15th September 2025

Google’s Jedi Blue ad deal with Meta wasn’t unlawful, judge rules

A New York federal judge has ruled that the multi-state antitrust lawsuit against Google spearheaded by the Attorney General of Texas can move forward. That said, Judge P. Kevin Castel has also dismissed the plaintiffs’ claim that Google’s online ad deal with Meta, codenamed Jedi Blue, was an unlawful restraint of trade. The judge said that “there is nothing inexplicable or suspicious” about the two companies entering the agreement. 

If you’ll recall, the states that filed the lawsuit accused Google of entering a deal with Meta that gave the latter certain advantages on the ad exchange the tech giant runs. As Bloomberg notes, Meta allegedly had to abandon its plans to adopt a new technology that would’ve hurt Google’s monopoly and to back the tech giant’s Open Bidding approach when it comes to selling ads in exchange.

Multi-state Lawsuit against Google

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he was filing a “multi-state lawsuit against Google for anti-competitive conduct, exclusionary practices and deceptive misrepresentations” back in 2020. The lawsuit focused on Google’s advertising tech practices and how, Paxton said, the company uses its “monopolistic power to control pricing” of ads and “engage in market collusions.”

Google sought to dismiss the lawsuit earlier this year. While it failed to convince Judge Castel to fully toss the lawsuit out, the company still posted a celebratory note about the decision. “Importantly, the Court dismissed the allegations about our Open Bidding agreement with Meta — the centerpiece of AG Paxton’s case,” the company wrote in a blog post. The tech giant added that the agreement had never been a secret and that it was pro-competitive. It also called Paxton’s case “deeply flawed.”

Although the judge for this case dismissed the claim that Jedi Blue was unlawful, the deal and Google’s ad tech practices as a whole are still under scrutiny by authorities. The European Commission and UK’s Competition and Markets Authority launched an antitrust investigation into the companies’ agreement back in March. And just last month, Bloomberg had reported that the US Department of Justice was preparing to sue Google over its dominance in the ad market sometime this September.

SK Telecom Reveals 6G Vision: AI, Efficiency, and Security at Core

Key Points:

  • SK Telecom’s “6G White Paper” outlines the company’s vision for the upcoming 6G era.
  • AI, energy efficiency, and quantum security are identified as driving forces for 6G development.
  • Emphasis on collaborative innovation, accommodating emerging device types, and streamlined standardization.

SK Telecom (SKT), the South Korean telecom giant, has unveiled its blueprint for the impending 6G era in its “6G White Paper.” The paper highlights artificial intelligence (AI), energy efficiency, and quantum security as pivotal to shaping the next-gen wireless landscape. AI’s role is emphasized across domains, with SKT already integrating it into networks and equipment. The focus mirrors the industry’s interest in generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Energy efficiency takes center stage as 6G network deployment aligns with climate concerns. Quantum security emerges as a priority in ensuring robust privacy and data protection.

SKT envisions collaborative innovation and stresses the significance of identifying “6G killer services.” The company urges preparation for diverse devices like extended reality and self-driving cars. Standardization efforts are also underscored to prevent fragmentation, echoing 5G’s challenges. The 6G vision positions SKT at the forefront of a dynamic shift, advocating for AI-driven advancements, sustainable practices, and resilient security. SKT’s multifaceted approach is poised to redefine wireless connectivity’s future.

Construction Industry Trends 2022 

Changing expectations and after an unstable period of adjusting forecast, the year 2022 is a year of re-emergence and development in the construction industry. The persistence of rising construction costs and lack of labor is challenging the industry to come up with new ideas, while the reduced margin for mistakes and waste is controlled by stricter regulations. The construction trends will add a lot of value to the industry’s more competitive nature along with market shifts for any construction firm.

Let’s now discuss the important industry trends for 2022 which add a lot to this firm for staying competitive.

Protective equipment

As we all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has almost affected all industry guidelines and protocols of the workplace, similarly, the construction industry has also been drastically affected by the pandemic affecting construction site rules and guidelines with safety protocols which includes increased influence of union projects, which adds cost and time to projects. The rise of machines that are capable of identifying common safety issues which eliminate those identified threats one at a time. If a person has fallen, the work Boots that are connected to Wi-Fi alarms and alert others, this is a new wearable innovation. Not only working gear but beyond that, we could also see robots that are fully replacing human workers.

Efficient Technology

The innovations of a technology that enhances efficiency are much important and required for the builders and developers at this point of time amid the post-pandemic. Some such technologies that can be seen emerging in 2022 and beyond include

Smart contracts– Allowing to buy, track and pay for services, the smart contracts provide all organizations in a project with a shared system for carrying out business.

