Bharti Airtel on Wednesday announced the launch of its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services in India. It provides customers with an extensive library of on-demand content from 29 OTT streaming apps such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Netflix, ZEE5 and many more with select plans. Airtel's new IPTV plans also include 600 popular television channels as well as Wi-Fi services which can be availed of at either home or workplace.
Airtel IPTV Services Price in India, Benefits
Airtel has launched IPTV services in India with its Wi-Fi plans starting at Rs. 699 per month, the company revealed in a press release. This plan offers 350 TV channels, access to 26 streaming apps, and a 40 Mbps Wi-Fi connection. The Rs. 899 plan offers similar benefits but with an increased 100 Mbps speed. Meanwhile, customers who wish to benefit from higher internet speeds can opt for the Rs. 1,099 plan. It offers 200 Mbps Wi-Fi services and 28 streaming apps including subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime.
There are plans priced at Rs. 1,599 and Rs. 3,000 which add Netflix to the streaming apps' suite, bringing it up to a total of 29 bundled apps, along with 350 TV channels and 300 Mbps and 1 Gbps internet access, respectively.
The telecom provider says all Airtel customers will get up to 30 days of complimentary service on the purchase of IPTV plans through the Airtel Thanks App as part of an introductory offer. IPTV services are available across 2000 cities in India, with the exception of Delhi, Rajasthan, Assam and the Northeastern states, where the launch will happen in a few weeks.
To get Airtel's IPTV services, all new customers can enjoy IPTV on the purchase of new Wi-Fi plans. Meanwhile, existing users can upgrade their plan to IPTV plans through the Airtel thanks app or visit any Airtel store for the same.
This development builds upon recent moves by Airtel in the telecommunications sector, including a partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX to introduce Starlink broadband services in India.
Just a few days before the release of Salman Khan's Sikandar, the makers dropped another intriguing video of Sikandar meets Ghajini. Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and director A R Murugadoss featured in the video. This time, Aamir Khan came with another punch - who is a better dancer between him and Salman? A R Murugadoss has to answer this.
Sharing the video, Salman Khan wrote in the caption, "Amar Prem ka Andaaz with AR Murugadoss! #SikandarMeetsGhajini"
The video drew instant responses from the Internet. A fan wrote, "Legends." Another user wrote, "Two legends in one frame." Another user wrote, "Two icons of Bollywood cinema."
In the previous video, Aamir Khan asked the director to name the bigger "Sikandar" between the two Khans.
Teasing the viewers with a snippet, Salman Khan wrote, "Amar Prem ka Andaaz with AR Murugadoss! #SikandarMeetsGhajini." The video drew instant responses from the Internet.
At the trailer launch of Sikandar on Sunday, Salman Khan addressed the issue of a 31-year age gap with heroine Rashmika Mandanna. "They say there is a 31-year difference between the heroine and me. If the heroine doesn't have any problem or the heroine's father doesn't have any problem, then why do you have a problem?" Salman Khan's punchline made the press burst into laughter.
Salman Khan didn't stop there. "And when she (Rashmika) will get married and have a daughter and then she becomes a big star then also we will work (together). We will get the mother (Rashmika)'s permission for sure," Salman Khan said at the event.
Apart from Salman Khan and Rashmika, the project also features Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj and Sharman Joshi in important roles. Sikandar will release in theatres on March 30.
Before Sikandar, Salman Khan's Tiger 3 (2023) released on a Sunday which coincided with Diwali that year.
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Headphone Zone X Oriveti Blackbird in-ear monitors were launched in India on Monday. The audiophile IEMs come with a hybrid driver configuration, including a 10mm dynamic driver for "powerful bass reproduction" and two custom balanced armature drivers for "precise mids and treble delivery." The Blackbird IEMs are offered in an acrylic shell build and come with two types of ear tip options in six pairs for an optimum fit.
Headphone Zone X Oriveti Blackbird Price in India, Availability
Headphone Zone X Oriveti Blackbird price in India is set at Rs. 4,999. They are available for purchase in the country via the Headphone Zone website. The box includes the Blackbird IEM, a carrying case, a detachable cable and six ear-tip options — three bullet-shaped and three bowl-shaped; both ear tips come in small, medium, and large sizes.
Headphone Zone X Oriveti Blackbird Features, Specifications
The Headphone Zone X Oriveti Blackbird have a hybrid driver configuration, which includes 10mm bass dynamic drivers and two balanced armature drivers for mids and treble. The bass performance is claimed to offer "audiophile-grade" precision, while the mids and highs are offered with distortion levels below 0.08 percent.
