Tech News: February 2021

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Walmart poaches Goldman Sachs bankers for a new fintech startup

Omer Ismail, head of Goldman Sachs' consumer bank, and one of his top lieutenants David Stark will leave the investment bank for Walmart's fintech startup.

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Meet Deep Nostalgia, an AI-powered trend that adds life to still pictures

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Google may be making a foldable ‘Pixel’ smartphone, says report

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The Framework Laptop is a thin, light laptop with upgradeable parts

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OnePlus 9R could be the mid-range smartphone we all have been waiting for

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Microsoft may launch ‘The New Windows’ next month, says report

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How to use Twitter Bookmark to save tweets for later

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Facebook launches BARS, a feature-rich app for budding rappers

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How to buy a Samsung Galaxy smartphone in 2021: Your complete guide

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‘We want to give choice… target all types of users’: Microsoft India Surface head

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Realme CEO: ‘We lost a quarter… but still grew in 2020’

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India’s Reliance partners with Google, Facebook for digital payment network bid: Report

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One Koo at a time

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‘Getting at the truth requires hard work… but there is such a thing as the truth. It’s not just a matter of opinion, not about who has the biggest megaphone’

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To block or not to block: The to and fro meetings between IT Minister, Twitter

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Platforms with over 50 lakh users to be ‘significant social media intermediaries’

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Similar to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, founders of Devas plan to power 5G using satellite tech

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Saturday, February 27, 2021

Google Photos to soon end free unlimited storage: Check best alternatives

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5G phones in India: Check out all the 5G smartphones available under Rs 30,000

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Raegr Arc M1700 MagFix review: The wireless juice-up hub

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Google pledges $5 million to address disparities in Covid vaccinations

Google has already made a $100 million grant and 50,000 pro bono hour commitment to support Covid-19 relief.

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Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G vs Realme X7 5G: Price in India, design, specifications compared

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Facebook launches TikTok-like app for creating, sharing raps

The app makes it easy to create and share raps so that rappers can focus on and experiment with the content

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Robinhood to plan confidential IPO filing as soon as March

The company has held talks in the past week with underwriters about moving forward with a filing within weeks, said the people, who asked to not be identified because the matter isn’t public.

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SoftBank reaches deal with WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann

SoftBank Group did not release details of the agreement that puts to rest a bitter dispute emerging from the Japan-based firm's 2019 decision to bail out WeWork, once regarded as a soaring unicorn but which quickly spiralled into deep troubles as it lost cash and cancelled its eagerly waited share offering.

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Social media platforms, news publishers awaiting clarity on rules linked to news and current affairs

A lawyer working for a media company said as per the rules, social media platforms will have to clearly inform news publishers that if needed, they may have to furnish details of their social media handles and users to the ministry.

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New intermediary guidelines put a spanner in telcos' OTT platform plans

The regulations come at a time when the trio are banking on their digital offerings via OTT platforms to generate additional revenue from millions of their subscribers, by driving up data consumption.

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Covid-19 vaccine developers on radar of Chinese, Russian hackers: Intel firm reports

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Friday, February 26, 2021

ETtech Deals Digest: Innovaccer, Infra.Market become unicorns, Zomato’s funding spree

The week through 26 February was one of large funding deals, with Tiger Global emerging as a common thread among three of them.

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Many Indian techies get paid in crypto, say it’s faster and easier

Accepting payments in cryptocurrency is a trend on the rise.

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Telegram now offers auto-delete option for messages and invites

Telegram has added new features to its messaging app as its popularity surges in India and other markets amid the ongoing confusion over WhatsApp's new privacy policy.

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Can Clubhouse move fast without breaking things?

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PM asks banks to come out with innovative products for startups, fintech

Modi said that although the government's endeavour is to promote the private sector, the public sector still needs to have its presence in banking and insurance to support the poor.

