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Microsoft unveils X25 Xbox Series X for 25th anniversary with translucent OG Green design

'It's called 'idli', not 'id-slice': Tharoor dishes out another culinary lesson

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor amused netizens with his witty responses to culinary debates on social media. He humorously critiqued an 'idli pizza' cutting style, attributing it to software engineering logic. Previously, Tharoor also defended the South Indian idli against a comparison to rasgulla, highlighting its unique preparation and culinary significance.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella figures out best way to manage AI agents, along with employees

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella proposes treating AI agents like human employees to manage their integration into the workforce. This strategy involves providing AI with identities, sandboxes, and policies, mirroring human worker guardrails. Nadella emphasizes security, containment, manageability, and observability as crucial for building trust and safely overseeing these digital agents.

Water purifiers fuel a Rs 9,000 crore economy

You do the research, read lists of reviews, compare the filtration stages, and shell out a significant sum for the most promising, tech-savvy water purifier in the market. Then, just two months into installation, the machine starts throwing a series of confusing, flashing signals. The premium buying experience instantly evaporates, replaced by the sheer frustration of tracking down customer care and waiting at home for a technician to show up.In India’s competitive consumer durables sector, this exact friction point has transformed the landscape of water purifiers. The ultimate battle is no longer just about who can build and sell the best machine; it is increasingly about who can maintain trust after the hole has been drilled in the customer's kitchen wall.While the water purifier market is traditionally viewed through the lens of one-time appliance sales, companies like Eureka Forbes, the legacy player behind AquaGuard, are increasingly betting on a far larger opportunity hidden beneath the surface: the recurring service economy built around filters, annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) and nationwide technician networks.According to internal projections by Anurag Kumar, Chief Growth Officer at Eureka Forbes, the water purifier service market alone is on track to cross Rs 9,000 crore by FY30, nearly matching the projected Rs 10,000 crore size of the product market itself.131582773Also read: Beyond the room: Why India Inc's luxury hospitality bet is becoming an experience businessBreaking down the mathFor decades, the consumer durable playbook was simple: manufacture, distribute, sell, repeat. But water purification is far different from selling a television or a refrigerator; it is an active, evolving health product bound to the fluctuating quality of local municipal and groundwater supplies."The market for product categories for water purifiers is about Rs 3,800 crore today," Kumar says in an exclusive interview with ET Online. "I think you would add another, roughly about Rs 3,500 crore of service category as well to it."Citing independent industry reports, Kumar highlighted that by FY30, this parallel economy is set to explode. The product market will expand to over Rs 10,000 crore, while the service and aftermarket ecosystem will chase it tightly at more than Rs 9,000 crore, growing at a combined double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% to 12%.This shifting weight from hardware to service fundamentally changes corporate strategies. For an industry dealing with an urban penetration rate of just 14% (and a mere 7% nationally), the recurring revenue from existing households forms a highly resilient cash-flow cushion that protects margins even during macro-economic slowdowns.131582808Service scale becomes the biggest moatThe Rs 9,000 crore service opportunity explains why tech-first aggregators and rental startups are rushing into the service category. However, scaling an on-demand service infrastructure across India’s complex geography is entirely different from coding an app.For legacy companies like Eureka Forbes, this operational network has become a major competitive advantage."After sales service can make or break a brand," says Kumar. "I think a lot of the trust that AquaGuard has today is really thanks to the fact that people have trust in our service... It's a very, very important integral part of our business and a very, very crucial moat that we continue to nurture."To defend this moat against new-age tech startups, Eureka Forbes operates at a scale that resembles a logistics company more than an appliance manufacturer. The company has deployed more than 8,000 technicians mapping out an operational footprint across 19,500 PIN codes.Also read: Apple expected to unveil new AI features at last developers conference with CEO Tim CookThe push to reduce maintenance costs"Once you sell a product, then you have it for life and there's some revenue which comes with it," Kumar says, referring to filter replacements, AMCs and servicing requirements.Interestingly, the biggest threat to this recurring service revenue is not new-age competitors, it has been consumer fatigue over high maintenance costs. Historically, the dread of paying steep annual fees to replace purifier filters has acted as a primary barrier keeping the remaining 86% of urban Indian households from adopting organised water purifiers.To beat this, Eureka Forbes pulled off a counter-intuitive strategic gear: they disrupted their own short-term revenue model to secure long-term market share.Last year, the company introduced a range of purifiers featuring "long-life" filters extending the replacement cycle from the traditional 12 months to a full two years."We did that because we fundamentally heard from consumers that there was also a barrier to the category around maintenance cost being high," Kumar reveals. "What two-year filters actually did was they actually lowered the maintenance cost because now you don't have to change filters every year. You have to change once every two years."Digitising a 1980s direct-sales DNAEureka Forbes, a company historically known for its door-to-door service, and making Aquaguard synonymous with water purifiers in India, faced a new piece of necessary upgrade with building digitisation. The multi-billion dollar service landscape required a complete digital overhaul of consumer interactions. The brand that built its empire in the 1980s on the soles of direct-sales agents knocking on suburban doors has had to pivot entirely to an on-demand, algorithmic infrastructure.An army of thousands of field technicians is only as efficient as the software directing them. For modern consumers who manage their entire lives via smartphone screens, a bland "technician will visit tomorrow" promise no longer cuts it."We've digitised that service," notes Kumar.The long-term playAs water contamination concerns spike across rapidly expanding urban clusters, the structural demand for pure drinking water will continue to climb, and so for water purifiers.However, as the hardware itself faces gradual commoditisation and intense price competition from newer market entrants, the center of gravity has largely shifted. Where the growth moves nextCapturing a dominant share of the service market is only half the blueprint. As Kumar maps out the strategic trajectory for Eureka Forbes over the next three to five years, the company's growth engine eyes two distinct tracks: aggressive geographic widening and targeted product diversification. Geographically, Kumar notes, the company is bypassing deep rural pockets for the time being to focus heavily on India’s rapidly urbanising Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns. Instead, the company is doubling down on smaller towns where they can immediately deploy their signature localised service infrastructure without stretching their logistics network too thin.Simultaneously, the brand is attempting to de-risk its reliance on the kitchen wall by expanding into adjacent consumer durables. Kumar outlined a product pipeline anchored in high-growth, premium categories, including robotic vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, and household water softeners. The underlying playbook here is pure cross-selling. By utilising the same 8,000-strong technician network to service these newer household appliances, Eureka Forbes is betting that its aftermarket footprint can drastically lower its customer acquisition costs; positioning the legacy firm to evolve from a single-product manufacturer into a broader home-health ecosystem player.

