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• Weekly News Digest: Apple Online Store, XBOX Series X Pre-order & More [25th September]

Welcome to the weekly news digest! Every Friday, we bring the top news stories from the world of e-commerce. Last week, we reported on the launch of new Apple products in the Time Flies event. We also reported on the new and innovative delivery methods being tried by online retailers to ensure safe and fast delivery in the last edition.

Here is a round-up of this week's headline from the launch of Apple online store to the ongoing tussle between Google and Paytm. Jio also launched its new Postpaid plans this week with a plethora of benefits. So let us take a look at the top headlines of the week. 

1. JioMart Now Available through MyJio App

Jio has included JioMart in the MyJio app. Now, Jio users can order groceries from the MyJio app itself. The feature is listed at the top of the app next to UPI. With this integration, MyJio app is a one-stop destination for all Jio services. 

JioMart has a presence in over 200 locations. It is offering free delivery with no minimum order value. All the products are available at least 5% below the MRP. JioMart rolled out to limited cities in January and then expanded its services in May. It was initially available via Whatsapp. The JioMart app was launched in July for Android and iOS platforms. With JioMart customers can order fruits and vegetables, dairy items, groceries, personal care products etc. 

2. Flipkart Allows Paytm at Check out

Flipkart has started integrating Paytm’s e-wallet on its platform. Now, you can pay for your order on Flipkart using Paytm wallet. Flipkart is on-boarding Paytm to reduce cash-on-delivery orders. Paytm is a popular e-wallet in non-metro markets. 

Select users can already see checkout via Paytm option on Flipkart. The payment option is rolling out for select users and is expected to become available for all users soon. Flipkart is expected to complete the launch before Diwali sale. Paytm competes with Flipkart's payment unit PhonePe in e-wallet and UPI payments. It is a welcome move as large retailers only integrate their own e-wallets. 

3. Jio Postpaid Plus Launched with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar

Reliance Jio has announced new services and plans for postpaid users. The company has launched five new postpaid plans with offers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, data rollover, family plan, free international roaming among others. Jio Postpaid Plus plans are available at Rs. 399, Rs. 599, Rs. 799, Rs. 999, and Rs. 1,499. Customers can pay an additional Rs 250 per month and get another SIM card with similar benefits with the JioPostpaid Plus family plan. This is the first-ever plan in India to offer customers in-flight connectivity.

Existing postpaid users of Jio can get a Postpaid Plus SIM delivered at home by visiting jio.com/postpaid or by calling on 180088998899. Reliance Jio prepaid users can also follow the same procedure. 

Plan	Voice	Data	Data rollover
Rs 399	Unlimited	75 GB	up to 200 GB
Rs 599	Unlimited	100 GB	up to 200 GB
Rs 799	Unlimited	150 GB	up to 200 GB
Rs 999	Unlimited	200 GB	up to 500 GB
Rs 1,499	Unlimited	300 GB	up to 500 GB

To order Jio Postpaid Plus SIM Online Click here

4. Vi Launches New Prepaid Plans with Free One-year Zee5 Premium Subscription

Vi (Vodafone Idea) has launched five new prepaid plans bundled with one year Zee5 Premium subscription. The prepaid plans start from Rs. 355 and go up to Rs. 2,595. The 355 plan comes without any talk time while all the remaining plans offer unlimited voice calling. Subscribers can recharge with any of the plans to avail this offer. 

You can use the subscription on any device via Zee5 website and mobile app. Users will receive a confirmation SMS with an activation link shortly after recharge. With the activation link, users have to claim the Zee5 membership at no cost. This process will need to be completed within 28 days of receiving the SMS.

For More Details on Vi Zee5 Recharge plans click here

5. Amazon India Launches its Shopping Experience in Four New Languages

Amazon India has added support for four new languages (Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu) ahead of the festive season. Customers can read product descriptions, manage their account, place order, and view order history in the language of their preference. 

Amazon launched support for Hindi in 2018. It has become a preferred language for customers across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh. Customers can also speak to Amazon customer service executives in five Indian languages including English, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil.

Amazon customers can select a preferred language in a few simple steps across android and iOS apps, mobile and desktop sites. 

It is a way to make online shopping accessible to all customers.

