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Palantir's Florida move is more than just a change of address
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 22:00
When a company moves its headquarters, it's making a statement — whether leadership spells it out or not. That's the case with Palantir's surprise announcement Tuesday that it has relocated its home base to Florida from Colorado.The defense-tech contractor disclosed the change in a one-sentence press release citing a new address just outside Miami. Palantir, led by cofounder and CEO Alex Karp, didn't provide a reason or say what it means for employees. The lack of details has left many observers speculati ...
How the Reviews team tests tech products at Business Insider
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 21:46
Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of thorough testing and expert reviews in helping consumers navigate the complex tech product market [1][2][3] Group 1: Testing Methodology - The Reviews team employs a combination of objective measurements and real-world usage to evaluate tech products, ensuring that assessments reflect actual performance [3][15] - Testing methodologies are developed in-house and are consistent across different tech categories, focusing on hands-on use and clear criteria [7][15] - The team revisits and updates buying guides regularly to reflect the latest product releases and market changes, ensuring recommendations remain relevant [4][19] Group 2: Evaluation Criteria - Key elements evaluated in tech products include general performance, ease of setup, design quality, software experience, compatibility, and overall value [5][9] - Each product is compared against its competitors in the same category to assess its value proposition and performance [17][18] Group 3: Editorial Standards - The Reviews team maintains editorial independence, ensuring that recommendations are not influenced by brand payments or pre-publication reviews [6][7] - The team adheres to established journalistic standards focused on accuracy, fairness, and transparency in their reviews [7] Group 4: Product Categories - The team covers a wide range of tech products, including TVs, soundbars, headphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smartphones, evaluating each category based on specific parameters [8][10][11][12][13][14]
Tesla avoids sales freeze in California after dropping 'Autopilot' marketing
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 16:07
Core Viewpoint - Tesla has avoided a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licenses in California by taking corrective actions regarding its marketing of the "Autopilot" feature [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accused Tesla of misleading consumers by advertising its "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" systems as capable of autonomous driving [2]. - An administrative law judge concluded in November 2025 that Tesla's use of the term "Autopilot" violated California law, recommending a 30-day suspension of the company's licenses if the branding continued [7]. - The DMV adopted the judge's findings in December but stayed the suspension, allowing Tesla 60 days to comply with the ruling [7]. Group 2: Marketing and Product Changes - Tesla has modified its "Full Self-Driving" branding to "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" as of September 2024, clarifying that the system operates "with minimal driver intervention" [6][8]. - In January, Tesla discontinued its Autopilot packages for new vehicles in the US and Canada, eliminating the $8,000 upfront purchase option for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) [9]. - The "FSD (Supervised)" is now available only as a $99-per-month subscription, linking Tesla's self-driving ambitions to recurring software revenue [9]. Group 3: Importance of California Market - California is critical for Tesla as it represents the company's largest US sales market and is home to two manufacturing hubs [2].
Starbucks investor group gears up for board fight over backsliding labor relations
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 14:01
A group of Starbucks investors is escalating their pressure campaign over the coffee giant's ongoing labor turmoil — and this time, they're targeting the board. Ahead of the company's March 25 annual meeting, a coalition of long-term shareholders is urging investors to vote against the reelection of Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, the lead independent director, and Beth Ford, the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The group cites what they call "sustained oversight failures of labor relation ...
Why Berkshire Hathaway's New York Times bet is a fitting end to the Warren Buffett era
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 14:00
Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway made a notable investment in The New York Times, acquiring approximately 5.1 million shares valued at $352 million, marking a significant return to the newspaper industry after previously divesting its newspaper holdings [1][12]. Company Summary - The New York Times has shown a recovery in recent years, with revenues increasing by 9% to $2.8 billion and net income rising by 17% to $344 million, driven by a 9% rise in subscription revenues and a 12% increase in advertising revenues [12]. - The publisher added 1.4 million digital-only subscribers, bringing its total subscriber count to 12.78 million as of December 31 [13]. - The stock price of The New York Times has surged approximately 15-fold since its low in early 2009, reaching a record high of $74, with a 50% increase in the past year [13][14]. Industry Summary - Warren Buffett has expressed concerns about the newspaper industry's viability, noting a significant decline in circulation and advertising revenues over the years [6][11]. - Despite these concerns, Buffett previously stated that newspapers delivering reliable information to local communities would remain viable, indicating a belief in the potential for certain newspapers to succeed [10]. - The newspaper industry has faced a transformation, with many traditional titles struggling, leading Buffett to predict that only a few national titles would survive in the long term [11].
The EV winter is going global. Here's why it's hitting Tesla hard.
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 10:18
Core Insights - The global electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a downturn, with sales declining by 3% year-over-year in January, influenced by policy changes in the US and China [1][2] - In North America and China, EV sales fell significantly, with a 33% drop in North America and a 20% decline in China [1] Industry Overview - The removal of the $7,500 tax credit for new EVs in the US has led to a sharp decline in sales, prompting warnings from industry leaders about a challenging period ahead [2] - In China, EVs represented about 50% of total vehicle sales last year, but recent government policy changes, including the end of a key tax exemption, are creating hurdles for manufacturers [5] Company-Specific Challenges - Tesla's sales in China fell below 20,000 units in January, marking its lowest sales figure since late 2022, amidst increasing competition from local brands [7] - The lack of new product launches since the Model Y in 2021 has left Tesla vulnerable, with its Model Y outsold by Xiaomi's YU7 in January [8] - BYD has overtaken Tesla as the largest seller of battery-powered vehicles globally, although it also faced a 30% sales decline in January [9] Regional Performance - Tesla's performance in Europe is struggling, with a 42% drop in registrations in France and only 82 cars sold in Norway, while BYD sold four times as many cars as Tesla in the UK [10][9] - Despite a 25% increase in overall EV sales in Europe, Tesla's challenges in key markets hinder its recovery efforts [13] Financial Implications - The Detroit "big three" automakers have reported over $50 billion in charges related to their EV businesses, indicating a broader industry shift towards gas-powered and hybrid vehicles [15] - In January, only 90,000 electric vehicles were sold in North America, reflecting the ongoing struggles within the market [15] Strategic Shifts - Tesla is pivoting away from traditional automotive production, with plans to discontinue the Model X and S to focus on developing its Optimus humanoid robot and future autonomous vehicles [16][17]
I built my career in Japan as an American. I learned there's one thing that's non-negotiable.