Microsoft to draw a line in use of its technology by government agencies

Microsoft is enhancing human rights and security measures following an internal review into the Israeli military's use of its cloud technology for Palestinian surveillance. The company will strengthen oversight of national security projects and employee security clearances, introducing new checks for sensitive contracts and regular compliance reviews.

TCS slips 2%, down 12% in 4 days. What’s behind the drop?

Shares of TCS, India's largest IT services company, plunged 2% to an intraday low of Rs 2,144 on the BSE on Monday as a surge in U.S. bond yields reignited concerns that the Federal Reserve may be forced to raise interest rates later this year. With today's decline, the stock has lost 12% over the last four trading sessions.Higher U.S. bond yields and expectations of tighter monetary policy are generally seen as negative for Indian IT stocks. They tend to compress valuations of growth-oriented companies, raise concerns about slower technology spending by U.S. clients, encourage businesses to focus on cost optimization rather than expansionary IT investments, and can trigger foreign investor outflows from emerging markets.The weakness in TCS also follows a sharp relief rally in IT stocks last week. The sector has remained under pressure through much of 2026 amid growing concerns that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could disrupt the traditional software services business model.Should you buy TCS shares?“We recommend avoiding TCS for now as the major trend is bearish,” Sudeep Shah, Vice President and Head of Technical & Derivatives Research at SBI Securities told ETMarkets. According to Shah, momentum indicators have weakened considerably, with the RSI turning lower after nearing the 60 level, suggesting fading bullish strength. He also pointed out that the stock has slipped below the Bollinger Band midline, an important support level often tracked by technical analysts. With the latest decline, TCS has fallen below several key short- and long-term moving averages, indicating a weakening trend.Harshal Dasani, Business Head at INVasset PMS, said the stock's technical setup has shifted from weakness to a test of a potential breakdown. According to him, the 9% decline following a 6.53% rebound in the last week suggests the earlier recovery was merely a dead-cat bounce rather than evidence of fresh buying interest. "When a large-cap stock gives up a relief rally this quickly, the market is not reacting to a single negative headline. It is repricing the entire low-growth IT model," Dasani said.On the upside, he sees the Rs 2,400-2,450 range as a significant supply zone, since the recent recovery attempt stalled in that region. Dasani added that until TCS manages to reclaim this band with strong participation, any rallies are likely to face selling pressure.TCS share price performanceTCS shares have fallen over 32% since the start of the year and about 37% in the last 1 year.TCS reported a 12% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 13,718 crore for the fourth quarter, while revenue from operations increased 10% YoY to Rs 70,698 crore. The company also announced a final dividend of Rs 31 per share.During the quarter, TCS secured three large deals, taking the total contract value to $12 billion for the period. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue grew 5.4%, while constant currency growth came in at 1.2%, broadly in line with expectations. Operating margin for the January to March quarter stood at 25.3%, up 10 basis points from the previous quarter. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

