Magnificent 7 Weekly Briefing

December 19, 2025

Google advanced its Gemini AI models and research, Microsoft cut Copilot targets despite large investments, Apple and Google made changes to comply with Japanese law, and more.

• Google released multiple updates to its AI model lineup, including the faster and more efficient Gemini 3 Flash and FunctionGemma, and announced advancements in AI efficiency and quantum computing from Google Research. ^123456789
• Microsoft joined Google and other firms in the US DOE's AI 'Genesis Mission' while also confirming a large $17.5 billion investment in AI and cloud computing in India, though the company cut sales targets for its Copilot AI due to low enterprise adoption. ^{10111213141516171819}
• NVIDIA launched the RTX PRO 5000 72GB Blackwell GPU for agentic AI, acquired SchedMD, and received the GSA award as the Most Respected Public Semiconductor Company. ^202122232425
• Apple and Google were compelled to make significant changes to comply with Japan's new Mobile Software Competition Act, enabling alternative app distribution and billing; meanwhile, a US appeals court will consider reviving an Apple app store class action. ^{2627282930313233}
• Tesla faced multiple safety probes over its electric doors and the misleading use of "Autopilot," even as the Cybertruck earned a top safety rating and the company resumed battery pack assembly in Berlin. ^{343536373839404142434445464748}
• Amazon appointed Peter DeSantis to lead its AI, silicon, and quantum efforts, launched Alexa+ Greetings for Ring doorbells, and faced media reports concerning layoffs at its European headquarters. ^495051525354
• Other developments included Apple's record iPhone exports from India and expansion of its real estate holdings in Cupertino, and Microsoft facing back-to-back security flaws affecting Windows, VPN connections, and IIS servers. ^{55565758596061626364656667686970717273747576777879808182838485868788899091929394959697}

