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Tesla releases detailed safety report after Waymo co-CEO called for more data
TechCrunch· 2025-11-14 21:57
Core Insights - Tesla has provided detailed data on the performance and safety of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, claiming significant improvements over national averages in collision rates [1][10] - The data indicates that Tesla FSD users experience major collisions every 2.9 million miles and minor collisions every 986,000 miles, compared to national averages of 505,000 miles and 178,000 miles respectively [10] Summary by Sections Tesla's Data Release - Tesla's new website section claims that FSD users drive approximately 5 million miles before a major collision and 1.5 million miles before a minor collision [1] - The company has been criticized for its previous safety reports, which focused on Autopilot rather than the more advanced FSD software [3][9] Comparison with National Averages - According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the average driver experiences a major collision every 699,000 miles and a minor collision every 229,000 miles [2] - Tesla's interpretation shows that FSD users are significantly safer than the national average, with a major collision rate that is about 5.7 times better than the national average [10] Definition of Collisions - Tesla defines "major collisions" as incidents where airbags are deployed, and includes crashes where FSD was active within five seconds before the event [11][12] - The company emphasizes that its reported collision rates capture both active and disengaged scenarios of the FSD system [12] Future Data Updates - Tesla plans to update its safety data quarterly, reflecting a rolling twelve-month aggregation of miles and collisions [13] - The company will not release injury rates but will focus on collision frequency and airbag deployment rates as proxies for collision severity [14]
Boeing has a carbon emissions problem. Startup Charm Industrial is cleaning up.
TechCrunch· 2025-11-14 17:04
Group 1 - Boeing has signed a deal with startup Charm Industrial to remove 100,000 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere [1] - Charm collects agricultural and forestry waste to produce "bio-oil," which is injected underground for carbon sequestration [1] - The aviation industry has made little progress in reducing carbon emissions, leading to a search for alternatives like carbon removal [2] Group 2 - By 2050, the aviation industry may need to spend at least $60 billion on carbon offsets to achieve net zero emissions [2] - Charm can also produce biochar, which can enhance soil productivity, although these efforts are still developing [3] - Two years ago, Charm sold 112,000 carbon removal credits for $53 million, aiming to reduce costs to about $50 per metric ton [3]
German court rules Google must pay €572M for violating antitrust rules in price comparison sector
TechCrunch· 2025-11-14 15:40
Core Points - A German court has ruled that Google abused its dominant market position in the price comparison sector, ordering the company to pay €572 million ($665.6 million) in damages to two German price comparison companies [1] - Idealo is set to receive approximately €465 million ($540 million) while Producto will receive €107 million ($124 million) as part of the damages awarded [1] - Idealo had initially claimed damages of €3.3 billion, linking its lawsuit to a previous ruling by the European Court of Justice in 2024 that found Google was self-preferencing its own shopping comparison service [2] - Idealo intends to continue pursuing the full damages initially sought against Google [2] - Idealo's CEO emphasized the importance of holding Google accountable for market abuse and indicated that the fight against such practices will continue [3] - Google may appeal the ruling, indicating ongoing legal challenges for the company [3] - This ruling follows a recent EU investigation into Google's spam policy and a fine of €2.95 billion (approximately $3.5 billion) for breaching EU antitrust rules by favoring its own advertising services [4]
Uber quietly pilots in-app video recording for drivers in India
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 19:11
Core Insights - Uber has initiated a pilot program for in-app video recording for drivers in India to deter misconduct, particularly in a market where dashcam usage is low [1][4] - The feature aims to provide drivers with evidence in disputes with riders, addressing concerns about false complaints that can lead to penalties or account suspensions [2][3] - The pilot is currently active in 10 cities across India, including major urban areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru [4] Implementation Details - The video recording feature began rolling out in phases in May and is now live in cities such as Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Lucknow [4] - Riders are notified when video recording is active during their trip [4] - All recordings are double-encrypted, stored on the device, and can only be accessed by users if they choose to share them as part of a safety report; recordings are deleted after a week if not shared [8] Historical Context - This video tool builds on Uber's previous in-app audio recording feature launched in India in 2023, and video recording was first tested in the U.S. in 2022 [10] - The feature is already available in Canada and Brazil, indicating a broader strategy for enhancing driver safety [10] Future Considerations - As the pilot expands, Uber must navigate the balance between resolving disputes and addressing privacy and surveillance concerns in a significant market [11] - The performance of the pilot in the coming months will influence decisions on wider rollout across India or to other regions [11]
Apple halves commissions for mini app makers
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 17:32
Core Insights - Apple has launched the Mini Apps Partner Program, offering a reduced commission rate of 15% on in-app purchases for mini applications [1] Group 1: Mini Apps Definition and Guidelines - A mini app is defined as a "self-contained" experience built using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript, distributed within a larger native app [2] - In 2017, Apple added a rule to its App Review Guidelines allowing developers to run mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators [3] - To qualify for the Mini App program, the main app must be available on iOS or iPadOS, hosted on the App Store, and comply with the Apple Developer Program License Agreement and existing App Review Guidelines [4] Group 2: New Requirements and Incentives - The program introduces new requirements for apps to support specific Apple technologies, including the Advanced Commerce API and Declared Age Rating API, ensuring age-appropriate content [5] - Developers are incentivized to leverage Apple's technologies by benefiting from the reduced commission, which could allow them to reinvest in their mini apps program [6] - Apple retains the ability to extract a commission from mini applications as the market evolves [7] Group 3: Market Context and Competition - Various native iOS apps currently offer mini apps, including messengers like LINE and WeChat, and AI providers like ChatGPT have begun to enter the mini app space [8] - Reports indicate that Apple and Tencent agreed to a 15% commission on mini apps in WeChat, but it is unclear if the program will be open to other developers [9] Group 4: Developer Participation - Developers interested in joining the Mini Apps Partner Program must provide information about their host app, eligibility, and mini app, and agree to the program's terms [10] - In-app purchases within mini apps qualify for the reduced commission if they are for digital goods and services, including consumable and non-consumable items, auto-renewable subscriptions, and non-renewing subscriptions [10]
