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<title>Paul Mark: Zimbabwe News &amp; : SOCIAL COMMENTARY</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/rss/category/social-commentary</link>
<description>Paul Mark: Zimbabwe News &amp; : SOCIAL COMMENTARY</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2023 paulmarkinvestment &amp; All Rights Reserved.</dc:rights>

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<title>THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF EPWORTH&amp;apos;S LACK OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/the-devastating-consequences-of-epworths-lack-of-recreational-facilities</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/the-devastating-consequences-of-epworths-lack-of-recreational-facilities</guid>
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<pubDate>Sat, 28 Dec 2024 01:12:00 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnectZw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">Epworth, a bustling peri-urban settlement, has been plagued by a plethora of social ills affecting its youth population. The absence of recreational facilities has been cited as a significant contributing factor to the prevalence of drug and substance abuse, early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and crime amongst young people. For years, Epworth has lacked essential facilities such as playgrounds, community libraries, and youth centers, leaving its youth vulnerable to destructive behaviors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recreational facilities play a vital role in promoting the physical, emotional, and social well-being of young people. They provide a safe and structured environment for youths to engage in constructive activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Recreational facilities also offer opportunities for young people to develop important life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The lack of recreational facilities in Epworth has had devastating consequences for its youth population. Without access to safe and engaging activities, many young people have turned to destructive behaviors, such as drug and substance abuse, to cope with boredom and frustration. Early marriages and teenage pregnancies have also become rampant, as young people seek excitement and a sense of purpose in unhealthy relationships.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Crime, including robberies and violence, has also increased amongst Epworth's youth, as they seek to escape the monotony and desperation of their daily lives. The absence of recreational facilities has created a vacuum, which has been filled by negative influences and destructive behaviors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>TODDLER DROWNS IN A RUBBISH PIT IN EPWORTH</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/toddler-drowns-in-a-rubbish-pit-in-epworth</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/toddler-drowns-in-a-rubbish-pit-in-epworth</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 21 Dec 2024 01:09:27 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnectZw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">Tragedy has struck in Epworth, east of Harare, where a 1-year-old baby boy drowned in a waterlogged rubbish pit. According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the incident occurred on December 18, 2024, while the toddler's mother was busy with household chores .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ZRP reported that the baby boy, just 1 year and 4 months old, was playing outside the house near Corner Store, Overspill, Epworth, when the tragic incident happened.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This heartbreaking incident highlights the growing concern of child drownings, especially during the rainy season. As we mourn the loss of this young life, let us also take a moment to reflect on the importance of child safety and supervision.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">@Epworth Connect</span></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Forced Marriage: A Threat to the Girl Child</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/Protect-The-Girl-Child</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/Protect-The-Girl-Child</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:54:07 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnectZw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In our society, a disturbing trend is emerging, where parents are forcing their underage daughters into marriage, often as a knee-jerk reaction to discovering their daughter with a boy. This archaic practice not only violates the rights of the girl child but also has far-reaching consequences on her physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The reasons behind forced marriage are often rooted in cultural and social norms, where family honor and reputation are prioritized over the welfare of the child. Parents, driven by fear of social ostracism and shame, force their daughters into marriage, often with men significantly older than them.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The consequences of forced marriage on the girl child are devastating and often leads to8 loss of Education. Forced marriage often marks the end of a girl's education, as she is expected to assume domestic responsibilities. Physical and Emotional Abuse. Girls forced into marriage are at risk of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by their husbands and in-laws. Girls forced to enter into marriages also5 have their health at risk Early marriage and childbirth can lead to serious health complications, including maternal mortality, obstetric fistula, and sexually transmitted infections. Psychological trauma is another4 effect of forced marriage. So as Epworth it's essential to recognize the gravity of this issue and take collective action.</span><o:p></o:p></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>WELCOME TO EPWORTH CONNECT: YOUR ONLINE HUB FOR ALL THINGS EPWORTH</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/welcome-to-epworth-connect-your-online-hub-for-all-things-epworth</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/welcome-to-epworth-connect-your-online-hub-for-all-things-epworth</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:26:57 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnectZw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Epworth</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><br>We are excited to introduce Epworth Connect, an online platform that celebrates the spirit of Epworth and its people. This dynamic hub is designed to share inspiring stories, showcase local talent, promote businesses and events, and provide a space for social commentary and discussion.<br>At Epworth Connect, we believe that everyone has a story to tell and we want to provide a platform for those stories to be heard. Whether you're a resident, business owner, artist, or simply someone who loves Epworth, we invite you to join our community and share your experiences , ideas, and perspectives.</p>
