🚗 Spotify Shuts Down Car Thing, China's Battery Prices Plummet, New E-Reader/iPad Hybrid

Happy Friday! Conclude your week with our roundup of key highlights and breakthroughs in technology and AI.

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Today’s pick

• Spotify is going to break every Car Thing gadget it ever sold

• The Electric: China's Iron-Based Batteries Are Even Cheaper Than We Thought 

• The Daylight DC-1 is an exciting cross between a Kindle and an iPad - with an LCD screen that looks like E ink

• Elon Musk Says Tesla Can Compete With China Without Tariffs 

• All-screen M5 MacBook with foldable display now rumored for 2026 

Let’s dive in

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Spotify is going to break every Car Thing gadget it ever sold 

By Chris Welch via The Verge

• Spotify will discontinue its Car Thing gadget, rendering it inoperable as of December 9th, 2024, with no refunds or credits for customers.

• The decision is part of Spotify's strategy to streamline product offerings and focus on new features for a better overall user experience.

• Initially launched in April 2021 and sold publicly in February 2022, the Car Thing was a limited remote control for Spotify on mobile phones, attracting a niche community but ultimately lacking broader appeal. 

𝕏: hey @Spotify i’d love my money back for my perfectly functional car thing that will cease to work at the end of this year thanks - danielle (@sightofthesun_)

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The Electric: China's Iron-Based Batteries Are Even Cheaper Than We Thought 

By Steve LeVine via The Information 

• China's iron-based batteries have dropped to an average price of $47 per kilowatt hour, which is half the price of similar batteries outside China.

• This new price is even lower than the previously reported $56 per kilowatt hour, significantly undercutting last year's average by 40%.

• The pricing data comes from a recent survey by BloombergNEF, highlighting the rapid decline in battery costs within China.

𝕏: A US battery developer told me that if $56/kWh LFP ever reaches the US, American stationary battery makers “will be toast—everyone.” We report today that the price in China is now $47/kWh. The Electric. - Steve LeVine (@stevelevine)

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The Daylight DC-1 is an exciting cross between a Kindle and an iPad - with an LCD screen that looks like E ink

By Mark Wilson via TechRadar

• The Daylight DC-1 combines features of a Kindle and an iPad, offering an LCD screen that mimics the appearance of E ink.

• This device presents a new alternative to the reMarkable 2 for users seeking a unique reading and tablet experience.

• The Daylight DC-1's innovative screen technology promises to deliver the best of both e-readers and tablets.

𝕏: I've been playing with Daylight for some time now. It's the only computer I feel comfortable sharing w/ my kids! - Akshay Kothari (@akothari)

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Elon Musk Says Tesla Can Compete With China Without Tariffs 

By Ginger Adams Otis via Wall Street Journal 

• Elon Musk stated that Tesla does not need government incentives or tariffs to compete with China in the EV market.

• Musk expressed surprise at the Biden administration's announcement of new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, batteries, and parts.

• During the Viva Technology conference in Paris, Musk emphasized that Tesla competes effectively in China without tariffs or differential support.

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All-screen M5 MacBook with foldable display now rumored for 2026 

By Ryan Christoffel via 9to5Mac 

• Apple is developing an all-screen foldable MacBook with a targeted release date of 2026, a year earlier than previously reported.

• The device may feature an 18.8-inch or 20.3-inch foldable display, with the goal of achieving a crease-free design through high-cost components.

• The foldable MacBook is expected to include an M5-series chip and will likely be priced significantly higher than current MacBook models due to the high cost of the display and hinge.

𝕏: Apple’s first foldable product  -  the full-screen foldable MacBook survey update - Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo)

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Trending in AI

• Google promised a better search experience — now it’s telling us to put glue on our pizza

• Meta Is Working on a Paid Version of Its AI Assistant 

• Cohere launches open weights AI model Aya 23 with support for nearly two dozen languages

• Alphabet, Meta Offer Millions to Partner With Hollywood on AI

• Chat Xi PT? China’s Chatbot Makes Sure It’s a Good Comrade

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Thanks for reading to the bottom and soaking in our Newslit Daily fueled with highlights for your morning.

I hope you found it interesting and, needless to say, if you have any questions or feedback let me know by hitting reply.

Take care and see you on Monday!

— Jose Montes de Oca

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