Global Scans · GAFA et al · Weekly Summary

• [New] The digital services tax will hit companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Uber and Airbnb with a 3% levy on revenue from Canadian users. Economic Times
• [New] With the growing popularity of voice-activated devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri on Apple devices, voice search optimization will become a critical part of content marketing in 2025. CELEBREPORTS
• [New] Giant companies like Amazon, Apple, Airbnb, Google, Meta and Uber will be taxed 3% on the money they make from Canadian users and customers. CBC
• [New] Alphabet, the parent company of Google, faces a bigger competitive threat from Meta than ChatGPT, as the tech giants race to dominate the space for AI chatbot assistants and wearable hardware for consumers. Morgan Stanley Australia
• [New] Amazon will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today and will reduce its total corporate workforce in the next few years. ABC News
• [New] The iPhone 16 lineup is built for Apple Intelligence and introduces Camera Control, making it even easier to capture memories, and later this year, it will unlock visual intelligence to help users learn about objects and places faster than ever before. Apple Newsroom
• [New] The evolution of Apple's AI strategy will undoubtedly remain a central narrative for investors seeking growth amidst an increasingly complex technological and regulatory environment. Monexa
• [New] Amazon Web Services will add a second US region accredited to the Secret classification level, enabling multi-region failover for defence customers and giving them room to train secure AI models without moving data. Ahead of the Curve: New Tech Updates
• [New] Competitive Threat: A consumer-grade AI device from OpenAI, powered by Apple's silicon, could directly challenge conventional smart speakers and virtual-assistant platforms, raising the stakes for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung Bixby. News, Events, Advertising Options
• [New] Perplexity has quickly become one of the most recognizable brands in AI, and bringing it in house could give Apple more credibility and recruiting power in the AI community - a space where it has historically struggled to attract top-tier talent. Communications Today
• [New] Humanoid robots that reduce per-delivery costs while maintaining service quality could create competitive advantages for Amazon while forcing industry-wide adoption of similar technologies. Trax Group
• [New] Amazon envisions human drivers transporting robots in electric Rivian delivery vans, with robots springing out at each stop to complete final delivery tasks. Trax Group
• [New] Apple's Neural Engine is expected to get another major upgrade in the A19, enabling smarter Siri features, faster on-device processing, and tighter integration with Apple Intelligence. AppleMagazine
• [New] Apple's A19 Chip Could Match Qualcomm's Best-But Power Efficiency May Take Priority Apple's upcoming A19 chip, expected to debut with the iPhone 17 lineup later in 2025, is shaping up to be a major leap in performance. AppleMagazine
• [New] SK Group and Amazon Web Services will jointly invest several trillion won to build a 100-megawatt AI data center in Ulsan, expected to become the largest AI-dedicated data center in Korea. DataX Connect
• [New] By 2025, dropshipping suppliers will increasingly leverage local fulfillment centers to reduce delivery times and compete with giants like Amazon. Blogger
• [New] Automated marketing campaigns: Machine learning algorithms will personalize ads, optimize budgets, and increase ROI across platforms like Facebook and Google. Blogger
• [New] If Apple decides to equip the iPhone 17 Air with a super-efficient silicon-carbon battery, then its battery life might not be something to worry about, but there will inevitably be some endurance compromises brought about by Apple's quest for ultimate thinness. TechRadar
• [New] A study by Amazon Web Services found that 92% of organizations plan to adopt AI-powered solutions by 2028, expecting a productivity boost of up to 49%. Achievers
• [New] AI Integration is another future focus: Google is embedding AI features (like the new Google Assistant with Bard AI, Pixel's AI photo editing, etc.) deeply into Android; Apple is more conservative but could leverage its powerful chips for on-device AI that keeps data private. DesignRush
• Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Android OS, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. Center for Internet Security
• If Google makes AI Mode the default in its current form, it's going to have a devastating impact on the internet - Lily Ray People use Google Search five trillion times a year - it defines the shape of the internet. Xtending Digital Narrative (Jhave's Ai links)

Last updated: 29 June 2025