Microsoft launches its new engineering hub in

   Microsoft launches its new engineering hub in NCR

• The India Development Center, NCR will serve as a premier center of engineering and innovation

Microsoft today announced the launch of its new India Development Center (IDC) facility at NCR that will serve as a premier hub for driving cutting-edge engineering and innovation. IDC NCR is Microsoft’s third Development Center in India after Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The contemporary workspace is a step towards realizing IDC’s vision of being a source of innovation for the next billion users. The center will build on Microsoft’s commitment to tap India’s world-class engineering talent and create solutions for a global impact.

 The IDC NCR facility will collaborate with Microsoft teams globally to build products and services for driving digital innovation. The center will provide opportunities for engineering talent in the areas of Business & Productivity tools, AI, Cloud & Enterprise, Core Services, and the new Gaming division.

 The IDC NCR workspace architecture is inspired by the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. The structure is a unique amalgamation of the latest Microsoft technologies and locally sourced materials. The intricate artwork by local artisans and graphics inspired by India’s rich cultural heritage elevate the aesthetics of the office. Its stunning marble inlays, vaulted doorways, arches, and marble domes created by stonemasons and carpenters, are a tribute to the country’s historical and rich craftsmanship.

The project is in line with Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability, and the facility has implemented energy and water conservation practices to reduce its carbon footprint. The Project Team incorporated many considerations during the design process to ensure that the office meets our high sustainability measures. Our base building is LEED platinum rated, meaning it caters to the highest sustainability standards of construction and operation.

Riku Pentikäinen, Regional Director, Asia Real Estates Operations, Microsoft said: “Recognizing the strategic importance of establishing Microsoft engineering presence in Noida, my team went over and beyond in ensuring that our first engineering hub in Noida truly represents Microsoft Design Language infused with local culture and inheritance. In this respect, I feel the team overdid themselves, and the newly opened Noida office is one of the most beautiful Microsoft workspaces, we have designed, to date.”

HP introduces the new HP Smart Tank to reinvent

HP introduces the new HP Smart Tank to reinvent printing for home and SMB users

Sensor enabled Ink Tank technology to enable faster connections, easy mobile printing, and high-volume printing at a low cost

Highlights:

·       High Volume Printing at an extremely low cost

·       Prints up to 38 percent faster than prior generations  

·       Best in-class ink tank experience and print quality

·       An integrated tank design with automatic ink sensor that provides alerts before ink runs out

 

HP today introduced the new HP Smart Tank 500 and 516 All-in-One series of high capacity, high quality, affordable printers in India.  HP Smart Tank is designed for small and medium businesses, jobbers, and home office needs, powered by a new sensor based Ink Tank technology that alerts the user before the ink runs out. The printer has the ink tank integrated into the unit which not only reduces the footprint but also makes it a stylish and compact device for the users, designed to fit better at their homes.

The HP Smart Tank comes with ink supplies in the box that can give an output of minimum 6000 pages (black)/8000 pages (color) with a 38% increase in printing speed. It offers enhanced mobile experience and connectivity through dual-band Wi-Fi and HP Smart mobile print app and Bluetooth LE. It also features the Wi-Fi Direct capability that lets the smartphone connect to the printer without the need for internet network.

 Sunish Raghavan, Senior Director, Printing Systems, HP India said, “The idea of working and learning from home, which at one point felt temporary, has for many of us started to feel more permanent. At HP, we are pushing the limits of innovation to cater the hybrid work and learning environment and the needs of our customers. With the new HP Smart Tank, we are making the printing process more intuitive, efficient and productive, for the home users. A valuable addition to HP’s printer portfolio, HP Smart Tank with the latest sensor-based Ink Tank technology, will reinvent the printing experience of consumers in India.”

