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The smartphone industry continuously pushes the boundaries of <keyword id="1658654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fast-charging" source="Orion">fast charging</keyword>, with companies launching new and improved charging technologies at an impressive pace. Recently, <keyword id="19985864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="realme" source="keywords">Realme</keyword> announced a new system, called the 320W SuperSonic charge that can charge a 4,420 mAh battery from 1% to 100% in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds. This raises an important question: Do these fast chargers damage your phone’s battery, or are they totally safe to use? In this article, we'll explore the science behind battery function and the technologies that manufacturers are developing to protect your device's battery. <h2>How does a smartphone battery work?</h2>Smartphone batteries are typically made of lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells, which operate through chemical reactions. When charging, lithium ions flow from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode), generating energy that powers the device. Batteries absorb the most energy when they are almost empty. As they are near their full capacity, they absorb less power. This is why smartphone charging slows down once the battery reaches around 80%. With a fast charger, this process happens much faster, but it’s important to note that fast chargers don’t consistently operate at their peak output. The charger only delivers its maximum capacity for a brief period, while the power input adjusts depending on the battery’s current charge level. <h2>Fast charging explained</h2>Fast charging uses higher power levels to recharge a battery more quickly by increasing the voltage or current supplied. Modern fast-charging systems rely on specialised chargers and batteries that can handle the increased power without causing damage. Technologies such as <keyword id="22604355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="usb-power-delivery" source="keywords">USB Power Delivery</keyword> (USB-PD and Qualcomm <keyword id="24069276" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quick-charge" source="keywords">Quick Charge</keyword> help regulate power delivery by communicating between the charger and the device, adjusting based on battery capacity and charge level. Fast charging starts quickly when the battery is low, but slows as the battery nears full capacity to prevent overheating and protect battery longevity. <h2>Why Do Batteries Degrade Over Time?</h2>Repeated charging and discharging take a toll on batteries, but the primary factor behind battery degradation is heat. Excessive heat can cause the battery's internal structure to crystallise, reducing its efficiency. This is why the goal of many manufacturers is to minimise heat generation during the charging process. Over the years, companies have developed technologies to reduce heat in the battery and mitigate its negative effects on the overall battery health. While fast charging is convenient, it can degrade the battery over time if not managed properly. The higher power levels generate more heat, accelerating battery wear and reducing capacity over multiple charging cycles. Modern batteries and chargers are equipped with features, such as temperature sensors and power regulation systems, to minimise damage. Although fast charging can shorten battery lifespan when used frequently, devices often slow the charging speed as they approach full capacity to mitigate these effects. As a result, the battery may not last as long as with slower charging, requiring more frequent recharges over time. <h2>Charging technologies over time</h2>Smartphone brands, especially in India, have been at the forefront of charging technology innovations: OnePlus launched <keyword id="24069277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="warp-charge" source="keywords">Warp Charge</keyword> in 2019 with 30W charging, and now offers solutions up to 150W. Xiaomi introduced <keyword id="24069278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hypercharge" source="keywords">HyperCharge</keyword> in 2021 with 120W, and is working on a 300W solution for full charges in under 10 minutes. Oppo debuted SuperVOOC in 2018, starting at 50W, and is aiming for 300W charging. Realme launched Dart Charge in 2020 with 65W and in 2024, showcased 320W SuperSonic charging. Samsung has used <keyword id="24069279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adaptive-fast-charging" source="keywords">Adaptive Fast Charging</keyword> since 2014, and now focuses on wireless charging and long-term battery health. <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple" source="keywords">Apple</keyword> introduced MagSafe in 2020, prioritising eco-friendly wireless charging advancements. <h2>Consumer perceptions and misconceptions</h2>Many consumers believe fast charging always damages batteries, but modern devices are designed with features to manage heat and voltage, minimising harm. Another common misconception is that using third-party chargers will destroy the battery, but reputable third-party chargers that meet safety standards are safe to use. Some people worry that fast charging is inherently unsafe, but certified chargers follow strict regulations to prevent damage. It’s also often assumed that fast charging continues at high speeds until the battery reaches 100%, but in fact, most systems slow down near full capacity to protect the battery. Lastly, people may believe that all chargers offer fast charging, but fast charging only works with devices and chargers that support the same technology, like USB-PD or Quick Charge. <h2>Best practices for charging</h2>To extend <keyword id="158949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="battery-life" source="Orion">battery life</keyword>, it’s best to avoid letting your battery drop below 20% or charge above 80% frequently, as extreme charge levels can strain the battery. Always use certified chargers and cables to ensure stable power delivery. Keep your device cool while charging, as excessive heat can cause damage. Avoid heavy usage during charging, as it generates heat. Enable "optimised charging" feature, available on many devices, to regulate charging speed and patterns. If fast charging is necessary, use it sparingly and rely on slower charging for routine use. Finally, unplug the charger once the device is fully charged to prevent unnecessary trickle charging over time. <h2>The future of smartphone batteries</h2>Looking ahead, the future of smartphone batteries includes promising advancements in solid-state and graphene technologies, which could offer faster charging, longer battery life, and higher energy density. Additionally, sodium-ion and lithium-sulphur batteries are being investigated as eco-friendly alternatives. <keyword id="20016522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gan" source="keywords">GaN</keyword> (gallium nitride) technology is paving the way for ultra-fast chargers, and wireless and over-the-air charging innovations promise to provide smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions. By understanding how batteries work, the impact of fast charging, and best practices for maintaining battery health, consumers can make informed choices that balance convenience and long-term battery performance.

