LT Weekly: Aug 29, 2025

Advertising/Ad Agencies/Ad Tech

• Spectrum Reach, Charter Comm’s ad biz, annc’d acquisition of ShowSeeker, aiming to streamline media buying. ShowSeeker’s cloud-based tools will integrate w/ Spectrum’s Innovar suite, enhancing ad planning, trafficking, and delivery across linear, streaming & CTV. The deal boosts Spectrum’s AdTech capabilities, offering scalable svs to cos of all sizes and improving campaign efficiency. (Street Account)

• Amazon annc’d it exceeded internal upfront goals for 2025, citing “significant growth” across major holding cos and strong support from independent agencies. Advertiser demand was driven by NBA and Prime Video originals like “Fallout,” “Oh. What. Fun,” “Beast Games,” “Merv” and “Elle.” (The WRAP)

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

• Elon Musk’s xAI annc’d grok-code-fast-1, a “speedy, economical” agentic coding model, now free for a limited time w/ GitHub Copilot & Windsurf. Designed for fast, cost-effective coding tasks, it rivals OpenAI’s Codex & Microsoft’s Copilot. Musk also sued Apple & OpenAI, alleging anti-competitive behavior favoring ChatGPT over Grok in Apple’s app store. (Reuters)

• Snowflake annc’d Q2 FY2025 results w/ $1bn product rev, up 32% YoY. CEO Ramaswamy defended frontier AI models amid GPT-5 debate, citing strong code quality gains. AI drove ~50% of new logos; 25% of use cases. Azure grew 40% YoY, becoming fastest-growing cloud. Snowflake raised FY2026 forecast to $4.4bn product rev. (CRN Magazine)

• Apple faces internal debate over acquiring AI startups Perplexity or Mistral. Eddy Cue urges bold action to offset risks to its $20bn Google deal, while Craig Federighi favors internal dev. The clash reflects Apple’s cautious M&A culture vs. rivals’ aggressive AI moves. With $133bn cash, Apple could act, but past failures like Siri and Laserlike fuel hesitation. (Apple Insider)

• At least 3 AI researchers, incl. ex-OpenAI staff, have resigned from Meta’s Superintelligence Labs (MSL) just 2 months post-annc’d. Chaya Nayak also exits to join OpenAI. Despite nine-figure offers, Meta faces recruitment & bureaucratic hurdles. Meta’s AI chief Wang revealed a new tech collab w/ Midjourney. (WIRED)

• Anthropic annc’d a research preview of Claude for Chrome, letting 1,000 Max plan users ($100–$200/mo) chat w/ its AI agent in-browser. Users can grant Claude task permissions; safety measures include site restrictions and prompt injection defenses (cutting attack success from 23.6% to 11.2%). AI browser mkts heat up as rivals like Perplexity, OpenAI, and Google race to launch similar svs. (Tech Crunch)

• Apple is in early talks to use Google’s Gemini AI to revamp Siri, Bloomberg reported. Apple approached Google to develop a custom model for Siri’s 2026 redesign. The Co is still weighing options, incl. in-house models or partners like Anthropic or OpenAI. Siri’s overhaul was delayed due to engineering issues. (Reuters)

• IBM & AMD annc’d a collab to develop quantum-centric supercomputing by merging quantum computers w/ high-performance computing & AI accelerators. The hybrid model aims to solve complex problems in drug/material discovery, logistics, etc. IBM’s quantum systems will integrate w/ AMD CPUs, GPUs & FPGAs. (Street Account)

• Elon Musk’s xAI sued Apple & OpenAI in Texas, alleging monopolistic practices to block AI rivals. xAI claims Apple’s exclusive ChatGPT integration harms visibility of its Grok app, seeking billions in damages. Musk echoed concerns on X, citing biased App Store rankings. Experts say lawsuit may shape future antitrust views on AI mkts. (Reuters)

• Verint annc’d that it will be acquired by Thoma Bravo for $2bn in an all-cash deal, offering $20.50/share—an 18% premium to its unaffected price. The transaction, expected to close by fiscal yr-end, will merge Verint w/ Calabrio, enhancing AI-powered CX Automation. Verint’s AI ARR now forms 50% of total ARR. (Verint)

• Perplexity AI Inc. annc’d a $42.5mn rev-sharing program for publishers whose content appears in its AI-powered search engine, aiming to address criticism and legal threats from media cos. CEO Aravind Srinivas stated that while AI improves the internet, publishers must be compensated. (StartupNews.fyi)

