Core Insights - ADT is discontinuing some advanced features of its Trusted Neighbor program, particularly the auto-unlock technology that integrated with Google Nest and Yale smart locks, effective January 29, 2026 [5][3] - The decision to remove these features is likely influenced by new AI partnerships and changes in Google's strategy, particularly with the introduction of Gemini for Home [7][9][10] - Despite the removal of certain features, ADT remains a viable option for consumers willing to engage in long-term contracts and pay monthly fees for comprehensive security services [14] Company Developments - ADT has made significant improvements to its security system, including smart features and interactions with Google Nest devices, but is now scaling back on some of these advancements [2][3] - The auto-unlock feature, which utilized AI for familiar face recognition, is being removed as ADT shifts focus to more reliable access methods [5][9] Industry Context - The competitive landscape in home security is evolving, with Google investing heavily in proprietary AI technologies, which may limit partnerships with other companies [11][12] - AT&T has launched its Connected Life platform, which integrates Google Home and Abode security systems, indicating a shift in partnerships within the industry [12][13] - Other brands like Ring, Blink, and Arlo continue to offer effective AI features, suggesting that while ADT is scaling back, alternatives remain available in the market [16]

Core Insights - Waymo is expanding its fully autonomous ride-hailing services, recently launching rides to San Francisco International Airport and planning to serve additional airport locations in the future [1][2] - The company operates in multiple cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, with plans for further expansion [3][4] - Waymo is increasing its fleet size and capabilities, opening a new manufacturing facility and integrating sixth-generation self-driving technology into new vehicles [5][6] Expansion and Operations - Waymo has opened fully autonomous rides to the public in various cities, including Phoenix and San Francisco, with plans to expand to more locations [3][15] - The company is also entering new markets, such as Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and San Diego, with manual driving operations already underway [25][30][32] - Future expansions include cities like Nashville, Denver, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, with plans to launch public rides in 2026 [36][40][41] Technology and Safety - Waymo has driven over 127 million fully autonomous miles, reporting significantly fewer crashes compared to human drivers, with an 88% reduction in serious injury crashes [7][9] - The company is developing its sixth-generation self-driving technology, which aims to enhance vehicle performance in extreme weather conditions [52] - Partnerships with Hyundai and Toyota are set to integrate advanced technology into new electric vehicles, expanding the Waymo One fleet [6][53] Partnerships and Collaborations - Waymo is collaborating with Uber for ride-hailing services in cities like Austin and Atlanta, allowing users to summon Waymo vehicles through the Uber app [20][23] - The company is also working with Avis Budget Group to manage its fleet in Dallas, enhancing operational efficiency [41] - In Tokyo, Waymo is partnering with local taxi services to adapt its technology to the unique driving conditions of the city [50][51]

Core Insights - Tesla is ending production of the Model S and Model X, marking the retirement of its two longest-running electric vehicles as part of a strategic shift towards an autonomous future [1][3] Production and Sales - The Model S was introduced in 2012 and the Model X in 2015, both contributing significantly to Tesla's establishment in the premium EV market [2] - In 2025, the Model 3 and Model Y accounted for approximately 97% of Tesla's total vehicle deliveries, which reached 1.6 million units [2][4] - The total production for 2025 was 1,654,667 vehicles, with 1,600,767 being Model 3/Y and 53,900 classified as "Other Models" [4] Strategic Shift - The decision to cease production of the Model S and Model X aligns with Tesla's broader strategy to cut costs and focus on more profitable models, as these older models are among the slowest sellers [3] - Tesla is transitioning from a traditional hardware-focused automaker to a "physical AI" company, with plans to scale up production in robotics, energy storage, and battery manufacturing [6] Future Focus - The Fremont factory, currently producing the Model S and Model X, will be repurposed for the production of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot, with plans to ramp up production to 1 million units per year [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - A Waymo self-driving vehicle was involved in an incident where it hit a child pedestrian near an elementary school, prompting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [1][2] Group 1: Incident Details - The incident occurred during normal school drop-off hours, with other children and vehicles present in the vicinity [2] - Waymo reported that the child sustained minor injuries and that the vehicle braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact [1][2] - After the incident, the pedestrian walked to the sidewalk, and Waymo called 911, with law enforcement eventually clearing the vehicle to leave [1] Group 2: Company Response and Safety Measures - Waymo emphasized the importance of its safety systems in its blog post, stating its commitment to improving road safety [2] - The NHTSA investigation will assess whether the Waymo robotaxi operated with the necessary caution near an elementary school and adhered to speed limits [2] - Waymo's Safety Impact report claims that its technology has resulted in 88% fewer crashes leading to serious injuries and 78% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to average human drivers over 71 million autonomous miles [4] Group 3: Historical Context and Challenges - Waymo has faced several high-profile incidents, including difficulties navigating construction zones and a previous incident involving a robotaxi hitting a neighborhood cat [3] - The company has made claims that a fully attentive human driver would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 mph in the same situation [5]

