Category: TechPulse

TechPulse

Close to 500 Tech Solutions: Final Hours to Register for Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025

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Open Forum for Startups Scheduled on 7th May to Build on This Momentum

Altinho, May 06, 2025: The Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025, an initiative launched by the Startup & IT Promotion Cell under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, announces its last call for registration, with close to 500 startups from India and across the globe already joining the movement.

This overwhelming response reflects the growing interest in Goa’s innovation ecosystem. The Challenge, which invited problem-solvers to tackle real-world challenges across sectors such as Tourism, Waste Management, Agriculture, Public Services, NABARD, and Industry, has emerged as a platform where startups, student innovators, government departments, and industry leaders converge to drive change.

Through this initiative, selected participants will gain direct piloting opportunities with government and industry stakeholders, enabling them to test, validate, and scale their solutions where it matters most.

As the Challenge moves into its next phase, an Open Forum for Startups will be held on 7th May 2025, between 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Startups can choose to join virtually via Google Meet or visit the IT Hub, Altinho during this time. The forum will serve as a space to raise queries, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussion. Click here to register for the Open Forum

With the finale scheduled for 30th May 2025, the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 has already made its mark as a bold step towards scalable innovation—positioning Goa as a ground for developing and deploying practical, technology-led solutions.

TechPulse

Apple TV+ Now Available on Prime Video in India

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In an exciting development for Indian streaming enthusiasts, Apple TV+ has partnered with Prime Video to offer its premium content as an add-on subscription. This strategic move allows Apple TV+ to tap into Prime Video’s vast customer base in India, providing users with access to a wide range of exclusive Apple Originals.


The partnership between Apple TV+ and Prime Video marks a significant milestone in the Indian streaming landscape. With Apple TV+ now available on Prime Video, users can enjoy a diverse range of content, including hit series, blockbuster movies, and documentaries.

  • Exclusive Apple Originals: Get access to critically acclaimed shows like Ted Lasso, Severance, and The Morning Show, as well as blockbuster movies like Wolfs and The Gorge.
  • Add-on Subscription: Apple TV+ is available as an add-on subscription to Prime Video, priced at ₹99 per month.
  • Seamless Viewing Experience: Enjoy a hassle-free experience with features like unified watchlist, centralized billing, and personalized recommendations.


The addition of Apple TV+ to Prime Video’s lineup enhances the platform’s value proposition, offering users a broader range of content options. With Apple TV+ joining its library, Prime Video can attract and retain subscribers, expand its content offerings, and provide a more comprehensive streaming experience.


The availability of Apple TV+ on Prime Video in India is a welcome development for streaming enthusiasts. With its exclusive content and seamless viewing experience, Apple TV+ is set to make a significant impact on the Indian streaming landscape. Whether you’re a fan of drama, comedy, or documentaries, Apple TV+ on Prime Video has something for everyone.

TechPulse

JioHotstar Surpasses 200 Million Paid Subscribers

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JioHotstar, India’s leading streaming platform, has achieved a remarkable milestone by crossing 200 million paid subscribers within a short span of its revamped launch. This impressive feat is attributed to the platform’s strategic decision to broadcast multi-language live Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches, drawing record-breaking viewership.

Key Factors Behind the Success

  • Multi-language Live Streaming: JioHotstar’s decision to broadcast IPL matches in multiple languages has helped it appeal to a wider demographic, contributing significantly to its subscriber growth.
  • Competitively Priced Subscriptions: The platform’s affordable pricing strategy has made it an attractive option for viewers, driving subscriber acquisition.
  • High-profile Sports Programming: IPL’s massive popularity has been a key driver of JioHotstar’s growth, with the platform securing 32 sponsors and eyeing ₹4,500 crore in ad revenue.

Global Ranking
JioHotstar’s impressive subscriber growth has positioned it as the third-largest video streaming platform globally, following Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Uday Shankar, Vice Chairman of JioStar, expressed satisfaction with achieving a large subscriber base in India, highlighting the platform’s rapid rise ¹.


