headlines...by halloapp

To provide feedback, please reply to this email.

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more.

01-09-2024

TECH

- Apple has released an ad for its Vision Pro headset featuring clips from movies and TV shows. The headset will be available for pre-order on January 19 and in stores on February 2, priced at $3,499. Sony has also unveiled a new mixed reality headset aimed at professionals, while Qualcomm has launched a chip platform rivaling Apple's Vision Pro.

- Twilio's shares rise 6.7% after appointing Khozema Shipchandler as new CEO and expecting strong Q4 revenue growth. Jeff Lawson steps down.

- OpenAI defends its use of copyrighted content, claiming fair use and stating that training AI models without copyrighted material is impossible. They are facing lawsuits from content creators.

- The European Union is examining Microsoft's investment in OpenAI to determine if it violates EU merger regulations.

- China is accused of interfering in Taiwan's presidential election through cognitive warfare, weather balloons, economic coercion, cyber warfare, and disinformation campaigns.

- Match Group's stock surges 12.4% as activist investor Elliott Investment Management acquires a $1 billion stake, aiming to improve performance.

- ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is discussing the potential sale of its gaming assets, including Nuverse, to buyers like Tencent.

- Counterpoint Research predicts that premium smartphone purchases will grow by 6% in 2023, with Samsung and Huawei gaining market share at Apple's expense. Apple's iPhone sales in China have declined significantly, facing competition from Huawei and Xiaomi. Apple's stock has been downgraded due to concerns about macroeconomic factors and sluggish hardware performance.

- Language learning platform Duolingo has laid off 10% of its contractors and is using AI tools to handle their tasks more efficiently. The company is using AI to create content faster and generate in-app voices.

MEDIA

- Unity Software is laying off 1,800 employees, or 25% of its workforce, as it undergoes a company reset to improve profitability.

- U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, presiding over Trump's election case, experienced a "swatting" incident at her home with a false emergency report.

- Zee Entertainment shares recover after decline as merger with Sony's India unit is still in progress despite leadership dispute.

- JBL introduces new headphones with and without active noise cancellation, a louder portable speaker, earbuds with touchscreen charging case, and sustainable Bluetooth speakers at CES 2024.

CONSUMER

- Tiger Woods ends 27-year partnership with Nike, hinting at a new chapter; deal generated over $500 million for Woods.

- Walmart-backed Dada Nexus faces accounting concerns as internal audit reveals potential overstatement of revenue and costs, causing stock decline.

- Helen of Troy exceeds expectations with strong Q3 earnings, despite a slight decline in net sales. CEO to retire.

- Newell Brands to cut 7% of office workforce by 2024, aiming for cost reduction and annual savings of $65M-$90M.

REAL ESTATE

- According to a survey by Fannie Mae, 31% of Americans expect mortgage rates to fall in 2024, leading to increased optimism in the housing market.

- An explosion at a hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas injured at least 11 people, with one in critical condition.

ECONOMIC

- Bank of America will incur a $1.6 billion charge in Q4 due to the discontinuation of Bloomberg's BSBY rate.

- Jefferies Financial Group Inc reported Q4 earnings of $66 million, beating estimates, with revenues of $1.2 billion. Goldman Sachs is expected to report year-over-year growth in Q4 earnings, with strong fixed income and consumer banking revenues.

- Shares of Hays PLC fell 19% after the company announced it expects to miss market forecasts due to a hiring slowdown.

- Fintech firm Carta is exiting the stock sale business after controversy over customer data misuse, focusing on managing startups' investor information.

CRYPTO

- South Korean crypto exchange Upbit has obtained a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This license allows Upbit to offer regulated digital payment token services in Singapore.

- Thailand's plan to distribute digital money faces regulatory concerns over funding source, as PM meets with central bank governor.