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Google io 18 – Here’s All You Need To Know

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Google io 18,Startup Stories,Startup News India,2018 Technology News,Google I/O 2018,Google I/O 2018 Keynote,Google CEO Sundar Pichai,Microsoft Build 2018,Google I/O Developers Conference,Google io 2018 Highlights,Google Developers Conference

This year saw the clash of two major tech companies led by Indians for grabbing the spotlight with their unique features, latest additions and in some cases, a completely rebranded focus. Microsoft Build 2018, which kicked off on 7the May, was still going on when Google launched its own annual Google I/O developers conference.

Technology giant Google just wrapped up the first day session of its annual developers conference, Google io 2018. The keynote address, although short, had some major announcements including the upgrades to its Assistant, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Chief Executive Officer of Google, Sundar Pichai started the conference by laying out the overall direction the company would be taking post the conference. Pichai spoke about the biggest controversies the company faced last year, namely the placement of cheese in the burger emoji and the floating foam in the beer emoji. Over 7000 people present there and millions watching online finally realised why Google is so serious about its emoticons.

Since their io last year, the company made a lot of progress in terms of AI and Machine Learning (ML.) This year’s platform concentrated on software over hardware as well as in showcasing the integration of AI and ML in the day to day life. Here are the highlights from the Google io 2018 developers conference.

Core Mission – According to Pichai, the core mission of the company this year will be to make information more useful accessible and beneficial. This includes taking into consideration the expectations of technology in the different parts of the world and the opportunities available.

Google AI – The company is empowering industries around the world by integrating AI into various technologies. These machine learning systems offer deeper analysis and newer insights as compared to regular technologies.

GBoard With Morse Code – In an attempt to make language and speaking easier and more accessible to people all around the world, Google introduced a new feature to its GBoard. The GBoard with Morse Code feature allows people with disability to use the application freely, thereby communicating easily.

Gmail – After completely redesigning the Google email system, Gmail, the tech giant added a new feature called Autocompose to the email system. Using ML, users will now get predictive phrases while typing an email and autocomplete sentences. From addresses to content, the ML system analyses the previous text to predict the next sentence.

Google Photos – Over 5 billion photos are viewed every day by users. Making the app more user friendly, Google added a new feature called App Actions to the photos app which suggests smart actions. The AI system can perform actions like sharing the images with people in the photos and editing images to make them look better with just one click. Adding to that, Google photos can also convert documents to PDF format.

Tensor Processing Units – Special purpose machine learning chips, the Tensor Processing Units, drive the AL and ML systems and product improvements in the company. These chips are now also available to Google’s Cloud partners as well. The company launched the next version of these units, TPU 3.0 during the conference which uses liquid cooling systems as they are 8x times more powerful.

Google Assistant – Trying to make the Google Assistant sound more human, the tech giant stitched together the voice of a real person code named Holly. In order to get the accents and language right for users all over the world, Google also brought in American singer John Legend. His voice as the Assistant will be released later this year. The Assistant is currently available in over 500 million devices. The Assistant will also be able to support 30 languages in 80 countries by the end of this year. Apart from that, users will not have to use the command ‘Hey Google’ or ‘OK Google’ every time they interact with the Assistant. Users can use the command, in the beginning, ask multiple questions within the same request.

Google Research – The tech firm is rebranding its Google Research division to Google AI with an increased focus on computer vision, natural language processing, and neural networks.

