Technology

Hewlett Packard forecasts weak quarterly revenue, shares fall

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Hewlett Packard Enterprise forecast first-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates on Thursday, due to cautious enterprise spending amid economic uncertainty, sending its shares down 5% in extended trading.

Technology

Microsoft to lift productivity suite prices for businesses, governments

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Microsoft will increase prices for its Microsoft 365 productivity suites globally starting July 2026 for commercial and government clients, the company said on Thursday.

Technology

Bank of America expands crypto access for wealth management clients

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Bank of America will begin allowing its wealth advisers to recommend allocations to crypto in client portfolios from next month, the U.S. lending giant said on Thursday, in a landmark moment for the digital assets sector.

Technology

Italy launches 'in-depth' review of cryptocurrency risks

MILAN, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Italy's Economy Ministry has ordered an in-depth review of existing safeguards against cryptocurrency risks, which are seen potentially rising, the Bank of Italy and other financial regulators said on Thursday.

Technology

FCC approves AT&T $1 billion purchase of spectrum from US Cellular

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it has approved AT&T's deal to buy some wireless spectrum licenses from U.S. Cellular in a $1.02 billion deal after the Texas-based carrier committed to end DEI programs.

Technology

Meta to cut up to 30% of metaverse budget, Bloomberg News reports

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Meta is expected to make budget cuts of up to 30% for its metaverse initiative, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Technology

AI startup Flex raises $60 million to offer finance tools for mid-sized businesses

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Flex, an artificial intelligence startup that aims to be a one-stop shop for the financial needs of mid-sized business owners, said on Thursday it has raised $60 million in a Portage Ventures-led funding round.

Technology

Taiwan's UMC in pact with Polar to explore US production of eight-inch chip

TAIPEI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Taiwan chip maker United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) said on Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Polar Semiconductor to explore collaboration on manufacturing of 8-inch wafers in the United States.

Technology

Eau de AI: Amazon gives techies a whiff of software-driven perfume

LAS VEGAS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon.com on Wednesday touted new capabilities for its SageMaker AI service that it says will help customers expedite customizing their artificial intelligence software models.

Technology

Amazon in discussions with USPS about future relationship

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon.com said Thursday the e-commerce giant is in discussions with the U.S. Postal Service about its future relationship and considering its options before its current contract expires next year.

Technology

Meta set to face EU antitrust investigation into AI use in Whatsapp -source

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. tech giant Meta is set to face a European Union antitrust investigation into use of artificial intelligence in its chat platform Whatsapp, a source told Reuters.

Technology

Russia blocks Apple's FaceTime in mounting push against foreign tech platforms

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russia has blocked Apple's video-calling app FaceTime, the state communications watchdog said on Thursday, as part of an accelerating clampdown on foreign tech platforms that authorities allege are being used for criminal activity.

Gadgets

Logitech CEO says AI devices are solutions looking for problems

Logitech International SA's chief executive officer said the computer accessory maker is done for now with price hikes, while dismissing other hardware makers' rush to build artificial intelligence-centric gadgets.

Technology

Apple design executive Alan Dye poached by Meta in major coup

Dye's exit is a major loss for Apple, which was already coping with some critical departures in recent weeks.

Internet

In Data Centre Alley, AI sows building boom, doubts

As planes make their final approach to Washington DC's Dulles Airport, just below lies Ashburn, a town otherwise known as Data centre Alley – where an estimated 70% of all global Internet traffic at any moment finds its way.

Video games

Nintendo launches long-awaited 'Metroid Prime 4' sci-fi blaster

Fans of Nintendo's Metroid science-fiction saga have reason to celebrate on Nov 4 as the latest instalment in the series is released after an eight-year wait and a bumpy road through development.

Technology

EU hits Meta with antitrust probe over plans to block AI rivals from WhatsApp

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - EU regulators launched an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms on Thursday and may even temporarily halt its rollout of artificial intelligence features in its WhatsApp messenger that would block rivals, hardening Europe's already tough stance on Big Tech.

Console

The PlayStation turns 30: Looking back at the console that gave us Lara Croft and 'The Last of Us'

From big-budget Hollywood fare like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie, to Juice WRLD's video for Hear Me Calling to The Last Of Us on HBO Max, the PlayStation experience has leapt far past the console.

Technology

Australia says the world will follow social media ban as Meta starts blocking teens

SYDNEY, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Australia's internet regulator said a teen social media ban would be the first domino to fall in a global push to rein in Big Tech, as Meta's Instagram, Facebook and Threads began locking out hundreds of thousands of accounts ahead of a deadline next week.

Mobile apps

How to find Spotify Wrapped, YouTube Recap and more as 2025 comes to a close

Music streamers, social media sites and a host of other apps have already started delivering their annual recaps into customers' inboxes.