Tech Archive

Richard LawlerOct 18, 2024

OpenAI and Microsoft should ask ChatGPT for ways to fix a relationship.

This New York Times report mentions Microsoft’s investment hesitations after last year’s upheaval, that Oracle deal, and the Inflection acquihire as notable stressors on the “bromance.”

Also, “some” at OpenAI might blame Microsoft if it’s beaten to AGI “because it hasn’t given OpenAI the computing power it needs,” while noting that successfully building AGI could activate a contract clause cutting Microsoft off from OpenAI’s tech.

Interesting.

Jay PetersOct 18, 2024

Amazon is doing another grocery experiment.

The company opened a store called “Amazon Grocery” in the same building as a Whole Foods in Chicago, The Information reports:

The 3,800 square-foot store includes 3,500 products, including some grocery and household brands that aren’t sold in Whole Foods, as well as drinks and grab-and-go meals, spokesperson Jessica Martin said.

Amazon Debuts New Type of Grocery Store Next to Whole Foods

[The Information]

Amazon will stream a live election special hosted by Brian Williams

Jay PetersOct 17, 2024

Sean HollisterOct 17, 2024

Here’s why Epic says Google shouldn’t get to delay its court-ordered app store changes.

Will Google begin opening up its store on November 1st, or will it get to delay for years on appeal? We’ll find out tomorrow; in the meanwhile, you can read Epic’s opposition at the link below.

Epic argues Google’s already had plenty of time to change things — since the jury’s verdict was 10 months ago.

Opposition/Response to Motion – #710 in Epic Games, Inc. v. Google LLC (N.D. Cal., 3:20-cv-05671) – CourtListener.com

[CourtListener]

Richard LawlerOct 17, 2024

Amazon’s cheapest streamer gets a small update: meet the Fire TV Stick HD.

Amazon’s new streaming stick improves the one we reviewed in 2020 with an Alexa voice remote and HDMI-ARC.

However, it’s still limited to 1080p, and even at $34.99, you’re still probably better off waiting for another sale on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Other cheap alternatives include the Roku Express and the 4K-capable Chromecast with Google TV.

Note: If you buy something from these links, we might get affiliate revenue.

HDMI dongle and remote pictured, showing Alexa button and other face controls.

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD (2024).

Image: Amazon

Richard LawlerOct 17, 2024

Waymo’s “clean transportation” push comes with a public transit incentive.

Can self-driving shuttles give people a reason to ride the bus or a train? Waymo says it will test the idea with a credit for riders who connect “to or from eligible Bay Area transit stations.”

Starting today, Waymo One riders that connect to select transit stations in San Francisco and the Peninsula will receive a $3.00 credit on their Waymo account for use on future rides. Credits will be applied to riders’ Waymo accounts when they take Waymo One to or from eligible Bay Area transit stations.

Clean rides, clear benefits: Waymo launches new public transit credit program

[Waymo]

Jay PetersOct 17, 2024

Some good news for 988.

The Federal Communications Commission approved new rules to better route calls to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The FCC published a press release about the rules and chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel made a post about them on Threads.