QtrendsApple hikes MacBook and iPad prices amid memory chip shortage
Apple has raised prices on MacBooks and iPads globally as the memory chip shortage, worsened by surging AI demand, drives up production costs. The price hikes span markets including the US, India, and other regions, with some models seeing significant increases. Apple's stock fell 6% following the announcement as investors reacted to the margin pressure and potential demand impact. The memory crunch shows no signs of easing as AI infrastructure investment continues to consume chip supply.
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Meta is developing a standalone prediction market app powered by AI, separate from Facebook and Instagram, according to internal documents. Users would wager on real-world event outcomes using play money rather than real currency. The move revives a concept that dates back to election betting in the 1940s before it largely disappeared from mainstream platforms. The app represents Meta's latest push into AI-driven consumer products.
China is taking steps to secure its supply chains amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Beijing and Washington are holding further negotiations on reciprocal tariff reductions as both sides seek to de-escalate trade frictions. China has also urged the US to stop designating Chinese companies as military-linked entities, arguing the practice harms normal business operations. The developments signal continued efforts to stabilize economic relations between the two largest economies.
The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed core inflation reached 3.4% in May, the highest level since October 2023 and well above the Fed's 2% target. The reading adds pressure on the central bank to maintain or potentially raise interest rates. The jump reflects persistent price pressures in services and housing costs that have proven stubborn to cool. Markets reacted with heightened uncertainty about the timing of any future rate cuts.