Good morning! This is your daily ☕️ Techpresso.
On this day, 19 years ago, Apple released the iPod Shuffle, its smallest and first flash memory-based iPod, which quickly gained popularity, with over 10 million sold by September 2006.
In today's Techpresso:
⭐️ Historic day for the crypto industry
🤖 OpenAI launches the GPT Store
🚪 Google lays off hundreds of workers across engineering, hardware teams
🚗 Hertz is selling 20,000 EVs and replacing them with gas cars
🥇 Microsoft surpasses Apple as world’s most valuable company
🎁 + 7 other news you might like
🔮 + 2 handpicked research papers and tools
⭐️ Historic day for the crypto industryLINK
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), allowing investors to buy into Bitcoin without needing a personal wallet.
SEC Chairman Gary Gensler emphasized caution for investors, clarifying that approval of Bitcoin ETFs does not equate to endorsing Bitcoin itself.
Despite a history of rejecting Bitcoin ETFs, a recent court ruling deemed the SEC's previous denials as arbitrary, leading to the new approvals which may potentially increase Bitcoin demand.
🤖 OpenAI launches the GPT StoreLINK
OpenAI has launched a GPT app store within its ChatGPT Plus subscription service for discovering and using customized AI chatbots.
The GPT store features a variety of specialized bots developed by OpenAI's partners and community, with creators subsequently paid based on user engagement.
Over 3 million GPTs have already been created, including tools for creative writing coaching, slide making, web development, and recipe creation.
🚪 Google lays off hundreds of workers across engineering, hardware teamsLINK
Google is laying off several hundred workers from various divisions, including core engineering and its Voice Assistant program, to focus on AI development.
The company is also streamlining its hardware division, affecting roles associated with Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit products.
While adjusting team structures for efficiency, Google offers support, outplacement services, and severance to impacted employees, amid intense AI competition with peers like Microsoft.
🚗 Hertz is selling 20,000 EVs and replacing them with gas carsLINK
Hertz is selling around 20,000 electric vehicles from its US fleet, which is roughly a third of its total EV fleet globally.
The company cites high collision and damage expenses related to EVs as a reason for the sale and plans to buy more gas-powered vehicles.
This move is aimed at reducing lower margin rentals and the higher damage expenses associated with electric vehicles.
🥇 Microsoft surpasses Apple as world’s most valuable companyLINK
Microsoft became the world's most valuable company with a market cap of $2.88 trillion, surpassing Apple's $2.86 trillion.
The rise in Microsoft's value is largely credited to its leadership in generative AI, bolstered by investments in OpenAI.
Apple's shares declined after a weak start in 2024, along with concerns about demand, while Microsoft's shares gained from aggressive AI tool deployment.
Other news you might like
Pennsylvania launches a pilot program with ChatGPT to assist state employees in content creation, policy review, and code generation.LINK
Ayaneo's upcoming Next Lite, the first Steam Deck rival preloaded with SteamOS, boasts a seven-inch screen, Hall effect joysticks, and vibrant color options, with pricing yet to be revealed.LINK
Scientists create an artificial muscle that controls fluid flow with ultra-low voltage, generating force 34 times its weight, promising advancements in soft robotics and microfluidics.LINK
DJI introduces FlyCart 30, its first global delivery drone with a 66-pound capacity and a built-in parachute for increased safety.LINK
Netflix's ad tier soars with 8 million new subscribers in two months, highlighting ad-supported streaming's pivotal role in 2024.LINK
Startups are developing AI-first hardware like the portable Rabbit r1 device, aiming to revolutionize user interaction by enabling natural language commands for real-world actions.LINK
Mark Zuckerberg is raising wagyu and angus cattle on his Hawaiian ranch, feeding them beer and macadamia for quality beef.LINK
Latest research and tools
GodotOS: a mock operating system interface created with the Godot game engine for demonstration or educational purposes.LINK
Dbeel: a database that runs on multiple computers with each core processing separate tasks.LINK
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