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 05:16
Company Overview - Vegas PR Group is a Tokyo-based marketing agency focused on culture, the arts, music, and fashion, founded by Lauren Rose Kocher [4][10] - The agency employs a bilingual team of nine, working with both Japanese and international clients [4] Career Development - The founder transitioned from teaching English to corporate roles in Japanese companies, including a position at Sony Music's business development division [3][2] - After nearly a decade in corporate Japan, the founder stepped into senior leadership as CEO of Vegas PR Group [4] Business Culture - Japanese business culture emphasizes consensus-building through "nemawashi," which involves aligning stakeholders privately before formal decisions [5][6] - Feedback in Japanese teams tends to be indirect, leading to issues remaining unspoken until they surface collectively [6] Management Style - The founder's management style incorporates American communication and entrepreneurial instincts while respecting local expectations [7][8] - The leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, focusing on the success of team members to build trust across diverse teams [10] Work Customs - The company enforces Japanese work customs, such as punctuality, where being late by even a minute is considered unacceptable [9][10] - In-person meetings require arriving at least 10 minutes early, reflecting the non-negotiable nature of punctuality in Japanese business [9] Leadership Insights - The founder advises leaders in Japan to communicate important news one-on-one before major announcements and to be aware of the cultural significance of roles and hierarchies [11][12] - It is crucial to understand that silence does not equate to satisfaction in Japanese workplaces, highlighting the need for careful communication [12]
Tesla says the first Cybercab just rolled off the production line at Gigafactory Texas
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 00:44
Core Insights - Tesla has achieved a significant manufacturing milestone with its purpose-built robotaxi, the Cybercab, which has begun production at its Gigafactory in Austin [1][6] - The Cybercab is designed for Tesla's robotaxi ride-hailing program and is fully autonomous, lacking a steering wheel and pedals [6][8] - Tesla's current robotaxi program primarily utilizes 2025 Model Ys with human safety monitors, and has recently started offering limited unsupervised rides [2] Manufacturing and Production - The first production Cybercab has been completed, marking a key step in Tesla's autonomous vehicle initiative [1] - Production of the Cybercab is expected to ramp up starting in April, although the timeline for full street legality remains uncertain [6] Regulatory Considerations - Federal vehicle safety standards are based on traditional human control systems, which may necessitate special regulatory approvals for the Cybercab [7] - Tesla may face challenges related to state-specific regulations concerning registration, insurance, and the operation of autonomous vehicles [8] Market Position and Pricing - Elon Musk indicated that the Cybercab is optimized for autonomy and is expected to be priced around $25,000, with an option for consumers to purchase the vehicle [9]
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought a stake in The New York Times during his final quarter as CEO
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 22:18
Group 1 - Berkshire Hathaway acquired approximately 5.1 million shares of The New York Times Company, valued at about $352 million at the end of December 2025 [1] - The company reduced its stakes in Apple and Bank of America by about 4% and 9% respectively, and sold 77% of its Amazon stake, decreasing its value from $2.2 billion to $525 million [2] - Berkshire added to its holdings in Chubb and Chevron while selling down Aon, and its Alphabet stake increased in value from around $4.3 billion to $5.6 billion due to a surge in Google's parent company shares [3] Group 2 - Warren Buffett, who transformed Berkshire from a failing textile mill into a $1 trillion conglomerate, stepped down as CEO, with Greg Abel taking over [5][6] - Under Buffett's leadership, the company has been net sellers of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters and has not repurchased shares for five quarters, resulting in a cash reserve exceeding $350 billion [7]
Amazon pulls the plug on 'Blue Jay' warehouse robot after only a few months
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 20:10
Core Insights - Amazon has discontinued its Blue Jay warehouse robot just a few months after its launch, indicating challenges in developing effective and cost-efficient AI robotics technology [1][2][9] - The core technology of Blue Jay will be integrated into other initiatives within Amazon's warehouse network, as the company continues to explore various robotics projects [3][10] Robotics Development Challenges - The development of AI robotics technology faces significant hurdles in the physical realm, particularly in acquiring useful training data and managing real-world operational challenges [2] - Blue Jay was developed rapidly in just over a year, leveraging AI advancements, but ultimately faced issues related to high costs, manufacturing complexity, and implementation difficulties [8][9] Future Robotics Initiatives - Amazon is transitioning from the Blue Jay system to a new modular warehouse system called "Orbital," which is designed to be more flexible and easier to deploy compared to the previous "Local Vending Machine" system [12][13] - The Orbital system is expected to support smaller same-day delivery warehouses and potentially be used as a micro-fulfillment solution in Whole Foods stores, focusing on handling chilled products [14][13] - The rollout of the Orbital system is projected to take time, with the first warehouse not expected to open until 2027 [15]