Billionaire founder of Luminar replaced as CEO following ethics inquiry

May 14, 2025
Austin Russell, who became a billionaire after his lidar startup Luminar went public, appears to be out as CEO, according to the company’s board. Luminar’s board announced Wednesday — the same day of its first-quarter earnings report — it had replaced Russell and appointed Paul Ricci to the role. Ricci is the former Chairman and […]

YouTube introduces an interactive product feed for shoppable TV ads

May 14, 2025
YouTube made its pitch to advertisers on Wednesday, accompanied by a flashy performance from Lady Gaga and special appearances from popular YouTubers like Brittany Broski and MrBeast.  During its upfront presentation, YouTube executives introduced new ad formats coming to the platform, including an enhanced shoppable connected TV (CTV) offering that includes a new interactive product […]

YouTube targets TV dollars with NFL deal, bingeable ‘shows’ from creators

May 14, 2025
YouTube announced a range of initiatives designed to attract more TV ad dollars to its platform at Brandcast, its annual Upfront event for advertisers. Notably, the Google-owned video service is expanding its relationship with the NFL and plans to exclusively stream the NFL’s first Friday game of the 2025-2026 season. It’s also preparing to pilot […]

YouTube viewers will start seeing ads after ‘peak’ moments in videos

May 14, 2025
Imagine you’re watching a highly anticipated video from your favorite YouTube creator—perhaps the moment a famous couple finally gets engaged—when an ad pops up immediately after the clip. This is part of YouTube’s new ad format called “Peak Points.” The company revealed the new ad format during its upfront presentation on Wednesday in New York. […]

The latest Apple Maps update will bring out your bougie side

May 14, 2025
Apple Maps announced a collaboration with the MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation, and Golf Digest to help users find recommended restaurants and golf courses in their area. Starting in the U.S., users will be able to filter their Maps searches to see restaurants with MICHELIN ratings, which denote exceptional dining experiences. But if you’re on the […]

Netflix adds more live TV to its lineup

May 14, 2025
Netflix is adding more live streaming content, the company announced at its Upfront presentation on Wednesday. The service, which now reaches over 94 million global monthly active users, has been steadily introducing live TV to its audience with sports content from WWE wrestling, comedy, and awards shows, and other special events (some of which definitely […]

Waymo recalls 1,200 robotaxis following low-speed collisions with gates and chains

May 14, 2025
Waymo issued a software recall on 1,200 self-driving vehicles after some of its robotaxis were involved in minor collisions with gates, chains, and other gate-like roadway objects. The software update, which was first reported by Reuters, was conducted late last year, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Alphabet-owned company […]

Grok is unpromptedly telling X users about South African genocide

May 14, 2025
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok appeared to experience a bug on Wednesday that caused it to reply to dozens of posts on X with information about genocide in South Africa, even when the user didn’t ask anything about the subject. The strange responses largely came from the X account for Grok, which replies to users […]