So I guess Zuck has convinced Wall Street that all the capex spending on AI is fine. How good a business is Tether? A gooooood business. The first arrival of Apple Intelligence is sort of a ho-hum for now. And how sports is completely transforming the streaming wars battlefield. Links: Meta’s Lesson in Allaying Wall Street’s A.I. Fears (Dealbook/NYT) Meta’s AI Costs Surge as Digital Advertising Revenue Grows (WSJ) Reddit CEO says Microsoft needs to pay to search the site (The V...
Aug 01, 2024•18 min
Another big pullback of a major AI tool. Microsoft earnings. How CapCut is taking over the creator tools space. Amazon speedy delivery is rolling out to the nooks and crannies of North America. And the startup taking a new run at AI wearable hardware. Links: Meta Scraps Celebrity AI Chatbots That Fell Flat With Users (The Information) The Rise of ByteDance’s CapCut Threatens Adobe and Canva (Bloomberg) Amazon Pushes Fast Delivery Into Rural Areas in Challenge to Post Office (WS...
Jul 31, 2024•16 min
Perplexity wants to share ad revenue with publishers. But lots of AI companies are continuing to gamble with scraping. Meta’s new Segment Anything 2 model. AI influencers on Instagram. Canva makes an AI acquisition. And in non-AI news, Meta makes a huge settlement with Texas. Links: Perplexity is cutting checks to publishers following plagiarism accusations (The Verge) Websites are Blocking the Wrong AI Scrapers (Because AI Companies Keep Making New Ones) (404Media) Zuckerberg touts ...
Jul 30, 2024•15 min
Apple Intelligence might be coming sooner than we dared hope. Might want to check your settings on X. The universe of alt coins is back. A big tech IPO coming from an unexpected source. And is that Galaxy Ring a thing or no? Links: Apple's AI Features Rollout Will Miss Upcoming iPhone Software Overhaul (Bloomberg) Elon Musk calls Grok 'the most powerful AI by every metric' but 'secretly' trains the new model with your X data by default (WindowsCentral) A Digital Coin Based on Baby Tr...
Jul 29, 2024•16 min
OpenAI takes on Google search directly. Another Hollywood strike with the same underlying causes. We know absolutely everything about the new Pixel 9 series already. Is WhatsApp finally catching on in the US? And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Sponsors: Thorne.fit/ridehome , promocode: ridehome. Links: OpenAI announces SearchGPT, its AI-powered search engine (The Verge) Video game performers will go on strike over artificial intelligence concerns (AP) [Exclusive] Goog...
Jul 26, 2024•16 min
Once again, Reddit looks like it’s not worried about upsetting people. New generative search on Bing, new models from Mistral and a new video model from Stability. But did Runway train it’s video models on YouTube videos? We might have a smoking gun. But what if the dream of synthetic data for AI training is a mirage? Sponsors: Lumen.me/ride Links: Google's Exclusive Reddit Access (404Media) Microsoft unveils Bing Generative Search — enhanced with AI, it's a complete overhaul of traditiona...
Jul 25, 2024•16 min
Meta’s Llama 3.1 shows that open models can at least go toe to toe with proprietary AI models. Why did the Google-Wiz deal fall apart? Was the CrowdStrike outage a part of it? Kamala Harris, AI czar? And what do the reviews of the recent Samsung foldable phones say to us about those Apple foldable phone rumors? Links: Meta puts open source AI on the podium. (Ben's Bites) The first GPT-4-class AI model anyone can download has arrived: Llama 405B (ArsTechnica) Google’s Aborted Deals Sh...
Jul 24, 2024•17 min
I try to get my head around the whole Google and third-party cookies thing. Wiz turns down Google’s big money acquisition offer. Spot ether ETFs can begin trading. And why weather prediction might be the first big scientific breakthrough of this AI era. Links: After years of uncertainty, Google says it won’t be ‘deprecating third-party cookies’ in Chrome (Digiday) Wiz walks away from $23 billion deal with Google, will pursue IPO (CNBC) This ‘Google TV Streamer’ set-top box is what co...
Jul 23, 2024•16 min
Wait, did any news happen this weekend? IT people don’t know about it cause they’re still digging out from the CrowdStrike thing. But why is everybody pointing fingers at Microsoft? Samsung jumps on the Google Messages bandwagon. Japan wants AI startups. And what do you do when you need 22 thousand football player avatars real quick? AI of course! Links: CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor also linked to Linux kernel panics and crashes (The Register) Microsoft’s global sprawl comes under fire afte...
Jul 22, 2024•17 min
The big tech outage caused by a single software update that even my mom is texting me about. The new mini AI models are bring prices down as we hoped. How Netflix completely righted its ship. And, of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: Miro.com The Next Wave Podcast Links: Major Windows BSOD issue takes banks, airlines, and broadcasters offline (The Verge) Global IT Collapse Puts Cyber Firm CrowdStrike in Spotlight (Bloomberg) Samsung halts Galaxy Buds 3 Pro shipment...
