Fintech startup Plaid has raised $575 million in a new funding round that puts its valuation at $6 billionβless than half of its 2021 peak of $13.4 billion. The new round gives employees a way to cash out their equity, [β¦]
Tesla trade-ins in the U.S. are at an all time high as some owners become disillusioned with Elon Muskβs politics, and some just want to avoid their car getting keyed by Musk haters.Β Automakers are pouncing on the opportunity. Polestar, Lucid Motors, Volvo, and Ford β which have long trailed Tesla in EV sales β [β¦]
First things first, some exciting news: The Vergecast has been nominated for a Webby Award! This one means a lot to us, especially because itΓ’ΒΒs an award you get to vote on. WeΓ’ΒΒd be so grateful if youΓ’ΒΒd go vote for us once, or 40 times, or however many times the site will allow. (Also, honestly, you should listen to some of the other nominees; all four are great shows. Just donΓ’ΒΒt vote for them.)
Now, as for this episode. This is a seriously Vergecast-y week, actually, in the sense that two of the yearΓ’ΒΒs biggest news stories Γ’ΒΒ the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Trump administrationΓ’ΒΒs disastrous economic policy Γ’ΒΒΓΒ are both unfolding simultaneously, and stand to affect one another in unusually direct ways. So in this episode, thatΓ’ΒΒs what we talk about: the gadget weΓ’ΒΒre all eagerly awaiting, and the policy chaos that could change the way it works.
First, we talk Switch. NintendoΓ’ΒΒs Direct announcement this week brought a lot of new information about the companyΓ’ΒΒs new console, and a peek at some of its most anticipated games. Nilay, David, and The VergeΓ’ΒΒs Richard Lawler dig into wha …
Andrew Cunningham and Lee Hutchinson have spent decades of their lives with Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's Wheel of Time books, and they previously brought that knowledge to bear as they recapped each first season episode and second season episode of Amazon's WoT TV series. Now we're back in the saddle for season 3βalong with insights, jokes, and the occasional wild theory.
These recaps won't cover every element of every episode, but they will contain major spoilers for the show and the book series. We'll do our best to not spoil major future events from the books, but there's always the danger that something might slip out. If you want to stay completely unspoiled and haven't read the books, these recaps aren't for you.
New episodes of The Wheel of Time season 3 will be posted for Amazon Prime subscribers every Thursday. This write-up covers episode six, "The Shadow in the Night," which was released on April 3.
Microsoft is in a strong position 50 years into its existence, but regulations and competitive pressures in artificial intelligence challenge future growth.
Honda is looking to the stars for its next hydrogen breakthrough.
The automaker is teaming up with space tech companies Sierra Space and Tec-Masters to test its high-differential pressure water electrolysis system on the International Space Station. The test is part of Hondaβs vision to support life on the Moon and elsewhere in space using regenerative fuel cell technology that continuously produces hydrogen, oxygen, and electricity.
Itβs another risky move from Honda, which is more bullish on hydrogen than most other automakers. Hydrogen-powered cars have historically faced a lot of hurdles, including fueling challenges and pricing pressures. But Honda is counting on hydrogen to help it decarbonize its vehicle fleet by 2040. And now it wants to tap into the most abundant element in the universe to power its push into space.
Honda says it envisions its hydrogen-powered regenerative system as part of a human settlement on the lunar surface. But it also hopes that by stress testing the technology on the Moon, it can prove its utility on Earth.
Itβs another risky move from Honda, which is more bullish on hydrogen than most other automakers
Hereβs how Hondaβs system works: during the lunar day, the system will use electricity generated by solar panels capturing sunlight. The companyβs high-differential pressure water electrolysis system will then produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. When the Moon rotates away from the Sun, some of the oxygen will be used for astronauts, with the rest put toward generating electricity. The only byproduct of the electrolysis process is water, which is recycled back into the regenerative system, creating a closed-loop energy cycle.
Honda plans on testing the process in the microgravity environment on the ISS. The company says it will work with NASA to transport the equipment on Sierra Spaceβs Dream Chaser spaceplane, with Tec-Masters as the ISS technology expert.
Creating a reliable source of oxygen and electricity in space would help humans establish livable habitats off-Earth in an era when space travel seems more achievable than ever. While the science community has explored the use of electrolysis as a means to sustain life in the vacuum of space, it has found that low gravity environments will have some effect on the gas-evolving process. A study published in 2022 concluded that around 11 percent less oxygen was created through electrolysis in a lunar environment as compared to the gravity of Earth.
Viewer engagement with Prime Video is comparatively low but rising, providing the company with an opportunity to monetize its massive subscriber base with advertising.
