Dear Studio Fam,
This week in tech, we’re watching big-money moves, ambitious comebacks, and the never-ending tension between innovation and execution. Google’s biggest acquisition ever comes with some serious strings attached, Tesla’s electric dream hits another speedbump, minimalist phones promise relief from digital overload, and a familiar CEO returns with eyebrow-raising explanations.
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Bolt CEO Addresses Troubled Loan, Teases New Super App
Controversial CEO Ryan Breslow, no stranger to Studio Bytes, is back with more questionable explanations and grandiose promises of imminent success. Breslow was fired in 2022 from Bolt, the one-click payment startup he founded, for misrepresenting Bolt’s customer base and loaning himself $30 million of the company’s money. Breslow addressed the loan this week with self-serving logic while hyping the next version of Bolt’s one-click experience. Making the loan was actually “pro-Bolt” he argued, claiming that selling his stock in a secondary offering would have shown a lack of confidence in the company. He did not specify how exactly using existing investors’ money for the same purpose showed the opposite.
Google To Buy Wiz But Will Pay $7B If It Doesn’t
Google just made a major move, snapping up cybersecurity leader Wiz in one of the largest deals the sector has seen in recent memory. The $35 billion deal dramatically strengthens Google’s security offerings, positioning the tech giant to lead in cloud defense against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The deal is Google’s largest acquisition ever, but also includes the largest ever termination fee, indicating that Wiz investors are not confident the FTC has completely given up on antitrust enforcement.
DeepSeek’s New AI Chatbot Wants Your Attention
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has launched its flagship app, aiming squarely at industry leader ChatGPT, and bringing its cheaper, more efficient LLM to directly to smartphones. Promising richer interactions and faster responses than its competitors, DeepSeek is betting big that users are ready for an upgraded conversational AI experience.
Tesla Recalls 46,000 Cybertrucks for Flying Trim
Tesla is facing fresh headaches, as 46,000 Cybertrucks have been recalled due to loose exterior trim pieces that can detach while driving, posing crash hazards. This is the 8th recall for the entire production of Cybertrucks, though the number of affected vehicles is in the double digits. The news forced Tesla to acknowledge the total number of Cybertrucks its sold which, despite being lower than expectations, is just slightly less than all electric trucks sold by Rivian and Ford combined.
Minimalist Light Phone III Launches March 27
We wrote about the pre-order announcement for the Light Phone III, and we’re happy to see the low-fi smartphone is now ready for shipment. The stripped-down device promises users freedom from constant notifications and digital overload while still providing essential connectivity and features. Smartphones have never been a bigger source of distraction and anxiety, and never more essential to everyday life, so this might be the moment for Light Phone to take off.