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Zebronics Juke Bar 3800 Pro Dolby Soundbar review: Tunable sound at an affordable price

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How to delete WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram accounts and download all your data

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Maruti Suzuki partners IIM Bangalore to nurture 26 startups in mobility sector

The 26 startups have been shortlisted from over 400 applications received across the country.

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India's ICT industry capable of developing 5G hardware, software architecture, says Rakuten

Rakuten is expanding its research and development (R&D) footprint in India by doubling its workforce in Bangalore.

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Twitter intends to make its content moderation practices more transparent: Jack Dorsey

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said the microblogging platform is making a lot of progress in its accountability by "owning our mistakes and correcting, and reliability by following published principles and not wavering".

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US judge in Google case disturbed that even 'incognito' users are tracked

Google has become a target antitrust complaints in the last year filed by state and federal officials -- as well as businesses -- accusing it of abusing its dominance in digital advertising and online search.

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Nasscom says govt must ensure new platform rules don't hurt freedom of expression, creativity

The new rules, which have been in the making since 2018, come close on the heels of a huge stand-off between the union government and micro-blogging platform Twitter.

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Cyber attackers targeting pharma cos for Covid-19 data: Cyfirma

The company said in its report shared with ET that there are currently 15 active hacking campaigns underway.

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Realme GT 5G with Snapdragon 888 to cost less than Rs 33,000 in China

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RedmiBook Pro 14-inch, 15-inch launched in China; Check price, other details

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Twitter to allow users to earn money from tweets and other content

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Facebook signs pay deals with 3 Australian news publishers

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Twitter shakes off the cobwebs with new product plans

On Thursday, Twitter went a step further, announcing ambitious plans to expand with new options to pay for exclusive content from certain users, and to launch communities for specific interests.

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TikTok agrees to pay $92 million in privacy lawsuit in US

In 2019, TikTok settled a $1.1 million lawsuit over alleged children's privacy allegations.

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Taxman looks at startup valuations via rarely-used provision

Startups that, despite losing money, sell stocks at steep premiums based on growth projections, being asked to explain valuations

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ETtech Morning Dispatch on Feb 26, 2021: India's new digital media rules

Here's a look at the top tech news to start your day.

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Paytm, Ola and IndusInd Bank team up to apply for NUE license

Vijay Shekhar Sharma-led Paytm is expected to play a leading role in the consortium, in which Ola Financial and IndusInd Bank will have significant stakes, three people aware of the matter told ET.

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Messaging apps may lose biggest USP

To enable traceability, firms may have to dilute end-to-end encryption

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

Doubtnut raises Rs 224 crore in funding led by SIG, Lupa Systems

Existing investors Sequoia Capital India, Omidyar Network India and Waterbridge Ventures also participated in the funding round.

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Govt tightens grip over OTT content, allows self-regulation but under MIB oversight

Under the new structure, the second level will be a self-regulatory body, headed by a retired judge of a high court or Supreme Court. The judge will have to be appointed from a panel prepared by the ministry, and have up to six other members, who can be experts from the field of media, broadcasting, technology and entertainment.

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Government releases new social media rules: ‘Give originator of mischievous tweet or message’

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Govt tightens grip over OTT content, allows self-regulation but under MIB oversight

How Google Pixel’s Car Crash Detection feature saved a man’s life

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PlayStation ‘State of Play’ virtual showcase event: How to watch, start time

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Realme Narzo 30 Pro review: 5G capability gets more affordable in India

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FAU-G to get Team Deathmatch mode; Here’s what to expect

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A new generation of Wi-Fi to improve your home network

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Govt wants social media firms to remove content under 36 hours; trace originator of messages

Under the new rules, social media platforms such as Twitter will have to mandatorily take down content upon receiving a court order or notice from an authorised government agency with 36 hours of receiving such a notice.

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Carl Pei's Nothing appoints Manu Sharma as VP and GM for India

Sharma will be responsible for driving the growth, business development and operations for the consumer technology startup's India operations.

