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Showing articles 1411 - 1425 of 1668 total (matching filters).

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  tech 6

  Hong Kong poised to grant first stablecoin licences to HSBC, Standard Chartered: sources

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-03-12 09:00)

  Hong Kong is expected to grant its first stablecoin licences to major banks HSBC and a Standard Chartered-led venture within weeks. This marks a key step in the city's stringent regulatory approach following its Stablecoin Ordinance, aiming to manage financial risks while establishing itself as a digital asset hub.

  The regulatory regime is initially focused on stablecoins pegged to the Hong Kong dollar. The potential inclusion of HSBC is notable as it did not participate in the regulatory sandbox, unlike Standard Chartered.

  The main topics covered are Hong Kong's stablecoin licensing process, the involvement of major traditional banks (HSBC and Standard Chartered), and the city's dual goals of financial system stability and becoming a global digital asset centre.

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  tech 4

  Retailer denies memory replacement due to 4x increase in DDR5 pricing, says price increase would equate to an 'upgrade' for the customer — Australian retailer refuses to replace faulty Corsair kit

  (Latest from Tom's Hardware / 2026-03-12 10:00)

  An Australian consumer, Goran, attempted to return a faulty Corsair DDR5 memory kit under warranty at retailer Umart. Instead of a direct replacement, Umart offered only a refund at the original purchase price, which is now 3.5x to 4x lower than current market prices, arguing a replacement would constitute an "upgrade."

  The retailer further complicated the situation by stating it had forwarded the faulty RAM to its supplier, preventing Goran from pursuing a warranty claim directly with Corsair. This case, highlighted by the Hardware Unboxed channel, has sparked controversy regarding retailer obligations under Australian Consumer Law and has revealed other similar complaints against Umart's warranty practices.

  The main topics covered are a consumer warranty dispute, a retailer's controversial interpretation of consumer law, and the impact of drastic RAM price increases on warranty claims.

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  tech 6

  Google is using old news reports and AI to predict flash floods

  (TechCrunch / 2026-03-12 10:00)

  Google has developed a new method to predict flash floods by using its Gemini large language model to analyze millions of news articles. This created a geo-tagged data set called "Groundsource," which was then used to train a forecasting model for 150 countries.

  The model is now operational on Google's Flood Hub platform and aids emergency response agencies, particularly in regions lacking expensive weather infrastructure. However, it has limitations, including lower resolution and precision compared to systems like the U.S. National Weather Service's.

  Researchers believe this approach of using LLMs to turn qualitative news reports into quantitative data could be applied to other hard-to-forecast events like heat waves and mudslides.

  Main Topics: Flash flood prediction, use of large language models (Gemini) and AI, data scarcity in meteorology, global disaster forecasting, limitations of the technology.

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  tech 5

  Amid OpenClaw frenzy, China’s central bank adds to cybersecurity warnings

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-03-12 10:00)

  China's central bank has urged increased cybersecurity vigilance and a cautious approach to deploying artificial intelligence within the financial sector. It emphasized that AI integration must be proactive, prudent, safe, and orderly.

  The bank's annual technology agenda will prioritize risk mitigation, tightened supervision, and high-quality development, with a focus on pre-empting extreme risks. It also advocates for deeper integration of banking and technology to unlock intelligent digital development's potential.

  The main topics covered are cybersecurity warnings, the regulated deployment of AI in finance, and the central bank's technology and risk supervision agenda for the year.

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  tech 5

  Meta reveals four new MTIA chips built for AI inference — to be released on a six-month cadence

  (Latest from Tom's Hardware / 2026-03-12 10:20)

  Meta has announced four new generations of its in-house MTIA AI accelerator chips, developed with Broadcom and scheduled for deployment over the next two years. These chips are designed specifically for efficient AI inference, with successive models offering major increases in HBM bandwidth and compute performance compared to prior versions and competing products like Nvidia's GPUs.

  The company emphasizes a strategy of rapid, iterative development and modular hardware, allowing new chips to drop into existing data center infrastructure. This supports a much faster release cadence of roughly six months between generations.

  Meta's software stack ensures compatibility with industry standards like PyTorch, enabling models to run on both GPUs and MTIA chips without rewrite. The announcement is part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on Nvidia, following a recent major AI infrastructure deal with AMD.

  Main topics: Meta's new MTIA AI chips, their technical specifications and performance, deployment strategy and modular design, software compatibility, and the strategic shift to reduce reliance on Nvidia.

