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Coinbase says its data breach affects at least 69,000 customers
TechCrunch· 2025-05-21 13:03
Group 1 - Coinbase reported that at least 69,461 customers had their personal and financial information stolen during a data breach [1] - The breach occurred from December 26, 2024, until earlier this month, when Coinbase received a ransom note from the hacker [2] - The hacker demanded a ransom of $20 million, which Coinbase refused to pay, and managed to bribe customer support workers to access customer data [2] Group 2 - The stolen data included customer names, email and postal addresses, phone numbers, government-issued identity documents, account balances, and transaction histories [3] - There are concerns that wealthy customers could be specifically targeted due to the nature of the stolen information [3]
Google commits $150M to develop AI glasses with Warby Parker
TechCrunch· 2025-05-20 21:37
Investment Commitment - Google will commit up to $150 million to Warby Parker to develop AI-powered smart glasses based on Android XR [1] - Google has already invested $75 million in Warby Parker's product development and will invest an additional $75 million contingent on meeting certain milestones [1] Partnerships and Collaborations - At Google I/O 2025, Google announced partnerships with several companies, including Samsung and Gentle Monster, to develop smart glasses with Gemini AI and AR capabilities [2] Strategic Approach - Google appears to be adopting a strategy similar to Meta's by partnering with Warby Parker, leveraging the eyewear company's popular frame designs and retail presence [3] - The first line of eyewear from the collaboration is expected to launch "after 2025" and will feature multimodal AI with both prescription and non-prescription options [4]
Musk says Tesla's self-driving tests will be geofenced to ‘the safest' parts of Austin
TechCrunch· 2025-05-20 21:14
Core Insights - Tesla is set to begin its robotaxi service trials in Austin, Texas, next month, focusing on specific areas deemed "the safest" by the company [1] - The company will implement a geofence strategy, limiting the robotaxi operations to certain locations, marking a shift from Musk's previous claims of a general-purpose self-driving solution [2][3] - Initial operations will involve around 10 Model Y SUVs equipped with "unsupervised" Full Self-Driving software, monitored remotely by Tesla employees [4] Group 1 - The robotaxi service will initially be restricted to specific safe areas in Austin, Texas [1] - Tesla's approach includes a geofence, indicating a significant change in strategy from earlier claims of universal self-driving capabilities [2] - The company plans to monitor the initial fleet remotely, starting with a small number of vehicles to ensure safety before scaling up [4] Group 2 - Musk emphasized a cautious approach, stating that the vehicles will avoid intersections unless there is high confidence in their performance [2] - The use of remote monitoring aligns with practices seen in other autonomous vehicle companies, such as Waymo, which also employs operational centers for oversight [5]
Apple reportedly plans to let developers build on top of its AI
TechCrunch· 2025-05-20 16:49
Group 1 - Apple plans to release a new set of AI products and frameworks at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June, allowing third-party developers to create software using Apple AI models [1] - The expansion of AI technology aims to attract more attention and users, helping Apple to catch up with competitors in the AI space [2] - The new framework will enable developers to integrate Apple Intelligence across their applications, starting with smaller models [2] Group 2 - WWDC will also feature an overhaul of Apple's operating systems for iPhone, iPad, and Mac [3] - New device-specific capabilities will be introduced, including a feature to manage battery life and a new Health app powered by AI, although the Health app is expected to be released next year [3]
Apple will hold WWDC from June 9
TechCrunch· 2025-05-20 15:27
Core Insights - Apple is set to hold its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 9 to June 13, with a focus on new operating systems and features [1] - The company will introduce new versions of iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS, macOS, and visionOS, along with Apple Intelligence-related features [1][2] - Apple is expected to implement significant visual changes in its operating systems, aligning with the VisionOS user interface [4] Operating Systems - New versions to be announced include iOS 19, iPadOS 19, WatchOS 12, macOS 16, and visionOS 3 [1] - The design language will feature revamped icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons, simplifying navigation and control [4] Apple Intelligence Features - Upcoming features may include intelligent battery management and a virtual health assistant, building on the Apple Intelligence initiative introduced last year [2] - The rollout of AI-generated features has been gradual, with some features like news summaries facing issues [3] AI Tools - Apple is reportedly testing an AI-powered coding tool in collaboration with Anthropic, which may be made available to developers at WWDC if successful [5]
Amazon's Zoox to start testing AVs in Atlanta, following Waymo
TechCrunch· 2025-05-20 14:21
Amazon’s autonomous vehicle unit Zoox is about to start mapping and gathering data in Atlanta, Georgia, a precursor to testing its self-driving vehicles and eventually offering public rides in the city.Atlanta will become the seventh city in the U.S. where Zoox is testing its vehicles. The company announced its testing plans just one day after Waymo — along with partner Uber — said it would start offering rides in its own robotaxis to early access users in Atlanta ahead of a larger public launch this summer ...
