Tech news digest for Friday, June 26, 2026

OpenAI Delays IPO Plans Amid Market Concerns

OpenAI has postponed its initial public offering (IPO) plans, with CEO Sam Altman stating that the company will only go public when financially viable. The anticipated timeline for the IPO has shifted to 2027, influenced by concerns over retail investor interest following SpaceX's market debut and Altman's demand for a $1 trillion valuation.

• Traders on Kalshi predict a 73% likelihood of OpenAI announcing its IPO by June 2027.
• OpenAI's revenue was approximately $13 billion in 2025, but the company remains unprofitable.

OpenAI Limits AI Model Rollout to Trusted Partners

OpenAI has announced that its new AI models, including GPT-5.6 Sol, will only be available to a select group of trusted partners following a request from the U.S. government. This decision aligns with a recent AI executive order from the Trump administration, which mandates a 30-day notice before broader AI model releases. OpenAI is also working with the government to develop a framework for future model assessments.

• GPT-5.6 Sol is designed for cybersecurity and focuses on fixing vulnerabilities.
• The White House's executive order aims to establish a voluntary process for AI labs to notify the government before releasing new models.

Government Scrutiny Alters AI Model Releases

The U.S. government has implemented new controls over AI model releases, significantly impacting OpenAI and Anthropic. As a result, OpenAI's upcoming model, GPT 5.6, will be rolled out on a customer-by-customer basis, and the approval process is expected to delay future model launches, potentially affecting the economic outlook for the AI sector.

• $25 billion was OpenAI's annualized run rate earlier this year.
• Uber has introduced spending tiers for AI tools after depleting its annual budget in just four months.

Apple's AirPods Max 2 Available at Discount

Apple's AirPods Max 2 headphones are currently priced at $399, reflecting a $150 discount available exclusively at Walmart. This deal comes after Amazon sold out of their stock, making Walmart one of the few retailers still offering the headphones at this price. The AirPods Max 2 feature enhanced sound quality and noise cancellation, along with new functionalities like conversation awareness.

• The AirPods Max 2 compete directly with offerings from Sony and Bose.

Google Home Speaker Launches with Shipping Delays for Jade Green Variant

The Google Home Speaker has officially launched as the successor to the Nest Mini, featuring improved local command processing and a new design with LED indicators. However, the Jade green variant has faced a shipping delay, pushing its availability to early to mid-August, while other colors are set to ship within days.

• The Google Home Speaker acts as a Matter and Thread border router, enhancing smart home connectivity.
• Other color options like Berry, Porcelain, and Hazel are shipping within days, while Walmart has low stock of the Jade variant.

New iPhone 18 specs report raises big question of iOS 27 limitations

A new report from Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that the base model iPhone 18 will feature 9GB of RAM, contrary to earlier expectations of 12GB. This change raises concerns about the device's ability to support the demanding features of iOS 27, which is set to enhance integration with Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 18, powered by the A20 chip, will see an increase from the 8GB RAM found in the iPhone 17, but it remains uncertain if 9GB will be sufficient for all of iOS 27's capabilities, especially since the iPhone 17 already misses out on advanced AI features due to its RAM limitations.

• Apple's iOS 27 will integrate more closely with Apple Intelligence, potentially requiring more RAM.

Trump says Iran violated ceasefire with drone attacks on Strait of Hormuz ships

President Donald Trump accused Iran of breaching a ceasefire agreement with the U.S. by deploying attack drones against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In a Truth Social post, Trump detailed that Iran launched at least four drones, one of which successfully struck a cargo ship off the coast of Oman on June 25, 2026. Despite the damage, the ship was able to continue its voyage, while U.S. forces intercepted three other drones. This incident coincided with the International Maritime Organization's decision to pause evacuation efforts for ships stranded in the strait, citing the need to reconfirm safety guarantees.

AI startup Lindy ditched Claude entirely for Deepseek, saving millions as cost pressure mounts on Anthropic

AI startup Lindy has entirely replaced Anthropic's Claude with Deepseek, resulting in substantial cost savings, as reported by CEO Flo Crivello. He noted that the financial burden of AI had become unsustainable for the 25-person company, with costs exceeding personnel expenses. The switch to Deepseek, a US-hosted solution, has led to a dramatic reduction in expenses. Crivello indicated that he would consider returning to Claude if Anthropic adjusts its pricing, highlighting the intense cost pressures faced by AI firms amid tightening budgets and competition from lower-cost alternatives.

