Japan’s largest automaker Toyota and Tokyo-based AI startup Preferred Networks Inc will carry out joint research to develop so-called service robots that are “capable of learning in typical living environments”. The two companies intend to engage in joint research and development on Toyota’s Human Support Robot (HSR) robotics platform and aim to develop service robots catering to market needs.

Market research firm Gartner has released a report titled “Survey Analysis: The Mobile App Development Trends That Will Impact Your Enterprise in 2017.” The report notes that there is reduction in the number of mobile apps being created for enterprises, indicating the obstacles that they face with native mobile or hybrid development. This might be the reason for the growth in mobile Web apps.

Apple Inc is leasing a small fleet of cars from rental company Hertz Global Holdings Inc to test self-driving technology, Bloomberg recently reported.

THIS LOOKS LIKE AN ATTEMPT TO REORGANIZE AND FOCUS ON CLOUD
If the recent reports from TechCrunch are to be believed, Microsoft is planning a massive layoff around the world to restructure the company’s salesforce worldwide. Bloomberg also reported a similar thing hinting at global sales reorganization at Microsoft and this new report is in line with that.

Microsoft launched its enterprise-ready version of LinkedIn’s product for sales professionals, Sales Navigator; and is now working on integrating Sales Navigator and Dynamics 365. The Sales Navigator tool integrates well with Salesforce’s CRM system.

Microsoft has been struggling with falling revenues for Surface PC line and Windows phones. However, this has not stopped it from aiming for new devices called “Surface Phones”. The company recently made its patent public. According to a report in Forbes on Monday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has confirmed that Microsoft will “make more phones, but they will not look like phones that are there today.”