Hi Guys! It’s the end of another busy week in the world of tech. From the launch of Clubhouse on Andriod to the crash of the Crypto market, the week was packed with surprises.
Here is a quick roundup of some of the major stories around the globe you might have missed.
China lands spacecraft on Mars for the first time
China has landed its first spacecraft on the surface of Mars. The mission, called Tianwen-1, is the first to send a spacecraft into the planet’s orbit, drop a landing platform, and deploy a rover all in one expedition.
The Tianwen-1 was launched in July 2020 and the spacecraft slipped into orbit around Mars in February.
China is the third nation to land on Mars, and the first to deploy an orbiter, lander, and rover.
The lander will deploy a two-track ramp for the six-wheeled rover called Zhurong. The rover is expected to explore the region and search for its water ice with ground-penetrating radar.
The Tianwen-1 orbiter will continue circling the red planet for one Martian year (two Earth years), relaying data to Earth and taking photos. Its main goal is to “perform a global and extensive survey” of the entire planet.
Apple patents tech that displays 3D images without special glasses
Apple is working on a crazy new iPhone tech that displays 3D images without special glasses. The company recently patented a tech titled Split-Screen Driving of Electronic Device Displays, which is capable of showing users a 3D image without the need for any type of accessory.
The patent explains in detail how this type of feature might be enabled by implementing a “split-screen mode” on the iPhone display. It pointed out that it will essentially provide each eye with a different view and, in the process, yield a result similar to a 3D graphic.
Apple, however, says creating this type of technology without specialized lenses is fraught with technical hurdles.
Ethereum founder donates $1.14bn in cryptocurrency to Covid-hit India
Ethereum co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, has donated 500 coins and over 50 trillion SHIB meme coin worth around $1.14 billion to the India Covid-Crypto Relief Fund.
Vitalik’s donation is the largest contribution to save lives in India from the coronavirus pandemic
Following the donation, the SHIB meme coin fell more than 35 per cent.
However, Sandeep Nailwal, the man behind India Covid-Crypto Relief Fund, said in a tweet that the relief fund will not “do anything which hurts any community especially the retail community involved with $SHIB.
Asides from the Ethereum founder, a number of entrepreneurs including Balaji Srinivasan have donated to the India Crypto Relief Fund which maintains a log of all the donations.
Google fined $123 million for market abuse in Italy
Google has been fined $123 million by Italian authorities for abuse of market dominance because it restricts developer access to Android Auto.
According to the regulator, the tech giant violated article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It accused Google of preventing a firm called Enel X Italia to develop and release a version of its JuicePass app for Android Auto.
In addition to the fine, the Italian Competition Authority has sent a cease and desist letter to Google demanding that it “stops the abuse” and allow Enel X Italia’s app to ship for Android Auto.
Stripe acquires Y Combinator alumnus, Bouncer
Paystack’s Parent company, Stripe has bought Bouncer, a startup based in Oakland. Bouncer developed a platform that automatically runs card authentications and detects fraud in card-based online transactions.
The acquisition comes on the heels of a $600 million fundraise earlier this year. And it marks another step in Stripe’s progress to becoming an online finance behemoth.
The terms of the deal are not being disclosed, but Stripe is acquiring both Bouncer’s technology and the team. Both will be integrated into Stripe Radar.
You can check out other news that happened during the week here. Have a nice weekend!!
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