LT Weekly: Jun 5, 2026

Advertising/Ad Agencies/Ad Tech

• Roblox annc’d opening ads to under-13 users for the first time, partnering exclusively w/ SuperAwesome. The Co will limit ads to direct deals, banning programmatic, w/ placements like banners and in-game billboards, excluding rewarded video. Targeting will be contextual, w/o behavioral data, to meet COPPA/GDPR rules. Move aims to grow ads biz while emphasizing control, safety, and transparency. (AdExchanger)

• The Trade Desk annc’d Nate Olmstead as CFO, effective Jul. 9, to support accelerated growth and scale. He joins from Penguin Solutions and previously served as CFO at Logitech, w/ 16 yrs at HP. CEO Jeff Green cited his leadership for next phase. Interim CFO Tahnil Davis will return to Chief Accounting Officer, cont’d supporting finance transition and adv. (The Trade Desk)

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

• Amazon annc’d upgraded Proteus robot that workers can direct via natural language, replacing need for software commands. The AI-powered system prioritizes tasks, routes, and timing, and can operate across wider warehouse areas beyond docks, moving carts and assisting staff. Co says robotics supports jobs despite automation concerns. (The Verge)

• Anthropic urged a global pause in AI development, warning systems may soon achieve “recursive self-improvement” w/o human input, posing societal risks. In a post, the Co cited internal data showing rapid advances in its models. Leaders said slowing progress would likely be beneficial as capabilities approach a potentially dangerous threshold. (The Wall Street Journal)

• OpenAI annc’d a new “dreaming”-based memory system for ChatGPT to improve context, relevance, and freshness. The update enables the model to synthesize past chats, follow user preferences, and adapt over time, reducing stale or incorrect memory. Available to Plus/Pro users in the US, it expands soon, offering better personalization, scalable performance, and ~5x efficiency gains for broader rollout. (OpenAI)

• Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky plans to launch a new AI lab, signaling deeper entry into AI amid dissatisfaction w/ current models. The lab may focus on user interaction and design, areas tied to Airbnb’s expertise. Chesky will remain CEO and not lead the effort directly. His move follows close ties w/ OpenAI’s Sam Altman, though he now appears to compete w/ frontier AI labs. (TechCrunch)

• Pinterest annc’d a $4bn deal w/ AWS through 2031, its largest infra commitment, to scale AI-driven visual search for 600mn+ users. The co will expand use of cloud, Trainium & Graviton chips to boost model training & inference, while modernizing to Kubernetes. Partnership cont’d to enhance personalization, improve performance for users & advertisers, and support faster AI innovation. (Pinterest)

• Perplexity’s “trust and transparency” push is failing to win over publishers as copyright lawsuits mount, including a CNN case on May 28. Despite emphasis on accuracy, citations and rebuilding trust, publishers remain wary after yrs of disputes w/ NYT, Dow Jones and others, arguing citation-first doesn’t address rev concerns, highlighting ongoing tension and credibility challenges. (Digiday)

• Perplexity annc’d a new feature for its “Computer” AI system enabling task splitting between local and cloud models. The hybrid setup runs sensitive data (financial, health, personal files) on-device via compact models, while heavier workloads use server-based frontier models. The system auto-coordinates w/out user input, improving privacy and performance, w/ rollout expected in Jul. (9to5Mac)

• Alibaba is expanding Qwen into a digital concierge, opening its AI ecosystem to partners like KFC, Luckin and China Eastern Airlines. Users can order food or plan trips via chat, w/ agents handling tasks like discounts and timing. The app logs 100mn daily lifestyle engagements. Move cont’d intensifies China’s AI race as rivals like Tencent develop similar agent-based svs. (South China Morning Post)

• A study by AI-Driven Enterprise Institute ranked S&P 500 cos on AI adoption using metrics like literacy, implementation, and advocacy. Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, and SLB scored 100, leading peers, w/ Walmart next at ~95. The index uses public data such as filings and patents to assess AI use. (CNBC)

