American tech giant focused on information technology, search, ads, cloud, and AI
Apple has raised prices on multiple Mac and iPad models, saying rapid memory and storage cost increases driven by AI data‑centre buildouts have made previous margins unsustainable. Microsoft and console makers have already announced similar hikes; analysts warn more device makers and possibly iPhone prices will follow as memory supply tightens.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on any country that implements a digital services tax on US tech companies, saying the levy would "supersede" trade deals and be applied immediately. European officials have warned they will respond to unilateral measures; legal and practical hurdles make the timetable for any US action unclear.
Markets have cooled after a burst of AI-driven gains, with chipmakers and AI platforms pulling back as costs and demand diverge. Investors remain cautious as firms report rising compute expenses, even as demand for AI grows.
The UK plans to ban under-16s from major social media platforms by spring 2027, following global concerns about online harms. Parents of victims urge stronger safeguards, while technology companies lobby against blanket restrictions.
Several firms have announced expansion plans and new measures that will accelerate commercial robotaxi rollouts. Mobileye has announced a 2027 U.S. launch with an initial 100-vehicle fleet and a five-year target of 17,000; Wayve and Uber are preparing a supervised London service in the coming months; Tesla and Waymo are expanding U.S. coverage; and new indices show Chinese robotaxi players are scaling faster than many expected.
The Section 702 surveillance law is set to lapse this week. President Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting DNI, triggering bipartisan concern and stalling renewal talks while lawmakers debate guardrails and timing. A Senate gridlock persists as Republicans and Democrats clash over the scope of surveillance and the president’s chosen interim leader.
Chinese automakers have doubled electric-vehicle exports and are shifting production and R&D toward Europe as domestic demand cools. BYD has announced European assembly in Hungary and plans more local production; Xpeng says it will compete on quality rather than price. European OEMs are pivoting into defence contracts while Rivian has cut under 2% of staff as it begins R2 deliveries.
The final NIST report has found that the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida began with structurally narrow margins. Two garage-to-pool-deck connections began failing in early June, and decades of alterations left the pool deck unable to withstand added loads, triggering a slow-motion collapse.
The SpaceX IPO has launched, commanding a multi-trillion-dollar market cap and drawing investor attention to AI-focused stocks like Anthropic and OpenAI. Analysts warn about overvaluation and the risk of market concentration as new supply floods the tech sector.
SpaceX has gone public in the largest IPO in history, pushing Elon Musk toward trillionaire status as the company outlines ambitious plans—from data centers in space to lunar bases—while investors weigh the feasibility and risks amid a sprawling empire.
A coalition of U.S. state attorneys general has subpoenaed OpenAI for internal documents on advertising, user engagement, handling of health and consumer data, and protections for minors and seniors. OpenAI has said it will "engage constructively," highlighted new safeguards in ChatGPT and is cooperating with investigators while facing related lawsuits and regulatory pressure.
G7 leaders have pledged tougher sanctions and stepped-up industrial support for Ukraine after meetings in Evian, but U.S.-led mediation has stalled while President Trump has shifted focus to the Middle East. Russia has accused the U.S. of abandoning neutral mediation, and Russian strikes and Ukrainian long-range drone attacks have recently hit Russian infrastructure and Kyiv's historic Lavra monastery.
SpaceX has gone public, valuing the company at about $1.8 trillion to $2.4 trillion depending on measurement, driven by Musk’s ambitions in Mars colonization and satellite internet. Analysts question the sustainability of such pricing amid ongoing losses; investors are chasing hype as much as potential profits.
The UK government has announced plans to block children under 16 from major social media platforms and to restrict livestreaming and stranger contact on gaming services, following Australia’s model. Legislation is expected before Christmas with protections due to take effect in spring 2027; Ofcom will design "highly effective" age checks.
Fox Corp. has agreed to acquire Roku for about $22 billion in a cash-and-stock deal valuing Roku at $160 per share. The boards of both companies have approved the transaction; the combined company will pair Fox's live news and sports and Tubi with Roku's OS, devices and The Roku Channel, and is expected to close in the first half of 2027.
Meta will invest $900 million in Cred as Kunal Shah steps down as Cred CEO to lead WhatsApp, with Miten Sampat becoming interim WhatsApp chief strategy officer. The move highlights Meta's push to expand WhatsApp into payments, business services, and AI-enabled products while Cred scales toward an IPO.
A Reuters Institute report shows social media and video platforms have surpassed traditional outlets as the main source of news in 2026, with 54% of respondents citing these platforms. While youth lean toward digital sources, older audiences still rely on traditional media elsewhere. The shift reflects changing habits, advertising dynamics, and growing trust concerns in legacy outlets.
