Waymo and Toyota Explore Self-Driving Partnership for Consumer Cars

April 29, 2025, 7:20 pm more...

In a surprising twist in the world of autonomous transport, Waymo and Toyota have inked a preliminary agreement to explore the creation of a self-driving vehicle platform. This budding romance between tech and automotive giants could pave the way for iterative innovations in ride-hailing and personal mobility.

Bluesky: @matthewkeys.net, @kirstenkorosec.bsky.social, @techcrunch.com

cnbc.com / Waymo, Toyota strike partnership to bring self-driving tech to personal vehicles

techcrunch.com / Waymo and Toyota are dating. If they get serious, a new autonomous vehicle could be created.

reuters.com/business / Toyota, Waymo agree to explore collaboration in autonomous driving tech - Reuters

permalink / 6 stories from 4 sources in 4 hours ago #ai #selfdriving #cars #alphabet #automation +

Duolingo Embraces AI, Phasing Out Human Contractors

April 29, 2025, 10:20 am more...

In a bold pivot, Duolingo is restructuring its operations by leveraging generative AI to handle content creation and process automation, gradually replacing its reliance on human contractors. This decisive move signals a new era for the language-learning platform where efficiency is king—even if a few jobs get left in the digital dust.

cnet.com / Shopify, Duolingo Workers Face a New Gen AI Reality at Work. Is Your Job Next?

theregister.com / Duolingo jumps aboard the 'AI-first' train, will phase out contractors

the-decoder.com / Duolingo announces major shift toward generative AI and automation

permalink / 4 stories from 4 sources in 13 hours ago #ai #automation #business #job-market #genai +

Apple Reassigns Robotics Division from AI to Hardware Focus

April 24, 2025, 4:20 pm more...

Apple’s internal shakeup sees its robotics unit shifted away from the AI/ML organization and placed under the hardware division. The reassignment, moving oversight from John Giannandrea to new leadership, signals a renewed focus on product innovation and a faster pace of development amid fierce industry competition.

theinformation.com / Apple Re-Assigns Robotics Division - The Information

appleinsider.com / Apple shifts robotics team away from Giannandrea's AI organization to prioritize hardware

macrumors.com / Apple's Secret Robotics Team Gets New Leadership

permalink / 3 stories from 3 sources in 5 days ago #robotics #apple #hardware #automation +

VW and Uber join forces for US robotaxi rollout

April 24, 2025, 8:20 am more...

Volkswagen and Uber announced an ambitious collaboration to launch a commercial robotaxi service in the US, with plans to deploy autonomous electric vehicles in Los Angeles by late 2026. This joint venture marks a bold step towards transforming urban mobility through self-driving technology.

Bluesky: @jonkeegan.com, @seanokane.bsky.social

betanews.com / Volkswagen and Uber bring self-driving ID. Buzz electric vans to Los Angeles

cnet.com / Uber and VW Team Up to Bring Robotaxis to a US City Near You

theinformation.com / Uber and Volkswagen’s Autonomous Mobility Subsidiary Ink Robotaxi Deal - The Information

permalink / 8 stories from 7 sources in 5 days ago #robotaxis #automation #blockchain #innovation #fintech +

China warns nations amid escalating US–China trade war

April 21, 2025, 2:20 pm more...

Beijing’s sharp warning comes as tensions mount over alleged “unfair” US trade deals that could undercut its economic clout. In the midst of aggressive tariff impositions, major tech players like Apple are caught in the crossfire—an unmistakable signal that Beijing is ready to retaliate, adding fuel to the global trade fire.

