Japan's tech giant Sony plans to establish a new electric vehicle firm. A prototype vehicle is already being tested on public roads.

Japan's Sony plans to establish a new electric vehicle firm

The new Bravia television by Japan's Sony Group Corp is going to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022.

From hand control gestures to video calls, the fancy new television is all set to wow consumers. It has an optional add-on for the rest of the lineup.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sonys-playstation-executive-appears-in-pedophile-sting-video-gets-axed-434755">Also read |&nbsp;Sony’s PlayStation executive appears in pedophile sting video, gets axed</a>

It has a unique feature of scolding users on sitting too close through its proximity alert. The Bravo Cam has a “viewing distance compensation,” with settings for adjusting voice and brightness.

The camera mounts to the top of the television and plugs into the USB port. It will automatically dim the television if it detects that no one is in the room.

The company is looking to harness its strengths in entertainment and sensors to play a bigger role in next-generation mobility.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/sony-invests-additional-200m-as-epic-games-raises-1b-377603">Also read |&nbsp;Sony invests additional $200M as Epic Games raises $1B&nbsp;</a>

Sony chairman and president Kenichiro Yoshida told a news conference, "With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our contents mastery, we believe Sony is well-positioned as a creative entertainment company to redefine mobility."

Although its once-dominant position in consumer electronics has been eroded by Asian rivals like South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co, Sony still has an arsenal of sophisticated technology in areas such as sensors critical to autonomous driving.

It also remains one of the world's biggest entertainment companies, home to prominent video game and movie franchises. Audio and entertainment systems are increasingly a focus for next-generation vehicles.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The new Bravia television by Japan's Sony Group Corp is going to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022. From hand control gestures to video calls, the fancy new television is all set to wow consumers.

The new Bravia television by Japan's Sony Group Corp is going to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022. From hand control gestures to video calls, the fancy new television is all set to wow consumers. It has an optional add-on for the rest of the lineup. Also read | Sony’s PlayStation executive appears in pedophile sting video, gets axed It has a unique feature of scolding users on sitting too close through its proximity alert. The Bravo Cam has a “viewing distance compensation,” with settings for adjusting voice and brightness. The camera mounts to the top of the television and plugs into the USB port. It will automatically dim the television if it detects that no one is in the room. The company is looking to harness its strengths in entertainment and sensors to play a bigger role in next-generation mobility. Also read | Sony invests additional $200M as Epic Games raises $1B Sony chairman and president Kenichiro Yoshida told a news conference, "With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our contents mastery, we believe Sony is well-positioned as a creative entertainment company to redefine mobility." Although its once-dominant position in consumer electronics has been eroded by Asian rivals like South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co, Sony still has an arsenal of sophisticated technology in areas such as sensors critical to autonomous driving. It also remains one of the world's biggest entertainment companies, home to prominent video game and movie franchises. Audio and entertainment systems are increasingly a focus for next-generation vehicles. (With inputs from agencies)

'Viewing distance compensation': Sony's new television will scold users on sitting too close

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) on Tuesday announced that they have signed definitive agreements to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The agreements follow the conclusion of an exclusive negotiation period during which ZEEL and SPNI conducted mutual due diligence. After closing, the new combined company will be publicly listed in India. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain customary closing conditions, including regulatory, shareholder, and thirdparty approvals.

Under the terms of the definitive agreements, SPNI will have cash balance of USD $1.5 Bn (assuming an INR:USD exchange rate of 75:1) at closing, including through infusion by the current shareholders of SPNI and the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, to enable the combined company to drive sharper content creation across platforms, strengthen its footprint in the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, bid for media rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities.

SPNI is an indirect subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE). Under the transactions contemplated by a non-compete agreement, SPE, through a subsidiary, will pay a non-compete fee to certain promoters (founders) of ZEEL, which will be used by such promoters (founders) to infuse primary equity capital into SPNI, entitling the promoters (founders) of ZEEL to acquire shares of SPNI, which would eventually equal approximately 2.11% of the shares of the combined company on a post-closing basis. After the closing, SPE will indirectly hold a majority 50.86% of the combined company, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL will hold 3.99%, and the other ZEEL shareholders will hold a 45.15% stake.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakingNews</a> | बोर्ड से सोनी पिक्चर्स के साथ मर्जर को मंजूरी<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SonyZeeMerger?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SonyZeeMerger</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AnilSinghvi_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnilSinghvi_</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/deepdbhandari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deepdbhandari</a> <a href="https://t.co/3V0F2ShW1x">pic.twitter.com/3V0F2ShW1x</a>
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Mr. Punit Goenka will lead the combined company as its Managing Director &amp; CEO. The majority of the board of directors of the combined company will be nominated by the Sony Group and will include the current SPNI Managing Director and CEO, Mr. N.P. Singh. On closing, Mr. Singh will assume a broader executive position at SPE as Chairman, Sony Pictures India (a division of SPE) reporting to Mr. Ravi Ahuja, SPE’s Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development.

The combination of ZEEL and SPNI is expected to achieve business synergies and given their relative strengths in scripted, factual and sports programming, respective distribution footprints across India and iconic entertainment brands, the combined company should be well-positioned to meet the growing consumer demand for premium content across entertainment touchpoints and platforms. The seamless blend of rich expertise in content creation, deep consumer insights and success across entertainment genres is expected to drive the combined company’s ability to accrue higher shareholder value. Under the stewardship of the Sony Group, a global leader in consumer technologies, gaming and entertainment, the combined company is expected to be able to better compete with the world’s largest streaming players.

As part of the definitive agreements, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL have agreed to limit the equity that they may own in the combined company to 20% of its outstanding shares. This construct does not provide the promoters (founders) of ZEEL any pre-emptive or other rights to acquire equity of the combined company from the Sony Group, the combined company or any other party. Any shares purchased by the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, must be in compliance with all applicable laws including any pricing guidelines.

Commenting on this development, Mr. Punit Goenka, MD &amp; CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “It is a significant milestone for all of us, as two leading media &amp; entertainment companies join hands to drive the next era of entertainment filled with immense opportunities. The combined company will create a comprehensive entertainment business, enabling us to serve our consumers with wider content choices across platforms. I am immensely grateful to the teams at ZEEL, SPE and SPNI for their efforts, that swiftly led us to this point within the stipulated timelines. This merger presents a significant opportunity to jointly take the businesses to the next level and drive substantial growth in the global arena. I look forward to working with the guidance of the esteemed members of the combined company’s board to unlock the potential of this merger, and I wish N.P. Singh all the best in his new role at SPE. His contribution to the Indian media &amp; entertainment industry has been invaluable. I am most certain that our collective wisdom, rich experience and expertise will lead to a more value accretive and exciting company for our shareholders and employees, and a more engaging one for our customers and partners.”

“Today marks an important step in our efforts to bring together some of the strongest leadership teams, content creators, and film libraries in the media business to create extraordinary entertainment and value for Indian consumers,” said Mr. Ravi Ahuja, SPE’s Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development. “I want to thank Punit and his team at ZEEL and the small army of people at SPE and SPNI who have worked so hard to get us to this point. I especially want to thank N.P. Singh, who presented us with the idea to explore this merger well over a year ago. N.P. has done extraordinary work building SPNI to what it is today, and we look forward to continuing our work with him in his new role after closing.”

MD &amp; CEO, SPNI, Mr. N.P. Singh, added, “This merger will create a company that’s best in class and will redefine the contours of the media and entertainment industry. As a representative of SPE on the Board of the new merged company, it will be my endeavour to provide strategic guidance and support to the company’s operating team in achieving our vision. I am also excited at the opportunity of being appointed, Chairman, Sony Pictures India, to oversee SPE’s investments and craft a wider footprint for Sony in India.”

SPE was advised on this transaction by Morgan Stanley, KPMG Corporate Finance, and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co. ZEEL was advised by KPMG, JP Morgan, Trilegal and Boston Consulting Group.

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) on Tuesday announced that they have signed definitive agreements to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries.

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) on Tuesday announced that they have signed definitive agreements to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The agreements follow the conclusion of an exclusive negotiation period during which ZEEL and SPNI conducted mutual due diligence. After closing, the new combined company will be publicly listed in India. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain customary closing conditions, including regulatory, shareholder, and thirdparty approvals. Under the terms of the definitive agreements, SPNI will have cash balance of USD $1.5 Bn (assuming an INR:USD exchange rate of 75:1) at closing, including through infusion by the current shareholders of SPNI and the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, to enable the combined company to drive sharper content creation across platforms, strengthen its footprint in the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, bid for media rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities. SPNI is an indirect subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE). Under the transactions contemplated by a non-compete agreement, SPE, through a subsidiary, will pay a non-compete fee to certain promoters (founders) of ZEEL, which will be used by such promoters (founders) to infuse primary equity capital into SPNI, entitling the promoters (founders) of ZEEL to acquire shares of SPNI, which would eventually equal approximately 2.11% of the shares of the combined company on a post-closing basis. After the closing, SPE will indirectly hold a majority 50.86% of the combined company, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL will hold 3.99%, and the other ZEEL shareholders will hold a 45.15% stake. #BreakingNews | बोर्ड से सोनी पिक्चर्स के साथ मर्जर को मंजूरी#SonyZeeMerger | @AnilSinghvi_ | @deepdbhandari pic.twitter.com/3V0F2ShW1x — Zee Business (@ZeeBusiness) December 22, 2021 × Mr. Punit Goenka will lead the combined company as its Managing Director & CEO. The majority of the board of directors of the combined company will be nominated by the Sony Group and will include the current SPNI Managing Director and CEO, Mr. N.P. Singh. On closing, Mr. Singh will assume a broader executive position at SPE as Chairman, Sony Pictures India (a division of SPE) reporting to Mr. Ravi Ahuja, SPE’s Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development. The combination of ZEEL and SPNI is expected to achieve business synergies and given their relative strengths in scripted, factual and sports programming, respective distribution footprints across India and iconic entertainment brands, the combined company should be well-positioned to meet the growing consumer demand for premium content across entertainment touchpoints and platforms. The seamless blend of rich expertise in content creation, deep consumer insights and success across entertainment genres is expected to drive the combined company’s ability to accrue higher shareholder value. Under the stewardship of the Sony Group, a global leader in consumer technologies, gaming and entertainment, the combined company is expected to be able to better compete with the world’s largest streaming players. As part of the definitive agreements, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL have agreed to limit the equity that they may own in the combined company to 20% of its outstanding shares. This construct does not provide the promoters (founders) of ZEEL any pre-emptive or other rights to acquire equity of the combined company from the Sony Group, the combined company or any other party. Any shares purchased by the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, must be in compliance with all applicable laws including any pricing guidelines. Commenting on this development, Mr. Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “It is a significant milestone for all of us, as two leading media & entertainment companies join hands to drive the next era of entertainment filled with immense opportunities. The combined company will create a comprehensive entertainment business, enabling us to serve our consumers with wider content choices across platforms. I am immensely grateful to the teams at ZEEL, SPE and SPNI for their efforts, that swiftly led us to this point within the stipulated timelines. This merger presents a significant opportunity to jointly take the businesses to the next level and drive substantial growth in the global arena. I look forward to working with the guidance of the esteemed members of the combined company’s board to unlock the potential of this merger, and I wish N.P. Singh all the best in his new role at SPE. His contribution to the Indian media & entertainment industry has been invaluable. I am most certain that our collective wisdom, rich experience and expertise will lead to a more value accretive and exciting company for our shareholders and employees, and a more engaging one for our customers and partners.” “Today marks an important step in our efforts to bring together some of the strongest leadership teams, content creators, and film libraries in the media business to create extraordinary entertainment and value for Indian consumers,” said Mr. Ravi Ahuja, SPE’s Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development. “I want to thank Punit and his team at ZEEL and the small army of people at SPE and SPNI who have worked so hard to get us to this point. I especially want to thank N.P. Singh, who presented us with the idea to explore this merger well over a year ago. N.P. has done extraordinary work building SPNI to what it is today, and we look forward to continuing our work with him in his new role after closing.” MD & CEO, SPNI, Mr. N.P. Singh, added, “This merger will create a company that’s best in class and will redefine the contours of the media and entertainment industry. As a representative of SPE on the Board of the new merged company, it will be my endeavour to provide strategic guidance and support to the company’s operating team in achieving our vision. I am also excited at the opportunity of being appointed, Chairman, Sony Pictures India, to oversee SPE’s investments and craft a wider footprint for Sony in India.” SPE was advised on this transaction by Morgan Stanley, KPMG Corporate Finance, and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. ZEEL was advised by KPMG, JP Morgan, Trilegal and Boston Consulting Group.

Sony, ZEEL sign definitive agreements for merger; Punit Goenka will lead combined company as its MD & CEO

It's one of the biggest developments in the space of linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) announced that they have signed definitive agreements to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI.

Zee, Sony sign definitive agreements, Punit Goenka to be MD and CEO of merged entity

On getting featured in an amateur pedophilia sting video, a Sony senior vice president, who was working on the PlayStation Network, has been fired. &nbsp;

As per a video of the YouTube channel People v. Preds, which was posted on December 3, the executive George Cacioppo was allegedly trying to arrange meeting with a person, who was claiming to be a 15-year-old boy. &nbsp;

In the clip, a cameraman can be seen walking on a street towards a house at night. Outside the house, a person, who appears to be Cacioppo, is wearing a PS5 shirt. &nbsp;

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The cameraman talks to Cacioppo. A little while later, Cacioppo walks back into the house and closes the door. The cameraman keeps yelling that he will call the cops. &nbsp;

The information about the whole case has also been sent to the District Attorney's Office of San Diego County, confirmed People v. Preds. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-ceo-abruptly-terminates-over-900-employees-in-us-and-india-over-zoom-call-434583" hreflang="en">Watch | CEO abruptly terminates over 900 employees in US and India over Zoom call</a>

According to LinkedIn profile, Cacioppo was a senior vice president of engineering at Sony for last eight years. After allegedly appearing in the clip, Cacioppo lost his job. &nbsp;

In an emailed statement on Sunday, Sony said, "We are aware of the situation and the employee in question has been terminated from employment." &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

On getting featured in an amateur pedophilia sting video, a Sony senior vice president, who was working on the PlayStation Network, has been fired. As per a video of the YouTube channel People v.

