Saturday, May 31, 2025

Trump Media raises $2.44 billion for Bitcoin treasury plan

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. secured approximately $1.44 billion through stock sales and $1 billion in convertible bonds, earmarking the funds to establish a Bitcoin treasury. Following the announcement, the company's shares experienced a rise, with the deal providing over $3 billion in liquid assets and Bitcoin exposure to shareholders. Crypto.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/fz8GVr1

Silicon Valley is at an inflection point

Under President Trump's administration, tech giants are gaining unprecedented power, fueled by initiatives like the Stargate Project and favorable tax policies. This support allows them to expand their influence across various sectors, raising concerns about data privacy, resource consumption, and the concentration of AI research within these companies.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/ofTnuAx

Looking forward to 'Open-io': Google CEO Sundar Pichai lauds OpenAI-Jony Ive collab

Sundar Pichai expressed excitement about the OpenAI-io collaboration to develop next-gen AI devices, anticipating innovative technology and hardware. OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's io for $6.4 billion signals a significant move, with Ive taking on creative roles across both entities.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/05ugIy7

Friday, May 30, 2025

Quantum computing may soon become a scaled solution: Wipro

Wipro’s CTO Sandhya Arun expects quantum computing to scale by year-end. Agentic AI currently saves 20-35% of manual effort. Wipro’s new innovation lab focuses on quantum, AI, blockchain, and robotics, aiming to accelerate technology adoption and business impact globally.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/FZWYwMG

Meta joins Anduril to build XR products for US armed forces

Meta and Anduril Industries are collaborating to deliver integrated extended reality (XR) products for the US military, funded privately. This partnership integrates Meta's AR/VR capabilities with Anduril's Lattice platform, an AI-powered command and control system, enhancing tactical decisionmaking. They've sent a joint proposed to Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) Next, aiming to develop digital awareness system for soldiers.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/AQ49KtE

IndiaAI selects 10 startups for global acceleration programme

IndiaAI Mission has selected 10 homegrown AI startups for its global initiative, partnering with Paris-based Station F and HEC Paris. The four-month programme supports global scale-up, market access, and collaboration. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a milestone in India’s AI innovation diplomacy and global growth.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/TMEryDO

Thursday, May 29, 2025

IPO bound Imarticus Learning acquires MyCaptain

Imarticus Learning has acquired edtech startup MyCaptain for Rs 50 crore to expand its presence in non-tech career training, especially in India’s tier 2 and 3 cities. The acquisition boosts Imarticus’ reach with 60+ live programmes, over 850 staff, and aims to serve 5 million learners in three years.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/TE19BHQ

TCS to add AI agents alongside human workforce: N Chandrasekaran

Looking ahead, TCS plans four progressions - establish a large pool of AI agents working alongside our human workforce, deliver solutions through a human+AI model, invest in AI data centers and cloud infrastructure, as well as forge partnerships, Chandrasekaran said.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/v9UAcni

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Exclusive: Unacademy founders Munjal, Saini set to exit, shift focus to AirLearn

Unacademy cofounder Gaurav Munjal is stepping down as CEO, with Sumit Jain taking over amid a company reset and focus on AirLearn. Fellow cofounder Roman Saini is also exiting an active role. This leadership change follows internal discussions and a shift from online test prep to physical centers, impacting the edtech's business.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/1qcAEaG

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Fashion delivery startup Slikk Club raises $10 million led by Nexus Venture Partners

Fashion quick commerce startup Slikk Club has raised $10 million in funding led by Nexus Venture Partners, with Lightspeed also participating. The funds will support category expansion, faster returns, and geographic growth. Slikk plans to scale to 500 brands and six to eight dark stores, targeting fashion, beauty, and accessories.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/4zb8kRS

Flipkart growing at up to 25% despite ecommerce slowdown: Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy

Flipkart is experiencing strong momentum with 20–25% year-on-year order growth in May, despite an industry slowdown. CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy highlighted the firm’s India re-domiciling move, profitability push, and 30% projected June growth. He also reaffirmed that Flipkart’s quick commerce venture, Minutes, aims to scale up to 800 operational dark stores by the close of 2025.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/ShIK6ct

