Applications
Panasonic strengthens its mobile offerings, launches new smartphones
MUMBAI: Encouraged by the tremendous success of its P51 smartphone launched earlier this year, Panasonic, one of the global leaders in consumer technologies, has unveiled three new smartphones: P11, T21, and T11. These smartphones are designed to deliver on Panasonic’s brand promise of Smart solutions for Smart people, and come with compact and sleek designs, loaded with innovative software features to deliver performance.
The newly launched smartphones are a combination of stylish design, cutting-edge technology and innovative convergence capabilities attempting to redefine the smartphone experience for the Indian mobile phone consumer. These new smartphones run on Android 4.1 (jelly bean) that promises superior quality graphics, multi-tasking and improved application performance. Priced between Rs 9,790 to Rs 16,490, all the three devices come in multiple screen sizes with IPS and High Resolution display. Quad-Core and Dual-Dual Core technology ensures impressive speed and graphics performance. All phones come pre-loaded with popular Apps such as ToI & ET news application, Hungama music application, WeChat Instant messenger, CamCard & CamScanner utility applications. The smartphones will be available to consumers in India from third week of September, 2013.
Expressing his pleasure on the launch, Panasonic India MD Manish Sharma said, “With the launch of these devices, we are yet again raising the bar for innovation. Smartphone is a reflection of who you are, and since we are all different, it is imperative that we do not adopt a ‘one size fits all approach’. Panasonic’s new offerings will deliver a remarkable mobile experience to our consumers and set a new standard in premium smartphones. It syndicates great functionality and design, accompanied by a comprehensive system of applications that reliably address the needs of our evolving customers. We are positive that our consumers will yet again repose their faith in Panasonic.”
Panasonic has partnered with Broadcom and Qualcomm to quickly bring smartphones with advanced features including multi-core processor, vivid graphics and dual-SIM capabilities.
Applications
With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
