Thomas Ricker

Tim Cook complained about the EU’s data privacy and competition laws, Zuck followed suit, and they all feted the man with flattery and millions before bowing to kiss the ring.

The fresh $1 billion investment into the company behind the Claude family of AI models adds to the $8 billion already invested by Amazon as Big Tech tries to diversify its AI businesses. And with Lina Khan out of the FTC and the tech oligarchy licking the boots of the quid-pro-quo king, we’re bound to see a new wave of financial tie-ups in the coming months.

The bronze medals produced for the Paris Games seem particularly susceptible to deterioration. “In just over 100 days since the Olympics closed, more than 100 athletes have asked for their crumbling medals to be replaced,” reports the NYT. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has not yet commented, but the IOC says it will find replacements.

Mark Zuckerberg “blamed his former chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, for an inclusivity initiative at Facebook” when pledging support to Trump advisors late last year, according to the New York Times.

Sonny Dickson is doing his annual thing of leaking non-working iPhone “dummy units” used by case and accessory makers. This is the fourth-generation of the budget iPhone SE that should have an improved OLED display amongst other improvements. Importantly, it’s also expected to have a USB-C jack so it can once again be sold in the EU.

In addition to Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook reportedly attending Trump’s inauguration on Monday, it now seems that Google’s Sundar Pichai will be attending as well.

The $319 1.8kW Solar/Car Super Fast Charger will charge the company’s giant batteries at 600W off the alternator when the engine’s on, plus an additional 1200W max from rooftop solar that’ll continue to provide a charge when parked at the job site or campground (unlike DJI’s $299 1kW car charger). It can also reverse charge the starter battery in your van, truck, or RV.

A Ride Pro subscription lets you hunt down your stolen e-bike yourself — instead of paying €150/yr for the Bike Hunters recovery service — while adding remote notifications, health app syncing, and more. It’s available for older S3/X3 models first, with newer S5/A5 support “following soon.” Ride Pro’s introductory price costs €4.99/mth or €49/yr with a two-week free trial.

The new Coffeehouse Code of Conduct in North America reverses a policy that let people hang out in its stores, drink its water, and use its toilets without ever buying anything. It comes at a time of flagging customer traffic and sales.