Meta’s $18 Billion Teen Safety Deal
Meta’s landmark social media trial has ended in California, but the wider battle over online safety is far from over. The Instagram and Facebook owner settled during the second week of a trial brought by a coalition of U.S. states, which accused Meta of misleading the public about the risks its platforms pose to younger users. The agreement could see Meta pay up to $18 billion, with some of the amount linked to actions by other social media companies. Meta will also introduce stronger protections for under-18 users, including a two-hour daily limit, tighter age verification, night mode and restrictions on extreme beauty filters.
Apple Raises Apple TV Subscription Prices
Apple has raised the price of its streaming service, Apple TV, to $14.99 per month, or $119 annually, from $12.99 per month and $99 per year. The increase also affects Apple One, Apple’s subscription bundle covering services such as Apple Music and iCloud, with the individual plan rising to $21.95 from $19.95. The latest hike brings Apple TV’s pricing closer to major streaming rivals. When Apple launched the service as Apple TV+ in 2019, subscribers paid just $4.99 per month. The steady increase highlights how streaming platforms are moving away from their original low-price strategies as content costs rise.
GTA 6 Preview Crashes Under Massive Demand
The first official preview of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 triggered enormous online demand, causing streaming platforms to struggle with the traffic. Netflix, in an unusual move, became the first platform to show an extended look at the upcoming game. Some viewers reportedly encountered error messages and had to refresh the page before gaining access. Netflix later confirmed that some members briefly experienced problems accessing the service but said the issue was quickly resolved. The frenzy also gave a boost to Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA developer Rockstar Games, with its shares rising in premarket trading.
The “SaaSpocalypse” May Be Asking the Wrong Question
Software stocks have lost roughly $2 trillion in market value over the past year as investors debate how artificial intelligence will transform the industry. Much of the discussion has centred on a simple question: can an AI agent perform the tasks currently handled by software? However, critics argue that this framing misses the bigger picture. Treating software companies as collections of tasks that AI can simply automate overlooks their broader value, including infrastructure, workflows, customer relationships and ecosystems. The latest software sell-off therefore raises a bigger question—not just whether AI can replace software tasks, but whether it can replace the businesses built around them.
OpenAI Brings ChatGPT Ads to India
OpenAI has begun rolling out advertisements on ChatGPT for select plans in India, one of its largest markets, as the company looks for additional ways to generate revenue. Ads are available to free users and subscribers of the ₹399-per-month ChatGPT Go plan. OpenAI said advertising will help support broader access to ChatGPT through free and lower-cost tiers. The feature has already been introduced across 38 countries, including the U.S., Japan, South Korea and 31 European nations. The move marks another step in the evolution of ChatGPT’s business model as OpenAI seeks to balance rapidly growing AI costs with the goal of expanding access.
Anthropic Wants AI Agents to Control Machines
Anthropic is pushing AI beyond screens and software with a new interface designed to make it easier for AI agents to communicate with physical machines. The company’s Model Hardware Standard, or MHS, is designed to work with devices that have programmable interfaces, including equipment used in scientific research and advanced manufacturing. Anthropic compares the concept to USB-C, which provides a standardized way for different devices to communicate. The company believes such a standard could unlock major benefits for science, enterprises and industrial applications. The development signals a broader shift toward AI agents that can interact not just with digital tools, but with the physical world.
