Rivian and Uber have entered into a major partnership, with the former to provide the latter with 50,000 robotaxis in a deal worth $1.25 billion in funding. This starts with Uber purchasing 10,000 Rivian R2 robotaxis, which will be deployed in San Francisco and Miami by 2028.

If all goes well, Uber will scoop up 40,000 more robotaxis by 2030. The company plans to scale the initiative to 25 major cities by 2031. The full $1.25 billion investment is contingent on several autonomous milestones, according to a report by Yahoo Finance. However, Uber has already committed $300 million as an initial investment, though this is subject to regulatory approval.

The announcement actually caused Rivian’s stock to surge by ten percent before settling down to around four percent. This speaks to optimism surrounding the deal, given that just about every other stock is on the downswing at the moment due to certain geopolitical concerns.

This isn’t Uber’s only partnership for this type of thing. It’s a giant company with robotaxi hands in a number of cookie jars. The rideshare platform recently unveiled its own in-house robotaxi fleet, which is a design partnership with Lucid and Nuro.

It also announced a partnership with NVIDIA to develop software-driven autonomous vehicles, which will begin deployment in Los Angeles and San Francisco by the first half of 2027. Uber even teamed up with Waymo to bring robotaxis to cities like Atlanta and Austin.

As for Rivian, the company is slowly but surely becoming the “cool” American EV maker, a position once held by Tesla. It just announced pricing and availability for the long-anticipated R2 electric SUV. It arrives this spring, with a starting cost of $58,000. A cheaper model is expected to go on sale in 2027.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/rivian-will-provide-50000-robotaxis-to-uber-in-a-deal-worth-125-billion-153856638.html?src=rss

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From humble beginnings, Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone has grown into TV’s one inescapable franchise. The Kevin Costner-led original ended its run after a relatively compact five seasons, but that doesn’t reckon with the three official spin-offs, the three others in development, nor with the Sheridan shows (Landman, The Madison, Bass Reeves) that feel like they could extensions of the Yellowstone universe, even if they technically aren’t.

But given that success only feeds our appetite for more, here are 15 other shows that play with the themes and tones that have made Yellowstone such a phenomenon.

The Madison (2026 – )

I don’t want to make this a list nothing but Taylor Sheridan shows, but they’re definitely a vibe. It’s early days yet for the latest, but it’s already been renewed for a second season, a testament to the power of its creator and the inspired casting of Michelle Pfeiffer in the lead. She plays Stacy Clyburn, the matriarch of a rich New York family who decides to pick up stakes following a tragedy, reconnecting with what she’s lost by visiting her late husband’s isolated piece of land in Montana for a break from the show’s horror-movie version of NYC. In the process she learns lessons about love, grief, and fishing in the folksy great outdoors. Stream The Madison on Paramount+.

The Madison (2026 – )

at Paramount+

at Paramount+

Queen Sugar (2016 – 2022)

Another intense family business drama with a dash of a succession crisis. In Queen Sugar, three estranged siblings in distant cities are brought together by the death of their father, who has left them each an equal share in an 800-acre sugarcane farm in rural Louisiana. The Ava DuVernay-produced (and sometimes directed) series offers plenty of scandal and soapy drama, but ultimately, it’s a show about a family coming back together to preserve its legacy. Stream Queen Sugar on Hulu.

Queen Sugar (2016 – 2022)

at Hulu

at Hulu

Landman (2024 – )

Thornton plays Billy Norris, a crackerjack consultant, fixer, and general hired gun for a major oil conglomerate in present-day West Texas. Beyond the complicated economics and politics of the oil industry, the poor guy’s also dealing with extremely complicated family drama, debt, criminal ties, and substance-abuse issues. Call it Dallas for a new generation. Stream Landman on Paramount+.

