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: Google has agreed to pay an Aus$55 million (US$36 million) penalty for striking "anti-competitive" deals to pre-install only its own search engine on Android mobile phones sold by two leading Australian telecoms firms. Australia's competition authority said it had launched proceedings in the Federal Court and jointly submitted wi ...

Core Insights - Apple is enhancing its smartwatch models with a redesigned blood oxygen sensing feature after a prolonged patent dispute [3][4] - The update will be available through software updates for Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 Apple Watch models [3] - The feature was previously sidelined due to a patent feud with health company Masimo, which claimed ownership of the technology [4][5] Group 1: Patent Dispute - A recent ruling by US Customs has allowed Apple to reintroduce the blood oxygen sensing feature [4] - The patent dispute led to a temporary halt in US sales of the latest smartwatch models last January [4][5] - Masimo filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which initially halted imports of the affected Apple Watch models [4][5] Group 2: Health Features - Apple promotes various health and fitness features in its smartwatches, including irregular heartbeat detection, fall detection, sleep apnea monitoring, and harmful noise level alerts [6]

Core Insights - Tesla is actively pursuing robotaxi operations in New York and other U.S. cities, indicating a strategic expansion in autonomous driving technology [3][5] - The company is currently hiring for a "Vehicle Operator, Autopilot" position in Flushing, New York, aimed at testing its driver-assistance technology [3][4] - Regulatory challenges remain, as New York State law currently restricts the use of autonomous vehicles to testing only [4][6] Company Developments - Elon Musk has expressed confidence in Tesla's potential for rapid deployment of autonomous vehicles, leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze data from its existing fleet [5][6] - The company launched a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025, marking a significant step in its autonomous vehicle strategy [5] - Musk's ambitious prediction of having autonomous ride-hailing available to half the U.S. population by the end of 2025 faces skepticism due to regulatory hurdles and safety concerns [6]

Core Viewpoint - A US judge is expected to decide on whether Google should divest its Chrome browser as part of antitrust proceedings, with Perplexity AI offering $34.5 billion for the browser, which is nearly double its recent valuation of $18 billion [3][4]. Group 1: Antitrust Proceedings - The US government is advocating for Google to sell Chrome to mitigate its dominance in online search, especially as AI technology is enhancing its market position [5]. - Google is contesting the divestment, arguing that it would not promote competition and could harm innovation and user experience [8]. Group 2: Perplexity AI's Offer - Perplexity AI's proposal aims to place Chrome under an independent operator focused on consumer protection and continuity [4]. - Analysts from Baird Equity Research suggest that Perplexity's offer undervalues Chrome and may be a strategy to influence the antitrust case or attract other bidders [6][7]. Group 3: Market Implications - The potential divestiture of Chrome could have significant global implications, as over 80% of its users are outside the US [8]. - The competition landscape is evolving with the rise of generative AI technologies from rivals like Microsoft and ChatGPT, which could impact Chrome's market share [9][10].

Core Points - An Australian court ruled that Apple and Google misused their market power in a dispute with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, which was removed from their app platforms in 2020 due to its in-app payment system that bypassed the companies [3][4]. - The court's decision indicates that the dominance of Apple and Google in the app store market reduces competition, potentially leading to higher commission fees for game developers [4]. - Epic Games celebrated the ruling as a victory for developers and consumers in Australia, although the court dismissed claims of unconscionable conduct by Apple and Google [4][5]. Company Responses - A Google spokesperson expressed disagreement with some findings of the court and stated that the company would review the full decision to determine its next steps [5]. - Australian lawyers have initiated a class action lawsuit seeking compensation from Apple and Google on behalf of game users and developers [5]. Industry Impact - The ruling is seen as a significant turning point, emphasizing that powerful corporations must adhere to regulations and respect the rights of consumers and developers [6]. - Fortnite, with hundreds of millions of registered players, remains one of the most popular video games globally, highlighting the importance of this legal battle for the gaming industry [6].

