Microsoft released new AI models to expand further beyond OpenAI. The company announced a speech-to-text model it says is the most accurate available, and made its in-house voice and image models available for broad commercial use for the first time. It's the first big release from Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman's team since his role narrowed to focus on frontier models and superintelligence.
Read more. Next Tech Titan: The finalists in this 2026 GeekWire Awards category are tackling complex problems at scale, from the farm to the battlefield to low-Earth orbit. Read more about Overland AI, Carbon Robotics, Stoke Space, Chainguard and MotherDuck and cast your vote in all categories ahead of our May 7 event in Seattle.
Like playing with digital paper dolls: Seattle-based online clothing rental startup Armoire has a new AI feature that brings clickable variety to outfit selection, offering choices in an instant across styles and available sizes. Read more.
Eight startups join climate tech cohort: The University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs has selected early-stage companies developing diverse solutions such as seaweed-based nursery pots, portable biochar kilns, and AI-powered platforms for EV adoption. Read more.
A new report ranks Seattle among the top tier markets in the global innovation economy, but a shortage of premium commercial real estate is creating a bottleneck for the city’s next era of tech expansion. Read more.
Hit or miss? Researchers at Washington State University took a swing at understanding the science around baseball bat design, and whether the viral “torpedo” bats used by the New York Yankees perform any better than traditional bats. Read more.
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Members of Meridian Capital's Seattle team have joined CliftonLarsonAllen and will lead the firm's national investment banking platform as CLA Meridian Capital. (Meridian Capital)
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Microsoft Xbox is taking its FanFest on a global tour for its 25th anniversary, bringing in‑person events to cities from L.A. to Tokyo throughout 2026. (Xbox Wire)
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Amazon will tack on a 3.5% fuel-and-logistics surcharge for U.S. and Canadian sellers starting April 17 as the Iran war drives up energy costs. (CNBC)
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Allen Family Philanthropies is tackling the "Seattle Freeze" by awarding $250,000 to the Seattle Chamber of Connection to pilot a civic network model designed to combat social isolation and strengthen community bonds. (Allen Family Philanthropies)
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The Seattle Orcas and the tech vets behind the pro cricket team are lobbying hard for a dedicated venue for the sport in King County. (LinkedIn, Action Network)
Thanks for subscribing, and have a great day. — GeekWire editor Todd Bishop, todd@geekwire.com; reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com; and reporter Lisa Stiffler, lisa@geekwire.com. 
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