Applications
Nokia launches competition to find ’rulers of the mobile world’
MUMBAI: Mobile firm Nokia has launched its second annual competition for developers and entrepreneurs working in the mobile space titled ‘Mobile Rules!.’ The competition aims to promote excellence in both applications developed for mobile and for businesses launching or promoting services in the mobile arena. The initiative is in its second year. In 2006, it was launched as the ‘Web2Mobile’ competition; the change of name reflects the increased scope, prizes and reach of this year’s contest. Nokia director, communication solutions Vesa Luiro said, “At the heart of Nokia’s business lies innovation – both in mobile devices and in the services and solutions that will enhance the experience of mobile users. Nokia is a pioneer in ‘open collaboration’ – working with a range of academic, commercial and non-profit organisations on technology research and development to bring together the best combination of minds in our fields of interest. ‘Mobile Rules!’ is a way for us to encourage and promote innovation in mobile services and, at the same time, it reflects Nokia’s inclusive attitude towards partnering with external organizations.” The competition is divided into two ’tracks’. The first is for qualified developers working on mobile applications for Nokia platforms in four categories: ‘multiplayer and connected games’, ‘multimedia’, ‘enterprise’ and ‘infotainment’. The second is aimed at entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups and academic institutions and is for business plans in the mobile space, both those designed specifically for mobile devices and those that make existing static businesses mobile. Last year the competition focused only on business plans and the winners were: a mobile community for music fans; a peer-to-peer mobile file-sharing application; an application for estate agents to improve customer service and a service providing multiple identities on a single mobile device. “Mobile solutions for consumers and businesses is one of the hottest development arenas in technology,” adds Luiro. But this can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, demand and the scope for innovation are great. On the other, the crowded market means it can be difficult for smaller companies, entrepreneurs and developers to get their voice heard.
With one winner and two runners-up per category in Track One and one winner and two runners-up in Track Two, the competition prizes include Nokia devices, memberships of Forum Nokia Launchpad, promotion of the winning application/plan through channels owned by Nokia or other competition sponsors and expert advice from Nokia specialists. The five overall winners will also be offered the chance to develop a contract with one of the competition sponsors or a significant cash prize if no contract is awarded.
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.
