Chip Tariffs Loom, Ukraine’s First NYSE Listing, and an EV Shatters Range Record

Consumer Technology

Google Pixel 10 Event Teased: Google has officially set August 20 for its next Made by Google hardware event, where it’s expected to unveil the Pixel 10 smartphone lineup ^[1]. Leaks suggest notable upgrades, including a triple-camera system on the base Pixel 10 (adding a telephoto lens for the first time) and possibly an on-device photography assistant for real-time tips. Google even released a teaser image hinting at the new camera setup and its next-gen Tensor G5 chip, building anticipation ahead of Apple’s fall iPhone launch ^[2] ^[3].
Apple iPhone 17 Rumors Swirl: Early reports about Apple’s iPhone 17 (expected next month) point to features previously reserved for Pro models. The base iPhone 17 is rumored to finally get a 120 Hz ProMotion display and a larger 6.3-inch screen (up from 6.1″), matching the iPhone 17 Pro’s size ^[4] ^[5]. An upgraded 24 MP front camera is also anticipated, along with a new ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air” model replacing the current Plus variant ^[6] ^[7]. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 lineup at a September 9 event, alongside refreshed Apple Watches and AirPods, with pricing speculated around $800 for the base model up to ~$1,250 for the Pro Max.
Kodak Denies Shutdown Rumors: Iconic camera maker Eastman Kodak moved to quash reports that it was on the brink of bankruptcy. After a gloomy earnings report raised “going concern” flags over $477 million in debt due within a year, Kodak issued a blunt statement that it has “no plans to cease operations, go out of business, or file for bankruptcy protection,” and is “confident it will repay, extend, or refinance its debt” on time ^[8] ^[9]. The company plans to use an incoming $300 million cash infusion (from terminating a pension plan) to pay down a large portion of its debt and refinance the rest ^[10] ^[11]. Executives noted that rising nostalgia for analog tech (like 35mm film and vintage cameras) has given Kodak a recent boost, pushing back on what they called misleading reports overstating its distress ^[12] ^[13].

Enterprise IT & Software

Pentagon Pauses $800 M in Software Projects: In a controversial move, the U.S. Navy and Air Force are halting or canceling several nearly-completed software contracts worth over $800 million, reportedly to reroute the projects to new platforms (allegedly favoring vendors like Salesforce and Palantir) ^[14] ^[15]. Lawmakers slammed the decision as potentially wasteful and politically motivated. “The Pentagon has yet to show that it had a good reason for halting these contracts in the last inning… If it can’t show its homework… this announcement… reeks of corruption,” said Senator Tim Kaine in a statement ^[16]. The pause – coming just days after Palantir’s CEO addressed a gathering of Trump-aligned donors – prompted suspicions of favoritism. Pentagon officials declined to comment, even as Democrats warned the move could squander taxpayer dollars on a redundant “do-over” of already-paid-for work ^[17] ^[18].
Data Centers Fight for Green Energy Rules: A coalition of major data center operators – including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft – is urging the U.S. Treasury to preserve existing clean energy tax credit rules that have spurred massive investments in wind and solar power for cloud data centers ^[19] ^[20]. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Data Center Coalition warned that proposed stricter rules on project eligibility “could slow development” of new renewable generation at a time of surging power demand driven by the digital economy ^[21]. “Any regulatory friction that slows down deployment of new generation today directly impacts our ability to meet AI-era electricity demands tomorrow,” the group wrote, arguing steady incentives have helped the industry stay ahead of Chinese competition ^[22] ^[23]. The pushback follows President Trump’s July order to review and tighten clean energy credit criteria, and comes as the Treasury is set to issue updated guidance as soon as August 18 ^[24] ^[25]. Data center operators fear that a sudden policy change could stall projects and hamper their ability to secure affordable green power for growing cloud infrastructure.

