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How a decade-old patent dispute could upend Uber's business
TechCrunch· 2025-05-30 17:00
Core Viewpoint - A patent infringement lawsuit filed by Carma Technology against Uber could have significant implications for Uber and potentially other companies in the ride-sharing industry [1][2]. Company Overview - Carma Technology, founded in 2007 by Sean O'Sullivan, has accused Uber of infringing on five patents related to matching riders with vehicle capacity, a core aspect of ride-sharing [2][3]. - The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, a permanent injunction against Uber, mandatory future royalties, damages, and other costs [3]. Legal Background - Carma first contacted Uber regarding its patents in 2016, during a period when Uber was valued at $66 billion and expanding rapidly [4][5]. - Uber was aware of Carma's patents as early as 2015 when a patent application was rejected due to existing patents held by Carma [6][8]. - Between 2016 and 2019, several of Uber's patent applications were rejected for similar reasons, leading to the abandonment of some applications [8]. Patent Details - The five patents in question are part of a larger family of 30 patents that Carma has developed over 18 years, with each patent containing multiple claims [10][11]. - The first patent, granted in 2010, established a shared transport system that matches empty vehicle space with riders or goods [17][18]. Business Model Shift - Carma initially focused on ride-sharing but shifted its business model to road-pricing services like GPS tolling and HOV verification by 2018 [20][23]. - The company aims to help transit authorities manage tolls and express lanes, promoting carpooling and reducing traffic congestion [22][23]. Financial Implications - Carma is currently profitable, but pursuing the lawsuit will impact its bottom line [24]. - The lawsuit is seen as a necessary step to protect the rights of inventors against larger companies that may infringe on patents [25][26].
In a victory for Palmer Luckey, Meta and Anduril work on mixed reality headsets for the military
TechCrunch· 2025-05-29 17:47
Core Insights - Anduril and Meta are collaborating to develop extended reality (XR) devices for the U.S. military, marking a significant partnership for both companies [1][2] - The collaboration is part of the Soldier Borne Mission Command Next (SBMC) program, which was previously managed by Microsoft under a $22 billion contract for augmented reality (AR) glasses [2] - The new devices will utilize Meta's AI model and Anduril's command and control software to provide real-time battlefield intelligence to soldiers [3] Company Developments - Anduril has taken over the management of the SBMC program from Microsoft, which will remain as a cloud provider, indicating a shift in military procurement strategies [2] - The product family being developed is named EagleEye, which reflects the initial vision of Anduril's co-founder Palmer Luckey [6] - Luckey's past experiences with Meta and Oculus are influencing the current collaboration, showcasing a reconciliation between the companies [4][8] Industry Context - The partnership highlights the growing interest in military applications of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), suggesting a lucrative market for XR technologies in defense [2] - The collaboration aims to create a competitive landscape for mixed reality glasses, with multiple suppliers expected to emerge for military use [2] - The integration of advanced technologies from both companies aims to enhance the capabilities of soldiers on the battlefield, aligning with modern military needs [3]
Tesla pleads for Senate to spare its booming energy business
TechCrunch· 2025-05-29 16:02
Core Insights - Tesla's business model relies significantly on government regulations and incentives, contributing to a substantial portion of its profits, particularly from its energy division [1] - Recent legislative actions by House Republicans threaten to repeal key tax credits for clean energy projects, which could severely impact Tesla's energy revenue [2][4] Group 1: Tesla's Energy Business - Tesla's energy division generated $2.7 billion in revenue in the first quarter, marking a 67% year-over-year increase [2] - The company has been actively lobbying against the repeal of energy tax credits, emphasizing the importance of these incentives for energy independence and grid reliability [3][4] - Current tax credits allow homeowners and clean energy developers to claim 30% on new solar installations, with provisions set to expire at the end of 2032, but proposed changes could end these credits four years earlier [4] Group 2: Legislative Impact - The reconciliation bill passed by House Republicans could have a devastating effect on Tesla's energy division if it proceeds through the Senate [2] - The proposed legislation could hinder the deployment of 60 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity annually, which is crucial for supporting AI and domestic manufacturing [6] - The broader clean energy sector has already seen significant declines in stock prices due to the threat of repealing the Inflation Reduction Act, with companies like Enphase, SunRun, and First Solar experiencing substantial losses [8]
Apple's US App Store topped $400B in developer billings and sales in 2024
TechCrunch· 2025-05-29 15:59
Just ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference next month, Apple on Thursday announced new figures related to the U.S. App Store’s financial success. The company says its U.S. App Store ecosystem has generated $406 billion in developer billings and sales in 2024 — a figure that’s nearly tripled in size since 2019, when it then generated $142 billion.Apple also made a point to note that, for 90% of the billings and sales facilitated by the App Store, developers paid no commission. The new figures come f ...