Core Insights - New research indicates that Uber's quality control mechanisms have made drivers in Chicago as safe and reliable as traditional taxi drivers, suggesting a need for regulators to consider new quality-control measures [1][3][16] Company Practices - Uber employs a system of ratings and notifications to hold drivers accountable, which includes sending alerts for low ratings and providing resources for improvement [2][5] - The company conducts basic checks on criminal history and driving records for new drivers, but does not require extensive training like traditional taxi drivers [4][14] Research Findings - A study analyzed approximately 6.9 million UberX rides in Chicago, revealing that drivers improved their performance significantly after receiving notifications about low ratings [7][10] - The research found that drivers who received detailed feedback on their driving behavior showed greater improvement compared to those who did not [12][11] - UberX drivers outperformed traditional taxi drivers in metrics such as speeding and sudden braking, while taxi drivers were better at minimizing phone usage and taking quicker routes [15][16] Implications for the Industry - The findings challenge the conventional wisdom that experience and training lead to better service quality, suggesting that after-the-fact quality controls could replace burdensome screening processes in some industries [16][17] - The research indicates a potential shift towards removing barriers to entry in professions while maintaining service quality, which could lead to lower prices and fewer safety downsides [17]

That includes AT&T Fiber and Frontier Communications, which sit at the upper echelon of fiber internet providers in the nation. Recently, Verizon—the Dallas-based telecom giant's biggest competitor—decided it wanted to get in on the action by making a splashy fiber deal. Its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier, which is also based in Dallas, recently cleared a big regulatory hurdle by winning Federal Communications Commission approval. And while a few more steps remain before the deal becomes official, Fron ...

Core Points - United Airlines faced significant operational disruptions due to a technology issue, leading to delays for thousands of passengers [1][5] - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at several major airports, including Denver, Newark, Houston, and Chicago, specifically affecting United Airlines flights [2][3] - The technology disruption was resolved, but residual delays were expected as the airline worked to restore normal operations [2][3] Industry Context - This incident follows a series of IT problems in the aviation sector, including a recent issue with Alaska Airlines that grounded flights for several hours [4] - The aviation industry has faced multiple challenges this year, including air traffic control system failures and a tragic mid-air collision near Washington, raising concerns about operational reliability [4]

Core Viewpoint - Sony has raised its annual profit forecasts due to strong performance in its gaming sector and a smaller-than-expected impact from US trade tariffs [3][4]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Sony's net profit forecast for the 2025-26 financial year has been increased to 970 billion yen ($6.6 billion), up from the previous estimate of 930 billion yen [4]. - The company reported a 23% year-on-year increase in net profit for the April-June quarter [8]. - The estimated impact of additional US tariffs on operating income is approximately 70 billion yen ($470 million), which is a decrease of 30 billion yen from the previous forecast [4]. Group 2: Gaming Sector Insights - Monthly active users and total gameplay hours on PlayStation consoles increased by 6% year-on-year in June and the April-June quarter, respectively [4]. - The anticipated global release of "Grand Theft Auto VI" in May 2026 is expected to significantly boost game profits for Sony [5][6]. - The PlayStation 5 is entering a late stage of its lifecycle, which may present cyclical risks for the console business [6][7]. Group 3: Strategic Moves - Sony has acquired a strategic 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco for 68 billion yen, aiming to enhance its anime business [8]. - The company is focusing on leveraging the blockbuster potential of upcoming games while navigating tariff challenges [7]. - Music streaming remains a stable growth area for Sony, supported by a strong artist roster [7].

Core Insights - Deliveroo reported a net loss of £19.2 million ($26 million) in the first half of 2025, a significant decline from a net profit of £1.3 million in the same period the previous year [2][3] - The loss is primarily attributed to costs associated with the acquisition by DoorDash, which is expected to be finalized in the final quarter of 2025 [2][3] - Despite the loss, Deliveroo's revenue grew by 8% to £1 billion, with orders also increasing by 8% [4] Company Performance - The company experienced its first annual profit in March 2025 after previous substantial losses due to high investment costs since its founding in 2013 [3][5] - The advisory and legal fees related to the DoorDash acquisition were significant contributors to the recent loss, and without these costs, Deliveroo anticipated a net profit [3] Acquisition Impact - The £2.9 billion takeover by DoorDash, agreed upon in May 2025, is set to enhance Deliveroo's market presence, operating in multiple countries including the UK, Belgium, France, and the UAE [2][5] - The combined entity will serve approximately 50 million monthly active users across more than 40 countries, expanding DoorDash's reach significantly [4]