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Apple to Pump $100 Billion More Toward Manufacturing in US
CNET· 2025-08-07 08:53
Core Viewpoint - Apple plans to invest an additional $100 billion over the next four years to enhance manufacturing in the US, bringing its total investment to $600 billion aimed at hiring more US workers and expanding manufacturing across 10 states [1][4]. Group 1: Investment and Manufacturing Plans - Apple will develop 100% of the cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch products in Kentucky, partnering with Corning, with a commitment of $2.5 billion for this initiative [2]. - The company aims to create an end-to-end silicon supply chain in the US, increasing domestic chip design, manufacturing, and packaging [3]. - Apple plans to hire 20,000 US workers over the next four years, supporting 450,000 jobs with suppliers and partners across all 50 states [4]. Group 2: Response to Tariffs and Production Strategy - Apple is shifting its production strategy due to steep tariffs on imports from countries where it traditionally manufactures, such as China [6]. - The company has relocated some production from China to countries like India and Vietnam to mitigate tariff impacts and reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains [7]. - Apple is preparing for the launch of the iPhone 17 in September while trying to avoid price hikes on its products due to tariffs as high as 25% [7]. Group 3: Future Manufacturing Possibilities - During a press conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated that while some components are made domestically and assembly can occur in the US, he did not commit to manufacturing an entire iPhone in the US [8]. - President Trump expressed optimism about the potential for an all-US-made iPhone in the future [9]. - Apple's announcement included partnerships with companies like Texas Instruments, Broadcom, and TSMC to enhance domestic chip development and manufacturing [9]. Group 4: New Facilities and Production Capabilities - Apple has opened a new factory in Houston for server production, which will begin mass production next year to support its Apple Intelligence initiatives [10].
Hulu to Fully Combine With Disney Plus and Expand Globally: What We Know So Far
CNET· 2025-08-06 21:55
Core Insights - Disney plans to fully integrate Hulu into its Disney Plus streaming service, with international availability expected next year [1][2] - The Hulu tile will replace the Star tile for international customers this fall, enhancing user choice and convenience [2] - The merger aims to create efficiencies by consolidating technology platforms and may lead to new bundling options for customers [3][4] Group 1 - The integration of Hulu into Disney Plus will allow subscribers to access Hulu content within the Disney Plus app, enhancing the overall user experience [1][2] - CEO Bob Iger indicated that the merger will result in a unified streaming app experience, with improvements and new features being rolled out in the coming months [3] - The merged app will offer a diverse range of content, including family programming, news, and live sports, appealing to a broader audience [3] Group 2 - The new standalone ESPN streaming service will launch on August 21, with pricing starting at $36 per month, and will be included in current Disney bundle offerings [4] - The merger of Hulu and Disney Plus may provide price elasticity and create a more compelling bundling experience for consumers [4] - Future streaming packages may emerge following the integration, potentially enhancing Disney's competitive position in the streaming market [4]
Apple Will Commit $100 Billion More to US Manufacturing, White House Source Says
CNET· 2025-08-06 17:09
Core Viewpoint - Apple is set to increase its investment in US production by an additional $100 billion, raising total commitments from $500 billion to $600 billion over the next four years as part of a new agreement with the US government [1][2]. Group 1: Investment and Employment - The new investment plan will include hiring 20,000 US workers over the same four-year period [2]. - The announcement is expected to be made at an event featuring Apple CEO Tim Cook [3]. Group 2: Production Strategy - Apple is adjusting its production strategy in response to high tariffs on imports from countries where it traditionally manufactures its products, such as China [4]. - The company has begun relocating some production to countries like India and Vietnam to mitigate tariff impacts and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains [5]. - Apple aims to avoid significant price increases on its products, particularly with the upcoming launch of the iPhone 17 in September [5].
Hulu Will Go Global and Fully Merge With Disney Plus
CNET· 2025-08-06 13:58
Core Insights - Disney plans to integrate Hulu into the Disney Plus streaming service, with international availability expected next year [1][2] - The Hulu tile will replace the Star tile for international customers this fall, enhancing user choice and convenience [2] - Upcoming improvements to the Disney Plus app will include new features and a personalized homepage, leading to a unified streaming experience [3] Integration and Features - The merged streaming app will provide family programming, news, and live sports content, consolidating offerings from Disney and Hulu [3] - The integration aims to create efficiencies by utilizing a single tech platform, potentially leading to new bundling options for customers [3][4] Pricing and Bundling - The merger may introduce price elasticity and enhanced bundling experiences, combining Disney-branded programming with general entertainment and sports content [4] - A new standalone sports streaming service, ESPN, will launch on August 21, with pricing starting at $36 per month, included in current Disney bundle offerings [4]
Spotify Raises Premium Subscription Price Globally (but Not in the US... Yet)
CNET· 2025-08-04 16:50
Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it planned on raising US prices for Premium subscriptions. In its announcement Monday, Spotify said it was introducing the price increase "so that we can continue to innovate on our product offerings and features, and bring you the best experience." The announcement gave a shot in the arm to Spotify's share price during Monday's trading, with a nearly 7% increase in the stock price at the NYSE. The share price had dropped 11.5% on July ...
