In a surprising but strategically timed move, former President Donald Trump announced during an interview with Fox News that he is assembling a group of wealthy investors to purchase TikTok, the popular social media platform currently owned by the Chinese tech giant ByteDance.
The announcement comes amid renewed pressure from U.S. lawmakers and regulators concerned about national security and data privacy. TikTok, which has over 150 million users in the United States, has long been under scrutiny due to its Chinese ownership and potential links to the Chinese government. In 2020, during his presidency, Trump signed an executive order attempting to ban the app unless it was sold to a U.S. entity—an effort that ultimately stalled in the courts and under the Biden administration.
Now, Trump appears to be reviving that plan—this time, from the private sector.
“We’re looking very strongly at putting a group together—some of the smartest, wealthiest people in the country—to make a serious offer,” Trump told Fox News. “TikTok can be a great platform if it’s in the right hands.”
A Power Move with Multiple Implications
Trump’s comments seem to serve multiple purposes. On the one hand, they align with longstanding national security concerns over TikTok’s data practices. On the other, they could potentially position Trump at the center of a major tech acquisition—right as he ramps up his campaign for the 2024 election.
While he did not name specific individuals or companies involved, Trump emphasized that this would be a “private, all-American” deal, focused on protecting user data and ensuring TikTok operates under U.S. laws and values.
The Legal and Political Landscape
Any attempt to purchase TikTok will face serious legal and political hurdles. ByteDance has repeatedly resisted calls to divest the app, and the Chinese government has indicated it may not allow the sale of TikTok’s proprietary algorithm, which is considered a national technology asset.
Moreover, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) would need to approve any acquisition, and the Biden administration has taken a more cautious but consistent stance on pushing ByteDance to sell or restructure its U.S. operations.
What’s Next?
It’s too early to tell whether Trump’s effort will materialize into a concrete bid. However, the former president’s involvement alone could raise the stakes—and the temperature—around TikTok’s future in the United States.
Whether this is a genuine investment strategy or a political move to reassert influence over a hot-button issue, one thing is clear: TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains a powerful flashpoint at the intersection of technology, politics, and global power.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Innovations to Unfold on July 9 Samsung has officially confirmed its Galaxy Unpacked event for July 9, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. Here’s what you need to know:
Event Details
Date: July 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM ET (7:30 PM IST)
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Livestream: Samsung.com, Samsung’s YouTube channel, and Samsung Newsroom
Expected Devices
Galaxy Z Fold 7: Next-generation foldable smartphone with enhanced AI features and ultra-thin design
Galaxy Z Flip 7: Latest iteration of the compact flip phone with improved AI capabilities
Galaxy Watch 8 Series: New smartwatches with advanced health tracking and features
Galaxy Buds Core: Latest wireless earbuds with improved sound quality
Key Features and Innovations
AI-Powered Interface: Samsung’s new interface promises a more intuitive and seamless user experience
Galaxy AI Devices: Expect advancements in artificial intelligence-driven features across Galaxy devices
Cutting-Edge Foldable Technology: Samsung’s latest foldables are expected to showcase ultra-thin designs and enhanced AI features
Pre-Reservations and Availability
Pre-reservations: Already live in India, offering early access and benefits worth ₹5,999 for ₹1,999 via Amazon.
Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition Leaks Ahead of Official Launch The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition has been leaked ahead of its official announcement, revealing key details about the device.
Key Details
Design: The headset features a distinctive black and green Xbox-themed design, matching the Xbox brand’s color palette.
Price: The device is expected to retail for $399, making it a budget-conscious VR option.
Storage: It will come with 128GB of internal storage, holding a solid lineup of VR games from the Meta Quest store.
Bundle: The package includes an Xbox wireless controller, an Elite strap, and a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Launch Date: The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is speculated to launch on June 24, 2025.
Features and Capabilities
Compatibility: The device will be compatible with the complete Meta Quest library and support Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing users to stream games directly in VR.
Hardware: It runs on the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and features an LCD panel with Fresnel lenses, similar to the Quest 2.
Tesla’s robotaxi control system will utilize remote access and control, also known as “teleoperation,” to monitor and intervene when necessary. Here’s how it works and its limitations:
ey Aspects of Tesla’s Robotaxi Control
Remote Monitoring: Humans will remotely monitor the fleet of robotaxis, ensuring safety and intervening when needed.
Strict Limits: The robotaxis will operate within predetermined areas, avoiding difficult intersections and complex scenarios.
Teleoperation: Remote operators can take control of the vehicle in case of trouble, such as navigating through crowded pedestrian areas.
Limitations of Tesla’s Robotaxi Control
Scalability: There’s a limit to how many vehicles one person can safely monitor, which may impact the scalability of the robotaxi service.
Unclear Teleoperator Role: The exact role and responsibilities of teleoperators are not yet clear, leaving some uncertainty about how they’ll interact with the vehicles.
Regulatory Hurdles: A group of Democratic Texas lawmakers has asked Tesla to delay the launch until September, when a new autonomous-driving law takes effect, citing public safety and trust concerns.¹ ² ³
Implementation and Safety Measures
Initial Launch: Tesla plans to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, with about 10 Model Y SUVs operating within strict limits.
Safety Priority: CEO Elon Musk has emphasized safety, stating that the company is being “super paranoid” about safety and will use humans to monitor the fleet.
US President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok’s sale to September 17, 2025, granting ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company, an additional 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer. This marks the third extension, following previous deadlines in January, April, and June.
Reasons Behind the Extension:
The White House aims to ensure TikTok remains operational while a sale is finalized to protect American user data.
Trump believes Chinese President Xi Jinping will approve a deal allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US.
