INVEST IN TECH THIS FESTIVE SEASON

The festive season is upon us! It is that time of the year when we dive into our savings and indulge in some retail therapy. With Diwali and other festivals coming up, we're all hoping to make the most of sales and offers, upgrade our gadgets and deck up our homes.

The year 2020 hasn't been easy on any of us. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have made us all realise one thing -- that home is where the heart is. So this year, I suggest you invest in your home and make your personal space smarter with tech.&nbsp;

Lockdowns have inspired us to cook up a storm in the kitchen, try some interesting do-it-yourself hairstyles and even make our homes clutter-free and more organised. And technology has played a huge role in it.

So if you're planning on buying and gifting some useful options in the festive season, I say put some tech into your shopping cart. Our festive buying guide has something for everyone.

BREATHE BETTER WITH AIR PURIFIERS

This is a category which has graduated from gifting options to home essentials in the last few years. The Covid-19 pandemic has put the focus on healthy lungs yet again and as pollution rises, air purifiers have become a necessity. You'll be surprised to see the poor air quality in indoor spaces!

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="oo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42a344b7-6c9e-4b24-aeae-f506cc842a3c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_161.jpg" /> 
DYSON PURE HOT+COOL 
PRICE: ₹55,900</h6>

Opt for the Philips AC1217 for your master bedroom priced at ₹12,995. And if you have a bigger budget, the Blueair Blue 211 is a great option at just over ₹20,000.&nbsp;

And for those with deeper pockets, the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier promises cleaner air indoors for ₹55,900.

ALEXA CAN PLAY SHOW AND TELL

"Alexa, play my favourite workout music!" This has become the wake-up call for many of us in lockdown. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a great addition to your home which can organise your day. With an 8-inch HD screen and stereo sound, Alexa can play show and tell. You can watch your favourite shows, cook with your favourite chefs and control your smart home through Alexa.

<img alt="Echo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1fb92fc9-2ebe-4ad9-8d75-0d3c35dbbe25" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_45.jpg" />

&nbsp;

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Echo Show 8 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹6,999.00</h6>

Pro tip: it's also an engaging tool for your children who can learn and play with Alexa. Confession: I often make my toddler practise the alphabet with Alexa as I manage other chores!

EASY CLEANING WITH VACUUM CLEANERS

The lockdowns have made us more self-reliant. If your mission is to achieve squeaky clean floors and furniture, the mighty Dyson V11 is your best friend. It looks like Thor's hammer instead of a vacuum cleaner, catches every speck of dust and grime across multiple surfaces and is an investment for your home. It is a pricey option but this cord-free vacuum is a workhorse and makes tedious cleaning fuss-free.

<img alt="Dyson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="006c1ad5-04ee-4267-9dc4-cd7a35e79e06" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_41.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">DYSON V11 ABSOLUTE PRO 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹52,900</h6>

Houses with the happy clutter created by kids will welcome this suggestion as you can clean up messy floors and shelves in seconds!

SMART AUDIO

It's still a risky affair heading to a packed gym so we suggest you stick to effective home workouts and outdoor runs. A sturdy pair of wireless earphones is your best bet. Go for the Sony WF-XB700 wireless earphones which offers great sound with Sony's famous Extra Bass technology. At ₹7,990, they're priced well.&nbsp;

<img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4e61bfc1-3f6a-48ff-8969-a9250afa55ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4_6.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Sony WH-1000XM4 
PRICE: ₹26,990</h6>

If you're willing to splurge more, the Apple Airpods are a popular option for ₹14,900 for those in the Apple ecosystem.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="Airpods" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c9f578e-754c-45fc-b26e-529832dbd618" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_52.jpg" /> 
Apple Airpods 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹14,900</h6>

And if you're looking for a stellar flagship pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 with 30 hours of playback is an investment you won't regret at ₹26,990.

In the portable speaker category, go for the JBL Charge 3 which is water-proof and offers booming sound for ₹7,999.