On getting featured in an amateur pedophilia sting video, a Sony senior vice president, who was working on the PlayStation Network, has been fired. As per a video of the YouTube channel People v. Preds, which was posted on December 3, the executive George Cacioppo was allegedly trying to arrange meeting with a person, who was claiming to be a 15-year-old boy. In the clip, a cameraman can be seen walking on a street towards a house at night. Outside the house, a person, who appears to be Cacioppo, is wearing a PS5 shirt. × The cameraman talks to Cacioppo. A little while later, Cacioppo walks back into the house and closes the door. The cameraman keeps yelling that he will call the cops. The information about the whole case has also been sent to the District Attorney's Office of San Diego County, confirmed People v. Preds. Also Read: Watch | CEO abruptly terminates over 900 employees in US and India over Zoom call According to LinkedIn profile, Cacioppo was a senior vice president of engineering at Sony for last eight years. After allegedly appearing in the clip, Cacioppo lost his job. In an emailed statement on Sunday, Sony said, "We are aware of the situation and the employee in question has been terminated from employment." (With inputs from agencies)

Sony’s PlayStation executive appears in pedophile sting video, gets axed

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in its order on Thursday has said that the National Company Law Tribunal has not given sufficient time to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) to file its reply on Invesco plea. NCLAT further said that not giving sufficient time to ZEEL to file a reply is against the principles of natural justice.

ZEEL should get sufficient time to file reply- NCLAT tells NCLT

Dr Subhash Chandra, Chairman of the Zee Group, spoke at length about his position in the ZEEL-Sony merger during an interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (October 6).

Dr Chandra, in his interview, also posed some difficult questions to Invesco and their intent.

He also said that someone in Invesco might be indulged in insider trading.

In the matter of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), Invesco appears to be trapped in a circle of questions since it doesn't know for whom it's working.

However, there has been indications that China is behind the plot against ZEEL. Invesco is only a pawn used to deceive investors.

Dr Chandra claimed in an interview with Sudhir Chaudhary that someone at Invesco may be engaging in insider trading.&nbsp;

"Someone in Invesco is indulging in wrong practice. This is not the same Invesco that it once was. Maybe there is a Chinese connection to it. Experts are saying what they are doing is illegal. They could be indulging in insider trading, " Dr Chandra said during the interview.

Dr Chandra stressed that Invesco is just an investor and not the owner of the company.

"2.5 lakh shareholders are the real owners of ZEEL, 90 crore Indian viewers are the real owners of the Group. A mammoth organisation like ZEEL cannot be run by Invesco," he said.

"This is a clear-cut case of company takeover in a clandestine manner, which is not legal. Yes, Invesco is 18% shareholder, but not the owner. The law of the land should not allow this to happen, " he added.

Dr Subhash Chandra had previously stated in a video message, in response to some media outlets, that queries should be directed to Invesco rather than ZEEL, because Invesco has not been transparent in this situation.

Simultaneously, it is plotting to sabotage the transaction between ZEEL and Sony Pictures.

Dr Subhash Chandra said that Invesco should tell all the shareholders in this matter why it wants to change the board. Under whose direction is it working?

&nbsp;

Dr Subhash Chandra, Chairman of the Zee Group, spoke at length about his position in the ZEEL-Sony merger during an interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (October 6).

Dr Subhash Chandra, Chairman of the Zee Group, spoke at length about his position in the ZEEL-Sony merger during an interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (October 6). Dr Chandra, in his interview, also posed some difficult questions to Invesco and their intent. He also said that someone in Invesco might be indulged in insider trading. In the matter of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), Invesco appears to be trapped in a circle of questions since it doesn't know for whom it's working. However, there has been indications that China is behind the plot against ZEEL. Invesco is only a pawn used to deceive investors. Dr Chandra claimed in an interview with Sudhir Chaudhary that someone at Invesco may be engaging in insider trading. "Someone in Invesco is indulging in wrong practice. This is not the same Invesco that it once was. Maybe there is a Chinese connection to it. Experts are saying what they are doing is illegal. They could be indulging in insider trading, " Dr Chandra said during the interview. Dr Chandra stressed that Invesco is just an investor and not the owner of the company. "2.5 lakh shareholders are the real owners of ZEEL, 90 crore Indian viewers are the real owners of the Group. A mammoth organisation like ZEEL cannot be run by Invesco," he said. "This is a clear-cut case of company takeover in a clandestine manner, which is not legal. Yes, Invesco is 18% shareholder, but not the owner. The law of the land should not allow this to happen, " he added. Dr Subhash Chandra had previously stated in a video message, in response to some media outlets, that queries should be directed to Invesco rather than ZEEL, because Invesco has not been transparent in this situation. Simultaneously, it is plotting to sabotage the transaction between ZEEL and Sony Pictures. Dr Subhash Chandra said that Invesco should tell all the shareholders in this matter why it wants to change the board. Under whose direction is it working?

Someone in Invesco might be indulged in insider trading: Dr Subhash Chandra

Zee founder, Dr Subhash Chandra spoke to Editor In Chief of WION, Sudhir Chaudhury on Sony India's and ZEEL's merger.

Zee's founder, Dr Subhash Chandra speaks to  WION's Editor In Chief, Sudhir Chaudhury

For the past few days, especially after the mega-merger announcement between ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), some media houses are publishing baseless and hollow reports to fight a losing battle against ZEEL, and especially against Punit Goenka as he will continue as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZEEL.

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Some media reports are falsely citing Invesco's version to take on ZEEL MD &amp; CEO Punit Goenka but in vain. These reports have failed terribly in their mala fide attempt to malign the image of esteemed organisation - ZEEL and its MD &amp; CEO Punit Goenka. The reports lacking truth have fallen flat on the face of their publishers as Dr Subhash Chandra - Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, himself has come forward to clear the air on Invesco, ZEEL and Punit Goenka. The facts-laden statement by Dr Subhash Chandra - Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has now left no room for any confusion and will leave publishers of false and baseless reports red-faced.

“No matter who runs ZEEL but the company, to which I’ve and many of my friends have given their blood and sweat for the past 30 years, should be in the hands of someone under whose leadership the organisation should prosper and shareholders should be benefitted since I don’t have any profit or loss associated with this,” said Dr Subhash Chandr as he spoke on the matter.&nbsp;

"I wanted to give an interview to my friends at CNBC and Moneycontrol but they won't take it neither run it because it seems although he is a friend of mine but has a vested interest in the entire matter; I don't know whatever it is but I wish God give him good sense and wisdom," he added.

Talking about the Invesco, Dr Chandra said, "Invesco is a good investor but in this case of ZEEL they are not revealing that what they will do after taking ZEEL, and in whose hands management will go?"

"You want to remove Punit Goenka? Okay, fine but what next? Have you done any deal with someone? The 6 directors given by them - what's their background? Do they have any relation with any particular company that wants to take over? Hence, Invesco should come out transparently and openly, and let the shareholders decide - whether they want to take the deal of Invesco or want to go with Sony's deal, "Dr Chandra said posing some really tough questions to Invesco.

For the past few days, especially after the mega-merger announcement between ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), some media houses are publishing baseless and hollow reports to fight a losing battle against ZEEL, and especially against Punit Goenka as he will continue as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZEEL.

For the past few days, especially after the mega-merger announcement between ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), some media houses are publishing baseless and hollow reports to fight a losing battle against ZEEL, and especially against Punit Goenka as he will continue as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZEEL. × Some media reports are falsely citing Invesco's version to take on ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka but in vain. These reports have failed terribly in their mala fide attempt to malign the image of esteemed organisation - ZEEL and its MD & CEO Punit Goenka. The reports lacking truth have fallen flat on the face of their publishers as Dr Subhash Chandra - Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, himself has come forward to clear the air on Invesco, ZEEL and Punit Goenka. The facts-laden statement by Dr Subhash Chandra - Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has now left no room for any confusion and will leave publishers of false and baseless reports red-faced. “No matter who runs ZEEL but the company, to which I’ve and many of my friends have given their blood and sweat for the past 30 years, should be in the hands of someone under whose leadership the organisation should prosper and shareholders should be benefitted since I don’t have any profit or loss associated with this,” said Dr Subhash Chandr as he spoke on the matter. "I wanted to give an interview to my friends at CNBC and Moneycontrol but they won't take it neither run it because it seems although he is a friend of mine but has a vested interest in the entire matter; I don't know whatever it is but I wish God give him good sense and wisdom," he added. Talking about the Invesco, Dr Chandra said, "Invesco is a good investor but in this case of ZEEL they are not revealing that what they will do after taking ZEEL, and in whose hands management will go?" "You want to remove Punit Goenka? Okay, fine but what next? Have you done any deal with someone? The 6 directors given by them - what's their background? Do they have any relation with any particular company that wants to take over? Hence, Invesco should come out transparently and openly, and let the shareholders decide - whether they want to take the deal of Invesco or want to go with Sony's deal, "Dr Chandra said posing some really tough questions to Invesco.

‘On whose directions Invesco is acting?’ Dr Subhash Chandra asks tough questions making Invesco uncomfortable

Mega-merger of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has created a media behemoth that is sure to redefine entertainment in India. However, soon after the mega-deal,&nbsp;investment firm Invesco appears to have started acting at someone's behest. The shockwaves of the mega-merger have been felt even in China.

Some mediahouses are also publishing baseless and hollow reports to make a vain attempt at battling ZEEL and its Chief Executive Officer Punit Goenka.&nbsp;

Invesco's moves in past few days have raised questions about whether it is a puppet of China acting against ZEEL-Sony mega-merger.

Some media reports are falsely citing Invesco's version to take on ZEEL MD &amp; CEO Punit Goenka but in vain. These reports have failed terribly in their mala fide attempt to malign the image of esteemed organisation - ZEEL and its MD &amp; CEO Punit Goenka.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the reports lacking truth have fallen flat on the face of their publishers as Dr Subhash Chandra - Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, himself came forward to clear the air on Invesco, ZEEL and Punit Goenka. The facts-laden statement by Dr Subhash Chandra has now left no room for any confusion and will leave publishers of false and baseless reports red-faced.

Watch | ZEEL-Sony merger: Dr Subhash Chandra questions Invesco's 'real intent'

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"No matter who runs ZEEL but the company, to which I've and many of my friends have given their blood and sweat for the past 30 years, should be in the hands of someone under whose leadership the organisation should prosper and shareholders should be benefitted since I don't have any profit or loss associated with this," said Dr Subhash Chandra.

Vested interests of someone

"I wanted to give an interview to my friends at CNBC and Moneycontrol but they won't take it neither run it because it seems although he is a friend of mine but has a vested interest in the entire matter; I don't know whatever it is but I wish God give him good sense and wisdom," Dr Chandra added.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/on-whose-directions-invesco-is-acting-dr-subhash-chandra-asks-tough-questions-making-invesco-uncomfortable-418507">‘On whose directions Invesco is acting?’ Dr Subhash Chandra asks tough questions making Invesco uncomfortable</a>

Dr Subhash Chandra's questions to Invesco

"Invesco is a good investor but in this case of ZEEL they are not revealing that what they will do after taking ZEEL, and in whose hands management will go?" asked Dr Chandra.

"You want to remove Punit Goenka? Okay, fine but what next? Have you done any deal with someone? The 6 directors given by them - what's their background? Do they have any relation with any particular company that wants to take over? Hence, Invesco should come out transparently and openly, and let the shareholders decide - whether they want to take the deal of Invesco or want to go with Sony's deal," Dr Chandra said posing some really tough questions to Invesco.

Questions to regulators

On regulators, Dr Chandra said, "The first and prime responsibility of the regulators is to protect the interest minority shareholders. So, they should ask Invesco that it should come out transparently. And, regulators should make sure that minority shareholders have both the things in hand to decide whether to vote for Invesco or Sony's deal with ZEEL."

Mega-merger of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has created a media behemoth that is sure to redefine entertainment in India.

