Core Insights - Microsoft's Xbox cloud gaming service has shown significant growth globally [1][3] User Engagement - Game Pass users' total cloud gaming hours increased by 45% compared to the same period last year [3] - Console gaming hours also rose by 45%, while hours on other devices (such as PCs and handhelds) increased by 24% [3] Service Expansion - Xbox cloud gaming is now available in 29 countries/regions [3] - The service utilizes Microsoft's Azure global data center network for dynamic server resource allocation, enabling users to access games closer to their location [3] Accessibility - Players can experience Xbox cloud gaming without the need for expensive consoles or high-performance PCs, requiring only a device with internet connectivity [3]

欧盟反垄断监管机构"欧盟委员会"周二表示，微软对AI聊天机器人ChatGPT开发商OpenAI的财务支持， 可能要受到欧盟并购法规的约束。 欧盟委员会还表示，正在调查大型数字市场参与者与生成式AI开发商和提供商达成的一些协议对市场 动态的影响，但并未透露这些公司的名字。 与此同时，欧盟委员会还希望感兴趣的各方在3月11日之前，就VR/AR和生成式AI领域的竞争提供反 馈。还向几家大型数字公司发出了相关的信息请求。 盟反垄断专员Margrethe Vestager称："我们邀请企业和专家向我们介绍他们在这些行业可能发现的任何 竞争问题，同时也密切关注AI领域的合作，以确保它们不会不适当地扭曲市场竞争。" 去年，微软曾承诺向OpenAI投资逾100亿美元，但不会获得投票权。微软还表示，它并不拥有OpenAI的 任何股份。 今日，欧盟委员会在一份声明中称："我们正在评估，微软对OpenAI的投资是否可以根据欧盟的并购法 规进行审查。" ...

Core Insights - Microsoft considered selling its Bing search engine to Apple around 2020 to replace Google as the default search engine on iOS devices [1][2] - The discussions between Microsoft and Apple were exploratory and did not progress to deeper negotiations [1] - The ongoing legal battle between the U.S. Department of Justice and Google has renewed interest in the relationship between Microsoft and Apple regarding search engine options [1][2] Group 1: Microsoft and Apple Negotiations - Microsoft executives met with Apple’s Eddy Cue to discuss the potential sale of Bing, but the talks were not serious [1] - Microsoft launched Bing in 2009 to compete with Google but has not gained significant market share, with Bing holding less than 10% of the market [2] - In 2016, Microsoft considered investing billions into Apple to make Bing the default search engine on Apple devices, with discussions between CEOs Satya Nadella and Tim Cook [3] Group 2: Google and Apple Relationship - Google pays Apple between $4 billion and $7 billion annually to remain the default search engine on iPhones and other iOS devices [2] - Eddy Cue testified that Apple uses Google because it is the best available option, countering claims of unfair market dominance [2][3] - The agreement between Apple and Google has been extended, maintaining Google's position as the default search engine for Siri, Spotlight, and Safari [3][4] Group 3: Quality Concerns and Strategic Decisions - Apple’s decision not to acquire Bing was influenced by the substantial revenue from the Google deal and concerns over Bing's quality [3][4] - Apple has previously used Bing for certain services like Siri and Spotlight but reverted to Google in 2017 due to updated revenue-sharing agreements [3] - Eddy Cue indicated that Apple sees no need to develop its own search engine, as Google is perceived as the superior choice [4]

Core Points - The European Union (EU) has initiated an antitrust investigation into Microsoft's bundling of its Teams application with other Office applications, marking the first such investigation in over a decade [1] - The EU Commission is concerned that Microsoft's practices may constitute anti-competitive bundling, potentially hindering competition in the office communication and video application market [1][2] - If found in violation of EU antitrust regulations, Microsoft could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue [1] Summary by Sections - **Antitrust Investigation**: The EU's investigation focuses on whether Microsoft provides a distribution advantage to Teams by not allowing users to opt-out of the application when purchasing the Microsoft 365 suite [1] - **Previous Complaints**: Concerns about Teams' potential monopoly first arose in 2020 when Slack, a competitor, filed a complaint with the EU, claiming that Microsoft's bundling practices forced millions of users to install Teams without the option to remove it [2] - **Microsoft's Response**: A Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company respects the EU's work on the case and is committed to cooperating with the EU Commission to address its concerns [2] - **Historical Context**: The last time Microsoft faced an EU antitrust investigation was in 2009 regarding its Internet Explorer browser, which was also bundled with the Windows operating system [2] - **Recent Transactions**: Microsoft's recent $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is also under EU scrutiny due to potential impacts on competition in the gaming console and cloud gaming markets [2]

Core Points - The European Union is set to launch a formal antitrust investigation into Microsoft's bundling of the Teams application with the Office suite, marking Microsoft's first such investigation by the EU in 15 years [1][3] - Despite Microsoft's attempts to address competition concerns, insiders indicate that these concessions have not been sufficient, and formal charges could be brought as early as this fall [1][4] Group 1: Background and Context - In July 2020, Slack Technologies filed a complaint with the EU, accusing Microsoft of unfair competition by bundling Teams with its popular Office software, which allegedly eliminated competition for Teams [3] - Microsoft Teams is a chat-based collaboration tool that offers document sharing and instant communication features, including voice and video conferencing, similar to products offered by Slack Technologies [3] Group 2: Current Developments - Negotiations between the EU and Microsoft have reportedly stalled, with disagreements over Teams' pricing and insufficient concessions from Microsoft [4] - Microsoft has stated its willingness to cooperate with the EU and seek practical solutions to address concerns, while the EU continues to evaluate the complaint [4] Group 3: Historical Context - Over the past decade, Microsoft has faced fines totaling €2.2 billion (approximately $2.6 billion) from the EU for bundling practices [4] - Other companies that offer similar products to Microsoft Teams include Zoom Video Communications, Google, Meta, and Cisco [4]

