Wed. 12/18 – Is Your Home Internet Router About To Be Banned?

Dec 18, 2024 17m

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Episode Description

Is your home internet router about to be banned? The US has a new Chinese tech target. An AI dev kit from Nvidia. Who actually buys the most chips from Nvidia? Hollywood has flip-flopped on the whole theatrical release strategy. And why Instagram is officially king of the hill at Meta. Sponsors: Lumen.me/ride Links: U.S. Weighs Ban on Chinese-Made Router in Millions of American Homes (WSJ) Nvidia's new $249 AI development board promises 67 TOPS at half the price of the previous 40 TOPS model (TomsHardware) Nvidia’s $249 dev kit promises cheap, small AI power (The Verge) Microsoft acquires twice as many Nvidia AI chips as tech rivals (Financial Times) Grubhub to pay $25 million for misleading customers, restaurants, drivers (Reuters) ‘Red One’ Becomes Most-Watched Prime Video Film Debut Ever With 50 Million Viewers After Modest Theatrical Run (Variety) Here’s a Hollywood Twist: Streaming Success Runs Through Theaters (NYTimes) Instagram Expected to Generate 50% of Meta’s US Ad Sales in 2025 (Bloomberg)

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U.S. Investigations into TP-Link Routers

The U.S. government is investigating Chinese router manufacturer TP-Link, which holds approximately 65% of the U.S. router market share. Authorities are contemplating a ban on TP-Link routers due to their alleged involvement in cyberattacks linked to a Chinese hacking entity. This investigation could lead to significant repercussions for the company, especially with the incoming Trump administration taking a hard stance on China. Concerns also arise from the cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with TP-Link devices, with industry critics pointing out the manufacturer's defensive approach to security issues.

Nvidia's New AI Development Kit

Nvidia has unveiled the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, priced at $249, which is designed for AI projects and offers 67 TOPS of performance. This kit aims to appeal to developers and hobbyists alike, providing a cost-effective solution compared to its predecessor. It includes various features that make it suited for building chatbots, visual AI agents, or AI-based robots, further emphasizing Nvidia's innovation in AI technology.

Major Buyers of Nvidia's AI Chips

A report reveals that Microsoft has emerged as the largest buyer of Nvidia's Hopper GPUs in 2024, outpacing major competitors like ByteDance, Tencent, Meta, and Tesla. This high demand for chips has solidified Nvidia's position as the most valuable tech company globally. Overall, tech companies are projected to spend $229 billion on servers in 2024, with Nvidia capturing a significant portion of that market. Amidst the increasing competition in AI chip manufacturing, companies like AMD are also making strides.

GrubHub's Settlement Over Customer Misleading

GrubHub has reached a settlement with the U.S. FTC and Illinois Attorney General, fining the company $25 million for misleading customers and restaurants. The case highlights GrubHub's questionable practices, including adding restaurants to their platform without consent and misrepresenting drivers' pay. The settlement is substantially lower than the initial judgment sought but emphasizes the regulatory scrutiny against deceptive practices in the digital economy.

Hollywood's Evolving Theatrical Release Strategy

The film 'Red One' has sparked discussions about the changing dynamics of theatrical releases in Hollywood. Despite a modest box office debut, the film broke streaming records on Amazon Prime Video. This trend indicates a shift where studios view theatrical releases more as promotional tools for subsequent streaming success rather than standalone revenue sources. Insights from industry executives suggest that a successful box office can drive stronger performance on streaming platforms, thus redefining marketing strategies across studios.

Instagram's Growing Revenue Stream for Meta

Instagram is projected to generate over 50% of Meta's U.S. ad sales by 2025, marking a significant shift in Meta's revenue structure. With more video-centric content and features like Reels, Instagram's user engagement has skyrocketed, proving vital for Meta's financial strategy. This transition signifies the growing importance of Instagram as a key player in the social media landscape, competing effectively against rivals like TikTok.