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The Attorney General seems to want an antitrust case against Google within weeks. Apple has delayed the Ad-pocalypse. Why the games industry is where Epic has all the leverage against Apple. Will a new display tech bridge the gap between e-ink and traditional displays? And of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: Metalab.co Today In Digital Marketing Podcast Links: Justice Dept. Plans to File Antitrust Charges Against Google in Coming Weeks (NYTimes) Apple to Delay iOS Change Roiling Mobile Ad Market (The Information) Apple App Store Draws New Scrutiny in Japan, Epicenter of Gaming (Bloomberg) Oculus halts headset sales in Germany (GamesIndustry.biz) TCL's new paper-like display can also play videos (Engadget) Weekend Longreads: Cash App’s Surge During Covid-19 Pandemic Fuels Square Stock (WSJ) The Digital Future of Tabletop Games (A16Z) Robot Boats Leave Autonomous Cars in Their Wake (WSJ) Tech Startup, Trying to Be Amazon for Farms, Runs Into Ag Giants (WSJ)

Will only one iPhone get the fastest version of 5G? Facebook moves into an election posture. Do Geofencing warrants violate the 4th Amendment? New Intel chips. New Snapdragon chips. Have you noticed we’ve been talking about the chip industry a lot lately? Today I’ll explain why. Also, a fully-functional Game Boy without a battery. Powered only by the sun and the energy of your button presses. Sponsors: Metalab.co Today In Digital Marketing Podcast Links: Source: Only one of Apple’s new iPhones supports the fastest 5G (Fast Company) Facebook will stop accepting new political ads a week before the US presidential election (The Verge) Facebook Moves to Limit Election Chaos in November (NYTimes) Court rules NSA phone snooping illegal — after 7-year delay (Politico) Feds can’t ask Google for every phone in a 100-meter radius, court says (ArsTechnica) Intel announces its new 11th Gen Tiger Lake CPUs, available on laptops this fall (The Verge) Qualcomm promises better AI for its next Snapdra

Nividia’s new GPU powerhouse, the RTX 3090. Apple makes the case that the App Store is a jobs powerhouse. Patreon is an interesting and monster new raise. Why Amazon delivery drivers are hanging their phones from trees. And the story behind the new gaming phenomenon known as Fall Guys. Sponsors: Fundrise.com/techmeme Metalab.co Links: Nvidia announces new RTX 3080 GPU, priced at $699 and launching September 17th (The Verge) Nvidia’s new RTX 3090 is a $1,499 monster GPU designed for 8K gaming (The Verge) iOS app economy creates 300,000 new US jobs as developers adapt during pandemic (Apple Newsroom) TikTok Deal Talks Are Snarled Over Fate of App’s Algorithms (WSJ) Patreon Tops $1 Billion Valuation as Pandemic Brings a Surge in Creators to Platform (WSJ) Twitch's Prime Video watch parties are now available to everyone (Engadget) Amazon Is Openly Hiring Union-Busters (Gizmodo) Amazon Drivers Are Hanging Smartphones in Trees to Get More Work (Bloomberg) How the British studio behind

It’s Phone Day! The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is unveiled. The world’s first smartphone with an under-display camera is unveiled (it’s the ZTE Axon 20 5G if you’re following along). Mark Gurman tells us everything we can expect from Apple through the end of the year. Walmart takes aim at Prime with Walmart+. Oh, and Zoom had quite the earnings report. Sponsors: Metalab.co Liftoff.to Links: Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold2 packs a bigger 120Hz folding glass screen, Snapdragon 865+, and more (Android Police) ZTE unveils the Axon 20 5G, the first phone with an under-display camera (Engadget) Apple Preparing 75 Million 5G iPhones Alongside New Watches and iPad (Bloomberg) Kuo: mmWave 5G iPhone Shipments Likely to Be Weaker Than Expected in 2020-21 (MacRumors) Facebook Could Block Sharing of News Stories in Australia (NYTimes) Walmart+ launches Sept 15, offering same-day delivery, gas discounts and cashierless checkout for $98/yr (TechCrunch) Zoom shares soar after revenue more than quadruples from last

Has TikTok found its buyer? Lenovo launches its flagship laptop. Netflix is offering free access to some of its originals. Amazon can officially start drone delivery. But drug cartels are already using drones for assassinations. And the billion dollar black market for stolen video game accounts for games like Fortnite and Roblox. Sponsors: Metalab.co BlueNile.com code RIDE GetSideQuest.app/ride Links: TikTok deal to sell U.S. business could be announced as soon as Tuesday (CNBC) The Yoga 9i is Lenovo’s new flagship convertible laptop (The Verge) Samsung says its latest mobile memory is a production breakthrough (Engadget) Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 732G, a follow-up to the Pixel 4a’s chipset (9to5Google) Netflix Is Offering Free Access to Select Original Movies and Series, Even Without an Account (Gadgets360) Amazon wins FAA approval for Prime Air drone delivery fleet (CNBC) Drug Cartel Now Assassinates Its Enemies With Bomb-Toting Drones (The Drive/The Warzone) Stolen Fortnite Accou

