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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

📄 Matt Mullenweg disables WordPress contributor accounts amid controversy.
🏢 JPMorgan disables comments section amid return-to-office backlash.
🍎 Apple is looking to release a slimmed down iPhone Air.
💡 Researchers unveil Sky-T1, a reasoning AI model trainable for under $450.
🍄 Massive upgrades are coming to the Nintendo Switch 2.

TECH

• Matt Mullenweg disables WordPress contributor accounts amid fork controversy

  • Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, has deactivated the accounts of contributors allegedly planning to fork the platform.

  • This action has sparked debate within the open-source community regarding governance and collaboration.

  • Mullenweg's decision underscores the challenges in balancing project integrity with the open-source ethos.

• The iPhone Air could be coming later this year

  • Apple is rumored to be developing a new iPhone model, potentially named the iPhone 17 Air, expected to launch in the fall of 2025.

  • This model is anticipated to be approximately 2 millimeters thinner than current iPhones, with a thickness ranging between 5.5mm and 6.25mm.

  • Additionally, it might feature Apple's in-house cell modem, codenamed Sinope, following its debut in the upcoming iPhone SE.

• Will Meta's olive branch hurt TikTok?

  • Meta has introduced new features aimed at enhancing user experience and engagement on its platforms.

  • These updates are seen as a strategic move to attract content creators and audiences, potentially impacting competitors like TikTok.

  • The effectiveness of these features in shifting user preferences remains to be seen.

BUSINESS

• JPMorgan disables comments section amid return-to-office backlash

  • JPMorgan Chase announced a mandatory return-to-office policy for its 300,000 employees, effective March, with limited exceptions.

  • The internal announcement received numerous employee comments expressing concerns, with some suggesting unionization.

  • In response to the volume and nature of the feedback, the bank disabled comments on the internal announcement page.

• EU Approves Synopsys' $35B Ansys deal under conditions

  • The European Commission has conditionally approved Synopsys' $35 billion acquisition of Ansys.

  • To alleviate antitrust issues, Synopsys will sell its Optical Solutions Group, and Ansys will divest its PowerArtist software.

  • The acquisition can proceed once the buyers of these divested units receive separate EU approval.

• Bain matches CC Capitals $1.8B offer for Insignia

  • Bain Capital has matched CC Capital's $1.8 billion offer to acquire Insignia Systems, a Minnesota-based in-store advertising company.

  • This move initiates a competitive bidding process, with Insignia's board set to evaluate both proposals.

  • The acquisition reflects private equity firms' growing interest in retail marketing assets.

CONTENT

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• Build your product team, attract top talent, and go multi-product

  • Rohini is a product leader at Mercury with extensive experience at Square/Block, where she led key projects like Square payments.

  • The conversation covers when to hire PMs, building an early PM team, why founders should initially act as PMs.

  • Rohini emphasizes the importance of investing in quality and offers practical advice on scaling product teams.

• Nietzsche's rules for a fulfilling life with Babette Babich

  • Philosopher Babette Babich discusses the lasting influence of Nietzsche and how, if we dig into his work, he can help us live fully.

  • Babette Babich is a trailblazing philosopher of technology and science.

  • Renowned for exploration of the philosophy, history, and sociology of science, Babich also works philosophy of digital media, poetry and art.

• Establish the future with Parker Conrad

  • In this episode of How to Build the Future, Garry sits down with Parker Conrad, Co-founder & CEO of Rippling.

  • Conrad is the co-founder of two unicorns and has one of the more dramatic startup journeys in recent years.

  • Discussed; his origin story, how AI is changing the game and why he thinks the future will be defined by "compound" software startups.

WORLD

• It’s a Jubilee year in Italy

  • The Roman Catholic Church is celebrating a Jubilee Year, encouraging pilgrimages to holy sites in Italy.

  • Travel advisers recommend avoiding Rome during peak periods and suggest alternative destinations to escape the anticipated crowds.

  • Over 500,000 pilgrims have visited St. Peter's Basilica since Christmas Eve.

• Bhutan's crypto reserve may set a path for global economic growth

  • Bhutan has accumulated over $1 billion in Bitcoin, leveraging its hydroelectric resources for mining since 2019.

  • The country plans to expand its mining capacity to 600 megawatts by 2025 in partnership with Bitdeer, aiming to boost economic growth.

  • This strategy positions Bhutan as a leader in state-owned cryptocurrency reserves.

• Croatian President doubting Ukraine aid wins landslide re-election

  • Croatian President Zoran Milanović has secured a second term defeating conservative candidate Dragan Primorac.

  • Milanović has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's government.

  • His re-election suggests continued political friction between the presidency and the government.

AND MORE…

• Researchers unveil Sky-T1, a reasoning AI model trainable for under $450

  • Researchers have introduced Sky-T1, an open-source AI model designed for efficient reasoning tasks.

  • Notably, Sky-T1 can be trained for under $450, making advanced AI development more accessible.

  • This initiative aims to democratize AI research, enabling broader participation in the field.

• New Glenn: how to watch Blue Origin’s next big rocket launch

  • Blue Origin is set to launch its New Glenn rocket for the first time on January 13, 2025, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

  • The 320-foot-tall rocket features a reusable first stage powered by seven BE-4 engines.

  • This inaugural flight will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder, a payload designed to test communication and other systems.

• Top 5 upgrades coming to the Nintendo Switch 2

  • Switch 2 is expected to feature a Nvidia Tegra T239 SoC, offering performance comparable to current-gen consoles.

  • Reports suggest an 8-inch LCD screen, an increase from the original Switch's 6.2-inch and the OLED model's 7-inch displays.

  • Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be backward-compatible with existing Switch games.