The Tech Panda takes a look at recent tech launches

Esah Tea, a leading direct-to-consumer (D2C) tea brand from Assam, launched the world's first microplastic-free cotton tea bags.

Esah Tea, a leading direct-to-consumer (D2C) tea brand from Assam, has launched the world’s first microplastic-free cotton tea bags. The launch comes in response to alarming findings from McGill University researchers, which revealed that conventional plastic tea bags release an astounding 11.9 billion harmful microplastic particles per cup.

Bijit Sarma, Founder and CEO of Esah Tea, stated, “At Esah Tea, we’ve always viewed ourselves as more than just purveyors of fine tea; we’re custodians of a centuries-old rich tea heritage. The introduction of our microplastic-free cotton tea bags is not merely a product launch—it’s a paradigm shift in how we approach tea production and consumption. We’re addressing a critical health and environmental issue while simultaneously elevating the tea-drinking experience. This launch notably exemplifies our belief that exceptional quality, responsible production, and environmental stewardship can and must coexist in perfect harmony. I am extremely thankful to our R&D team whose day and night efforts have brought our toxin-free tea bags to fruition. We invite conscious consumers to sip responsibly and sustainably with Esah Tea.”

The urgency of Esah Tea’s innovation becomes clear when considering the far-reaching implications of microplastic consumption. These minuscule particles, when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, pose significant health risks. Scientific studies have indicated that microplastics can potentially cause cellular damage. In addition, regular exposure to microplastics has been linked to immune system disruption, neurotoxicity, reproductive issues, and even carcinogenic effects.

In a bid to provide authentic data and unparalleled insights into the nation’s esports industry, AFK Gaming has launched ‘AFK Gaming Insights’, India’s first-ever premium analytics dashboard, which offers real-time data and analytics to help users, brands and other stakeholders make informed decisions and stay ahead in the esports landscape of the country.

Nishant Patel, Co-founder and CEO of AFK Gaming stated, “AFK Gaming Insights is a product built to address a critical market need. In the absence of reliable data to aid their decision-making, key stakeholders in the Indian gaming, esports, and youth culture industries have been struggling to make informed decisions. With this launch, we hope to empower tournament organizers, brand managers, team owners and industry observers with a single source of truth that they can turn to for industry knowledge and information that will drive the sector’s growth as a whole.”

According to a report by Niko Partners, India is the fastest-growing gaming market, with over 450 million gamers and more than USD 830 million revenue generated in 2023. This expansive market requires a platform that enables stakeholders and brands to access insights on the go and use these metrics for their engagement and campaigns.

To address this, AFK Gaming Insights, which will be available exclusively to annual subscribers, has been devised to cater to a diverse spectrum of users. For newcomers, the dashboard serves as an entry point, providing information that helps them understand trends, player performances and tournament dynamics.

Affinidi, a Singapore-based data and identity management company, has launched the Affinidi Iota Framework built on open standards at the WeAreDevelopers World Congress. This innovative framework establishes a new way for individuals to share data by prioritising explicit consent, empowering individuals to selectively share specific data points with a clear understanding of their intended use.

“In a new world where individuals can control their identity and data, we must redefine how information is shared. The Affinidi Iota Framework represents a major step forward in safeguarding privacy and consent by shifting information processing to the individual’s personal data vault. Gone are the days of trusting third parties with sensitive documents like pay slips and bank statements just to open a bank account,” said Glenn Gore, Chief Executive Officer of Affinidi.

In the traditional digital landscape, individuals often share sensitive data with third parties without transparency or control, leaving their data vulnerable to misuse, unauthorised access, and data breaches. A Twilio report shows that 60% of Asia Pacific consumers demand consent and communication on data use, while a PwC study reveals a trust gap, with only 30% of consumers trusting businesses. Existing solutions exacerbate these issues by collecting vast amounts of individuals’ data (essential/non-essential) and transferring it to back-end databases, burdening developers with managing large volumes of data and associated risks.

Affinidi’s Iota Framework disrupts this outdated model, pioneering a new era of data privacy and security.

Zeeve, a provider of managed blockchain infrastructure as a service, has upgraded its Hyperledger Besu offerings. The enhancement includes a fully configurable, topologically adaptable, one-click deployment feature for permissioned Besu networks, complete with managed infrastructure and additional options for enterprise integrations. This update enables teams to input their requirements and launch their custom-configured network within 30 minutes from scratch.

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