Mega-merger of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has created a media behemoth that is sure to redefine entertainment in India. However, soon after the mega-deal, investment firm Invesco appears to have started acting at someone's behest. The shockwaves of the mega-merger have been felt even in China. Some mediahouses are also publishing baseless and hollow reports to make a vain attempt at battling ZEEL and its Chief Executive Officer Punit Goenka. Invesco's moves in past few days have raised questions about whether it is a puppet of China acting against ZEEL-Sony mega-merger. Some media reports are falsely citing Invesco's version to take on ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka but in vain. These reports have failed terribly in their mala fide attempt to malign the image of esteemed organisation - ZEEL and its MD & CEO Punit Goenka. On Tuesday, the reports lacking truth have fallen flat on the face of their publishers as Dr Subhash Chandra - Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, himself came forward to clear the air on Invesco, ZEEL and Punit Goenka. The facts-laden statement by Dr Subhash Chandra has now left no room for any confusion and will leave publishers of false and baseless reports red-faced. Watch | ZEEL-Sony merger: Dr Subhash Chandra questions Invesco's 'real intent' × "No matter who runs ZEEL but the company, to which I've and many of my friends have given their blood and sweat for the past 30 years, should be in the hands of someone under whose leadership the organisation should prosper and shareholders should be benefitted since I don't have any profit or loss associated with this," said Dr Subhash Chandra. Vested interests of someone "I wanted to give an interview to my friends at CNBC and Moneycontrol but they won't take it neither run it because it seems although he is a friend of mine but has a vested interest in the entire matter; I don't know whatever it is but I wish God give him good sense and wisdom," Dr Chandra added. Also Read | ‘On whose directions Invesco is acting?’ Dr Subhash Chandra asks tough questions making Invesco uncomfortable Dr Subhash Chandra's questions to Invesco "Invesco is a good investor but in this case of ZEEL they are not revealing that what they will do after taking ZEEL, and in whose hands management will go?" asked Dr Chandra. "You want to remove Punit Goenka? Okay, fine but what next? Have you done any deal with someone? The 6 directors given by them - what's their background? Do they have any relation with any particular company that wants to take over? Hence, Invesco should come out transparently and openly, and let the shareholders decide - whether they want to take the deal of Invesco or want to go with Sony's deal," Dr Chandra said posing some really tough questions to Invesco. Questions to regulators On regulators, Dr Chandra said, "The first and prime responsibility of the regulators is to protect the interest minority shareholders. So, they should ask Invesco that it should come out transparently. And, regulators should make sure that minority shareholders have both the things in hand to decide whether to vote for Invesco or Sony's deal with ZEEL."

ZEEL-Sony mega-merger: Is Invesco a puppet of Chinese interests?

Dr Subhash Chandra said, "Invesco is a good investor but in this case of ZEEL they are not revealing that what they will do after taking ZEEL, and in whose hands management will go?" A statement by Dr Subhash Chandra, Founder, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has come out on this matter to clear the air on Invesco, ZEEL and Punit Goenka.

ZEEL-Sony merger: Dr Subhash Chandra questions Invesco's 'real intent'

As the company completed 29 years, MD and CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) Punit Goenka on Saturday (October 2) said the company is looking forward to many more successful years ahead. Goenka went on to share about the company's remarkable journey and said it would not have been possible without the company employees' persistence and hard work. &nbsp;

"I am delighted to share that on this day, 29 years ago, we set pen to paper and laid the foundation of an extraordinary institution and an Academy of Talent, which we called ZEE. Back then, a lot of people thought it was a bold and impossible idea, but the power of passion and perseverance paid off and here we are today, celebrating 29 glorious years of ZEE!" Goenka said. He added, "These 29 years have been remarkable to say the least! A journey wherein we embedded a culture of consistent value creation and sustained growth. This would not have been possible without your persistence and hard work." &nbsp;

On dealing with challenges &nbsp;

A strong believer of hard work, Goenka's mantra in challenging situations is to look at the silver lining instead of the dark cloud. Admitting that this journey had its fair share of challenges, Goenka said, "My mantra in these situations has always been to look at the silver lining instead of the dark cloud; or to put it simply, to consistently focus on one’s work and believe that every difficult phase shall certainly pass. In fact, these ups and downs have been extremely consequential in building our resilience, enabling us to remain committed towards the Company’s growth and profitability." &nbsp;

"Today, the words ‘Entertainment’ and ‘ZEE’ are spoken in consonance, which speak immensely of our success and this precious asset we have created together. This dream that we have built &amp; nurtured over almost three decades, has transformed into a global conglomerate, with our synergised efforts and actions. Let us all today, celebrate our accomplishments by reinforcing the power of optimism and togetherness. After all, it is this ethos that has enabled us to stay rooted in our rich value system and yet be global in our aspirations," Goenka said. &nbsp;

The proposed merger with Sony &nbsp;

Addressing his employees, Goenka said, "I cherish the strong bond we have formed over the years, which has always enabled me to be as candid as I can, in sharing my thoughts with all of you. The best is yet to come! The proposed merger with Sony Pictures Networks India will make us the largest Media &amp; Entertainment company in the country. I am extremely confident that with Sony as partners in our value creation journey, the combined synergies will help us strengthen our capabilities to create sharper content, that enriches the lives of our consumers." &nbsp;&nbsp;

He added, "I am always with you in this journey, and we will continue to walk this path together to script newer successes. I am humbled by your unwavering support to the Company, and I doff my hat to the leadership team at ZEE, for instilling a healthy and collaborative culture that enables you to push the boundaries consistently." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Transforming obstacles into possibilities and successful outcomes &nbsp;

Goenka reminded people that "we all gain a series of great opportunities that are often disguised as impossible situations." He said, "The key is to transform our obstacles into possibilities and eventually successful outcomes. I firmly believe the time to change is now, as we together step into the 30th year of the Company that awaits to be filled with success, glory, growth, and profitability." &nbsp;

As a parting shot, he added, "Always remember, that being challenged in life is inevitable but being defeated is optional. The choice will always be yours alone! My heartiest congratulations to each and every one of you on achieving this glorious milestone! To this and many more!"&nbsp;

As the company completed 29 years, MD and CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) Punit Goenka on Saturday (October 2) said the company is looking forward to many more successful years ahead.

As the company completed 29 years, MD and CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) Punit Goenka on Saturday (October 2) said the company is looking forward to many more successful years ahead. Goenka went on to share about the company's remarkable journey and said it would not have been possible without the company employees' persistence and hard work. "I am delighted to share that on this day, 29 years ago, we set pen to paper and laid the foundation of an extraordinary institution and an Academy of Talent, which we called ZEE. Back then, a lot of people thought it was a bold and impossible idea, but the power of passion and perseverance paid off and here we are today, celebrating 29 glorious years of ZEE!" Goenka said. He added, "These 29 years have been remarkable to say the least! A journey wherein we embedded a culture of consistent value creation and sustained growth. This would not have been possible without your persistence and hard work." On dealing with challenges A strong believer of hard work, Goenka's mantra in challenging situations is to look at the silver lining instead of the dark cloud. Admitting that this journey had its fair share of challenges, Goenka said, "My mantra in these situations has always been to look at the silver lining instead of the dark cloud; or to put it simply, to consistently focus on one’s work and believe that every difficult phase shall certainly pass. In fact, these ups and downs have been extremely consequential in building our resilience, enabling us to remain committed towards the Company’s growth and profitability." "Today, the words ‘Entertainment’ and ‘ZEE’ are spoken in consonance, which speak immensely of our success and this precious asset we have created together. This dream that we have built & nurtured over almost three decades, has transformed into a global conglomerate, with our synergised efforts and actions. Let us all today, celebrate our accomplishments by reinforcing the power of optimism and togetherness. After all, it is this ethos that has enabled us to stay rooted in our rich value system and yet be global in our aspirations," Goenka said. The proposed merger with Sony Addressing his employees, Goenka said, "I cherish the strong bond we have formed over the years, which has always enabled me to be as candid as I can, in sharing my thoughts with all of you. The best is yet to come! The proposed merger with Sony Pictures Networks India will make us the largest Media & Entertainment company in the country. I am extremely confident that with Sony as partners in our value creation journey, the combined synergies will help us strengthen our capabilities to create sharper content, that enriches the lives of our consumers." He added, "I am always with you in this journey, and we will continue to walk this path together to script newer successes. I am humbled by your unwavering support to the Company, and I doff my hat to the leadership team at ZEE, for instilling a healthy and collaborative culture that enables you to push the boundaries consistently." Transforming obstacles into possibilities and successful outcomes Goenka reminded people that "we all gain a series of great opportunities that are often disguised as impossible situations." He said, "The key is to transform our obstacles into possibilities and eventually successful outcomes. I firmly believe the time to change is now, as we together step into the 30th year of the Company that awaits to be filled with success, glory, growth, and profitability." As a parting shot, he added, "Always remember, that being challenged in life is inevitable but being defeated is optional. The choice will always be yours alone! My heartiest congratulations to each and every one of you on achieving this glorious milestone! To this and many more!"

As Zee completes 29 years, Punit Goenka says best is yet to come, will script newer successes

Sony Corp`s movie studio on Thursday delayed the release of the superhero sequel 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage'&nbsp;by nearly a month to mid-October as the United States grapples with a new wave of COVID-19 infections. 
 
The movie starring Tom Hardy as the Marvel Comics character will now debut in theatres on Oct. 15 instead of Sept. 24, Sony Pictures said via email. 
 
Hollywood studios have been shuffling their schedules throughout the pandemic but had hoped for a moviegoing rebound in the autumn. 
 
The Delta variant of COVID-19 has led to a rise in infections in the United States, raising concern about whether audiences will feel safe sitting in cinemas. 
 
The original 'Venom'&nbsp;movie in 2018 took in more than $850 million at global box offices.

Sony Corp`s movie studio on Thursday delayed the release of the superhero sequel 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' by nearly a month to mid-October as the United States grapples with a new wave of COVID-19 infections.

Sony Corp`s movie studio on Thursday delayed the release of the superhero sequel 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' by nearly a month to mid-October as the United States grapples with a new wave of COVID-19 infections. The movie starring Tom Hardy as the Marvel Comics character will now debut in theatres on Oct. 15 instead of Sept. 24, Sony Pictures said via email. Hollywood studios have been shuffling their schedules throughout the pandemic but had hoped for a moviegoing rebound in the autumn. The Delta variant of COVID-19 has led to a rise in infections in the United States, raising concern about whether audiences will feel safe sitting in cinemas. The original 'Venom' movie in 2018 took in more than $850 million at global box offices.

Sony delays 'Venom' movie sequel release amid new COVID-19 wave

Sony has now sold over 10 million PS5 consoles. This comes after Sony clocked around 7.8 million units as sold by March-end. Even though PS5 continues to be the hottest selling gaming console by Sony to date, the supply is constrained and it is extremely difficult to purchase a console right now due to a global chip shortage.

Sony has now sold over 10 million PS5 consoles. This comes after Sony clocked around 7.8 million units as sold by March-end. Even though PS5 continues to be the hottest selling gaming console by Sony to date, the supply is constrained and it is extremely difficult to purchase a console right now due to a global chip shortage. Jim Ryan, president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, was quoted by The Verge saying, "While PS5 has reached more households faster than any of our previous consoles, we still have a lot of work ahead of us as demand for PS5 continues to outstrip supply". He added, "I want gamers to know that while we continue to face unique challenges throughout the world that affect our industry and many others, improving inventory levels remains a top priority for SIE". Also read | Twitter set to test 'shop' feature for select brands The supply constraint is not likely to go away anytime soon. It is because of the periodic sales through online channels that the buyers are unable to get their hands on a PS5 unit. Sony has also shared some milestones around the PS5 launch titles. Spider-Man: Miles Morales has sold more than 6.5 million copies since its launch in November, with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart selling more than 1.1 million copies since its launch last month. Returnal has also sold more than 560,000 copies since its April launch. As Sony continues to share console hardware figures, Microsoft has stopped sharing Xbox sales numbers in the Xbox One era. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been quoted by The Verge saying, "We’re all in on games". He added, "The Xbox Series S and X are our fastest selling consoles ever, with more consoles sold life-to-date than any previous generation".

Sony has sold 10 million PS5 consoles while chip shortage continues

Guilty. I am one of those women who has that big scary bag which packs in her life. I am prepared for anything. So I have extra sanitizers, masks, a hand cream, a perfume, a surface spray and even a book that I never get to read.&nbsp;

The latest addition to my handbag is a compact speaker from Sony.

Why do I carry it along? Am I predicting a music emergency? A situation where someone may yell, "Anybody got a good outdoor speaker?" I don't know yet.

But the fact that a speaker fits into my bag seamlessly and belts out powerful sound is worthy of acknowledgment. And it can be yours for Rs 3,990.

IT'S GOT THE LOOKS

The Sony SRS-XB13 weighs around 255 grams, fits into the palm of your hand, looks adorable yet is sturdy. My only gripe? Sony, in 2021, we need simpler names. I don't know how to recommend this speaker to others without saying "that great small speaker from Sony".

MUSIC ON THE GO

The recent addition to Sony's audio portfolio is this affordable Bluetooth speaker which is portable and waterproof. Now remember, when I say waterproof, it means this speaker will survive if you dunk it in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes but why would you try that?

Instead, use the strap to attach the speaker to a bag and carry it to your next socially-distanced and safe vacation spot. And if you hang it from a height using the strap, you'll be able to modify the sound direction which is a nifty party trick.

Like me, if you have kids in the house who will squeal with excitement when they see the speaker and drop it the next second, worry not. This baby will survive a few falls.

<img alt="fvf" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e60bd5b-aa3e-477b-a87d-cfc322acff31" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SRS-XB13%20IMAGE%201%20%281%29.jpg" />

PRO-TIP

While I am yet to enjoy a decadent, long bath with this speaker by my side, my son loves hopping in his tub jumping to some Baby Shark tunes while splashing water all around. Given that this speaker is waterproof, this activity was safe and engaging for all involved, including the speaker.

VALUE ADDITIONS

A speaker has got to do a lot more than just play great sound. This one has a USB-C port and rubber buttons to play, pause the music. Given how portable it is, I took it to the terrace plenty of times to indulge in a cardio workout or regale my son with some Audible tales. The sound is impressive though not jaw-dropping.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Battery, battery, battery. This is the real deal-breaker or clincher for me. And at 16 hours on a single charge, this one is a reliable friend.

<img alt="gbg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4bd9273d-c656-4dea-b260-4626f7889017" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SRS-XB13%20IMAGE%203%20%281%29_0.jpg" />

HOW GOOD IS THE AUDIO?

At under Rs 4,000, I didn't have high expectations. But for everyday use and that rare gathering of people that you may feel brave enough to host now, the SRS-XB13 performs well. If you have a bigger budget, you can buy two of these speakers, connect them using the Stereo Pair function and have a mini-party for one.

