Thu. 08/14 – An Apple Pixar Lamp?

Aug 14, 2025 16m

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Episode Description

New York is suing Zelle. Another IPO pop has me raising my eyebrows. Maybe Perplexity really was serious, at least about getting a browser. Does Apple want to make basically that Pixar lamp? And AI has so broken the hiring process that some companies are resorting again to in-person interviews. Links: New York sues Zelle, says security lapses led to $1 billion consumer fraud losses (Reuters) Crypto Firm Bullish Soars 84% in Debut After $1.1 Billion IPO (Bloomberg) Before Wild Chrome Bid, Perplexity Had Been Hunting for Browsers (The Information) Apple Plots Expansion Into AI Robots, Home Security and Smart Displays (Bloomberg) AI Is Forcing the Return of the In-Person Job Interview (WSJ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Zelle Lawsuit Escalation

The state of New York has filed a lawsuit against Zelle, accusing the electronic payment platform of security lapses that facilitated over $1 billion in consumer fraud losses. New York Attorney General Letitia James claims that Zelle, despite being backed by major banks, failed to implement essential anti-fraud features and ignored customer complaints, leading to rampant scams. While Zelle maintains that the responsibility lies with the users who are deceived into sending money, the lawsuit seeks to compel the company to enhance safety protocols and provide restitution to affected consumers.

Bullish IPO Success

Bullish, a cryptocurrency startup, achieved remarkable success with an initial public offering (IPO), closing up 84% and reaching a valuation of $9.9 billion. The IPO, which attracted significant investor interest, comes as the crypto industry sees an increasing trend of going public through various means. Although Bullish offers crypto trading services, its products are not yet available to US customers. The success of Bullish contrasts with other crypto firms, highlighting a thriving public equity market for crypto fundraising.

Perplexity's Browser Aspirations

Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, has shown serious interest in acquiring browser companies, including a notable bid for Google Chrome and discussions regarding Brave and DuckDuckGo. Despite the challenges of funding such acquisitions, Perplexity’s expansion strategy reflects the current trend where AI intersects with browser technology. The company is aiming to integrate browser capabilities into its service, indicating a shift in the landscape of online search as it adapts to user behavior.

Apple's AI Innovations

Apple plans to delve deeply into the AI space with upcoming products like a conversational Siri, a smart speaker with a display, and a tabletop robot conceptualized for 2027. These initiatives aim to rejuvenate Apple's product ecosystem amidst perceptions of stagnation in innovation. The new devices promise to enhance user interactivity and integrate more seamlessly with Apple's existing services, aiming to capture new market segments in home automation and security.

In-Person Interviews Revive

In response to the rise of AI cheating in hiring processes, companies like Google and Cisco are reinstating in-person interviews. This move emerges from concerns about candidates using AI tools to prepare answers off-screen or impersonating job seekers. The industry shift back to face-to-face interactions highlights the ongoing battle against AI's influence on recruitment practices, emphasizing the need for authenticity in candidate evaluation.