iWorld
Pokkt launches Apple tvOS SDK
MUMBAI: Pokkt has announced the launch of its brand new SDK for Apple’s tvOS. With this, it plans to enable publishers in monetizing their Apple TV apps with premium video ads.
Pokkt adds this new premium channel to its growing inventory bucket giving brand advertisers the ability to target quality audiences in India and South East Asia markets.
“Brands can simply take advantage of the capacity and authority of big screen video combined with the advantages of digital. We know banners won’t work here. Video is the most logical form of advertising on the Apple TV platform, not just for it’s inherent impact but also the amount of brand lift, recall and storytelling capabilities,” said Pokkt co-founder and COO Vaibhav Odhekar.
The tvOS SDK will be sold both direct and programmatically.
“Developers in the highly lucrative OTT space can now bring new experiences to the big screen and control monetization goals within their tvOS apps.” added Pokkt co-founder and CTO Manish Tewari. He further added, “Our SDK will enable Developers to plan and condition how video ads play within their Apple TV app.” He confirmed with the launch, that Developers will be able to develop for the Apple TV just like they otherwise did for iOS, with minimal overhead effort.
Pokkt’s tvOS SDK is now live and available for download on the their dashboard.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
