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Techmeme Ride Home

Brian McCulloughwww.ridehome.info

The day's tech news, every day at 5pm. From Techmeme.com, Silicon Valley's most-read news source. 15 minutes and you're up to date.

Episodes

Fri. 06/21 – Kaspersky Banned By The US Government

The government has banned Kaspersky antivirus sales in the US. People are losing their minds over Claude 3.5 Sonnet from Anthropic. Soon all devices can pair to your iPhone as easily as AirPods do. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Links: US bans sale of Kaspersky software citing security risk from Russia  (TechCrunch) Anthropic claims its latest model is best-in-class  (TechCrunch) Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet wows AI power users: ‘this is wild’  (VentureBeat) N...

Jun 21, 202418 min

Thu. 06/20 - Ilya Sutskever’s New AI Startup

Ilya Sutskever wants to go straight to Safe Superintelligence, do not pass go, but do probably collect hundreds of millions of dollars. Is Perplexity ignoring robots.txt files? Xreal’s hybrid AR glasses play. And how many apps did Apple sherlock at WWDC last week? Links: Ilya Sutskever Has a New Plan for Safe Superintelligence  (Bloomberg) Perplexity Is a Bullshit Machine  (Wired) For Apple’s AI Push, China Is a Missing Piece  (WSJ) Xreal’s new gadget is a phone-sized Android tabl...

Jun 20, 202417 min

Wed. 06/18 – Apple Pumping The Breaks On The Vision Pro?

Does Apple pumping the breaks on the Vision Pro indicate problems for the category, or was this always the plan? What if AI means bots do the social media-ing for you? Actual RISC-V PCs coming to market. And a review of the new slate of CoPilot+ PCs that are available now. Links: Apple Suspends Work on Next Vision Pro, Focused on Releasing Cheaper Model in Late 2025  (The Information) Former Snap engineer launches Butterflies, a social network where AIs and humans coexist  (TechCrunch)...

Jun 19, 202417 min

Tue. 06/18 – Adobe’s Time In The Woodshed

The regulators have come for adobe and their alleged subscription shenanigans. Apple might settle with the EU. But it’s also shutting down its BNPL service. The Threads API is here. Tether is making bank. Uber might be having a breakthrough moment. And back to using Reddit for search. Sponsors: A Better Paradise Podcast Links: US sues Adobe for ‘deceiving’ subscriptions that are too hard to cancel  (The Verge) Apple to settle ‘tap-and-go’ payments probe with EU  (FT) Apple discontinuin...

Jun 18, 202415 min

Mon. 06/17 – Thinner And Lighter It Is

Mark Gurman says Apple is going to go all in on making the thinnest and lightest devices in the industry. Though the Apple Watch is probably going to get a bigger screen. McDonalds pumps the breaks on AI in the drive through. And two contradictory anecdotal stories about what happens when AI comes for your job. Sponsors: ArcticWolf.com/techmeme Miro.com Links: Apple’s Slow Rollout of Intelligence Features Will Stretch Into 2025  (Bloomberg) Kuo: Apple Watch Series 10 to Get Larger Screen an...

Jun 17, 202416 min

Fri. 06/14 – Now Microsoft Delays Recall

The recall of some Microsoft AI products continues as literally Recall gets delayed. Another deep dive into how Apple’s AI actually works. Dream Machine is an open source AI video generator you can use this weekend. And in the Weekend Longreads Suggestions, the people who have found everyday use cases for the Apple Vision Pro. Links: Microsoft’s all-knowing Recall AI feature is being delayed  (The Verge) Here’s how Apple’s AI model tries to keep your data private  (The Verge) Luma AI d...

Jun 14, 202418 min

Thu. 06/13 – The Excel World Championships

Apple isn’t paying OpenAI anything for their partnership. Guess they’ll make it up on volume. More details on how much money OpenAI IS making. The surprise Galaxy Watch FE. And do you think you’d have the skills to compete in the Excel World Championships? Links: Apple to ‘Pay’ OpenAI for ChatGPT Through Distribution, Not Cash  (Bloomberg) OpenAI’s Annualized Revenue Doubles to $3.4 Billion Since Late 2023  (The Information) Perplexity was planning revenue-sharing deals with publishers...