Audio/Music/Podcast

• Spotify annc’d a new in-app DM feature called Messages, enabling users 16+ in select mkts to share songs, podcasts & audiobooks directly w/ friends. Aimed at boosting engagement & driving hype, it complements existing social sharing. Users can message those from Jams, Blends, or shared plans, w/ encryption, moderation & content rules in place. (Variety)

• Spotify will hike prices from Sept in regions incl South Asia, LatAm, EU & APAC, raising premium individual plans to €11. 99 ($14.05). Co-President Alex Norstrom said the move supports new svs & features as Spotify targets 1bn users. Price hikes, paired w/ cost cuts, led to its first annual profit last yr. (CNBC)

Cable/Pay-TV/Wireless

• Charter annc’d free streaming svs — ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu Bundle, Fox One — for eligible Spectrum TV customers. Users can activate via My Spectrum App or site. Spectrum’s Seamless Entertainment offers voice remote & Xumo Stream Box. Last Sept., cos introduced “customer commitment” incl. (Telecompetitor)

• DISH Network annc’d a $5/mo hike on select English core packages, citing rising programming costs. New rates incl. Welcome Pack at $66.99, Smart Pack $70.99, Top 120 $102.99, Everything Pack $152.99, etc. Local channels stay at $14. DISH blames media conglomerates’ bundling demands and fee hikes, stressing cont’d efforts to keep svs affordable amid industry pressures. (Cord Cutters News)

• Iliad Group posted strong H1 results, highlighting 15% mkts share in Italy, €191mn EBITDAaL (+30%) & €91mn mobile cash flow (+73%). Rev rose 9%+ y/y in Italy; France saw flat customer growth & 1.8% rev uptick to €3.3bn. Group EBITDAaL hit €2.05bn (+10.1%), margin widened to 40.2%. CEO ruled out Italian M&A, but hinted at possible French deals if rivals like SFR are sold. (Telecoms)

• Eir reported 5% earnings growth (€156mn) in Q2, w/ rev up 2% to €326mn. Operating costs fell 2% to €103mn; pay costs dropped 7%. The Co added 64,000 mobile users (1.5mn total), 10,000 fibre connections (889,000 total), and 1,000 TV customers. CEO Oliver Loomes cited cont’d growth and strategy strength. (Business Plus)

• TPG Telecom posted a profitable H1 2025, w/ rev from continuing ops up 2% to $2. 45bn and svs rev rising 2.2% to $2.06bn. Growth stemmed from 100K mobile adds and a regional MOCN deal w/ Optus. EBITDA hit $813mn, net profit surged 357.1% to $32mn. CEO cited cost discipline, digitisation, and a leaner biz post-$5.3bn Vocus asset sale. (ARNnet)

• Telefonica is considering a takeover bid for Vodafone Spain, acquired last yr by Zegona, per El Confidencial. Backed by SEPI, CriteriaCaixa & STC (holding ~30% of the Co), the move aligns w/ CEO Marc Murtra’s push for European telecom consolidation. A strategic review is due by yr-end, w/ plans for a capital increase, Vozpopuli reported. (Yahoo Finance)

• EchoStar annc’d sale of 3. 45 GHz & 600 MHz spectrum licenses to AT&T for ~$23bn, forming a hybrid MNO model w/ Boost Mobile using EchoStar’s cloud-native 5G core & AT&T’s towers. Deal aims to resolve FCC inquiries & support EchoStar’s long-term biz. Boost users retain access to T-Mobile. (Street Account)

• AT&T annc’d a $23bn all-cash deal to acquire ~50 MHz of low- & mid-band spectrum from EchoStar, covering 400+ U. S. mkts. The move boosts AT&T’s 5G & fiber reach, enabling faster deployment of AT&T Internet Air & cont’d fiber expansion. EchoStar will remain active via a long-term wholesale svs pact. (Street Account)

• T-Mobile reshaped its leadership, naming André Almeida President of Growth & Emerging Biz (broadband, T-Ads, financial svs, gov’t, enterprise) & John Saw President of Tech, overseeing network ops post-Ulf Ewaldsson’s retirement. Callie Field exits as Biz Group President on Sept. 30, 2025, staying as advisor till Mar. 31, 2026. (Panabee)

Capital Market Updates

• Canada Goose stock rose 16% after CNBC reported Bain Capital may exit its stake. Boyu Capital and Advent Int’l expressed interest in taking the Co private, valuing it at ~$1.35bn—~8x its 12-mo. avg. EBITDA. Goldman Sachs is advising Bain, which awaits more offers. Shares are up 41% YTD, boosting market cap to $1.4bn, far from its 2018 peak of $7.7bn but well above Bain’s 2013 entry at ~$250mn. (CNBC)

