Weekly news: UPS+drones=speed, start shopping with Google Home, IBM and VISA target IoT
UPS will fly drones
In a recent test, UPS used a new electric delivery truck with a drone launchpad atop it. Inside the truck, a driver loads a package into the drone’s cargo bin. Then a section of the truck’s roof slides backward so that the drone can take off. After the drone lifts off, the human drives away to deliver a separate package. Then the drone and truck rendezvous at another location, where the drone is loaded with a fresh package. If implemented, that cycle could continue for a driver’s entire shift, allowing UPS to deliver packages more efficiently and save on fuel.
More details at CNN Money
Online Romanian romance
The online dating websites were a hit in January 2017, according to a recent research published by Sentimente.ro, the online platform that reached over 136.000 users in one week (data by Trafic.ro). Last year, almost half of Romanian adults didn’t have a partner for the holiday season, says the National Statistic Institute. “A lot of websites will disappear because they couldn’t keep up with the latest technologies and didn’t set a target audience”, says Liviu Matei (Placere.ro).
More details at Capital.ro
Start shopping with the Google Assistant on Google Home
Starting last week, you can shop for your everyday essentials—from paper towels to vitamins. You’ll be able to order from participating Google Express retailers, including Costco, Whole Foods Market, Walgreens, PetSmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and more than 50 other national and locally available retailers. To get started, just say “Ok Google, how do I shop?” or “Ok Google, order paper towels”. You don’t have to pay additional fees until April 30. More features will be added that will enable purchases for other apps and services.
More details on Google blog
A fridge with a wallet
In a first of a kind collaboration, Visa and IBM are teaming up to bring secure payment experiences through the Internet of Things (IoT). Combining IBM’s industry leading IoT technologies with Visa payment services signifies the next defining moment in commerce by freeing transactions to occur not just on your preferred device, but any connected object where it can bring new levels of simplicity and convenience to everyone.
More details on IBM blogs
Zitec’s financial boost
Romanian online retailer eMAG said it is investing EUR1.7 million in local online applications provider Zitec which aims to expand on the market by opening offices in the countryside and through sustained activities aimed at boosting the portfolio of clients in Western Europe and the United States. The capital injection, which will take place through a series of transactions, took into account Zitec’s growth potential in software development services and online marketing, as well as the investment portfolio in startups.
Among the companies in Zitec’s investment portfolio are Zipongo.com (USA) cosQuare.com (Netherlands) and HAC!BD publishing house (Romania).
More details at Romania Journal
