Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk has threatened legal action against Apple, accusing the App Store of antitrust violations by favoring OpenAI's ChatGPT over Musk's Grok chatbot [1][5]. Group 1: Legal Accusations - Musk claims that Apple's App Store practices make it impossible for any AI company other than OpenAI to achieve the top ranking, which he describes as an antitrust violation [1]. - Musk's Grok AI chatbot and X are reportedly excluded from the App Store's "Must Have" list, despite Grok ranking as the fifth top free app [2][7]. - Musk has previously warned that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, Apple devices would be banned at his companies due to security concerns [4]. Group 2: Verbal Exchange - The exchange between Musk and OpenAI's Sam Altman escalated into personal attacks, with Musk accusing Altman of dishonesty regarding follower counts and engagement on social media [3]. - Altman challenged Musk to sign an affidavit denying any manipulation of the X algorithm to benefit his own companies [3][9]. Group 3: Company Context - Musk's xAI recently released Grok 4, while OpenAI unveiled GPT-5, indicating a competitive landscape in AI chatbot development [9]. - Apple is currently facing a significant lawsuit from the Department of Justice, alleging it maintains an illegal monopoly over smartphones, which adds context to Musk's accusations [10].

Core Point - The ongoing conflict between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has intensified, with Apple now at the center of the dispute, particularly regarding allegations of antitrust violations related to the App Store and AI technologies [1][2]. Group 1: Musk's Allegations - Musk has threatened Apple with immediate legal action, claiming that Apple is favoring OpenAI's ChatGPT over his company's Grok chatbot in the App Store, which he argues constitutes an antitrust violation [2][3]. - Musk asserts that Apple's behavior makes it impossible for any AI company other than OpenAI to achieve the top position in the App Store, although he did not provide evidence to support this claim [3]. Group 2: Apple's Partnership with OpenAI - Apple partnered with OpenAI in mid-2024 to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which may have contributed to the competitive tensions with Musk's xAI [3]. Group 3: Altman's Response - Altman responded to Musk's accusations by highlighting Musk's alleged manipulative practices on his platform, X, to benefit his own companies and harm competitors [4]. - Altman referenced a report indicating that Musk made significant changes to the platform after acquiring Twitter, which included prioritizing his tweets, suggesting a potential conflict of interest [4].

Core Viewpoint - Perplexity, an artificial intelligence startup, has made an unsolicited offer to acquire Google's Chrome browser amid ongoing antitrust proceedings that may compel Google to divest the asset [1][3]. Group 1: Offer Details - Perplexity's offer is valued at $34.5 billion, with several investors backing the proposal [2]. - The estimated valuation of Perplexity is $18 billion, while Chrome's enterprise value is estimated to range between $20 billion and $50 billion [2]. Group 2: Antitrust Context - The Department of Justice (DOJ) and 11 states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google in October 2020, accusing the company of using anticompetitive practices to maintain its dominance in search and search advertising [3]. - A judge ruled in August 2024 that Google's business practices violated antitrust laws, and Google plans to appeal this decision [4]. Group 3: Market Implications - Perplexity's offer aims to address antitrust concerns by proposing to place Chrome under independent management [3]. - An OpenAI executive indicated that there would be multiple potential buyers for Chrome if it were to be spun off, suggesting a competitive market for the asset [5].

Core Insights - Perplexity has made a $34.5 billion offer for Google's Chrome browser amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Google [1][2] - The offer is supported by unnamed investors, including large venture-capital funds [2] - The bid comes after a U.S. District Judge found Google engaged in anticompetitive practices to maintain its search market monopoly [3] Antitrust Context - Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that Google "willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts," reinforcing a previous ruling by Judge Amit Mehta [3] - Federal prosecutors are advocating for the sale of Chrome, arguing it has strengthened Google's dominance in the search market [3] Perplexity's Position - Perplexity recently secured $100 million in funding, raising its valuation to $18 billion [4] - The company stated that the bid for Chrome aims to address antitrust concerns by placing the browser under an independent operator [4] - A ruling on remedies for Google's monopoly is expected by the end of the month [4]

Elon Musk threatening legal action against Apple overnight, accusing Apple of quote behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI companies beside Open AI to reach number one in the app store, which is unequivocal antitrust violation. According to Musk, Alman responding, quote, "This is remarkable claim given what I've heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies." Here to discuss is Mal Lad Ram, Fortune contributing editor, CNBC contributor. McCall Alman ...

more. >> Welcome back to Squawk Box. Elon Musk accusing Apple of engaging in antitrust practices and threatening to take legal action overnight.Musk posting on X Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach number one in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation. I will take immediate legal action. Joining us right now on her thoughts on all of this is Silicon Valley journalist and a contributing editor at fortune magazine, as well as a C ...

Elon Musk threatening to sue Apple over the tech giants's app store ranking for Gro AI chatbot versus OpenAI's chat GPT. Now, OpenAI co Sam Alman joined us on Squawkbox last week and we asked him about Musk's comments that OpenAI will eat Microsoft alive. You know, I don't think about him that much.What what do you think of the larger idea though that that he's effectively saying that OpenAI long term will eat Microsoft alive. I don't even know what that means. Do you know what that means.I'm not sure what ...

Legal & Regulatory Risks - Potential lawsuit from Elon Musk poses a significant headache and headwind for Apple, especially given existing regulatory scrutiny [1] - Musk's involvement could escalate the situation and influence other parties, amplifying antitrust concerns for Apple [3] - Apple's stock experienced a pullback of approximately 05% in pre-market trading due to the potential legal action [4] App Store Importance & Dynamics - App Store placement is crucial for the success and adoption of Grok and X, described as their "hearts and lungs" and "lifeline" [5][6] - Musk's focus on XAI and Grok makes App Store visibility extremely important for these ecosystems [6] - Musk's influence and ecosystem make this a significant challenge for Apple [6]

RT Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal)🚨ELON EXPOSES APPLE'S AI CARTEL: CHATGPT GETS VIP TREATMENT WHILE GROK GETS BURIEDElon says Apple is committing an “unequivocal antitrust violation” by using its monopoly over iOS app distribution to keep any AI rival from surpassing OpenAI.Apple’s 2024 deal integrating ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence gives OpenAI exclusive algorithmic boosts, prime placement, and curated promotion while suppressing competitors.Grok, xAI’s app, is #5 in U.S. downloads yet excluded from ...

Greystar reached a tentative settlement with the DOJ in an antitrust lawsuit accusing the landlord of colluding to increase rents across the US, in part, through industry software https://t.co/Ac6kLuOxnk ...