Google Delays Flagship Gemini 3.5 Pro Amid Internal Hurdles and Stiff Competition, SpaceX Aborts Starship Launch After Engine Failure, and Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K3: 2.8 Trillion Parameter Model.
Please SUBSCRIBE HERE for free or
get DTNS shows ad-free.
A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you enjoy what you see you can support the show on Patreon, Thank you!
Send us email to feedback@dailytechnewsshow.com
Show Notes
Honda Ends U.S. Prologue EV Sales
Honda has pulled the plug on U.S. sales of the Prologue electric SUV, effectively ending sales of all its EVs in the U.S. after the 2026 model year. This is largely due to the loss of federal incentives and a shift away from its collaborative platform with General Motors. The decision significantly limits Honda’s U.S. zero-emission vehicle offerings, leaving the hydrogen-powered CR-V e:FCEV in California as the primary alternative, despite the company’s continued commitment to EVs in international markets.
Source: Engadget
Google Delays Gemini 3.5 Pro
Google is facing significant delays in the release of its flagship AI model, Gemini 3.5 Pro, amid internal challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and intense competition from rivals like Anthropic and OpenAI. While the company is working to unify its AI development efforts, it struggles with capacity constraints and organizational fragmentation. Furthermore, while some customers find utility in the existing Gemini 3.5 Flash model, others report dissatisfaction with its performance and cost compared to competitor offerings, leading some to shift toward alternative models.
Source: Bloomberg
SpaceX Aborts Second Starship V3 Launch
SpaceX’s second attempt to launch its upgraded Starship rocket was aborted on Thursday after an engine ignition failure moments after liftoff. Elon Musk confirmed that engine issues triggered an automatic abort, and the company plans to replace two engines before rescheduling the launch for next week. Following the failed attempt, SpaceX’s stock price dropped below its $135 IPO price, closing down more than 4% in after-hours trading as the company faces continued technical hurdles in its efforts to validate the Starship-Starlink system for orbital data centers.
Source: TechCrunch
Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K3
Chinese startup Moonshot AI has launched Kimi K3, its largest AI model to date with 2.8 trillion parameters. While it still trails leading U.S. systems like Claude Fable 5 and GPT 5.6 Sol, it has surpassed other models on benchmarks such as coding and general agents. This development highlights China’s rapid progress in AI despite compute constraints, intensifying the U.S.-China AI race and drawing interest from Western companies due to the model’s competitive performance and lower costs, prompting U.S. lawmakers to consider potential restrictions.
Source: CNBC
Micron Signs AI Auto Chip Deals
Micron Technology has locked in several long-term deals with major automotive suppliers like Qualcomm and Harman to supply the memory and storage needed for the next generation of AI-driven vehicles. As the demand for AI tools pushes the chip industry to scale up, these partnerships help Micron stabilize its supply chain and pricing for automakers. With the industry moving toward software-defined vehicles, these agreements put Micron in a strong position to support advanced features like digital cockpits and driver-assistance systems, helping them capitalize on growth beyond their core data center business.
Source: Reuters
Signal Adds Android Device Linking
Signal’s latest beta includes a handy new feature that lets you link an Android phone or tablet to your main account, removing the need for a separate number for each device. By scanning a QR code from your primary phone, you can sync your chat history across devices. The update also introduces a customizable, split-screen interface for tablets that makes it easier to view your chats in landscape mode, though these features are currently still in beta.
Source: Engadget
Zoox Recalls Robotaxi Software
Amazon-owned Zoox has initiated a software recall for its fleet of 105 robotaxis after one vehicle failed to navigate a smoke-filled emergency scene in June. The update, which improves the detection of heavy smoke and active emergency sites, was released following pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which recently warned AV developers to ensure their vehicles do not interfere with first responders. There were no injuries reported during the incident.
Source: TechCrunch
X and Music Labels Settle Copyright Dispute
Major music publishers, including Universal Music Group and Sony Music, have agreed to end their long-standing legal battle with X Corp over copyright infringement claims. Both sides filed requests in Tennessee and Texas federal courts to dismiss the pending lawsuits and countersuits with prejudice, effectively resolving the dispute without immediate public confirmation of the specific terms or any settlement details.
Source: Reuters
Netflix Expands Generative AI Use
Netflix revealed in its Q2 earnings report that roughly 300 titles now incorporate generative AI, primarily for post-production tasks like complex visual effects, worldbuilding, and crowd enhancement. As the company increases its investment in AI acquisitions and new studio initiatives, it reported $12.56 billion in earnings while actively diversifying its content strategy with podcasts, short-form clips, and potential always-on channels to better compete with free-to-watch platforms like YouTube.
Source: The Verge
Roblox Launches AI Game Builder
Roblox has introduced Build, a new mobile-based AI tool that enables users to create games from simple text prompts, bypassing the need for traditional programming. While the feature aims to democratize game development, it has sparked industry concerns regarding potential quality issues and increased competition, prompting Roblox to emphasize that it will rank AI-generated games based on player retention to ensure quality. The feature launches in public alpha on July 28 for users in New Zealand, with further AI-powered development tools for playtesting and 3D scene generation expected to roll out in the coming months.
Source: TechCrunch
You must be logged in to post a comment.