Daily debrief: Tesla snags Apple exec, US army tests drone swarms, BBC plans iPlayer overhaul

All you need to know in tech this morning

Telsa nabs top Apple software exec Tesla has poached long-time Apple exec Chris Lattner, who will join as VP of Autopilot Software, in a move that underlines the ongoing push by the firm to ensure it has the very best minds working on its self-driving car tech.

"He comes to Tesla after 11 years at Apple where he was primarily responsible for creating Swift, the programming language for building apps on Apple platforms and one of the fastest growing languages for doing so on Linux," Tesla noted in a short blog.

The appointment is a notable coup for Tesla and shows that even those at the world's biggest tech firm can be tempted away with the lure of new challenges.

Netflix and Amazon flunk Greenpeace IT report

A report by Greenpeace has criticised Netflix and Amazon for not using greener energy sources, in comparison to likes of Apple, Google and Facebook, which were all praised by the charity.

"Amazon continues to talk a good game on renewables but is keeping its customers in the dark on its energy decisions. This is concerning, particularly as Amazon expands into markets served by dirty energy," said Greenpeace USA Senior IT Analyst, Gary Cook.

Cook went on to say of Netflix: "Netflix is one of the biggest drivers of the online world and has a critical say in how it is powered. Netflix must embrace the responsibility to make sure its growth is powered by renewables, not fossil fuels and it must show its leadership here."

US military touts drone air-drop success

The US military has revealed information on a project that sees its fighter jets releasing a swarm of drones while in the air, which are then able to carry out activities such as surveillance, without needing prior programming.

"Due to the complex nature of combat, Perdix are not pre-programmed synchronised individuals, they are a collective organism, sharing one distributed brain for decision-making and adapting to each other like swarms in nature," said director William Roper.

"Because every Perdix communicates and collaborates with every other Perdix, the swarm has no leader and can gracefully adapt to drones entering or exiting the team."

BBC to update iPlayer to keep pace with rivals

The BBC has plans to update iPlayer to ensure it keeps pace with streaming services, by allowing new functions such as downloading entire series before they even air on mainstream TV.

The BBC itself reports on the plans, noting that director general Lord Hall will set out the plans as part of the latest BBC Charter.

"iPlayer was the biggest revolution of the last charter," Lord Hall will reportedly say. "Now we need it to make the leap from a catch-up service to a must-visit destination in its own right."