It’s a wrap: News this week (May 4 – May 10)

There have been multiple developments this week on the tech front. From Apple’s M4 chip to acquisitions of the week, this is the list of the most important developments for a quick catch-up:

Apple introduces M4 chip

This week, Apple launched the fourth generation of its M-series chips. Called the M4 chip, it is available on the latest iPad Pro. Built using second-generation 3nm technology, M4 features a new CPU with 10 cores and a new 10-core GPU builds on the next-generation GPU architecture introduced in M3. M4 has Apple’s fastest Neural Engine capable of up to 38 trillion operations per second, which is faster than the neural processing unit of any AI PC today, the company said in its blog.

Acquisitions of the week

Hexaware Technologies, a Mumbai-based leading global provider of digital solutions, announced the acquisition of Softcrylic, a data consulting firm based in Minneapolis. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Hexaware’s data and analytics capabilities.

Content delivery network company Akamai entered into a definitive agreement to acquire API security company Noname Security. This acquisition will help Akamai enhance its existing API security proposition and meet customer demand amid booming use of APIs. 

Midcap IT services company Happiest Minds has announced the acquisition of USA-based Azure native digital product engineering company Aureus. This is the second acquisition Happiest Minds has announced within a month after PureSoftware's ₹779 crore takeover in April. 

LTIMindtree and IBM to launch gen AI center for India

LTIMindtree announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with American technology company IBM to establish a global, joint Generative AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in India. The CoE plans to provide a wide range of services, combining LTIMindtree's expertise in data and machine learning model customisation and full-stack engineering with IBM Watson technology, including Watson AI, Watson data, and Watson governance, as well as AI assistants. Located in India, the center will concentrate on developing solutions to speed up clients’ generative AI adoption journeys.

Mindgrove Technologies launches SoC

Peak XV Partners-backed fabless semiconductor startup Mindgrove Technologies announced the launch of a commercial system-on-chip (SoC) called Secure IoT. The chip is expected to improve cost efficiency for Indian original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for their feature-rich devices. Secure IoT will cost 30% less than other chips in similar segments, said Mindgrove in a statement. 

Lam Research expands supply chain in India

US-based semiconductor giant Lam Research is extending its global semiconductor fabrication equipment supply chain to include India.  The move comes as the company aims to meet the increasing demand for semiconductors by collaborating with suppliers in India to provide precision components, custom parts, high purity gas delivery systems, and other necessary assemblies for cutting-edge semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment.