Google Offers $135M Settlement in Android Data Collection Lawsuit, Meta to charge Italian developers for non-template WhatsApp AI chatbot messages, Honda and DriveOhio Pilot AI System to Detect Road Damage.
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Show Notes
Tesla to End Model S and X Production to Make Room for Optimus Robots
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is ending production of the older Model S and X next quarter at the company’s Fremont, California factory to convert the space for manufacturing Optimus humanoid robots, prioritizing an autonomous future. The Model S and X will be sold until stock depletes but will remain supported, despite declining sales compared to the Model 3 and Y. Musk aims to produce one million Optimus robots in the converted space and sell them to the public by the end of next year, even though the robot’s demonstrations have been unimpressive and Musk is known for optimistic deadlines.
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Google Proposes $135 Million Settlement Over Alleged Android Data Collection
Google has proposed a $135 million settlement in a San Jose class action lawsuit, potentially granting Android users up to $100 each. The lawsuit alleges Google collected cellular data without permission, even when location and apps were off. As part of the settlement, Google, while denying wrongdoing, has also agreed to implement changes like making it easier for users to stop data transfers, asking for consent during setup, and disclosing transfers in the Google Play terms of service. The eligible class includes Android users as of November 12, 2017.
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Meta to Charge AI Chatbots on WhatsApp in Italy
Starting February 16 in Italy, Meta will charge developers $0.0691 per non-template message to run AI chatbots on WhatsApp in regions that mandate their allowance. This comes after Meta’s January 15 ban on third-party chatbots, which the company initially blamed on system strain but which has since sparked anticompetitive investigations. Developers whose bots were affected had to redirect users, but the new fee sets a precedent if more areas force Meta to permit chatbots.
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Honda and Ohio Pilot AI-Powered Roadway Maintenance System
Honda and DriveOhio successfully piloted the Proactive Roadway Maintenance System, utilizing advanced vehicle sensors and Edge AI to detect road deficiencies like damaged signs and potholes across 3,000 miles in central and southeastern Ohio. This system automatically generates prioritized work orders for the Ohio Department of Transportation via Honda’s cloud platform, potentially saving ODOT over $4.5 million annually if scaled. Honda plans to commercialize the system and integrate similar detection into customer vehicles for crowdsourced road safety data.
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Google Expands Gemini Access in Maps for Walkers and Cyclists
Google has expanded Gemini integration to Google Maps for users who are walking or cycling, providing conversational, hands-free navigation and assistance. This allows users to ask Gemini questions while on the move, like finding nearby attractions, checking for cafes with restrooms on the route, or getting ETA without stopping or taking their hands off the handlebars, furthering Google’s goal to make Maps a real-time, conversational tool.
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Apple Forces Patreon Creators to Switch to Subscription Billing
Apple has mandated that all Patreon creators must switch to subscription billing by November 1, 2026, a reversal that Patreon criticizes as the third policy change in 18 months, claiming it destabilizes creators’ businesses. This requirement eliminates a loophole for bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase fees. While Patreon opposes the change and notes that only 4% of creators use the affected legacy billing, it must comply to keep its app on the App Store, though fans can still subscribe via a web browser to avoid the fees.
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Meta Plans Massive Increase in AI Infrastructure Spending
Meta is significantly increasing its AI infrastructure spending, projecting $115–$135 billion in capital expenditure for this year, up from $72.22 billion in 2025. CEO Mark Zuckerberg justifies this massive investment as necessary to accelerate AI development for “personal superintelligence” and to integrate large language models with recommendation systems to boost ad revenue. The company expects this strategy to increase operating income above 2025 levels and is launching its “Meta Compute” initiative, which involves planning for vast AI datacenter capacity and securing nuclear energy agreements.
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Google Brings Gemini AI to the Chrome Sidebar
Google is adding Gemini AI directly to the Chrome sidebar, making it available to Chromebook Plus users. This integration enables users to ask website-specific questions, understand tab groups, modify images with Nano Banana, and use the auto-browse agent for tasks like finding discounts and making purchases. Future updates will introduce a personal intelligence feature linking to services like Gmail and Photos, allowing Gemini to answer data-based questions and perform actions such as drafting and sending emails directly from Chrome.
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Big Tech Giants Reportedly in Talks to Invest Up to $60 Billion in OpenAI
Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft are reportedly in discussions to invest a combined total of up to $60 billion in OpenAI. Nvidia, an existing investor and provider of the chips powering OpenAI’s models, is rumored to be considering an investment of up to $30 billion. Microsoft, a longtime backer, is said to be in talks for an investment of less than $10 billion, while Amazon, which would be a new investor, is discussing a significantly larger investment, potentially exceeding $20 billion.
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A study by SEO tools company SE Ranking found that Google’s AI Overview relied heavily on YouTube channels as “trusted medical sites” over traditional medical sites to pull information to answer user queries. Is this a cause for concern and should the company be more transparent on where its AI tools are pulling answers from? Robb shares his experience with Samsung’s Dex since getting back from CES. Is it ready to replace his main laptop? Tesla says it will stop producing the Model S and Model X to free up factory space for its Optimus humanoid robots. 
Plus, Apple is inspiring imitators without even having a product, and why Waymo hitting children is not a problem. In this case.
Is Focusrite’s Vocaster One the one stop solution for people looking to build up their podcasting setups? Roger explains why he thinks of the audio interface Focusrite is targeting towards beginning podcasters and streamers and why you’ll want one.