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Google has always been at the forefront in introducing novel features to its operating system with every new version of Android.

In order to make the Android operating system’s user interface (UI) more user friendly and accessible, the American tech giant has reportedly been working on a new feature on Android 12 which lets users control their phones using facial expressions.

According to reports, the Camera Switches feature, which is one of the accessibility services in the Android Accessibility Suite app, will support gesture controls on the UI.

For example, the app tracks when a user will open their mouth and then map that to open the notifications panel. Alternatively, users can raise their eyebrows to return to their homescreen.

Among the probable face gestures that Google is incorporating into the app include smiling, opening the mouth, and looking out right, left or down.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/android-12-the-biggest-design-change-in-android-operating-systems-history-386000">Android 12: The biggest design change in Android operating system's history</a>

Corresponding camera actions include getting to homepage, scrolling backward and forward, and selecting.

The users also will be ready to select how sensitive the gesture is going to be&nbsp;by adjusting the gesture size and duration.

The feature would require the device’s camera to be switched on, and Android 12-enabled devices will show a standing bar indicating the camera is getting used.

According to XDA developers—a mobile software development community that tracks the latest developments in the Android ecosystem—the new feature is currently in beta mode and is touted to be handy for specially-abled users.

(With inputs from agencies)<o:p></o:p>

Google has always been at the forefront in introducing novel features to its operating system with every new version of Android. In order to make the Android operating system’s user interface (UI) more user friendly and accessible, the American tech giant has reportedly been working on a new feature on Android 12 which lets users control their phones using facial expressions.

Google has always been at the forefront in introducing novel features to its operating system with every new version of Android. In order to make the Android operating system’s user interface (UI) more user friendly and accessible, the American tech giant has reportedly been working on a new feature on Android 12 which lets users control their phones using facial expressions. According to reports, the Camera Switches feature, which is one of the accessibility services in the Android Accessibility Suite app, will support gesture controls on the UI. For example, the app tracks when a user will open their mouth and then map that to open the notifications panel. Alternatively, users can raise their eyebrows to return to their homescreen. Among the probable face gestures that Google is incorporating into the app include smiling, opening the mouth, and looking out right, left or down. Also read | Android 12: The biggest design change in Android operating system's history Corresponding camera actions include getting to homepage, scrolling backward and forward, and selecting. The users also will be ready to select how sensitive the gesture is going to be by adjusting the gesture size and duration. The feature would require the device’s camera to be switched on, and Android 12-enabled devices will show a standing bar indicating the camera is getting used. According to XDA developers—a mobile software development community that tracks the latest developments in the Android ecosystem—the new feature is currently in beta mode and is touted to be handy for specially-abled users. (With inputs from agencies)

Google’s new Android 12 feature lets users control UI with face gestures

The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 Chinese mobile apps, including the popular game PUBG.

As per the Union government, they were engaged in activities that are prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the state.&nbsp;

"The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India," Centre said in a statement.

Here is the full statement by the Central government and list of the banned apps: 
&nbsp; 
"The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 118 mobile apps (see Appendix) since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.

On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that information posted, permissions sought, functionality embedded as well as data harvesting practices of above-stated Apps raise serious concerns that these Apps collect and share data in surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to security of the State.

In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of the State. And using the sovereign powers, the Government of India has decided to block the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix.

This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace."

List of banned Apps:&nbsp; 
 
APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart 
APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps 
APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner 
APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus 
APUS Flashlight-Free &amp; Bright 
Cut Cut – Cut Out &amp; Photo Background Editor 
Baidu 
Baidu Express Edition 
FaceU - Inspire your Beauty 
ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals 
CamCard - Business Card Reader 
CamCard Business 
CamCard for Salesforce 
CamOCR 
InNote 
VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing 
Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster 
WeChat reading 
Government WeChat 
Small Q brush 
Tencent Weiyun 
Pitu 
WeChat Work 
Cyber Hunter 
Cyber Hunter Lite 
Knives Out-No rules, just fight! 
Super Mecha Champions 
LifeAfter 
Dawn of Isles 
Ludo World-Ludo Superstar 
Chess Rush 
PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik 
PUBG MOBILE LITE 
Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade 
Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon 
Dank Tanks 
Warpath 
Game of Sultans 
Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos 
Smart AppLock (App Protect) 
Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team 
Hide App-Hide Application Icon 
AppLock 
AppLock Lite 
Dual Space - Multiple Accounts &amp; App Cloner 
ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat &amp; video chat online 
ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming &amp; video chat app 
Music - Mp3 Player 
Music Player - Audio Player &amp; 10 Bands Equalizer 
HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera 
Cleaner - Phone Booster 
Web Browser &amp; Fast Explorer 
Video Player All Format for Android 
Photo Gallery HD &amp; Editor 
Photo Gallery &amp; Album 
Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download 
HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters &amp; Panorama 
HD Camera Pro &amp; Selfie Camera 
Music Player - MP3 Player &amp; 10 Bands Equalizer 
Gallery HD 
Web Browser - Fast, Privacy &amp; Light Web Explorer 
Web Browser - Secure Explorer 
Music player - Audio Player 
Video Player - All Format HD Video Player 
Lamour Love All Over The World 
Amour- video chat &amp; call all over the world. 
MV Master - Make Your Status Video &amp; Community 
MV Master - Best Video Maker &amp; Photo Video Editor 
APUS Message Center-Intelligent management 
LivU Meet new people &amp; Video chat with strangers 
Carrom Friends : Carrom Board &amp; Pool Game- 
Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game &amp; Board Games 
Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games 
Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game 
Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage 
GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji 
U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate 
Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style 
Tantan - Date For Real 
MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen 
Kitty Live - Live Streaming &amp; Video Live Chat 
Malay Social Dating App to Date &amp; Meet Singles 
Alipay 
AlipayHK 
Mobile Taobao 
Youku 
Road of Kings- Endless Glory 
Sina News 
Netease News 
Penguin FM 
Murderous Pursuits 
Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology 
Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese 
HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream 
Little Q Album 
Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords 
Hi Meitu 
Mobile Legends: Pocket 
VPN for TikTok 
VPN for TikTok 
Penguin E-sports Live assistant 
Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices 
iPick 
Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera &amp; Face Selfie 
Parallel Space Lite - Dual App 
"Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC 
MARVEL Super War NetEase Games 
AFK Arena 
Creative Destruction NetEase Games 
Crusaders of Light NetEase Games 
Mafia City Yotta Games 
Onmyoji NetEase Games 
Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games 
Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded 
Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games 
Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games 
Soul Hunters 
Rules of Survival 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 Chinese mobile apps, including the popular game PUBG. As per the Union government, they were engaged in activities that are prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the state.

The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 Chinese mobile apps, including the popular game PUBG. As per the Union government, they were engaged in activities that are prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the state. "The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India," Centre said in a statement. Here is the full statement by the Central government and list of the banned apps: "The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 118 mobile apps (see Appendix) since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens. On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that information posted, permissions sought, functionality embedded as well as data harvesting practices of above-stated Apps raise serious concerns that these Apps collect and share data in surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to security of the State. In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of the State. And using the sovereign powers, the Government of India has decided to block the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix. This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace." List of banned Apps: APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor Baidu Baidu Express Edition FaceU - Inspire your Beauty ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals CamCard - Business Card Reader CamCard Business CamCard for Salesforce CamOCR InNote VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster WeChat reading Government WeChat Small Q brush Tencent Weiyun Pitu WeChat Work Cyber Hunter Cyber Hunter Lite Knives Out-No rules, just fight! Super Mecha Champions LifeAfter Dawn of Isles Ludo World-Ludo Superstar Chess Rush PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik PUBG MOBILE LITE Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon Dank Tanks Warpath Game of Sultans Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos Smart AppLock (App Protect) Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team Hide App-Hide Application Icon AppLock AppLock Lite Dual Space - Multiple Accounts & App Cloner ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat & video chat online ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app Music - Mp3 Player Music Player - Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera Cleaner - Phone Booster Web Browser & Fast Explorer Video Player All Format for Android Photo Gallery HD & Editor Photo Gallery & Album Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera Music Player - MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer Gallery HD Web Browser - Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer Web Browser - Secure Explorer Music player - Audio Player Video Player - All Format HD Video Player Lamour Love All Over The World Amour- video chat & call all over the world. MV Master - Make Your Status Video & Community MV Master - Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor APUS Message Center-Intelligent management LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers Carrom Friends : Carrom Board & Pool Game- Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style Tantan - Date For Real MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen Kitty Live - Live Streaming & Video Live Chat Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles Alipay AlipayHK Mobile Taobao Youku Road of Kings- Endless Glory Sina News Netease News Penguin FM Murderous Pursuits Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream Little Q Album Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords Hi Meitu Mobile Legends: Pocket VPN for TikTok VPN for TikTok Penguin E-sports Live assistant Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices iPick Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera & Face Selfie Parallel Space Lite - Dual App "Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC MARVEL Super War NetEase Games AFK Arena Creative Destruction NetEase Games Crusaders of Light NetEase Games Mafia City Yotta Games Onmyoji NetEase Games Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games Soul Hunters Rules of Survival (With inputs from agencies)

