Zomato, the food delivery giant, has launched a dedicated app for its going-out business on Apple’s iOS platform. The Gurgaon-based company is positioning this app, called District, as its third major consumer vertical, following food delivery and quick commerce.

A New Avenue for Zomato’s Going-Out Business

The District app aims to integrate various services under one platform, including dining, movies, sports ticketing, live events, shopping, and staycations. This marks a significant shift in Zomato’s strategy to broaden its consumer offerings. The app is designed to cater to customers who enjoy leisure activities, providing a seamless booking experience for dining out, entertainment, and more.

Vision Behind the Launch

Announcing the launch on social media, Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal stated, “The District app showcases Zomato’s evolution beyond food delivery and quick commerce, creating a one-stop solution for all going-out needs.” This reflects Zomato’s ambition to diversify its services and enhance user engagement through integrated solutions.

Strategic Acquisition of Paytm’s Ticketing Business

In preparation for this move, Zomato acquired Paytm’s events and ticketing business for ₹2,048 crore in August 2024. This acquisition enables Zomato to establish a stronger foothold in the events and ticketing sector, which is crucial for the functionality of the District app.

Transition to District

Goyal had previously mentioned in a letter to shareholders that the company was focused on transitioning its going-out services from the Zomato and Paytm platforms to the District app. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth migration process for customers.

Financial Performance

Zomato reported strong financial results for Q2 FY25, with consolidated revenue from operations reaching ₹4,799 crore, compared to ₹2,848 crore during the same period last year. Total expenses for the quarter stood at ₹4,783 crore, up from ₹3,039 crore a year ago. This robust performance provides a solid foundation for launching new initiatives like District.

Stock Market Impact

Zomato’s shares reflected investor confidence, closing at ₹269.60 on November 14, up 4.27% from the previous day’s closing of ₹258.55. The positive market reaction indicates strong investor sentiment towards Zomato’s growth strategies.

Conclusion

The launch of the District app underscores Zomato’s ambition to diversify its business and dominate the leisure and entertainment sector. By integrating multiple going-out services into a single platform, Zomato aims to enhance customer convenience while tapping into a growing market.

Future Outlook

As Zomato continues to innovate and expand its service offerings through District, it will likely attract a broader audience seeking comprehensive solutions for their leisure activities. The company’s strategic focus on enhancing user experience positions it well in an increasingly competitive landscape where convenience and integration are key drivers of consumer preference.

By leveraging its existing customer base and technological infrastructure, Zomato is set to make significant strides in the going-out segment, potentially establishing it as one of its largest B2C businesses alongside food delivery and quick commerce.

Google is testing a new feature called “Shielded Email” aimed at helping users mask their primary email addresses with temporary aliases to keep spam at bay. This innovative tool could enhance privacy and reduce unwanted messages in users’ inboxes.

What is Shielded Email?

According to a report by Android Authority, the Shielded Email feature was uncovered during an APK teardown of Google Play Services version 24.45.33. The analysis revealed that Shielded Email would allow users to create limited-time or single-use email aliases. These aliases would automatically forward incoming messages to the user’s primary Gmail account.

Discovery and Current Status

The feature was spotted under the ‘Autofill with Google’ menu in the Google section of Android’s Settings app. However, accessing it led to an empty page, indicating that the functionality is still under development. This suggests that while the feature is promising, it may not be available for general use just yet.

How Does It Work?

Temporary email addresses offer users a layer of privacy, especially when signing up for online services that may lead to spam or data leaks. While third-party services like TempMail already provide similar functionality, Google’s integration through its autofill feature could make the process seamless across Android devices and applications.

Functionality Overview

• Users will be able to generate temporary email addresses for specific purposes, such as signing up for newsletters or online services.
• All emails sent to these temporary addresses will be forwarded to the user’s main Gmail inbox.
• Users can easily manage these aliases, including turning off forwarding if they start receiving too much spam.

It remains unclear whether Shielded Email aliases will use the @gmail.com domain or randomly generated ones. If Google opts for @gmail.com aliases, it may make it harder for companies to differentiate between real and temporary emails, offering users a significant privacy advantage.

