Tuesday, 31 January 2023
Economic Survey 2023: ‘India is Set to Emerge as a Global Superpower’ says Amit Shah
from Zee News :India National
Monday, 30 January 2023
Instagram’s text update Notes feature is expanding to Europe and Japan
Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced today that the social network is launching its text update Notes feature across Europe and Japan. Notes are short posts of up to 60 characters that include just text and emojis, and appear above your profile photo. Prior to this expansion, Notes was already accessible everywhere Instagram is available beyond Europe and Japan since the feature’s initial roll out in December.
Users can post Notes by navigating to the top of their inbox, then selecting the followers they follow back or others from their existing “Close Friends” list. They can then type out the note itself, after which it will appear at the top of friends’ inboxes for 24 hours. If a user responds to a Note, the reply will arrive as a DM.
Notes Launch Worldwide
Notes are now available in Europe and Japan.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
pic.twitter.com/MSSjQZVIuZ
— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) January 30, 2023
In a video posted to his social accounts, Mosseri explained that Europe and Japan weren’t included in the initial roll out of Notes because Instagram needed to ensure that the feature complied with local regulations before bringing it to these regions.
At the time of the initial launch of Notes, Instagram said that during testing it found people appreciated having a way to start conversations in a lightweight way. The goal of the feature is to give users a casual and spontaneous way to express themselves and connect with others.
In December, the New York Times reported that Meta was considering turning Instagram Notes into a more fully fledged Twitter rival to capitalize on the chaos at Twitter following Elon Musk’s acquisition. The report said the company had been weighing whether Notes should even be its own standalone app or another feed inside Instagram.
Instagram’s text update Notes feature is expanding to Europe and Japan by Aisha Malik originally published on TechCrunch
from TechCrunch
Mahatma Gandhi Death Anniversary: ‘Bapu Taught the Country to Live With Love…’: Rahul Gandhi
from Zee News :India National
Sunday, 29 January 2023
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to Launch Real-Time Pollution Data Collecting Mechanism on January 30
from Zee News :India National
Saturday, 28 January 2023
The latecomer advantage in startups
Welcome to Startups Weekly, a nuanced take on this week’s startup news and trends by Senior Reporter and Equity co-host Natasha Mascarenhas. To get this in your inbox, subscribe here.
Sometimes, due to the nature of the startup game, we over index on “the new.” Companies want to build for the pain point you never dreamed to disrupt; VCs want to invest in an emerging trend before it becomes a household name; and those breaking into tech are told to lean into their earnestness, because you never know who is going to answer your cold email. In order for entrepreneurship to feel exciting and welcoming — not even be, but feel — new needs to be one of its loudest characteristics.
After all, you only get to be “it” once.
But one question I’ve found myself asking over the past year, especially as some of the more tenured folks speak about past downturns and cyclical learning lessons, is the latecomer advantage. It’s partially obvious: When you’ve done this whole entrepreneurship thing before, you understand what mistakes to avoid and seamlessly know which investors to dodge.
But it’s also partially not as easy of a story. There’s a difference between being new and being inexperienced, the same way there’s a difference between experienced and being late. How do you know where you are on that entire timeline — especially when the stories feel better to tell at the extremes?
This week on Equity, I interviewed T2 co-founder Sarah Oh, who is building a Twitter rival after working at Twitter as a human rights adviser. Quite quickly, I asked her how building a copycat of your former employer makes you feel. She seemed unbothered, to which I promptly said: All is fair in love and moderation.
But the better answer that Oh gave me was around the latecomer advantage that she has, building a company in a world that she knows extremely well. By joining the consumer social wave today versus before anyone even thought in characters and retweets, the co-founder thinks they get to factor in more of the nuance.
“There’s a lot that we know about gaps in trust and safety in the industry, whether it’s datasets that we need, or models that need to be built, or certain standards that need to exist for models, right, there’s a whole laundry list of things that I wish I had in my previous roles that just didn’t exist, we’re now at a place where we can have those conversations,” Oh said. She added that when some of the first social media platforms were being created, there weren’t “historical case studies or precedent” for a lot of the controversies that now exist. With some of the ugly out of the way — my words, not hers — T2 has examples it can refer back to on how to handle tensions around virality, doxxing and more.
It just made me think about that larger comprehension coupled with the nimbleness of a startup. Maybe, it’s being both old and new that might be the striking balance that helps a startup start up. In this case, we have no idea how the old or the new attempts at Twitter are going to do, but we do know that this time has never mattered more.
