Top Tech and Startup Stories from GeekWire: Week of July 7, 2024

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Key Takeaways:

– Drone company experiences major tech failure on July 4, causing a loss of devices into a lake
– DoorDash and Uber grow impatient with stagnant Seattle council on food delivery driver pay
– Automated parking garage in Seattle condo introduces robotic EV charging bays
– New York Times Co. contests OpenAI’s request for reporter’s source materials amid copyright dispute
– Mozilla product chief accuses the company of discrimination following cancer diagnosis
– Amazon invests in Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus in continued pursuit of fashion sector
– Insight into the masterminds contributing to Seattle’s growing climate tech ecosystem
– New EV charging startup, Juicer Energy, lead by ex-OfferUp and Auth0 CEOs emerges
– Longtime Echo Spot user comments on first revamp of Amazon’s tiny Alexa device after seven years
– The top funding deals for Pacific Northwest startups in Q2 revealed

Behind the Scenes: Insights into the Week’s Top Tech and Startup News

Drone company Grapples Major Tech Failure

The CEO of an unspecified drone company is seeking solutions after an unfortunate tech failure led to several drones plummeting into a SeaTac, Wash., lake during a Fourth of July light show. Despite the upsetting circumstance, safety procedures were executed effectively.

DoorDash and Uber Clash with Seattle Council

Top food delivery platforms, DoorDash and Uber, are increasingly agitated over the lack of progress on food delivery driver pay regulations in Seattle, underscoring the need for urgent action.

Seattle’s Automated Parking Garage Upgrade

Luxury condo towers in downtown Seattle are embracing the future with an update to their automated parking garage. The modernized system now includes robotic arms tasked with charging electric vehicles, making for a perfect blend of luxury and technology.

In an intellectual property dispute, The New York Times Co. is challenging OpenAI’s request for reporters’ notes, interview transcripts, and related materials. They argue these materials have been used to train OpenAI’s AI software models, thus infringing copyright laws.

Discrimination Allegations Against Mozilla

Mozilla Corp. is facing discrimination allegations by Steve Teixeira, the company’s Chief Product Officer and a former executive at Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter. Teixeira claims discriminatory practices followed his cancer diagnosis.

Amazon’s Fashion Industry Pursuit

In their quest to make an impact in the fashion sector, Amazon has invested in renowned retail brands, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Seattle’s Flourishing Climate Tech Ecosystem

In-depth features provided an insider’s glimpse into the people and ideas powering Seattle’s burgeoning climate tech sector.

Juicer Energy: New EV Charging Startup

Juicer Energy, a clandestine new EV charging startup, owned by former CEOs of OfferUp and Auth0, aims to convert residential properties into accessible public EV charging points.

Amazon’s Echo Spot Revamp Evaluated

A longstanding user of Amazon’s Echo Spot shares their observations on the device’s first revamp since its introduction seven years ago.

Q2 Funding for Pacific Northwest Startups

The past quarter has seen impressive funding secured by startups across an array of industries throughout the Pacific Northwest, highlighting the region’s vibrancy and versatility.

In conclusion, this past week witnessed considerable movements within the technology and startup sectors. From regulatory showdowns and high-profile discrimination allegations to exciting growth and innovation, there is an ongoing mix of challenges and progress. The coming weeks promise even more dynamic shifts within this fast-paced and ever-evolving industry.

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