Emboldened by a successful IPO, Roku is reducing the price on the next generation of its best video streaming player in an attempt to fend off competitive threats from Apple and Amazon. The latest Roku Ultra player announced Monday will sell for $100. That’s a 23 percent decrease from the Roku Ultra released last year, […]
Uber Threatens to Fire Key Exec in Self-Driving Car Dispute
Uber is threatening to fire a key executive accused of stealing self-driving car technology from a Google spin-off unless he waives his constitutional right against self-incrimination so the ride-hailing service can comply with a court order. The development raises the possibility that Uber may end up dumping Anthony Levandowski, whose expertise in robot-controlled cars is […]
Apple Growing Cash Stash Spurs Talk of Huge Acquisition
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As Apple’s stash of cash grows, so does the possibility that the world’s most valuable company will use some of the money for a huge acquisition that would expand its empire beyond iPhones and other gadgets. The company currently holds more than a quarter-trillion dollars it could use to go shopping. […]
Google Home’s Assistant Can Now Recognize Different Voices
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google’s voice-activated assistant can now recognize who’s talking to it on Google’s Home speaker. An update released Thursday enables Home’s built-in assistant to learn the different voices of up to six people, although they can’t all be talking to the internet-connected speaker at the same time. Distinguishing voices will allow Home to […]
The iPhone Of Cars? Apple Enters Self-Driving Car Race
Apple is joining the fiercely competitive race to design self-driving cars, raising the possibility that a company that has already re-shaped culture with its iPhone may try to transform transportation, too. Ending years of speculation, Apple’s late entry into a crowded field was made official Friday with the disclosure that the California Department of Motor […]
The iPhone of Cars? Apple Enters Self-Driving Car Race
Apple is joining the fiercely competitive race to design self-driving cars, raising the possibility that a company that has already re-shaped culture with its iPhone may try to transform transportation, too. Ending years of speculation, Apple’s late entry into a crowded field was made official Friday with the disclosure that the California Department of Motor […]
Aspiring Tech Prodigy Tries To Re-Route Self-Driving Cars
Austin Russell, now 22, was barely old enough to drive when he set out to create a safer navigation system for robot-controlled cars. His ambitions are about to be tested. Five years ago, Russell co-founded Luminar Technologies, a Silicon Valley startup trying to steer the rapidly expanding self-driving car industry in a new direction. Luminar […]
Google-Bred Company Accuses Uber of Self-Driving Car Theft
A self-driving car company founded by Google is colliding with ride-haling service Uber in a court battle revolving around allegations of betrayal, high-tech espionage and greed. The brewing showdown emerged late Thursday in a lawsuit filed in a San Francisco federal court by Waymo, a once-secretive self-driving company hatched by Google eight years ago. The […]
Ford Bets $1B on Startup Founded by Waymo, Uber Vets
Ford Motor is spending $1 billion to take over a budding robotics startup to acquire more expertise needed to reach its ambitious goal of having a fully driverless vehicle on the road by 2021. The big bet announced Friday comes just a few months after the Pittsburgh startup, Argo AI, was created by two alumni […]
Yahoo’s 4Q Shows Modest Strides Amid Security Breach Fallout
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo’s financial performance improved slightly during the fourth quarter while the company dealt with the fallout from massive security breaches that have jeopardized the $4.8 billion sale of its internet operations to Verizon Communications. The fourth-quarter report released Monday provided the latest snapshot of a shrinking company that has been steadily […]