Apple has adjusted its proposals in response to feedback from app developers, making changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) set by the European Union (EU). The company faced criticism, particularly for its requirement that developers seeking to create alternative app marketplaces must have a standby letter of credit. This demand has now been dropped, reflecting Apple’s efforts to address concerns and ensure compliance with the new regulations.

The DMA aims to regulate the behavior of large tech companies like Apple, along with five other major players, to create a fairer environment for competition and offer more options for users. To meet the March 7 deadline for compliance, Apple has made revisions to its initial proposals, which were announced in January. These revisions include adjustments to the terms and conditions for app developers distributing their apps in the EU.

One significant change is that developers can now agree to the new terms at the developer account level, rather than requiring each corporate entity to sign the Addendum individually. This streamlines the process and eliminates unnecessary bureaucracy, making it easier for developers to adapt to the new requirements. Additionally, Apple has introduced a one-time option for developers to terminate the Addendum and revert to the company’s standard business terms for their EU apps under certain circumstances.

Furthermore, Apple has revised its criteria for developers seeking to operate alternative app marketplaces. Instead of the previous demand for a letter of credit, developers now need to meet two eligibility criteria. Firstly, their account must have been active for at least two years, demonstrating a degree of stability and experience in the app ecosystem. Secondly, developers must have an established app business in the EU with more than 1 million First Annual Installs, indicating a significant presence and impact in the market.

These adjustments reflect Apple’s commitment to addressing concerns raised by developers and ensuring compliance with the DMA. By revising its proposals and making them more accessible and flexible, Apple aims to foster a constructive relationship with the developer community while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape in the EU.

The move by Apple underscores the importance of engaging with stakeholders and adapting to regulatory changes in the tech industry. As one of the leading players in the global technology market, Apple recognizes the significance of compliance with regulatory frameworks to maintain trust and transparency with users, developers, and regulators alike.

Overall, the modifications made by Apple demonstrate a willingness to listen to feedback and make necessary adjustments to align with regulatory requirements. By doing so, Apple seeks to uphold its commitment to innovation while ensuring fair competition and user choice in the EU’s digital market landscape.

On Thursday, robotics startup Figure revealed a major milestone, securing a substantial $675 million in funding from a consortium of investors. Among them are tech giants like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon.com, alongside renowned entrepreneur Jeff Bezos. This significant investment has catapulted the company’s valuation to an impressive $2.6 billion, highlighting the burgeoning enthusiasm surrounding robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Figure specializes in developing advanced humanoid robots. Alongside the funding announcement, the company revealed a strategic collaboration with OpenAI, a renowned leader in AI research. This partnership aims to leverage OpenAI’s expertise in generative AI to enhance Figure’s robotic capabilities.

The emergence of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a powerful language model, has sparked widespread interest in AI across industries. Companies are increasingly recognizing the potential of integrating AI technologies into robotics, prompting substantial investment to capitalize on this growing trend. The involvement of prestigious backers like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon underscores the confidence in Figure’s vision and technology.

In addition to the major players mentioned, other contributors to Figure’s funding round include the OpenAI Startup Fund, Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest. This diverse array of investors reflects the broad appeal and potential applications of Figure’s robotics technology.

Brett Adcock, the founder and CEO of Figure, outlined the company’s plans for utilizing the newly acquired funds. A significant portion will be allocated towards the development of large language models tailored specifically for robotics applications. Additionally, Figure intends to scale up its manufacturing capabilities and expand its workforce to support its ambitious growth trajectory.

A notable aspect of Figure’s strategy involves transitioning its AI infrastructure and training to Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing platform. This move underscores the importance of robust AI infrastructure in enabling the development and deployment of advanced robotics solutions. Adcock emphasized that Figure’s AI models will leverage OpenAI’s cutting-edge GPT models, fine-tuned with robotics action data collected by the company. This integration aims to equip Figure’s humanoid robots with advanced capabilities, including natural language processing, computer vision, and physical task execution.