Jul 19, 2024•18 min
It looks like crypto exchange hacks are back. And so are the North Koreans, I guess. Are the Meta Ray-Bans selling so well Zuck might invest in the Ray-Ban maker? The continuing trend of tech companies withholding products from Europe. And the state of play in terms of whether or not the cops can get into your phone. Links: WazirX Hacked for $230M, Largely in SHIB, as Elliptic Says North Korea Behind Attack (CoinDesk) $235 million lost by WazirX in North Korea-linked breach (Elliptic...
Jul 18, 2024•16 min
Sorry, we gotta do more politics. Can’t avoid it cause now Trump likes TikTok and seemingly hates Mark Zuckerberg. Mistrals two new models. A big Pixel phone leak. And the interesting new “sketch to image” AI tool on the new Galaxy phones. Sponsors: CleanMyMac X with promocode: techmeme Links: Trump on Taxes, Tariffs, Jerome Powell and More (Bloomberg) Exclusive: Google-backed software developer GitLab explores sale, sources say (Reuters) Mistral releases Codestral Mamba for fa...
Jul 17, 2024•17 min
JD Vance becomes the first Tech industry player, and especially Venture Capitalist, to ever be on a major presidential ticket. It’s never been easier for the cops to break into your phone. Why are the major record labels suing Verizon? And why an AI innovation around spreadsheets could be a big deal. Sponsors: Vanta.com/ride for $1000 off CleanMyMac X with promocode: techmeme Links: J.D. Vance Is Trump’s Pick for Vice President (Wired) It’s never been easier for the cops to bre...
Jul 16, 2024•18 min
The biggest tech exit in years might be in the offing as Alphabet eyes scooping up Wiz. The weird story of that huge AT&T hack. A new ARM-powered CoPilot+ PC is maybe the most powerful yet. And is India the reason Apple’s stock has been on the rise lately? Sponsors: ArcticWolf.com/techmeme Shopify.com/ride Links: Google Near $23 Billion Deal for Cybersecurity Startup Wiz (WSJ) Zero to Billions: The Startup on the Verge of the Biggest Tech Exit in Years (WSJ) AT&T says crimina...
Jul 15, 2024•16 min
More about Josh Wolfe and Lux Capital here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jul 12, 2024•21 min
All the headlines from what was largely a foldable phone event from Samsung yesterday. Apple has settled with the EU. More numbers on Apple Vision Pro sales. Why the sparkle emoji is the defacto symbol of AI. And, of course, the Weekend Longread Suggestions. Sponsors: Lumen.me/ride Links: Galaxy Z Fold 6 goes official with 7 years of updates, wider displays, starting at $1,899 (9to5Google) Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099 with battery, cover display, and camera upgrades (9to5Google) ...
Jul 11, 2024•16 min
Suddenly nobody wants to be on OpenAI’s board, even as observers. I’ll tell you why. More on how AI has thrown everybody’s carbon neutral plans into chaos. A monster raise in the AI and robotics space. And a16z has found a way to get chips into the hands of their AI startups. Links: Microsoft and Apple drop OpenAI seats amid antitrust scrutiny (FT) Microsoft gives up observer seat on OpenAI board (Axios) Google Is No Longer Claiming to Be Carbon Neutral (Bloomberg) Amazon Says ...
Jul 10, 2024•17 min
The new nothing phone costs almost nothing. I’m not punning. Sam Altman has founded yet another AI startup. Is the hype around AI PCs underdelivering? And two other back the future stories about updating Notepad in Windows, and abandoning floppy disks in Japan. Sponsors: Dragon Ball Legends Links: Nothing’s CMF Devices Prove Yet Again Cheap Doesn't Have to Mean Boring (Wired) Amazon announces new $79 Echo Spot alarm clock (CNBC) OpenAI and Arianna Huffington are working together on a...
Jul 09, 2024•17 min
Ok, fine. Give me a thinner watch if it’ll also somehow have a bigger screen. Apple and Epic are just petty, squabbling children at this point. What if AI as it currently exists, is simply too expensive to be profitable? And a new social network is sort of back to the future. Sponsors: Ramp.com/techmeme Miro.com Links: What’s Next for the Apple Watch: Bigger Screens But a Similar Look (Bloomberg) Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe (Reuters) In a major update, Proton add...
Jul 08, 2024•18 min
This about the man who invented the modern disc operating system (the OS) and the concept of the software platform. That man was Gary Kildall. And the question we examine in this episode is, why is Bill Gates the richest man in the world, and not Gary Kildall? Could things have turned out differently? In this episode we use audio from the following documentaries: Triumph of the Nerds and Computer Chronicles Special thanks to Justin Schwinghamer for the original score and the voice ac...
