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Mobile Minutes: Microsoft's app acquisitions; Uber's panic button; USAA's mobile app; Lyft to raise $250M

Microsoft on the lookout for more mobile-productivity app acquisitions
The software company is planning over the next few months to buy mobile-productivity applications that work on Apple Inc. and Google Inc. operating systems, according to people familiar with the situation. 
Read more on Bloomberg

Uber panic button coming to its Chicago mobile app
Uber plans to add a panic button to its mobile app in Chicago that users can press to alert police if they feel threatened.
Read more on Chicago Sun Times

USAA expands mobile app for real time claim filing
USAA is expanding its mobile application that allows members to use streaming video and audio capabilities when filing insurance claims in real time.
Read more on San Antonio Business Journal

Ride-hailing service Lyft is said to be in talks to raise $250 million
In the battle over ride-hailing services, Lyft is preparing a counterpunch against Uber, its much bigger rival. Lyft is in talks to raise about $250 million in new financing, putting a value for the three-year-old start-up at $2 billion, people briefed on the matter said on Thursday.
Read more on New York Times