Applications
Tegic launches ‘XT9’ mobile platform in India
MUMBAI: Tegic Communications, a unit of AOL’s wireless division, has launched its XT9 Mobile interface in India. The XT9 Mobile interface integrates popular T9 software for the phone keypad, as well as hard and soft QWERTY keyboard, with handwriting recognition capabilities using a stylus. By making it simpler to type words and phrases, XT9 makes it easier to enjoy popular content and wireless services such as mobile web browsing, search and messaging, states an official release. |
“With mobile and SMS usage growing at such a rapid pace in India, we feel this is the perfect time to add XT9 to our list of available products in such an important market,” says Tegic SVP emerging markets Ray Tsuchiyama. |
SXT9 Mobile Interface Features Include: Next Word Prediction: XT9 recognizes words often used in a defined sequence and can suggest the next word the moment a user keys the first word. Support for Any Input Method: XT9 works for any key layout, including hard and soft keys, and even handwriting. Each of these input modes are able to work together to compose emails, text messages, and more. Regional Error Correction: XT9 helps ensure a better messaging experience by compensating for users tapping incorrect keys. For example, if a user inadvertently types or writes “m-o-o-b,” XT9 will present “moon” since the “b” is just one key away from the “n,” and the word “moon” is a more likely choice. Word Order Preference: XT9 is able to predict multiple words of the same key sequence, such as good, home and gone, any of which can be selected by pressing the “next” key. However, if a user texts “home” more often than “good”, XT9 learns quickly and will show “home” as the first option, making it faster for the user to get to the word they are most likely typing. This functionality works for all input modes. Smart Punctuation and Auto-Accenting: XT9 offers smart punctuation for words such as I‘ll or we‘ll. In order to use punctuation, a user simply has to press “1” and the XT9 software will know where and how to use punctuation. Additionally, XT9 will predict which words require accents and will automatically add them. For instance, if the user inputs “espanol,” XT9 will present “espa?ol”. User Database: The XT9 user database gives mobile phone users the freedom to add any word to their phone’s language database from any input mode. Availability: The XT9 Mobile Interface is now available for manufacturers of mobile and electronic devices to license and integrate into upcoming models. For more information about the XT9 Mobile Interface, visit www.tegic.com |
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.
