Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $225 Puts Sweep (22) near the Ask: 100 vs 11 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $225 Puts Sweep (22) near the Ask: 100 @ $57.55 vs 11 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$176.915

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $220 Puts Sweep (28) near the Ask: 100 vs 12 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $220 Puts Sweep (28) near the Ask: 100 @ $53.999 vs 12 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$176.92

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $225 Puts Sweep (21) near the Ask: 100 vs 11 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $225 Puts Sweep (21) near the Ask: 100 @ $57.45 vs 11 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$177.03

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $220 Puts Sweep (23) near the Ask: 100 vs 12 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $220 Puts Sweep (23) near the Ask: 100 @ $54.05 vs 12 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$176.775

Alphabet Option Alert: Jul 3 $180 Calls Sweep (69) near the Ask: 4695 vs 6108 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Jul 3 $180 Calls Sweep (69) near the Ask: 4695 @ $1.288 vs 6108 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$177.87

Alphabet Option Alert: Aug 8 $140 Calls at the Bid: 1000 vs 0 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Aug 8 $140 Calls at the Bid: 1000 @ $34.57 vs 0 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$172.93

Alphabet Option Alert: Fri $165 Calls Sweep (8) near the Bid: 998 vs 4124 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Fri $165 Calls Sweep (8) near the Bid: 998 @ $8.4 vs 4124 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$173.39

Alphabet Option Alert: Jan 16 $165 Calls at the Ask: 850 vs 8201 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Jan 16 $165 Calls at the Ask: 850 @ $22.35 vs 8201 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$172.87

Alphabet Option Alert: Fri $170 Calls Sweep (109) near the Bid: 1394 vs 16119 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Fri $170 Calls Sweep (109) near the Bid: 1394 @ $3.9 vs 16119 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$173.85

Alphabet Option Alert: Jul 18 $180 Puts at the Bid: 1500 vs 6258 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Jul 18 $180 Puts at the Bid: 1500 @ $7.35 vs 6258 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$174.245

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep 19 $190 Calls Sweep (60) near the Bid: 2548 vs 16910 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] 

Alphabet Option Alert: Sep 19 $190 Calls Sweep (60) near the Bid: 2548 @ $3.252 vs 16910 OI; Earnings 7/22 After Close [est] Ref=$167.945

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Bolsa

ALPHABET INC-CL A

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.

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TIME revela las 100 empresas más influyentes de 2025. Conoce las compañías en bolsa que lideran innovación y crecimiento este año.

Las empresas más influyentes de 2025 según TIME: ¿Cuáles están en bolsa?

Alphabet Inc

The month of June saw a fresh wave of layoffs across the technology sector, with companies both large and small making significant workforce reductions as they adapt to shifting market demands and the growing influence<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46197734/metas-superintelligence-lab-wants-to-outthink-the-world-and-scale-ai-dna-is-all-over-it"> of artificial intelligence.</a>
Rivian: Last month, electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) reduced its headcount by approximately 140 employees, about 1% of its workforce.&nbsp;
The layoffs primarily impacted the manufacturing team as the company seeks to streamline operations ahead of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45642153/rivian-ceo-rj-scaringe-touts-45000-rivian-r2s-updated-rear-suspension-cant-wait-for-folks"> its upcoming</a> R2 SUV launch.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46182769/what-happened-with-apple-stock-today?utm_source=articleShare">What Happened With Apple Stock Today?</a>
Bumble: Online dating platform Bumble, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMBL#NASDAQ">BMBL</a>) announced in June that it would cut around 240 jobs, about 30% of its workforce.
According to an SEC filing, the move is intended to boost operational efficiency so that the company can use the savings toward the development of new products and technologies.
Google: 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 also made significant cuts in June, downsizing its smart TV division by 25% which affected up to 75 employees. The company said it is shifting focus and investment toward AI projects as it trims funding for its Google TV and Android TV initiatives by 10%.
Intel: Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) announced plans to lay off between 15% and 20% of its Intel Foundry division as part of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/45835075/intels-dual-gamble-ai-innovation-now-foundry-fortunes-later">broader effort</a> to become leaner and more efficient. The company is also winding down its automotive business.
Other notable layoffs include 90 employees at Playtika, 25 employees at Airtime, and another round of cuts at Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), which followed May's reduction of over 6,500 jobs.
Microsoft's layoffs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46076895/microsofts-layoffs-news-july-2025-ai-investment-80-billion">affected roles across</a> engineering, product management, marketing and legal.
The wave of tech layoffs in June reflects the industry&#8217;s ongoing transformation as companies prioritize AI and automation while seeking efficiency and innovation in an uncertain economy.&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/46185205/rocket-lab-breaks-records-and-stock-up-640-in-past-year-ast-spacemobile-impresses-defense-kuiper-grows">Shooting Stars: Rocket Lab Breaks Records (And Stock Up 640% In Past Year), AST SpaceMobile Impresses Defense, Kuiper Grows</a></li>
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Microsoft, Rivian, Intel Slash Jobs In June Tech Layoff Spree

Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 4.19% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 18.42%. Currently, Alphabet has a market capitalization of $2.12 trillion. 
Buying $100 In GOOGL: If an investor had bought $100 of GOOGL stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $232.84 today based on a price of $174.58 for GOOGL at the time of writing.
<h3>Alphabet's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1751382796_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in GOOGL usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 10 extraordinary options activities for Alphabet. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 60% leaning bullish and 10% bearish. Among these notable options, 2 are puts, totaling $85,063, and 8 are calls, amounting to $458,652.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $85.0 to $250.0 for Alphabet over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Alphabet options trades today is 7600.9 with a total volume of 9,793.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Alphabet's big money trades within a strike price range of $85.0 to $250.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Alphabet 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1751378447_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>GOOGL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$21.75</td>
<td>$21.6</td>
<td>$21.7</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$173.6K</td>
<td>5.1K</td>
<td>173</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GOOGL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/17/27</td>
<td>$101.25</td>
<td>$98.6</td>
<td>$100.0</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$60.0K</td>
<td>63</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GOOGL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$76.6</td>
<td>$75.55</td>
<td>$76.04</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$53.2K</td>
<td>151</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GOOGL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/03/25</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>$1.59</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
<td>$48.0K</td>
<td>17.3K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GOOGL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$4.75</td>
<td>$4.65</td>
<td>$4.72</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
<td>$41.6K</td>
<td>18.8K</td>
<td>151</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Alphabet</h3>
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.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Alphabet, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Alphabet</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,401,176, the price of GOOGL is down by -0.89%, reaching $174.66.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 21 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Alphabet</h3>
A total of 3 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $198.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded its action to Neutral with a price target of $171. 
&#x2A; In a positive move, an analyst from JMP Securities has upgraded their rating to Market Outperform and adjusted the price target to $220. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Citigroup continues to hold a Buy rating for Alphabet, targeting a price of $203. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Alphabet, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

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Spotlight on Alphabet: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has had a bruising start to 2025, with its stock down about 18% year-to-date and underperforming the broader stock market by 22%—its worst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/05/45675595/apple-eyes-worst-month-vs-sp-500-since-2018-but-history-says-buy-the-dip-now">half-year stretch since 2013.</a> 
But as July kicks off, investors may find a surprisingly bullish signal in an unexpected place: the calendar.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Has Apple Struggled So Much In 2025?</h3>
The first half of the year was defined by a perfect storm for Apple—trade tensions, delays in product innovation and a growing AI gap all chipped away at investor confidence.
One of the biggest headwinds came from President Donald Trump&#8216;s renewed tariff agenda. In 2024, Apple generated 64% of its total revenue from overseas, with Greater China and Europe being among its most profitable regions. But in early 2025, trade-related uncertainty soured consumer sentiment abroad, especially in China.
The numbers confirm it: in the first quarter of 2025, Apple's revenue from Greater China dropped 13% year-over-year to $16.37 billion, down from $18.25 billion during the same quarter of 2024. Local rivals, such as Huawei and Xiaomi, gained market share, while demand for iPhones softened.
Then came Apple's AI problem. While Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), and Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) captured market buzz with new AI-driven features and products, Apple offered few details.
With no firm AI roadmap and delays around the iPhone 17 and the Vision Pro international rollout, many investors began rotating out of Apple into higher-growth tech names like Nvidia, Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>)
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Can Apple Turn Things Around In July?</h3>
On the surface, Apple seems out of favor. But dig into the seasonality, and July could offer the kind of bullish argument that flips the narrative.
Apple's seasonal gains in July are unmatched. Over the past 20 years, the stock has ended July higher 17 times, with an average return of 7.6%. 
Even more impressive, Apple is riding a 9-year winning streak in July. The best performances came in 2022 (+18.9%) and 2006 (+18.6%). 
Expand the scope to 30 years, and the signal remains intact: Apple averaged a 7.3% gain in July, with a 77% win rate (23 positive closes out of 30).
The biggest drawdowns occurred in 2001 (-19.2%), 2002 (-13.9%), and 2008 (-5.1%)—but those were years defined by broader market crises. 
More recently, pullbacks have been minor, like -3.3% in 2015 or -0.6% in 2004.
Apple's relative performance versus the S&amp;P 500 in July has been positive in 77% of the past 30 years, with an average outperformance of 5.8%.
No other S&amp;P 500 stock has matched that consistency or magnitude over the same period.
In short, Apple hasn't just risen in July—it's crushed the market in July, time and time again. And with sentiment scraping cycle lows in 2025, history suggests July has often been Apple's golden window for a rebound.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Year</th>
<th>Apple July Return (%)</th>
<th>AAPL vs. S&amp;P 500 (%)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1994</td>
<td>27.12</td>
<td>+23.24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1995</td>
<td>-3.10</td>
<td>-6.08</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1996</td>
<td>4.76</td>
<td>+9.78</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1997</td>
<td>22.81</td>
<td>+13.91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1998</td>
<td>20.70</td>
<td>+22.12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1999</td>
<td>20.24</td>
<td>+24.22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2000</td>
<td>-2.98</td>
<td>-1.37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2001</td>
<td>-19.18</td>
<td>-18.13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2002</td>
<td>-13.88</td>
<td>-6.53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2003</td>
<td>10.60</td>
<td>+8.83</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2004</td>
<td>-0.61</td>
<td>+2.91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2005</td>
<td>15.87</td>
<td>+11.84</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2006</td>
<td>18.67</td>
<td>+18.07</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2007</td>
<td>7.96</td>
<td>+11.53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2008</td>
<td>-5.07</td>
<td>-4.13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2009</td>
<td>14.72</td>
<td>+6.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2010</td>
<td>2.27</td>
<td>+8.85</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2011</td>
<td>16.33</td>
<td>+18.88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012</td>
<td>4.58</td>
<td>+3.28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013</td>
<td>14.12</td>
<td>+8.74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2014</td>
<td>2.87</td>
<td>+4.45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2015</td>
<td>-3.29</td>
<td>-5.16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>9.01</td>
<td>+3.75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017</td>
<td>3.27</td>
<td>+1.96</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2018</td>
<td>2.80</td>
<td>+3.58</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2019</td>
<td>7.64</td>
<td>+1.40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2020</td>
<td>16.51</td>
<td>+6.08</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021</td>
<td>6.50</td>
<td>+2.37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022</td>
<td>18.86</td>
<td>+9.92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023</td>
<td>1.28</td>
<td>+3.06</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2024</td>
<td>5.44</td>
<td>+1.18</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td>Average gain</td>
<td>7.3%</td>
<td>5.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Win ratio</td>
<td>77%</td>
<td>71%</td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Author&#8217;s own elaboration based on TradingView data</figcaption></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46180484/nvidia-palantir-tech-stocks-to-buy-q3-2025-sectors">Nvidia, Palantir Fuel Historic Tech Rally — And It&#8217;s Far From Done</a></li>
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Apple Stock Had A Nightmare Year — But It May Be Nearing A Turning Point