<p>WHAT TO EXPECT FROM EPWORTH CONNECT</p>
<p>- Inspiring Stories: Read about the people, places, and events that make Epworth special.<br>- Talent Showcase: Discover local artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives who call Epworth home.<br>- Business and Event Listings: Find out what's happening in Epworth, from new business openings to upcoming events and festivals.<br>- Social Commentary: Join the conversation on issues that matter to the Epworth community.<br>- Epworth Lifestyle: Get a glimpse into the daily lives of Epworth residents, including their favorite hangouts, hobbies, and interests.<br>Join the Conversation!<br>Epworth Connect is more than just a website – it's a community. We invite you to join us on this journey, share your thoughts and ideas, and help us build a vibrant online hub that celebrates all things Epworth.<br>Stay connected with us on social media, and get ready to experience the best of Epworth online!</p>
<p><img src="https://epworthconnect.co.zw/uploads/images/202411/image_870x_6745a1bf3ae84.jpg" alt=""></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Amazon to Integrate Apple TV+ into Prime Video</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/amazon-to-integrate-apple-tv-into-prime-video</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/amazon-to-integrate-apple-tv-into-prime-video</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For the first time ever, Amazon Prime users can watch popular series…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:52 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Amazon, Integrate, Apple, TV, into, Prime, Video</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-1024x538.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-1024x538.png 1024w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-300x158.png 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-768x403.png 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-380x200.png 380w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-800x420.png 800w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og-1160x609.png 1160w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/apple-tv__e7aqjl2rqzau_og.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"><p>For the first time ever, Amazon Prime users can watch popular series like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show straight on Prime Video. Amazon is now bringing Apple’s Apple TV+ into its Prime Video channels in the US. The e-commerce behemoth announced the same in an official statement, adding that the partnership will launch later this month to allow Prime members to subscribe to Apple TV+ for $9.99 per month (after a free trial of seven days) directly through the Prime Video app.</p>
<p>“Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering a wide selection of premium programming including Amazon MGM Studios Originals, live sports, licensed movies and series, the industry’s largest catalog of titles to rent or buy, and over 100 additional streaming subscriptions,” said Mike Hopkins, Senior Vice President and Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, “As we continue to expand our offering and make it easy for customers to personalize their streaming experience directly in one app, we are proud to welcome Apple TV+ and its popular and critically-acclaimed shows, films and events to Prime Video.”</p>
<p>This partnership means that both Apple and Amazon will be able to leverage their substantial user bases, bringing Apple’s original content to a wider user base (without the need for separate subscriptions). This development also means that Apple TV+ is late to the game, and is one of the few major streaming services previously absent from the Prime Video platform, alongside Netflix and Disney. So far, Amazon’s Prime Video offers access to over 100 streaming services, including popular options like HBO Max and Paramount+.</p>
<p>Speaking of Apple TV+, it has carved a place for itself in the global streaming landscape. Its investments in developing content have paid off, as is evident from the 72 Emmy Award nominations received so far. Nonetheless, it has not managed to provide a stiff competition to the likes of Netflix and Disney+, and lags behind in terms of subscribers (both getting new ones and retaining existing ones). The newest collaboration with Amazon means that users who have an Apple TV+ subscription will have access to live sports events from Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball as well.</p>
<p>“We want to make Apple TV+ and its award-winning library of series and films from the world’s greatest storytellers available to as many viewers as possible,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior VP of Services, commented on the matter. “We’re thrilled that Prime Video will now offer Apple TV+, giving viewers an incredible breadth of viewing options.”</p>