• Altice France Q2 2025 rev fell -9. 1% YoY to €2,288mn; adj EBITDA was €801mn, Capex €378mn, yielding €423mn OpFCF. Net debt stood at €15.8bn pro forma. A restructuring deal w/ creditors aims to cut debt, extend maturities, and improve balance sheet. SFR & Bouygues Telecom annc’d sale of Infracos JV to Phoenix Tower for ~€480mn. (Altice France)

• US cos are executing buybacks at record pace, surpassing $1tn. Nvidia annc’d a $60bn repurchase after earnings, joining Apple ($100bn), Alphabet, JPM, GS, WFC, and BAC (≥$40bn each). July hit a record $166bn in buybacks. Analysts expect 2025 repurchases to reach $1.3tn, w/ 2026 forecasted at $1.2tn. (Yahoo Finance)

• Global M&A surged past $1. 05tn since Jun., up 30% YoY, marking the busiest summer since 2021. Major deals include Union Pacific’s $80bn bid for Norfolk Southern, Palo Alto’s $25bn CyberArk buy, and Thoma Bravo’s $12.3bn Dayforce take-private. Aug. alone saw ~$300bn in deals. Improved financing and softened regulations boosted confidence. (Yahoo Finance)

Cloud/DataCenters/IT Infrastructure

• Google annc’d a $9bn investment in Virginia by end-2026 to boost cloud & AI infra. Plans include a new data center in Chesterfield County, expansion of Loudoun & Prince William sites, and AI-focused education/workforce dev. All VA college students get Google AI Pro access. The move aligns w/ Google’s broader North American expansion, incl. $9bn in OK & $600mn in OR. (Data Center Knowledge)

• Meta plans to build a $50bn AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, its largest yet, aimed at supporting intense AI workloads. The Co tapped PIMCO and Blue Owl Capital for $29bn financing. Initially annc’d at $10bn last yr, the project reflects Meta’s broader push under Superintelligence Labs. CEO Zuckerberg said the Co will invest hundreds of bn more in AI infra amid a talent war. (Reuters)

• Blue Owl, Chirisa Tech Parks & Machine Investment Group closed a $4bn JV for CoreWeave’s AI-focused Lancaster campus. Blue Owl may fund up to $20bn for CTP’s devs in VA & PA. The site, part of CoreWeave’s global AI data center network, will reuse industrial buildings, meet strict enviro standards, and invest $200mn in local grid upgrades. (PRNewswire)

Crypto/Blockchain/web3/NFTs

• Crypto VC fundraising fell 90% since 2022 due to trust erosion post-Terra/FTX, LPs now demand real DPI over unrealized gains. In 2025, only $3.7bn raised across 28 funds. Top 20 firms captured 60% of 2024 capital. Traditional investors exited; AI’s rise and weak altcoin mkts hurt competitiveness. (AI Invest)

Cybersecurity/Security

• CrowdStrike annc’d weak Q3 rev forecast of $1. 21–$1.22bn, citing lingering impact from its botched software update. Incentives to retain customers will cut rev by ~$10–15mn/quarter. Q2 rev rose 21% to $1.17bn; adj profit hit 93¢/share vs. est. 83¢. Net loss was $77.7mn vs. $47mn income last yr. (Reuters)

• Okta shares rose 7% after reporting Q2 results beating estimates: adj EPS of 91¢ vs. 84¢ expected, rev of $728mn vs. $711.8mn. Rev grew 13% YoY; net income hit $67mn. FY26 forecast raised to $3.33–$3.38 EPS, $2.875bn–$2.885bn rev. Okta annc’d acquisition of Axiom Security. CEO McKinnon emphasized customer choice amid Palo Alto’s $25bn CyberArk deal. (CNBC)

eCommerce/Social Commerce/Retail

• Dick’s Sporting Goods beat Q2 expectations, posting $4. 38 adj EPS and $3.65bn rev. It raised FY guidance, forecasting 2–3.5% comp sales growth and $13.90–$14.50 EPS. Despite tariffs, consumer demand remained strong. The Co annc’d a $2.4bn Foot Locker acquisition, aiming to boost Nike sales and global reach. (CNBC)

• Dollar General raised its profit forecast after Q2 same-store sales rose 2. 8%, beating estimates. EPS hit $1.86, “significantly” above expectations. Amid tariff concerns and rising prices, shoppers—incl. higher-income—are turning to discount chains. The Co now sees FY sales growth of 4.3–4.8% and EPS of $5.80–$6.30. CEO Vasos said the strategy is resonating w/ customers and growth opportunities remain. (Yahoo Finance)

