Welcome back to our weekly roundup! This week brings exciting news from various tech sectors, including a leadership change at X, the launch of Hugging Face’s new robot, new smartphone releases from Nothing and Samsung, and much more. Enjoy your weekend!
Executive Shake-Up: The CEO of X, Linda Yaccarino, resigned this week after facing challenges during her two-year tenure. Despite improvements in the company’s advertising business, issues with AI technology and controversies involving Elon Musk have made the road ahead uncertain.
Updates from Apple: Apple is fine-tuning its Liquid Glass design in the latest iOS 26 beta, addressing user feedback on readability issues in areas like Notifications and Apple Music. These adjustments aim to strike a balance before the official OS launch later this year.
Introducing Reachy Mini: Hugging Face is now taking orders for Reachy Mini, a desktop robot designed for AI developers. Priced at $299, these customizable bots can be programmed in Python and are seamlessly integrated with the Hugging Face Hub.
Stay updated with the latest tech news every week by subscribing to our newsletter. Sign up here for our Week in Review newsletter.
Tech News Highlights
Innovation from Nothing: Nothing’s latest Phone (3) priced at $799 boasts a unique second screen, AI capabilities, and top-tier specifications to compete with industry giants like Samsung and Apple. However, mixed reactions to its design and pricing may position it as an alternative rather than a direct competitor for now.
New Releases from Samsung: Samsung unveiled its latest foldable phones, the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, along with a more affordable model, the Z Flip7 FE.
Revolutionary EVs: Rivian introduced its high-performance R1T and R1S electric vehicles, featuring impressive horsepower and innovative software features like “kick turn” and RAD Tuner. Priced at over $115,000, these flagship models aim to set the standard until the more affordable R2 series launches in 2026.
AI Advancements: Elon Musk showcased xAI’s Grok 4 as a truth-seeking AI, but concerns arose when testing revealed its reliance on Musk’s own opinions and posts for controversial queries. Questions remain about the chatbot’s objectivity and its readiness for integration into Teslas, as Musk plans for next week.
Industry Moves: Apple’s AI models lead, Ruoming Pang, departed for Meta, bolstering Zuckerberg’s AI unit. This transition highlights ongoing challenges in Apple’s AI endeavors and enhances Meta’s expertise in on-device AI technology.
Security Innovation: Jack Dorsey developed Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging app that operates on mesh networks, enabling communication without traditional internet or cellular connections. While still in beta testing, the app’s security claims are under scrutiny by cybersecurity experts.
Company Expansion: Intel’s RealSense division is now an independent entity with $50 million in funding to scale its 3D imaging technology for robotics and drones. CEO Nadav Orbach aims to enhance safety features for human-robot interaction amidst rising demand for AI-driven solutions.
Tech Analysis Insights
Game-Changing Innovation: Slate Auto, a Michigan-based EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, unveiled plans for a customizable and affordable electric pickup truck. After years of secrecy, the company aims to disrupt the market with production slated for late 2026.