In a surprising move just days after unveiling its latest devices, Amazon announced that Rob Williams, Vice President of Device Software & Services and a member of its elite “S-team,” will step down at the end of 2025. His departure comes as Amazon rolls out a habanero provider sweeping refresh of its hardware lineup—including upgraded Echo speakers, color Kindle e-ink displays, and a new Fire TV operating system dubbed “Vega.”

Structural Shake-Up at Amazon

Panos Panay, Amazon’s Senior VP of Devices & Services, confirmed in an internal memo that Williams’ exit had been long planned. He also revealed a reorganization: the Alexa Smart Vehicle team will be absorbed into the main Alexa division, and Tapas Roy, VP of Fire TV, has been tapped to assume Williams’ responsibilities. Analysts see the changes as Amazon’s effort to consolidate leadership amid intensifying competition in consumer AI and smart devices.

Williams has been with Amazon for 12 years, joining the S-team in 2022, and has been instrumental in shaping the software experiences across Amazon’s device ecosystem. His decision to stay through the latest product launches suggests he aimed to leave on a high note.

What This Means for Amazon

Williams’ exit raises questions about continuity in Amazon’s device strategy—especially as it bets heavily on AI and smart home integration. His departure at a pivotal moment may slow some development efforts or shift priorities under new leadership. But with Amazon already pressing forward on Vega OS, Alexa+ generative AI, and deeper hardware-software coupling, the company appears intent on maintaining its momentum.

The real test will be whether Tapas Roy and the reorganized teams can drive the same level of innovation and cohesion in Amazon’s device ecosystem—or whether this marks a turning point in how Amazon balances hardware, software, and AI going forward.

Apple has introduced its first-ever mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference WWDC 2023. Developers working on apps for the Vision Pro will soon have the opportunity to apply for the developer kit. Apple has updated its official page to confirm that applications for the developer kit will be accepted starting in July.

During the launch of the Vision Pro, Apple stated that the mixed-reality headset will not be available for purchase until early 2024. In the meantime, the company will produce a developer kit specifically for the Vision Pro, which will assist app creators in developing apps for the headset prior to its official release. However, Apple has clarified that the developer kit will only be available to a limited number of developers.

In terms of how the Vision Pro developer kit will operate, Apple typically provides qualified developers with developer kits for unreleased hardware through an application process. These devices are usually loaned to the developers and must be returned at a later date. In addition to the developer kit, Apple also offers other forms of assistance to developers.

Apple will provide developers with compatibility evaluations for their apps and games. These evaluations will offer insights into how apps appear and function within VisionOS. Furthermore, Apple will establish developer labs in six locations, including Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. These labs will allow developers to have hands-on experience with their apps running on the Vision Pro.

The developer kit enables developers to quickly build, iterate, and test their app or game experiences on the Vision Pro. Developers who already have an iPad or iPhone app on the App Store will also have the opportunity to apply for the Vision Pro developer kit.

Google TV is a smart TV platform that was developed by Google as an operating system for smart TVs. It allows users to access and stream content from various streaming services and apps, as well as search for content across all available platforms. It was launched in September 2020 as an upgrade on Android TV.

Google has recently introduced two new features to enhance the Google TV experience. The first feature, called App Hibernation, automatically puts apps into hibernation mode when they haven’t been used for more than 30 days. This helps reduce the amount of storage space used on Google TV devices.

The second feature focuses on reducing the size of apps. By utilizing Android App Bundles for Google TV, Google has managed to decrease app sizes by approximately 25%. This allows users to free up space on their devices for more app downloads and uninterrupted program viewing.

These new features have already been rolled out to devices, and there is no action required from users to enable them. In addition to these features, Google has also made updates to devices and remotes to minimize wait times. This includes reducing wake-up time, improving response time between the TV and remote buttons, and minimizing the loading animation time during device reboots.

Google has confirmed that these improvements are already available to users.

Apple is making improvements to the in-app subscription process for iPhone and iPad users. Currently, users must go to their Apple ID settings to manage app subscription payment failures. However, Apple has announced that this process will change. Users will be able to resolve billing issues directly within the app if a subscription renewal fails. Apple has stated that starting this summer, users will receive a prompt in the app to update their payment method if they encounter problems with auto-renewable app subscriptions due to billing issues.

When a payment failure occurs, a pop-up message will appear for users, provided by the system. This alert will ask users to update their payment method for their Apple ID. Apple has explained that this change will make it easier for customers to resolve payment issues and continue their subscriptions to content, services, and premium features.

Developers are not required to take any action to adopt this feature. From April 19, they can familiarize themselves with the pop-up message in Sandbox and test delaying or suppressing it using messages and display in StoreKit.

This feature will only be available for users with a minimum of iOS 16.4 or iPadOS 16.4. Apple believes that this change will not only simplify the process for customers but also help developers streamline the app subscription renewal process and reduce the number of lapsed subscriptions.

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), the agricultural university in Chhattisgarh, has collaborated with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to develop a mobile application called the Crop Doctor app. This app aims to provide farmers with information, knowledge, and solutions for various issues related to major crops.

