Alphabet Option Alert: Aug 15 $140 Calls at the Ask: 250 vs 705 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Aug 15 $140 Calls at the Ask: 250 @ $36.0 vs 705 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$174.44

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep, 2026 $175 Calls Sweep (3) near the midpoint: 200 vs 223 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep, 2026 $175 Calls Sweep (3) near the midpoint: 200 @ $27.294 vs 223 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$173.97

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep 19 $170 Puts Sweep (6) near the Bid: 555 vs 5061 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep 19 $170 Puts Sweep (6) near the Bid: 555 @ $11.201 vs 5061 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$167.04

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec 19 $165 Puts Sweep (44) near the Bid: 1000 vs 2792 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec 19 $165 Puts Sweep (44) near the Bid: 1000 @ $11.602 vs 2792 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$168.49

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec 19 $190 Calls Sweep (48) near the Bid: 997 vs 11792 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec 19 $190 Calls Sweep (48) near the Bid: 997 @ $8.801 vs 11792 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$170.0992

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep 19 $180 Calls Sweep (42) near the Bid: 854 vs 4222 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep 19 $180 Calls Sweep (42) near the Bid: 854 @ $7.351 vs 4222 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$170.32

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) Stock

Alphabet

Alphabet is a holding company that wholly owns internet giant Google. The California-based company derives slightly less than 90% of its revenue from Google services, the vast majority of which is advertising sales. Alongside online ads, Google services houses sales stemming from Google's subscription services (YouTube TV, YouTube Music among others), platforms (sales and in-app purchases on Play Store), and devices (Chromebooks, Pixel smartphones, and smart home products such as Chromecast). Google's cloud computing platform, or GCP, accounts for roughly 10% of Alphabet's revenue with the firm's investments in up-and-coming technologies such as self-driving cars (Waymo), health (Verily), and internet access (Google Fiber) making up the rest.

Alphabet Inc

Elon Musk&#8216;s xAI has successfully secured a massive $10 billion in fresh debt and equity. This move is a bid to expand AI infrastructure through data centers, amidst intensifying industry competition.
What Happened: Musk&#8217;s xAI has completed a $5 billion debt raise alongside a separate $5 billion strategic equity investment, reported Reuters. 
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) said, in a post on X, that the debt raise includes financing of secured notes and term loans. The bank said the deal was oversubscribed and attracted prominent global debt investors. The equity investment is aimed at supporting xAI&#8217;s continued development of AI solutions, a data center, and its flagship Grok platform, the bank stated.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Morgan Stanley is pleased to announce the successful completion of a $5 billion financing of Secured Notes and Term Loans for <a href="https://twitter.com/xai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@xAI</a>, a leading innovator in artificial intelligence technology. This transaction, which was oversubscribed and included prominent global debt investors,… <a href="https://t.co/0QM5jruviN">pic.twitter.com/0QM5jruviN</a>
&mdash; Morgan Stanley (@MorganStanley) <a href="https://twitter.com/MorganStanley/status/1939768047780172184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46163141/trump-says-hell-skip-trade-deals-set-global-tariffs-with-a-letter-pay-a-25-tariff-o">Trump Says He&#8217;ll Skip Trade Deals, Set Global Tariffs With A Letter: &#8216;Pay A 25% Tariff, Or 20%, Or 40 Or 50%&#8217;</a>
The company is also in talks to raise about $20 billion in equity, which would value the company at more than $120 billion, with some investors placing valuations as high as $200 billion.
Why It Matters: This recent development comes just weeks after reports emerged that xAI was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/06/45853241/elon-musks-xai-seeks-5-billion-via-morgan-stanley-amid-trump-rift-and-2022-twitter-debt-hangover-report">rapidly exhausting its financial reserves</a>, with estimates suggesting a staggering monthly expenditure of approximately $1 billion. This underscores the extraordinary capital demands of developing sophisticated <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/opinion/25/06/46036767/musks-xai-reportedly-burns-1-billion-monthly-why-that-matters-to-ai-investors">AI systems</a> in today&#8217;s fiercely competitive landscape, raising crucial questions for investors regarding the long-term viability of AI startups operating outside the umbrella of tech giants with deep pockets.
According to an earlier report, xAI had also been in talks to raise $4.3 billion through an equity investment on top of its $5 billion debt funding plans. This move, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45413741/elon-musk-wants-a-proper-value-for-xai-after-6-billion-raise-100000-gpus-and-a-quiet-100-million-deal-most-missed">coupled with</a> the recent debt and equity raise, signifies xAI&#8217;s aggressive pursuit of capital to stay ahead in the AI arms race.
Meanwhile, the AI industry has been witnessing significant shifts, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45943342/google-microsoft-elon-musks-xai-reportedly-cut-ties-with-scale-ai-after-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-buys-stake">major players like</a> Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) making strategic moves to advance their AI capabilities. This latest development from xAI is expected to further intensify the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43761023/elon-musks-xai-to-unveil-grok-3-on-monday-as-ai-race-with-chatgpt-parent-openai-and-chinas-deepseek-heats-up">competition</a> in the industry. 
Photo Courtesy: JRdes on Shuttertsock.com
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46186013/mark-zuckerberg-once-predicted-that-this-technology-would-replace-your-phone-a-decade-later-how-far-">Mark Zuckerberg Once Predicted That This Technology Would Replace Your Phone — A Decade Later, How Far Is Meta From Delivering On A &#8216;More Natural&#8217; Future</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

News

Tech

GOOG

GOOGL

MSFT

Elon Musk's xAI Secures $10 Billion In Debt And Equity Amid Soaring Burn Rate As AI Arms Race Intensifies

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) CEO Jim Farley has hailed Chinese EVs as competition from Chinese automakers gets stiffer throughout the globe.
What Happened: "It&#8217;s the most humbling thing I have ever seen. Seventy percent of all EVs in the world, electric vehicles, are made in China," Farley said at an event, Yahoo Finance reported <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fords-ceo-says-chinas-ev-054800452.html">on</a> Monday.
The CEO praised the vehicles for the advanced technology, hailing Xiaomi Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACY#OTC">XIACY</a>) and Huawei's presence in "every car" in China. "You get in, you don&#8217;t have to pair your phone. Automatically, your whole digital life is mirrored in the car," Farley said.
He also said that part of the reason why Ford couldn't offer such technology in its vehicles is because Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Google "decided not to go in the car business."
"Beyond that, their cost, their quality of their vehicles is far superior to what I see in the West. We are in a global competition with China, and it&#8217;s not just EVs. And if we lose this, we do not have a future Ford,&#8221; Farley added.
Why It Matters: Farley's comments come in as Ford plans on releasing products on its new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46020713/ford-says-upcoming-budget-ev-platform-will-rival-chinese-ev-prices-report">affordable EV platform</a> in 2027. The company says its platform could rival Chinese competitors and match them in cost.&nbsp;
Ford is also going ahead with the plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46074112/ford-to-proceed-with-3-billion-battery-plant-despite-potential-tax-incentive-loss-under-trumps-budget-plan-we-stick-behind-our-investments">set up a battery plant</a>, investing over $3 billion in the plant, which will be in Michigan.&nbsp;
However, Chinese automakers are also pushing more competitively priced and feature-rich EVs. Recently, Xiaomi unveiled the company's first-ever all-electric SUV <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/06/46132552/telsla-model-y-rival-xiaomi-yu7-suv-receives-nearly-300000-orders-in-1-hour-in-china">dubbed the YU7</a>, which closely rivals the Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) Model Y.
BYD Co. Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDF#OTC">BYDDF</a>) also unveiled its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45855643/tesla-rival-byd-launches-15000-seal-06-sedan-as-chinas-ev-price-war-heats-up">Seal 06 Sedan</a>, priced at over $15,000 in China, increasing the competition in China's domestic car industry amid the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45715047/byds-aggressive-pricing-triggers-ev-rat-race-stock-tumbles-authorities-voice-concern">EV price war</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="196" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01005320/F-JUL-1-2025-1024x196.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-967829" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01005320/F-JUL-1-2025-1024x196.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01005320/F-JUL-1-2025-300x58.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01005320/F-JUL-1-2025-768x147.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01005320/F-JUL-1-2025-1536x295.jpg 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01005320/F-JUL-1-2025.jpg 1564w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Ford scores well on Value and Quality metrics, while offering satisfactory Momentum and Growth. For more such insights, sign up for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"> Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> today!
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Tada Images / Shutterstock.com

