T3 India February 2026

HARMAN KARDON SOUNDSTICKS 5 Great audio is a delight for your ears, but shouldn’t it be easy on the eyes too? That’s the kind of experience offered up by the Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5. Originally conceived by legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, SoundSticks are an instantly recognisable sight wherever they appear. They’ve just been updated to their fifth iteration, and that brings improved audio with new tweeters in each satellite speaker, which Harman Kardon says creates an ‘enhanced’ three-way acoustic design. There’s also a new ambient lighting system that can adopt any static colour or one of five nature-themed presets, from Ocean to Sunrise, for a visual light show that sets the scene for your music. The way you use the device has also been modernised, with touch-sensitive controls installed…

I recently caught up on that multi city AI film festival run by a group of late-teens (Indianorigin, something called Localhost HQ), and it made me reflect. I’ve always been a purist. Having worked in the Hindi film industry, I see filmmaking as deeply personal, laboured, emotional, and craft-heavy at every step. AI and prompts initially felt mass-produced and soulless. But after reading more and following those teens’ journey, I’ve softened. I’m not fully converted, but I now accept it completely. This is genuinely new cinema. It’s like smartphone photography today: with a telephoto lens and AI, anyone can become a wildlife photographer overnight. What phones did to still images, versus film, is a different league, just much faster. I now believe we must embrace and learn this style. Both…

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOLAB 90 $211,800, (₹20Lacs) bang-olufsen.com Designed as a no-compromise loudspeaker, the Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 90 is the very top of the luxury audio market that combines cutting-edge acoustic engineering with the brand’s signature industrial design. This is not a conventional speaker aimed at mass audiophiles but a statement product built for large, high-end living spaces and dedicated listening rooms. The BeoLab 90 stands out with its sculptural, multi-faceted cabinet. Bang & Olufsen uses Beam Width Control to switch between narrow, focused listening and wide room-filling sound, while Beam Direction Control allows sound to be aimed precisely at the listener. An Active Room Compensation system measures the room and adjusts output accordingly, reducing the impact of reflections and placement limitations. The design is not just aesthetic. Each…

With a new turbo-petrol engine and twin-cylinder iCNG architecture, Tata’s smallest SUV delivers big-league engineering where it matters most. From segment first CNG AMT to a digitally loaded cabin and 5-star safety, the Punch evolves into a genuinely tech-forward urban machine. Exterior and Interior Design The refresh keeps the familiar Punch silhouette intact—no dramatic redesign here—but the focus is squarely on intelligent packaging rather than cosmetic flair. Inside, Tata shifts decisively toward a screen-first cabin that feels modern and purposeful. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system anchors the dash, offering wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, while a 7-inch digital instrument cluster provides clear readouts. The iRA connected car ecosystem brings remote commands, real-time diagnostics, geofencing, and driving analytics—features once reserved for premium cars. Practical touches include a 360-degree surround camera,…

HOKA MAFATE X HIKE The Mafate X Hike blends super shoe tech with rugged boot traits, featuring dual-density foam, a carbon-fibre plate, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole. With a neoprene collar for ankle support and builtin RECCO rescue reflectors, it’s built for long adventures. ₹26,000, www.hoka.com VIVOBAREFOOT MOTUS STUDIO MID LEATHER This barefoot-style mid-cut trainer has a Wild Hide leather upper that’s naturally water resistant. It has a waved-profile sole offering flexibility from yoga to dance. The lightweight build includes a leather footbed, and means it can deliver minimal drop, natural movement. ₹19,200, www.vivobarefoot.com DANNER N45 MID GTX The Danner N45 Mid GTX is a waterproof mid-height hiking boot with a rugged vibe. It features a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit lining, lightweight nylon/polyester upper, energy-returning EnduroFoam midsole, Megagrip Vibram outsole, and…

Strava’s latest update delivers Live Segments to Apple Watch for the first time, allowing runners to see banner alerts as they approach a segment, notifications during the segment, and immediate results when they finish. The refreshed Watch app features a cleaner interface, with larger tap zones, streamlined activity selection, and easier readability of pace, time, distance, and heart-rate metrics. Syncing has also been improved to be faster and more reliable. While the update is free for all users, subscribers gain access to additional features, including live pace comparisons, distance countdowns, and more detailed progress tracking. Strava’s acquisition of AI coach app The Breakaway earlier this year means cyclists who use a power meter can receive individualised insights to train smarter and perform stronger. “Apple Watch has become one of the…