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🍎 Apple Gets Bitten by EU's New Tech Rules 👮‍♀️

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Ponder Road
June 26, 2024

Hey there !

Hope you enjoy today’s edition that we put together for you.

Remember those new EU laws meant to keep Big Tech in check? Well, Apple just became the first major company to get slapped with a non-compliance warning!

Here's the deal:

  • Apple's app store practices are accused of stifling competition. The EU says Apple's fees and rules make it too hard for smaller app developers to compete and for users to find cheaper alternatives.

  • The EU is particularly concerned about Apple taking a cut of purchases even when users are directed to external websites. They also aren't fans of that sneaky 50-cent "core technology fee" Apple charges developers for each app install.

  • Apple has 12 months to fix things or face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue. 😬 That's a lot of iPhones!

Key takeaway: This is a big deal! It's the first real test of the EU's new Digital Markets Act, and the outcome could have major implications for how Big Tech operates in Europe (and maybe beyond). 🌎

Ponder Road readers, buckle up! This ain't your typical history lesson. We're diving into the story of Mysore, a South Indian city that's been kicking butt and taking names for centuries – literally.

Here's the TL;DR:

  • Mysore was a total badass in the 1700s. Forget muskets, these guys were launching iron-shelled rockets at the British East India Company before it was cool. Seriously. 🚀💥

  • They even gave America its "rockets' red glare." The British reverse-engineered captured Mysorean rockets, eventually inspiring the ones Francis Scott Key saw in the War of 1812. 🇺🇸

  • But Mysore wasn't just about blowing things up. Under Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV (1902-1940), the place became a global leader in social and technological progress. Think India's first hydroelectric dam, electric street lights in Bangalore, and even women's suffrage before the US. 💡

  • Fast forward to today, and Mysore is still innovating. Just like they embraced rocketry centuries ago, they're now leading the charge in solar energy and digital payments. ☀️💰

Key takeaways:

  • Don't underestimate the global south. Mysore's story reminds us that innovation isn't a Western monopoly.

  • The past is full of surprises. Who knew India was launching rockets before America even existed? 🤯

  • Mysore is a city to watch. With its rich history and forward-thinking spirit, this place is one to keep an eye on. 👀

Bottom line: Mysore's story is a powerful reminder that progress can come from anywhere. So next time you hear "modernity," remember that it's not just about the West – it's about whoever dares to dream big and build the future.

Lithium batteries are having a moment, powering everything from our smartphones to electric grids. But this power comes with a fiery downside: lithium battery fires.

This week, a tragic fire at a South Korean battery factory, which tragically killed 23 workers, has put a spotlight on the explosive risks associated with these batteries. 🔥

Here's what you need to know:

  • Lithium fires are HOT: We're talking hotter-than-a-welding-torch levels of heat that can slice through protective gear.

  • Water isn't always the answer: It can actually make some lithium fires worse. 😬 Specialized (and expensive!) coolants are often needed.

  • This isn't just an EV problem: While lithium-ion batteries in EVs pose risks, the South Korean fire involved less common "primary lithium" batteries used in things like military equipment.

Bottom Line: The transition to a greener economy relies heavily on lithium batteries, but their volatility poses a growing challenge for firefighters and safety experts worldwide.

Buckle up, San Francisco, because Waymo's driverless taxis are officially open for business!

That's right, Alphabet's self-driving subsidiary just announced that anyone in SF can now hail a ride through its Waymo One app, ditching the previous waitlist that had 300,000 people itching to ditch their drivers.

Here's the deal:

  • Waymo's been circling this moment: They launched a limited test program back in 2021 with safety drivers on board, but now they've gone full robo-taxi mode.

  • SF joins the driverless club: This move follows Waymo's fully autonomous launch in Phoenix back in 2020.

  • Competition is heating up: GM-backed Cruise and Amazon's Zoox are hot on Waymo's tail, all vying for a piece of the autonomous vehicle pie (and facing scrutiny from regulators along the way).

Bottom line: Driverless cars are no longer a futuristic fantasy. Waymo's expansion in San Francisco is a major milestone, signaling that the autonomous revolution is officially rolling into the mainstream.

Looks like Boeing's plan to bring parts supplier Spirit AeroSystems back into the fold just got a whole lot more interesting (read: complicated).

Here's the deal:

  • Boeing was this close to inking an all-cash deal to buy Spirit, a company they spun off back in the day.

  • Plot twist: Boeing swapped its cash offer for one mostly made up of company stock at the eleventh hour.

  • Why the sudden change? Boeing's been burning through cash like a jet engine burns fuel (think: over $1 billion a month).

Key takeaways:

  • This deal could be worth over $4 billion and would see Spirit ditch its Airbus business (awkward...).

  • Boeing's facing some serious cash flow issues, making a stock-heavy deal a risky move.

  • Remember those 737 MAX problems? Yeah, Spirit was right in the thick of it. This deal could be Boeing's way of taking back control (and hopefully avoiding future headaches).

Bottom line: This deal is far from a done deal. Keep an eye out for how this stock swap plays out – it could have major implications for Boeing's future.