Topic: Partnerships
Apple Set to Join Amazon, Google, Facebook in AI Research Group – Bloomberg (Jan 26, 2017)
This would be a fascinating development – Apple has very rarely been part of such groups in the past, often a holdout among major tech companies. But it does seem to be taking AI very seriously at this point, and seems also to be taking steps to help current and potential employees feel they can continue to contribute in the industry beyond Apple’s walls, including allowing employees to publish research and potentially now joining this group. It’s also worth noting that AI, perhaps more than any other major technology currently being developed, has massive ethics implications, and ethics and related issues are a major focus of the group. Apple may feel that it needs to be both contributing to and learning from others in the field when it comes to these non-technical issues.
via Bloomberg (more on Techmeme)
Fiat’s Secret Self-Driving Car Shows How Industry May Evolve — The Information (Dec 29, 2016)
Great inside information here about FCA’s other self-driving initiatives beyond its Waymo partnership. The strategy highlights the big concern many carmakers have about partnering with Alphabet (or for that matter Apple) – that they will cede differentiation to the platform vendor and lose their own competitiveness in the process. Clearly, FCA remains committed to its Waymo deal, but it’s sensible to hedge its bets here.
via Fiat’s Secret Self-Driving Car Shows How Industry May Evolve — The Information
Honda, Alphabet’s Waymo in talks over self-driving technology | Reuters (Dec 22, 2016)
Google (now Waymo) partnered with Fiat Chrysler some time ago to use Chrysler Pacifica minivans for testing autonomous technology. This second partnership suggests some momentum, though it’s not yet clear how this fits in with Honda’s in-house autonomous R&D efforts.
via Honda, Alphabet’s Waymo in talks over self-driving technology | Reuters
Uber to Your Friends and Snap Along the Way! (Dec 21, 2016)
Uber announced two new features – making a friend rather than a place your destination for rides, and a filter integration with Snapchat. Uber has always been open to partnerships, with Spotify and Facebook previous partners – it’s an interesting way to expand its reach and also keep people in the app longer.
via Uber to Your Friends and Snap Along the Way!
Disney-ABC to Produce Snapchat Original Series | Variety (Dec 21, 2016)
One of the biggest challenges facing Snap as it approaches an IPO is providing advertisers with the products and tools they need to make markedly bigger investments on the platform. Getting more professionally produced video content onboard is one way to go about that, and I’m betting this won’t be the last of these deals.
via Disney-ABC Snapchat Shows: ‘The Bachelor’ Watch Party Aftershow | Variety