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Apple adds 650 megawatts of renewables in Europe with more coming in China
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 19:19
Core Insights - Apple has signed contracts for 650 megawatts of renewable power in Europe, including wind and solar projects, to offset energy use by its customers, which accounts for nearly one-third of its carbon footprint [1][2] Group 1: Renewable Energy Contracts - The renewable energy contracts include solar farms in Greece (110 megawatts), Latvia (110 megawatts), Spain (131 megawatts), and Poland (40 megawatts), as well as wind farms in Romania (99 megawatts) and a solar-wind portfolio in Italy (129 megawatts) [2] - Apple is also investing $150 million in China to assist suppliers in transitioning to renewable energy, with over 90% of its manufacturing in China already powered by renewable sources [3] Group 2: Industry Trends - Tech companies, including Microsoft and Meta, are increasingly relying on solar and wind energy, with Meta adding over 2 gigawatts of solar capacity this year and Microsoft signing deals for an additional 1.5 gigawatts [5] - The shift to renewable energy is driven by practical considerations, as solar and wind are among the cheapest new generating capacities, undercutting coal and natural gas [7] - The speed of solar farm construction, typically completed in 18 months, allows tech companies to quickly secure power for their data centers and AI operations, which is crucial in a competitive landscape [8]
Self-driving car companies Pony.ai and WeRide get the OK for Hong Kong listing
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 16:21
Group 1 - Pony.AI and WeRide have received approval from Chinese securities regulators for secondary listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange [1][2] - Both companies are already publicly traded in the U.S. on the Nasdaq Exchange, with WeRide debuting in October 2024 and Pony.AI following in November 2024 [1] - The approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) allows these companies to pursue their proposed listings, which is part of a broader trend of Chinese companies seeking secondary listings [2] Group 2 - WeRide has engaged Morgan Stanley and China International Capital Corp to assist with its dual primary listing in Hong Kong, with plans to complete the listing in December [3]
Meta partners up with Arm to scale AI efforts
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 16:05
Core Insights - Arm is partnering with Meta to enhance AI systems, moving Meta's ranking and recommendation systems to Arm's Neoverse platform optimized for AI in the cloud [1][2] - The partnership aims to efficiently scale AI innovation for over 3 billion users of Meta's applications [2] - Arm emphasizes its low-power GPU offerings, aiming to leverage its performance-per-watt leadership alongside Meta's AI advancements [3] Infrastructure Developments - Meta is significantly expanding its data center network, with a project named "Prometheus" expected to provide multiple gigawatts of power by 2027, currently under construction in New Albany, Ohio [3] - A separate data center campus, "Hyperion," is being developed in northwest Louisiana, covering 2,250 acres and designed to deliver 5 gigawatts of computational power, with construction expected to continue through 2030 [4] Partnership Dynamics - The partnership between Arm and Meta does not involve exchanging ownership stakes or significant physical infrastructure, distinguishing it from other recent AI infrastructure deals [5] - Competitors like Nvidia are making substantial investments in AI, including a $100 billion phased investment into OpenAI and other significant commitments [5]
Nscale inks massive AI infrastructure deal with Microsoft
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 16:01
Core Insights - Nscale has signed a significant deal with Microsoft to supply approximately 200,000 Nvidia GB300 GPUs to multiple data centers in Europe and the U.S. [1] - The deal includes a joint venture with investment company Aker, which is one of Nscale's investors [1]. Group 1: Deal Details - About 104,000 GPUs will be delivered to a data center in Texas leased by Ionic Digital over the next 12 to 18 months [2]. - Nscale plans to expand its capacity at this Texas location to 1.2 gigawatts [2]. - An additional 12,600 GPUs will be deployed to the Start Campus data center in Sines, Portugal, starting in Q1 2026 [2]. Group 2: Future Plans - Nscale will send 23,000 GPUs to its Loughton, England campus starting in 2027 [3]. - The remaining 52,000 GPUs will be sent to Microsoft's AI campus in Narvik, Norway [3]. Group 3: Company Positioning - Nscale's CEO, Josh Payne, emphasized the company's capability to deliver GPU deployments at a large scale, positioning Nscale as a preferred partner for major technology leaders [4]. - Since its founding in 2024, Nscale has raised over $1.7 billion from strategic partners, including Aker, Nokia, and Nvidia [6]. - The company is considering an IPO as early as the end of next year [6]. Group 4: Industry Context - The demand for GPU deals is increasing, as evidenced by OpenAI's recent purchase of six gigawatts worth of chips from AMD and a deal with Nvidia for up to $100 billion in exchange for 10 gigawatts worth of chips [8].
