Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared an update on the adoption of consumer-facing AI apps and features, including Google Search’s AI Overviews, Gemini, and AI Mode. On the company’s Q2 2025 call with investors, Pichai shared that AI Overviews — a Google Search feature offering an AI summary of search results available in 200 countries and territories — now has 2 billion monthly users, up from 1.5 billion in May 2025.In addition, Google’s Gemini app has grown to 450 million monthly active users. “W ...

Core Insights - Tesla's financial performance in Q2 2025 was negatively impacted by declining EV sales, lower average selling prices, reduced revenue from regulatory credits, and a decrease in solar and energy storage revenue [1][4] - The company's revenue for Q2 2025 was reported at $22.5 billion, marking a 12% decline year-over-year, although it showed improvement from Q1 2025's revenue of $19.3 billion [2] - Net income for Q2 2025 was $1.17 billion, a 16% decrease from $1.4 billion in the same quarter last year, with operating income falling 42% year-over-year to $923 million [3] Revenue and Sales Performance - Tesla's revenue decline was attributed to falling sales and a significant drop in regulatory credits, which amounted to $439 million in Q2 2025, a 50% decrease from the previous year [4] - The company delivered 384,122 vehicles in Q2 2025, representing a 13.5% drop from the same period in 2024, although this was an improvement over Q1 2025's delivery of 337,000 vehicles [4] Legal and Regulatory Challenges - Tesla is facing regulatory scrutiny from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which is arguing for the revocation of its license to sell vehicles in the state due to false advertising claims related to its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems [5] - A civil lawsuit is ongoing in Florida regarding a fatal crash involving a Tesla vehicle using Autopilot, which may lead to punitive damages being considered by a jury [6]

Core Viewpoint - The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) proposed granting "strategic market status" to Apple and Google's mobile platforms, which would enable regulatory changes to their app stores and mobile software operations [1][2] Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The proposal aims to foster a more open and competitive app economy, enhancing user choice [2] - If approved, the CMA would address issues such as commission rates on in-app purchases, app review processes, app rankings, developer access to technology, and default settings that may hinder competition [3] Group 2: Company Responses - Apple and Google have opposed the proposals, with Apple arguing that the changes could jeopardize user security and privacy [2] - Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, expressed disappointment in the proposal, noting it does not permit competing mobile app stores like the Epic Games Store [3]

Core Insights - PayPal has launched a new platform called PayPal World aimed at simplifying cross-border commerce by allowing users to pay using their local wallets and payment systems [1][4] - The platform has partnered with major global wallet companies, including India's NPCI International Payments Limited, China's Tenpay Global, and Latin America's Mercado Pago, to reach over two billion users worldwide [2][3] Group 1: Partnerships and Collaborations - PayPal's launch partners include NPCI International Payments Limited, which operates the UPI mobile payments framework in India, and Tenpay Global, which manages the WeChat payment ecosystem in China [2] - A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Mercado Pago, a fintech company in Latin America, to enhance payment capabilities [3] Group 2: Platform Features and User Benefits - PayPal World will enable PayPal and Venmo users to send money globally, even to non-PayPal users, facilitating transactions in different countries [4] - Users traveling in China can utilize PayPal on the Weixin payment network, while Indian customers can use their UPI wallets for purchases from U.S. sites [4] Group 3: Market Impact and Transaction Volume - Mercado Pago reported a total payment volume of $58.3 billion in Q1 2025, while UPI transactions in India exceeded $238 billion in June [7] - Tenpay Global is also enhancing its remittance framework to support cross-border peer-to-peer payments [7][8] Group 4: Future Developments - PayPal World is set to launch this fall, with Venmo users expected to be able to make payments for both online and offline shopping by 2026 [9]

Apple notified more than a dozen Iranians in recent months that their iPhones had been targeted with government spyware, according to security researchers.Miian Group, a digital rights organization that focuses on Iran, and Hamid Kashfi, an Iranian cybersecurity researcher who lives in Sweden, said they spoke with several Iranians who received the notifications in the last year.  Bloomberg first wrote about these spyware notifications.Miaan Group published a report on Tuesday on the state of cybersecurity ...