<p>This marks the latest collaboration between the e-commerce giant and the iPhone-maker – seven years ago, Amazon had launched a Prime Video app for Apple TV devices. Later, Amazon’s Prime Video service was integrated into the Apple TV app across Apple’s device lineup, and Apple later put a storefront on Amazon.com.</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Ratan Tata passes away at 86</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/ratan-tata-passes-away-at-86</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/ratan-tata-passes-away-at-86</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ratan Tata, the Chairman emeritus of Tata Group and a business legend…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ratan-tata-featured-the-tech-portal.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:52 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ratan, Tata, passes, away</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="594" height="396" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ratan-tata-featured-the-tech-portal.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ratan-tata-featured-the-tech-portal.jpg 594w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ratan-tata-featured-the-tech-portal-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"><p>Ratan Tata, the Chairman emeritus of Tata Group and a business legend recognised globally for his lasting contributions to the field of business and society alike, passed away Wednesday night. The news has sent shockwaves not just across India, but globally as well. Tata was aged 86, and was known to be battling illness. He was admitted today and was known to be in critical condition.</p>
<p>“It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, an extraordinary leader whose contributions have shaped both the Tata Group and the nation. More than just a chairperson, he was a mentor, guide, and friend. Under his stewardship, the Tata Group expanded globally while maintaining a steadfast commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation. His dedication to philanthropy touched millions, leaving a lasting impact in areas like education and healthcare. His genuine humility in every interaction will be remembered. On behalf of the Tata family, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones, and his legacy will continue to inspire us,” Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement.</p>
<p>Ratan Tata helmed the Tata conglomerate for over two decades, which resulted in the corporate growing several times, and entering several new sectors. He was instrumental in positioning several of the group companies, such as Tata Consultancy Services as well as Tata Motors, on global map as forces to reckon with. He helmed the group during the acquisition of Corus Steel in 2007, which created global ripples and led to Tata Steel becoming one of the top steel producers in the world. Similarly, the purchase of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008 transformed Tata Motors into a significant player in the luxury automobile market.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/QmtipQIovR">pic.twitter.com/QmtipQIovR</a></p>
<p>— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) <a href="https://twitter.com/TataCompanies/status/1844082059960254962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Tata was also known to have further elevated the group’s philosophy of societal development with business, by imbibing strong governance and corporate ethics within all of the group companies. He was awarded two of India’s highest civilian honors: the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.</p>
<p>In his later years post retirement from active managerial role at the Tata Group, he was actively seen to be investing in India’s tech startups, with over 30 investment across several sectors, and played a key role in shaping the startup ecosystem. Several noted personalities globally paid tributes to Tata.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata. </p>
<p>India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. <br>And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position.</p>
<p>Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable.… <a href="https://t.co/ujJC2ehTTs">pic.twitter.com/ujJC2ehTTs</a></p>
<p>— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/1844081334190309407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about the progress of Waymo and his vision was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply…</p>
<p>— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai/status/1844089576257949978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><em>This is a developing story, please refresh for more.</em></p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>SpaceX catches Starship booster mid&amp;air in historic feat</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/spacex-catches-starship-booster-mid-air-in-historic-feat</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/spacex-catches-starship-booster-mid-air-in-historic-feat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SpaceX has now achieved a historic new milestone – this time, the…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:51 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>SpaceX, catches, Starship, booster, mid-air, historic, feat</media:keywords>
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<p>The mission commenced at 7:25 AM local time from the Boca Chica starbase, with the Starship rocket lifting off under clear skies. The rocket stands 397 feet (121 meters) tall once it is fully assembled. During the launch, the Super Heavy booster separated from the upper stage at an altitude of 40 miles (65 kilometers). The upper stage then proceeded to reach an altitude of nearly 90 miles, completing a fast-paced orbit around the Earth at approximately 17,000 mph. Once the objectives were achieved, the upper stage successfully splashed down in the Indian Ocean.</p>
<p>As the Super Heavy booster re-entered the atmosphere, it ignited three of its Raptor engines to decelerate, thus aligning itself for a landing at the launchpad. This recovery process involved the use of the “Mechazilla,” large mechanical arms on the pad gantry that have been designed to catch the descending booster and hold it securely at the launch pad. This is a big step – it marks the first time SpaceX has executed such a maneuver and achieved success, and if this success continues, then it will massively increase the reusability of rocket components. It also allows rockets to return directly to the launch site instead of landing on distant platforms or in the ocean, and cuts down on the time required to refurbish and prepare the rockets for future launches.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster! <a href="https://t.co/6R5YatSVJX">pic.twitter.com/6R5YatSVJX</a></p>