Speed vs. Longevity: The impact of fast charging on your smartphone battery life

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nuclear-power stocks fell after regulators voted against a deal between Amazon and Talen Energy.</li><li>The deal would permit a Talen nuclear plant to provide an Amazon data center with extra power.</li></ul>Nuclear-power stocks slumped on Monday after US regulators barred a plant from supplying extra power to an <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/amzn-stock">Amazon</a> data center.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected the deal between Amazon and <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/tln-stock">Talen Energy</a> late last week. According to FERC Commissioner Mark Christie, approving the proposal would <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/commissioner-christies-concurrence-pjms-susquehanna-co-location-proposal-er24-2172">spark consequences for grid reliability and consumer costs</a>.Talen dropped as much as 8.6% on Monday, unleashing a broader downturn in the nuclear power sector. <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/vst-stock">Vistra</a> slid 6.7% at intraday lows, while <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ceg-stock">Constellation Energy</a> tanked 13%.These firms have gained sharply as AI data centers have driven US <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/ai-power-grid-demand-utility-bill-outlook-electricity-ev-2024-7">power demand to new heights</a>. In recent months, tech companies have come to embrace nuclear power to run these centers, fueling underlying equities.Both Vistra and Constellation are among the top S&amp;P 500 performers this year. In a similar fashion to Talen, Constellation reached a 20-year deal with <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/msft-stock">Microsoft</a> to power its data center inBut the FERC's decision sets a precedent that could challenge nuclear data center deals."FERC's decision will have a chilling effect on economic development in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey," Talen <a target="_blank" href="https://ir.talenenergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/talen-energy-statement-ferc-order-rejecting-susquehanna-isa">said in a statement</a>.According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-04/us-power-stocks-slump-after-regulator-rejects-nuclear-agreement">Bloomberg</a>, the firm was already paid $650 million in March by Amazon Web Services for a data center campus next to the Pennsylvania plant at issue. AWS also signed a long-term deal to purchase power from the plant.Other nuclear equities also suffered on Monday, with the Sam Altman-backed firm <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/oklo-stock">Oklo</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/nne-stock">Nano Nuclear Energy</a> both falling by double-digits.

Nuclear-power stocks slide after regulator rejects plan to power Amazon data center

