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ASICS Gel Kayano 31- A CLASSIC SHOE WITH STABILITY AND CUSHIONING COMBO

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WORDS SRINI SWAMINATHAN

How do you make a pair of classic shoes, a favorite of long-distance runners for over 30 years, even better? The ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 continues the storied legacy that began in 1993 with the debut of the Gel-Kayano series, designed to offer premium stability and comfort for long-distance runners.

 Named after Toshikazu Kayano, the series’ original designer, the Gel-Kayano line has evolved through decades of innovation, consistently incorporating advanced materials and technologies to meet the needs of modern runners. We tested the ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 during daily training runs, as well as several 10K runs and half marathons in humid, tropical conditions on a variety of road surfaces. Did they hold up and perform well in these conditions? Most definitely.

 Even if this is your first pair of Gel-Kayanos, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 feels great from the moment you wear them. We experienced excellent comfort and stability, with superb cushioning during both long walks and runs. The 4D Guidance System provides adaptive stability, which ASICS claims helps ensure a more supportive and balanced stride during distance training. The FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning and PureGEL technology particularly enhance long-distance comfort. At approximately 305 grams (US Men’s size 9), it may not be the lightest shoe, but it didn’t feel heavy on my feet.

 The sole grip performed well on various surfaces, including paver blocks, concrete roads, asphalt, potholes, and even some mud roads. A big thumbs up. Other notable features of the Gel Kayano 31 are the well integrated pull tab with reflective strips, the ten different color options, good heel padding and plush material. In summary, the Gel-Kayano 31 is a superlative upgrade of a cult classic shoe—offering improved adaptive stability, better grip, enhanced cushioning, and better ventilation (thanks to the mesh and ventilation holes that allow better airflow in the toebox). If you’re looking to invest in a reliable pair for your long runs and marathons, look no further. You can’t go wrong with these.

ASUS Teams Up with FIRST

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ASUS today announced its official membership in the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the world’s largest cybersecurity incident response organization, making it the only computer brand from Taiwan to join. This milestone underscores the leadership and commitment of ASUS in the field of information security, dedicated to providing secure and reliable products and services for global users and partners. It also aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience and promote ESG-driven sustainable development. As a FIRST member, ASUS will collaborate with upstream and downstream business partners to build a cybersecurity ecosystem of shared value, driving positive societal transformation.

ASUS Group Chief Information Security Officer Robert Chin stated: “With the vision of ‘Building Digital Resilience, Enhancing Brand Trust; Striving for Excellence, Advancing Security Together,’ ASUS actively promotes digital security risk management. After becoming an official member of FIRST, ASUS will deepen its collaboration with international Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) and Product Security Incident Response Teams (PSIRT). Together, we will explore global digital security trends and integrate threat intelligence to enhance the digital technology capabilities and cybersecurity resilience of domestic enterprises. We will continue to strengthen the maturity of the global cybersecurity ecosystem, lead the establishment of regional industry alliances, and implement supply chain security mechanisms. By improving emergency response efficiency, we aim to ensure rapid and effective responses to various cyber threats.”

ASUS Computer Threat Analyst TJ Hsu shared: “Joining FIRST enables us to establish close collaborations with top global cybersecurity experts and leading network defense teams. This membership not only allows us to stay updated on international and domestic security threats in real-time but also leverages FIRST’s extensive network to share threat intelligence. By doing so, we help businesses effectively address challenges and mitigate the impact of cyber threats on industries and society.”

FIRST is an international non-profit organization composed of over 700 CSIRTs and PSIRTs from more than 100 countries worldwide. It is dedicated to enhancing the development and resilience of global cybersecurity. Its members include cybersecurity professionals from the public sector, private enterprises, and academic institutions, who collaborate by sharing expertise and intelligence to collectively strengthen global network defense capabilities.

To become a member of FIRST, organizations must undergo on-site evaluations and recommendations by two existing members, followed by review and approval by the FIRST Board of Directors. ASUS was recommended by DTTW-CSIRT (Deloitte Taiwan CSIRT) and TeamT5 CSIRT (TeamT5 Cyber Security Incident Response Team). After a rigorous assessment process, ASUS successfully joined FIRST, showcasing its exceptional capabilities in cybersecurity and earning international trust.