Cyber giant F5 Networks says government hackers had ‘long-term' access to its systems, stole code and customer data
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 15:50
Core Insights - F5 Networks experienced a significant cybersecurity breach, with government-backed hackers gaining long-term access to its network, leading to the theft of source code and customer information [1][2] - The company believes its containment actions have been successful after discovering the breach on August 9 [1] Company Overview - F5 Networks, based in Seattle, specializes in application security and cybersecurity defenses for large enterprises and government entities [2] - The company serves over 1,000 corporate customers, including more than 85% of the Fortune 500, which encompasses major banks, technology firms, and critical infrastructure companies [5] Nature of the Breach - Hackers accessed F5's BIG-IP product development environment and knowledge management systems, which included source code and undisclosed security vulnerabilities [2] - The hackers downloaded configurations and implementation information about some customers' systems, potentially enabling further exploitation [4] Response and Mitigation - F5 has not detected any modifications to its software during development nor any exploitation of the vulnerabilities while in the hackers' possession [3] - The company released updates for its BIG-IP platform to address the undisclosed security flaws and urged customers to apply these patches [3] Regulatory and Security Implications - The U.S. Department of Justice permitted F5 to delay public disclosure of the breach, citing potential risks to national security or public safety [5] - Following F5's disclosure, the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Centre warned that the breach could allow threat actors to exploit F5 devices and software [6] Context of Cybersecurity Threats - F5 is among several tech companies that have faced similar breaches by government-affiliated hackers in recent years, including notable incidents involving Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Enterprise [8]
Apple upgrades iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro with new M5 chip
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 15:15
Core Insights - Apple has announced the new M5 chip, which powers the new iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro, with availability for preorder and shipping starting October 22 [1][2] Group 1: M5 Chip Performance - The M5 chip offers over four times the peak GPU compute performance compared to the M4, marking a significant advancement in AI performance for Apple silicon [2] - The new iPad Pro features up to 3.5 times the AI performance of last year's model and up to 5.6 times faster than the iPad Pro with M1 [2] Group 2: Device Upgrades - The new devices include the C1X cellular modem, which provides up to 50% faster cellular data performance, and the N1 chip for enhanced connectivity [3] - Storage read and write speeds have been improved, along with faster charging capabilities, achieving up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes [3] Group 3: Pricing and Availability - The iPad Pro pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, available in black and silver [5] - The new 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, featuring upgraded graphics performance, higher memory bandwidth of 153Gbps, and a battery life of up to 24 hours [8] Group 4: Vision Pro Enhancements - Vision Pro will also utilize the M5 chip, improving display rendering by 10%, supporting refresh rates up to 120Hz, and enhancing AI features by 50% [10] - The upgraded Vision Pro maintains a price of $3,499 and includes a Dual Knit Band for improved comfort [11]
Waymo plans to launch a robotaxi service in London in 2026
TechCrunch· 2025-10-15 09:00
Core Insights - Waymo announced plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service in London by 2026, marking its second international expansion after Tokyo [1][4] - The company has established a presence in the UK since acquiring Latent Logic in 2019, which has enhanced its self-driving technology [2] - Waymo will initially deploy human safety drivers in its all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles before transitioning to driverless operations [3][4] Company Operations - Waymo will utilize Moove for fleet operations, similar to its partnerships in other cities like Austin and Atlanta, where Uber manages vehicle maintenance and access [5] - The company has expanded its testing and commercial operations to multiple U.S. cities, including plans for services in Miami, Nashville, and Washington DC [6]
EVs take a backseat in Stellantis' $13B U.S. investment plan