Jul 05, 2024•59 min
This about the man who invented the modern disc operating system (the OS) and the concept of the software platform. That man was Gary Kildall. And the question we examine in this episode is, why is Bill Gates the richest man in the world, and not Gary Kildall? Could things have turned out differently? In this episode we use audio from the following documentaries: Triumph of the Nerds and Computer Chronicles Special thanks to Justin Schwinghamer for the original score and the voice ac...
Jul 04, 2024•42 min
The deploying and then walking back of AI products and features is becoming something of a routine at this point. Apple is joining OpenAI’s board, kinda-sorta. Meta outlines 3D Gen. Proof that VC funding is coming back, baby. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Sponsors: A Better Paradise Podcast Links: Figma Disables AI App Design Tool After It Copied Apple’s Weather App (404 Media) Figma pulls AI tool after criticism that it ripped off Apple’s design (The Verge) Appl...
Jul 03, 2024•18 min
A recent Evolve Bank and Trust cyberattack might impact a lot of tech customers. Why single points of failure impact cyberattacks. YouTube will soon let you take down videos like you’re a Hollywood studio. And big tech’s playbook for AI acquisitions that the regulators can’t frown at. Sponsors: CleanMyMac X Promocode: techmeme Links: Fintech company Wise says some customers affected by Evolve Bank data breach (TechCrunch) CDK Global Hack Shows Risk of One Software Vendor Dominating a...
Jul 02, 2024•18 min
Meta’s turn to be accused of breaching the DMA. Smarter AirPods as part of an AR/VR strategy. Better AI leaderboards. And is the Surface Laptop finally a true MacBook Air killer? Sponsors: Dragon Ball Legends Links: Meta's pay or consent model in crosshairs for breaching EU tech rules (Reuters) Kuo: Apple to begin mass production of AirPods with cameras by 2026 (9to5Mac) ‘Boring’ Bitcoin Sends Weekend Trading Volume to All-Time Lows (Bloomberg) Amazon’s Bargain Store Would Use ...
Jul 01, 2024•17 min
Find out more about Casemark at Casemark.ai. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jun 29, 2024•52 min
The growing backlash over Perplexity is getting interesting. OpenAI possibly exiting China will be interesting in terms of a massive land grab. AI Al Michaels will deliver personalized Olympics updates for you. And in the Longreads: is the real King of All Media… YouTube? Sponsors: ConstantContact.com Links: Amazon Is Investigating Perplexity Over Claims of Scraping Abuse (Wired) OpenAI’s China Block to Reshape AI Scene as Big Players Pounce (Bloomberg) OpenAI Wants AI to Help Humans...
Jun 28, 2024•19 min
Is Uncle Sam about to unload a ton of Bitcoin? AI has helped Google Translate almost double the number of languages it supports. No surprise, but Amazon is gonna take a page out of Temu’s book. Figma’s big redesign. And another way the AI era is rhyming with the DotCom era: the consultants are back. Sponsors: Miro.com Links: Bitcoin Falls After U.S. Sends $240M Worth of Silk Road-Related BTC to Coinbase (Coindesk) Google Translate is getting support for more than 110 new languages (T...
Jun 27, 2024•17 min
The ChatGPT macOS app is now available for everybody. Google drops continuous scroll for search. Waymo drops the waitlist in San Francisco. Are the AI characters on Character.ai somehow… changed? And is there an eInk phone that I might actually have to try out? Sponsors: Lumen.me/ride Links: OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Mac app is now available to everyone (9to5Mac) Google dropping continuous scroll in search results (Search Engine Land) Waymo ditches the waitlist and opens up its robotaxis to everyone ...
Jun 26, 2024•16 min
History is rhyming today as AI music startups get the Napster treatment and Microsoft gets dinged for product bundling. Google wants you to build your own AI celebrity. Amazon wants to go at ChatGPT directly. And two hella-interesting and hella-big AI raises. Sponsors: Miro.com Links: Major record labels sue AI company behind ‘BBL Drizzy’ (The Verge) EU charges Microsoft with antitrust violations over Teams (FT) Apple Spurned Idea of iPhone AI Partnership With Meta Months Ago (...
Jun 25, 2024•17 min
Could Apple soon owe Europe a ton of money as they are the first to run afoul of the DMA? Could Meta soon join OpenAI as part of Apple Intelligence. Why food delivery apps are seeing plunging usage in NYC and Seattle. And a big new AI focused bill in California that AI startups are worried about. Sponsors: 1password.com/ride WashingtonPost.com/ride Links: Brussels accuses Apple of breaking EU ‘gatekeeper’ rules (FT) Apple is first company charged with violating EU’s DMA rules (The Ve...
Jun 24, 2024•16 min
