Google may be forced to initiate major changes after being convicted of illegal monopoly
On August 5th local time, according to technology media The Information, US federal district judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google violated the law by monopolizing the online search market. The litigation process will now enter the second stage, and the court will determine what penalties Google needs to face for violating antitrust laws.
The court ruling stated that Google maintains its monopoly position in the search engine market through exclusive distribution agreements signed with browser developers, smartphone manufacturers, and wireless operators. Among them, Google paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 alone, making Google the default search engine in Safari browser on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
In the eyes of the outside world, this verdict holds significant importance. Google's defeat in this lawsuit is the first time that major anti-monopoly judicial and law enforcement agencies in the world have clearly and systematically determined that Google's maintenance of its default search engine status through agreements with companies such as Apple Inc. constitutes monopolistic behavior.
Lawyers following this case say that in the next phase, US Department of Justice lawyers may seek to impede Google's efforts to dominate the next generation of search technology - generative artificial intelligence - and make it easier for other search service providers to erode Google's 95% market share. Gene Burrus, former assistant general counsel of Microsoft, said that US Department of Justice lawyers will almost certainly demand that judges take "structural remedial measures", such as forcing Google to divest its Android system, rather than just requiring Google to make "behavioral changes" in the way it operates its search business and its partnerships with companies such as Apple.
ByteDance reportedly seeks $5 billion in loan refinancing, company responds: no comment
Recently, according to Bloomberg, ByteDance is actively negotiating with relevant financial institutions to refinance its existing $5 billion loan with a term of three years. According to reports, this move is expected to become one of the largest loan refinancing transactions conducted by Chinese borrowers within the year.
Afterwards, 21st Century Business Herald sought confirmation from ByteDance, but the official response to this news stated that they would not comment.
Jiang Xiaobai responds to Dongfang Zhenxuan anchor Tianquan's apology: does not accept, will further safeguard its legitimate rights and interests
In the morning of August 10, Chongqing Jiangxiaobai Liquor Co., Ltd. issued a statement saying that the Oriental Selection anchor Tian Quan, as a "three-tier wine taster", made a statement that seriously deviated from the facts, misled consumers and trampled on the Jiangxiaobai brand, and violated the legitimate rights and interests of the company. The company has filed a complaint with the relevant regulatory authorities, requesting Dongfang Zhenxuan to make a public apology and eliminate the impact of this matter.
In a recent live broadcast, Dongfang Selection anchor Tian Quan mentioned in the live broadcast that Jiangxiaobai did not have the word "Baijiu" on its package, and said that Jiangxiaobai was not distilled in solid state, so it could not be regarded as solid fermentation liquor. This statement has sparked heated discussions on the internet regarding the Jiangxiaobai brand.
On the evening of August 9, the anchor of Oriental Selection Tian Quan issued an apology letter, saying that he said that Jiangxiaobai was not Baijiu during the live broadcast, which caused misunderstanding and confusion to Jiangxiaobai brand. This is really my responsibility, and I am very sorry here. "When I said Jiangxiaobai on the live broadcast, I meant Jiangxiaobai's fruity wine, not Jiangxiaobai's Baijiu, but of course, Jiangxiaobai's Baijiu was Baijiu."
Subsequently, the official Weibo account of Dongfang Zhenxuan also forwarded Tianquan's apology letter to Jiang Xiaobai, expressing his apologies. Oriental Selection said that the anchor's understanding of Baijiu categories was really not professional and comprehensive, and would strengthen relevant training in the future.
At 23:00 that night, Jiangxiaobai Liquor Industry issued a statement on the apology letter of the selected anchor Tianquan, saying that it did not accept the apology of the anchor Tianquan, and said that "Dongfang Tianquan is an apology letter issued by a second-hand English teacher's' personal account, called 'friends, without signature and seal". The company does not accept this kind of informal form and insincere apology, and will further protect its legitimate rights and interests through complaints to the relevant national departments and normal legal proceedings.
Counterpoint: Vivo's smartphone sales ranked first in China in the first half of the year, and this year China will become the world's largest high-end smartphone market
On August 9th, according to data released by Counterpoint, the sales of smartphones in China increased by 4% year-on-year in the first half of this year, and it is expected that the annual sales will rebound to over 270 million units. In the first half of the year, vivo's mobile phone sales increased by 5% year-on-year, higher than the industry average, and its market share ranked first in China. Among them, the market share of vivo X100 increased to 20% in the price range of 4000-6000 yuan, and exceeded 8% in the price range of 600 to 800 US dollars. In the second quarter, vivo X Fold3 ranked second in sales in the Chinese foldable screen market.
Qi Yingnan, the research leader of Counterpoint China, stated that generative AI technology will become an important driving force in the mobile phone market. Based on this, the mobile phone market is still on the track of recovery in the next one to two years, with an overall growth rate of about 3% this year. It is expected that the Chinese market will surpass North America and become the world's largest high-end mobile phone market by 2024.