Construction drones – one of the fastest-growing technologies in construction sites is drones which are used for aerial photography for real estate and commercial efforts. For mapping large areas covering long distances, drones are being rapidly used, producing the most valuable aerial heat maps and thermal images. In place of human workers, drones can also perform the job of preventing injuries.

Augmented Reality (AR)

It facilitates the use of wearable technology and 369-degree video to enable surrounding projects’ 3D visualization of coming future projects, also measuring buildings automatically along with making speedy changes of architectural and structural that are affordable too. It also enables safety training and hazard simulations.

Building Information Modelling

This technology helps industry leaders in standing out with improved efficiency.

It helps in generating computer renderings of utilities and buildings. Leading to on-time and accuracy of completion, the ease of managing these models and sharing data enables superior prefabrication of parts.

BIM top-rated software solutions available in 2022 include Autodesk BIM 360, Trimble connect, Archidad, Navisworks, Revit, BIMx.

Growing needs for labor

The vast increase in the demand for labor is one of the most noticeable construction trends of the past few years. Though robots have already contributed a lot in picking up a lot of the slack again quality labor is expensive and competitive. No matter whether these robots continue to give their best efforts, there is still a need for more educated workers to handle and interpret the data that are produced by new emerging technologies.

Remote worksites and mobile access

The industry allows worksite access like never before due to emerging mobile applications which include real-time inspections, on-site accountability and measurement accuracy that are taken from a mobile phone camera.

Rising material costs

The rising interest rates and production costs are likely to compound all types of costs resulting in pressure on total construction. Some technologies like drones AR, and BIM are key ingredients in maintaining project volume and reducing this cost pressure up to a great extent.

Neuralink Secures $280 Million Funding Led by Founders Fund

  • Neuralink secures $280 million in fresh funding from investors committed to advancing its brain-computer interface technology.
  • The company gains FDA approval for its inaugural in-human clinical trial, marking a significant achievement in its futuristic endeavors.
  • Despite facing ethical concerns and controversies over animal testing, Neuralink remains resolute in its commitment to advancing brain technology.

News Article: In a momentous stride towards achieving its ambitious objectives, Neuralink, the pioneering brain-implant venture under the leadership of Elon Musk, has effectively raised a substantial $280 million in new funding. The capital infusion originates from a consortium of investors who share Neuralink’s vision for pushing the boundaries of brain-computer interface technology. Significantly, this round of funding was executed on Musk’s “X” platform, with the Founders Fund, led by accomplished entrepreneur Peter Thiel, emerging as a notable participant. While the exact valuation remains veiled, preliminary reports from June had hinted at a potential valuation of approximately $5 billion post-secondary stock exchanges.

Neuralink continues to spearhead innovation, aiming to establish seamless communication links between the human brain and computers. A remarkable breakthrough came earlier this year when the company secured the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate its inaugural clinical trial involving human subjects. 

Central to Neuralink’s technological marvel is a compact implant device meticulously designed to forge intricate neural connections between the brain and computers, facilitated by specialized electrodes. While the technology harbors immense potential, it has not been devoid of ethical dilemmas, particularly concerning Neuralink’s employment of animal testing procedures, particularly involving primates.

Despite weathering criticism on this front, Neuralink remains unwavering in its determination to propel brain technology forward. As a torchbearer in the swiftly expanding landscape of brain-centric technology enterprises,

PayPal Introduces PYUSD Stablecoin for Effortless Virtual Transactions

  • PayPal reveals PYUSD stablecoin, marking its pioneering entry into the stablecoin market.
  • U.S. PayPal users can effortlessly transfer PYUSD between their accounts and external wallets, enabling smooth person-to-person payments and purchases. It also supports conversions with supported cryptocurrencies.
  • PYUSD is an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token, designed to seamlessly integrate with the expanding web3 ecosystem.

In a pioneering move, PayPal has unveiled plans to launch its stablecoin, PYUSD, marking a significant stride in the digital payments landscape. This development positions PayPal as the first major U.S. financial institution to delve into the realm of stablecoins.

PYUSD is designed to streamline virtual transactions, providing eligible PayPal users in the United States with the flexibility to transfer the stablecoin between their PayPal accounts and compatible external wallets. This innovation extends to person-to-person payments and purchases, offering a versatile solution for various financial activities. Additionally, the stablecoin enables users to seamlessly convert between PayPal’s supported cryptocurrencies and PYUSD, with full transparency on exchange rates and associated fees.

