📱 Japan Tackles App Giants, Google Reorganizes, China Leads in Driverless Tech

Greetings! Get up to speed with today's must-know updates on the latest advancements and trends in the tech and AI landscapes.

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Today’s pick

• Japan to open up Apple- and Google-dominated phone apps to competition

• Dave Burke no longer Android engineering VP, Google ‘Platforms’ team undergoes reorg

• China Is Testing More Driverless Cars Than Any Other Country 

• Hacker Accesses Internal 'Tile' Tool That Provides Location Data to Cops

• Aepnus wants to create a circular economy for key battery manufacturing materials

Let’s dive in

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Japan to open up Apple- and Google-dominated phone apps to competition

Reuters

• Japan plans to ban major app store operators like Apple and Google from forcing developers to use their payment systems.

• OS providers will be required to allow alternative methods for downloading apps, enhancing user choice.

• Legislative measures will be investigated, with plans to submit a related bill to parliament next year.

𝕏: Fortnite will now return to iOS in Japan and UK next year, and EU this year! This is the new free world, from the point of view of app developers and users. It’s a big club and we ain’t in it: The United States of America is still locked behind Apple’s Iron Curtain. - Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic)

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Dave Burke no longer Android engineering VP, Google ‘Platforms’ team undergoes reorg

By Abner Li via 9to5Google 

• Google announced a reorganization of its Platforms & Devices team, initially formed by merging the Platforms & Ecosystems and Devices & Services divisions.

• Dave Burke, previously the VP of Engineering for Android, is transitioning to an advisory role to focus on AI and biotechnology projects.

• Sameer Samat has been elevated to President of the Android Ecosystem, overseeing the integration of ChromeOS with Android technologies.

𝕏: So... after 14 yrs leading Android engineering, I've decided it's time for a change. An awe-inspiring ride helping build the biggest OS on the planet (+ many Nexus/Pixel). I'm forever grateful for the opp. Continuing as advisor while figuring out what's next in AI/bio. - Dave Burke (@davey_burke)

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China Is Testing More Driverless Cars Than Any Other Country 

By Keith Bradsher via The New York Times 

• Wuhan, China is at the forefront of the world's largest experiment in driverless cars, with a fleet of 500 taxis already in operation and plans to add 1,000 more.

• Sixteen Chinese cities have authorized on-road testing of autonomous vehicles, supported by the government and challenged by strict controls over safety incident reports to manage public perception.

• Baidu and other Chinese companies lead in the development of driverless technology, gaining a competitive edge with extensive research and international collaborations, despite stringent data control regulations in China.

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Hacker Accesses Internal 'Tile' Tool That Provides Location Data to Cops

By Joseph Cox via 404 Media

• A hacker accessed internal tools at Tile, a location tracking company, stealing extensive customer data and gaining potential access to law enforcement data request tools.

• The breach involved personal details like names and addresses but excluded location data of Tile devices; the hacker also attempted to extort the company.

• Tile has initiated countermeasures, disabling compromised credentials and strengthening security to prevent further unauthorized access.

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Aepnus wants to create a circular economy for key battery manufacturing materials 

By Tim De Chant via TechCrunch 

• Aepnus Technology, co-founded by Bilen Akuzum and Lukas Hackl, aims to establish a circular economy by recycling sodium sulfate waste from battery manufacturing into reusable chemicals.

• The company uses innovative electrolyzers that operate without expensive catalysts to convert waste into raw materials, reducing costs and environmental impact for their clients.

• Aepnus has launched pilot projects with over 15 customers and raised an $8 million seed round to further develop and commercialize their technology.

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Trending in AI

• Samsung offers plan to speed up delivery of AI chips

• Apple to ‘Pay’ OpenAI for ChatGPT Through Distribution, Not Cash

• Google is putting more Android in ChromeOS 

• Artificial intelligence, proven at NASA and in neurosurgery, could remake childhood education, says tech exec

• Apple’s artificial intelligence is firmly rooted in reality

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Thanks for reading to the bottom and soaking in our Newslit Daily fueled with highlights for your morning.

I hope you found it interesting and, needless to say, if you have any questions or feedback let me know by hitting reply.

Take care and see you tomorrow!

— Jose Montes de Oca

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