Reuters - Technology Report

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Monday, December 18, 2017

To thwart Amazon, Kroger and Walmart lure shoppers with curbside pickup

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - As Amazon.com looks to upend the U.S. grocery market with home delivery, some veteran supermarket operators are betting on a different strategy: curbside pickup. Americans have long loved the convenience of drive-through service for burgers and coffee. Kroger Co and Walmart Inc are tweaking that formula for groceries.

Bitcoin hits bigger stage as exchange giant CME launches futures

NEW YORK/SYDNEY (Reuters) - Bitcoin futures received a lukewarm reception at its launch on the CME Group Inc on Sunday, although market experts believe a recent rally in the cryptocurrency has further to go.

France files complaint against Amazon for abuse of dominant position: paper

PARIS (Reuters) - The French government has filed a complaint with the Paris Commerce Court against e-commerce company Amazon for abusing its dominant position with some suppliers, newspaper Le Parsien said on Monday.

Uber ties up with BBM messenger on ride booking

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Uber Technologies [UBER.UL] said on Monday it has joined forces with BBM Messenger to allow users around the world, including in the application's biggest market of Indonesia, to book rides via the messenger service.

Solid Power, BMW partner to develop next-generation EV batteries

(Reuters) - U.S. EV battery company Solid Power said on Monday it had partnered with Germany's BMW AG to develop the next-generation solid-state battery technology for use in electric vehicles (EVs).

Oracle Corp to buy Australia's Aconex for $1.19 billion

Sydney (Reuters) - Australia's Aconex Ltd said on Monday it had received a A$1.56 billion ($1.2 billion), or A$7.80 in cash-per-share, buyout offer from U.S. software major Oracle Corp , sending the target's share price up 45 percent.

Hitachi aims double-digit margin by 2021, not interested in GE assets: CEO

TOKYO (Reuters) - The head of Japan's Hitachi Ltd said the company was aiming to improve its operating margin to double digits by fiscal 2021 from current levels of around 7 percent.

Toyota to market over 10 battery EV models in early 2020s

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp said it would market more than 10 all-electric vehicle (EV) models globally in the early 2020s, a target which could require the firm to look beyond a partnership with Panasonic Corp to co-develop and supply batteries.

China's Tencent, JD.com invest $863 million in online retailer Vipshop

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd said on Monday it would lead an $863 million investment in apparel platform Vipshop Holdings Ltd , upping its rivalry in retail with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd .

Opera Software changes name to Otello Corporation

OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's Opera Software has changed its name to Otello Corporation, it said in a statement on Monday.