Facebook takes on Google and Amazon with cloud gaming launch October 26, 2020 Facebook has launched a free cloud gaming feature on its platform, becoming the latest tech giant to move into the lucrative games market. The social media site today said users will be able to stream games such as Asphalt 9: Legends and PGA Tour Golf Shootout on the Facebook app and browser with no download [...]
Ant Group to raise $34bn in world’s biggest stock market debut October 26, 2020 Ant Group is aiming to raise up to $34.4bn (£26.4bn) in what will be the world’s largest ever initial public offering, stock market filings confirmed today. The Chinese fintech firm is set to raise $17.2bn in both Shanghai and Hong Kong through the mammoth dual listing. Ant Group set the price tag for the Shanghai [...]
No Time To Die: James Bond studio hits back at reports of streaming release October 26, 2020 The Hollywood studio behind the James Bond film franchise has hit back at reports it is mulling a streaming launch for No Time To Die due to multiple delays to its release date. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) is said to have held discussions with Netflix, Amazon and Apple about a potential on-demand release for the 25th instalment [...]
Diageo snaps up Chase Distillery as it cashes in on gin boom October 26, 2020 Diageo today said it has agreed to buy British gin and vodka maker Chase Distillery, marking the drinks giant’s latest effort to strengthen its gin portfolio. The Herefordshire-based distillery is best known for its Chase GB Gin, as well as its Chase Original Potato Vodka. In total the company’s portfolio includes seven gins, four vodkas [...]
Screenshot: Will the UK’s live music industry ever recover? October 23, 2020 A weekly column from City A.M. bringing you all the biggest stories and trends in technology, media and telecoms This week: ** Media Moment of the Week: Sky History gets tattoo regret ** Can the live music sector survive this crisis? ** The tide turns against Google Media Moment of the Week This week we [...]
US Senate committee votes to subpoena Twitter and Facebook bosses October 22, 2020 Top US lawmakers today voted to subpoena the chief executives of Twitter and Facebook after both platforms blocked controversial tabloid stories about Joe Biden’s son. Republicans on the US Senate judiciary committee approved the motion to haul in Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg unopposed today. Democrats on the committee had boycotted the meeting over the [...]
Shell makes surprise bid for Post Office broadband division October 22, 2020 Oil giant Shell is said to have made a surprise entry into the race to snap up the Post Office’s telecoms division, paving the way for a potential shake-up of the UK broadband market. The FTSE 100 company already has a presence in the telecoms market after taking control of energy and broadband provider First [...]
Exclusive: Portland financial PR chief Steffan Williams steps down October 22, 2020 The head of Portland Communications’ financial practice is stepping down to start his own venture after two years at the public relations giant. Steffan Williams was hired in 2018 to establish Portland’s new financial comms division, which now boasts a number of high-profile clients, including Astra, Robert Walters and Ince Group. But City A.M. has [...]
Healthcare firm unveils £10 rapid Covid-19 test for back to work push October 22, 2020 A private healthcare firm has unveiled a new low-cost Covid-19 test that it says could help get Brits back to work safely, though scientists have warned more development is needed. The finger-prick test returns results in 10 minutes and is priced from just £10. As well as checking for a Covid-19 infection, it can detect [...]
Fishing for likes: Facebook takes on Tinder as it rolls out dating service October 22, 2020 Facebook is ramping up the pressure on apps such as Tinder and Bumble as it rolls out a new dating feature. Facebook Dating was first launched in the US and 19 other countries last month, but will now be available to users in the UK and across Europe. The social media platform said the new [...]