AAPL

BYDDF

BYDDY

TSLA

XIACY

Ford CEO Jim Farley Praises Chinese EVs Amid Affordable EV Platform Plans: 'It's The Most Humbling Thing'

Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46182769/what-happened-with-apple-stock-today">stock bump on Monday</a> shows just how eagerly investors are waiting for signs that the company is serious about artificial intelligence, according to Deepwater Asset Management's Gene Munster.
What Happened: Shares of Apple rose 2.03% on Monday — outperforming the broader Nasdaq — after a report emerged that the tech giant is exploring using large language models from OpenAI or Anthropic to power a revamped version of Siri by spring 2026.
Following this, Munster took to X, formerly Twitter, and said the "move is testimony to how low the investor AI bar is for AAPL."
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand&#8217;</a>
Munster also said that &#8220;the iPhone bar is low.&#8221; Apple's biggest moneymaker is still the iPhone, but Wall Street analysts aren't expecting big growth: just 1% growth in iPhone sales in the financial year 25 and 4% the year after.
&#8220;The next few quarters should benefit from upgrades following that monster 39% iPhone growth in FY21,&#8221; he said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AAPL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AAPL</a> is well positioned for the back half of the year, driven by AI chatter and anticipated iPhone growth. &#x27a1;&#xFE0F;The stock finished up 2% today (Nasdaq up 0.5%) on Mark Gurman&#39;s report that Apple is doing everything they can to meet the spring 2026 Siri launch. Specifically,…
&mdash; Gene Munster (@munster_gene) <a href="https://twitter.com/munster_gene/status/1939787594143080630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It's Important: Wall Street has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45486193/why-is-apple-still-behind-on-ai-expert-dissects-reasons-behind-iphone-maker-lagging-likes-of-microsoft-and-amazon-despite-poaching-googles-ai-chief">been skeptical about Apple's AI strategy</a>, especially as competitors like Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), aggressively push new AI features.
Reports have also surfaced suggesting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">Apple was considering</a> a deal to acquire Perplexity AI. However, the startup says it has no information about any such discussions taking place.
Apple currently has a consensus price target of $231.44, based on the ratings from 32 analysts. The latest analyst ratings, from JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Wedbush, have an average price target of $245, indicating a potential upside of 19.26%.
Price Action: According to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>, Apple's stock is down 15.86% so far this year and has slipped 5.34% over the last 12 months.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Apple's shares continue to trend lower across short, medium and long-term periods. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Additional performance details can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30234055/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-9.09.56%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-967740" /></a></figure>
Photo courtesy: jamesteohart / Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Apple Investors Have Shockingly Low AI Expectations, Says Gene Munster — Siri Upgrade Rumors Alone Fueled A 2% Stock Jump

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) CEO Mark Zuckerberg once shared his bold vision, indicating that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44599475/meta-is-planning-to-drop-1000-smart-glasses-to-disrupt-apples-ar-ambitions-report">virtual and augmented reality</a> would one day replace mobile phones as the dominant computing platform. Now, nearly a decade later, how close is Meta to achieving that future?
What Happened: In a 2015 interview at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit, Zuckerberg, after Facebook&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/22/05/27485415/4-largest-acquisitions-by-facebook-oculus-instagram-and-more">over $2 billion acquisition</a> of Oculus.
When asked why he decided to buy the company, Zuckerberg said, &#8220;Every 10 or 15 years, there's a new computer platform that comes along," referring to mainframes, PCs, the web, mobile and then the virtual and augmented reality.
He described the transition from traditional computing systems, where users needed a degree to operate them, to the more user-friendly and natural mobile platform.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46161059/apple-has-the-potential-to-crush-metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-says-ming-chi-kuo-but-the-tech-giant-has-been-surprisingly-slow">Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta&#8217;s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been &#8216;Surprisingly Slow&#8217;</a>
However, Zuckerberg believed mobile devices, while revolutionary, are not the ultimate endpoint. The future, according to him, lies in the next major computing platform: one that integrates directly with vision.
The Meta CEO stressed that the future of technology would be about capturing real-life moments in a "more natural" and immersive way, such as sharing experiences with loved ones through virtual reality rather than traditional still photos or 2D videos.
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Why It's Important: A decade after Zuckerberg's initial prediction, Meta's investment in virtual and augmented reality, particularly through its Oculus headsets (now branded Meta Quest), has been a central focus of the company's strategy.
However, despite substantial investments, Meta still <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35477023/after-lower-sales-of-quest-2-led-to-loss-at-reality-labs-meta-reportedly-cuts-quest-3-shipment-forec">faces significant hurdles</a> in delivering on this &#8220;more natural&#8221; computing experience. In fact, it is widely believed that the tech giant sells Quest headsets at a loss, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/04/facebooks-oculus-acquisition-turns-10/">according</a> to TechCrunch.
In January, Meta discontinued its $999 Quest Pro headset after it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42842141/meta-discontinues-999-quest-pro-shifts-focus-to-affordable-quest-3">failed to gain traction</a>, and now redirects customers to the more affordable Meta Quest 3, which sells for $499.99.
At the same time, in October 2024, it was reported that Ray-Ban and Meta's smart glasses became the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41458752/metas-smart-glasses-dominate-ray-ban-stores-ai-features-still-missing">top-selling product in 60%</a> of Ray-Ban stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The current Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses don't include a built-in display — instead, they offer voice commands, a camera, and speakers for calls and media playback. However, reports have emerged that Meta is working on a third-generation version that could feature an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42659936/meta-plans-display-equipped-ray-ban-glasses-by-2025-aiming-to-replace-smartphones">integrated visual display</a>.
Last year, Meta also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41032461/meta-unveils-new-ai-features-quest-3s-llama-3-2-holographic-orion-glasses-at-connect-2024-we-are-get">showcased its prototype</a> Orion AR headset, designed to blend digital elements seamlessly into the real world. Meta also launched the $299 Quest 3S, marketing it as an affordable option for gaming, workouts and watching movies in VR.
In its latest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45117948/meta-q1-earnings-eps-beat-revenue-up-16-ai-approaches-1-billion-monthly-actives-capital-expenditures-forecast-raised">first-quarter earnings</a> report, the company revealed that Reality Labs, its division responsible for products like the Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, generated $412 million in revenue, slightly down from $440 million in the same period in 2024.
Despite this revenue, the segment continued to operate at a significant loss, reporting an operating loss of $4.2 billion in the first quarter, which widened from a loss of $3.8 billion a year earlier.
Meanwhile, other major players are pushing into the same space. Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) Vision Pro, which hit the U.S. market in February 2024 with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/10/41499682/apple-to-cut-vision-pro-production-cheaper-model-expected-in-2025-report">hefty starting price</a> of $3,499. Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) have also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43168435/google-taps-htcs-talent-in-250-million-deal-to-lead-ar-vr-innovation">teamed up on a mixed-reality headset</a> called Project Moohan.
Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Meta's shares continue to trend upward over the short, medium and long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More detailed performance insights can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30204704/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-6.15.50%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-967601" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: Harmony Video Production on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45489038/us-stocks-likely-to-open-lower-after-moodys-downgrade-bear-market-isnt-fully-recovered-yet-but-it-is-close-says-expert" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Stocks Likely To Open Lower After Moody&#8217;s Downgrade: ‘Bear Market Isn&#8217;t Fully Recovered Yet, But It Is Close,&#8217; Says Expert</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

SSNLF

Mark Zuckerberg Once Predicted That This Technology Would Replace Your Phone — A Decade Later, How Far Is Meta From Delivering On A 'More Natural' Future

<a href="https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/temu-resumes-meta-google-ad-spending-u-s" title="https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/temu-resumes-meta-google-ad-spending-u-s">https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/temu-resumes-meta-google-ad-spending-u-s</a>

