LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, April 1, 2020

These 5 latest stories from the tech space will keep you updated with trends today.

1. Apple acquires Dark Sky weather App

Apple has enlarged its corporate portfolio as it acquires popular weather app, Dark Sky. While this is an encouraging development for Apple, it is a shut down to Android as the Weather App will be terminating its usage on Android and Wear OS devices come in July, 2020.

According to Dark Sky, while commenting on this development, it has accepted the Apple deal as Apple is the best place to achieve its vision of helping users stay dry.” Dark Sky co-founder, Adam Grossman, stated: “Our goal has always been to provide the world with the best weather information possible, to help as many people as we can stay dry and safe, and to do so in a way that respects your privacy. “There is no better place to accomplish these goals than at Apple. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to reach far more people, with far more impact, than we ever could alone.”

2. South Africa’s Mobiz raises first $1m in a $2m round

South African SMS marketing engagement platform, Mobiz, has raised $1-million from Kalon Venture Partners, a SA venture capital (VC) firm. This fund, according to a statement from Mobiz is part of a $2-million pre-Series A round. The 6 year old firm, which was cofounded by Greg Chen and Clark Lin, is currently used by large companies as a trusted mailing service provider.

Mobiz, as a business entity, now serves Home Choice, the Lewis Group, Multichoice and Momentum, helping these large enterprises to send customers personalised SMS. Since the public announcement of the raise, Mobiz has been gaining impressive traction from other investors. HAVAIC, another venture firm has promised to commit another $1 million to Mobiz.

3. Xerox stops bid to buy HP amidst COVID-19 pandemic

America’s Xerox Holdings Corporation has on Tuesday, March 31, dropped its “unwelcomed bid” to buy computer and printer maker HP. The American company had earlier bided to buy HP for $36 billion. According to Xenox, persisting COVID-19 pandemic has influenced its decision.

Read also: LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 31, 2020

Xenox stated: “The current global health crisis and resulting macroeconomic and market turmoil caused by COVID-19 have created an environment that is not conducive to Xerox continuing to pursue an acquisition of HP. Xenox has, however, described the development as a disappointing move. “While it is disappointing to take this step, we are prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders, and our broader response to the pandemic,” Xenox submitted.

4. NASA test runs Mars helicopter ahead of proposed out-planet visit

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, has powered its Mars Helicopter in final preparations for its Mars 2020 mission. Although, set for launch in July 2020, the American space agency is ensuring to follow through on its plans to hit Mars as soon as possible.

The space agency had earlier reported the completion of important testing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, close to where the rocket and spacecraft carrying the recently named Perseverance rover will lift off in three months’ time. NASA reported that the testing included the last spin of NASA’s Mars Helicopter rotor blades, which will be heading to the Red Planet attached to Perseverance. However, there are fears that the global pandemic might affect dates and might slight alter NASA’s future launch plans.

5. Facebook offers $100m to support journalism during coronavirus pandemic

Social networking site Facebook has on Monday, March 30, revealed its intent to offer $100 million as financial support to help rebuild media and new organizations that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. According to Facebook, the emergency fund is intended to help bolster local news outlets while supporting journalists to perform their job more efficiently.

Although, some news media players, while reacting to the generous ambition of Facebook, have noted that supports that are more consistent are better appreciated, the Facebook company has revealed it’ll be distributing the funds via its Journalism Project, focusing on supporting smaller news outlets with money as emergency funding to help cover COVID-19 news. Facebook further noted that it understands that the pandemic period is the time when journalism is needed more than before.

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