 Key features include:

·       Reliable, high-speed printing

o   Up to 38 percent faster printing speeds and faster connection with dual band Wi-Fi

o   Dual band Wifi Antenna delivers faster and more reliable connection to support the future of work and education

  ·       Time-saving intuitions

o   An integrated tank design with automatic ink sensor alerts the user before ink runs out

o   Eliminate steps in repetitive tasks with custom shortcuts on phone or printer with HP Smart Tasks

·       Connected and mobile

o   Easy mobile scanning and printing with HP Smart App

o   HP Smart App reduces the hassle of connecting with a network with the option of customizable shortcuts

·       Outstanding print quality

o   Count on dark, sharp text and vibrant graphics for all prints

o   Create professional borderless brochures and photos

·       Borderless color pages right of the box

o   Ideal for High Volume Printing - Print 6,000 black or 8,000 color pages right out of the box with virtually no interruptions

  Pricing and Availability:

·       HP Smart Tank 500 is available at a starting price of INR 11999/- at HP Online shopping

·       HP Smart Tank 515 wireless is available at a starting price of INR 14499/-

·       HP Smart Tank 516 wireless is available at a starting price of INR 15266/-

·       HP Smart Tank 530 wireless with ADF is available at a starting price of INR 16949/-

For more information about HP Smart Tank portfolio of Printers, visit https://store.hp.com/in-en/default/

 

 

TORF comments on certain media articles regarding the

TORF comments on certain media articles regarding the States Response in the Madras High Court on the matter related to online rummy

 It has come to our notice that certain sections of the media carried stories recently about the response filed by the State of TN in the Madras High Court regarding banning Games of Skill like Rummy . TORF would like to clarify that our understanding is that TN's Ordinance 11 of 2020 amending the TN Gaming Act and their entire stand in court is based on the Mahalakshmi high court judgment from 2012 which stated that playing rummy for stakes is gambling. It is pertinent to note that this judgment by the TN High Court was set aside by the Supreme Court in 2015. Playing rummy for stakes is and was always constitutionally protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the constitution.

We would like to reiterate that banning games of skill will only push the legitimate operators out of the state leaving players unprotected at the hands of fly by night operators. We firmly believe that the State of TN should regulate the industry, and this will ensure maximum safety for the players whilst adding meaningful revenues to the states coffers.

The Online Rummy Federation (TORF)

TORF is the first voluntarily incorporated self-regulatory body in the Indian online gaming sector with the sole objective to ensure that rummy players across India enjoy online rummy in a safe and responsible manner. No other gaming companies across the world, in regulated or semi-regulated markets, have undertaken such a voluntary initiative for user protection and safety.

KEY TORF INITIATIVES

●       As a part of its self-regulatory initiatives, which started in the year 2018, TORF has ensured that rummy operators adhere to rigorous operating standards which have been prepared by internal gaming experts in line with various existing global (EU and UK) regulatory frameworks and is called TORF Code of Conduct "the Code".

●       TORF ensures that regular audit and compliance are done so as to certify and grant TORF Seal to qualifying member rummy operators against the Code. TORF ensures that rigorous audit measures and processes are followed which are performed by an independent third-party auditor (one of the big4 audit firms).

●       TORF Code covers many important aspects for ensuring player protection and encouraging responsible playing practices. Key areas include

●       Guidelines on KYC verification

●       Minimum Age

●       Prevention of Money Laundry,

●       Player Protection and Accountability,

●       Responsible Playing,

●       Setting Gameplay limits,

●       Self-exclusion,

●       Assisting Vulnerable Players,

●       Advertising guidelines,

●       Dispute resolution etc.

For more information, visit: http://torf.org.in.

A haunted house, a LIVE-TV crew and NO way out! Hotstar Specials in

 Watch EVIL going LIVE in Hotstar Specials first horror-series LIVE TELECAST;
directed by Venkat Prabhu and starring Kajal Aggarwal 

~The 7-episode series also stars actors Vaibhav Reddy, Kayal Anandhi amongst others ~
~ LIVE TELECAST to release on 12 th February 2021, exclusively for subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium ~Catch the much-awaited trailer here

 A haunted house, a LIVE-TV crew and NO way out! Hotstar Specials in collaboration with Black Ticket Company is set to release the highly anticipated horror series LIVE TELECAST – the story of a TV crew adamant on creating a superhit show, who come to realize that they are trapped in a house controlled by supernatural powers. As millions tune in to watch Evil going Live, can anyone save them? Starring one of the biggest superstars Kajal Aggarwal who makes her digital debut with the series, the show also features an ensemble cast of popular actors Vaibhav Reddy, Kayal Anandhi, Priyanka, Selva, Daniel Annie Pope, Subbu Panchu Arunachalam and many more!