Tesla might finally bring CarPlay to its EVs
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 17:05
Core Viewpoint - Tesla is reportedly developing integration for Apple CarPlay into its vehicles, marking a significant shift from its previous stance against the feature [1][2] Group 1: Tesla's Strategy - Tesla has previously resisted adding CarPlay to its infotainment system despite customer requests [2] - The automaker has focused on providing native apps for streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal, although user experience has been inconsistent [3] Group 2: Market Implications - The potential addition of CarPlay could attract drivers who have previously dismissed Tesla, as a significant portion of consumers prioritize this feature in their vehicle choices [4]
Facebook Marketplace gets new collaborative and social features, Meta AI integrations
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 17:00
Core Insights - Meta is revamping Facebook Marketplace with new collaborative tools, social features, an enhanced checkout experience, and integrations with Meta AI [1] Group 1: New Features - A new "collections" feature allows users to create groups of listings and invite friends, enabling public or private sharing [2] - Collaborative buying is being tested, allowing users to invite friends to chat with sellers for easier coordination and negotiation [3] - Users can react and comment directly on listings, which may help others assess item quality and discover new products [12] Group 2: AI Integrations - Meta AI will assist buyers by suggesting relevant questions during chats with sellers, enhancing the purchasing process [7] - AI insights will be provided for vehicle listings, consolidating key details like engine options, safety ratings, and pricing [8] Group 3: Enhanced User Experience - The improved checkout experience will display total costs, including shipping and tax, upfront, and provide notifications on order status [14] - Marketplace will learn user preferences based on liked items, displaying more relevant listings [13] Group 4: Competitive Strategy - The integration of eBay and Poshmark inventory aims to expand options for users in categories like fashion and electronics [13] - By blending social, commerce, and AI, Meta seeks to increase user engagement on Marketplace and enhance competitiveness against other e-commerce platforms [6]
Google takes on Pinterest with a dedicated ‘inspirational' images tab in its mobile app
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 16:29
Core Insights - Google is introducing a new "Images" tab in its Search app aimed at enhancing user engagement and competing with platforms like Pinterest for inspirational imagery [1][3] - The feature will allow users to browse, search, and save images tailored to their interests, with daily updates to the content [2][5] - This addition may also serve as a new advertising space for Google, as the company has been testing ad placements within the image tab [3] Feature Details - The "Images" tab will provide users with a way to organize creative ideas and find visual inspiration for various activities such as trip planning and home decoration [2] - Users can save their favorite images to collections, similar to functionalities offered by Pinterest and Instagram [2][4] - The rollout of this feature is expected to occur over the next few weeks on iOS and Android in the U.S., with no specific timeline for global availability [5] Historical Context - This is not the first image-saving feature from Google; a "Collections" feature was launched in 2018, which included saving websites and products in addition to images [4]
Tesla Powerwall 2 recall expands to US after reports of fires
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 16:26
Group 1 - Tesla is recalling over 10,000 Powerwall 2 home batteries in the U.S. due to nearly two dozen incidents of overheating, smoke emission, or fire [1][2] - The U.S. recall follows a similar incident in Australia, where Powerwall 2 batteries were also recalled after reports of fires [1][2] - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) reported five Powerwalls caught fire, causing minor property damage, while six units emitted smoke and eleven overheated [2] Group 2 - The affected Powerwalls were sold between November 2020 and December 2022, and consumers are advised to check the Tesla app to see if their units are included in the recall [3] - Tesla will discharge the affected units that are online and will provide replacements for them [3]
Spotify introduces a Premium Platinum plan with lossless access in five markets
TechCrunch· 2025-11-13 14:19
Core Insights - Spotify is introducing new premium tiers: Premium Lite, Premium Standard, and Premium Platinum in five markets: India, Indonesia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa [1][5] Pricing and Features - The Premium Lite plan is priced at ₹139 per month ($1.57) and includes ad-free listening and 160kbps audio quality [3] - The Premium Standard plan costs ₹199 per month ($2.25) and offers offline support and 320kbps audio quality [3] - The Premium Platinum plan, priced at ₹299 per month ($3.37), includes access to the Lossless tier, allows account sharing for up to three users, and features Spotify's AI DJ and playlist creation tools [3][4][9] Market Context - The new premium tiers are being launched in markets that have not previously had access to these features, which have been available in North America and Europe [5] - Existing subscribers will retain their current subscriptions, while new subscribers must choose from the new plans, as the old Duo and Family plans are no longer available [6] Price Adjustments - For new subscribers in India, Spotify is increasing subscription prices while reducing some benefits from the previous Premium plan [7] - The Standard individual plan now costs ₹139 ($1.57), matching the new Lite plan, while the Family plan is priced at ₹229 ($2.58) for six members [7][9] Global Pricing Trends - Spotify has made pricing changes in other markets, including a price increase in the U.S. from $9.99 to $11.99 per month over the last two years [9]