A wave of AI-enabled tools is reshaping publishing, note-taking, and defense sectors. Beehiiv and Substack roll out chat-assisted publishing; Plaud ships AI-powered notetaking hardware; Mode Inc expands via acquisitions to crowdsource data labeling; Mach Industries pursues multiple weapons programs to boost U.S. defense capabilities.
Snap has unveiled Specs, its consumer AR glasses, priced at $2,195 with a $200 refundable deposit. The device aims to merge AI with real-world computing, featuring EyeConnect for shared experiences and on-device AI. Market reaction remains cautious as investors scrutinize affordability and the competitive hardware landscape.
Google has begun implementing its settlement changes with Epic, rolling out a two‑part fee structure in select markets. The update introduces a 10% service fee on the first $1 million of earnings, allows external checkout options, and standard 5% billing fees on Play Store transactions. Australia, Japan, and Korea are slated to join later this year.
Qualcomm has unveiled a data-centre CPU lineup and an acquisition, signaling a broader push into AI infrastructure. The company is pursuing hyperscaler deals, with two custom silicon deals announced and Modular acquisition adding AI software capabilities. The moves come as Nvidia-led demand and memory-chip dynamics shape the AI hardware landscape.
Pew research shows 52% of different-sex couples with minor children have both parents working full time, driven by college-educated mothers. The trend has risen over decades and is reshaping household economics, with broad implications for child well-being and family dynamics.
Waymo, Wayve, Baidu and Uber-backed ventures have pushed robotaxi testing and commercial rollouts in London, San Francisco and Houston, while Uber has announced Houston as its next market after San Francisco. Companies have recalled vehicles and limited freeway operations after construction-zone incidents, and unions and regulators are blocking some US rollout plans.
The Department of Energy has proposed up to $17.5 billion in loans to support five two-reactor projects built around Westinghouse’s AP1000 design. The plan aims to accelerate construction, standardize supply chains, and attract tech-sector investment, with selections expected after letters of intent were signed by seven potential partners.
A wave of AI-driven restructuring is redefining how companies run global operations. Opendoor is moving operational work back to the U.S., signaling a broader shift toward leaner, AI-enabled workflows that compress offshore back offices and emphasize Services-as-Software. The changes echo across tech and outsourcing sectors as companies recalibrate headcount, partnerships, and location strategies.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued region-specific orders to speed grid connections for AI-driven data centers and large energy users, aiming to balance faster power access with consumer costs. The moves target six grid regions serving over 200 million people and seek transparent cost allocation, with responses due within 60 days.
Micron has reported blockbuster fiscal third-quarter results — $41.46bn revenue and $28.24bn net income — sending its share price above $1tn market value and reigniting demand for memory stocks. The surge reflects soaring AI data‑centre demand, long-term supply deals, and warnings from Apple that rising memory costs will force consumer price increases.
Executives are leaving top AI labs for rivals, highlighting a talent war as Google loses senior researchers to Anthropic and OpenAI. The exits come as industry leaders push for faster AI deployment and policy alignment, with investors watching margins amid heavy AI compute spending.
Fraud losses reached a record $15.9 billion in 2025, up 27% from 2024, with high-dollar imposter scams driving most of the damage. Imposters posing as banks and government officials lead the most costly cases, while AI tools are making scams harder to detect. Authorities urge caution and verification.
Federal regulators are directing grid operators to streamline interconnections for AI data centers, with data centers paying upgrade costs. The move aims to support AI growth while protecting consumers, but critics warn it could stress reliability and raise bills.
Amazon engineers are under investigation after criticizing rapid AI data-center expansion and urging greater government oversight. Seattle hearings prompted a moratorium on new centers; the company says it is reviewing potential policy violations and stresses it supports employees speaking up within guidelines.
A series of interviews with tech leaders reveals a consensus that AI is changing white-collar work without wiping out jobs. Executives say new roles will emerge as workers adapt, with education and onboarding emphasized to harness AI’s productivity gains.
Open-source Chinese AI models like GLM-5.2 are gaining traction against top US models, offering cost advantages and deep enterprise use. OpenRouter traffic is rising, and concerns about safety, governance, and regulatory exposure accompany the shift as firms weigh token costs and performance.
Three sets of articles show big tech’s data-center expansion driving new energy strategies: ContourGlobal backs a major Scottish storage project; Microsoft, Chevron plan a massive Texas gas plant to serve Kilby data centers; Ford Energy eyes a scalable storage role as demand rises.
