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Startupmac
@thestartupmac.com
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Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky Says ChatGPT Isn’t Ready for Prime Time — Yet #airbnb #airevolution #brianchesky #chatgpt #artificialintelligence #technews #innovation
In a recent interview, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky shared his candid perspective on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the company’s future — and his view that ChatGPT, while revolutionary, isn’t quite ready for large-scale integration just yet. Chesky explained that Airbnb is currently leveraging a suite of 13 specialized AI models instead of relying solely on one major system like ChatGPT. These models are tailored for different functions, including customer support, personalized search results, fraud prevention, and dynamic pricing. The CEO emphasized that the goal is to make Airbnb an “AI-first company” — but in a thoughtful, deliberate way that enhances user trust and efficiency rather than rushing into hype-driven adoption. According to Chesky, while generative AI models such as ChatGPT are impressive in their conversational abilities, they still struggle with consistency, context, and scalability when applied to highly complex real-world systems like Airbnb’s global platform. He stressed that reliability and accuracy are more important than novelty when millions of users depend on seamless, trustworthy interactions. Instead of waiting for one technology to mature, Airbnb is investing heavily in in-house AI development. The company’s AI-driven initiatives include smarter trip recommendations, improved search personalization, and an upgraded customer support system that blends automation with human empathy. Chesky envisions a future where AI becomes the backbone of every Airbnb experience — helping hosts optimize listings, guiding travelers in real time, and even suggesting local adventures. This measured approach places Airbnb among a new wave of tech companies that prioritize strategic AI integration over rapid adoption. It’s a signal that the next phase of digital transformation will not be about who uses AI first — but who uses it best.
October 25, 2025 at 8:50 AM
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Match Group Warns Apple’s App Store Fees Could Stifle Growth in India #technews #digitaleconomy #appstore #matchgroup #apple #indiatech #startupecosystem
Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, has raised concerns that Apple’s hefty App Store fees—up to 30%—could hinder its growth in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. The company argues that these charges make it harder for developers to invest, innovate, and compete fairly. Apple, on the other hand, maintains that its market share in India is relatively small and that its policies ensure security and quality for users. This debate underscores a broader global tension between app developers and platform owners, as regulators increasingly scrutinize digital marketplace practices. In India’s booming app economy, even small changes in fee structures can have a major impact on how tech companies grow, monetize, and reach users.
October 25, 2025 at 8:49 AM
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Maruti Breaks Dhanteras Sales Record; Hyundai Sees 20% Growth #marutisuzuki #hyundaiindia #autoindustry #carsales #festiveseason #dhanterassales
Maruti Suzuki India has achieved an all-time high this Dhanteras, with sales expected to exceed 50,000 units over the two-day festive period. Despite some customer hesitation on Saturday, Maruti anticipates strong demand on Sunday, pushing deliveries to unprecedented levels. Hyundai Motor India also reported impressive growth, with sales rising over 20% compared to last year, totaling around 14,000 units. Analysts attribute this surge to recent GST reforms, increased affordability, and the extended festive shopping period, reflecting strong consumer sentiment. The automotive sector is experiencing a robust festive season, with Maruti Suzuki leading in deliveries and setting a benchmark for industry performance.
October 21, 2025 at 8:56 AM
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Apple TV & Peacock Unite: A $14.99 Streaming Power Bundle Launches Next Week #streamingnews #appletv #peacock #media #entertainment #contentstrategy #streamingbundle
Big news in streaming: Apple TV and Peacock are joining forces with a new bundle launching next week in the U.S. — starting at US $14.99/month, or $19.99/month for the ad-light version. This partnership is about much more than price: it brings together Apple TV’s acclaimed original series and movies with Peacock’s wide range of content — TV shows, live sports and events, and blockbuster releases. What this means: • More value: Customers save over 30% compared to subscribing to each service separately. • Broader choice: Access to both platforms’ libraries under one subscription means fewer switches, more variety. • Sample-first strategy: Both services let the other’s subscribers preview select episodes of top series — helping users discover more content seamlessly. In a streaming landscape crowded with options, this move reflects a clear strategy: stand out through collaboration, bundling and intelligent value. For consumers, it means smarter entertainment choices. For the industry, a signal that content ecosystems are evolving fast.
