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Tom Merritt
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Sarah Lane
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Vertex Representative
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Tom Merritt
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Rob Dunwood
These are the daily tech headlines for Thursday, March 13, 2025. I'm Rob Dunwood. WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will group message replies into threads, making it easier for users to follow conversations. This feature will create a dedicated view that connects quoted messages back to the original message, eliminating the need to scroll through chats to find individual replies. The Message Threads feature spotted in WhatsApp Android beta 2.25.7.7 update by WA A BetaInfo is still under development and won't be available for testing until a future update, although it is expected to be available for individual conversations, group chats, communities and channels. The ability to reply to messages and channels is also still under development. Intel's stock surged 12% in extended trading on Wednesday following the announcement that Lip Bhutan has been appointed as the new CEO. Tan, who previously served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems and was an intel board member until last year, is taking over from Intern Co CEOs David Zinsser and MJ Hulthis. They assumed their roles in December after former CEO Patrick Gessinger's ousting. Tan's appointment marks the end of a turbulent period for intel, as the company faced pressure from investors to cut costs and spin off businesses due to declining sales and an inability to capitalize on the burgering artificial intelligence market. Global EV and hybrid sales reached 1.2 million units in February 2025, a 50% increase from February 2024, according to Road Motion. China was a major contributor, accounting for around three quarters of global sales. EV sales in China rose by 76%, with battery powered vehicles increasing by 46%, as reported by the China association of Automobile Manufacturers. New models from brands like byd, Xiaomi, Xpeng and Zeekr further drove the shift from hybrids to fully electric vehicles. Xiaomi announced on Thursday that its Android smartphone sold in India will now come preinstalled with the Indian fintech company PhonePe's Indus app store replacing Xiaomi's own Git apps through a multiyear year deal, while Google Play Store will still be preinstalled. The companies did not clarify if the Indus App Store would be added to existing Xiaomi devices or specify when the change will take effect. This move confirms TechCrunch's earlier report about the partnership. Meta will start testing its Xdow Community Notes feature in the US on March 18. The feature will be available on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, but the notes won't be published publicly initially, while Meta tests the writing and rating system. This move replaces Meta's fact checking program, which the company believes will be less prone to bias. Around 200,000 potential contributors have signed up, but not all will be available to write and rate notes at the launch, as admittance into the program will be gradual and random. Snapchat is introducing generative AI video lenses that let users interact with animated elements like virtual animals or flowers. The first three lenses include a raccoon, a fox and one called Spring Flowers, which reveals a bouquet in the user's hands with a zoom out effect. Powered by an in house generative AI model, Snap plans to release new lenses weekly. These features are available exclusively to Snapchat Premium subscribers who pay $16 per month a day. After launching a new line of Roomba vacuum cleaners, Irobot Corp. Has warned investors that it may need to shut down within the next year unless it can refinance its debt or find a buyer. The company is heavily in debt and has been unable to become profitable again since taking out a $200 million loan from the Carlyle Group in 2023. IRobot also faces increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers and says it expects to incur losses for the foreseeable future. Food delivery startup Wonder has acquired media company TasteMade for approximately $90 million. Founded in 2012, TasteMade specializes in food, travel and home related videos and operates several free ad supported streaming television channels. The new acquisition will provide Wonder with Tastemade's content, studio production capabilities and advertising infrastructure, which Wonder plans to leverage to enhance its branding and expand its audience. And finally, Pocket Cast has announced that its flagship podcast player is now free on Windows, Mac and the web without restrictions. The company had previously made its iPhone and Android apps free before open, sourcing them. The PocketCast team believes that, quote the future of podcasting shouldn't be locked behind a walled garden and should be free, open and available to everyone on any device without restrictions. Starting immediately. Anyone can stream any podcast episode directly from any PocketCast app without an account or subscription. Creating a free account allows users to syn playback progress between devices, manage their podcast queue and save subscriptions and preferences. For more analysis of the tech news of the day, subscribe to dailytechnewshow.com and if you enjoy the show, remember to tell a friend to check us out. Thanks for listening. We'll talk to you next time.
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Episode Title: Threaded Messages Are Coming To WhatsApp
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Hosts: Sarah Lane, Robb Dunewood, and Tom Merritt
Duration: Approximately 10 minutes
Description: The essential tech news you need every day in 10 minutes or less.
