Tue. 03/18 – The Big M&A Test I Was Waiting For

Mar 18, 2025 15m

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We get that first big test of M&A I was looking for as Alphabet acquires Wiz. Is Roku going to force us to watch ads just to turn on our TVs? The AI coding assistant space continues to be hot. The breakthrough in electric vehicle charging that could really change the game. And what exactly does Lumon Industries do?

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Links:

Google Strikes $32 Billion Deal for Cybersecurity Startup Wiz (WSJ)
“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen (Ars Technica)
Critical RCE flaw in Apache Tomcat actively exploited in attacks (Bleeping Computer)
Cognition AI Hits $4 Billion Valuation in Deal Led by Lonsdale’s Firm (Bloomberg)
BYD Shares Jump to Record on Five-Minute EV Battery Charging (Bloomberg)
They Named Their Companies Lumon. Then ‘Severance’ Aired. (WSJ)

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AI-Generated Summary

Alphabet's Major Acquisition of Wiz

In a significant move, Alphabet has announced its acquisition of cybersecurity startup Wiz for at least $32 billion. This deal represents a test of the regulatory landscape in the current anti-trust environment. After a previous attempt to acquire Wiz for $23 billion fell through due to regulatory concerns, this new agreement signifies Google's ambition to enhance its cloud computing capabilities amidst stiff competition. Wiz's partnerships with major cloud companies like Amazon and Microsoft further solidify this acquisition's strategic significance.

Roku's Controversial Ad Experiment

Roku users are reporting the frustrating experience of autoplaying ads before accessing their home screens, with the company confirming this as a testing phase. Many users expressed their dissatisfaction and a willingness to abandon Roku devices if intrusive ads become a permanent feature. Roku emphasizes ongoing innovation in advertising capabilities, but user backlash suggests a potential limit on how far they can push ad content without alienating customers.

Cybersecurity Alert: Apache Tomcat RCE Flaw

A serious remote code execution flaw in Apache Tomcat is actively being exploited, allowing attackers to execute malicious code on servers with ease. The vulnerability arises from Tomcat's handling of put requests and could be exploited in many deployments. Users are advised to upgrade to the patched versions or apply specific configuration changes to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

Cognition's Rapid Growth in AI Coding Assistance

Cognition, the developer of Devon, an AI coding assistant, has received significant investment that doubles its valuation to $4 billion. This funding round highlights the persistent demand for AI tools in coding, as they aim to automate repetitive tasks and improve overall efficiency in software development. Cognition's success mimics the broader trend in the tech industry toward innovative AI applications.

Breakthrough in Electric Vehicle Charging

Chinese automaker BYD claims to have developed a new battery system that enables electric vehicles to charge in just five minutes, providing around 292 miles of range. This advancement could transform the EV market by addressing one of the biggest barriers to adoption: charging time. As BYD sets out to construct specialized charging infrastructure, this technology sets the company on a competitive path against established players like Tesla.

Lumen Industries: A Pop Culture Connection

The fictional company Lumen Industries from the TV show 'Severance' has sparked interest and intrigue, leading to discussions about real companies with similar names. Many real-world businesses named Lumen face humorous comparisons to the fictional entity. Some companies are even considering capitalizing on this newfound attention, illustrating the intersection of pop culture and corporate branding.