I enjoyed listening to multiple tracks from all genres and it did the job. If you're an audio purist, you're probably not looking for a speaker in this budget. For those looking for a portable, useful and well-performing speaker, the Sony SRS-XB13 seems ideal.&nbsp;

The nomenclature of course, leaves much to be desired.

Guilty. I am one of those women who has that big scary bag which packs in her life. I am prepared for anything. So I have extra sanitizers, masks, a hand cream, a perfume, a surface spray and even a book that I never get to read.

Guilty. I am one of those women who has that big scary bag which packs in her life. I am prepared for anything. So I have extra sanitizers, masks, a hand cream, a perfume, a surface spray and even a book that I never get to read. The latest addition to my handbag is a compact speaker from Sony. Why do I carry it along? Am I predicting a music emergency? A situation where someone may yell, "Anybody got a good outdoor speaker?" I don't know yet. But the fact that a speaker fits into my bag seamlessly and belts out powerful sound is worthy of acknowledgment. And it can be yours for Rs 3,990. IT'S GOT THE LOOKS The Sony SRS-XB13 weighs around 255 grams, fits into the palm of your hand, looks adorable yet is sturdy. My only gripe? Sony, in 2021, we need simpler names. I don't know how to recommend this speaker to others without saying "that great small speaker from Sony". MUSIC ON THE GO The recent addition to Sony's audio portfolio is this affordable Bluetooth speaker which is portable and waterproof. Now remember, when I say waterproof, it means this speaker will survive if you dunk it in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes but why would you try that? Instead, use the strap to attach the speaker to a bag and carry it to your next socially-distanced and safe vacation spot. And if you hang it from a height using the strap, you'll be able to modify the sound direction which is a nifty party trick. Like me, if you have kids in the house who will squeal with excitement when they see the speaker and drop it the next second, worry not. This baby will survive a few falls. PRO-TIP While I am yet to enjoy a decadent, long bath with this speaker by my side, my son loves hopping in his tub jumping to some Baby Shark tunes while splashing water all around. Given that this speaker is waterproof, this activity was safe and engaging for all involved, including the speaker. VALUE ADDITIONS A speaker has got to do a lot more than just play great sound. This one has a USB-C port and rubber buttons to play, pause the music. Given how portable it is, I took it to the terrace plenty of times to indulge in a cardio workout or regale my son with some Audible tales. The sound is impressive though not jaw-dropping. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? Battery, battery, battery. This is the real deal-breaker or clincher for me. And at 16 hours on a single charge, this one is a reliable friend. HOW GOOD IS THE AUDIO? At under Rs 4,000, I didn't have high expectations. But for everyday use and that rare gathering of people that you may feel brave enough to host now, the SRS-XB13 performs well. If you have a bigger budget, you can buy two of these speakers, connect them using the Stereo Pair function and have a mini-party for one. I enjoyed listening to multiple tracks from all genres and it did the job. If you're an audio purist, you're probably not looking for a speaker in this budget. For those looking for a portable, useful and well-performing speaker, the Sony SRS-XB13 seems ideal. The nomenclature of course, leaves much to be desired.

Sony SRS-XB13 review: Throw this in your bag and enjoy the tunes anywhere

Microsoft unveiled Sunday a batch of new titles for Xbox at the world's premier video game trade show, including award-winning sensation "Hades" and long-time hit "Halo".

The company said it would launch&nbsp;new games on Game Pass every month through the end of the year, including titles such as PC strategy series "Age of Empires IV" and racing game "Forza Horizon&nbsp;5."

The Xbox maker showed off 30 new games coming to its console, which in November will celebrate two decades on the market.

"Our team strives to make Xbox a place where you'll find the greatest games, the most dedicated developers, and the most passionate community," unit chief Phil Spencer said during a streamed event on the second day of a virtual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

Microsoft revealed a coming take of beloved "Halo", along with new creations such as&nbsp;science-fiction action title "Starfield" and a vampire-battling adventure called "Redfall" from Bethesda Softworks.

Microsoft recently-acquired Bethesda Softworks, the maker of hits including "Fallout" and "Elder Scrolls."

As trailers depicted tense battles and the games' rich graphics, Microsoft stressed that all but a few would be available for play at its subscription Xbox Game Pass service.

The company also highlighted titles that will be exclusive to Xbox, which competes with rival consoles Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

Award-winning "Hades" from San Francisco-based Supergiant is coming to Xbox as well as PlayStation, the independent studio said Sunday.

"Hades" has so far only been available for play on personal computers and Switch.

"Hades", which snagged five honors this year at Britain's prestigious BAFTA Games Awards, is a "dungeon crawler" that challenges players to fight their way through the underworld.

The line-up of new titles comes as Microsoft works on software and a plug-in device to let people play Xbox video games on internet-linked televisions without need of consoles.

"As a company, Microsoft is all-in on gaming," chief executive Satya Nadella said in introducing the plan last week.

Microsoft has been playing on the strength of its Xbox unit as it vies with Luna and Stadia cloud gaming services run, respectively, by Amazon and Google.

In coming weeks, cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions will be possible through internet browsers Chrome, Edge and Safari, according to Microsoft.

Many are expected to tune in on the closing day of E3 on Tuesday for a Nintendo streamed event at which it may reveal a new version of its coveted Switch consoles along with showing off new games.

Microsoft has also been developing its cloud gaming service to attract casual gamers and its own streaming devices.

Game Pass has hundreds of games playable on&nbsp;Xbox&nbsp;consoles, Android devices and PCs with a $9.99 monthly fee.

"What makes us different from a service like Netflix is that we give players both options, a subscription package and also a full retail store," said Phil Spencer, head of&nbsp;Xbox.

(With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft unveiled Sunday a batch of new titles for Xbox at the world's premier video game trade show, including award-winning sensation "Hades" and long-time hit "Halo".

Microsoft unveiled Sunday a batch of new titles for Xbox at the world's premier video game trade show, including award-winning sensation "Hades" and long-time hit "Halo". The company said it would launch new games on Game Pass every month through the end of the year, including titles such as PC strategy series "Age of Empires IV" and racing game "Forza Horizon 5." The Xbox maker showed off 30 new games coming to its console, which in November will celebrate two decades on the market. "Our team strives to make Xbox a place where you'll find the greatest games, the most dedicated developers, and the most passionate community," unit chief Phil Spencer said during a streamed event on the second day of a virtual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Microsoft revealed a coming take of beloved "Halo", along with new creations such as science-fiction action title "Starfield" and a vampire-battling adventure called "Redfall" from Bethesda Softworks. Microsoft recently-acquired Bethesda Softworks, the maker of hits including "Fallout" and "Elder Scrolls." As trailers depicted tense battles and the games' rich graphics, Microsoft stressed that all but a few would be available for play at its subscription Xbox Game Pass service. The company also highlighted titles that will be exclusive to Xbox, which competes with rival consoles Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Award-winning "Hades" from San Francisco-based Supergiant is coming to Xbox as well as PlayStation, the independent studio said Sunday. "Hades" has so far only been available for play on personal computers and Switch. "Hades", which snagged five honors this year at Britain's prestigious BAFTA Games Awards, is a "dungeon crawler" that challenges players to fight their way through the underworld. The line-up of new titles comes as Microsoft works on software and a plug-in device to let people play Xbox video games on internet-linked televisions without need of consoles. "As a company, Microsoft is all-in on gaming," chief executive Satya Nadella said in introducing the plan last week. Microsoft has been playing on the strength of its Xbox unit as it vies with Luna and Stadia cloud gaming services run, respectively, by Amazon and Google. In coming weeks, cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions will be possible through internet browsers Chrome, Edge and Safari, according to Microsoft. Many are expected to tune in on the closing day of E3 on Tuesday for a Nintendo streamed event at which it may reveal a new version of its coveted Switch consoles along with showing off new games. Microsoft has also been developing its cloud gaming service to attract casual gamers and its own streaming devices. Game Pass has hundreds of games playable on Xbox consoles, Android devices and PCs with a $9.99 monthly fee. "What makes us different from a service like Netflix is that we give players both options, a subscription package and also a full retail store," said Phil Spencer, head of Xbox. (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft showcases upcoming games as Xbox turns 20

Sony’s live-action musical adaptation of Cinderella will not be releasing in theatres and instead has headed to Amazon Prime.&nbsp;

The film is the latest major studio film to launch on a streamer amid the ongoing fallout from the pandemic.

Cinderella was set to dance its way on the big screen in June.

Directed by Kay Cannon (Blockers) from her screenplay. It’s a story by James Corden and will be produced by him.

‘Cinderella’ stars Camila Cabello in the title role, alongside Billy Porter, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver and Missy Elliott. Corden, whose London-based banner Fulwell 73 (The Late Late Show) is producing together with Jonathan Kadin, also stars. 
&nbsp;

Sony’s live-action musical adaptation of Cinderella will not be releasing in theatres and instead has headed to Amazon Prime. The film is the latest major studio film to launch on a streamer amid the ongoing fallout from the pandemic.

Sony’s live-action musical adaptation of Cinderella will not be releasing in theatres and instead has headed to Amazon Prime. The film is the latest major studio film to launch on a streamer amid the ongoing fallout from the pandemic. Cinderella was set to dance its way on the big screen in June. Directed by Kay Cannon (Blockers) from her screenplay. It’s a story by James Corden and will be produced by him. ‘Cinderella’ stars Camila Cabello in the title role, alongside Billy Porter, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver and Missy Elliott. Corden, whose London-based banner Fulwell 73 (The Late Late Show) is producing together with Jonathan Kadin, also stars.

Sony’s ‘Cinderella’ heads to Amazon

Fortnite developer Epic Games has announced that it completed a $1 billion round of funding, that includes an additional $200 million strategic investment from Sony Corporation.&nbsp;

With the new funding round that involved over a dozen investors, Epic's equity valuation has touched $28.7 billion. &nbsp;

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said on Tuesday that the company will use the investment to "help accelerate our work around building connected social experiences in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys, while empowering game developers and creators with Unreal Engine, Epic Online Services and the Epic Games Store."&nbsp;

Epic has used Sony's PS5 console to reveal its next-gen Unreal Engine 5 engine.&nbsp;

The two companies worked closely together on developing the PS5's storage architecture.&nbsp;

"We are excited to strengthen our collaboration to bring new entertainment experiences to people around the world. I strongly believe that this aligns with our purpose to fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology," said Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation. &nbsp;

Epic Games will defend its stance during a lawsuit hearing against Apple in the US that starts from May 3, as the two companies got themselves involved in a legal battle over the use of an in-game payment system.&nbsp;

While Epic Games argues about Apple's monopoly over the app market and treats 30 per cent standard fee amount to anti-competitive behaviour that must be regulated by antitrust law, Apple contends that "the whole antitrust allegation and associated dust-kicking is little more than a PR stunt".&nbsp;

Apple CEO Tim Cook as well as Epic Games Founder and CEO Sweeney may testify in the trial. &nbsp;

Fortnite developer Epic Games has announced that it completed a $1 billion round of funding, that includes an additional $200 million strategic investment from Sony Corporation.

Fortnite developer Epic Games has announced that it completed a $1 billion round of funding, that includes an additional $200 million strategic investment from Sony Corporation. With the new funding round that involved over a dozen investors, Epic's equity valuation has touched $28.7 billion. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said on Tuesday that the company will use the investment to "help accelerate our work around building connected social experiences in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys, while empowering game developers and creators with Unreal Engine, Epic Online Services and the Epic Games Store." Epic has used Sony's PS5 console to reveal its next-gen Unreal Engine 5 engine. The two companies worked closely together on developing the PS5's storage architecture. "We are excited to strengthen our collaboration to bring new entertainment experiences to people around the world. I strongly believe that this aligns with our purpose to fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology," said Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation. Epic Games will defend its stance during a lawsuit hearing against Apple in the US that starts from May 3, as the two companies got themselves involved in a legal battle over the use of an in-game payment system. While Epic Games argues about Apple's monopoly over the app market and treats 30 per cent standard fee amount to anti-competitive behaviour that must be regulated by antitrust law, Apple contends that "the whole antitrust allegation and associated dust-kicking is little more than a PR stunt". Apple CEO Tim Cook as well as Epic Games Founder and CEO Sweeney may testify in the trial.

Sony invests additional $200M as Epic Games raises $1B 

Sony has delayed the release of ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.’

The apocalyptic horror film is now scheduled for November 24. It was earlier set for September 3 and was to coincide with the release of Marvel adventure ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’.&nbsp;

‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ is based on the horror video game series and serves as a reboot of the film franchise led by Milla Jovovich.&nbsp;

It is written and helmed by Johannes Roberts. It takes place in the late 1990s and stars Kaya Scodelario of ‘The Maze Runner’ fame.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-man-who-sold-his-skin-tunisias-dark-oscars-nomination-374688" hreflang="en">'The Man Who Sold His Skin': Tunisia's dark Oscars nomination</a>

Sony has delayed the release of ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.’ The apocalyptic horror film is now scheduled for November 24. It was earlier set for September 3 and was to coincide with the release of Marvel adventure ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’.