In the rest of this newsletter, we’ll talk about chief inspiration officers, growing startup accelerators and a rare buzz we’re hearing about one tech company and its public market wishes. As always, you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram.
Goodbye, chief inspiration officer
Also on Equity this week, the crew spoke about how venture capitalists are going to pay more attention to how portfolio founders are spending capital — especially around hiring trends. Becca’s latest for TC+ — use code EQUITY for 50% off an annual membership — gets into why the hiring slide in the pitch deck is no longer going to be a throwaway part of the presentation.
Expect more scrutiny.
Here’s why this is important: We know that companies are dropping staff to cut costs, but those that are hiring may have to take a more conservative approach in both types of roles and level of pay. All to say, there’s definitely an opportunity to find talent if you are hiring. But, it won’t be easy for all laid-off talent to find their next gigs, especially as employers look to hire cheaper talent with less ambitious staffing goals.
- My big question is if VCs are taking the same advice that they’re dishing. Don’t forget VCs, you have VCs too. (At least most of you do!)
- Burned by layoffs, tech workers are rethinking risk
- Waymo lays off staff as Alphabet announces 12,000 job cuts
- Laid off from your crypto job? Here’s what founders are looking for in new talent
- Crypto recruiters see opportunity to snatch up talent amid Big Tech layoffs
Image Credits: MicroStockHub (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
The Goldilocks moonshot
NextView Ventures has launched its fourth accelerator program, aiming to back around half a dozen founders with $400,000 in funding and mentorship opportunities. It’s also offering at least one spot to a team built by ex-colleagues who have been laid off over the past downturn.
Here’s why this is important: The accelerator partners are open to backing founders even if they have a half-baked idea or only an area that they want to dig into. Even in a more disciplined market, there are some firms that are still comfortable seeding ideas versus fully fledged business ideas. “It’s almost half a step earlier than we’ve typically thought of” portfolio companies, Rob Go, founding partner, NextView Ventures, said, of the cohorts.
- I was thinking about this idea when speaking to NEA’s Scott Sandell earlier this week. The 45-year old venture firm closed in on a $6.2 billion pair of funds, one of which is wholly dedicated to new early-stage investments. Sandell said he’s looking for “the efficiency gene” when sourcing companies and wants proof that they know how to handle capital. Smart, and common. After our call, I joked that I’m curious if any VC firms are interested in backing startups that don’t care at all about discipline or capital efficiency. Wouldn’t that be a story? In a more serious way, I am interested in the early-stage focused venture capitalists that are taking risks right now and how that rewards certain sectors and backgrounds.
- Jumia’s investors rethink their stakes — for better and worse
- Cowboy Ventures goes bigger with $260M across two new funds, including an opportunity fund
- Another All Raise CEO steps down
- Sequoia, Marc Andreessen back early-stage fund Kearny Jackson
Image Credits: Talaj (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
The follow-up
Stripe is eyeing an exit, finally. The payments giant has set a 12-month deadline for itself to go public, either through a direct listing or pursuing a transaction on the private market, such as a fundraising event and a tender offer, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Here’s why this is important: I mean, must I state the obvious? The public markets for tech companies have been stale, unwelcoming, insert boring adjective here. If Stripe does kick off a trend, we’re in for an exciting next year. But some are dubious on the timeline. After all, it’s literally easier said than done.
- Report: Stripe tried to raise more funding at a $55B-$60B valuation
- Method raises $16M to power loan repayment, balance transfers and more across fintech apps
- Being the steady hand in market uncertainty with Sebastian Siemiatkowski from Klarna
- And shout out to The Interchange, a fintech newsletter put together by the inimitable Mary Ann Azevedo. Read last week’s issue, here!
Image Credits: masik0553 (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
Etc., etc.
- A16z is hiring someone to run Tech Week. This should be fun.
- Recursive Ventures, a San Francisco-based firm investing in U.S. and Israeli early-stage companies, has closed over $11 million for its third fund, according to SEC filings.
- Will 2023 be the year of accountability? I enjoyed this piece by Eric Newcomer.
- If you missed Startups Weekly last week, catch my last issue here: “Tech forgot its umbrella.”
- TechCrunch is coming to Boston on April 20. I’ll be there with my favorite colleagues to interview top experts at a one-day founder summit. Book your pass ASAP!
Seen on TechCrunch
The thing we thought was happening with robotic investments is definitely happening
App downloads were stagnant in the fourth quarter, new analysis finds
Strava acquires Fatmap, a 3D mapping platform for the great outdoors
LastPass owner GoTo says hackers stole customers’ backups
Seen on TechCrunch+
The current legal cases against generative AI are just the beginning
A VC’s perspective on deep tech fundraising in Q1 2023
As activist investors target Salesforce, what’s next for the CRM giant?