Palo Alto Networks Inc. CEO Nikesh Arora revealed insights into SoftBank Group Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) CEO Masayoshi Son&#8216;s risk-taking philosophy during a recent podcast appearance, comparing the Japanese billionaire&#8217;s approach to life to the fictional character Benjamin Button.
What Happened: Speaking on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath&#8216;s podcast, Arora described how Son, now 67, embodied a reverse-aging mentality between the ages of 50 and 60.
&#8220;He was going, touching everything his mother said don&#8217;t touch,&#8221; Arora said, referencing how most cultures teach risk aversion from childhood.
Arora, who worked alongside Son at SoftBank, characterized the investor as someone who defied conventional wisdom about settling down and minimizing risk. &#8220;Masa&#8217;s the other way around. &#8216;What are we going to do today? Great. All in,'&#8221; Arora explained.
Son&#8217;s aggressive investment strategy has generated both spectacular wins and losses throughout his career. The SoftBank founder struck gold four times with major investments, including Yahoo! Japan, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), and ARM Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>).
However, his risk appetite also led to dramatic volatility, with Son becoming the world&#8217;s richest man briefly before facing near-bankruptcy.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46189133/nikita-bier-the-founder-of-gas-and-tbh-who-once-asked-elon-musk-to-hire-him-as-vp-of-product-at-twitter-has-joined-x-never-give-up">Nikita Bier, The Founder Of Gas And TBH, Who Once Asked Elon Musk To Hire Him As VP Of Product At Twitter, Has Joined X: &#8216;Never Give Up&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This high-stakes approach continues today as <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">SoftBank positions itself for artificial intelligence dominance</a>. The company has committed $32 billion to OpenAI since 2024, with Son declaring &#8220;I&#8217;m all in on OpenAI&#8221; at the firm&#8217;s annual shareholder meeting in June. 
SoftBank reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46023729/softbanks-masayoshi-son-proposes-1-trillion-robotics-and-ai-hub-in-arizona-with-tsmc">proposed a $1 trillion robotics and AI hub in Arizona</a> alongside Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
Son&#8217;s cultural background provides context for his contrarian philosophy. Arora noted how traditional risk management, particularly from mothers warning children against dangerous activities, shapes most people&#8217;s approach to life. Son deliberately rejected this framework, choosing instead to embrace maximum risk in pursuit of transformational opportunities.
The strategy has paid off handsomely despite setbacks. SoftBank&#8217;s Vision Funds have invested in over 400 companies, though <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39743441/after-losing-150b-nvidia-opportunity-masayoshi-sons-softbank-acquires-uk-chipmaker-graphcore-in-">the firm notably sold</a> its Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) stake in 2019, missing out on gains worth over $150 billion. Son&#8217;s current net worth stands at $38.8 billion according <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/masayoshi-son/">to</a> Forbes, making him Japan&#8217;s second-richest person.
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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: glen photo / Shutterstock.com

PANW

SoftBank's Masayoshi Son Lived Life Like 'Benjamin Button' — Nikesh Arora Says He Took Every Risk His Mother Warned Him About And Struck Gold With Alibaba, ARM

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.
<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">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>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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