STAY AT HOME AND STYLE AT HOME

Your wife, mother or sister may squeal with joy for this one. The Dyson Corrale is a gamechanger. It is a cordless styling tool which possibly explains the steep price tag of ₹36,900.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="a" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a217b774-4cba-4770-89ad-067ad2c2e6b2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_25.jpg" /> 
Dyson Corrale 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹36,900</h6>

Another feature I like is that it delivers results quickly without inflicting the kind of hair damage that other heat-styling tools do.&nbsp;

For men, the Philips OneBlade beard trimmer at ₹2,199 is a great grooming tool.

LIGHT UP YOUR HOME -- SMARTLY

A smart home is incomplete without a smart light and the Philips Hue remains a favourite.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="philips" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de5ac0f0-ad1e-4759-97de-55c78e6e1fe3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_79.jpg" /> 
Philips Hue 10W B22 Smart Bulb 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹2,295</h6>

Available for around ₹2,195 online, it can be controlled through your phone or tablet and is the perfect addition to your pretty corners in the festival of lights.

UPGRADE YOUR TV

In the times of a pandemic, my only hope is that you're not stepping out for any Diwali parties and instead, enjoying your favourite sitcom from the cozy comforts of your home. For your family room, I'd recommend the new LG OLED TV with a jaw-dropping display where the black is dark enough and the stars are super bright.

<img alt="aa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="beea9ebb-c33e-44ee-af92-d7531fa6d2fa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_24.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Samsung Frame 
STARTING PRICE: ₹74,990</h6>

You can even opt for VU televisions' Masterpiece TV which comes with a stunning 85-inch screen, a gold finish and quantum dot technology. This one is priced high at ₹3.5 lakh.

Then again, if you're a Samsung loyalist, opt for the Samsung Frame which comes with Samsung QLED technology and great design. Prices start at ₹74,990.

A SMART KITCHEN

And if the kitchen is where you're spending your festive season cooking up a storm for the family, opt for the Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave.

<img alt="samsung" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6ff5d3a6-8514-4d40-a04f-3898c248b2df" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/6.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave 
STARTING PRICE:&nbsp;₹19,990</h6>

As the name suggests, this microwave is capable of tempering your dishes and is ideal for professionals working from home. Prices start at ₹19,990.

YOUR SMART WORKOUT BUDDY

From tracking your heart rate, fitness levels to even detecting if you suffer a fall, smartwatches are becoming more intuitive with every update.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="galaxy" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d4f765b3-4b77-4b12-8afc-b1b783ef9544" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_22.jpg" /> 
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | 34 mm 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹34,490</h6>

<h6><img alt="Apple Watch" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5ece761-4417-430a-b2d6-c9219af6b5a5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_48.jpg" /> 
Apple Watch Series 6 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹40,900</h6>

Both the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 have plenty of features at similar price points.

<img alt="Smartwatch" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="119a019c-8249-45b6-9dd4-0bf36e67079b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_162.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Inbase Urban Pro 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹6,999</h6>

In the budget segment, Indian brand Inbase has come up with the Urban Pro smartwatch for&nbsp;₹6,999 which comes with a 1.3-inch Full Touch LCD Screen, 7 sports modes and a magnetic charging method.

INVEST IN TECH THIS FESTIVE SEASON The festive season is upon us! It is that time of the year when we dive into our savings and indulge in some retail therapy. With Diwali and other festivals coming up, we're all hoping to make the most of sales and offers, upgrade our gadgets and deck up our homes.

