American multinational technology company focused on e-commerce, cloud computing, and AI
Microsoft has announced 4,800 job cuts companywide and a 3,200-role reduction across Xbox during fiscal 2027, with 1,600 Xbox positions eliminated immediately. The company has also said it will divest or spin out five game studios and is restructuring Xbox to reduce management layers and refocus on major franchises.
Tests of multiple portable chargers show the best options balance charging speed, capacity and portability. Independent, Business Insider UK and ZDNet all highlight models like Iniu, Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 and Anker Nano 10,000 mAh for reliability and travel-friendly design.
OpenAI has rolled out GPT‑Live 1 and GPT‑Live 1 mini to all ChatGPT Voice users, enabling full‑duplex, hands‑free conversations that can be interrupted mid‑sentence. Paid tiers get the larger model, while free users access the lighter version.
Disney has reorganized leadership under CEO Josh D’Amaro, integrating AI tools into streaming and signaling a broader push toward a “super app” strategy. Internal charts show reporting lines to top executives as Disney accelerates its tech and content ambitions while pursuing the potential phasing out of Hulu as a standalone service.
The NHS is expanding an AI-driven triage tool in the NHS app to direct patients to the right service, including GPs, pharmacies or A&E. The rollout aims to reach about 200,000 patients in the next year and be available to all app users by April 2028, as part of a wider £10bn technology upgrade. Trials show reduced GP call volumes and more time for clinicians, but stakeholders warn about safety, privacy and digital inclusion.
Clinique has launched the Daily Calm collection, a four-product skincare-to-makeup line designed for sensitive skin. The range aims to soothe irritation, repair the skin barrier and prevent future sensitivity, with a focus on hydrating, fragrance-free formulas. The rollout coincides with a broader market push for gentle, barrier-supportive products.
Markets are stabilising after a stretch of high activity in tech options, with traders shifting focus as implied volatility cools. Small caps are leading potential next moves, while global equities reflect a policy-led, carry-friendly regime.
Slate Auto has unveiled a bare‑bones two‑seat electric pickup with a $24,950 base price and a two‑row SUV conversion starting at $29,950. The company has raised the base EPA range estimate to about 205 miles, is taking preorders with a $300 deposit, and plans production to begin in late 2026 with direct online sales.
Micron has reported blockbuster fiscal third-quarter results — $41.46bn revenue and $28.24bn net income — and has forecast roughly $50bn for the current quarter. The results have pushed Micron above a $1tn market value, restarted buying in memory stocks and have sharpened concerns that soaring AI data‑centre demand is forcing consumer electronics makers, including Apple, to prepare price increases.
A synthesis of multiple sources shows evolving consumer trends and industry responses as of July 2026, with emphasis on education toys, screen-free play and youth-focused tech. The pieces underscore ongoing debates about independence, budget, and practicality in gifts for children aged 6-10.
Peter Murrell has been jailed for five years and three months after admitting he embezzled just over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party over a 12-year period. Separately, Greek courts have convicted a man over the 2009 killing of Jean Hanlon and Cédric Jubillar has written a first confession admitting involvement in his wife Delphine's disappearance.
Major tech firms have announced widespread workforce reductions while reporting record AI spending and rising head counts at heavy AI adopters. Oracle, Microsoft, Meta and others have cut roles and cited AI-driven change even as studies from Ramp/Revelio, SignalFire and Draup show engineering hires and entry-level roles growing at AI‑intensive firms and job listings shifting toward judgment and AI-tool fluency.
The Financial Conduct Authority has had parts of its £9.1bn motor‑finance compensation scheme suspended after legal challenges from Volkswagen Financial Services, Mercedes‑Benz Financial Services, Crédit Agricole Auto Finance and consumer group Consumer Voice. The Upper Tribunal has set hearings for December or February; lenders will not need to calculate or pay redress while legal proceedings continue, delaying mass payouts until at least 2027 if the scheme survives.
Sony has announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold via the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes; games releasing before 2028 remain unaffected. The move follows years of rising digital sales and has provoked consumer backlash over ownership, preservation and the second‑hand market.