The Blackbird IEMs boast a frequency response range of 5Hz to 20kHz, an impedance of 16Ohms, and a 107±3dB/mW at 1kHz sensitivity rating. The latter suggests that they offer a power-efficient high sensitivity for clearer audio performance.
They have a lightweight 3D-printed acrylic shell design that is said to improve the acoustic structure. The earphones can be paired with six pairs of ear tips, which are included in the package. The bullet-shaped ear tips allow deep insertion and better isolation, while the bowl-shaped ear tips are claimed to offer a more open sound. The Headphone Zone X Oriveti Blackbird IEM comes with a detachable cable which has 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and a 3.5mm jack. The in-ear monitor does not include an inbuilt microphone.
Honor Pad X9a has been launched in Malaysia and the company's latest tablet is equipped with an 11.5-inch LCD screen, with a 120Hz refresh rate. It offers support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, runs on a Snapdragon 685 chip from Qualcomm, and packs an 8,300mAh battery. The Honor Pad X9a runs on Android 15, with the company's MagicOS 9.0 running on top. It also features a 5-megapixel selfie camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera.
The company has yet to announce the price of the Honor Pad X9, but the tablet has already been listed on the Honor Malaysia website. It will be available in a single Gray colourway. Honor says the Pad X9a will be sold in an 8GB+128GB RAM and storage configuration.
Honor Pad X9a Specifications, Features
The new Honor Pad X9a features an 11.5-inch 2.5K (1,504x2,508 pixels) LCD screen, with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by an octa core Snapdragon 685 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM. Like many other Android devices, Honor lets users utilise 8GB of unused storage as virtual RAM.
Honor Pad X9a Photo Credit: Honor
For photography, the Honor Pad X9a is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera, with autofocus and an f/2.0 aperture. Selfies and video chats are handled by a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, with an f/2.2 aperture.
You get up 128GB of storage on the Honor Pad X9a. The tablet offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and it works with the company's wireless keyboards and stylus. The tablet runs on Android 15-based MagicOS 9.0.
Honor has equipped the Pad X9a with a quad speaker setup. It has an 8,300mAh Li-ion battery that can be charged at 35W. The company claims that the tablet offers up to 70 days of battery life in standby mode. It measures 267.3x167x6.77mm and weighs around 475g.
Realme 14T had previously surfaced on certification websites, while leaks have suggested its expected color options, RAM, and storage variants. Now, the purported handset has appeared in online retail listings, offering a glimpse of its design and key specifications. Additionally, a tipster has shared potential features of the device, some of which differ from the details in the retail listing. The Realme 14T, alongside the rumoured standard Realme 14 5G, are expected to join the existing Realme 14 series soon.
Realme 14T Design (Expected)
A 91Mobiles report has shared design renders of the Realme 14T in black, green, and purple shades, which had allegedly appeared on a now-deleted retailer listing. The handset was previously tipped to be offered in Lightning Purple, Mountains Green, and Obsidian Black colour options.
The Realme 14T appears with a rectangular rear camera module on the top left corner of the rear panel. It is seen to hold two camera sensors alongside an LED flash unit. There seems to be an engraving of the word "50MP" suggesting that the smartphone will be equipped with a 50-megapixel primary rear sensor.
Realme 14T appears to have a flat display with slim bezels and a centred hole-punch slot at the top to house the front camera. The volume rocker and power button are seen on the right edge. The bottom edge seems to have the USB Type-C port, speaker grille, mic and a SIM tray slot.
Realme 14T Features (Expected)
The Realme 14T has also been listed on AliExpress Russia. The listing has hinted at several key features of the handset. It is expected to sport a 6.6-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,340 pixels) display, a 50-megapixel main rear camera alongside a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. The phone could be backed by a 5,080mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC charging support.
As per the listing, the dual SIM-supported Realme 14T is expected to meet IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. The handset, measuring 163.1 x 75.6 x 7.9mm and weighing 196g, will likely support 5G and NFC connectivity. For security, the phone could carry an in-display fingerprint sensor. It could come in RAM and storage configurations of 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. The handset is expected to ship with Android 15-based Realme UI 6.0.
The aforementioned 91Mobiles report notes that tipster Anvin (@ZionsAnvin) suggested some specifications of the purported smartphone in a now-deleted X post. These details vary slightly from the online listing. The tipster reportedly claimed that the Realme 14T could pack a 6,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. In the camera department, it might get a 50-megapixel OmniVision OV50D primary sensor alongside a 2-megapixel secondary lens at the back and a 16-megapixel Sony IMX480 sensor at the front. He added that the phone could be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC.