INVEST IN TECH THIS FESTIVE SEASON The festive season is upon us! It is that time of the year when we dive into our savings and indulge in some retail therapy. With Diwali and other festivals coming up, we're all hoping to make the most of sales and offers, upgrade our gadgets and deck up our homes. The year 2020 hasn't been easy on any of us. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have made us all realise one thing -- that home is where the heart is. So this year, I suggest you invest in your home and make your personal space smarter with tech. Lockdowns have inspired us to cook up a storm in the kitchen, try some interesting do-it-yourself hairstyles and even make our homes clutter-free and more organised. And technology has played a huge role in it. So if you're planning on buying and gifting some useful options in the festive season, I say put some tech into your shopping cart. Our festive buying guide has something for everyone. BREATHE BETTER WITH AIR PURIFIERS This is a category which has graduated from gifting options to home essentials in the last few years. The Covid-19 pandemic has put the focus on healthy lungs yet again and as pollution rises, air purifiers have become a necessity. You'll be surprised to see the poor air quality in indoor spaces! DYSON PURE HOT+COOL PRICE: ₹55,900 Opt for the Philips AC1217 for your master bedroom priced at ₹12,995. And if you have a bigger budget, the Blueair Blue 211 is a great option at just over ₹20,000. And for those with deeper pockets, the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier promises cleaner air indoors for ₹55,900. ALEXA CAN PLAY SHOW AND TELL "Alexa, play my favourite workout music!" This has become the wake-up call for many of us in lockdown. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a great addition to your home which can organise your day. With an 8-inch HD screen and stereo sound, Alexa can play show and tell. You can watch your favourite shows, cook with your favourite chefs and control your smart home through Alexa. Echo Show 8 PRICE: ₹6,999.00 Pro tip: it's also an engaging tool for your children who can learn and play with Alexa. Confession: I often make my toddler practise the alphabet with Alexa as I manage other chores! EASY CLEANING WITH VACUUM CLEANERS The lockdowns have made us more self-reliant. If your mission is to achieve squeaky clean floors and furniture, the mighty Dyson V11 is your best friend. It looks like Thor's hammer instead of a vacuum cleaner, catches every speck of dust and grime across multiple surfaces and is an investment for your home. It is a pricey option but this cord-free vacuum is a workhorse and makes tedious cleaning fuss-free. DYSON V11 ABSOLUTE PRO PRICE: ₹52,900 Houses with the happy clutter created by kids will welcome this suggestion as you can clean up messy floors and shelves in seconds! SMART AUDIO It's still a risky affair heading to a packed gym so we suggest you stick to effective home workouts and outdoor runs. A sturdy pair of wireless earphones is your best bet. Go for the Sony WF-XB700 wireless earphones which offers great sound with Sony's famous Extra Bass technology. At ₹7,990, they're priced well. Sony WH-1000XM4 PRICE: ₹26,990 If you're willing to splurge more, the Apple Airpods are a popular option for ₹14,900 for those in the Apple ecosystem. Apple Airpods PRICE: ₹14,900 And if you're looking for a stellar flagship pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 with 30 hours of playback is an investment you won't regret at ₹26,990. In the portable speaker category, go for the JBL Charge 3 which is water-proof and offers booming sound for ₹7,999. STAY AT HOME AND STYLE AT HOME Your wife, mother or sister may squeal with joy for this one. The Dyson Corrale is a gamechanger. It is a cordless styling tool which possibly explains the steep price tag of ₹36,900. Dyson Corrale PRICE: ₹36,900 Another feature I like is that it delivers results quickly without inflicting the kind of hair damage that other heat-styling tools do. For men, the Philips OneBlade beard trimmer at ₹2,199 is a great grooming tool. LIGHT UP YOUR HOME -- SMARTLY A smart home is incomplete without a smart light and the Philips Hue remains a favourite. Philips Hue 10W B22 Smart Bulb PRICE: ₹2,295 Available for around ₹2,195 online, it can be controlled through your phone or tablet and is the perfect addition to your pretty corners in the festival of lights. UPGRADE YOUR TV In the times of a pandemic, my only hope is that you're not stepping out for any Diwali parties and instead, enjoying your favourite sitcom from the cozy comforts of your home. For your family room, I'd recommend the new LG OLED TV with a jaw-dropping display where the black is dark enough and the stars are super bright. Samsung Frame STARTING PRICE: ₹74,990 You can even opt for VU televisions' Masterpiece TV which comes with a stunning 85-inch screen, a gold finish and quantum dot technology. This one is priced high at ₹3.5 lakh. Then again, if you're a Samsung loyalist, opt for the Samsung Frame which comes with Samsung QLED technology and great design. Prices start at ₹74,990. A SMART KITCHEN And if the kitchen is where you're spending your festive season cooking up a storm for the family, opt for the Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave. Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave STARTING PRICE: ₹19,990 As the name suggests, this microwave is capable of tempering your dishes and is ideal for professionals working from home. Prices start at ₹19,990. YOUR SMART WORKOUT BUDDY From tracking your heart rate, fitness levels to even detecting if you suffer a fall, smartwatches are becoming more intuitive with every update. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | 34 mm PRICE: ₹34,490 Apple Watch Series 6 PRICE: ₹40,900 Both the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 have plenty of features at similar price points. Inbase Urban Pro PRICE: ₹6,999 In the budget segment, Indian brand Inbase has come up with the Urban Pro smartwatch for ₹6,999 which comes with a 1.3-inch Full Touch LCD Screen, 7 sports modes and a magnetic charging method.

