Unpacking the Impact: How HP's Humane Acquisition is Reshaping the Tech Landscape

Unpacking the Impact: How HP’s Humane Acquisition is Reshaping the Tech Landscape

Welcome to this week’s tech news recap where we delve into the latest developments in the AI and tech industries. This edition highlights HP’s significant acquisition of the AI Pin maker Humane, the launch of new ventures by Mira Murati, and the surprising marketing strategies from Duolingo. Let’s explore the key stories making waves this week!

HP Acquires Humane: A $116 Million Deal

In a surprising turn of events, HP has acquired Humane for $116 million, significantly less than the $240 million raised by the startup in venture capital funding. This acquisition has led to the immediate halt of sales for the $499 AI Pin, a wearable device that will cease to function post-February 28, 2024. After this date, users will lose access to essential features such as:

  • Calling and messaging capabilities
  • AI queries and responses
  • Cloud access

Customers who purchased the AI Pin within the last 90 days are eligible for a refund, while earlier buyers will not receive any compensation.

Job Offers and Layoffs at Humane

Following the acquisition announcement, several employees from Humane reported receiving job offers from HP, with salary increases ranging from 30% to 70%, including stock options and bonuses. However, many employees involved in the development of the AI Pin have faced layoffs.

Apple Unveils the iPhone 16e

Apple has finally revealed the much-anticipated iPhone 16e, marking a significant update after three years. Notable features include:

  • A18 processor enabling Apple Intelligence
  • Transition from Lightning port to USB-C
  • Removal of the Touch ID home button in favor of Face ID
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The starting price for the iPhone 16e is $599, with shipments set to commence on February 28.

Duolingo’s Marketing Stunt

In an unconventional marketing move, Duolingo has creatively “killed” its beloved owl mascot using a Cybertruck. This campaign, aimed at motivating users to engage more with the app, has sparked significant attention and debate.

OpenAI’s New Direction

OpenAI has announced a shift in its approach by allowing ChatGPT to present multiple perspectives on controversial topics, moving away from its previous editorial stance. This decision aims to foster a more neutral and balanced dialogue among users.

Other Noteworthy News

  • Uber vs. DoorDash: Uber is suing DoorDash, alleging anti-competitive practices that intimidate restaurants into exclusive partnerships.
  • Mira Murati’s New Venture: Former OpenAI CTO has launched Thinking Machines Lab, focusing on collaborative multimodal AI systems.
  • Grok 3 Launch: Elon Musk’s xAI has unveiled Grok 3, a new AI model promising to be “maximally truth-seeking.”
  • Steam Malware Incident: Valve removed a game from Steam that was modified to spread malware.
  • Amazon App Store Closure: Amazon plans to shut down its Android app store by August.

Conclusion

This week’s tech updates reflect the ever-evolving landscape of the industry. From major acquisitions to innovative product launches, each story underscores the dynamic nature of technology and its implications for consumers and businesses alike. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis in our next week’s roundup!

For more tech news, check out our TechCrunch articles or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates!

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