Tech news digest for Monday, July 13, 2026

Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft

Apple has initiated legal action against OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing confidential documents and trade secrets from its former employees. The lawsuit, which spans 41 pages, claims that OpenAI solicited sensitive information during job interviews and that a former Apple employee downloaded dozens of confidential files before leaving the company.

• The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI coached Apple employees on how to evade security checks.
• Over 400 former Apple employees are mentioned in the lawsuit as having potentially shared trade secrets with OpenAI.

Retail Investors Shift Focus Away from Major Tech Stocks

Retail investors are increasingly cashing out of major tech stocks like Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia, while turning their attention to SK Hynix. This shift comes as the PHLX Semiconductor Index remains stable around the 12,000 mark during recent sell-offs, and retail trading activity continues to approach record levels.

• The S&P 500's advance-decline line reached a record high, indicating broader market participation.
• Selling activity among retail investors is nearly matching buying, reflecting a significant change in investment strategy.

Trump Advocates for Clarity Act in Graham's Memory

President Donald Trump has called on the Senate to pass the Clarity Act, a cryptocurrency regulation bill, in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who recently passed away at the age of 71. The bill, which aims to provide a clearer regulatory framework for the crypto industry, has already received a 15-9 approval from the Senate Banking Committee and is backed by major players like Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple.

• Senators Tim Scott and Cynthia Lummis are the primary sponsors of the Clarity Act.

Anthropic Expands Claude Cowork to Mobile and Web Platforms

Anthropic has announced the expansion of its Claude Cowork capabilities to mobile and web platforms, launching as a beta feature. The rollout starts with the Max plan, allowing users to access Claude Cowork through the sidebar on the Claude app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

• Claude Cowork will be available on mobile and web platforms starting with the Max plan.

Free Mac app tests USB-C cables effectively

WhatCable is a new free app for Apple Silicon Macs that allows users to test the capabilities of their USB-C cables by reading data directly from the Mac's port controller. Developed by Darryl Morley, the app reveals important specifications such as vendor ID, speed rating, and current rating, helping users determine the performance of their cables. A Pro version is also available for £9.99, offering additional features for those who need more advanced capabilities.

• WhatCable can identify data transfer speeds, video support, and power delivery limits of USB-C cables.
• A simpler app called WhatPort is also in development by Morley.

Nadella Challenges AI Labs on Distillation Bans

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has criticized AI labs such as OpenAI and Anthropic for their bans on distillation while profiting from public data. He highlighted that these companies benefit financially and through user-generated data, which he argues leads to an unfair concentration of economic value among infrastructure operators rather than knowledge creators.

• OpenAI and Anthropic prohibit distillation, primarily targeting Chinese competitors.
• Nadella stated that AI companies profit from both financial payments and user data.

SpaceX Stock Dips Near IPO Price as Banks Prepare for Strong Earnings

SpaceX shares have declined for the second consecutive day, approaching its $135 IPO price after starting at $150. This drop has raised concerns among investors, especially following the company's recent addition to the Nasdaq-100, which attracted passive investors. Meanwhile, major U.S. banks are set to report robust second-quarter earnings, largely due to the financial boost from the SpaceX IPO.

• The SpaceX IPO has significantly increased fees for investment banks, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley leading the charge.

Google AI Mode now lets you search your chat history on Android

Google has introduced a significant update to its AI Mode on Android, allowing users to search their chat history directly within the app. This feature, accessible via the new 'Search threads' bar in the navigation drawer, enhances the ability to revisit previous conversations. The update is now widely available on both iOS and Android platforms, marking a shift from the previous limitation of chat search to only the web. Additionally, the iPhone app has received a redesign, featuring a floating prompt box instead of a bottom-docked sheet, and a new 'plus' menu that enables file uploads on mobile devices.

• A redesigned prompt box on iPhone now features a floating rounded rectangle.

Traders are betting on a comeback quarter for Netflix

Traders are increasingly optimistic about Netflix's upcoming earnings report, as options data reveals a bullish sentiment with call volumes doubling puts in recent sessions. The stock, currently around $75, has seen a nearly 20% decline year-to-date and is testing a crucial technical support level. Analysts highlight that Netflix's share of TV viewership has reached its lowest point in over a year, and the company has struggled to produce major hits recently, which may impact subscriber engagement and growth.