FTC发言人道格拉斯·法拉（Douglas Farar）表示，该机构"对结果表示失望，因为这笔并购交易显然对 云游戏、订阅服务和游戏机市场的公开竞争构成威胁。在未来几天，我们将宣布下一步的措施，继续为 保护竞争和消费者权益而斗争。" FTC之前在申请禁令失败后曾经放弃过相关的努力。一旦交易完成，想要重新拆散合并后的公司，难度 通常会更大。 这一裁决在美国为微软收购动视暴雪扫清了道路，使之有望在7月18日的截止日期前完成交易。 据报道，一位美国联邦法官驳回了美国联邦贸易委员会（FTC）的申请，决定不禁止微软收购动视暴雪 交易，使得这笔750亿美元的巨额收购案又向前迈进了一步。 事实上，就连英国竞争监管机构也表示，愿意讨论这笔之前遭其驳回的合并交易。 动视暴雪旗下拥有《使命召唤》等大牌游戏，该股周二在纳斯达克市场常规交易中大涨10.02%，报收 于90.99美元，盘中涨幅一度超过12%。微软在2022年1月提交的收购报价为每股95美元。 该案主审法官杰奎琳·斯科特·科利（Jacqueline Scott Corley）在判决中说："FTC认为合并后的公司很可 能从索尼PlayStation上撤下《使命召唤》游戏， ...

受此消息影响，苹果股价下跌1.1%，市值为2.967万亿美元。6月30日，苹果市值首次收于3万亿美元关 口之上。Alphabet和亚马逊的跌幅均超过2%，微软和特斯拉均下跌超过1%。 上周五晚些时候，纳斯达克证券交易所表示，将对该指数进行"特别再平衡"，"通过重新分配权重来解 决指数过度集中的问题。"在此之后，华尔街最有价值的股票纷纷下跌。 此次调整将在截至7月3日的流通股份的基础上进行， 7月14日将公布变化情况，7月24日开盘前生效。 纳斯达克100指数包括在纳斯达克交易所交易的100家最大公司。该指数的变化将导致跟踪该指数的投资 基金调整其投资组合，并出售在该指数中权重被降低的公司的股票。 华尔街最有价值的公司是今年美国股市复苏的最大赢家，这些公司在纳斯达克100指数、纳斯达克综合 指数和标准普尔500指数中的权重进一步上升。 据报道，当地时间周一，苹果、微软等头部美国企业股价下跌。此前纳斯达克证券交易所表示，将重新 平衡其纳斯达克100指数，以解决该指数"过度集中"的问题。 今年迄今为止，标准普尔500指数上升了15%，而英伟达公司股价飙升了189%，特斯拉上涨了一倍多。 今年，微软、亚马逊和苹果的股 ...

Core Points - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing potential harm to competition in various markets, including gaming consoles, subscription services, and cloud gaming [1][2] - The FTC argues that if the merger is completed, Microsoft’s Xbox could gain exclusive access to Activision's games, limiting access for competitors like Nintendo and Sony [1] - Microsoft disputes the FTC's claims, asserting that the acquisition would benefit players and game companies, and has proposed a legally binding agreement to provide the game "Call of Duty" to competitors for ten years [2] Group 1 - The FTC's hearing is expected to last five days, with key Microsoft executives, including Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty and Bethesda Softworks' senior vice president Pete Hines, testifying [1] - Microsoft’s legal representative argues that the merger would allow for broader access to Activision's games across multiple platforms, countering the FTC's concerns [1] - The FTC believes that the merger could lead to Microsoft having the ability and incentive to withhold or diminish Activision's content, thereby reducing competition in the gaming industry [2] Group 2 - The acquisition is noted as Microsoft's largest in history and the biggest in the gaming industry [2] - The outcome of the merger hinges on winning several antitrust lawsuits globally, with the U.S. being a critical battleground [2] - The hearing is set to continue until June 29, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also expected to testify [2]

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft Azure cloud services are under investigation by the EU antitrust authorities due to concerns about potential anti-competitive practices [1] Group 1: EU Antitrust Investigation - The EU is conducting an informal investigation into Microsoft's cloud services, focusing on whether the company is using its market power to eliminate competitors [1] - EU regulators have inquired with Microsoft's competitors and customers regarding possible violations related to Microsoft's cloud services [1] - The investigation aims to determine if Microsoft is leveraging confidential information to compete against cloud service providers in the market [1] Group 2: Microsoft's Response and Developments - In response to the scrutiny, Microsoft announced a new suite of artificial intelligence solutions aimed at improving cloud services for non-profit organizations [1] - The new AI suite is designed to transform how non-profits and fundraisers engage with donors, manage activities, and optimize operations [1] - On the same day, the EU regulatory body approved Microsoft's nearly $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard [1]

Core Points - The European Union is expected to approve Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard next week, with a likely date of May 15 [1] - Microsoft has reached licensing agreements with competitors in cloud gaming, including Nvidia, Boosterid from Ukraine, and Ubitus from Japan, which has influenced the EU's decision [1] - The acquisition would position Microsoft as the third-largest gaming company in terms of revenue, following Tencent and Sony, once completed [2] Regulatory Status - The acquisition has already received approval from six countries: Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Serbia, Chile, Japan, and South Africa, while awaiting decisions from the US, UK, and EU [2] - The UK antitrust authority recently blocked the deal, citing concerns over its impact on future competition in the cloud gaming market [2] - Microsoft has engaged a prominent lawyer to challenge the UK's ruling [2]