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Latest intelligence on infrastructure operators, policy decisions, market moves, and digital power shifts.
Companies
APNIC56: 30th anniversary at its birthplace
APNIC56: 30th anniversary at its birthplace company intelligence explains what the organisation operates, where it is exposed, and how its services, customers, partnerships, ownership signals, public evidence, and market role connect to internet infrastructure. The summary helps…
Global Institutional
Slingshot, A Playful Photo Sharing App, Just Hit Town
Photo credit: Freepik A newcomer is causing a stir in the world of photo-sharing apps. Slingshot, created by Tommy Searle, combines the spontaneity of BeReal snaps with the friends-only sharing concept popularized by Snapchat. Sharing photos over Slingshot is unique as users…
Asia-Pacific Institutional Trends
AI-Backed ELSA Secures $45.5M in Series C Funding
Image credit: ELSA ELSA has successfully concluded a Series C funding round, securing $45.5 million. The funding, led by UOB Venture Management, brings ELSA’s total capital to $60 million. The English language learning platform, in turn, has reiterated its commitment to advanced…
Leaders
Ground-shaking Inflation Hits South Korea
South Korea’s August Consumer Price Index (CPI) surged to 3.4%, a significant increase from July’s 2.3%. This marks the highest inflation rate since April and is driven by rising prices in agricultural products and manufactured goods. Heavy Rainfall Triggers CPI Surge…
Asia-Pacific Cloud Services
Beijing Approves Five AI Models for Public
The first batch of large AI model products in Beijing has received official approval for public access. The development came after these models passed the “Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services.” Since August 31st, five of such models have gradually become…
Global Cloud Services
X Ventures into Job Market Competition
Looking for your next career move? You might just find it on X. Last month, an app researcher uncovered X’s plans to take on the professional social media network giant, Microsoft’s LinkedIn, by introducing job posting capabilities on its platform. X as a Job Platform for…
Global Institutional Trends
AI21 Labs Secures $155M Funding at $1.4B Valuation
AI21 Labs, a pioneering AI startup, has secured $155 million in funding, pushing its valuation up to $1.4 billion. This remarkable investment reflects the growing recognition of AI21 Labs’ revolutionary Generative AI technology. Empowered by advanced capabilities, AI21 Labs is…
North America Institutional Trends
Roark Capital’s $7 Billion Acquisition Marks a New Era for Subway
Global fast-food giant Subway has been acquired by US-based private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal valued at nearly $7 billion. With a presence in 112 countries and over 45,000 outlets worldwide, Subway had surpassed competitors like McDonald’s and KFC in scale. However…
Companies
Mixed Reality Training Takes on Opioid Overdose Crisis
Non-profit healthcare organization OSF Healthcare has partnered with Illinois State University (ISU) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) to develop an immersive training program using Mixed Reality (MR) technology. This program aims to combat opioid overdose deaths…
Leaders
NFT Prices Surge Following Donald Trump’s Arrest
The prices of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) experienced a sharp increase in the wake of former US President Donald Trump’s arrest in Georgia. In December of the previous year, Trump capitalized on the NFT trend by launching 45,000 digital cards featuring a variety of personas…
Leaders
Microsoft Trims Down Features in Latest Edge Browser Version
Image from Pixabay Microsoft is redesigning its Edge browser, aiming to enhance user experience by trimming excess features. In an effort to declutter and simplify its interface, the company is discontinuing several tools in the upcoming Edge version 117, set to stabilize by…
Companies
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Enterprise, Aimed at Businesses
Photo from Pixabay OpenAI has recently introduced ChatGPT Enterprise, a versatile platform designed to meet the specific needs of businesses seeking advanced AI-powered solutions. With a focus on enhancing productivity and safeguarding sensitive information, ChatGPT Enterprise…
Global Institutional Trends
Celebrated AI Startup Hugging Face Secures $235M Funding from Tech Giants
A screenshot from Hugging Face homepage Hugging Face, a New York-based AI startup, has secured a substantial $235 million in funding, elevating its valuation to an impressive $4.5 billion. Contributors to this round include tech giants Google, Amazon, Nvidia, Salesforce, AMD…
Companies
Enhancing Spreadsheet Functionality
Microsoft Integrates Python Support into Excel Microsoft has introduced a significant enhancement to its widely used spreadsheet software, Excel. This update brings support for the Python programming language, designed to expand Excel’s capabilities and flexibility. This feature…
Companies
Roundup: Bitcoin Spot ETFs Gain
The momentum behind Bitcoin spot ETFs is escalating as cryptocurrency investment interest continues to surge. These exchange-traded funds offer investors an indirect path to Bitcoin exposure, bypassing the need to own the digital asset directly. Where Spot ETFs Get Their Boost…
Global Cloud Services
X Glitch Affects Images & Links
Imagine waking up to the disheartening discovery that a considerable portion of your online history has been obliterated by a glitch, indiscriminately erasing years’ worth of images and links posted before December 2014. This is exactly what happened when the X Glitch struck.…
Leaders
Google Maps No Longer Shows Gas Stations
Google Maps has taken a significant step towards catering to the needs of electric vehicle (EV) owners by prioritising features that revolve around electric mobility. Notably, the application will no longer display petrol stations as prominently to EV drivers. EV-Centric Features…
Companies
ZetaChain Secures $27M for Interoperability
ZetaChain has recently concluded an equity funding round, amassing a substantial $27 million. Notable entities in this funding endeavour include well-known entities such as Blockchain.com, Human Capital, VY Capital, Sky9 Capital, Jane Street Capital, VistaLabs, CMT Digital…
Companies
Lenovo Commits $1 Billion to Push AI Advancements
Yuanqing Yang, the CEO of Lenovo, recently revealed an audacious plan to invest $1 billion into AI development and application over the forthcoming three years. This ambitious endeavour anticipates incorporating AI enhancements into the company’s smart devices as early as the…
Global Institutional
Privacy Nightmares Over AI & VR
Recent research conducted at the University of California, Berkeley has highlighted concerning implications: By analysing the movement patterns of individuals wearing VR headsets, a machine learning model accurately predicts personal attributes like height, weight, age, and…