Microsoft Acquires Swiftkey | Crunch Report | Summary and Q&A
TL;DR
Cisco acquires Jasper Technologies for $1.4 billion to strengthen its position in the Internet of Things (IoT) market.
Key Insights
- π Cisco's acquisition of Jasper Technologies highlights the growing importance of IoT in the tech industry.
- π Microsoft's acquisition of Swiftkey shows its commitment to enhancing its digital assistant, Cortana.
- πͺ Amazon's addition of Alexa functionality to Fire TV expands the capabilities of its smart home ecosystem.
- π Fitbit's launch of Alta aims to cater to users looking for a stylish and affordable fitness tracker option.
- π« Instagram's move to increase video ad length demonstrates its efforts to monetize the platform and attract more advertisers.
- π§βπ» These acquisitions and product launches indicate the increasing competition in the tech industry across various sectors.
- π¬ The IoT market is rapidly expanding, and companies like Cisco are investing heavily in infrastructure and platforms to capture a share of the market.
Transcript
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Questions & Answers
Q: What is Cisco's acquisition of Jasper Technologies about?
Cisco is buying Jasper Technologies to strengthen its position in the IoT market by integrating its IoT cloud platform.
Q: How much did Microsoft pay to acquire Swiftkey?
Microsoft paid $250 million in cash to acquire Swiftkey.
Q: What new functionality does Amazon add to its Fire TV?
Amazon adds Alexa functionality to all Fire TV devices, allowing users to control their smart home, ask questions, and more.
Q: What is the price and availability of Fitbit Alta?
Fitbit Alta is priced at $130 and starts shipping in North America in March, followed by a worldwide release in April.
Q: What is the purpose of Instagram increasing video ad length?
Instagram is extending video ad length to 60 seconds to allow advertisers to run the same ads they have created for TV on the platform.
Summary & Key Takeaways
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Cisco buys Jasper Technologies, an IoT cloud platform, for $1.4 billion to expand its presence in the IoT market.
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Microsoft acquires Swiftkey, a third-party keyboard app maker, for $250 million to enhance its digital assistant, Cortana.
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Amazon updates its Fire TV to include Alexa functionality for all users, and allows ordering pizza through the speaker using a Domino's app.
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Fitbit launches Alta, a new fitness tracker without heart rate monitoring but with other features, for $130.
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Instagram increases video ad length from 30 seconds to 60 seconds, enabling advertisers to run TV ads on the platform.