The next AI winners may not be software companies

Lenskart shares fall over 2% as JPMorgan sells stake in Rs 96 crore block deal

Lenskart Solutions' shares fell more than 2% to Rs 497 on the BSE on Monday after JPMorgan Chase's offshore subsidiary Copthall Mauritius Investment sold a stake in the company through a Rs 96 crore block deal. Stock exchange data showed that Hong Kong-based hedge fund Viridian Asia Opportunities Master Fund bought 18.96 lakh shares of the company. Viridian bought Lenskart shares at an average price of Rs 508.55 apiece, taking the value of the total stake purchase to more than Rs 96 crore, according to NSE data. The seller of these shares was JPMorgan Chase’s offshore subsidiary Copthall Mauritius Investment Limited. The transaction was executed on Friday at an average price of Rs 508.55 apiece, which is slightly higher than Friday’s closing price of Rs 506.45 apiece on NSE.Lenskart has seen multiple block deals recently. Last week, SoftBank affiliate SVF II Lightbulb (Cayman) pared its stake in the eyewear retailer by selling 5.65 crore shares at Rs 508.55 apiece. Several global and domestic institutional investors picked up shares. The buyers included funds managed by Goldman Sachs and Fidelity, alongside domestic institutions such as ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Kotak Mutual Fund, Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, Quant Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance, and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. The deal, valued at approximately Rs 2,873 crore, also attracted participation from several overseas pension and investment funds.Lenskart share priceLenskart Solutions shares made a subdued market debut in November last year, listing at Rs 395 apiece on NSE at a discount to the IPO price of Rs 402. The shares of the company then surged more than 41% to hit a record high of Rs 557.65 apiece in April this year.The stock is currently down over 9% from that level. However, it is up over 28% from its listing price and 26% from its IPO price. The shares of the company have fallen 2.5% in one week, but gained 15% in 2026 so far. The company currently has a market capitalisation of nearly Rs 88,000 crore.Brokerages on Lenskart share priceJefferies has a ‘Buy’ call on the shares of Lenskart, with a target price of Rs 600 apiece in its base case scenario. Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, has a ‘Buy’ rating on the shares of Lenskart, with a target price of Rs 625 apiece.Morgan Stanley, on the other hand, is ‘Overweight’ on the shares of Lenskart, with a target price of Rs 576 apiece. Elara Capital recently initiated coverage on the shares of Lenskart with a target price of Rs 615 apiece, highlighting that an integrated ecosystem and tech agility fortify the eyewear retailer’s edge amid low competition, vast opportunity, and superior store economics.Lenskart earnings snapshotLenskart in May reported a nearly 46% YoY surge in revenue from operations to Rs 2,516 crore for the January-March quarter of FY26, from Rs 1,727 crore in the year-ago period, leading to bullish brokerage calls and target price hikes.While the company reported a strong surge in revenue, its net profit declined 9% YoY to Rs 200 crore during the quarter under review, from Rs 219 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.For the entire financial year which ended on March 31, 2026, Lenskart reported a 32% YoY rise in revenue to Rs 9,002 crore. EBITDA climbed 55.3% YoY to Rs 1,789 crore, while adjusted PAT surged 148% YoY to Rs 530 crore.Sensex, Nifty today: Catch all the LIVE stock market action here (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

