Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has announced that Threads, Meta’s text-based conversation app, boasts over 150 million monthly active users, positioning it as a competitor to Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter). The monthly active user count for Threads surged from around 100 million users in October last year to 130 million in February.

At an earnings meeting for Meta, Zuckerberg said: “[Threads] continues to be on the trajectory that I hope to see.” He said in July that he expected Threads to become the next billion-user social network in Meta’s apps suite which also includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Since Threads’ launch last year, Meta has been working on creating a range of new features like a fully functional web application, keyword search, trending topics, edit button, voice posts, and the ability to support multiple accounts.

Additionally, the company has been boosting Threads’ posts on its video and photo-sharing platform, Instagram, in order to expand its social network .In March this year, Meta took a significant stride towards fulfilling its commitment to enhance interoperability for Threads. It started allowing users in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Japan to share their posts to the ‘fediverse’. The fediverse comprises decentralised social networks, such as Mastodon, that can interact with one another using the ActivityPub protocol.

The feature will be available to all users with public profiles above the age of 18 in these countries. Meta is testing a Threads API, aiming to empower creators, developers, and brands to construct their own distinctive integrations, efficiently manage their Threads presence, and distribute content to their communities. Meta’s API empowers developers to authenticate, publish posts, and retrieve their own content. Additionally, the company has recently introduced reply management capabilities, enabling users to access responses to their posts, configure reply settings, and conceal or reveal specific replies.

In a blog posted earlier this month, the company said, “Insights are one of our top requested features for the API, so we are making it possible for people to fetch key metrics for their posts, including the number of likes or views. We are also working on webhooks, which will allow developers to receive real-time notifications when certain events occur on the platform, such as a reply to a given post.” Meta said it is currently working with companies such as Grabyo, Hootsuite, Social News Desk, Sprinklr, Sprout Social, and Techmeme, with plans to make the API available by the end of June this year.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, anticipates that the combined revenue from YouTube and Cloud businesses will exceed $100 billion by the end.

During the earnings call on April 25, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that both YouTube and Google’s cloud business are projected to collectively surpass $100 billion in revenue by the end of 2024, showcasing new avenues of profitability for the company. Pichai emphasized their track record of investing in and nurturing successful, emerging businesses.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, announced revenue of $80.5 billion for the January-March quarter of 2024, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. Operating income rose by 46.3%, and net income surged by 57%. The company generated sales, excluding partner payouts, of $67.6 billion for the three months that ended on March 31, surpassing the $66.1 billion expected on average by analysts, as per Bloomberg. The company’s net income was $1.89 per share, compared with Wall Street’s estimate of $1.53 per share.

Alphabet also declared its first-ever dividend at 20 cents per share and confirmed plans to repurchase another $70 billion in stock. In the first quarter of this year, YouTube earned $8.1 billion from ad sales, its highest ever for Q1, up 21 per cent from the same period last year. And this number doesn’t include the money brought in from its annual subscriptions.

Meanwhile, Google’s revenue from its subscriptions, platforms, and devices, including services like YouTube Premium and YouTube TV, reached $8.7 billion in the quarter, a 17.9 per cent increase from last year. Philipp Schindler, Alphabet’s chief business officer, attributed this revenue growth to the rising number of YouTube subscriptions.

While Google doesn’t disclose specific figures for this segment, Pichai mentioned in January that the subscription business earned $15 billion in 2023. YouTube announced it had surpassed 100 million paid subscribers for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music in January 2024, up from 80 million in November 2022.

YouTube TV has over eight million paid subscribers in the United States. Additionally, Google One, the company’s cloud storage service, reached 100 million subscribers in February. In February, the search engine giant consolidated numerous advanced generative AI features into a fresh subscription plan known as the Google One AI Premium Plan.

This plan is accessible in India for a monthly fee of Rs 1,950, granting subscribers entry to an upgraded iteration of its chatbot Gemini, dubbed Gemini Advanced. Gemini Advanced is tailored for handling intricate tasks and operates on the AI model Gemini Ultra 1.0. Subscribers will additionally gain access to Gemini’s functionalities within Alphabet’s suite of productivity applications, including Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Meet. Google has been pushing its subscription growth with various initiatives.

In October 2023, YouTube launched a global effort against ad blockers, extending it to third-party apps later. Google Photos ended its free unlimited storage in June 2021. In February, Google introduced advanced generative AI features under a new Google One AI Premium Plan, available in India.