Jun 13, 202416 min

Wed. 06/12 – Elon Pulls His OpenAI Lawsuit

Elon Musk has withdrawn his lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI. I guess Wall Street likes Apple’s AI strategy. But why is Microsoft already putting the brakes on some of its AI features? BeReal gets acquired. What does the word “slop” mean when it comes to AI? And what happens when you add modern technology to the humble walkie talkie? Links: Elon Musk drops suit against OpenAI and Sam Altman  (CNBC) X is officially making likes (mostly) private for everyone  (Engadget) Apple quietl...

Jun 12, 202416 min

Tue. 06/11 – Did Apple Nail AI, Or Just Do AI In An Apple Way?

All of the drips and drabs details from yesterday’s WWDC keynote. Spotify is about to announce a higher tier of membership with some perks. Mistral raises a big new round. The Raspberry Pi IPO is a success. And what if AI could actually make every stoplight in the country more intelligent in real time? Sponsors: Vanta.com/ride Lumen.me/ride Links: Apple’s AI promise: “Your data is never stored or made accessible to Apple”  (ArsTechnica) How will Apple’s new AI change your phone? I asked Tim...

Jun 11, 202416 min

Mon. 06/10 – The WWDC 2024 Keynote

All the headlines from WWDC. All the AI goodness, even if Apple spent half the time not even mentioning the words Artificial Intelligence. Also, what if the audio quality of cell phones didn’t have to suck? And what if AI could actually make every stoplight in the country more intelligent in real time? Sponsors: Miro.com Shopify.com/ride See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Jun 10, 202416 min

(Profile) Traceloop

Get observability for your LLM application at  TraceLoop.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Jun 09, 202427 min

Fri. 06/07 – It’s Backlash Day

As we prep for WWDC on Monday, word of a completely new Passwords app from Apple. Also, it’s a day of backlashes. The backlash against Adobe’s terms of service. The backlash against Windows Recall. The new social media app that is riding the backlash against AI. And, of course, the Weekend Longread Suggestions. Sponsors: get.StoryBlok.com/ridehome Links: Here’s Everything Apple Plans to Show at Its AI-Focused WWDC Event  (Bloomberg) Apple to Debut Passwords App in Challenge to 1Password, La...

Jun 07, 202417 min

Thu. 06/06 – Regulators Stirring On AI

Nvidia hits $3T. US regulators aren’t sleeping on the AI market, including Nvidia itself. Humane tells users of the AI Pin to stop using the charging case “immediately.” Google is gonna store your Maps data on device. And would you take a job at Ikea... but in the Metaverse? Sponsors: get.StoryBlok.com/ridehome Kolide.com/ride Links: U.S. Clears Way for Antitrust Inquiries of Nvidia, Microsoft and OpenAI  (NYTimes) FTC Opens Antitrust Probe of Microsoft AI Deal  (WSJ) US antitrust enfo...

Jun 06, 202416 min

Wed. 06/05 – An Open Letter To OpenAI

As I said on that bonus episode with Alex Kantrowitz, the research side of OpenAI isn’t happy, and they’re starting to speak out. More details on AI at WWDC next week. More price hikes in digital media. Palmer Luckey can’t stop; won’t stop. And how CoreWeave became one of the biggest winners of the AI era. Links: OpenAI Insiders Warn of a ‘Reckless’ Race for Dominance  (NYTimes) Apple Made Once-Unlikely Deal With Sam Altman to Catch Up in AI  (Bloomberg) Twitch is raising US subscripti...

Jun 05, 202417 min

Tue. 06/04 – Wait. Why More Layoffs?

More headlines from Computex. More layoffs at Microsoft, but why? Instagram is copying YouTube’s unskippable ads. Why Samsung is pre-emptively suing Oura. And Palmer Lucky is personally bankrolling a modern-day Gameboy. Sponsors: CrunchLabs.com/ride Links: Intel CEO Takes Aim at Nvidia in Fight for AI Chip Dominance  (Bloomberg) E*Trade Considers Kicking Meme-Stock Leader Keith Gill Off Platform  (WSJ) Microsoft is laying off hundreds in its Azure cloud business, sources say  (Bus...