Monday, May 26, 2025

Online pay aggregators focus on anti-fraud tech to up revenues

Facing intense competition and pricing pressures in the core payments business, large payment aggregators in India, such as PayU, Razorpay and PhonePe, are developing and deploying fraud detection software platforms for banks and fintech companies. They are pitching these tools to banks, offering them a higher degree of safety for their customers as well as better transaction success rates.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/pefWLCK

Pills, promotions and a dose of doubt: Influencers, VC money fuel India’s booming supplements market

India's health supplement market is booming, fueled by increased health awareness post Covid-19 and social media marketing. Venture capital is pouring into the sector, leading to a proliferation of products sold directly to consumers. Concerns are rising about the blurring lines between wellness and pseudoscience, with experts calling for stricter regulation and transparency to protect consumers from misleading claims.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/l2KQYgh

Zepto founder Aadit Palicha alleges smear campaign by rival CFO as quick commerce race heats up

Zepto's cofounder, Aadit Palicha, accused a rival company's CFO of orchestrating a smear campaign by spreading false information to investors and media. Palicha defends Zepto's financial health, citing significant growth in gross order value and Ebdita improvement. He asserts the company's strong cash position and denies plans for large-scale store closures.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/TeQjyMh

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Naukri bug exposed recruiter email IDs via mobile apps: Report

Security researcher Lohith Gowda, who discovered the issue, said it was caused by a flaw in the API used by Naukri’s Android and iOS apps. The bug exposed recruiter email IDs when they viewed candidate profiles. The web version of Naukri.com was unaffected.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/dUIqzsC

Apple has had few incentives in the past to start making iPhones in US

Apple for decades has been building most of its devices in China, where it has invested tens of billions of dollars on massive factories that rely on a vast network of local suppliers. The company's reliance on a crucial pipeline outside the US thrust the technology trendsetter into the crosshairs of Trump's trade war.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/hqyPBu2

Here's what Elon Musk sees when he opens X

Elon Musk’s political views have been shaped by content on X, his own platform. A New York Times analysis of his feed shows a heavy tilt toward right-wing voices, conspiracies, and pro-Musk praise. These posts often align with his public positions, influencing national conversations and reflecting his online echo chamber.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/5OyBYER

At Amazon, some coders say their jobs have begun to resemble warehouse work

As AI transforms coding, developers report increased speed, reduced creativity, and more repetitive tasks. At companies like Amazon, AI tools are boosting productivity but intensifying pressure, echoing past industrial shifts. Engineers fear their roles are being degraded, mirroring factory-style speedups that prioritise output over autonomy and skill development.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/49GIWMK

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/OfVhN4S

Tariff? Long arm of Trump law may not pluck Apple off India

Despite Trump's tariff threats against iPhones made outside the US, experts believe Apple will continue its India manufacturing plans. They suggest Trump's comments are a tactic to pressure India on trade. Analysts deem shifting production to the US unfeasible due to high labour costs, potentially raising iPhone prices significantly.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/KWpUzaR

Friday, May 23, 2025

Rapido’s gross order value soars 2.5x in FY25 to $1.25 billion

Urban mobility startup Rapido more than doubled its gross order value to $1.25 billion in FY25, driven by new services. However, rising cash burn has pushed it further from profitability. Rapido is now preparing to enter food delivery, hiring from rivals and engaging with major QSR brands and cloud kitchens.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/f5oKu2D

Anthropic rolls out Claude 4 family of AI agents

Anthropic, backed by Google, has launched its latest AI models, Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4. These models offer advanced coding and reasoning skills. Claude Sonnet 4 is available for free users. Opus 4 is for Pro users. Both are accessible via Anthropic API, Amazon Bedrock, and Google Cloud's Vertex AI.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/c0V1SwC

ETtech Explainer: Why are D2C brands unhappy with Zepto’s ‘swap and save’ feature?