• AI boom post-ChatGPT has slashed startup valuations, leaving many pre‑2022 firms stranded. Nearly half of 857 U.S. unicorns haven’t raised funds in 3 yrs, w/ 2021-22 valuations down 68% and 52%. Over 220 are now “fallen unicorns.” Capital has shifted to AI‑native cos, as legacy SaaS and consumer startups struggle w/ outdated tech, weaker growth, and fewer exits. (CNBC)

• Nvidia-backed AI Co Runway annc’d major London expansion, naming it its European HQ and investing >$200mn by 2028. The $5.3bn‑valued Co, fresh off a $315mn raise, builds “world models” using diverse data beyond LLMs. Move targets UK talent and clients, amid growing U.S. AI Co expansion in the city incl. Anthropic and OpenAI. (CNBC)

• Venture capital firms are shifting from software into hardware and “physical AI” as AI threatens traditional software biz. Investors are backing infrastructure like chips, power and manufacturing, plus autonomous machines for real-world tasks. Funding surged from $4.2bn in 2019 to $26bn in 2025, w/ over $23bn raised by May 20, showing strong momentum in these sectors. (The Wall Street Journal)

• IBM shares surged up to 10%, adding ~$28bn in value, after an old clip of Donald Trump praising CEO Arvind Krishna resurfaced online, sparking trading momentum. The rally highlights AI-driven tech stock speculation and Trump’s influence on mkts. IBM had already risen ~40% in ~2 wks, aided by a $1bn gov’t deal for quantum chip foundry development. (Yahoo Finance)

• Chip stocks have surged, fueling debate over an AI bubble as gains turn historic. The semiconductor index jumped 69% in 2 months, w/ memory-chip cos like Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung soaring ~165–260%. Strong AI-driven demand is lifting prices, but mkts rely heavily on a few tech leaders for growth. (Yahoo Finance)

• Tencent Holdings Ltd. shares rose the most since late 2022 after a report it’s testing a prototype AI agent, boosting optimism around its AI tech efforts. The Co plans to begin a compliance process for a public launch as soon as this month, per FT sources. It will then test the agent w/ a small group of external users before initiating a phased rollout to broader users. (Bloomberg)

Audio/Music/Podcast

• SiriusXM annc’d a non-exclusive deal w/ Tubi to distribute top podcasts incl. “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” & Trevor Noah’s show, expanding video reach beyond audio platforms. Shows remain on YouTube/others. Launch set for late Jun. [Tue., Jun. 2]. Move aims to grow audiences as video podcasting expands, w/ Tubi boosting creator rev and discovery across devices. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Suno annc’d Wed. , Jun. 4 a $400mn Series D led by Bond Capital at $5.4bn valuation, over doubling from ~$2.45bn ~7 months ago. Funds will grow workforce (~70% increase) and expand offerings. Co has ~2mn subscribers and targets ~$300mn annual rev. It’s launching new music models amid ongoing copyright disputes w/ major labels and lawsuits from artists. (Yahoo Finance)

Cable/Pay-TV/Wireless

• AT&T said it is over halfway through a 5-yr wireless upgrade w/ Ericsson, expanding open RAN and preparing to scale cloud RAN. More than half of traffic runs on open-capable hardware, targeting 70% by yr-end, while ~60% of Nokia gear is replaced. Small cell deployments are growing across cities, w/ cloud RAN scaling as new Intel tech enables capacity and flexibility. (Light Reading)

• T-Mobile marked 10 yrs of “T-Mobile Tuesdays” w/ expanded perks, incl. Delta inflight drinks, free DoorDash DashPass, and up to $0.50/gal Shell gas savings in Jun. The Co says perks have grown 3x since launch, now serving ~60mn users. While some customers say deals have declined, engagement remains high, w/ 25mn monthly users and strong demand for food, travel, and entertainment offers. (Fierce Network)

• Scripps cut 54 local stations across 36 mkts from DIRECTV, after seeking record retransmission rates. DIRECTV declined, citing rising costs for consumers, prompting Scripps to pull channels. The blackout affects news, sports, and key events, incl. NBA/NHL finals, amid ongoing disputes over fees and access. DIRECTV says it seeks a reasonable deal. (PR Newswire)