XIACY

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

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized powerful nations using tariffs as &#8220;blackmail&#8221; instruments on Monday, delivering his strongest rebuke as the European Union scrambles to reach a deal with the United States before a looming July 9 deadline.
What Happened: Speaking at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, Macron called trade wars an &#8220;aberration&#8221; without directly naming Trump or the United States. His comments came as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that &#8220;all options remain on the table&#8221; in ongoing negotiations with Washington.
According to Reuters, Macron said, &#8220;we need to restore freedom and equity to international trade, much more than barriers and tariffs, which are devised by the strongest, and which are often used as instruments of blackmail, not at all as instruments of rebalancing&#8221;
Trump unveiled sweeping global tariffs in April, threatening duties ranging from 10% to 50% on imports before partially reversing course with 90-day extensions. The current EU tariff structure includes 10% on most goods, 25% on automobiles, and 50% on steel and aluminum. Without a deal by July 9, all EU products could face 50% tariffs.
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/06/46180782/trumps-tariff-clock-ticks-but-taco-traders-arent-losing-their-cool">Trump&#8217;s Tariff Clock Ticks, But &#8216;TACO&#8217; Traders Aren&#8217;t Losing Their Cool</a>
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected Macron&#8217;s characterization, calling tariffs &#8220;an effective tool to rebuild U.S. manufacturing.&#8221; She said Trump &#8220;is going to do what&#8217;s right for our people and our country,&#8221; according to the report.
Why It Matters: The tariff dispute has already roiled European markets. In May, when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45585283/trump-tariff-threat-hits-europe-stocks-sink-as-50-duties-loom">Trump threatened</a> 50% EU duties, the Euro STOXX 50 dropped 3%, with major exporters taking heavy losses. Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DB#NYSE">DB</a>) fell 6.1%, while luxury brands like LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LVMUY#OTC">LVMUY</a>), which derives 25% of revenue from the U.S., faced significant pressure.
Technology ETFs with European exposure, including the iShares Europe ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEV#NYSE">IEV</a>) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGK#NYSE">VGK</a>), remain vulnerable to escalating trade tensions. German software giant SAP SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAP#NYSE">SAP</a>) generates 40% of revenue from North America, while Dutch chipmaker ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>) earns 20-25% from U.S. sales.
The UN trade agency warned Trump&#8217;s tariffs could devastate developing nations, with countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar facing some of the highest levies. Macron specifically criticized imposing tariffs on nations &#8220;just beginning their economic takeoff.&#8221;
Internal EU divisions complicate negotiations. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46134994/eu-ready-for-a-deal-with-us-but-all-options-remain-on-the-table-says-von-der-leyen">German Chancellor</a> Friedrich Merz favors a swift, simple deal, while Macron argues that accepting imbalanced terms would undermine Europe&#8217;s long-term competitiveness. The French president previously urged European companies to suspend U.S. investments until clarity emerges.
EU officials have prepared a $108 billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/05/45591555/trump-targets-eu-apple-with-tariff-threats-etfs-could-feel-the-heat">retaliatory package</a> targeting U.S. digital services and financial systems, echoing 2018 countermeasures that hit swing-state exports including bourbon and motorcycles. Major U.S. tech companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) faces regulatory scrutiny that could intensify amid trade tensions.
With eight days remaining before the deadline, both sides signal readiness to negotiate while maintaining hardline positions, setting up a high-stakes diplomatic and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46163327/trump-starmer-trade-deal-kicks-in-uk-luxury-cars-get-10-tariff-rolls-royce-engines-fly-duty-free-into-us">economic showdown</a>.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46107720/trump-family-backed-world-liberty-financial-plans-to-launch-a-new-app-that-will-make-it-easy-for-lay-investors-to-use-crypto">Trump Family-Backed World Liberty Financial Plans To Launch A New App That Will Make It Easy For Lay Investors To Use Crypto</a>
Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Politics

General

LVMUY

Emmanuel Macron Calls Tariffs 'Blackmail,'  White House Shoots Back Saying Trump Is 'Doing What's Right For Our People'

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.
<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"><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>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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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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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; 
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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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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

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.
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</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.
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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

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>
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<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>
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</figure>
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>.
Read Next:
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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>.
Read Next:
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</ul>
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>
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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>
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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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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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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46133153/tesla-robotaxi-has-a-major-advantage-over-rivals-waymo-and-zoox-says-gary-black-could-be-very-signif" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Robotaxi Has A Major Advantage Over Rivals Waymo And Zoox, Says Gary Black: &#8216;&#8230;Could Be Very Significant&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
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>

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

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
02:34 PMJun 30, 2025	PUT	$225.00	Dec 17, 2027	898	300	100	2727	11	SWEEP	BEARISH
02:34 PMJun 30, 2025	PUT	$220.00	Dec 17, 2027	898	161	100	1342	12	SWEEP	BEARISH
02:33 PMJun 30, 2025	PUT	$225.00	Dec 17, 2027	898	139	100	1264	11	SWEEP	BEARISH
02:30 PMJun 30, 2025	PUT	$220.00	Dec 17, 2027	898	37	100	308	12	SWEEP	BEARISH
03:57 PMJun 27, 2025	CALL	$180.00	Jul 03, 2025	1	37290	4695	611	6108	SWEEP	BULLISH
03:12 PMJun 27, 2025	CALL	$140.00	Aug 08, 2025	37	10053	1000	Infinity	0	TRADE	NEUTRAL
01:00 PMJun 27, 2025	CALL	$165.00	Jun 27, 2025	-5	432	998	10	4124	SWEEP	BEARISH
12:43 PMJun 27, 2025	CALL	$165.00	Jan 16, 2026	198	888	850	11	8201	TRADE	BULLISH
11:53 AMJun 27, 2025	CALL	$170.00	Jun 27, 2025	-5	9126	1394	57	16119	SWEEP	BEARISH
11:06 AMJun 27, 2025	PUT	$180.00	Jul 18, 2025	16	1642	1500	26	6258	TRADE	BULLISH
12:49 PMJun 24, 2025	CALL	$190.00	Sep 19, 2025	79	4140	2548	24	16910	SWEEP	BEARISH