Telecommunications

Ukraine’s Kyivstar Debuts on NYSE: Ukrainian telecom operator Kyivstar made history as the first Ukrainian company ever listed on a U.S. stock exchange. Kyivstar’s shares began trading on the Nasdaq on Friday, opening amidst high-level U.S.–Russia talks in Alaska aimed at peace in Ukraine ^[26]. The stock dipped over 9% in early trading, after the company raised $178 million in the listing (slightly shy of its $200 million target) ^[27] ^[28]. Still, the milestone is being hailed as symbolic of Ukraine’s resilience and its tech sector’s appeal to global investors during wartime. “We will be the best asset for the international investment community to invest in Ukraine’s recovery and support,” Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov told Reuters, adding that a true peace deal would greatly boost the company’s value ^[29]. Majority-owned by Amsterdam-based VEON, Kyivstar intends to use proceeds from the SPAC-enabled listing to expand its network and help rebuild digital infrastructure in Ukraine. The company has 24 million subscribers and even forged a deal with SpaceX’s Starlink to bolster connectivity during the conflict ^[30]. Komarov noted the U.S. listing strengthens critical ties between the United States and Ukraine and showcases the potential of Ukrainian businesses on the world stage ^[31] ^[32].
Vodafone Idea Narrows Loss, Names New CEO: In India, Vodafone Idea (Vi) reported a smaller-than-feared quarterly loss and announced a leadership change as it struggles to turn around. For April–June, Vi’s net loss widened to ₹66.08 billion ($754 million), slightly better than analyst estimates (~₹70 billion) ^[33] ^[34]. The debt-laden carrier’s average revenue per user rose 15% year-on-year to ₹177, thanks to tariff hikes, but remains well below rivals (Airtel’s ₹250, Jio’s ₹209) ^[35]. Vi also said Chief Operating Officer Abhijit Kishore will take over as CEO on August 18, as outgoing chief Akshaya Moondra’s term ends ^[36]. The company – 49% owned by the Indian government after a bailout – hopes new leadership and recent fund infusions will help it finally invest in expanding 4G/5G networks and stem the loss of subscribers to better-capitalized competitors ^[37] ^[38]. Vodafone Idea has posted losses every quarter since its 2018 merger, weighed down by over $22 billion in debt and declining market share, but management expressed confidence that operational improvements and future 5G rollout could entice outside investors to re-engage.

Cybersecurity

Accenture Makes $650 M Cybersecurity Buyout: Global IT consulting giant Accenture announced plans to acquire Australian cybersecurity firm CyberCX in what is reportedly a A$1 billion (~$650 million USD) deal ^[39]. This marks Accenture’s largest-ever foray into the cyber sector, adding CyberCX’s 1,400 security professionals and network of security operations centers across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and U.S. ^[40] ^[41]. CyberCX, formed in 2019 via the merger of a dozen smaller firms with backing from BGH Capital, has become a leading independent cyber services provider in the region ^[42]. The hefty price tag underscores booming demand for cybersecurity expertise as businesses worldwide face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that can disrupt operations and expose sensitive data ^[43] ^[44]. Australia in particular suffered a “wave of devastating cyberattacks” recently – including a 2022 breach at telecom Optus that exposed 10 million users’ data and a hack on health insurer Medibank affecting another 10 million ^[45]. (Just last month, Qantas disclosed hackers infiltrated a contractor’s systems, accessing data on 6 million customers ^[46].) Accenture’s acquisition of CyberCX (from BGH’s portfolio) comes amid a global scramble by companies and governments alike to bolster cyber defenses ^[47]. By snapping up a prominent player in the Asia-Pacific cyber market, Accenture aims to expand its security offerings and capitalize on rising enterprise spending to harden systems against breaches.

Automotive Technology

EV Shatters Range Record: Range anxiety, begone. General Motors revealed that one of its upcoming electric pickups has driven 1,059.2 miles on a single charge, obliterating the previous world EV range record of 749 miles ^[48]. In a closely monitored test, GM engineers managed to hypermile a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV work truck past the 1,000-mile mark by optimizing every variable – maintaining a steady ~20 mph speed, minimizing stops, overinflating tires, removing extra weight (even the spare tire), tweaking alignment, and more ^[49] ^[50]. Crucially, the vehicle was a stock Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck (EPA-rated 493 miles per charge) with no special modifications, just extreme eco-driving measures ^[51] ^[52]. “Getting this kind of range on a full charge doesn’t happen by accident,” said Kurt Kelty, GM’s VP of battery technology, crediting “deep integration across battery chemistry, drive unit efficiency, software and vehicle engineering” for the feat ^[53] ^[54]. While crawling along at 25 mph is not practical for everyday driving, the experiment provided valuable data to help improve real-world efficiency and assuage consumer fears about EV range ^[55] ^[56]. It also gives GM a headline-grabbing achievement as it prepares to launch the Silverado EV next year – now with a verified Guinness-worthy endurance run under its belt.

