Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire the streaming rights for Formula 1, aiming to expand its investment in live sports. This move follows Apple's existing deals with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. ESPN's current contract for F1 is set to expire next year, and Apple will face competition from ESPN and other potential bidders.

This news coincides with the success of Apple's new F1 movie, produced by Lewis Hamilton, and the overall surge in popularity of F1. Netflix's "Drive to Survive" series played a significant role in introducing the sport to a broader audience, particularly in the U.S., leading to increased viewership of live F1 races, especially among young women.

Perplexity has launched Comet, its first AI-powered web browser, to compete with Google Search. Initially available to Perplexity Max subscribers and select invitees, Comet features Perplexity's AI search engine as the default, providing AI-generated summaries of search results.

Key features include Comet Assistant, an AI agent that automates tasks such as summarizing emails and managing tabs. While Comet Assistant shows promise for simple tasks and contextual assistance, it struggles with more complex requests and requires extensive user access to personal data.

Comet enters a competitive market with existing AI-powered browsers like The Browser Company's Dia and potential offerings from OpenAI. Perplexity aims to leverage its existing user base and the increasing popularity of its search products to gain traction in the browser market.

iMerit is shifting its focus to better-quality data, utilizing expert-led approaches for enterprise AI solutions. The company's Scholars program aims to build a workforce of experts to fine-tune AI models for enterprise applications.

iMerit differentiates itself by focusing on high-accuracy, human-in-the-loop labeling, and deep domain-specific oversight. The company emphasizes attracting and retaining cognitive experts to customize AI models towards solving enterprise problems.

iMerit's approach contrasts with high-throughput, developer-focused "blitz data" and aims to provide the level of quality that enterprises need. The company works with top AI firms to improve their foundation models, focusing on finance and medicine, highlighting that generative AI is its fastest-growing area.

Estonian VC firm Darkstar is challenging the conventional dual-use requirement in defense tech investing by focusing on purely military applications emerging from Ukraine. Founded by Ragnar Sass, Darkstar aims to rearm Europe with combat-proven solutions.

Darkstar targets pre-seed and seed rounds with investments between €500k to €1 million, having already invested in FarSight Vision, which specializes in geospatial analytics, and Deftak, which develops ammunition for drones.

The firm takes a hands-on approach, assisting startups with access to military customers and setting up compliant entities in NATO countries. Sass, a veteran of the Estonian startup ecosystem, emphasizes the urgency of defense tech innovation in light of Russia's ongoing aggression, noting that elite Ukrainian units are highly innovative and adaptable.

Darkstar completed a first close of €15 million backed by European entrepreneurs and SmartCap. The firm plans to invest in autonomous systems, air defense, cybersecurity, and other critical areas, providing support through bootcamps and leveraging its deep connections within Ukraine's defense community.

Jeff Williams, Apple's COO, will retire later this month.

Sabih Khan, currently SVP of Operations, will become the new COO.

Williams, after three decades at Apple, wants to spend more time with family.

He will continue to report to Tim Cook and oversee the design team and Apple Watch until his retirement.

The design team will then report directly to Cook.

Williams played a key role in the iPod, iPhone, and Apple Watch development.

Waymo has launched teen accounts in Phoenix, allowing teenagers aged 14-17 to book their own autonomous vehicle rides. This service mirrors similar offerings from Uber and aims to provide a safer transportation option for teens.

Parents can link their accounts to their teen's profile, enabling them to track trips. Waymo emphasizes safety, citing specially trained support agents available 24/7 to assist teens during rides and contact parents if needed.

The expansion addresses the higher risk of traffic accidents faced by teenagers. Waymo plans to extend teen accounts to other cities where its app is available, including potential integration with network partners like Uber in locations such as Austin, Atlanta, Miami and Washington D.C.

Rivian is now accepting orders for its 2026 Quad Motor pickup truck and SUV, highlighting the power and software advancements of these EVs. The quad-motor system delivers 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds.

• Kick Turn: A new feature allows the vehicle to spin about its center on dirt, enhancing off-road maneuverability.
• RAD Tuner: Drivers can customize driving dynamics through the central touchscreen, adjusting balance, stability, and ride height.
• Launch Cam: Automatically captures videos of "Launch Mode" with real-time stats like speed and distance.
• NACS Charging: The 2026 models include the North American Charging Standard, granting access to Tesla's Supercharger network.
• Trip Planner Update: The EV charging trip planner now reflects NACS station compatibility.

Rivian's second-generation overhaul aims to reduce manufacturing costs and improve EV performance by integrating in-house hardware and software.