Apple to change the way it names operating systems, report says
TechCrunch· 2025-05-29 13:46
In Brief Apple will reportedly change the way it names its operating systems, per a Bloomberg report. Operating systems will now be named by year, meaning the update after the current iOS 18 will be iOS 26 rather than, say, iOS 19. The change paves the way for a less confusing, more consistent branding among Apple products. Other name changes will include iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, Bloomberg says. The changes will be announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) ...
The New York Times and Amazon ink AI licensing deal
TechCrunch· 2025-05-29 13:18
Nearly two years after suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, The New York Times has agreed to license its editorial content to Amazon to train the tech giant’s AI platforms. The agreement will “bring Times editorial content to a variety of Amazon customer experiences,” the outlet said in a statement. That includes content like news articles, material from NYT Cooking, a site dedicated to food and recipes, and The Athletic, its sports-focused site.  The company also noted that Amazon’s use ...
NVIDIA, AMD may soon start selling new AI chips in China to comply with US restrictions
TechCrunch· 2025-05-29 07:20
In Brief To comply with the U.S.’ restrictions on exporting advanced semiconductor technology to China, chipmakers NVIDIA and AMD will soon begin selling new GPUs made for AI workloads in China, Taiwanese tech publication Digitimes reported, citing supply chain sources. NVIDIA plans to sell a stripped-down AI GPU, code-named “B20,” while AMD is looking to target AI workload needs with its new Radeon AI PRO R9700 workstation GPU, Digitimes reported, adding that the companies will likely start selling these A ...
Nvidia expects to lose billions in revenue due to H20 chip licensing requirements
TechCrunch· 2025-05-28 21:03
Core Insights - Nvidia reported significant financial impacts due to the Trump administration's chip export restrictions, with a $4.5 billion charge in Q1 and an inability to ship an additional $2.5 billion in H20 AI chip revenue [2][3] - The company anticipates an $8 billion revenue hit in Q2, with projected revenue around $45 billion, indicating a substantial effect on its financial outlook [3] - Nvidia has publicly opposed the export limitations, highlighting the adverse effects on its business and the AI market in China [3][4] Financial Impact - In Q1, Nvidia incurred a $4.5 billion charge related to licensing requirements affecting sales to China [2] - The company was unable to ship $2.5 billion worth of H20 AI chips due to these restrictions [2] - For Q2, Nvidia expects an $8 billion revenue loss, which is a significant portion of its projected $45 billion revenue [3] Regulatory Context - The company criticized the Trump administration's export restrictions while welcoming the decision to scrap Biden's proposed Artificial Intelligence Diffusion Rule, which would have imposed further limitations [3][4] - Despite the cancellation of Biden's rules, Nvidia remains affected by the existing restrictions from the previous administration [4]
GameStop bought $500 million of Bitcoin
TechCrunch· 2025-05-28 19:56
GameStop announced on Wednesday that it bought 4,710 Bitcoin, which is worth over $500 million at the time of the purchase.The video game retail chain has struggled to stay relevant in a time when digital gaming purchases are increasingly popular — plus, the company took on a new kind of notoriety when it unwittingly became the center of a short squeeze in 2021. GameStop stock remains a bit inflated from where it was before the meddling of Reddit community r/WallStreetBets, but years out from its unpredic ...
Stellantis pivots to Google's Android as in-car partnership with Amazon ends
TechCrunch· 2025-05-28 19:35
Core Insights - Stellantis' partnership with Amazon to develop in-car software is winding down, with Amazon staff reassigned or leaving the project [1] - Stellantis will pivot to an Android-based system while continuing to utilize Amazon Web Services as its preferred cloud provider [2] - Stellantis aims to have 34 million connected cars on the road by 2030, with a focus on generating new revenue streams beyond vehicle sales [3] Group 1 - Stellantis initially planned to generate $22.5 billion annually from software by 2024 through its partnership with Amazon [1] - The in-car software strategy included three components: STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and AutoDrive [5] - The STLA SmartCockpit was intended to deliver personalized applications and services to drivers and passengers [5][6] Group 2 - The shift to an Android-based system indicates a strategic change in Stellantis' approach to in-car technology [2][6] - Stellantis has formed partnerships with other companies like BMW, Foxconn, and Waymo to support its connected car initiative [3] - The focus on personalized services through technology was a key aspect of the collaboration with Amazon [6]