• Victoria’s Secret & Co. annc’d a raised full-yr rev outlook to ~$6.41bn (prev. $6.3bn) amid a 4% Q2 comp sales rise. CEO Hillary Super’s turnaround plan shows progress, focusing on Pink, bras & beauty. Despite a $100mn tariff impact, biz accelerated in Jul.–Aug. Shares rose 11%. Investors push for board/strategy changes as stock fell 45% YTD. (Yahoo Finance)

• Ulta Beauty raised its full-yr forecast, citing growth across all major categories. Q2 rev hit $2.79bn vs. $2.67bn expected; EPS was $5.78. Comparable sales rose 6.7%. FY rev now projected at $12–$12.1bn, w/ EPS of $23.85–$24.30. Ulta annc’d acquisition of UK’s Space NK, soft-opened in Mexico, and plans entry into Middle East. (CNBC)

• Lego posted 12% rev growth to $5. 4bn in H1 2025, driven by botanical sets, F1 cars & pop culture tie-ins like “One Piece.” Co launched 314 new sets & opened 24 stores globally. Adj operating profit rose 10% to $1.4bn. CEO called it Lego’s best H1 ever. Expansion into decor, Epic Games collab & upcoming Pokemon deal aim to broaden consumer base & boost engagement. (CNBC)

• Kohl’s shares jumped 24% after beating Q2 earnings/rev expectations. Despite a 4.2% comp sales drop, the Co narrowed FY sales guidance and raised adj EPS to $0.50–$0.80. Interim CEO Bender cited economic pressure on shoppers but highlighted efforts like reviving petites, exclusive brands, and coupon flexibility. Digital outperformed stores; July was the strongest month of the qtr. (CNBC)

• Abercrombie & Fitch’s Q2 rev rose 7% to $1. 21bn, beating estimates, driven by Hollister’s 19% growth. Abercrombie brand sales fell 5%. Co hiked full-yr rev outlook to 5–7%. EPS was $2.32 adj. Tariff costs (~$90mn) weigh on margins. NFL fashion deal annc’d to boost brand. Intl sales mixed: APAC up 12%, EMEA down 1%. (CNBC)

• Walmart annc’d new AI tools, seller incentives, and expanded next-day delivery for Marketplace orders in major metros incl. NY, LA, and Chicago. Fulfillment svs now offer faster shipping for top items. In-store displays of Marketplace products cont’d, purchasable via app. Seller perks include 0% referral fee on toys, 50% off pet supplies, and up to 100% fee cuts on top items to boost peak season biz. (Chain Store Age)

• PDD Holdings posted Q2 rev of $14. 5bn, up 7%, beating estimates. Adj earnings fell 5% to 22.07 yuan/ADS but topped forecasts. Growth slowed amid China’s weak spending and Temu’s U.S. tariff loss. PDD cut merchant fees and invested in supply chains, impacting margins. Mgmt prioritizes long-term value over short-term profits. (Investor’s Business Daily)

• Chinese e-commerce cos Temu, SheIn & AliExpress are flooding Latin America w/ cheap goods, straining customs & hurting local retailers. Temu’s LatAm users hit 105mn in H1 2025, up 143% YoY. Govts from Mexico to Chile are imposing import taxes to shield local biz. The US & EU are also pushing back. (Advisor Perspectives)

• Amid challenging economic conditions and swirling trade war concerns, the world’s biggest retailers continue to double down on AI. Walmart and Target expanded AI initiatives and touted potential benefits during their latest earnings calls. Both companies are capitalizing on sustained investment in their respective technology foundations as adoption unfolds. (Retail Dive)

Electric & Autonomous Vehicles

• Tesla cars are being tested in Boring Co. tunnels under the Las Vegas Convention Center using FSD software w/ safety drivers. No passengers yet; no accidents reported, though manual intervention was needed. Full autonomy is still “a ways off.” Boring Co. awaits permits for expansion, incl. a tunnel to the airport. (Fortune)

FinTech/InsurTech/Payments

• Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM) stock rose 3% after beating Q4 earnings and achieving operating profitability. Rev grew 33% YoY to $876.4mn, driven by loan sales and fees. GMV hit $10.4bn, up 43%, w/ Affirm Card volumes surging 132%. Active users rose 24% to 23mn. FY26 guidance sees rev of $855–$885mn. (Yahoo Finance)

• Swedish fintech Klarna will restart its U. S. IPO next month, targeting a $13–$14bn valuation—down from its 2021 goal of ~$50bn. Shares may price at $34–$36, aiming to raise ~$1bn. Klarna’s Q2 rev rose 20% y/y to $823mn; adj. operating profit hit $29mn. Active customers grew 31% to 111mn. Recent mkts rebound and strong IPO debuts, incl. (Reuters)