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

'Temu Resumes Meta, Google Ad Spending in U.S.' - The Information

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-30/google-is-betting-on-a-fusion-future-in-power-deal-with-commonwealth" title="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-30/google-is-betting-on-a-fusion-future-in-power-deal-with-commonwealth">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-30/google-is-betting-on-a-fusion-future-in-power-deal-with-commonwealth</a>

Contracts

Reported Earlier: 'Google Is Betting On A Fusion Future In Power Deal With Commonwealth; Google Will Also Invest Again In Commonwealth, Which Expects Its First Commercial Plant Will Generate Power In The Early 2030s' - Bloomberg News

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) co-founder Larry Page rejected Apple Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) signature &#8220;focus on one thing&#8221; philosophy during a pivotal meeting with Steve Jobs, according to Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) CEO Nikesh Arora.
What Happened: Speaking on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath&#8216;s podcast, Arora recalled how Page recounted his conversation with Jobs when Google was still a small company competing against the established Apple. Jobs advised Page to follow Apple&#8217;s model of doing &#8220;one thing really well&#8221; to achieve global dominance.
&#8220;Steve said to Larry, &#8216;Larry, look at the model. The model is, we do one thing, we do it really well. If you do one thing really well and win around the world, you&#8217;re gonna win,'&#8221; Arora said, citing Page&#8217;s recollection of the meeting.
However, Page disagreed with Jobs&#8217; strategy. At the time as Google was simultaneously developing Gmail, Chrome, Google Search, Maps, and other products. Page believed success came from having great people who could build multiple great products simultaneously, not from limiting focus to a single offering.
&#8220;Larry had a different point of view. He said, &#8216;Look, I don&#8217;t believe that. I believe it&#8217;s a question of capacity. If you have great people, you can motivate them. They can go build great stuff. As long as you focus on building a great product, it doesn&#8217;t matter if you do one or many,'&#8221; Arora explained.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46161059/apple-has-the-potential-to-crush-metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-says-ming-chi-kuo-but-the-tech-giant-has-been-surprisingly-slow">Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta&#8217;s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been &#8216;Surprisingly Slow&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Page&#8217;s &#8220;product-obsessed&#8221; approach became evident when he assumed Google&#8217;s CEO role. He structured his leadership team with seven product-focused direct reports compared to just three business-focused executives. 
When Arora prepared a comprehensive business presentation for their first one-on-one meeting, Page dismissed it, stating he needed to focus on building great products.
&#8220;Tech companies which lose sight of great products eventually fail,&#8221; Arora said. According to him, once-prominent firms like Sun Microsystems and Yahoo were industry leaders in their prime but ultimately stumbled after drifting away from a strong product vision.
This philosophical divide between Apple&#8217;s focused approach and Google&#8217;s diversified strategy proved successful for both companies. Apple&#8217;s concentrated efforts on flagship products like the iPhone generated massive market share in specific categories, while Google&#8217;s multi-product ecosystem created the foundation for Alphabet&#8217;s current $2.17 trillion market capitalization.
Page&#8217;s &#8220;additionality&#8221; principle, which he discussed at TED2014, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45613522/google-co-founder-larry-page-uses-this-economic-principle-to-guide-innovationand-its-all-about-building-what-wouldnt-exist-without-you">emphasized creating products</a> &#8220;that wouldn&#8217;t happen unless you&#8217;re actually doing it.&#8221; 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="From Ghaziabad to Silicon Valley: Nikhil Kamath x Nikesh Arora &#x7C; People by WTF &#x7C; Ep. 11" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vPvnzWoK24Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46162898/elon-musk-stopped-believing-in-mars-dream-as-a-political-project-in-2024-says-peter-theil-amid-woke-ai-and-socialist-government-fears">Elon Musk Stopped Believing In Mars Dream As A &#8216;Political Project&#8217; In 2024, Says Peter Thiel Amid &#8216;Woke AI&#8217; And &#8216;Socialist Government&#8217; Fears</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

PANW

Larry Page Rejected Steve Jobs' 'Do One Thing' Well Advice, Built Everything Instead: Palo Alto CEO Nikesh Arora Recalls Google's 'Product-Obsessed' Roots

SpaceX and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s vision for Mars as a political project was reportedly thwarted in 2024 due to concerns about AI and political interference, according to a conversation revealed by Peter Thiel.
What Happened:&nbsp;Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>), disclosed a conversation he had with Elon Musk in 2024 in an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html">interview </a>with The New York Times on Thursday.
Elon Musk reportedly told Thiel &#8220;There's nowhere to go&#8221; after the PayPal co-founder said he wanted to leave the U.S. if Donald Trump doesn&#8217;t become the President. 
&#8220;It was about two hours&nbsp;after we had dinner and&nbsp;I was home that I&nbsp;thought of: &#8220;Wow, Elon, you&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;believe in going to Mars&nbsp;anymore,&#8221; Thiel said. 
Thiel claimed that Demis Hassabis&nbsp;CEO of Google&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) DeepMind,&nbsp; warned Musk that his AI could follow humans to Mars. This revelation reportedly led to Musk&#8217;s silence and a shift in his perspective on the Mars project.
According to Thiel, it took Musk until 2024 to fully process the implications of this conversation. He began to view Mars not just as a scientific endeavor, but as a political project that could be influenced by external factors like AI and government policies.
&#8220;2024 is the year where&nbsp;Elon stopped believing in Mars&nbsp;— not as a silly&nbsp;science tech project, but as&nbsp;a political project,&#8221; stated Thiel.
&#8220;And in 2024 Elon came to believe that if you went to Mars, the socialist U.S. government, the woke A.I. would follow you to Mars.&#8221;
SpaceX did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46160509/irans-top-diplomat-to-un-says-uranium-enrichment-to-continue-an-inalienable-right" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iran&#8217;s Top Diplomat To UN Says Uranium Enrichment To Continue: An &#8216;Inalienable Right&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Despite Theil&#8217;s claims, reports in May indicated that Musk&#8217;s SpaceX was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45606144/after-fiery-setbacks-elon-musks-spacex-doubles-down-on-starship-for-bold-2026-mars-push-report">intensifying efforts</a>&nbsp;to prepare its experimental Starship rocket for a potential Mars mission in 2026.
Moreover, Musk has long been an advocate for Mars colonization, citing it as humanity&#8217;s &#8220;life insurance&#8221; policy. In a separate interview in May 2025, Musk warned that Earth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/05/45480331/elon-musk-says-earth-only-has-10-of-its-life-left-before-its-incinerated-by-the-sun-calls-colonizing-mars-humanitys-life-insurance-polic">only has 10% of its life left</a>&nbsp;before it&#8217;s &#8220;incinerated&#8221; by the sun, making Mars colonization essential for humanity&#8217;s survival.
Despite his concerns about AI, Musk has also invested in several AI startups, including DeepMind, following a warning from Hassabis about the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/05/45710311/elon-musk-called-ai-an-existential-risk-for-human-civilization-yet-he-invested-early-in-deepmind-after-this-warning-from-co-founder-demis-hassabis">dangers </a>of advanced AI to human civilization. This apparent contradiction in Musk&#8217;s actions and beliefs raises questions about the future of his Mars ambitions.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/46090664/india-may-have-been-to-mars-and-moon-but-an-indian-hasnt-been-in-space-for-41-years-elon-musk-just-changed-that"> India May Have Been To Mars And Moon, But An Indian Hasn&#8217;t Been In Space For 41 Years: Elon Musk Just Changed That</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

SPACE

PYPL

Elon Musk Stopped Believing In Mars Dream As A 'Political Project' In 2024, Says Peter Thiel Amid 'Woke AI' And 'Socialist Government' Fears