6. Amazon Launches Cricket T-20 Experience Store

Amazon has launched a specially curated cricket T-20 experience store to celebrate the ongoing cricket season. Amazon is offering up to 45 per cent off on large-screen, 4K or LED TVs, projectors, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. All the products on discounts help enhance your viewing experience. 

Cricket enthusiasts can grab up to 50% off on protective gear, clothing, cricket bats, bowling machines, kit bags, and clothing from leading brands such as Puma, New Balance, Kookaburra, and New Balance among others. You can also buy sports jerseys and t-shirts to cheer for their favourite team. 

To check the offers click here

7. Microsoft XBOX Series X, Series S pre-order begins in India

Microsoft has made its XBOX Series X and Series S available in India for pre-orders on Amazon and Flipkart. XBOX Series X is priced at Rs. 49,990; While series S costs Rs. 34,990. The XBOX series X comes in black colour option with 1 TB storage. The Series S is available in white colour for 512GB storage variant. The gaming consoles are expected to start shipping in November. 

The Xbox Series S is a digital-only version that can run over Full HD resolution. And Xbox Series X can run supported games at 4K resolution with up to 120fps.

Amazon is offering discounts as well as no-cost EMI option for 6 months. Flipkart is offering no-cost EMI of up to 9 months and instant discount. 

To pre-order on Amazon click here

8. Apple Online Store Launches in India

​Apple online store is now live in India. Customers can buy iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and more devices directly from the Apple Store online. As part of its services Apple Online store will provide direct customer support, trade-ins or exchange offers for used smartphones and iPhones, student discounts, contactless delivery and more. 

Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook had said the company will launch its online store in India soon, while its first physical retail store in the country will open in 2021.

With the launch, customers can interact with specialists available to help with services such as custom-configuring Mac to setting up a new device. Apple is offering student discounts on Macs, iPad models, and accessories. These discounts are for university students, their parents, as well as lecturers and staff.  

Apple is offering up to Rs. 10,000 cashback on HDFC Bank Credit Cards till 16th October 2020. 

To know more Apple Online Store India Click Here

9. Paytm vs Google: Why Google Removed Paytm From Play Store?

Paytm app was removed by Google from the Play store earlier this week for a few hours. Google blamed Paytm for violating Play store policies. As per Paytm, the launch of ‘Paytm Cricket League’ was the root cause which triggered Google to remove it from Play store. Further, Paytm claims that Google is doing a similar campaign through Tez Shots on Google Pay in India. 

Google made a statement saying Paytm’s promotion of its fantasy gaming app Paytm First Games was a clear breach of its Play store policies. Paytm also points out that Google had raised an issue of breach of policy before as well when Paytm advertised its own subsidiary, Paytm Games, on the app. 

The tussle between Google and Paytm has put the focus back on India’s competition laws pertaining to digital markets. 

While Google maintains its stand that it doesn't allow online casinos or any unregulated gambling apps, Paytm said the real issue was a sticker cashback scheme. It withdrew the promotion and was back on the Play Store after a few hours. 

 

10. Get Ready For Mega Festive Sales with Amazon, Flipkart, and Jio 

Online sales are expected to almost double in the upcoming festive season. Amazon hosts ist Great Indian Festival sale While Flipkart holds Big Billion Days. Customers are preferring to shop online, it is considered to be convenient, safe, and hygienic. Usually, the battle is between Amazon and Flipkart.

But this time Mukesh Ambani is all set to challenge the two through JioMart. While the dates for festive sales are yet to be announced, the preparations are already in full swing. Flipkart has launched Wholesale service to onboard more sellers and Kiryanas while Amazon has come with new fulfilment centres. 

11. Upcoming Smartphone Flash Sales in India

Mobile Phone	Price	Sale Date	Website
Poco X3	Rs. 16,999 Onwards	29th Sep, 12 PM	Flipkart
Moto E7 Plus	Rs. 9,499	30th Sep, 12 PM	Flipkart
OnePlus Nord	Rs. 24,999 Onwards	28th Sep, 2 PM	Amazon
Redmi 9 Prime	Rs. 9,999 Onwards	25th Sep, 12 PM	Amazon

 

These were some of the latest happenings of the week from around the web. The biggest highlight of the week is the launch of Apple online store in India. With the launch, the experience of using Apple products is all set to change for customers in India. 

The tussle between Paytm and Google also was a key highlight of the week, as Paytm app disappeared from the Google Play store for a few hours. 

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