<p>— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1845442658397049011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p></p>
<p>“Folks, this is a day for the engineering history books,” a spokesperson for SpaceX. “The tower has caught the rocket!!” Elon Musk, SpaceX founder, posted on social media platform X. The company went on to reveal that its engineers have “spent years preparing and months testing for the booster catch attempt, with technicians pouring tens of thousands of hours into building the infrastructure to maximize our chances for success.”</p>
<p>This comes after the upper stage faced challenges during the re-entry – the separation from the booster was followed by the Starship utilizing its improved heat-shielding tiles to protect against the extreme temperatures generated during re-entry. The vehicle eventually successfully landed in the Indian Ocean, but managed to tip over and explode upon hitting the water. It is unknown whether the explosion was a controlled detonation or not, but Musk said the ship landed “precisely on target!”</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Jio Platforms sees strong subscriber revenue growth as parent Reliance reports better&amp;than&amp;expected Q2’25 numbers</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/jio-platforms-sees-strong-subscriber-revenue-growth-as-parent-reliance-reports-better-than-expected-q225-numbers</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/jio-platforms-sees-strong-subscriber-revenue-growth-as-parent-reliance-reports-better-than-expected-q225-numbers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) had an above-expectations quarter – for…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:50 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Jio, Platforms, sees, strong, subscriber, revenue, growth, parent, Reliance, reports, better-than-expected, Q2’25, numbers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="591" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549-1024x591.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Jio" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549-300x173.jpg 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549-768x443.jpg 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549-800x461.jpg 800w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549-1160x669.jpg 1160w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jio_LYF_building-e1644822517549.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"><p>Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) had an above-expectations quarter – for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25 (Q2 FY25), the company clocked a consolidated net profit of ₹16,563 crore, marking an annual drop of 4.78%. Still, it exceeded analyst expectations of ₹15,716 crore. Its revenue from operations for the same period amounted to ₹2.35 lakh crores, marking a short increase of 0.2% on an annual basis.</p>
<p>Jio Platforms – Reliance’s holding company for the largest mobile network in the country – has profited extensively during the second quarter. Driven by strong subscriber additions and effective tariff hikes, it reported a record profit of ₹6,536 crore for the quarter, marking an annual growth of 23.4%. Its revenue from operations for the same period also clocked a growth of 18% to amount to ₹31,709 crore.</p>
<p>As of September, Jio had nearly 479 million subscribers (including 130 million 5G users) – marking a year-over-year growth of 4.2%. It also seems that users have been spending more on Jio – the average revenue per user (ARPU) rose to ₹195.1 as well. This marks well for Jio, especially since it comes at a time when the domestic digital services sector is expected to witness a quarterly growth of 10%. Its EBITDA is likely to improve by 2% as well, while the per capita consumption rose to 30.3 GB on a monthly basis.</p>
<p>“Right from inception, Jio has focused on deep tech innovation to create customer and shareholder value. The ongoing transformation created by Jio True5G and JioAirFiber in India’s digital landscape is a testament to this approach. AI is creating the next runway for this transformation, and Jio is committed to developing the world’s best AI ecosystem in India, for all Indians. Jio is committed to delivering robust shareholder returns and has demonstrated strong uplift in financial performance in the current quarter,” Akash M Ambani, Chairman of Jio Infocomm, commented on the matter.</p>
<p>Coming to the other units of Reliance, its Reliance Retail Ventures – the aegis under which the retail businesses under RIL operate – noted a QoQ rise of 20% in its profit after tax – which amounted to ₹2,935 crore. Similarly, its EBITDA rose marginally to ₹5,861 crore, while its revenue from operations, on the other hand, slightly fell to ₹76,325 crore. “The retail segment continues to increase its consumer touchpoints and product offerings across physical and digital channels. The unique omni-channel retail model enables the business to service a wide range of requirements of a vast, heterogenous customer base,” Ambani commented on the matter.</p>
<p>“Reliance Retail continues to make investments in technology and infrastructure to build a strong foundation for future growth and maintain market leadership. We continue to strengthen our customer proposition with innovative products that spans everyday essentials to premium offerings. By continuously enhancing our assortment and innovating across categories, we are creating a shopping experience that meets the evolving needs of our customers and reinforces our leadership in the retail space,” Isha M. Ambani, Executive Director at Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, said.</p>
