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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

💰 Netflix raises prices after record subscriber growth, expanding its global reach.
🔍 Google enhances apps with Gemini AI, improving search and productivity.
🕶️ Meta's AR glasses and smartwatch aim to compete with Apple's tech ecosystem.
📱 Samsung’s S25 Edge introduces an ultrathin design, ahead of Apple’s foldable.
🧠 OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle team up on a $50B AI data center project.

TECH

• Google Gemini expands AI capabilities across multiple apps

  • Google is integrating its Gemini AI model into multiple apps, enhancing features like search, messaging, and productivity tools.

  • Samsung’s Circle to Search feature will leverage Gemini AI to provide more intuitive and personalized results.

  • Google aims to challenge competitors by offering seamless AI-driven experiences across its ecosystem of apps and devices.

• Meta includes Oakley AR glasses and Apple Watch rival

  • Meta is planning a new wave of hardware, including AR glasses developed with Oakley and a smartwatch to rival Apple's offerings.

  • The company is focusing on creating a connected ecosystem, integrating AI features and health tracking capabilities.

  • Meta’s expansion into wearable tech aims to compete directly with Apple’s dominance in the smart accessories market.

• Samsung to Beat Apple to Ultrathin Phone With Galaxy S25 Edge

  • Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy S25 Edge, an ultrathin smartphone ahead of Apple’s rumored foldable device.

  • The S25 Edge will feature a slimmer profile, improved AI technology, and enhanced battery efficiency.

  • Samsung's move underscores its strategy to lead innovation in the high-end smartphone market and outpace Apple in design advancements.

BUSINESS

• CNN To Lay Off Hundreds Of Employees Post-Inauguration

  • CNN plans to lay off hundreds of employees this week as part of a shift towards digital audiences and cost-cutting measures.

  • The network is reorganizing its TV lineup and investing $70 million from Warner Bros. Discovery to enhance digital operations.

  • NBC News is also set to implement job cuts, although on a much smaller scale, as the industry adapts to changing viewer habits.

• Netflix raises prices after reporting record subscriber growth

  • Netflix is increasing prices in the US and Canada, with the standard plan rising to $17.99 and the premium plan to $24.99.

  • The company added a record 19 million subscribers in Q4 2024, reaching 302 million globally, driven by live sports events.

  • Netflix reported a 16% revenue increase to over $10 billion and announced a $15 billion stock buyback, sending shares up 13%.

• Elon Musk criticizes Trump’s $500B AI project

  • Musk cast doubt on the financial viability of the Stargate AI initiative, claiming SoftBank has far less than the $10 billion committed.

  • White House officials and OpenAI’s Sam Altman pushed back, insisting that the investment is legitimate and essential to U.S. AI infrastructure.

  • Musk's criticism comes amid his ongoing legal battle with OpenAI, with tensions escalating as he challenges the project's transparency.

CONTENT

• Joe Rogan Experience - Lex Fridman

  • Joe Rogan and Lex Fridman discuss the challenges of human reproduction in space and potential solutions like artificial gravity.

  • They explore the impact of space colonization on human behavior, including speculation about social dynamics and leadership.

  • The conversation touches on historical figures like Genghis Khan, drawing comparisons to modern leadership challenges.

• The Future of Foundation Models

  • George Sivulka shares insights on building Hebbia, one of the fastest-growing generative AI companies, with major investors like a16z.

  • He discusses the future of foundation models, debating the trade-offs between specialized and generalized AI applications.

  • The episode explores the challenges of scaling AI companies and the geopolitical influence shaping the industry's future.

• TikTok Trolls USA + Trump’s Crypto Scam and OpenAI's Agent Strategy

  • The podcast unpacks the ongoing TikTok ban saga and Trump's controversial meme coin launch.

  • AI advancements, including OpenAI's latest O3 Mini model and the emergence of AI-powered assistants like Bordy.ai, are explored.

  • Discussions include ethical concerns surrounding AI development and the evolving role of human-AI interactions in business and daily life.

WORLD

• Trump delivers fresh tariff threats against China

  • President Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting February 1, citing concerns over fentanyl shipments.

  • Additionally, he proposed a 25% duty on imports from Canada and Mexico to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

  • China's foreign ministry expressed a desire for stable U.S. relations, emphasizing that no one benefits in a trade war.

• Australia faces surge in anti-Semitic attacks

  • Australian Federal Police suspect local criminals are receiving cryptocurrency payments to carry out anti-Semitic attacks.

  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a national cabinet meeting following the firebombing of a Sydney childcare center to address this.

  • Despite community demands for harsher penalties, the cabinet agreed to create a national database for tracking anti-Semitic crimes.

• Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Needs US Troops to Secure Peace

  • The Ukrainian President stated that an effective peacekeeping force in Ukraine must include US troops to prevent NATO divisions.

  • Zelenskiy emphasized that European allies lack sufficient military strength to pose a credible deterrent against Russian aggression.

  • His comments come ahead of expected talks with Russia, as Ukraine seeks to bolster support from the US and maintain unity within NATO.

AND MORE…

• Samsung unveils SmartThings Ambient Sensing AI for smarter homes

  • Samsung introduced new AI-driven ambient sensing features for SmartThings to enhance automation and energy efficiency.

  • The system leverages sensors and AI to detect environmental changes and adjust settings dynamically.

  • SmartThings aims to offer deeper integration with Samsung’s appliances and third-party devices for a seamless home experience.

• Warren Buffett Invests In Crypto-Linked Bank Despite Past Criticism

  • Berkshire Hathaway has increased its stake in Brazilian digital bank Nu Holdings to 0.4%, now valued at nearly $1.2 billion.

  • Despite Buffett's long-standing criticism of cryptocurrency, Nu Holdings operates a crypto platform supporting major digital assets.

  • Berkshire’s investment strategy remains conservative, with most holdings in U.S. Treasury bills, maintaining its cautious approach to risk.

• US Coast Guard surges near Haiti and Cuba to prevent mass migration

  • President Trump ordered the US Coast Guard to increase patrols near Haiti and Cuba to deter potential mass migration.

  • The deployment includes additional vessels and personnel to intercept and repatriate migrants attempting to reach US shores.

  • Officials cite concerns over regional instability and economic hardships driving migration surges from the Caribbean.