Mahindra Introduces Sonic Studio Experience for Enhanced In-Cabin Audio.

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Mahindra ushered in a new era of in-car audio with the launch of ‘Sonic Studio Experience by Mahindra’, India’s most immersive and expansive audio experience yet. Making its debut on the company’s recently unveiled BE 6e and XEV 9e Electric Origin SUVs, Sonic Studio Experience by Mahindra promises to Unlimit the sensory experience and transform every journey into an acoustic voyage.

Sonic Studio Experience comes to life through Harman Kardon’s uniquely tuned cutting-edge technology. Further enhanced with Dolby Atmos that delivers best-in-class car entertainment, alongside VenueScapes (LIVE) and QuantumLogic Immersion, it adds a new dimension to the listening experience.

India’s very own Music Maestro, Padma Bhushan and Academy Award winner AR Rahman, brings his expertise to create a personalized SonicSuite of delight sounds, experience mode (Calm, Cozy, Club), chimes, and alerts, elevating cabin acoustics to new heights. Complementing this is the mastery of Richard King, 16 Grammy Award winning Sound Engineer, promising to redefine in-car entertainment.

R Velusamy, President – Automotive Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Joint Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited, said, “With Sonic Studio Experience by Mahindra, we have redefined what in-cabin sound can be, combining cutting-edge technology with artistic brilliance. Partnering with legends like AR Rahman and Richard King, and collaborating with industry leaders Harman Kardon and Dolby, we have created an audio experience that is immersive, transformative, and uniquely Mahindra. This is a testament to our commitment to delivering not just vehicles, but experiences that resonate deeply with our customers.”

AR Rahman said, “Working on the BE 6e and XEV 9e has been an immensely satisfying experience as I sought to create a soundscape that transforms every drive into a memorable journey. By envisioning the emotions passengers might be experiencing on their travels, my goal was to design sounds that not only enhance the driving experience but also complement the journey and make it uniquely enjoyable. It’s been a joy working with Mahindra and the team of experts to bring this vision to life.”

 Richard King said, “Having spent years in some of the finest recording studios and listening rooms globally, I can confidently say that the Harman sound system in the BE 6e and XEV 9e offers a studio quality audio experience. A whole lot of effort has gone into perfecting the sound for the BE 6e and XEV 9e and I believe listeners will be captivated by its precision, depth and immersion.”

Sonic Studio Experience by Mahindra

At the core of Mahindra’s Sonic Studio Experience lies a premium 16-speaker, 1,400-watt Harman Kardon system. This state-of-the-art setup brings the Dolby Atmos experience, with sound that moves all around you, unlocking new levels of emotions and filling the car cabin with greater details, clarity and sound separation. Mahindra becomes the first Indian OEM to integrate this groundbreaking experience into an in-car audio system—alongside Harman Kardon’s innovative VenueScapes Live.

A pioneering technology, VenueScapes Live authentically recreates the acoustics of some of the world’s most iconic concert venues, including the Royal Opera House in Mumbai, Boston Symphony Hall and Wembley Stadium, and is a stand-out feature of the audio system. This immersive soundscape allows passengers to embark on a musical journey across global sound landmarks, all within the confines of the SUV cabin.

What’s more, occupants’ singing along, whistling or talking over a song, are picked up by two microphones, processed by the system’s algorithm and seamlessly mixed into the audio, recreating the feeling of being at one of these venues and participating in the event.

Engineered to perfection, the sound has been finely tuned by Harman Kardon’s experts in close collaboration with the Mahindra team. Through rigorous objective and subjective evaluations, the audio has been optimized for every seat, ensuring unparalleled clarity and depth. Every note, beat, and nuance is designed to elevate the listening experience, seamlessly adapting to road conditions and external noise. Mahindra’s latest eSUVs set a new benchmark, becoming the ultimate stage for audio enthusiasts.