<p>Its Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C) division clocked a decent growth over the quarter, rising to ₹1.55 lakh crore, while its oil and gas unit clocked a decrease in its revenue, which amounted to ₹6,222 crore for the quarter.</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Purplle closes Series F fundraiser at ₹1,500 crore, led by ADIA</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/purplle-closes-series-f-fundraiser-at-1500-crore-led-by-adia</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/purplle-closes-series-f-fundraiser-at-1500-crore-led-by-adia</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Indian omnichannel beauty platform Purplle has now secured ₹1,500 crore (approximately $180…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:50 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Purplle, closes, Series, fundraiser, ₹1, 500, crore, led, ADIA</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo-1024x717.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Purplle" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo-1024x717.png 1024w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo-300x210.png 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo-768x537.png 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo-800x560.png 800w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo-1160x812.png 1160w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Purplle-logo.png 1366w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"><p>Indian omnichannel beauty platform Purplle has now secured ₹1,500 crore (approximately $180 million), closing its latest funding round in the process. The Series F funding round was led by a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and included the participation of existing investors Premji Invest and Blume Ventures, and new ones such as Sharrp Ventures.</p>
<p>This additional ₹500 crore adds to a capital influx the company secured earlier in July – at that time, the firm nabbed ₹1,000 crore (around $120 million) from the same ADIA subsidiary. With the latest bout of funding, the valuation of the startup now falls in the $1.2-1.3 billion range. Purplle also entered the unicorn club two years ago – in June 2022 – after it secured $33 million in its Series E round from its investors, which set its valuation at $1.1 billion. This round of funding comes at a time when the domestic beauty and personal care sector has been growing steadily, and securing significant amounts of capital. In fact, data from Venture Intelligence indicates that beauty startups in India have collectively raised $259 million from private equity and venture capital firms as of August 2024.</p>
<p>The proceeds from the latest round of funding will be deployed towards enhancing its tech capabilities and improve how consumers discover and purchase beauty products and services. “As we continue to innovate and leverage our technology and data capabilities to deliver the best omnichannel experience to our customers, this latest round of investments reaffirms the importance of our vision to make every Indian feel beautiful,” Manish Taneja, co-founder and CEO of Purplle, commented on the matter.</p>
<p>“Our strategic involvement with Purplle is focused on reinforcing our philosophy of backing new age platforms with a commitment to customer centricity. Through the application of data-driven insights and the expansion into underserved markets, we seek to support the company in delivering personalized and accessible beauty solutions tailored to the diverse needs of consumers across India,” Rishabh Mariwala from Sharrp Ventures said. “Our business model focuses on building strategic partnerships with a common purpose, and this investment is a testament to Sharrp’s ability to identify and invest in market leaders with aligned goals who will benefit from shared success.”</p>
<p>Purplle has grown into a major firm, coming a long way from the early days of its inception 12 years ago by Tuneja, Rahul Dash, and Suyash Katyayani. Today, it is a multi-brand beauty retailer, operating both a marketplace for various beauty products and its own private label brands. This includes the likes of popular names such as Faces Canada, Good Vibes, and DermDoc, and products across categories such as cosmetics, fragrances, skin, and hair care products. It has a strong online presence as well, reaching over 10 million consumers monthly and establishing nearly 20,000 offline touchpoints across the country, including having clientele in Tier II and III cities.</p>
<p>In the fiscal year ending March, the firm saw its revenue clock an annual growth of 43% to ₹680 crore (as compared to ₹475 crore in FY23). It also successfully narrowed its losses by 46%, reducing them to ₹124 crore for the same period.</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Facebook and Instagram are back up after an extended downtime</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/facebook-and-instagram-are-back-up-after-an-extended-downtime</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/facebook-and-instagram-are-back-up-after-an-extended-downtime</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you were trying to use Facebook or Instagram yesterday, then you…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instagram-the-tech-portal.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:49 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Facebook, and, Instagram, are, back, after, extended, downtime</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="960" height="640" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instagram-the-tech-portal.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Instagram" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instagram-the-tech-portal.jpg 960w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instagram-the-tech-portal-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instagram-the-tech-portal-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instagram-the-tech-portal-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"><p>If you were trying to use Facebook or Instagram yesterday, then you may have run into difficulties. You are not the only one – from the looks of it, both social media platforms experienced disruptions on Monday, which left users in multiple regions unable to access the platforms. The disruptions had the most severe impact in the US – sparking frustration among users – as reports of issues started to surface in the early afternoon.</p>