Laid off from your crypto job? Here’s what founders are looking for in new talent
Startups should expect more scrutiny from VCs on their hiring plans
I’ll end with the evergreen reminder that I absolutely love going to startup happy hours and VC dinners in San Francisco, so do let me know if you’re throwing one! And if you’re still working on your social engine like me, I’m also always game to do a 1:1 coffee chat or dumpling lunch.
To the rest of you, thanks for reading as always. 2023 is already soaring on by, isn’t it?
Talk soon,
The latecomer advantage in startups by Natasha Mascarenhas originally published on TechCrunch
from TechCrunch
Udupi Shocker: Wardens Beat Dog to Death In College, FIR Filed
from Zee News :India National
Friday, 27 January 2023
Warner Bros. swiped our Harry Potter wand IP, says Kano
Kano, the venture-backed U.K startup known for its build-your-own computer kits and software for teaching coding and associated STEM skills, has accused Warner Bros. of copying one of its products and infringing on its intellectual property (IP).
The product in question is the Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand that Warner Bros. announced back in October, and which began shipping to consumers in the U.S. and U.K. for $150 just before Christmas. London-based Kano issued a “cease and desist” to Warner Bros. this week, which TechCrunch has seen, requesting that the media and entertainment giant halt its go-to-market and promotional activities.
While Kano is probably better known for its Raspberry Pi and Windows-based modular PCs, the company launched a device similar to Warner Bros.’ new wand way back in 2018. Kano’s Harry Potter Coding kit came replete with a physical gesture-controlled Bluetooth wand designed to engage children through coding spells, making on-screen cauldrons change color, or feathers fly, via elaborate swishing motions with the wand.
Powering the wand are various sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, which help the wand convey its direction and motion to the tablet or PC it’s connected to.
In the intervening years, Kano says it has sold some 180,000 units of its Harry Potter coding wand, a figure that rises to 460,000 when you factor in similar gesture-controlled products Kano subsequently launched in partnership with Disney spanning the Star Wars and Frozen franchises.
While Kano is no longer actively marketing its Harry Potter wand, some of its retail partners — which have previously included Apple and Target — do still sell it.
Patented
Last April, Kano cofounder and CEO Alex Klein was granted a patent for the wand’s gesture recognition system, covering the basic mechanics of how it works: the user holds down a button to begin the gesture recognition, the screen displays a cursor trail as the user moves the wand to show how a spell is being cast in real-time.
It’s worth noting that Kano launched its wand as part of a brand-licensing partnership with Harry Potter rightsholder Warner Bros., which is why Klein says he was perturbed to learn of its new competing wand hitting the market a few months back.
In a conversation with TechCrunch, Klein explained that off the back of the initial success it saw with the Harry Potter wand in 2018, Warner Bros.’ corporate arm reached out to Kano to get it to explain a bit more about how the product works, including its componentry and how it’s able to recognize spells, and other potential use-cases for the underlying technology.
And this is where things get interesting regarding its spat with Warner Bros.
Unlike Kano’s original Harry Potter wand, which was focused squarely on teaching kids how to code, Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter Magic Caster Wand is all about the smart home. It’s designed to connect to devices such as TVs, lights and speakers, so users can control their contraptions using “spells” and choreographed wand gestures.
According to Klein, Kano had already envisaged such use-cases with its own wand, and had made some early developments in the smart home realm.
“In the process of making it easy for a person to hold down the button on the wand and cast a spell, we realized that this is a new language for human computer interaction,” Klein said. “You could be casting spells not only to make Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans explode on a screen, but you could [also] be doing gestures to control your lights, unlock your door, and control the volume of music. We realized that this gestural form of interaction could be quite powerful and extended into other domains in the smart home. So we came in, they [Warner Bros.] got really excited about this idea of controlling the smart home.”
Klein showed TechCrunch a video of an early prototype of Kano’s wand controlling various connected devices, which he says was recorded in November 2018, as part of a demonstration in Warner Bros.’ offices.
Fast-forward to 2022, and with Warner Bros. bringing a similar Harry Potter wand to market, Klein says that he reached out to various people at the company to get an explanation, adding that he was told that an internal investigation would follow. But he said the line of communication went cold, leading to the cease and desist letter that Kano issued to Warner Bros. this week.
