LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 13, 2020

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

1. Google employee in Bangalore India confirmed positive for coronavirus

Global tech leader Google has announced on Thursday, March 12, the unfortunate news of one of its employees in Bangalore, India, testing positive as a new carrier of the feared coronavirus. The company has, since this discovery, ordered other workers carry on with work on Friday from home in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

According to the tech giant, the move was reached to exercise maximum caution as advised by health practitioners, as it moves to quarantine close contacts of the affected employee. In a public statement, Google’s Director of Engineering, Anand Rangarajan, noted that the employee contacted the virus following his trip overseas. It will be recalled that Google had earlier ordered its employees in Europe and North America to switch to remote work. Why Google didn’t pass same for its Bangalore office remains unknown despite India recording over 40 COVID-19 issues as of last week.

2. America’s Quona Capital secures $203m to invest in financial inclusion tech initiatives

Quona Capital has raised $203-million towards in its partnership programme with non-profit organisation, Accion, to invest in tech initiatives driving the globe to financial inclusion. Tagged Accion Quona Inclusion Fund, the investment will support tech startups that focus on financial inclusion in emerging markets.

The body has, however, revealed that the funding is a cumulative of funds collected “from an array of leading investors including among others global asset managers and insurance companies, banks, university endowments, foundations, family offices, and development finance institutions.” Quona looks forward to solutions designed for underserved consumers and small businesses in Latin America, Africa, India and Southeast Asia.

3. Amazon expresses fears for Coronavirus, asks all employees to work from home, if possible

Global digital marketplace Amazon has issued a statement on Thursday, March 12 as a corporate response to the COVID-19 outbreak, advising its network of employees who are able to work from home to do so through the end of March. Amazon noted that its directive was in a bid to comply to safety measure as the spread of the virus increases globally.

Read also: LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 12, 2020

In Amazon’s words: “We (the company) continue to work closely with public and private medical experts to ensure we are taking the right precautions as the situation continues to evolve. As a result, we are now recommending that all of our employees globally who are able to work from home do so through the end of March.” This becomes understandable as a Google employee has been confirmed testing positive to COVID-19. It is only reasonable for Amazon to protect the health and life of its over 700, 000 staff members with an offer to work remotely.

4. Founders shut down South African startup HealthQ to focus on its America-based business LifeQ

Co-founders of HealthQ, a South African startup have made public their intent to shut down the company to focus on its America-based initiative, LifeQ. The duo noted that the decision was reached in order to restructure its supposedly more promising enterprise.

Riaan Conradie, one of the founders confirmed the development in a public statement, justifying the need on account of revenue generation and prospect. According to him, HealthQ’s main client remained LifeQ, and was only business-wise to shut down the business while moving to absorb the talents from the company into LifeQ.

5. Microsoft joins Facebook to cancel all proposed May 2020 event on account of coronavirus pressure

Microsoft, another global tech player, has bowed to the Coronavirus pressure as it shelves its big event slated for May 2020. Microsoft, however, has considered holding it online, instead of tossing it off completely. While this might significantly cut down of the companies budget, there will be a lot of minus from the usual culture this year.

Unlike Facebook that is yet to disclose plans for its cancelled F8 event, Microsoft gears up to host its delegates virtually to meet its ends. Explaining the development, the Microsoft team stated: “The safety of our community is a top priority. In light of the health safety recommendations for Washington State, we will deliver our annual Microsoft Build event for developers as a digital event, in lieu of an in-person event. We look forward to bringing together our ecosystem of developers in this new virtual format to learn, connect and code together. Stay tuned for more details to come.”

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