Good morning. It’s Monday, April 14. Today we are covering:
Apple, Google, Cash App alums ditch Big Tech to build on bitcoin, fueled by VC money and friendly White House
US tech tariff exemption will be temporary, says Trump
FTC v. Meta Trial: The Future of Instagram and WhatsApp Is at Stake
Apple Readies Pair of Headsets While Still Looking Ahead to Glasses
How do we really feel about robots?
Let’s dive in
By MacKenzie Sigalos via CNBC
A wave of ex-Big Tech talent from Apple, Google, and Cash App is pivoting to bitcoin startups, fueled by VC funding, ideological conviction, and a more crypto-friendly Trump administration.
Austin’s Bitcoin Commons has emerged as a hub for open-source builders, Lightning developers, and off-grid miners, energized by new policy shifts like the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and proposed Bitcoin Act.
Startups are tackling bitcoin infrastructure—from privacy-preserving cloud platforms to insured custody solutions—amid surging investment and a bullish outlook, despite ongoing regulatory and existential risks.
𝕏: The innovation happening in Austin at @bitcoincommons is truly special!The world is finally catching up. Congrats to @parkeralewis and so many others on this awesome @CNBC article! - Charlene Fadirepo,The Bitcoin Strategist (@CharFadirepo)
US tech tariff exemption will be temporary, says Trump
By Aime Williams via Financial Times
Donald Trump warned that tariff exemptions for tech imports like smartphones and chips from China are temporary, as they’ll be reconsidered in upcoming semiconductor-focused investigations.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that electronics may soon fall under new semiconductor tariffs, reflecting a push to relocate the tech supply chain to the U.S. amid national security concerns.
The shifting stance has rattled Wall Street, with warnings from figures like Ray Dalio and Bill Ackman about economic fallout, while China urged Washington to walk back tariffs, calling protectionism unsustainable.
𝕏: This level of unpredictability will lead to massive layoffs then a recession In the next 30 days we will see folks like target, Walmart, big tech, little tech, Nike, lululemon, restoration hardware, etc cut 10-15% of their employees — unless this administration wraps this up - @jason (@Jason)
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FTC v. Meta Trial: The Future of Instagram and WhatsApp Is at Stake
By Paresh Dave via WIRED
The FTC’s antitrust trial against Meta begins this week, aiming to force the company to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing these acquisitions were used to illegally maintain a monopoly in the personal social networking market.
Meta defends itself by claiming the FTC defined the market too narrowly, excluding competitors like TikTok and YouTube, and argues that consumers and advertisers weren’t harmed by the deals.
A loss for Meta could lead to a forced spinoff of its key platforms, significantly impacting its ad revenue and growth strategy, though the legal battle is expected to take years to resolve.
Apple Readies Pair of Headsets While Still Looking Ahead to Glasses
By Mark Gurman via Bloomberg
Apple is developing two new versions of its Vision Pro headset, while continuing long-term efforts toward creating lightweight AR glasses.
A major update to iPadOS 19 is in the works, aiming to bring more macOS-like features to the iPad lineup.
Trump's tariff exemption for iPhones assembled in China offers Apple a significant win amid trade policy uncertainty.
𝕏: NEW: Apple is planning a lighter and cheaper Vision Pro, plus a new tethered version with zero latency for enterprise apps. It’s also working on Meta Ray Ban-like non-AR glasses as Tim Cook has prioritized true AR glasses. - Mark Gurman (@markgurman)
How do we really feel about robots?
By Rhodri Marsden via Financial Times
Visions of humanoid household robots remain aspirational, as companies like Unitree, Roborock, and 1X show incremental advances but struggle with replicating complex human behavior.
Emotional attachment to robots is growing, with Japanese firms like Yukai Engineering leading in creating emotionally resonant companions such as Mirumi and Nékojita FuFu, emphasizing charm over functionality.
Cultural attitudes in East Asia, particularly Japan, foster greater acceptance of robots as companions or even family members, influenced by animation, religion, and long-standing perceptions of animism.
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