Techmeme: Xiaomi reports Q2 revenue up 32% YoY to ~$12.5B, above ~$12.2B est., and a ~$715M net income, above ~$533M est., as its core smartphone business recovers (Bloomberg)

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Linux users say Microsoft's August 13 Windows patch leaves dual-boot devices unable to boot into Linux when Secure Boot is enforced; Microsoft hasn't commented — Microsoft said its update wouldn't install on Linux devices. It did anyway. — Last Tuesday, loads of Linux users …

More: PCWorld, The Verge, ZDNET, Metacurity, Windows Central, Gizchina.com, Neowin, Security Boulevard, BleepingComputer, and GamingOnLinux

Mastodon: @bittner@hachyderm.io, @AAKL@infosec.exchange, @epidiah@dice.camp, and @dangoodin@infosec.exchange

Forums: Hacker News, r/Windows11, r/technology, and Ars OpenForum

Katharine Gemmell / Bloomberg:

The UK CMA closes its Google Play Store and Apple App Store investigation ahead of a new digital rules regime, set for fall 2024, that will give it more power — - CMA's digital market powers set to come into force this fall — Regulator expects early work of rules to focus on app stores

More: GOV.UK, Computerworld, MacRumors, Silicon Republic, TechCrunch, Euractiv, 9to5Mac, Verdict, The Mirror, TechRepublic, Mobile World Live, City A.M., Developer Tech News, Proactive, iPhone in Canada Blog, and The Mac Observer

X: @cmagovuk. Forums: MacRumors Forums

Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:

Samsung unveils a new Odyssey gaming monitor lineup that uses eye-tracking tech to convert 2D visuals into glasses-free 3D, set for release “within this year” — Samsung has announced a new Odyssey gaming monitor lineup at gamescom that uses eye-tracking technology to convert 2D visuals into glasses-free 3D.

More: Samsung Newsroom, PCMag, Engadget, XDA Developers, Gizmodo, Dexerto, HotHardware, Tom's Guide, TechSpot, Lifewire, KnowTechie, Guru3D, Neowin, PC Gamer, BGR, XDA on YouTube, OC3D, SamNews 24, and SamMobile

X: @kylebrussell and @tomwarren

Wes Davis / The Verge:

Google adds a Polish feature that edits existing drafts to Gemini in Gmail, on top of Formalize, Elaborate, and Shorten, for Google One AI Premium and Workspace — Google is upgrading its Gemini writing tools in Gmail to help you polish drafts that you've already written.

More: Google Workspace Updates, Tom's Guide, Android Authority, Mashable, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, WinBuzzer, Moneycontrol, The Indian Express, PhoneArena, Android Police, Droid Life, NewsBytes, and 9to5Google

Ryan Browne / CNBC:

PIP Labs, which is developing the Story blockchain to prove creators are the IP owners, raised an $80M Series B led by a16z, sources say at a $2.25B valuation — San-Francisco-based startup Story said Wednesday that it raised $80 million of funding for a blockchain designed …

More: SiliconANGLE, TechCrunch, PYMNTS.com, Bloomberg, Unchained, CoinDesk, Tech Startups, DL News, Decrypt, CoinGape, The Block, Crypto Briefing, crypto.news, a16z crypto, Fortune, and Forbes

X: @storyprotocol and @storyprotocol

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The Information:

Source: Meta's Llama struggles to gain traction on AWS, where Claude is most popular; Microsoft only pitches Llama to clients with data expertise, per a staffer — Meta Platforms knows how to get brands like Away and Temu to buy advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.

X: @theinformation

Sheera Frenkel / New York Times:

Interviews with US political campaigns and tech companies: despite 30+ companies offering their AI products, most campaigns are wary and largely not biting — More than 30 tech companies have pitched A.I. tools to political campaigns for November's election. The campaigns have been wary.

Catherine Perloff / Adweek:

Sources and docs: sales reps say Google's targeting of teen minors goes beyond Meta; Google lets advertisers target an “unknown” group that skews toward teens — This activity is broader than the agreement between Google and Meta that the FT reported this month

Bluesky: @marypcbuk.bsky.social

Tom Warren / The Verge:

Microsoft plans to launch a $450 white discless Xbox Series X, a $600 2TB Galaxy Black special-edition Series X, and a $350 1TB Series S on October 15 in the US — Microsoft is launching three new Xbox Series S / X console options in October. There's the $449.99 white discless Xbox Series X …

More: Dexerto, Windows Central, Thurrott, London Evening Standard, TechRadar, IGN, GameSpot, TheGamer, BGR, Neowin, Stevivor, MSPoweruser, Press Start, Pure Xbox, 9to5Toys, and GamingBolt

Zofeen T Ebrahim / The Guardian:

WISPAP says Pakistan's internet speeds have dropped 30%-40% over the past few weeks; many in tech believe the government is testing an internet firewall — Government denies new cybersecurity measures responsible for up to 40% drop in internet speeds across the country

More: Associated Press, BBC, New York Times, Associated Press, The Diplomat, DevX, and The Register

Bloomberg:

Xiaomi reports Q2 revenue up 32% YoY to ~$12.5B, above ~$12.2B est., and a ~$715M net income, above ~$533M est., as its core smartphone business recovers — - Lei Jun's company beat projections for revenue and earnings — Xiaomi however is absorbing losses from its foray into EVs

More: Fortune, South China Morning Post, Benzinga, Reuters, and Xiaomi Corporation

Bloomberg:

Didi reports Q2 revenue up 4.1% YoY to ~$7.1B and ~196M net profit, after ride-hailing transactions hit a record, as Didi recovers from a $1.2B US fine in 2022 — - The business is recovering after years of instability — Didi is said to be preparing for an eventual Hong Kong listing

More: South China Morning Post, Reuters, and Didi Global

Brendan Pedersen / Punchbowl News:

Public Citizen: crypto companies spent $119M+ in the 2024 election cycle through Q2, or 48% of all corporate money, an “unprecedented” election spending spree — The crypto industry's campaign spending in 2024 really is unlike anything we've seen in modern politics …

More: Common Dreams. X: @public_citizen, @maxasteele, and @brendanpedersen

Stephanie Stacey / Financial Times:

After rivals' criticism, CrowdStrike President Michael Sentonas says no vendor can “technically” guarantee their software won't cause an incident akin to July's — Botched update that hit millions of computers leads to claims of ‘ambulance chasing’ by competitors

More: Ars Technica. Bluesky: @radiobeartime.com. X: @chirag_mehta, @starcourse, and @lukolejnik. LinkedIn: Lance McGrath

Joseph Cox / 404 Media:

US court records: US agencies are increasingly accessing parts of the 500M encrypted message haul retrieved from the hack of encrypted phone company Sky in 2021 — This article was produced in collaboration with Court Watch, an independent outlet that unearths overlooked court records.

Mastodon: @josephcox@infosec.exchange

Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch:

Grafana Labs, which makes the Grafana visualization tools, completes a primary and secondary transaction worth ~$270M at a $6B+ valuation, up from $3B in 2021 — Grafana Labs, the open-source company that probably powers at least a few operational dashboards in your company …

More: SiliconANGLE and Grafana Labs

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