India bans 118 more Chinese mobile apps, including PUBG

President Donald Trump's executive order banning China's TikTok could prevent U.S. app stores from offering the popular short-video app and make advertising on the platform illegal, according to a White House document seen by Reuters.&nbsp;

Trump signed an order last week prohibiting transactions with TikTok if its parent ByteDance does not reach a deal to divest it in 45 days. It did not specify the scope of the ban, stating only that the U.S. Department of Commerce would define which transactions would be barred at the end of the 45-day period.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/twitter-in-talks-with-tiktok-to-discuss-possible-merging-reports-319139" hreflang="en">Twitter in talks with TikTok to discuss possible merging: Reports</a>

The White House document, sent out to supporters last week, provides insight into the Trump administration's thinking. It shows the U.S. government is considering disrupting key aspects of TikTok's operations and funding, amid concerns over the safety of personal data that the app handles.&nbsp;

"Prohibited transactions may include, for example, agreements to make the TikTok app available on app stores ... purchasing advertising on TikTok, and accepting terms of service to download the TikTok app onto a user device," the document states.

A source familiar with the White House document verified its authenticity. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some technology industry experts said eliminating TikTok's ability to be offered on Apple Inc and Google owner Alphabet Inc's app stores, which in turn allow it to be downloaded on iPhone and Android smartphones, could cripple the app's growth.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/tiktok-threatens-legal-action-in-us-court-over-trumps-executive-order-318834" hreflang="en">TikTok threatens legal action in US court over Trump's executive order</a>

"That kills TikTok in the U.S," said James Lewis, a cyber security expert with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If they want to grow, these rules are a huge obstacle."&nbsp;

He added, though, that the U.S. government may not be able to prevent Americans from downloading TikTok from foreign websites.&nbsp;

Apple and Alphabet did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Following Trump's executive order last week, TikTok told advertisers it would continue to honor planned ad campaigns, refund any that it cannot fulfill, and work with major influencers to migrate to other platforms in the event of a ban. Some advertisers told Reuters they were drafting contingency plans and considering other apps for their marketing.

It is not clear whether Trump's order will be implemented. Microsoft Corp has been leading negotiations to acquire the North America, Australia and New Zealand operations of TikTok under the supervision of the Trump administration. A successful deal would make banning transactions with TikTok moot.

The White House document seen by Reuters is not clear on whether the United States would implement a similar crackdown on WeChat, the social media app owned by China's Tencent Holdings Ltd that Trump also sought to ban in an executive order on last week.&nbsp;

TikTok, which has said is exploring legal challenges to Trump's order, has 100 million active users in the United States, and is especially popular with teenagers. It has said U.S. user data is safely stored in the United States and Singapore, and that it would not hand over such information to the Chinese government.

President Donald Trump's executive order banning China's TikTok could prevent U.S. app stores from offering the popular short-video app and make advertising on the platform illegal, according to a White House document seen by Reuters.