Sony has delayed the release of ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.’ The apocalyptic horror film is now scheduled for November 24. It was earlier set for September 3 and was to coincide with the release of Marvel adventure ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ is based on the horror video game series and serves as a reboot of the film franchise led by Milla Jovovich. It is written and helmed by Johannes Roberts. It takes place in the late 1990s and stars Kaya Scodelario of ‘The Maze Runner’ fame. 'The Man Who Sold His Skin': Tunisia's dark Oscars nomination

Sony delays ‘Resident Evil’ release date

Sony Pictures is now developing an adaptation of classic sitcom ‘Bewitched’.&nbsp;

Starring Elizabeth Montgomery, the show Bewitched ran for eight seasons as she portrayed Samatha Stephens, a witch married to an ordinary man named Darrin (Dick York and later Dick Sargent).&nbsp;

‘Bewitched’ ran from 1964 to 1972 on ABC and was a defining example of the genre.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Sony’s film will be produced by John Davis and John Fox with a script written by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett.&nbsp;

Interestingly, Sony had in 2005, released a spinoff of Bewitched, a romantic-comedy from writer-director Nora Ephron, starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell as actors playing Samantha and Darrin on a remake of the classic television show.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-chrissy-teigen-says-%E2%80%98goodbye%E2%80%99-to-twitter-deletes-her-account-373036" hreflang="en">Chrissy Teigen says ‘goodbye’ to Twitter, deletes her account</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-clara-amfo-edith-bowman-and-dermot-o%E2%80%99leary-to-host-bafta-2021-373011" hreflang="en">Clara Amfo, Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary to host BAFTA 2021</a>

Sony Pictures is now developing an adaptation of classic sitcom ‘Bewitched’. Starring Elizabeth Montgomery, the show Bewitched ran for eight seasons as she portrayed Samatha Stephens, a witch married to an ordinary man named Darrin (Dick York and later Dick Sargent).

Sony Pictures is now developing an adaptation of classic sitcom ‘Bewitched’. Starring Elizabeth Montgomery, the show Bewitched ran for eight seasons as she portrayed Samatha Stephens, a witch married to an ordinary man named Darrin (Dick York and later Dick Sargent). ‘Bewitched’ ran from 1964 to 1972 on ABC and was a defining example of the genre. Meanwhile, Sony’s film will be produced by John Davis and John Fox with a script written by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett. Interestingly, Sony had in 2005, released a spinoff of Bewitched, a romantic-comedy from writer-director Nora Ephron, starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell as actors playing Samantha and Darrin on a remake of the classic television show. Chrissy Teigen says ‘goodbye’ to Twitter, deletes her account Clara Amfo, Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary to host BAFTA 2021

Sony developing feature adaptation of classic sitcom 'Bewitched'

Amidst the bustling lanes of Mumbai, a city shrouded in violence, DCP Amitabh Sinha is working towards eliminating crimes before they happen. Unfazed by odds, he is determined to eliminate crime from every nook and corner of the city, This gripping narrative lies at the core of SonyLIV’s upcoming fiction series, 'Project 9191'.

Coupled with jaw-breaking action and layered characters, the show is about a team who ace in pre-empting crimes and stopping them before occurrence. Project 9191 is set to go live on and from 26th March only on SonyLIV. 
&nbsp; 
From kidnappings, extortions to terror threats and more, DCP Amitabh Sinha (Satyajit Sharma) and his very abled team are on the move to crack every single clue, relayed to them by ordinary citizens and intercept any uncanny conversation over the cyber space to prevent a crime from taking place. But it’s not an easy road ahead for Sharad Kumar (Jaswant Singh Dalal), Deepa Nagpal (Trishna Mukherjee), Pankaj Dhanawade (Vaibhav Tatwawaadi) and retired constable Usman Dastangir (Dadhi Raj Pandey) as they work their way out of half-truths, faulty evidence, missing links and race against time to do the unthinkable. Will they succeed? 
&nbsp; 
'Project 9191'&nbsp;features Satyajit Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawaadi, Trishna Mukherjee, Abhishekh Khan, Manini De, Jagat Rawat amongst others.&nbsp;

Watch trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="696" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/osqu8L-IOJU" width="1237"></iframe>

Amidst the bustling lanes of Mumbai, a city shrouded in violence, DCP Amitabh Sinha is working towards eliminating crimes before they happen. Unfazed by odds, he is determined to eliminate crime from every nook and corner of the city, This gripping narrative lies at the core of SonyLIV’s upcoming fiction series, 'Project 9191'.

Amidst the bustling lanes of Mumbai, a city shrouded in violence, DCP Amitabh Sinha is working towards eliminating crimes before they happen. Unfazed by odds, he is determined to eliminate crime from every nook and corner of the city, This gripping narrative lies at the core of SonyLIV’s upcoming fiction series, 'Project 9191'. Coupled with jaw-breaking action and layered characters, the show is about a team who ace in pre-empting crimes and stopping them before occurrence. Project 9191 is set to go live on and from 26th March only on SonyLIV. From kidnappings, extortions to terror threats and more, DCP Amitabh Sinha (Satyajit Sharma) and his very abled team are on the move to crack every single clue, relayed to them by ordinary citizens and intercept any uncanny conversation over the cyber space to prevent a crime from taking place. But it’s not an easy road ahead for Sharad Kumar (Jaswant Singh Dalal), Deepa Nagpal (Trishna Mukherjee), Pankaj Dhanawade (Vaibhav Tatwawaadi) and retired constable Usman Dastangir (Dadhi Raj Pandey) as they work their way out of half-truths, faulty evidence, missing links and race against time to do the unthinkable. Will they succeed? 'Project 9191' features Satyajit Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawaadi, Trishna Mukherjee, Abhishekh Khan, Manini De, Jagat Rawat amongst others. Watch trailer here:

SonyLIV announces its next, titled 'Project 9191'; watch trailer

We live in a world with on-demand entertainment now. There's always a song available to soothe our nerves or to complement our 'I feel good' vibe. But there was a time, not too long ago, when all we had was a cassette and had to patiently wait till our favourite song (finally) played. The icon of that nostalgic era, the man who ushered it all, resides now in heaven. Lou Ottens, who invented the cassette and pioneered the CD has passed away. He was 94

As per reports, Ottens passed away on March 6 in Duizel, Netherlands. His daughter has been quoted in news reports as saying that he passed away at an elder care center. The exact cause of his passing hasn't yet been made public.

Ottens and his team developed audio cassette tape in the early 60s. He was head of Philips' product department at the time. After they presented their creation at Berlin Radio electronics fair (1963) the invention changed how everyone experienced music.

Ottens' seemingly small invention led to a revolution. The compact and cheaper device (the cassette) meant that music was no longer restricted to those who could afford. Mass production of audio cassettes meant that music was democratised and even a layman had access to it. Billions of cassettes were sold

Ottens also spearheaded another invention, that of Compact Discs or CDs. He was part of the joint team of Philips and Sony that created the CD.

CDs are relevant till now and audio cassettes had a strong presence till the early 2000s. Mixtapes wwas&nbsp;the word for those who wanted to create custom music collection.

Ottens,&nbsp;though inventor of cassettes was well in tune with the trends decades after his invention.

In 2013, he told Time magazine that cassettes were "history"

"I like when something new comes.” he was quoted as saying.

We live in a world with on-demand entertainment now. There's always a song available to soothe our nerves or to complement our 'I feel good' vibe. But there was a time, not too long ago, when all we had was a cassette and had to patiently wait till our favourite song (finally) played.

We live in a world with on-demand entertainment now. There's always a song available to soothe our nerves or to complement our 'I feel good' vibe. But there was a time, not too long ago, when all we had was a cassette and had to patiently wait till our favourite song (finally) played. The icon of that nostalgic era, the man who ushered it all, resides now in heaven. Lou Ottens, who invented the cassette and pioneered the CD has passed away. He was 94 As per reports, Ottens passed away on March 6 in Duizel, Netherlands. His daughter has been quoted in news reports as saying that he passed away at an elder care center. The exact cause of his passing hasn't yet been made public. Ottens and his team developed audio cassette tape in the early 60s. He was head of Philips' product department at the time. After they presented their creation at Berlin Radio electronics fair (1963) the invention changed how everyone experienced music. Ottens' seemingly small invention led to a revolution. The compact and cheaper device (the cassette) meant that music was no longer restricted to those who could afford. Mass production of audio cassettes meant that music was democratised and even a layman had access to it. Billions of cassettes were sold Ottens also spearheaded another invention, that of Compact Discs or CDs. He was part of the joint team of Philips and Sony that created the CD. CDs are relevant till now and audio cassettes had a strong presence till the early 2000s. Mixtapes wwas the word for those who wanted to create custom music collection. Ottens, though inventor of cassettes was well in tune with the trends decades after his invention. In 2013, he told Time magazine that cassettes were "history" "I like when something new comes.” he was quoted as saying.

Lou Ottens, inventor of cassettes and pioneer of CDs, passes away

Sony Pictures has sold 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines,' an original animated family film from producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, to Netflix.

At one point, Sony changed the name from 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines'&nbsp;to 'Connected,'&nbsp;but it has reverted back to its original title. Sony had planned to release the film theatrically before Netflix acquired worldwide rights. The deal, which excludes China, was reportedly finalized for more than $100 million.&nbsp;

According to Variety, Mike Rianda wrote and directed the film with Jeff Rowe. 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines'&nbsp;is about an everyday family’s struggle to relate with each other while technology rises up around the world. The film centers on Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson), a creative type who gets accepted into her dream film school. Before she begins college, her dad (Danny McBride) decides that driving her to school is the perfect opportunity to bond as a family one last time. But as they unplug and hit the road, technology threatens their trip — and the Earth. The voice cast also includes Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman and Doug the Pug. Will Allegra and Louis Koo Tin Lok executive produced the film, while Kurt Albrecht served as a producer.

It was originally scheduled to release last year on October 23 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Netflix has not announced a release date for the film yet. 
 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/toBGv7yvIV8" width="560"></iframe>

“I’m so thrilled that everyone at Netflix has been totally in sync with us creatively and are just as excited about the movie as we are,” he said. “Not only because it’s an original story with a creative visual style that we’re extremely proud of, but also so I can prove to my friends that this five-year journey wasn’t an elaborate delusion on my part.”

Lord and Miller, whose film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won the Oscar for best-animated feature, had previously worked with Netflix on the one-season adult animated series “Hoops” starring Jake Johnson.

“We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm Netflix has expressed for this movie with this acquisition and grateful to everyone at Sony for making a great picture with us and finding a big way to bring it to audiences,” Lord and Miller said in a statement. “We’re really proud of the film we all made together, plus we understand our subscription fees are waived in perpetuity as part of the deal? We’re not lawyers but it does sound right to us.”

Netflix has been an active buyer during the pandemic, acquiring traditional studio movies such as Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Paramount’s “SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run” internationally, and another Sony animated title “Wish Dragon.” In recent years, the streamer has made a concerted effort to ramp up kids and family programming.

“We want Netflix to be the place where families can come and enjoy stories together,” Netflix’s VP of Original Animation Melissa Cobb said. “And while we know no two families are the same, we think the Mitchells will immediately endear themselves to yours. It’s an honor to work with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Mike Rianda to bring this incredibly special film to members around the world.”

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sony Pictures has sold 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines,' an original animated family film from producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, to Netflix. At one point, Sony changed the name from 'The Mitchells vs.

Sony Pictures has sold 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines,' an original animated family film from producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, to Netflix. At one point, Sony changed the name from 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines' to 'Connected,' but it has reverted back to its original title. Sony had planned to release the film theatrically before Netflix acquired worldwide rights. The deal, which excludes China, was reportedly finalized for more than $100 million. According to Variety, Mike Rianda wrote and directed the film with Jeff Rowe. 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines' is about an everyday family’s struggle to relate with each other while technology rises up around the world. The film centers on Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson), a creative type who gets accepted into her dream film school. Before she begins college, her dad (Danny McBride) decides that driving her to school is the perfect opportunity to bond as a family one last time. But as they unplug and hit the road, technology threatens their trip — and the Earth. The voice cast also includes Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman and Doug the Pug. Will Allegra and Louis Koo Tin Lok executive produced the film, while Kurt Albrecht served as a producer. It was originally scheduled to release last year on October 23 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Netflix has not announced a release date for the film yet. “I’m so thrilled that everyone at Netflix has been totally in sync with us creatively and are just as excited about the movie as we are,” he said. “Not only because it’s an original story with a creative visual style that we’re extremely proud of, but also so I can prove to my friends that this five-year journey wasn’t an elaborate delusion on my part.” Lord and Miller, whose film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won the Oscar for best-animated feature, had previously worked with Netflix on the one-season adult animated series “Hoops” starring Jake Johnson. “We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm Netflix has expressed for this movie with this acquisition and grateful to everyone at Sony for making a great picture with us and finding a big way to bring it to audiences,” Lord and Miller said in a statement. “We’re really proud of the film we all made together, plus we understand our subscription fees are waived in perpetuity as part of the deal? We’re not lawyers but it does sound right to us.” Netflix has been an active buyer during the pandemic, acquiring traditional studio movies such as Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Paramount’s “SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run” internationally, and another Sony animated title “Wish Dragon.” In recent years, the streamer has made a concerted effort to ramp up kids and family programming. “We want Netflix to be the place where families can come and enjoy stories together,” Netflix’s VP of Original Animation Melissa Cobb said. “And while we know no two families are the same, we think the Mitchells will immediately endear themselves to yours. It’s an honor to work with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Mike Rianda to bring this incredibly special film to members around the world.”

Netflix acquires Lord and Miller's animated film 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines' from Sony

It's been a dull year for Marvel fans with no release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/new-release-dates-for-spider-man-3-doctor-strange-2-and-thor-love-and-thunder-announced-294689?fbclid=IwAR2lfM6Mh8wTRgzqDSoKch3lGoSrsUCAELcZL-6K4v0QPw64zU0ZL0VuQQU">However, with the year coming to an end the fans got a treat at Disney's Investor Event.</a>&nbsp;Marvel’s chief Kevin Feige made various announcements in the final segment of the show, confirming several rumours in the process. In just under half an hour, Marvel showed off new trailers for upcoming Disney+ series, confirmed cast members who will play new heroes and villains, and introduced new shows that will be part of Phase 4 or Phase 5.&nbsp; 
 
With many speculations turning out to be true, the new rumour in the mill is the deal between Marvel and Sony, for Spider-Man 3 won't be the last and the heads are already in talks to take the multiverse of the friendly neighbourhood hero in different directions, together. 
 