Popular Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar made headlines for arriving three hours late at a live concert in Melbourne recently. A video was shared on Reddit, in which, the singer can be seen breaking down on stage and thanking the audience for waiting for her patiently.
However, the video drew diverse reactions on the Internet. Even the live audience can be heard teasing Neha Kakkar for her outburst of emotions.
Neha Kakkar can be heard saying in the video, "Guys, you are really sweet! You have been patient. Itni der se aap log wait kar rahe ho (You have been waiting for so long). I hate it, maine life mein kabhi kisi ko wait nahi karwaya hai (I have never made anyone wait for so long). Aap itni der se wait kar rahe ho, I'm so sorry! It means a lot to me. I will remember this evening forever. Aaj aap log mere liye itna kimti time nikaal kar aaye ho (You people have managed time for me). I will make sure that I will make you all dance."
The video recorded some angry reactions from the live audience. "Go back! Rest in your hotel," said one. Another person was heard saying, "This is not India, you're in Australia." Another added, "We have been waiting for three hours." A third voice mocked her by saying, "Very good acting! This is not Indian Idol. You're not performing with kids."
Apple is planning to integrate cameras into its smartwatches, according to claims by a seasoned journalist. The Cupertino-based technology giant may add a camera near the crown and the button on the Apple Watch Ultra's side, allowing the user to scan an object around them and get information about it. Meanwhile, the standard Apple Watch series is also likely to get it. As per the report, it would fulfill the company's ambition of having an artificial intelligence (AI) wearable which can “see the outside world and deliver relevant information”.
Cameras on the Apple Watch
This information comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, the journalist highlighted Apple's plans regarding its lineup of smartwatches, the Watch Ultra as well as the numbered Series. In line with its ambitions of making AI a fundamental part of the iPhone, the company also reportedly wants to have Visual Intelligence at the core of its smartwatches.
Notably, it is a visual lookup tool which helps them learn about objects and places instantly, powered by Apple Intelligence — the iPhone maker's AI suite.
As part of its plan, the standard Apple Watch may come with cameras embedded with the screen, similar to the iPhone's front-facing camera. Meanwhile, it is speculated to be located between the crown and the button on the side of the flagship Watch Ultra model. As per Gurman, the Watch Ultra is thicker than the numbered series and hence Apple may have “more room to play with”.
The report suggests users may be able to point their Apple Watch Ultra at an object for scanning it. Alternatively, the standard series wearers may have to flip their wrist for the same. While its features are yet to be revealed, the report suggests that despite having cameras, the smartwatch is unlikely to support FaceTime due to several challenges.
For starters, the smartwatch's screen would be too small for carrying out videoconferencing. Secondly, it would require the user to hold a smartwatch up for the duration of the call, making it impractical. However, Gurman says porting the FaceTime app for the Apple Watch wouldn't prove to be challenging, but despite this, it is said to be a “far-fetched idea”.
The trailer of Salman Khan's Eid release Sikandar was released on Sunday. Like Salman Khan's previous films, he will be seen romancing a much younger actress (Rashmika Mandanna) in this film too. At the press meet, Salman Khan addressed the buzz around this age gap in his inimitable style.
"They say there is a 31-year difference between the heroine and me. If the heroine doesn't have any problem or the heroine's father doesn't have any problem, then why do you have a problem?" Salman Khan's punchline made the press burst into laughter.
Salman Khan didn't stop there. "And when she (Rashmika) will get married and have a daughter and then she becomes a big star then also we will work (together). We will get the mother (Rashmika)'s permission for sure," Salman Khan said at the event.
"She has given her best. She used to finish shooting of Pushpa 2 at 7 pm and would join us at 9 pm, and would work till 6.30 in the morning and go back to work on Pushpa 2. Then after breaking her leg, she continued shooting with us, and didn't cancel a single day of shoot. She reminds me a lot of younger me," Salman Khan said about co-star Rashmika.
Sikandar will release on March 30 on the occasion of Eid. This is not the first time that Salman Khan's film gave Friday-release tradition a miss. In 2023, Salman Khan's Tiger 3 was released on a Sunday, which coincided with Diwali. However, trade experts questioned the actor's decision as he missed the opportunity of capitalising the festive weekend.
Ayesha Kapur, who played the young Rani Mukerji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black and shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan married her long-time boyfriend Adam Oberoi in an intimate ceremony in Delhi on Sunday. The actor shared happy pictures and videos on her Instagram Stories. In one of the pictures, Ayesha and Adam can be seen flashing their best smiles into the camera.