<ul class="summary-list"><li>President Joe Biden will allow Ukraine to strike Russia with US-provided long-range missiles.</li><li>The US previously restricted Ukraine from striking Russia with the powerful ATACMS.</li></ul>President Joe Biden has authorized the use of powerful, US-provided long-range missiles for Ukraine to strike inside Russia, according to multiple reports.The Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, will likely be used against targets in Russia's Kursk region, The New York Times first reported on Sunday. Ukraine <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kremlin-trying-get-russians-accept-ukraine-incursion-kursk-normal-report-2024-8">launched a surprise invasion</a> there in early August.The policy shift, which comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, came after Russia launched a widespread missile and drone attack targeting Ukraine's power grid on Sunday.It also comes as North Korea joins the war. US intelligence reported earlier this month that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/north-korean-troops-ukraine-russia-kursk-8000-front-lines-2024-11">thousands of North Korean troops</a> clad in Russian gear were set to hit the front lines in Kursk, and they have already <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-details-first-ukraine-attack-north-korea-troops-russia-kursk-2024-11">seen combat</a> against Kyiv's forces in the region.The move is a significant shift in US policy.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/atacms-ukraine-could-make-crimea-militarily-worthless-russia-expert-2024-4">US provided Ukraine with ATACMS</a> in the fall of 2023, although Kyiv had long been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-f16s-less-effective-russia-defenses-missiles-cant-strike-experts-2024-9">restricted</a> from striking across Russia's borders and instead was limited to targets in the Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine. The longer-range variant of the missile can travel a little under 200 miles.Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have long tried to get the United States to drop the restrictions. They were thought to be in place because the Biden administration feared a policy shift could escalate the conflict. Zelenskyy did not immediately comment on the development.Military experts previously told Business Insider that the ATACMS <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-kursk-offensive-more-successful-without-west-limits-russia-experts-2024-8">restrictions were hindering Ukraine's progress</a> by making it harder to target the source of Russian attacks and instead forcing Kyiv to defend against each attack as it occurred.However, despite the restrictions, Ukraine has used an arsenal of domestically produced drones and missiles to carry out long-range strikes on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-deep-strikes-inside-russia-meant-to-weaken-war-machines-2024-10">key military and energy facilities</a> inside Russia.Biden's decision will allow Ukraine to train its sights on some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/interactive-map-shows-russian-targets-ukraine-could-hit-with-atacms-2024-8">245 Russian targets</a> using ATACMS. Beyond the US-provided missiles, Kyiv also fields long-range cruise missiles that the UK and France provided.The Defense Department and the White House National Security Council declined to comment on the decision.

Biden will allow Ukraine to use powerful ATACMS to strike inside Russia

Emissions from residential cooking and heating, power generation, and industries together contribute up to 60 per cent of India's PM2.5 pollution, with about 80 per cent of this coming from <keyword id="23824528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fossil-fuel-combustion" source="keywords">fossil fuel combustion</keyword>, a new study has found. The peer-reviewed study, published in MDPI's "Air" journal, suggests dividing India into 15 airsheds based on regional climate and pollution sources. An airshed is a geographic area where <keyword id="53848" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-quality" source="Orion">air quality</keyword> is influenced by common factors such as wind patterns and pollution sources. Since pollution can spread across regions, the <keyword id="22077484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airshed-approach" source="keywords">airshed approach</keyword> promotes coordinated action among states. "Residential cooking and heating, power generation, and all other industries together are responsible for 40-60 per cent of the PM2.5 pollution in all the airsheds, and approximately 80 per cent of the pollution comes from fossil fuel burning sources," said Sarath Guttikunda, lead author of the study and founder of UrbanEmissions.info. The study said biomass burning, including post-harvest crop residue burning, contributed less than 3 per cent to annual PM2.5 levels while transport accounted for 5-10 per cent in all airsheds. PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, about the width of a human hair. These are so small that these can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. An analysis of PM2.5 trends from 1998 to 2020, along with state-level data on fuel consumption, energy demand and emissions, revealed that 11 of the 15 airsheds were critical for India's air quality management and required coordinated interventions. The Indo-Gangetic Plains remain the most polluted region, with significant emissions from residential cooking and heating (especially in winter), power plants, brick kilns (driven by construction demand), waste burning, dust and vehicular movement for passengers and freight. The plateau region between the Eastern and Western Ghats, India's second most populated area, has seen the highest rise in annual PM2.5 pollution during this period, the study said. "This is an indication of the growing urbanisation and demand for transport, industrial, and commercial amenities," it said. Coastal areas, vital to India's industrial economy, have also experienced rising pollution despite the moderating effects of land-sea breezes. This increase is attributed to growing shipping emissions and overall industrial growth in cities such as Mundra, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Haldia.