Potential Benefits

Shielded Email could be a game-changer for privacy-conscious users. The feature might allow them to:

• Prevent spam and unwanted emails from cluttering their inboxes.
• Avoid sharing personal email addresses with untrusted websites or apps.
• Simplify the process of managing temporary emails without relying on third-party tools.

Enhanced Privacy and Security

By using temporary email addresses, users can shield their primary email from potential data breaches and online tracking. If a user suspects that their temporary email has been compromised or is receiving excessive spam, they can easily delete it without affecting their primary email account.

Current Status and Expectations

Though still in the early stages, Shielded Email holds promise for improving email privacy and reducing spam. Users are awaiting more details about its implementation and whether it will extend to all Gmail users or remain exclusive to certain services.

Integration with Google Services

Google’s autofill service, already widely used across Android devices and apps, could make Shielded Email a convenient and widely accessible solution for managing online privacy. As development continues, the feature may become a valuable tool in Google’s arsenal against spam.

Conclusion

The introduction of Shielded Email represents Google’s proactive approach to enhancing user privacy in an era where spam and data breaches are prevalent concerns. By allowing users to generate temporary email addresses seamlessly integrated into their existing Gmail accounts, Google aims to provide a robust solution for managing online interactions while safeguarding personal information.

As more details emerge regarding this feature’s rollout and functionality, it will be interesting to see how users adapt it into their daily digital lives and how it impacts overall email management practices in the long run.

EaseMyTrip, a leading travel booking platform, has announced its entry into the international study tourism segment through the acquisition of a 49% stake in Planet Education Australia Pty Ltd. This acquisition aims to combine EaseMyTrip’s extensive customer base, B2B agent network, and technological capabilities with Planet Education’s robust global education network.

Expanding Horizons in Education and Travel

Headquartered in Sydney, Planet Education operates across 25 global offices and collaborates with over 350 universities worldwide. The partnership positions EaseMyTrip to offer integrated travel and education solutions, catering to students pursuing higher education in countries such as the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and Ireland.

Strategic Importance of the Acquisition

Nishant Pitti, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, emphasized the growing demand for international education. He stated, “Every year, lakhs of students seek higher education opportunities abroad. Our acquisition of Planet Education marks a strategic move into the thriving study tourism sector. This will allow us to deliver a seamless, end-to-end experience that blends education services with travel solutions.”

Simplifying the Student Journey

The collaboration aims to streamline processes such as visa applications and documentation for students, making international education more accessible and hassle-free. By leveraging Planet Education’s expertise, EaseMyTrip plans to enhance its service offerings, bridging the gap between education and travel for its customers.

Comprehensive Services Offered

Planet Education specializes in providing end-to-end study abroad solutions, including:

• Expert counseling

• University placements

• Visa assistance

• Pre-departure briefings

This comprehensive approach ensures that students receive support at every stage of their educational journey.

Commitment to Innovation and Diversification

This strategic acquisition underscores EaseMyTrip’s commitment to innovation and diversification, opening new avenues in the global education and travel markets. By integrating educational services with its existing travel offerings, EaseMyTrip aims to create a unique value proposition for students looking to study abroad.

Market Trends

The study tourism market has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing numbers of students pursuing higher education overseas. With rising competition among educational institutions globally, platforms that provide integrated solutions are becoming increasingly valuable.

Future Growth Potential

With this acquisition, EaseMyTrip is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of study tourism. The company plans to further enhance its offerings by developing partnerships with additional educational institutions and expanding its reach within the study abroad segment.

Enhancing Customer Experience

EaseMyTrip’s focus on customer experience will be critical as it integrates these new services. By providing a streamlined process for students—from application to arrival—EaseMyTrip aims to differentiate itself in a competitive market.

Conclusion

The acquisition of a 49% stake in Planet Education Australia marks a significant milestone for EaseMyTrip as it ventures into the study tourism sector. This strategic move not only enhances the company’s service offerings but also positions it as a key player in the rapidly growing market for international education.

As EaseMyTrip continues to innovate and expand its portfolio, it is set to provide valuable support to students pursuing their academic dreams abroad while reinforcing its leadership in the travel industry. The integration of educational services with travel solutions represents a forward-thinking approach that meets the evolving needs of today’s students.