Applications
MediaTek launches audio-video compression software Mobile Theater
MUMBAI: MediaTek, a fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions, has announced the release of “Mobile Theater”, a video and audio compression software tailored specifically for handset users.
The new software runs both MPEG-4 and H.264, among other popular digital video/audio coding formats. With this feature support, digital or audio files can be easily stored up to 50 film clips on a 2GB T-card.
With MediaTek’s long experience in bringing optical storage and digital media to video compression technology, “Mobile Theater” optimises subtitle crispness and sound quality parameters to ensure that compressed video/audio files retain high fidelity. With “Mobile Theater”, not only has the problem of video or audio files taking up excessive memory space in handset devices been solved, it also offers a clear improvement on the image and sound quality of compressed files during playback.
MediaTek’s full range of handset solutions, including the MT6252, all run “Mobile Theater”, which means even more handset users can now enjoy high quality movies on the go.
According to the Indian research company Tavess’ Report, the mobile entertainment industry in India is witnessing growth and will reach $4.9 billion by 2015. Mobile entertainment has a huge potential in India and the current localisation of mobile entertainment content is driving the industry in the right direction, bringing in greater usability of content.
Mobile music will continue to dominate the mobile entertainment services landscape with significant growth
potential presented by mobile video and TV. With regard to mobile handset manufacturers, MediaTek’s “Mobile Theater” audio-video compression software can help them further enhance the competitiveness of their products in the Indian market, which is currently seeing the rapid growth of video and audio consumption on mobile handset devices.
MediaTek president Hsieh Ching-Jiang said, “As we work to enrich the mobile life worldwide, MediaTek continues to leverage our own innovative technology and long experience in the mobile handset market to create uniquely differentiated mobile platform solutions, giving users the ability to enjoy the advantages and excitement of cutting edge communications technology. As the world’s leading handset IC solutions provider, MediaTek has packaged “Mobile Theater” with advanced features that give feature phone users more added value, at no added cost.”
MediaTek Mobile Theater runs both MPEG-4 and H.264, among other popular digital coding formats; therefore, files compressed by “Mobile Theater” will play on almost any brand of feature phone. Mobile Theater also ensures that compressed files retain the high fidelity of the original, uncompressed file. During file compression, standard audio and video parameters have been optimised, giving users both AAC sound quality and crisp and clear subtitles, while also keeping file distortion to a minimum. In addition, Mobile Theater software also supports 2D/3D content switching.
The company said Indian handset manufacturers like Micromax, Spice and Karbonn, have embraced this technological innovation.
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.