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) continues to solidify its position as a frontrunner in monetizing artificial intelligence (AI), driving substantial gains for investors, explains Nigam Arora as he raises his price target on the Windows maker.
What Happened: According to a <a href="https://blog.thearorareport.com/msft-250627/">recent note</a> from the Arora Report, Microsoft, currently trading at $494.24, has seen an astounding 1403% gain since the company&#8217;s original long position on the stock at $32.88.
Microsoft&#8217;s strategic initiatives, including the integration of Copilot into Office, Dynamics, and Teams, are significantly deepening subscription revenues, explains Arora. The rollout of Copilot Plus PCs is further set to boost on-device AI capabilities, expanding the company&#8217;s reach.
Azure, Microsoft&#8217;s cloud computing arm, remains a compelling growth driver, exhibiting double-digit growth that is currently outstripping competitors and maintaining healthy margins. The recent breakout in MSFT&#8217;s stock technicals further reinforces this positive momentum.
Despite certain risks, the commentary points to a strong conviction in Microsoft&#8217;s continued upward trajectory.
The Arora Report has raised its target zone for MSFT to an ambitious $713 – $726, suggesting an expected gain of approximately 44% from current levels.
For new investors, the report advises a cautious approach, recommending limiting initial positions and planning to scale up if the stock experiences a dip.
Existing holders are encouraged to maintain their positions, capitalizing on Microsoft&#8217;s leading role in the AI revolution.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46108861/microsoft-is-playing-chess-and-others-are-playing-checkers-dan-ives-says-msft-could-be-a-5-trillion-company-in-18-months">Microsoft Is &#8216;Playing Chess, And Others Are Playing Checkers:&#8217; Dan Ives Says MSFT Could Be A $5 Trillion Company In 18 Months</a>
Why It Matters: However, the Arora Report&#8217;s comprehensive 360-degree analysis also highlights crucial risks.
The intensifying competition in the cloud computing space from Amazon.com Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) AWS and Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) subsidiary Google&#8217;s Cloud platform presents a notable challenge.
Furthermore, potential supply constraints on advanced chips, vital for AI infrastructure, could impede growth. The increasing scrutiny and tightened regulation of cloud platforms and AI technologies also pose regulatory hurdles that Microsoft must navigate.
Price Action: MSFT shares ended 0.30% lower at $495.94 apiece on Friday. It has risen by 18.48% on a year-to-date basis and 8.58% over the past year.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that MSFT had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid; however, its value ranking was poor at the 13.24th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="154" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30030311/MSFT-Edge-new-latest-1024x154.png" alt="" class="wp-image-966348" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30030311/MSFT-Edge-new-latest-1024x154.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30030311/MSFT-Edge-new-latest-300x45.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30030311/MSFT-Edge-new-latest-768x115.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30030311/MSFT-Edge-new-latest.png 1165w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended higher on Friday. The SPY was up 0.50% at $614.91, while the QQQ advanced 0.34% to $548.09, according to Benzinga Pro data.
After hitting a fresh record on Friday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones indices were trading higher on Monday.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46091818/microsoft-stock-poised-for-23-rally-as-ai-monetization-gains-steam-dan-ives-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft Stock Poised For 23% Rally As AI Monetization Gains Steam, Dan Ives Says</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Tada Images / Shutterstock.coma

Equities

AMZN

Microsoft Stock Could Soar 44% On AI Boom, Analyst Says — But There's A Catch

Over the weekend, Yun-Ta Tsai, a former Nokia Telecommunications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOK#NYSE">NOK</a>) researcher and current Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) senior staff engineer, shared his perspective on Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45851232/apples-lack-of-new-ai-features-at-wwdc-is-startling-expert-says">slow adoption of artificial intelligence</a> (AI) and autonomous vehicles.
What Happened: Tsai took to X, formerly Twitter, and recalled his time at Nokia, where engineers debated the transition from physical keyboards to touchscreens.
While U.S. engineers pushed for touchscreens to lead the way, he said, Finnish engineers were hesitant, believing the transition was too risky. Tsai noted the same "legacy crutches" that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41307048/elon-musks-spacex-was-once-called-a-dream-seller-by-this-potent-rival-now-pierre-ferragu-warns-compa">held Nokia back</a> are now plaguing Apple.
Pierre Ferragu, an analyst with New Street Research, corroborated Tsai's sentiments, recalling a conversation in 2007 when Nokia's CTO dismissed touchscreens.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand&#8217;</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I can confirm. I experienced this from very close, as an analyst (with a sell rating) Nokia's CTO told me in 2007 "we have tried touchscreens, consumers don't like it" and "whatever we miss and Apple gets right, we can catch up in under six months." I didn't buy it… <a href="https://t.co/WPpBoGazMX">https://t.co/WPpBoGazMX</a>
&mdash; Pierre Ferragu (@p_ferragu) <a href="https://twitter.com/p_ferragu/status/1939351867777245498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Tsai went on to discuss Apple's attitude toward emerging technologies like AI and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41309072/apple-poured-1b-a-year-into-its-car-project-before-abandoning-it-tim-cooks-company-now-pulls-plug-on">autonomous vehicles</a>, pointing out that despite having competitive hardware, the company is struggling with execution.&nbsp;
"The problem of Apple is that they have every pieces they need to be dominant," but the tech giant doesn't feel the urgency, Tsai said.
He referenced Apple's attitude toward Full-Self Driving (FSD), where the company's machine learning manager dismissed the technology's potential. "They believed their models were superior and they were taking their time," Tsai noted.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The problem of Apple is that they have every pieces they need to be dominant and they don't feel like they don't need to hurry. One of their ML managers did not think Full-self Driving was real. When asked if they would catch up the competition, they believed their models were…
&mdash; Yun-Ta Tsai (@YunTaTsai1) <a href="https://twitter.com/YunTaTsai1/status/1939414624207532284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Tsai acknowledged that Apple has competitive chips (System on Chips, or SoCs) and technology but said they have execution issues.
&#8220;I think their chips are quite competitive in my opinion,&#8221; Tsai said, adding, &#8220;What they lack, is not technology, but execution.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I think their chips are quite competitive in my opinion. They did pretty much everything right for a power efficient SoC — memory buses, ASIC and connectivity all that. The CPU is gorgeous. What they lack, is not technology, but execution.
&mdash; Yun-Ta Tsai (@YunTaTsai1) <a href="https://twitter.com/YunTaTsai1/status/1939420265227931931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It's Important: Apple's ambitious plan to transform the auto industry came to a sudden halt after ten years of development and billions in spending. The secretive effort — dubbed "Titan" inside the company — faced constant challenges, from leadership uncertainty to technical obstacles and evolving goals, before being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37528093/apple-poured-1b-a-year-into-car-project-concocted-by-steve-jobs-for-a-decade-before-realizing-it-nee">officially scrapped</a> in February 2024.
Now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45486193/why-is-apple-still-behind-on-ai-expert-dissects-reasons-behind-iphone-maker-lagging-likes-of-microsoft-and-amazon-despite-poaching-googles-ai-chief">doubts are mounting</a> over Apple's ability to have an edge in fast-evolving fields like AI and spatial computing, especially as nimble startups and tech giants like Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) push ahead.
Reports have also emerged that suggested that Apple executives had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">considered acquiring</a> Perplexity AI, but the startup has since stated it has no knowledge of any ongoing or planned acquisition discussions.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Apple's shares continue to trend downward across short, medium and long-term periods. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Additional performance details are available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30031356/Screenshot-2025-06-30-at-8.29.11%E2%80%AFAM-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-966370" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: Prathmesh T on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Apple's Biggest Mistake? Ex-Nokia And Tesla Engineer Explains What's Really Going Wrong