Capital Market Updates

• S&P Dow Jones kept existing rules, rejecting faster index entry for large IPOs like SpaceX, requiring ~12-month seasoning plus profitability and float criteria. Move delays passive fund inflows—est. ~$14bn for SpaceX—and signals caution vs industry peers easing rules. Critics cite volatility risks, while supporters argue mkts should reflect mega cos’ scale sooner. (Yahoo Finance)

• Jefferies Financial Group Inc. was not selected among banks for SpaceX’s IPO, valued at ~$1.8tn, but may facilitate short-selling once shares begin trading. Hedge funds have approached the Co to arrange bearish bets. While IPO banks face conflicts in supporting both bullish and bearish trades, Jefferies said it won’t promote shorting, instead enabling balanced, two-sided mkts activity. (Investing.com)

• Quantinuum, backed by Honeywell, raised its IPO target to ~$1. 46bn, increasing its offering to 26.5mn shares priced $53–$55, up from prior plans. The move implies a ~$14.3bn valuation amid strong demand, w/ orders exceeding supply. The quantum computing Co develops advanced systems for sectors like cybersecurity, finance, and drug discovery, w/ added US gov’t funding support. (Yahoo Finance)

Cloud/DataCenters/IT Infrastructure

• Jane Street Group plans to build & finance its own data center to meet rising computing demand as it expands trading ops. Talks w/ tech, crypto & finance firms are in early stages, w/ capacity & location undecided. The firm currently relies on a Dallas site & cloud partners incl. CoreWeave. Move aligns w/ broader AI-driven growth. (Investing.com)

• Venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary annc’d plans to cut a proposed Utah data center project—once ~3x Manhattan—by 50% after backlash from lawmakers and residents. The 40,000-acre Stratos site may see a ~75% overall reduction, w/ much land left open. Critics cited environmental risks incl. water use, while O’Leary said concerns were overstated. The project remains unpermitted and under review. (Yahoo Finance)

• Tech cos are planning massive data-center expansions, highlighted by Alphabet’s $85bn equity raise, but deployment is lagging. Supply-chain issues, permitting delays, and power shortages are slowing progress. A JPMorgan report shows >60% of capacity slated for 2027 isn’t yet under construction, w/ another 7% delayed, widening the gap between investment plans and execution. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Elk Grove Village Property, linked to CoreWeave, seeks $850mn via junk bonds to fund a Chicago hyperscale data center leased to CoreWeave for 15 yrs, generating ~$2. 2bn rev. Proceeds will refinance $500mn debt and fund construction. Demand reflects surging AI infra needs, w/ firms raising ~$27bn in high-yield debt this yr to expand data center capacity. (Bloomberg)

Crypto/Blockchain/web3/NFTs

• Bitcoin fell below $61,500 amid ETF outflows and leveraged unwind, triggering ~$635bn liquidations and leaving >50% of supply at unrealized losses. Strategy’s losses hit ~$10.8bn. Despite volatility, Standard Chartered maintains a $100,000 yr-end target, citing prior cycle support levels and viewing current weakness as a buying zone while mkts remain divided on near-term direction. (Yahoo Finance)

• Binance has shut down its NFT marketplace amid a prolonged downturn in the digital art mkts, where trading volumes fell from over $50bn in 2022 to ~$5. 5bn. The Co said users must withdraw NFTs by midnight Jul. 3 or lose access, moving assets to Binance Wallet or external wallets. Binance had already scaled back NFT biz since 2024 as recovery prospects dimmed, w/ multiple rivals also exiting. (Yahoo Finance)

• Strategy sold 32 BTC for ~$2. 5mn between May 26–31 at ~$77,135 each, per a Jun. 1 filing, marking its first net BTC sale in 4 yrs. Proceeds will fund dividends on STRC preferred stock. Co still held ~843,706 BTC at avg cost ~$75,699. The move, previously signaled by Saylor, had minimal impact on holdings but weighed on shares and BTC prices. (CoinDesk)

Cybersecurity/Security

• Anthropic annc’d plans to expand access to its Mythos AI cyber security model to 150 organisations across 15+ countries under Project Glasswing. The rollout extends beyond US/UK to nations incl. Canada, Japan, India and EU states, targeting firms like Samsung and ICE. Move follows IPO filing potentially valuing the Co at $1tn, highlighting rising AI security demand. (Financial Times)