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  tech 5

  Oracle prepares for layoffs, sets aside $2.1 billion for restructuring

  (Tech-Economic Times / 2026-03-12 10:29)

  Oracle is preparing for further job cuts, having allocated a total of $2.1 billion for restructuring this fiscal year, with roughly $1.1 billion still available for severance costs. This comes despite the company reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly revenue of $17.2 billion and projecting significant future sales.

  The company is leaning on AI to improve efficiency, stating that AI-driven tools allow it to build software with fewer people, and is aggressively investing in AI data centers, which has increased borrowing and drawn investor scrutiny. Oracle has already eliminated over 3,000 jobs, including a layer of middle management, and could cut a similar or larger number of roles in the coming months.

  Main topics: Oracle's job cuts and restructuring funds, strong financial performance, increased investment in and efficiency from AI, and expansion of AI data centers.

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  tech 5

  Eternal infuses Rs 450 crore into quick commerce business Blinkit

  (Tech-Economic Times / 2026-03-12 10:39)

  Eternal has invested Rs 450 crore into its quick commerce arm Blinkit, continuing its financial support after infusing Rs 2,600 crore last year. This investment comes as Blinkit has turned profitable, reporting an adjusted Ebitda profit of Rs 4 crore in Q3FY26 alongside significant revenue growth.

  The funding will support Blinkit's expansion, including a goal to increase its dark store network to 3,000 warehouses. The move occurs amid intensifying competition in quick commerce, with rivals like Swiggy raising capital and Zepto filing for an IPO.

  The article also notes a leadership change at Eternal, with Blinkit's founder Albinder Dhindsa taking over as CEO, underscoring Blinkit's growing importance as it now generates a larger net order value than Eternal's core food delivery business.

  Main Topics: Capital investment in Blinkit; Blinkit's financial performance and expansion; Competitive landscape in quick commerce; Leadership change at Eternal.

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  tech 6

  Qatar helium shutdown puts chip supply chain on a two-week clock — SK hynix forced to diversify after 30% of global supply removed from the market

  (Latest from Tom's Hardware / 2026-03-12 10:53)

  A major helium production facility in Qatar, representing roughly 30% of global supply, remains offline after Iranian drone strikes with no immediate restart planned. This has raised significant concerns for South Korea's chip industry, which heavily relies on Qatari helium for cooling during semiconductor fabrication.

  In response, South Korea's government is investigating supply chains for vulnerable materials, while memory chipmaker SK hynix states it has diversified its helium supplies. The situation echoes previous gas shortages triggered by geopolitical conflicts, highlighting ongoing supply chain fragility.

  The main topics covered are the supply chain disruption of helium due to geopolitical conflict, its specific impact on the semiconductor industry (particularly in South Korea), and the industry's responses to mitigate the risk.

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  tech 4

  IAMAI urges Karnataka to defer gig worker welfare fee on ecomm firms till specifics are defined

  (Tech-Economic Times / 2026-03-12 10:56)

  The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has requested the Karnataka government to postpone collecting a new welfare fee from ecommerce operators for gig workers. This request is due to unresolved operational issues, primarily the lack of clarity on how contributions under the state's new law will offset similar mandates under the central government's social security code, which could lead to duplicate payments.

  Additionally, the association notes that specific welfare schemes for workers have not yet been officially notified, and mandatory fees might force companies to discontinue existing private insurance benefits, creating potential protection gaps. The IAMAI argues collection should only begin after welfare programs are finalized and a clear reconciliation mechanism between state and central rules is established.

  The Karnataka law mandates a fee of 1% of an operator's commission (with caps) to fund a social security fund, which is expected to raise ₹250-300 crore annually from major platforms operating in the state.

  Main Topics: Karnataka's gig worker welfare fee, industry request for deferral, conflict with central social security code, lack of notified welfare schemes, potential for duplicate financial obligations.

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  tech 4

  How I streamed my off-road Miata race using Starlink and StarStream

  (Ars Technica / 2026-03-12 11:00)

  The article describes the unique challenges of broadcasting long-distance off-road races held in remote locations, where traditional live coverage is nearly impossible. It introduces StarStream, a new streaming service developed by former racer George Hammel to solve this problem.

  StarStream uses custom software to compress video data into small packets that can be transmitted via Starlink's satellite internet, overcoming previous connectivity issues. This technology allows for live, in-vehicle streaming, aiming to connect fans directly to the racing experience and enhance value for sponsors.

