Tech News Today 1756

The newly launched Google Assistant SDK will let developers tap into the AI power of Google Assistant from their own prototype hardware. It's currently a Developer Preview though, so anyone interested in commercializing hardware based on the SDK will still need to arrange that with Google first.

Recode reports that Apple might be creating its own Venmo competitor, that will let iPhone users transfer or pay money directly to other people from the phone. There's no word yet on when exactly this feature might come to the iPhone.

Anthony Levandowski, the head of the self driving group at Uber, is stepping aside as the Waymo lawsuit alleging his theft of 14,000 files comes barreling toward him. Eric Meyhofer will lead the team, and Levandoswki told his employees to avoid including him on any communications related to Lidar ahead of the hearing next week.

Plus Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Samsung reporting their earnings and we'll tell you what you need to know. Plus, the eternal question -- why aren't more smart watches built with flashlights?

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Links

• The Google Assistant SDK will let you run the Assistant on anything
• Apple is in talks to launch its own Venmo
• Uber's self-driving car boss, Anthony Levandowski, is stepping aside amid legal fight with Waymo
• Google beats earnings, stock up 4%
• Microsoft published strong quarterly earnings for Q3 fiscal 2017
• Amazon Posts Bigger-Than-Expected Increase in Profit
• Samsung posts 48% profit jump — but it’s all down to components not smartphones
• Putting Samsung's Stellar Q1 Into Perspective
• Acer’s new wearable seems unimpressive, but it’s got at least one useful thing