Archive · 25 May 2025
Tech Giants Face Tariffs, AI Advances, and Protests
This week in tech, things got busy!
Trump threatened to make phones more expensive if companies don't build them in America.
Google showed off new AI that can have conversations.
At Microsoft's conference, people protested against a deal with Israel.
The popular game Fortnite is back on iPhones after a big fight, which means other apps might be able to avoid high fees.
Also, a bookmarking app called Pocket is closing down.
There were layoffs at TikTok too.
Trump threatened tariffs on phone makers if they don't move production back to the US.
Google launched AI Mode for Search with conversational features and unveiled new AI tools.
Microsoft's Build conference was disrupted by protests related to the company's contract with Israel.
Fortnite returned to iPhones after Epic Games won a legal battle with Apple.
Pocket, a popular bookmarking app, is shutting down after ten years.
- Who
- Donald Trump, Apple, Samsung, Google, Microsoft, Epic Games, Mozilla, TikTok, and protesters.
- What
- Threat of tariffs, launch of AI search, protests at a conference, return of a game to the app store, and closure of an app.
- When
- Announcements and events occurred this week, and some actions were ongoing.
- Where
- US, India, China, at Google's I/O conference and Microsoft's Build conference, in app stores
- Why
- Trump wants production of smartphones in the US; Protests were held against Microsoft due to contracts with the Israeli Military; Pocket is shutting down because the way people consume content has changed.
Microsoft Employees/Activists
Microsoft Executives
Microsoft's cloud contract with Israel
Microsoft Employees/Activists
Microsoft's contract aids in military operations in Gaza, and they are complicit in the conflict.
Microsoft Executives
Microsoft's contract is a business deal unrelated to specific actions. They are providing services.
- Tariff Threat
- 25% on phone makers not producing in the US.
- Google AI Search Launch
- Conversational AI Mode for Search
- Microsoft Build Protests
- Disruptions over the company's cloud contract with Israel.
- Fortnite Return
- Back on iPhones after legal victory against Apple
- Pocket Shutdown
- July 8, 2025
- TikTok Layoffs
- Due to declining sales in US e-commerce and global key accounts.