The cloud unit’s revenue surged by 28.4 per cent to $9.6 billion, with operating income rising to $900 million in Q1 2024. Pichai credited the strong performance of YouTube, Google Cloud, and the search business for the company’s overall revenue growth in the quarter.

Microsoft Corporation announced robust financial results for its third quarter ending on March 31, with revenue soaring to $61.9 billion, marking a notable 17% increase from the previous year. The company’s profits reached $2.94 per share; surpassing analyst estimates of $2.83 per share on sales of $60.9 billion.

The stellar performance was largely attributed to strong corporate demand for its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) offerings. CEO Satya Nadella’s strategy of integrating AI technology from OpenAI into Microsoft’s product line showed significant returns, with an uptick in customers utilizing AI tools for various tasks. The company’s Azure cloud platform reported a remarkable 31% revenue gain, surpassing expectations and indicating continued growth momentum.

Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood highlighted the widespread growth across Azure services, emphasizing the importance of both AI and non-AI services. Microsoft’s commercial cloud product revenue increased by 23% to $35.1 billion, with commercial bookings growing by 29%. Looking ahead, Microsoft projects further growth in Azure revenue for the current quarter, with expansion plans for its global data center network to meet rising demand for AI services.

Additionally, the company aims for a sales and operating income growth of more than 10% for the fiscal year starting July 1. Despite its strong performance, Microsoft remains focused on enhancing security measures, recently introducing AI tools in its cybersecurity business. The company also benefited from growth in its traditional desktop software business and gaming sector, following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Microsoft’s continued expansion is evident in its aggressive investment in infrastructure, with capital expenditures reaching $14 billion in the quarter.

The company anticipates a further increase in capital spending to meet the growing demand for AI services, reflecting its commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Security remains a top priority for Microsoft, with recent enhancements in its cybersecurity business to better detect and mitigate threats. However, the company faces challenges following a critical report from the US Cyber Safety Review Board, leading to its most significant security overhaul in over two decades.

In addition to its cloud and AI growth, Microsoft’s traditional desktop software business saw an 11% increase in revenue, driven by a recovering PC market. Furthermore, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard contributed to a significant boost in Xbox content and services revenue, demonstrating Microsoft’s diversification strategy in the gaming sector.

Overall, Microsoft’s strong financial performance underscores its position as a leader in the technology industry. With a strategic focus on innovation, cloud computing, and AI, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and drive sustainable growth in the years to come.

The CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), K Krithivasan, stated that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) will result in a substantial decrease in the requirement for call centers within a year. This has the potential to fundamentally alter an industry that has historically been a significant source of employment in countries such as India and the Philippines.

Krithivasan envisions a future where call centres receiving incoming calls become rare and replaced by proactive AI systems capable of predicting and addressing customer issues before they arise. He believes that chatbots equipped with generative AI will be designed to analyse customer transaction histories and perform tasks traditionally handled by call centre agents. While acknowledging that this transformation might take some time to materialise fully, Krithivasan expects significant progress within a year.

When asked about the impact this may have on employment, Krithivasan argued that the demand for tech talent would increase, not decrease. He emphasised the need for workforce training to meet this demand, especially in India. India’s largest IT services player on April 12 reported a net profit of Rs 12,434 crore for the fourth quarter of financial year 2023-24 (Q4 FY24), up 9.1 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y). The company also reported a revenue of Rs 61,237 crore for the quarter, a 3.5 per cent Y-o-Y increase and a one per cent rise from the previous quarter.

In comparison, Infosys had reported a 30 per cent Y-o-Y increase in its net profit at Rs 7,969 crore in Q4 FY24, while its revenue for the quarter grew by 1.3 per cent Y-o-Y to approximately Rs 37,923 crore. India’s largest IT services player on April 12 reported a net profit of Rs 12,434 crore for the fourth quarter of financial year 2023-24 (Q4 FY24), up 9.1 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y).

The company also reported a revenue of Rs 61,237 crore for the quarter, a 3.5 per cent Y-o-Y increase and a one per cent rise from the previous quarter. In comparison, Infosys had reported a 30 per cent Y-o-Y increase in its net profit at Rs 7,969 crore in Q4 FY24, while its revenue for the quarter grew by 1.3 per cent Y-o-Y to approximately Rs 37,923 crore.