Study traces 60% PM2.5 pollution in India to residential cooking, power generation, industries

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Trump has officially announced Sen. Marco Rubio as his pick for secretary of state.</li><li>Rubio is a China hawk, has been sanctioned twice by Beijing, and may even be barred from the country.</li></ul>US President-elect Donald Trump has officially announced Sen. Marco Rubio as his secretary of state pick after days of speculation.Nominating Rubio is especially notable for the Florida senator's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/SenMarcoRubio/status/1855002858262766019">thorny relationship with China</a> and steadfast support of Taiwan, raising questions about what US-Chinese relations will look like if he's confirmed.Earlier this week, sources close to Trump told The New York Times they were confident Rubio would be the president-elect's nomination. On Wednesday, Trump confirmed the pick, calling Rubio "a highly respected leader" who "will be a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries."In a statement, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-statement-on-nomination-to-lead-state-department/">Rubio said he was "honored" to receive the nomination</a>. "Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else," the senator said. When reached out to for comment, Rubio's Senate office directed Business Insider to his statement on the nomination. The Trump transition team and the Chinese embassy in Washington didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on Wednesday. <div type="image" title="marco rubio" height="2296" width="3300" msid="115272704" hostid="261" sizebytes="157000"></div>Since winning his senate seat in 2010, Rubio has been an outspoken critic of China. He's repeatedly spoken out about China's ambitious military and political goals, economic power, and the US' response to its growing influence.And Beijing has taken note. In 2020, Rubio and other US Senators were sanctioned by Beijing. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53722811">Rubio was sanctioned, or blacklisted, twice</a> — first in retaliation for US measures against senior Chinese officials over the mass detainment and abuse of the Uyghur ethnic group, and the second after Rubio supported US sanctions against Chinese officials for their response to protests in Hong Kong. Rubio has accused China of a "grotesque campaign of genocide" against the Uyghurs. The question now is whether China will lift the sanctions on Rubio, which may prohibit him from traveling to the country, and how Washington's relations with Beijing could be impacted if Rubio's confirmed. But China's actions haven't stopped Rubio from continuing to speak out. At a 2022 talk with The Heritage Foundation, Rubio said members of the Chinese Communist Party had, for decades, "hid their true ambition to remake the global order and become the world's most powerful nation. But they don't hide it anymore."Some experts and top China watchers have indicated that China's goals, along with those of Russia, Iran, and North Korea, are to upend the US-led liberal world order.At the same talk, Rubio noted, "The gravest threat facing America today, the challenge that will define this century and every generation represented here, is not climate change, the pandemic, or the left's version of social justice. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.rubio.senate.gov/icymi-rubio-speaks-on-the-threat-of-communist-china-at-the-heritage-foundation/">The threat that will define this century is China</a>."<div type="image" title="Donald Trump and Marco Rubio campaign in Florida ahead of the 2022 midterms" height="2040" width="2500" msid="115272710" hostid="261" sizebytes="98580"></div>He has expressed similar rhetoric in the past and since then, criticizing what he has said is growing and ongoing Chinese economic and political influence in the US. "They have leverage over our economy. They have influence over our society. They have an army of unpaid lobbyists here in Washington," Rubio said during a 2023 Senate speech. He also wrote an op-ed in September of this year in The Washington Post that Beijing's plans were meant to harm the US' economy. Some of that aligns with Trump's tough talk on trade with China. During the campaign trail, Trump said he planned to slap major tariffs on China in an effort to boost American business. Another looming question is what Rubio's nomination may mean for Taiwan. The Florida senator has long supported Taiwanese independence — a stance beyond the US government's long-standing One China approach — and introduced legislation to strengthen US-Taiwanese relations and increase military aid and support to Taipei in an effort to deter a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/red-flags-tell-us-when-chinas-ready-to-invade-taiwan-2024-4">potential Chinese invasion or blockade</a>. If Rubio is confirmed, his time as secretary of state will come at a tense time for the Indo-Pacific region, with US officials bracing for China to be ready to seize <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/red-flags-tell-us-when-chinas-ready-to-invade-taiwan-2024-4">Taiwan by 2027</a>.

