Duolingo Adds Chess Course, Google Antitrust Case Updates, and New EVs

Duolingo Expands Beyond Language Learning

• 💡 Duolingo is launching a new chess course designed for beginners, utilizing its signature gamified, bite-sized lesson approach.
• 🎯 The course includes interactive puzzles and mini-matches against a virtual coach, aiming to fill a gap for new and intermediate chess players.
• 🚀 This marks Duolingo's third non-linguistic course, following its math and music offerings, signaling a broader strategy as a general learning app.

Google Antitrust Case and Exclusive Deals

• ⚖️ In the Google Antitrust case, testimony revealed a 2-year contract with Samsung to pre-install Gemini on devices, involving a fee and revenue share.
• ⚠️ Google's VP stated that Gemini placement is non-exclusive, and Samsung received competitive offers from OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft.
• 📈 The DOJ aims to use this to show that pressure is already causing Google to act better, advocating for permanent changes.

Instagram's New Video Editing App and Other Tech Briefs

• 📱 Instagram has released Edits, a standalone video editing app competing with Cap Cut, offering features like green screen and AI editing capabilities.
• 🔒 Google Messages is rolling out a sensitive content warnings feature that blurs nudity on-device, with opt-in for adults and automatic enablement for supervised users.
• 🚗 Apple has removed the "available now" label from its Apple Intelligence web page following NAD recommendations that the advertising implied features were immediately available.
• 🔵 Blue Sky is introducing new verification methods, including a round blue checkmark for select users and a scalloped edge blue checkmark for organizations.

Emerging Electric Vehicles on the Horizon

• 🇨🇳 Nio is launching its Firefly sub-brand in China, a premium, compact EV with a 42 kWh battery and 420 km range, not expected in the US.
• ⚡ The Chevy Bolt is set to return, built on GM's Ultium platform, with specs to be announced but anticipated to be under $30,000.
• ☀️ The Aptera three-wheeled EV features integrated solar panels generating up to 40 miles of range per day and a claimed 400-mile range on a full charge.
• 🚚 TE Trucks is releasing the MT1 pickup truck, modeled after Japanese K trucks, offering substantial interior space for its small footprint and an estimated range of 260-350 miles, starting around $41,000.