Two years after launch, Walmart’s Flipkart is closing in on India’s quick-commerce leaders

Indian startups spent years getting consumers accustomed to having groceries and everyday goods delivered within minutes. Now Walmart-owned Flipkart is rapidly closing the gap with those quick-commerce pioneers, as global rival Amazon mounts its own push into instant delivery. Flipkart Minutes, which debuted in August 2024 as the e-commerce giant’s foray into quick commerce, is…

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India’s Yulu raises $93M as quick-commerce boom fuels e-bike demand

As India’s quick-commerce platforms race to deliver everything from groceries to smartphones in minutes, electric mobility startup Yulu has seized the boom, raising $93 million in fresh funding. The Bengaluru‑based startup offers electric two‑wheelers on weekly subscription plans, so delivery drivers can jump straight into the platform, without buying their own vehicle. With around 50,000…

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Should you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead?

Should you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead?

The smartphone industry’s next battleground may not be the phone itself, but how consumers get it. As premium devices become more expensive, Apple, Samsung, and others are betting that leasing, subscriptions, and guaranteed buyback programs can make upgrading more attractive. This week, Apple launched Apple Upgrade in the U.S. in partnership with Klarna, allowing consumers…

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ServiceNow bets  million on Indian banking software specialist to expand its financial services push

ServiceNow bets $40 million on Indian banking software specialist to expand its financial services push

ServiceNow, the U.S. enterprise software company known for automating workflows like IT service management and HR operations, is betting on an Indian banking software specialist to deepen its push into global financial services. The company has invested $40 million in BusinessNext, valuing the 24-year-old Indian firm at $700 million and taking a roughly 5% stake….

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Vertu wants executives to pay ,880 for an AI agent — here’s how it actually performs

Vertu wants executives to pay $6,880 for an AI agent — here’s how it actually performs

AI has become the smartphone industry’s latest battleground, with manufacturers racing to add AI-powered features to attract mainstream consumers. Vertu is taking a different path. The UK-founded luxury phone maker, known for hand-finished devices often costing tens of thousands of dollars, sells status instead of specs. Its Alphafold, a foldable phone, targets affluent buyers, particularly…

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