Tobias

Beijing Xinwei Telecom, once a pioneering antivirus software company in China, is now facing financial struggles, including delayed salary payments. Founded in 1996 by Lin Hao, the company gained prominence by securing government contracts and offering user-friendly software. Listed in 2012, it later diversified into instant messaging with limited success. The company’s financial practices, including frequent stock splits, drew regulatory scrutiny. Amid increased market competition and completed cybersecurity infrastructure buildouts, Beijing Xinwei Telecom struggles to adapt, reflecting industry-wide challenges.

Oracle projects cloud sales reaching $114 billion by fiscal year 2029, driven by AI demand and a massive data center expansion. This bullish forecast boosted stocks of Nvidia (up 4%), TSMC (up 4%), Broadcom (up 9%), AMD (up 3%), Micron (up 4%), Super Micro and Dell (up 4% each). UBS analyst notes the projections are decidedly bullish for Nvidia, other AI hardware vendors, and ecosystem partners. Competitor CoreWeave surged over 20%. Oracle’s increased capital expenditure emphasizes cloud infrastructure’s growth.

Amazon’s Zoox launched its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, challenging Waymo in the autonomous vehicle market. Zoox’s purpose-built electric vehicle, without steering wheel or pedals, differentiates it from competitors like Waymo and Tesla. Following Las Vegas, Zoox plans expansion to San Francisco, Austin, and Miami. Zoox emphasizes safety and passenger experience, aiming for a communal ride with panoramic views. While profitability is years away, Amazon is committed, highlighting Zoox’s unique approach and long-term potential.

Oracle’s shares surged 40% following strong cloud demand fueled by AI, potentially reaching a record single-day gain and nearing a $1 trillion market cap. RPO jumped 359% year-over-year to $455 billion, exceeding expectations. Oracle benefits from AI demand, its cloud infrastructure, and access to Nvidia GPUs, competing with Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Projections forecast exponential cloud infrastructure revenue growth. While overall Q1 earnings slightly missed estimates, analysts express optimism, citing Oracle’s strategic position in the AI market and exceptional backlog, with upgrades and raised price targets.

TikTok star Khaby Lame, known for his silent comedic reactions, is touring China as part of a cultural exchange initiative. He visited Beijing landmarks and explored Tianjin’s culinary scene, even attempting to make Jianbing Guozi. Lame’s visit aims to foster stronger ties between China and Africa by offering a fresh perspective to his global audience, connecting with locals and highlighting Chinese culture and innovation. With over 259 million followers across platforms, his trip demonstrates the power of relatable content and influencer marketing in China.

Uber plans to integrate Blade helicopter services into its app by 2026, leveraging its partnership with Joby Aviation. This follows Joby’s acquisition of Blade’s passenger business, excluding medical logistics. The move aims to introduce zero-emission aircraft for urban air mobility, building on Uber’s initial 2019 partnership and subsequent Elevate division divestment to Joby. While details are pending, the partnership seeks to provide customers with next-generation travel options. Success hinges on FAA approval, eVTOL production, and public acceptance in the competitive air taxi market.

Ele.me, an Alibaba subsidiary, and the Shanghai Trade Union Council have reached a nationwide agreement on algorithm and labor rules for its delivery operations throughout 2025. Covering over 4 million workers, the agreement addresses concerns about compensation, rest periods, safety, and welfare, incorporating feedback from riders. It follows an initial Shanghai agreement and aims to improve working conditions and protect gig workers’ rights amid increasing scrutiny of algorithm-driven labor practices. The agreement’s success hinges on effective implementation and enforcement, potentially serving as a model for other platforms.

Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphone chips into the automotive sector, showcased by its Snapdragon Ride Pilot system co-developed with BMW. The Level 2+ autonomous driving system, debuting in the BMW iX3, allows hands-free driving on certain roads. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon anticipates significant interest from other automakers seeking to license the technology, heralding it as a potential “domino effect.” Qualcomm projects $8 billion in automotive revenue by 2029, driven by its comprehensive, integrated platform for autonomy and its strategic partnerships.

Chinese influencer “Chai Dui Dui” (Chai Xiangqian) is under investigation for allegedly producing and selling counterfeit products. The Pingyang County Public Security Bureau is handling the case, prompted by reports and confirmation of Chai’s detention. The Cyberspace Administration of China had previously criticized Chai for spreading false information and damaging a company’s reputation via Douyin and Xiaohongshu. Further, a company linked to Chai’s wife was fined for false advertising. This case highlights increased scrutiny and regulation of China’s influencer economy and the potential penalties for misleading marketing practices.

Klarna, the BNPL giant, priced its IPO at $40 per share, valuing the company at $15 billion. It raised $1.37 billion and will list on the NYSE as “KLAR.” The IPO reflects cautiously optimistic sentiment towards tech listings, despite economic uncertainty and competition. Klarna is expanding beyond BNPL to become a digital retail bank. While the company reported a recent net loss, revenue grew 20% year-over-year. $1.17 billion of the IPO proceeds will go to shareholders, and $200 million will go to the company.