Chromium bug report reveals Google’s desktop Android interface? Autonomous trucking company Waabi signs new deal with Uber, Snap spins AR glasses unit into standalone Specs Inc.
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Show Notes
Amazon lays off 16,000 employees
Amazon is cutting 16,000 jobs, its second major layoff in three months after eliminating 14,000 roles in October. The company cites ongoing restructuring, with some teams still consolidating and more cuts possible. Amazon plans to keep hiring in select areas and recently shuttered its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores to focus on same-day delivery through Whole Foods. CEO Andy Jassy previously said AI will reduce demand for some jobs but create others.
Source: TechCrunch
Amazon One palm-scan system ending
Amazon will discontinue its retail Amazon One palm-scan ID system on June 3, deleting all stored biometric data. Launched in 2020 for cashierless entry and payments, the system expanded to Whole Foods, third-party venues, and building access but faced privacy concerns. Healthcare check-ins will continue for now.
Source: GeekWire
Android desktop interface leak
A Chromium bug report appears to have accidentally revealed Google’s desktop Android interface. Running on an HP Chromebook under Android 16, the build shows a taller status bar, desktop-style Extensions support, split-screen multitasking, and ChromeOS-style window controls with tweaks to the taskbar and cursor.
Source: 9to5Google
LinkedIn adds AI skill verification
LinkedIn will let users display verified AI skills like “vibe coding” on profiles. Partners such as Replit, Lovabl, Descript, and Relay.app can assign skill levels directly, with GitHub and Zapier integrations coming. Companies behind the tools assess users and update ratings like “bronze” or “intermediate,” helping recruiters evaluate AI proficiency.
Source: Engadget
Fauna Robotics launches Sprout humanoid
Fauna Robotics introduced Sprout, a 3.5-foot soft-bodied humanoid for safe human interaction and easy research development. It comes with movement, navigation, perception, and expressive features ready to use. Articulated limbs and grippers support varied tasks. Price: $50,000. Early buyers include Disney and Boston Dynamics.
Source: The Verge
Snap spins off AR glasses unit
Snap is turning its AR glasses division into a standalone subsidiary, Specs Inc., to attract investors and partnerships while retaining ownership. The company emphasizes AI-powered glasses that interpret surroundings, assist tasks, and overlay digital tools without removing users from the real world. Snap is hiring 100+ roles and plans a new AR glasses release this year.
Source: Engadget
Apple to maintain iPhone 18 pricing
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports Apple will keep iPhone 18 pricing steady despite global RAM shortages and rising memory costs, renegotiating prices quarterly and absorbing increases. Other components are tightening as suppliers prioritize AI hardware, including glass cloth for circuit boards. Apple plans to offset costs via its services business.
Source: The Verge
Waabi expands into robotaxis with Uber
Autonomous trucking company Waabi signed a $1B deal with Uber to deploy more than 25,000 robotaxis using its Waabi Driver system. Waabi says its simulator-driven AI stack scales efficiently across trucking and robotaxis. Uber will add Waabi to its growing AV partner roster and launch Uber AV Labs to support data collection.
Source: TechCrunch