MAM
Thomson celebrates WC with value deals
CHENNAI: Advertisers, sponsors and broadcasters who have sunk millions into the ongoing cricket World Cup are breathing more easily, courtesy India’s thumping of Pakistan.
Thomson Consumer Electronics seems to have gone a step further by announcing the addition of a new range of video theatre systems to the product line. Branded Galleria, the product is a complete package with a 21-inch color television, two external speakers and a VCD player with built-in amplifier. The Galleria has a choice of television screens – 21 inches, 25 inches and flat screens to choose from.
According to an official release, the Galleria aims to usher in a new breed of home entertainment. Equipped with speakers (both in-built and external) that belt out 1000 watts PMPO and state-of-the-art VCD player with MP3/ACD playback capability, the Galleria promises more bang for the buck which is north of Rs 18,990.
Thomson is also aiming at going boom boom in the customers ear. The BoomerMax is equipped with 800 watts of sound power. It’s unveiling comes in the wake of the Cricket World Cup hysteria. Till 15 March, Thomson is offering a bunch of goodies for consumers, including a free VCD-cum-MP3 player with the latest BoomerMax CTV, 29 Fusion Magic at 21990, a 29 CTBB with a World Class DVD player for Rs. 30,990. A travel bag comes free with every purchase of Thomson’s 36 cm televisions.
Digital
India leads global adoption of ChatGPT Images 2.0 in first week
From anime avatars to fantasy covers, users turn AI visuals into culture
NEW DELHI: India has emerged as the largest user base for ChatGPT Images 2.0, just a week after its launch by OpenAI, underlining the country’s growing influence on global internet trends.
While the tool was introduced as an advanced image-generation upgrade within ChatGPT, Indian users are quickly reshaping its purpose. Instead of sticking to productivity-led use cases, many are embracing it as a creative playground for self-expression, storytelling and online identity.
From anime-style portraits and cinematic headshots to tarot-inspired visuals and fictional newspaper front pages, the model is being used to create highly stylised, shareable content. Features such as accurate text rendering, multilingual prompts and the ability to generate detailed visuals with minimal input have helped drive rapid adoption.
What sets the latest model apart is its ability to “think” through prompts, generating multiple outputs and adapting to context, including real-time web inputs. But the bigger story lies in how users are engaging with it.
In India, trends are already taking shape. Popular formats include dramatic studio-style lighting edits, LinkedIn-ready headshots, manga-inspired avatars, soft pastel “spring” aesthetics, AI-led fashion moodboards, paparazzi-style visuals and fantasy newspaper covers. Users are also restoring old photographs, creating tarot-style imagery and experimenting with futuristic design concepts.
Local flavour is adding another layer. Prompts such as cinematic portrait collages and Y2K-inspired romantic edits are gaining traction, blending global aesthetics with distinctly Indian internet culture.
The surge reflects a broader shift in how AI tools are being used in the country, moving beyond utility to creativity. As younger users, creators and social media enthusiasts experiment with new visual formats, AI-generated imagery is increasingly becoming part of everyday digital expression.
If early trends hold, ChatGPT Images 2.0 may not just be a tech upgrade but a cultural moment, giving millions a new visual language to play with online.
