At its “Autonomy Day” today, Tesla detailed the new custom chip that will be running the self-driving software in its vehicles. Elon Musk rather peremptorily called it “the best chip in the world…objectively.” That might be a stretch, but it certainly should get the job done. Called for now the “full self-driving computer,” or FSD … Continue reading Tesla vaunts creation of ‘the best chip in the world’ for self-driving
Entrepreneurship
Intel exits 5G phone modem business after Apple-Qualcomm settlement
Following Apple’s last-minute patent licensing settlement today with Qualcomm, Intel has unexpectedly dropped out of the 5G modem-making business for smartphones. The Santa Clara-based chipmaker says that it is in the process of assessing its remaining modem-related opportunities for PCs, internet of things devices, and data-focused devices, but intends to continue making 5G network infrastructure … Continue reading Intel exits 5G phone modem business after Apple-Qualcomm settlement
How YouTube is changing toys
New York City’s Javits Center is a big, boring building that hosts big, boring conferences. But on a recent day in February, the Manhattan convention center was filled with giant Lego dinosaurs, twirling K’Nex roller coasters, flippable sequin-covered Beanie Babies, 3D Harry Potter puzzles, shooting Star Wars figurines, dissolvable bath bombs in every scent imaginable, … Continue reading How YouTube is changing toys
Pinterest has to spend at least $750 million on Amazon’s cloud through mid-2023
Pinterest will have to pay Amazon Web Services at least $440 million for cloud services usage over the next four and a half years to reach its minimum commitment. The disclosure in its IPO prospectus comes after Lyft said it's spending at least $80 million a year with AWS. Every day, Pinterest processes and stores … Continue reading Pinterest has to spend at least $750 million on Amazon’s cloud through mid-2023
Uber’s self-driving car unit was burning $20 million a month
Uber thought it would have 75,000 autonomous vehicles on the roads this year and be operating driverless taxi services in 13 cities by 2022, according to court documents unsealed last week. To reach those ambitious goals, the ridesharing company, which hopes to go public later this year, was spending $20 million a month on developing … Continue reading Uber’s self-driving car unit was burning $20 million a month
Spotify files a complaint against Apple with the European Commission over ‘Apple tax’ and restrictive rules
Spotify is taking off its gloves in what has up to now been a behind-the-scenes tug-of-war with Apple, where it competes against Apple Music but also relies heavily on the company for distribution of its app on iOS devices. Today CEO Daniel Ek announced that his company has filed with the European Commission a complaint against … Continue reading Spotify files a complaint against Apple with the European Commission over ‘Apple tax’ and restrictive rules
Google’s Waymo seeks outside investment and a sky-high valuation
Alphabet’s self-driving vehicle subsidiary Waymo may raise outside capital for the first time at a valuation “at least several times” that of Cruise, the General Motors-owned autonomous vehicle business worth nearly $15 billion, according to a report published by The Information on Monday. We’ve reached out to our sources to confirm. Waymo didn’t immediately respond … Continue reading Google’s Waymo seeks outside investment and a sky-high valuation
The lonely death of Jibo, the social robot
We knew this moment was coming — we just never expected it to arrive so soon. Jibo owners all over are reporting a final death rattle from their beloved home robot. The last message finds Jibo announcing the imminent shutdown of it servers, noting that its interactions will soon be limited — likely meaning anything … Continue reading The lonely death of Jibo, the social robot
Facebook will shut down its spyware VPN app Onavo
Facebook will end its unpaid market research programs and proactively take its Onavo VPN app off the Google Play store in the wake of backlash following TechCrunch’s investigation about Onavo code being used in a Facebook Research app the sucked up data about teens. The Onavo Protect app will eventually shut down, and will immediately … Continue reading Facebook will shut down its spyware VPN app Onavo
Steve Jurvetson tells all: about his new $200 million fund, his new partner, his new shopping list, and more
Steve Jurvetson is staging a comeback, disclosing today that his new San Francisco-based, early-stage venture firm Future Ventures, has raised $200 million for its debut fund. “It’s good to be back in the saddle again,” says Jurvetson, whose career was somewhat derailed in the fall of 2017 when a former girlfriend wrote a Facebook post, … Continue reading Steve Jurvetson tells all: about his new $200 million fund, his new partner, his new shopping list, and more
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