Jun 04, 202416 min

Mon. 06/03 – An AI To Game With

Computex brings a slew of announcements from AMD and Nvidia, including an AI bot to help you with your gaming. Another price hike from Spotify. Perplexity launches Pages. X is now officially NSFW. And a look at Sam Altman’s investment portfolio. Sponsors: WashingtonPost.com/ride MackWeldon.com  code: BRIAN Links: Nvidia’s G-Assist is an AI chatbot that guides you through games and optimizes your PC  (The Verge) Spotify is increasing US prices again  (The Verge) Perplexity will res...

Jun 03, 202417 min

Fri. 05/31 – Why Not Just Kill Siri?

OpenAI has a new “affordable” version of ChatGPT for universities and schools. They also are planning to get back into robotics in a big way. Behind the scenes, TikTok is forking its algorithm just in case. Why doesn’t Apple just euthanize the Siri brand? And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Links: OpenAI has a has a new version of ChatGPT just for universities  (Engadget) OpenAI Is Rebooting Its Robotics Team  (Forbes) OpenAI finds Russian and Chinese groups used its tec...

May 31, 202417 min

Thu. 05/30 – Biggest Botnet Ever?

Global authorities take down what they say is the biggest botnet of all time. More big AI deals for big media. More on the delicate dance between OpenAI and Microsoft. Why aren’t there more smartwatches for tweens? And the AR laptop that might give the Apple Vision Pro a run for its money. Links: US dismantles 911 S5 botnet used for cyberattacks, arrests admin  (BleepingComputer) Exclusive: The Atlantic, Vox Media ink licensing, product deals with OpenAI  (Axios) OpenAI CEO Cements Con...

May 30, 202418 min

Wed. 05/29 – Did The Secret Sauce Of Google Search Just Leak?

A big leak at Google might be the tech equivalent of the secret formula for Coca-Cola being revealed for the first time. The ex-OpenAI board members are starting to explain why they tried to fire Sam Altman. Did the Biden administration pass on TikTok’s concessions to avoid a ban? And remember delivery apps? How they doin’ these days? Sponsors: Lumen.me  code: RIDE Links: An Anonymous Source Shared Thousands of Leaked Google Search API Documents with Me; Everyone in SEO Should See Them &nbs...

May 29, 202417 min

Tue. 05/28 – GPT5 Still A Year Out?

We have a rough timeline of when we can expect GPT5 and it looks like it won’t be this summer. xAI has a big raise. Another in-depth look at Apple’s AI strategy. The surprising old school companies getting boosted by the AI boom. And more data on how popular ad-supported streaming is becoming. Sponsors: YahooFinance.com 1Password.com/ride Links: OpenAI Says It Has Begun Training a New Flagship A.I. Model  (NYTimes) Elon Musk’s xAI raises $6 billion to fund its race against ChatGPT and all t...

May 28, 202415 min

Fri. 05/24 – Now ETH Gets An ETF

Out of nowhere, the SEC has approved spot ETFs for ether. Spotify is killing its Car Thing. Google’s AI Overview is giving crazy answers all over the place. But Meta already wants to charge more for their AI bots. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Sponsors: Miro.com Links: US SEC approves exchange applications to list spot ether ETFs  (Reuters) Spotify is going to break every Car Thing gadget it ever sold  (The Verge) Google's AI search feature suggested using glue to ...

May 24, 202417 min

Thu. 05/23 – Nvidia: Still Killing It

Nvidia’s earnings are still historic, but what could upset their apple cart? A few things, actually. I think we know the truth or at least the timeline of JohanssonGate. Big new media deal for OpenAI. Likes are going private on X. And would you clone your voice to answer the phone on your behalf? Sponsors: Vanta.com/ride Links: Nvidia shares pass $1,000 for first time on AI-driven sales surge  (CNBC) Nvidia’s Business Is Booming. Here’s What Could Slow It Down.  (WSJ) OpenAI didn’t cop...