• EU is accelerating digital euro plans amid U. S. stablecoin advances, per Financial Times. To counter dollar dominance, EU may issue the euro on public blockchains like Solana or Ethereum, shifting from earlier private network proposals due to privacy concerns. A digital euro aims to speed transactions, enhance global trade role, and strengthen the euro outside the eurozone. (East & Partners)

HealthTech/Wellness

• 18 months post-surgery, Neuralink’s first patient Noland Arbaugh—paralyzed since 2016—uses the brain chip ~10 hrs/day to study, game, and control devices w/his mind. Implanted in Jan. 2024, the chip’s 1,000+ electrodes enable high-speed BCI cursor control. Arbaugh, now a neuroscience student and aspiring speaker, calls the tech life-changing. (Fortune)

Last Mile Transportation/Delivery

• Meituan posted an 89% drop in Q2 adj net profit, citing fierce competition in instant retail. JD.com and Alibaba have pledged bn-yuan subsidies, intensifying the delivery war. Meituan’s shares fell 20% YTD. CEO Wang Xing vowed to focus on basics. The Co is expanding overseas via Keeta in HK, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and a $1bn Brazil investment. (Reuters)

Live Entertainment/Theme Parks/Concerts/Experiential

• Netflix House opens in Philadelphia’s King of Prussia Mall and in Dallas’ Galleria. The 100,000-sq-ft venues offer immersive experiences themed to Netflix IPs like Stranger Things, Squid Game, Wednesday, One Piece, and more. Attractions include VR games, mini golf, arcade-style RePLAY, and rotating paid activities. (Variety)

Macro Updates

• U.S. Q2 GDP was revised up to 3.3%, driven by biz investment in AI and stronger consumer spending. AI-related IP spending surged 12.8%, fastest in 4 yrs. Equipment investment rose 7.4%. Despite tariff headwinds, profits rebounded $65.5bn. Weekly jobless claims fell to 229,000. Economists expect GDP to slow in H2, w/ full-yr growth at ~1.5%. (Reuters)

• U.S. Treasury Sec. Bessent stated that a gov’t stake in Nvidia is “not on the table,” citing no need for financial support. He hinted at possible stakes in reshaped industries like shipbuilding. This follows Trump admin’s near-10% stake in Intel and a “golden share” in U.S. Steel’s sale to Nippon Steel in Jun. Bessent spoke on Fox Biz’s “Mornings w/ Maria.” (Reuters)

• Intel annc’d a historic $8. 9bn investment deal w/ the Trump Administration, granting the US a 9.9% stake via 433.3mn shares at $20.47/share. Funded by CHIPS Act grants and Secure Enclave program, the passive stake supports Intel’s $100bn+ U.S. chip expansion. Intel’s Arizona site to begin high-volume production this yr. (Intel)

Media Conglomerates

• Warner Bros. Discovery annc’d Brad Singer as CFO for post-separation Warner Bros., effective Oct. 2025. He’ll oversee global financial ops incl. FP&A, treasury, and investor relations. Singer, ex-COO of ValueAct Capital and former CFO of Discovery Communications, reunites w/ CEO David Zaslav. (Warner Bros. Discovery)

• MFE looks set to take full control of ProSiebenSat. 1 after Czech group PPF annc’d it will sell its 15.7% stake (~36.5mn shares) to the Berlusconi-led TV Co. MFE’s €1.8bn cash-and-share bid aims to build a pan-European ad-funded TV biz. PPF, unable to rally shareholder support, exits but claims its role improved MFE’s offer. (Advanced Television)

• Trump attacked ABC & NBC News for “97%” negative coverage, citing bias & calling for FCC license revocation. He labeled them “FAKE NEWS” & claimed they threaten democracy. Trump demanded they pay “Millions” in license fees. FCC doesn’t license national networks directly; local affiliates are regulated. Legal experts say such revocation would violate First Amendment. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Metaverse/AR & VR

• Meta is reportedly setting low sales targets for its Project Hypernova smart glasses, expecting just 150K–200K units over two yrs. Concerns include the glasses’ thicker build, complex components, and early-stage AI integration. Launch may occur in Sept. at ~$800, down from initial $1K+ pricing. (Android Central)

Regulatory

• Disney sued Sling TV alleging breach of licensing by offering short-term passes (Day, Weekend, Week) starting at $4. 99 w/o approval. Sling claims the lawsuit is baseless, touting flexibility and affordability. The move disrupts pay-TV norms, challenging cos’ rev models. EchoStar’s history of bold tactics adds tension. Outcome may reshape TV mkts amid rising demand for on-demand, low-cost access. (Cord Cutters News)

