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News

Google forcing some remote workers to come back 3 days a week or lose their jobs

Google is tightening its hybrid work policy, requiring some remote employees—especially in Technical Services and People Operations—to return to the office at least three days a week or risk losing their jobs. This move is part of broader cost-cutting efforts and a shift toward AI investments. Employees living within 50 miles of a Google office must comply by June or accept voluntary exit packages. The company emphasizes that in-person collaboration is key to innovation, with co-founder Sergey Brin advocating for full-time office presence and 60-hour workweeks for AI teams.

Perplexity CEO says its browser will track everything users do online to sell ‘hyper personalized’ ads

Perplexity’s upcoming browser, Comet, will track users’ online activities to deliver highly personalized ads. CEO Aravind Srinivas believes that understanding users’ broader online behavior—like shopping and travel habits—will help create more relevant advertisements. While some users may appreciate the tailored ads, this approach raises privacy concerns, especially amid ongoing scrutiny of big tech companies’ data practices. Comet is set to launch in May, with Perplexity also partnering with Motorola to expand its reach.

ChatGPT Brings “Deep Research” to Free Users

OpenAI has introduced a free, “lightweight” version of its Deep Research tool in ChatGPT, powered by the o4-mini model. This version offers nearly the same intelligence as the original but delivers shorter responses. Free users can access it for up to five tasks per month, while paid users receive higher limits and continue using the standard model until they reach their quotas.

Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Elon Musk’s Starlink

Amazon has launched the first 27 satellites of its Project Kuiper on April 28, 2025, aiming to provide global broadband internet and compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. This marks the start of Amazon’s $10 billion plan to deploy over 3,200 satellites in low-Earth orbit, with services expected to begin later this year. Despite SpaceX’s significant lead with thousands of satellites already in orbit, Amazon is pushing forward to meet its FCC deadline of deploying half its constellation by mid-2026. The Kuiper project also plans to integrate with Amazon Web Services, potentially enhancing connectivity for remote areas and supporting other Amazon products like Alexa and Prime.

First 3D-printed Starbucks coffee shop opens on April 28 in Texas

Starbucks has opened its first 3D-printed store in Brownsville, Texas. Built by Peri 3D Construction using a robotic arm that layered concrete, the 1,400-square-foot café offers drive-thru and walk-up services but lacks indoor seating. This innovative approach aims to speed up construction and reduce waste, addressing labor shortages in the industry.

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a16z Partner Andrew Chen on Consumer Startups

Andrew Chen explains how Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) picks and supports consumer startups. He shares that strong ideas often don’t look obvious at first and that timing, team, and early user excitement matter more than big launch plans. Chen also says great products come from deep insight, not trends, and that standout founders are usually product-obsessed and move fast. The post gives a clear look into what a16z looks for in the next breakout consumer tech company.

Europe’s fastest growing startup?

Lovable, a Swedish AI startup, skyrocketed from $0 to $30M in annual recurring revenue within just 120 days, all with a lean team of 18 and only $2M spent. Their journey began with the open-source project GPT Engineer, which gained massive traction on GitHub. After rebranding to Lovable and refining their product, they achieved viral growth through authentic social media engagement and a standout Product Hunt launch. Lovable’s story highlights the power of product-market fit, community-driven development, and genuine online presence.