• CrowdStrike annc’d fiscal Q1 2027 results, narrowly beating estimates w/ adj EPS $1. 10 and rev $1.39bn (+26% YoY), but shares fell ~10%. Net income reached $27.8mn vs prior loss. Co also unveiled 4-for-1 split. Growth driven by rising demand for AI cybersecurity tools as firms counter advanced threats; AI seen as key to future biz expansion. (CNBC)

• Instagram is alerting users after hackers exploited Meta’s AI chatbot to take over accounts by falsely claiming ownership and linking new emails. Despite Meta saying the issue was fixed, attacks cont’d, w/ stolen “OG” handles resold in gray mkts. Meta secured affected accounts and began alerts, urging password resets as it scrambles to address the flaw in its automated support tech. (TechCrunch)

• Palo Alto Networks topped Q3 ests, reporting adj EPS $0. 85 vs $0.80 & rev $3.00bn vs $2.94bn, up 31% YoY, driven by AI‑led cyber demand. Co posted $177mn net loss vs $262mn profit prior yr. Shares jumped then eased. PANW raised Q4 outlook to ~$3.35–$3.36bn & lifted FY to ~$11.42–$11.43bn. (CNBC)

eCommerce/Social Commerce/Retail

• Lululemon cut FY outlook, citing negative media and weak product launches hurting traffic. FY rev now ~$11bn–$11.15bn vs prior higher range; EPS guidance trimmed. Q1 beat lowered estimates (rev $2.47bn, EPS $1.69) but profit fell YoY. Americas comps down 5% while intl rev rose 22%. Co expects continued NA declines and margin pressure from tariffs, discounts. Shares fell ~11%. (CNBC)

• Target Co annc’d a $387mn, 529,000-sq. -ft. food distribution center in Thornton, Colo., employing 380+ and serving 129 stores across 11 states. The facility speeds replenishment by 2 days, boosting freshness and stock levels. It adds consolidation to cut transport costs. Target also launched a $265mn Houston receive center, supporting faster inventory flow and its broader supply chain strategy. (Chain Store Age)

• Chinese consumers are showing renewed demand for high-end beauty and fashion, offering a bright spot for global luxury cos after yrs of weak sales. Results from L’Oréal, LVMH and Ralph Lauren, along w/ industry data, indicate affluent shoppers are spending more, supported by a China equities rally boosting wealth and sentiment, while discounting trends begin to ease across the sector. (Bloomberg)

• GameStop reported Q1 profit of $389. 6mn, up from $44.8mn a yr earlier, w/ adj earnings of $0.30 per share. Sales rose to $835.3mn, driven by collectibles. The Co also annc’d a $2bn stock buyback program valid for three yrs. Shares gained 8.2% after hours. Results follow a rejected $56bn bid to acquire eBay. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Retail cos posted a “surprisingly robust” Q1 2026 as sales and profits rose despite weak sentiment and high gas prices, helped by higher tax refunds and rising BNPL use. Cos incl. Target, Walmart and Ross cited refunds boosting comps by up to ~2%. However, guidance signals softer Q2 as refund impact fades, suggesting underlying consumer strain and slower growth ahead. (CNBC)

• Macy’s annc’d stronger-than-expected Q1 results, w/ comp sales up 3%—best in 4 yrs—and rev of $4. 68bn, topping forecasts. Net income rose to $63mn. Co raised FY guidance, expecting ~$21.5bn–$21.75bn rev and higher EPS. Growth driven by upgraded stores and Bloomingdale’s strength, as turnaround efforts cont’d despite macro uncertainty. (CNBC)

• Amazon annc’d it will show AI-generated product images in its shopping app to guide searches, offering visual options tied to queries. The feature aims to help users refine terms via styles, but critics say fake images may mislead shoppers expecting real items. It builds on Amazon’s broader AI push, including review summaries, visual search, and other experimental shopping tools. (TechCrunch)