Bending Spoons has begun trading on Nasdaq with a valuation around $25.5-25.7 billion and raised about $1.68 billion. The Milan-based group acquires and rebuilds aging digital brands such as Eventbrite, Evernote, Meetup and AOL, then holds them to drive growth through AI-enabled features, pricing, and tighter operations. Revenue in Q1 2026 reached $601 million with $27.5 million net income as it scales its portfolio and expands its multi-brand strategy.
Comcast has announced a tax-free spin-off that will separate NBCUniversal and Sky into a standalone, publicly traded media company while leaving Comcast focused on broadband, wireless and business services. The company has said the separation will complete in about a year, executives told investors, and Comcast will initially keep up to 19.9% of the new media group.
Major device makers have raised prices and warned consumers after memory and storage costs have surged because AI data‑centre buildouts are buying up DRAM and flash. Apple has increased Mac and iPad prices; Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have signalled or implemented console and hardware hikes. Analysts say shortages will persist into 2027.
Project Mirage’s Dune is a compact three-button keypad that plugs into a MacBook and adapts to apps, offering quick mic/camera control and context-aware shortcuts. It draws power from the laptop, supports per-app profiles, and includes a Python/Claude integration for custom automation. Reviewers note improved control but risk of accidental presses.
The Fed has maintained policy amid inflation that remains above the 2% goal. Markets are watching for Warsh's approach, with two potential paths emerging as data guides policy. Public appearances and congressional testimony will shape expectations for rate moves this year.
Ford has rehired roughly 300–350 veteran engineers to correct defects that automated inspection and AI-driven tools failed to catch. Executives have said the specialists are auditing designs before parts reach factory floors, mentoring younger staff, and retraining AI systems; Ford has risen to the top mainstream spot in JD Power’s initial-quality study.
A collection of personal essays from Business Insider UK and other outlets examines digital boundaries, parenting, money, sleep, and career shifts in 2026. Writers describe reducing smartphone use, reorganizing family tech rules, and experimenting with unconventional routines to regain calm and control.
A wave of market rotation has seen memory and chipmakers rally as big-tech hyperscalers pull back on AI capex. The Magnificent Seven lag as investors reassess profitability, memory costs rise, and demand for AI infrastructure remains heated. Investors seek clarity on monetization and future AI spending.
Nutrition-tracking apps use badges, streaks and nudges to boost engagement. Researchers warn these features may reinforce body dysmorphia and disordered eating for some users, urging caution and better design.
The Scotland 500 shows private equity now owns nearly 60% of listed Scottish firms, underscoring international investor interest in Scotland’s traditional sectors evolving into high-growth businesses. Origo and Vespa Capital are highlighted as unicorn ambitions, while BR-DGE expands beyond gaming to enterprise payments.
The FDA has classified Utz’s recall of Zapp’s and Dirty chips as Class 1, indicating a serious health risk. The recall covers several product lines with best-by dates July 27–August 31, 2026. Utz first issued the recall in April after a third-party dry milk powder seasoning ingredient was flagged as a possible Salmonella source; thus far, no illnesses have been reported. Consumers should discard affected chips or seek refunds.
Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are expandingforward-deployed engineers (FDEs) to embed within client teams to accelerate AI deployments, deploy agentic systems, and transfer capabilities. The moves follow recent funding and partnerships across the tech industry as large players seek speed and self-sufficiency in AI-enabled workflows.
TikTok is expanding beyond social video to include shopping, travel bookings, and payments, signaling a move toward a “super app” model. Separate microdrama deals show investors betting on AI-assisted, mobile-first storytelling as a growing entertainment niche, while studios and networks explore vertical formats and creator-owned IP.
The AI-driven shift is forcing brands to rethink online presence, with marketers stressing structured data and authentic content as AI search and recommendation engines gain influence. Firms are investing in content factories and cross-platform strategies as competition for visibility intensifies.
A roundup of recent BBQ guides and deals from Independent, Guardian, and New York Post highlights gear recommendations, how-tos, and savings ahead of peak grilling season. The guides differ in focus—from product reviews to setup tips—reflecting varying editorial approaches while steering consumers toward buying decisions.
Meta is pursuing a cloud compute business, potentially selling access to excess AI compute power and/or hosted AI models. The move follows high AI infrastructure spending and could reshape the company’s revenue flow beyond advertising. Investors have reacted positively, while rivals and early pilots offer a benchmark for profitability.