In this episode of Daily Tech Headlines, Rob Dunewood dives into a series of significant updates shaping the technology landscape as of March 13, 2025. Covering advancements in messaging platforms, corporate leadership changes, electric vehicle trends, and more, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the most impactful tech news.
Timestamp: [02:25]
WhatsApp is set to enhance user experience by rolling out Threaded Messages, a feature designed to organize conversations more intuitively. This new functionality will group message replies into dedicated threads, making it easier for users to follow and engage in lengthy discussions without the need to scroll extensively through chat histories.
Key Features:
Rob Dunewood noted: "The Message Threads feature is a game-changer for WhatsApp users, simplifying how we manage and navigate our daily conversations."
Timestamp: [02:45]
Intel experienced a significant surge in stock prices, up by 12% in extended trading, following the announcement of Lip Bhutan as the new CEO. Bhutan, formerly CEO of Cadence Design Systems and a board member at Intel until last year, takes the helm from interim CEOs David Zinsser and MJ Hulthis.
Background:
Rob Dunewood remarked: "Bhutan's appointment could signal a new era for Intel, steering the company towards innovation and stability in a competitive market."
Timestamp: [03:15]
February 2025 saw global electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid sales reach 1.2 million units, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. China played a pivotal role, contributing approximately three-quarters of the total sales.
Highlights:
Rob Dunewood stated: "China's aggressive push in the EV market is not only leading the charge globally but also setting benchmarks for innovation and adoption rates."
Timestamp: [03:45]
Xiaomi announced a strategic partnership with Indian fintech company PhonePe, wherein Xiaomi smartphones sold in India will now come preinstalled with the Indus App Store, replacing Xiaomi's own Git apps. The Google Play Store will remain preinstalled alongside Indus.
Details:
Rob Dunewood observed: "Xiaomi's move to integrate PhonePe's Indus App Store highlights the growing importance of localized app ecosystems in expanding markets like India."
Timestamp: [04:15]
Meta Platforms is beginning to test its new Xdow Community Notes feature in the United States, set to launch on March 18. This feature will be accessible across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, aiming to replace the existing fact-checking program with a more community-driven approach.
Key Points:
Rob Dunewood commented: "By leveraging community input, Meta is attempting to create a more democratic and transparent method for content verification, which could set a new standard for social media platforms."
Timestamp: [04:45]
Snapchat is enhancing its platform with generative AI video lenses, allowing users to interact with animated elements such as virtual animals and flowers. These innovative lenses are currently available exclusively to Snapchat Premium subscribers, priced at $16 per month.
Available Lenses:
Future Plans:
Rob Dunewood added: "Snapchat's foray into generative AI lenses exemplifies the growing trend of integrating advanced AI to create more immersive and personalized user experiences."
Timestamp: [05:15]
Irobot Corp., following the launch of a new line of Roomba vacuum cleaners, has issued a warning to investors about the potential need to shut down within the next year unless it can successfully refinance its debt or secure a buyer.
Challenges:
Rob Dunewood stated: "Irobot's predicament underscores the intense competition in the smart home sector and the precarious balance companies must maintain between innovation and financial sustainability."
Timestamp: [05:45]
Food delivery startup Wonder has expanded its portfolio by acquiring media company TasteMade for approximately $90 million. TasteMade, founded in 2012, specializes in creating food, travel, and home-related video content and operates several free, ad-supported streaming television channels.
Strategic Benefits:
Rob Dunewood explained: "By acquiring TasteMade, Wonder is strategically positioning itself at the intersection of food delivery and digital media, creating unique opportunities for content-driven customer engagement."
Timestamp: [06:15]
Pocket Cast has announced that its flagship podcast player is now free on Windows, Mac, and the web, removing previous restrictions and embracing an open-source model. Previously, only iPhone and Android apps were offered for free, with other platforms requiring a subscription.
Features:
Rob Dunewood noted: "Pocket Casts' move to open up its platform across all major operating systems reflects a broader trend towards accessibility and user empowerment in the digital content space."
Today's episode of Daily Tech Headlines provided a thorough examination of pivotal developments in the tech industry, from WhatsApp's user-friendly messaging innovations to significant corporate shifts and advancements in AI-driven features across various platforms. Hosts Rob Dunewood, alongside Sarah Lane and Tom Merritt, ensured listeners are well-informed about the latest trends and strategic moves shaping the future of technology.
For more detailed analysis and daily updates on the tech world, subscribe to dailytechnewshow.com. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share it with friends and colleagues interested in staying ahead of tech trends.