• The most popular contract was the 75-strike put, with 15,000 likely sales on Monday.
• Options pricing indicates a 7.6% swing expected after earnings.

SpaceX cleared to fly Starship again after booster failure in May

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized SpaceX to conduct further test flights of its Starship prototypes following the identification of the probable cause behind the May booster stage failure. SpaceX plans to launch the next Starship on July 16, 2026, marking the second flight of the V3 version, which will also deploy the first third-generation Starlink satellites. The previous test on May 22 successfully lifted the 407-foot rocket but ended in failure when the booster failed to re-ignite and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX has since modified the engine startup sequence and alarm systems to enhance reliability.

• SpaceX's IPO on June 12 raised nearly $86 billion, making it one of the world's top ten companies.
• The FAA identified heat effects and alarm system errors as the main causes of the May booster failure.

Meta challenges Apple’s plan for EU-mandated third-party device interoperability

Meta is contesting Apple's approach to implementing the EU's Digital Markets Act, which mandates interoperability for third-party devices. The dispute centers on Apple's requirement to allow third-party accessories, like Meta's Ray-Ban glasses and Quest headsets, to access features currently exclusive to Apple products. While Apple has rolled out proximity-triggered pairing in iOS 26.5, Meta argues for a more seamless experience that would enable automatic availability of paired devices across all of a user's iPhones and iPads, similar to AirPods. This back-and-forth has been ongoing since October 2025, with Meta expressing concerns over Apple's proposed API solution potentially disrupting existing user experiences outside the EU.

• The ongoing discussions between Meta and Apple began in October 2025, following Meta's interoperability request.

Even Nvidia’s head of automotive fights with Nvidia for compute

Xinzhou Wu, Nvidia's head of automotive, emphasizes the rapid evolution of the automotive industry towards AI-defined vehicles, moving away from traditional electronic control units. He notes that while the US EV adoption is struggling, significant advancements are evident in China, where both new and legacy automakers are transitioning to centralized computing architectures. Wu also highlights Nvidia's role in supplying autonomous driving systems to major automakers like Mercedes, showcasing the company's pivotal position in the evolving landscape of self-driving technology.

• Nvidia's automotive division is competing for resources against its booming AI business.
• Xinzhou Wu previously worked at a Chinese OEM, providing insights into the rapid advancements in China's EV market.

Uber’s robotaxi lobbying effort puts it on a collision course with Waymo

Uber is lobbying against a proposed bill in Washington, D.C. that would permit autonomous vehicles to operate without human drivers, arguing it would displace human drivers and favor Waymo. The bill, introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen, aims to update the 2012 Autonomous Vehicle Act, allowing driverless testing and operations. Uber advocates for a hybrid model where robotaxis must operate alongside human-driven vehicles, a stance that puts it at odds with Waymo, which supports the bill for its potential to enhance public transit and equitable access.

• Waymo provides over 500,000 rides weekly across 11 cities.
• The bill includes a $0.15 per mile tax on robotaxi operators.

Meta's Louisiana data center investment to reach $50 billion, aided by generous tax incentives

Meta's Hyperion data center project in Richland Parish, Louisiana, has seen its investment balloon to over $50 billion, significantly up from the previously estimated $27 billion. This 5-gigawatt facility is part of Meta's broader strategy to enhance its AI infrastructure amid increasing demand. Louisiana's government has supported this expansion with substantial tax incentives, including a 20-year sales tax exemption for data centers built before 2029. Since construction began in December 2024, local businesses have benefited from over $1.6 billion in contracts, and Meta plans to invest more than $1 billion in local infrastructure improvements.

Google’s SensorFM turns messy wearable sensor data into a general-purpose health intelligence layer

Google Research has unveiled SensorFM, a foundation model that processes wearable sensor data from over five million users, learning general physiological and behavioral patterns. Trained on more than one trillion minutes of data, SensorFM excels in 35 health and behavioral tasks, outperforming traditional models on 34 of them. The model integrates data from Fitbit and Pixel Watch devices, utilizing a self-supervised training method that effectively handles gaps in data. This innovation aims to provide a comprehensive health intelligence layer, potentially enhancing personalized health insights through AI.

• SensorFM's largest variant achieved a 31% lower reconstruction error compared to the smallest model.
• The model's predictions significantly improved health summaries, rated higher across five dimensions.