<p>The latest string of complaints was at 9:09 AM (today, October 15) with a total of 16 reports. Currently, there are no user reports for current problems at the platform, and Instagram seems to be up and about once more. The outages also affected users from other parts of the world, including the UAE, and other Meta services, such as Threads, Meta’s newest social networking platform.</p>
<p>When it comes to outages, Downdetector is the place to go to get the latest updates on the development. Downdetector – the website that tracks real-time service outages based on user reports – reported that the outage commenced sometime after 1 PM ET, and 1:40 p.m., more than 12,000 people reported issues with Facebook, while over 5,000 complaints were logged for Instagram. At its peak, there were nearly about 92,000 reports of outages for Instagram.</p>
<p>Coming to Instagram, it is noted that 68% of users reported problems with logging onto the photo-sharing platform, while 26% of them ran into issues with the Instagram app itself. The remaining 6% of users had problems with loading profiles, while several others reported unexpected logouts, and some said they were unable to log back into their accounts. Other users also faced error messages such as “something is wrong” on Instagram’s interface.</p>
<p>Coming to Facebook, Meta’s flagship social media platform experienced similar issues – reports state that there were over 550,000 reports of disruptions for Facebook at the peak of the outage. The latest of the reports came at 9:31 AM (on October 15), and the service seems to be restored for now. During the outage, 71% of users reported issues with logging in, while 19% of users reported problems with Facebook’s servers. The remaining 10% of users ran into problems with loading their profiles.</p>
<p>Of course, the outages prompted frustrated reactions from users, many of whom predictably turned to popular micro-blogging platform X to confirm the outage. One Instagram user commented, “My Facebook and Instagram logged out on their own, and now all the posts are gone… is Meta down?” Another user joked, “Instagram crashed right when I was trying to stalk people – now I have to do my homework instead.” “I can’t post stories or comment on anything. Instagram keeps acting up.” Facebook users similarly voiced concerns, with many saying they were unable to load their profiles or post updates. One user expressed concern about losing access to a long-held account: “I thought for a second that I lost my 13-year-old Facebook account.”</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Apple unveils new iPad Mini with the powerful A17 Pro chip</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/apple-unveils-new-ipad-mini-with-the-powerful-a17-pro-chip</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/apple-unveils-new-ipad-mini-with-the-powerful-a17-pro-chip</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Apple has now revealed yet another addition to its family of gadgets…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Apple-iPad-mini-hero-241015_big.jpg.large_.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:48 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Apple, unveils, new, iPad, Mini, with, the, powerful, A17, Pro, chip</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="980" height="653" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Apple-iPad-mini-hero-241015_big.jpg.large_.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Apple-iPad-mini-hero-241015_big.jpg.large_.jpg 980w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Apple-iPad-mini-hero-241015_big.jpg.large_-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Apple-iPad-mini-hero-241015_big.jpg.large_-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Apple-iPad-mini-hero-241015_big.jpg.large_-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px"><p>Apple has now revealed yet another addition to its family of gadgets – an updated version of the popular iPad Mini. This marks the first time the device has got a significant upgrade in the over three years. The device includes a faster A17 Pro chip, more storage, Apple Intelligence, and more.</p>
<p>“There is no other device in the world like iPad mini, beloved for its combination of powerful performance and versatility in our most ultraportable design. iPad mini appeals to a wide range of users and has been built for Apple Intelligence, delivering intelligent new features that are powerful, personal, and private,” Bob Borchers, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Product Marketing, commented on the matter.</p>
<p>“With the powerful A17 Pro chip, faster connectivity, and support for Apple Pencil Pro, the new iPad mini delivers the full iPad experience in our most portable design at an incredible value,” he added. There are new colour options as well – users can buy the latest Mini in either muted blue or purple. The front-facing camera remains in portrait mode, while the rear camera is a 12MP wide-angle lens with Smart HDR 4.</p>
<p>The A17 Pro chip is no stranger to Apple devices, and has been present in the company’s iPhone 15 Pro series. According to Apple, the chip brings a boost of 30% in the 6-core CPU performance, alongside an improvement of 25% in GPU performance as compared to the A15 Bionic chip. Furthermore, there is a faster Neural engine to bolster AI-focused features such as improved Siri responses.</p>
<p>Another feature that will be able to leverage the A17 Pro is Apple Intelligence – the company’s suite of AI-powered tools and features. This is unsurprising, given that Apple has been going all out on AI across its product lineup. The company notes that the first set of Apple Intelligence features will be made available in US English later this month, and it itself remains integrated into iPadOS 18. With the new and powerful chip, Apple Intelligence will be able to leverage generative AI models to provide improved writing tools, generate image from text-based prompts, and provide enhanced task automation.</p>