Landman (2024 – )

at Paramount+

at Paramount+

Dallas (1978 – 1991, 2012 – 2014)

Speaking of, you can draw a pretty straight line between the Duttons of Yellowstone and the Ewings of Dallas, even if they’re separated by time and state lines. (Also, the Texas-based Ewings specialize in Big Oil, with only a sideline in cattle ranching.) Led by Larry Hagman’s implacable J.R., the primetime soap finds the family caught up in more than a decade’s worth of shady business deals and personal trials, often overlapping (as when Ewing heir Bobby elopes with Pam, from the rival Barnes family). The revival series, a direct continuation, is also pretty fun: Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman return, joined by a new generation of greedy, horny oil tycoon types, led by Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalf, and Jordana Brewster. Buy Dallas from Prime Video, same for the revival.

Dallas (1978 – 1991)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

Mayor of Kingstown (2021 – )

Another Taylor Sheridan creation, this one stars Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky, head of a family that’s been keeping the peace, more or less, in the title’s company town for decades. The “business” of the corrupt burg just happens to be incarceration, and the McLuskys thrive when business is up, even if Mike himself has different ideas about how to run things. The show deals, at least broadly, with systemic racism and inequality in the prison system, but mostly it’s a modern day western about bringing justice to a corrupt town. Stream Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+.

Mayor of Kingstown (2021 – )

at Paramount+

at Paramount+

1923 (2022– 2025)

Hard to ignore the casting here: There’s certainly some TV work on the CVs of both Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, but getting these two legends together for a spin-off series certainly represents a coup (especially when you throw in Timothy Dalton as the baddie). In this mid-quel, set between Yellowstone prime and the more western-themed 1883, the show sees the Dutton family of the era take on Prohibition, with the Great Depression looming in the background. Stream 1923 on Paramount+.

1923 (2022– 2025)

at Paramount+

at Paramount+

Joe Pickett (2021 – 2023)

A vibe match that, while it doesn’t replicate Yellowstone’s family and business drama, still runs with the neo-western feel that defines a Taylor Sheridan show. Michael Dorman stars as Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden with a violent past and, well, a violent present too. Pickett is less of a tough action hero type, and more of a likable, everyday guy who just happens to be wrapped up in a murder via his day job. It’s not a comedy, but is definitely a bit weirder and more surreal than the more literal style of other modern neo-westerns, which generally lack flourishes like Pickett‘s memorable emu wrestling scene. Stream Joe Pickett on Paramount+.

Joe Pickett

at Paramount+

at Paramount+

The Son (2017 – 2019)

The popularity of Taylor Sheridan-esque neo-westerns leads us, inevitably, to something closer to an actual western. In this series, adapting Philipp Meyer’s 2013 Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel of the same name, Pierce Brosnan plays Eli McCullough, a ruthless cattle baron making moves to get in on the burgeoning oil industry in the Rio Grande Valley of 1915. A parallel narrative sees Eli as a young man, kidnapped and raised among a Nʉmʉnʉʉ family. While his backstory lends the character welcome complexity, in the present, he’s as determined to build his empire as he is to prepare his son and grandson to take over when he’s gone. Stream The Son on Prime Video.

The Son (2017 – 2019)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

Reservation Dogs (2021 – 2023)

While including several Indigenous actors and characters, Yellowstone gets…let’s say mixed marks when it comes to representation. Though minus the big-business stakes of yellowstone, Reservation Dogs plays in a similar neo-western landscape, following a group of teens from the Muscogee Nation who resolve to honor the death of their friend by making a trip to California, experiencing a broader world for the first time. From producer/director/writer and Seminole citizen and Sterlin Harjo (alongside Taika Waititi), it’s a dramedy that manages to bring both solid laughs and moments of heartbreak in dealing with issues and emotions common to rural teenagers who dream of going elsewhere, yet specific to these Oklahoma Rez teenagers. Stream Reservation Dogs on Hulu.

Reservation Dogs (2021 – 2023)

at Hulu

at Hulu

Empire (2015 – 2020)

Terrence Howard leads an impressive cast (among them Taraji P. Henson, Gabourey Sidibe, and Vivica A. Fox) in this juicy, glossy, hip-hop infused soap opera. Howard plays Lucious Jackson (neé drug dealer Dwight Walker), who changed his own fortunes by building Empire Entertainment from the ground up. As the series begins, the music mogul is diagnosed with ALS and given a life expectancy of only a few more years. Refusing to watch his work die, he sets his three sons at odds to determine who’ll be the one to control things when he’s gone. His schemes are complicated by the release from prison of Cookie Lyon (Henson), the co-founder of the company and Jackson’s ex-wife. Drama! Stream Empire on Hulu and Tubi.