TechCrunch· 2025-10-14 22:36
Core Viewpoint - Stellantis plans to invest $13 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next four years as part of a revival strategy led by its new CEO [1] Investment Details - The investment will facilitate the development and production of five new vehicles by 2029, with manufacturing taking place in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana [2] - A new four-cylinder engine will be produced, and the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois will be reopened to expand production of the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass, creating over 5,000 jobs [2] Vehicle Production Plans - One of the new vehicles will be a range-extended electric vehicle (EV) produced at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan starting in 2028, alongside a large gas-powered SUV [3] - Additional products include a next-generation Dodge Durango at the Detroit Assembly Complex in 2029, a new midsize truck at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio, and the GMET4 EVO four-cylinder engine at the Kokomo, Indiana factory beginning in 2026 [4] Strategic Focus - The investment marks a shift from previous multi-billion-dollar pledges that emphasized electrification, as Stellantis has scaled back its electrification plans in the U.S. market [8] - The company recently canceled plans for an electrified Gladiator and a battery-electric full-size pickup but still intends to produce an extended-range Ram 1500 REV [8] Leadership Statement - Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa emphasized that the investment will drive growth, strengthen manufacturing, and create more American jobs, highlighting the importance of success in the U.S. for the company's overall strength [6]
Spotify partners with Netflix for video podcast distribution deal
TechCrunch· 2025-10-14 18:00
Core Insights - Spotify is partnering with Netflix to bring select video podcasts to the streaming service starting in early 2026, aiming to expand its video content and enhance its advertising business [1][9][10] Group 1: Partnership Details - The initial launch will feature a curated selection of sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, with plans to add more podcasts from various genres over time [2] - Specific shows included in the partnership are notable titles such as The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, and Serial Killers, among others [11] Group 2: Strategic Shift - This partnership follows Spotify's increased focus on video podcasts, which began with the introduction of tools for users to publish video content and incentives for podcasters to monetize their videos [3][6] - The company has rolled out social tools for hosts to engage with their audiences, including polls and Q&As, enhancing user interaction [4] Group 3: Market Context - Spotify's shift to video content comes after a significant change in its podcast strategy in 2023, which included layoffs and a reassessment of its podcast investments that had not yielded substantial profits [5][6] - The company believes that video content, particularly appealing to Gen Z users, offers greater opportunities for advertising and monetization, with video consumption growing 20 times faster than audio-only content since 2024 [6]
Facebook brings back job listings in the US
TechCrunch· 2025-10-14 16:31
Core Insights - Facebook is reintroducing its job listings feature in the U.S. after three years, focusing on local jobs in entry-level, trade, and service sectors [1][3] - The feature allows users aged 18 and older to access job listings through the Marketplace, Groups, and Pages [1] - Users can filter jobs by category, distance, and type, and can communicate with companies via Messenger after applying [2] Historical Context - The job listings feature was first launched in 2017 in the U.S. and Canada, expanding to over 40 countries in 2018, but was discontinued in 2023 due to competition from LinkedIn [3] - In 2022, Facebook limited its job listings support to the U.S. and Canada before ultimately discontinuing it [3] Strategic Intent - Meta's decision to bring back job listings may reflect a desire to return to its foundational purpose beyond social networking, as indicated by CEO Mark Zuckerberg's goals for the year [4] - The reintroduction aims to attract younger users, particularly Gen Z, who are entering the job market [4] Market Positioning - By focusing on entry-level and service industry jobs, Facebook seeks to differentiate itself from LinkedIn, which primarily targets medium- and high-skilled roles [5] - Facebook boasts over 3 billion monthly active users, while LinkedIn has over 1 billion users [6]