  The main topics covered are: the broadcasting challenges of remote off-road racing, the development of the StarStream technology, and the goal of enhancing fan engagement and sponsor value through live streaming.

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  tech 2

  This £8.97 TP-Link Ethernet switch is a must-have for 4K streaming and lag-free gaming — compact 5-port unmanaged switch runs silent and unlocks gigabit speeds for less than a tenner

  (Latest from Tom's Hardware / 2026-03-12 11:06)

  The TP-Link LS1005G is a compact, 5-port gigabit Ethernet switch available for £8.97 during an Amazon UK sale. It is an unmanaged device, offering a plug-and-play solution to expand wired network connectivity for devices like gaming PCs, consoles, and TVs.

  The switch provides reliable, high-speed connections to reduce Wi-Fi lag and interference for activities like 4K streaming and gaming. Its fanless, silent design and small physical footprint make it suitable for home theater or office setups.

  The main drawback is the lack of customization options compared to more expensive managed switches, but it is presented as a cost-effective way to upgrade a home network.

  Main topics: Product announcement and sale, technical specifications and benefits, intended use cases and limitations.

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  tech 3

  Remembering the 30-year-old computer game that introduced me to Star Wars

  (Ars Technica / 2026-03-12 11:15)

  The author's fundamentalist Christian family prohibited watching Star Wars due to its "Eastern mysticism," but allowed Star Trek and placed no restrictions on video games. This led the author to first experience the franchise through the 1996 video game Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire during their childhood.

  The article frames this game as part of a major 1990s multimedia push by Lucasfilm, which included books and toys, leading up to the Special Edition film releases. The author's personal experience highlights a generational and cultural divide in media consumption, where video games escaped the strict oversight applied to films and music.

  The main topics covered are the author's personal upbringing with restrictive media rules, the contrasting perceptions of Star Wars and Star Trek within their family, and the role of the Shadows of the Empire game as both a personal introduction to Star Wars and a case study in 1990s franchise marketing.

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  tech 6

  Iran-linked cyber attack targets US medtech giant Stryker

  (The Verge / 2026-03-12 11:28)

  A cyberattack attributed to the Iran-linked hacking group Handala has significantly disrupted the global operations of medical equipment provider Stryker. The attack impacted the company's internal Microsoft environment, wiping devices and bringing work and communications to a standstill across its operations in the US, Europe, and Asia.

  Stryker states the situation is contained to its internal environment, with no indication of malware or ransomware, and that its medical products remain safe to use. However, the full operational and financial impact is still unknown, and the company is working to restore its systems without a confirmed timeline.

  The main topics covered are the cyberattack's disruption, the alleged Iranian link, the ongoing response and unknown impact, and the safety of medical products.

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  tech 5

  US-based Accel Leaders Fund may join Rapido’s $600 million round: Sources

  (Tech-Economic Times / 2026-03-12 11:29)

  Accel Leaders Fund is likely to join a $550-600 million funding round for Rapido, led by Prosus, which will value the urban mobility startup at approximately $3 billion. The investment round includes participation from Accel India and WestBridge Capital, with Prosus and Accel India also acquiring a stake from Swiggy.

  Rapido has grown to challenge Uber and Ola, claiming an estimated 50% market share across bikes, autorickshaws, and cabs, with 70-80 million monthly active users. The company is expanding its food delivery service, Ownly, and has seen a 44% rise in operating revenue alongside narrowing losses.

  The main topics covered are the investment round and valuation, Rapido's market position and growth, and its business model expansion into new services.

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  tech 3

  When startups become a family business

  (TechCrunch / 2026-03-12 11:38)

  The Build Mode podcast explores the dynamics of founding a startup with family members, highlighting both the benefits of built-in trust and direct communication, and the challenges of concentrating financial risk within one household. It features interviews with two sets of co-founders: spouses from Rivio, who emphasize the importance of defined roles and adding a third co-founder as a tie-breaker, and sisters from Nowadays, who discuss leveraging their shared values and direct feedback style. The key takeaways for effective family-founded teams are a strong foundation of trust, clearly defined responsibilities, and structured ways to navigate conflict.

  The main topics covered are co-founder dynamics within family relationships, the specific advantages and challenges of such partnerships, and practical advice for building a successful startup team under these circumstances.