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Tesla's record sales quarter barely boosted profit
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 20:39
Core Insights - Tesla achieved a record vehicle delivery of 497,099 units in Q3 2025, primarily driven by a surge in U.S. customers taking advantage of the expiring federal EV tax credit, but profits fell 37% year-over-year [1][2] Financial Performance - The company generated $21.2 billion in revenue, marking its best revenue figure in over a year, but only reported a profit of $1.4 billion, which is a modest increase of $200 million from Q2 2025 [2] - Operating expenses rose by 50% compared to Q3 2024, attributed to increased spending on AI, R&D projects, and restructuring charges of nearly $240 million [3] Future Outlook - Tesla faces pressure to achieve another record quarter to match vehicle shipments from 2024 or 2023, with potential support from new, slightly cheaper versions of the Model 3 and Model Y [4] - The company is significantly off its previously promised 50% year-over-year growth trajectory [4] Corporate Governance - Tesla is proposing a $1 trillion share package for CEO Elon Musk, which is set for a vote at the upcoming annual shareholder meeting, despite advisory groups recommending against it [5] - Musk has indicated he may leave Tesla if the compensation package is not approved, highlighting the contentious nature of the proposal [6]
Amazon unveils AI smart glasses for its delivery drivers
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 18:33
Core Insights - Amazon is developing AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers to enhance their efficiency and safety during deliveries [1][2][3] Product Features - The glasses will enable drivers to scan packages, receive turn-by-turn directions, and capture proof of delivery without using their phones [2] - They utilize AI sensing capabilities and computer vision to display hazards and delivery tasks directly in the driver's line of sight [2][3] - The glasses automatically activate when a driver parks at a delivery location, assisting in locating packages and navigating to addresses [4] - They are designed to provide easy navigation in complex delivery environments, such as multi-unit apartments and business locations [4] - The glasses support prescription and transitional lenses that adjust to light conditions [5] Development and Testing - Amazon is currently trialing the glasses with delivery drivers in North America and plans to refine the technology before a broader rollout [7] - Future capabilities may include real-time defect detection to alert drivers if a package is delivered to the wrong address and the ability to detect pets in yards [10] Related Innovations - Alongside the smart glasses, Amazon introduced a robotic arm named "Blue Jay" for warehouse operations and a new AI tool called Eluna for operational insights [11]
Meta cuts 600 AI jobs amid ongoing reorganization
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 15:08
Core Insights - Meta's chief AI officer announced a reduction of approximately 600 jobs from its superintelligence lab, aligning with the company's strategy of efficiency and reorganization [1][3] - The company has been actively hiring, acquiring over 50 researchers from competitors with lucrative pay packages, although claims were made that top talent from OpenAI did not accept these offers [2] - The restructuring aims to streamline decision-making processes and enhance individual impact within the team, reflecting a broader trend of efficiency within Meta [3] Group 1 - Meta is cutting about 600 jobs from its superintelligence lab as part of a reorganization effort [1] - The company has hired more than 50 researchers from competitors during the summer, indicating aggressive talent acquisition strategies [2] - The reduction in team size is intended to facilitate quicker decision-making and increase the scope of individual contributions [3] Group 2 - Meta's approach to layoffs is framed as a "year of efficiency," suggesting a focus on optimizing operations rather than significantly reducing overall headcount [3] - The company has indicated that most affected employees should be able to find new positions within Meta, highlighting a commitment to internal mobility [3]
U.K. designates Apple and Google as having ‘strategic market status,' opening door for more regulation
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 15:03
Core Viewpoint - The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Apple and Google with strategic market status in their mobile platforms, allowing for targeted regulatory actions to enhance competition in the sector [1][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Findings - The CMA's investigations into Apple and Google began in January, with proposed interventions made in July, leading to the conclusion that both companies possess "substantial, entrenched market power" in their mobile platforms [2]. - The CMA consulted over 150 stakeholders and found that U.K. mobile device owners are unlikely to switch between Apple and Google's ecosystems once adopted, indicating a lack of competition [2][3]. - The CMA noted that new technologies, such as AI, are "unlikely to eliminate" the market power of Apple and Google over the five-year designation period [3]. Group 2: Implications of Designation - The designation of strategic market status does not imply wrongdoing by Apple or Google but allows the CMA to consider interventions to ensure effective competition and fair treatment for consumers and businesses [4]. - The CMA expressed concerns that the rules of Apple and Google's platforms may limit innovation and competition, affecting thousands of businesses that rely on these platforms to market and sell products [3]. Group 3: Company Responses - Apple has warned that the CMA's decision could lead to delays in users receiving new features, citing past experiences with Apple Intelligence [5]. - Google has expressed disagreement with the rationale behind the CMA's decision, indicating a pushback against the regulatory findings [5].
GM to introduce eyes-off, hands-off driving system in 2028
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 15:00
General Motors said it plans to launch an automated driving system that will allow drivers to keep their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel in 2028, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ. The announcement, made Wednesday at its GM Forward event in New York City, comes a year after TechCrunch first reported that the automaker was working on the system. GM said its hands-off advanced driver assistance system, known as Super Cruise, is the foundation of this future, more capable product. Super Cruise ...
