Welcome back to your daily memorandum talking tech, business, AI, markets, and more. 🗞️

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

💸 Bitcoin surpasses $100K for the first time in history.
📱 Android 15 rolls out major updates, including Gemini Assistant features.
🤖 OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pro at $200/month.
🚕 Waymo plans its next robotaxi launch in Miami.
🌍 French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigns after a no-confidence vote.

TECH

• Android 15's first major update has arrived

  • Android 15's December Feature Drop introduces Expressive Captions, adding descriptive phrases for non-spoken moments in videos.

  • The Lookout app is enhanced with the Gemini 1.5 model, providing improved photo descriptions for users with low vision or blindness.

  • Gemini Assistant now integrates with Spotify, enabling functionalities like making calls, sending emails, and changing phone settings.

• Chat GPT’s new reasoning model starts with a $200 subscription

  • OpenAI introduces ChatGPT Pro, a $200/month subscription offering unlimited access to advanced features, including the o1.

  • The o1 model, replacing o1-preview, is now available, providing faster and more accurate responses in coding and math.

  • The ‘ship-mas’ event will unveil new features over 12 days, with anticipated updates like the Sora text-to-video tool.

• Waymo unveils plan to bring its robotaxi service to Miami

  • Waymo plans to test driverless Jaguars in Miami in 2025, aiming to launch commercial rides in 2026.

  • This expansion follows recent launches in Los Angeles, broadening Waymo's presence beyond Phoenix and San Francisco.

  • Partnerships with companies like Moove will manage fleet operations and charging infrastructure in cities including Miami.

BUSINESS

• Jeff Bezos expresses optimism about working with Trump

  • Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner, hopes to assist President-elect Donald Trump in reducing federal regulations.

  • Despite past tensions, Bezos is optimistic about collaborating with a ‘calmer’ Trump administration.

  • Bezos emphasizes the importance of a free press and aims to improve relations between Trump and the media.

• Bitcoin price hits $100,000 for the first time

  • Bitcoin reaches a historic milestone, surpassing $100,000, driven by increased institutional adoption and favorable regulatory prospects.

  • President-elect Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance, including appointing crypto advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair, boosts investor confidence.

  • The surge reflects growing acceptance of digital assets in mainstream finance, with significant inflows into Bitcoin ETFs.

• Pope Francis receives all-electric popemobile from Mercedes-Benz

  • Mercedes-Benz delivers the first all-electric popemobile, a modified G-Class SUV, aligning with Pope Francis's environmental commitments.

  • The vehicle features a raised, swivelling seat and four individual motors for enhanced maneuverability during public appearances.

  • This marks a significant step toward sustainable transportation within the Vatican's official fleet.

CONTENT

• The Next Frontier: Sam Altman on the Future of A.I. and Society

  • Sam Altman discusses OpenAI’s strategy, emphasizing the balance between innovation and ethical considerations in AI development.

  • He highlights the transformative potential of AI in reshaping industries while addressing societal challenges.

  • Ethical dilemmas, such as bias and AI misuse, are central to OpenAI's approach, as discussed at the DealBook Summit.

• How To Make The Most Out of Your 20s

  • Dalton and Michael from Y Combinator stress the importance of taking risks and investing in personal growth during your 20s.

  • They advocate for leveraging this decade's relative freedom to focus on building skills, relationships, and meaningful projects.

  • Topics include managing relationships, setting limits, and embracing challenges as preparation for future success.

• Growth Genius Leaks Million Dollar SEO Plan

  • Jacky Chou shares an SEO strategy leveraging Reddit rankings to dominate AI-related and long-tail keywords.

  • He explores opportunities like affiliate content and 'retail rank & rent’ to generate substantial revenue through SEO.

  • The episode highlights growth hacking frameworks, emphasizing neglected platforms like Quora and Medium.

WORLD

• Michel Barnier resigns as French Prime Minister

  • French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigns after his minority government is ousted in a no-confidence vote.

  • President Macron must navigate a hung parliament to appoint a new prime minister before tackling France’s 2025 budget.

  • Political gridlock raises concerns about France’s financial stability, though S&P maintains its credit rating.

• Syrian rebels capture Hama, a strategic blow to Assad's regime

  • Rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, seize Hama, the second major city lost by Assad’s forces in a week-long offensive.

  • The fall of Hama disrupts key supply lines and marks a symbolic win against a regime weakened by years of conflict.

  • Rebel leaders pledge to push toward Homs, isolating Damascus and further destabilizing Assad's control.

• Head of UK’s armed forces warns of rising nuclear threats

  • Admiral Tony Radakin cautions that global tensions signal the dawn of a 'third nuclear age' with increased risks from multiple fronts.

  • Nations like Russia, China, and North Korea, along with emerging technologies, pose significant challenges to global stability.

  • Radakin calls for international cooperation to address threats and bolster defense strategies for a volatile future.

AND MORE…

• Starbucks targeted by pro-Trump, anti-woke investment firm

  • Azoria Meritocracy ETF plans to exclude S&P 500 companies with diversity hiring practices, identifying Starbucks as a primary target.

  • CEO James Fishback criticizes diversity quotas, stating they harm shareholder value and advocating for merit-based hiring.

  • The fund's strategy launch is set at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, aiming to raise $1 billion by 2025.

• Threads tests feature allowing users to view specific post performance

  • Meta's Threads is testing analytics tools enabling users to assess individual performance, including metrics like reach and engagement.

  • The feature aims to provide creators and businesses with insights to refine content strategies and enhance audience engagement.

  • This development aligns with Threads' efforts to compete with platforms like X by offering advanced user analytics.

• Women in AI: Tamar Eilam is helping IBM build sustainable computing

  • Tamar Eilam, IBM Fellow and Chief Scientist leads initiatives to reduce computing's carbon footprint across infrastructure and AI.

  • Her work focuses on developing energy-efficient AI models and sustainable cloud computing solutions.

  • Eilam emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating sustainable technologies for future computing needs.