Many D2C brands, which pay commission on sales and invest in advertising and discounting, see red as Zepto rolls out its 'swap and save' feature, as they fear less expensive brands will replace their products in customers’ carts.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/9OUpVzx

Thursday, May 22, 2025

India Inc shoring up its cybersecurity spends amid spillover threats

Following recent India-Pakistan tensions, Indian companies are bolstering their cybersecurity defenses. Heightened cyberattacks have prompted large and mid-sized firms, particularly in BFSI and critical infrastructure, to reassess their readiness.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/sUZh3zo

Fortnite's Darth Vader is AI-powered. Voice actors are rebelling.

Following James Earl Jones' death, Fortnite used AI to recreate Darth Vader’s voice, sparking backlash from actors' union SAG-AFTRA. The union filed a labour complaint against Epic Games, citing lack of negotiation. While Jones' estate supports the project, concerns over AI’s impact on performers' rights and job displacement continue to grow

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/r0cQA8g

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Pichai sees platform shift as AI brings tech research to life

Sundar Pichai says AI is driving growth. Google is launching AI mode for search in the US. The company is investing heavily in AI data centers. Google is integrating AI across its products. The Gemini app has over 400 million users. AI overviews in search has more than 1.5 billion users.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/uZJzOmB

Nintendo turns to Samsung to make chips, ramp up Switch 2 output

Nintendo has partnered with Samsung for the Switch 2's main chips, potentially enabling the production of over 20 million units by March 2026. This collaboration is a significant win for Samsung, aiming to compete with TSMC in chip manufacturing. The Nvidia-designed chip, utilising Samsung's 8-nanometer node, is optimised for their systems, helping Nintendo meet high demand.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/lmHjpLT

ChatGPT user base grew fourfold in a year: Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that ChatGPT’s daily active users have grown over fourfold in the past year. The surge, driven by the GPT-4o launch and the viral Studio Ghibli trend in March, has significantly boosted engagement. Altman praised the engineering team’s progress on speed and reliability amid this rapid growth.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/mDWbVgT

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Health-tech startup CureBay raises $21 million in round led by Bertelsmann India

British International Investment and existing investor Elevar Equity also participated in the funding round. The Odisha-based tech-first hybrid healthcare platform will use the funds to bolster its in-house, proprietary tech stack, expand its footprint and hire talent.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/J8YQu7x

Tatas’ Hosur plant starts assembling Apple’s iPhones

Tata Electronics has begun assembling iPhone 16 models at its Hosur plant. This move aims to establish the company as a key smartphone supply chain player. The company is expanding its operations beyond enclosures. It is scaling up after acquiring Wistron and Pegatron's Indian arms. This development strengthens Apple's India presence and reduces reliance on China.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/gKpmT42

Apple partner Hon Hai injects $1.5 billion into India unit

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Apple's primary iPhone manufacturer, is investing $1.5 billion in its Indian unit, signaling a production shift away from China. This move aligns with Apple's strategy to diversify its manufacturing base amid geopolitical tensions and potential tariffs. The majority of iPhones made in India are assembled at Hon Hai's southern India factory.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/qCIoAEY

Microsoft to offer rival AI models from own datacentre; launches AI coding agent

At its Build conference, Microsoft announced it will host AI models from xAI, Mistral, and Black Forest Labs in its own data centres. It also unveiled a new coding agent in GitHub Copilot and introduced Azure Foundry, enabling businesses to build custom AI agents using their preferred models with improved reliability.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/bjLSVME

Monday, May 19, 2025

Kaynes Semicon opens chip design centre in Oman with its IT ministry

Kaynes Semicon, a subsidiary of Kaynes Technology India, has inaugurated its first overseas chip design center in Muscat, Oman, in collaboration with Omani ministries. The VLSI design center will focus on front-end and back-end chip design, training 80-100 students annually. This initiative aims to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem beyond India, supported by the Omani government's funding.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/HzOxgRN

Sam Altman calls critics of Trump's UAE AI deals 'naive'