One of the standout features of PYUSD is its compatibility with the Ethereum blockchain as an ERC-20 token. This design ensures its seamless integration within the rapidly growing web3 ecosystem, catering to developers, wallets, and web3 applications.

The primary goal of PYUSD is to expedite value transfers within virtual environments, including supporting friends and family, remittances, international payments, and direct payments to developers and creators. The stablecoin’s adoption is expected to be frictionless among exchanges, and it is positioned to significantly enhance user experiences within the PayPal ecosystem. Furthermore, plans are underway to make the stablecoin accessible on the Venmo platform, further solidifying its presence in the digital payments landscape. With this bold move into stablecoins, PayPal is not only reshaping virtual transactions but also carving a unique path toward the integration of digital assets in everyday financial activities.

Is RealityOS the long-rumored Headset to be Launched by Apple?

In a piece of recent news, Apple is reportedly using the name ‘RealityOS’ for the operating system running on its rumored virtual and augmented reality headset. The name has also appeared in a trademark filing spotted by Parker Ortolani.

RealityOS Headset

RealityOS, the trademark application has not officially been filed by Apple, but it’s common practice for large companies to apply for trademarks under one-off company names — like Realityo Systems LLC, in this case — in the state of Delaware for the sole purpose of maintaining anonymity.

The trademark application is the latest evidence that Apple is on the cusp of announcing its long-rumored headset. The design and functionality of Apple’s headset has been the source of much speculation over the years, but most reports suggest that it’ll be able to offer a combination of virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, immersing you in virtual content as well as layering virtual elements over real-world environments.

Registered by a Shell Company

The RealityOS trademark has not been applied for by Apple itself, and has instead been registered by a company called “Realityo Systems LLC.” But Ortolani reports that Realityo doesn’t appear to have any public presence, suggesting that it’s a shell company used by the Cupertino-based tech company to hide its involvement. Apple has reportedly taken the same approach in the past, 9to5Mac reports, using a shell company called “Yosemite Research LLC” to register macOS update names like Yosemite, Big Sur, and Monterey.

Both Realityo Systems LLC and Yosemite Research LLC are registered at the same address, which heavily implies that Apple is behind them. The RealityOS filings for a trademark and service mark don’t list any examples of the name’s use in public (meaning the product they’re associated with is yet to be released), and they’re also the only two applications associated with Realityo Systems LLC.

The applications have been discovered just days before Apple is due to kick off its annual developer conference next week on June 6th, and are listed with deadlines of June 8th, leading to speculation that we could see the headset announced during Apple’s keynote.

U.S. Treasury Set to Unveil Rule Targeting Anonymous Luxury Home Purchases to Combat Money Laundering

  • New U.S. Treasury rule will force real estate pros to reveal true beneficiaries behind cash purchases of upscale homes, curbing money laundering.
  • The rule addresses real estate’s role in enabling money laundering; $2.3 billion was laundered via U.S. properties from 2015-2020.
  • Bipartisan support is present, but timing is hindered by related rules; American Land Title Association calls for synced implementation.

The U.S. Treasury Department is gearing up to unveil a groundbreaking rule aimed at dismantling anonymous luxury-home purchases, a practice exploited by corrupt figures, criminals, and terrorists to legitimize their illicit gains. This impending regulation is set to impose transparency requirements on the real estate industry, compelling real estate professionals and title insurers to divulge the actual beneficiaries behind corporate entities using cash for high-end property acquisitions.

The core thrust of this new rule is to quell the pervasive problem of money laundering in real estate transactions. Criminals have long capitalized on real estate purchases to launder their funds, a concern highlighted by a Global Financial Integrity study which revealed that a staggering $2.3 billion was funneled through U.S. real estate between 2015 and 2020.

However, the implementation has encountered hurdles due to related regulatory intricacies. While bipartisan lawmakers have endorsed the initiative, concerns about its pace have prompted a cautious approach by the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The American Land Title Association, representing title insurers, welcomes the rule but advocates for its alignment with the finalization of regulations pertaining to shell company ownership.

Crucially, the proposed regulation is open for feedback from both the public and the industry, underscoring a collaborative effort to combat money laundering’s entrenched presence in the real estate sector. As the U.S. Treasury prepares to reveal this vital rule, experts believe it could mark a watershed moment in the ongoing battle against financial crime and corruption in high-end property transactions.

