Browsing: Tech

Food delivery giant Uber Eats plans to launch in Austria and six other European nations by 2026. This strategic expansion aims to build on recent market share gains in the UK, Germany, France, and Spain, intensifying competition with rivals like DoorDash-owned Wolt in Nordic markets.

Lassie, a Stockholm-based insurtech company, has successfully raised $75 million in Series C funding. This investment follows its achievement of over $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). The company focuses on a preventive approach to pet care, offering tools for daily pet health management alongside streamlined insurance claims, aiming to expand its services across Europe.

The European Union’s upcoming ‘tech sovereignty package’ could inadvertently hinder its own competitive edge by imposing restrictions on non-EU technology companies, according to Google.

The U.S. messenger app WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, has been completely blocked in Russia due to its alleged failure to adhere to Russian legal requirements. Citizens are now encouraged to use the state-owned Max application.

A landmark trial has begun in California, accusing Meta (owners of Instagram) and Google (owners of YouTube) of intentionally designing their platforms to be addictive, particularly for children. The lawsuit, brought by a plaintiff identified as KGM, alleges that these social media giants are responsible for her mental health struggles, a claim the companies deny, attributing her issues to other life factors. This trial could set a precedent for thousands of similar cases nationwide.

A practical option for everyday computing.

OpenAI has started testing advertisements within ChatGPT for its Free and Go plan users in the U.S., marking a significant change for the AI chatbot. While paid tiers remain ad-free, users on free plans have options to opt out, though with certain limitations.

Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) is a highly specialized material enabling significant advancements in medical imaging, security scanning, and space exploration. Despite its transformative capabilities, CZT is exceptionally challenging to manufacture, with only a handful of organizations worldwide possessing the expertise for its industrial-scale production. This unique semiconductor offers unparalleled precision in detecting X-rays and gamma rays, leading to more detailed images and reduced radiation exposure in various applications.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman drew significant online criticism after posting a lengthy response to rival AI firm Anthropic’s Super Bowl advertisements. Anthropic’s ads satirized the introduction of commercials into AI chatbots, prompting Altman to label them ‘dishonest’ and ‘deceptive,’ a reaction many social media users likened to a ‘tantrum.’

Amazon’s smart home assistant, Alexa, receives an AI upgrade with the launch of Alexa+, now accessible to all users in the US and free for Prime members.