Big Tech
Tracking the heavyweights of innovation. Insightful reporting on how legacy tech giants wield global influence, scale infrastructure, and compete for market dominance.
189 articles
Google Removes Direct URLs From Search Results
Google stops displaying full URLs in search snippets, replacing them with site names and breadcrumbs. The change affects SEO, user trust, and click-through rates.
Microsoft Adds Classic Outlook Skin to New Outlook Ahead of Forced Migration
Microsoft introduces a visual theme to make New Outlook resemble Classic Outlook, but the change does not restore missing features like offline support and COM add-ins.
Cloud Rebuild Lets Windows 11 Users Reinstall Without USB Media
Cloud Rebuild lets Windows 11 users reinstall from the cloud without USB media. Accessed via WinRE, it downloads a fresh copy through Windows Update but wipes all data.
OpenAI Eyes Samsung Foundry for Next-Gen AI Chip Production in Dual-Sourcing Push
OpenAI plans to manufacture next-generation processors at Samsung Foundry alongside TSMC, Harrison Kim confirmed. The dual-source strategy suggests massive volume needs for AI accelerators.
Zoox Launches Free Robotaxi Rides in San Francisco, Challenging Waymo
Amazon-backed Zoox begins free autonomous rides in San Francisco with a unique bidirectional vehicle, directly competing with Waymo.
Google Signs Deal for Half of Nuclear Plant Output
Google will purchase half the electricity output from a nuclear power plant, marking a big tech move toward carbon-free baseload energy.
Firefox on iOS Gains Built-In Ad Blocking as Privacy Features Go Native
Mozilla's Firefox for iOS now includes a native ad blocker in settings, removing the need for extensions and simplifying ad control on iPhones and iPads.
Big Tech Targets Patagonia's Glaciers for AI Data Centers
Big Tech is targeting Patagonia's glaciers for AI data centers. The cold climate and energy resources are attractive, but infrastructure and political risks remain.
From Driver to Technician: Lyft Prepares Its Workforce for an Autonomous Future
Lyft is retraining drivers in Nashville to service Waymo self-driving cars, signaling a shift in gig economy roles as autonomous fleets expand.
OpenAI Unveils Parental Controls for Teen ChatGPT Users
OpenAI launches new parental controls for ChatGPT, allowing parents to monitor usage and restrict content for teenage users, addressing growing safety concerns.
Microsoft Caps Xbox Cloud Gaming Hours, Ending Unlimited Streaming
Microsoft will impose monthly cloud gaming limits on Game Pass subscribers starting November, with Ultimate users capped at 15 hours. Extra hours can be purchased through the Xbox Store.
Google AI Search Mode Tacks on 21.6% Price Premium, Analysis Shows
A new analysis finds Google AI Mode surfaces products averaging 21.6% more expensive than standard Google Search. The finding raises concerns about AI bias and consumer costs.
AI Data Demands Spark Resurgence in Tape Storage Shipments
LTO tape shipments surged 57% YOY in Q1 2026 as AI data centers drive demand for cost-effective, cyber-resilient archival storage.
Operation Bluebird Launches Twitter.now in Challenge to X Corp
A startup launches a paid social platform called Twitter.now, reigniting the brand battle with X Corp. The move follows legal actions against Nitter and underscores the fight over the Twitter name.
Instagram Requires AI Influencers to Reveal Their Digital Nature
Instagram will label AI-generated accounts under a new transparency policy. The move targets synthetic influencers who can mislead users.
Meta Apps Collect Three Times More User Data Than Apple or Microsoft, Study Finds
A study by Surfshark shows Meta apps declare 25 of 35 possible data types, far exceeding Apple and Microsoft. Google also ranks high in data collection across multiple categories.
Apple Lets Users Disable Unused Intelligence Features
Apple now allows users to turn off AI features they don't use, giving more control over performance and privacy.
Users Fight Back Against Bad YouTube Recommendations With New Strategies
YouTube's recommendation algorithm is increasingly misfiring. Users are adopting manual tweaks to reclaim their feeds and stop unwanted content.
Stripe-Led Group Abandons Reported PayPal Acquisition Plans
A Stripe-led consortium has reportedly walked away from a deal to acquire PayPal, ending months of speculation about a landmark fintech merger.