Space & Satellite Technology

Chinese Startup’s Rocket Test Fails: A test flight of a methane-fueled rocket built by China’s private space company LandSpace ended in failure on Friday. The Zhuque-2E (Y3) carrier rocket lifted off from a commercial launch site in northwestern China but “experienced an anomaly” mid-flight and did not reach orbit, the company said, adding that it is investigating the cause ^[57] ^[58]. LandSpace is a pioneer in methane–liquid oxygen rocketry – its original Zhuque-2 made history in 2023 as the world’s first methane-fueled rocket to reach orbit, beating U.S. rivals SpaceX and Blue Origin to that milestone ^[59]. Methane propellant is seen as a cleaner, safer and potentially reusable alternative to traditional rocket fuels, drawing high interest in the launch industry ^[60]. The failed launch of the new Zhuque-2E variant is a setback for LandSpace’s ambitious plans, though the company had successfully flown a related Zhuque-2 model in May ^[61]. Industry observers noted that failures are not uncommon in early tests of new rocket architectures – and that data from this attempt will inform tweaks as China’s commercial space sector continues to mature.

Semiconductors & Hardware

Intel Surges on U.S. Stake Hopes: Shares of Intel jumped about 4% Friday after a Bloomberg report suggested the U.S. government may take an equity stake in the struggling chipmaker ^[62]. The news followed a meeting between new Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and President Trump earlier in the week – a meeting that came after Trump publicly demanded Tan’s resignation over his “highly conflicted” ties to Chinese businesses ^[63]. According to the report, the administration is considering using funds from the 2022 CHIPS Act (meant to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing) to buy a piece of Intel ^[64] ^[65]. Federal backing could give Intel more time and resources to turn around its loss-making chip fabrication unit, analysts say, but it won’t by itself fix Intel’s technology lag. “It could be a game-changer… but government support might help shore up confidence, it doesn’t fix the underlying competitiveness gap in advanced nodes,” cautioned Matt Britzman, a senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown ^[66] ^[67]. Intel has fallen years behind Taiwan’s TSMC in leading-edge process technology and has virtually no presence in the booming AI processor market dominated by Nvidia ^[68]. (Both the White House and Intel declined to comment on the stake speculation.)
Tariffs Targeting Chips and Steel: U.S.–China tech tensions are set to escalate as President Trump signaled he will impose new tariffs on imported semiconductor chips (and steel) in the coming weeks ^[69]. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump said he plans “additional announcements” on steel duties and chip tariffs, with formal moves expected next week and the week after ^[70]. He indicated the semiconductor tariffs will start at a modest rate and then ramp up dramatically over time, to pressure chipmakers to build more factories in the U.S. “I’m going to have a rate that is lower at the beginning – that gives them a chance to come in and build – and very high after a certain period,” Trump explained of the phased approach ^[71]. The president has already upended trade norms with sweeping duties on imports from many countries. Earlier this year he hiked U.S. steel tariffs to 25%, with plans to double them to 50%, and in recent weeks he even threatened a 100% tariff on foreign-made semiconductors unless manufacturers significantly boost American production ^[72] ^[73]. The new chip import tariffs, if enacted, could raise costs for consumer electronics and further strain U.S.–China relations, though firms with major U.S. fab projects (like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel itself) may earn exemptions ^[74] ^[75].
Chip Equipment Giant Faces Slowdown: Shares of Applied Materials, the top U.S. maker of semiconductor fabrication tools, sank as much as 12–15% on Friday after it issued a weaker-than-expected sales forecast and warned of soft demand in China ^[76] ^[77]. On its earnings call, Applied’s CEO Gary Dickerson cited “wide-ranging implications for the semiconductor industry” from the volatile policy environment – including U.S.–China trade restrictions – which have made Chinese tech investments and chip orders increasingly uncertain ^[78]. China accounted for 35% of Applied’s revenue last quarter ^[79], so export curbs and an apparent pause in new equipment purchases by Chinese chipmakers are hitting hard. The company said memory chip customers in China are digesting capacity added during the pandemic boom, while export license delays are preventing sales of its most advanced tools ^[80] ^[81]. Its gloomy outlook (a projected 8% drop in next-quarter revenue) sent shivers through the chip equipment sector: stocks of rivals like KLA and Lam Research also fell. Industry analysts stressed that geopolitics – more than the usual silicon cycle – is clouding visibility. “China volatility is significantly clouding visibility into core earnings potential both geopolitically and cyclically,” Deutsche Bank strategists wrote in a note, pointing to the murky horizon for chip gear makers amid trade tensions ^[82]. Still, some on Wall Street believe the downturn may be more cyclical than permanent ^[83], as global chipmakers absorb recent capacity additions. Applied Materials and peers are hopeful that easing interest rates and eventual clarity on tariff rules could revive capital spending by late 2025.
Private Equity Eyes Swiss Chip Firm: European semiconductor M&A is heating up – U-Blox Holding, a Swiss maker of positioning chips and modules used in cars, drones and IoT devices, confirmed it is in takeover talks with U.S. private equity firm Advent International ^[84]. The deal could value the publicly traded U-Blox at over 1 billion Swiss francs (~$1.13 billion), according to Bloomberg sources ^[85] ^[86]. News of the approach sent U-Blox’s stock soaring 19% to a three-year high on Friday ^[87] ^[88]. The company – which went public in 2007 – has recently improved its finances, nearly halving its first-half operating loss (7.7 million CHF vs 28 million a year earlier) while growing revenues 32% ^[89]. That turnaround and a focus on high-growth navigation & positioning tech have made U-Blox an attractive target. While confirming the Advent negotiations, U-Blox cautioned that “whether a transaction will materialise is open at this stage,” as no firm offer has been finalized yet ^[90]. If Advent proceeds, the acquisition would add to a string of private-equity moves in the chip sector amid a drive for consolidation and supply chain control. (Notably, Global dealmaking is up this year, driven by boardrooms’ quest for growth, falling interest rates, and the AI boom’s impact ^[91].)