As Reddit Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>) celebrates its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/03/37879478/humble-beginnings-like-nvidia-reddit-was-founded-inside-a-restaurant">20th anniversary</a>, CTO Chris Slowe discussed how the platform's unique blend of AI-powered search and human-driven content distinguishes it from both traditional search engines like Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and AI companies like OpenAI, as well as social media giants like Elon Musk's X, Meta Platforms, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Instagram and ByteDance-owned TikTok.
What Happened: In an <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reddit/692481/reddit-20th-anniversary-cto-ai-future">interview</a> with The Verge that was published on Saturday, Slowe mentioned that as Reddit enters its third decade, the platform has embraced AI to enhance user experience.
The rollout of tools like Reddit Answers, a feature that uses AI to generate concise summaries from the platform&#8217;s wealth of user-generated content, can be seen as an example of this development.
Slowe emphasized that Reddit's AI tools are distinct because they link back to the original posts, maintaining a direct connection to the community-based content.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand&#8217;</a>
"If you just want the short summary, it's there. If you want to delve deeper, it's an easier way to get into it," Slowe explained.
Slowe also addressed Reddit's decision to collaborate with AI giants like Google and OpenAI, while protecting its own data. He noted, "We aren't a charity&#8230; don't build your business on our back and expect us not to defend ourselves."
When asked about the competition from AI-powered search tools, Slowe said that Reddit aims to keep its identity intact. "Keep allowing Reddit to be Reddit."&nbsp;
Slowe said that the platform doesn't require users to share their real names. In fact, a user's reputation on the platform is shaped by what they contribute, not by who they are in real life — a model he says stands in drastic contrast to other social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok or Facebook.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It's Important: College roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian launched Reddit in 2005 and built the fledgling platform on a tight budget until it was acquired by Condé Nast a year later.
The site struggled to find its footing under the media giant's ownership, leading the founders to step away as the company lost its sense of direction.
Eventually, Condé Nast spun Reddit back out as an independent entity. When user discontent reached a boiling point in 2015, Huffman returned as CEO to steer the company through turbulent waters.
Over the next nine years, Reddit regained stability and grew its revenue more than fiftyfold, culminating in a long-awaited IPO nearly two decades after its founding.
Reddit, which made its public debut in March 2024, continues to rank among the world's most-visited websites. According to Semrush, as of April 2025, Reddit.com is the seventh most visited site globally.
It currently has a market cap of $26.38 billion.
Price Action: According to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>, Reddit's stock has surged by 210.89% over the past five years, despite being down 13.80% year-to-date. Over the past year alone, shares have climbed 114.75%.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Reddit's shares are maintaining an upward trend across short, medium and long-term periods. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More in-depth performance insights can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30005645/Screenshot-2025-06-30-at-10.22.17%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-966206" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: EvaristoMGD on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

RDDT

Reddit Turns 20, CTO Explains Why The Platform Is No Google Or OpenAI But Is Also Unlike X, Instagram And TikTok

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39449125/apple-glass-potential-competitor-to-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-may-take-longer-to-develop-report">potential to outshine</a> Meta Platforms, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Ray-Ban smart glasses, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
What Happened: Over the weekend, Kuo highlighted Apple&#8217;s lag in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45580078/apple-could-reportedly-launch-ai-smart-glasses-next-year-and-here-is-what-all-they-are-expected-to-do">the smart glasses</a> market, especially compared to Meta&#8217;s Ray-Ban models.
&#8220;Apple could build the best Meta Ray-Ban–like smart glasses on the market,&#8221; Kuo said, &#8220;Yet its decision-making in this area has been surprisingly slow.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand'</a>
Despite this, Kuo expressed confidence that Apple's renewed push for hardware innovation could lead to significant market shifts.
&#8220;Better late than never,&#8221; he said, adding, &#8220;Apple&#8217;s renewed push for hardware innovation is undoubtedly good news for the supply chain.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I believe—and I doubt anyone would disagree—that Apple could build the best Meta Ray-Ban–like smart glasses on the market. Yet its decision-making in this area has been surprisingly slow. Putting AI aside for a moment, this category could cannibalize at least some AirPods demand,… <a href="https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ">https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ</a>
&mdash; 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1939429560610959363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Kuo's observation came after he shared a research update and key findings, noting that Apple is working on at least seven head-mounted and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45580078/apple-could-reportedly-launch-ai-smart-glasses-next-year-and-here-is-what-all-they-are-expected-to-do">smart glasses projects</a>, with some slated for release from 2027 onward.
This includes Vision Pro M5 Version, Vision Air, All-New Design Vision Pro 2nd Generation, XR Glasses and display accessory.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I believe—and I doubt anyone would disagree—that Apple could build the best Meta Ray-Ban–like smart glasses on the market. Yet its decision-making in this area has been surprisingly slow. Putting AI aside for a moment, this category could cannibalize at least some AirPods demand,… <a href="https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ">https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ</a>
&mdash; 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1939429560610959363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It's Important: Earlier this month, Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya harshly criticized Apple's future innovation potential on the All-In podcast, arguing the company has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46068152/whats-next-for-apple-chamath-palihapitiya-fires-back-dont-think-they-have-any-chance-of-anything-dismisses-glasses-and-ai-hopes">no chance of delivering</a> major breakthroughs.
There's a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45486193/why-is-apple-still-behind-on-ai-expert-dissects-reasons-behind-iphone-maker-lagging-likes-of-microsoft-and-amazon-despite-poaching-googles-ai-chief">growing skepticism about Apple's capacity</a> to stay ahead in emerging technologies like AI and spatial computing, particularly when compared to agile startups and major rivals such as Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) and Meta.
Previously, it was reported that Apple executives have discussed the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">possibility of acquiring</a> Perplexity AI, but the startup said it is not aware of any current or planned acquisition talks.
Price Action: Data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> shows that Apple's stock has fallen by 17.54% year-to-date and has declined 7.23% over the past year.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings suggest that Apple's shares remain on a downward trajectory across short, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More detailed performance data is available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/29231718/Screenshot-2025-06-30-at-8.29.11%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-966157" /></a></figure>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Muhammad Raid Ahyan 2105 on Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been 'Surprisingly Slow'