What Marco Rubio's nomination as Trump's secretary of state means for China and Taiwan

Climate Action 15: 2024's top global innovators powering green solutions

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Kamala Harris spoke to the nation for the first time since losing the election to Donald Trump.</li><li>The vice president pledged to continue fighting for American ideals.</li></ul>Vice President <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-political-career-photos-2024-11">Kamala Harris</a> publicly conceded the 2024 election to former <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-results-trump-harris-presidential-election-2024-11">President Donald Trump</a> in a Wednesday afternoon speech at her alma mater, Howard University.Harris walked out to her campaign theme song, "Freedom," by Beyoncé, to applause and chants of "Kamala.""My heart is full today," she told the tearful crowd. "Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. Full of love for our country. And full of resolve. The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for.""But hear me when I say, the light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting," she added.Harris said she was proud of her campaign, which lasted only 107 days. She told the crowd that she had already pledged to assist Trump with the transition and ensure a peaceful transfer of power."In our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party but to the Constitution of the United States," Harris said. "And loyalty to our conscience and to our God. My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign."In her speech, Harris hit on several touchstones of her campaign, including abortion protection, gun safety, democracy, and equal justice, promising to continue fighting."Fighting for our country is always worth it," she said.The vice president addressed young people specifically, promising them that it would be "OK" and encouraging them to continue working."Sometimes the fight takes a while, but that doesn't mean we won't win," Harris said, referencing her campaign slogan.Harris thanked her husband, Doug Emhoff, President Joe Biden, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her campaign staff, and poll workers.Harris <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-campaign-wants-second-debate-with-donald-trump-2024-9">campaign manager</a> Jen O'Malley Dillon sent staff members a memo ahead of the vice president's remarks on Wednesday, confirming that Harris had conceded the race to Trump and pledged to ensure a peaceful transfer of power from the Biden administration.O'Malley Dillon praised campaign staffers and congratulated them on a "first-rate, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-president-changes-history-white-house-2024-11">historic Presidential campaign</a>," according to the memo obtained by Business Insider."You navigated things that no one has ever had to navigate, and likely no one will ever have to again," she wrote.Harris became the Democratic nominee in August after President Joe Biden stepped down following a disastrous debate performance. She <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/short-campaign-november-presidential-election-may-benefit-kamala-harris-2024-8">campaigned for just over three months </a>before voters went to the polls this week."You stared down unprecedented headwinds and obstacles that were largely out of our control," the memo continued. "We knew this would be a margin of error race, and it was."Nearly every state in the country <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-latinos-shifting-right-trump-harris-gop-democrats-starr-county-2024-10">moved further right</a> in Tuesday's election, but O'Malley Dillon said the battleground states saw the least amount of movement compared to the rest of the nation."It was closest in the places we competed," she wrote. "That speaks to both the work you did and the scale of the challenge we ultimately couldn't surmount."Harris' concession comes hours after <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-2024-election-win-5-stats-to-explain-result-2024-11">Trump cinched a spectacular victory</a>, winning several swing states and a swath of new voters since his last campaign.In his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-praises-elon-musk-a-star-is-born-2024-11">victory speech</a> early Wednesday morning, Trump claimed a "mandate" for his agenda and pledged to put "divisions" in the past.Immediately following her speech, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-vice-president-tim-walz-career-facts-2024-8">Tim Walz</a>, were set to host an all-staff call to detail the campaign's accomplishment and discuss the "road ahead," according to the memo.