October 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
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Google’s $15 Billion Leap into India! #googleindia #digitalindia #ai #technology #innovation #techNews #indiagrowth
In a landmark move that underscores India’s growing role in the global tech landscape, Google has announced a $15 billion investment to build a state-of-the-art data centre campus in South India. This massive project is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its cloud and AI capabilities across Asia, while supporting India’s rapidly growing digital economy. 💡 What this means for India: This new facility will power AI-driven services, cloud computing, and digital innovation — not just for India, but for businesses and users across the region. By localizing data storage and processing, Google aims to make services faster, safer, and more efficient for millions of users. 🏗️ Economic impact: The initiative is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, boost regional infrastructure, and attract a wave of tech startups and supporting industries. It will also help strengthen India’s position as a global data and innovation hub. 🌱 Sustainability at the core: The campus will reportedly focus on clean energy and green operations, aligning with Google’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its global operations by 2030. ✨ This isn’t just an investment — it’s a powerful statement about India’s future as a digital powerhouse. As AI and cloud computing reshape the world, moves like this ensure India remains at the forefront of technological progress
October 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
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Elon Musk Becomes the First Person to Reach a $500 Billion Net Worth #elonmusk #tesla #xai #spacex #billionaire #networth #technology
Elon Musk has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first individual to surpass a net worth of $500 billion, according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires Index. This remarkable feat was propelled by a resurgence in Tesla's stock price, which has risen over 14% this year, and the increasing valuations of Musk's other ventures, including xAI and SpaceX. On the day of the announcement, Tesla's stock gained 3.3%, adding more than $6 billion to Musk's wealth. Holding a 12.4% stake in Tesla, Musk's fortune is closely tied to the company's performance. In a show of confidence, Musk recently purchased $1 billion worth of Tesla shares, signaling his commitment to the company's future. Despite challenges such as declining auto sales and profit pressures, Tesla continues to be a significant contributor to Musk's financial success. His AI startup, xAI, was valued at $75 billion in July and is speculated to be targeting a $200 billion valuation, though Musk has denied active fundraising efforts. Additionally, SpaceX is reportedly aiming for a $400 billion valuation. Musk's achievement underscores the growing influence of technology-driven wealth in the global economy. Reuters
October 3, 2025 at 10:53 AM
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Spotify Founder Daniel Ek Steps Down as CEO #spotify #danielek #musicstreaming #technews #leadership
Big changes at Spotify! 🎵 Daniel Ek, the visionary behind the music streaming giant, is stepping down as CEO after nearly two decades of leading the company. While he’ll stay on as a strategic advisor during the transition, Spotify is now on the hunt for a new leader to drive its next chapter. With competition heating up in the streaming world, this marks the start of an exciting new era for the platform.
October 3, 2025 at 10:52 AM
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Microsoft Slashes Game Pass Ultimate Price Hike: What You Need to Know #xbox #xboxgamepass #gamepassultimate #gamingnews #videogames
Microsoft had initially announced a steep 50% price hike for its flagship subscription, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, raising monthly costs from $19.99 to $29.99. The move sparked widespread criticism from the gaming community, with many fans voicing concerns over affordability and value. In response to the backlash, Microsoft has now decided to hold off on the full increase, keeping the service at its current price point for the time being. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has long been celebrated as one of the best deals in gaming, offering subscribers access to hundreds of console and PC titles, day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios, EA Play integration, and cloud gaming. With its all-in-one model, the subscription has been central to Microsoft’s strategy of expanding its gaming ecosystem and building long-term engagement across platforms.
October 3, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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Microsoft Unveils “Microsoft 365 Premium” — Office + Copilot AI in One Bundle #microsoft365 #copilot #aiassistant #productivity #cloudstorage
Microsoft has introduced a new subscription plan called Microsoft 365 Premium, designed to bring its AI assistant Copilot directly into the productivity tools millions use daily, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Priced at $19.99 per month, this plan consolidates features that were previously spread across multiple subscriptions, including the now-retired Copilot Pro. The bundle offers advanced AI capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, and Actions, which can summarize documents, generate insights from data, and even automate tasks such as email drafting or scheduling. Subscribers also benefit from higher Copilot usage limits, 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage, and enhanced security protections through Microsoft Defender. By packaging premium AI features with essential Microsoft apps and services, the company aims to simplify its subscription ecosystem while making powerful productivity tools more accessible to everyday users. This move underscores Microsoft’s broader strategy of positioning AI as a core layer across its software suite, giving consumers and professionals alike a seamless, AI-enhanced experience for work, study, and personal projects.