The administration wants to spend the next three months making sure the sale closes and protects US consumers’ data.³ ⁴
Reactions and Implications:
Democratic senators have criticized the extensions, arguing Trump lacks the legal authority to delay the deadline.
The proposed deal may not meet legal standards, raising concerns about national security.
TikTok will continue to operate in the US for the next 90 days, pending the sale.
Key Dates:
Current Deadline: June 19, 2025 (extended to September 17, 2025)
During the recent Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct, fans could spot Diddy and Dixie Kong for a couple of seconds, confirming their appearance in the highly anticipated title. Nintendo offered fans 15 minutes of footage and information about Donkey Kong Bananza, where they could learn plenty of details before its official release on July 17.
Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, first introduced in 1981 in an arcade game. The iconic gorilla quickly became a hit, and two more games followed: Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3, before Mario took over and became Nintendo’s official symbol. In 1994, the franchise saw one of its most important entries, Donkey Kong Country for the Super NES, which rebooted the series and introduced groundbreaking visuals and gameplay, becoming an even greater hit. However, the series remained quiet for more than 10 years after Tropical Freeze (2014), until the franchise’s rebirth with Donkey Kong Bananza. While some details had been revealed before the recent Nintendo Direct, fans were wondering whether they would see the two primates, Diddy and Dixie Kong—and now they know the answer.
Windows 11 is experiencing a bug that’s causing it to play the Windows Vista startup sound instead of its own. This issue was first noticed in the Dev Channel build 26200.5651, where the sound file was swapped in the imageres.dll file. Microsoft has acknowledged the mistake and is working on a fix.
What caused the issue?
The exact technical reason behind the mix-up isn’t clear, but it’s believed to be an accidental replacement of the standard Windows 11 startup sound file with the Vista one during internal builds.
Microsoft’s Response
A Windows Insider team member joked about the error on social media, but Microsoft has confirmed it’s a bug and is working to resolve it. The company has added this issue to their list of known problems for the Dev and Beta Channel flights.³
Fixing the Issue
Since Microsoft is already aware of the problem, users can expect a fix to be rolled out soon. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on future updates to see when the issue is resolved.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the job market, creating new opportunities and challenges. Here’s what’s current:
Job Creation and Transformation
AI is expected to create 69 million new jobs worldwide by 2028, while potentially displacing others, according to the World Economic Forum.
New roles emerging due to AI include AI “trainers,” “explainers,” and “sustainers,” such as AI safety officers, ethicists, and user experience designers.
Industries like healthcare and education are likely to see growth, with a projected 10% increase in university and higher education teachers.
Impact on Industries and Workers
92% of tech jobs are expected to undergo significant transformation due to AI, with entry-level and mid-level professionals at the forefront of this change.
AI may automate tasks equivalent to 300 million full-time jobs globally, but could also increase productivity and economic growth by 7%, according to Goldman Sachs.
Certain skills will become more valuable, such as AI literacy, data analytics, and prompt engineering, while others may become less relevant.
Preparing for the Future
Companies like Cisco, Google, IBM, and Intel are investing in training programs to upskill workers in AI and related technologies.
Developing soft skills like critical thinking, creativity, and interpersonal communication will be essential for workers to complement AI.
Embracing lifelong learning and adapting to new technologies will be crucial for professionals to stay ahead in the job market.
Panasonic’s groundbreaking launch at InfoComm marks a significant milestone in the audiovisual industry. The new brand identity and technology solutions showcase Panasonic’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity.
The Big Reveal: Launch Highlights
Innovative AV Solutions: Panasonic introduces cutting-edge audiovisual technologies, enhancing collaboration, communication, and content creation.
New Brand Identity: The refreshed brand showcases Panasonic’s dedication to delivering exceptional AV experiences.
Industry Impact: Panasonic’s advancements are poised to transform the AV landscape, setting new standards for quality, reliability, and innovation.
InfoComm Significance: The launch at InfoComm underscores Panasonic’s commitment to engaging with industry professionals, showcasing solutions, and driving future advancements.
What to Expect: The new brand and technology solutions promise to:
Enhance collaboration and communication
Elevate content creation and presentation
Set new industry benchmarks for quality and innovation
Stay tuned for more updates on Panasonic’s innovative AV solutions and brand evolution!
Walmart’s groundbreaking achievement in drone delivery marks a significant milestone in the retail industry’s adoption of innovative logistics solutions. By leveraging drone technology, Walmart enhances its delivery capabilities, offering customers:
Walmart’s drone delivery technology is a game-changer in retail logistics, leveraging partnerships with companies like Wing and Zipline to enhance convenience and speed. Here’s how it works:
Drone Capabilities: Wing’s drones use a dual-propulsion system, combining vertical lift motors for takeoff and landing with separate cruise motors for long-range flights, allowing them to fly up to 6 miles from a store at speeds of 65 miles per hour.
Delivery Process: Drones hover over a customer’s home and lower the order to the ground on a cable, ensuring safe and efficient delivery.
Service Expansion: Walmart’s drone delivery service is now available in five new cities – Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa – with over 100 stores participating. This expansion builds on existing operations in Northwest Arkansas and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Product Delivery: Customers can enjoy convenient access to a diverse range of products, featuring:
Groceries: Fresh fruit, eggs, ice cream, and pet food
Health and Wellness: Over-the-counter medicines, baby formula, and COVID-19 tests
Household Essentials: Various items for daily needs
In a strategic move, Walmart has partnered with two innovative firms to advance its drone delivery project and these include:
Wing: Walmart’s partner for drone delivery, providing advanced drone technology and logistics expertise.
Zipline: Building on its success, Walmart expands its partnership with Zipline, leveraging cutting-edge drone technology for quieter, faster, and more efficient deliveries.