Waymo gets OK to expand robotaxi service into more of Silicon Valley
TechCrunch· 2025-05-20 00:49
Core Points - The California Public Utilities Commission has approved Waymo's request to expand its commercial robotaxi service area, allowing the company to introduce its driverless ride-hailing vehicles to more communities south of San Francisco [1] - Waymo currently operates a commercial robotaxi service in all of San Francisco and parts of the Peninsula, covering approximately 85 square miles in total, including several Silicon Valley cities [2] - The company is planning to eventually provide service to the San Francisco International Airport, with a phased approach beginning with mapping roadways [3] - Waymo provides 250,000 paid trips each week across its operations, which also include Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin [4]
Judge pressures Apple to approve Fortnite or return to court
TechCrunch· 2025-05-19 21:16
A federal judge is asking Apple to approve Fortnite’s submission on the U.S. App Store or return to court to explain the legal basis as to why it has not done so. In a new filing, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers confirms the court has received Epic Games’ latest motion, where it demands that Apple approve Fortnite for distribution on the App Store. The clearly annoyed judge asks Apple to show the court the “legal authority upon which Apple contends that it can ignore this Court’s order.” Rogers ...
Apple approves Spotify update so US users can buy audiobooks within the app
TechCrunch· 2025-05-19 21:09
Core Viewpoint - Spotify has received approval from Apple for a new app update that allows U.S. iPhone users to purchase audiobooks directly within the app, enhancing user experience and accessibility for publishers and authors [1][2]. Group 1: App Update Features - The new update enables users to buy individual audiobooks directly in the app, view prices, and purchase additional listening hours beyond the initial 15 hours [1]. - Previously, users had to purchase audiobooks via the web before accessing them in the app, which was a barrier to entry [2]. - The update allows users to purchase "top-ups" for additional listening hours directly within the app, with each top-up costing $13 for 10 additional hours [3]. Group 2: Context and Background - This update follows a U.S. court ruling that mandated Apple to stop charging fees on purchases made outside of the App Store, which has facilitated this change [2]. - Earlier in the month, Spotify also began allowing iPhone users to purchase subscriptions outside the App Store, indicating a shift in Apple's policies regarding pricing information and external payment links [3].
Google inks another massive solar power deal to electrify its data centers
TechCrunch· 2025-05-19 19:20
Core Insights - Google is acquiring an additional 600 megawatts of solar power to support its data centers, focusing on projects in South Carolina developed by EnergyRe [1] - The company has committed to significant investments in renewable energy, including a $20 billion pledge to build zero-carbon power plants and a contract for over 700 megawatts of solar in Oklahoma [2] - Google's goal is to eliminate its carbon footprint from energy by 2030, with the growth of AI increasing the demand for clean energy, leading to a contract for 4 gigawatts of clean power in 2023 [3] Investment Activities - Google is actively investing in renewable energy, with a recent focus on solar power projects [2][3] - The company has made substantial commitments, including a $20 billion investment and multiple contracts for solar energy [2][3] Industry Trends - Other tech companies are also increasing their renewable energy purchases, with Microsoft and Meta making significant solar acquisitions in 2023 [4]