Daily Tech Headlines: Tesla's Vehicle Delivery Decline and More – January 2, 2025

Hosted by Tom Merritt

Tesla Reports First-Ever Annual Decline in Vehicle Deliveries

Timestamp: [01:29]

Rob Dunwood opens today's episode by discussing Tesla's significant milestone in 2024. "Tesla reported a 2.2% year-over-year decline in vehicle deliveries for 2024, delivering 1.77 million units globally compared to 1.81 million in 2023," Dunwood explains. This marks Tesla's first annual sales drop, signaling potential challenges in maintaining its market lead. The decline is attributed to several factors, including intensified competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market and a lukewarm reception of the Cybertruck, Tesla's first major model release since 2020.

Despite the Cybertruck's introduction, sales across Tesla's lineup—including the Model S and Model X—only totaled 85,133 units. Dunwood notes, "The underwhelming performance highlights the limited impact of the Cybertruck on boosting overall growth." This downturn underscores the competitive pressures Tesla faces as consumer interest shifts towards hybrid vehicles and competitors innovate rapidly.

U.S. Commerce Department Considers Banning Chinese-Made Drones

The U.S. Commerce Department is evaluating new regulations that could restrict or outright ban drones manufactured in China. Citing national security concerns, officials are worried that adversaries from China and Russia might exploit these drones to access or manipulate sensitive U.S. data remotely. "The department expressed worries that Chinese and Russian adversaries could remotely access and manipulate these devices, potentially exposing sensitive US data," Dunwood reports. To address these threats, the Commerce Department is soliciting public comments by March 4, aiming to secure the drone supply chain against potential vulnerabilities.

CNBC Launches New Streaming Service to Expand Audience Reach

In a strategic move to capture a broader audience, CNBC is launching a new streaming service priced at $14.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The service aims to make business news more accessible beyond traditional television platforms. Dunwood highlights, "This move is aimed to expand the audience for the business news outlet beyond traditional television viewers by offering a more convenient and accessible way to stay informed." The launch includes endorsements from prominent CNBC anchors like Andrew Ross Sorkin and Becky Quick, who emphasize the platform's commitment to delivering fast, accurate, and insightful business news tailored for on-the-go consumption.

Telegram Introduces Major Update with Enhanced Verification and NFT Integration

Telegram's first major update of 2024 brings several new features designed to enhance user experience and security. A key addition is a new account verification method allowing third-party authorities—such as food quality regulators or educational institutions—to verify accounts. "Verified by third parties will be distinguished by a new logo replacing the standard blue checkmark," Dunwood notes. Additionally, the update includes improved message search filters and the innovative ability to convert in-app gifts into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), reflecting Telegram's commitment to integrating blockchain technology into its platform.

Social Media Giants X and YouTube Await Licensing in Malaysia

Under Malaysia's newly enacted social media operating law, platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube have yet to apply for the mandatory operating licenses. X contends that its Malaysian user base falls below the 8 million threshold required for licensing, a claim currently under verification by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Dunwood states, "Google has expressed concerns to the MCMC regarding the classification of YouTube's video sharing features within the licensing framework." This regulatory uncertainty poses potential hurdles for these platforms as they navigate compliance in the Southeast Asian market.

Alibaba Cloud Slashes Prices on AI Visual Reasoning Model Max by 85%

Alibaba Cloud has announced a substantial price reduction for its AI visual reasoning model, Max, bringing the cost down to just 0.003 yuan per thousand input tokens. This 85% price cut marks the third reduction within the calendar year, positioning Alibaba Cloud competitively against rivals like By Dance. "This move aligns Max with a similarly priced model recently launched by By Dance, intensifying the competition within China's rapidly evolving AI services market," Dunwood observes. The aggressive pricing strategy underscores Alibaba's commitment to capturing a larger share of the burgeoning AI services sector.

Apple Settles $95 Million Class Action Lawsuit Over Siri Privacy Violations

Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant violated user privacy. The lawsuit contended that Siri inadvertently recorded private conversations and shared this data with third parties, including advertisers, following the introduction of the "Hey Siri" voice activation feature in 2014. "The lawsuit claimed that Siri routinely recorded private conversations after being unintentionally activated, and that this data was potentially shared with third parties like advertisers," Dunwood explains. The settlement, filed in California federal court, awaits judicial approval and covers incidents from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024.

Apple Offers Significant Discounts on Latest iPhone Models in China

In response to increasing competition from domestic brands like Huawei, Apple is launching a four-day promotion in China, offering discounts up to 500 yuan on its latest iPhone models. The promotion runs from January 4 to January 7 and applies to purchases made with specific payment methods. Specifically, the flagship iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max receive the highest discount of 500 yuan, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are discounted by 400 yuan. Dunwood notes, "This aggressive move aims to counter the growing competition from domestic rivals like Huawei." The promotional strategy is designed to boost sales and maintain Apple's market presence in the competitive Chinese smartphone market.

Spotify Expands Monetization Options with New Partner Program

Spotify has launched its new partner program, enabling popular podcast hosts to monetize their video content. Initially announced in November, this program broadens earning opportunities beyond traditional advertising revenue, including direct payouts for video content. Currently available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, the initiative aims to attract and retain top podcast creators by providing more diverse revenue streams. Dunwood adds, "This program expands earning opportunities for creators beyond advertising revenue, including payouts for video content." Spotify's move reflects the platform's ongoing efforts to support content creators and enhance the overall podcast ecosystem.

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