Top stories today:

1. Microsoft CEO calls test-time compute “emergence of new scaling law”
2. SpaceX tests Starship rocket for 6th time, in presence of Trump
3. Google releases Android 16 developer preview 2 months early
4. Bitcoin hits $94K amid hopes for crypto-friendly Trump regime

0. Data and calendar

Listen to our AI-generated podcast summarizing today’s newsletter (beware the few hallucinations):

1. Microsoft CEO calls test-time compute “emergence of new scaling law”

• Test-time compute gives AI models more time to “think” before answering.

• AI training compute (FLOP) is 4.2x/year, “doubling every six months or so”, Satya Nadella stated.

• Scaling laws are yielding diminishing returns, some industry stakeholders argue.

Microsoft unveiled the $349 Windows 365 Link mini PC to stream Windows 11 from the cloud

• The fanless, compact device can connect with 3rd-party monitors and peripherals.

• Specifications include 8GB RAM, 64GB storage, and an undisclosed Intel processor.

• April 2025 availability.

Microsoft also unveiled Azure AI Foundry to help developers build AI apps and switch between multiple LLMs

• In line with the company’s strategy of moving away from relying on OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

An AI interpreter in Teams will allow you to simulate voices in 9 different languages

• Near-real-time voice interpretation.

• Available in early 2025 in a limited preview.

2. SpaceX tests Starship rocket for 6th time, in presence of Trump, but aborts booster catch

• Launched from SpaceX’s Texas site at 5 PM ET on Tue.

• The rocket's Super Heavy booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico instead of completing its planned landing.

• Oct. 14: Starship’s booster demoed a novel catch-landing method.

• A “faster/harder” catch-landing was supposed to be seen during Tue. launch.

3. Google releases Android 16 developer preview 2 months early

• Typically, Feb. is when Google unveils its first Android developer previews.

• Android fragment could be helped by the early release.

• Android 16 DP1 brings a new embedded photo picker and privacy sandbox.

• Jun. 2025: when the final release of Android 16 is expected.

4. Bitcoin hits $94K amid hopes for crypto-friendly Trump regime

• $94,105.84 was the new high hit on Tue.

Cryptocurrencies have soared since the Nov. 5 election

5. Meta forms product group to develop AI tools for 200M businesses

• Former Salesforce AI CEO Clara Shih will lead the initiative.

• Businesses on Meta apps, including WhatsApp and Instagram, will gain AI development support.

6. Elon Musk’s X rival Bluesky now boasts 20M+ users

• Bluesky has 2x'ed its user base since Sep., when it had 9M+ users.

• The recent U.S. election drove users from X to Bluesky.

7. Defense tech startup VC funding reaches a record $3B in 2024 YTD

• 85 deals have closed so far this year, vs. 96 in all of 2023.

• 2023: $2.2B was invested in defense tech startups.

• $2.6B raised in 113 rounds in 2022 was the previous high.

• Anduril Industries and Costa Mesa secured the largest rounds of 2024, each raising $1.5B in Aug.

8. U.K. drops out of top 50 most powerful computers worldwide

And the U.S. remains leading the way:

9. Interesting videos, posts, and memes

10. Other headlines

AI

• Databricks looking to raise $7B-$9B at ~$61B valuation: sources.

• Google rolls out “memory” feature for Gemini Advanced subscribers.

• OpenAI’s Advanced Voice now available to all paid ChatGPT users on web.

Tech

• Apple starts selling ad inventory for Apple News directly.

• Microsoft, Atom Computing to launch commercial quantum computer in 2025.

• Intuit, H&R stocks fall as Trump reportedly plans free tax-filing app.

Tech & law

• Google’s Anthropic AI deal cleared by UK's CMA.

Biotech

• Oura, smart ring maker, raises $75M Series D at $5B+ valuation.

• Canvas introduces EMR system for longevity medicine.

Business

• $1 homes offered to Americans by Italian village.

• Mexico warns of Trump tariff's impact on U.S. companies.

Crypto

• Asia crypto hotspots benefit from $800B U.S. rally.

• Coinbase to delist wBTC as Justin Sun’s influence grows.

U.S. politics

• Howard Lutnick, CEO of Tether’s banker, tapped as Commerce Secretary.

• Linda McMahon picked for Education Secretary.

• Dr. Oz named to head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

• Kevin Warsh favorite (43%) to lead Treasury; Rowan (30%), Bessent (21%).

• Alex Jones sues Sandy Hook parents to stop Infowars sale to The Onion.

World

• Putin open to discussing peace deal, with Ukraine banned from NATO.

• Iran faces censure from West amid offer to cap 60% uranium stockpile.

• Venezuela’s opposition head Gonzalez now called “president-elect” by U.S.

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