Google to Pay Apple $12 Billion to Remain Safari's Default Search Engine in 2019

http://fortune.com/2018/09/29/google-apple-safari-search-engine/

Google’s search engine dominance can seem invincible, but that doesn’t mean the search giant isn’t willing to pay billions to ensure it stays that way.

Google will reportedly pay Apple $9 billion in 2018 and $12 billion in 2019 to remain as Safari’s default search engine, according to Business Insider. The report comes courtesy of Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall. It seems like a hefty price to pay, but with Safari being the default browser on iPhone, iPads, and Macs—and Google continuing to generate a great deal of revenue from its original search engine business—the Goldman Sachs report finds the payments to be a fraction of the money it ends up making.

“We believe Apple is one of the biggest channels of traffic acquisition for Google,” the report said, according to Business Insider.

Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi additionally revealed in 2017 that Google previously paid Apple an estimated $3 billion. However, the only real number available is from 2014, due to court filings, which revealed Google paid Apple $1 billion for its search engine spot. Considering $9 and $12 billion are big jumps in four and five years, respectively, and that Google and Apple won’t actually disclose the figure, it’s unclear how accurate the Goldman Sachs estimate really is.

AI startup Netradyne raises $21 million from Microsoft’s M12, Reliance

https://www.thehindu.com/business/ai-startup-netradyne-raises-21-million-from-microsofts-m12-reliance/article25083825.ece

AI start-up raises $21 mn from Microsoft arm, RIL

Netradyne, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up focussing on driver and fleet safety, said it had raised $21 million in a new series B funding. M12, Microsoft’s corporate venture arm, led the investment round. Reliance Industries Limited (through its subsidiary RIIHL), which had earlier invested $16 million in the firm, participated along with Point72 Ventures. The investment will be used to expand the team M12 would be bringing additional resources and expertise focused on scaling the company. “We believe [Netradyne] has the ability to create a safe new driving standard for commercial vehicles,” said Samir Kumar, managing director, M12.

Netradyne said its product is a vision-based driver recognition and fleet safety platform that captures and analyzes every minute of the driving experience. This provides commercial fleet managers with insights into positive driving and identifying opportunities for individual coaching. The net result is reduced driving incidents, more awareness around risk and ability to reward positive driving.

“We look forward to the next chapter in Netradyne’s growth where we extend our value proposition within the commercial fleet industry,” said Avneesh Agrawal, Netradyne’s founder and CEO.

The commercial vehicle telematics market size is expected to grow from $7.31 billion in 2017 to $18.43 Billion by 2022, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets.

Belgium to sue Google for not blurring military sites

https://www.dw.com/en/belgium-to-sue-google-for-not-blurring-military-sites/a-45681806

Google CEO Sundar Pichai will testify before US House on bias accusations

https://www.livemint.com/Companies/k9QKKVDoumDelbm3Gp3yzH/Google-CEO-Sundar-Pichai-will-testify-before-US-House-on-bia.html