MAM
Micromax announces comeback
NEW DELHI: Popular Indian mobile manufacturer Micromax is poised to make a comeback with its "In" range of smartphones.
Micromax founder Rahul Sharma made the announcement, saying the homegrown company is once again looking to re-enter the smartphone market. In a video posted on Twitter, Sharma narrated Micromax’s journey – the brand’s growth to the top as well as the mistakes which were made on the way – and that it’s now ready for a fresh start.
We're #INForIndia with #INMobiles! What about you? #IndiaKeLiye #BigAnnouncement #MicromaxIsBack #AatmanirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/eridOF5MdQ
— Micromax India (@Micromax__India) October 16, 2020
Sharma stated that he does not condone the recent events playing out on the Indo-Sino border. At one point the number 2 smartphone maker in India, Micromax faced tough competition from Chinese brands, and was eventually forced to call it quits.
“The Chinese mobile manufacturers wiped me out in my own country. This time, whatever I do, will be for the sake of India," he said in the video, adding that he has taken PM Narendra Modi’s call of Atmanirbhar Bharat to heart.
Micromax, along with 15 other smartphone manufacturing companies, was approved for incentives under the government's Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
Earlier this year, the Centre had amended the rules to the PLI scheme to make it more market-friendly by removing caps and other contentious clauses. The incentives range from 4 per cent to 6 per cent over a five-year period, provided the manufacturer makes smartphones valued at around $200.
According to a Reuters report, the approved companies are expected to make Rs 10,50,000 crores worth of smartphones in India.
A few years ago, brand Micromax was shining and thriving in the sub-Rs 10,000 and sub-Rs 5,000 segment phones. It also launched several premium smartphones and did an interesting campaign with Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman.
Brands
Netflix acquires Ben Affleck’s AI film-tech firm InterPositive
Streaming giant picks up production startup to streamline digital filmmaking
LOS ANGELES: Netflix has officially acquired InterPositive, an AI film-technology startup founded by actor and director Ben Affleck. The move marks a significant investment by the streaming service into assistive AI tools designed to support the technical side of movie production. While many AI companies focus on generating new images or scripts, InterPositive focuses on the logistical challenges of filmmaking. The firm’s technology is designed to handle technical tasks that often delay post-production, such as correcting lighting inconsistencies and ensuring visual continuity across different takes.
The acquisition is not about replacing human actors or writers. Instead, Netflix intends to use the technology as a digital assistant for directors. The software understands cinematic logic, meaning it can automatically adjust background elements or environmental effects to ensure a film looks polished and consistent without months of manual editing.
In a Netflix post on Thursday, Affleck emphasised that the project was born out of a desire to support the craft rather than automate it. “I knew I had a responsibility to my peers and our industry, to protect the power of human creativity and the people behind it. In creating InterPositive, I sought to do just that,” Affleck wrote. “From the invention of the moving image to the transition to digital, from motion capture to virtual production, technology has evolved alongside the artists who use it. Our shared commitment to continuing this legacy makes joining together a natural next step.”
Netflix chief product and technology officer Elizabeth Stone said, “Our approach to AI has always been focused on meaningfully serving the needs of the creative community. InterPositive’s technology is purpose-built for filmmakers and showrunners to naturally support their visions. We’re excited to welcome the team to Netflix and continue building a future where technology enhances storytelling, while people remain at the core.”
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria added, “New tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it. Ben and his team are part of a long tradition of artists leading innovation in storytelling. Their work gives filmmakers more choices, control, and protection for their vision.”
The deal coincides with a broader partnership between Netflix and Artists Equity, the production company led by Affleck and Matt Damon. Following the success of their recent projects on the platform, this acquisition cements Affleck’s role as both a creative and technical advisor to the streamer. Affleck noted that the partnership was a logical fit due to “Netflix’s decades of experience applying and scaling technology responsibly.” He will serve as a senioradvisor for the integration of the technology, ensuring the tools remain focused on helping filmmakers.
For the film industry, this acquisition signals a shift in strategy. Rather than just buying finished movies, Netflix is now owning the specialized technology used to build them. By bringing these tools in-house, the company aims to reduce the rising costs and lengthy timelines associated with high-budget original films while giving their productions a technical edge in speed and visual quality.