Moon Mining: Russia’s Ambitious Leap Sparks Global Lunar Resource Race

  • Russia’s lunar spacecraft launch fuels worldwide competition for rare earth metals on the moon.
  • Russia hints at joint efforts with China for crewed missions and lunar base establishment.
  • Lunar mining navigates complex space laws and demands innovative robotic solutions.

Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, has set the stage for a resurgent era of lunar exploration, launching its inaugural moon-landing spacecraft, marking the nation’s first such attempt in nearly five decades. This move places Russia alongside major players in the global space race, where the United States, China, and India are fiercely competing to uncover the secrets of Earth’s only natural satellite.

Russian authorities have laid out an ambitious roadmap, revealing their intentions to conduct subsequent lunar missions, followed by potential collaborative initiatives with China. These include crewed lunar expeditions and the establishment of a lunar base, signifying a strategic alignment in space exploration endeavors.

One intriguing facet of this lunar fervor is the pursuit of valuable resources that lie beneath the moon’s surface. Rare earth metals, essential components of cutting-edge technologies, have captured the attention of not only Russia but also other contenders. Despite logistical complexities posed by lunar conditions, including low gravity and extreme temperatures, robotic systems are expected to play a pivotal role in establishing infrastructure.

However, navigating the legal landscape for moon mining remains intricate. The Outer Space Treaty of 1966, championed by the United Nations, underscores that celestial bodies cannot be claimed by any nation. Meanwhile, the 1979 Moon Agreement further solidifies this principle, though it lacks widespread endorsement. In this context, the United States Artemis Accords seek to augment existing space law, but Russia and China’s abstentions highlight the evolving dynamics of space governance.

Maxeon Solar’s Ambitious Investment in New Mexico Solar Facility

  • Maxeon Solar to invest $1 billion in 3 GW solar factory, creating 1,800 jobs by 2025.
  • Decision driven by Biden’s climate legislation incentives, aligning with clean energy goals.
  • Maxeon considers 4.5 GW expansion, positive impact on New Mexico’s economy and first large-scale solar plant.

Singapore-based solar energy leader, Maxeon Solar, has unveiled plans to invest more than $1 billion in the establishment of a cutting-edge solar cell and panel factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company’s strategic decision is a response to the manufacturing incentives offered by President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate legislation, indicating a harmonious alignment with the nation’s clean energy goals.

The colossal 3 GW facility is poised to become operational by 2025, with the potential to generate around 1,800 job opportunities, thereby contributing significantly to local employment and economic growth. This venture marks Maxeon Solar’s inaugural manufacturing site in the United States, underlining the company’s commitment to fostering expertise in manufacturing and engineering within the country.

Maxeon Solar’s forward-thinking approach is also evidenced by its contemplation of expanding the facility’s capacity to 4.5 GW, driven by the foreseen surge in demand for renewable energy. This expansion, if realized, could further solidify New Mexico’s transition towards a greener economy and establish the state’s first large-scale solar manufacturing hub. As the world intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, Maxeon Solar’s substantial investment stands as a testament to both innovation and environmental stewardship, resonating as a pivotal milestone in the renewable energy sector.

Calix Raises the Bar Again by Announcing The World’s First Carrier-Class Wi-Fi 6E GigaSpire BLAST Systems, Including Power Over Ethernet, Mesh, and Temperature-Hardened Systems

Revolutionary new Revenue EDGE systems will enable broadband service providers to excite their subscribers with a simple upgrade to any GigaSpire Wi-Fi experience, delivering unmatched performance and breakthrough flexibility to address the most demanding use cases and extreme environments for both residential and small business subscribers.

Building on a decade of investment in the Intelligent Access EDGE and Revenue EDGE platforms to deliver an unrivalled pace of broadband innovation, (NYSE: CALX) announced new carrier-class Wi-Fi 6E systems, including a hardened system that can withstand even severe outdoor conditions. These new systems mark a major milestone for Calix, its Revenue EDGE platform, and its customers. By incorporating cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E technology into the GigaSpire® family, Calix is enabling broadband service providers (BSPs) to take full advantage of the newly available 6 GHz band. That means higher throughput and lower latency, less interference, and better performance in dense environments. It also offers increased network efficiency and robust support for the next generation of bandwidth-intensive consumer and business applications. Powered by the Calix Experience Innovation Platform, these new Wi-Fi 6E systems can be leveraged for new deployments or seamlessly added to existing GigaSpire deployments to instantly upgrade that experience to address an ever-expanding set of subscriber use cases—including outdoor use. These new systems will extend the value of the Revenue EDGE platform so BSPs can simplify operations, excite subscribers, and grow the value of their business. 
 