For the big day, Ayesha Kapur chose a light-pink lehenga. She accessorised her bridal look with diamond jewellery and red churas (bangles). The groom wore a pink turban and a white sherwani.
Ayesha also shared snippets from her pre-wedding ceremonies.
Ayesha Kapur, now, works as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She recently celebrated her bachelorette at Kovalam Beach.
Born and raised in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, she is the daughter of Dilip Kapur, founder of the luxury brand Hidesign.
Ayesha grabbed eyeballs with her stellar performance in Black as a child artiste. Based on the life of Helen Keller, Ayesha played a blind girl in the film. Interestingly, she was trained for the role by Ranbir Kapoor, who served as an assistant director on the film. Following her successful debut, she also appeared in Sikandar (2009) as a child actor. However, later, she moved away from the industry.
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Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma officially parted ways on Thursday, and their divorce continues to make headlines. Amid the buzz, an old post from the cricketer's X (formerly Twitter) account is going viral across social media.
The alleged screenshot, dating back to 2013, features a controversial remark on marriage. It suggests that marriage is just a fancy term for when a woman assumes responsibility for a man-child who can no longer be handled by his mother.
The post read, “MARRIAGE is just a fancy word for adopting an over-grown male child who can't be handled by his parents anymore." Check it out:
Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma got married in December 2020 in Gurgaon and quickly became a fan-favourite couple on social media.
By 2023, things started to change. Their social media interactions became rare and cryptic posts had fans speculating that something was wrong.
As time passed, the rumours only grew stronger. Towards the end of 2023, Yuzvendra deleted their pictures from social media and both of them unfollowed each other on Instagram.
In February 2025, they were spotted outside Bandra Family Court, filing for divorce by mutual consent. They also requested a waiver for the six-month cooling-off period, but the court denied it.
After 18 months of living separately, Yuzvendra and Dhanashree officially parted ways on March 20, 2025.
According to reports, Yuzvendra Chahal paid ₹4.75 crore as alimony to Dhanashree Verma.
Recently, Dhanashree shared a glimpse of her latest music video, Dekha Ji Dekha Maine, on Instagram. But instead of focusing on the song, many users flooded the comments section with trolling. They brought up the alimony amount and called Dhanashree a “gold digger.”
One user sarcastically asked, "Ma'am, did you receive the ₹4.75 crore in your account?" while another questioned, "Why did you take ₹4 crore?"
Someone commented, "Now whom will you make an ATM? Tell us." Click here to read the full story.
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During the latest season of Hip Hop India, judge Malaika Arora made headlines after confronting a 16-year-old contestant about his performance style.
The incident, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, showed Malaika expressing concern about the teenager's gestures directed towards her.
Following the performance, the actress directly addressed the situation by saying, "Please give me your mother's phone number. You are a 16-year-old kid. While dancing, he is looking at me and winking, (blowing) flying kisses."
The exchange sparked significant online discussion, with many viewers supporting Malaika's decision to address what they perceived as inappropriate behaviour from such a young performer.
In a recent conversation with ANI, Malaika broke her silence about the incident.
"Maybe at that moment, I didn't have any intention of scolding him or telling him that what you're doing is wrong. That wasn't my intention. I was just going to say that you're doing too much. Whatever you're doing, tone it down a little. There's no need to do so much. We're sitting here, we're your judges. You're 16 years old. We also sing. We also make fun of it. We also do a little bit of drama in the song which is all fine. We also blow kisses. We also bite our lips. It's all part and parcel of expression, which I feel is absolutely fine. Maybe at that moment, I felt it was a little too much," she shared.
She added, "He's an amazing dancer. He's a very nice kid, in fact."
Malaika serves as a judge alongside choreographer Remo D'Souza in the show.
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Abhishek Bachchan recently won the Best Actor award for his performance in I Want To Talk at a News18-hosted event but it was his humourous exchange with Arjun Kapoor that became the highlight of the evening.
After accepting his award, Abhishek expressed gratitude to director Shoojit Sircar and his co-stars.
He said, "This is my first-ever Best Actor Award. I'd like to thank the esteemed jury - it's an honour that you find me worthy of this award. But the credit for this performance has to go entirely to Shoojit (Sircar) da. He's made such a wonderful film. I'd like to share this with my wonderful daughters in the film, Ahilya and Pearl, who were just absolutely brilliant. They made me look good in the film. To my fellow actors and makers in this room: Your work inspires me, and I am in awe of all of you. Please continue doing what you do. You inspire me to wake up every morning and try to be the best version of myself."