The Crop Doctor app offers comprehensive information about major crops, including paddy, vegetables, and pulses. It also provides details about diseases, insects, and nutrient deficiencies that affect crops. This knowledge can be accessed by farmers, livestock breeders, herders, dairy workers, agriculture department officers, traders, and other individuals involved in the agriculture and allied sectors.

To obtain information about crop diseases, insects, and nutrient deficiencies, users simply need to upload an image of the affected plant or crop. Currently, there are a total of 256,473 users of the app, including agricultural scientists, input dealers, farmers, and agriculture students.

The app caters to both national and international users and offers a wide range of features for major crops such as paddy, vegetables, pulses, and oilseeds. These features include updates on market prices, government schemes, direct links to knowledge centers, and the ability to book online appointments with scientists or specialists. It also provides information on crop variety, production, and protection.

Additionally, the app facilitates the rental of farming equipment, allowing farmers to easily access machinery and sell their products in a timely manner. By registering on the website, users can learn about average demand and off-season rates, enabling them to price their items accordingly. This feature eliminates the need for middlemen in the agricultural supply chain.

The Crop Doctor app also serves as a platform for two-way communication between farmers and extension officers. Farmers can post their issues, and the extension officers can offer solutions and advice.

This e-enabled farmer-centric service provides online guidance for establishing high-income generation practices and offers information on resources like irrigation, soil type, and land type. The app is available for download on the Play Store and is currently being used in various regions, including remote Naxal-affected areas in the state and other states.

Bhisam Verma, a farmer from Batang village in the Patan area of Durg district, Chhattisgarh, mentioned that he primarily uses this app to rent agricultural implements such as tractors, harvesting machines, and pesticides, as it is cost-effective. He also utilizes the app to stay updated on weather forecasts and learn about crops like paddy and wheat.

As the demand for tech talent continues to rise with the growth of the digital industry, skilling models are evolving. Nasscom and the government’s FutureSkills Prime program, which offers free and subsidized courses, have been mentioned in previous articles. Currently, the platform provides free courses such as AWS’s Cloud Practitioner Essentials, Adobe’s UX Foundation, Intellipat’s Web Development Foundation, and many others.

Private training course providers are also adopting a similar approach. Great Learning’s Academy initiative and Simplilearn’s SkillUp platform are offering hundreds of free courses, ranging from basic to advanced levels.

The objective is to attract individuals to these new digital areas so they can become familiar and comfortable with them. Even if only a small portion of these individuals go on to take paid courses, which often include hands-on lab experiences and personalized instructor training for better career prospects, it is sufficient to sustain private enterprises.

Previously, potential learners would inquire about courses but would back off upon seeing high prices, such as Rs 50,000. Krishna Kumar, founder & CEO of Simplilearn, mentioned this during a recent webinar. Hari Krishnan Nair, co-founder of Great Learning, stated that young professionals, including final year students, recognize the importance of acquiring new skills in data science, cloud, and full-stack development. However, university-backed postgraduate programs are often lengthy and costly, making them a misfit in terms of products. This is why the Academy program was created, and it now has 2 million learners worldwide, with the majority coming from India.

Nasscom and industry leaders believe that this is precisely what the country needs to become a force in the digital world. Amit Mehta, head of AWS training and certification for India in Amazon Internet Services, referred to a study conducted by AWS earlier this year, which projected a 34% CAGR in the demand for cloud architecture design skills between 2020 and 2025. The study also identified CAGRs of 27% or more in skills related to software operations support, website/game/software development, large-scale data modeling, and cybersecurity during the same period.

Digital roles are not limited to engineers and technologists. There is also a strong demand for professionals from humanities and non-tech backgrounds, who can take up roles such as digital marketer, data analyst, and business analyst.

Kumar emphasized the high growth potential of digital marketing, which involves attracting attention through digital channels and writing compelling content. Nair debunked the myth that a statistics background is required for roles like data scientist, data analyst, and business analyst. He stated that an analytical mindset is all that is needed, and their courses cover the basics of statistics, mathematics, and relevant techniques.

Mehta highlighted the potential for professionals in the banking and finance industry to build successful cloud careers by utilizing their domain expertise in areas such as fraud management, business resilience, compliance, and regulations. By taking courses such as Cloud Financial Management (CFM) and Cloud Practitioner Essentials (CPE), individuals can acquire the necessary skills for these roles and contribute to the industry’s growth.

Tech careers are not limited to technical roles; management positions can also be a gateway to the industry. For example, becoming an agile project manager involves streamlining project timelines. Projects that previously took months or years can now be completed in just weeks.

Another option is becoming a product manager. This role is especially prevalent in industries such as fintech and neobanks. Product managers are responsible for building large-scale tech products. They need to understand user needs, design the product accordingly, and determine the necessary features. While technical knowledge is not a requirement, critical thinking skills, an eye for design, and strong logical abilities are essential.

ISACA, a prominent global IT professional association and learning organization, has announced plans to expand its offerings and programs in India. Currently, ISACA has 12 chapters in India with over 8,500 members, including senior IT professionals from various domains and leading IT companies. The organization aims to strengthen its certifications and programs for early-stage professionals, new graduates, and those looking to switch careers or enhance their skills in the IT industry.

