Month: May 2020

JD.com,  the online retailer that is Alibaba’s long-time nemesis, announced Wednesday a strategic partnership with Kuaishou, the main rival of TikTok’s sibling in China, Douyin. The collaboration is part of a rising trend in the Chinese internet where short video apps and e-commerce platforms increasingly turn to each other for monetization synergies. The thinking goes that video platforms … Continue reading China’s top short video apps and e-commerce giants pally up Continue Reading →

Its creators say the pandemic ‘magnified weakness’ from underinvestment. A group of bipartisan, bicameral politicians have drafted a bill that would “dramatically” increase investment in tech research and development. The Endless Frontiers Act would commit $100 billion over five years toward research in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, robotics, automation and more. Another $10 billion would go towards … Continue reading Bipartisan Senate bill aims to invest $100 billion in technology R&D Continue Reading →

These headphones help the wearer fall asleep 30 percent faster compared to music or white noise. Finding it hard to get to sleep? Regularly put on music or white noise to help drown out the world? Check out the Kokoon noise-canceling sleep headphones designed for relaxation. But these headphones do so much more than play … Continue reading Kokoon: The noise-canceling headphones that monitor brain activity and help you sleep Continue Reading →

Apple  is finally giving customers in India the ability to order customized versions of iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Mini and other Mac computers. The Cupertino-giant has started to offer a full range of the Mac portfolio with configure-to-order (CTO) or build-to-order (BTO) option in India, allowing customers in the country to request specific custom needs such … Continue reading Apple begins offering Macs with custom configurations in India Continue Reading →

But you do get 128MB of storage! What do you think is inside a $350 anti-5G USB stick? The BBC paid the money, got one, and did a teardown, and the results aren’t all that surprising. The 5GBioShield USB stick makers claims that it “provides protection for your home and family, thanks to the wearable holographic … Continue reading $350 anti-5G USB stick is a cheap flash drive with a sticker attached Continue Reading →

UK-based AI chatbot Babylon Health  — which last year raised $550M at a $2BN+ valuation — has led a $30M Series B in US-based Higi, which owns and operates 10,000+ FDA-cleared health kiosks. Higi, which was founded back in 2012 per Crunchbase, has built out a nationwide network of “health stations” located at retail locations such as groceries and pharmacies within … Continue reading Babylon Health leads a $30M Series B in US health kiosk operator, Higi Continue Reading →

Bad weather scrubbed the mission for today. This afternoon NASA astronauts will take off from US soil for the first time since NASA’s space shuttle program ended in 2011. The launch is historic for another reason too. It will be the first time NASA launches astronauts in a SpaceX spacecraft, and it marks the beginning … Continue reading Watch NASA and SpaceX launch astronauts (updated) Continue Reading →

Update: Jack Dorsey tweeted that he’s accountable for Twitter’s actions. Twitter’s decision to fact check Donald Trump has resulted in has resulted in mass harassment of one of its employees — even though Twitter says the choice was made by a group, not one individual. When Twitter opted to fact check Trump’s tweets Tuesday — a first … Continue reading Trump supporters target Twitter employee after fact check Continue Reading →

Is the short-form content failing to grab our attention? Quibi, the mobile-focused streaming service featuring short-form content, is reportedly in trouble just a month after launch. According to a new report, many of its major advertisers are looking to defer payments as the company seeks to implement cost-cutting measures. If you’re unfamiliar with Quibi, it’s a $4.99 … Continue reading Report: Quibi advertisers look to defer payments following disappointing launch Continue Reading →

Google  is rolling out a series of updates aimed at helping local businesses adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to serve their customers across Google Maps and Search. Since the outbreak, Google has made it possible for businesses to communicate to customers things like their revised operating hours or temporary closures, among other things. Now, … Continue reading Google expands tools to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 Continue Reading →