Netflix’s All-Cash WBD Studio Bid Confident as Peters Dismisses Paramount’s ‘Debt-Heavy’ Offer, and Intel Prioritizes AI Chips, Causing Low-End PC Constraints Amid Foundry Losses
Please SUBSCRIBE HERE for free or
get DTNS Live ad-free.
A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you enjoy what you see you can support the show on Patreon, Thank you!
Send us email to feedback@dailytechnewsshow.com
Show Notes
TikTok’s U.S. Future Secured by Oracle–Silver Lake Deal
A new, majority American-owned joint venture—50% owned by Oracle and Silver Lake—has acquired TikTok’s U.S. assets, securing the app’s future in the United States. Led by CEO Adam Presser and CSO Will Farrell, the entity introduces strict safeguards around U.S. user data, algorithm security, and content moderation, effectively shifting control of U.S. operations.
While the user experience will remain largely unchanged, TikTok’s algorithm will be retrained on U.S. data and overseen by Oracle. ByteDance will retain control of global e-commerce and advertising operations. The new structure is designed to address long-standing national security concerns, though questions remain about whether it fully resolves them.
Source: CNN — Read More
Judge Questions Epic–Google Antitrust Settlement Over Undisclosed Deal
A federal judge is closely scrutinizing the Epic Games–Google antitrust settlement after revelations of a separate, previously undisclosed business partnership between the two companies. The agreement includes “joint product development, joint marketing commitments, and joint partnerships” tied to Unreal Engine, Fortnite, and Android, as well as Epic’s pledge to spend $800 million on Google services over six years.
Judge James Donato questioned whether the partnership influenced Epic to soften its demands for broader changes to Android that would benefit all developers. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney denied any quid pro quo or special treatment, but the judge noted the timing suggests the business deal may be linked to finalizing the settlement.
Source: The Verge — Read More
Netflix Dismisses Paramount’s Bid in Warner Bros. Discovery Battle
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said he is confident Netflix’s $82.7 billion all-cash offer for Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios will be approved, calling Paramount’s $108 billion, debt-heavy hostile bid lacking credibility. Peters argued the Paramount offer is unrealistic without backing from Larry Ellison and unlikely to gain shareholder support.
Netflix’s all-cash approach is positioned as offering faster and more certain closure, while Paramount has extended its bid deadline to February 20 after WBD’s board rejected an earlier version.
Source: Reuters — Read More
Intel Shifts Chip Capacity to AI Servers, Squeezing Low-End PCs
Intel is reallocating foundry capacity from client chips to higher-margin Xeon AI server processors after underestimating the surge in datacenter demand. The move prioritizes mid-to-high-end Core processors and could make low-end Intel PCs scarcer, especially as component costs like DRAM rise.
CFO David Zinsner said capacity constraints should ease in Q2 as yields improve, but Intel still posted a Q4 net loss of $591 million and a $2.5 billion operating loss in its Foundry division.
Source: The Register — Read More
Amazon Prepares Second Wave of Major Corporate Layoffs
Amazon is planning a second, larger round of job cuts next week as it works toward eliminating 30,000 corporate roles. The layoffs—on top of 14,000 cuts in October—are expected to hit AWS, retail, Prime Video, and HR, potentially starting as early as Tuesday.
CEO Andy Jassy cited efforts to reduce bureaucracy, while previously acknowledging that AI-driven efficiency would shrink Amazon’s corporate workforce over time. If completed, the cuts would affect nearly 10% of Amazon’s corporate staff, marking its largest layoff ever.
Source: Reuters — Read More
Tesla Removes Autosteer From Standard Autopilot
Tesla has removed lane-keeping Autosteer from Basic Autopilot on new North American Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Customers must now subscribe to the $99/month Full Self-Driving (FSD) package to access the feature, leaving only Traffic-Aware Cruise Control as standard.
The change comes amid regulatory scrutiny and a temporary California suspension over claims that Tesla exaggerated its driver-assistance capabilities, following years of missed autonomous driving timelines promised by CEO Elon Musk.
Source: The Verge — Read More
UK Regulator Probes Meta Over WhatsApp Data Disclosures
UK regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into Meta Platforms over whether it provided complete and accurate information about WhatsApp during a review of the wholesale market for business bulk SMS messaging. These messages are commonly used for appointment reminders and delivery notifications.
Meta said it takes its regulatory obligations seriously, devotes significant resources to information requests, and will fully cooperate with the investigation.
Source: Reuters — Read More
Tesla Launches Fully Driverless Robotaxi Rides in Austin
Tesla has begun offering completely driverless robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas, with CEO Elon Musk confirming the vehicles operate without a human safety monitor. The rollout expands on a limited, supervised deployment from last June and marks the first time Tesla is charging for rides without an onboard human.
The company appears to be using chase cars for monitoring and plans to gradually integrate fully driverless vehicles into a larger Austin fleet that still includes safety-monitored cars.
Source: TechCrunch — Read More
Apple Watch Found to Dramatically Improve Detection of Heart Rhythm Disorders
A clinical trial published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the Apple Watch significantly improved doctors’ ability to detect dangerous heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation. Doctors diagnosed A-Fib four times more often than with standard care alone.
Using the Apple Watch’s PPG and ECG features, physicians were able to identify the condition earlier—often in asymptomatic, high-risk patients over 65—potentially reducing the fivefold increased stroke risk and lowering healthcare costs.
Source: U.S. News — Read More