This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on Netflix, follow Andrew Webster. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Boggle has become a spectator sport in my household. Everyone crowds around the […]
Decagon CEO Jesse Zhang proposes open source and frontier AI models are not rivals but part of a lifecycle. Mature use cases shift to cheaper open source, while expensive frontier models drive new discoveries, maintaining overall spend.
Microsoft is reportedly reducing reliance on OpenAI and Anthropic AI models for Office apps like Excel and Word, opting instead for its own in-house MAI models to cut costs. This move aligns with a broader industry trend of tech companies curbing AI spending.
Discord's AI moderation system mistakenly banned over 8,000 users in two months due to a bug that flagged harmless images like spreadsheets and game textures as harmful. The company is restoring affected accounts and working on better safeguards.
Google's Made By Google event is set for August 12 in NYC, where new Pixel phones and watches are expected. Rumors suggest increased prices due to AI component shortages, with base storage potentially rising to 256GB.
Figma has acquired Bud, an AI and coding platform, to enhance its design capabilities with AI and integrate coding closer to its canvas. Bud and its previous iteration, Orchids, will shut down by July 18, with users needing to migrate projects.
Google has announced its "Made by Google" launch event for August 12 in New York City. Rumors suggest the new Pixel 11 lineup will feature design upgrades, including a gold color variant, slimmer bezels, and a sleek black camera bar. A potential Pixel 11 Pro Fold is also rumored. However, Google may skip the 128GB option, starting with 256GB, potentially increasing prices.