Tech giants Google and Amazon have released sustainability reports showing rising energy use tied to AI expansion. While they claim progress on decarbonization, Scope 3 emissions and data-center activity are pushing overall emissions higher, prompting calls for tighter funding of clean energy and reforms to energy strategy.
The disclosures show Melania Trump earning over $17 million in 2025, largely from a $40 million licensing deal and $6 million from NFTs and collectibles. Donald Trump reports more than $2 billion in earnings, much from crypto ventures and meme coins. Critics cite potential conflicts of interest as Amazon and other entities profited around the same period.
The European Court of Justice has dismissed Google's appeal against the Android antitrust ruling, confirming the European Commission's 4.1–4.3 billion euro penalty for pre-installation practices. The decision comes after years of litigation, as Brussels continues to push for stronger digital regulation.
A wave of handheld and neck fans has flooded the market as consumers seek affordable, portable relief from heat. Reviews across major outlets highlight powerful airflow, long runtimes, and design variants—from three-head handhelds to bladeless neck devices—driving shopping choices amid rising temperatures.
A roundup of the best cooling pajamas for different sleep styles, drawing on recent reviews and buyer guidance. The guide emphasizes fabric quality, temperature regulation, and value, with specific product picks and commentary on fit and durability.
Andy Burnham has reiterated that there is room for movement on tax within Labour’s 2024 manifesto while outlining possible changes to business rates to support high streets and pubs. He has not promised revenue-raising measures on income tax, VAT or National Insurance but is considering reforms to business rates and targeted reliefs as part of his broader policy package.
Amazon has reached a milestone with a satellite constellation of over 390 satellites, enabling initial Leo internet service later this year. The launch cadence faces delays from recent rocket setbacks, but the company plans broader coverage as more satellites go online.
A roundup of recent footwear coverage shows shoppers prioritizing comfort and value. From industrial boots engineered for fit to budget-friendly sneakers and arch-supportive sandals, buyers are seeking practical design improvements that deliver all-day wear.
Sky has announced a 1.6bn deal to acquire ITV’s media and entertainment division, including ITV’s terrestrial channels and ITVX. ITV Studios is not included and will become a standalone business. The agreement also includes a potential further payment up to 200m depending on ad performance, with Sky investing at least 2.1bn in content from 2028 to 2032. Regulators must approve, and ITV’s public service obligations remain in force until 2034.
AI stocks have become a driving force in Wall Street and are increasingly part of Australian superannuation portfolios. The six tech giants known as the “magnificent seven” now comprise a notable exposure within many balanced funds, with SpaceX exposure noted alongside Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Morningstar suggests the impact on Australian portfolios remains modest, even after SpaceX’s public debut.
The Financial Conduct Authority has released a Mills Review on AI in financial services, warning it could transform markets by 2030 while heightening fraud and cyber risks. It recommends expanding the FCA’s powers over critical third parties and launching a follow-up in six months to assess harm from unregulated AI-enabled finance.
Mercor has reportedly attracted interest from investors for a new round at a valuation that could top $10 billion, following an annualized revenue run rate surpassing $2 billion and the acquisition of Deeptune. The company has faced legal and data-security challenges earlier this year.
Anthropic has redeployed Fable 5 globally with stronger safeguards after government export curbs, making the model available again to most customers while routing risky queries to weaker models. The move follows earlier shutdowns and a government order; industry and policymakers are watching how future frontier models will be released.
Meta has announced plans to build its first Canadian data center in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The 932-megawatt facility will be powered by a natural-gas plant developed by a consortium, with Meta investing in local infrastructure and aiming to begin operation in the second half of 2030. The project reflects Alberta’s push to attract hyperscale centers while addressing grid and resource concerns through closed-loop cooling.
States are tying data-center growth to clean-energy targets while utilities push back. As AI demand accelerates, regulators weigh mandates and grid access to meet emissions goals.
Airbnb has purchased a landmarked six-story Beaux-Arts building at 281 Park Avenue South for $81.5 million to house a major New York employee hub. The deal underscores the company’s long‑term commitment to the city amid ongoing tension over tight short-term rental rules.