This week told a familiar story with fresh twists—inflation isn't backing down, and global tensions are once <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/macro-economic-events#more-news" rel="noreferrer noopener">again steering the market mood</a>.
The latest data showed that the Personal Consumption Expenditures, or PCE price index, rose 2.3% in May from a year earlier, slightly up from April&#8217;s 2.2%, snapping <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46137796/inflation-is-heating-up-again-are-tariffs-to-blame" rel="noreferrer noopener">a two-month cooling trend</a>.
While the monthly increase stayed steady at 0.1%, concerns grew that rising tariffs on foreign goods could soon hit U.S. consumers harder.
The economic unease was only amplified on Friday, when President Donald Trump abruptly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46150909/trump-canada-tariffs-dollar-deal" rel="noreferrer noopener">called off all trade talks with Canada</a>.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/45930878/canada-risks-losing-billions-annually-without-critical-minerals-action" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canada Risks Losing $8.7B Annually Without Critical Minerals Action</a>
His move came in response to Canada&#8217;s newly introduced Digital Services Tax, which he slammed as a direct attack on American tech companies. Declaring retaliation was imminent, Trump promised to announce new tariffs on Canadian goods within a week—sending markets tumbling and investors rushing for cover.
Amid the macroeconomic jitters and geopolitical headlines, several companies delivered key corporate updates and earnings results that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets" rel="noreferrer noopener">kept investors tuned in</a>.
Earnings Results
FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDS#NYSE">FDS</a>) reported quarterly sales of $585.52 million, surpassing&nbsp;analyst expectations&nbsp;of $580.50 million and representing a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46053063/factset-reports-q3-revenue-beat-client-growth-leadership-shift-with-jpmorgan-hire" rel="noreferrer noopener">5.9% year-over-year gain.</a>
FactSet announced that&nbsp;Phil Snow will retire as CEO and a member of the Board, effective early September 2025.&nbsp;
Technology
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) &nbsp;leaped over Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) to become the most valuable company in the world on Thursday, with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46151686/nvidia-just-became-the-worlds-most-valuable-stock-is-it-time-for-a-semiconductor-etf-rethink" rel="noreferrer noopener">market capitalization crossing $3.7 trillion. </a>But as the chipmaker solidifies its position as the foundation of the AI era, one segment of Wall Street is somewhat lagging behind —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs" rel="noreferrer noopener">semiconductor ETFs</a>.
Microsoft postponed the commercialization of its in-house next-gen&nbsp;artificial intelligence chip, Maia (code-named Braga), by at least six months from 2025 to 2026 due to unexpected changes to its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46149318/microsofts-next-gen-ai-chip-still-lags-nvidias-blackwell-postpones-launch" rel="noreferrer noopener">design and staffing constraints.</a>
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) has been dealt a legal blow in Japan as a court has ruled that the company infringed on patents held by&nbsp;Pantech, resulting in a ban on the sale of its&nbsp;Pixel 7&nbsp;series smartphones.
Alphabet Inc.&nbsp;has appointed&nbsp;Kobi Bar-Nathan&nbsp;as the new finance chief for its rapidly expanding&nbsp;Google Cloud division. He commenced his role in June 2025, bringing&nbsp;extensive experience&nbsp;from key finance leadership positions at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134725/google-cloud-hires-former-oracle-cfo-as-ai-race-heats-up" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Cloud.</a>
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)&nbsp;is making a return to high-budget theatrical releases with the opening of its racing drama &#8220;F1&#8221;&nbsp;on Friday. The film&#8217;s reported $300 million budget highlights both the company&#8217;s determination to make a mark in Hollywood and the persistent financial <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/06/46142591/apples-f1-movie-burns-300-million-still-waiting-on-a-profit" rel="noreferrer noopener">challenges it&nbsp;faces in this arena.&nbsp;</a>
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Softbank Group Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) CEO&nbsp;Masayoshi Son&nbsp;said that he plans to position the company as the&nbsp;leading platform provider&nbsp;in the artificial super intelligence (ASI) sector within the next decade, aiming to rival major tech firms like&nbsp;Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a>
Apple&#8217;s Siri&nbsp;is far behind&nbsp;OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT, according to a comparison conducted by&nbsp;Deepwater Asset Management, receiving an &#8220;F&#8221; while ChatGPT<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156830/siri-gets-f-while-openais-chatgpt-scores-an-a-gene-munster-says-heres-what-apple-needs-to-fix-before-2026-launch-to-stay-relevant-in-ai" rel="noreferrer noopener"> has scored an &#8220;A.&#8221;</a>
Automobiles
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has revealed that it pumped nearly $10 billion into its U.S. operations&nbsp;during the last fiscal year and plans to allocate<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46046720/tesla-doubles-down-on-us-elon-musk-plans-another-8-billion-investment-after-spending-nearly-10-billion-in-2024" rel="noreferrer noopener"> an additional $8 billion this year.</a>
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>):&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Jim Farley&nbsp;voiced skepticism about&nbsp;Tesla&#8217;s autonomous driving strategy, underscoring the necessity of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156654/ford-ceo-jim-farley-believes-waymos-approach-makes-more-sense-than-elon-musk-led-teslas-when-you-have-a-brand-like-ford-you-have-to-be-really-careful" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer trust and prudence</a>.
Xiaomi Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACY#OTC">XIACY</a>)&nbsp;unveiled the company&#8217;s first all-electric SUV, the YU7, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/06/46132552/telsla-model-y-rival-xiaomi-yu7-suv-receives-nearly-300000-orders-in-1-hour-in-china" rel="noreferrer noopener">as a rival to&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/06/46132552/telsla-model-y-rival-xiaomi-yu7-suv-receives-nearly-300000-orders-in-1-hour-in-china" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla.</a>
General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) has issued a recall for over 62,468 vehicles in the U.S. over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46111407/general-motors-recalls-over-62000-vehicles-for-brake-issue-that-could-potentially-result-in-a-fire-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">a brake pressure sensor issue.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46125266/thank-you-elon-musks-longtime-aide-reportedly-fired-days-after-public-praise">&#8216;Thank You, Elon:&#8217; Musk&#8217;s Longtime Aide Reportedly Fired Days After Public Praise</a></li>
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Markets

General

NVDA

SFTBY

Consumer Tech News (June 23–June 27): Inflation Stirs, Trade Tensions Flare, And Big Tech Makes Big Moves

The past week has been a whirlwind of developments in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. From executive orders aimed at boosting AI development to corporate strategies and endorsements, the race for AI supremacy is heating up. Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories that made headlines.
Trump&#8217;s AI Power Play
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing executive actions to strengthen the U.S. AI sector, with the goal of outpacing China in the global AI race. The proposed actions aim to alleviate power grid constraints and speed up data center construction, both of which are vital for AI development. This news comes from sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156509/trumps-ai-power-play-executive-orders-aim-to-outpace-china-rewire-us-grid-in-fight-for-tech-supremacy-report">Read the full article here.</a>
Masayoshi Son&#8217;s AI Ambition
SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son has declared his intention to position his company as the leading platform provider in the artificial super intelligence (ASI) sector within the next decade. Son&#8217;s ambitious plan aims to rival major tech firms like Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156518/elon-musk-reacts-after-tesla-completes-autonomous-delivery-of-model-y-from-factory-to-customer-home-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts After Tesla Completes Autonomous Delivery Of Model Y: From Factory To Customer Home Across Town, Through Highways</a>
Musk Endorses Nadella&#8217;s AI View:
Tesla CEO Elon Musk endorsed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's perspective on the practical impact of AI. Musk supported Nadella&#8217;s emphasis on AI's benefits to sectors like healthcare, education, and productivity. Nadella had stressed that AI must produce results that are "socially useful."
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46136541/elon-musk-backs-satya-nadellas-view-that-ai-must-produce-socially-useful-results-the-real-question-in-the-next-five-years-is">Read the full article here.</a>
AI-Driven Workforce Reduction at Amazon:
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that AI will likely reduce the company's corporate workforce. This announcement has led to a stark warning from former Amazon Vice President Ethan Evans, who advises employees to adapt or face elimination.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46110289/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-warns-of-ai-driven-workforce-reduction-amzn-wont-keep-everyone-says-ex-vp-ethan-evans-in-warning-to-employees">Read the full article here.</a>
Nadella Praises Palantir&#8217;s FDE Model
Nadella praised Palantir Technologies Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) Forward Deployed Engineer model as "fantastic." This has sparked industry debate about the data analytics company's unique approach to product development.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46109638/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-praises-palantirs-fde-model-as-fantastic-insiders-say-its-not-consulting-it-builds-the-product-customers-need">Read the full article here.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

PLTR

Palantir's FDE Model Gets Praise, Softbank's Ambition, And Musk's Nadella Endorsement: This Week In AI

"Blaze a new trail," singer-songwriter Usher Terry Raymond IV urged Emory University's Class of 2025 during his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLEzw6D69-g">commencement address</a> on May 12 in Atlanta, stressing that "it's the person who animates the degree."&nbsp;
The <a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/usher/16167">eight-time Grammy winner</a> received an <a href="https://news.emory.edu/stories/2025/05/er_commencement_honorary_degree_usher_07-05-2025/story.html">honorary doctor of humane letters</a> during the speech, where he recalled being "misunderstood and passed over" in school yet still amassing an estimated $200 million fortune through music, tech bets, and sports ownership.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Off-Key To On Top</h2>
"A diploma still matters, yes of course it matters, but it's not the paper that gives the power, it's you," Usher said, urging graduates to match credentials with "ambition, integrity, hustle and heart." Emory highlighted the address in a campus recap.
Cut from a middle-school chorus for singing off-key, Usher signed his first record deal at 14. Decades later,<a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/16/multimillionaire-music-icon-usher-gen-z-advice-degrees-important-but-show-up/"> </a><a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-rappers/usher-net-worth/">Celebrity Net Worth</a> values his net worth near $200 million, crediting chart-toppers, a minority stake in the NBA's, and early tech investments.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Degrees vs. Grit</h2>
Graduates now face a chillier market than when "Yeah!" vaulted up the charts in 2004. The<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf"> Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> shows unemployment for workers ages 20-24 hit 8.2% in May while the national rate held at 4.2%. Hiring freezes widen that gap.&nbsp;
Trending: Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-company-may-have-found-a-way-to-treat-cancer-by-tricking-the-bodys-immune-system-and-early-studies-show-some-promise-find-out-how-you-can-invest-in-the-future-of-cancer-treatment">Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential.</a>
<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-tech-entry-level-job-market-2025-6">Business Insider </a>reported this month that entry-level openings at Big Tech names such as Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)) and Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) have fallen more than 50% since 2019.&nbsp;
The 2025<a href="https://www.signalfire.com/blog/signalfire-state-of-talent-report-2025"> SignalFire State of Tech Talent Report</a> echoes the downturn, which shows new-grad hiring now accounts for just 7% of Big Tech additions, down from 15% pre-pandemic.
Students are reassessing the return on that diploma. According to an<a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/news/college-degree-value-generational-divide"> Indeed Hiring Lab survey</a> published in May, 51% of Gen Z professionals believe their degree was a "waste of money" as employers pivot to skill-first criteria and use generative AI for junior tasks.
See Also: GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/meet-the-company-seeking-to-give-americans-energy-independence-and-learn-how-you-can-become-an-early-investor">Become an Investor in This $41.3M Clean Energy Brand Today</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dream Big, Even If It Sounds Crazy</h2>
Commencement stages nationwide echoed the mindset message. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_jRzPV7kc0">told </a>Washington University graduates in St. Louis the same day that "the world doesn't need you to be perfect—it needs you to be bold."&nbsp;
Those remarks align with Usher's closing challenge to Emory's class: "Be a little unrealistic—be a little delusional" when pursuing fulfillment, yet stay patient with the process.&nbsp;
As he reminded graduates, obstacles can "make you or break you," but a relentless mindset can still turn classroom setbacks into platinum records—or whatever success looks like after the mortarboards land.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a>