<p>Storage has been a point of concern for many iPad Mini users in the past, and the new iPad Mini seems to have the answer. Apple, for the new device, has doubled the base storage to 128GB, and offers 256GB and 512GB storage configurations for interested users as well. The device now supports Wi-Fi 6E, offering faster internet speeds, as well as a better USB-C port, which allows for faster data transfer speeds, reaching up to 10 Gbps. Furthermore, the new iPad Mini also comes with support for the new Apple Pencil Pro, which brings features like pressure sensitivity, gesture controls, and haptic feedback, and a magnetic charging area on the Mini’s side to charge it.</p>
<p>Interested users can pre-order the new iPad Mini, and deliveries will commence next week, from October 23. The device starts at $499 for the Wi-Fi-only version with 128GB of storage, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular model begins at $649.</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Elon Musk argues against Reliance Jio’s demand for auctioning India’s lucrative satellite spectrum</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/elon-musk-argues-against-reliance-jios-demand-for-auctioning-indias-lucrative-satellite-spectrum</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/elon-musk-argues-against-reliance-jios-demand-for-auctioning-indias-lucrative-satellite-spectrum</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ India’s spectrum market, satellite spectrum in particular, is seeing a heated battle…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-scaled.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:48 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Elon, Musk, argues, against, Reliance, Jio’s, demand, for, auctioning, India’s, lucrative, satellite, spectrum</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="473" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-1024x473.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-300x138.jpg 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-768x354.jpg 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-1536x709.jpg 1536w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-2048x945.jpg 2048w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-800x369.jpg 800w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-1160x535.jpg 1160w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/spacex-starlink-the-tech-portal-scaled.jpg 2560w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"><p>India’s spectrum market, satellite spectrum in particular, is seeing a heated battle between some of the world’s biggest billionaires. The battle stemmed from a Government decision to allocate satellite internet spectrum, instead of ‘auctioning’ it the way mobile spectrum is auctioned in the country.</p>
<p>Primarily, it is Mukesh Ambani — Asia’s richest person — owned Reliance Jio that has argued, albeit privately, that the satellite rights should also be auctioned, with the highest bidder grabbing the same. As of now, Elon Musk’s Starlink and other global companies like Amazon owned Project Kuiper, Airtel-owned OneWeb back an administrative allocation, while Ambani’s Jio is arguing for an auction process.</p>
<p>The debate stems from the interpretation of an Indian law, that resulted in Musk and other getting allocations for the satellite spectrum. India’s telecom regulator TRAI is currently holding a public consultation but Reliance-owned Jio, in a private Oct. 10 letter, asked for the process to be started afresh as the watchdog has “pre-emptively interpreted” that allocation is the way forward, not auction.</p>
<p>Musk has reacted sharply to the development, calling Jio’s request as “unprecedented” and something that will not align with ITU laws.</p>
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<title>Indigo, India’s largest airline, launches its own VC fund for Series A/B investment in aviation startups</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/indigo-indias-largest-airline-launches-its-own-vc-fund-for-series-ab-investment-in-aviation-startups</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/indigo-indias-largest-airline-launches-its-own-vc-fund-for-series-ab-investment-in-aviation-startups</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Indigo, India’s largest airline and Asia’s largest individual airline, is venturing into…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024px-IndiGo_Airbus_A320neo_VT-IJD.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:47 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Indigo, India’s, largest, airline, launches, its, own, fund, for, Series, AB, investment, aviation, startups</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="575" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024px-IndiGo_Airbus_A320neo_VT-IJD.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024px-IndiGo_Airbus_A320neo_VT-IJD.jpg 1024w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024px-IndiGo_Airbus_A320neo_VT-IJD-300x168.jpg 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024px-IndiGo_Airbus_A320neo_VT-IJD-768x431.jpg 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024px-IndiGo_Airbus_A320neo_VT-IJD-800x449.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"><p>Indigo, India’s largest airline and Asia’s largest individual airline, is venturing into the investing business, with the launch of ‘Indigo Ventures’. The VC fund, which received a nod from India’s securities regulator SEBI, will focus on Series A/B investments in startups in the aviation space.</p>
<p>“The fund will invest in startups that have the potential to redefine the future of aviation and beyond, seeking pre–Series A, Series A, and Series B funding. These include startups working on cutting-edge technologies and solutions within the aviation sector. The fund will also look to invest in consumer startups that have a touchpoint in the passenger journey, such as travel, lifestyle, hospitality, transportation, etc,” said an Indigo press release.</p>
<p>Indigo has already started speaking with select startups in its focus areas for closing on some initial investment deals. The fund is expected to be fully operational by the end of FY 25. The fund has launched an online presence ‘<strong><a href="https://goindigoventures.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoIndigoVentures</a></strong>‘, inviting startups to submit their pitches. The website also details about the fund’s thesis, its investment committee among other pertinent details.</p>