President Donald Trump's executive order banning China's TikTok could prevent U.S. app stores from offering the popular short-video app and make advertising on the platform illegal, according to a White House document seen by Reuters. Trump signed an order last week prohibiting transactions with TikTok if its parent ByteDance does not reach a deal to divest it in 45 days. It did not specify the scope of the ban, stating only that the U.S. Department of Commerce would define which transactions would be barred at the end of the 45-day period. Also read: Twitter in talks with TikTok to discuss possible merging: Reports The White House document, sent out to supporters last week, provides insight into the Trump administration's thinking. It shows the U.S. government is considering disrupting key aspects of TikTok's operations and funding, amid concerns over the safety of personal data that the app handles. "Prohibited transactions may include, for example, agreements to make the TikTok app available on app stores ... purchasing advertising on TikTok, and accepting terms of service to download the TikTok app onto a user device," the document states. A source familiar with the White House document verified its authenticity. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Some technology industry experts said eliminating TikTok's ability to be offered on Apple Inc and Google owner Alphabet Inc's app stores, which in turn allow it to be downloaded on iPhone and Android smartphones, could cripple the app's growth. Also read: TikTok threatens legal action in US court over Trump's executive order "That kills TikTok in the U.S," said James Lewis, a cyber security expert with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If they want to grow, these rules are a huge obstacle." He added, though, that the U.S. government may not be able to prevent Americans from downloading TikTok from foreign websites. Apple and Alphabet did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Following Trump's executive order last week, TikTok told advertisers it would continue to honor planned ad campaigns, refund any that it cannot fulfill, and work with major influencers to migrate to other platforms in the event of a ban. Some advertisers told Reuters they were drafting contingency plans and considering other apps for their marketing. It is not clear whether Trump's order will be implemented. Microsoft Corp has been leading negotiations to acquire the North America, Australia and New Zealand operations of TikTok under the supervision of the Trump administration. A successful deal would make banning transactions with TikTok moot. The White House document seen by Reuters is not clear on whether the United States would implement a similar crackdown on WeChat, the social media app owned by China's Tencent Holdings Ltd that Trump also sought to ban in an executive order on last week. TikTok, which has said is exploring legal challenges to Trump's order, has 100 million active users in the United States, and is especially popular with teenagers. It has said U.S. user data is safely stored in the United States and Singapore, and that it would not hand over such information to the Chinese government.

US ban on TikTok could cut it off from app stores, advertisers

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a mobile app for updates on vacant beds in hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

The chief minister said that all information regarding vacant beds will be updated on the app twice a day, 10 am and 6 pm.

''If a hospital refuses to provide you bed even when our app shows beds are available in that hospital, then you can call on 1031. Our Special Secretary will take an action immediately and contact the hospital authorities to provide you bed on the spot,'' the Delhi chief minister said.

A total of 302 ventilators are available in Delhi, of which 210 are vacant, he added.&nbsp;

''All information related to hospitals and beds, you can call on our helpline 1031. They will send you an SMS with the status of bed availability in Delhi hospitals,'' he noted.

''We are four steps ahead of coronavirus. Cases of coronavirus are increasing in Delhi but we have made all the arrangements for beds, ICUs and ventilators,'' he said.

Kejriwal said that number of cases in Delhi are increasing, but there's no need to worry about medical care for COVID-19 patients as the government has done sufficient arrangements.&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a mobile app for updates on vacant beds in hospitals for COVID-19 patients. The chief minister said that all information regarding vacant beds will be updated on the app twice a day, 10 am and 6 pm.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a mobile app for updates on vacant beds in hospitals for COVID-19 patients. The chief minister said that all information regarding vacant beds will be updated on the app twice a day, 10 am and 6 pm. ''If a hospital refuses to provide you bed even when our app shows beds are available in that hospital, then you can call on 1031. Our Special Secretary will take an action immediately and contact the hospital authorities to provide you bed on the spot,'' the Delhi chief minister said. A total of 302 ventilators are available in Delhi, of which 210 are vacant, he added. ''All information related to hospitals and beds, you can call on our helpline 1031. They will send you an SMS with the status of bed availability in Delhi hospitals,'' he noted. ''We are four steps ahead of coronavirus. Cases of coronavirus are increasing in Delhi but we have made all the arrangements for beds, ICUs and ventilators,'' he said. Kejriwal said that number of cases in Delhi are increasing, but there's no need to worry about medical care for COVID-19 patients as the government has done sufficient arrangements.

Kejriwal launches mobile app for updates on vacant beds in hospitals for COVID-19 patients

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/paytm-raises-1-billion-in-fresh-funding-264351">SoftBank</a>-backed Oyo Hotels and Homes' losses ballooned six-fold in the year to March, while its revenue more than quadrupled, a valuation report filed by the India-based hotel chain with local regulators showed on Monday.

The losses highlight a period of rapid expansion by Oyo into markets such as China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which has made the six-year-old startup one of the world's biggest hotel chains by room count.

Oyo reported a net loss of 23.85 billion rupees ($332 million) in the year to March 2019, compared with a loss of 3.6 billion rupees a year earlier, according to the report filed with India's ministry of corporate affairs. Revenue from operations surged to 64.57 billion rupees ($900 million) from about 14.13 billion rupees a year earlier.