According to a&nbsp;report in BGR, Marvel and Sony will continue to co-create Spider-Man movies for quite some time, as Disney and Sony are close to inking a new deal. Insiders have come to know that another contract is about to be signed so that Spider-Man will stay in the MCU for at least another trilogy. The next three solo movies will focus on Peter’s college years, and they’re going to be under the supervision of Marvel.

The agreement might also include rights for Sony’s live-action TV programs, as Disney is looking to beef up its streaming service during the pandemic. The Spider-Man films that Feige produces for Marvel Studios would also hit Disney+. Moreover, the Marvel exec will also be more involved in developing Sony’s Spider-Verse from now on. 
 
More than a year ago, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/russo-brothers-open-up-about-marvel-sony-split-over-spider-man-248553">Sony and Disney created a stir after Sony decided to call-off its partnership with Disney</a>, leaving the next Tom Holland starrer in a limbo, over rights. Sony wanted to go it alone, and Disney wanted better terms. Ultimately, they inked a new deal for the upcoming film, as well as a crossover film where Tom Holland would reprise his Peter Parker role in the future.

Spider-Man 3 is scheduled to release&nbsp;between 'WandaVision' series&nbsp;and 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' movie. The film&nbsp;will help expand the multiverse by bringing over characters from alternate realities. Strange will be involved in the action, and time travel might be a major piece of the story’s puzzle. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-tobey-maguire-andrew-garfield-to-feature-in-tom-hollands-spider-man-3-348698">Sony’s previous Spider-Man actors and many of the villains will also reportedly appear in Spider-Man 3.</a>

For Sony, the third film will open the door to the Spider-Verse, and allow it to create an even richer Marvel universe of its own. The&nbsp;production of the film is underway, and the movie is scheduled to release in 2021. 
&nbsp;

It's been a dull year for Marvel fans with no release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, with the year coming to an end the fans got a treat at Disney's Investor Event.

It's been a dull year for Marvel fans with no release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, with the year coming to an end the fans got a treat at Disney's Investor Event. Marvel’s chief Kevin Feige made various announcements in the final segment of the show, confirming several rumours in the process. In just under half an hour, Marvel showed off new trailers for upcoming Disney+ series, confirmed cast members who will play new heroes and villains, and introduced new shows that will be part of Phase 4 or Phase 5. With many speculations turning out to be true, the new rumour in the mill is the deal between Marvel and Sony, for Spider-Man 3 won't be the last and the heads are already in talks to take the multiverse of the friendly neighbourhood hero in different directions, together. According to a report in BGR, Marvel and Sony will continue to co-create Spider-Man movies for quite some time, as Disney and Sony are close to inking a new deal. Insiders have come to know that another contract is about to be signed so that Spider-Man will stay in the MCU for at least another trilogy. The next three solo movies will focus on Peter’s college years, and they’re going to be under the supervision of Marvel. The agreement might also include rights for Sony’s live-action TV programs, as Disney is looking to beef up its streaming service during the pandemic. The Spider-Man films that Feige produces for Marvel Studios would also hit Disney+. Moreover, the Marvel exec will also be more involved in developing Sony’s Spider-Verse from now on. More than a year ago, Sony and Disney created a stir after Sony decided to call-off its partnership with Disney, leaving the next Tom Holland starrer in a limbo, over rights. Sony wanted to go it alone, and Disney wanted better terms. Ultimately, they inked a new deal for the upcoming film, as well as a crossover film where Tom Holland would reprise his Peter Parker role in the future. Spider-Man 3 is scheduled to release between 'WandaVision' series and 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' movie. The film will help expand the multiverse by bringing over characters from alternate realities. Strange will be involved in the action, and time travel might be a major piece of the story’s puzzle. Sony’s previous Spider-Man actors and many of the villains will also reportedly appear in Spider-Man 3. For Sony, the third film will open the door to the Spider-Verse, and allow it to create an even richer Marvel universe of its own. The production of the film is underway, and the movie is scheduled to release in 2021.

Marvel to team up with Sony again for another 'Spider-Man' trilogy?

Post the success of ‘Scam 1992’, SonyLIV is set to present ‘A Simple Murder’.

The show is a comedy of errors.&nbsp;

It is led by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and stars Sushant Singh, Priya Anand, Yashpal Sharma, Gopal Datt and Ayaz Khan.

The makers of ‘A Simple Murder’ released the trailer today. It is said to be a multi-strand dark comedy in which greed becomes the factor that drives the characters to entangle in a chain of events. Some fed up with their mundane life, some trying to achieve more, some wanting to secure their future, while some are just sucked into this mess by their greed.&nbsp;

It’s written by Prateek Payodhi and helmed by Sachin Pathak, who last directed the ZEE5 series ‘Rangbaaz Phirse’.

Watch the trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OMjVF7mO3PY" width="640"></iframe>

The show releases on November 20 on SonyLIV.&nbsp;

Post the success of ‘Scam 1992’, SonyLIV is set to present ‘A Simple Murder’. The show is a comedy of errors. It is led by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and stars Sushant Singh, Priya Anand, Yashpal Sharma, Gopal Datt and Ayaz Khan.

Post the success of ‘Scam 1992’, SonyLIV is set to present ‘A Simple Murder’. The show is a comedy of errors. It is led by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and stars Sushant Singh, Priya Anand, Yashpal Sharma, Gopal Datt and Ayaz Khan. The makers of ‘A Simple Murder’ released the trailer today. It is said to be a multi-strand dark comedy in which greed becomes the factor that drives the characters to entangle in a chain of events. Some fed up with their mundane life, some trying to achieve more, some wanting to secure their future, while some are just sucked into this mess by their greed. It’s written by Prateek Payodhi and helmed by Sachin Pathak, who last directed the ZEE5 series ‘Rangbaaz Phirse’. Watch the trailer here: The show releases on November 20 on SonyLIV.

Watch 'A Simple Murder' trailer: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub leads dark comedy

It’s not every day that you’re genuinely excited about a product that has just been announced in India. I had first heard about the Sony WF-1000XM3 TWS earbuds months ago when many of my colleagues had travelled abroad for an event. They picked up these earphones on their way back and have been raving about them ever since.

Sony has launched these TWS earbuds in the Indian market a year after they were released in the USA. As the saying goes though, “better late than never”.

Let me tell you why.

It was not long ago when the Apple AirPods were the only pair of truly wireless earphones on the market. In 2020, the floodgates have been unleashed. Every manufacturer and their uncle is releasing TWS earbuds across different price brackets.

Sony recently unveiled the WF-XB700 and WF-SP800N models and those were very well-received by the media and consumers. Now, the top-of-the-line - WF-1000XM3 - goes head-to-head with the Apple AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, Jabra Elite 75t, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 and others. Priced at Rs 19,990, the terribly named WF-1000XM3 from Sony are on the upper range.

Fortunately, though, the TWS earbuds from Sony have a lot going for them.

The one thing you notice right out of the box is the elegance that the case and earbuds carry. The copper and black dual-tone finish are premium through and through. The case does seem bulkier than the competition. It becomes understandable when you take the earbuds out of the case. They are larger than you’d think compared to the competition. Surprisingly, they weigh just 8.5g each and, once you find a comfortable fit, they are good to wear for hours on end.

Finding that comfortable fit though is the problem. I went through all different eartips (there are seven different sizes in the box) and tried to twist and turn the earbuds in my ear.

The earbuds come with what Sony calls a ‘tri-hold structure’, leaning upon three key parts of the ear. This is supposed to be for a better fit. Nonetheless, after fiddling with them for a couple of days, I got a fit that was comfortable enough for hours on end. Luckily, after finding the right fit, these earbuds never seem to want to fall out. Even during an intense workout.

One downside is the fact that the case is chunkier than most of the competitors’ cases. The case also doesn’t have an LED indicator for battery level. The case also lacks wireless charging, which is a strange omission for TWS earbuds at this price.

The earbuds also lack any IP rating and hence they aren’t sweat/water resistance. Another thing to note if you’re going to use these while jogging or going to the gym daily.

Active noise-cancelling leads the way

With my gripes out of the way, let me just tell you that the WF-1000XM3 earbuds sound exceptionally good. Thanks to the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e chip and Dual Noise Sensor Technology, Sony leads the way in active noise-cancellation (ANC). No competitor comes close.

The QN1e chip also allows for better battery life, which I’ll get to in a moment. There may be no aptX HD Bluetooth support but unless you’re a hardcore audiophile, you probably won’t miss is.

No matter what track you play, the balanced audio signature shines across all frequency ranges. The vocals are crisp and the instruments are distinguishable. From Iron Maiden to Bollywood hits and even Hanz Zimmer’s soundtracks, the WF-100XM3 handles every track with aplomb. There is that thumping bass as well for though who like it.

I was surprised by the fact that these tiny earbuds can have such a wide soundstage. It definitely feels like the sound is surrounding you from all sides.&nbsp;

Furthermore, it’s the ANC that shines through and through. While I was walking on the road, the traffic noises were completely blocked out. I even couldn’t hear the people talking loudly next to me.

Call quality was also something that I was impressed with. I could hear people clearly and vice-versa. There was also no lag or any sort of distortion, which is a boon in these times.

Connectivity: Good but not the best

Pairing the earphones is seamless and connecting to the Sony app is even easier. I had no problem stepping dozens of feet away from my device and still hearing the crystal clear sound. The only niggle I had was that the right earbud sometimes got disconnected. I’ve reset the earbuds and there have been no problems in the last day or so. So maybe it was just a temporary problem.

Battery life: Brilliant

With ANC turned on, I was constantly getting around five and a half hours of battery life. The charging case is good for an additional three full chargers of the earbuds. That’s about sixteen and a half hours in total. Not the best in class but pretty consistently good, I must say.

Verdict: Are these worth the premium price tag?

The only people to whom I’d not recommend these TWS earbuds are those who need it for their ‘active’ lifestyle, namely exercising. For them, the clearcut option is the Jabra Elite Active 75t. Nothing even comes close to those for fitness-oriented earbuds.

For everyone else it is totally worth it. If you can afford to spend Rs 20,000 on a pair of TWS earbuds then don’t look elsewhere. These are much better than the AirPods Pro from Apple.

A little bit lower down the price range one can find the Galaxy Buds Live and Jabra Elite 75t, both excellent in their own respect, but what Sony has, no one else has. That’s a great pair of active noise-cancelling TWS earbuds.

It’s not every day that you’re genuinely excited about a product that has just been announced in India. I had first heard about the Sony WF-1000XM3 TWS earbuds months ago when many of my colleagues had travelled abroad for an event.

It’s not every day that you’re genuinely excited about a product that has just been announced in India. I had first heard about the Sony WF-1000XM3 TWS earbuds months ago when many of my colleagues had travelled abroad for an event. They picked up these earphones on their way back and have been raving about them ever since. Sony has launched these TWS earbuds in the Indian market a year after they were released in the USA. As the saying goes though, “better late than never”. Let me tell you why. It was not long ago when the Apple AirPods were the only pair of truly wireless earphones on the market. In 2020, the floodgates have been unleashed. Every manufacturer and their uncle is releasing TWS earbuds across different price brackets. Sony recently unveiled the WF-XB700 and WF-SP800N models and those were very well-received by the media and consumers. Now, the top-of-the-line - WF-1000XM3 - goes head-to-head with the Apple AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, Jabra Elite 75t, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 and others. Priced at Rs 19,990, the terribly named WF-1000XM3 from Sony are on the upper range. Fortunately, though, the TWS earbuds from Sony have a lot going for them. The one thing you notice right out of the box is the elegance that the case and earbuds carry. The copper and black dual-tone finish are premium through and through. The case does seem bulkier than the competition. It becomes understandable when you take the earbuds out of the case. They are larger than you’d think compared to the competition. Surprisingly, they weigh just 8.5g each and, once you find a comfortable fit, they are good to wear for hours on end. Finding that comfortable fit though is the problem. I went through all different eartips (there are seven different sizes in the box) and tried to twist and turn the earbuds in my ear. The earbuds come with what Sony calls a ‘tri-hold structure’, leaning upon three key parts of the ear. This is supposed to be for a better fit. Nonetheless, after fiddling with them for a couple of days, I got a fit that was comfortable enough for hours on end. Luckily, after finding the right fit, these earbuds never seem to want to fall out. Even during an intense workout. One downside is the fact that the case is chunkier than most of the competitors’ cases. The case also doesn’t have an LED indicator for battery level. The case also lacks wireless charging, which is a strange omission for TWS earbuds at this price. The earbuds also lack any IP rating and hence they aren’t sweat/water resistance. Another thing to note if you’re going to use these while jogging or going to the gym daily. Active noise-cancelling leads the way With my gripes out of the way, let me just tell you that the WF-1000XM3 earbuds sound exceptionally good. Thanks to the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e chip and Dual Noise Sensor Technology, Sony leads the way in active noise-cancellation (ANC). No competitor comes close. The QN1e chip also allows for better battery life, which I’ll get to in a moment. There may be no aptX HD Bluetooth support but unless you’re a hardcore audiophile, you probably won’t miss is. No matter what track you play, the balanced audio signature shines across all frequency ranges. The vocals are crisp and the instruments are distinguishable. From Iron Maiden to Bollywood hits and even Hanz Zimmer’s soundtracks, the WF-100XM3 handles every track with aplomb. There is that thumping bass as well for though who like it. I was surprised by the fact that these tiny earbuds can have such a wide soundstage. It definitely feels like the sound is surrounding you from all sides. Furthermore, it’s the ANC that shines through and through. While I was walking on the road, the traffic noises were completely blocked out. I even couldn’t hear the people talking loudly next to me. Call quality was also something that I was impressed with. I could hear people clearly and vice-versa. There was also no lag or any sort of distortion, which is a boon in these times. Connectivity: Good but not the best Pairing the earphones is seamless and connecting to the Sony app is even easier. I had no problem stepping dozens of feet away from my device and still hearing the crystal clear sound. The only niggle I had was that the right earbud sometimes got disconnected. I’ve reset the earbuds and there have been no problems in the last day or so. So maybe it was just a temporary problem. Battery life: Brilliant With ANC turned on, I was constantly getting around five and a half hours of battery life. The charging case is good for an additional three full chargers of the earbuds. That’s about sixteen and a half hours in total. Not the best in class but pretty consistently good, I must say. Verdict: Are these worth the premium price tag? The only people to whom I’d not recommend these TWS earbuds are those who need it for their ‘active’ lifestyle, namely exercising. For them, the clearcut option is the Jabra Elite Active 75t. Nothing even comes close to those for fitness-oriented earbuds. For everyone else it is totally worth it. If you can afford to spend Rs 20,000 on a pair of TWS earbuds then don’t look elsewhere. These are much better than the AirPods Pro from Apple. A little bit lower down the price range one can find the Galaxy Buds Live and Jabra Elite 75t, both excellent in their own respect, but what Sony has, no one else has. That’s a great pair of active noise-cancelling TWS earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM3 review: Truly wireless earbuds for the audiophiles

True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds are all the rage these days. Almost every audio and smartphone manufacturer has gotten in on the game. They range from under Rs 1,000 all the way to over Rs 25,000. That’s a mighty large price range.

