The Tech Panda takes a look at recent tech launches.
Entertainment: GameOn Media Network, a Media Ecosystem for the Indian Sports Fan
Meraki Sport and Entertainment and Headshot Media launch GameOn Media Network, a media ecosystem for the Indian sports fan. GameOn is being built around the belief that the future of sports in India will not be defined solely by what happens on the pitch, but by everything that surrounds it. Where traditional media largely owns the minutes of play, GameOn Media aims to build for everything beyond it. An integrated ecosystem of creators, storytelling, culture, communities, commerce and fan engagement, for leagues, franchises, brands and sports properties to connect more meaningfully with modern sports audiences.
“Indian fandom is eclectic. It is loud, layered, deeply emotional, and lived every single day. From the moments of play to the conversations that carry on long after the result, sport is felt across every screen, every street, and every generation. GameOn is being built to bring fans closer to the sport they love.” — Toshan Patil, Co-Founder, Meraki Sport & Entertainment
FEATURES
GameOn unites content, creators, distribution, data and live experiences into one venture built for the everyday life of India’s sports fans, beyond the match.
Fintech: Fingerprint & Face ID Authentication for UPI, Enhancing Payment Security
POP, India’s UPI payments app tailored for Gen Z users, introduced biometric authentication to make payments safer. This update replaces the traditional 6-digit UPI PIN with fingerprint or Face ID verification for transactions up to Rs 5,000. The feature is fully available on Android devices and is being phased in on iOS.
“India addressed digital payments infrastructure long ago, with real-time settlement, interoperability, and merchant acceptance, the successes of UPI. The remaining challenge is the user experience. The UPI PIN, once essential, now causes friction thus accounting for one in a hundred payment failures due to PIN errors rather than fraud or connectivity issues. Biometric authentication, like fingerprint unlocking your phone, is faster and more secure than knowledge-based methods, and should unify payment authorization with phone unlocking,” said Bhargav Errangi, Founder of POP.
FEATURES
- Allows users to authorize transactions with a fingerprint or Face ID instead of a 6-digit PIN.
- The feature is live for all Android users and is being gradually rolled out on iOS.
- The biometric data is processed entirely on the device within the operating system’s secure enclave and is never transmitted to POP’s servers.
- The UPI PIN remains available as a fallback at all times, so users are never locked out if biometric authentication isn’t available.
- Supports Scan and Pay, peer-to-peer and peer-to-merchant transfers, and balance checks across all linked bank accounts.
- Users enable it through POP’s Scan and Pay flow or Everything UPI section with a single consent and biometric enrollment.
- Once set up, eligible transactions automatically default to biometric verification.
- The biometric authentication layer integrated into the payment flow is designed to support future features, such as biometric-gated mandates and consent flows for UPI Lite auto top-ups, which would not be feasible without it.
Gaming: BGMI: NAYE KHILADI Creating a New Grassroots Pathway for India’s Next Esports Stars
NODWIN Gaming, the South Asian gaming and esports company, in collaboration with KRAFTON India Esports, launched BGMI: NAYE KHILADI, a new Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) tournament built to spotlight the next generation of esports athletes and provide a pathway for emerging talent to enter the competitive ecosystem.
Gautam Virk, Co-Founder and CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said, “Indian esports has reached a stage where the next challenge is not just growing the audience, but discovering and nurturing the next generation of competitive talent. BGMI: NAYE KHILADI has been built with exactly that vision. We want to create a platform where aspiring players from every corner of the country can step forward, compete, and earn their opportunity to shine on a larger stage. The spirit of #AbTeriBaari is simple – every established champion was once an unknown player, and this tournament is designed to help uncover the next wave of stars for Indian esports.”
FEATURES
- Registrations open from June 15–21 for the open-for-all BGMI tournament featuring a prize pool of INR 10 lakhs and a chance for aspiring players to make their mark on the national stage
- Designed as a platform where new stories begin and new stars emerge, the tournament seeks to create meaningful opportunities for players who aspire to compete at the highest level.
- By lowering barriers to entry and enabling widespread participation, BGMI: NAYE KHILADI reinforces the shared commitment of NODWIN Gaming and KRAFTON India towards strengthening India’s esports ecosystem and expanding opportunities for future champions.
MedTech: Launch of New Diagnostic Laboratory in Prayagraj for Reliable, Accurate & Affordable Diagnostic Services Across the Region
Thyrocare Technologies Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Thyrocare” (NSE: THYROCARE, BSE: 539871), a healthcare diagnostics company in India to have achieved 100% NABL accreditation across all its laboratories, has set-up its new diagnostic laboratory in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in association with SecondMedic.
Rahul Guha, MD and CEO, Thyrocare, said, “At Thyrocare, we envision making trustworthy and state-of-the-art diagnostic services attainable for every Indian household. The rollout of our new facility indicates our persistent efforts for expanding our presence while mitigating diagnostic gaps through a patient-focused and technology-led approach.”
FEATURES
- The new laboratory is equipped with advanced testing infrastructure and supported by trained professionals, enabling timely and error-free diagnostic results.
- It caters to both specialised as well as routine testing requirements, offering support to ongoing and preventive healthcare needs.
