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Google seeks to boost its smartphone game with Pixel 7
Google is planning to boost its smartphone game with the Pixel 7, the latest commodity in a competitive corner of personal electronics where it has typically been a bit player.
The device was launched this week in Brooklyn, USA, where representatives from the Mountain View, California giant highlighted top-flight features that can silence background noise on the phone.
First introduced in 2016, the Pixel was a late-comer to the portable phone trend, arriving nearly a decade after Apple’s iPhone and seven years after Samsung’s Galaxy model, both products that dominate today’s global market.
In 2020, global deliveries of the Google phone were just 2.7 million, next to more than 200 million for both the Apple and Samsung options.
Those negligible sales figures are partly due to the Google phone’s limited availability, with the Pixel 5 sold in less than 10 countries as the tech giant has focused its smartphone investment on software rather than its own hardware.
While Google’s phones are comparable in terms of quality to the top sellers, the product “has often lacked backing from Google” in terms of promoting, said Runar Bjørhovde, a research analyst at market research firm Canalys.
Google has alternatively focused on boosting its Android operating system, which was launched in 2008 and included more than 80pc of smartphones sold in the first half of 2022, according to Canalys.
Maurice Klaehne of Counterpoint Research said that “Google certainly has the capability and resources to become a major smartphone player, but that is not Pixel’s strategy,” noting that growing Android remains Google’s main objective.
But “Selling more Pixel devices might mean taking away share from other Android players, and this would go against Pixel’s goal,” he said.
Bjørhovde said that, with the latest version of the phone, Google has pivoted somewhat, releasing a product that is compatible with wearables, earbuds and other devices produced by the company.
At a launch event, Google vice president Rick Osterloh said the new product “symbolizes years of development across Google and a long-term investment in the Pixel portfolio.”
The company has seen an uptick in sales, reaching 6.2 million Pixels in the 12 months ending June 30, 2022, up 129pc from the prior 12-month stretch, according to figures from Canalys.
This includes a doubling in market share in the US, where Pixel now only accounts for 2pc of smartphone sales.
Priced at $599 in the United States, the Pixel 7 is being positioned as relatively affordable. The latest versions of the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy are both around $800.
Grameenphone (GP) and bKash Partner to Simplify Financial Inclusion
Grameenphone, a leading smart connectivity provider in Bangladesh, has teamed up with bKash, the country’s largest Mobile Financial Service (MFS) provider, to enable seamless bKash account openings directly through the MyGP app. This innovative feature sets a new standard for accessibility and ease of use in mobile financial services.
The integration within the MyGP app marks a pioneering initiative, being the first of its kind in Bangladesh. This collaboration reinforces Grameenphone and bKash as major innovators in their respective industries. According to a press release, this partnership allows customers to register for bKash accounts by simply clicking on a dedicated section within the MyGP app.
With user consent and a few verifications, customers are swiftly directed to the bKash registration platform, where they can complete the eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process. This streamlined procedure enables customers to quickly access a wide range of financial services offered by bKash. Initially, this service is available to Android users through the MyGP app.
New customers who open a bKash account via the MyGP app will receive a bonus of up to Taka 125, encouraging them to explore the diverse features and services provided by the bKash platform.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, stated, “At Grameenphone, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our collaboration with bKash reflects our customer-centric approach and our commitment to promoting financial inclusion and digital empowerment to create a Smart Bangladesh.”
Kamal Quadir, Founder and CEO of bKash, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Financial inclusion and inclusive services have been part of bKash’s DNA since its inception. This innovative joint initiative with Grameenphone will allow customers to instantly access various financial services, contributing to the digital ecosystem. This increased accessibility will enable more customers to embark on Bangladesh’s cashless journey.”
Startup Bangladesh Limited has unveiled a strategic investment of BDT 1 crore in Pulse Tech Ltd, a move set to revolutionize digital healthcare in Bangladesh. This significant investment signals a profound commitment to bolstering the nation’s digital healthcare sector.
During a formal signing ceremony in Dhaka, attended by key figures including Md. Shamsul Arefin, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Startup Bangladesh, and Senior Secretary of the ICT Division, alongside Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, the investment was officially announced. Also present were Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Co-founder and Managing Director, and Kazi Ashikur Rasul, Co-founder and CEO of Pulse Tech Ltd, along with senior management.
Pulse Tech Ltd. is renowned for its innovative solutions tailored for the retail pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh. Their comprehensive B2B SaaS platform empowers retail pharmacies to efficiently source products, manage inventory, and track transactions in a seamless digital environment. With a mission to eliminate counterfeit and expired products from the market, Pulse Tech aims to transform retail pharmacies into comprehensive healthcare hubs, offering services such as diagnostic test booking, telemedicine, and medicine supply.
Md. Shamsul Arefin underscored the strategic importance of the investment, stating, “Investing in Pulse Tech Ltd. is a strategic move to enhance our national healthcare infrastructure. Through this investment, we aim to enable Pulse Tech to innovate and expand its services in the retail pharma industry, crucial for advancing healthcare technology in Bangladesh.”
Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, echoed this sentiment, expressing, “We believe in the transformative potential of technology and are proud to partner with Pulse Tech as they drive digital healthcare innovation. Our investment reflects our confidence in their vision and our commitment to nurturing startups vital for technological advancement and economic growth.”
With this injection of capital, Pulse Tech is poised to accelerate technology development and expand operations, focusing on improving the efficiency of retail pharmacies and accessibility of authentic medicines nationwide. The investment from Startup Bangladesh is anticipated to have a significant impact on the healthcare sector, providing state-of-the-art solutions to meet the evolving needs of the Bangladeshi population.
Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Co-founder and Managing Director of Pulse Tech Ltd., expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Startup Bangladesh as our newest investor. Their guidance and support will be instrumental in helping us achieve our organizational goals and positively impact Bangladesh’s retail pharmaceutical industry and healthcare landscape.”
This strategic alliance between Startup Bangladesh and Pulse Tech Ltd. marks a pivotal step towards a technologically advanced and health-conscious Bangladesh.
Following the merger of EXIM and Padma, BASIC Bank is now set to merge with City Bank. The decision was reached during a meeting held today (8 April) at the Bangladesh Bank. Sources within the central bank revealed that the merger will be voluntary. This significant decision emerged from a meeting between Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar and City Bank’s Chairman Aziz Al Qaiser and Managing Director (MD) Mashrur Arefin.
Previously, on 19 March, the board of City Bank received a recommendation to merge with Basic Bank. Subsequently, discussions ensued between the boards of both City Bank and Basic Bank. Officials from both banks engaged in internal discussions regarding this matter. Despite the merger, sources indicate that the two banks will continue to report separate financials for the next three years.
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