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TechCrunch Daily Crunch

Microsoft hangs up on Skype

Mar 1, 2025
Tesla is looking to launch a robo-taxi service in California but faces regulatory hurdles. Mozilla assures users that Firefox’s data practices remain unchanged amid privacy concerns. Meanwhile, Microsoft is shutting down Skype, urging users to switch to Teams for communication. The podcast delves into the implications of this transition and the broader tech landscape, highlighting significant changes within startups and investments.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Tesla's application for a California ride-hail permit marks a strategic shift toward integrating autonomous vehicles in public mobility services.
  • Microsoft's closure of Skype and pivot to Teams illustrates the evolving dynamics between personal and business communication platforms.

Deep dives

Tesla's Potential Robo-Taxi Service

Tesla has submitted an application for a transportation charter party carrier permit to the California Public Utilities Commission, which is a crucial step toward launching a robo-taxi service. This permit indicates that Tesla would own the vehicles and utilize employees as drivers, differentiating its approach from existing ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, which operate under Transportation Network Company permits. The application, confirmed to have been filed in November 2024, is still pending approval, and there are no applications for further participation in autonomous vehicle services as of yet. The move highlights Tesla's ongoing innovations in the transportation sector, aiming to integrate its technology into public mobility services.

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