Level AI, which provides call center automation software, raises $20M

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Level AI, a company providing call center automation software, has raised $20 million in funding from venture capital investors.Read More

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Samsung’s Exynos Chip Lags Hopelessly Behind Apple’s A-Series

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Samsung’s Exynos Chip Lags Hopelessly Behind Apple’s A-Series

Samsung’s Exynos chip was lauded as one of the best chances for the Android world to challenge Apple’s performance on smartphones…but that hasn’t happened.

Apple has long held the performance crown in the smartphone market. While all of the major smartphone makers rely on Arm-based chips, Apple’s long history of semiconductor design has paid dividends, allowing it to dominate performance benchmarks, and real-world performance.

Samsung’s Exynos 2200, which is one of the options in the company’s flagship Galaxy S22, was thought to be one of the best chances of dethroning Apple, or at least giving it a run for its money. Unlike Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, the Exynos 2200 chip is Samsung’s own design, giving it the ability to control “the whole widget,” much like Apple does.

Unfortunately, the Exynos 2200 simply doesn’t deliver the goods, according to MacWorld and its sister site, Tech Advisor. In benchmark after benchmark, the Exynos 2200 was only able to seriously challenge the iPhone 11, with its outdated A13 processor. Compared to the more recent A14 and A15, the Exynos 2200 doesn’t even come close.

Ultimately, with the poor showing of Samsung’s home-grown chip, it seems Google’s Tensor line of chips, may be the best chance of eventually challenging Apple.

Samsung’s Exynos Chip Lags Hopelessly Behind Apple’s A-Series
Matt Milano

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How the Tech Sector Propels the Californian Economy

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How the Tech Sector Propels the Californian Economy

During the Covid global pandemic, the tech sector’s financial success helped propel California to reach a $15 billion tax surplus for the next fiscal year. This proved to be a sharp turnaround from the previous year’s projected $54 billion deficit. The stock prices of tech giants such as Apple, Facebook, Alphabet, and Netflix had soared—reaching all-time highs. Shares of the widely used video conferencing company Zoom had seen a fivefold increase in value— as it became a household name.

A key reason behind California’s successful economy remaining stronger than the majority of the nation’s can be attributed to the fact that it has a higher percentage of exceedingly productive businesses than most states in the U.S. The Golden State’s tech sector, which bolsters GDP faster than any other industry, has been expanding at an impressive speed—more than that of the state’s other major industries. 

Last year saw California’s GDP reach $3.35T, this amount represented 14.6% of the entire economy in the United States. As a result, if the state of California had to be viewed as a country on its own; it would prove more productive than countries such as the United Kingdom and India—as the 5th largest economy in the world. This makes the state the perfect climate for new businesses to startup as California is business-friendly and a hub for successful startups.

Capitalizing on California’s Economy

Due to the growth in the state’s economy, new businesses will be able to capitalize and use the market to their advantage. By setting up a business in the Golden State, business owners will benefit from the business-friendly climate. Starting a Limited Liability Company in California is relatively easy and can be broken down into the following steps: 

Naming a California LLC

Creating a solid brand name is a vital step in the startup process. However, this goes beyond just finding something that is catchy and creative. The name is required to follow the naming guidelines that the state of California has laid out. For a complete list of naming rules in the state, entrepreneurs should research California’s Code of Regulations.

Choosing a Qualified Registered Agent

Appointing a registered agent is a federal requirement that needs to be fulfilled prior to the formal registration of a business. Also known as a California Agent for Service of Process, this individual or business entity will be a direct line of communication between the state and the business. They are the official recipients of important tax forms, all legal documents, any notice of lawsuits, and other official government correspondence on behalf of the business.

File the California Articles of Organization

In order to successfully register a business in California, entrepreneurs will have to file Form LLC-1 – Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State. The state has made the process flexible in that business owners have the choice of registering either online, by mail, or in person.

File the Initial Statement of Information

All LLCs in the Golden State are obliged to file an Initial Statement of Information (Form LLC-12). This needs to be completed with the California Secretary of State within the first 90 days of formation. The process can be done online, in person, or by mail.

Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is a requirement for all business owners when forming an LLC in California. This legal document comprehensively explains the ownership and operating procedures of the company— reducing the risk of future conflict between members of the organization.

Get an Employer Identification Number

An Employer Identification Number is an equivalent of a social security number that every business is required to have. An EIN is assigned to businesses by the IRS so that they are able to identify the business for taxation purposes.

For more information on starting an LLC in California, here is a suggested resource.

Final Thoughts

The Golden State is home to some of the world’s largest companies, and a wide host of leaders in the tech industry have set up shop in the state. This has opened up the market to now allow other smaller businesses to follow suit. In order to operate in California, entrepreneurs should conduct thorough research to ensure that their business complies with all local, state, and federal government regulations.