Android P – Although the Android P preview was released in March, Google finally revealed the official update of Android P along with some new features. AI is a huge part of the operating system such as AI driven auto brightness, Adaptive Brightness. The new operating system also incorporates new system navigation for multitasking and one handed use, using gestures and vertical controls.
Google News – In a revamped version of Google news, the tech firm will leverage AI to “allow users to keep up with the news they care about, understand the full story, and enjoy and support the publishers they trust.” The new AI powered Google News is also redesigned and will leverage elements found in Google’s digital magazine app, Newsstand and YouTube.
Google Duplex – The new feature, Google Duplex, is powered by the Google Assistant and can make robocalls for everyday tasks like scheduling a hair appointment or making a restaurant reservation. Integrated with AI and ML, Duplex can carry a conversation like a human and adapt to the conversation.
Google Digital WellBeing – In a world where people are addicted to their devices, Google aims to bring a balance to the phone experience in Android P. For this purpose, the company has launched four new features namely Dashboard, App Timer, Do No Disturb, and Wind Down to help users use their phones in a much healthier manner.
  • Dashboard: The Dashboard shows users how often they have been using particular apps.
  • App Timer: The App Timer allows users to set an amount of time to use a certain app and turns the icon grey once the time is up.
  • Do Not Disturb Mode: Much like the current Do Not Disturb feature, this new application ensures users get no visual or sound alerts.
  • Wind Down: The Wind Down feature helps users put down their phones,  setting the whole screen to grayscale.
These are some of the major highlights from the first day of the Google Developers Conference. What was your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments below!

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Imarticus Learning Acquires MyCaptain for INR 50 Crore to Boost Non-Tech Upskilling

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My Captain

Imarticus Learning, an IPO-bound professional education firm, has acquired Bengaluru-based edtech platform MyCaptain for INR 50 crore in a cash-and-stock deal. This marks Imarticus’s fourth acquisition in four years and is aimed at expanding its presence in non-tech career training, especially across India’s Tier-II and Tier-III cities. MyCaptain, which has over 500,000 learners and a revenue of ₹27 crore for FY25, specializes in creative and entrepreneurial fields, with 60% of its users from smaller cities.

 

With this acquisition, Imarticus will bring MyCaptain’s employability bootcamps in digital marketing, design, and content to its 20+ classroom centers in 16 cities, blending online and offline learning. MyCaptain will operate as a fully-owned subsidiary, and all 250 of its employees will join Imarticus, expanding the combined workforce to over 850. The move supports Imarticus’s goal to reach five million learners by FY28 and deepen its offerings in non-tech domains.

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Kingdom of Innovation: Saudi Arabia Tops Global Startup Growth Rankings for 2025

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StartupStories

Saudi Arabia has been named the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world in the 2025 StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index, with a growth rate exceeding 200%—the only country in the global top 100 to achieve this milestone. This surge has earned the Kingdom the “Country of the Year” title, highlighting its transformation into a global innovation leader.

The report ranks 110 countries and 1,400 cities, with three Saudi cities—led by Riyadh—making the global top 1,000. Riyadh entered the world’s top 100 startup cities, posting a 134% growth rate, and solidifying its role as a regional tech hub.

Saudi Arabia now leads globally in HealthTech, nanotechnology, and transport tech, and ranks among the top in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, logistics, and gaming. The Kingdom’s rapid progress is fueled by Vision 2030, robust government support, and record venture capital investment, making it the most funded VC market in MENA.

Startups such as Tabby, Tamara, and Jahez exemplify this momentum, as Saudi Arabia emerges as a top destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

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SC Grants Relief to Paytm’s First Games, Stays Massive GST Notice

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StartupStories

The Supreme Court of India has granted interim relief to Paytm’s gaming arm, First Games, by staying proceedings on a ₹5,712 crore GST notice issued by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). The notice, sent in April 2025, demanded GST for the period January 2018 to March 2023, based on the department’s view that 28% GST should be levied on the total entry amount, rather than the 18% GST currently paid on platform fees.

First Games challenged the notice in the Supreme Court, which on May 23, 2025, ordered a stay on all further proceedings until a final decision is reached. The dispute is part of a broader industry-wide debate over the correct GST treatment for real money gaming platforms, with similar cases pending before the court. Following the stay, Paytm shares rose nearly 2% in early trading, reflecting investor optimism.

The Supreme Court’s order provides temporary relief to First Games and signals ongoing judicial scrutiny of GST demands across India’s online gaming sector.

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