🍏 After Apple, Jony Ive Is Building an Empire of His Own

• Jony Ive, former head of design at Apple, has been building a new life in San Francisco since leaving the company five years ago, focusing on imaginative architecture.
• He has acquired multiple buildings in San Francisco's Jackson Square and plans to transform the vacant areas into community spaces.
• This marks a significant shift for Ive, who has kept a low profile regarding his projects since departing from Apple.

💻 Matt Mullenweg calls WP Engine a ‘cancer to WordPress' and urges community to switch providers

• Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic and co-creator of WordPress, has publicly criticized WP Engine, calling it a “cancer to WordPress” for profiting off WordPress without adequately contributing back to the community.
• Mullenweg highlighted the disparity in contributions to the "Five for the Future" initiative, revealing that Automattic contributes 3,900 hours weekly to support WordPress, while WP Engine contributes only 40 hours, despite both companies being of similar size.
• Following Mullenweg's remarks, WP Engine sent a cease and desist letter to Automattic, denying Mullenweg's allegations and demanding a retraction of his comments.

🤖 Meta has a major opportunity to win the AI hardware race

• AI wearables, especially the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1, have failed to meet expectations, leading to a lack of commercial success similar to past gimmicks like Google Glass.
• The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses stand out as a successful AI wearable due to their stylish design, competitive pricing at $299, and practical features that enhance usability without overly relying on AI.
• The Meta glasses effectively integrate AI as a supplementary feature, unlike competitors, and the company has the opportunity to improve the product further in future iterations, with an upcoming event that may showcase these advancements.

✈️ Automatic takeoffs are coming for passenger jets and they're going to redraw the map of the sky

• Embraer is introducing an "E2 Enhanced Take Off System" for its E2 family of aircraft, aiming to improve safety and efficiency during takeoffs by reducing pilot workload and allowing for optimized takeoff profiles.
• The new automated system, currently in flight testing and expected to gain approval by 2025, is planned for use at select airports and allows takeoffs to occur earlier and with less runway, while preventing tail strikes.
• Despite advancements, the system will not replace pilots, as it requires pilot oversight and control during emergencies, marking it as an enhancement rather than a move toward full automation in aviation.

📉 Zoom to Cut Back on Stock-Based Compensation, Joining Salesforce, Workday

• Zoom Video Communications is cutting back on stock-based compensation for employees, following similar moves by companies like Salesforce and Workday.
• CEO Eric Yuan cited unsustainable levels of equity issuance leading to high dilution and a need to proactively reduce stock grants.
• The changes will include phasing out the "annual performance equity plan" over two years and increasing cash bonuses for some employees, as Zoom's stock has lost about 6% this year.

⚙️ OpenAI CEO: We may have AI superintelligence in 'a few thousand days'

• Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, predicts that superintelligent AI could emerge within a decade, citing deep learning as the catalyst for a new technological era he calls "The Intelligence Age."
• Altman envisions AI playing a significant role in enhancing individual capabilities through personal AI teams, leading to breakthroughs in various fields like education and healthcare, while acknowledging potential labor market disruptions.
• While optimistic about the positive impacts of AI, Altman emphasizes the need for careful navigation of the associated risks and challenges, stating that the Intelligence Age will present both opportunities and complexities.