• FCC Chair Carr urged Google to finalize a deal w/ Fox before the deadline, warning of a YouTube TV blackout affecting 9mn+ subs. Key Fox channels, incl. NFL, MLB, and college football (Texas vs. Ohio State ), risk removal. Google cites high fees; Fox defends content value. A $10 credit was offered for extended outages. (Cord Cutters News)

• States are tightening rules on biometric data use as no federal law exists. As of Aug. 28, 23 states have passed laws requiring consent for facial/voice recognition; some ban data sales. Tech cos like Google, Meta, and Clearview AI paid settlements over violations. Illinois leads w/ strict laws allowing lawsuits. Overseas firms like PimEyes evade enforcement. (NPR)

• The US ended tariff exemptions for small packages (≤$800), citing misuse for smuggling and evasion. New duties ($80–$200/item) sparked confusion, delays, and cost hikes. Postal svs in 25 nations, incl. UK, India, Japan, suspended US-bound shipments. Small cos reliant on US mkts face margin pressure, w/some halting exports. (The Economic Times)

• Argentina’s Enacom annc’d plans to allocate 2300–2400MHz spectrum for private mobile networks over a 10-yr term. Use cases span indoor/outdoor, w/ outdoor limited to operator premises. Though bandwidth (~50–60MHz) may limit 5G speeds, sectors like mining, oil, agribiz, and transport may apply. (Developing Telecoms)

• Alberta annc’d a new 2% levy on data centres using ≥75MW. The levy, fully offset w/ corporate taxes, aims to balance investment appeal w/ fair returns. Options like deferrals & PILT are under review. Facilities will be reclassified as industrial for tax purposes. The move follows a 6-week consultation & targets growth in AI-driven demand, projected to hit $820bn by 2030. (The Stettler Independent)

• Trump’s tariff hike on Indian imports to 50%—incl. a punitive 25% for buying Russian oil—took effect, straining U.S.-India ties. Affected sectors: garments, gems, footwear, chemicals. Talks failed due to political missteps. India hopes for review, plans reforms. ~55% of $87bn exports at risk; up to 2mn jobs threatened. (Reuters)

• Trump annc’d potential tariffs on exports from nations imposing digital taxes or regulations targeting U. S. tech cos. He warned such actions discriminate against American tech while favoring China’s firms. Trump vowed to restrict U.S. tech exports if policies aren’t reversed, asserting America won’t be a “doormat” anymore. (Fox Business)

• China’s National Press and Publication Administration annc’d approval of 165 domestic mobile and client games. These include mobile, client-based, and web games developed by various Chinese publishers. The approvals reflect continued regulatory support for the domestic gaming industry, with a focus on innovation, cultural relevance, and compliance with content standards. (NPPA)

• President of India has signed the Online Gaming Act into law, prompting real money gaming (RMG) cos to wind down ops in India. The move impacts several RMG platforms amid tightening regulations. The law aims to regulate online gaming, especially involving monetary stakes, and aligns w/ broader efforts to curb illegal betting and protect users. (The Hindu)

Satellite/Space

• T-Mobile annc’d major disaster-response upgrades incl. T-Satellite (w/ Starlink), enabling SMS & 911 texts via satellite. During Texas floods, 287,000 texts were sent by ~94,000 users. Drone fleet grew 50%, SatCOLTs/SatCOWs up 30%, VSATs doubled. $2bn infra rev in FL cont’d nationwide. AI-driven SON, wildfire cams, & T-Priority 5G boost first responder comms. (Cord Cutters News)

• KDDI annc’d launch of data svs via au Starlink Direct, enabling app access in remote areas w/o cell coverage. Initially supported on Pixel 10 & Galaxy Z Fold7/Flip7, apps include Google Maps, Weathernews, NERV, YAMAP & X. The svs extends coverage to ~100% of Japan, cont’d expansion planned. Non-au users get 3 free months post-Sept. 1; regular price ¥1,650/month. (KDDI)

• Starlink & T-Mobile have shown interest in EchoStar’s spectrum post-AT&T deal. EchoStar’s chairman Ergen faces FCC pressure to sell unused airwaves. T-Mobile eyed a split w/ AT&T; Musk’s bid targets spectrum valued at ~$30bn. Starlink seeks cell coverage to rival major US carriers. Analysts warn telecom cos may not recoup spectrum costs. (Semafor)

