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China Ends Antitrust Investigation into Google's Android Platform

China Ends Antitrust Investigation into Google's Android Platform

Chinese regulators have closed their antitrust probe into Google’s Android operating system, a case that examined the platform’s dominance and its effect on domestic phone makers. The decision comes amid broader U.S.-China trade discussions involving TikTok, NVIDIA, and tariffs, and reflects Beijing’s strategic use of regulatory pressure in diplomatic negotiations. While Google’s core services remain blocked in China, the company continues to generate revenue through cloud services and advertising aimed at overseas audiences.

Samsung Family Hub Refrigerators to Display Ads in Pilot Program

Samsung Family Hub Refrigerators to Display Ads in Pilot Program

Samsung is rolling out a software update for its Family Hub smart refrigerators in the United States that will show advertisements on the Cover Screen when the display is idle. The move is part of a pilot program aimed at adding value for home appliance customers. Ads appear only when the fridge is not showing content such as Art Mode or a photo album, and they can be dismissed, though they will not reappear for the duration of the campaign. Samsung has not clarified whether the ads can be disabled entirely during the pilot.

Former Meta Lobbyist Appointed to Lead Ireland’s Data Protection Commission

Former Meta Lobbyist Appointed to Lead Ireland’s Data Protection Commission

Niamh Sweeney, a former Meta lobbyist who spent six years at the company, has been named commissioner of Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). She succeeds Des Hogan and Dale Sutherland as the third active commissioner. Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the appointment, noting the DPC’s expanding responsibilities. Critics point to the DPC’s historically lenient stance toward big tech, citing low fine collection rates and past fines against Meta for data breaches and password storage violations. The move raises questions about the regulator’s future independence and enforcement vigor.

Google Teams Up with UK Nonprofit StopNCII to Combat Nonconsensual Intimate Images on Search

Google Teams Up with UK Nonprofit StopNCII to Combat Nonconsensual Intimate Images on Search

Google is joining forces with the U.K. nonprofit StopNCII to strengthen its fight against nonconsensual intimate images, often called revenge porn. By using StopNCII’s image hashes, Google will proactively identify and remove such content from its search results. The partnership builds on existing tools that let users request removals and improve ranking to reduce visibility. The approach keeps original images on users’ devices, uploading only the digital fingerprint. The move follows similar integrations by Microsoft Bing and aligns Google with a growing list of platforms that have adopted StopNCII’s system.

Numeral Raises $35M Series B to Automate Sales Tax with AI

Numeral Raises $35M Series B to Automate Sales Tax with AI

Numeral, a sales‑tax compliance startup founded by Sam Ross, announced a $35 million Series B financing round led by Mayfield, with participation from Benchmark, Uncork Capital, Y Combinator and Mantis. The funding values the two‑year‑old company at $350 million and will accelerate its AI‑driven platform that automates tax collection, filing and payment for e‑commerce and SaaS businesses across thousands of jurisdictions. Numeral’s growth includes a 3.5‑times revenue increase over the past year and a client base exceeding 2,000 firms, positioning it against incumbents such as Avalara.

ICE's HSI Secures $3 Million Contract for Graykey Phone‑Hacking Tool

ICE's HSI Secures $3 Million Contract for Graykey Phone‑Hacking Tool

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit has signed a $3 million contract for software licenses that appear to cover the Graykey phone‑hacking system from Magnet Forensics. The procurement database also lists several smaller contracts for related forensic tools, ranging from $12,000 to $145,000. Neither Magnet Forensics nor ICE provided comment, while the agency’s broader technology suite includes facial‑recognition, spyware, and data‑analytics platforms.