Sources

1. Google recaps 2025 AI research breakthroughs Google
2. Google introduces Data Tables in NotebookLM Google
3. Google releases T5Gemma 2 encoder-decoder models Google
4. Google releases FunctionGemma model Google
5. Google releases Gemini 3 Flash Google
6. Google releases more efficient Gemini 3 AI model across products The Mercury News
7. Google's latest stab at a virtual assistant sounds incredibly promising: Meet CC Android Authority
8. Google develops Gemini tool for STOC 2026 Google
9. Google publishes AI playbook for sustainability reporting Google
10. Microsoft, Google Among 24 Firms Joining US AI ‘Genesis Mission’ Bloomberg
11. Microsoft Launches ‘Mini’ GPT Voice Models in Azure Foundry to Cut Latency and Cost Winbuzzer
12. Cognizant and Microsoft Expand Partnership to Advance AI Transformation and Frontier Firm Experiences The Manila Times
13. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman says it will cost hundreds of billions to keep up with frontier AI in the next decade Business Insider
14. Microsoft vs Google: Former Partners Have Different Plans for AGI eWeek
15. Microsoft Inks Green Energy Deals To Fuel AI Benzinga
16. Microsoft (MSFT) Pledges to Invest $17.5 billion in AI and Cloud Computing in India Yahoo Finance
17. Reports suggest Microsoft Copilot is down AGAIN as AI is crippled by outage The Sun
18. Microsoft confirms plans for data center in Grand Rapids, Michigan DCD
19. Microsoft Cuts AI Targets: Is Copilot at Risk? International Business Times
20. NVIDIA joins US DOE Genesis Mission Nvidia
21. NVIDIA launches RTX PRO 5000 72GB Blackwell GPU Nvidia
22. NVIDIA advances safety for robotaxis with OpenUSD and Halos Nvidia
23. Nvidia receives Global Semiconductor Alliance award Nvidia
24. NVIDIA acquires SchedMD Nvidia
25. Nvidia's Blackwell NVL72 delivers 1/10th cost-per-token for MoE models Nvidia
26. US appeals court to consider reviving Apple app store class action Reuters
27. Fortnite Not Coming to iOS in Japan as Epic Games CEO Accuses Apple of 'Obstruction and Lawbreaking' MacRumors
28. Apple, Google make big changes as another country greenlights alternate app... Neowin
29. Apple Makes Changes to iOS Software in Face of Stricter Japanese Rules Bloomberg
30. Apple announces iOS changes in Japan Apple
31. Google complies with Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act Google
32. EU developers ask regulators to cut Apple fees again AppleInsider
33. UK to "encourage" Apple and Google to put nudity-blocking systems on phones Ars Technica
34. Federal probe into certain Tesla models sparks question for Tesla owners NBC Bay Area
35. Tesla sparks outrage with sudden move impacting thousands of customers: Burdensome and incomplete Yahoo
36. California warns Tesla faces 30-day sale ban for misleading use of autopilot CBS News
37. California regulator allows Tesla to continue sales in state for now Reuters
38. Tesla ramps up battery cell investments at German gigafactory Reuters
39. Tesla resumes battery pack assembly in Berlin electrive
40. Tesla Cybertruck Earns Highest Safety Rating In Last IIHS Test For 2025 Forbes
41. Tesla reports another Robotaxi crash, even with supervisor as it moves to remove them Electrek
42. Seven Crashes and Complete Secrecy: Tesla’s Driverless Robotaxis Hit Austin Streets Yahoo Tech
43. Tesla Slashes Model Y Prices In Last-Ditch 2025 Sales Attempt SlashGear
44. SPIE signs a European framework agreement with Tesla for the deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) Yahoo Finance
45. Tesla hit with stunning setback in key markets: 'Problem for Elon Musk' Yahoo Finance
46. Experts issue warning about major flaw in popular Tesla models: We are raising serious concerns Yahoo
47. Tesla stock closes at 2025 high after Musk confirms driverless Robotaxi tests underway in Austin CNBC
48. A Tesla Charger Fire Burned Down A Florida Home, Nearly Trapping The Family Inside - Jalopnik Jalopnik
49. Amazon layoffs: European headquarters sees largest job cuts ever, THESE employees are most at risk Financial Express
50. Amazon launches Alexa+ Greetings for Ring doorbells Amazon
51. Amazon appoints Peter DeSantis to lead AI, silicon, quantum efforts Amazon
52. Amazon launches Instagram for TV on Fire TV devices Amazon
53. Amazon data centers fully pay own electricity costs Amazon
54. Amazon sold baby products now recalled over serious death risk to infants and children Fox Business
55. Apple gift card safety questioned after terrifying account lockout 9to5Mac
56. React2Shell: Microsoft counts hundreds of hacked machines The Register
57. Microsoft Confirms Windows Security Update Breaks VPN Connections Forbes
58. Alphabet (GOOGL)’s Google Signs a Solar Power Agreement in Malaysia, Reports Bloomberg Yahoo Finance
59. Google Issues Emergency Update for Millions Amid Smartphone Warning Yahoo Tech
60. Apple is bringing even more ads to the App Store Engadget
61. Apple releases impressive open-source model that instantly turns 2D photos into 3D views 9to5Mac
62. Microsoft recaps Power BI 2025 highlights Microsoft
63. Google Sues Chinese 'Darcula' Group Over Alleged Phishing Scheme Bloomberg
64. Microsoft December Update Breaks Critical IIS Servers TechRepublic
65. $700 million Google settlement could mean money for Georgia residents USA TODAY
66. Microsoft signs two PPAs with Iberdrola in Spain DCD
67. Google deepens consumer credit push in India with UPI-linked card | TechCrunch TechCrunch
68. Apple iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone 17e leaked to debut with Apple-designed cellular modems: All details Digit
69. Apple in talks with Indian chip makers for assembly, packaging of iPhone parts, ET reports Reuters
70. Microsoft responds to AI backlash: Windows 11 will ask before file access Mint
71. Apple spent $1.1 billion on more California office space in 2025 - General Discussion Discussions on AppleInsider Forums AppleInsider
72. Meta rolls out v21 software update for AI glasses Meta
73. Meta introduces SAM Audio model Meta
74. Google exposes Windows 11 security flaw after Microsoft fails to patch it properly0 0 Neowin
75. Microsoft squeezes UK users with 365 hike Windows Central
76. Apple exports record $2 billion worth of iPhones from India in November Business Standard
77. Google expands Preferred Sources worldwide Google
78. Google Images And AI Tools Fuel Age-Based Gender Bias In The Workplace Forbes
79. Apple plans major iPhone expansion with seven models by 2027 - The Information By Investing.com Investing.com
80. Google Confirms Significant Blow To Account Password Security Forbes
81. Microsoft Selects Iron Software as Key .NET 10 Launch Partner for APAC Region,... Salisbury Post
82. Microsoft buys carbon credits from Louisiana bioenergy plant Yahoo Finance
83. Apple takes another bite out of Cupertino with $216M all-cash office buy The Real Deal
84. Hackers Are Stealing Microsoft Account Passwords With This Trick BGR
85. iOS 26 leak details multiple unreleased Apple products AppleInsider
86. GM Brings Apple Music Directly Into Its Vehicles, No CarPlay Required TechStory
87. Apple Launches iOS 26.2 Update After iPhone Vulnerabilities 'Exploited' Yahoo
88. Microsoft back in court over unfair cloud licensing claims TechRadar
89. Apple's First Foldable iPhone Could Redefine Screen Sizes at Both Extremes The Hans India
90. Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.7.3 Security Update TechRepublic
91. Tesla board made $3 billion via stock awards that dwarfed tech peers Reuters
92. Microsoft security updates breaks MSMQ on older Win systems The Register
93. Apple and Google release security updates to fix zero-day vulnerabilities Business Standard
94. Apple and Google release security updates to fix zero-day vulnerabilities Business Standard
95. iOS 26.2: Apple Issues Critical Update For Millions Of iPhones In Unprecedented Release Forbes
96. Google Signs Solar Power Pact in Malaysia With Shizen Energy Bloomberg
97. Microsoft Reflects On Trying To Launch Its First $80 Game In 2025 Kotaku