Lyft and Baidu Plan to Launch Robotaxis in Europe Next Year
CNET· 2025-08-04 14:53
Group 1 - The article discusses the importance of services and software in enhancing user experience and productivity [1] - It highlights various tips and news related to optimizing the use of everyday services and applications [1] Group 2 - The focus is on how companies can leverage software solutions to improve operational efficiency [1] - There is an emphasis on the evolving landscape of service offerings in the tech industry [1]
Tesla to Pay $243M After Jury Finds It Partly Liable for Fatal Autopilot Crash
CNET· 2025-08-02 00:06
Group 1 - The article discusses the importance of services and software in enhancing user experience and productivity [1] - It highlights various tips and news related to optimizing the use of everyday services and applications [1] Group 2 - The focus is on how companies can leverage software solutions to improve operational efficiency [1] - There is an emphasis on the evolving landscape of service offerings in the tech industry [1]
Reddit Shifting Towards Search as Company Wants to Become a Search Engine
CNET· 2025-08-01 18:21
Core Insights - Reddit is integrating its search function with Reddit Answers to create a unified search experience, making the search box more prominent in the app [1] - The company has over 70 million weekly active users utilizing the search function and 6 million using Reddit Answers [1] - A recent survey indicated that 80% of users believe some questions can only be answered by humans rather than AI [2] User Demand and Engagement - There is a strong demand for Reddit as a source of information, being the most cited source for AI platforms like Google Overviews and Perplexity, and second for ChatGPT [3] - The percentage of Reddit cited on Perplexity is 46.7%, indicating a strong preference for community-generated content [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Reddit reported a 78% increase in revenue year-over-year, reaching $500 million [5] - Daily active users have grown to 110 million, marking a 21% increase from the previous year [5] Industry Trends - The shift towards search is seen as a strategic move, as users often add "Reddit" to their Google searches, indicating existing demand [4][5] - The rise of alternative search experiences, such as TikTok, reflects changing user behavior in seeking specific content [5] Challenges - Reddit may face challenges with increased AI-generated spam as it enhances its search capabilities [6][7] - The platform will need to combat the influx of AI content that could undermine the quality of community-generated responses [7]
Apple to Open Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, but Don't Expect a US iPhone in the Near Future
CNET· 2025-07-29 15:51
Core Insights - The article focuses on the expertise of Tiffany Wendeln Connors in personal finance and credit cards, highlighting her background and passion for helping individuals make informed financial decisions [1] Group 1 - Tiffany Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money, specializing in credit cards [1] - She has previously covered personal finance topics at The Penny Hoarder [1] - Connors graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in journalism [1] Group 2 - She has experience writing and editing for various publications, including the New York Post and Women's Running magazine [1] - Outside of work, Connors enjoys life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her family and dog [1]
Meta Debuts More Instagram Protections for Teen Users. Here's What's New
CNET· 2025-07-26 10:52
Core Viewpoint - Meta is enhancing safety features for teens on its social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to provide better protection against potential scams and harmful interactions [1][4]. Group 1: New Features for Teen Accounts - New safety features have been added to direct messages (DMs) in Teen Accounts, providing context about accounts being messaged and helping teens identify potential scammers [2]. - Teens will now see options to view safety tips, block accounts, and view the account's join date prominently displayed at the top of new chats [2]. - A new block and report function has been introduced, allowing users to block and report suspicious accounts simultaneously [2]. Group 2: User Engagement and Statistics - In June, 1 million Teen Accounts reported or blocked accounts, and another 1 million utilized the Location Notice feature to check if a messaging account was in a different country [3]. - The new DM features and block/report options are currently exclusive to Instagram, with potential plans to extend them to Facebook Messenger in the future [3]. Group 3: Addressing Past Accusations - Meta has faced accusations regarding the impact of its platforms on minors, including claims from a whistleblower about targeted ads based on teenagers' emotional states [4]. - In response, Meta has implemented improved safety features for underage users, including the introduction of "Teen Accounts" that limit contact and content visibility [4]. Group 4: Protections for Adult Accounts Related to Children - Meta will extend similar protections to adult accounts that share content related to children, such as family blogs, to prevent abuse and inappropriate interactions [5]. - Protections include placing these accounts into strict message settings and activating filters for offensive comments [5]. - These changes are set to roll out in the coming months [5].