One Thing Today in Tech
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Google blocks ad targeting for under-18 users; Xiaomi launches Mi Mix 4; and Bhavin Turakhia's Titan bet
Google is blocking ad targeting of users under 18, based on age, gender or interests. It will also turn off its location history feature, which tracks location data, for users under 18 globally. Apple is doubling down on pro camera features for the upcoming iPhone lineup. Xiaomi launched Mi Mix 4 and Mi Pad 5. In our tech conversation, billionaire Bhavin Turakhia talks up his email for business—Titan
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Amazon, Catamaran to part ways; Ather open-sources EV charger; and a chat with Byju's CPO Ranjit Radhakrishnan
Amazon has decided to end its relationship with one of its biggest sellers in India, Cloudtail—a joint venture between Amazon and India's Catamaran. The move comes after the US company was accused of giving preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers. Apple will have a record year in India with sales of $3 bn in revenue. Ather has decided to share its proprietary fast-charging connector design with other OEMs, hoping to create a single EV connector standard. In our tech conversation today, a chat with Byju's CPO Ranjit Radhakrishnan
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Special Briefing: Mike Cannon-Brookes on Atlassian's growth in the pandemic and India's talent base
Atlassian, is probably not a very well known company in India outside the world of software products. However, some of India's best-known companies—from Reliance Industries to Flipkart and Ola—use Atlassian's team collaboration software. Three years ago, Atlassian also set up its third global R&D centre in Bangalore. Mike Cannon-Brookes spoke to Forbes India about how Atlassian has grown through the pandemic and plans ahead for the India centre—which has emerged as the fastest-growing talent location for the company
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Moderna says Covid-19 booster jab may be needed; Apple to scan uploads for child abuse; and a chat with Anand Ramamoorthy at Micron Tech India
Moderna, a US-based pharmaceuticals company, said a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine may be necessary as new variants of the coronavirus emerge. The company made the announcement as part of its second quarter earnings release on Thursday. Apple is implementing a technology to scan photo uploads to iCloud in the US for child abuse images. In today's tech conversation, Anand Ramamoorthy, MD of Micron Technology India, offers a glimpse into the semiconductor industry.
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Flipkart, Bansals face $1.35 bn fine; Facebook blocks researchers; and how Astrome's tech can take high-speed internet to rural India
Flipkart, its founders and current investor Tiger Global, are facing a Rs 100 billion or $1.35 billion fine from Enforcement Directorate for alleged violation of foreign investment laws. Flipkart has said it is in compliance with Indian laws and is cooperating with the directorate. And in today's tech conversation, Neha Satak, co-founder and CEO of Astrome, talks about commercialisation of her high-capacity wireless communications technology that could accelerate the spread of broadband internet into rural India
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Google's new custom chip Tensor on Pixel 6; Ather's revenue jump; Unacademy scores; AI chip startup Blaize's CEO on India plans
Google will launch its own system on chip called Tensor on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones later this year, CEO Sundar Pichai said in a blogpost on Monday. The chips, which have been four years in the making, are fine tuned to deliver the best of Google's artificial intelligence and machine learning innovations to Pixel users, Pichai said. Edtech startup Unacademy raises $440 mn; and in our tech conversation today, Dinakar Munagala, co-founder and CEO of Blaize, a semiconductor company making chips for AI talks about plans ahead, including in India
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India launches e-RUPI voucher; PolicyBazaar starts IPO process; and a chat with Anshuman Bapna on Terra.do
On Monday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched e-RUPI, a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payments in the country. e-RUPI acts as an e-voucher based on a QR code or SMS string, which is delivered to the mobile phones of the beneficiaries. And in our tech conversation, Anshuman Bapna talks about his plan to train 100 million people on the crisis and the opportunity that is climate change, at Terra.do
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Amazon fined $887mn in EU; Google and US scientists make 'time crystals'; and Manav Garg unpacks Together
Amazon has been fined a record €746 million, or $887 million by the European Union for violations related to ad targeting under the general data protection rules. Amazon will appeal. Google's scientists may have created the first time crystal, which could potentially advance quantum computing. And in today's tech conversation, Manav Garg, CEO of Eka Software talks about bringing the kind of support he never had to today's entrepreneurs, at Together
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Tata Sons acquire a controlling stake in Tejas Networks; Microsoft invests in Oyo; and Shruti Kapoor on AI bot Wingman for salespeople
Tata Sons is acquiring about 63.1 percent stake in Bangalore based telecom network gear maker Tejas Networks. The Tata group has signed an agreement to acquire 43.35 percent of Tejas for Rs 18.50 billion that triggered an open offer by Tata Sons to acquire shares of the company from the public. The acquisition strengthens the Tata group's standing at a time when 5G wireless networks are rolling out around the world. And in our tech conversation, Shruti Kapoor explains how her AI bot Wingman helps salespeople close more deals faster
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Pfizer-BioNTech release new efficacy data; Girish Mathrubootham, Manav Garg start 'Together'; and Beerud Sheth on the rise of Gupshup
The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine's protection against severe cases of the disease holds steady after six months, according to new data released by the companies. The vaccine's efficacy against those severe cases stayed high at 97 percent for the entire six-month stretch after people got their shots. And in our tech conversation today, Beerud Sheth talks about building Gupshup into a leader in the conversational AI space
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Apple warns of slowdown despite strong quarter; ShareChat raises more money; and Mayank Tiwari on digitalising sericulture
Apple reported another set of record-breaking earnings results on Tuesday, but warned of supply constraints and that sales could be slowing down in the current quarter. The company had double-digit growth in many markets and "especially strong growth in emerging markets, including India, Latin America and Vietnam" for the June quarter, CEO Tim Cook told investors. And in our tech conversation today, Mayank Tiwari at ReshaMandi talks about digitalising the sericulture supply chain in India