• Amazon annc’d Prime Day will run Jun. 23–26, marking a shift from prior Jul. timing. The Co is promoting Alexa for Shopping AI to guide deals and boost spending. Amid weaker consumer confidence and rising costs, Amazon is offering a $1mn grocery sweepstake. Analysts expect 7.1% US sales growth and a 60.3% ecommerce share, w/ deals across 35+ categories and discounts up to 50%. (Retail Dive)

• Amazon annc’d its Agentic Shopping Assistant on AWS, enabling retailers to launch AI shopping agents in weeks vs building from scratch. The tool is customizable to brand and customers, w/ early use by Tapestry’s Kate Spade concierge. Amazon claims conversational sessions drive 3.5x higher conversions. (Retail Dive)

EdTech

• Duolingo annc’d a limited Jun. feature letting users restore lost streaks if they previously had 30+ day runs. To regain it, learners must complete three lessons in one sitting. The Co says the option responds to one of its most frequent requests, aiming to boost motivation and engagement by giving users a chance to recover disrupted progress rather than starting over. (The Verge)

Electric & Autonomous Vehicles

• Study finds robotaxis may not ease congestion as promised. Waymo data shows ~44% of miles are “deadheading,” w/ empty vehicles waiting or en route to pickups, similar to Uber/Lyft at ~40%. Despite safety gains and rapid growth, usage patterns mirror ride-hailing, which historically raised traffic. (Ars Technica)

FinTech/InsurTech/Payments

• Visa & Mastercard reportedly near launch of a new stablecoin platform, w/ Stripe & Coinbase also planning to join. Stablecoins, pegged to assets like USD, offer fast, secure cross-border payments. The ~$325bn mkt is led by Tether. Both cos have expanded stablecoin svs, signaling growing adoption, though details of the new platform remain unclear. (Yahoo Finance)

Handheld Devices & Accessories/Connected Home

• US smartphone shipments totaled 33. 4mn units in Q1 2026, down 3% YoY, per Omdia. The prior-year period was inflated as vendors/carriers built up inventory ahead of potential US tariff annc’ments. Shipments in Q1 were also impacted by fewer carrier upgrades, higher storage and memory costs, and delays in handset launches, weighing on overall demand. (Telecompaper)

Last Mile Transportation/Delivery

• China ride‑hailing Co Didi swung to a Q1 net loss of ~$177mn vs profit yr earlier, as overseas biz losses widened sharply. Int’l segment adj loss hit ~2.9bn yuan, reflecting heavy expansion in Brazil & Mexico w/ added svs like food delivery & finance. Rev rose ~10.3% to 58.7bn yuan, while domestic mkts face rising competition from Alibaba & Meituan. (Reuters)

• Uber Technologies Inc. capped employee AI tool spending at $1,500 per month per tool after exceeding its annual AI budget, aiming to control rising costs. Limits apply to agentic coding tools, w/ dashboards to track usage and approvals for overages. AI now generates ~10% of code, aiding productivity and slower hiring, though impact on new features remains unclear. (Yahoo Finance)

• Prosus is considering raising its stake in Delivery Hero, engaging investors on potential share sales, aiming to block Uber’s takeover bid. Prosus currently owns 16.83% of the German food-delivery Co. Delivery Hero declined comment, while Prosus hasn’t responded. Move signals strategic effort by the Dutch tech investor to counter the proposed acquisition attempt. (Reuters)

Live Entertainment/Theme Parks/Concerts/Experiential

• MSG Entertainment is betting on a summer surge in live experiences, annc’d a “See It Live Summer” campaign across Madison Square Garden, Radio City & Beacon, hosting 100+ events. The Garden alone will stage 57 shows Jun.–Aug., a record vs 37 prior high. Driven by post-COVID demand, artists add residencies & multi-night runs, w/ enhanced fan activations, tours & promos. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Macro Updates

• US tech cos in May annc’d 38,242 job cuts, the highest since Aug. 2024, as spending on AI rises. Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas shows layoffs accelerating, w/ total cuts reaching 123,653 so far this yr, marking a surge of over 65% vs the same period in 2025. The trend highlights growing cost pressures and shifting priorities in the sector toward AI investment. (Bloomberg)