Reddit: r/technology

Bluesky: @verge-poster.bsky.social, @arstechnica.com, @appleinsider.com

techinasia.com / Trump’s tariffs: Korean console plans at risk

techinasia.com / Alibaba’s Cainiao rolls out aid for Chinese cross-border sellers

www.ft.com/ / India under tariff pressure to give Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart full market access - Financial Times

zerohedge.com / Exposing Beijing's 'Gray Trade' Tariff Avoidance Scheme

techspot.com / Logitech quietly raises prices on popular PC accessories by up to 25% after tariffs

techinasia.com / US tariff worries hit Taiwan’s economic sentiment: survey

zerohedge.com / Air Cargo Faces $22BN Revenue Hit When China Tariff Exemption Ends

techinasia.com / Taiwan launches $2.71b relief package over US tariffs

betanews.com / President Donald Trump’s tariffs are killing cheap handheld emulators as Anbernic suspends China shipments

zerohedge.com / Protectionism Is Good

permalink / 29 stories from 15 sources in 8 days ago #hardware #semiconductors #techpolicy #apple #fang +

Tesla Delays Affordable Low-Cost EV Launch Amid Production Setbacks

April 21, 2025, 9:20 am more...

Tesla has postponed the introduction of its much-anticipated affordable electric SUV, dampening hopes of accessible EV innovation. The delay fuels further speculation over production challenges and strategic pivots, leaving fans and investors wondering when the company’s budget-friendly dream will finally hit the roads.

Reddit: r/musked

Bluesky: @robyn.bsky.social, @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social

cnbc.com / Tesla shares tumble ahead of first-quarter earnings report

zerohedge.com / Aerial Images Of Tesla's Giga Texas Hint At Cybercab Prototype Production

gizmodo.com / Elon Musk’s DOGE Seems to Be Losing Steam as He Prepares to Retreat to Tesla

permalink / 9 stories from 7 sources in 8 days ago #hardware #innovation #selfdriving #techpolicy #fang +

Instagram Employs AI to Restrict Underage Profile Tricksters

April 21, 2025, 9:20 am more...

Instagram is deploying smart AI tools to sniff out accounts where teens claim an older age, automatically forcing them into restricted modes. The platform’s latest measure aims to tighten safeguards—even if it means catching digital fibbers in the act with a touch of modern oversight.

winbuzzer.com / Meta Intensifies Instagram Age Checks With Proactive AI System

cnet.com / Meta Will Use AI to Place Teens Into Stricter Account Settings

androidheadlines.com / Instagram’s AI Age Check Could Change How Teens Use the App

permalink / 4 stories from 4 sources in 8 days ago #ai #automation #ml #dataprivacy #computervision +

Abrego Garcia’s Facility Transfer Sparks Political Controversy and VIP Detention Upgrade

April 21, 2025, 8:20 am more...

Abrego Garcia, the deported Salvadoran once linked to gang allegations, has been unexpectedly moved from a maximum-security prison to a lower-security facility complete with his own room. This unexpected upgrade has not gone unnoticed by U.S. lawmakers, who are now making diplomatic visits amid growing concerns over the Trump administration’s deportation practices. Critics are wryly pointing out the irony of a man accused of criminal ties now enjoying accommodations that seem fit for a high-roller rather than a detainee.

theregister.com / ICE enlists Palantir to develop all-seeing 'ImmigrationOS' eye to speed up deportations

zerohedge.com / Democrat Judge Caught Harboring Suspected Tren de Aragua Gang Member

reuters.com/business / Venezuelan migrants were set for deportation without judicial review, lawyers tell US Supreme Court - Reuters

permalink / 5 stories from 3 sources in 8 days ago #bigdata #cybersecurity #dataprivacy #techpolicy #infosec +

Mortgage Rates Update: Cooling Trends for Homebuyers and Refinancing

April 21, 2025, 6:20 am more...

Home loan seekers received a double dose of market relief on April 21, 2025, as both standard mortgage rates and refinance rates showed noticeable dips. The trend suggests that borrowers might benefit from lower financing costs while traditional lenders try to decipher whether these decreases are a fleeting anomaly or a sustainable shift. As potential buyers revel in the temporary break from high rates, industry experts inject a wry observation on whether the market’s ‘cool down’ is a calm before the storm or just another twist in the ongoing rate rollercoaster.

zerohedge.com / Miami Housing Market Hit By "Breathtaking" Collapse In Demand

cnet.com / ARMs Were Risky During the Housing Crisis. Will They Become Popular Again?

cnet.com / Mortgages Cool Off for Homeseekers: Mortgage Rates on April 21, 2025

permalink / 4 stories from 2 sources in 8 days ago #bigdata #automation #fintech #analytics #digitaltransformation +