Peter Welinder, Vice President of Product and Partnerships at OpenAI, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with Figure. He highlighted the potential for humanoid robots empowered by sophisticated AI models to revolutionize various industries, citing Figure’s innovative approach to exploring these possibilities.

The resurgence of interest in humanoid robots reflects the evolving landscape of robotics and AI technologies. Industry leaders like Tesla’s Elon Musk have made bold predictions about the widespread adoption of humanoid robots in the coming decades, further fueling excitement in this space. Tesla’s recent unveiling of its humanoid robot, Optimus Gen, underscores the growing momentum behind humanoid robotics research and development.

While Bloomberg initially reported on Figure’s fundraising efforts, providing insights into the investors’ commitments, including Bezos’s significant contribution through Explore Investments LLC and Microsoft’s substantial investment, the full scope of the funding round highlights the broad support Figure has garnered within the tech and investment communities.

Last month, Figure solidified its position in the robotics landscape by securing a partnership with BMW Manufacturing. This collaboration will see Figure deploying its humanoid robots within BMW’s facilities in the United States, further validating the company’s innovative approach to robotics.

Figure’s successful funding round marks a significant milestone in its journey to revolutionize robotics through advanced AI technologies. With a strong backing from industry heavyweights and a clear vision for the future, Figure is poised to make substantial strides in reshaping the landscape of humanoid robotics.

Verizon’s collaboration with Volkswagen’s Audi AG marks a significant milestone in the realm of automotive technology, as the telecom giant partners with one of Germany’s leading car manufacturers to deploy a cutting-edge 5G network at Audi’s private test track in Neustadt, Germany. This strategic initiative aims to revolutionize smart vehicle technology by simulating diverse communications and driving scenarios, leveraging the capabilities of 5G networks.

The primary objective of the project is to facilitate comprehensive testing of advanced automotive technologies, including autonomous mobility, vehicle-to-cloud communications, and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) systems. These systems enable vehicles to establish connections with surrounding objects such as other vehicles and digital traffic infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced safety, efficiency, and connectivity on the roads.

Verizon’s collaboration entails the deployment of replicas of its 5G networks at the test track, utilizing cutting-edge equipment from Nokia and computing software from Amazon Web Services (AWS). Additionally, real-time video and data transfer tools from Smart Mobile Labs will facilitate seamless communication and data exchange during testing procedures.

The integration of 5G technology into Audi’s test track signifies a broader trend in the automotive industry, where manufacturers are increasingly leveraging partnerships with telecom and technology companies to enhance their vehicles’ capabilities. This collaboration underscores the pivotal role of software and data in modern vehicles, spanning communication, entertainment, and safety functionalities.

TJ Fox, Senior Vice President of Industrial Internet of Things and Automotive at Verizon Business, emphasized the significance of the project in shaping the future of automotive technology. He highlighted that the vehicles of tomorrow will be equipped with a plethora of technology that must function seamlessly across diverse network conditions, underscoring the importance of rigorous testing and validation procedures.

In addition to enhancing communication and entertainment features, the project prioritizes safety applications, as Fox emphasized during discussions with Reuters. By conducting comprehensive tests and leveraging robust data and communication infrastructure, manufacturers like Audi can integrate valuable insights into their vehicles, thereby bolstering safety standards and performance.

Moreover, the collaborative initiative is expected to streamline testing processes and reduce associated time and costs, providing Audi with a competitive edge in the automotive market. Petr Kozak, Head of Development for Infotainment, Connectivity, Data Management, and Artificial Intelligence at Audi, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to accelerate innovation and drive advancements in automotive technology.

By harnessing the capabilities of 5G networks and leveraging cutting-edge technologies from industry leaders like Verizon, Audi aims to stay at the forefront of automotive innovation. The partnership signifies a commitment to revolutionizing smart vehicle technology and underscores the importance of collaboration between telecom and automotive sectors in shaping the future of mobility. Through rigorous testing and validation, Audi is poised to deliver safer, more connected, and technologically advanced vehicles to consumers worldwide.