Regulatory Developments - The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing new regulations for Google's search services, aimed at providing content publishers with more choice and clarity regarding their content usage in Google's AI Overviews [2][3] - Proposed measures include ensuring fair ranking of search results, facilitating easier switching of search services for Android smartphone and Chrome browser users, and improving access to Google search data for individuals and businesses [3] Impact on Content Publishers - CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell stated that the proposed actions would enhance choice and control for U.K. businesses and consumers, while also fostering innovation in the tech sector and providing a fairer deal for content publishers, especially news organizations [4] Google's Response - Google plans to engage with the CMA's regulatory process and continue collaborating with website owners and stakeholders on the matter, emphasizing existing controls for web publishers [4][5] - Google expressed optimism about finding a solution that increases choice for website owners while maintaining a helpful search experience for users [5] Legal Settlement - Google has reportedly agreed to a $135 million settlement to resolve allegations regarding unauthorized collection of cellular data from Android users, pending judicial approval [6] - The settlement includes Google's denial of wrongdoing and commitments to not transfer data without user consent, simplify the process for users to stop data transfers, and disclose such transfers in Google Play's terms of service [7]

If you can stomach volatility, the long-term potential remains strong.The "Magnificent Seven" stocks got their name by being seven of the best-performing and dominant tech companies in the world. Unfortunately, most of the companies had a less-than-magnificent 2025.Five of the companies underperformed the S&P 500's 16.4% returns, with the two exceptions being Nvidia (NVDA +1.44%) and Alphabet (GOOG +0.61%)(GOOGL +0.73%). They finished 2025 up 38.9% and 65.4%, respectively.Considering their impressive recent ...

Core Insights - Waymo, a U.S. robotaxi company, aims to launch its fully driverless ride-hailing service in London by Q4 2026 [1] Company Summary - Waymo is expanding its operations internationally with plans for a fully autonomous ride-hailing service [1]

Group 1 - The settlement mandates Google to modify its Google Play terms of service [1] - Changes will also be implemented in the setup screens for new Android mobile devices [1]

Group 1: Core Insights - Alphabet's Search business is leading the market with a 90.83% share, significantly ahead of competitors like Microsoft (4.03%) and others [1] - The introduction of AI Mode and AI Overviews is enhancing user engagement, with AI Mode now available in over 40 languages and boasting more than 75 million daily active users [1][2] - Google Cloud is benefiting from generative AI adoption, leveraging advanced models such as Gemini, Imagen, Veo, Chirp, and Lyria [1][9] Group 2: Product Enhancements - Alphabet is expanding Personal Intelligence in Google Search, allowing AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers to connect Gmail and Google Photos securely to AI Mode [2] - The rollout of Gemini 3 as the default model for AI Overviews is aimed at improving user experience by enabling seamless transitions from quick answers to deeper discussions [3] - Google Trends has been redesigned to enhance the discovery of search trends, with new AI features aiding users in building travel plans and shopping conversationally [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Microsoft is embedding AI capabilities across its product ecosystem, creating a competitive advantage through its investment in OpenAI and the integration of AI in Azure and Office 365 [5] - Amazon is also a significant competitor in the AI domain, enhancing its offerings through AI integration in its operations and AWS services [6] Group 4: Financial Performance - Alphabet's shares have increased by 71.2% over the past 12 months, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which returned 27.8% [7] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 10.2X, higher than the sector average of 7.44X, indicating a premium valuation [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is $11.06 per share, reflecting a 4.6% growth from the fiscal 2025 estimate of $10.57 per share [12]

J.B. Straubel's Redwood Materials has secured some high-profile backers as AI makes energy storage more critical. ...

Google on Wednesday announced that it is bringing more of its Gemini AI features to its Chrome browser, the latest in the company's efforts to put its new-age tech front and center for users. The Gemini-powered features include the image generation tool Nano Banana, Google's "Personal Intelligence" feature and "Auto browse," an agentic AI tool that lets users command the browser to perform various tasks across the web with a single prompt. Google is also introducing a new Chrome design that includes a panel ...

Market Overview - The market is experiencing a busy day with significant earnings reports and comments from political figures impacting sentiment [2][5] - The divergence between the NASDAQ and Russell indices indicates a recent rotation of money back into technology stocks after a brief period of underperformance [3][4] Technology Sector Insights - Major technology companies are set to report earnings, with ASML's bookings nearly doubling estimates, reflecting strong demand in the semiconductor sector [4][5] - The ongoing infrastructure buildout is driving GDP growth, estimated at 4-5%, which is beneficial for the technology sector and broader economy [5][6] - There is a notable divergence within the technology sector, with some large-cap software companies hitting 52-week lows while the overall market reaches new highs [8][19] Federal Reserve and Economic Policy - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is expected to maintain current interest rates, with little market expectation for changes, although there is interest in potential dissenting votes among new members [12][13] - The selection of the next Fed chair is generating intrigue, with several candidates being discussed, and the Senate confirmation process is a critical factor [10][17] Capital Expenditure Trends - Capital expenditure (capex) among major tech firms is a focal point, with expectations that it should neither be too high nor too low to maintain investor confidence [9][20] - The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on software companies remains uncertain, with questions about how increased competition will affect profitability and market dynamics [22][23]

Social media is on trial, with jury selection beginning today at the LA Superior Court here behind me, in this high-profile case against Meta and YouTube. And this case has massive implications for the industry. This is the first case in a wave of trials on the addictive, negative impact of social media on kids and teens, which is drawing comparisons to the attack on Big Tobacco in the 1990s.The plaintiffs in this first trial are a 19-year-old woman and her mother. They claim social companies knowingly desi ...

谷歌将支付 1.35 亿美元，和解智能手机用户提起的集体诉讼。原告指控谷歌在安卓操作系统中植入相 关程序，未经用户许可收集其移动网络数据。 谷歌作为字母表公司旗下子公司，已与原告方达成初步和解协议，该协议于本周二晚间提交至美国加利 福尼亚州圣何塞联邦法院，后续仍需法官批准生效。 谷歌在达成和解的同时，否认自身存在不当行为。此次和解的覆盖范围为 2017 年 11 月 12 日起所有安 卓系统移动设备的用户。 原告方称，即便用户关闭谷歌应用、关闭位置共享功能或锁定手机屏幕，谷歌仍在无端收集用户向移动 运营商付费获取的移动网络数据。 原告表示，谷歌将这些数据用于产品研发和定向广告投放，该行为已构成 "非法侵占"—— 即一方故意 侵占另一方财产并试图行使控制权的行为。 根据和解协议，谷歌需做出多项整改：用户首次设置安卓手机时，谷歌未获得明确同意不得传输其数 据；同时，谷歌需为用户设置更便捷的开关式功能，方便用户终止数据传输；此外，谷歌还需在谷歌应 用商店的服务条款中，明确披露数据传输相关事宜。 该案原定于 2026 年 8 月 5 日开庭审理，谷歌截至本周三暂未就此事作出回应。原告方律师团队拟向法 院申请最高 39 ...