Apple is set to expand its portfolio with a low-cost MacBook aimed at the Chromebook market, with plans hinting at a sub-$1000 price and an early 2026 launch (launch budget MacBook). The tech giant is also pushing its software front, seeding an iOS 26.2 beta that brings refreshed features like a customizable Liquid Glass slider and integrated alarms in Reminders (iOS 26.2 beta). Meanwhile, its AirPods gain a boost with AI-powered live translation for EU users (AirPods live translation).
Amazon is mapping out significant infrastructure moves. The company is building its first independent subsea cable, Fastnet, connecting Maryland’s Eastern Shore with County Cork in Ireland (Fastnet cable), promising exceptional data throughput by 2028. In addition, the streaming service recently updated its app by integrating an upgraded Alexa+ assistant, which powers smart playlists and conversational search (Alexa+). Meanwhile, a legal tussle has emerged as Amazon demands that Perplexity AI disable its autonomous purchasing bot (AI purchasing bot dispute).
Snowflake is stepping up its game by unveiling a new AI analytical agent platform (new AI platform) to streamline enterprise data analysis. In parallel, Stability AI achieved a major legal win in a UK court battle against Getty Images over copyright issues (UK court battle). Not to be outdone by the shifting landscape, investor Michael Burry revealed a bold billion-dollar bet against tech giants, stirring intense debate about soaring AI stock valuations (investment gamble).
Other moves include IBM announcing thousands of job cuts amid a pivot to higher-margin software (job cuts), and Spotify beating Q3 estimates with a surge in premium subscribers despite reported losses (Q3 results). A cybersecurity alert comes as Russian-linked hackers exploit Microsoft Hyper-V to hide malware in virtual machines (security alert).