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WhatsApp turns 12: List of best features you get with this messaging app

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SE Asia's biggest travel app Traveloka plans regional fintech expansion before 2021 listing

Traveloka, which says it has 40 million active monthly users, is developing "buy now, pay later" services for Thailand and Vietnam markets.

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Redmi K40 series launch today: Timing, how to watch the livestream and more

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Infra.Market raises $100 million in funding led by Tiger Global

The four-year-old startup has raised about $50 million of equity to date.

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Fractional real estate ownership platform hBits ties up with RE/MAX

The partnership will focus on marquee commercial properties for focused wealth investment advisory and fundraising.

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Apple spring event 2021 preview: Here’s what to expect

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Facebook may have to turn a page

Hit by regulatory battles and global mistrust, co must make some choices this year

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Australia passes law to make Facebook, Google pay for news

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Facebook says it will pay $1 billion over 3 years to news industry after Australia row

The social networking giant, which has been tussling with Australia over a law that would make social platforms pay news organizations, said it has invested $600 million since 2018 in news.

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Joe Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip manufacturing amid shortfall

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Australian media reforms pass parliament after last-ditch changes

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Australia passes law to make Google, Facebook pay for news

The Parliament on Thursday passed the final amendments to the so-called News Media Bargaining Code agreed between Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

India second only to Japan in Asia Pacific in cyberattacks faced in 2020

Ransomware was the top attack type, making up roughly 40% of all cyberattacks, but digital currency mining and server access attacks too hit Indian companies last year, according to an IBM Security report.

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Workspace management platform Saltmine raises $20 million in funding

Jungle Ventures, Xplorer Capital and JLL Spark among investors in San Francisco-headquartered company founded by Indian-origin Shagufta Anurag

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Infosys transformed digitally before doing it for clients, says Nandan Nilekani

Infosys’ existing infrastructure for remote working helped it turnaround faster during the pandemic, Chairman Nandan Nilekani says at the launch of a new book — ‘The Live Enterprise’.

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Snap plans to take its India localisation strategy to the world

After ignoring the country in its early years, Snapchat’s parent is doubling down on the Indian market by rolling out localised versions of its offerings.

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Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G, Narzo 30A and Buds Air 2 launched: Price, specifications, sale date

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Licious ropes in Simeran Bhasin as vice president

Bhasin will spearhead new business ventures as well as drive brand strategy and integrated marketing.

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Google’s Android update brings features such as ability to schedule text messages and more

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Instagram Lite users in India can now watch Reels

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Flipkart to deploy over 25,000 electric vehicles by 2030

Flipkart has partnered with leading EV manufacturers Hero Electric, Mahindra Electric and Piaggio to bring two and three-wheeler electric vehicles to the roads

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Kutuki raises $2.2 million in seed funding led by Omidyar Network India

Kutuki will use the funds to expand its content library to cover all major Indian languages.

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Facebook testing new tools to stop exploitative content on children

Facebook has started testing two new tools, one aimed at the potentially malicious searching for child exploitative content and another aimed at the non-malicious sharing of content.

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Want to use WhatsApp on Apple Watch? Try this third-party app

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UST acquires ServiceNow business of abhra, Inc

This acquisition would help UST customers in adopting the matured capabilities of the platform, increasing user adoption, and thereby maximise the value from SaaS investments, said the company in a press release.

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Jack Dorsey's Square puts 'skin in the game' with $170 million more in bitcoin buy

Square bought 3,318 bitcoins in the fourth quarter, adding to the mainstream acceptance of the digital currency that has been winning support from several big investors.

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Realme Narzo 30 Pro, Narzo 30A India Launch Live Updates: How to watch livestream

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AI Here, There, Everywhere

Many of us already live with AI, an array of unseen algorithms that control our Internet-connected devices, from smartphones to security cameras and cars that heat the seats before you’ve even stepped out of the house on a frigid morning.

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