October 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
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Taiwan Eyes Expanded Tech Footprint in India Amid Rising U.S. Demand #taiwantech #indiataiwanrelations #techexpansion #globalsupplychains #usdemand #indiatechecosystem #traderelations
Taiwan is looking to bolster its technological presence in India as demand from the United States continues to rise. The island nation aims to tap into India's growing tech ecosystem to meet the increasing needs of U.S. companies seeking alternative supply chains and manufacturing partners. This strategic move underscores Taiwan's commitment to strengthening its position in the global tech landscape and fostering deeper economic ties with India
October 1, 2025 at 7:29 AM
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South Africa’s Mirror Kitchens Harness Solar Energy for Off-Grid Communities #solarkitchen #renewableenergy #sustainableliving #offgridsolutions #cleanenergy #southafrica #greeninnovation #solarenergy #socialimpact #environmentfriendly #techforsocialgood
In South Africa, innovative mirror kitchens are transforming life in off-grid communities by using solar energy for cooking. These setups employ curved reflective panels to focus sunlight onto cooking pots, providing a clean, efficient, and fuel-free way to prepare meals. Beyond convenience, this solution reduces the daily burden of firewood collection—often shouldered by women and children—and significantly lowers health risks from indoor smoke. By combining sustainability, technology, and social impact, these solar kitchens are creating a safer, greener, and more empowered future for rural households.
October 1, 2025 at 7:28 AM
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Starbucks Announces Closure of Over 100 North American Stores #starbucks #storeclosures #coffee #corporateupdate #businessnews #restructuring #northamerica #retailnews #coffeeindustry #starbucksnews #businessupdate #corporatechanges
Starbucks has announced the closure of over 100 North American stores, representing approximately 1% of its corporate-owned locations. The company has not released an official list of affected stores; however, Business Insider has compiled a list based on reports from in-store staff, journalist visits, and the Starbucks store locator tool. The closures span several states, including California, Washington, New York, Texas, and Virginia, among others. Notably, the iconic Capitol Hill Reserve Roastery in Seattle, which opened in 2014, is among the closures. This location was significant not only for its unique offerings but also as one of Starbucks' first unionized stores. Starbucks has stated that the decision to close this store is part of a broader initiative to close underperforming corporate-owned locations across North America. The company emphasized that the union status of the store played no role in the decision, and efforts are being made to reassign affected employees. The closures are part of a broader restructuring effort by Starbucks, which also includes the layoff of approximately 900 non-retail employees. The company has estimated that the restructuring will cost around $1 billion, including expenses related to employee separation and early lease terminations. Despite these closures, Starbucks plans to open more stores and refurbish over 1,000 existing locations in fiscal year 2026.
October 1, 2025 at 7:27 AM
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Nvidia to invest $100 b in openai, forging ai superlink #nvidia #openai #artificialintelligence #ai #technews #innovation #machinelearning #computing #futuretech
Nvidia is set to invest up to $100 billion in openai, deepening the partnership between two leading ai giants. as part of the deal, nvidia will also supply openai with data-center chips, strengthening openai’s access to critical compute infrastructure. the investment reflects the increasingly intertwined nature of hardware and software in the ai arms race and raises questions about competition and influence in the tech ecosystem.
September 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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Japan turns footsteps into power with piezoelectric tiles #japan #innovation #renewableenergy #sustainability #smartcities #cleantech #futureenergy #greeninnovation #technology #energytransition
japan is pioneering sustainable energy by installing piezoelectric tiles in crowded public areas. these tiles capture the pressure of footsteps and convert it into electricity, showing how everyday activity can contribute to renewable energy. while each step generates only a small amount of power, millions of steps can collectively light up public spaces, proving that cities of the future can power themselves through daily life.
September 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
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White dwarf devours pluto-like world, astronomers reveal cosmic feast #astronomy #space #cosmos #science #whiteDwarf #planetaryscience
September 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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OpenAI Expands With Stargate Data Centers #openai #stargate #oracle #softbank #datacenters #infrastructure #futureofai #innovations #machinelearning #artificialintelligence
openai is joining forces with oracle and softbank to build five new stargate data centers in the u.s. ⚡ with a massive 7 gigawatts of capacity, these facilities will power the future of advanced ai systems. from scaling innovation to supporting next-gen models, this expansion marks a bold step in ai infrastructure. 🚀
September 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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Mastodon Introduces Paid Hosting & Support Services for the Open Social Web 🌐 #decentralizedsocial #mastodon #opensocialweb #socialmediagrowth #paidservices
Mastodon, the decentralized social network, is evolving its business model. Traditionally funded through donations and grants, the nonprofit now offers paid hosting, moderation, and support services tailored for organizations eager to join the open social web. This initiative empowers entities to establish and manage their own federated servers, ensuring autonomy and control over their online presence. By providing these services, Mastodon aims to facilitate smoother onboarding for institutions and brands, promoting a more diverse and resilient decentralized ecosystem. This move aligns with the growing adoption of the ActivityPub protocol, which powers a range of federated applications, including Mastodon, Meta’s Threads, Pixelfed, PeerTube, and Lemmy.