Core Viewpoint - Meta is planning to introduce premium subscription tiers for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, allowing users to access additional features beyond the free versions currently available [1][2]. Group 1: Subscription Plans - Meta has confirmed the testing of premium subscription tiers for its three main services, which will provide users with "special features and more control" over their sharing and connectivity [1]. - The specifics of the subscription plans have not been detailed, but they are expected to differ from the existing Meta Verified badge aimed at businesses and content creators, which starts at $15 [2]. - The new subscriptions will likely include AI-related features, such as access to AI image generators or agents, with the offerings potentially evolving based on customer feedback [3]. Group 2: Industry Context - The trend of introducing subscriptions for previously free social media services is becoming common, with platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat already offering paid options for enhanced features [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the professional background and expertise of Gael Cooper, emphasizing her extensive experience in journalism and her contributions to pop culture literature [1][2]. Group 1: Professional Background - Gael Cooper has been a journalist since 1989, working for various notable publications including Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital [1]. - She is a co-author of two pop-culture encyclopedias focused on Generation X, published by Penguin Books [2]. Group 2: Awards and Recognition - Cooper has received multiple accolades, including the "Headline Writer of the Year" award from the American Copy Editors Society in 2017, 2014, and 2013 [2]. - She also won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism [2].

Core Insights - Verizon experienced a significant service outage affecting approximately 175,000 customers, with reports indicating that some devices were stuck in SOS mode [2][3] - The company acknowledged the issue and stated that engineering teams are actively working to resolve the service interruptions as quickly as possible [2][4] - User reports peaked at over 180,000 on Downdetector, indicating widespread impact on service availability [3] Service Impact - The outage primarily affected wireless voice and data services, leading to difficulties in making calls and using data for many customers [4] - Some users reported intermittent service restoration, only to lose connectivity again shortly after [3][4] - Verizon's official communication emphasized their commitment to restoring service and addressing the ongoing issues [2][4]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla will transition its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to a monthly subscription model starting February 14, moving away from outright sales [1] Group 1: Subscription Model Change - Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that FSD will no longer be sold outright and will only be available as a subscription service [1] - This change indicates a shift in Tesla's business model regarding its FSD technology [1] Group 2: Legal and Regulatory Context - The change in FSD sales strategy may be influenced by ongoing lawsuits and investigations concerning the technology, particularly in California [2] - A judge in California ruled that Tesla was making misleading claims about the capabilities of its Autopilot and FSD features, which could impact sales in the state [2] Group 3: FSD Technology Clarification - Despite the name "Full Self-Driving," the software does not provide complete autonomy, and Tesla has labeled it as "Supervised" to indicate that drivers must remain attentive [3] - Recent updates to FSD include a "Sloth" speed option for cautious driving and enhancements to self-parking capabilities [3]

Core Insights - Apple has selected Google's Gemini to enhance Siri, with the new version expected to launch later this year, marking a significant partnership between the two tech giants [1][2] - Apple will reportedly pay Google $1 billion annually for the use of Gemini, which has been noted for its strong performance compared to OpenAI's ChatGPT [1][4] - The collaboration aims to provide innovative experiences for Apple users while maintaining Apple's privacy standards, as Siri will continue to operate on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute [2] Company Strategies - Apple has been lagging in the AI sector and opted to collaborate with Google rather than developing its own foundational models, which have faced challenges [4] - The partnership with Google is seen as a strategic move to improve Siri's capabilities, which have not met expectations in the past [4] - The financial relationship between Apple and Google is further solidified, as Google previously paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 to keep Google Search as the default on Apple devices, indicating a flow of funds back to Google for Siri's enhancement [5]

Core Insights - Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses are experiencing high demand but face inventory limitations, leading to a pause in international expansion plans for early 2026 [1][2] - The company is focusing on fulfilling US orders while reassessing its international strategy [2] Company Developments - Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses, priced at $800, feature a miniature display and a wrist-worn neural band for control [5][6] - The glasses are seen as a first-generation product, with limited initial production to address potential issues before scaling up [7] Industry Trends - The smart glasses market is gaining momentum, with significant investments from technology companies, including Google and Xreal, and expectations for Apple's entry [4] - New features for the Ray-Ban Display glasses include a teleprompter and an EMG handwriting feature, enhancing user functionality [8][9]