Harris concedes election, saying she promised Trump a peaceful transfer of power

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon discussed partnerships with other companies for an AI-powered Alexa upgrade.</li><li>Partners under consideration included Uber, Ticketmaster, and Instacart: internal document.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aws-negotiating-huge-cloud-deal-supply-ibm-with-nvidia-gpus-2024-11">Amazon's</a> AI-powered <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-paid-alexa-plus-service-issues-2024-1">Alexa</a> upgrade could launch with several major partners handling specific tasks such as ride-hailing, grocery shopping, and restaurant reservations, Business Insider has learned.The companies under consideration are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-lyft-drivers-ask-riders-cancel-trips-pay-them-directly-2024-11">Uber</a> for ride-hailing, Ticketmaster for ticketing, Vagaro for local business booking, OpenTable for restaurant reservations, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-diners-splurge-food-delivery-doordash-grubhub-ubereats-convenience-rules-2024-11">Grubhub</a> for food ordering, Instacart for grocery shopping, Fodors for travel advice, and Thumbtack for home services, according to an internal document obtained by BI.As of late August, those partner companies were "confirmed" to work with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-seeing-surge-sales-cheaper-items-2024-11">Amazon</a> on this project and some of them were already being tested on the new Alexa's technology, the document stated. Amazon hopes to onboard a total of roughly 200 partners by the third year of launching the new Alexa and a paid subscription service for it, the document added.The partner companies would become the primary option for handling those specific tasks on the upgraded Alexa. These would be separate from existing Alexa Skills, which are third-party applications on the voice platform, according to the document. As with any partnership talks, such negotiations could end without final agreements being signed.Amazon is revamping Alexa with ChatGPT-like AI features, BI <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-paid-alexa-plus-service-issues-2024-1">first reported in January</a>. Internally codenamed Banyan or Remarkable Alexa, the upgrade has the potential to significantly improve the voice assistant with AI features. However, issues like latency and inaccuracy have hampered the project's early progress.In an email to BI, Amazon's spokesperson said that, as with any product development process, a lot of ideas are discussed and debated, but "they don't necessarily reflect what the experience will be when we roll it out for our customers.""Our vision for Alexa is to build the world's best personal assistant. Generative AI offers a huge opportunity to make Alexa even better for our customers, and we are working hard to enable even more proactive and capable assistance on the over half a billion Alexa-enabled devices already in homes around the world. We are excited about what we're building and look forward to delivering it for our customers," the spokesperson added.Spokespeople for Uber, Ticketmaster, Vagaro, OpenTable, Grubhub, Instacart, Fodors, and Thumbtack didn't respond to requests for comment.<h2 id="90c1aa42-4f32-4431-8ed8-40c8b40b4453">Re-architecting "the brains of Alexa"</h2>Potential integrations with these partner companies are important for Amazon because completing entire tasks for users is a key part of the new Alexa's value proposition. An internal product description, obtained by BI, paints a picture of an advanced AI assistant capable of handling many types of user inquiries through multiple channels, not just voice.Amazon hopes the AI update will reignite interest in Alexa. The company has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-alexa-job-layoffs-rise-and-fall-2022-11">significantly cut back on Alexa</a> in recent years, after the voice-assistant failed to establish a profitable business model. Some Amazon employees <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-paid-alexa-plus-service-issues-2024-1">previously told</a> BI that many inside the company believe Alexa's future hangs on the success of this new AI-infused assistant.For now, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy appears to be supportive. During last month's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-stock-earnings-report-call-live-updates-2024-10">call with analysts</a>, Jassy said the company is re-architecting "the brains of Alexa" to create "the world's best personal assistant.""The next generation of these assistants and the generative AI applications will be better at not just answering questions and summarizing indexing and aggregating data, but also taking actions," Jassy said. "And you can imagine us being pretty good at that with Alexa."Do you work at Amazon? Got a tip?Contact the reporter, Eugene Kim, via the encrypted-messaging apps Signal or Telegram (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="c-link">+1-650-942-3061</a>) or email (<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ekim@businessinsider.com">ekim@businessinsider.com</a>). Reach out using a nonwork device. Check out Business Insider's <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-guide-to-securely-sharing-whistleblower-information-about-powerful-institutions-2021-10">source guide</a> for other tips on sharing information securely.

Leaked: Amazon held talks with Instacart, Uber, Ticketmaster, and others for help on its new AI-powered Alexa