Sam Altman defended AI deals between the US and Gulf countries, dismissing critics as naive. These deals, involving companies like Nvidia, AMD, and OpenAI, aim to boost AI development in the region. However, US lawmakers worry about potential access for China to advanced AI chips through these partnerships, highlighting concerns over technology transfer and security vulnerabilities.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/sQIXwzn

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Expect return to healthy growth by Q2 FY26: Tata Tech CEO & MD Warren Harris

Harris further said, "But unfortunately, almost within the first week of the new fiscal year the new (US) president announced the tariff shock which has really prompted everybody once again to revisit their plans." On the positive side, he said the tariff threats are not going to be realised and trade agreements are likely to be reached.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/gW7xCfa

Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu warns of LLM-led job disruption in software development

Vembu’s remarks align with growing global apprehensions about AI-induced job displacement. In April, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated that up to 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected by AI. The Economic Survey 2024-25 also raised this issue, highlighting the rapid progression of AI technology and its disruptive effects on the labour market.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/RktDBpz

Epic Games' Fortnite not available on iPhones in EU and the US

Epic Games did not give a reason why Fortnite was blocked, but Apple said it had asked Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update without including the U.S. storefront so as not to impact Fortnite in other geographies. "We did not take any action to remove the live version of Fortnite from alternative distribution marketplaces," an Apple spokesperson said.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/rHC302V

Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath outline future plans, deny wrongdoing amid legal troubles

Raveendran, founder and CEO of embattled edtech giant Byju’s, along with cofounder Gokulnath, has spoken out about the company’s turbulent journey, acknowledging past mistakes while outlining a vision for the future in a conversation with ANI.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/8aKWBkr

Saturday, May 17, 2025

OpenAI takes on Google Gemini Anthropic with AI coding agent for ChatGPT

OpenAI has launched Codex, an AI coding agent powered by codex-1, designed to assist software engineers with tasks like writing features, fixing bugs, and proposing pull requests. Available on ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team, Codex aims to improve coding workflows while incorporating safeguards against malicious use. Google DeepMind also enhanced Gemini 2.5 Pro with improved coding capabilities.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/f24y0ZM

Swiggy launches exclusive discount programme for students

For students aged 18 to 25, a 20% discount on Dineout bills above Rs 799 is also offered. This marks another step in Swiggy’s expansion of food delivery use cases. The Students Reward Programme is live in close to 2,000 campuses across 200 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai, as well as small towns like Dehradun, Rajkot, Sonipat and Patiala.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/KIdg1Ap

Friday, May 16, 2025

Big breather for Indian cloud, data companies as US scraps Biden-era AI chip curbs

The US scrapped a proposed AI export control rule, easing pressure on Indian cloud firms who feared chip import limits. While bans on Huawei Ascend chips have little impact in India, new tracking mandates for US chips raise enforcement challenges. Industry leaders stress the need for India’s AI self-reliance amid rising compute demand and data sovereignty concerns.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/wKiTI0C

Potential US semiconductor manufacturing boom complicated by Trump's economic policies

The US semiconductor industry is expanding rapidly, especially in Greater Sacramento, driven by CHIPS Act incentives and supply chain concerns. However, Trump's tariff threats and policy uncertainty are stalling investment and risking progress. Experts warn prolonged trade tensions could disrupt growth, despite major commitments from firms like Bosch and TSMC.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/9bR1MuU

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Capillary Tech buys assets of customer loyalty services firm Kognitiv

Capillary Technologies, backed by Warburg Pincus, has acquired assets from the bankrupt Canadian firm Kognitiv, expanding its North American presence and gaining access to over 30 enterprise clients. This acquisition marks Capillary's third in North America as it prepares for a public offering later this year.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/dOlp1F3

BharatPe CTO Pankaj Goel resigns citing personal reasons

Pankaj Goel, chief technology officer of BharatPe, resigned citing personal reasons. He joined in July 2023 and is currently serving his notice period. This exit follows other senior leadership departures. BharatPe received RBI authorisation to operate as an online payment aggregator. The company plans to launch mutual funds and insurance products. BharatPe is also considering a public listing in the future.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/jMaCQdZ