• Anthropic's Claude is facing competition from cheaper Chinese AI models like GLM-5.2, which offer competitive performance.
• OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman highlighted rising AI costs as a significant issue for companies using agentic systems.

Tesla settles FSD crash lawsuit as federal investigations continue

Tesla has reached a settlement in a lawsuit related to a fatal crash in 2023 involving its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The lawsuit was initiated by the daughter of Johna Story, a 71-year-old woman who was struck by a Tesla Model Y while directing traffic around a previous accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Tesla's FSD in 2024, focusing on its ability to handle low visibility conditions, which was later escalated to an engineering analysis in March 2026 due to concerns about the system's degradation detection capabilities. Although the lawsuit has been settled, the NHTSA's investigation remains ongoing, with potential implications for Tesla, including the possibility of a recall.

• The NHTSA is also investigating reports of FSD causing vehicles to run red lights or cross into wrong lanes.

TikTok’s road to becoming a super app

TikTok is transitioning from a social media platform to a super app, integrating features like hotel bookings, a dedicated sports hub for the FIFA World Cup, and plans for financial services. The app's TikTok GO feature allows users to discover and book hotels directly within the app, while its TikTok Shop has seen explosive growth, with U.S. sales increasing by 407% in 2024. This strategy positions TikTok to compete with major players like Google and Amazon across multiple digital services.

• TikTok applied for fintech licenses in Brazil to offer lending and payment services.

Apple just announced its first film this year with a theatrical release

Apple has announced that its first film of 2026, 'Tenzing', will receive a limited theatrical release on October 9, aiming for Oscar eligibility. Following its theatrical debut, the film will be available for streaming on Apple TV starting October 16. 'Tenzing' tells the true story of Tenzing Norgay, portrayed by Genden Phuntsok, and his ascent of Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary, played by Tom Hiddleston. Directed by Jennifer Peedom, the film highlights the cultural and personal significance of the climb, contrasting Western views of Everest with Tenzing's reverence for the mountain.

SpaceX plans to launch Starlink mobile service in the US

SpaceX is set to launch a Starlink mobile service in the US, a move that could disrupt the multibillion-dollar telecommunications market. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president, revealed during an IPO roadshow that the company is considering a retail product and may establish its own mobile network, directly competing with major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. This expansion would mark a significant shift from SpaceX's current model, which primarily involves partnering with telecom companies to enhance rural coverage through satellite access. Analysts view this as a strategic effort to tap into a larger consumer market and reduce reliance on intermediaries.

• SpaceX's Starlink service currently operates in over 150 countries.
• The company has 10.3 million customers worldwide as of March 2026.

Of course Meta thinks gambling is the future

Meta is reportedly building a prediction market app called Polymarket, aiming to integrate gambling into its platform strategy. This development comes as the company grapples with morale issues, highlighted during its advertising showcase at Cannes Lions. Alongside this, Apple has announced significant price hikes on its products, which could reshape the gadget market landscape.

• Meta's new app aims to capitalize on the growing trend of prediction markets.
• Apple has raised prices on its products by hundreds of dollars, affecting the gadget market.

Samsung will soon start charging to access its smart home API

Beginning in October 2026, Samsung will introduce a $4.99 monthly charge for individual developers accessing its SmartThings API. This change will not only impact developers but also advanced smart home users who utilize the API for enhanced control or third-party tools. According to Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, users of their integration will fall under the new 'personal plans.' Samsung states that the revenue will support significant investments in enterprise-grade features and stability improvements requested by partners and users.

'The cult of Elon': SpaceX investors grapple with volatility amid big swings

SpaceX's stock has experienced significant volatility in its first two weeks as a public company, initially surging over 60% after a record-breaking IPO that briefly placed its market cap above $1.75 trillion. However, this excitement was followed by daily declines, including a 16% drop, as market jitters set in. Retail investors were drawn to SpaceX's ambitious vision and media coverage, purchasing a net $405 million in shares during the first five trading sessions. Analysts caution that while the company has lofty revenue projections, it faces challenges due to its current losses and potential increase in share supply as early investors cash out.

• Elon Musk projected SpaceX could achieve $1 trillion in revenue by 2030, up from $18.7 billion in 2025.
• SpaceX reported a $4.9 billion net loss in 2025 and $4.28 billion in Q1 2026.