Major Tech Developments This Week
The tech world saw significant movements this week across policy, AI innovation, and industry battles. President Trump threatened Apple, Samsung, and other smartphone manufacturers with 25% tariffs if they don’t shift production to the US from countries like India and China. The threat, potentially effective by the end of June, follows Trump’s frustration over expanding iPhone manufacturing in India rather than domestically.
Google’s AI Advancements
Google made a significant splash at its I/O conference by launching AI Mode for Search, allowing users to have conversational interactions with search results. The tech giant also unveiled Gemini 2.5 models with enhanced reasoning capabilities and a $250/month AI Ultra subscription tier. Other announcements included Android XR smart glasses partnerships and AI-powered Gmail smart replies.
Microsoft Build Event Faces Protests
Microsoft’s Build event was disrupted by employee protests over the company’s $133 million cloud services contract with Israel’s military. Protests interrupted keynote speeches by CEO Satya Nadella and other executives, with demands to “cut ties with Israel” and end Microsoft’s involvement in Gaza operations.
Other Key Tech Stories
- Sam Altman and Jony Ive are collaborating on AI hardware, aiming to move beyond smartphone apps into ambient computing devices.
- Fortnite returned to iPhones after Epic Games won its five-year legal battle with Apple.
- Pocket, a popular bookmarking service, is shutting down after a decade.
- TikTok is cutting US staff amid restructuring following declining sales on TikTok Shop.
- Google is making a comeback in the smart glasses market with Project Aura, featuring Gemini AI integration and real-time translation.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the tech industry, with significant advancements in AI, legal battles shaping app store policies, and restructuring efforts by major players.
