Big Tech Donating to Trump's Inaugural Fund, Teens' Online Habits, More Tech Updates
Amazon is reportedly donating $1M to Trump’s inaugural fund and will stream the inauguration on Prime Video 😀
(This comes a day after Meta announced a similar donation.)
Bezos, once a fierce Trump critic, seems to be pivoting toward fostering new relationships with the former president.
Tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk are also rumored to be strengthening ties with the incoming administration.
The stakes are high: government contracts, antitrust lawsuits, and regulatory scrutiny all loom large.
It’s a reminder that in the world of business, relationships often matter as much as (if not more than) rivalries.
A day earlier, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund—a move that’s raising eyebrows and reshaping the narrative around Big Tech and politics.
Just a few years ago, Trump was threatening to punish tech leaders like Zuckerberg for alleged election interference. Fast forward to now: they’re dining together, exchanging gifts (Ray-Ban smart glasses, anyone?), and aligning on strategy.
Why this matters:
• Bridging Tensions: The tech world is navigating a high-stakes political landscape. Aligning with a Republican-controlled Congress could shape the future of regulations.
• Business Strategy: Meta’s donation signals a calculated pivot—one that balances neutrality while keeping communication lines open with the incoming administration.
Zuckerberg’s move mirrors broader trends among tech giants. Amazon's Jeff Bezos, once a vocal Trump critic, is now voicing optimism about his leadership.
The takeaway?
Tech leaders are learning the art of adaptability. Building bridges—even unconventional ones—might just be the key to thriving in politically charged environments.
Google and Samsung are bringing the future to your face.
Here’s what you need to know about Android XR and Project Moohan.
This week, Google unveiled Android XR, a new operating system designed for headsets and smart glasses.
It’s their latest effort to redefine how we interact with technology—this time, by blending the physical and digital worlds seamlessly.
Here’s the big picture:
1️⃣ Gemini-Powered AI:
At the heart of Android XR is Gemini, Google’s multimodal AI. Think real-time translations, effortless context-based assistance, and natural conversations with your tech.
2️⃣ Cross-Compatible Apps:
Android XR is built to support millions of apps from the Play Store, out of the box. Whether on a headset or smart glasses, it’s a familiar ecosystem with a futuristic twist.
3️⃣ Samsung’s Project Moohan (2025):
The first consumer device running Android XR is Samsung’s long-rumored XR headset. Combining VR, AR, and mixed reality, it’s designed for both immersive content and practical everyday use.
Why now?
Tech giants like Apple (Vision Pro) and Meta (Ray-Ban smart glasses) are already pushing into augmented and mixed reality. Google’s re-entry signals a clear bet: XR is the next evolution of personal tech.
But let’s be real—wearable devices haven’t always had the smoothest journey. (Remember Google Glass?) Adoption will depend on:
✅ Intuitive design that integrates seamlessly into daily life.
✅ A robust ecosystem of apps and experiences.
✅ Delivering real, tangible value beyond the “wow” factor.
What do you think? Is XR the future, or is it still a niche?
Australia vs. Big Tech: Round 2
A few years ago, Australia set a global precedent by forcing platforms like Meta and Google to pay news publishers for shared content.
It worked—until it didn’t.
In March, Meta dropped a bombshell: no more payouts. $70 million in deals with Aussie publishers? Gone.
Now, the government is hitting back. They’re proposing a “news tax” for platforms making $250M+ a year in Australia. The idea is simple:
👉 Pay publishers for news.
👉 Voluntary payments? Count those against the tax.
The goal? Get Big Tech back to the negotiating table.
But here’s the real question: Is this just a quick fix for a bigger issue?
This battle between journalism and tech isn’t going away.
Who do you think should carry the responsibility here?
A recent Pew Research Center survey provides a snapshot of U.S. teens (ages 13-17) and their platform preferences: 📊
• 73% use YouTube daily
• 57% are on TikTok daily
• 50% log into Instagram daily
• 20% still use Facebook
But here’s the twist: 17% of teens report using X (formerly Twitter), a decline from 23% in 2022.
(And yes, Threads—a Meta newcomer—has only captured 6% of teen users so far.)
🚨 The Big Shift:
Nearly half of teens report being online almost constantly. That’s 48%, compared to 24% a decade ago. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok dominate, with 9-in-10 teens saying they use these apps regularly.
Here’s the breakdown by demographics:
• Teen girls are more likely to use TikTok constantly, while boys gravitate toward YouTube.
• Teens from Black and Hispanic communities outpace their White peers in constant use of TikTok and Instagram.
• Teens in lower-income households are more likely to remain active on Facebook (45%) and TikTok (73%).
As discussions around the effects of social media on mental health continue, one thing remains clear: this generation isn’t just “on” social media—they’re immersed.
🔁 Repost if you found this data insightful.
P.S. What’s your favorite platform, and why?
Meta’s New AI Tool Tackles Deepfakes Head-On.
Deepfakes are everywhere. In just a year, they’ve surged 4x globally and now account for 7% of all fraud cases—from impersonations to sophisticated scams.
Meta’s response? Meta Video Seal, an innovative tool that embeds invisible watermarks and hidden messages into AI-generated videos.
Why it matters:
1️⃣ Resilience: The watermarks hold up against blurring, cropping, and compression.
2️⃣ Transparency: Hidden messages help trace the origins of AI content.
3️⃣ Accessibility: It’s open source, ready to integrate into existing tools.
Meta’s vision doesn’t stop here. They’re launching a public leaderboard to measure the effectiveness of watermarking solutions and hosting a workshop at ICLR 2024 to bring developers and researchers together.
With tools like this, the fight against fake content just got stronger.