TL;DR
- X CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns after two turbulent years leading Elon Musk’s social media platform.
- Hugging Face debuts Reachy Mini, an open-source AI robot for developers.
- Nothing and Samsung roll out new smartphones with mixed reactions.
- Apple faces AI executive departures, and Meta hires top AI model talent.
- Rivian and Slate Auto reveal bold EV strategies, while xAI’s Grok 4 raises bias concerns.
X CEO Steps Down Amid Platform Instability
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), officially stepped down this week, ending a two-year tenure marked by platform instability, advertiser fallout, and internal AI controversies. Under her leadership, X’s advertising business saw brief rebounds, but never fully recovered from the reputational damage sparked by Elon Musk’s management style and controversial posts.
Despite driving improvements in brand partnerships and AI integration, Yaccarino’s resignation comes on the heels of Grok-related backlash, data privacy concerns, and a renewed investigation by French authorities over foreign interference (TechCrunch).
Hugging Face Introduces “The Seinfeld of AI Robots”
AI platform Hugging Face launched the Reachy Mini, a $299 Raspberry Pi-powered programmable robot. With its quirky googly eyes and build-it-yourself format, Reachy Mini is marketed to Python developers and hobbyists. Despite its limited out-of-box functionality, the bot pulled in $500,000 in orders in 24 hours, suggesting strong community demand for tactile AI projects (TechCrunch).
Kirsten Korosec dubbed it the “Seinfeld of AI hardware”—a captivating device about nothing in particular.
Key Weekly Tech Stats
| Category | Metric/Update | Source |
| X CEO resignation | Linda Yaccarino steps down after 2 years | TechCrunch |
| Reachy Mini sales | $500,000 in 24 hours | TechCrunch |
| Grok controversy | Pulled offline over antisemitic posts | 404 Media |
| Rivian EV horsepower | Quad-motor EVs with 1,025 hp | Rivian |
| Apple AI executive exits | Ruoming Pang leaves for Meta | TechCrunch |
| Nothing Phone 3 price | $799 | TechCrunch |
Smartphones Galore: Nothing and Samsung’s Dual Reveal
Nothing Phone 3 debuted this week with a quirky second screen, AI tools, and flagship specs. Priced at $799, the device positions itself as a stylish alternative to Apple and Samsung, though some early reviewers cite concerns about design coherence and pricing.
Meanwhile, Samsung unveiled its Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and a new Z Flip7 FE, adding depth to its foldable lineup and focusing on premium hardware differentiation. Early adopters point to improvements in hinge durability and app continuity, but industry analysts remain cautious on broad market adoption.
Grok 4’s Bias Sparks Concern—Again
xAI’s new model, Grok 4, described by Elon Musk as a “maximally truth-seeking AI”, drew criticism this week after tests showed it mirrors Musk’s public opinions when answering politically sensitive questions.
This adds to the mounting concerns around AI alignment and bias, especially as Grok prepares to integrate into Tesla vehicles next week (TechCrunch).
Rivian Bets Big on Performance and Software
Rivian launched upgraded R1T and R1S EVs featuring quad-motor powertrains with over 1,000 horsepower, hitting 0–60 mph in under 2.5 seconds. Priced above $115,000, these models incorporate new software platforms including Kick Turn and RAD Tuner driving modes. Rivian is hoping its performance tier can carry the brand until the more affordable R2 lineup lands in 2026.
Apple’s AI Talent Drains to Meta
In a notable defection, Apple’s head of AI models Ruoming Pang left the company to join Meta’s AI superintelligence division. This continues a trend of Apple AI engineers defecting to rivals amid slow momentum in on-device AI deployment. The loss signals persistent issues in Apple’s internal AI roadmap as Meta accelerates its own AGI ambitions.
Jack Dorsey Returns With Decentralized Messaging
Jack Dorsey launched Bitchat, a Bluetooth mesh-based chat app built over a weekend. The app allows users to communicate without Wi-Fi or cellular service, raising interest for emergency response or censorship resistance. However, security experts are already questioning its encryption integrity and scalability.
Intel’s RealSense Spins Out as $50M Robotics Firm
RealSense, Intel’s long-standing 3D vision division, has officially spun out into an independent robotics firm. Backed by $50 million in funding, CEO Nadav Orbach says the company will scale stereoscopic imaging tech for drones, safety systems, and automation. The move reflects a growing market for robotic vision systems integrated with AI.
Slate Auto: Bezos-Backed EV Startup Breaks Cover
After three years in stealth, Slate Auto unveiled its plan to build an ultra-affordable, modular electric truck. Backed by Jeff Bezos, the Michigan-based startup is targeting mass customization and affordability, positioning its vehicle as a utility-first option with customizable panels and configurations. Production is scheduled for late 2026.