Zepto enters consumer analytics space with launch of subscription-based Atom

Zepto is launching Zepto Atom, a subscription-based analytics and commerce platform, on May 16. Powered by Zepto GPT and NLP, it offers brands real-time consumer insights, hyperlocal targeting, and quick delivery. Over 7,000 products and major brands are already onboarded for this exclusive initiative.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/kvLlAsz

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

PayPal launches tap-to-pay for iPhone users in Germany

PayPal has launched tap-to-pay for iPhone users in Germany, enabling contactless payments at Mastercard-enabled terminals. The rollout follows EU rules forcing Apple to open its NFC chip to third parties. The feature is iPhone-only and excludes Apple Watch support.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/DURax5X

Intel has limited customer commitments for latest chip manufacturing tech, CFO says

Intel’s committed chip production volume for external customers using its new manufacturing tech remains low, CFO David Zinsner said. While test chip activity is ongoing, actual client commitments are limited as Intel pushes to expand its contract manufacturing ambitions.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/9euf10h

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Pope Leo calls for news media to shun divisive language

Pope Leo XIV, in his first address to journalists, called for disarming media of hostility and promoting free, responsible communication. He advocated press freedom, praised imprisoned reporters, and warned of social media and AI risks. Leo also spoke with Ukraine’s president, echoing his predecessor’s peace-focused legacy.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/icEFf8X

EU regulators ask if Starlink is credible rival to SES, Intelsat

EU regulators are assessing SES's $3.1 billion bid for Intelsat, seeking input on whether SpaceX’s Starlink is a credible rival. Their decision, due June 10, could clear the deal or trigger a deeper probe amid growing competition in the satellite broadband market.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/V8vROXP

AI firm Perplexity eyes $14 billion in valuation in fresh funding round: Report

Perplexity AI is in advanced talks to raise $500 million at a $14 billion valuation, led by Accel. The Nvidia-backed startup offers AI search tools, attracting investor interest amid rapid chatbot evolution and potential Safari integration by Apple.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/fTRkrx8

Monday, May 12, 2025

GCCs, small companies see an opening in WFO rules

Resistance to work-from-office (WfO) requirements comes at a time when low salary hikes in IT sector are also making many unhappy. While companies may be conceding to some requests to retain key employees who may be hard to replace, some people are quitting jobs and joining smaller firms or global capability centres (GCCs) that are open to work-from-home or hybrid models.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/RNdfYyX

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Operation Sindoor: Tensions rise across borders and boardrooms as India’s business & policy voices respond to post-ceasefire developments

Following Operation Sindoor and a May 10 ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Indian business leaders expressed mixed reactions—ranging from praise for PM Modi’s strong stance to deep scepticism about Pakistan’s reliability. Many emphasised India’s new zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and growing alignment with global powers like the US.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/Pp8AgDq

Wary investors hope US-China talks cool high-stakes trade war

Investors hope US-China trade talks in Geneva will ease tensions and stabilize markets, though few expect a breakthrough. With tariffs as high as 145%, stakes are high. While some signs of progress emerge, volatility persists, and experts remain cautious about a swift resolution to this complex geopolitical dispute.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/W03QCVc

US-China tariff talks to continue Sunday, as Trump touts 'great progress made'

President Trump hailed “great progress” in US-China tariff talks in Switzerland, suggesting a possible “total reset.” While no major breakthrough occurred, negotiations will continue. Trump aims to ease trade tensions affecting global markets. Talks with Swiss leaders also addressed US tariffs on Swiss goods, prompting cautious Swiss responses amid economic concerns.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/G0vdRQl

‘With AI, some of the world’s greatest storytellers will come from the most random places’

YouTube's creator economy, valued at $250 billion, is thriving—particularly in India, its largest market. Top global creators like Mark Rober, Mayo Japan, and Brandon B highlight the evolving landscape of content creation shaped by AI, diverse revenue streams, and rising global audiences. They see passion, optimism, and mainstream appeal ahead.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/bXKUTqC

