Apple plans a 2026 update for Siri and Apple Search with an AI web search tool called World Knowledge Answers, summarizing internet info for faster, accurate results. It will be added to Safari, Spotlight, and iPhone search. The tech, Linwood and LLM Siri, is part of the Luck E update, possibly iOS 26.4. Apple is working with Google, using a Google AI model for voice assistant and search, including text, photos, video, and local points of interest.
Meta Platforms Inc. will publish eBay listings on Facebook Marketplace to comply with a €798 million EU antitrust order. The test will occur in Germany, France, and the US, allowing users to browse eBay listings while completing transactions on eBay. Despite these changes, Meta disagrees with the EU's ruling and is appealing it. The EU's order mandates compliance within 90 days, following a crackdown on Big Tech by former competition chief Margrethe Vestager.
TikTok is incentivizing users to engage with the app and shop ahead of a potential US ban. Users can earn up to $400 by inviting friends, daily check-ins, and browsing TikTok Shop items. Promotions appear on users' For You pages, and TikTok is pushing to develop shopping habits as it faces legal challenges. The app's owner, ByteDance, aims to significantly increase merchandise sales through TikTok Shop, which has already seen a rise in US sales.
Meta Platforms Inc. plans to use AI to identify young users on Instagram who lie about their age and automatically switch them to more restrictive privacy settings. The software, called an “adult classifier,” will categorize users as older or younger than 18 based on account data, follower lists, content interactions, and birthday posts. This move comes amid concerns over Instagram's impact on teens' mental health.
Markifact is a no-code marketing automation platform that lets users create AI-driven workflows for automating marketing tasks. Users can trigger workflows, connect apps, and track performance through a visual interface. The platform offers pre-built templates, integrates with various marketing tools, and supports team collaboration.
The US Department of Justice is considering breaking up Alphabet Inc.'s Google after a court ruling found the company monopolized the online search market. This would be the first such action since attempts to break up Microsoft two decades ago. Alternatives include forcing Google to share data with competitors or preventing it from gaining an unfair advantage in AI. Potential divestments could include the Android OS and Chrome browser.
Apple is expected to announce a deal to integrate Google Gemini with its devices this fall, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This follows rumors of Gemini's inclusion in iOS 18 and hints from Apple software boss Craig Federighi. Apple may also partner with Anthropic, but has rejected Meta's Llama chatbot. Apple Intelligence, initially in beta, aims for direct profits through subscription features. Third-party AI services will provide interim options.
Apple rejected a partnership with Meta to integrate its AI chatbot into iPhones due to privacy concerns and potential damage to Apple's image. Talks were brief and occurred in March. Apple prefers OpenAI's ChatGPT and Alphabet's Gemini, with plans to offer these in the future. Apple continues to explore AI partnerships, including with Anthropic. The company aims to provide diverse chatbot options for users.
Netflix, the largest streaming service, struggles to rank in the top 10 for advertisers. Historically, media growth shifted from ads to subscriptions, but now companies like Netflix are blending both. Netflix is exploring free versions in Europe and Asia to boost its audience and ad inventory. Despite quick moves into ads, Netflix's ad-supported tier lags behind competitors like Amazon and Disney.
The US Justice Department is dropping one of two proposed claims against ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok, planning to focus a consumer protection lawsuit later this year on children’s privacy instead of allegations the video-sharing platform misled consumers about their data security. The DOJ plans to proceed with allegations the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
