Top stories today:

1. Google starts testing disabling 3rd-party cookies with 1% of users
2. Clicks announces physical keyboard accessory for iPhone at $139+
3. U.S. consumers spent $222.1B online in Nov.-Dec., +5% YoY
4. OpenAI's GPT Store to launch next week

0. Data and calendar

1. Google starts testing disabling 3rd-party cookies with 1% of users

• Disabling 3rd-party cookies will make it harder for advertisers to serve users targeted ads.

• Google is pushing its own “Privacy Sandbox” to replace cookies.

  • Google will retain the users’ browser data directly (for <=30 days) and use that information for ad targeting.

  • You can turn it off by going here: chrome://settings/adPrivacy

2. Clicks announces physical keyboard accessory for iPhone at $139+

• iPhone 14 Pro, 15, and 15 Pro Max versions are available.

  • February launch for the 14 Pro version, others later.

• Very positive feedback from the tech community.

4. U.S. consumers spent $222.1B online in Nov.-Dec., +5% YoY

Cyber Monday was the best-selling day

Cyber Monday also offered the best discounts

Relatedly, Amazon had 29% of order volume market share in the week preceding Christmas, from 21% in Thanksgiving

5. OpenAI's GPT Store to launch next week

• OpenAI discussed bringing Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and VC Nat Fridman to its board, but it seems both said no. They previously also rejected becoming CEO.

• OpenAI is offering publishers $1M-$5M/year for news content licenses.

6. Interesting videos, posts, and memes

7. Other headlines

AI

• Google Deepmind leverages LLMs for new robotics AI system AutoRT.

Tech

• Tesla recalls 1.6M cars in China due to Autopilot crash risk, as in U.S.

• Netflix wants to monetize its games, which only 1% play.

• Steam: 14.5K games launched in 2023, record.

• Apple Fitness+ introduces sound meditation, golfer programs, more.

• Peloton, TikTok partner up for fitness hub; Peloton stock +14%.

• Invision, design startup once valued at $2B, shuts down.

• Kim Kardashian's mobile game shutting down after 10 years.

• GroupM teams up with YouTube, Disney, Roku to improve video ads.

• Tomasz Tunguz's 2024 predictions: AI, resurging web3.

• The CEO Report: become a better leader by subscribing, 100% free.*

• Sidebar: accelerate your career in 2024.*

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Tech & law

• Snapchat's disappearing messages could make it liable for content: judge.

• Huawei's 5nm laptop chip made in Taiwan, not China.

• SpaceX sues NLRB for accusing it of firing workers critical of Elon.

• Biden admin awards $162M to Microchip under the CHIPS Act.

Biotech

• APOE4 appears to increase mortality, in addition to Alzheimer's risk.

• Paxlovid, potent Covid drug, only used by 15% of eligible patients.

• Sirtuin 2 overexpression fails to extend life in mice.

• Moonwalk emerges from stealth with $57M for epigenetic medicines.

• NIA's decision to defund Dog Aging Project “unjust.”

Business

• 164K new jobs in ADP report; main employment report out today.

• Fisker gives up on direct-to-consumer sales in favor of dealerships.

• The Messenger only generated $3M in revenue, lost $38M in 2023.

  • Conservative group offered $30M for 51%.

• Arrived: learn how to invest as little as $100 in fractional real estate, which has outperformed the S&P500 over the past 20 years.*

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Crypto

• European Central Bank ready to pay €1.3B for CBDC development.

• Logan Paul commits $2.3M for CryptoZoo refunds.

U.S. politics

• Foreign countries spent $7.8M+ on Trump properties while he was in office.

• NYC sues bus companies for $700M for transporting illegal migrants.

• IL, MA groups file motions to remove Trump from ballot.

• Kristi Noem says Trump should pick someone like her as VP.

• DeSantis PAC donates $92.5K to 14 Iowa lawmakers who endorsed him.

• Bill Ackman's wife partly recognizes she plagiarized PhD dissertation.

World

• Islamic State claims responsibility for terrorist attack in Iran.

• Blinken leaves for trip to Israel, Turkey, Qatar, UAE, Saudi, others.

• North Korea fires 200+ artillery shells near S. Korean islands.

• Oscar Pistorius, convicted of murder, released on parole.

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