Alphabet
Alphabet business and news from across the web.
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Evening Metaverse
Alphabet reported its Q2 2026 earnings, with YouTube's ad revenue showing a significant 13% growth. The article also touches on the end of a long period of fee listing requirements for Internet Service Providers and mentions Cloudflare's internal DNS.
Over 4,500 Google workers have signed a petition calling for layoff protections: 'These layoffs and cuts are not difficult decisions, but simply profit being put over the people that make this company run'
Over 4,500 Google workers have signed a union-led petition demanding layoff protections, including guaranteed severance and buyouts, citing profit over people. The petition was delivered to CEO Sundar Pichai's office amidst ongoing tech industry layoffs attributed partly to AI advancements. Google parent company Alphabet's market cap has quadrupled, yet workers feel their contributions are undervalued.
Google loses protracted antitrust fight and will have to pay record-breaking €4.1 billion fine equivalent to less…
Google has lost its appeal at the Court of Justice of the European Union, confirming a record-breaking €4.1 billion fine. The fine was originally imposed in 2018 for forcing manufacturers to pre-load Google products on Android devices. This latest ruling upholds the penalty, bringing Google's total EU antitrust fines to €11 billion over the past decade.
Business and Finance
Kadokawa, the owner of Elden Ring, is facing a dispute between itself and activist shareholders. Separately, Google's parent company Alphabet is being added to the Dow Jones index.
Google (GOOGL) to replace Verizon (VZ) in the Dow Jones Industrial Average
Alphabet, Google's parent company, will replace Verizon Communications in the Dow Jones Industrial Average starting June 29, 2026. This move, announced by S&P Global, will add Alphabet alongside other tech giants like NVIDIA, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft in the blue-chip index. The inclusion is expected to increase exposure to popular tech sectors, particularly in light of Google's significant investments and advancements in Artificial Intelligence.
Google's parent company is raising $80 billion to fuel its AI ambitions
Alphabet, Google's parent company, is raising $80 billion to fund its artificial intelligence initiatives. The significant capital infusion is necessary to meet the company's ambitious AI development goals.
Business and Finance
Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, has laid off dozens of employees in the Bay Area. In other business news, Microsoft exceeded Q3 financial estimates with a 123% increase in its AI business, and Alphabet reported Q1 2026 revenue of $109.9 billion.
Xbox boss warns "memory costs will impact pricing, will impact availability" when it comes to Project Helix
Xbox boss Asha Sharma acknowledged that the ongoing memory shortage crisis will impact the pricing and availability of its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that Microsoft is considering these factors as part of its equation to ensure accessibility for players. The crisis, exacerbated by AI data centers consuming large amounts of memory, is reportedly causing Sony to consider delaying its own next-generation console rollout.
DoorDash and Wing are expanding their drone delivery partnership to Atlanta
DoorDash and Alphabet's drone subsidiary Wing are expanding their partnership to offer drone delivery services in metro Atlanta. Eligible customers can receive food orders in as little as 20 minutes, with limitations on order size, weight, and proximity. This expansion builds on existing drone delivery efforts by both companies.
Alphabet no longer has a controlling stake in its life sciences business Verily
Alphabet's life sciences division, Verily, is restructuring and raising $300 million, changing its corporate structure to Verily Health Inc. This transition results in Alphabet holding a minority stake rather than a controlling interest in the business. The company will focus on Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, aiming to integrate clinical rigor with AI for personalized health solutions.
Google’s GFiber internet business is merging with Astound Broadband
Google's GFiber internet business is merging with Astound Broadband, with Stonepeak becoming the majority owner and Alphabet retaining a minority stake. The combined entity will operate as an independent provider, aiming to expand internet access to more communities. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter.
Amazon’s Zoox will test its robotaxis in Dallas and Phoenix
Amazon's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Zoox, is expanding its testing operations to Dallas and Phoenix. The company will initially use retrofitted Toyota Highlander SUVs with safety drivers to map the cities before deploying its purpose-built robotaxis. This expansion aims to test the vehicles' sensors and battery performance in diverse conditions and increases Zoox's operational footprint to 10 US cities.
Google pledges roughly three hours of its annual profit to fight climate change
Google has pledged at least $50 million through 2030 to eliminate superpollutants as part of the new Superpollutant Action Initiative, which has garnered $100 million in total commitments from companies like Amazon and Salesforce. This initiative aims to reduce methane, black carbon, and refrigerant gases, which contribute significantly to planetary warming. The pledge represents approximately three hours of Alphabet's 2025 net income, while the company also plans substantial investments in AI data centers.
Sony’s PlayStation 6 might be further away than expected
Reports suggest Sony's PlayStation 6 launch could be delayed to 2028 or 2029, deviating from the traditional seven-year console cycle. This potential delay is attributed to the high demand for DRAM components driven by the artificial intelligence industry, which is creating scarcity and driving up costs for consumer electronics. The extended lifecycle for the PlayStation 5 may allow developers more time to create games for the current generation.
Sony could delay PS6 release to 2028 or 2029 as AI-driven shortage sends consumer tech companies scrambling for memory chips
Sony is reportedly considering delaying the PlayStation 6 release to 2028 or 2029 due to a global memory chip shortage, exacerbated by AI data center demand. This potential delay impacts consumer tech companies and Nintendo is also considering a price increase for its consoles. Despite a decrease in PlayStation 5 hardware unit sales, software revenue reached a record high.