Oyo said in a statement the report contained only "certain provisional financials" for the year ending March 2019. "These are not the final audited financials and the same will be issued later by the company along with the annual report that we issue every year."

The report, prepared by a valuer in Gurugram, just south of New Delhi, said the financials for the year to March 2019 were unaudited and all figures were provided by Oyo's management.

The growing losses at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/softbank-backed-oyo-to-raise-15-billion-led-by-founder-other-existing-investors-254242">Oyo</a> come as its major investor SoftBank struggles to raise funding for a second investment fund in the wake of the failed listing of office-rental company WeWork and amid questions about the path to profitability of other marquee investments like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uber-safety-culture-lacking-in-autonomous-car-incident-regulator-263292">Uber</a>.

SoftBank, which has invested nearly $1 billion in Oyo through its Vision Fund, this month reported its first quarterly loss in 14 years, dragged down by an $8.9 billion hit at the Vision Fund.

Oyo's operating expenses grew nearly five-fold year-over-year to 61.32 billion rupees, while total expenses hit 90.28 billion rupees, the report showed.

Gurugram-headquartered Oyo, valued at $10 billion, allows guests to book hotels through its mobile app and charges partnering hotels a fee on room revenue. It also franchises its brand and offers standardized amenities at hotels on its network.

SoftBank-backed Oyo Hotels and Homes' losses ballooned six-fold in the year to March, while its revenue more than quadrupled, a valuation report filed by the India-based hotel chain with local regulators showed on Monday.

SoftBank-backed Oyo Hotels and Homes' losses ballooned six-fold in the year to March, while its revenue more than quadrupled, a valuation report filed by the India-based hotel chain with local regulators showed on Monday. The losses highlight a period of rapid expansion by Oyo into markets such as China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which has made the six-year-old startup one of the world's biggest hotel chains by room count. Oyo reported a net loss of 23.85 billion rupees ($332 million) in the year to March 2019, compared with a loss of 3.6 billion rupees a year earlier, according to the report filed with India's ministry of corporate affairs. Revenue from operations surged to 64.57 billion rupees ($900 million) from about 14.13 billion rupees a year earlier. Oyo said in a statement the report contained only "certain provisional financials" for the year ending March 2019. "These are not the final audited financials and the same will be issued later by the company along with the annual report that we issue every year." The report, prepared by a valuer in Gurugram, just south of New Delhi, said the financials for the year to March 2019 were unaudited and all figures were provided by Oyo's management. The growing losses at Oyo come as its major investor SoftBank struggles to raise funding for a second investment fund in the wake of the failed listing of office-rental company WeWork and amid questions about the path to profitability of other marquee investments like Uber. SoftBank, which has invested nearly $1 billion in Oyo through its Vision Fund, this month reported its first quarterly loss in 14 years, dragged down by an $8.9 billion hit at the Vision Fund. Oyo's operating expenses grew nearly five-fold year-over-year to 61.32 billion rupees, while total expenses hit 90.28 billion rupees, the report showed. Gurugram-headquartered Oyo, valued at $10 billion, allows guests to book hotels through its mobile app and charges partnering hotels a fee on room revenue. It also franchises its brand and offers standardized amenities at hotels on its network.

SoftBank's Oyo reveals over $330 million annual loss; Revenue surges: Valuation report

As a late millennial, my room was covered with old tickets to every single movie Shah Rukh Khan starred in. I saved cutouts of Kajol’s mustard- coloured sarees and cherished CDs of Salman &amp; Aamir’s latest hits.&nbsp;

I never understood what made these personalities so magnetic or why their films were so repeatable, I just knew that their aura created a ripple across crowds. I was in it for Shah Rukh’s dimples and Kareena Kapoor’s sassy dialogues that retrospectively seem to have this deep emptiness at their core.&nbsp;

But the race to win a superstar’s fan club presidency isn’t exactly the battle the Indian film industry is currently fighting. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Despite the stampedes and impressive box office collections that Bollywood superstars have drawn over the ages, the Indian entertainment industry is currently experiencing a media tech renaissance; one that demands nuance over style from its artists, and rightly so, for many reasons.

&nbsp;The most salient drivers of this trend are ones we’re faced with every day - an infinite bandwidth of choices as a result of digital streaming and collective frustration toward the status quo. India has become home to the second highest population of internet users in the world after China with close to 462 million users, out of which over a third reside in rural towns.