Fintech & Crypto

Fed Ends Crypto Oversight Program: The U.S. Federal Reserve announced it will scrap a specialized supervisory program devoted to policing banks’ crypto and fintech activities, folding that work back into its routine oversight process ^[92]. The Fed’s “novel activities” team was created in 2023 to intensively monitor how banks engage with cryptocurrency, blockchain and other fintech innovations ^[93]. Two years later, regulators now say the dedicated program isn’t needed, as agencies have “strengthened understanding” of the risks and how to manage them ^[94] ^[95]. Going forward, crypto-related scrutiny will be integrated into normal bank exams and risk management frameworks. This shift reflects a move from an initially wary, exploratory stance on digital assets toward treating them more like any other banking activity. (It also follows greater clarity from Washington on issues like stablecoin rules and crypto accounting in recent months.) Some crypto industry proponents worry that ending the focused program could dilute regulators’ attention to crypto-specific risks. However, Fed officials note that most banks have already scaled back or exited their forays into crypto after a string of high-profile failures and scandals in 2022–2023 ^[96]. The Fed’s decision comes on the heels of President Trump accusing regulators of unfairly “de-banking” crypto firms – suggesting a political backdrop to the central bank’s more hands-off approach ^[97].
Gemini Reveals Losses in IPO Filing:Gemini Trust, the crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, publicly filed for an IPO – and the prospectus shows steep financial declines as it aims to woo investors. In the first half of 2025, Gemini’s revenue was just $68.6 million, down ~8% from the same period a year prior, while its net loss ballooned to $282.5 million (versus a $41 million loss in H1 2024) ^[98]. The grim numbers underscore the challenges crypto trading platforms faced during the past year’s market downturn and industry turmoil. Even so, Gemini is pressing ahead with plans to become only the third U.S. crypto exchange to list on the stock market (after Coinbase and the recently debuted Bullish) ^[99]. Its IPO effort comes amid a cautious reawakening of crypto funding – several crypto firms (like stablecoin issuer Circle and exchange Bullish) have been seeking public listings as regulatory clarity improves and investor appetite slowly returns ^[100]. Gemini intends to list on Nasdaq under the ticker “GEMI”. A key question, analysts say, is how Gemini can differentiate itself in an exchange market dominated by much larger rival Coinbase. “The question for investors regarding Gemini revolves around the business mix and moat… what they do that Coinbase can’t copy by Tuesday,” quipped Michael Ashley Schulman, CIO at Running Point Capital ^[101]. The Winklevoss twins have indicated they’d use any IPO proceeds to pay down debt and expand into new crypto services to broaden Gemini’s revenue streams ^[102]. The success of the offering – and Gemini’s long-term viability – may hinge on whether it can convince investors it has a unique edge despite its shrinking volumes and fierce competition.

