Retter Reboot #37

OpenAI and Oracle Reportedly Sign Historic Cloud Deal

OpenAI and Oracle have reportedly finalized a historic cloud computing agreement, with OpenAI set to spend tens of billions annually on Oracle’s infrastructure. The deal will give OpenAI access to massive computing power to train and deploy advanced AI models, while cementing Oracle as a major player in the AI cloud race against Microsoft and AWS.

Source: TechCrunch

ByteDance’s New AI Model Outperforms Google’s Nano Banana in Tests

ByteDance has introduced a new AI tool that reportedly outperforms Google’s Nano Banana model in multiple benchmark tests. The company claims its model delivers stronger reasoning, faster responses, and better efficiency across both language and coding tasks.

Source: NewsBytes

Microsoft to Reduce Reliance on OpenAI by Partnering with Anthropic

Microsoft is reportedly planning to buy AI technology from Anthropic, a move aimed at reducing its heavy dependence on OpenAI. While Microsoft remains OpenAI’s largest backer, the deal would diversify its AI portfolio and give customers access to Anthropic’s Claude models through Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.

Source: TechCrunch

Perplexity Raises $200M at $20B Valuation

AI search startup Perplexity has reportedly raised $200 million in new funding, boosting its valuation to $20 billion. The raise underscores investor confidence in Perplexity’s rapid growth as it positions itself as a leading challenger to Google in search with its conversational, AI-driven platform. The funding will help Perplexity scale infrastructure, expand globally, and accelerate development of new features to compete with giants like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

Source: TechCrunch

Replit Reaches $3B Valuation with $150M Annualized Revenue

Replit has hit a $3 billion valuation on the back of $150 million in annualized revenue, reflecting its strong growth as a collaborative coding and AI development platform. The company’s momentum is fueled by demand for its AI-assisted coding tools and cloud-based development environments. With this milestone, Replit strengthens its position as a key player in the AI coding space, competing with GitHub Copilot, Anthropic’s Claude Code, and OpenAI’s Codex.

Source: TechCrunch

Apple Unveils iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and Updates to Watch and AirPods

Apple has announced the iPhone 17 lineup alongside a new iPhone Air, designed as a lighter and slimmer model. The company also introduced updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods, with improvements in performance, battery life, and AI-powered features.

Source: ExtremeTech

AI Publishing Standard Gains Backing from Reddit, Yahoo, and Medium

A new initiative called the Responsible Standards for Licensing (RSL) has gained support from Reddit, Yahoo, and Medium, aiming to set industry-wide rules for how AI companies use online content. The standard seeks to establish clearer terms for data licensing, ensuring that publishers are fairly compensated when their material is used to train AI models. The move reflects growing momentum among publishers to push back against unlicensed data scraping while creating a framework for sustainable AI partnerships.

Source: The Verge

Google Launches AI Quests for Middle School Classrooms

Google has introduced AI Quests, a new educational program that brings real-world AI challenges into middle school classrooms. The initiative is designed to teach students how AI works through interactive problem-solving, encouraging early interest in technology and critical thinking skills. The program reflects Google’s effort to integrate AI literacy into education, preparing younger generations for a future where AI is central to work and daily life.

Source: MLQ AI

Google Tests ‘Purchases’ Tab in Gmail for Online Orders

Google is experimenting with a new “Purchases” tab in Gmail that automatically organizes users’ online shopping receipts and order updates. The feature is designed to make it easier to track deliveries and manage past purchases directly within Gmail, reducing the need to search through cluttered inboxes. The test suggests Google is looking to expand Gmail’s role as a shopping and organization hub, competing more directly with services like Amazon and third-party package tracking apps.

Source: The Verge

Amazon Reportedly Developing AI Smart Glasses Under “Jayhawk” Project

Amazon is reportedly working on AI-powered smart glasses, codenamed Jayhawk, to compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The device is expected to feature AI-driven assistance, voice commands, and seamless integration with Amazon’s ecosystem, including Alexa and shopping services.

Source: WinBuzzer

YouTube Expands Multi-Language Audio Support to Millions of Creators

YouTube has rolled out multi-language audio support to millions of creators, allowing them to upload and share content with multiple audio tracks. This feature enables videos to reach broader global audiences without requiring separate uploads for different languages. The expansion is part of YouTube’s strategy to strengthen its international reach and support creators in growing cross-border audiences more efficiently.

Source: Neowin