Tech & Media
Consumer technology, big-tech company news outside AI models, platforms, social media, streaming, media and publishing businesses.
SpaceX and Tesla merger talks advance for December close
Negotiations to combine SpaceX and Tesla are accelerating, with a potential deal expected as early as December. The merger would create a $3.4 trillion entity, a move timed to precede the new congressional session in January.
X launches native video clipping tool for creators
X introduced a native feature allowing users to trim and post video clips directly on the platform. The tool includes revenue sharing for both original creators and clippers, aiming to boost engagement against competitors like TikTok.
Meta brings Muse AI agent to Apple Watch and Wear OS
Meta expanded its Muse AI agent to smartwatches, enabling voice and text interactions on Apple Watch and Wear OS. The move extends the assistant's reach across consumer devices following its recent iPad launch.
Spotify adds voice customization and commentary controls to AI DJ
Spotify updated its AI DJ feature with new voice options and controls to limit commentary. The changes allow users to tailor the listening experience for background use, reflecting the platform's broader integration of artificial intelligence.
Apple CEO pushes for autonomous Siri in iOS 27
Apple CEO John Terenas is urging faster deployment of AI capabilities, specifically targeting an autonomous Siri for iOS 27. The push comes as competitors release agentic tools and Apple’s R&D spending rises.
Tubi CEO Anjali Sood to lead SiriusXM
Anjali Sood is leaving Tubi to become CEO of SiriusXM. Sood oversaw Tubi’s growth to over 110 million monthly active users and $1 billion in annual revenue.
Elf Beauty launches board diversity data campaign
Elf Beauty released internal data showing it is the only public company with a majority female board and high diversity. The campaign aims to highlight disparities in corporate boardroom composition.
Apps like Finch and Libby offer alternatives to doomscrolling
With 64% of Americans reporting they doomscroll, several apps are gaining traction as tools to improve mental health and attention. Options range from self-care pets to library access and cognitive training.
Musk faces political backlash as Tesla winds down Cybertruck production
Elon Musk’s political influence is waning after a $500 million midterm spending effort yielded no electoral return, while Tesla prepares to end Cybertruck production in Texas. Incoming Democratic investigators are expected to probe financial ties between Musk’s companies and the government.
Times company in talks to buy Letterboxd for $330 million
The New York Times company has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire the movie platform Letterboxd for $330 million. The deal would add a fast-growing social network with 28 million users to the publisher's portfolio.
Meta Muse accused of logging contact lists and leaking data
Meredith Whitaker alleges that Meta's Muse agent logs user contact lists and creates communication dossiers. Critics say the AI tool has also exposed private information, including home addresses and financial details.
Slack revenue triples post-acquisition as AI agent interface
Slack has become Salesforce's fastest-growing product, with revenue nearly tripling since the 2020 acquisition. The platform is now positioned as the primary conversational interface for AI agents within the Salesforce ecosystem.
Telekom CEO lobbies for T-Mobile US merger
Deutsche Telekom chief Tim Höttges is seeking government support to merge with its US subsidiary, a move driven by competitive pressure from Elon Musk. The deal faces significant regulatory hurdles and potential blockage by the German state.
Google ties school search access to AI tool usage
Google announced that schools opting out of its new AI features will lose access to Google Search, a policy it later clarified allows administrators to reverse. The move has drawn criticism from officials who argue the company is leveraging its market dominance to force AI adoption in classrooms.
Audi profit collapses as VW pauses electric Golf development
Audi's third-quarter operating profit fell 94% to €29 million amid sales declines in China and the US. Volkswagen has paused development of the electric Golf, citing financial constraints despite holding €33 billion in net liquidity.
Apple Watch Series 12 audio AI features enter beta
Apple began beta testing AI-powered audio intelligence for the Apple Watch Series 12, including sound detection and conversation transcription. The features are initially available in India and are designed to balance utility with privacy concerns.
Zalando and Shopify report mixed results amid e-commerce shifts
Zalando's stock fell after reporting slow organic growth, while Shopify posted its weakest revenue growth in three quarters. Both companies are pivoting toward AI-driven commerce, with Shopify maintaining a high valuation despite missing analyst expectations.