The average Indian spends close to eight hours and twenty-eight minutes a week on their phone according to Limelight Networks - much more than what they spend in front of their television. That number was a 58 per cent increase from 2016 and is only expected to grow in the coming years given the prediction of smartphones alone becoming a 4.6 billion dollar global industry by 2019.&nbsp;

The soaring success and positioning of affordable smartphone companies have challenged the television’s historically superior position as the go-to entertainment platform.&nbsp;

In addition to winning the numbers game, the behavioural effects of social media in the last five years have exposed audiences to an unprecedented diversity of entertainment, thus raising their expectations from artists to unforgiving levels. The rise of digital streaming across India has finally filled a void and created an insatiable appetite for content that both inspires and entertains.

Metaphorically it has put blinkers on Indian viewers, keeping their gaze away from cinema halls and glued onto their micro screens. Evidently, this exposure to refreshingly bold content has catalysed a steady decline in the footfall of Indian cinemas. There is a reason why the marketing budgets of Bollywood’s biggest productions are digging deeper into their pockets as their promotion stunts get more and more ostentatious with every passing year. From helicopter rides to college campus visits to semi-cringe worthy photo ops at charities to spread the word about a film, there isn't much marketing teams are not doing at this point to get Indians off their small screens and onto bigger ones.&nbsp;

Thematically, the topics being dealt with in Indian digital streaming productions dissolve the viewer’s lens of fixed moral and ideological boundaries. Gritty crime thrillers, Horror without the forced erotica, and tales of women’s sexual desires have stretched the possibilities for creative exploration; without the fatal legal and social backlash.

Through powerful and risky storytelling, viewers hang suspended between the blackness of evil and whiteness of absolute purity; ruminating somewhere in the vast spaces of grey that enable us to enjoy the freedom of filmmaking. This welcomed change from archaic ‘saas-bahu’ soap operas has lured the biggest names in show business to join the movement; artists who have historically been inseparable from the large seventy-mm screens across movie theatres. From Saif Ali Khan to Nawazuddin Siddiqui to supposedly now Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt - both the damsels and the demigods have descended upon the grounds of India’s latest digital obsession. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of cinematic trash such as ‘Golmaal 4’ or ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se’ - finally putting an end to franchises that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.&nbsp;

While this evolution may pose a threat to you if you’re attached to the ‘first day first show’ frenzy or if you’re the owner of a single screen cinema, I believe it is the first of many steps in the right direction both creatively and commercially for the Indian audiences. Users have clearly demonstrated a willingness to pay for premium content that is available on demand, giving brands and advertisers a new vessel to enhance their presence.

Apart from the advertising revenue per user feature, streaming services are also indirectly contributing to the evolution of payment mechanisms across the nation as they bolster Indian Fin-Tech initiatives such as third-party wallet companies, telecom wallet, mobile wallet and net banking. Content being produced, licensed and distributed digitally is also decentralising the power dynamics of traditional production houses.

Fortunately, this democratises the creative process itself while instilling a culture of meritocracy in an industry where the unspeakable “n” word is now ‘nepotism.’&nbsp;

Despite the ‘winner takes all’ aspect of competing digital streaming companies and broken regulations surrounding technology, I believe this newfound way of life is perhaps the most accurate forecast into the future of India’s volatile yet deeply loved show business.

Finally, the overall victory of content over formulae has inspired our favourite stars to lay one finger on the pulse of their viewers’ increasingly demanding sensibilities. As a country that inspires the creation of both 'Race 3' and 'Raazi' in the same year, maybe it’s time for Indian storytellers to take a moment and introspect before it’s too late and my generation replaces them with the next big thing on the internet.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

As a late millennial, my room was covered with old tickets to every single movie Shah Rukh Khan starred in. I saved cutouts of Kajol’s mustard- coloured sarees and cherished CDs of Salman & Aamir’s latest hits.

