FROM OUR PARTNER
Where 2025’s a year of “unprecedented growth”
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🤖 OpenAI's AI device won't be a wearable or earbud
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- OpenAI's initial AI device from Jony Ive's team, Io, will not be an in-ear device or a wearable, according to recent court filings.
- Io's Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, confirmed their 2026 product will specifically avoid a wearable or an in-ear form factor despite design non-finalization.
- Although Io explored diverse form factors including portables and bought many earbuds, its upcoming hardware will not be a wearable or an in-ear device.
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⏳ Google brings historical Street View imagery to Google Earth
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- Google Earth now offers historical Street View imagery, letting you explore past views of locations by using a specific menu bar to select different time periods.
- To see older images, you drag the pegman icon onto a street, click 'see more dates', and then pick a year from the film strip menu.
- This feature integrates Street View's time-travel aspect, known from Maps, into Google Earth, where it pairs with immersive 3D views and satellite imagery.
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🎮 Microsoft plans major Xbox layoffs next week
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- Microsoft is planning major layoffs within its Xbox gaming business as early as next week, with managers reportedly briefed on these upcoming job cuts.
- The company is restructuring parts of its Xbox division for next-generation consoles, which includes ceasing some Xbox operations in central Europe.
- These new Xbox layoffs follow multiple rounds of cuts at Microsoft, including 1,900 gaming employees in January and several game studio closures in May.
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👀 Tesla robotaxis face federal safety probe
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- Federal safety regulators contacted Tesla concerning its new robotaxis in Austin after online footage surfaced showing the vehicles apparently violating traffic laws.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now gathering information on reports of these Tesla robotaxis speeding and swerving into the wrong lane.
- Tesla’s robotaxis, equipped with an unsupervised version of FSD and a human safety monitor, also reportedly braked suddenly near police vehicles in parking lots.
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🔒 US House bans WhatsApp on government devices
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- The U.S. House of Representatives has prohibited WhatsApp on all government-issued devices, following a “high-risk to users” designation from its Office of Cybersecurity.
- This cybersecurity designation was due to the app's lack of transparency in protecting user data, an absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks.
- As official communication alternatives, the Chief Administrative Officer approved Microsoft Teams, Wickr, and Signal after the comprehensive ban on the Meta-owned messaging application.
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🎬 Meta explored acquisition of AI video startup Runway
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- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly held discussions for a potential acquisition of the AI video startup Runway, aiming to expand the company's work in AI.
- These deal talks for Runway did not progress to a formal offer with a specific dollar figure and are no longer active, people familiar told Bloomberg.
- Zuckerberg’s exploration of acquiring Runway aligns with his current recruitment drive, meeting AI leaders to build Meta’s "superintelligence" team through high offers.
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