Plus: A Blackberry-style keyboard is launching for iPhones
| For January 05, 2024 |  |
| Here are today's top tech stories: - SpaceX sues the NLRB after board accuses company of unfair labor practices.
- EU's antitrust chief to meet with Big Tech executives.
- A "Copilot" key is coming to some Windows PC keyboards.
- A Blackberry-style keyboard to launch for the iPhone.
- Tesla issues recall for 1.6M vehicles in China.
Beth
p/beth-duckett | |
| 1 | | SpaceX has sued the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a day after the agency accused SpaceX of wrongfully firing employees for sharing a letter criticizing CEO Elon Musk. In its lawsuit, the rocket company argues that the labor board's complaint should be dismissed because the agency's structure is "unconstitutional." More: - The NLRB filed a complaint on Wednesday, alleging SpaceX illegally fired eight employees who wrote and shared a letter raising concerns about the workplace and Musk's social media behavior.
- The NLRB claims SpaceX interrogated employees about their involvement with the letter and suggested that those engaged in any organized activities should resign.
- On Thursday, SpaceX responded with its own federal court lawsuit, claiming the open letter distracted employees nationwide and led to the firing of employees who violated company policies.
Zoom out: - SpaceX also argues that the NLRB's structure, where board members and administrative judges can only be dismissed by the president, violates the Constitution.
- It contends that the NLRB's use of administrative judges for proceedings denies its constitutional right to a jury trial.
- SpaceX is seeking the dismissal of the NLRB's complaint and has requested a jury trial.
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| 2 | | The EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, will meet with Big Tech executives in the U.S. next week to discuss Europes's digital regulation and competition laws. Vestager is set to meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. More: - Reuters reports that Vestager has also scheduled meetings with OpenAI's CTO Mira Murati and chief strategy officer Jason Kwon.
- She will visit San Francisco and Palo Alto, California, Jan. 11 and 12.
- Vestager, who's formal title is EVP in charge of competition policy for the European Commission, is expected to discuss Europe's digital regulation and competition policies, though specifics weren't provided.
Zoom out: - With the meetings, Vestager resumes her role as EU antitrust chief following her unsuccessful bid to become head of the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg
- Antitrust experts expect Vestager to adopt a stricter approach to mergers and competition.
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| 3 | | Microsoft is adding a dedicated "Copilot" key to keyboards on some new Windows 11 PCs. The key, which will summon Microsoft's AI-powered assistant with one click, is described as "the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades." More: - The new key will activate Copilot, its AI assistant functioning across Microsoft's operating system and app ecosystem.
- In a blog post, Microsoft exec Yusuf Mehdi said the Copilot key will both simplify and amplify users' computing experience, "making 2024 the year of the AI PC."
Where to see them: - The Copilot key will be included on many Windows 11 PCs from different manufacturers.
- It will be featured in the PCs released this spring, including those at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), as well as in upcoming Microsoft Surface devices.
- The Canalys research group projects that by 2027, 60% of personal computers shipped will be AI-capable.
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| 4 | | Clicks Technology has debuted a physical keyboard for iPhones. The Clicks Creator Keyboard, reminiscent of BlackBerry handsets, will initially be available for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models. More: - The accessory adds a small physical keyboard to the bottom of iPhones for faster and easier typing.
- The QWERTY keyboard includes keys for dictation, emoji access, and shortcuts like home screen return and scrolling, along with a built-in backlight for nighttime use.
- It connects to iPhones through a Lighting or USB-C port, allowing users to charge their phones as they would normally.
Zoom out: - The keyboard is the first product launch for Clicks, a U.K.-based company co-founded by Michael Fisher, known as Mr. Mobile on YouTube, and Kevin Michaluk, known as CrackBerry Kevin on YouTube.
- The keyboard was designed by a mobile team that has experience working for Apple, BlackBerry, and Google, they noted.
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| 5 | | Tesla will issue software updates to nearly all of its vehicles in China to fix issues with the Autopilot driver-assistance system. Tesla's largest-ever recall in China covers 1.61 million vehicles in the company's second-biggest market. More: - The recall affects imported Models S and X and the China-made Models 3 and Y produced between 2014 and 2023.
- The issues will be resolved with over-the-air software updates, including more alerts to discourage drivers from relying too much on Autopilot.
- The goal is to prevent "misuse" of Autopilot that could raise the risk of collisions, according to China's State Administration for Market Regulation.
- Additionally, Tesla will update the software for 7,538 Model S and X cars to address issues with doors unlocking during crashes.
Zoom out: - Last month, Tesla recalled 2 million U.S. vehicles due to concerns about its Autopilot features highlighted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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| 6 | | Apple has pulled the latest iPhone OS beta due to reports of it triggering endless restarts in a "boot loop." Apple said it "temporarily withdrew" the latest iOS 17.3 update and hasn't provided a re-release date. More: - Apple began rolling out the second betas of iOS 17.3 to developers on Wednesday.
- By Thursday, reports had emerged that users who had installed the latest version experienced an issue causing iPhones to continuously restart without updating to the new system.
- Apple has withdrawn both the iOS 17.3 beta and the parallel iPadOS 17.3 beta, making them unavailable for download and installation.
- Affected users found that reverting to either iOS 17.3 beta 1 or iOS 17.2.1 resolves the issue.
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- Netflix is considering introducing ads in its free video games for subscribers of its ad-supported plan, according to the WSJ.
- Microsoft Teams is set to launch on Android Auto next month, allowing users to join meetings and make calls.
- Uber is piloting Uber Flex, a flexible pricing service, in over a dozen Indian cities, allowing users to bid on fares.
- A live concert featuring a life-size digital avatar of Elvis Presley, combining AI and augmented reality, is set to debut in London this year before touring globally.
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 | AI and technology writer | | Beth is a contributing editor and writer of Inside's AI and Tech newsletters. She has written for notable publications like USA Today and the Arizona Business Gazette. During her time as a public policy reporter at The Arizona Republic, she received recognition with a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a First Amendment Award for her collaborative reporting on pension cost increases. Beth also authored a book on the solar photovoltaic industry in 2016. You can reach her at Beth.Duckett@yahoo.com. | | This newsletter was edited by Eduardo Garcia | |
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