Are Finfluencers Done For?

Back in June, we kicked off our weekly podcast Techtonic Shift with an episode about (the lack of) smartphone innovation.  In the months since, hosts Roshni Nair and Rajneil Kamath have scratched their heads, rubbed their chins, debated and bantered about current technological booms and busts that will determine life in the future. AI is a no-brainer, yes, but sweeping changes have also taken place in the realms of dating tech, social media, manufacturing, space tech and ride-hailing.  As we come to the season finale, we tie a neat bow on the year up until the festive season. Stay tuned, we'll brb with Season 2!

Since the first portable camera was invented in 1816, it’s been used as a tool to chronicle and preserve memories. But AI cameras are about to change the very essence of photography. The latest tech on the Google Pixel 8 series now allows you to enhance photos with the help of AI like never before. Think: editing backgrounds and superimposing different facial expressions that will help you achieve the near impossible—a group photo where everyone is smiling or has their eyes open. In short, what an AI camera promises is perfection. But is it really capturing a moment that happened, or creating a perfect memory? In this episode of Techtonic Shift, hosts Roshni and Rajneil talk about the philosophical conundrums around AI cameras. Tune in!

The future of technology was supposed to be the metaverse—a massive virtual world that mimics real life. A world where augmented reality and virtual reality converge. But the initial hoopla has given way to disenchantment. Companies that had lofty ambitions for the metaverse are now scrambling away from it. Which begs the question: what is next for the metaverse? Tune in to the latest episode of TechTonic Shift to find out!

Circa 2021, crypto was the next big thing. Cut to 2022, crypto was the next big bust. To say that cryptocurrencies have lost their lustre would be an understatement. As the industry grapples with the FTX fallout and numerous regulatory issues with several other crypto exchanges, most people are approaching speculative digital assets with increasing scepticism. Is there a future for crypto at all, or was it just a shortlived pipe dream? Find out with Rajneil and Roshni in this episode of Techtonic Shift. References: The Metaverse Is Quickly Turning Into the Meh-taverse We’re asking the wrong questions about stablecoins

Meta, which paved the way for ad-driven social media, is now planning to charge European users $14-17 for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram. But Meta isn’t alone. Even TikTok is reportedly piloting ad-free subscriptions. Snap and X have tried their hand at various subscription-driven revenue streams over time. Is ad-free social media the future? And if so, would you pay for it? We discuss all this and more in this episode of TechTonic Shift!

In 2013, Uber’s launch in India turned out to be a game changer when it comes to the ride-hailing experience. Cut to 2023, it’s a new entrant, BluSmart, that is hoping to shake up the business of app-based cab services with its fleet of electric taxis. As India transitions towards green energy and electric cars, what will EV cab aggregators—of which there are several now—bring to the table? Tune in to a new episode of TechTonic Shift with hosts Rajneil and Roshni to find out! References: The Dark Side Of 'Green' Cab Hailing App BluSmart

Self-driving cars have been a longtime fascination for automakers who want to eliminate "human error" from driving. Many years and a lot of investment later, we are still not close to Level 5 or Complete Automation. But the bigger question is: do we really need fully autonomous vehicles? In this episode of TechTonic Shift, we talk about the numerous safety issues around autopilot deployment. Tune in!

For the first time ever, iPhones assembled in India are going on sale the same day as their global launch. Excitement aside, the ‘Made-in-India’ tag did nothing to bring down iPhone prices in the country. In fact, the iPhone 15 lineup is much more expensive in India compared to the US and Dubai. When will Indian customers benefit from Apple’s China Plus One strategy? In this episode, co-hosts Rajneil and Roshni also unpack Tim Cook’s India ambitions, the roadblocks and Apple’s grand eco-friendly promises. Tune in!

Since the pandemic, financial influencers, or ‘finfluencers’, have become all the rage among the younger generation.  At the same time, their surging appeal has raised concerns regarding the possible dangers posed by unregulated financial influencers who provide biased or deceptive financial guidance. Recently, the SEBI has proposed some regulations to curb finfluencers. Will it dampen the business of finfluencers? Tune in to this episode of TechTonic Shift! References: Sebi lights a finfluencer fire Why ‘Finfluencers’ Will Always Find Addicts

India is creating ripples in the space race. Its latest lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, is the first to make it to the unexplored lunar south pole. What’s also generating a lot of curiosity is how the country’s space agency, ISRO, pulled off the mission on a shoe-string budget. India now has at least 140 registered space-tech startups. Can the country become a space tech superpower? Tune in to the latest episode of TechTonic Shift to find out. References How India Pulled Off Its Frugal Moon Landing  Making space for India  The Surprising Striver in the World’s Space Business  Ready for lift-off: Why India's space tech ecosystem will require more govt interventions  Next China: Space Success  Asia’s space race: China leads India on strategy The Surprising Striver in the World’s Space Business