From Myntra's Quick Commerce Leap to OpenAI's Browser Plans: Top Industry Updates You Can't Miss!
1) Myntra Enters Quick Commerce Race with 'M-Now' for Superfast Deliveries in Bengaluru. Myntra, a leading online fashion platform owned by Flipkart, has launched its pilot quick delivery service, 'M-Now', in select areas of Bengaluru. The service promises to deliver products within 30 minutes to 2 hours, setting a new benchmark in delivery speed.
Building on the success of its existing M-Express feature (24-48 hour delivery), M-Now aims to enhance customer convenience and experience. The service currently includes top brands like Mochi, Wrangler, Metro, Being Human, and Lavie.
The quick commerce trend, traditionally led by grocery platforms, is now being reshaped by ecommerce giants like Myntra and Nykaa. With consumers increasingly combining apparel, accessories, and personal care purchases with grocery orders, platforms are racing to innovate and meet faster delivery demands.
Myntra's M-Now is still in its experimental phase but could expand further based on pilot insights. As competition heats up, Myntra and others are redefining delivery timelines to retain customer loyalty and stay ahead in the market.
2) OpenAI Takes on Google with Plans for In-House Browser and SearchGPT Expansion. OpenAI is planning to launch its own web browser, entering direct competition with Google Chrome. Following the recent debut of its SearchGPT search engine, the browser will integrate OpenAI's AI chatbot to provide refined, intelligent search results. Reports suggest the company has previewed its prototype with partners like Conde Nast, Redfin, and Priceline.
This move comes at a critical time as Google faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has proposed significant changes to Google's dominance, including the potential sale of Chrome. With Chrome holding over 50% of the U.S. browser market and Google commanding 90% of online searches, OpenAI sees an opportunity to disrupt the industry.
The SearchGPT feature, available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, offers real-time, accurate answers with source links, blending natural language interaction with timely updates like sports scores and stock quotes. OpenAI plans to expand SearchGPT to free users soon, further enhancing its offerings and challenging Google's dominance.
3) Chess Prodigy D Gukesh Becomes RBL Bank's Brand Ambassador. RBL Bank has appointed Indian chess sensation Gukesh D, the youngest-ever contender for the World Chess Championship, as its brand ambassador. Gukesh is also the third youngest grandmaster to achieve a 2700 rating, showcasing his strategic brilliance in the chess world.
The partnership reflects RBL Bank’s focus on strategic financial planning, drawing parallels between Gukesh’s forward-thinking chess moves and the bank’s commitment to helping customers achieve their financial goals.
R Subramaniakumar, MD & CEO of RBL Bank, stated, “In life, as in chess, every move counts. Gukesh’s ability to think ahead mirrors our thoughtful approach to financial planning.”
Gukesh expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting RBL Bank's innovative and precise financial strategies as akin to winning moves in chess.
This partnership emphasizes strategic excellence, aligning Gukesh’s inspiring journey with the bank’s vision to guide customers towards financial success.
4) Elon Musk's X Tops News App Charts in India Amid Global Shifts in Social Media. X, formerly known as Twitter, has claimed the number one spot as the top news app on the App Store in India, as announced by Elon Musk. Sharing the milestone on X, Musk celebrated the platform's growing influence in the country, home to over 25 million users.
The announcement was also accompanied by a new feature update allowing users to rewind live videos on X, enhancing the platform's user experience.
Global recognition followed, with X being crowned the top news app in countries like Australia, Germany, and Brazil. Fans of the platform praised its ability to break news first and offer an alternative to traditional media.
However, challenges remain for X globally. Following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, X experienced its largest user drop since Musk's acquisition in 2022, with over 115,000 users in the U.S. deactivating their accounts. Many migrated to Bluesky, which saw its user base double to 15 million after gaining 1 million sign-ups in just a week.
This milestone cements X's position as a leading news and social media platform, while competition among alternatives continues to grow globally.