September 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM
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Dubai’s Next Aviation Revolution 🌍 #dubaï #megaproject #aviationlover #dubaiairport #infrastructure
Dubai is once again setting new benchmarks in global infrastructure with the announcement of a $35 billion mega airport project, one of the most ambitious developments in aviation history. Designed with 400 gates, this futuristic hub aims to handle hundreds of millions of passengers annually, redefining what air travel means for the modern world. 🌐 Global Impact The new airport isn’t just about size—it’s about scale and vision. Once completed, it will become the largest aviation hub in the world, offering unparalleled connectivity between continents and positioning Dubai as the true crossroads of international travel. 💼 Economic Growth & Opportunity Beyond travel, the airport is expected to generate massive economic benefits. From thousands of new jobs to expanded opportunities in trade, logistics, tourism, and hospitality, this project will significantly strengthen Dubai’s economy. It’s a clear demonstration of how infrastructure investment can fuel innovation and prosperity on a global scale. 🚀 Innovation at the Core The design reflects Dubai’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and passenger experience. With advanced facilities, efficient operations, and futuristic architecture, it will not only be the largest but also one of the most advanced airports ever built. 🏗 A Record-Breaking Legacy Dubai has never shied away from ambitious projects, from the Burj Khalifa to the Palm Islands. This mega airport is the next chapter in that story—pushing boundaries, breaking records, and cementing the city’s role as a leader in bold infrastructure and visionary development. ✨ The future of global air travel is taking off from Dubai, and the world is watching.
September 22, 2025 at 10:36 AM
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Revolution in Your Wrist! #tvsmotor #noise #tvsxnoise #smartwatch #techcollaboration
TVS Motor & Noise have teamed up to launch India’s first EV–Smartwatch integration with the iconic TVS iQube Electric. ⌚ Why it matters: Get real-time scooter updates, ride stats, and smart connectivity – right from your Noise smartwatch. A seamless blend of style, tech, and sustainability. 🌍 The future is here: Smarter commutes, greener rides, and tech that keeps you connected every second. 👉 Be part of the evolution. Experience the smarter way to ride with TVS iQube + Noise.
September 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
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Meta Unveils Next-Gen AI Glasses: Style Meets Smart Technology #meta #newtechnology #futuretech #technews #metaconnect
Meta is expanding its AI glasses lineup, introducing new models that blend style and advanced technology. The range includes Ray-Ban Display glasses with in-lens screens and wristband gesture controls, upgraded Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses, and sporty Oakley Meta Vanguard models. These smart glasses offer features like live captions, instant translation, fitness tracking, and seamless AI integration, allowing users to stay connected and access real-time information without relying on their smartphones. With this launch, Meta is pushing the boundaries of wearable technology, making everyday life smarter and more interactive.
September 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
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Major Shakeup in U.S. Immigration Policy for Skilled Workers #h1b #usimmigration #skilledworkers #techpolicy #h1bvisa
President Trump has signed a proclamation that introduces a $100,000 annual fee for companies sponsoring H-1B visas— a program widely used by U.S. tech firms to hire foreign professionals. The policy also includes changes to prevailing wage requirements, with the aim of reserving H-1Bs for higher-skill, higher-paid roles. Critics warn this could drastically reduce opportunities for international talent, strain tech companies’ hiring pipelines, and fuel moves to offshore functions. Supporters argue it’s needed to prioritize American workers. With such steep fees, startups and smaller businesses could be hit especially hard. The long-term impact on innovation, global competitiveness, and labor markets is being closely watched.
September 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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Saudi Arabia builds $33B Oxagon floating city #oxagon #neom #saudiarabia #vision2030 #futureofcities
A detailed blog on Oxagon’s ambition, scale, technology, sustainability vision, and geopolitical significance as part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plan.
September 20, 2025 at 5:52 AM
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Tesla – The Future of Driving ⚡🚗 #alefaeronautics #flyingcar #urbanairmobility #techinnovation #mobilityrevolution
September 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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Alef prepares flight tests of $300,000 electric flying car #alefaeronautics #flyingcar #urbanairmobility #techinnovation #mobilityrevolution
Blog will explore Alef’s decade-long journey, technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, urban air mobility race, and whether flying cars can truly go mainstream.
September 19, 2025 at 6:14 AM
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Kodak unveils vintage-style toy camera "Chamera" #kodakcharmera #retrotech #vintagephotography #analogaesthetics #lofiphotography
An in-depth blog covering Kodak’s legacy in photography, the Chamera’s appeal in a TikTok/Instagram-driven market, and how retro tech is making a comeback in consumer culture.
September 18, 2025 at 5:07 AM