Bubble trouble? Take a day off

Welcome to Tech in Asia’s Sunday newsletter, your weekend brief on the biggest moves in Asia’s tech and startup world. Not on the mailing list? Register here. Got a story tip? Send it to editors@techinasia.com.

In focus

• Scott Shuey gives a quick reminder that no one gets predictions in the tech world right all the time
• Then, we look at Hello, the Chinese-based bike-sharing platform and why it’s getting into the US robotaxi race
• Finally, what’s going on in Singapore’s government business grant ecosystem?

Hello reader,

I hate weeks that end on a cliff-hanger.

The big question for this week was whether the AI bubble had finally popped. But by Friday evening, it was clear that this wouldn’t be answered yet.

Over the next few days, though, you’ll certainly hear – probably ad nauseam – all the supporting evidence for a burst bubble, including US job losses, the US ban on Nvidia chips to China, and the resulting US stock market sell-off.

I know a lot of you are nervous – uncertain times always have that effect. You’re probably feeling a little helpless, too. So let me offer what I hope is some intelligent perspective.

Image credit: Arsal Ysfin

Don’t listen to the hype.

OK, that isn’t very deep or original, but it’s true. People have been making bad calls about the future of the tech industry for almost 60 years now. Let me give you some examples: (These are real quotes. I know it’s unpopular these days, but I fact-checked.)

• “Remote shopping, while entirely feasible, will certainly flop — because women like to get out of the house.” – *Time Magazine* in 1966
• “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corp., in 1977
• “The truth is no online database will replace your daily newspaper, no CD-ROM can take the place of a competent teacher and no computer network will change the way the government works.” – Clifford Stoll in 1995
• “Two years from now, spam will be solved.” OK, this may not be exactly what Bill Gates said in 2004, but he did pledge to eradicate spam at Davos.
• “Apple will probably never come out with a cell phone.” – Steve Balmer, co-founder of Microsoft, in 2007.

Yeah, tech’s a rough business. With that in mind, I’ve curated some of the best Tech in Asia stories from the week, most of which don’t touch on the ongoing chaos surrounding the Trump presidency. It’s Sunday. Take a break.

Scott Shuey, senior editor

Editor’s picks

1️⃣ China’s Hello blends Tesla’s speed with Waymo’s caution

Short cuts

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