FIFA World Cup 2026 venues: Full list

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has begun, and football fans around the world are preparing for what promises to be the largest edition of the tournament ever staged. For the first time in the competition's history, three nations—the United States, Canada and Mexico—will jointly host the World Cup, bringing the sport's biggest event to North America on an unprecedented scale.The tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 (June 12 to July 20 as per Indian time), will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the traditional 32-team format. With 104 matches spread across 16 host cities, the World Cup is expected to attract millions of spectators and generate a festival atmosphere across the continent.From iconic football grounds steeped in history to ultra-modern arenas equipped with cutting-edge technology, the host venues reflect the diversity and ambition of FIFA's vision for the 2026 tournament.FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities and StadiumsThe FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to make history as the biggest edition of the tournament ever staged. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the competition will feature 48 teams competing across 16 host cities and some of North America's most iconic stadiums.From Mexico City's legendary Estadio Azteca to the ultra-modern SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, each venue brings its own unique story, architecture and football heritage. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with matches spread across three nations and a diverse range of world-class stadiums.Host CityStadiumCountryCapacityNew York/New JerseyMetLife StadiumUnited States82,500Dallas (Arlington)AT&T StadiumUnited States94,000AtlantaMercedes-Benz StadiumUnited States75,000HoustonNRG StadiumUnited States72,000Kansas CityArrowhead StadiumUnited States73,000Los AngelesSoFi StadiumUnited States70,000MiamiHard Rock StadiumUnited States65,000PhiladelphiaLincoln Financial FieldUnited States69,000SeattleLumen FieldUnited States69,000BostonGillette StadiumUnited States65,000San Francisco Bay AreaLevi's StadiumUnited States71,000TorontoBMO FieldCanada45,000VancouverBC PlaceCanada54,000Mexico CityEstadio AztecaMexico83,000GuadalajaraEstadio AkronMexico48,000MonterreyEstadio BBVAMexico53,500FIFA Canada VenuesCanada will host matches in Toronto and Vancouver, with both cities playing a key role in the expanded tournament.Toronto – BMO Field (Capacity: 45,000)BMO Field is one of the few purpose-built soccer stadiums among the World Cup venues. Opened in 2007, it previously hosted matches during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and is home to Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.The stadium will stage six matches, including Canada's opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12, along with a Round of 32 fixture.Vancouver – BC Place (Capacity: 54,000)Located on Vancouver's waterfront, BC Place is widely regarded as one of the most scenic venues in the tournament. Opened in 1983, the stadium is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps and the BC Lions.The venue also played a major role during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosting the final where the United States defeated Japan. BC Place will host seven matches, including two knockout-round encounters.FIFA Mexico VenuesMexico will host games in three cities, each boasting a rich football culture and passionate fan base.Mexico City – Estadio Azteca (Capacity: 83,000)Few stadiums can match the legacy of Estadio Azteca. Opened in 1966, it hosted the World Cup finals of 1970 and 1986 and witnessed unforgettable moments from legends such as Pele and Diego Maradona.In 2026, the stadium will become the first venue in history to host matches in three different FIFA World Cups. It will also stage the tournament opener on June 11 when Mexico takes on South Africa.Guadalajara – Estadio Akron (Capacity: 48,000)Recognized for its distinctive volcano-inspired design, Estadio Akron is among the most visually striking stadiums selected for the tournament.Since opening in 2010, the venue has hosted major events including the Copa Libertadores final and the Pan American Games ceremonies. Four group-stage matches will be played here, including Spain's clash against Uruguay.Monterrey – Estadio BBVA (Capacity: 53,500)Nicknamed "El Gigante de Acero" or "The Steel Giant," Estadio BBVA combines modern architecture with breathtaking mountain views.The stadium, which opened in 2015, is regarded as one of Mexico's finest football venues and will host four matches during the World Cup.FIFA United States VenuesThe United States will host matches in 11 cities, featuring some of the largest and most technologically advanced stadiums in the world.Dallas – AT&T Stadium (Capacity: 94,000)The largest venue of the tournament, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, can accommodate around 94,000 spectators. Home to the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium has previously hosted Super Bowls, major boxing events and international football matches.It will stage nine World Cup games, including a semi-final.New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (Capacity: 82,500)MetLife Stadium will be the centerpiece of the tournament, hosting eight matches, including a semi-final and the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19.Home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, the venue has previously welcomed major football events such as the Copa America Centenario final and the Club World Cup final.Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Capacity: 75,000)Known for its retractable roof and massive 360-degree video display, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is considered one of the world's most advanced sports venues.The stadium will host eight matches, including one of the two semi-finals.Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium (Capacity: 70,000)Often described as one of the most expensive stadiums ever built, SoFi Stadium reportedly cost around $6 billion. Home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, it will host eight matches, including the first World Cup game played on U.S. soil.Other Key U.S. VenuesSeveral other American stadiums will play important roles during the tournament:Gillette Stadium, Boston (65,000): Seven matches, including a quarter-final.NRG Stadium, Houston (72,000): Features a retractable roof and steep spectator stands.Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (73,000): Famous as one of the loudest sports venues in the world.Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (65,000): Hosts seven matches and has extensive experience staging major football events.Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (69,000): Hosts six matches, including a fixture on U.S. Independence Day celebrations.Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (71,000): Home of the San Francisco 49ers and a frequent host of major international sporting events.Lumen Field, Seattle (69,000): Renowned for passionate crowds and will host six matches, including knockout-round fixtures.A Tournament of Historic ScaleWith 16 host cities, 48 participating nations and a record number of matches, FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be unlike any previous edition. The combination of historic venues such as Estadio Azteca and modern architectural marvels like SoFi Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium highlights the blend of tradition and innovation that will define the tournament.As preparations continue across North America, football fans can look forward to a month-long celebration of the world's most popular sport in some of the most spectacular stadiums ever assembled for a FIFA World Cup.

