Tech News Roundup: Qualcomm, Intel, TikTok & More

This week's tech news roundup covers a wide range of topics, from the potential acquisition of Intel by Qualcomm to the latest developments in the world of AI.

Qualcomm to Acquire Intel?

The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times both reported that Qualcomm is considering acquiring Intel. This news comes after Apollo Global Management expressed interest in making an investment in Intel. Intel, once a cornerstone of the tech industry, has struggled in recent years due to missed opportunities in mobile and AI, and TSMC has surpassed them in cutting-edge chip manufacturing. Qualcomm's market cap has now doubled Intel's, making this a potential game changer. The future of Intel is uncertain as they decide whether to persevere, seek government intervention, or simply fade away.

TikTok's Legal Battle with the US

TikTok is currently in court fighting a new US law that would force its divestment. The court is skeptical of TikTok's arguments, and the situation has been going on for so long that many people have stopped paying attention. This legal battle, however, is far from over, and will likely continue to play out for some time.

AI Developments

Runway has entered a partnership with Lionsgate, the Hollywood studio, to create an internal AI model for pre-visualization. This partnership shows the growing adoption of AI in the entertainment industry.

• YouTube has released a number of generative AI capabilities for creators.
• Microsoft has partnered with BlackRock to create a $30bn fund to build data centers, with the potential to reach $100bn including debt.
• Groq, a chip startup, has partnered with Aramco to build a large data center in the GCC region.

Snap's New Spectacles

Snap has released a new set of AR glasses as a developer kit, costing $100/month plus taxes. While the demo is impressive, the glasses are bulky and have a narrow field of view. The lack of a clear roadmap for a consumer device raises questions about the practicality of this development kit.

Amazon's Return to Office Policy

Amazon's CEO has announced the company's return to a five-day in-office policy. This has led to strong reactions from employees and has positioned Amazon as an outlier in terms of corporate culture.

The EU's Tech Regulation

Thierry Breton, the EU's tech regulation chief, has resigned amidst internal political turmoil. The new EU Commission has created a new position, 'Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy,' signifying the EU's commitment to addressing tech regulation.

Venture Capital in China

The Financial Times has published an article detailing a significant decline in venture-backed startups in China. Funding has plummeted from $100 billion in 2022 to only $6 billion in 2024, due in part to US investors pulling back and a changing political environment in China. This highlights the difficulty in creating thriving startup ecosystems, and the ease with which they can be destroyed by government intervention.

The Future of Crypto

Despite the 2022 crash, Bitcoin is back at all-time highs. However, interest in NFTs has waned, and the focus has shifted towards AI. The 'crypto winter' is still ongoing, with little evidence of consumer adoption beyond speculation. While there's potential for blockchain technology to disrupt various industries, it remains to be seen if it will achieve widespread adoption.

Other News

• A study suggests dating apps contribute to income inequality by reinforcing assortative matching.
• TikTok is a major source of news for young adults in the United States.
• Jony Ive is working on an AI device with OpenAI, alongside his property development projects.
• A report analyzes which LLMs and LLM platforms are being used by developers.
• Meta has banned RT, Russia's state-owned news agency.