Saturday, May 10, 2025

The 2006 Zuckerberg quote at the center of Meta's antitrust trial

The FTC's antitrust trial against Meta challenges its dominance by questioning whether social networking is about personal connections or broader digital engagement. At issue are Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, which the government argues stifled competition. The case hinges on defining the market and could reshape antitrust enforcement in the digital era. A breakup is possible.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/SyXm6FG

Defense related stocks surge; Ideaforge tech jumps 20%

Defense stocks surged as geopolitical tensions flared between India and Pakistan, following Pakistani drone attacks and ceasefire violations along the border. India's military responded forcefully, boosting expectations of increased defense spending. Shares of major defense and drone companies, including Bharat Electronics, Hindustan Aeronautics, and Ideaforge, rallied strongly. Analysts cite heightened security focus as the driver of the market momentum.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/LC4pbth

How Apple created a legal mess when it skirted a judge's ruling

After a court ordered Apple to allow external payment links in apps, internal debates ensued over preserving its App Store revenue. CEO Tim Cook chose a 27% commission, despite legal risks. A judge later ruled Apple lied, withheld evidence, and defied court orders, damaging its credibility in ongoing global antitrust cases.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/hM9HnRj

Friday, May 9, 2025

Chipmakers find a ray of hope in AI chipsets amid US tariff gloom

Market trackers said chip makers are insulated from significant tariff impact due to the nature of their supply chain. The manufacturing of the chip sets largely takes place in Taiwan or Korea, which insulates the companies from a trade fallout with China. The origin of the final assembled device is often what determines the tariff applicability when shipped to a market like the US, so MediaTek and Qualcomm are not directly exposed to the evolving uncertainties, analysts said.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/Djv8Qf9

Capital push for startups: Government expands Credit Guarantee Scheme

The government has revised the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, doubling the maximum guarantee cover to Rs 20 crore and increasing coverage to 85% for loans up to Rs 10 crore. It also reduced annual guarantee fees to 1% for key sectors.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/9meTXMw

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Microsoft wins appeal in FTC challenge to $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal

A US appeals court rejected the FTC’s challenge to Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision deal, ruling the agency failed to prove the merger would harm competition. The court upheld a 2023 decision allowing the deal, marking a major win for Microsoft in the gaming industry.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/M5a0gIt

Alphabet's share price plunges on traffic drop testimony

Shares in Google parent Alphabet plunged more than seven percent on Wednesday after an Apple executive told a federal court that the search engine's traffic fell on Apple products last month. Cue told the court this would have a significant impact on Apple's ability to invest in new products and services.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/6zvt0fk

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

US stocks sink again as more companies detail damage they're taking because of Trump's trade war

US stocks fell as AI enthusiasm cooled and companies, including Ford and Clorox, withdrew forecasts due to Trump’s tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 dropped 0.5%, led by declines in Palantir and Nvidia. Market caution grows amid economic unpredictability and potential Fed rate decisions.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/4USCrx0

Intel shareholders approve equity incentive plan, new CEO pay

Intel investors backed a plan to boost share reserves for employee incentives and CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s pay. They re-elected board members, excluding three who stepped down. Shareholder motions on Israel operations, donation transparency, and written consent rights were voted down.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/auDeb1V

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Agentic AI reshaping enterprise software pricing, business models

Agentic AI is transforming Indian SaaS and enterprise software pricing models by replacing human users with bots. Companies are shifting from per-user billing to consumption- and outcome-based pricing, including API and AI-unit models. While AI services now command premiums, some customers demand pricing certainty, prompting hybrid and bundled service offerings.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/ynm7KFd

OpenAI to remain under non-profit control in change of restructuring plans

OpenAI has decided to remain under the control of its non-profit entity, reversing earlier plans to adopt a for-profit governance structure. CEO Sam Altman said the for-profit arm will become a public benefit corporation, ensuring oversight stays with the non-profit amid regulatory discussions and civic leader feedback.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/7hANid5