• Amazon annc’d plans to deploy Kuiper satellite svs in Vietnam, investing $570mn by 2030 to build infra incl. 6 ground stations in Bac Ninh. A local entity, Amazon Kuiper Vietnam Co., Ltd., was formed in Ho Chi Minh City. The pilot seeks 5-yr approval to serve consumer, biz & govt users. Kuiper aims to deliver broadband via low Earth orbit satellites. (Reuters)

Social/Digital Media

• ByteDance plans a new employee share buyback valuing the Co at over $330bn, up from $315bn. Q2 rev hit ~$48bn, surpassing Meta’s $42.3bn. Despite strong growth, TikTok’s U.S. biz remains unprofitable. Political pressure persists over Chinese ownership; Trump extended divestment deadline. (Reuters)

• YouTube’s “Hype” feature, annc’d at Google’s 2024 event, is now live globally across 39 countries. It lets fans boost creators w/ <500K subs by hyping 3 videos/week, earning points for a leaderboard. Smaller creators get bigger bonuses. “Hyped” videos show a badge; fans earn “hype star” badges monthly. Paid hypes are being tested in Brazil & Turkey. (Tech Crunch)
• LinkedIn is expanding its BrandLink video ad program, adding 70+ publishers/creators and debuting 4 sponsored shows backed by AT&T Biz, IBM, SAP & ServiceNow. Video uploads rose 20%+ by Jul., w/views up 36% YoY. BrandLink rev rose nearly 200% in the three months to Jun 30 from QoQ; payouts to creators tripled YoY. (Reuters)

Software

• Autodesk annc’d raised FY26 rev forecast to $7. 36–$7.45bn (prev. $7.16–$7.31bn) and adj. EPS to $9.80–$9.98 (prev. $9.50–$9.73), citing strong demand across construction, infrastructure & manufacturing. Q2 rev rose 17% to $1.76bn; adj. EPS hit $2.62. Q3 outlook: rev of $1.80–$1.81bn, adj. EPS of $2.48–$2.51. Shares surged ~12% post-annc’t. (Reuters)

• Google annc’d new AI-powered tools in Translate to rival Duolingo. The “practice” feature offers tailored listening/speaking sessions for English-Spanish/French learners and vice versa. A “Live translate” mode enables real-time convos in 70+ languages, using voice/speech models to handle accents, pauses, and noise. (Tech Crunch)

• MongoDB annc’d raised FY rev guidance to $2. 34–$2.36bn (prev. $2.25–$2.29bn) after Q2 rev rose 24% to $591.4mn, beating estimates. Adj EPS outlook lifted to $3.64–$3.73. Q2 adj EPS hit $1 vs. est. $0.67. Co added ~5,000 customers in H1, many building AI apps. Subscription rev grew 23%, svs rev 33%. Shares jumped 23% to $264. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Google annc’d new dev verification rules for Android apps, incl sideloaded ones, starting Sept 2026. Devs must register via a new Android Developer Console, submitting legal ID info. A phased rollout begins in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore & Thailand. Aim is to curb malware by reducing anonymity. Early access opens Oct. 2025; global rollout cont’d into 2027. (Anroid Authority)

Sports/Sports Betting

• YouTube annc’d a monthly NFL Sunday Ticket plan starting Sept, offering more flexibility but at higher costs—$85 ($340 total) for new users and $115 ($460) for returning ones w/ YouTube TV. The move follows a $14bn antitrust suit over lack of options. Multiview features will expand, allowing more local/national game combos. (Front Office Sports)

• Paramount CBS annc’d a $7. 7bn, 7-yr deal for exclusive UFC live events on Paramount+. ESPN is in talks to acquire UFC Fight Pass, integrating it w/ its new app. Fight Pass includes archives, regional MMA, and grappling svs. Rights to The Ultimate Fighter, Zuffa Boxing, etc., remain open. Streaming cos like Amazon and DAZN may bid, signaling UFC media rights fragmentation across platforms. (Cord Cutters News)

Tech Hardware

• Best Buy beat Q2 expectations w/$9. 44bn rev and $1.28 adj EPS, but kept FY guidance due to tariff uncertainty. FY rev seen at $41.1–$41.9bn, adj EPS at $6.15–$6.30. Comparable sales rose 1.6%, driven by laptops, gaming (Nintendo Switch 2), and mobile. Online sales grew 5.1%. Co launched a third-party marketplace and new in-store experiences to boost slower categories. (CNBC)

• Dell annc’d Q2 results beating estimates w/ $29. 78bn rev and $2.32 adj EPS. AI server rev surged 69% YoY to $12.9bn; Dell plans to ship $20bn in FY26. Despite strong growth, shares fell >5% due to weak Q3 EPS guidance of $2.45 vs. $2.55 est. Storage rev dropped 3% to $3.86bn. Client biz rose 1% to $12.5bn. (CNBC)