• ADP reported May private payrolls rose 122,000, above 110,000 est. and Apr.’s 105,000, signaling steady labor mkts. Hiring was broad-based, w/ gains in 8 of 10 sectors; education & health led (+57,000) while trade & transport added 36,000. Small biz drove growth. Pay gains held at 4.4% for job stayers, while switchers saw slower increases. (CNBC)

• US job openings jumped in Apr. to a near-2 yr high while layoffs fell, signaling a resilient labor mkts despite rising energy costs from the Iran war. Open roles rose to 7.62mn from 6.89mn in Mar., beating economists’ 6.87mn estimate, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlighting stronger than expected hiring demand across biz. (Bloomberg)

• Fed Chair Kevin Warsh urged using alternative inflation gauges, like trimmed mean, to better assess underlying trends. While core inflation was 3.3%, trimmed mean showed 2.3%, nearer the Fed’s 2% target. Warsh argues such measures filter one-off impacts from tariffs or geopolitics, offering a clearer view, though critics warn they may understate persistent inflation pressures. (The Wall Street Journal)

Metaverse/AR & VR

• Snap annc’d it will acquire AR Co Illumix to boost its AR tech and support development of its Specs smart glasses. The deal includes adopting Illumix’s mapping platform and retaining most staff, though terms weren’t disclosed. Snap cited Illumix’s real‑world AR capabilities as key. The move follows Snap’s Jan. launch of Specs Inc., as it expands its AR ecosystem and hardware push. (Variety)

• Apple is targeting smart glasses by ~late 2027, aiming to disrupt eyewear like Apple Watch did watches. The Co sees a ~$200bn mkt w/ billions of users, leveraging iPhone integration, AI, and brand strength. Delays persist vs Meta’s lead. New Siri app w/ iCloud sync debuts in iOS 27, while iOS 28 work begins. (Bloomberg)

Regulatory

• France’s consumer watchdog fined Shein €22mn over consumer info, environmental disclosures and return rights. The largest €16.7mn penalty cited missing required details in email confirmations; Shein said info was available via its app and called rules outdated. Another €5.7mn covered return policy clarity and temporary missing environmental data. (Yahoo Finance)

• Sweden is weighing a social media age limit of 15 after a govt commission said risks to children outweigh benefits. Proposal would make platform cos responsible for age checks. Current rules allow use from 13 w/ parental consent. Officials warn excessive use harms youth health, as Europe cont’d tightening rules after Australia’s under‑16 ban and Norway’s planned curbs. (Reuters)

• US Supreme Court in 8-1 ruling backed FCC’s authority to levy fines via in-house process, rejecting AT&T and Verizon claims it violated jury trial rights. Case stemmed from penalties over improper sharing of customer location data. Court said orders aren’t final and can be challenged in court. FCC previously imposed ~ $200mn in fines across carriers, incl. $57mn on AT&T and ~$47mn on Verizon. (Reuters)

• PM Mark Carney’s govt signaled it may back down from a plan forcing streaming cos like Netflix and Walt Disney Co to boost funding for Canadian film/TV. Canada’s regulator had annc’d rules requiring major platforms to spend 15% of annual Canadian rev on local content, up from 5%, but the govt’s stance suggests a potential rollback of the measure. (Bloomberg)

• President Donald Trump signed an exec order taking a hands‑off approach to AI cybersecurity, emphasizing voluntary cooperation w/ AI cos. The policy allows ~30‑day govt access to models w/ developer consent, avoiding mandatory testing or licensing. It sets up info‑sharing across agencies to flag vulnerabilities while aiming to protect innovation and US competitiveness vs. China. (Yahoo Finance)

• UK publishers can opt out of Google AI search summaries after CMA ruling, aiming to boost bargaining power over content use. The move follows traffic declines as AI overviews push links down results. Google annc’d UK trials letting sites withdraw from AI features w/o affecting rankings. (BBC)

• European Commission annc’d a Tech Sovereignty Package to boost EU digital autonomy, covering semiconductors, AI, cloud & open source. It includes Chips Act 2.0, Cloud & AI Development Act, plus strategies for open source & energy digitalisation. The move aims to cut reliance on non‑EU tech, expand capacity, support biz & public svs, and strengthen resilience as AI demand surges. (European Commission)

