Uber sells self-driving unit to Aurora

Source: Uber

Uber selling off its self-driving division isn't a surprise. But now, we learn that it is selling its Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) to Aurora Innovation, an autonomous vehicle startup and once its rival. Uber will invest US$400 million in Aurora as part of the deal, and its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi will join the startup's board of directors.

As Engadget puts it, Uber is paying Aurora to take ATG off its hands. In the short term, Aurora will use ATG's tech for its self-driving truck. Later on, there will be robot taxis as Uber is licensing the tech from Aurora. 

This sale won't be the last sale Uber will make as it tries to carve a path to profitability. This month, Uber is said to be in advanced talks with Joby Aviation to sell its flying taxi division. This sale could be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Samsung Canada hosts 'Galaxy Days' sale for 2019 products

Just ahead of the launch for the Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Canada is hosting a special sale for a lot of its 2019 product line. Called "Galaxy Days," the promo is happening until January 20th. You can check out the deals over at Samsung's website. And you can check out what's on sale under the cut:

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There might be trouble looming in HTC’s future

The HTC U11 is the company's latest attempt at winning over the public

It looks like HTC is in enough trouble to want to consider strategic options. At least that’s what a new report from Bloomberg suggests. The Taiwanese company is supposedly looking at its strategic options, which, in business speak, is they’re looking to put the company up for sale because of financial issues. The options HTC is supposedly looking into is spinning off its VR arm or selling off the company itself. According to people familiar with the matter, HTC has supposedly held talks with companies including Alphabet Inc.’s Google.

Considered one of the pioneers of Android smartphones, HTC has been struggling in the current mobile market as Samsung and Apple dominate the premium market and its Chinese competitors like OnePlus and Xiaomi introducing budget-friendly yet spec-heavy smartphones. It also doesn’t seem to be doing so hot in the virtual reality space. The Vive VR system recently got a US$200 price cut to help improve sales. IDC estimates HTC has sold around 190,000 units in the first quarter of the year, putting it in third behind Samsung (489,000) and Sony (429,000 units) in the same period. Whether this deal pushes through, we can’t say yet. HTC and Google have declined to comment on this report.

Apple iTunes offers Boxing Day album sales

The Canadian iTunes Store is holding a music sale for some albums on the platform. The sale is expected to last until Boxing Day on Monday, December 26. Just like the previous year, a few select categories are on sale, including Hot in 2016, Discovery Artists, Essential Albums, and Musique francophone. The albums on here are priced at $5.99 instead of the usual $9.99 price.

Source: 9to5Mac