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Morning Byte | August 12-17

Author

Keith Andrade
August 18, 2024

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🧠 63% Boost in Brainpower?

Hi Reader! Welcome back to our straight-to-the-point, data-driven insights with Morning Byte. Our free newsletter brings you the latest tech market facts right to your inbox.

Here’s what you need to know.

🧠 Emerging Tech

1. Scientists Can Clean Aging Brains!
Imagine your brain as a messy teenager's room. Over time, it gets cluttered with junk, and no matter how many times you tell it to clean up, it just won't listen. Well, scientists have found a new "parental control" drug that forces the brain to take out the trash. This miracle drug speeds up waste removal by 63% in mice, potentially offering new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. So, your brain might finally start listening to you—at least in the future.
mbyte.co/vhp - ScienceDaily

2. Google's Gemini Live is Here!
Google just unleashed its new AI overlord, Gemini Live, and it's ready to take over your life for just $20 a month—after a free trial, of course. The AI is so advanced that it makes Google Assistant look like Clippy from Microsoft Word. And if you’re lucky enough to own a Pixel Pro 9, you can try it for free. Who needs friends when you’ve got Gemini?
mbyte.co/snh - ZDNet

3. AI Replaces Teachers in London School
Remember when teachers used to say, "You won't have a calculator with you everywhere you go"? Well, now you won’t need a teacher either. David Game College in London is rolling out AI to teach math, biology, and more. Personalized learning paths for each student are the new norm. So, the next time you forget your homework, just blame the AI.
mbyte.co/fcw - Business Insider

4. Huawei's Chip Beats Nvidia's in China
Huawei just dropped a bombshell in the tech world by launching an AI chip that’s giving Nvidia a run for its money—at least in China. With $2 billion in orders already secured, Huawei is flexing its muscles in the AI space, despite U.S. sanctions blocking Nvidia’s best chips. Looks like the chip wars just got a lot more interesting.
mbyte.co/lvs - Wall Street Journal

Tips
→ Brain health is the new wealth—keep an eye on biotech advancements.
→ AI is becoming your new best friend (or worst enemy).
→ The East vs. West chip war is heating up—diversify your tech investments accordingly.

1. Stocks Soar, Crash Fears Gone
The stock market is like that rollercoaster ride you’re not sure you want to be on. One minute you’re up 555 points, and the next, you’re bracing for a crash. But for now, the ride is smooth. Retail sales beat forecasts, unemployment claims are down, and the S&P is up 9% since August. So, enjoy the ride while it lasts—but keep your seatbelt fastened.
mbyte.co/zk0 - Forbes

2. Market Panic: Is It Over?
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the market, the Nasdaq decided to pull an 8-day 1% swing marathon. The S&P 500 is down 5.7% from its July peak, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 had its worst drop since 1987. AI tech stocks are taking a beating, but hey, at least you’re not in Japan, right?
mbyte.co/47e - Wall Street Journal

3. Serve Robotics Stock Soars 9.6%
Serve Robotics just became the darling of the stock market, with its stock price jumping 9.6%. Investors are gobbling up call options like they’re on sale at Costco—call options volume is up 88%. Aegis even rated it a "strong-buy." So, if you missed the boat, don’t worry—there’s always another one coming.
mbyte.co/lu0 - Defense World

Tips
→ The stock market is a rollercoaster—don’t jump off mid-ride.
→ AI stocks are volatile; consider hedging your bets.
→ Keep an eye on companies like Serve Robotics—they’re the future of automation.

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🚀 Industry Disruptions

1. Lockheed Buys Terran for $450M
Lockheed Martin just went shopping and came back with a $450 million shiny new toy—Terran Orbital. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; Terran’s cash reserves have dropped to a measly $14.6 million, and its stock price is hovering around $0.40. Oh, and they lost a major deal with Rivada. But hey, Lockheed’s got deep pockets, so maybe they can turn this ship around.
mbyte.co/ufe - TechCrunch

2. Tesla's Cybertruck Reservations Mean Nothing
Tesla has a million Cybertruck reservations, but only 25,000 trucks have hit the road. If you’ve got $100,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can get one now—just don’t expect it to look like the one you reserved in 2019. Oh, and the price has gone up by 50%. But hey, it’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey, right?
mbyte.co/o9z - Electrek

3. Burger Bots Take Over LA!
Serve Robotics is partnering with Shake Shack to roll out 2,000 delivery robots in LA by 2025. These bots don’t need tips, don’t complain about bad weather, and won’t eat your fries. They use AI and GPS to deliver your food faster and more efficiently than a human ever could. So, if you’re in LA, expect your next burger to arrive with a side of AI.
mbyte.co/gil - Electrek

Tips
→ Mergers and acquisitions can be risky—keep an eye on Lockheed’s next moves.
→ Tesla’s Cybertruck is a lesson in patience—don’t count your trucks before they’re delivered.
→ Automation is here to stay—invest in companies that are leading the charge.

