From energy to insurance: How Open Banking could fix the loyalty penalty headache July 29, 2019 You don’t get to be Prime Minister without having a few political gifts. One of Theresa May’s was her ability to spot the issues that people cared about – even if she found it harder to come up with effective ways of improving them. That was why her maiden speech outside Downing Street was so [...]
DEBATE: Has ‘diversity’ become a dirty word in the tech industry? July 29, 2019 Has ‘diversity’ become a dirty word in the tech industry? Philippa Sturt, managing partner at Joelson, says YES. The term “diversity” has become so prevalent in the tech sector that it has lost a lot of its impact, especially when it comes to gender. In the venture capital industry, for example, investors are being encouraged [...]
No-deal Brexit a ‘threat’ to UK’s science sector, says Wellcome Trust July 27, 2019 The chairwoman of the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s biggest charitable funder of scientific research, has written to Boris Johnson claiming that a no-deal Brexit is a “threat” to the science sector. Lady Eliza Manningham-Buller has backed Johnson’s vision for the science industry, but warned against the potential damage leaving the EU without a deal could [...]
Trump rejects Apple’s request for Mac Pro tariff waiver July 26, 2019 The US will not grant tariff relief to Apple on parts for its Mac Pro computers imported from China, President Donald Trump has said. Read more: Apple splashes out $1bn on Intel’s chip business “Apple will not be given Tariff waivers, or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China. Make them in [...]
Twitter shares rise on second quarter revenue boost July 26, 2019 Twitter has posted a strong rise in revenue for the second quarter as its user numbers jumped, pushing shares up more than 10 per cent. The social media firm reported an 18 per cent increase in revenue to $841m (£677m), while monetisable daily active users rose 14 per cent to 139m. Read more: Twitter buys [...]
What is 5G and how does it work? Everything you need to know about the next-generation network July 26, 2019 Mobile operator EE hit the headlines last week when it launched the UK’s first 5G network at a lavish launch party on the river Thames. EE boss Marc Allera hailed a “historic moment” as the firm live-streamed a performance by hit rapper Stormzy against the iconic backdrop of Tower Bridge. Customers on EE can now [...]
Softbank launches new $108bn Vision Fund for AI investment July 26, 2019 Softbank has unveiled its second mammoth Vision Fund, which it said will have $108bn (£87bn) to invest in AI-focused tech firms. Read more: Softbank earns $11bn for selling some of its huge Alibaba stake Softbank said it has received backing from a string of companies including Apple, Foxconn, Microsoft and Standard Chartered, while the Japanese [...]
Prime delivery race creates hurdles for Amazon July 25, 2019 Retail giant Amazon disappointed investors and analysts alike tonight, reporting profit for its second quarter well below estimates and breaking its long-running record earnings streak. Profit came in at $2.6bn (£2.1bn), or $5.22 per share, for the three months to the end of June. Analysts were expecting income of $5.57 per share. Amazon also said [...]
Google takes off as revenue tops expectations July 25, 2019 Google parent firm Alphabet reported higher than expected second-quarter profit and revenue tonight, causing shares to jump more than nine per cent after-hours. The healthy picture eased some concerns regarding the growth of Alphabet-owned companies such as Google, Youtube and its cloud computing division, following a heightened focus on competition in the tech sector. Sales [...]
Apple splashes out $1bn on Intel’s chip business July 25, 2019 Apple has snapped up the majority of Intel’s smartphone chip business for $1bn (£800m) as it looks to secure its own supply of the vital iPhone part. Read more: Apple’s tax bill slashed by more than half Around 2,200 Intel workers will move to Apple, who will also acquire intellectual property, equipment and leases relating [...]