GM's under-the-hood overhaul puts AI and automated driving at the center
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 15:00
Core Insights - General Motors (GM) is revamping its vehicle architecture to enhance software capabilities, automated driving features, and introduce a conversational AI assistant, with the first model debuting in 2027 [1][3] - The new electric architecture and centralized computing platform will support both gas-powered and electric vehicles starting in 2028, powered by Nvidia's Drive AGX Thor supercomputer [2][10] - This overhaul aims to improve vehicle performance, enable over-the-air updates, and enhance competitiveness against Tesla and Chinese automakers [3][13] Company Strategy - GM's Chief Product Officer emphasizes the need for speed, user experience, and profitability, aiming to reduce vehicle platform development time from four to five years to closer to two [4][5] - The company plans to consolidate numerous electronic control units (ECUs) into a unified computer core, enhancing real-time coordination of vehicle subsystems [10][11] - The new architecture is expected to provide ten times more over-the-air software update capacity, 1,000 times more bandwidth, and up to 35 times more AI performance for advanced features [13][15] Industry Context - The automotive industry recognizes the necessity of evolving hardware architecture to meet the increasing computational demands of modern vehicles [9] - GM's approach aligns with trends seen in competitors like Tesla and Rivian, focusing on zonal architectures to streamline vehicle systems [10][12] - Legacy automakers, including GM, have invested significantly to catch up with the technological advancements of newer entrants in the market [8]
GM is bringing Google Gemini-powered AI assistant to cars in 2026
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 15:00
General Motors will add a conversational AI assistant powered by Google Gemini to its cars, trucks, and SUVs starting next year, the U.S. automaker said Wednesday during an event in New York City. The Google Gemini rollout is one of several tech-centric announcements made at the automaker’s GM Forward event, and it will be one of the first to get into consumers’ hands. Others, including an overhaul of its electrical architecture and computing platform and an automated driving feature that allows drivers to ...
Samsung takes on Apple's Vision Pro with new Galaxy XR headset
TechCrunch· 2025-10-22 14:53
Core Insights - Samsung has launched its Galaxy XR headset, priced at $1,800, to compete with Apple's Vision Pro, which is nearly double the price [1] - The Galaxy XR operates on Google's Android XR OS and Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform, offering up to two hours of general use and two and a half hours of video playback [1] Specifications - The headset features a micro OLED display with 27 million pixels, surpassing the Vision Pro by six million pixels, and has a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840 [2] - It has a refresh rate of 90Hz, compared to the Vision Pro's 120Hz, and includes multiple cameras for tracking and pass-through capabilities [2] Design and User Experience - Samsung emphasizes the lightweight design of the Galaxy XR, weighing 545g, which is significantly lighter than the Vision Pro's weight of 750g-800g [2] - The ergonomic design aims to distribute pressure evenly, minimizing discomfort during use [4] Features and Applications - The headset supports various applications optimized for XR, including Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Photos, allowing users to interact with their environment in immersive ways [4][5] - Users can multitask with multiple apps open simultaneously and stream content on a 4K Micro-OLED screen, with support from major streaming services [9] Promotional Offers - Customers purchasing the Galaxy XR by the end of the year will receive an Explorer Pack, which includes 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and other subscriptions [10]
Netflix goes ‘all in' on generative AI as entertainment industry remains divided
TechCrunch· 2025-10-21 22:21
As the entertainment industry reckons with when and how to use generative AI in filmmaking, Netflix is leaning in. In its quarterly earnings report released on Tuesday afternoon, Netflix wrote in its letter to investors that it is “very well positioned to effectively leverage ongoing advances in AI.”Netflix isn’t planning to use generative AI as the backbone of its content but believes the technology has potential as a tool to make creatives more efficient. “It takes a great artist to make something great, ...
OpenAI's new browser is a broadside shot at Google
TechCrunch· 2025-10-21 21:17
Core Insights - OpenAI launched its new Atlas web browser, positioning it as a transformative tool in the AI era, suggesting a shift from traditional browsing methods to a chat-oriented experience [1][2] - The launch poses a significant threat to Google, the current leader in the browser market, as OpenAI's approach could disrupt Google's advertising and search models [2][3] Group 1: Product Launch and Features - Atlas is designed to leverage AI to create a new browsing experience, moving away from conventional URL and search box usage to a chat-based interaction [1] - The head of engineering for Atlas highlighted a multi-turn search experience that allows users to engage in back-and-forth conversations with search results, marking a paradigm shift in how search is conducted [4][5] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - OpenAI's Atlas could potentially draw 800 million weekly users from ChatGPT, which may lead to a decline in Chrome's user base, impacting Google's advertising capabilities [3] - Despite Google's efforts to integrate AI into its search experience, OpenAI's unique chat interface presents a challenge that is not easily replicable [8] Group 3: Advertising and Data Collection - OpenAI has not ruled out the possibility of serving advertisements in the future, and the Atlas browser could provide valuable data for targeted advertising by collecting context directly from users' browsing activities [8] - This level of direct access to user data could pose a competitive advantage for OpenAI over Google and Meta, especially in light of privacy concerns [8] Group 4: Future Outlook - The success of Atlas will depend on user acceptance and the product's ability to meet market demands, with potential implications for OpenAI's revenue growth amidst its significant data center investments [9]