The birth of next-gen wearables; Modernising Indian spices

Hello,

When was the last time you changed your Gmail password? 

Well, according to Forbes, Google’s Vice President of privacy, safety and security, Evan Kotsovinos, has issued a warning in which he “strongly encourages” the two billion users of the platform to make one straightforward change: replace your Gmail password now!

Here’s some more news from Alphabet—Google Search is experimenting with Audio Overviews for certain Search queries, which will use its latest Gemini models to give users another way to absorb and understand information.

Meanwhile, the tech giant is cutting ties with Scale AI post Meta’s big investment in the AI startup. 

ICYMI: Inside the Karnataka GCCs: The Specialist Talent Advantage report. 

The report, released by YourStory and Xpheno, provides a detailed view of the talent framework within the GCC ecosystem.

Lastly, meet Seneca—it weighs seven pounds and costs $3,600. Here’s why it's the best keyboard in the world!

In today’s newsletter, we will talk about 

• The birth of next-gen wearables
• Modernising Indian spices

Here’s your trivia for today: Which researcher corrected Einstein's theory of a static universe?

In-depth

The birth of next-gen wearables

New-age wearable devices are stepping out from the shadow of their ancestors and are gaining traction from consumers and investors alike. As smartwatches lose relevance amid slowing upgrades and demand, startups are now betting on premium, solution-led wearables in a tough, price-sensitive market.

Changing times:

• With little meaningful innovation and most new launches offering only incremental upgrades, the smartwatch category is suffering from slower refresh cycles. Since the initial popularity boom was relatively recent, and there’s no strong reason to upgrade, companies are seeing fewer repeat buyers.
• The downturn in the wearables market is making way for a new category to emerge—one focused on solution-oriented devices over passive health data tracking. 
• The new generation of wearable makers is moving away from the price war and razor-thin margin strategies. NeoSapien’s starting device is priced at Rs 9,999, while Ultrahuman’s sleep tracking AIR ring is priced upwards of Rs 28,499. InnerGize’s Generation 1 device is priced at Rs 12,400, and 7 Ring is offered at Rs 7,000, before any early-bird offers.

Startup

Modernising Indian spices

With rising health consciousness, increasing urbanisation, and growing digital access, Indian households are now demanding clean-label and standardised spice products. At the forefront of this transition is Raipur-based startup ZOFF Foods, which is redefining how Indian spices are packaged and consumed.

Make it spicy:

• Founded in 2015 by Akash Agrawalla and his brother Ashish Agrawalla, ZOFF started with a limited range of blended spices and has since expanded to over 75 products and 150 SKUs across pure, blended, whole spices, and seasoning mixes.
• The startup has partnered with online platforms like Amazon Fresh, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, Flipkart Minutes, and Flipkart Grocery. Besides its strong online presence, the products are available in over 10,000 retail outlets across India.
• ZOFF is now preparing to take Indian spices global, with the US as its first international market. The brand is hiring leaders with international experience to navigate compliance, consumer preferences, and storytelling for global audiences.

News & updates

• Data centre: Amazon will invest $12.97 billion from 2025 to 2029 to expand, operate, and maintain its data centre infrastructure in Australia, bolstering the nation's AI capabilities. The investment is Amazon's largest global technology commitment in Australia, with funding directed toward new server capacity and support for generative AI workloads.
• News: BBC is examining plans that would lead to American consumers paying to access its journalism, as the broadcaster looks to the US to boost its fragile finances. The corporation, which is facing fierce competition from streamers and falling licence fee income, has been targeting US audiences as it attempts to increase its commercial revenues outside the UK.
• Chips: Taiwan has added China's Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp to its export control list. Inclusion on the economy ministry's trade administration's strategic high-tech commodities entity list means Taiwanese companies will need government approval before exporting any products to the companies.

What you should watch out for

• Globally, investors will focus on the policy meetings of central banks—the FOMC, Bank of Japan, and Bank of England—scheduled this week. 
• Yoga enthusiasts will celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, with the main event being held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Which researcher corrected Einstein's theory of a static universe?

Answer: Edwin Hubble.

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