The conversation took an amusing turn when Arjun Kapoor posed a question related to the film's title. "Kaun hai woh insaan jo jab kehte hain, 'Abhishek, I want to talk,' toh aap stress mein aa jate hain?" he asked, wondering whose "I want to talk" call makes Abhishek nervous.
Abhishek responded with a witty reference to Arjun's bachelor status: "Tumhari shaadi nahi hui hai na abhi tak... jab ho jaayegi, you'll have an answer for that," which drew laughter from the audience.
The actor, who has been married to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for over 17 years, added humourously, "When you get a call from the missus and she says, 'I want to talk,' you know you're in trouble, yeah."
ICYDK, rumours about Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's divorce have been circulating on social media for quite some time now. These rumours gained traction when the couple arrived separately at a high-profile wedding in July last year. The speculation intensified when Abhishek liked an Instagram post discussing the increase in "grey divorces," which further fuelled the divorce rumours.
Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan married in April 2007. The two welcomed their daughter Aaradhya Bachchan in November 2011. So far, the couple have not confirmed nor denied the divorce rumours.
On the professional front, they worked together in several films such as Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Dhoom 2 (2006), Umrao Jaan (2006), Guru (2007), Sarkar Raj (2008), and Raavan (2010).
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Samsung officially announced the rollout of One UI 7, its Android 15-based operating system (OS), earlier this week. It has now expanded its list of devices that will be eligible to receive the update. Initially limited to the Samsung Galaxy S23 series and newer models, the South Korean technology conglomerate has added the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21 series and more phones in the supported devices list, enabling a wider audience to experience Android 15.
Samsung Expands One UI 7 Eligibility
In a newsroom post, Samsung announced that it will begin rolling out One UI 7 to Galaxy S24 users in Singapore starting April 14. Alongside, the brand also shared the list of smartphones and tablets which will be eligible to receive the Android 15-based update. It includes the following devices:
Samsung Galaxy S Series
Galaxy S24 Series
Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S23 Series
Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S22 Series
Galaxy S21 Series
Galaxy S21 FE
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip Series
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6
Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5
Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4
Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3
Samsung Galaxy Tab Series
Galaxy Tab S10 Series
Galaxy Tab S9 Series
Galaxy Tab S9 FE Series
Galaxy Tab S8 Series
Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Previously, only the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Tab S9 series, and newer models were confirmed to get One UI 7. However, the eligibility list has been expanded following the announcement of the update's anticipated rollout in Singapore, which will begin with the Galaxy S24 series. The brand is yet to confirm the rollout date for other Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 users will start receiving the update starting April 7 in India.
The One UI 7 update, first introduced with the Galaxy S25 series in January, brings visual enhancements with more customisation options, a new notification system dubbed Now Bar, and redesigned One UI widgets. It also bundles new features powered by the Galaxy AI suite.
Infinix Note 50X 5G is scheduled to launch in India on March 27. Ahead of its anticipated debut, the pricing range of the upcoming handset has been confirmed by the brand. The successor to the Infinix Note 40X 5G will be introduced as an affordable option in the budget smartphone segment. Alongside, Infinix has also confirmed several specifications of the purported Infinix Note 50X 5G such as its battery, chipset, artificial intelligence (AI) features, and more.
Infinix Note 50X 5G Price in India, Specifications
Infinix Note 50X 5G will be launched in India priced under Rs. 12,000, the brand confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter). It is claimed to be the first smartphone in the world to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset, courtesy of which it will support gaming in 90 frames-per-second (fps) and also deliver a “smooth multitasking” and a “lag-free” gaming experience.
90FPS Gaming Under ₹12,000? Ab possible hai! ?
Infinix Note 50x 5G+ with World's 1st MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate Processor, is the most powerful smartphone in its segment.
Previously, the Transsion Group subsidiary confirmed that the Infinix Note 50X will be powered by a 5,500mAh “SolidCore” battery with support for 45W wired fast charging. Additionally, it will also offer military-grade MIL-STD 810H durability.
Infinix says its upcoming smartphone will be powered by XOS 15 which brings a host of AI features. This includes Folax Voice, an AI-powered voice assistant that enables voice interactions for carrying out system actions, analysing and summarising web content, and more. The AI Note feature works similar to Samsung's Sketch-to-Image, turning rough sketches into digital art. The phone is also confirmed to get AIGC Portrait that can generate AI avatars based on captured images in real time.
XOS 15 on the Infinix Note 50X 5G will also introduce a collapsible Dynamic Bar which is expected to function similarly to Apple's Dynamic Island. The company confirms that the handset will get customisable icons and a dedicated Game Mode with different performance modes, depending on the user preference.
Noise Master Buds were introduced in India in February. With these TWS earphones, the company ventures out of its budget segment and into a slightly more premium category. At a reasonably handsome price of Rs. 7,999, these headsets offer Bose-tuned audio and a total battery life of up to 44 hours to interested buyers. Having spent the past couple of weeks with the Master Buds, I can tell you a thing or two about what to expect from them.
Noise Master Buds Design and Features: Virtues of Vinyl
The Noise Master Buds' individual earphones sport a familiar design, similar to most other in-ear TWS headsets on the market. The touch sensors are located towards the upper part of the stem and marked by small metallic discs. The earphones are placed vertically within the case, and the charging connectors are placed towards the bottom. This helps avoid any unwanted metal-to-skin contact.
The TWS earphones can be used for a long time with no fatigue
They ship with three ear tip options: small, medium, and large. The medium one was the most comfortable for me and was good to use for a few hours at a stretch at my desk or while travelling without fatigue. However, I would advise against using these in the gym or for your regular runs. They tend to stray from their place with much movement.
The front of the Noise Master Buds storage and charging case features a larger metallic disc resembling an old vinyl record, complete with grooves and ridges. This adds a distinct look to the case and serves as a brilliant fidget toy. While a charging case doubling as a fidget toy is not the sole hallmark of good design, I would be lying if I said it wasn't one of the biggest reasons the design won me over. If you've ever had a pop-it or a spinner at your desk, you'll understand. The case easily fits in your palm, and you can flick it open and close it easily with just your thumb.
We also find a pill-shaped light bar on the disc at the two o'clock position, inspired by a vinyl needle. A breathing effect indicates the pairing/connectivity and battery status of the earphones. The pairing button is placed on the back of the case. The Noise logo is marked on the bottom of this disc and top of the case. The latter is accompanied by an imprint of the “Sound by Bose” tagline. The USB Type-C charging port is placed towards the bottom of the case.
Noise Master Buds App and Specifications: Effective Essentials
The Noise Master Buds are compatible with the Noise Audio app. In fact, currently, these are the only TWS headphones by the company that are compatible with the app. You are required to log in to the app using your email ID and phone number. On the home page, you see the battery level of the earphones and the case. It has a monochromatic and easy-to-navigate layout. No frills, just the essentials. There are three major categories that the app allows us to customise, starting with noise control, touch gestures and equaliser.
The Noise Audio app has an easily accessible layout
Among the different noise control modes are “noise control off” and “transparency” modes. The “ANC on” mode includes noise cancellation levels: low, medium, and high. The touch gesture customization section is quite straightforward as well. For both left and right earbuds, you can personalize actions for gestures like one, two, or three taps and a tap and hold. You can also toggle the in-ear detection feature on and off from this section.
I opted not to assign any task to the single tap gesture to minimize the chance of mistakenly prompting an action while adjusting the earphones. I assigned the double tap on the right and left earbuds for volume up and down, respectively. Tapping the right bud three times would take me to the next track when I am playing music while tapping thrice on the left activates the voice assistant feature. Lastly, the tap-and-hold action on the right earphone would activate or deactivate the spatial audio feature, and doing the same on the left would help me switch between the different ANC modes. These are the settings I used to best manage my controls. You are, of course, welcome to enjoy customisation as per your preferences.
The Noise Audio app allows us to customise a three-band equaliser where we can adjust the level of bass, mid and treble ranges on vertical slider scales. It also has three preset modes, including jazz, club and rock, aside from a default “equal” mix.
The audio performance of the headsets leaves very little room for complaints
The earphones are equipped with 12.4mm titanium drivers and support up to 49dB ANC alongside Bose-tuned audio. They support LHDC 5.0 audio codec, dual-device connectivity and spatial audio without head tracking. The headsets are claimed to offer a total battery life of up to 44 hours, including up to six hours, with just the earphones on a single charge.
Noise Master Buds Performance and Battery Life: Middling Maestro
ANC - 49dB
Battery Life (ANC off) - six hours (Bud), 44 hours (Case)
Fast Charging - Yes (claimed 10 minutes for up to six hours)
Bluetooth - v5.4
Let us now talk about the USP and the audio performance of the Noise Master Buds. They come with ‘Sound by Bose.' The possibility of that tagline being another marketing gimmick was slim but not nil. However, with the audio tuning that these TWS earphones offer, we can safely say that the impressions of Bose, or rather the sound quality we relate with Bose, is noticeable. The balance between the high and low-frequency audios, without getting muddy on either extreme, is proof of that.
