Why more and more fund managers are turning to shareholder activism January 6, 2020 According to Greta Thunberg, “the danger is when politicians and CEOs are making it look like real action is happening, when in fact almost nothing is being done.” She may find some unlikely bedfellows in the Square Mile. Active fund managers have endured a torrid time of late. The Woodford saga and M&G’s decision to [...]
The top tech predictions for 2020 January 6, 2020 Welcome to 2020. After a week or more of festive cheer and turkey-induced fatigue, it’s time to get back to work. But don’t despair. The year — and decade — ahead is set to be an exciting one, especially in the world of technology. To find out what changes may lie ahead, City A.M. asked [...]
Apple rekindles relationship with Imagination Technologies with new deal January 2, 2020 Apple has struck a new licensing deal with a British chipmaker it had previously cut ties with three years ago. Apple previously used chips that were made by Imagination Technologies, before breaking off the partnership in 2017. Read more: Apple supplier Imagination Technologies swings to biggest ever loss Today, Imagination said it had “formed a [...]
Google workers exposed to chemical that causes birth defects December 29, 2019 Google has admitted that some of its employees have been exposed to harmful chemicals than can cause birth defects. Factory workers making Google products, but hired by an outside supplier, have been exposed to N-Methylpyrrolidone, which can cause birth defects and serious skin and respiratory irritation. Read more: France fines Google over anti-competitive behaviour The [...]
France fines Google €150m over anti-competitive behaviour December 20, 2019 France’s competition authority has fined Google €150m (£123m) for anti-competitive behaviour and mistreating advertisers who bought keyword adverts on its search engine. The search engine giant was accused of “brutal and unjustified” suspension of some advertisers by French authorities, which accused Google of abusing its dominance in the sector. Read more: Amazon, Apple and Google [...]
Thin, light and mighty, the Surface Laptop 3 is Microsoft’s MacBook killer December 18, 2019 Microsoft’s Surface range of hardware has been around for seven years, but still manages to impress with each new device launched. Laptops that appear to have been sculpted out of single blocks of brushed metal. Tablets housed in alacantra keyboard cases. Two-in-one hybrids with skeletal, alien hinges, and gravity-defying desktop machines poised on silent hinges. [...]
Amazon, Apple and Google team up to break home tech barriers December 18, 2019 Amazon, Apple and Google are teaming up to develop a new standard for compatibility across smart home products and appliances, the companies said today. The standard could unify a home’s electrical ecosystem and break down barriers between platforms, enabling consumers to rely on multiple providers for a streamlined service. Read more: Smart homes could transform [...]
The biggest tech breakthroughs of the last decade December 18, 2019 It is easy to forget, as we approach the end of not just 2019 but also the decade, just how far technology has developed over the past 10 years. To mark the end of the era, City A.M. asked several experts for what they think have been the biggest technological breakthroughs or advancements made in [...]
Tube delays: Central, District and Circle Lines suffer rush hour misery December 17, 2019 Commuters were left to endure a torrid rush hour journey to work this morning after Tube delays hit three Underground lines. A signal failure at Aldgate and an earlier one at Hammersmith have brought the Circle Line to a halt in the anti-clockwise direction, as well as running with minor delays the other way. Read [...]
DEBATE: Is it time for a review of the licence fee and how the BBC is structured? December 17, 2019 Is it time for a review of the licence fee and how the BBC is structured? Jamie Williams, managing partner at the advertising agency isobel, says YES. In a perfect world, the BBC licence fee structure could remain as it is, and the BBC would produce brilliantly entertaining content and unbiased news coverage at affordable [...]