<p>Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital & Information Officer, IndiGo, said, “As IndiGo embarks on this new journey with IndiGo Ventures, we are committed to fostering innovation, giving wings to aspirations, in aviation and beyond. The startups will benefit from IndiGo’s extensive technical expertise and diverse geographical imprint, leading to the development of new products and services.”</p>
<p>In terms of corpus size, the fund will start with an initial investment of ₹30 crore (~$3.57Mn) from Indigo. The same was approved by the company’s board on September 4 of this year.</p>
<p>Indigo will join a steadily growing list of Indian corporate houses, looking to create in-house venture funds for startup investments. While India has seen a meteoric rise in venture capital being raised by startups, almost all of it comes from outside of the country. A major chunk of India’s domestic investor capital still largely goes to more traditional forms of investments, such as public markets, real-estate among others. The trend however, has seen a marked shift, with startups listing on public bourses amid bumper listings.</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Amazon unveils new Kindle lineup, including a first in colour</title>
<link>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/amazon-unveils-new-kindle-lineup-including-a-first-in-colour</link>
<guid>https://epworthconnect.co.zw/amazon-unveils-new-kindle-lineup-including-a-first-in-colour</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For all the Kindle lovers out there, Amazon has some good news…
Content originally published on The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="http://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:06:46 +0200</pubDate>
<dc:creator>EpworthConnect Zw</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Amazon, unveils, new, Kindle, lineup, including, first, colour</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-1024x576.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1-1160x653.jpg 1160w, https://thetechportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aa-oct24-newkindlelineup-standard-hero-v1-600kb-2000x1125-1.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"><p>For all the Kindle lovers out there, Amazon has some good news – the e-commerce behemoth has now expanded its Kindle lineup with four new devices, including one that finally gets colour display. “There’s never been a better time to pick up a Kindle. Amazon is introducing an entirely new lineup of Kindle devices, including the first-ever color Kindle, a reimagined Kindle Scribe, the fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever, and a new entry Kindle in a fun, new Matcha color,” the company noted in an official statement. The launch comes on the same day when Apple <a href="https://thetechportal.com/2024/10/16/apple-unveils-new-ipad-mini-with-the-powerful-a17-pro-chip/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>announced a fresh iteration</strong></a> of its iPad mini line-up.</p>
<p>For users who are unwilling to empty their pockets, Amazon offers an entry-level device, which sports “premium Kindle features.” These include a front light that is now 25% brighter, improved page-turn speeds, 16GB storage, a higher contrast display, and improved page-turn speeds. There is also a new colour option – Matcha Green – and is priced at $109.99.</p>
<p>Known as the Kindle ColorSoft Signature Edition, Amazon’s offering into the color e-reader market provides richer visuals, high contrast, faster page turns, as well as two modes — standard and vibrant color. These modes allow users to highlight text in various colors instead of the typical grayscale. The Kindle also comes with wireless charging and is waterproof. Interested users can get their hands on it from October 30 (pre-orders begin today) and the device is priced at $279.99.</p>
<p>“Everything about Kindle Colorsoft was meticulously designed to deliver rich, paper-like color. It uses an oxide backplane with custom waveforms for fast performance and a higher contrast on both color and black-and-white content. Its custom Colorsoft display includes a new light-guide with nitride LEDs that, when combined with our custom algorithms, enhances color and increases brightness, all without washing out details. You can zoom in on images without worrying about pixelation, and you can choose between standard or vibrant color styles,” Amazon noted.</p>
<p>Next comes the Kindle Scribe, which sports a 300 ppi screen. Among the new devices, this one offers a realistic writing experience. The device also comes with the Premium Pen (which feels like you are using an actual pen to jot down notes directly on book pages or use a side panel, which they can hide or display at their discretion. One of the more interesting features of Kindle Scribe is the new Active Canvas, which lets readers annotate pages without disrupting the text flow itself. To add to this, Amazon also brings AI into the Scribe’s notebook feature, which can summarize pages of handwritten notes into concise bullet points. The device will be priced at $399.99, and pre-orders are available now. Users will have to wait for a while to get their hands on it, though, since shipping starts from December 4.</p>
<p>Next comes the Kindle Paperwhite, which Amazon describes as the “fastest Kindle ever.” Coming with a larger display – 7 inches – the Kindle Paperwhite comes with an improved battery lifetime (lasting up to three months on a single charge) as well as 16 GB of storage. the device will come in a thinner design and Raspberry, Jade, and Black colors, while its improved internals promise 25% faster page-turn speeds. This version starts at $159.99, while the Signature version is priced at $199.99. The pricier model offers 32GB of storage, amongst other features.</p>
<p>Content originally published on <a href="https://thetechportal.com/">The Tech Portal - Global technology news, latest gadget news and breaking tech news.</a></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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