Tech Giants Shift Focus: AI Gains Momentum, Tesla Ends Model S and X Production, and Apple Hires Halide Co-founder
Several major developments unfolded this week in the tech world, signaling shifts in strategy and personnel among industry leaders. Microsoft reported a significant financial gain from its investment in OpenAI, while Tesla announced the end of production for its Model S and Model X models. Meanwhile, Apple bolstered its design team with the addition of Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of the popular camera app Halide.
Microsoft's latest quarterly earnings revealed a $7.6 billion increase in net income attributed to its investment in OpenAI, according to TechCrunch. The software giant has invested over $13 billion in the AI lab, which is reportedly seeking additional funding at a valuation between $75 billion and $83 billion, Bloomberg reported. Microsoft and OpenAI reportedly have a 20% revenue share agreement, though neither company has publicly confirmed the details. The two companies renegotiated some of the terms of their deal in September when OpenAI restructured, according to TechCrunch.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced Wednesday during the company's quarterly earnings call that production of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV would cease, TechCrunch reported. "It's time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honorable discharge, because we're really moving into a future that is based on autonomy," Musk said. He added that Tesla will continue to support existing Model S and Model X owners for as long as people have the vehicles. The Model S and Model X are both built at the company's Fremont, California factory. Once production ends, Tesla will build Optimus robots in the same factory space, according to Musk.
In personnel news, Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux and known for his work on apps like Halide, Kino, and Orion, is joining Apple's design team, The Verge reported. "So excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products," de With said in his post. De With is well-known for his deep dives on Apple's iPhone cameras.
Meanwhile, Google is disabling some Phone app features on older Pixel devices after acknowledging a bug that inadvertently leaked audio to callers, The Verge reported. Take a Message and next-gen Call Screen features are being disabled on Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 devices. The issue exposed background audio during missed calls under very specific and rare circumstances.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is shifting focus from the metaverse to AI-generated social feeds, The Verge reported. In an earnings call on Wednesday, Zuckerberg reiterated his belief that AI will become the next big media format, making feeds more immersive and interactive. "We started with text, and then moved to ph," Zuckerberg said.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment