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.

ByteDance is reportedly planning to launch a U.S.-specific version of its popular video editing app, CapCut.

This move is speculated to be in response to a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to divest from its U.S. assets, including TikTok, or face a ban.

CapCut has achieved over 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store and is currently the top video app on the iOS U.S. App Store.

ByteDance is also said to be developing a new version of TikTok for U.S. users ahead of a potential sale.

The plans for U.S.-specific apps for ByteDance's other services, Lemon8 and Gauth, remain unknown.

Bookshop.org, an independent online bookseller, is holding an Anti-Prime Day sale to coincide with Amazon's Prime Day. The sale aims to attract customers who want to support independent bookstores instead of Amazon.

In a pointed move, Bookshop.org mocked the graphic design of Jeff Bezos' recent $50 million wedding invitations, which were criticized for their lo-fi, childish design reminiscent of Microsoft Word clip art.

Bookshop.org's promotional message reads: "Enjoy free shipping and the knowledge that your money will go toward supporting independent bookstores, not billionaires," highlighting the contrast between supporting independent businesses and contributing to the wealth of billionaires.

Marks & Spencer chairman Archie Norman refused to disclose whether the company paid a hacking group following a ransomware attack earlier this year. The company confirmed that hackers stole customer data, including names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and order histories, disrupting operations for weeks. Norman stated that recovery efforts are ongoing and expected to continue until October or November.

The Nothing Phone (3), priced at $799, aims to compete with Samsung and Apple by focusing on design and software. It features a transparent design with asymmetric elements and a Glyph Matrix, a circle-shaped second screen displaying information like time and battery level. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, has a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, and includes three 50-megapixel cameras. While the camera quality is good, color accuracy needs improvement. The international version has a 5150mAh battery with 65W wired and 15W wireless charging. AI features include an Essential Key for quick access to the Nothing Space app and Essential Search, which uses Google’s Gemini models for web searches. Available in the U.S. through Nothing's website and Amazon, the phone faces competition from Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, and iPhone 16. In India, its high price has received mixed reactions.

Slate Auto, an electric truck startup, has raised $700 million to date, including a Series A round with investments from Jeff Bezos and Slauson & Co.

Slauson & Co. invested in Slate due to its mission of providing affordable, reliable, and customizable vehicles manufactured domestically.

Slate Auto's CEO Chris Barman, Chairman Rodney Copes, and CFO Ryan Green bring decades of automotive industry experience from companies like Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, and Rivian.

Slate's truck has garnered over 100,000 refundable reservations and is backed by investors such as Mark Walter and General Catalyst.

Slauson & Co. believes the investment in Slate Auto can generate significant returns despite the low-margin auto business.