• Intel received $5. 7bn from the U.S. govt as part of a deal giving it a 10% stake in the Co. CFO Zinser said the funds were received Wed. night and hinted at future outside investment in its foundry biz. Despite strong Q2 results on Jul. 25, shares fell 8% due to foundry concerns. The deal, still being finalized by the Dept. of Commerce, may trigger adverse reactions and scrutiny, per Intel’s Mon. filing. (CNBC)

• Nvidia’s Q2 rev hit $46. 7bn, w/data-center rev up 56% to $41.1bn, slightly below forecasts. Net income rose 59% YoY to $26.4bn. Q3 rev guidance of $54bn was seen as underwhelming. H20 chip sales stalled due to China tensions, cutting ~$4bn from rev. Nvidia annc’d $60bn in stock buybacks. (The Wall Street Journal)

• HP annc’d adj EPS of 75¢ on rev of $13.9bn for Q3, beating estimates. Forecast for Q4 is 87–97¢, in line w/ expectations. To offset tariffs, the Co shifted production outside China & raised prices. PC sales rose 6%, driven by AI PCs & Windows 11, now >25% of mix. Printer rev fell 4% to $3.99bn, hurting margins, but HP aims to improve via premium models. (Yahoo Finance)

• Apple’s next event is likely on Tuesday Sept 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup: base, Air, Pro & Pro Max. Pre-orders may start Sept. 12, shipping by Sept. 19. Apple Watch 11, Watch Ultra 3, Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 are also expected. Leaks hint at new features like 5G, satellite support, and health tracking. Apple may split future launches, debuting Pro/Air in fall, others in spring. (Phone Arena)

Video Games/Interactive Entertainment

• EA Sports College Football 26 was July’s top-selling US game, marking its 2nd straight yr leading launch month sales. The EA Sports MVP Bundle (w/ Madden 26) ranked 2nd, followed by Donkey Kong Bananza, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Five new titles entered the Top 20, incl. Grounded 2 at 8th. Six games, incl. Elden Ring, dropped out of the list. (Insider Gaming)

• Microsoft annc’d expanded perks for Game Pass Core ($10/mo) and Standard ($15/mo), incl. cloud gaming access to ~50 and 400+ titles, respectively. Xbox Insiders can test now; full rollout expected soon. PC versions of select games will be playable w/o repurchase. This move aims to unify console/PC gaming, ahead of Oct. launch of Xbox Ally handheld. (Kotaku)

• Sony aims to grow its gaming biz by pushing its 20 first-party studios to take creative risks while maintaining control. According to interviews with more than 10 of Sony’s top games executives, designers and studio founders, the Co is trying to balance creation and control in a business that is central to the Tokyo-based group’s strategy. (Financial Times)

Video Streaming

• Fubo annc’d it will launch Fubo Sports, a skinny sports svs priced at $45. 99 for the 1st mo., then $55.99. It’ll offer 20+ sports/broadcast networks incl. ESPN, ABC, FOX, NFL Network, etc., plus on-demand, DVR & Family Share. Launching in select mkts w/ plans to expand, it supports ESPN Unlimited. CEO David Gandler said it aims to offer flexible, affordable content tiers for sports fans. (Cord Cutters News)

• BritBox will raise its monthly rate from $8.99 to $10.99, citing rising costs and content investment. Subscribers can lock in the current rate by switching to a $89.99 annual plan before that date, saving ~$17.89/yr. The adj. pricing reflects industry trends as cos reevaluate models. Existing annual subscribers remain unaffected until renewal. (Cord Cutters News)

• YouTube and Fox annc’d a deal to keep Fox News, Fox Sports & other channels on YouTube TV after a standoff over fees. Fox had launched Fox One at $19.99/mo. or $199.99/yr., prompting YouTube to warn of removals by Wed. The agreement avoids blackouts, incl. a key Texas vs. Ohio State game. (CNBC)

• YouTube led U. S. TV viewing for the sixth straight month, holding 13.4% share in Jul. per Nielsen. It widened its lead over Disney (9.4%), w/ Netflix at 8.8%. Streaming overall made up 47.3% of viewing. Disney’s streaming svs had 4.7%, w/ ABC and ESPN contributing the rest. NBCUniversal (7.6%) and Paramount (7%) rounded out the top five. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• “KPop Demon Hunters,” annc’d by Netflix, is now its most-watched movie ever w/ 236mn views, surpassing “Red Notice” (230. 9mn). It earned ~$18–$20mn in its rare theatrical release last weekend. (MSN)