Biotechnology & Health Tech

FDA OKs First Immunotherapy for Rare Disease: In a medical breakthrough, the FDA approved the first-ever immunotherapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) – a rare, benign tumor disease of the airways caused by HPV. The treatment, called Papzimeos (generic name: zopapogene imadenovec), is a novel gene-based therapy that delivered dramatic results in trials: about 51% of patients with severe RRP needed no surgical tumor removals for a full 12 months after a course of four Papzimeos injections ^[103]. Until now, RRP patients often required frequent surgeries (several per year in severe cases) to clear airway obstructions, since no drug could keep the tumors at bay ^[104]. The FDA granted Papzimeos Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designation, reflecting its significant benefit in an area of high unmet need ^[105]. “This approval has the potential to transform the treatment landscape for RRP and offer lasting relief for patients who previously faced repeated surgeries,” said Dr. Vijay Kumar, an FDA biologics director, in the agency’s announcement ^[106]. The therapy was developed by Precigen, Inc., and is expected to reach the small number of affected patients later this year. Experts hope it can improve quality of life for RRP sufferers and serve as a model for gene therapies against other benign growth conditions.
Pharma Giants Ink $1.3 B Deals: It was a big week for biotech partnerships, with two blockbuster R&D collaborations announced:
- Eli Lilly’s Obesity Drug Pact – Lilly agreed to pay up to $1.3 billion to jointly develop next-generation treatments for cardiometabolic disease and obesity with Boston-based startup Superluminal Medicines ^[107]. Superluminal will apply its proprietary GPCR-targeting platform to discover new small-molecule drugs, and Lilly gains exclusive rights to any therapies that result ^[108]. The deal structure includes upfront payments, an equity stake, and milestones, expanding Lilly’s obesity drug pipeline at a time when GLP-1 weight-loss injections are booming. “Our collaboration with Lilly is a defining moment for Superluminal… a testament to the power of our platform,” said Superluminal CEO Cony D’Cruz in the announcement ^[109], highlighting the validation of the startup’s technology.
- Bayer’s KRAS Cancer Bet – Germany’s Bayer struck a global license deal with California biotech Kumquat Biosciences worth up to $1.3 billion to develop a promising cancer therapy targeting the notorious KRAS<sup>G12D</sup> mutation ^[110]. Kumquat’s experimental KRAS<sup>G12D</sup> inhibitor – for a mutation found in a large share of pancreatic and colorectal cancers – just received FDA clearance to begin first-in-human trials, and Bayer will take over later development and worldwide commercialization ^[111]. The deal bolsters Bayer’s precision oncology portfolio against a target long deemed “undruggable.” Kumquat could earn payments as the drug hits clinical and sales milestones, and it retains an option to co-invest in U.S. commercialization ^[112]. “This collaboration provides Kumquat the financial resources to accelerate its broader clinical pipeline for long-term value,” said Kumquat CEO Yi Liu in Bayer’s press release ^[113]. Both mega-deals underscore Big Pharma’s eagerness to invest in novel therapies for unmet needs – from obesity to hard-to-treat cancers – even as biotech funding has tightened in recent years.