The Indian digital entertainment market is estimated to reach $10 billion by 2030, with JioHotstar, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video vying for supremacy. JioStar’s commitment to expanding its reach and its strategic partnerships will likely play a crucial role in shaping the platform’s future growth ².


JioHotstar’s success highlights India’s growing influence in the global streaming market. The platform’s focus on live sports streaming and affordable pricing has disrupted the traditional broadcasting model, setting a new benchmark for the industry ¹.

TechPulse

Apple Rushes to Beat Trump Tariffs with Record iPhone Shipment from India

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In a bid to avoid new tariffs imposed by the US government, Apple has transported five planes full of iPhones and other products from India to the US. The shipment, which included approximately 1.5 million iPhones, was made in just three days during the final week of March.

Strategic Move to Mitigate Tariff Impact
The tech giant’s decision to airlift products from India comes as a strategic move to stockpile inventory in the US ahead of the new tariffs taking effect. With a 10% baseline tariff on all imports into the US, and additional duties ranging from 26% on Indian goods to 125% on Chinese imports, Apple aims to minimize the impact on its supply chain and prices.

How Apple Achieved the Feat
To facilitate the massive shipment, Apple reportedly lobbied Indian airport authorities to reduce customs clearance time at Chennai airport from 30 hours to 6 hours. This “green corridor” arrangement enabled the company to swiftly transport 600 tons of iPhones and other products to the US.

Impact on Apple’s Supply Chain
The new tariffs could significantly affect Apple’s supply chain, particularly for products manufactured in China. While Apple has been expanding its production capacity in India, the company still relies heavily on China for manufacturing iPhones and other devices. The tariffs may lead to increased costs and prices for Apple’s products in the US market ¹ ².

Temporary Relief?
In a surprising move, US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on the “reciprocal tariffs” except for the 10% base tariff. However, this pause does not apply to China, where Apple has its largest manufacturing plant. The development has brought temporary relief to companies like Apple, but the long-term impact of the tariffs remains uncertain ¹.

TechPulse

Digital Payment Woes: Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm Users Face Transaction Issues

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A technical glitch hit major digital payment platforms, leaving users of Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm struggling to complete transactions. The disruption caused widespread inconvenience, affecting a large number of users who rely on these platforms for everyday transactions.

The Issue
Users reported encountering errors and failed transactions while attempting to make payments through these popular digital payment apps. The issue seemed to be related to the integration of payment gateways and banking systems, but the exact cause was not immediately clear.

Impact on Users
The disruption had a significant impact on users, causing frustration and delays. Many users reported:

  • Failed transactions: Payments were not processed, leaving users uncertain about the status of their transactions.
  • Payment timeouts: Transactions timed out, requiring users to retry and causing further delays.
  • Inability to initiate transactions: Some users were unable to initiate transactions altogether, making it impossible to make payments.

Affected Services
The disruption affected several popular digital payment apps, including:

  • Google Pay: Users reported issues with transaction processing and payment confirmations.
  • PhonePe: Users faced difficulties with payment initiation and transaction failures.
  • Paytm: Users encountered errors and failed transactions, causing inconvenience and delays.

Response from Companies
The affected companies acknowledged the issue and assured users that they were working to resolve it as quickly as possible. Users were advised to check the official social media handles and support pages of the respective payment apps for updates on the status of the disruption.

Precautions for Users
In the meantime, users can consider alternative payment methods, such as:

  • Cash transactions: Using cash for transactions can help avoid digital payment issues.
  • Card payments: Card payments can provide a reliable alternative for users.
  • Other digital payment platforms: Users can explore other digital payment platforms that are not affected by the disruption.

The digital payment disruption highlights the importance of having robust and reliable systems in place. As the issue is being addressed, users are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly to minimize any inconvenience. The companies involved are working to resolve the issue and restore normalcy to their services.