Applications
Bose introduces Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system
MUMBAI: Audio equipment firm Bose India has introduced the Companion 5 multimedia speaker system for computer users who enjoy movies, music, and games. With one USB connection, the system turns the computer into a complete entertainment hub, delivering today’s multi-channel audio content from two visible speakers and a hideaway Acoustimass module. |
The new Companion™ 5 system requires no software installation, no sound card upgrade, no adapters or complicated wiring for setup. With plug-and-play simplicity, it creates a desktop-theater, providing much of the performance of a fully wired five-speaker system. A new generation of proprietary TrueSpace surround processing circuitry, developed specifically for computer applications, enables the system to deliver a vivid, immersive soundstage without using rear speakers; sound seems to come from beyond the enclosures themselves. This technology provides the 5.1 audio experience many games and movies are encoded to deliver, and also enhances the enjoyment of stereo music collections many people now store on hard drives. The Companion 5 system’s speaker arrays come preassembled on stands for out-of-the-box setup. Angled for accurate performance, each array measures only 6? wide and 4? deep, fitting neatly and inconspicuously to the right and left of a computer monitor. |
The small control pod puts system operation within easy reach, letting users adjust volume and access one-touch muting. It also offers a headphone jack and input for an additional audio source –- such as an MP3 player. Bose proprietary integrated signal processing maintains accurate tonal balance even at low listening levels, ideal for users who listen in areas where louder volume could distract others. Music maintains depth and clarity, even when played softly in the office or during a late night at home. The Companion 5 system is compatible with both PC and Mac platforms. For the best performance, Bose recommends Windows XP or later for PC users and OS X 10.4.6 or later for Mac users. In addition to introducing the new Companion 5 system, Bose has updated the Companion 3 and Companion 2 multimedia speaker systems. The Companion 3 system, designed for premium stereo performance, comes with newly designed speakers now pre-positioned on stands. The Companion 2 system, offering a simple yet high-quality speaker upgrade for computers or portable players, has also been refreshed with a new speaker design. |
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.