Despite the jazz, club, and rock presets, I mostly enjoyed using the Noise Master Buds in the default music mode. This offers playback with equally balanced bass, treble, and mid tones. Customising the EQ, while simpler with three bands, also left me wanting more granular control at times. But I am no Shirley Walker, so I can't say this factor greatly weighed in on my overall experience.
The grooves and ridges of the vinyl design double as a fidget tool
The audio performance of the Noise Master Buds truly leaves very little room for complaints. Is it something you would expect from studio-level headsets? No. Is it remarkably better than most budget to mid-range offerings in the market? Yes. Starting from the crisp high notes in Joan Baez's rendition of "House of the Rising Sun" to the heavy but clear baritone of Leonard Cohen in the "You Want It Darker" track, the experience was delightful. Even a punchier, bass-heavy track like "Haegum" by Agust D was thoroughly enjoyable. I was expecting disappointment in certain corners, but there was no muddying with ANC or any cracks in audio at a higher volume.
Disappointment, however, shows up in terms of connectivity. The Noise Master Buds support Bluetooth 5.4 and the LHDC 5.0 audio codec. The Google Fast Pair feature works fine. The lossless audio transmission and even the Bluetooth range are okay. With my phone on my desk at home, I could walk around, making coffee, feeding my cats, or watering my plants out on the balcony without any snag in the connection.
The trouble begins with dual-device pairing. While you would expect to switch between, say, your PC and smartphone audio to be seamless, it is anything but! The track you were playing on the initial device is not immediately audible and requires a few restarts or resets. There is also some considerable audio-visual lag while streaming. It is disconcerting, especially while trying to watch a movie or a show. Multiple restarts would sometimes solve the issue, but there have been instances where I have kept the Master Buds aside out of sheer frustration. And this pulls a lot away from the total experience.
The earphones offer a decent ANC/ENC performance
The Noise Master Buds' spatial audio feature without head tracking is not noteworthy. The ANC performance is good and works well on busy streets or crowded shops. The call noise reduction feature does work well and offers a decent call experience.
Another virtue of the Noise Master Buds is their battery life. The true offered usage is close to the claimed playback time. Without ANC, just the earphones can last for up to five hours and 53 minutes on a single charge, while with ANC, this usage time drops to about three hours and 56 minutes. A quick charge of 10 minutes can help the earphones last for around five hours and 35 minutes, without ANC, at 50 percent volume.
Noise Master Buds: Verdict
For a pair of TWS earphones with good, balanced audio tuning and decent battery life, we rarely need to think twice about whether they are worth buying. The Noise Master Buds hit the bumps on a couple of levels that are seemingly secondary at a glance but become vital while considering the overall experience. As someone who connects with multiple devices throughout the day, seamless multi-device pairing is almost a non-negotiable. It may have been better if the dual-pairing feature were not supported. With this drawback and a non-gym-worthy fit, despite the audio performance and the battery life, these headsets align as Chaotic Good at best.
Considering that you are getting Bose-tuned audio and a total battery life of up to 44 hours for under Rs. 10,000, should you get them? Priced at Rs. 7,999, you can opt for the Noise Master Buds if you most often connect them to a single electronic device. Also, if you do not mind riding the high latency wave and own earphones with a cool case design, these are for you.
At the same price range, you can also consider the Nothing Ear (a)Review, which was launched in India in April 2024 and is claimed to offer a total playback time of up to 42.5 hours. They support ChatGPT integration, up to 45dB ANC and IP54 dust and splash resistance rating for the earphones.
Realme Buds T200 Lite true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds were launched in India on Wednesday. They debuted alongside the Realme P3 Ultra, Realme P3, and the Realme Buds Air 7. As per the company, the Realme Buds T200 Lite come with a 24 percent larger driver than the previous generation model. The TWS earbuds get IPX4 splash resistance, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered call noise cancellation, and up to 48 hours of total battery life on a single charge.
Realme Buds T200 Lite Price in India
Realme Buds T200 Lite are priced in India at Rs. 1,399. However, the company has rolled out a bank discount of Rs. 200 and the TWS earbuds can be purchased at an offer price of Rs. 1,199 in three colourways — Aurora Purple, Storm Grey, and Volt Black.
The first sale has already commenced and they are available to buy from the brand website, Amazon, and Flipkart.