May 23, 202418 min

Wed. 05/22 – Humane Already To The Deadpool?

All the AI announcements from Microsoft Build. I know it’s only been a minute, but is Humane already circling the Deadpool? They’re supposedly shopping themselves, but at a valuation that seems… shall we say, on brand for them? Don’t forget Alexa needs an AI upgrade. And the efforts to peek inside the black box that is the Large Language Model. Links: Microsoft’s new Copilot AI agents act like virtual employees to automate tasks  (The Verge) Microsoft is bringing ‘Windows Volumetric Apps’ t...

May 22, 202417 min

Tue. 05/21 – Now You’ve Pissed Off Scar-Jo

There are only 2 stories today, but they’re big ones. First, at an event yesterday, Microsoft showed off what they want the PC to look like in the AI era. Plus, this Recall app is super interesting. Then, look, it’s the Scarlett Johansson/OpenAI thing. It’s gotten weird. And more importantly, it’s continuing to highlight how OpenAI itself is… weird. Sponsors: Miro.com  for 3 free boards! Links: The new, faster Surface Pro is Microsoft’s all-purpose AI PC  (The Verge) Microsoft announce...

May 21, 202417 min

Mon. 05/20 – That GPT Voice Is NOT Scar-Jo

No, that ChatGPT voice is not Scarlett Johansson, stop asking. In fact, that voice is going away. What does it mean if OpenAI’s entire superalignment team has gone away? Is Apple News+ the partner publishers have been waiting for? And if you want to be a digital nomad, you’ve got a lot of options these days. Sponsors: Pivotal Podcast To access The Washington Post for just 50 cents per week, head to WashingtonPost.com/ride Links: OpenAI to Pull Johansson Soundalike Sky’s Voice From ChatGPT  ...

May 20, 202416 min

Fri. 05/17 – Reddit Embraces Its AI Role

As telegraphed for the last year, Reddit is going all in on being an all you can eat buffet for AI companies. Will new batteries give iPhones longer battery life like I want, or will they just make the phones thinner? A subtle but important improvement to ChatGPT and in the Longreads, a deep dive into what happened at Cruise. Links: OpenAI strikes deal to bring Reddit content to ChatGPT  (Reuters) OpenAI strikes Reddit deal to train its AI on your posts  (The Verge) Grand Theft Auto VI...

May 17, 202418 min

Thu. 05/16 – Instagram Founder To Anthropic

Some AI companies want to go after web search. But by hiring an Instagram founder, is Anthropic going in a social or app direction? Will AI kill the carbon neutral ambitions of the major tech players? Will tech companies now have to onshore EMPLOYEES from China? And Netflix with ads? Definitely working. Links: EU launches probe into Meta over social media addiction in children  (Financial Times) Instagram’s co-founder is Anthropic’s new chief product officer  (The Verge) Android will b...

May 16, 202415 min

Wed. 05/15 – Google’s I/O Announces.

All the announces from Google’s massive I/O event yesterday, including, yes, generative AI summaries are fully coming to Google Search. Plus, the camera-based AI system they teased that looks really cool. Ilya Sutskever officially leaves OpenAI. And is crypto the only place left where you can raise a billion-dollar seed round? Sponsors: Lumen.me  code RIDE for $100 off Links: Google rolls out AI Overviews in US with more countries coming soon  (SearchEngineLand) Can Google Give A.I. An...

May 15, 202416 min

Tue. 05/14 – GPT-4o

OpenAI unveils GPT-4o which makes Siri look like the technical cul-de-sac it very much is. But what does it mean that this was NOT GPT-5? What does it mean for the gaming industry that the PS5 might be underperforming? More streaming bundles. And the 2024 iPad refresh reviews. Sponsors: YahooFinance.com ConstantContact.com Links: OpenAI debuts GPT-4o ‘omni’ model now powering ChatGPT  (TechCrunch) OpenAI debuts new model with enhanced real-time voice abilities  (Axios) Tom Warren's PS5...

May 14, 202417 min
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