How the Tech Sector Propels the Californian Economy
Brian Wallace

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US Ramping Up Pressure on Chinese Companies Over Russia Sanctions

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US Ramping Up Pressure on Chinese Companies Over Russia Sanctions

The US is already ramping up pressure on Chinese companies to cooperate with sanctions against Russia, despite China being critical of such sanctions.

The international community is implementing sanctions in an effort to bring a peaceful resolution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in lieu of boots on the ground. One possible impediment to that strategy is China, which provides up to a third of Russia’s semiconductors, and roughly half of its computers and smartphones, potentially giving Russia an important lifeline in its attempts to combat sanctions.

According to Bloomberg, however, the US will likely use export control rules in an effort to force Chinese companies to help with the sanctions, companies like Lenovo. The plan is similar to how the US cut Huawei off from chips made by TSMC, using export rules to prohibit Huawei from benefiting from any technology derived from US intellectual property. As Bloomberg points out, any company that ignores those export rules does so at its own peril, risking being cut off from US-based tech itself, or having its executives prosecuted.

China has made no secret of its disagreement with the international community over sanctions against Russia. With Huawei as a recent example of how poorly things can go for a company that relies on US-based tech, it’s likely many Chinese companies will get on board with restricting tech exports to Russia.

US Ramping Up Pressure on Chinese Companies Over Russia Sanctions
Matt Milano

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Twitter Adding Warning Labels to Russian Propaganda Posts

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Twitter Adding Warning Labels to Russian Propaganda Posts

Twitter is working to combat Russian propaganda, adding warning labels to tweets linked to such propaganda in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Tech companies are increasingly being drug into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with many implementing their own sanctions against Russia in the face of its attack. In the meantime, social media has become an all-too-common battleground between facts and misinformation.

Twitter is working to address that, with warning labels attached to propaganda Russia may be working to propagate. The news was announced by Yoel Roth, Head of Site Integrity at @Twitter.

Today, we’re adding labels to Tweets that share links to Russian state-affiliated media websites and are taking steps to significantly reduce the circulation of this content on Twitter.

We’ll roll out these labels to other state-affiliated media outlets in the coming weeks.

Twitter’s action is just one of many Russia is facing as it embarks on the biggest invasion in Europe since World War II.

Twitter Adding Warning Labels to Russian Propaganda Posts
Matt Milano

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Apple’s Next iPhone May Be $199 and Have 5G

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Apple’s Next iPhone May Be $199 and Have 5G

Apple is reportedly preparing to release an updated iPhone SE with 5G, and it may cost as little as $199.

The last iPhone SE was a sleeper hit for Apple, a phone that included the features most people care about, while still being reasonably priced. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has an excellent track record for reliably predicting Apple’s moves, the next iPhone SE will be released in March.

The new model is expected to have 5G, and will likely maintain a similar size and design as the current model. The big news, however, is that Apple may release the phone for as little as $199, opening the door for the company to make major headway in markets like India.

“A device priced at $200 could make inroads in regions like Africa, South America and parts of Asia that are currently Android strongholds,” writes Gurman. “That would let Apple Inc. sign up more customers for services, potentially making a low-end iPhone quite lucrative for Apple in the long run. But so far, the company has steered well clear of that approach.”

If Gurman’s prediction is correct, Apple may find itself with a sudden, and massive, influx of new customers.

Apple’s Next iPhone May Be $199 and Have 5G
Matt Milano

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BlackRock Selects Verizon For On Site 5G Private Network

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BlackRock Selects Verizon For On Site 5G Private Network

BlackRock has selected Verizon to provide it with an on site 5G private network, a big win for the wireless carrier.

BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager and, as such, depends on fast reliable internet. The company has reached an agreement with the largest US wireless to provide private 5G for its global headquarters in New York.

While 5G is often talked about in the realm of smartphones and tables, the next-generation wireless tech has countless applications for businesses and networks. With speeds reaching into the gigabits per second, private 5G networks can offer speed and security that traditional internet providers are hard-pressed to match.

“5G Ultra Wideband is the platform for 21st century business and should be a prerequisite for any workplace that aims to be state of the art and future ready,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “BlackRock’s decision to outfit their new headquarters with On Site 5G from Verizon Business puts them at the forefront of data-centric innovation, in full view of clients, guests and partners, who can enjoy the on-premises private network and all its benefits as well.”

“Our vision from the very beginning was to create a world-class, tech-centric experience for our people and our clients,” said Rob Goldstein, COO of BlackRock. “Partnering with Verizon Business to deploy On Site 5G at our new headquarters will help us turn that vision into reality. As we usher in a new world of work, the vibrant and dynamic environment that we are looking to create will give our people the best opportunities to succeed and better serve our clients.”

BlackRock Selects Verizon For On Site 5G Private Network
Matt Milano

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