Personal Finance

Usher Says He Was Misunderstood And Passed Over In School — Now He's Worth $200 Million And Tells Gen Z 'Blaze A New Trail'

In a 2017 interview, former Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/16/12/8845840/the-team-that-built-the-iphone-who-were-they-and-where-are-they-now">executives</a> recalled how building the first iPhone felt like "Fight Club"—total secrecy, intense pressure and a once-in-a-lifetime mission.
What Happened: More than a decade after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/01/30336631/the-iphone-was-unveiled-16-years-ago-heres-how-much-1-000-invested-in-apple-stock-after-the-debut-is">iPhone's launch</a>, key members of Apple's original team—including Scott Forstall, Tony Fadell, and Greg Christie—opened up about the secretive, high-stakes process of inventing one of the world's most iconic devices in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
The project was code-named Project Purple and secrecy was paramount. "We put a poster up on the wall," said Forstall, referring to the poster of Brad Pitt and Edward Norton&#8217;s movie Fight Club. The first rule of Project Purple was you don't talk about Project Purple.
The team operated in complete isolation, even from other Apple employees. Hardware and software teams were often siloed and most of the company had no idea what was being built.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand'</a>
"Not one person knew what iPhone was gonna look like right before that keynote. People thought they knew that Apple was doing the phone, but nobody knew what they were going to see that day," Christie recalled.
It wasn't just secret—it was grueling. "168 hours a week for two weeks," Forstall said, describing the round-the-clock sprint that ultimately nailed the iPhone's core interface.
Fadell also described the early prototype process as "a rollercoaster ride," with the first attempts at an iPod-like phone quickly abandoned.
The iPhone's breakthrough moment came when the then CEO Steve Jobs asked whether the company's multitouch technology—originally meant for a tablet—could be shrunk down for a phone.&nbsp;
The team mocked up a prototype the size of a ping-pong table. "It was like a Big Mac," Fadell said.
One of the hardest challenges? The keyboard. Forstall froze all other UI work until the software keyboard was fixed. The team built dozens of versions, he said. One engineer's predictive typing system ended up forming the foundation of the keyboard we still use today.
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Why It's Important: Apple first introduced the iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007, during the Macworld event in San Francisco, presenting it as a device that merged a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and an internet communicator.
The company revealed plans to launch the iPhone in the U.S. in June 2007, followed by a rollout in Europe later that year and in Asia in 2008.
Priced at $499 and $599 in the U.S., the iPhone officially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/20/10/18058216/heres-how-much-investing-1-000-in-apple-the-day-the-first-iphone-debuted-would-be-worth-today">hit the market on June 29</a>, 2007, marking a pivotal moment in the company&#8217;s product history.
Last month, Apple posted fiscal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45152493/apple-reports-strong-q2-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-installed-base-hits-all-time-high-across-all-segments-100-billion-buyback-and-more">second-quarter revenue</a> of $95.36 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $94.53 billion. Revenue from iPhone sales came in at $46.84 billion, up from $45.96 billion in the same quarter last year.
However, the company is currently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46068152/whats-next-for-apple-chamath-palihapitiya-fires-back-dont-think-they-have-any-chance-of-anything-dismisses-glasses-and-ai-hopes">facing doubts about its ability</a> to stay ahead in the AI race, especially when compared to more agile startups and rivals like Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>).
Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate a persistent decline in Apple&#8217;s performance across short, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Additional performance insights can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27021053/Screenshot-2025-06-27-at-11.36.13%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-964353" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: rnkadsgn on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Steve Jobs Took Secrecy To Fight Club Levels For This Critical Mission At Apple — 'People Thought They Knew…But Nobody Knew'

Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) Siri is far behind OpenAI's ChatGPT, according to a comparison conducted by Deepwater Asset Management, receiving an "F" while ChatGPT has scored an "A."
What Happened: On Friday, Deepwater Asset Management's managing partner, Gene Munster, shared the results of the test <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44429160/apple-stock-down-over-12-this-year-now-tim-cook-is-reportedly-betting-on-vision-pros-mike-rockwell-to-fix-siri-after-losing-confidence-in-ai-boss-john-giannandrea">comparing Siri</a> and ChatGPT.
The comparison involved 50 real-world questions, assessing each AI assistant's ability to understand, respond, and handle follow-up questions. Siri received an "F," while ChatGPT through Siri earned a "B," and ChatGPT alone scored the highest with an "A."
The test showed that Siri is still more of a voice-activated search tool than a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45851232/apples-lack-of-new-ai-features-at-wwdc-is-startling-expert-says">true AI assistant</a>. Despite its integration with iOS, Siri struggles with reasoning, follow-up questions, and delivering concise, helpful answers.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand'</a>
It also took 5 to 10 seconds for Siri to hand off requests to ChatGPT, causing delays that are not ideal for today's fast-paced environment.
In contrast, ChatGPT provides more accurate, fluid, and human-like responses, mimicking natural conversation with ease. The test emphasized that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45486193/why-is-apple-still-behind-on-ai-expert-dissects-reasons-behind-iphone-maker-lagging-likes-of-microsoft-and-amazon-despite-poaching-googles-ai-chief">Apple's Siri has been stuck in the past</a>, and for it to stay competitive, a major overhaul is required.
&#8220;It has to be more than a voice for web search. Siri needs to think, converse, and assist like an intelligent partner,&#8221; the test concluded.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We tested Siri vs. ChatGPT. Siri got an "F", ChatGPT an "A", underscoring whats at stake for next years new Siri.<a href="https://t.co/M1wudSgwnX">https://t.co/M1wudSgwnX</a>
&mdash; Gene Munster (@munster_gene) <a href="https://twitter.com/munster_gene/status/1938625233365135774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It&#8217;s Important: Apple's upgraded Siri, first unveiled at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39245542/dont-miss-apples-wwdc-2024-keynote-how-and-where-to-watch-on-june-10">WWDC 2024</a> and originally slated for spring 2025, will now launch a year later in spring 2026.
Earlier this week, BofA analyst Wamsi Mohan kept a &#8216;Buy&#8217; rating on the Apple stock with a $235 price target, citing reports that Apple may <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">acquire, or partner with</a> Perplexity AI to strengthen its AI search capabilities, enhance Siri, reduce reliance on Alphbaet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and expand into the search advertising market.
On the other hand, Chamath Palihapitiya has criticized Apple on the All-In podcast, saying that the company's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46068152/whats-next-for-apple-chamath-palihapitiya-fires-back-dont-think-they-have-any-chance-of-anything-dismisses-glasses-and-ai-hopes">dependence on iPhone sales</a> and incremental updates shows it has little chance of delivering major innovations, while noting its culture may stifle bold ideas.
However, others on the panel argued Apple's shift to recurring revenue has been successful, even if moving into AI could prove to be more challenging.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Apple is showing a persistent decline over the short, medium, and long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Additional performance insights can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/28040434/Screenshot-2025-06-28-at-7.52.27%E2%80%AFAM-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-965658" /></a></figure>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Siri Gets 'F' While OpenAI's ChatGPT Scores An 'A:' Gene Munster Says Here's What Apple Needs To Fix Before 2026 Launch To Stay Relevant In AI

