Today’s top tech news: Why you don't need to fear the 2019 tech IPO boom, WhatsApp’s funding startups and an app that turns your phone into a robot

​Here's why the flurry of tech IPOs in 2019 is nothing like the dotcom boom of late 1990s

A large number of tech companies, like Uber and Lyft, have already launched their IPOs in 2019 and many more are on the way. Goldman Sachs’ analyses that the IPO market for tech companies is currently in a ‘super cycle’ — the longest period of growth in a particular market .

It sounds a lot like the dotcom bubble of the late 90’s but it might not play ou the same way.

​WhatsApp just awarded $50,000 to these 5 Indian startups

Five startups — Medcords, Melzo, Javis, Gramophone and MinionLabs — just won $50,000 each through the ‘Startup India — WhatsApp Grand Challenge’. The program asked innovators all over the country to come out and present their solution for India’s socio-economic problems. The event received over 1,700 pitches but only five made to the end.

​Razorpay has just raised $75 million and is looking to hire 350 new people

The payments solution startup, Razorpay, just raised another $75 million in a series C round of fucning. And with its new found wealth, the company plans on hiring 350 new people to come on board by 2020— doubling its current workforce.

​This app turns your phone into robot

Not everyone can build a robot but what if you all you had to do was open an app on your phone to turn your device into a robot? VRa, an embedded app presented at the DIS 2019 in San Diego can do just that.

Karthik Ramani, the leader researcher on the project, says that the aim of developing the app was to bring down costs for smaller companies that don’t necessarily have the funds to build their own robot and software programmes.

​Apple global market share drops 20% as premium smartphone market collapses

The global premium smartphone market is shrinking and while Samsung has hit an annual high, Apple’s market share has dropped by 20%. According to Counterpoint research, this is probably because users are holding onto their iPhones for longer.