Roundup – Musk ready to hire, clouds loom over Apple and Google

UK watchdog probes Apple and Google mobile browser dominance

The UK’s competition watchdog has kicked off its probe into Apple and Google’s mobile dominance.

Browser vendors, web developers and cloud gaming service providers said the tech giants’ mobile ecosystems are harming their business, restricting innovation and adding unnecessary costs. According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems allow them to “exercise and stranglehold over these markets”.

“We plan to investigate whether the concerns we have heard are justified and, if so, identify steps to improve competition and innovation in these sectors,” said Sarah Cardell, interim chief executive of the CMA, in a statement.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/11/22/uk-cma-market-probe-apple-google/

Mazda injects $11bn into electrifying vehicles and begins battery production

Mazda will invest just shy of $11 billion ($10.6bn) into a new electric fleet and the carmaker is also considering entering battery production. As part of a three-phase plan, Mazda said it would introduce battery EV-models in the latter half of phase 2 (between 2025 and 2027) and launch its full-scale fleet of fully electric vehicles between 2028 and 2030. To push EV uptake, Mazda has raised its sales targets to up to 40% of its total global sales by 2023. Yet there is concern over backlash the brand may face for not making the move to EV’s quick enough – as seen with rivals such as Toyota and Honda.

https://thestarphoenix.com/pmn/business-pmn/mazda-unveils-11-bln-ev-spending-plan-considers-investing-in-battery-production-2

India proposes guidelines to tackle false online reviews and ratings

The vetting process for buyers has been made difficult through companies downplaying negative reviews or accepting fake ratings. According to the Indian government, the guidelines will make the online world and e-commerce more authentic. Firms will be required to validate the person leaving the review, however full details of the guidelines are not yet public. Google, Meta and Amazon, as well as food delivery apps and travel sites make up some of the companies that will need to follow the new regulation.

“We do not want to bulldoze this,” said Rohit Singh, secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs. But “if we see the menace continues to grow we may make this mandatory”.

https://www.asiaone.com/asia/india-proposes-guidelines-combat-fake-online-reviews-and-ratings

Twitter to hire as Musk’s staff slashings come to an end

Elon Musk has announced he is hiring again after mass job cuts of around 7,500 employees at newly acquired Twitter. He said the social media firm is actively recruiting for roles in engineering and sales and  he is encouraging employees to make referrals. Musk did not specify the type of engineering or sales roles Twitter is looking for, and currently the company has no open roles listed on its website.

“In terms of critical hires, I would say people who are great at writing software are the highest priority,” he said during a meeting on Monday. The meeting was the first time that Twitter employees heard from Musk since the “hardcore” ultimatum given last week.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/21/23472025/elon-musk-twitter-hiring-again-ending-layoffs