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Nokia opens its first design studio in India
MUMBAI / BANGALORE: Nokia has chosen India as the location for the first in a series of satellite design studios it plans to establish in design hot spots around the world, signaling the increasing impact the country is having on the development of mobile phones. Established via a two-year partnership with the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore, it will give Nokia designers and India‘s talented young designers the opportunity to work together on new design ideas for India and the global markets. This was announced at a press conference today. “Reflecting India‘s status as one of the hottest countries for design right now I expect our work here to influence not only our thinking on new design trends and ideas for India, but also for many other markets around the world ” added Curtis. The satellite studio will explore a range of design trends and themes including detailed research into color and material trends in India, mobile use of the internet in India and its implications for design, and examining innovative new features and uses for mobiles. Run by a team of Nokia designers working with students at the Srishti School and established designers across India, it will also be a key destination for Nokia‘s global team to visit to share ideas and be inspired. Srishti founder and director Geetha Narayanan said, “Nokia‘s investment reflects the growing importance of India‘s designers and the wealth of new talent being developed here. This studio gives the talent of tomorrow the opportunity to work with experienced Nokia designers from around the world. This exposure to world class designers in one of the fastest growing product category in the world will be a huge opportunity for the students in India”. The Bangalore satellite studio is part of Nokia‘s ongoing investment in design. Earlier this year the company established a new design studio for its design team at its global headquarters in Finland. The company plans to open a similar studio for its design team in London later this year. Nokia has more than 300 designers in its global team representing 34 different nationalities. In India, SSADT has added more to its last year people count of 28.
Nokia‘s chief designer Alastair Curtis said, “India is a dynamic and inspiring place for designers with its diverse mix of cultures, traditions and colour. The new satellite studio will help us further develop our understanding of this vibrant country and to work more closely with its extremely talented designers.
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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.