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Democrats hope blue states can be the party's redoubt against Trump's second term.</li><li>Democrats will be in the minority in both houses of Congress in January 2025.</li></ul>With Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential election loss, President Joe Biden leaving the White House in January, and Democrats looking ahead to life in a Senate chamber that they'll no longer control, the new year will bring a new reality: the party's power in Washington, DC will be diminished.A newly empowered Donald Trump, meanwhile, is aiming to reshape the federal government to a degree that he failed to achieve in his first term. He's assembling <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-white-house-staff-cabinet-picks-list-2024-11">an array of loyalists</a> to help further his goals on everything from immigration to foreign policy.Early in Trump's first presidency, protests against his administration were common in Washington and other cities. And as Trump's first term progressed, Democrats remained laser-focused on opposing him. The party harnessed that energy to retake the House in 2018, win back the presidency in 2020, and flip the Senate in 2021.But this time, the Democratic Party appears to be coalescing around a revised strategy.Democratic officials and activists are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/us/politics/democrats-anti-trump-battle-plan.html">hoping blue states</a> can be the center of opposition to the president-elect, The New York Times reported. From abortion rights to paid leave, the party sees its Democratic strongholds as bulwarks against Trump, especially with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-supreme-court-conservatives-election-2024-11">the US Supreme Court</a> dominated by conservative jurists.Democrats are also building up a legal operation to challenge the new administration, according to the Times. The newspaper reported that advocacy groups are rallying hundreds of attorneys to fight Trump's agenda from the start of the president-elect's second term.Skye Perryman, the CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization created after Trump's win in 2016, told the Times that challenges to the president-elect will be different in his second term."Resistance this time is a lot more about collective power building," she said. "It's using the law and using litigation."Democrats are also already looking ahead to the 2028 election.While Democrats are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-trump-blue-wall-democrats-suburban-voters-unions-2024-11">still smarting over Harris' loss</a> — and trying to assess how their party can reverse electoral gains that Trump made with working-class voters — many of the party's crop of governors have emerged as potential 2028 contenders.Democrats occupy 23 of the nation's 50 governorships, which will remain unchanged at the beginning of the year. Some of them — like Govs. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gavin-newsom-california-gubernatorial-recall-election-landslide-win-2021-9">Gavin Newsom</a> of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan — have long been considered White House aspirants.For Democrats, the focus on states will give many of these leaders a platform as Trump aims to enact a conservative agenda in a nation that remains politically divided. Harris easily won California and Illinois in the general election, but she lost Michigan — a state that for years had been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-trump-blue-wall-economic-message-unions-michigan-pennsylvania-wisconsin-2024-10">part of the party's vaunted blue wall</a> — by about 1.4 points.After the election, Newsom called a special session, which will begin on December 2 in Sacramento, to boost the state's legal resources to challenge the incoming administration on issues like abortion, civil rights, climate regulations, and immigration.Pritzker <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2024/11/07/pritzker-donald-trump-second-term-defend-illinois-remarks">pledged to work</a> with the Trump administration but also called himself a "warrior" for his state."To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom, opportunity, and dignity of Illinoisans, I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior," the governor, now in his second term, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/GovPritzker/status/1854686495975551159">wrote on X</a>. "You come for my people — you come through me."Meanwhile, Whitmer reiterated that she worked with Trump during her first term and would find a way to do so again."We'll figure out how to work with a Trump administration into this last two years of my term," she told reporters after the election.

Democrats are hoping blue states can hold the line in their battle against Trump's second-term agenda

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Trump's victory was ultimately powered by his sweep of the seven battleground states.</li><li>But he's also expected to win the popular vote, and he did unusually well in deep-blue states.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump">President-elect Donald Trump's</a> victory over <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a> was powered by his sweep of the "battleground" states that both candidates contested.But Trump also did unusually well for a Republican presidential candidate in several heavily Democratic states that had reported most of their results by Wednesday morning, indicating that his appeal has broadened since his narrow 2016 victory and his 2020 loss.Across several of those states, Trump exceeded his own previous performance in 2020 — in other words, Harris fared worse than President Joe Biden. Here's how Harris is doing compared to Biden in 2020, according to unofficial results from the Associated Press:<ul><li>Illinois — Harris leads Trump by more than 8 points. Biden defeated Trump by nearly 17 points in 2020.</li><li>New Jersey — Harris leads by less than 4.5 points. Biden won by nearly 16 points in 2020.</li><li>New York — Harris leads by about 11.5 points. Biden won by more than 23 points in 2020.</li><li>Connecticut — Harris leads by more than 12 points. Biden won by more than 20 points in 2020.</li><li>Maryland — Harris leads by nearly 23 points. Biden won by more than 33 points in 2020.</li></ul>Votes continue to be counted in California, where it may take weeks to have a final tally.There was also evidence of a rightward shift in other large states, according to the AP.In 2020, Trump won Texas by just 5.6 points. This year, he leads Harris by nearly 14 points. Trump also leads by more than 13 points in Florida and is the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-results-trump-harris-presidential-election-2024-11">first Republican since 1988</a> to win Miami-Dade County.Trump appears likely to win the popular vote as well — something he did not accomplish when he pulled off a narrow Electoral College victory in 2016, or when he lost in 2020.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/exit-polls">Exit polling</a> conducted by a consortium of major news outlets, including NBC, CNN, CBS, and ABC, offers a more precise view of how Trump made inroads with traditionally Democratic constituencies.The most notable difference from 2020 so far was among Hispanic and Latino voters.According to exit polling, Trump won 45% of the Hispanic and Latino vote, including 54% of Hispanic and Latino men. In 2020, he won just 32% of those Hispanic and Latino voters overall.

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