🍋 The War for Your Car's Screen

General Motors snubbed CarPlay for new EVs, Amazon is getting rid of free deliveries, and NYC hired a rat czar.

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“It’s not always that we need to do more but rather that we need to focus on less.” — Nathan Morris

Good Morning! Amazon will axe its free returns policy, at least for some purchases. Corporate profits are expected to take a hit this quarter, and investors are on edge as they wait to see how companies will weather the storm.

Carlyle is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in Manchester United, and - the mobile game sensation Angry Birds is reportedly on the cusp of a billion-dollar sale.

And New York City hired its first ever "rat czar" to tackle the city's longstanding rodent problem.

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1. Story of the Day: Dashboard Drama: The War for Your Car's Screen

There’s a new fight brewing in the automobile industry. The biggest names in Big Tech are going head-to-head with car companies in a multi-billion dollar war for control of your car's dashboard screen.

90% of new American cars sold last year were equipped with Apple's CarPlay software, and CarPlay has become non-negotiable for certain car buyers. But now, General Motors has thrown a curveball by ditching CarPlay for its electric vehicles and instead opting for an interface built by Google.

GM's new software collects data on the vehicle's electric charge and provides the best location to stop and plug in - something CarPlay hasn’t been able to do yet. Tesla also snubbed CarPlay for its own interface.

Car companies are racing to put out electric vehicles that are loaded with software that can be updated remotely, and companies are racing to own the experience and the underlying technology behind the interface. GM projects $20 to $25 billion in revenue annually by 2030 if it were to own its interface, up from $2 billion in 2021.

Takeaway: General Motors’ plan to ditch CarPlay for new EVs is a gamble. On the one hand, GM has the potential to establish a lucrative revenue stream from its new EV interface. However, the move also carries the risk of alienating loyal CarPlay customers who have come to rely on the platform for its ease of use and functionality.

Would Not Having CarPlay Be a Dealbreaker for You?

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2. Markets Rundown

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Stocks closed lower over inflation concerns.

Movers & Shakers

  • (+) JPMorgan Chase ($JPM) +8% after the bank posted record revenue on rising interest rates.

  • (–) Boeing ($BA) -6% after the company announced 737 production issues.

  • (–) Rivian ($RIVN) -7% after 737 production issues.

Private Dealmaking

  • Merck bought Prometheus for $10.8 billion

  • Astranis Space Technologies, a satellite startup, raised $200 million

  • Alentis Therapeutics, a cancer treatment startup, raised $105 million

  • Cybersyn, a data-as-a-service startup, raised $62.9 million

  • EnergyX, a lithium extraction startup, raised $50 million

  • M^ZERO Labs, a German decentralized infrastructure project, raised $22.5 million

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3. Top Reads

  • Why private equity firms are buying their own debt (BNN)

  • The 60-40 portfolio is back (Axios)

  • Don’t call them ‘Barbarians at the Gate’ (WSJ)

  • The end of faking it in Silicon Valley (NYT)

  • ChatGPT makes it easier for remote workers to hold 2 jobs (Fortune)

  • Houston, Dallas lead the country in empty office space (YF)

  • How bank apps know you’re you (WSJ)

  • Is Twitter finally dying? (Vox)

  • The $25k EV is coming (CNBC)

  • American consumers are pulling back (Axios)

  • How much 2 years of inflation have really cost you (CNBC)

4. Shortform Book of the Day: Automate Your Busy Work

In Automate Your Busywork: Do Less, Achieve More, and Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of Jotform Aytekin Tank delivers a can’t-miss blueprint to help you make the most of your most precious asset: time.

You’ll explore what’s possible when you offload repetitive tasks, why automation has democratized innovation, and how you can use cheap―or even completely free―no-code automation tools to transform your ability to focus on what truly matters in your business and life.

In the book, you’ll discover:

Why the future of business is no-code, and how you can use an automation-first mindset to unlock your productivity potential

How to move from busywork to less work, and finally to having the time you need to accomplish your most important work

How you can use delegation and automation to achieve “timefulness,” the state of having enough time

A must-read handbook for every entrepreneur, founder, business owner, and freelancer who just doesn’t have enough hours in the day, Automate Your Busywork will also earn a place in the libraries of managers, executives, and other business leaders looking to maximize their most valuable resource.

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5. Short Squeez Picks

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6. Daily Visual: Number of People Buying T-Bills on TreasuryDirect

March 2013 to March 2023

Source: Axios

7. Daily Acumen

In the race to achieve success, the person who can effectively blend intelligence with dedication has the upper hand. It's not always about putting in long hours or sheer determination; sometimes, it's about finding the right strategy that allows you to work more efficiently and outpace your competition.

Consider the story of the tortoise and the hare. While the hare may have superior speed, it is the tortoise's calculated approach and unwavering determination that ultimately leads to victory. By carefully planning each step and applying effort in the right places, the tortoise is able to outsmart the hare and achieve its goal.

Similarly, the person who digs a hole with their hands may exhibit great perseverance, but they are quickly surpassed by someone who employs a tool like a shovel. By using the right resources and techniques, you can save time, energy, and ultimately achieve more in less time.

In today's fast-paced world, competition is fierce, and those who can harness the power of both intelligence and effort will find themselves ahead of the pack. It's not enough to simply work hard; you must also work smart. By constantly seeking new knowledge, honing your skills, and embracing innovative solutions, you can optimize your performance and outshine your rivals.

8. Memes of the Day

 

 

 

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