• President Trump quietly annc’d a scaled‑down AI executive order targeting cybersecurity risks. It requires AI cos to submit models for voluntary review 30 days pre‑release, reduced from 90. The policy reflects tension between boosting US AI competition w/ China and addressing security threats, while stopping short of mandatory oversight despite cont’d concerns from officials and industry. (Politico)

• Malaysia barred under-16s from signing up for social media, requiring platforms to verify ages against govt records. Regulator may fine cos up to 10mn ringgit (~$2.5mn) for non-compliance. The move aims to protect minors from harmful content while boosting responsibility among platforms, parents and guardians; existing users face checks over six months. (Reuters)

• UK’s FCA warned Premier League clubs they could face legal action over “questionable” crypto sponsorships w/ firms not authorised in Britain. The regulator said such deals may breach rules, give legitimacy to unlawful operators and risk consumer harm. Crypto groups have expanded rapidly in football, targeting fans as clubs seek new rev streams. (Financial Times)

Satellite/Space

• Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said its New Glenn rocket will return to flight before yr-end after an explosion during a hot-fire test damaged the launch pad. Cause remains unclear, though key fuel tanks were intact while a support tower needs repair. The failure adds pressure amid SpaceX competition and a U.S. launch bottleneck, w/ Amazon satellite plans also impacted. (Reuters)

• Goldman Sachs expects SpaceX AI rev to jump ~100x to $322bn by 2030 from $3. 2bn in 2025, per FT. Total Co rev may reach $474bn vs $18.7bn prior yr. AI rev seen at $15.6bn in 2026 and $34.5bn in 2027. Despite strong outlook, concerns persist on AI biz economics and competition, even as SpaceX targets $75bn IPO w/ $1.75tn valuation. (Reuters)

• Viasat annc’d its selection by Lockheed Martin to supply hybrid SATCOM tech for NOAA’s next‑gen C‑130J “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft, supporting real‑time data transmission for weather forecasting. The platform enables multi‑network, multi‑orbit connectivity and factory integration, reducing upgrade costs. (Viasat)

• Starlink became Australia’s second-largest broadband network provider by svs in Dec. 2025, per newly published Internet Activity data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The satellite operator supplied 589,000 retail and wholesale broadband svs at Dec. end, up from 400,000 six months earlier. (Telecompaper)

Social/Digital Media

• Meta is testing a “Series” feature for Reels on Instagram and Facebook, letting creators bundle videos into episodic content hubs on profiles. The move aims to boost longer viewing vs quick scrolling and drive repeat engagement. Users can watch in order, save series, and track progress, while Meta explores future monetization options similar to rivals. (TechCrunch)

• Meta annc’d hiring Snap exec Jim Shepherd as director of content & creator partnerships to boost its wearables biz. Formerly leading creator ties at Snap, he’ll help attract celebs and creators to Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses. The push highlights wearables as a key frontier, leveraging built‑in cameras and AI to drive social content and engagement. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Software

• Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi said the Co plans to go public but will avoid an IPO in 2026, citing a crowded yr of major tech offerings. He noted the move aims to create liquidity for employees. The firm recently raised $1.8bn in debt financing and $4bn in equity, valuing it at $134bn, while rivals like SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic prepare large public share sales. (Yahoo Finance)

• GitLab said it will cut ~350 jobs, ~14% of staff, as part of a restructuring tied to an AI pivot. The Co aims to streamline management and revamp R&D. Layoffs will cost $30–$35mn, w/ ~$19mn this quarter. GitLab will exit 22 countries, shrinking its footprint ~37%, while serving clients via partners. Plan to be completed by early next yr; shares rose 7%. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Microsoft annc’d Project Solara, an Android‑based OS built for AI agents instead of traditional apps. The concept uses “just‑in‑time” UI, where agents generate interfaces based on context across devices. Built on AOSP as part of a chip‑to‑cloud platform, it’s still experimental, w/ demo hardware like a smart display and wearable badge, reflecting Microsoft’s push toward agent‑driven computing. (Ars Technica)