BenQ Unveils MA Series Monitors

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BenQ, has introduced its MA Series monitors, the industry’s first monitors specially designed for MacBook users. The new MA Series offers a sleek and minimalist design that perfectly complements MacBooks, setting a new standard for external macOS monitors by ensuring perfect colour consistency and seamless integration with Mac devices.

The MA Series features BenQ’s proprietary Mac colour-tuning technology that tackles the common issue of colour discrepancy between MacBook screens and external monitors, thereby ensuring that the monitors deliver true-to-life colours that perfectly match the hues displayed on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro screens.

The MA Series also offers seamless integration with MacBooks, featuring synchronised brightness and volume control with MacBook settings. Additionally, BenQ’s Display Pilot 2 software allows users to set up their screens with just one tap, providing a Mac-like experience in terms of simplified and intuitive controls.

The 27” and 32” 4K MA Series monitors offer ample workspace, providing flexible height and angle adjustments for optimal viewing comfort and productivity. Equipped with two USB-C ports, two HDMI ports, and single-cable connectivity with USB-C power delivery up to 90 W, the monitors ensure that Mac devices remain charged while connected, offering convenience and efficiency for users.

Ideal for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users who rely on external monitors for work, the MA Series provides full compatibility with macOS, eliminates colour inconsistencies, and unifies workplace aesthetics with its elegant design.

“With the MA Series, we are addressing a key pain point for MacBook users who often struggle with external monitors not matching the colours of their MacBook screens. Our new monitors deliver precise colour accuracy and seamless integration, offering a superior user experience,” said Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India.

The MA Series launches with two models, the MA320U and MA270U, offering a seamless experience for creativity and productivity.

Availability

The BenQ MA270U & MA320U is available for INR 42,500 & INR 52,500 respectively and can be purchased through the brand’s e-Store, Amazon India and leading Electronic & IT retail stores across India

Key features at a glance-

  • Sizes: Available in 27″ (MA270U) and 32″ (MA320U) models
  • Display: 4K resolution
  • Mac-Specific Features:
  •      95% P3 and 97% P3 respectively
  • Proprietary Mac color-tuning technology
  • Synchronized brightness/volume control with MacBook
  • Display Pilot 2 software for one-tap setup
  • Full macOS compatibility
  • Connectivity:
  • 2x USB-C ports with power delivery (up to 90W)
  • 2x HDMI ports
  • Single-cable connectivity option
  • Design:
  • Minimalist aesthetics matching MacBook style
  • Flexible height and angle adjustments

Sony celebrates 30 years of innovation.

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 Sony India celebrates 30 years of offering innovative products and services to the Indian market in November 2024. Since its inception in 1994, Sony India has been at the forefront of revolutionizing consumer electronics, reshaping the entertainment landscape and setting new standards in product quality and innovation across key product categories such as televisions, home and personal audio, digital imaging and gaming.

Reflecting on this remarkable milestone, Mr. Sunil Nayyar, Managing Director of Sony India, shared, “For 30 years, Sony has been more than a brand, it has been a companion in the lives of millions of Indian families. We are deeply grateful for the trust and love our consumers have shown us. This milestone is a testament to our shared journey of innovation, creativity and connection. As we look ahead, we are committed to continuing to deliver experiences that inspire and bring people closer together.”

Inspiring Kando – The Heart of Sony’s Philosophy

At Sony, every product and service is designed with Kando – the Japanese concept of deeply moving and inspiring people. From enabling families to enjoy blockbuster movies together, to listening to music in its purest form, to compelling gaming experience and empowering creators’ intent with world-class cameras, Sony’s mission has always been to bring people closer to what they love. Sony India extends heartfelt gratitude to its consumers, partners and employees who have been part of this incredible journey. 

Focus on sustainability and community development

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Sony India’s operations, aligning with the global “Road to Zero” environmental plan. Beyond its business operations, Sony India has made a profound impact on society through its CSR initiatives. Some of these programs focus on skill development, heritage preservation, village development, elderly care and medical support.

A Vision for the Future

As Sony India steps into its fourth decade, the company remains steadfast in its mission to enrich lives, embrace innovation and create products that inspire wonder and connection. From reimagining home entertainment to pushing the boundaries of technology, Sony is committed to shaping a future filled with possibilities.