Mon. 01/24 – Do We Even Have The Infrastructure To Make The Metaverse Happen?

Google adds AI to drones, Uber trucks start hauling cargo, reading the Uber tea leaves, Washington State brings back net neutrality, Bumble bans guns, and Dyson cuts the cord. Literally. Google says it provides TensorFlow APIs to US Dept of Defense to help interpret drone footage, is working on policies and safeguards for use of machine learning Gizmodo Uber begins using its self-driving trucks for some long haul cargo trips in Arizona as part of Uber Freight service, leaving the last stretch to human drivers The VergeNew York TimesYouTube Source: Uber has burned $10.7B total so far, making its losses worse than tech giants when they had same market cap; revenue lags firms with similar market capBloomberg Washington becomes first state to enact its own net neutrality protections as its bill is signed into law; 25+ states have introduced net neutrality billsGeekwireMashable Bumble updates policy to ban firearm images and will use ~5K moderators to remove gun-related content, won't censor images appearing in users' Instagram feedsNew York TimesTechCrunch@jrsalzman Dyson says it's done making corded vacuumsCNET Credits: Produced by @brianmcc and the @techmeme staff Music by @jpschwinghamer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Maalis 201815min

Amazon checking accounts, Apple noise canceling earphones, Google sells Zagat, Facebook posts a cringeworthy user survey, and VCs take a road trip! Sources: Amazon is in talks with big banks including JPMorgan Chase about a checking-account-like product that would appeal to those without bank accountsWall Street JournalNew York Magazine Sources: Apple is planning to launch high-end headphones with noise canceling and wireless pairing as early as end of 2018, but has faced development challengesBloomberg9to5Mac Google is selling US restaurant review guide Zagat, which it bought for $151M in 2011, to restaurant review company The Infatuation for an undisclosed sum New York TimesEater LAEater NY Facebook admits it was a mistake to run a survey this weekend that asked users what its policy should be for when adults ask underage girls for sexual images The GuardianJonathan Haynes TweetsTechCrunch Some VCs say travels outside the Bay Area, including to Midwest, have helped them see downsides of Silicon Valley, as SF faces high levels of outward migration New York Times Credits: Produced by @brianmcc and the @techmeme staff Music by @jpschwinghamer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Maalis 201814min

Introducing ourselves, and letting you know what we'll be doing. First episode launches March 6 at 5PM eastern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Maalis 20183min