Reflection AI has inked a multiyear deal with SpaceX to access Nvidia GB300 AI chips and related hardware at SpaceX’s Colossus 2 data center in Memphis. The pact, valued at up to $6.3 billion if extended through 2029, begins July 2026 and can be terminated by either side with 90 days’ notice after three months. The arrangement positions Reflection among providers of frontier AI infrastructure as it pursues open-weight models.
Multiple tech giants report advances in data-center cooling that reduce on-site water use. Nvidia claims its liquid-cooled systems can operate without mechanical chillers in many settings; Microsoft and others say their building methods still depend on external electricity sources and regional water constraints. The broader question remains: how much water and energy do AI infrastructures require overall?
SpaceX has announced a $20 billion senior unsecured bond offering to refinance a bridge loan and fund its expanding AI infrastructure, including Starship and Starlink. The IPO's record scale has given Musk’s empire enormous cash reserves, but analysts warn ongoing negative free cash flow and high capital needs will keep the company borrowing.
A global pact led by C40 Cities sets standards for urban data centers to use clean energy, minimize water use, and integrate with urban planning amid rapid AI-driven demand. Dozens of cities have joined, signaling a shift as data centers expand from urban hubs to rural areas.
Global tech shares have pulled back after a rally in AI-related stocks. Benchmark indices in Asia show sharp declines, including South Korea’s Kospi, as investors reassess valuations amid rising chip costs and AI infrastructure spending. US futures show mixed signals as investors await key inflation data.
Meta unveils a new line of smart glasses priced at $299, developed with EssilorLuxottica, aiming to blend fashion with AI features. The glasses lack Ray-Ban branding and are positioned as lightweight, wearable tech in a competitive market where rivals push similar hardware.
Investors from Moloco, Google, Meta and Unity have taken minority stakes in AppsFlyer, as AI reshapes attribution and measurement in advertising. AppsFlyer plans to use the funds to accelerate omnichannel measurement and prepare for a potential public listing.
The Tate brothers have 21 UK charges including rape and human trafficking. The High Court has dismissed their challenge to withholding the accusers' identities until proceedings commence in Britain. They await extradition from Romania, with UK charges to be pursued once in the UK.
China's LineShine has been named the world's fastest supercomputer on the TOP500 list, marking its debut at the top. The system runs entirely on CPUs and achieves 2.198 exaflops, surpassing El Capitan in the US. Analysts say the result signals recognition of China’s chip-design efforts, though AI workloads and list methodology cloud the claim.
Camp Mystic has filed for Chapter 11 in a Texas bankruptcy court, reporting debts exceeding $10 million and assets between $1 million and $10 million. Investigations found inadequate emergency planning during last July’s flood that killed 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp’s owner. The bankruptcy filing follows outrage from families and lawmakers and the camp’s decision to halt reopening plans.
Zoox has unveiled interior and interface improvements to its bidirectional robotaxi as it eyes a wider rollout later this year, including a lighter interior, new seating, larger cupholders, improved touchscreens, and two-way audio for riders and first responders. Production is planned at the Hayward facility with up to 100 vehicles weekly pending regulatory approval.
SpaceX and Tesla shares have pulled back, eroding Elon Musk’s trillionaire status after a record IPO earlier this month. Valuation slips follow a broad tech retreat as investors weigh AI optimism against rate fears.
Investors are shifting focus from headline AI stories to smaller themes that Citrini says could outperform. US airlines are seen as likely beneficiaries, while senior living facilities and live events are highlighted as growth areas. Prediction markets are expanding, with Cboe launching a new product amid a broader trend of outcome-based trading.
Developments in quantum computing have intensified scrutiny over Majorana claims as critics urge stricter validation. Microsoft defends its work while independent researchers call for more transparency, in a field where practical quantum utility remains on the horizon.
POLITICO, Independent, Business Insider UK and others report on RAISE US, a bipartisan nonprofit led by Gina Raimondo and Eric Holcomb. The group mobilizes $500m+ from tech firms to fund workforce programs, pilots in Arkansas, Maryland, Utah and Connecticut, and policy work to shield workers from AI disruption.
A set of contemporary business stories shows founders transitioning from tech to hospitality and entrepreneurs navigating the capital’s evolving consumer scene, as new ventures search for profitability amid shifting demand. Reports detail restaurants drawing Turkish patrons during a World Cup event, a tech veteran launching halal barbecue in Dallas, and a reflective look at dining culture in major U.S. cities.