Google Expands Gemini AI to All U.S. Chrome Users, Introduces Agentic Browsing and AI Mode

Google Expands Gemini AI to All U.S. Chrome Users, Introduces Agentic Browsing and AI Mode

Google announced that Gemini is now available to all U.S. desktop Chrome users on Mac and Windows, extending the capability beyond its earlier limited rollout. The company also unveiled plans for agentic browsing features, allowing the AI to perform tasks across tabs and integrate with Google services such as Calendar, YouTube, and Maps. An AI Mode search function will be embedded directly in the address bar, enabling complex queries and follow‑up questions. Additional security tools include AI‑driven scam detection and one‑click password resets for compromised accounts. The updates signal a broader push toward more autonomous and secure web experiences.

Google Integrates Gemini AI into Chrome, Ushering in Mainstream AI Browsers

Google Integrates Gemini AI into Chrome, Ushering in Mainstream AI Browsers

Google is embedding its Gemini generative AI directly into the Chrome web browser, adding a new Gemini button that launches a chatbot and introducing AI‑powered search, research, and page‑analysis tools. The features, initially available to paying subscribers, have now been rolled out to all desktop users in the United States who browse in English, with Android users already able to access aspects of Gemini and an iOS update forthcoming. The move positions Chrome as the first major browser to offer built‑in generative AI capabilities, signaling a shift toward AI‑enhanced web experiences.

Google Expands Gemini AI Integration Across Chrome and Google Services

Google Expands Gemini AI Integration Across Chrome and Google Services

Google is rolling out new Gemini features in Chrome for both Mac and Windows users in the United States, making the AI agent free and broadly available. Gemini will handle everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, rescheduling deliveries, and booking appointments, with safeguards for high‑risk actions. The integration also brings Gemini access to Google Workspace for regular and Enterprise customers, linking with Calendar, YouTube, Maps and more. On desktop, the AI can work across multiple tabs, summarize information and recall closed pages, while mobile users gain deeper page context on Android and forthcoming iPhone support. The move intensifies competition with Anthropic, OpenAI, Perplexity and recent industry deals like Atlassian’s $610 million acquisition of The Browser Company.

Microsoft's AI Push and Organizational Shifts Highlighted in Recent Town Hall

Microsoft's AI Push and Organizational Shifts Highlighted in Recent Town Hall

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed employee concerns about the company’s future during an internal town hall, emphasizing the need to stay relevant in the AI era. The meeting also revealed significant investments in AI compute, new product features for Paint, Notepad, and Xbox, and updates to the company’s partnership strategy with OpenAI and Anthropic. Additional topics included a new EU antitrust commitment, a potential OpenAI IPO pathway, and external criticism involving Elon Musk. Overall, the communications underscored Microsoft’s aggressive push to embed AI across its portfolio while navigating cultural and regulatory challenges.

Microsoft rolls out Gaming Copilot to Windows 11 PCs

Microsoft rolls out Gaming Copilot to Windows 11 PCs

Microsoft has begun distributing its new Gaming Copilot to Windows 11 users, integrating the AI assistant directly into the Game Bar. The feature, initially tested in limited markets, now supports most regions and will soon appear in the Xbox mobile app. Gaming Copilot offers voice interaction, screenshot‑based answers, game recommendations, achievement tracking, and hints, positioning itself as a personal gaming sidekick that may evolve into a full‑fledged AI coach.

Nvidia and Intel Unveil Strategic Partnership to Embed RTX GPU Chiplets in Intel Processors

Nvidia and Intel Unveil Strategic Partnership to Embed RTX GPU Chiplets in Intel Processors

Nvidia and Intel announced a major partnership that will integrate Nvidia's RTX GPU chiplets into Intel system‑on‑chips for data‑center and client CPUs. The deal, described as a multi‑billion‑dollar collaboration, positions Nvidia as a key customer of Intel and aims to boost Intel's integrated graphics capabilities while giving Nvidia a foothold in the x86 market. Executives from both companies highlighted the focus on datacenter and client CPU integration, and industry observers noted the potential impact on competitors such as AMD. The announcement also referenced recent U.S. government involvement in Intel's ownership structure.