Core Points - The European Union has mandated that Apple must take specific steps to enhance compatibility of its iPhone and iPad operating systems with competing technologies under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [2][3] - This is the first instance of the EU compelling a technology company to adhere to its digital regulations, which were implemented last year [2] - The EU Commission has outlined measures for Apple to improve access for smartwatches and other devices to its iOS, as well as to enhance transparency for software developers seeking access to iPhone features [3] Additional Context - The EU Commission also indicated that Google is not sufficiently complying with the DMA, as it continues to favor its own services in search results and restricts app developers from informing users about cheaper alternatives outside its Google Play Store [4]

Core Viewpoint - Tencent's profit surged by 90% in Q4 2024, driven by its accelerated investment in artificial intelligence [1][3][4]. Financial Performance - Tencent's net profits for the three months ending December 31 reached 51.3 billion yuan ($7.1 billion), marking a 90% year-on-year increase [3]. - The company's revenue for the same period was 172.4 billion yuan, an 11% year-on-year rise, surpassing Bloomberg's forecast [3]. - For the entire year, Tencent reported total revenue of 660.3 billion yuan, an 8% increase from 2023, and net profits of 194.1 billion yuan, up 68% [4]. AI Strategy - Tencent's CEO, Pony Ma, attributed the double-digit revenue growth to enhancements in the advertising platform through AI, increased engagement on video accounts, and growth in the gaming sector [4]. - The company has reorganized its AI teams to focus on rapid product innovation and deep model research, alongside increasing AI-related expenditures [4]. - Tencent is trialing its AI reasoning model, "Hunyuan Thinker," aimed at providing a more professional and human-like writing style [8]. Market Context - The strong financial results followed a significant rise in Tencent's stock price, reaching its highest level in nearly four years [5]. - The surge in investor confidence in Chinese technology stocks, particularly in AI, was influenced by the emergence of local startup DeepSeek [2][7]. - Tencent has expressed respect for DeepSeek and is integrating its technology across multiple services [7][8]. Challenges - Despite the positive results, Tencent faces challenges such as a sluggish domestic economy and political pressure from the U.S., which has placed the company on a list of firms allegedly linked to Beijing's military [9].

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain This month marks a decade since Netflix—the world's most influential and widely subscribed streaming service—launched in Australia. Since then the media landscape has undergone significant transformation, particularly in terms of how we consume content. According to a 2024 Deloitte report, Au ...

Core Viewpoint - Apple has lost an appeal in Germany, leading to potential stricter regulatory controls due to its classification as a company of "paramount significance for competition across markets" [2][3]. Regulatory Context - The Federal Court of Justice upheld the Federal Cartel Office's decision from 2023, which allows for closer surveillance of Apple for possible market abuse [2]. - This classification has also been applied to other major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet [2]. Company Position - The court noted that Apple is one of the largest and most profitable companies globally, possessing extraordinary financial and other resources [3]. - Apple disagrees with the ruling, asserting that it faces significant competition in the German market [3]. Regulatory Actions - The head of the Federal Cartel Office expressed satisfaction with the ruling, indicating that it strengthens their inquiry into Apple's app tracking rules [4]. - The regulator alleges that Apple provides users with fewer opportunities to consent to app tracking when using its services compared to third-party apps, which may give Apple an unfair competitive advantage [4].

Core Insights - Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is set to acquire cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion, marking the largest acquisition in Google's 25-year history [2][4]. - The acquisition aims to enhance Google's cloud computing capabilities, particularly in security, amidst the growing demand for artificial intelligence solutions [1][3]. Company Strategy - The deal is expected to provide Google with a competitive edge in the cloud-computing sector by integrating Wiz's security tools, which are designed to protect data in remote data centers [3][4]. - Wiz's CEO emphasized that the partnership will focus on making cloud security more accessible and intelligent, aligning with the trend of democratizing cloud and AI usage [3]. Financial Aspects - The acquisition price of $32 billion exceeds a previous buyout proposal of $23 billion that Wiz rejected in July [4]. - This cash transaction reflects Google's commitment to investing in security solutions as part of its broader strategy to enhance cloud services [2]. Regulatory Considerations - The acquisition will undergo scrutiny from antitrust regulators, with expectations that the current administration may have a mixed approach towards big tech mergers [4][5]. - The new Federal Trade Commission Chair has indicated a rigorous review process for mergers and acquisitions, which may impact the deal's approval [5].