Empire (2015 – 2020)

at Hulu

at Hulu

The Waterfront (2025)

Swapping Big Cattle for a family fishing business may seem like a big leap, but we’ve still got plenty of crime, shady dealings, and family angst in this Netflix series. Holt McCallany plays Harlan Buckley, returning to manage the family business, which is tied up with multiple dueling drug cartels, as well as unreliable family members—at least one on whom is looking to escape her legal problems by working with the FBI against her father and brother. Stream The Waterfront on Netflix.

The Waterfront (2025)

at Netflix

at Netflix

Dark Winds (2022 – )

Adapted from a series of books by Tony Hillerman, Dark Winds takes up back to the 1970s and the Four Corners region of the American Southwest (where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet). Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, and Jessica Matten lead the largely Native American cast as three Navajo Tribal Police officers brought together when a bank robbery on the border of the Navajo nation becomes entangled with the deaths of two Native residents. The show blends hardboiled crime and police procedural elements, but stands out for its exploration of the fraught history and relationships between these neighboring, interwoven communities. Stream Dark Winds on Netflix.

Dark Winds (2022 – )

at Netflix

at Netflix

Bloodline (2015 – 2017)

Maybe you can’t relate to the Big Cattle drama of Yellowstone. Fair! How about a seaside inn in the Florida Keys? It’s all relative (pun intended), and big family drama can crop up anywhere. Starring Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, and Sissy Spacek, the show finds Mendelsohn’s black sheep Danny returning home for the 45th anniversary of the family business, only to stir up a whole bunch of buried trauma that leads to his dad dying due to a series of strokes. That’s before we learn of the drug-trafficking, cover-ups, and murders past and present. It all makes the Dutton dramas look a tad tame, honestly. Stream Bloodline on Netflix.

Bloodline (2015 – 2017)

at Netflix

at Netflix

Succession (2018 – 2023)

White-collar coastal-elite types can have just as much fun with business and family drama as cattle ranchers. Succession is the darkly comic story of the Roy family, owners of media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, and the chaos and backbiting that ensue when patriarch Logan (Brian Cox) suffers a stroke, prompting the family to begun fighting over who will take the reins after his inevitable demise. Prior to his medical incident, Logan has just given his third wife a say in his succession plans and elevated an estranged nephew to a position of power in the company, setting the stage for a (slightly less bloody) modern-day Game of Thrones scenario. Stream Succession on HBO Max.

Succession (2018 – 2023)

at HBO Max

at HBO Max

Heartland (2007 – )

It’s a foreign show. From Canada! Based on a popular book series from authors Linda Chapman and Beth Chambers (who write under the name Lauren Brooke), this series follows the lives of a family of horse ranchers in western Canada led by sisters Amy and Lou (Amber Marshall and Michelle Morgan). This is more family drama than Yellowstone, with the stakes a bit closer to home, but it’s very much got that western feel—even if we’re talking about western Alberta. If you’re not familiar with it, there’s a lot to catch up on: It just completed its 19th season. Stream Heartland on Netflix.

Heartland (2007 – )

at Netflix

at Netflix

Poncle could be about to ruin the planet’s productivity all over again now that Vampire Crawlers has a release date for PC and consoles. The dungeon-crawling roguelike deckbuilder — which is a Vampire Survivors spinoff — is coming to Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch on April 21. It’ll cost $10. Alternatively, you’ll be able to check it out via Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Vampire Crawlers is on the way to iOS and Android as well. However, you’ll have to wait until sometime later this year to play it on mobile devices.

