Amazon-owned Whole Foods is in expansion mode: While its parent company looks to cut costs, the high-end grocer sees an opportunity to attract consumers as they return to in-store shopping.
Microsoft is the latest to resort to layoffs: The company is reducing its headcount by 5% as it pivots to plug AI into its key products, subscriptions, and cloud services. But AI still has a lot of hurdles to jump.
Possible jail time for tech execs over content moderation: The UK’s Online Safety Bill raises the stakes for tech companies that don’t take child safety precautions. Expect long-term contention.
Expanding Android’s accessory ecosystem: Adding a competitor to Tile, Apple AirTags, and Samsung SmartTag helps Google round out Android’s accessories, but Bluetooth trackers are fraught with privacy concerns.
As retailers grapple with softer consumer spending, ThriveCart senses an opportunity: The startup raised $35 million to help businesses reduce cart abandonment and maximize upselling opportunities.
Chatbots are AGI stepping stones: DeepMind might release a ChatGPT competitor called Sparrow sometime in 2023. Chatbots are part of a much bolder vision to alter society with artificial general intelligence.
Slowing growth forces Beijing to capitulate to Big Tech: Facing the weakest growth in decades, China seeks cooperation with the EU and will loosen its iron grip on tech monoliths to spur the economy.
Apple unloads new Macs featuring Apple Silicon: The latest Mac mini and MacBook Pro models could blanket more of the desktop and notebook market in 2023.
Cancel culture comes for EVs: The Wyoming state senate’s EV ban proposal targets other states’ gas vehicle bans. It’s a political antic that puts a spotlight on challenges for the EV industry.
Steep discounts for new Teslas: New buyers in the US and Europe can benefit from discounted EVs, but the fallout from existing customers could further erode the company’s reputation.
Startups put OpenAI’s Microsoft advantage to the test: OpenAI is becoming one of the US' most valuable startups over its sensational generative AI. Leadership in the space requires skillful monetization.
Airbus demonstrates planes that land themselves: Autonomous flight systems like Airbus’ DragonFly can serve as assistive technology, helping pilots and crews in the short term as wider adoption paves the way to fully autonomous flight.
‘T2’ is part of a growing trend to topple Twitter: Platforms are racing to replace Twitter’s status as digital town square. A carbon copy of the site isn’t a prerequisite.
Google’s new shelf-checking inventory aims to fill a clear need: However, it will likely be a few years before it is ready for prime time. (This article was written with the assistance of GPT-3.)
Apple’s intensifying in-house push: It already designs its own processors, and now it looks like Apple is moving to make its own Wi-Fi and 5G radios, displays, and touchscreens, reducing reliance on suppliers.
Another brutal week for tech: Companies from a broad range of tech sub-sectors announced layoffs this week. With the Fed gearing up for another rate hike, brace for industry pain.
TSMC’s strategic expansion: The world’s largest contract chip manufacturer is eyeing expansion into Japan and Europe, a move that could prove useful in any future conflict with China.
The best-laid plans of game publishers could go awry: The gaming industry has big title releases planned at high prices this year. Inflation makes the timing questionable and the quality mandatory.
President Biden urges regulators to move fast on Big Tech reforms: He called for a ban on targeting ads to minors and reforms to the controversial Section 230.