Google’s ‘Ask for Me’ feature calls businesses on your behalf to inquire about services, pricing

Google is testing a new “Ask for Me” feature that uses AI to call local businesses on your behalf, for information about availability and pricing. The feature is available on desktop and mobile for users who have opted into the company’s Search Labs experiments. The idea is to help users access information without having to … Read more

The FCC is investigating NPR and PBS

Federal Communications Chair Brendan Carr has ordered investigations into NPR and PBS with the goal of slashing the money given to the government-funded organizations, The New York Times reports.  The investigations are ostensibly about PBS and NPR’s member stations’ sponsorships, according to a letter from Carr obtained by the Times. “I am concerned that NPR … Read more

Is Tesla still a car company?

On an earnings call last night, Tesla CEO Elon Musk spent a lot of time talking up his company’s plans to “go ballistic” on artificial intelligence, and very little time on Tesla’s core business, which is making and selling electric cars. There was so little attention paid to Tesla’s automotive business, that even a bunch … Read more

Google issues ‘voluntary exit’ program for Android, Chrome, and Pixel employees

Google SVP Rick Osterloh issued an internal memo to the Pixel/Android/Chrome team Thursday, announcing a “voluntary exit program.” TechCrunch has confirmed the letter’s existence with the company, after it was first reported by 9 to 5 Google. In a statement to TechCrunch, a spokesperson notes, The Platforms & Devices team is offering a voluntary exit … Read more