Welcome back to your daily memorandum talking tech, business, AI, markets, and more. 🗞️

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🎮 Microsoft's Xbox Copilot adds AI coaching for in-game tips and strategies.
🔍 Google's Gemini AI now personalizes responses using search history.
💰 Trump's family explored a Binance stake after the exchange’s guilty plea.
🪖 Ukraine soldiers say peace talks are detached from battlefield reality.
📱 EU alternative app stores challenge Apple's app distribution dominance.

TECH

• Microsoft's New Xbox Copilot Will Act as an AI Gaming Coach

  • Microsoft is launching Copilot for Gaming, an AI coach assisting Xbox players with tips, guides, and support.

  • Initially in the Xbox mobile app, Copilot reviews mistakes, suggests strategies, and explains character strengths.

  • The feature will be tested by Xbox Insiders before expanding, with Microsoft refining it based on feedback.

• Google's Gemini AI Can Now Personalize Responses Using Your Search History

  • Google's Gemini AI now uses search history to deliver personalized responses, recommendations, and insights.

  • The feature integrates Gemini with Google apps like YouTube and Photos, improving contextual relevance.

  • Users control personalization and can opt out anytime, with transparency into data usage.

• Meta's 'Community Notes' to Use Open-Source Technology from Elon Musk's X

  • Meta is adopting Musk's X open-source algorithm for its new content moderation system, Community Notes.

  • The system will be tested on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, with 200,000 contributors already signed up.

  • This replaces third-party fact-checking with crowdsourced notes, raising concerns over misinformation.

BUSINESS

• OpenAI Lobbies Trump Administration to Focus AI on Speed, Light Regulation

  • OpenAI is shifting from advocating regulation to promoting AI-friendly policies to stay ahead of China.

  • The company compares AI to electricity, pushing for growth policies that align with democratic values.

  • This marks a shift from past concerns, reflecting a more positive outlook on AI's future impact.

• Walmart Faces U.S. Investigation Over Alleged China Tariff Violations

  • The U.S. Commerce Department is investigating Walmart for misclassifying imports to avoid tariffs.

  • The probe examines whether Walmart used incorrect codes to lower duty payments on Chinese goods.

  • Walmart denies wrongdoing, stating compliance with laws, but the case could affect trade relations.

• Oracle Reportedly a Top Choice for Storing U.S. TikTok User Data

  • Oracle is a leading contender to manage TikTok’s U.S. data as national security concerns rise.

  • ByteDance prefers Oracle as a partner and wants to retain a stake despite possible U.S. bans.

  • Other bidders include Microsoft, investor groups, and YouTube star MrBeast backing a proposal.

CONTENT

• Are We Headed For a Recession? + How Tariffs Hurt Housing

  • Scott Galloway and Ed discuss Apple's AI update delays, Sony's fight against deepfakes, and a potential U.S. ban on DeepSeek.​

  • They analyze big banks' predictions of increased recession risk, recent stock market declines, and potential fallout if a recession hits.​

  • The impact of tariffs on housing costs is examined, challenging the notion that home ownership is the best path to wealth.​

• From Near-Death to One of the Fastest-Growing Products in History

  • Eric Simons, founder and CEO of StackBlitz, shares how Bolt became a leading web-based AI coding agent.​

  • He discusses leveraging WebContainer technology to create a faster, more reliable AI coding experience.​

  • Simons reflects on Bolt's rapid growth, reaching $40 million ARR and 1 million monthly active users in five months.​

• Learn YouTube Storytelling in 86 Minutes

  • Johnny Harris reveals his creative process for crafting viral YouTube videos on diverse topics.​

  • He covers his workflow, including writing, drafting, editing, visual composition, and sound design.​

  • Harris provides practical tools for improving visual storytelling skills, aiming to enhance audience engagement.

WORLD

• Trump Family Held Deal Talks with Binance Following Guilty Plea

  • Trump's family discussed acquiring a stake in Binance.US after the crypto exchange admitted to violating U.S. money laundering laws.

  • Changpeng Zhao, Binance’s founder, seeks a Trump pardon following his resignation and $4.3B settlement over compliance failures.

  • The deal’s details and its connection to a pardon remain unclear, with neither Binance nor Trump's representatives commenting.

• Argentina Minister Urged to Quit After Police Violence at Protest

  • Police cracked down on pensioners protesting economic cuts, leaving a photographer in a coma and prompting calls for resignations.

  • Over 1,000 riot police used teargas, rubber bullets, and water cannons against elderly demonstrators protesting pension reductions.

  • The protest turned violent as football fans joined, with footage showing elderly marchers beaten and a journalist seriously injured.

• Peace Talks Are in Parallel Universe, Say Ukraine Front-Line Troops

  • Ukrainian soldiers see peace talks as disconnected from reality, with continued heavy fighting making diplomacy feel irrelevant.

  • Troops report worsening battlefield conditions, forcing them to focus on survival rather than negotiations that may never materialize.

  • Many see negotiations as political theater, detached from the daily struggles and losses they endure on the front lines.

AND MORE…

• Alternative App Stores Emerge in EU, Challenging Apple's Dominance

  • The EU’s Digital Markets Act forces Apple and Google to allow alternative app stores, ending their distribution monopoly.

  • New platforms like Skich Store and Setapp offer lower fees and personalized experiences, attracting developers and users.

  • These changes provide more competition and flexibility, challenging Apple’s control while benefiting third-party app makers.

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• Tesla Halts Cybertruck Deliveries Due to Loose Trim Issues

  • Tesla paused Cybertruck deliveries after reports of trim pieces detaching, raising safety concerns about its build quality.

  • The issue affects the cantrail trim above doors, with Tesla confirming repairs may take several weeks to complete.

  • This follows previous recalls, increasing concerns over Tesla’s quality control and the truck’s long-term durability.

• Facebook Introduces Monetization for Creator Stories Views

  • Facebook now lets creators earn money from Stories views, rewarding engagement and boosting content production.

  • The new model aims to retain creators and keep Facebook competitive with platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

  • Meta continues expanding monetization tools, prioritizing short-form content as user habits shift toward quick videos.