Meta builds humanoid robot prototype with Chinese startup Furir
Meta developed a humanoid robot prototype in collaboration with Chinese startup Furir in three months, a move that challenges Tesla's Optimus. A US import ban on Chinese robots currently prevents Meta from importing these units.
SpaceX seeks Boost Mobile acquisition to build hybrid network
SpaceX is reportedly pursuing the purchase of Boost Mobile from EchoStar to secure terrestrial cellular infrastructure. The move aims to create a hybrid satellite and cellular network, positioning the company as a major U.S. wireless provider.
Ford launches privacy promise ahead of connected vehicle rollout
Ford committed to protecting customer vehicle data and providing sharing controls as it prepares to launch new connected vehicles. The move follows a $220 million settlement involving General Motors and highlights growing consumer concern over data collection.
Amazon confirms Prime Video is now profitable in its own right
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that Prime Video has achieved standalone profitability with a revenue run rate in the tens of billions of dollars. The milestone follows strong box office performance from Amazon MGM Studios and high viewership for key series and sports events.
Netflix cuts 1,000 jobs and removes top executives after failed Warner bid
Netflix is eliminating approximately 1,000 positions and removing its Chief Content Officer and Film Chief following its loss in the Warner Brothers Discovery acquisition. Former co-CEO Ted Sarandos noted that engagement growth has slowed, prompting a strategic refocus on high-quality content.
Meta launches 90-minute video program to challenge YouTube
Meta is allowing creators to upload videos up to 90 minutes long to Instagram, aiming to compete with YouTube and streaming services. The move leverages Meta’s massive user base and expanding smart TV presence to target long-form content consumption.
MicroStrategy CFO Andrew King resigns over differences of opinion
MicroStrategy announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Andrew King, citing a difference of opinion. The departure marks another leadership change in the crypto-adjacent tech sector during a period of market volatility.
Amazon expands Alexa with over 100 new shopping features
Amazon has introduced more than 100 new shopping capabilities to Alexa ahead of the holiday season. The update allows users to manage subscriptions, edit delivery instructions, and resolve payment issues through voice commands.
GM commits $2 billion to Lansing hybrid vehicle production
General Motors will invest over $2 billion in the Lansing region, with $1.25 billion dedicated to converting a plant for hybrid electric vehicles. The shift repurposes previously awarded federal funds originally intended for electric vehicle production.
Discord makes public server conversations searchable on the internet
Discord will make conversations in public, discoverable servers searchable on the internet, starting with dedicated webpages in November. The update aims to extend community reach but has sparked privacy backlash among users.
News organizations face market failure from zero-click search and AI scraping
Maria Ressa described the current environment as a period of market failure for news organizations, citing an 85% drop in referral traffic. She argues that traditional advertising models are dead, forcing publishers to pivot to tech and data services.
Apple reports early screen and hinge issues on iPhone Duo
Apple acknowledged hardware defects in the new iPhone Duo, including screen cracking and hinge failures. The company is replacing affected units, while separate reports detail production delays at Boeing.
Postgres 19 adds concurrent repack and query plan pinning
Postgres 19 introduces core features for background table maintenance and query stability, reducing reliance on third-party extensions. The release is expected within months and marks a significant shift in operational simplicity for developers.
Snowflake open-sources PG Lake to bridge Postgres and Iceberg
Snowflake has released PG Lake, an extension that embeds DuckDB and an Iceberg catalog into Postgres. The tool allows users to query Parquet files in S3 using standard SQL, eliminating the need for complex ETL pipelines.
Instagram tests 90-minute video uploads to challenge YouTube
Instagram is testing long-form video uploads of up to 90 minutes, a strategic shift from short-form content. The move aims to compete with YouTube's creator revenue model, though a monetization strategy remains undefined.
X users react to intrusive hand animation in posting interface
A mysterious hand animation pointing to the promote button has appeared in X's posting interface, causing user irritation. The timing coincides with the appointment of a new product chief, though X has not commented.