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Mobile Technology

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: A Sturdier Foldable with AI Enhancements

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold focuses on durability with a new gearless hinge and IP68 rating, addressing user concerns about foldable longevity. It features a Tensor G5 processor, brighter screen, and a larger battery. Google has added AI features like Magic Cue, call translation and camera coach.

The camera setup is similar to last year's model, but not on par with the Pixel 10 Pro. The phone maintains a chunky design, prioritizing sturdiness over thinness. Priced at $1,799, it offers a fully-baked Google experience in a foldable form factor.

Finance

Pine Labs' Solid Market Debut Signals Confidence in Indian Fintech

Payment technology company Pine Labs, supported by PayPal and Mastercard, experienced a positive market reception on its IPO, closing 14% higher after reducing its valuation for the $440 million IPO.

The stock opened at ₹242, peaked at ₹284, and settled at ₹252, exceeding the issue price of ₹221. The company's market capitalization reached ₹289 billion (approximately $3.3 billion).

Pine Labs, founded in 1998, has grown beyond India and now operates in 20 markets. The company became profitable in the June quarter, reporting a net profit of ₹47.86 million (about $540,000). Revenue from operations rose 17.9% year-over-year to ₹6.16 billion (around $69 million).

Amrish Rau, CEO of Pine Labs, emphasized the company's continued startup mindset. The public listing included existing investors such as Peak XV Partners, Temasek Holdings, PayPal, and Mastercard selling portions of their holdings.

Pine Labs intends to expand its geographic presence and deepen its footprint in India with new products and services aimed at the growing consumer base.

Artificial Intelligence

Harvey's Ascent: From Legal AI Startup to Valley Darling

Harvey, a legal AI startup founded by Winston Weinberg, has rapidly gained prominence in Silicon Valley, attracting investments from top-tier venture capitalists like OpenAI Startup Fund, Sequoia Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz. Valued at $8 billion, the company's success is attributed to its ability to secure major law firms and corporate legal departments as clients.

Weinberg shared how a cold email to Sam Altman led to OpenAI's early investment. Harvey now boasts 235 clients across 63 countries and has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue. The platform is designed as a 'multiplayer' system that facilitates collaboration between law firms and corporations, addressing challenges like ethical walls and data permissioning.

Lawyers primarily use Harvey for drafting, research (through a partnership with LexisNexis), and analyzing large volumes of documents for diligence or discovery. While some critics view Harvey as a wrapper for ChatGPT, Weinberg emphasizes the platform's unique ability to collect workflow data and create a multiplayer environment for legal service providers and consumers.

Harvey's business model is transitioning towards outcome-based pricing for specific workflows, while continuing to offer seat-based licenses. Weinberg also addressed the potential impact on junior lawyers, highlighting Harvey's role as a training tool and one-on-one tutor, enabling them to become partners more quickly.

Technology & Transportation

Uber Enhances Driver Safety with In-App Video Recording Pilot in India

Uber has launched a pilot program in India allowing drivers to record video within the app to deter misconduct and protect against false complaints. The feature, currently live in 10 cities, encrypts recordings on the device, accessible only if shared in a safety report. This initiative builds upon Uber's existing safety measures, including in-app audio recording, and aims to balance dispute resolution with privacy concerns. The pilot's success will determine its wider rollout across India and potentially other regions.

Mobile App Development

Apple Launches Mini Apps Partner Program with Reduced 15% Commission

Apple has introduced the Mini Apps Partner Program, offering a reduced commission rate of 15% on in-app purchases for mini applications.

Mini apps are defined as self-contained experiences built using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript, distributed within a larger, native app.

To qualify, the main app must be available on iOS or iPadOS, hosted on the App Store, and adhere to Apple's guidelines, including the Advanced Commerce API and Declared Age Rating API.

The program incentivizes developers to use Apple’s technologies and safety tools, while allowing Apple to retain a commission on mini app transactions.

Developers can apply to the program and must provide information about their host app, eligibility, and mini app, agreeing to the program's terms.

Fashion & Accessories

Apple's $150-$230 iPhone Pocket: Fashion or Ragebait?

Apple has released the iPhone Pocket, a cloth sling for your phone designed by Issey Miyake, priced at $149.95 (short) and $229.95 (long). Inspired by Miyake's 'a piece of cloth' concept, it's seen as a logical extension in the fashion world, akin to accessorizing existing accessories. The short version is compared to the popular Labubu art toy, while the crossbody version joins the trend of phone accessories. The collaboration feels natural, given Miyake's influence on Steve Jobs' aesthetic.

Cybersecurity

CISA Urges Federal Agencies to Patch Cisco Firewalls Against Active Exploitation

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning to federal government departments about insufficient patching of Cisco firewalls, leaving them vulnerable to an active hacking campaign. CISA is tracking exploitation of two security flaws in Cisco's Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) software since September. While some agencies have applied patches, others remain vulnerable. This follows a recent hack of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), where an unpatched Cisco firewall was found. CISA urges all agencies with affected devices to update to the latest patch version.