Tech Daily News Update

1. GMC Hummer EV outsold the Tesla Cybertruck last quarter

   As Elon Musk once said, "we dug our own grave with Cybertruck."

2. Call of Duty cheaters complain after Activision launches new wave of mass-bans

   The video game giant banned an unknown number of cheaters that were using one of the oldest-running cheats.

3. Nvidia’s resumption of H20 chip sales related to rare earth element trade talks

   U.S. Commerce Secretary said Nvidia's plans to start selling its H20 chips are tied to ongoing trade discussions with China regarding REEs.

4. xAI is hiring an engineer to make anime girls

   The company is hiring for the role of "Fullstack Engineer - Waifus," or, creating AI-powered anime girls for people to fall in love with.

5. Google rolls out AI-powered business calling feature, brings Gemini 2.5 Pro to AI Mode

   The new business calling feature uses AI to call local businesses on your behalf, for information about availability and pricing.

6. Ex-Waymo engineers launch Bedrock Robotics with $80M to automate construction

   Former Waymo engineers have launched an autonomous vehicle startup with $80 million in venture funds.

7. ChatGPT: Everything you need to know about the AI-powered chatbot

   A timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases, starting with the latest, which we’ve been updating throughout the year.

8. A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs

   A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024.

9. Faraday Future faces potential SEC enforcement action after three-year probe

   The troubled EV startup, its founder, and the founder's nephew are all in the financial regulator's crosshairs.

10. Transit software startup Via confidentially files for an IPO

    The transit software company, is finally taking the step into public markets with an IPO after abandoning the idea in 2021.

11. Rex Salisbury’s Cambrian Ventures raises new fund, bucking fintech slowdown

    Spurred by the performance of its first fund, Cambrian Ventures' $20 million second fund will continue the firm's thesis of focusing on fintech startups.

12. Meet the cement transport ship that makes cement ingredients while sailing

    London-based Seabound has developed a carbon capture system that transforms CO2 from a ship's engine into limestone, which Heidelberg Materials will use to make cement.

13. UK retail giant Co-op confirms hackers stole all 6.5 million customer records

    The hackers stole the company's member list, which included customer names, addresses, and contact information.

14. Meta reportedly scores two more high-profile OpenAI researchers

    OpenAI researcher Jason Wei will reportedly join Meta’s new Superintelligence Lab. Another team member, Hyung Won Chung, might also join Meta, as the company works to catch up to rivals in the AGI race.

15. Chinese authorities are using a new tool to hack seized phones and extract data

    Researchers warned that Chinese residents, and visitors to China, should be aware of the tool's existence and the risks it poses.

16. Of course, Grok’s AI companions want to have sex and burn down schools

    xAI's first AI companions on the Grok app are a lustful anime girl and a homicidal panda.

17. The Chainsmokers’ Mantis Ventures closes $100M third fund

    The fund brings Mantis' assets under management to $225 million.

18. Amazon’s Kuiper satellites to get boost from rival SpaceX

    Amazon is looking to its main competitor to get its next batch of Kuiper satellites to orbit.

19. US Army soldier pleads guilty to hacking telcos and extortion

    Cameron Wagenius had already pleaded guilty to other charges earlier this year.

20. A former OpenAI engineer describes what it’s really like to work there

    A senior engineer describes the thrill, chaos, and exhaustion of working at OpenAI this past year while launching its coding agent Codex.