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| Here’s a look at today's tech news briefing: - U.S. grants TSMC $6.6B for chip factories in Arizona.
- Apple allows music apps in the EU to link to outside sites for purchases.
- Microsoft says China will use AI to influence elections.
- Tesla plans to unveil robotaxi in August.
Beth
p/beth-duckett | |
| 1 | | The U.S. is set to grant TSMC $6.6B for three chip factories in Arizona. It is among the biggest awards yet under the U.S. Chips and Science Act, which set aside $39B in direct grants to boost U.S. production of advanced computer chips. 
What happened: Today, the Commerce Department announced a deal to award TSMC's Arizona subsidiary with $11.6B in Chips Act funds to ramp up production in Arizona. The preliminary award includes the $6.6B in direct federal grants and up to $5B in low-cost loans. Details: TSMC is already developing two chip fabs in Arizona, set to come online in 2025 and 2028. The Taiwanese chipmaker will now add a third Arizona fab by 2030, expanding its planned investment at the three plants by $25B to $65B. What: TSMC's first fab will produce 4-nanometer (nm) FinFET tech, while the second fab will produce more advanced 2-nm and 3-nm chips. The third fab will produce 2-nm or newer tech, which is crucial for applications in areas like AI, the military, and national security, according to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. What's next: The Biden administration now plans to award $6B-7B to Samsung next week to expand its chip production in Texas, sources told Reuters. Why it matters: The U.S. share of chip manufacturing share was 12% in 2020, down from 37% in 1990. With projects like TSMC's and Samsung's, the U.S. is now on track to produce 20% of the world's most advanced chips by 2030, according to Raimondo. |     | |
| 2 | | Apple will allow music-streaming apps to inform EU users of other payment options outside its App Store. To comply with EU regulations, Apple says music-streaming apps like Spotify can now include a link or "buy button" directing users to the developer's website. More: - The sites can include details about ways to buy digital music content and services beyond Apple's App Store in the European Economic Area.
- Developers can also request users' emails to send them website links for buying the music content, bypassing the App Store's 30% commission.
- Apple will still charge up to a 27% commission on purchases made via developers' websites within 7 days of clicking an app's external link.
Zoom out: - The move comes after the EU fined Apple $2B for blocking rival music streaming services like Spotify from directing iPhone users to cheaper payment options outside the App Store.
- The fine required Apple to eliminate the "anti-steering provisions" from its App Store rules, which it appears to have tried to comply with.
- The anti-steering rule was illegal under the bloc's new Digital Markets Act (DMA). EU officials are still investigating if Apple's changes are enough to comply with the DMA.
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| 3 | | China will attempt to influence elections in the U.S., South Korea, and India using AI-generated content, Microsoft has warned. China already led an AI-generated disinformation campaign during Taiwan's January presidential election, marking the first time state-backed actors used AI to influence a foreign election, according to Microsoft. More: - Microsoft's Threat Intelligence released a report last week, saying China has bumped up its use of AI-generated content to advance "its goals around the world."
- The report cites different AI-generated memes, videos, and audio created by Chinese state-backed cyber groups to influence elections and/or stoke chaos.
- One AI-created image falsely attributed the 2023 Hawaii fires to a U.S. military-grade "weather weapon."
- Another AI campaign tried to spread distrust in the U.S. government after the Kentucky train derailment in November.
- Chinese and, to a lesser extent, North Korean influence actors are expected to target elections in the U.S., India, and South Korea this year, Microsoft said.
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| 4 | | Google's new Find My Device network helps users locate offline Android phones and other devices. The upgraded network launches today in the U.S. and Canada, with a worldwide rollout to follow. More: - The crowdsourced network uses a billion Android 9+ devices to help locate lost items.
- With Bluetooth, the new network tracks missing phones even when disconnected from Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
- Users can locate and ring compatible Android devices in the Find My Device app, with their location shown on a map.
- Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pros can be found even when powered off or with a dead battery.
Zoom out: - The network will also work with Fast Pair accessories, including earbuds and trackers, when they're disconnected.
- Starting in May, the network will support Bluetooth tracker tags from Pebblebee and Chipolo.
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| 5 | | Elon Musk said Tesla will reveal its robotaxi on Aug. 8. The next-gen electric vehicle could be designed entirely for self-driving, with no pedals or steering wheel. More: - After launching the Cybertruck, Tesla was expected to unveil two new vehicles: a more budget-friendly $25,000 electric car and a robotaxi.
- However, Reuters reported last week that Tesla canceled the cheaper "Model 2" EV in favor of the robotaxi.
- Musk denied that report but announced the date of the robotaxi reveal soon after.
Robotaxi features: - Walter Isaacson's biography of Musk revealed a Cybertruck-inspired, angular two-door Tesla robotaxi with a stainless steel finish.
- Musk has said robotaxi owners could earn money by renting out their cars for a taxi service, with Tesla taking a commission.
Zoom out: - Tesla still has more work to do on its self-driving software. Last year, the automaker voluntarily recalled around 360,000 vehicles after safety regulators said its Full Self-Driving software could raise the risk of accidents.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the driver-assistance software could cause vehicles to travel above speed limits or in "an unlawful or unpredictable manner."
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| 6 | | Nintendo will permanently shut down online services for the 3DS and Wii U today. Offline games will still work on both aging consoles. More: - The 3DS handheld launched in 2011, followed by the Wii U, a precursor to the Switch, a year later.
- Nintendo announced last year that it would close the online services for both consoles in April 2024.
- Features including StreetPass, Poké Transporter, and Pokémon Bank will remain online.
Zoom out: - Nintendo could launch the Switch 2 as early as March 2025.
- The next-gen console is rumored to feature a larger screen with graphics on par with PS5 and Xbox Series X, along with ray tracing and the ability to run Unreal Engine 5.
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- "The Eclipse App" reached the top of Apple's App Store today, offering cloud cover forecasts, totality timing, and local event details for today's solar eclipse.
- Best Buy's in-house tech support, known as the Geek Squad, underwent mass layoffs last week. The number of employees wasn't disclosed.
- The FAA is investigating a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 after its engine cover detached mid-flight; the plane safely returned to Denver International Airport with no injuries reported.
- A report by Adecco reveals that 41% of business leaders expect to employ fewer workers within five years due to AI technology.
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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 publications including USA Today, the Arizona Business Gazette, and The Arizona Republic, where she received recognition with a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a First Amendment Award for collaborative reporting on state pension cost increases. You can reach her at Beth.Duckett@yahoo.com. | | This newsletter was edited by Beth Duckett | |
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