The new GigaSpire BLAST Wi-Fi 6E systems are a foundational component of the Revenue EDGE solution, which includes Calix Support CloudCalix Marketing Cloud, the CommandIQ® mobile app, and Revenue EDGE Suites. They enable BSPs to deliver the interactive bandwidth-intensive applications and services subscribers want. Every system in the GigaSpire BLAST portfolio delivers carrier-class reliability and performance that ensures BSPs can provide their subscribers with an exceptional managed experience. These systems will be included in the expanded portfolio. 
 

GigaSpire BLAST u6e premises systems are tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) premises systems that are designed to maximize the power of the newly available 6GHz band. The GigaSpire BLAST u6e can also operate as a mesh satellite. To ensure optimal placement and coverage, they can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted, and powered either traditionally or with an Ethernet cable. These systems offer BSPs the broadest set of options for residential and small business use cases that require ultimate performance and deployment flexibility.
 

  • GigaSpire BLAST u6me is a tri-band mesh satellite. Like other Calix mesh systems (e.g., the GigaSpire BLAST u4m), it can be used to extend coverage in larger premises and premises that feature signal-blocking construction materials. Unlike existing Calix mesh systems, however, the GigaSpire BLAST u6me provides dedicated connectivity to new Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices. This enables BSPs to quickly and cost-effectively enable their subscribers to adopt cutting-edge technology and the latest and greatest devices without the requirement to replace existing Wi-Fi 6 systems.
  • GigaSpire BLAST u6he is an innovative tri-band system and mesh satellite that is hardened to withstand outdoor conditions including rain, snow, sleet, and temperatures of –4° Fahrenheit (–20° Celsius). Like the GigaSpire BLAST u6e, this system leverages the 6GHz spectrum to open up a new world of use cases as BSPs can bring high-bandwidth services outdoors to the barn, patio, pool, restaurant patio, campground and more. This also makes the BLAST u6he an integral part of the new Revenue EDGE Small Business Solution.
  • GigaSpire BLAST u8xe is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E system that can operate as a gateway or a mesh satellite. Like the GigaSpire BLAST u6x, this new system will leverage an SFP module to provide BSPs with a single system deployment model for the subscriber premises that support everything from GPON, 10 Gig E (copper), XGS PON, and 10 Gig E (Active Ethernet).
     

“We’re excited to partner with Calix to take the next big step in delivering amazing Wi-Fi experiences to our residential and small business subscribers. The GigaSpire BLAST systems are enabling us to deploy and deliver the new services that our customers are adopting every day,” said Troy Mack, network operations manager at West Carolina Tel. “Wi-Fi 6E will unlock tremendous possibilities. The fact that we can simply add these new systems to our existing Revenue EDGE portfolio and existing deployments without missing a beat will ensure that we keep ahead of the competition. The fact that we can also offer our subscribers a Wi-Fi system that can withstand outdoor conditions is a huge step forward. This will allow us to deliver high-bandwidth services to every area of our customers’ properties, enabling Wi-Fi to the barn, backyard patio, and small businesses that require more powerful systems.” 
 

The Experience Innovation Platform, which powers all GigaSpire BLAST systems, enables BSPs to adopt and deploy new systems and services with unprecedented speed and efficiency. GigaSpire BLAST systems can be incorporated into a BSP’s operating model in mere days rather than weeks or months. With the accelerating investment in broadband, driven by U.S. federal and state-level funding as well as private investment, the GigaSpire BLAST family enables critical speed-to-market and flexibility. 
 

“The GigaSpire BLAST portfolio offers the broadest range of systems in the market to enable broadband service providers to succeed,” said Shane Eleniak, executive vice president of products for Calix. “We invest in innovation that helps them grow their brand and build deep, lasting relationships with subscribers. We were the first technology provider in the market with Wi-Fi 6 systems designed exclusively for service providers, and with the announcement of our Wi-Fi 6E and hardened capabilities, we will give our customers the agility and flexibility needed to outpace any market competitor—even the consumer giants. These GigaSpire BLAST systems will enable BSPs of any type and size to be first in their market and easily meet the needs of today’s subscribers.”
 

To learn more, download the white paper, “Expanding Wi-Fi into the 6 GHz Spectrum,” and register for the ConneXions 2021 Learning Experience, which takes place virtually November 16-18 at Calix.com. 
 

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) – Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty, and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable broadband service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite, and grow.
 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix’s business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix’s results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.