OpenAI was the company that signed a $30 billion per year deal with Oracle for data center services, disclosed last month, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Now, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has confirmed the details of the contract (but not the dollar amount) in an X post on Tuesday and in a company blog post.To recap, on June 30, Oracle disclosed in an SEC filing that it had signed a cloud deal that would generate $30 billion a year in revenue. However, the company didn’t say who it was with or for wha ...

The Florida GOP isn’t the only one profiting from the detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” by selling merchandise. A subset of Etsy buyers and sellers began a boycott of the online marketplace this month over its decision to allow “Alligator Alcatraz”-branded merchandise on its site. Today, this sort of merchandise — including T-shirts, hats, mugs, stickers, patches, and other items — can be found across e-commerce platforms beyond Etsy, ranging from large retailers like Amazon to online marketpla ...

Core Insights - The Tesla Diner & Drive-In officially opened in Hollywood, California, combining retro nostalgia with a fast-charging network for Tesla vehicles [1] - The facility serves as a charging station for Tesla drivers while offering classic diner menu items and features like Tesla-branded merchandise and LED movie screens [2] - Initial public interest is high, as indicated by long lines on opening day, suggesting potential for sustained popularity [3] Group 1 - The diner includes 80 v4 Supercharger stalls and a drive-in movie theater that syncs with Tesla vehicle speakers [3] - Elon Musk has expressed intentions to expand the diner concept to major cities globally if the initial location proves successful [4]

Core Insights - Figma is allowing existing shareholders to sell significantly more shares than the company itself plans to offer in its IPO, with existing shareholders permitted to sell nearly 24.7 million shares compared to the company's planned 12.5 million shares [1] - The IPO is expected to be highly sought after, with existing shareholders having the option to sell an additional 5.5 million shares if demand is strong [2] - Figma's CEO, Dylan Field, plans to sell 2.35 million shares, potentially cashing out over $62 million at the midrange price, while still retaining 74% of the voting rights post-IPO due to supervoting rights [2] - Major venture investors like Index, Greylock, Kleiner Perkins, and Sequoia are also cashing out shares, with each potentially selling between 1.7 million to 3.3 million shares, which could provide liquidity in a challenging venture market [3] - Despite the secondary sales, these investors are retaining the majority of their Figma holdings, indicating confidence in the company's future [4] - Figma is not expected to profit from the shares sold by its stockholders, but if the IPO prices above the announced range, it could raise more capital [6] - Experts anticipate Figma could sell around $1.5 billion worth of stock, making it the largest IPO of 2025 if it exceeds this amount [7]

Core Insights - Tesla's launch in India has been met with disappointment from early backers who pre-ordered the Model 3, with many expressing frustration over the long wait and lack of communication from the company [2][10][14] Group 1: Customer Sentiment - Early supporters like Vishal Gondal and Amit Bhavani, who pre-booked the Model 3 in 2016, felt underwhelmed by the showroom launch and have no plans to purchase a Tesla now [1][10] - Many early backers experienced difficulties in obtaining refunds for their reservations, leading to a shift in sentiment from excitement to disappointment [2][3][11] - A significant portion of early reservation holders, approximately 80%, are frustrated with Tesla's lack of communication and the long wait for the launch [14] Group 2: Market Position and Competition - Tesla's Model Y is priced at ₹59,89,000 (approximately $68,000) in India, significantly higher than its U.S. counterpart, which starts at $44,990 (₹38,71,000) [21] - The premium segment in India, where Tesla operates, comprises only 1% of total car sales, with electric vehicles holding a 10% share in that segment [22][24] - Competitors like Tata Motors dominate the Indian electric vehicle market, and other brands are gaining traction, making Tesla's entry less impactful than anticipated [24][28] Group 3: Infrastructure and After-Sales Concerns - There is uncertainty regarding Tesla's Supercharger network and after-sales service in India, with only eight charging stations planned for Delhi and Mumbai [15][17] - Early backers are concerned about the practicality of owning a Tesla without a robust charging infrastructure in place [17][18] Group 4: Brand Perception and Leadership - Elon Musk's recent political involvement has affected Tesla's brand perception, leading some potential customers to feel disillusioned [18][19] - The excitement surrounding Tesla's brand has diminished, with many now viewing it as just another option among many electric vehicles available in the market [21][28]