Space escapes, Android tops Windows and Tesla upends Ford. It's The Daily Crunch for April 4, 2017. Luckily, we got to skip that nasty day of fools. 1. Android becomes the number one way people use the internet Mobile OS Android is now more popular than Windows, at least when it comes to accessing the internet. That's according to new data from research firm Statcounter, which has seen this coming in its data for a while now. Android achieved a slightly higher share of web activity from users vs Windows last month, after having gradually made gains on the desktop OS over the past five years. The tipping point means we've come to that point we already knew was on its way: Mobile is king. 2. Apple will design its own graphics chips for mobile Apple has had great success with its in-house chip design efforts, which is easily seen in the iPhone and iPad's A-series processor line. Now, it's looking to get into designing its graphics design tech, which we found out because its former GPU provider said that's what it's doing now. 3. Grab, Uber's Southeast Asia rival, has acquired Kudo Uber's biggest competition in Southeast Asia acquired Kudo, a mobile payments startup, in a deal confirmed today that is worth around $80 to $100 million. It's interesting given that there's an opportunity for someone to provide Uber with some strong competition abroad and potentially at home given Uber's current roubles. 4. HTC wants you to subscribe to VR apps Is $7 per month too much to pay for five new games? You can judge for yourself with a one-month free trial. There's a lot of good titles on offer in the library, but it's still a question whether anyone needs a Netflix for VR. 5. Boeing and ULA use a zipline to show off their emergency crew launch rescue system If astronauts and crew ever have to get off an Atlas V rocket when Boeing and ULA begin crewed launches next year, they'll have to do so in a hurry – which is why the companies looked to an existing tech when designing their Emergency Egress System. That tech is the zipline, with a mechanically simple chair that can speed people safely to the ground in case of emergency. 6. Tesla tops Ford in market value Tesla worth more than Ford? Probably only on Wall Street, where valuations aren't strictly based on value. 7. Amazon Cash offers Amazon shopping for the cardless Amazon is launching Amazon Cash, a new way for users to shop its site without a credit or debit card, using prepaid credits they can purchase at retailers. It's a good way for Amazon to expand its already considerable footprint. Also! Sign up for our new weekly startups newsletter, curated by Anthony Ha. Just follow the link below and check the "TC Startups" checkbox. It's dreamy. |