⚖️ Regulatory Updates

1. FTC Hits Fake Reviews Hard
The FTC just dropped the hammer on fake reviews, including AI-generated ones. The new rule comes with penalties up to $51,744 per violation, targeting global marketplaces like Amazon. The rule goes into effect 60 days post-publication, so if you’ve been padding your reviews with a little creative writing, now’s the time to stop.
mbyte.co/aac - The Verge

2. Improper Payments Hit $1.1 Billion
Social Security just made a $1.1 billion oopsie, and guess who’s paying for it? Yep, you and every other taxpayer. Mismanagement of funds has led to a financial strain that could have been avoided. Fixing these errors could save billions annually, but until then, it’s just another day in government inefficiency.
mbyte.co/af8 - CNBC

3. Apple's 30% Fee Hits Patreon
Apple’s infamous 30% fee is now hitting Patreon iOS memberships, effective November 2024. Creators will either have to adjust their prices or take the hit themselves. Meanwhile, web and Android prices remain unchanged, making Apple the Scrooge McDuck of tech.
mbyte.co/qxd - Fast Company

Tips
→ Regulatory crackdowns are coming—stay compliant or pay the price.
→ Government inefficiency is costly—consider how it impacts your investments.
→ Apple’s fees are a reminder to diversify your revenue streams.

We put your money to work

Betterment’s financial experts and automated investing technology are working behind the scenes to make your money hustle while you do whatever you want.

💸 VC and Investment

1. TikTok Partners with Amazon for Shopping
TikTok is now your one-stop shop for mindless scrolling and impulse buying. The platform has partnered with Amazon to offer in-app shopping, complete with real-time pricing and Prime delivery. Social shopping is growing 18% yearly in the West, so if you’re not already on the bandwagon, it might be time to jump on.
mbyte.co/sil - Social Media Today

2. Robinhood's Record Revenue and Growth
Robinhood just reported record revenue of $682 million, with net deposits soaring to $13 billion. Their Gold subscribers grew 60% year-over-year, and they’re investing in AI to boost productivity. Looks like Robinhood is robbing the rich to give to…well, themselves, but hey, who’s complaining?
mbyte.co/ad6 - Decode Investing AI Assistant

3. Reddit's Revenue Jumps 54%
Reddit’s revenue is up 54% year-over-year, with ad revenue hitting $253.1 million. Data licensing grew by a staggering 690%, and their gross margins are near 90%. Reddit is quietly becoming a major player in the digital ad space, and if you haven’t noticed, now’s the time to start paying attention.
mbyte.co/wnw - Decode Investing AI Assistant

Tips
→ Social shopping is the future—consider investing in platforms like TikTok.
→ Robinhood’s growth is impressive, but watch out for volatility.
→ Reddit is more than just memes—it’s becoming a serious business.

📝 Noteworthy

1. Elon Musk’s $600K "Hardcore" Mistake
Elon Musk’s "hardcore" work culture just cost him $600K. After firing an employee who didn’t agree to go "hardcore," Ireland’s WRC ruled the termination unfair, and now X (formerly Twitter) has to pay up. Maybe next time, Elon will think twice before sending an email.
mbyte.co/94k - Mashable

2. Musk's X Platform Fails Big Time
Speaking of Elon, his X platform (formerly Twitter) just had a massive fail during a Musk-Trump interview. Over 1.3 million people tried to listen in, but the platform was hit by glitches, which Musk blamed on a DDOS attack. Maybe firing key engineers wasn’t the best idea after all.
mbyte.co/37d - AP News

3. Apple Ditches Yellow for iPhone 16
Apple just revealed the colors for the iPhone 16, and guess what? Yellow is out. The new lineup includes blue, pink, white, black, and green. They’ve also introduced a new vertical camera layout for spatial video. So, if you were hoping for a yellow iPhone, you’re out of luck—but at least the new colors are bold and saturated.
mbyte.co/vnj - 9to5Mac

Tips
→ Elon Musk’s "hardcore" culture is a double-edged sword—be cautious.
→ Tech failures can happen to anyone, even Elon Musk—diversify your investments.
→ Apple’s color choices may seem trivial, but they’re a key part of their brand strategy.

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That’s it for this week, folks! Keep your eyes peeled and your minds sharp.

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Stay tuned for more insights and updates next week!

Sincerely,

Keith

Chief Consultant & Correspondant

The Morning Byte LLC

We put your money to work

Betterment’s financial experts and automated investing technology are working behind the scenes to make your money hustle while you do whatever you want.

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