Plus, U.S. federal auto-safety regulators close their investigation into Cruise’s self-driving system. And another Tesla executive announces departure from the electric vehicle maker. Zoe Thomas hosts.
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[00:00:01] Here's your TNB Tech Minute for Thursday, August 22. I'm Zoe Thomas for The Wall Street Journal.
[00:00:08] Apple said software updates coming later this year will allow iPhone and iPad owners
[00:00:14] in the European Union to delete pre-installed apps, like the App Store and Safari. Apple
[00:00:20] will also allow third-party applications to replace its phone call and messaging programs
[00:00:25] as the go-to for consumers. The company has already done this with browsers and contactless
[00:00:31] payment methods, but the update will make alternatives more obvious. The changes are part of Apple's
[00:00:37] ongoing effort to comply with the EU's digital competition law, which took effect in March.
[00:00:42] Federal auto safety regulators have closed their investigation into the self-driving system used by
[00:00:48] General Motors driverless car unit, CRUISE. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[00:00:54] said CRUISE issued a recall earlier this month, updating software in its U.S. fleet to reduce
[00:01:00] the risk of unexpected braking maneuvers. The regulator launched the investigation in December 2022.
[00:01:07] It followed reports that CRUISE vehicles might engage in inappropriately hard braking or stall while
[00:01:13] operating on public roads. The agency said it reserves the right to take additional action if
[00:01:18] circumstances warranted. And Tesla's head of finance operations has left the company after 11 years.
[00:01:25] She's the latest executive to depart the electric vehicle maker over the past year. Tesla didn't
[00:01:31] respond to a request for comment. The chief financial officer, the head of the energy business,
[00:01:36] and the head of public policy are among those who have left since last August. The departures come as
[00:01:42] Tesla's CEO Elon Musk is trying to recast the automaker as an artificial intelligence and robotics company
[00:01:49] as it faces growing competition in the EV space. For a deeper dive into what's happening in tech,
[00:01:54] check out Friday's Tech News Briefing podcast.