Welcome to the latest edition of Week in Review! We’ve got some major developments in the tech world, including a new antitrust lawsuit against Apple and Microsoft’s advancements in AI. Let’s jump right into it.
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The U.S. Department of Justice has joined international regulators in accusing Apple of using monopolistic tactics to lock in iPhone users. Apple, however, argues that the DOJ’s actions could ultimately harm the very things its users love about its phones and ecosystem.
The lawsuit draws parallels between Apple and Microsoft’s similar tactics in the 1990s, but there are some key differences between the two companies and their efforts to retain customers.
Experts predict that it will take three to five years for the lawsuit to reach a resolution, so don’t expect any immediate changes.
But that’s not all – let’s take a look at other events and updates in the tech world.
News
Microsoft acquires AI startup Inflection AI’s co-founders: Mustafa Suleyman will now lead Microsoft AI’s consumer-facing division, while Karén Simonyan will serve as EVP and CEO of the same group. This comes after Inflection raised $1.3 billion, with Microsoft being the biggest investor.
Nvidia makes surprising announcements at GTC event: In addition to updates on their ray tracing technology, CEO Jensen Huang predicts that artificial general intelligence is just five years away. They also announced a new AI platform, GR00T, for humanoid robots.
Google partners with Apple to bring its AI to iPhones: Talks are underway for Google’s AI model to be integrated in future iOS updates. It remains unclear if this is a temporary fix until Apple’s AI efforts are fully developed, a long-term partnership, or a deal that may not come to fruition.
Hacking & Privacy
Investors who once supported malware now join coalition to fight against it: The Biden administration is bringing together an international coalition to combat commercial spyware, with some investors previously being involved in the very industry they are now fighting against.
Gamers hack Apex Legends tournament “for fun”: One hacker claims their motives were simply to highlight an exploit in the game to its developers, while others saw it as an opportunity to cause chaos for players.
Beware of Glassdoor reviews: Users are reporting that their real names are being added to their reviews without consent, and deleting their accounts is currently the only solution. Double-check those burner accounts!
Funding & IPOs
Reddit’s IPO has a strong start: With its stock jumping 48% on the first day, the platform’s IPO is off to a promising start.
Cloud computing hardware company Astera Labs sees massive jump on first day: Boosted by the growing demand for AI, the company’s stock grew to $62.03 on its first day.
The Browser Company raises $50 million: Behind the innovative Arc browser, the company is still figuring out how to monetize its services amidst updates and controversy.
Bonus Round
Why AI can’t spell: Have you ever seen horribly misspelled words in AI-generated images? The reason behind this is explained in-depth in this article.
Financial issues force Fisker to pause production: The automaker has hit a financial roadblock and may not be able to continue operations if they don’t secure more funding.
Reviewing AI’s capabilities (or lack thereof): It may be difficult to truly review AI systems, but it’s important to continue putting them to the test to fully understand their capabilities.