One of Kollywood’s most loved personalities Venkat Prabhu makes his digital debut as writer and
director. Given the popularity of Tamil horror content, Venkat Prabhu creates his own distinct style of
storytelling that perfectly balances moments of horror with mystery. Bringing alive the eerie feel with an 

A haunted house, a LIVE-TV crew and NO way out! Hotstar Specials in collaboration with Black Ticket Company is set to release the highly anticipated horror series LIVE TELECAST – the story of a TV crew adamant on creating a superhit show, who come to realize that they are trapped in a house controlled by supernatural powers. As millions tune in to watch Evil going Live, can anyone save them? Starring one of the biggest superstars Kajal Aggarwal who makes her digital debut  with the series, the show also features an ensemble cast of popular actors Vaibhav Reddy, Kayal Anandhi, Priyanka, Selva, Daniel Annie Pope, Subbu Panchu Arunachalam and many more!

One of Kollywood’s most loved personalities Venkat Prabhu makes his digital debut as writer and director. Given the popularity of Tamil horror content, Venkat Prabhu creates his own distinct style of storytelling that perfectly balances moments of horror with mystery. Bringing alive the eerie feel with an

intense background score is Premgi Amaren, as Stunt Silva takes on the reign as stunt director. The show has been produced by V Rajalakshmi. Hotstar Specials presents LIVE TELECAST is set to release on 12^th February 2021, exclusively for subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium.

Writer and director Venkat Prabhu said, “LIVE TELECAST has been a dream project which I wanted to do as my first film! This is my fresh attempt at storytelling for a digital platform, and the entire experience of transforming this film script to series has been a massive journey. Horror is a speculative genre – it feeds on the heightened sense of the unknown and one has to balance between moments of silence and spook. I believe I delivered the story in my style which has a good combination of horror, thrill and mystery; and will keep the audience gripped till the very end.”

Actor Kajal Aggarwal who also makes her digital debut added, “As an actor, I am constantly looking for roles that challenge me and take me out of my comfort zone. LIVE TELECAST did just that! My character Jenny, a director by profession, is a strong and independent woman whose single minded goal is to make a successful TV show and, in that quest, she finds herself locked in a huge house with no way out. Audiences who love horror stories and otherwise are going to love this show!”

Synopsis

Following a series of negative comments that result in the untimely end of popular TV show DARK TALES, the crew of the show are forced to think of new ideas for their comeback. Jeni, the director believes that a reality show based on supernatural activities will work and soon becomes fixated with the idea of capturing a ghost on LIVE Television. The crew soon close in on a supposedly haunted house inhabited by a woman and her two children who claim that ever since they moved to this house, only weird things have happened and all their attempts to leave that house have gone in vain. As the crew settles in the house, bizarre events unfold as the evil in the house is unleashed. With the cameras constantly rolling, and millions tuning in to watch them – will the crew be able to get out of this house alive?

Catch the trailer of the show here:  https://youtu.be/epJHwStsCW8

Horror series LIVE Telecast is a part of an exciting line-up of Tamil content that is being released exclusively for subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium. After the successful release of blockbuster movies Mookuthi Amman & Bhoomi and Hotstar Specials series Triples, the platform continues in its endeavour to become the new personal screen for Tamilians or Tamil naattin puthiya thirai; Unga sondha thirai; as it brings Kollywood to millions of screens. With an annual subscription of

Disney+ Hotstar VIP users can catch their favourite Bigg Boss Tamil and other popular STAR Vijay shows before TV; access to the blockbuster movies skipping theatres (Mookuthi Amman, Bhoomi), best of global movies and shows dubbed in Tamil including super hero movies (Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man), latest animation films (Frozen 2, The Lion King), kids favorite characters (Mickey Mouse, Doraemon), exclusive Hotstar Specials shows in seven languages like the hugely popular Special Ops, Aarya, Hotstages 2 and recently released Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, LIVE sporting action and much more!

 

Watch evil going LIVE in Hotstar Specials presents LIVE TELECAST, releasing 12th February 2021 exclusively for subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium