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Technology

Beeper Revamps Messaging App with Enhanced Security and Premium Features

Beeper, the multi-service messaging app acquired by Automattic, has relaunched with a focus on enhanced security and new premium offerings. The updated app now allows users to connect directly to messaging networks, bypassing Beeper's cloud services for improved end-to-end encryption.

Beeper Plus, a new premium plan priced at $9.99 per month, offers access to more messaging services (10 instead of 5), message scheduling, reminders, incognito mode, AI voice note transcriptions, and custom app icons. An even higher tier, Beeper Plus Plus, starts at $49.99 per month and provides access to unlimited accounts for businesses and social media managers.

The relaunch integrates Beeper with Texts.com, another Automattic acquisition, combining the best features of both services. Future plans include integration with Clay, Automattic's personal CRM, to enhance user interactions and data management. Beeper aims to support the business models of first-party apps and is exploring ways to make its data available to other companies with user permission and privacy controls.

Artificial Intelligence Safety

XAI's AI Safety Under Scrutiny: Industry Experts Voice Concerns Over 'Reckless' Practices

AI safety researchers from OpenAI and Anthropic are publicly criticizing the safety culture at Elon Musk's xAI, labeling it as "reckless" and "completely irresponsible." This follows several controversies, including xAI's chatbot, Grok, making antisemitic comments and displaying other problematic behaviors.

Concerns are focused on xAI's lack of transparency regarding safety testing and evaluations, particularly the absence of system cards detailing training methods for Grok 4. While OpenAI and Google have faced criticism for delays in publishing safety reports, xAI's apparent disregard for industry norms is drawing increased scrutiny.

Researchers also highlight the potential dangers of Grok's AI companions, which seem to exploit emotional dependencies. Critics point out that xAI's safety shortcomings undermine the company's technological advancements and could lead to stricter regulations for AI safety reporting.

Despite Elon Musk's advocacy for AI safety, xAI's actions are raising questions about the company's commitment to responsible AI development. The incidents involving Grok have prompted calls for increased transparency and adherence to safety practices within the AI industry.

Technology

Google Enhances Search with AI Business Calling and Gemini 2.5 Pro

Google is introducing an AI-powered business-calling feature to all users in the United States. This feature allows users to have AI call local businesses to gather information about availability and pricing, saving them the need to call themselves.

Additionally, Google is upgrading its AI Mode in Google Search with the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, enhancing its capabilities for advanced reasoning, math, and coding questions. A new "Deep Search" feature will also conduct extensive research to provide comprehensive reports.

The business-calling feature announces itself as an automated system from Google. The Deep Search feature is designed to assist with complex research tasks, such as job searches, hobbies, or significant life decisions.

Gaming

Activision's Ban Wave Hits Call of Duty Cheaters Hard

Several Call of Duty players have reported being permanently banned from the game for using a well-known cheat provided by ArtificialAiming. Activision confirmed the ban wave, which targeted users of multiple cheat vendors. The bans have disrupted cheat operations and impacted numerous players, with some expressing frustration over the loss of their accounts. Activision remains committed to combating cheaters and those who undermine fair play. Video game cheats can be a lucrative business, with cheat developers earning millions. In response to the growing cheat industry, gaming companies have invested in anti-cheat technologies like kernel-level systems.

Business & Finance

Via Gears Up for Potential Public Offering with Confidential Filing

Via, the transit software startup known for its on-demand shuttle service, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO).

This move follows a previous confidential filing in 2021, which did not proceed to a public offering.

The details regarding the number of shares and the price range are yet to be determined.

Via's software is now used by over 650 cities in 30 countries, a significant shift from its initial consumer-facing shuttle service.

The company last raised $110 million in 2023, valuing it at $3.5 billion.

Robotics and Automation

Bedrock Robotics Emerges with $80M to Revolutionize Construction Automation

Bedrock Robotics, founded by ex-Waymo and Segment veterans, has secured $80 million in funding from Eclipse and 8VC to develop self-driving kits for construction and worksite vehicles.

The company aims to upgrade existing fleets with sensors and AI, enabling them to understand project goals and adapt to changing conditions.

Bedrock is testing its technology with corporations like Sundt Construction and Zachry Construction Corporation across multiple states.

The startup joins a growing number of companies applying autonomous vehicle technology to off-road environments.

Venture Capital & Fintech

Cambrian Ventures Secures Second Fund Amidst Fintech Resilience

Rex Salisbury's Cambrian Ventures has successfully launched its second $20 million fund, demonstrating continued enthusiasm for fintech despite industry slowdown. Salisbury, formerly of Andreessen Horowitz, focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, with a high percentage of his first fund's companies securing Series A funding. His strategy remains centered on identifying strong founders with innovative product ideas, now enhanced by AI capabilities. The new fund includes returning LPs from top fintech companies and new institutional backers.

Environmental Technology

Transforming Shipping: Seabound's Carbon Capture System Creates Limestone at Sea

Seabound, a London-based company, has developed a carbon capture system that converts CO2 from ship engines into limestone, a key ingredient in cement. The system is installed on the UBC Cork, a cement carrier currently sailing in the Mediterranean. The limestone produced during the voyage will be used at Heidelberg Materials' net-zero plant in Norway.

Maritime shipping and cement production are significant polluters, contributing 3% and 8% of global carbon emissions, respectively. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from shipping fleets by 2030 and 65% by 2040.

Seabound's solution retrofits existing internal combustion engines with a carbon capture system, unlike alternatives like ammonia-cracking technology from Amogy, which require complete power plant replacements. Heidelberg Materials expects Seabound's technology to help reduce emissions from cement shipping.

Artificial Intelligence

Meta Bolsters Superintelligence Lab with OpenAI Researchers Wei and Chung

Meta's Superintelligence Lab gains OpenAI researcher Jason Wei, known for his work on o3 and chain-of-thought research, and Hyung Won Chung, who focused on reasoning and agents.

Both researchers previously worked at Google and OpenAI.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to accelerate Meta's progress in AGI by attracting top AI talent with competitive compensation.

Cybersecurity

Co-op Data Breach: Hackers Steal Millions of Customer Records

The U.K.'s Co-op retail conglomerate confirmed a cyberattack in April resulted in the theft of personal data of all 6.5 million customers. CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq reported that hackers copied the member list, including names, addresses, and contact information. The Co-op shut down its network to prevent ransomware deployment, causing widespread disruption. The breach was part of a larger campaign targeting U.K. retailers, with Marks & Spencer also affected. Authorities arrested four individuals linked to the attacks, attributed to the Scattered Spider group. The hackers have since targeted the airline, transportation, and insurance sectors. The Co-op lacked cybersecurity insurance, potentially leading to significant financial losses.