Invest in tech this festive season. Here's a comprehensive list of what to buy!

Higher prices, lending curbs and a move to online shopping are denting the cheer for Indian retailers at this year's Diwali Hindu festival, with lacklustre sales for high-end items ranging from iPhones to cars and even gold.

A weak rupee has pushed prices on Apple Inc's costly iPhones even higher in India, while surging fuel costs and a liquidity crunch in India's shadow banking sector have taken a bite out of growth in carmakers' sales during the country's heaviest shopping weeks.

Demand for gold, which typically surges during the season that started in mid-October and ends on Friday, is also weak despite dealers offering discounts on the precious metal for the first time in three years.

The tepid sales may prompt the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find additional ways to stimulate the economy, especially given there is an election due by May. The government has already reduced fuel excise taxes, pushed the Reserve Bank of India to ease curbs on bank lending, and provided support for weak crop prices in recent weeks.

UNDER STRESS

Expecting the usual spike in demand during Diwali, when people traditionally buy gifts for family and friends, Sanjay Mahadik, owner of an apparel shop in Satara in Maharashtra stocked up. But demand is weak, he says.

"Only a few customers are turning up. During Diwali week normally the shop gets so crowded that customers struggle to find space to stand," said Mahadik.

Indian households' consumption has grown ahead of income for five years, brokerage UBS Securities India said in a note, thanks to lower interest rates that have reduced savings and encouraged people to take more loans.

But signs of a slowdown in lending by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) as some of them struggle for liquidity may hurt discretionary consumption, UBS said.

"With NBFCs and banks under stress, the availability of finance and general sentiment is affected," said Sugato Sen, deputy director general at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a trade body that counts Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen and BMW among others, as members.

While passenger vehicle sales at Maruti Suzuki, which sells one in every two cars in India, rose just 0.6 per cent to 135,948 units in October from a year ago, motorbike and scooter sales are strong as shown by the 33 per cent growth reported by Bajaj Auto Ltd.

Also doing well are online retailers like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart, who have both reported robust sales thanks to major promotional events this season, to the detriment of some traditional retailers.

Just days ahead of Diwali, some wholesale and retail markets in cities like Mumbai saw lower customer numbers as consumers shifted to buying online to take advantage of greater discounts.

Sales of large appliances grew 2.5 times year-earlier numbers during Amazon's Great Indian Festival sale last week, with smart TVs accounting for more than 50 per cent of total TV sales, the online retailer said in an email. Amazon also said there was an increase in sales of air purifiers, furniture and clothes.

Other big electronics retailers say zero-interest financing schemes are helping buoy demand for white goods like TVs and refrigerators.

"The availability of high speed internet, Amazon and Netflix has something to do with this. People want to access that content so the feeling is that the TV must be nicer, bigger," said a large Mumbai-based retailer.

APPLE'S WOES

For Amazon, smartphones continued to be the biggest-selling product by value but this year sales were driven by Chinese phone-makers Xiaomi and OnePlus in a setback for Apple.

Sales of iPhones in India will fall for the first time since 2014, one research firm estimates, as users in the world's fastest growing major economy find the phones to be too expensive.

In 2018, Apple is set to sell about 2 million phones in the country - a drop of about 1 million from last year, said Neil Shah, director at Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research.

The Cupertino, California company's struggle to win over India's 1.4 billion consumers swung more sharply into focus this week after Apple blamed a disappointing set of sales forecasts on a handful of big emerging markets like India.

