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Facebook Launches BARS For Creating Raps To Counter TikTok’s Growing Popularity

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Facebook Launches BARS For Creating Raps To Counter TikTok’s Growing Popularity

Facebook is leaving no stone unturned to tackle the surging popularity of the Chinese video making app TikTok.  As part of its redoubled efforts Facebook is launching a new app named BARS which could be used to create and share raps.  The core idea behind the app is rappers could focus on creating content without having to worry about investing heavily in production and equipment.

Facebook said, “Audio production tools can be complicated, expensive and difficult to use. With BARS, you can select one of our professionally-created beats, write lyrics and record yourself dropping bars (sic.)”  The company also added, “BARS auto-suggests rhymes as you’re writing to keep your flow going.  You can also jump into Challenge mode and freestyle with auto-suggested word cues.  Choose from a variety of audio and visual filters to take your creations to the next level (sic.)” 

The app is now available in the Apple App Store in the United States of America.  The invites for using BARS would be sent out in batches beginning in the USA and then expanded worldwide.  

This would be the second app which Facebook is launching to counter TikTok’s growing popularity.  Instagram Reels was the latest offering from the photo sharing platform Instagram (owned by Facebook) and was launched as a replacement for the video sharing application TikTok.  TikTok was enjoying an unrivalled popularity in India as it became a means to keep boredom at bay during the nationwide lockdown which was imposed in light of the COVID-19 virus. However, the Indian government announced that it would ban 59 Chinese applications in which TikTok was one, along with WeChat, Helo, Cam Scanner and many others.  This left a sudden void in video making applications, and Instagram realised the need for urgency to capitalize on this void.  Therefore, Instagram immediately pushed their latest feature Instagram Reels which lets its users create 15 second videos with music from Instagram’s database.  These videos look very similar to the ones made on TikTok and has gained a lot of popularity in India where Tik Tok continues to be banned.

ALSO READ: 4 Things To Know About Instagram Reels

Google also took advantage of the Indian Government’s ban of the viral application TikTok.  Google introduced a new feature on YouTube called YouTube Shorts.  The feature for all intents and purposes mimics the same features TikTok used to provide.  The new feature mimics many of TikTok’s most popular features, allowing users to make and post 15 second videos with built in creative tools encouraging them to add licensed music and more.

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Blissclub Raises INR 33 Crore in Fresh Funding Months After Layoffs

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Blissclub, the women-centric D2C apparel brand, has raised INR 33 crore in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Elevation Capital, with Eight Roads Ventures also participating. This funding comes just three months after the company laid off 18% of its workforce-about 21 employees from creative, sales, marketing, growth, and product teams-due to high cash burn and challenges in securing new capital.

The latest investment was made through the allotment of 16,076 compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) at a premium of INR 20,428 each. Elevation Capital invested INR 19 crore, securing a 24.5% stake, while Eight Roads Ventures contributed INR 14 crore, raising its stake to 15.79%. The capital will be used for working capital, capital expenditure, and general corporate purposes.

Founded in 2020 by Minu Margeret, Blissclub started as an online activewear brand for women and has since diversified its product range and established offline stores. Despite recent restructuring, the company’s revenue grew 27% to INR 86.9 crore in FY24 from INR 68.3 crore in FY23, though net losses also increased to INR 43.9 crore.

Blissclub’s successful fundraising, despite recent layoffs, underscores both the ongoing challenges and the resilience of India’s D2C startup sector in a difficult funding environment.

 

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Apple to Shift Entire US iPhone Assembly to India by 2026

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Apple is set to relocate all assembly of iPhones destined for the US market from China to India by the end of 2026, marking its biggest manufacturing shift in decades. The move is driven by escalating US-China trade tensions and steep tariffs—up to 145% on Chinese imports—making Chinese assembly increasingly costly for Apple. Although some smartphone imports are temporarily exempt, a 20% duty still applies to Chinese-made iPhones entering the US.

 

India, in contrast, offers a more favorable trade environment, with a paused 26% reciprocal tariff and ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal with the US that could shield Indian exports from future levies. Apple plans to more than double its current iPhone output in India, aiming to assemble over 60 million units annually for the US market. The company already produces about 25% of its global iPhones in India, working with partners like Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron.

 

This shift is part of Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China amid geopolitical risks. However, the transition’s success will depend on how quickly India can scale up its manufacturing capabilities and the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations.


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PhonePe’s PINCODE Launches 10-Minute Medicine Delivery in Cities

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PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.

Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.

PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.

In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.

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