The two most important aspects of a TWS earbud that a company needs to get right is battery life and audio quality.

A giant in the technology world from Japan, Sony, has finally gotten into the game in India with the launch of the WF-XB700 and WF-SP800N. The higher-end WF-1000XM3 is launching on August 6th.

Today we’ll be taking a look at the WF-XB700 that is priced at Rs 9,990.

Fit: Bulky, weird and uncomfortable

Sony’s WF-XB700 earbuds have an unusual design. They may not be sticking out of your ears but compared to a lot of the competitors they surely do stand out. It’s just that I found them uncomfortable while wearing them for long hours. Over the days though it got easier to wear them as I got used to the design.

<img alt="Sony" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d3faf45-9878-4a16-923d-b1be082cd6a4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2831%29_6.jpg" />

Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla

The build quality though is superb on these earbuds. They’re made of plastic but they hold their own. They’ve got a matte finish and a touch of gloss. As always, extra silicone tips are provided in the box and you can pick the size that suits your ear.

According to Sony, each earbud weighs just 8gm but in reality I found them a touch heavier.

<img alt="Sony" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="211f29a5-351f-49d4-95a9-bfa643f1e374" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2833%29_7.jpg" />

Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla

The earbuds didn’t fall out of my ear at all, even when running, and that’s something Sony seems to have gotten right. You just need to twist them in place and you’re good to go.

Case: Compact and easy to open

The oval-shaped magnetic charging case comes in an oval-shaped design (like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds) and has a translucent cover.

<img alt="Sony" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10b7b9fe-b9cc-4320-9b27-f4931dada64c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2832%29_6.jpg" />

Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla

There’s a USB Type-C port at the back (a cable is provided in the box). Magnets hold the earphones securely in the case and they won’t fall out even if you tried. There is a red charging LED light that you can see when the case is closed. Flipping the case open one-handed is a pretty easy task.

The earbuds are rated for 9 hours on a single charge while the case is good for an extra 9 hours of battery life.

Features: IPX4 rating!

One feature I feel that shouldn’t be left out of any TWS earbud going forward is an IPX4 rating. TWS earbuds are meant to be used both inside and outside. Whether sunshine or rain, your music/calls shouldn’t have to stop.

IPX4 is the rating for water and dust resistance. This means the Sony WF-XB700 can withstand sweat rain and even a good amount of dust and dirt.

<img alt="Sony" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1385e220-0b36-4ae1-a456-40b2f4ddb3e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2834%29_3.jpg" />

Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla

Both earbuds also get a physical button. It’s not ideally placed and I’m not certain they are better than touch controls. For the most part it works but sometimes it’s hard to press the physical button without moving the earbud a lot.

A feature that is lacking though is that there is no app for EQ. There’s no way to manually adjust it. One can’t change the bass. Sony does have a Headphone Connect app so it’s strange as to why they just didn’t add support for the WF-XB700 earbuds.

Lastly, one more omission from Sony is the lack of active noise cancellation. It isn’t a given in this price range but it would have made for a nice addition. Nonetheless, the earbuds offer fairly good passive noise isolation even in loud environments.

Audio quality: For the bass lovers out there!

Opening up the earbuds and syncing them to my smartphone was almost instantaneous. You just open the case, find the buds in the Bluetooth devices settings and pair them up. It’s that easy. In fact, the connection is strong for up to 10 meters.

The tiny little physical button can perform a variety of taste. A single press on the left bud will increase the volume. Press and hold it to decrease the volume. The single press on the right bud plays and pauses the music. A double press will take you to the next song and a triple click will take you to the previous track. You can’t adjust these settings and that’s one thing that irked me.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the audio quality now. The Sony WF-XB700’s are loud, bass-first earbuds. Constantly I had to make a note of keeping the earbuds to a volume level of 75 percent. Anything over that and my ears would get instantly overwhelmed.

The lows on the WF-XB700’s are boosted with ample bass and a whole lot of thump. Sometimes the lows are exaggerated but thankfully it doesn’t overpower the balance of sounds. On jazz tracks like Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, you can clearly hear the arrangement of instruments. On a whole different note, pop sounds are exactly as they should be. Popping and thumping in your years while you bob your head to the summer’s biggest hits.

Songs like Kanye West’s Touch The Sky shone through. The vocals were clear and the high-mids shone through. The WF-XB700’s got enough punchiness to keep them going.

Saying all of this, if you’re really a bass-lover then you’re going to love these TWS earbuds.

Podcasts were also crystal clear. I had no issues hearing each individual talk and argue on the various podcasts I listen to.

Call quality: Will suit you fine

One can’t really complain about the call quality here. While wearing a mask and on a socially distant walk, the people on the other side of the call could hear me clearly and I could hear them just as well.

The voice may be hollow at times but it shouldn’t deter you. The only negative is that ambient noise seeps through to the call at times. Maybe a software update can fix this.

Battery life: Amazing!

Sony adversities 9 hours of battery life on a single charge for the WF-XB700. I got just about 9 hours with about 70% volume at all times. This is in the top tier of battery life on TWS earbuds. The case can also charge the buds one whole time. So 18 hours of battery life without having to plug it in.

One thing I’d like to mention is that even though I always used both the earbuds together, the right one lost battery faster than the left one. It fixed itself after a few full charges but just something to note.

Note: It’ll take you almost 3 hours to fully charge the case.

Verdict: One of the best TWS earbuds under Rs 10,000

Kudos to Sony for pricing these TWS earbuds under Rs 10,000. That puts it in the lower range of the TWS earbud field. It’s a crowded field below Rs 10,000 but these match up to the best in the industry.

These certainly aren’t budget TWS earbuds (there are far cheaper options) but these also offer a far superior audio experience. Some features like wear detection, lack of active noise cancellation, and issues with the physical button (and how the consumer can’t customise it) may not sit well with some people. With excellent sound quality and battery life, it’s hard to go wrong with the WF-XB700 TWS earbuds from Sony

True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds are all the rage these days. Almost every audio and smartphone manufacturer has gotten in on the game. They range from under Rs 1,000 all the way to over Rs 25,000.

True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds are all the rage these days. Almost every audio and smartphone manufacturer has gotten in on the game. They range from under Rs 1,000 all the way to over Rs 25,000. That’s a mighty large price range. The two most important aspects of a TWS earbud that a company needs to get right is battery life and audio quality. A giant in the technology world from Japan, Sony, has finally gotten into the game in India with the launch of the WF-XB700 and WF-SP800N. The higher-end WF-1000XM3 is launching on August 6th. Today we’ll be taking a look at the WF-XB700 that is priced at Rs 9,990. Fit: Bulky, weird and uncomfortable Sony’s WF-XB700 earbuds have an unusual design. They may not be sticking out of your ears but compared to a lot of the competitors they surely do stand out. It’s just that I found them uncomfortable while wearing them for long hours. Over the days though it got easier to wear them as I got used to the design. Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla The build quality though is superb on these earbuds. They’re made of plastic but they hold their own. They’ve got a matte finish and a touch of gloss. As always, extra silicone tips are provided in the box and you can pick the size that suits your ear. According to Sony, each earbud weighs just 8gm but in reality I found them a touch heavier. Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla The earbuds didn’t fall out of my ear at all, even when running, and that’s something Sony seems to have gotten right. You just need to twist them in place and you’re good to go. Case: Compact and easy to open The oval-shaped magnetic charging case comes in an oval-shaped design (like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds) and has a translucent cover. Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla There’s a USB Type-C port at the back (a cable is provided in the box). Magnets hold the earphones securely in the case and they won’t fall out even if you tried. There is a red charging LED light that you can see when the case is closed. Flipping the case open one-handed is a pretty easy task. The earbuds are rated for 9 hours on a single charge while the case is good for an extra 9 hours of battery life. Features: IPX4 rating! One feature I feel that shouldn’t be left out of any TWS earbud going forward is an IPX4 rating. TWS earbuds are meant to be used both inside and outside. Whether sunshine or rain, your music/calls shouldn’t have to stop. IPX4 is the rating for water and dust resistance. This means the Sony WF-XB700 can withstand sweat rain and even a good amount of dust and dirt. Image courtesy: Sahil Bhalla Both earbuds also get a physical button. It’s not ideally placed and I’m not certain they are better than touch controls. For the most part it works but sometimes it’s hard to press the physical button without moving the earbud a lot. A feature that is lacking though is that there is no app for EQ. There’s no way to manually adjust it. One can’t change the bass. Sony does have a Headphone Connect app so it’s strange as to why they just didn’t add support for the WF-XB700 earbuds. Lastly, one more omission from Sony is the lack of active noise cancellation. It isn’t a given in this price range but it would have made for a nice addition. Nonetheless, the earbuds offer fairly good passive noise isolation even in loud environments. Audio quality: For the bass lovers out there! Opening up the earbuds and syncing them to my smartphone was almost instantaneous. You just open the case, find the buds in the Bluetooth devices settings and pair them up. It’s that easy. In fact, the connection is strong for up to 10 meters. The tiny little physical button can perform a variety of taste. A single press on the left bud will increase the volume. Press and hold it to decrease the volume. The single press on the right bud plays and pauses the music. A double press will take you to the next song and a triple click will take you to the previous track. You can’t adjust these settings and that’s one thing that irked me. With that out of the way, let’s get to the audio quality now. The Sony WF-XB700’s are loud, bass-first earbuds. Constantly I had to make a note of keeping the earbuds to a volume level of 75 percent. Anything over that and my ears would get instantly overwhelmed. The lows on the WF-XB700’s are boosted with ample bass and a whole lot of thump. Sometimes the lows are exaggerated but thankfully it doesn’t overpower the balance of sounds. On jazz tracks like Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, you can clearly hear the arrangement of instruments. On a whole different note, pop sounds are exactly as they should be. Popping and thumping in your years while you bob your head to the summer’s biggest hits. Songs like Kanye West’s Touch The Sky shone through. The vocals were clear and the high-mids shone through. The WF-XB700’s got enough punchiness to keep them going. Saying all of this, if you’re really a bass-lover then you’re going to love these TWS earbuds. Podcasts were also crystal clear. I had no issues hearing each individual talk and argue on the various podcasts I listen to. Call quality: Will suit you fine One can’t really complain about the call quality here. While wearing a mask and on a socially distant walk, the people on the other side of the call could hear me clearly and I could hear them just as well. The voice may be hollow at times but it shouldn’t deter you. The only negative is that ambient noise seeps through to the call at times. Maybe a software update can fix this. Battery life: Amazing! Sony adversities 9 hours of battery life on a single charge for the WF-XB700. I got just about 9 hours with about 70% volume at all times. This is in the top tier of battery life on TWS earbuds. The case can also charge the buds one whole time. So 18 hours of battery life without having to plug it in. One thing I’d like to mention is that even though I always used both the earbuds together, the right one lost battery faster than the left one. It fixed itself after a few full charges but just something to note. Note: It’ll take you almost 3 hours to fully charge the case. Verdict: One of the best TWS earbuds under Rs 10,000 Kudos to Sony for pricing these TWS earbuds under Rs 10,000. That puts it in the lower range of the TWS earbud field. It’s a crowded field below Rs 10,000 but these match up to the best in the industry. These certainly aren’t budget TWS earbuds (there are far cheaper options) but these also offer a far superior audio experience. Some features like wear detection, lack of active noise cancellation, and issues with the physical button (and how the consumer can’t customise it) may not sit well with some people. With excellent sound quality and battery life, it’s hard to go wrong with the WF-XB700 TWS earbuds from Sony

Sony WF-XB700 review: Water-resistant, bass-first, TWS earbuds for under Rs 10,000

Looks like Sony Pictures has given up on this year already. The studio has moved every film and release that they were planning for 2020 to the next year, owing to fear of coronavirus that has shut down all theatres around the world.&nbsp;

Nearly all of its movies have been postponed until 2021.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

<img alt="movies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ebbf49d-3e42-4a5d-8c80-b675b9202683" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-41.jpg" />

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ which was set to open on July 10 is now slated for March 5, 2021. The film stars Carrie Coon as a single mom whose family inherits an old farmhouse that has ties to the characters from the original 1984 film. It is directed by Jason Reitman.