Rushabh Doshi, analyst at Singapore-based Canalys, said Apple could be forced to launch cheaper devices.

"That is the only way it will gain volume in price-conscious markets like India," he said.

Higher prices, lending curbs and a move to online shopping are denting the cheer for Indian retailers at this year's Diwali Hindu festival, with lacklustre sales for high-end items ranging from iPhones to cars and even gold.

Higher prices, lending curbs and a move to online shopping are denting the cheer for Indian retailers at this year's Diwali Hindu festival, with lacklustre sales for high-end items ranging from iPhones to cars and even gold. A weak rupee has pushed prices on Apple Inc's costly iPhones even higher in India, while surging fuel costs and a liquidity crunch in India's shadow banking sector have taken a bite out of growth in carmakers' sales during the country's heaviest shopping weeks. Demand for gold, which typically surges during the season that started in mid-October and ends on Friday, is also weak despite dealers offering discounts on the precious metal for the first time in three years. The tepid sales may prompt the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find additional ways to stimulate the economy, especially given there is an election due by May. The government has already reduced fuel excise taxes, pushed the Reserve Bank of India to ease curbs on bank lending, and provided support for weak crop prices in recent weeks. UNDER STRESS Expecting the usual spike in demand during Diwali, when people traditionally buy gifts for family and friends, Sanjay Mahadik, owner of an apparel shop in Satara in Maharashtra stocked up. But demand is weak, he says. "Only a few customers are turning up. During Diwali week normally the shop gets so crowded that customers struggle to find space to stand," said Mahadik. Indian households' consumption has grown ahead of income for five years, brokerage UBS Securities India said in a note, thanks to lower interest rates that have reduced savings and encouraged people to take more loans. But signs of a slowdown in lending by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) as some of them struggle for liquidity may hurt discretionary consumption, UBS said. "With NBFCs and banks under stress, the availability of finance and general sentiment is affected," said Sugato Sen, deputy director general at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a trade body that counts Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen and BMW among others, as members. While passenger vehicle sales at Maruti Suzuki, which sells one in every two cars in India, rose just 0.6 per cent to 135,948 units in October from a year ago, motorbike and scooter sales are strong as shown by the 33 per cent growth reported by Bajaj Auto Ltd. Also doing well are online retailers like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart, who have both reported robust sales thanks to major promotional events this season, to the detriment of some traditional retailers. Just days ahead of Diwali, some wholesale and retail markets in cities like Mumbai saw lower customer numbers as consumers shifted to buying online to take advantage of greater discounts. Sales of large appliances grew 2.5 times year-earlier numbers during Amazon's Great Indian Festival sale last week, with smart TVs accounting for more than 50 per cent of total TV sales, the online retailer said in an email. Amazon also said there was an increase in sales of air purifiers, furniture and clothes. Other big electronics retailers say zero-interest financing schemes are helping buoy demand for white goods like TVs and refrigerators. "The availability of high speed internet, Amazon and Netflix has something to do with this. People want to access that content so the feeling is that the TV must be nicer, bigger," said a large Mumbai-based retailer. APPLE'S WOES For Amazon, smartphones continued to be the biggest-selling product by value but this year sales were driven by Chinese phone-makers Xiaomi and OnePlus in a setback for Apple. Sales of iPhones in India will fall for the first time since 2014, one research firm estimates, as users in the world's fastest growing major economy find the phones to be too expensive. In 2018, Apple is set to sell about 2 million phones in the country - a drop of about 1 million from last year, said Neil Shah, director at Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research. The Cupertino, California company's struggle to win over India's 1.4 billion consumers swung more sharply into focus this week after Apple blamed a disappointing set of sales forecasts on a handful of big emerging markets like India. Rushabh Doshi, analyst at Singapore-based Canalys, said Apple could be forced to launch cheaper devices. "That is the only way it will gain volume in price-conscious markets like India," he said.

Higher prices, lending curbs dim Diwali festival for Indian retailers

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Invest in tech this festive season. Here's a comprehensive list of what to buy!

Higher prices, lending curbs dim Diwali festival for Indian retailers