“A side-by-side comparison of the operation of both the Coding Wand [Kano’s] and the Spellcaster Wand [Warner Bros.’] makes clear — and has now made clear to multiple third-party observers, including patent and intellectual property experts — that an issue has arisen,” the letter states. “The new product uses intellectual property — multiple patent-protected assets, trade secrets, inventions, etc. — of Kano’s, some of which were shared in strict confidence with WB during the many detailed engagements between the companies.”
The story so far
Founded in 2013, Kano has raised some $45 million in funding from notable backers including European VC Index Ventures, Barclays, Salesforce cofounder Marc Benioff, and Microsoft, which worked with Kano to develop a Windows-based PC back in 2019.
Mark Zuckerberg is also apparently a fan of Kano’s products, according to this post from 2021.
Mark Zuckerberg apparently digs Kano Image Credits: Mark Zuckerberg
However, Kano had been relatively quiet these past few years, announcing a round of layoffs in late 2019 and then not really releasing much in the way of new products. However, in 2021 the company did partner with Kanye West to launch Stem Player, a device that lets users isolate and remix individual song elements. It ultimately pulled back from the partnership due to antisemitic comments made by West.
Today, Kano continues to sell the Stem Player without West’s involvement, and a few weeks back the company unveiled the Stem video Projector, while hinting at all manner of new products that may include food and clothes. The company also signaled its transition away from its legacy DIY PC business when it revealed it was spinning out its creative software suit Kano World as a standalone business.
However, the company does plan to stay at least a little bit true to its roots, as it’s developing a modular two-in-one device that can run Windows or ChromeOS, which Klein said it expects to push to market some time this year.
Kano’s upcoming DIY modular PC Image Credits: Kano
Financially, things hadn’t been looking so great for Kano. At its most recently reported financial year ending of March 2021, Kano disclosed a pre-tax loss of £10.1 million ($12 million), though this was an improvement on the £16.8 million ($20.8 million) loss it reported the previous year. The company told TechCrunch a few weeks back that its provisional accounts for fiscal year 2022 show a pre-tax profit of around £1.2 million ($1.5 million).
What’s next
While Klein is naturally keen to paint an outwardly rosy picture of how things are going at Kano, the fact that it’s actively releasing and developing new products is an encouraging sign. However, a litigious IP scuffle with a billion-dollar, mass media conglomerate is probably the last thing it needs right now.
In a modern-day David vs Goliath scenario, defending IP rights in court as a relatively small startup is not a cheap pursuit — something that Klein is acutely aware of as he considers his next moves.
“It can cost up to $3 million to defend and protect a patent / technology IP,” Klein said. “This stacks the deck in favor of the big corporates. They can afford to throw aggressive lawyers at smaller companies and tie them up in process.”
There is nothing to say, at the moment at least, that this is definitely how things will unfold. But if it does, Klein indicated that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to defend Kano’s work, noting that he has been told by lawyers who have worked on the case so far, on a pro bono basis, that it’s “pretty open and shut.”
“If necessary, I’ll work late nights and weekends and represent us myself, pro se,” he said. “We will make sure our team’s hard work and creativity is not abused and ripped off. I may not have gone to law school, but all the proceedings are public, and can be understood with a little elbow grease.”
TechCrunch has tried reaching out to multiple people at Warner Bros. for comment, but at the time of writing has yet to hear back.
Warner Bros. swiped our Harry Potter wand IP, says Kano by Paul Sawers originally published on TechCrunch
from TechCrunch
Hear the right way to acquire customers with Cube and Mayfield on TechCrunch Live
Finance people live and breathe spreadsheets, Mayfield’s Rajeev Batra was telling me. We were talking about our upcoming TechCrunch Live event featuring him and Cube’s Christina Ross, and Rajeev was explaining how he sees Cube’s position in the marketplace. Christina Ross co-founded the company in 2018 in a bid to provide a solution to CFOs who rely on spreadsheets but could benefit from modern data analysis, reporting, and collaboration. Now, some five years later, Cube is finding success and has raised over $45 million from venture capital.
I hope you can join us on this TechCrunch Live event on February 8 at 11:30 a.m. PST/2:30 p.m. EST. Christina Ross learned early on in Cube’s history that the solution must meet the customer where they’re at. Cube’s solution is unique in the FP&A world, in that it’s not trying to replace spreadsheets but rather work alongside spreadsheets. This gives her a unique take on finding product market fit — Cube isn’t trying to force customers to abandon their current solution.
We’re going to talk about Cube’s approach to customer acquisitions and finding product market fit, and why Christina’s favorite childhood toy was a cash register.
Questions I want to ask
- How did Cube so quickly acquire customers even though the company had yet to build a product?
- Cube has countless competitors, so how does the company stay ahead of the curve?