Core Insights - Xiaomi reported a significant increase in annual revenue, driven by strong smartphone sales and an expansion into the electric vehicle (EV) market [1][2] - The company's total revenue for the last year was 365.9 billion yuan ($50.6 billion), marking a 35% increase from the previous year [2] - In the fourth quarter of 2024, revenue grew by 48.8% year-on-year, surpassing Bloomberg's forecast of 43% [2][3] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from electric vehicles and other new initiatives reached 32.8 billion yuan last year, while traditional smartphone sales accounted for the majority at 333.2 billion yuan [4] - The company aims to deliver 350,000 vehicles in 2025, having already delivered 136,854 units of the SU7 Series in 2024 [3][4] Market Context - Xiaomi's performance is seen as a barometer for consumer sentiment in China, especially as the government implements measures to stabilize the economy and boost consumer spending [2][6] - State subsidies for personal electronics and home appliances are expected to benefit Xiaomi, given its strong market presence in these categories [6]

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has touted artificial intelligence being built into real-world creations such as robots as being among promising markets for the technology powered by his company's chips. Nvidia chief Jensen Huang is expected to showcase cutting-edge chips for artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing on Tuesday ...

Core Viewpoint - Intel has appointed Lip-Bu Tan as the new CEO in an effort to revitalize the struggling chipmaker following the abrupt retirement of former CEO Pat Gelsinger amid significant operational challenges and layoffs [2][5]. Company Overview - Intel has faced a severe downturn, with a stock price decline of 60% during Gelsinger's tenure, resulting in a loss of $160 billion in shareholder wealth [5]. - The company laid off 17,500 employees, approximately 15% of its workforce, and suspended its dividend to manage financial losses, which totaled $19 billion annually [5]. Leadership Changes - Lip-Bu Tan, a semiconductor industry veteran and former Intel board member, will take over as CEO, marking a return to the company after previously serving on its board [3][4]. - Tan's leadership is expected to leverage his extensive industry relationships and experience to create shareholder value [4]. Recent Developments - Intel has delayed the opening of two new chip factories in Ohio to ensure financial responsibility, utilizing $7.8 billion from the CHIPS Incentives Program [6]. - The company has struggled to keep pace with technological advancements, particularly in mobile computing and artificial intelligence, where competitors like Nvidia have gained significant market traction [8]. Market Position - Nvidia's market value has surged to $2.8 trillion, contrasting sharply with Intel's current valuation of $90 billion [9]. - Following the announcement of Tan's hiring, Intel's stock price increased by over 10%, indicating investor optimism regarding the potential for a turnaround under his leadership [9]. Past Achievements - Tan previously served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, where the company's stock price increased 44-fold during his tenure [9]. - He was awarded the Semiconductor Industry Association's 2022 Robert Noyce Award, recognizing his contributions to the industry [10].

Core Viewpoint - Salesforce plans to invest $1.0 billion in Singapore over the next five years to enhance the use of artificial intelligence agents in the workforce [1][2]. Investment and Strategy - The investment aims to accelerate the adoption of Agentforce in Singapore and the region, which allows businesses to create and manage AI agents for tasks like sales, customer service, and marketing [2][3]. - Salesforce has been operating in Singapore for 25 years and considers it a hub for Southeast Asia, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and growth in the region [4][5]. Technology and Workforce Impact - AI agents developed through Agentforce are more advanced than traditional chatbots, capable of thinking, deciding, and performing tasks autonomously, such as booking appointments and processing requests [3][5]. - The investment is a response to Singapore's declining birthrate and aging population, which have contributed to a slowing growth rate of the labor force [5]. Collaboration and Applications - In a joint announcement, Salesforce and Singapore Airlines revealed that the airline would utilize Agentforce to streamline its customer service operations [7].

Core Insights - Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are conducting constant marketing experiments on users, often without their awareness, leading to complexities in understanding ad effectiveness [3][10][12] Group 1: A/B Testing and Its Flaws - The study examined published peer-reviewed research on A/B testing by Facebook and Google, revealing significant flaws in the methodology [2] - Researchers found that billions of social media users are subjected to tests to determine ad effectiveness, but the results are not straightforward due to algorithmic complexities [3][5] - The lack of "random assignment" in ad targeting complicates the ability to attribute click behavior to specific ad changes, as algorithms select participants based on various unobservable factors [5][6] Group 2: Algorithmic Targeting and Its Implications - Algorithms used in ad targeting are highly complex and can select users based on past behavior and interests, making it difficult to understand why certain ads are shown to specific individuals [7][8] - The study highlights that certain demographics, such as women, may be excluded from targeted ads for STEM education due to cost considerations in algorithmic targeting [9] - The algorithms reinforce existing biases by limiting exposure to certain groups, which can lead to broader societal divides [8][9] Group 3: Broader Industry Implications - The findings of the study are applicable to all major social media platforms, indicating a widespread issue in how online marketing experiments are conducted [10] - The average Facebook user participates in multiple experiments simultaneously, raising concerns about the ethical implications of such practices [11] - Marketers are cautioned against overinterpreting A/B test results, as they may not reflect broader consumer behavior and could alienate larger audiences if misapplied [12][13]