As a late millennial, my room was covered with old tickets to every single movie Shah Rukh Khan starred in. I saved cutouts of Kajol’s mustard- coloured sarees and cherished CDs of Salman & Aamir’s latest hits. I never understood what made these personalities so magnetic or why their films were so repeatable, I just knew that their aura created a ripple across crowds. I was in it for Shah Rukh’s dimples and Kareena Kapoor’s sassy dialogues that retrospectively seem to have this deep emptiness at their core. But the race to win a superstar’s fan club presidency isn’t exactly the battle the Indian film industry is currently fighting. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Despite the stampedes and impressive box office collections that Bollywood superstars have drawn over the ages, the Indian entertainment industry is currently experiencing a media tech renaissance; one that demands nuance over style from its artists, and rightly so, for many reasons. The most salient drivers of this trend are ones we’re faced with every day - an infinite bandwidth of choices as a result of digital streaming and collective frustration toward the status quo. India has become home to the second highest population of internet users in the world after China with close to 462 million users, out of which over a third reside in rural towns. The average Indian spends close to eight hours and twenty-eight minutes a week on their phone according to Limelight Networks - much more than what they spend in front of their television. That number was a 58 per cent increase from 2016 and is only expected to grow in the coming years given the prediction of smartphones alone becoming a 4.6 billion dollar global industry by 2019. The soaring success and positioning of affordable smartphone companies have challenged the television’s historically superior position as the go-to entertainment platform. In addition to winning the numbers game, the behavioural effects of social media in the last five years have exposed audiences to an unprecedented diversity of entertainment, thus raising their expectations from artists to unforgiving levels. The rise of digital streaming across India has finally filled a void and created an insatiable appetite for content that both inspires and entertains. Metaphorically it has put blinkers on Indian viewers, keeping their gaze away from cinema halls and glued onto their micro screens. Evidently, this exposure to refreshingly bold content has catalysed a steady decline in the footfall of Indian cinemas. There is a reason why the marketing budgets of Bollywood’s biggest productions are digging deeper into their pockets as their promotion stunts get more and more ostentatious with every passing year. From helicopter rides to college campus visits to semi-cringe worthy photo ops at charities to spread the word about a film, there isn't much marketing teams are not doing at this point to get Indians off their small screens and onto bigger ones. Thematically, the topics being dealt with in Indian digital streaming productions dissolve the viewer’s lens of fixed moral and ideological boundaries. Gritty crime thrillers, Horror without the forced erotica, and tales of women’s sexual desires have stretched the possibilities for creative exploration; without the fatal legal and social backlash. Through powerful and risky storytelling, viewers hang suspended between the blackness of evil and whiteness of absolute purity; ruminating somewhere in the vast spaces of grey that enable us to enjoy the freedom of filmmaking. This welcomed change from archaic ‘saas-bahu’ soap operas has lured the biggest names in show business to join the movement; artists who have historically been inseparable from the large seventy-mm screens across movie theatres. From Saif Ali Khan to Nawazuddin Siddiqui to supposedly now Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt - both the damsels and the demigods have descended upon the grounds of India’s latest digital obsession. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of cinematic trash such as ‘Golmaal 4’ or ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se’ - finally putting an end to franchises that shouldn’t have existed in the first place. While this evolution may pose a threat to you if you’re attached to the ‘first day first show’ frenzy or if you’re the owner of a single screen cinema, I believe it is the first of many steps in the right direction both creatively and commercially for the Indian audiences. Users have clearly demonstrated a willingness to pay for premium content that is available on demand, giving brands and advertisers a new vessel to enhance their presence. Apart from the advertising revenue per user feature, streaming services are also indirectly contributing to the evolution of payment mechanisms across the nation as they bolster Indian Fin-Tech initiatives such as third-party wallet companies, telecom wallet, mobile wallet and net banking. Content being produced, licensed and distributed digitally is also decentralising the power dynamics of traditional production houses. Fortunately, this democratises the creative process itself while instilling a culture of meritocracy in an industry where the unspeakable “n” word is now ‘nepotism.’ Despite the ‘winner takes all’ aspect of competing digital streaming companies and broken regulations surrounding technology, I believe this newfound way of life is perhaps the most accurate forecast into the future of India’s volatile yet deeply loved show business. Finally, the overall victory of content over formulae has inspired our favourite stars to lay one finger on the pulse of their viewers’ increasingly demanding sensibilities. As a country that inspires the creation of both 'Race 3' and 'Raazi' in the same year, maybe it’s time for Indian storytellers to take a moment and introspect before it’s too late and my generation replaces them with the next big thing on the internet. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Digital streaming has left little room for mediocrity in India

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and leading cab-service provider Ola Cabs have joined hands for a pilot project.

Together, the IRCTC and Ola Cabs have launched a six-month pilot project which will enable commuters to book an Ola cab on IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app and website.

