(This article originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 -Microsoft unveiled four Surface computers and a new folding phone.
This past week Microsoft revealed five Surface products which include a folding phone, tablet and a laptop. According to the announcement, the Surface Laptop Studio will replace the Surface Laptop, while the Surface Pro 8 will have a 13-inch display. Additionally, the Surface Duo 2 folding phone is anticipated to be a major improvement on last year’s unsuccessful Surface Duo 2 launch. With only 4% of Microsoft’s revenue coming from hardware, it’s predicted that the new devices will have a bigger impact in helping the launch of Windows 11, which is set for October 5 th, the same time that the phone and laptops will be released. (Source: CNBC)
Why this is important for your business:
I never thought Microsoft would be a player in the hardware business, yet alone delivering smartphones. But then again I never thought my last Windows update would complete either. But the fact is that the Surface really is a great laptop and very popular with many of my clients. These four adds should provide even more choices for small business owners. And a folding phone? Tell me more…
2 — Apple Wallet is getting verifiable COVID-19 vaccine cards.
Apple announced this past week that Apple Wallet will be including verifiable COVID-19 vaccine cards as part of a future software update for the iPhone. The new feature will utilize the SMART Health Cards standard-which users can show by signing in with a unique key while providing a public key-to help show proof that a user received their vaccine. iOS 15-which was recently released- currently allows users to keep verifiable test and vaccine results in the Health app. (Source: Engadget)
Why this is important for your business:
This may help you keep track of your vaccinated employees in accordance with President Biden’s new directives, which become effective soon. I’ll assume that Android won’t be too far behind.
3 -Coinbase plans to propose crypto regulations to US officials.
Coinbase is getting ready to pitch the idea of regulating cryptocurrencies to US officials. The crypto exchange has plans to make the proposal public soon, although specifics of what the regulations would entail were not disclosed. The announcement was made shortly after Coinbase shared that it was stopping its plans to provide product for crypto lending. According to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), securities laws would be violated with such a product. (Source: Coin Desk)
Why this is important for your business:
This comes on the heels of the Fed’s upcoming research examining the costs and benefits of a central bank digital currency. Crypto is for real, folks. If you’re running a small business you’ll be accepting it routinely in the next few years.
4 — The workflow automation startup Daylight lands $12.3M.
Daylight-the workflow automation tool formerly known as FormHero- shared this past week that it raised $12.3 million in funding, bringing the total it has raised to $14.56 million. According to the announcement, the newly raised funding will go toward helping expand its automation platform capabilities and go-to-market activity. (Source: Venture Beat)
Why this is important for your business:
The startup creates tools that both small and mid-sized companies can use, like automation software that lets businesses and organizations create digital workflows in order to negate inefficient, expensive, and complicated tasks.
5–55% of restaurants say digital payments are the key to future success.
According to the 2021 Restaurant Readiness Index, more than half of restaurants believe that future success will rely on the use of digital payments. The results of the survey revealed that-on average-a restaurant got 67% of its sales thanks to digital or call-in orders, while only 39% of orders were made in-store. The same survey also revealed that almost 13% of customers were likely to increase their spending if a restaurant offered the ability to place an order online. (Source: Pymnts)
Why this is important for your business:
It’s not just crypto that’s being embraced, but digital transactions altogether. And I don’t believe that it will just be restaurants that are most affected.
