Tue. 07/29 – Do You Need To Cut Back On Your AI Usage? · Tech Brew Ride Home summary

Key takeaways

Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent for allegedly copying its Horizon game series, seeking legal redress and damages.
Microsoft's new Copilot Mode in Edge browser aims to revolutionize browsing with AI enhancements.
Anthropic is implementing new rate limits for AI usage to manage server demand amidst a surge in power user activity.
The dating app T has experienced a significant data breach, raising privacy concerns for its users.
Waymo's upcoming Robotaxi services in Dallas, in partnership with Avis, underline the growing competition in autonomous transportation.
The surge in sales for smart glasses like Ray-Ban Meta indicates a shifting technology landscape with emphasis on AI and wearable devices.

Summary

Sony vs. Tencent: Copyright Clash

Sony has taken Tencent to federal court in California, alleging copyright and trademark infringement over its popular Horizon game series. The lawsuit claims Tencent's upcoming game, Light of Motoram, is a near-identical copy of Horizon, featuring similar gameplay, story themes, and artistic elements. Sony declined a collaboration proposal from Tencent last year and is now seeking $150,000 in damages for each work in the Horizon series purportedly infringed.

Microsoft's AI-Powered Browser Innovation

Microsoft is enhancing its Edge web browser with a new experimental feature called Copilot Mode, aimed at transforming the browsing experience into a more AI-centric interaction. The Copilot will oversee user actions across tabs, making suggestions and offering contextual actions based on the user's behavior. This feature is currently being rolled out for free during a limited time, potentially setting Microsoft ahead of competitors as demand for AI web browsers grows.

AI Usage Rate Limits by Anthropic

Anthropic is introducing new rate limits for its AI offerings, beginning August 28. These limits are meant to curb excessive usage, especially from power users who run AI models continuously. The company anticipates that the changes will mostly affect a small percentage of users and reiterates a commitment to managing its resources effectively while ensuring that most users will not notice a significant difference in their experience.

Data Breach Concerns with Dating App T

The dating app T has suffered a second data breach impacting 1.1 million user messages containing sensitive topics. This breach has raised significant privacy concerns as the leaked messages could potentially expose the identities of users discussing personal matters. T is currently working with cybersecurity firms to address the situation and conduct an investigation.

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Services to Dallas

Waymo is partnering with Avis to launch its Robotaxi service in Dallas in 2026. This marks a shift from its previous partnerships and emphasizes expansion into new markets. The partnership aims to enhance service efficiency through Avis' fleet management and reflects increasing competition in the autonomous taxi industry.

Smart Glasses Surge: A Future in Tech

Sales of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses have tripled year over year, signaling a strong demand for smart wearables. EssilorLuxottica projects a rapid increase in sales for their upcoming Oakley Meta glasses, showcasing an evolving intersection of AI technology and healthcare in consumer products. The advancements in these smart glasses may hint at a promising future in augmented reality and wearable tech.

Show notes

Sony says Tencent has ripped off one of their biggest games. Microsoft wants to get ahead of the whole AI browser thing. Are rate limits coming for AI usage as some people are using AI too much? Waymo is coming to Dallas. And further proof of my thesis that smartglasses are the next big thing in tech hardware.
Links:

Sony sues Tencent for allegedly ripping off 'Horizon' video games (Reuters)

Microsoft revolutionizes Edge as an AI-powered web browser with new experimental 'Copilot Mode' — here's how to enable it right now (Windows Central)

Anthropic unveils new rate limits to curb Claude Code power users (TechCrunch)

A Second Tea Breach Reveals Users’ DMs About Abortions and Cheating (404Media)

Waymo, Avis Plan Dallas Robotaxi Launch in Multiyear Deal (Bloomberg)

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses revenue tripled over the year, EssilorLuxottica says (CNBC)

Oakley Meta glasses review: A familiar formula with some upgrades (Engadget)

Tue. 07/29 – Do You Need To Cut Back On Your AI Usage?