Brands
Webaroo launches the searchable, offline web in India
BANGALORE: Marking a significant step forward in improving the mobile web experience, Webaroo today launched a new software service that enables consumers to search web pages and view web sites anytime, anywhere, without an internet connection, on their handhelds and laptop computers.
Available at www.webaroo.com, the Webaroo software features ‘web packs’ on a variety of subjects, such as news, sports and major global cities, including New York, London and Mumbai – each of which contains thousands of relevant web pages identified by Webaroo’s innovative algorithms, informs an official release.
“The time is ripe for India to be a developer of global consumer brands, not just an outsourcing center.” says Webaroo CEO and founder Rakesh Mathur.
“We’re thrilled to be located within the IIT incubator,” said Webaroo CTO & founder Beerud Sheth. “We’ve been able to build a world-class team in an incredibly short time.”
In recognition of the appeal of taking the web offline, Acer plans to bundle the Webaroo software on its laptop PCs worldwide, the release adds.
“Acer believes that the new, powerful ability to search the web offline will bring tremendous advantages for consumers and business people,” said Campbell Kan, head of Mobile Computing Business Unit, Acer Inc. “Acer is committed to being first-to-market with innovative products that are easy-to-use, dependable and empowering-enabling our users to be more productive. We plan on incorporating Webaroo’s software into Acer’s mobile PCs. We look forward to creating mutual success for Acer and Webaroo and even greater satisfaction for our customers.”
Webaroo is a software service that allows users to download web content onto their mobile devices and search it anytime, anywhere, even without a connection. Founded in 2004 by experienced entrepreneurs Rakesh Mathur, Brad Husick and Beerud Sheth, the company has offices in Santa Clara (California), Bellevue (Washington), Mumbai (India) and New Delhi (India).
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
