Tech Brew Ride Home

Anthropic drops Claude Opus 4.7 for coding and rolls out government ID verification for some users. TSMC beats earnings, raises forecasts on strong AI demand. X launches Cashtags, and Google's SpaceX stake could hit $100 billion at IPO.


Anthropic releases Claude Opus 4.7, a "notable improvement" in advanced software engineering with a new "xhigh" effort level (Anthropic)


TSMC CEO C.C. Wei says AI demand still strong amid Iran war, raises revenue forecasts (WSJ)


Anthropic rolls out identity verification requiring government-issued photo ID and live selfie for "certain capabilities" (Decrypt)


X launches Cashtags, showing real-time financial data on stocks and crypto, starting with iOS in the US and Canada (The Block)


Google owns ~5% SpaceX stake; at a $2T IPO valuation, that's worth $100B (Bloomberg)

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Snap is cutting 16% of its workforce—about 1,000 people—as Spiegel blames AI for making everyone more efficient (read: expendable). Allbirds, the shoe company that sold for $39M, is pivoting its shell to become an AI compute provider called NewBird AI. OpenAI drops a cybersecurity-specific model, Google launches a desktop search app and Chrome AI Skills, and law firms say AI-generated client docs are actually creating MORE work, not less.


Snap CEO Evan Spiegel says the company plans to lay off ~1,000 full-time employees, or 16% of its global workforce (Bloomberg)


Allbirds, sold last week for $39M, says it aims to become an AI compute provider; BIRD jumps 350%+ (FT)


OpenAI rolls out GPT-5.4-Cyber, a fine-tuned variant for defensive cybersecurity (Bloomberg)


Google launches a Windows desktop app with a Spotlight-like search box (9to5Google)


Google launches Skills, repeatable AI prompts that Chrome users can run with a keyboard shortcut (Wired)


Law firms say lawyers are spending more time responding to AI-generated client documents (FT)

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Amazon's dropping $10.8 billion on Globalstar to beef up its Leo satellite network and challenge Starlink — and Apple's along for the ride. Plus, federal charges for the Sam Altman attacker, OpenAI acqui-hires a fintech startup, Google declares war on back button hijacking, data labeling startups are printing money, and Missouri voters revolt over a data center.


Amazon agrees to acquire satellite operator Globalstar for $10.8B to expand Leo satellite network; Amazon and Apple say Leo will power some iPhone and Watch services (Amazon)


Amazon to Acquire Globalstar in Satellite Cellular-Connection Push (WSJ)


US DOJ charges Daniel Moreno-Gama, accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's home, with attempted murder and arson (CNN)


Man who attacked OpenAI CEO's home had list of other AI executives (NYT)


OpenAI acquires personal finance startup Hiro Finance (TechCrunch)


Google designates "back button hijacking" as malicious, sites could be demoted in Search from June 15 (9to5Google)


Data labeling startup Handshake's gross annualized revenue hits ~$1B; Mercor also at $1B+ pace (The Information)


Voters in Festus, Missouri oust all four incumbent council members days after council approved a $6B data center (Politico)

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Sam Altman's home has been targeted twice in three days, first a Molotov cocktail, then a shooting from a passing car. Apple is testing four designs for AI smart glasses. OpenAI is touting its Amazon partnership while publicly distancing from Microsoft. GPU prices are surging as an agentic AI compute crunch threatens the whole industry. And Mark Zuckerberg is still keen on photorealistic Metaverse avatars.


Sam Altman's home targeted in second attack; two suspects arrested (SF Standard)


Apple AI Smart Glasses Features, Styles, Colors, Cameras; Giannandrea Leaving (Bloomberg)


OpenAI touts Amazon alliance in memo, says Microsoft has 'limited our ability' to reach clients (CNBC)


AI Is Using So Much Energy That Computing Firepower Is Running Out (WSJ)


Meta builds AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff (FT)

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The US government is taking the Anthropic warning seriously. Google is showing prediction markets alongside various search results. Europeans ARE beginning to decouple from US tech. Kicking the tires on SpaceX’s actual business. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions.


Anthropic Model Scare Sparks Urgent Bessent, Powell Warning to Bank CEOs (Bloomberg)


Google rolls out Gmail end-to-end encryption on mobile devices (Bleeping Computer)


Google News Now Prominently Featuring Polymarket Bets (Futurism)


France to ditch Windows for Linux to reduce reliance on US tech (TechCrunch)


YouTube Premium is getting pricier (The Verge)


OpenAI Backs Bill That Would Limit Liability for AI-Enabled Mass Deaths or Financial Disasters (Wired)


SpaceX Posted Nearly $5 Billion Loss Last Year from AI Spending (The Information)

Weekend Longreads Suggestion:


An Internet of Checkpoints (Longreads)

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