All existing Ola cab facilities, such as Ola Micro, Ola Mini, Ola Auto and Ola Share, will be available for customers at the same price on the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile application and website.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aw-hO7mlf5M" width="560"></iframe>

Customers can also pre-book cabs up to seven days in advance or upon reaching the railway station.

In addition to this, various IRCTC outlets at railway stations or Ola self-serving kiosk will also enable commuters to book cabs, noted the official IRCTC release.

Customers can also pre-book cabs up to seven days in advance or upon reaching the railway station

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and leading cab-service provider Ola Cabs have joined hands for a pilot project. Together, the IRCTC and Ola Cabs have launched a six-month pilot project which will enable commuters to book an Ola cab on IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app and website. All existing Ola cab facilities, such as Ola Micro, Ola Mini, Ola Auto and Ola Share, will be available for customers at the same price on the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile application and website. Customers can also pre-book cabs up to seven days in advance or upon reaching the railway station. In addition to this, various IRCTC outlets at railway stations or Ola self-serving kiosk will also enable commuters to book cabs, noted the official IRCTC release.

Now, book an Ola from IRCTC mobile app and website

The Philippines has stopped accepting applications for new ride-sharing vehicles of Uber and Grab due to a backlog amid a government review of its policies on fare spikes, a senior official said today. 
 
The Southeast Asian nation was the first country to regulate app-based car-hailing operations after coming out with rules last year. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s just the new applications that we have to suspend so we don&#39;t have a huge amount of backlog,&quot; said Cherie Mercado, spokeswoman of the transportation department. 
 
Applications have ballooned to record high, with 29,000 pending, 23,000 of which were for Uber and the rest divided between Grab and u-Hop, she said. 
 
Mercado said the suspension was indefinite and it was not clear what changes would be required to reverse it. 
 
&quot;We will also review the fare scheme, the surge pricing,&quot; she said, referring to the fluctuating fare charges which have caused friction as conventional taxis are not allowed to apply them. 
 
The Philippines is Southeast Asia&#39;s third fastest growing market for automobiles. 
 
The country&#39;s motor vehicle sales jumped 25.4 per cent in January to May, next only to Singapore 76.8 per cent uptick and Vietnam&#39;s 36.6 per cent climb, data from the ASEAN Automotive Federation showed. 
 
Uber said it respected the decision, even though it went against its goal of getting more people into fewer cars, which it said would be a plus for a notoriously gridlocked city like Manila. 
 
&quot;Fewer drivers on Uber leads to lower reliability of service for riders in Metro Manila, who have come to rely on Uber as a viable alternative to buying and driving their own private vehicles,&quot; it said in a statement. 
 
&quot;This decision also comes at a time when we are trying to help improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila by providing an efficient method of carpooling.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Applications have ballooned to record high, with 29,000 pending, 23,000 of which were for Uber and the rest divided between Grab and u-Hop

The Philippines has stopped accepting applications for new ride-sharing vehicles of Uber and Grab due to a backlog amid a government review of its policies on fare spikes, a senior official said today. The Southeast Asian nation was the first country to regulate app-based car-hailing operations after coming out with rules last year. "It's just the new applications that we have to suspend so we don't have a huge amount of backlog," said Cherie Mercado, spokeswoman of the transportation department. Applications have ballooned to record high, with 29,000 pending, 23,000 of which were for Uber and the rest divided between Grab and u-Hop, she said. Mercado said the suspension was indefinite and it was not clear what changes would be required to reverse it. "We will also review the fare scheme, the surge pricing," she said, referring to the fluctuating fare charges which have caused friction as conventional taxis are not allowed to apply them. The Philippines is Southeast Asia's third fastest growing market for automobiles. The country's motor vehicle sales jumped 25.4 per cent in January to May, next only to Singapore 76.8 per cent uptick and Vietnam's 36.6 per cent climb, data from the ASEAN Automotive Federation showed. Uber said it respected the decision, even though it went against its goal of getting more people into fewer cars, which it said would be a plus for a notoriously gridlocked city like Manila. "Fewer drivers on Uber leads to lower reliability of service for riders in Metro Manila, who have come to rely on Uber as a viable alternative to buying and driving their own private vehicles," it said in a statement. "This decision also comes at a time when we are trying to help improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila by providing an efficient method of carpooling." (Reuters)

Philippines suspends new Uber, Grab vehicle registrations as backlog mounts

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