- What are some best practices for selling into an underserved market?
- What personal qualities did Mayfield see in Christina Ross that led them to invest, and what’s a good founder fit for Mayfield?
And I want you to ask questions too!
Join the live event on Hopin, and ask questions in the chat. I’ll do my best to ask them when possible. Can’t make the live event but can listen to the replay/podcast? Tweet at me, and I’ll be sure to ask your questions.
Want to get feedback on your pitch during the show?
Pitch Practice is back! Apply to present your company using this form. We’ll select three companies to pitch during the show, including one wildcard company that will be selected from our Hopin audience during the episode.
Hear the right way to acquire customers with Cube and Mayfield on TechCrunch Live by Matt Burns originally published on TechCrunch
from TechCrunch
TANCET 2023 Exam Dates RELEASED at tancet.annauniv.edu- Steps to Check Here
from Zee News :India National
Police refutes claims of Pak flag hoisting in Bihar`s Purnea
from Zee News :India National
Maharashtra HSC 2023 Board Exam Hall Ticket RELEASED at mahahsscboard.in- Direct Link to Download Here
from Zee News :India National
Wednesday, 25 January 2023
Tamil nadu overview
Tamil Nadu Overview
The state has a diverse population, with significant minority communities such as Muslims and Christians. Tamil Nadu has a long history of social reform movements and has been at the forefront of many progressive social and political changes in India. The state has a rich history and has been a major center of civilization and culture for over 2,000 years.
The state has a strong economy and is one of the most industrialized states in India. The state's GDP is among the highest in the country and it is a major contributor to India's overall economic growth. Tamil Nadu is also a major exporter of textiles, leather goods, and engineering goods.
Tamil Nadu also has a rich history of political movements and social reform. It has been at the forefront of many progressive social and political changes in India. The state has a strong tradition of public service and social welfare programs.
Overall, Tamil Nadu is a state with a rich culture, history, and economic development, and is an important part of India's overall growth and progress.
Tamil Nadu is also home to many ancient temples and architectural monuments that are famous for their intricate carvings and sculptures. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram are some of the notable examples. These temples are not only significant religious and cultural sites but also important tourist attractions.
Tamil Nadu is also home to many important industrial and technological centers such as the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, the Indian Institute of Management in Trichy and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Tiruppur. These institutions are known for their excellence in research and education in various fields and have produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the country and the world.
In conclusion, Tamil Nadu is a state that is rich in culture, history, literature, art, temples and technology that makes it an important destination for people who are interested in exploring the history, culture and the religious heritage of South India.
Tamil Nadu is also known for its film industry, which is one of the largest and most popular in India. The Tamil film industry, also known as Kollywood, produces a large number of films each year and has a significant impact on the state's economy. Some of the most popular actors and directors in Tamil cinema have become household names in India and around the world.
The state also has a rich sporting culture and has produced many famous athletes and sports teams. The state's cricket team, Tamil Nadu, has a long history of success in domestic cricket, while the state's field hockey team has also won several national championships.
In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Tamil Nadu is also known for its progressive policies and social welfare programs. The state has a strong tradition of public service and has implemented many programs to improve the lives of its citizens, such as free education and healthcare.
In conclusion, Tamil Nadu is a state that is rich in culture, history, literature, art, temples, technology, film industry, sports, and social welfare programs that makes it an important destination for people who are interested in exploring the diversity of South India. Its economic development and strong tradition of public service also make it an important contributor to India's overall progress and prosperity.
Tamil Nadu also has a rich tradition of festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Some of the most notable festivals include Pongal, a harvest festival celebrated in January, and Chithirai Thiruvizha, a grand festival celebrated in the temple town of Madurai. The state is also famous for its temple festivals, which are celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.
Tamil Nadu is also known for its beaches and backwaters, which are popular tourist destinations. The state has several famous beaches such as Marina Beach in Chennai, Mahabalipuram Beach and Rameswaram Beach. The backwaters of Tamil Nadu, such as the ones in Thanjavur and Kanyakumari, are also popular among tourists.
Tamil Nadu is also known for its rich wildlife and biodiversity. The state has several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, such as Mudumalai National Park, The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. These protected areas are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
In conclusion, Tamil Nadu is a state that is rich in culture, history, literature, art, temples, technology, film industry, sports, social welfare programs, festivals, beaches, backwaters, wildlife and biodiversity that makes it an important destination for people who are interested in exploring the diversity of South India. Its economic development and strong tradition of public service also make it an important contributor to India's overall progress and prosperity.
Notes Launch Worldwide