Vampire Crawlers is set in the same world as Vampire Survivors and it features many of the same playable characters and enemies. The action takes place from a first-person perspective this time around. Instead of firing weapons automatically, you play cards to use your attacks or boost your stats. Each card has a mana cost, so there’s more of a strategic element to combat. Cards can be modified and weapons can be evolved.

Poncle made Vampire Crawlers with the help of Nosebleed Interactive. It’s the first of several Vampire Survivors spinoffs that Poncle has planned. There’s also a licensed Warhammer take on the original title coming soon.

While I didn’t get deep enough into it to experiment with some truly wild combos, I enjoyed what I played of the Vampire Crawlers demo. If you need me, I’ll be busy cancelling all of my other plans for late April.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/vampire-survivors-spinoff-vampire-crawlers-is-coming-to-pc-and-consoles-on-april-21-151217962.html?src=rss

If the cost of signing up for a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder has ever given you pause, good news: You can now use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds to cover race registration fees. Spartan has partnered with Flex, a platform that enables HSA/FSA payments across fitness and wellness brands, to make this possible.

How using your FSA to pay for a race works

A quick refresher on how HSA and FSA accounts work: Both are funded with pre-tax dollars, meaning the money goes into them before the IRS takes its cut. When you spend those funds on a qualifying purchase, you’re effectively getting a discount equal to your tax rate. For most people, that translates to 30 to 40 percent in savings compared to paying out of pocket. So a $150 race registration might only cost you $90 to $105.

How to use your HSA/FSA to sign up for a race

The process is straightforward: If you have an HSA debit card or FSA card, it works much like any other payment method, where you just need to select it at checkout. Register for a Spartan or Tough Mudder event and pay using your HSA or FSA card. Flex then handles the eligibility verification on the backend, so you don’t have to jump through hoops to prove the expense qualifies. (If you don’t have an FSA/HSA debit card or didn’t use it when you registered, it’s unclear if you’d be able to submit you claim after the fact under this partnership; I’ve reached out to Flex and Spartan for clarification.)

The Flex partnership covers registration costs for Spartan’s portfolio of events, which includes Tough Mudder races. And it may not stop there—Spartan and Flex are reportedly looking into more ways to extend HSA/FSA eligibility for things like training programs, recovery tools, and other athlete resources down the line. That would mean the full journey from training to finish line could eventually be (partially) funded with pre-tax health dollars.

The bottom line

In the big picture, a move like this is part of a growing shift in how fitness and wellness brands are thinking about access. Gym owner Equinox announced a similar partnership with Flex last month, allowing HSA/FSA funds to go toward select memberships, personal training, recovery services, and women’s health programs. The underlying logic is the same: Physical fitness is an important part of preventative health, and your pre-tax health dollars should be able to work toward that.

If you’ve been sitting on unused FSA funds, or building up an HSA balance you haven’t fully put to work, race registration is an unexpected but worthy way to use those dollars.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Microsoft is considering legal action against its partner OpenAI and Amazon over a $50 billion deal that could violate its exclusive cloud agreement with the ChatGPT maker, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Last month, Amazon and OpenAI signed several agreements, including one that makes Amazon Web Services the exclusive third-party cloud provider for Frontier, OpenAI’s enterprise platform for building and running AI agents. The dispute centers on whether OpenAI can offer Frontier via AWS without violating the Microsoft partnership, which requires the startup’s models to be accessed through the Windows maker’s Azure cloud platform, the FT report said, citing sources.

OpenAI and Microsoft recently stated together that “Azure remains the exclusive cloud provider of stateless OpenAI APIs,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement, referring to software interfaces used to access OpenAI’s models. “We are confident that OpenAI understands and respects the importance of living up to this legal obligation,” the spokesperson added. FT said Microsoft executives believed the approach was not feasible and would violate the spirit, if not the letter, of their agreement, and added that the companies were in talks to resolve the dispute without litigation ahead of Frontier’s launch. “We know our contract,” a person familiar with Microsoft’s position told the newspaper. “We will sue them if they breach it. If Amazon and OpenAI want to take a bet on the creativity of their contractual lawyers, I would back us, not them.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.