Happy birthday, internet – let’s make the next 50 years just as innovative October 29, 2019 How do we define the birth of the internet? As an ambiguous, shifting entity, it is often hard to define what the internet even is, let alone its beginning. In my eyes, the date the first message was sent across the telephone network, from one computer to another – late on the evening of 29 [...]
Alphabet shares dip as profit fails to meet expectations October 28, 2019 Google parent Alphabet missed Wall Street estimates on its third-quarter results tonight, having failed to live up to expectations on profit takings. Alphabet reported earnings per share of $10.12 for the three months to the end of September and net income of $7.07bn, versus expectations of $12.44 per share according to consensus estimates polled by Refinitiv. [...]
Uber sizes up to the City in financial services push October 28, 2019 Ride-hailing app Uber has taken a leaf out of the Square Mile’s book, and today revealed a move into financial services. The tech giant has set up a new division within the company called Uber Money, which will include a digital wallet and support for the firm’s debit and credit cards. The debit card is [...]
Fitbit shares halted on reports of Google takeover bid October 28, 2019 Trading of shares in wearable device maker Fitbit was suspended today following a report that Google owner Alphabet has tabled a takeover bid. The Silicon Valley tech giant has held discussions with Fitbit, although there is no guarantee a deal will be secured, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter. It is unclear how [...]
Virgin Galactic shares blast off as Sir Richard Branson’s firm makes New York Stock Exchange debut October 28, 2019 Sir Richard Branson’s space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, has taken off on the New York Stock Exchange this afternoon, with shares soaring more than eight per cent in early trading. The company completed a merger with a US investment vehicle late on Friday, making it the first commercial space venture to go public. Branson, who [...]
Volkswagen throws down the gauntlet to Silicon Valley on self-driving cars October 28, 2019 Europe’s biggest car manufacturer has shifted its fight against Silicon Valley’s nascent self-driving car industry up a gear. Volkswagen has announced the foundation of Volkswagen Autonomy, or VWAT, its own self-driving tech subsidiary, to take on the likes of rivals such as Google’s Waymo. Read more: Car alarm: Half of UK consumers fear driverless vehicles [...]
Emerging markets need more say on digital currencies like Libra, says Chinese official October 28, 2019 Governments in emerging markets should be given a greater say in the regulation of digital currencies such as Facebook Libra that could facilitate illegal capital flows and disrupt foreign exchange management, said a senior Chinese official. China has been moving to embrace financial technologies such as blockchain, and is preparing to launch its own digital [...]
Travel startup Duffel picks up $30m to revitalise outdated airline technology October 28, 2019 Duffel, a London-based startup seeking to provide airlines with a fresh software update, has today closed a $30m (£27.1m) funding round led by Dropbox and Slack investor Index Ventures. Existing investors Benchmark Capital, which has backed the likes of Snap and Uber, and Blossom Capital also participated. Duffel helps travel agencies to connect to airline [...]
Beware the chilling consequences of facial recognition technology on society October 28, 2019 Since the 1950s, researchers have been working towards the holy grail of artificial intelligence (AI). Now, as last week’s City A.M. feature outlined, recent advances are moving out of the lab and into our daily lives – with disturbing implications. Facial recognition systems, powered by these developments in AI, are spreading into society. This is [...]
The UK has a vital role to play in leading the global fourth industrial revolution October 28, 2019 For nearly a year, my mayoral programme – Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today – has promoted UK innovation and technology, addressed social and digital exclusion, and championed digital skills. And during my recent business delegation visit to Kenya, I saw the great potential that technological innovation offers to individuals and communities seeking financial empowerment. Over the [...]