The India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) has released a report aimed at positioning India as a global leader in semiconductor product design and IP creation. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, emphasized India’s pivotal role in the semiconductor value chain and called for strategic action to capitalize on emerging opportunities while navigating challenges.

The report delineates a strategic blueprint for India’s semiconductor sector, emphasizing the need for a robust design ecosystem, industry-oriented skill development programs, and enhanced funding mechanisms. It underscores the importance of leveraging global opportunities in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and advocates for government investment in refurbished fabs to support semiconductor design firms and foster a skilled workforce.

Recent government initiatives, including the approval of semiconductor units in Gujarat and Assam, and the establishment of chip plants by Tata Group, signify India’s commitment to bolstering its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. These efforts aim to address chip shortages, enhance national security, and stimulate indigenous innovation.

The comprehensive initiative, ‘Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in India,’ underscores India’s determination to secure a prominent position in the global semiconductor landscape by enhancing manufacturing capabilities and fostering indigenous innovation.

The release of the report by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global powerhouse in semiconductor product design and IP creation. Pankaj Mohindroo’s emphasis on India’s pivotal role in the semiconductor value chain reflects the growing recognition of India’s potential to shape the future of the semiconductor industry.

The strategic blueprint outlined in the report serves as a roadmap for India’s semiconductor sector, highlighting key areas for development and growth.

In a notable shift within India’s digital payment landscape, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the preferred mode of transaction, with a staggering 118 billion transactions recorded in the fiscal year 2023, as per data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Capitalizing on this trend, SuperUs, an Indian tech OEM, has introduced a groundbreaking innovation – the Dynamic QR Code device. This state-of-the-art device integrates the functionalities of both a cash terminal and checkout terminal, revolutionizing transaction experiences for businesses and customers alike.

With its seamless system integration, the Dynamic QR Code device ensures error-free reconciliation, promising accuracy and efficiency in payment processes. Unlike conventional solutions, SuperUs has positioned the Dynamic QR Code as a cost-effective option with numerous advantages.

Key features include: Streamlining payment processing and enhancing customer interaction Minimal installation expenses, eliminating upfront costs associated with hardware, software, and training Generation of unique QR Codes for each transaction, reducing the risk of errors Easy implementation with user-friendly systems and straightforward device management Effortless integration and Locally manufactured with in-house facilities, enabling scalable customizations The Dynamic QR Code device offers comprehensive financial and inventory data management through integration capabilities with inventory accounts and ERP systems. Its display technology, utilizing innovative E Ink electronic paper, ensures crystal-clear visuals and an enhanced user experience.

Moreover, the device’s multiple size options cater to diverse business needs, ensuring versatility and adaptability across various environments. SuperUs, as an Indian tech OEM, is committed to building connected information systems with innovative technology and smart devices. Their vision is to unify communication through premium devices, SaaS, and licensing models.

This unveiling of the Dynamic QR Code device marks a significant advancement in India’s digital payment ecosystem, providing businesses with an efficient, cost-effective solution to meet evolving consumer demands. With UPI transactions on the rise and technology playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of payments, innovations like the Dynamic QR Code device are poised to drive further transformation and propel India towards a cashless economy. For more information, visit the official website of SuperUs: www.superussystems.com. [Reference: NPCI – https://www.npci.org.in/]

SuperUs’s introduction of the Dynamic QR Code device signifies a strategic response to the changing landscape of digital payments in India. With UPI transactions witnessing exponential growth, businesses are increasingly seeking innovative solutions to streamline their payment processes and enhance customer experiences. The Dynamic QR Code device addresses these needs by offering a comprehensive, user-friendly platform that optimizes efficiency and accuracy while minimizing costs.

Moreover, its unique combination of features, such as integrated system reconciliation, error reduction through individual QR Code generation, and straight-forward implementation and maintenance, distinguishes it as a leading solution in the market. By leveraging locally built technology and manufacturing capabilities, SuperUs ensures scalability and customization to meet the diverse requirements of businesses across various industries. As India continues its journey towards becoming a digitally empowered society, initiatives like the Dynamic QR Code device play a crucial role in driving financial inclusion, promoting transparency, and fostering economic growth.

By empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology, SuperUs contributes to the broader vision of building a robust digital infrastructure that benefits both enterprises and consumers alike. Overall, the unveiling of the Dynamic QR Code device marks a significant milestone in India’s digital payment evolution, underscoring SuperUs’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the tech industry.