 million pre-tax charge associated with company’s restructuring plan announced in January 2015.

     

    Of the restructuring-related charges totaling $20.9 million or a loss of $2.4 million was due to employee termination and other employee-related costs, $10.9 million was related to accelerated depreciation and amortization charges associated with the closure of its Redwood City facility, and $7.6 million was primarily related to excess staffing and other costs associated with previously announced changes in the feature film slate.

     

    “Our second quarter financial results were solid, highlighted by the theatrical success of Home and the rapid expansion of our Television and New Media businesses. The appetite for premium content across platforms continues to grow both domestically and internationally, and it’s clear DreamWorks Animation is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

     

    Home, which was released theatrically on 27 March, 2015 has reached $177 million at the US box office and $207 million at the international box office to date. 

     

    Second Quarter Review:

     

    DreamWorks Animation’s second quarter revenues of $170.8 million increased 39.7 per cent versus the prior-year period primarily driven by the performance of the feature film, television series and specials and new media segments.

     

    Television Segment

     

    Revenues for the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 from the Television series and specials segment increased to $54.5 million, compared to $20 million during the prior-year period. The increase in revenues was attributable to a significantly higher number of episodes delivered under episodic content licensing arrangements.

     

    Segment gross profit increased to $19.2 million in the current quarter, from $1.2 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by favorable amortization rates associated with episodic series, partially offset by higher up-front marketing costs associated with the release of its new television series.

     

    In addition, for the three months ended 30 June, 2014 segment gross profit was negatively impacted by higher than expected returns of seasonal and newly-released home entertainment product, as well as increased selling costs, related to the company’s Classic Media properties.

     

    Film Segment

     

    Revenues for the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 from the Feature Film segment increased to $87.8 million, up from $69.7 million in the prior-year period. Segment gross profit also increased to $31.7 million compared to $23.9 million in the same period last year.

     

    In the quarter, Home contributed revenue of $23.9 million, The Penguins of Madagascar contributed $8.3 million, How to Train Your Dragon 2 contributed $17.9 million, Mr. Peabody and Sherman contributed $8.4 million and Turbo contributed $1 million.

     

    Library titles contributed feature film revenue of $28.3 million to the quarter.

     

    Consumer Products Segment

     

    Revenues from the Consumer Products segment decreased to $12.7 million in the second quarter, compared to $18.5 million in the same period last year. The prior year period benefitted from merchandise and licensing revenue associated with How to Train Your Dragon 2, which was released theatrically in June 2014. Segment revenues in the current quarter were primarily generated by licensing arrangements related to a variety of intellectual property rights associated with the characters from films.

     

    Segment gross profit decreased to $1.8 million from $7.3 million in the prior year period, largely due to higher costs incurred across a variety of segment activities.

     

    New Media Segment

     

    Revenues for the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 from the company’s New Media segment were $14.6 million compared to $11.5 million during the three months ended 30 June, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to revenue generated under new licensing agreements and the delivery of newly-created content versus the prior-year period.

     

    Segment gross profit increased to $7.5 million from $2.5 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to higher revenue contributions from newly licensed content. 

  • Pepperfry.com collaborates with Evok

    Pepperfry.com collaborates with Evok

    MUMBAI: Keeping up with the promise of offering the largest selection of furniture and home products, Pepperfry.com has now announced a tie-up with Hindware Home Retail Private Limited (HHRPL).

     

    Operating under the brand name Evok, HHRPL is a 100 percent subsidiary of HSIL. The collaboration will help Evok leverage Pepperfry’s large online customer base and expand its presence across the country. Evok retails its products through 19 outlets in key cities of India.

     

    Commenting on the association, Evok COO and business head Ajay Seth said, ‘Pepperfry will help us in reaching out to a larger customer base as in the last few years, E-commerce market has evolved in India and due to paucity of time, lot of customers are shopping from comforts of their homes Pepperfry will enable us in connecting with these customers.’

     

    In addition to the existing portfolio of over 11,000 furniture designs, Pepperfry will showcase the entire furniture range from Evok, which has been designed using high-quality materials and finishes to suit every type of style interior style and theme on the website. Through this partnership, it plans to expand its furniture range to offer differentiated furniture designs across the country and strengthen its leadership position.

     

    Talking about their focus on developing a strong merchant base in the online furniture segment, Pepperfry.com COO and founder Ashish Shah said, “Our alliance with Evok, one of the leading brands in the home interiors segment makes perfect sense as the products offered by the brand matches our ethos of providing a large range of high quality modern designs at affordable prices.”

     

    Currently, Pepperfry hosts a range of local and international brands and also offers a wide range of made-to-order solid wood furniture. “We have built a strong foundation in supply chain that has enabled us to distribute large quantities of furniture to hundreds of towns across the country. With this infrastructure we will continue to empanel more and more merchants and brands from across the country to fulfill our value proposition of providing our customers with an extensive choice of furniture designs at the click of a mouse,” he further added.

     

    Pepperfry.com will showcase entire furniture range from Evok including designs for living room, dining room & bedroom. It already offers a large portfolio of around 70+ furniture brands with leading names like Mudra, Nilkamal, Spacewood, @Home, Durian, Furniture Kraft and HomeTown selling on the website.

  • Virgin TV anywhere launches on Android devices

    Virgin TV anywhere launches on Android devices

    MUMBAI: Virgin TV Anywhere recently launched a native app for Android tablets and smartphones.

     

    The application allows Virgin Media TiVo customers to programme on the move, with 67 channels available on mobile devices.

    To coincide with its Android launch, Virgin TV Anywhere has added nine new channels to its roster – Alibi, Dave, Drama, Good Food, Home, Really, Watch, Yesterday and CBS Reality.

     

    “With the arrival of these fantastic new channels, Virgin TV Anywhere is undoubtedly the market-leading service for those who want to take the best of their home entertainment with them to watch wherever they are at no extra cost,’ said Virgin Media director Scott Kewley in a report.

     

    The web-based version of Virgin TV Anywhere provides access to 90 channels, including BT Sport, ITV, Channel 5 and CBS Reality Premier Sport.

     

    Virgin TV Anywhere, which was previously released for iOS devices, is available to download from Google Play now.