WWDC 2026: Apple bets big on a new Siri

Apple is expected to use its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8 to make a fresh push into artificial intelligence (AI), with a Siri overhaul that has been long pending, new AI-powered tools and iOS 27 likely to take centre stage.The event comes at a crucial moment for the iPhone maker. Nearly two years after unveiling Apple Intelligence, Apple is still facing criticism for delayed features and a Siri revamp that never fully materialised. Now, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is preparing its biggest Siri upgrade in years as it looks to catch up with rivals such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT and Samsung's Galaxy AI.Also Read: ET at Apple’s Bengaluru developer showcase: The apps headed to WWDC 2026New Siri expected to be the biggest WWDC 2026 announcementAt the heart of Apple's plans is a redesigned Siri that is expected to move beyond simple voice commands and become a more capable AI assistant.The new Siri could gain the ability to understand what's on a user's screen, pull information from emails, notes, calendars and contacts, and perform actions across apps. Users may also be able to issue multiple commands in a single prompt. For instance, asking Siri to check the weather, schedule a meeting and send a message at the same time. Many of these features were originally previewed in 2024 before being repeatedly delayed.Apple is also reportedly working on a dedicated Siri app that would function more like ChatGPT or Gemini. The app could allow users to hold ongoing conversations, upload files and photos for analysis, access chat history and sync conversations across devices through iCloud. Apple is even said to be testing support for third-party AI models including Claude and Gemini alongside ChatGPT.iOS 27 may focus on performance, battery life and reliabilityWhile AI is expected to dominate the keynote, iOS 27 itself may be less about flashy redesigns and more about fixing pain points.Unlike last year's major visual overhaul with "Liquid Glass" design, Apple is reportedly focusing on performance improvements, better battery life, fewer bugs and faster response times. The company is also believed to be laying the groundwork for a foldable iPhone expected later this year through under-the-hood changes in the operating system.Apple is also expected to introduce a new AI-focused "Search or Ask" experience, making it easier for users to search their device, launch apps and interact with Siri from a single interface.Also Read: Will your iPhone get iOS 27? These four models may miss out on Apple’s next major software updateAI writing tools and photo editing upgrades could arrive with iOS 27The update could bring a range of new AI features across the iPhone, iPad and Mac.These include a Grammarly-like grammar checker built into iOS, AI-powered writing assistance through a new "Write with Siri" feature, smarter shortcuts that can be created using natural language, AI-generated wallpapers and upgraded photo editing tools capable of expanding images, improving quality and removing unwanted objects more effectively.Apple is also expected to enhance Visual Intelligence, its answer to Google's Lens. The feature could gain the ability to recognise nutrition labels, extract contact information and provide more contextual information about objects seen through the camera.Wallet, Safari and AirPods could get useful upgradesBeyond AI, Apple is reportedly working on a handful of practical upgrades aimed at everyday users.These include a built-in bill-splitting feature in Wallet and Messages, custom digital pass creation in Wallet, a redesigned Safari start page, improved AirPods controls and updates to fitness and heart-rate tracking on the Apple Watch.The company is also said to be improving notification management, adding more customisation options to the Camera app and making several changes aimed at improving the overall experience across its devices.Also Read: Apple to let users choose rival AI models across iOS 27 features: ReportWhy WWDC 2026 could be Apple's most important AI event yetFor Apple, however, the real focus will be Siri.The assistant has largely remained unchanged while competitors have transformed their products into conversational AI platforms capable of reasoning, planning and completing complex tasks. WWDC 2026 could be Apple's attempt to show that it is finally ready to compete in that race — and deliver some of the AI features it first promised users nearly two years ago.Whether Apple can close the gap with ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI rivals remains to be seen, but June 8 could offer the clearest look yet at the company's long-term AI strategy.