Realme Buds T200 Lite Specifications
Realme says the Buds T200 Lite are equipped with a 12.4mm dynamic bass driver that is 24 percent larger compared to the previous generation model, courtesy of which it delivers deep bass and a rich sound. The TWS earbuds have dual microphones and an AI-powered deep call noise cancellation feature which is claimed to minimise the background noise during calls.
For connectivity, they feature Bluetooth 5.4 and dual-device pairing technology which lets users pair two devices with the TWS earbuds at any given time.
The company claims a 26 percent longer battery life compared to the previous model and can now deliver a music playback of up to 48 hours, with the case, on a single charge. Meanwhile, the Realme Buds T200 Lite also come with quick charge functionality as the company claims that 10 minutes of charge can deliver up to five hours of listening time.
In terms of durability, the Realme Buds T200 Lite TWS earbuds are IPX4 splash resistance rated, meaning they can potentially survive splashes of water and are suitable for light rain or workouts.
South Korea's central bank is set to launch CBDC trials for real-world transactions under the “Digital Test Project Hangang,” according to local reports citing BoK officials. The three-month programme is said to involve seven banks and 100,000 participants that will be testing blockchain technology's role in finance. The BoK reportedly sees this large-scale pilot as an opportunity to assess whether the Digital Won CBDC can help reshape the country's fintech ecosystem.
Starting in April, trial participants can convert their bank deposits into “deposit tokens,” with individual holdings capped at KRW 1 million (roughly Rs. 59,000) and a total limit of KRW 5 million (roughly Rs. 2.95 lakh) throughout the pilot, according to a Korea Times report. Later this month, the Bank of Korea (BoK) is said to release guidelines for joining the trial.
To launch the pilot, the BoK will issue its CBDC to banks, which will then distribute deposit tokens to participants. These tokens can be used for payments at select stores and merchants, Business Korea report a claimed. Payments will reportedly be processed via QR codes at affiliated stores.
By the trial's end, the BoK aims to gain deeper insights into the applications of Web3 technologies, as per the reports. It will assess whether CBDCs can serve as an alternative to traditional payment systems, streamline financial transactions by reducing intermediaries, and lower transaction costs.
The pilot is likely to wrap up in or after June.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are blockchain-based digital versions of fiat currencies. In South Korea, one CBDC token will be equivalent to KRW 1 (roughly Rs. 0.059). Like cryptocurrencies, CBDCs enable fast transactions and maintain permanent records on a blockchain. However, unlike cryptocurrencies, they are issued and regulated by central banks. Countries such as India, China, and Japan are also developing their own CBDCs to enhance financial transparency and reduce reliance on cash.
Between 2022 and 2023, South Korea reportedly conducted a CBDC trial for wholesale transactions and introduced a blockchain-based digital voucher system, enabling smartphone access to public welfare services.
Following reports that star cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has agreed to pay Rs 4.5 crore as permanent alimony to his estranged wife Dhanashree Verma, RJ Mahvash shared a cryptic post (one more time) on her Instagram on Wednesday. RJ Mahvash is rumoured to be dating Yuzvendra Chahal and they were spotted together on many occasions in the last few weeks. RJ Mahvash was seen cheering for Team India during the Champions Trophy Final.
RJ Mahvash shared a series of pictures featuring herself. She is seen dressed in a white t-shirt outfit, pairing it up with a red-heart laden sheer shrug and black belt. The caption of her post grabbed the Internet's attention.
She wrote, "Jhut, lalach, aur fareb se parey hain..khuda ka shukr ainey aaj bhi khade hain.. (Far from lies, greed, and deceit... Thank God, we are still standing today, looking in the mirror)." Yuzvendra Chahal liked the post instantly.
RJ Mahvash's post got significance as reports of Chahal's agreement to pay the alimony surfaced on Wednesday.
As per the consent term, Chahal had agreed to pay permanent alimony of Rs 4 crore 75 lakhs to Verma to his estranged wife. However, the cricketer is said to have only paid Rs 2 crore 37 lakhs and 55 thousand till date. The non-payment of the rest of the amount was seen by the court as a matter of non-compliance, hence the cooling-off plea was rejected.
On Wednesday (March 21), the Bombay High Court has directed the family court to decide the divorce plea of cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife Dhanashree Verma by March 20 because of the Punjab Kings cricketer's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season from March 22.
According to Bar and Bench, the couple that got married in December 2020 have been living apart since June 2022. It was only in February this year that they decided to file a divorce plea before the Bandra Family Court. The couple also filed an application along with the petition to waive the cooling period.
The plea was filed under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, suggesting divorce by mutual consent.
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