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) CEO&nbsp;Jim Farley voiced skepticism about&nbsp;Tesla Inc.'s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) autonomous driving strategy, underscoring the necessity of consumer trust and prudence.
What Happened: During the Aspen Ideas Festival, Farley emphasized the potential of laser sensor systems, such as those employed by Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)&nbsp;Waymo, according <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/06/27/ford-ceo-jim-farley-waymo-self-driving-lidar-more-sense-than-tesla-aspen-ideas/">to</a>&nbsp;Fortune.
In a conversation with Walter Isaacson, Farley compared the systems of Waymo and Tesla, expressing a preference for Waymo&#8217;s approach.
"When you have a brand like Ford, when there's a new technology, you have to be really careful," he said.
Farley highlighted the critical role of LiDAR, a technology used by companies like Waymo in self-driving vehicles. Farley stated, "We&nbsp;really believe that LiDAR is&nbsp;mission critical."
He acknowledged the advancements of both companies but emphasized Ford&#8217;s belief in the importance of LiDAR, noting its capability to detect obstacles that cameras might overlook.
"We decided, as a company, that a cooler problem than full autonomy in an urban setting was high speed, eyes off. Push a button and read a book in your car," Farley said.
Tesla, which employs a camera-only strategy for autonomous driving, recently introduced a robotaxi service in Austin.
This approach has faced scrutiny within the industry, although&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;argues it is cost-effective. Meanwhile, Ford plans to collaborate with self-driving software firms as technology progresses, focusing on its &#8220;BlueCruise&#8221; Level 2 system.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156518/elon-musk-reacts-after-tesla-completes-autonomous-delivery-of-model-y-from-factory-to-customer-home-">Elon Musk Reacts After Tesla Completes Autonomous Delivery Of Model Y: From Factory To Customer Home Across Town, Through Highways</a>
Why It Matters: Ford&#8217;s decision to prioritize LiDAR technology over Tesla&#8217;s camera-only approach highlights a significant divergence in strategies within the autonomous vehicle industry. Tesla&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45966726/tesla-vehicle-production-cost-1-7-that-of-waymo-elon-musks-ev-giant-closer-to-full-autonomy-than-competition-report">production costs</a> for vehicles are reportedly just &#8220;1/7&#8221; of Waymo&#8217;s, and this cost efficiency allows Tesla to deploy more vehicles on the road, potentially accelerating its path to full autonomy.
Furthermore, Tesla&#8217;s robotaxi service, which recently launched in Austin, is considered to have a major advantage <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46133153/tesla-robotaxi-has-a-major-advantage-over-rivals-waymo-and-zoox-says-gary-black-could-be-very-significant">over competitors</a> like Waymo and Zoox. Gary Black of The Future Fund LLC highlighted that every Tesla robotaxi is factory-ready, giving it a significant edge in the market.
Despite the differing approaches, Tesla&#8217;s safety record is noteworthy. Social Capital CEO Chamath Palihapitiya <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45966113/tesla-crashes-significantly-lower-than-national-average-chamath-palihapitiya-weighs-in-on-why-its-the-ideal-choice-for-teenage-drivers">pointed out</a> that Tesla&#8217;s crash rates are significantly lower than the national average, making it an ideal choice for teenage drivers.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;following this link.</a>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com

Ford CEO Jim Farley Believes Waymo's Approach Makes More Sense Than Elon Musk-led Tesla's: 'When You Have A Brand Like Ford... You Have To Be Really Careful'

Snowcap Compute, a semiconductor startup developing superconducting AI chips, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250623688438/en/Snowcap-Compute-Launches-with-%2423-Million-Led-by-Playground-Global-to-Power-the-Next-Era-of-AI-and-Quantum-Compute">announced</a> a $23 million seed round on Monday. According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/snowcap-compute-raises-23-million-superconducting-ai-chips-2025-06-23/">Reuters</a>, the company is backed by Playground Global and led by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, who will also serve as board chair.
The funding round also included Cambium Capital and Vsquared Ventures.
The startup aims to create high-performance computing platforms that require significantly less power than current-generation chips. Snowcap said its superconducting architecture will deliver 25 times better performance per watt compared to existing AI systems.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aiming for Radical Gains in AI and Quantum Computing</h2>
Snowcap Compute's superconducting chips are designed to operate with zero electrical resistance and require cryogenic cooling to function, according to Reuters. The company said the chips are being developed to reduce electricity consumption in artificial intelligence computing, a sector facing increasing energy demands.
Nvidia&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) upcoming Rubin Ultra server, expected in 2027, is projected to consume around 600 kilowatts of power—about two-thirds of the monthly electricity use of a typical U.S. household, Reuters reported.
Snowcap CEO Michael Lafferty, formerly with Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDNS#NASDAQ">CDNS</a>), told Reuters that the performance-to-power ratio of Snowcap's architecture justifies the energy spent on cooling. "We're pushing the performance level way up and pulling the power down at the same time," he said.
Snowcap plans to release a basic chip by the end of 2026. Full system deployments will follow at a later stage. The chips will be manufactured in a conventional factory using niobium titanium nitride sourced from Brazil and Canada, Reuters reported.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gelsinger: Compute Needs a &#8216;Sharp Break&#8217; From Today's Power Demands</h2>
Gelsinger, who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42275410/intel-ceo-pat-gelsinger-forced-out-by-board-analysts-cheer-potential-strategy-shift-this-move-opens-the-door">stepped down as Intel CEO</a> in December, said the industry must rethink its reliance on increasingly power-hungry chips. "A lot of data centers today are just being limited by power availability," he told Reuters.
In a LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/patgelsinger_snowcap-compute-raises-23-million-for-superconducting-activity-7342929937462435840-U2DE/">post</a>, Gelsinger described Snowcap as "the first commercially viable superconducting compute platform," and said it delivers performance and efficiency gains across classical, AI, and quantum workloads. He called it his first public investment as general partner at Playground Global and said the company's technology could address compute bottlenecks and "push the boundaries of what is possible with silicon."
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Includes Veterans From Nvidia, Northrop Grumman, and Google</h2>
Snowcap's founding team includes superconducting researchers Anna Herr and Quentin Herr, who previously worked at chip research firm Imed and defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>). The team also includes former executives from Nvidia and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)) Google unit.
According to Snowcap, its architecture is engineered for high-performance AI inference and training, quantum-classical hybrid workloads, and low-latency systems.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Snowcap Joins Broader Push to Rethink Post-CMOS Era</h2>
Founded in 2024, Snowcap enters a growing field of startups pursuing alternatives to conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-based processors.&nbsp;
The company said its superconducting logic offers "orders-of-magnitude gains in processing speed and efficiency" and aims to support emerging compute workloads spanning AI, high-performance computing, and quantum workflows.
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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
12:13 PMJun 27, 2025	CALL	$140.00	Aug 15, 2025	44	250	250	35	705	TRADE	BULLISH
03:29 PMJun 26, 2025	CALL	$175.00	Sep 18, 2026	443	202	200	91	223	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
10:15 AMJun 23, 2025	PUT	$170.00	Sep 19, 2025	79	578	555	11	5061	SWEEP	BULLISH
03:33 PMJun 20, 2025	PUT	$165.00	Dec 19, 2025	170	1021	1000	37	2792	SWEEP	BULLISH
12:52 PMJun 20, 2025	CALL	$190.00	Dec 19, 2025	170	1094	997	9	11792	SWEEP	BEARISH
12:34 PMJun 20, 2025	CALL	$180.00	Sep 19, 2025	79	452	854	11	4222	SWEEP	BEARISH

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