Apple’s latest phone is betting on looks, while Google looks inward

Apple gets a hardware upgrade. Google gets a software overhaul.

9/5/25 10:51AM

During Apple’s iPhone 17 event on September 9, the company is expected to release the first of three major hardware upgrades to its flagship device, starting with a skinny iPhone Air without many AI upgrades.

(For a full list of what Apple is expected to show at the event, check Mark Gurman’s coverage at Bloomberg.)

Apple’s first major physical iPhone changes in years put it in sharp contrast with Google, which at its phone event last month debuted a Pixel 10 that looked pretty much like the Pixel 9. The real changes for Google’s phone are under the hood, as the device leverages AI in ways Apple has only advertised, proactively fetching information and displaying it when you need it. A number of reviews are in and the AI upgrades have been mostly well received so far.

It’s not that Apple doesn’t want to work on its inner iPhone, but rather that it has mostly failed to bring the AI upgrades it promised last year to fruition and has been struggling ever since.

Apple is certainly hoping to course-correct its AI efforts by promising an even better revamped AI Siri this spring. But to do so, it appears that Apple is... relying on Google. Earlier this week, Apple’s stock rose on news that it was working on its own ChatGPT competitor, but it may be relying on Google’s AI technology to do so.

Despite its missteps, however, Apple has a major advantage in this situation in that it has a much bigger, notably locked-in customer base that will be difficult to chip away.

Meta posts record revenue but misses on earnings

The company reported earnings Wednesday.

Rani Molla49m

Rani Molla

It turns out Tesla’s Cybercab might need to have a steering wheel and pedals after all

Tesla’s Cybercab was supposed to be a steering-wheel-less alternative to its affordable mass market car.

Matt Phillips10/28/25

Intel romps amid reported attempt to poach a 21-year Taiwan Semiconductor veteran

A report in the Taiwanese press that Intel is attempting to recruit a recently retired top Taiwan Semiconductor executive, Wei-Jen Lo, to lead R&D at Intel’s troubled foundry division may account for the bump in Intel shares Tuesday, one analyst told us.

A synopsis of the report from technology analysis and news outlet TrendForce News notes:

“If confirmed, the move could have significant implications for TSMC and the broader Taiwanese semiconductor industry, especially as Intel aggressively expands its foundry business with support from Washington and backing from tech giants like NVIDIA and SoftBank, the report adds.”

But some skepticism about Lo, 75 years old, returning to Intel, where he worked before joining TSMC in 2004, is also warranted, TrendForce says:

“Industry insiders cited by the report say it is unlikely he would join Intel again, given TSMC’s non-compete rules, Intel’s status as a direct competitor, Lo’s advanced age, health considerations, and his long-standing loyalty to TSMC founder Morris Chang. On the other hand, some industry observers warn that Lo, a U.S. citizen, would be difficult for TSMC to restrict, even with non-compete clauses.”

Intel shares have doubled over the last three months, since the US government took a 10% stake in the company in August. Intel is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 over that period.

Intel Reportedly Eyes Retired TSMC Veteran Wei-Jen Lo, Advanced Node Pioneer, to Lead R&D

“If confirmed, the move could have significant implications for TSMC and the broader Taiwanese semiconductor industry, especially as Intel aggressively expands its foundry business with support from Washington and backing from tech giants like NVIDIA and SoftBank, the report adds.”

But some skepticism about Lo, 75 years old, returning to Intel, where he worked before joining TSMC in 2004, is also warranted, TrendForce says:

“Industry insiders cited by the report say it is unlikely he would join Intel again, given TSMC’s non-compete rules, Intel’s status as a direct competitor, Lo’s advanced age, health considerations, and his long-standing loyalty to TSMC founder Morris Chang. On the other hand, some industry observers warn that Lo, a U.S. citizen, would be difficult for TSMC to restrict, even with non-compete clauses.”

Intel shares have doubled over the last three months, since the US government took a 10% stake in the company in August. Intel is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 over that period.

Rani Molla

Eye on AI

10/28/25

All eyes on Google Search revenue

It’s hard to tell what’s happening with Search.