Monday, May 5, 2025

Ola IP may transfer to Bhavish Aggarwal family office

ANI Technologies operates the group’s ride-hailing business and holds the brand IP, which is currently licensed to Ola Electric, a separately listed electric vehicle (EV) company, in exchange for a fee. The proposed shift in ownership comes amid broader questions over the cross-holding of assets within the Ola ecosystem. The firms–ranging from ANI to Ola Electric and AI startup Krutrim–have overlapping but distinct shareholder bases.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/e8nsFTS

US researchers seek to legitimise AI mental health care

The Dartmouth team recently published a clinical study demonstrating Therabot's effectiveness in helping people with anxiety, depression and eating disorders. A new trial is planned to compare Therabot's results with conventional therapies. The medical establishment appears receptive to such innovation.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/DaQOtlw

Sunday, May 4, 2025

RackBank to build 80MW AI data centre for Rs 1,000 crore in Raipur

RackBank has launched its new AI datacentre in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, with an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The 13.5-acre facility, capable of housing 1 lakh GPUs, aims to meet India's growing AI needs. Utilising RackBank's liquid cooling technology for enhanced energy efficiency, the data centre anticipates creating job opportunities for 200–500 people.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/5QYvIsm

Google can train search AI with web content after AI opt-out

During a trial examining Google's search dominance, a Google VP testified that the company trains its AI models on web content, even if publishers opt-out. This data usage, particularly for AI Overviews, raises concerns about revenue loss for publishers. The Justice Department is pushing for measures to restore competition, including potential restrictions on Google's AI practices.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/GDfzJ0j

Britain to warn companies cyber security must be 'absolute priority'

The UK government will urge businesses to prioritise cybersecurity after recent attacks on Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden will highlight the threat at the CyberUK conference, promoting new legislation amid rising cybercrime that continues to disrupt major British firms.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/VJQNW6G

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/YF0ZUrP

To make the most of IPL season: Small brands join team qcomm for maximum impact

Regional brands such as Troovy chips, Samyang Ramen noodles, Lucknow Kabaab Hub, Captain Sam’s pizza, Boss burger, Artinci cookies and Feeelings noodles are among those looking for an IPL lift. On average, 130-150 new regional brands get on delivery and quick-commerce platforms every month, though some stay for two-three quarters, depending on how much they are willing to pay as margin fees, executives said.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/X6SRtBM

Friday, May 2, 2025

ONDC delays levying network fee again on stakeholder feedback

ONDC has postponed its planned network fee for seller apps to July 1, following stakeholder feedback. Initially set for January, the Rs 1.50 per transaction fee aims to fund infrastructure and services. The delay allows participants time to adapt, reflecting ONDC’s evolving approach and commitment to sustainable operations.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/RrXfdsJ

Eternal Q4 report: Net profit plummets on Blinkit losses; food delivery stays in the slow lane

In an indication of rising dependence on food delivery for consolidated profits, the parent of Zomato and Blinkit shut down its 15-minute food delivery service, Quick, and its homely meals offering, Everyday. But food delivery too registered slow growth.

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LinkedIn shares advertising revenue with creators in video push

Earlier this year, the career site debuted a full-screen video feed that looks similar to TikTok. LinkedIn users are now watching 36% more video than they did a year ago, the company said. In June, the company rolled out BrandLink, a system that helps businesses place ads next to the video content from news publishers such as Bloomberg, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, which in turn get a cut of the resulting revenue.

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Thursday, May 1, 2025

Gates Foundation is rattled by Trump's threat to its mission

Bill Gates' efforts to collaborate with Donald Trump on global health faltered as the Trump administration dismantled key US aid programs. The Gates Foundation, now facing political threats and scrutiny, struggles to adapt while maintaining its mission amid rising hostility toward philanthropy, DEI programs, and global health initiatives.

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Rare earth shortage hits electronic component companies

While applications under the scheme have surged past 110 now, at least 10 firms have sounded out worries at a time when the industry is keen...