As a first step towards this initiative, ISACA has launched the Information Technology Certified Associate (ITCA) certification. ITCA is a flexible certification that combines knowledge-based learning and performance-based learning through live labs in a virtual environment. It consists of five modular certificates in different IT domains, which can be earned separately or stacked in various ways. The certification is suitable for students, recent graduates, professionals new to IT, or those seeking a career change.

The ITCA certification prepares individuals for in-demand roles such as computer systems administrator, technical support specialist, database administrator, systems engineer, applications developer, front-end web developer, and quality assurance analyst. It offers a flexible format that can be completed at one’s own pace, accommodating existing college and work schedules. The certification also benefits experienced audit, security, or governance professionals aiming to enhance their understanding of fundamental IT concepts.

ISACA’s CEO, David Samuelson, highlights the organization’s commitment to supporting professionals at every stage of their career journey, including new graduates and those transitioning to IT due to the pandemic. The ITCA certification serves as a tool for differentiation and professional development as individuals enter the job market and start their IT careers.

The Indian IT industry is experiencing significant growth, with over 138,000 net hires expected by the end of FY21, reaching a total employee base of 4.47 million. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Indian IT sector has continued to flourish due to accelerated digital transformation and technology adoption.

The ITCA certification adds to ISACA’s existing portfolio of credentials, including CISA, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, CSX-P, and CDPSE, which have been widely recognized and respected in the professional community for years.

The demand for gig workers with technical skills has significantly increased due to large enterprises seeking to optimize their future through a digital presence and reduce fixed costs by reducing full-time employees. Gig workers are freelance workers who work on a contractual or temporary basis for a specific period.

According to staffing company TeamLease Services, the demand for technical gig workers has increased by 20%-25% between April and November of this year compared to pre-Covid levels. The business head of the firm, Sudeep Kumar Sen, stated that this trend has also created opportunities for women gig workers, with an increase of 13%-14% in the white-collar gig worker segments.

Gig workers have the advantage of freelancing and earning from multiple industries simultaneously, enabling them to work from their hometowns. They have the power to choose their work, location, and compensation. For example, Sushmita, a specialist in Ruby on Rails tech, is based in Kochi and was hired as a consultant by a fintech company for a six-month period. She highlights the benefits of freelancing, such as avoiding travel and reducing expenses for rent and commuting.

Awign Enterprises, a platform focused on gig workforce and last-mile delivery, has onboarded over 90,000 gig workers between March and November of this year. It has experienced a 40% increase in the average number of gig workers on its platform compared to pre-Covid levels. Co-founder Gurpreet Singh notes that there has been a 65% increase in technically skilled gig workers compared to a 25% increase in field gig workers since March. Previously, field gig workers accounted for 70% of the workforce, while digital gig workers made up only 30%.

The increased digital requirements of businesses have led to a higher demand for content preparation and curation. With the growing use of AI and ML-driven technology, there is also a need for workers to create databases for AI image recognition. Online proctoring companies are experiencing higher demand for human remote proctors from large assessment platforms, as virtual classrooms become more prevalent. These proctors monitor exams in real-time to prevent malpractice, answer questions, and provide technical support.

Gig workers are also investing in upskilling. SimpliLearn, an online digital technology training provider, has hired 2.5 times more trainers this year. The frequency of weekend classes has increased from 3-4 to 7-8, and job offers per candidate have risen from 2-3 to 5-6.

Zaggle, a payments and data company, has hired over a dozen gig workers for remote work. Its founder and chairman, Raj N, states that engaging with freelancers has saved the company 25% in employee costs.

During the lockdown, a group of 30 school students from six different schools embarked on a coding course. Little did they know that by the end of the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, they would have developed various websites and applications to aid in the fight against the virus. Some of their projects include a Covid patient tracking app, a web platform for hospital management, and an online medical shop.

The course, which lasted three and a half months, was designed by educators and IT professionals to help the students make productive use of their time at home during the lockdown. It was offered free of charge to students from Sharda Vidhya Mandir, Country Side, Bhulka Vihar, Sanskar Bharti, Deep Darshan, and Madhavbaug schools.

Jayesh Chaudhari, a graduate from IIIT Allahabad, explained that the course was intended to make coding enjoyable and to teach the students from the ground up. Chaudhari, along with a few of his computer expert friends, took the opportunity to share their knowledge as they were working from home during the lockdown.

Sanjay Desai, the founder of the Country Side School, revealed that the decision to offer the coding course for free was a spur-of-the-moment one. While considering various ideas, they decided to run a trial course since the teaching of coding is now included in the new education policy.

One of the students, 12-year-old Himanshi Dayaramani, learned web development and created a website that consolidates Covid-19 news and information from different sources. Himanshi’s goal was to provide a single platform where individuals could gather information with the help of a chatbot.

Another student, 13-year-old Dhrovya Vithalani, whose father runs a medical shop, developed an online medical shop in just one week. Dhrovya wanted to address the challenges of social distancing and the lockdown while making it easier for needy patients to access the necessary medical supplies.