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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🛠️ Whoop angers users by adding fees after promising free hardware upgrades.
🎵 SoundCloud updates policies to allow AI training on user-uploaded content.
📱 Apple made $10B in App Store commissions, now faces U.S. scrutiny.
💥 India and Pakistan exchange strikes in region’s worst escalation since 1999.
⚡ xAI will power its AI supercomputer with Tesla’s massive Megapack battery system.

TECHNOLOGY

• Whoop angers users over reneged free upgrade promises

  • Whoop 5.0 introduced upgrade fees, upsetting longtime users who were promised free access in earlier membership plans.

  • The company’s lack of clear communication led to backlash and confusion among its most loyal early adopters.

  • This highlights the danger of altering customer terms without transparency, especially for subscription-based hardware models.

• Google AI is fighting back against scams—and you’ll love it

  • Google is deploying AI in Chrome and Search to detect online scams and warn users before they engage.

  • The AI reviews webpage content and interaction patterns to flag suspicious behavior in real time.

  • It reflects Google’s push to use generative AI for proactive, real-world safety and trust enhancements.

• SoundCloud changes policies to allow AI training on user content

  • SoundCloud quietly updated terms to allow AI training on uploaded music, raising concerns about user consent and data rights.

  • Creators are frustrated by the lack of notification and the potential use of their content without compensation.

  • The policy change follows a broader industry trend of platforms mining data to build generative AI models.

BUSINESS

• Apple faces renewed antitrust scrutiny over App Store practices

  • U.S. regulators are investigating Apple’s App Store for potential antitrust violations around fees and developer restrictions.

  • Developers argue Apple’s tight control over distribution and payments stifles competition and limits innovation.

  • The probe could result in new rules impacting how Apple operates its U.S. app ecosystem.

• Jamie Dimon critiques Trump's tariff strategy as overly aggressive

  • JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Trump’s sweeping tariff plan is ‘too large, too big, too aggressive’ for global markets.

  • Dimon supports addressing trade imbalances but warns against triggering instability with blanket tariffs.

  • He recommends country-by-country reforms and cautions against damaging critical U.S. alliances through economic retaliation.

• Apple made over $10B from U.S. App Store commissions last year

  • Apple collected more than $10 billion in U.S. App Store commissions last year, up from $4.7 billion in 2020.

  • Developers earned $23.6 billion in net revenue after Apple’s 30% or 15% platform cut.

  • The data highlights Apple’s growing App Store profits amid increasing regulatory pressure over its practices.

MARKETS

WORLD

• India-Pakistan tensions escalate after deadly airstrikes

  • India’s Operation Sindoor struck Pakistani targets after a Kashmir attack, triggering retaliatory drone and missile strikes.

  • Explosions were reported in several cities, with both sides confirming civilian deaths and mobilizing military forces.

  • The conflict marks the region’s worst escalation since 1999, with diplomacy at a dangerous standstill.

• Russia showcases military might during Victory Day parade

  • Russia’s Victory Day parade featured 11,000 troops and military tech, led by Putin and attended by Xi Jinping.

  • The event emphasized Russia’s alliance with China amid its continued isolation from Western nations.

  • Analysts say the show aimed to rally domestic support while signaling geopolitical strength abroad.

• Ukraine accuses Hungary of espionage, escalating diplomatic tensions

  • Ukraine arrested two ex-military officials for allegedly spying on behalf of Hungary’s defense intelligence.

  • The men were said to have collected regional sentiment and sensitive military data near the Hungarian border.

  • Both countries have expelled diplomats, deepening tensions in a historically sensitive border region.

CONTENT

• How AI Coding Agents Will Change Your Job

  • AI coding tools are transforming software development, enabling small teams to accomplish tasks that once required large engineering groups.

  • The rise of ‘vibe coding’ allows developers to generate code through natural language prompts, shifting focus from manual coding to AI.

  • This shift democratizes software creation, providing founders with more leverage and making knowledge work more accessible.

  How AI Is Changing Art for Creatives

  • AI-generated images are becoming prevalent, prompting discussions on their impact on traditional artistic processes and human creativity.

  • Artists explore the balance between leveraging AI as a tool and maintaining the essence of human-driven art.

  • The integration of AI in art challenges conventional notions of creativity and the role of the artist.

  Why Apple is trying to save Google

  • Apple's $20 billion annual deal with Google to keep it as the default search engine is under scrutiny amid antitrust concerns.

  • Testimonies reveal Apple's financial interest in Google's dominance, despite exploring AI-powered search alternatives.

  • The evolving landscape of AI search technologies poses potential disruptions to existing partnerships and market dynamics

FUTURISM

• U.S. automotive industry increased robot installations by 10% in 2024

  • U.S. automakers installed 13,700 robots in 2024, a 10.7% rise driven by automation demands across production lines.

  • The automotive sector accounted for over 50% of total robot installations in the country last year.

  • Manufacturers are investing in robotics to improve productivity, reduce costs, and stay globally competitive.

• xAI to use Tesla Megapack batteries to power world's largest AI supercomputer

  • Elon Musk’s xAI will power its Memphis-based Colossus supercomputer using Tesla’s Megapack battery system.

  • The facility runs on 150 megawatts, with batteries enabling sustained operation during power surges or grid failures.

  • This marks a fusion of renewable energy infrastructure with large-scale AI computing demands.

• Wearables with tunable stiffness mimic touch, adapt motion, and remember shape

  • Researchers created wearable devices that mimic touch, adapt to motion, and retain shape using tunable stiffness tech.

  • Developed at Carnegie Mellon, the system responds to user interaction and physical environments in real time.

  • Applications may include prosthetics, soft robotics, and next-generation therapeutic devices.

EXTRAS

• Radar outage briefly disrupts Newark Airport operations

  • Newark Airport lost radar contact for 90 seconds, marking its second disruption in just two weeks.

  • The outage prompted brief traffic delays and renewed questions about U.S. air traffic control system reliability.

  • The FAA is investigating the cause and exploring upgrades to prevent future system failures.

• David Steiner appointed as new USPS Postmaster General

  • David Steiner, former Waste Management CEO, will replace Louis DeJoy as the 76th Postmaster General in July.

  • His appointment follows mounting pressure to modernize USPS while preserving financial stability and independence.

  • Steiner’s leadership will focus on operational reform and service improvements amid ongoing political scrutiny.

• Instagram CEO testifies in FTC's antitrust trial against Meta

  • Adam Mosseri testified that TikTok cut Instagram usage in half, pushing Meta to rapidly adjust product strategy.

  • He defended Meta’s acquisition history, framing it as essential adaptation in a fast-changing social media market.

  • The FTC argues Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp aimed to eliminate future competition.

AND MORE

• Google I/O will unveil Gemini and Android 16 updates at its May 20 developer conference.

• Scale AI cleared by U.S. labor probe, removing a key regulatory hurdle.

• California debuts AI chatbot for wildfire alerts, supporting 70 languages.

• 112K+ marketers and founders read The Swipe daily for fresh insights on tech, branding, and social trends.*

• Anthropic warns DOJ rule could chill AI funding and hurt competition.

• Create impactful customer journeys with Zoho CRM.*

• FDA expands AI use to accelerate drug reviews amid staffing cuts and backlogs.

• Bitcoin jumps past $100K, causing $1.1B in liquidations across major coins.