GM Grapeviners,
So, what happened this week in the Tech & Startup world? 🌍
The Grapevine Newsflash 🔥
11 tech & startup stories in 163 super short seconds.
👟 Amazon’s AR Shoes! Amazon has launched an augmented reality shopping feature to let people try on sneakers before they buy them! Take a look at the feature in action here.
😲 The Ethereum Merge. This week has been big for the Ethereum network. Developers successfully completed a ‘test merge’ (sort of like a practice run) for a big change happening to the Ethereum network later this year. Why does it matter? It’ll lower transaction costs on the network and make the network cheaper to use. Read more here.
🎖️Quantum Defence! The UK Ministry of Defence has bought the government's first quantum computer. Although we don’t know exactly what the computer will be used for, this represents a significant step up in UK military tech. Don’t understand what a quantum computer is? Watch this great explainer video here.
🍎 Apple’s New Camera Thingy? Apple announced several new products and features at its annual developer conference this week. There was a clear winner for us. Apple’s ‘Continuity Camera’ enables you to use your iPhone as a webcam. The twist? Desk View, a feature where you can show you face and your desk simultaneously. Take a look here.
🤳 NFT Concierge! MoonPay has set up an ‘NFT Concierge’ service to help celebrities and high net worth individuals buy NFTs without any hassle. Read the full story here.
💰The Blair Billions? Multiverse, an edtech company founded by Tony Blair’s son has raised $220m at an $1.7bn valuation. Multiverse connects companies with young people looking for apprenticeships. Read more here.
🏦 Apple Pay Later! Apple’s new Buy Now Pay Later feature is launching on iOS 16, and will allow users to pay for items in instalments without interest. This is huge news. Especially with firms like Klarna going through a bit of a rocky patch right now. Read more about the product here.
💸 JP Morgan Loves Fintech. JP Morgan has led a $100m funding round in Codat, an API Based platform that makes it super easy for businesses to organise and find their data. Sounds boring, but this is big big business and Codat is a fantastic company. Read more here.
🇺🇦 Supporting Ukraine 🇺🇦
We’re incredibly saddened at the current situation unfolding in Ukraine. We want to actively state that we stand by the people of Ukraine and are encouraging all our readers to donate via RedCross here.
£10 could provide a hygiene kit to a family of five, giving them supplies to stay healthy for a month
£20 could provide five blankets to families taking shelter
£33 could provide 40 chlorine tablets to ensure that families have access to clean, safe water
£72 could provide a thermometer to help treat those who have fallen ill
£210 could provide a fully equipped first aid kit, including supplies, to a first aider treating those wounded
If you also want to help in other ways (e.g. joining a protest, hosting Ukrainians or support the cyber defence) then check this link.
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Over & Out,
Nick & Louis & Joesph Rogan