Sports/Sports Betting

• Paramount and UFC annc’d an expanded rights deal bringing 13 UFC PPV-style events to Canada via Paramount+, w/ no extra fee. The pact builds on a 7-yr, $7.7bn agreement across the U.S. and LatAm, boosting Paramount’s streaming push. Execs say it will widen access and engagement; UFC has driven strong viewership, w/ >10mn homes and 100mn+ hrs watched. (Deadline)

• NRL broadcast rights talks have intensified as Amazon and Southern Cross join Foxtel and Nine in bidding for a ~ $4bn, five-yr deal from 2028. Chairman Peter V’landys secured strong interest after promoting the league’s value, w/ Amazon Prime Video proposing to stream two games weekly. (Australian Financial Review)

Tech Hardware

• STMicroelectronics raised data centre rev targets, citing strong AI-driven demand and capacity expansion. It now sees ~ $1bn rev in 2026 vs prior >$500mn forecast, w/ potential to double in 2027. Shares hit a 25-yr high, rising ~10%. Growth is tied to AI infra rather than GPUs, w/ analysts expecting ~7% boost to 2027 rev. (Reuters)

• Arm Holdings said strong AI demand could help it reach its $15bn chip rev goal earlier than expected, CEO Rene Haas said. The Co recently annc’d plans to sell its own chips, marking a shift from licensing biz. Meta will be first customer, w/ TSM producing the chip, as AI-driven data center demand cont’d to surge across mkts. (Yahoo Finance)

• Microsoft annc’d a new AI-designed “Majorana 2” quantum chip, targeting commercially useful systems by 2029, aligning w/ IBM. The chip uses lead-based materials, delivering ~1,000-fold performance gains in some areas. The move marks a shift from prior designs, but physicists question reproducibility due to limited public data, despite MSFT sharing findings w/ U.S. agencies. (Reuters)

• Broadcom said Q2 rev of $22. 19bn missed est. $22.27bn, w/ shares falling >13% after hrs. It forecast Q3 AI chip rev of $16bn, below est., amid rising competition from rivals like Marvell. Despite long-term $100bn AI sales outlook unchanged, supply concerns linger though Co said it’s “comfortable” for 2026–27. (Reuters)

• Google will open its first physical Store outside the US in Tokyo’s Omotesando “this summer,” marking its 11th location as the co expands hardware retail. Japan was chosen due to strong Pixel demand. The flagship site in Omokado Tokyu Plaza will offer Pixel devices, support svs, workshops, online order pickup, and exclusive merch/colors, w/ design blending Google style and Japanese elements. (9to5Google)

• D-Wave annc’d a gate-model quantum computing roadmap targeting fault-tolerant systems by 2032, aiming for 100 logical qubits performing 1mn+ operations. The Co’s dual-rail superconducting architecture embeds error detection, capturing ~90% of errors and achieving 99.9% fidelity. (D-Wave Quantum)

Video Games/Interactive Entertainment

• Warner Bros. Games annc’d global launch of Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, a free-to-play mobile strategy game inspired by “House of the Dragon.” Players become dragonriders in Westeros, commanding dragons, forming alliances, and battling for control. The game features tile-based warfare, evolving storylines, and seasonal gameplay, w/ rewards tied to HBO viewing integration. (Warner Bros. Discovery)

Video Streaming

• Digital i data shows YouTube surpassed Netflix in global daily viewing, reaching 99. 1 mins vs Netflix’s 87.1 mins across ~20 mkts in 2025. YouTube’s role is shifting toward mainstream TV, not just social video. Non-Netflix users watch ~120 mins daily on YouTube, while heavy Netflix users avg 168.1 mins on Netflix but still log 109.9 mins on YouTube. Creator-led content and channels drive strong engagement. (MediaPost)

• Versant Media took a minority stake in microdrama app GammaTime via a Series A round, aiming to expand short-form storytelling tied to its brands. The deal supports mobile-first, bite-sized originals popular w/ advertisers, w/ new funding to scale content using Versant IP and showrunners. GammaTime, led by ex-Miramax CEO Bill Block, previously raised $14mn ahead of its Oct. 2025 launch. (The Hollywood Reporter)