Google to buy Moodstocks

Google announced a deal to buy Moodstocks, a French startup behind technology that helps smartphone recognize whatever they are aimed at. Moodstocks caught the US technology giant eye for its work in computer vision and machine learning, as well for accomplishments in enabling smartphones or other mobile devices to recognize images and objects.

Google is among Silicon Valley titans investing in ways to get computers to see and understand the world around them the way people do. Machine learning has been woven into an array of Google offerings, such as its free language translation and photo services. Google and its parent Alphabet are expected to integrate the image search team in the artificial intelligence efforts.

Google Home, about the size of a stout vase, will hit the market later this year and will incorporate new virtual assistant software. When home hits, it will challenge Amazon Echo voice controlled assistants that have proven to be a hit since the Seattle based online retail colossus unveiled them two years ago.

Many Internet companies are exploring the promise of artificial intelligence, for example, smartphone applications that can learn a user’s habits and anticipate searches and requests. Microsoft, Apple and Google have each created their own virtual assistants for users.

Apollo Tyres acquires Germany Reifencom

After having failed to acquire the US based Cooper Tire in a $2.5 Billion deal, the country second largest tyre manufacturer by Sales, Apollo Tyres had acquired Reifencom GmBH, one of the largest tyre distributors in Germany for Euro 45.6 Million.

Reifencom GmBH has an online presence in six countries – Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. In Addition, it operates 37 stores and service centres across Germany. Acquisition will enable Apollo to improve its mix of distribution channels in Germany and Europe and aid in increasing the visibility of Apollo and Vredestein tyres offline and especially in the fast growing online retail space.

Reifencom has turnover of 147 Million euro in 2014. The acquisition will give Apollo two benefits: increase in number of channels overseas as well as access to retailing multiple brands. Apollo already has 3,500 dealers/partners in Europe which will now get further enhanced due to the acquisition of Reifencom.

The success of Reifencom GmBH is attributed to its highly efficient logistics system, which ensures there is a guarantee of a high degree of availability of all kinds of tyres and rims, even during busy periods like spring and autumn. Reifencom GmBH procures tyres and rims from leading manufacturers thereby ensuring a high level of quality.

Aricent Acquires SmartPlay

Aricent Inc., a US based company providing Software and engineering services, has acquired Bangalore based Chip design services firm SmartPlay Technologies Pvt. Ltd. for around $180 Million. This is one of the biggest acquisitions in the semiconductor space in India. It is also Aricent fifth and the biggest ever acquisition in the country.

SmartPlay has around 1,200 employees in India, Germany, Singapore and the US. The acquisition will also expand Aricent 10,000 strong engineering team, which caters to nine core industries including telecommunications, networking, consumer electronics, industrial automation, semiconductor, automotive, internet services, consumer and enterprise software, media and entertainment.

The acquisition follows France based Technology consulting firm Altran acquisition of India based SiCon Design Technologies last month and the acquisition of Bengaluru based Cosmic Circuits in 2013 by Cadence Design Systems of the US, and demonstrates India’s growing and deep strengths in semiconductor design. SmartPlay was founded in 2008.

Aricent started in late 1990s as Hughes Software, a firm that was acquired by Flextronics International. In 2006, private equity major Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. acquired a majority stake in the venture and renamed it Aricent. Aricent previously acquired four other Indian firms – FutureSoft, Emuzed, Deccanet and Tenet Technologies.