tech

8/12/25

In a gambit, Perplexity offers $34.5 billion to Google for Chrome browser

AI startup Perplexity is making an improbable offer to buy the Chrome browser from Google. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Perplexity, the AI search and browser startup, is making the unsolicited offer for $34.5 billion, which is roughly double its current $18 billion valuation.

The audacious offer has a slim chance of turning into a deal, but the Journal reports that it might be an attempt to take advantage of a key moment in Google’s federal antitrust trial, where the judge is considering breaking up the tech behemoth, which could include a potential sale of the Chrome browser.

Google has about 90% search engine market share, almost 70% of global browser market share, and Chrome is a key foundation of its massive ad business.

Exclusive | Perplexity Makes Longshot $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome

Exclusive | Perplexity Makes Longshot $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome

The audacious offer has a slim chance of turning into a deal, but the Journal reports that it might be an attempt to take advantage of a key moment in Google’s federal antitrust trial, where the judge is considering breaking up the tech behemoth, which could include a potential sale of the Chrome browser.

Google has about 90% search engine market share, almost 70% of global browser market share, and Chrome is a key foundation of its massive ad business.

More Tech

President Trump hosts tech executives and their guests to a dinner at the White House in the Oval Office.

Here are the Trump ties among the tech leaders who had dinner at the White House

Many of the attendees have donated to, vocally supported, or even worked for the president.

tech

5h

Tesla’s EV market share declined to 38% in August

In August, Tesla’s share of the US EV market fell to 38%, according to new data from Cox Automotive reported by Reuters. Tesla’s market share fell below 50% for the first time last year, as competitors’ EVs began hitting the market. Now, as Tesla’s own sales slip more drastically than they had last year, it’s giving up even more ground. Tesla’s market share fell from 48.7% in June to 42% in July to 38% in August, according to Reuters. That slide has come even as buyers rushing to take advantage of the federal tax credit that ends this month provide a near-term boon for sales at Tesla and other EV makers.

6h

OpenAI now expects to burn around $115 billion through 2029 — a full $80 billion higher than the company had previously estimated, The Information reports.

Just how much is that? It’s roughly equivalent to:

Fortunately for OpenAI, which is raising money at a $500 billion valuation, its revenue is also growing faster than expected. The ChatGPT maker now expects to make $13 billion in revenue this year and $200 billion in 2030.

An annotated photo of who attended the tech dinner at the White House.

An interactive who's-who of the tech execs at Trump's White House dinner

The White House invited a gaggle of top founders and tech executives for an intimate dinner at the White House.

Jon Keegan9/5/25

Apple of my Eye

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

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

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