Microsoft CEO to top engineers: Our goal is not to make users 'addicted' to Scout

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has slammed an internal memo that outlined plans to "make people addicted" to Scout, the company's new AI assistant unveiled at Build 2026. In a message to about 50 top engineers, Nadella called the strategy "nonsense" and a "non goal," suggesting the authors "may want to go work elsewhere." The leaked document was authored by Microsoft VP Omar Shahine.

Room for less: Next big thing in hospitality?

Can the search for a hotel room lead to a business idea? It did, for Alok Mishra.In 2014, during a trip with his wife, Mishra needed a hotel room for six hours as he did not want to drive late at night. But he was asked to pay for a full day and subjected to a series of intrusive questions despite being married—and was finally refused a room. “That got me thinking that there might be travellers like me who need rooms only for a few hours but have to pay for an entire day. Later, while working in the US, I came across pay-for-use concepts and felt that India needed a more flexible, customer-friendly model,” he says.That experience led to the launch of Bag2Bag in 2019, an online platform for booking hotels, service apartments, homestays and other accommodations, with a focus on hourly stays.The business started gaining momentum around 2021. Bag2Bag’s hourly-stay revenue has risen from roughly Rs 50 lakh in 2021 to Rs 5-6 crore today. The company has served more than 1 lakh customers, lists over 10,000 properties across India and offers hourly stays at 6,000-7,000 of them. The service is available in more than 50 cities, though Bengaluru and Mumbai remain its strongest markets.Also read | The safe keepers: Inside India's booming locker economy“People now understand that this is a practical solution rather than a niche service. One of our biggest achievements has been to help normalise the category. Earlier, hourly stays were often associated with couples seeking privacy,” he says. “We deliberately broadened the use case by allowing family bookings, including travellers with children. We wanted people to see hourly stays for what they really are— a convenient accommodation option.”HOUR OF NEED That convenience is growing as online hotel booking platforms that allow short stays are on the rise. Alongside Bag2Bag, there is Noida-based Brevistay, Bengaluruheadquartered MiStay, Mumbai’s Hourly Rooms and Qwiksta, all specialising in micro stays. Larger travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Agoda and Goibibo have also introduced hourly booking options.Like Bag2Bag, Brevistay was born out of a travel inconvenience. In 2016, cofounders Prateek Singh, Aditya Naithani, Shubham Agarwal, Avnish Kumar and Nikhil Pathak arrived in Manali at 5 am only to find that hotels would not allow early check-ins without charging for an extra night. The friends went on to cofound the travel tech startup Brevistay, which raised Rs 3 crore in 2023 and today reports revenue of about Rs 18 crore. It has 15 lakh registered users, 4 lakh monthly active users and around 11,000 listed hotels, including brands such as Ginger, Ramada and Blue Motel.LONG JOURNEY Getting there, however, was not easy.Pathak, cofounder and chief technology officer of Brevistay, says, “The challenge in this segment is not customers but hotels. In 2016, many hoteliers would simply bang the phone on us. Some agreed in principle but didn’t want their properties listed publicly and preferred bookings to come through offline calls. It took us nearly two years before we started seeing meaningful traction and recurring bookings,” says Pathak.The same resistance greeted MiStay when it launched in 2016. Starting with a pilot in Delhi, MiStay has since expanded to more than 100 cities. Shwetha Sameernath, general manager, business and growth, MiStay, says, “When we launched, scepticism was high. Most hotels were uncomfortable with the model, concerned about guest quality and operational challenges. Over time, that changed as hotels began seeing it as a revenue opportunity.”MiStay tackled resistance through education and curation. The company worked to show hoteliers that short stays served a broad and legitimate market of business travellers, transit passengers and day-use guests. It also selectively onboarded premium hotel brands, helping build credibility for the category. “When hotels see actual customer segments across varied, legitimate use cases, it builds their confidence that the model won’t compromise their brand,” says Sameernath, adding that the concept is now largely normalised.Also read | Major change in buyer behaviour as e-scooters race deeper into BharatPathak says the customer has evolved as well. Brevistay continues to market actively to couples, but he argues that