🚗 US targets Chinese tech in cars; SpaceX faces lawsuit; iPhone slows innovation

Good morning. It’s Monday, September 23. Today we are covering:

• US proposes banning Chinese software and components in vehicles 

• The Morning After: SpaceX gets a surprising new enemy 

• Apple's New iPhone 16 Reflects a Slowing Pace of Innovation 

• Tiny nuclear-powered battery could work for decades in space or at sea 

• David Energy is going up against Goliath energy incumbents 

Let’s dive in

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US proposes banning Chinese software and components in vehicles 

By Felicia Schwartz via Financial Times

• The US Commerce Department proposed banning Chinese software and hardware in vehicles with built-in internet, aiming to prevent data collection and remote manipulation by foreign adversaries.

• The ban would effectively block Chinese and Russian vehicles from the US market, with software restrictions starting in 2027 and hardware bans by 2029, focusing on national security threats.

• The proposed rule follows concerns about Chinese vehicles flooding markets, as seen in Europe, and includes exceptions for companies taking mitigating measures.

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The Morning After: SpaceX gets a surprising new enemy 

By Daniel Cooper via Engadget

• Cards Against Humanity has sued SpaceX for trespassing on land it bought in 2017, alleging that SpaceX has used it for construction staging and parking, seeking $15 million in compensation.

• Microsoft is funding the reactivation of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, previously the site of a near disaster in 1979, to power its AI data centers.

• OpenAI staff were reportedly surprised by a new, more ominous logo rebranding, while a secret project between Jony Ive and Sam Altman is under development.

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Apple's New iPhone 16 Reflects a Slowing Pace of Innovation 

By Mark Gurman via Bloomberg

• The new iPhone 16 introduces significant camera improvements but highlights Apple's slowing pace of hardware innovation.

• Apple plans to release multiple updates to iOS 18 throughout 2025, alongside a still-elusive, highly anticipated Apple Watch configuration.

• The latest iOS 18.1 beta has arrived, continuing Apple's steady software development despite slower hardware advancements.

𝕏: A slew of updates to iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence are in the works. - Mark Gurman (@markgurman)

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Tiny nuclear-powered battery could work for decades in space or at sea 

By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan via New Scientist

• Researchers have developed an efficient nuclear battery powered by radioactive decay, using americium to create a stable green glow that generates electricity with unprecedented efficiency.

• The tiny battery could last for decades and is designed for use in challenging environments like space missions and deep-sea exploration, though improvements in power output and safety are still needed.

• Despite its efficiency, the battery produces significantly less power than conventional devices, requiring billions of units to power something as simple as a 60-watt light bulb.

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David Energy is going up against Goliath energy incumbents 

By Rebecca Szkutak via TechCrunch

• David Energy, founded by James McGinniss, aims to decarbonize the energy grid by selling clean energy to small businesses and residential customers, using software to optimize energy consumption.

• The startup recently raised $23 million in a Series A-1 round to expand into new regions and scale its software platform, which helps users track and reduce their energy usage.

• Despite facing challenges from established energy incumbents, David Energy is optimistic about its software-driven approach to managing the energy grid and expects continued growth through customer referrals.

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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 tomorrow!

— Jose Montes de Oca

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