Morbius

<img alt="movie" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36208e3a-3d92-48d3-848f-32a29c844219" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-42.jpg" />

‘Morbius’, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics vampire (played by Jared Leto), was slated for July 31, 2020 but has now been shifted to March 19, 2021.&nbsp;

Peter Rabbit 2

<img alt="movie" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="24b5ae62-8078-4542-9607-aa1c45eccd9b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-43.jpg" />

‘Peter Rabbit 2’ has been shifted from August 7, 2020 to January 15, 2021.&nbsp;

Uncharted

<img alt="movie" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b7766e5e-109f-42e0-9699-766babae074e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-45.jpg" />

‘Uncharted’, starring Spider-Man's Tom Holland as adventurer Nathan Drake from the hit video game series, was set for March 5, 2021, but will now open eight months later on October 8, 2021. It could go further down if the lockdowns are not removed as there is work to be done on the project.&nbsp;

Greyhound

<img alt="movie" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="91a3b589-bb6b-4e55-b28a-f483cf09abbb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-46.jpg" />

‘Greyhound’ starring Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks in the World War II submarine drama was originally set for release last year and was then moved to debut on June 12, 2020 but now has no release date.&nbsp;

Warner Bros. are also not far behind as they have postponed a lot of their projects too because of the coronavirus pandemic like ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ and Disney too their projects like ‘Mulan’ and ‘Black Widow’.

Looks like Sony Pictures has given up on this year already. The studio has moved every film and release that they were planning for 2020 to the next year, owing to fear of coronavirus that has shut down all theatres around the world.

Looks like Sony Pictures has given up on this year already. The studio has moved every film and release that they were planning for 2020 to the next year, owing to fear of coronavirus that has shut down all theatres around the world. Nearly all of its movies have been postponed until 2021. Ghostbusters: Afterlife ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ which was set to open on July 10 is now slated for March 5, 2021. The film stars Carrie Coon as a single mom whose family inherits an old farmhouse that has ties to the characters from the original 1984 film. It is directed by Jason Reitman. Morbius ‘Morbius’, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics vampire (played by Jared Leto), was slated for July 31, 2020 but has now been shifted to March 19, 2021. Peter Rabbit 2 ‘Peter Rabbit 2’ has been shifted from August 7, 2020 to January 15, 2021. Uncharted ‘Uncharted’, starring Spider-Man's Tom Holland as adventurer Nathan Drake from the hit video game series, was set for March 5, 2021, but will now open eight months later on October 8, 2021. It could go further down if the lockdowns are not removed as there is work to be done on the project. Greyhound ‘Greyhound’ starring Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks in the World War II submarine drama was originally set for release last year and was then moved to debut on June 12, 2020 but now has no release date. Warner Bros. are also not far behind as they have postponed a lot of their projects too because of the coronavirus pandemic like ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ and Disney too their projects like ‘Mulan’ and ‘Black Widow’.

Sony Pictures postpones all 2020 films to next year

Worldwide movie theatres are either closed or are experiencing massive losses thanks to coronavirus that has people practice social distancing.&nbsp;

Vin Diesel starrer ‘Bloodhsot’ that released last Friday has suffered in its box office collections because of the pandemic. Now, Sony has decided to release the film on digital space earlier than it was scheduled for.&nbsp;

The film will now be available from Sony's Columbia Pictures from Tuesday. In a statement, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman said, "Sony Pictures is firmly committed to theatrical exhibition and we support windowing. This is a unique and exceedingly rare circumstance where theaters have been required to close nationwide for the greater good and Bloodshot is abruptly unavailable in any medium. Audiences will now have the chance to own Bloodshot right away and see it at home, where we are all spending more time. We are confident that — like other businesses hit hard by the virus — movie theaters will bounce back strongly, and we will be there to support them."

‘Bloodshot’ is based on the Valiant Entertainment comic book and centers on a soldier (Diesel) who is manipulated into carrying out a series of assassinations and who is powered by nanotechnology in his bloodstream.

Worldwide movie theatres are either closed or are experiencing massive losses thanks to coronavirus that has people practice social distancing. Vin Diesel starrer ‘Bloodhsot’ that released last Friday has suffered in its box office collections because of the pandemic.

Worldwide movie theatres are either closed or are experiencing massive losses thanks to coronavirus that has people practice social distancing. Vin Diesel starrer ‘Bloodhsot’ that released last Friday has suffered in its box office collections because of the pandemic. Now, Sony has decided to release the film on digital space earlier than it was scheduled for. The film will now be available from Sony's Columbia Pictures from Tuesday. In a statement, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman said, "Sony Pictures is firmly committed to theatrical exhibition and we support windowing. This is a unique and exceedingly rare circumstance where theaters have been required to close nationwide for the greater good and Bloodshot is abruptly unavailable in any medium. Audiences will now have the chance to own Bloodshot right away and see it at home, where we are all spending more time. We are confident that — like other businesses hit hard by the virus — movie theaters will bounce back strongly, and we will be there to support them." ‘Bloodshot’ is based on the Valiant Entertainment comic book and centers on a soldier (Diesel) who is manipulated into carrying out a series of assassinations and who is powered by nanotechnology in his bloodstream.

Sony to release 'Bloodshot' digitally early

Tech companies <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907#tourism-278899">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907#tourism-278899">Sony </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907#tourism-278899">Ericsson </a>are skipping the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/mobile-world-congress-2017-how-the-saturated-mobile-world-seeks-to-reinvent-itself-12752">Mobile World Congress</a> this year because of fears over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907#tourism-278899">coronavirus</a>.

The companies will stay away from the world's biggest mobile tech fair in Barcelona.

South Korean giant LG and NTT DoCoMo,&nbsp;one of the biggest in Asia will be absent for reasons of "security" stemming from the virus.

<div class="photo-play">
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907#tourism-278899">Also see: How coronavirus is affecting the global economy</a>
</div>

The annual gathering is scheduled for February 24-27 this year.&nbsp;It is the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering.

"Due to the outbreak and continued concerns about novel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-coronavirus-faqs-myths-vs-facts-279896https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907#tourism-278899">coronavirus</a>, Amazon will withdraw from exhibiting and participating in Mobile World Congress 2020," the company said in a statement.

A similar statement was issued by Sony, it said "as we place the utmost importance on the safety and wellbeing of our customers, partners, media and employees, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from exhibiting and participating at MWC 2020 in Barcelona."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-coronavirus-faqs-myths-vs-facts-279896">Also read: The Coronavirus FAQs: Myths vs facts</a>

LG, which normally has one of the biggest stands, had said last week that its decision "removes the risk of exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel which has already become more restrictive as the virus continues to spread across borders."

Like Sony, LG plans separate events to unveil its new mobile products.

Other trade shows have also been hit by the virus, with the biennial Singapore Airshow reporting the loss of more than 70 participants, including US group Lockheed Martin and Bombardier of Canada.

The MWC is a major date on tech company calendars and normally draws more than 100,000 people from all over the world to see the latest innovations and gadgets.

The mobile trade association GSMA that organises the congress said Sunday it was taking drastic precautions this year to ease fears that it could become a hub for the virus to spread.

Till date, more than 40,000 people have been infected and death toll has crossed 1000 in the outbreak that began in China's Wuhan city.

Tech companies Amazon, Sony and Ericsson are skipping the Mobile World Congress this year because of fears over the coronavirus. The companies will stay away from the world's biggest mobile tech fair in Barcelona.

Tech companies Amazon, Sony and Ericsson are skipping the Mobile World Congress this year because of fears over the coronavirus. The companies will stay away from the world's biggest mobile tech fair in Barcelona. South Korean giant LG and NTT DoCoMo, one of the biggest in Asia will be absent for reasons of "security" stemming from the virus. Also see: How coronavirus is affecting the global economy The annual gathering is scheduled for February 24-27 this year. It is the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering. "Due to the outbreak and continued concerns about novel coronavirus, Amazon will withdraw from exhibiting and participating in Mobile World Congress 2020," the company said in a statement. A similar statement was issued by Sony, it said "as we place the utmost importance on the safety and wellbeing of our customers, partners, media and employees, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from exhibiting and participating at MWC 2020 in Barcelona." Also read: The Coronavirus FAQs: Myths vs facts LG, which normally has one of the biggest stands, had said last week that its decision "removes the risk of exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel which has already become more restrictive as the virus continues to spread across borders." Like Sony, LG plans separate events to unveil its new mobile products. Other trade shows have also been hit by the virus, with the biennial Singapore Airshow reporting the loss of more than 70 participants, including US group Lockheed Martin and Bombardier of Canada. The MWC is a major date on tech company calendars and normally draws more than 100,000 people from all over the world to see the latest innovations and gadgets. The mobile trade association GSMA that organises the congress said Sunday it was taking drastic precautions this year to ease fears that it could become a hub for the virus to spread. Till date, more than 40,000 people have been infected and death toll has crossed 1000 in the outbreak that began in China's Wuhan city.

Coronavirus prompts Sony, Amazon, Sony & Ericsson to join Barcelona mobile congress exodus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-taking-a-deeper-look-at-map-policies-after-calling-crimea-part-of-russia-265344">Apple</a> supplier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-supplier-japan-display-aims-to-seal-468-million-bailout-deal-by-end-october-ceo-254195">Japan Display Inc</a> said on Thursday it plans to receive up to 90 billion yen ($830 million) in financial support from Ichigo Asset Management, giving effective control to the Japanese asset manager.

Ichigo will join Apple and Taiwanese contract electronics manufacturer Wistron Corp in bailing out the advanced liquid crystal display (LCD) maker.

Apple's commitment to financially support Japan Display has reassured potential investors, two sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Reuters.

"It's a vote of confidence," one of them said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-asks-united-states-to-waive-tariffs-on-chinese-made-watches-iphone-parts-airpods-259657">Apple</a>, which sources LCD panels for iPhones from Japan Display, has agreed to shorten payment periods and to put up $200 million. The U.S. tech giant has rarely intervened to help distressed suppliers.

It will soon use organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens from Japan Display for the Apple Watch, diversifying supplies currently dependent on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-supplier-lg-display-slashes-investment-plans-as-losses-mount-154339">LG Display</a>.

The deal with Ichigo will be finalised in January and completed by March, Japan Display said.

One of the sources said Scott Callon, Ichigo's chief executive officer, would join Japan Display as the company's co-chairman.

"Ichigo has told us that they hope to see us turn around while keeping Japanese technologies with us," Minoru Kikuoka, Japan Display's chief executive, told reporters on Thursday.

The company said the $200 million financial support promised by "a customer", which sources said was Apple, may come in the form of purchasing equipment at a smartphone screen plant.

Japan Display owes Apple more than $800 million for the $1.5 billion cost of building the plant four years ago.

Japan Display has been losing money for the past five years because of its late shift to OLED and a slowing smartphone market. Last month, it reported its 11th consecutive quarterly loss.

Bailout talks have been repeatedly derailed as Chinese investment firm Harvest and several other potential investors pulled out of the plan.

Japan Display was formed in 2012 when the LCD businesses of Hitachi Ltd, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/toshiba-shares-jump-as-delisting-fears-ease-18745">Toshiba Corp</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/microsoft-sony-partner-on-streaming-games-chips-and-artificial-intelligence-219300&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjEx-_fgbDmAhWCzTgGHRJiDmQQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3eGNW1u36gY8XK6JJdQDQ3">Sony Corp</a> merged in a government-brokered deal.

The company came under scrutiny last month after it began a review of past earnings reports following revelations that an executive, who was fired last year, had embezzled about $5 million.

Apple supplier Japan Display Inc said on Thursday it plans to receive up to 90 billion yen ($830 million) in financial support from Ichigo Asset Management, giving effective control to the Japanese asset manager.

Apple supplier Japan Display Inc said on Thursday it plans to receive up to 90 billion yen ($830 million) in financial support from Ichigo Asset Management, giving effective control to the Japanese asset manager. Ichigo will join Apple and Taiwanese contract electronics manufacturer Wistron Corp in bailing out the advanced liquid crystal display (LCD) maker. Apple's commitment to financially support Japan Display has reassured potential investors, two sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Reuters. "It's a vote of confidence," one of them said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Apple, which sources LCD panels for iPhones from Japan Display, has agreed to shorten payment periods and to put up $200 million. The U.S. tech giant has rarely intervened to help distressed suppliers. It will soon use organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens from Japan Display for the Apple Watch, diversifying supplies currently dependent on LG Display. The deal with Ichigo will be finalised in January and completed by March, Japan Display said. One of the sources said Scott Callon, Ichigo's chief executive officer, would join Japan Display as the company's co-chairman. "Ichigo has told us that they hope to see us turn around while keeping Japanese technologies with us," Minoru Kikuoka, Japan Display's chief executive, told reporters on Thursday. The company said the $200 million financial support promised by "a customer", which sources said was Apple, may come in the form of purchasing equipment at a smartphone screen plant. Japan Display owes Apple more than $800 million for the $1.5 billion cost of building the plant four years ago. Japan Display has been losing money for the past five years because of its late shift to OLED and a slowing smartphone market. Last month, it reported its 11th consecutive quarterly loss. Bailout talks have been repeatedly derailed as Chinese investment firm Harvest and several other potential investors pulled out of the plan. Japan Display was formed in 2012 when the LCD businesses of Hitachi Ltd, Toshiba Corp, and Sony Corp merged in a government-brokered deal. The company came under scrutiny last month after it began a review of past earnings reports following revelations that an executive, who was fired last year, had embezzled about $5 million.

Apple supplier Japan Display to receive $830 million from asset manager Ichigo

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