the category should no longer be viewed through that lens. “There’s nothing illegal happening. In fact, there’s no law that prevents consenting adults from booking a hotel room. The issue was perception, not legality. What eventually changed minds was revenue,” he says. “Once hotels realised they could sell the same room multiple times in a day and generate seven or eight bookings instead of one, the business case became impossible to ignore.”The use cases have expanded too. Back in 2017, couples accounted for nearly 90% of Brevistay’s bookings. Today, that figure is down to 50-60%. Business travellers, transit passengers, tourists looking to freshen up between journeys, students travelling for exams and people attending interviews or meetings have all emerged as important customer segments.Hotels, meanwhile, have had to adapt operationally. Mishra says the biggest challenge is that traditional hotel system was never designed for flexible check-ins and check-outs. Bag2Bag addressed this by developing its own software platform for partner hotels. “Once they realised they could monetise idle inventory and generate additional revenue from rooms that would otherwise remain empty, adoption became much easier,” he says.REVENUE CHECKS IN For Sameernath, the turning point was the entry of premium hotel brands. “Today, acceptance has grown across the ecosystem. Channel managers and property management systems are evolving to support slot-based bookings, and customers increasingly treat hourly booking as the natural way to reserve a room for less than a day,” she says.Also read | Indian tourists go viral for all wrong reasons. Here's how not to become the next horror storyMishra has observed another interesting shift. Reliability and brand trust are becoming increasingly important. “Whether it’s a three-star or a five-star property, even if a branded hotel costs 20-25% more, customers prefer it because they know what they’re getting,” he says. The economics are compelling for hotels too. Sameernath points out that average hotel occupancy in India is under 65%, while daytime occupancy can fall to as low as 30% as guests check out in the morning and new arrivals come in much later. Platforms like MiStay help hotels monetise those idle hours by attracting guests who would never have booked a full-day room. “For hotels near airports or railway stations, the upside is even greater. A room priced at Rs 8,000 for a full night could earn Rs 3,500-4,000 for a daytime slot and another Rs 6,000 for the night—generating `10,000-plus from the same room in a single day,” she says.CHANGING PERCEPTION MiStay today works with brands like IHG, Pride, Ramada, The Park, Radisson and Novotel IHG, while Brevistay is in discussions with Hyatt. Sameernath says that on the demand side, once customers experience flexible booking, they don’t go back. Their repeat rate reflects this, as 48% of MiStay’s monthly business comes from repeat guests “The pay-per-use model in hospitality is the same transformation that happened in transport. You no longer book a cab for a full day; you pay for the distance. Hotels are heading the same way,” she says.Pathak believes the next wave of growth will be driven by younger travellers. “They’re vocal about spending time with their partners and don’t carry the hesitation earlier generations did. In metros, the industry has largely moved beyond the old perceptions, and hourly stays are increasingly viewed as a convenience product rather than something unusual.”The customer, it seems, has reached the destination. The hospitality industry needs to arrive.ChallengesPersistent social stigmaTrust and safety concernsBranded hotels worried about perceptionComplexities in managing multiple check-ins and check-outsLack of awareness among travellersOpportunitiesRise in domestic travel and frequent short tripsGrowth of bleisure (business + leisure) travelYounger consumers demanding flexibilityTech platforms making discovery and booking seamlessHotels looking to monetise vacant rooms

Microsoft corporate VP Omar Shahine's memo to staff has made CEO Satya Nadella 'angry'

An internal Microsoft memo outlining a strategy for a new AI tool, "Scout," to "make people addicted" has reportedly angered CEO Satya Nadella. The document, authored by Omar Shahine and Jakob Werner, detailed a multi-phase launch plan to foster daily user dependence. Nadella has publicly dismissed the "addiction" goal as "nonsense."

G-Secs rally as govt and RBI ease foreign investing rules

Government and RBI measures to boost foreign investment in government securities led to a bond rally, with benchmark 10-year G-Sec yields softening. Exemptions from long-term capital gains and withholding taxes for FPIs in G-Secs, along with expanded investment options, are seen as positive for the fixed income market.

Anthropic’s Boris Cherny, Claude Code creator, on future of software engineering

Anthropic's Boris Cherny, the creator of Claude Code, says software engineering isn't dying, it's multiplying. Speaking on Casey Newton's Platformer podcast, the Claude Code creator predicted 100x more people writing code or directing AI agents to do it, just under a different title. He urged 22-year-old CS grads to skip entry-level jobs and start companies, calling it "the golden age" for founders building with AI coding agents.

Microsoft HR head Amy Coleman to employees in memo: I want to be transparent about how things are feeling across Microsoft and what ...

Microsoft's Chief People Officer Amy Coleman shared employee survey results, highlighting increased employee "energized" and "empowered" feelings, alongside strengths in security and inclusion. However, challenges remain in opportunities for experience broadening, productivity support, and clarity on work's organizational connection. Coleman pledged greater transparency and communication amidst intense change.

IndiGo Suspends Operations To 6 International Destinations

The decision has been taken in view of a traditionally softer demand.

Middle East crisis: IndiGo grounds flights to six overseas destinations amid cost pressures

IndiGo is temporarily halting flights to six international destinations, including Hong Kong and Shanghai, until September 30. This strategic move aims to optimize its network amidst softer travel demand and escalating operating costs. The airline plans to resume services on October 1, contingent on improved market conditions, while maintaining a significant portion of its global operations.

IndiGo suspends ops to 6 int'l destinations

IndiGo has announced the temporary suspension of flights to six international destinations as it adjusts its network amid softer travel demand and rising operational costs.The airline said the move is part of a broader network optimisation strategy aimed at matching capacity with current market conditions while maintaining operational efficiency.Which International Routes Has IndiGo Suspended?According to the airline, services to the following destinations will be temporarily suspended:Hong KongShanghaiHo Chi Minh CityLangkawiKrabiSiem ReapFlights to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Langkawi and Krabi will be suspended from July 1, while services to Siem Reap will be paused from July 3.Read more: HSBC says Asia's largest slum could soon have metro stations, green spaces & 125,000 new homesThe suspension is expected to remain in place until September 30.Why Has IndiGo Suspended These Flights?IndiGo said the decision was driven by a combination of softer seasonal demand and a challenging operating environment.The airline noted that the upcoming quarter typically witnesses lower travel demand, especially on certain international routes.At the same time, airlines continue to face increased operational expenses, making it necessary to review network deployment.In a statement, IndiGo said: "These measured changes are designed to align capacity with current market conditions and demand trends, while ensuring the airline maintains reliability and network integrity across its global destinations."Will IndiGo Restart These Routes?Yes. The airline has confirmed that bookings for all affected routes will reopen from October 1, subject to an improvement in market conditions.IndiGo also stated that it remains prepared to restore services earlier if demand improves and operational conditions become more favourable.Airspace Restrictions Continue To Affect AirlinesApart from rising costs, airlines are also dealing with continuing airspace restrictions that have impacted flight operations and route planning.Several carriers globally have been forced to adjust schedules, reroute aircraft and review international networks due to changing geopolitical and operational challenges.IndiGo said it will continue monitoring the situation closely before making further decisions regarding these routes.IndiGo Retains More Than 1,800 Weekly International FlightsDespite the temporary suspension of six destinations, IndiGo said its international network remains largely intact.The airline continues to operate more than 1,800 international flights every week across its global network.This allows the carrier to maintain strong international connectivity while adjusting capacity where demand is currently weaker.What Does This Mean For Travellers?Passengers planning trips to the affected destinations between July and September may need to consider alternative airlines or adjust their travel plans.However, travellers heading to other international destinations served by IndiGo are unlikely to see any major disruption, as the airline has retained the majority of its overseas operations.The move highlights how airlines are increasingly balancing demand, operating costs and network efficiency as global travel patterns continue to evolve.IndiGo Focuses On Network OptimisationThe temporary suspension reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry, where airlines are becoming more flexible in managing capacity.Rather than operating flights with lower demand, carriers are increasingly redeploying aircraft to stronger-performing routes and adjusting schedules based on market conditions.For IndiGo, the strategy is aimed at protecting profitability while ensuring reliable operations across its growing domestic and international network.Inputs from PTI

Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and OpenAI, 'your datacenter problems just got bigger '

Nine major industry trade groups have warned the Trump administration that the rapid expansion of AI data centers is severely straining global memory chip supplies. This surge in demand is driving up prices and reducing availability for critical sectors like automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics, posing risks to US supply chains and the broader economy.