Ok, if things couldn’t get any weirder, what if I told you Walmart really wants to buy TikTok. Has anyone noticed that Facebook is actively working to keep the App Store controversies in the news? I say thumbs down to a sidekick inspired smartphone, but thumbs up to completely under the screen selfie cameras. And of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: TinyCapital.com Masterworks.io, select PODCAST, then enter: RIDE GetSideQuest.app/ride Links: Walmart wanted to be majority owner of TikTok, and was teamed up with Alphabet and SoftBank before Microsoft (CNBC) Walmart is teaming up with Microsoft on TikTok bid (CNBC) Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees (Reuters) Exclusive: First look at the LG Wing with its twisty dual display (Update) (Android Authority) Xiaomi will launch a phone with an invisible under-display camera in 2021 (Android Central) The Weekend Longreads Suggestions The Anti-Facebook: 12 Years In, Facebook'

Amazon announces Halo, a weird and ambitious new fitness wearable. Facebook warns of an ad-apocalypse. TikTok’s CEO abruptly resigns, for: reasons. The reMarkable 2 e-ink tablet. Intel is causing the US to fall behind in supercomputing. And the first big podcaster to sign exclusively with Spotify is leaving the platform and burning his bridges. Sponsors: Masterworks.io, select PODCAST, then enter: RIDE TinyCapital.com Links: AMAZON ANNOUNCES HALO, A FITNESS BAND AND APP THAT SCANS YOUR BODY AND VOICE (The Verge) Facebook Says Apple’s Changes to iOS Will Dramatically Hurt Ads (Bloomberg) Kevin Mayer calls it quits (Source Code Newsletter) Intel Slips, and a High-Profile Supercomputer Is Delayed (NYTimes) Opensignal: U.S. 5G speeds slump as other countries leap ahead (VentureBeat) The reMarkable 2 is the latest attempt to turn your paper notepad digital (The Verge) Joe Budden is taking his podcast off Spotify because the company ‘is pillaging’ his audience (The Verge) Thanks to: @el

Palantir’s S-1 filing gives us our first look under the hood of their business. Apple is bringing AR content to Apple TV+. A big name in 3D printing is going public… and guess how? A new digital networking speed record. And Elon Musk is going to demo his brain/computer interface technology on Friday. Sponsors: Masterworks.io, select PODCAST, then enter: RIDE TinyCapital.com Links: Palantir files to go public, lost about $580 million last year (CNBC) Apple Plans Augmented Reality Content to Boost TV+ Video Service (Bloomberg) Facebook changes name of its annual VR event and its overall AR/VR organization (TechCrunch) White House announces creation of AI and quantum research institutes (VentureBeat) Desktop Metal going public in SPAC-led deal that could value 3D printer company at $2.5B (TechCrunch) Researchers at University College London Set a New World Record for Fastest Internet (Gizmodo) Elon Musk promises demo of a working Neuralink device on Friday (The Verge) Learn m

A whole bunch of new hardware gadgetry today. New Fitbits. New smart locks. New Roomba capabilities. Also, rumors of a new Nintendo Switch console with serious spec upgrades. A judge hands a lifeline to the Unreal Engine. 3nm Silicon is coming fast. And Bill Gurley gives us a timely background on SPACs. Sponsors: ExtraHop.com/techmeme TinyCapital.com Links: Fitbit unveils Sense and Versa 3 smartwatches with Google Assistant (VentureBeat) Level’s latest smart lock can be unlocked with a touch (The Verge) Nintendo Plans Upgraded Switch Console and Major Games for 2021 (Bloomberg) Nintendo reportedly releasing upgraded Switch next year (The Verge) Epic judge will protect Unreal Engine — but not Fortnite (The Verge) iRobot is giving its vacuum cleaners a new AI-powered brain (The Verge) TSMC Details 3nm Process Technology: Full Node Scaling for 2H22 Volume Production (AnandTech) Going Public Circa 2020; Door #3: The SPAC (Above The Crowd/Bill Gurley) Learn more about your ad

Is Apple evil now? Another App Store kerfluffle, this time involving WordPress of all things. Also, more fallout from the Apple/Epic Games/Fortnite battle. Lawsuits flying in the WeChat/TikTok controversies. And let me introduce you to SPAC’s, otherwise known as blank-check companies. Sponsors: TinyCapital.com Grammarly.com/techmeme Links: WordPress founder claims Apple cut off updates to his completely free app because it wants 30 percent (The Verge) Apple apologizes to WordPress, won’t force the free app to add purchases after all (The Verge) Apple PE Ratio 2006-2020 | AAPL (Macrotrends) Apple is holding the Unreal Engine hostage, Epic says in new motion (The Verge) Lawsuit Claims U.S. WeChat Ban Is Unconstitutional (WSJ) Zoom is working again, even if you’re not (The Verge) Peter Thiel-Backed Startup Luminar to Go Public in $3.4 Billion Merger (Bloomberg) Introducing the Kottke Ride Home Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe in Google Podcasts Subscribe On Spotify Or search Ko

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Uber’s former CSO charged with obstruction of justice, becoming the first tech executive ever charged for a security incident. A legend of the Amazon C suite is leaving next year. Epic Games continues to gleefully poke Apple in the eye. How Apple is cutting 5G costs in the iPhone 12. And of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: Metalab.co Today In Digital Marketing Podcast Links: Former Uber Security Chief Charged With Concealing Hack (NYTimes) Uber and Lyft Get Reprieve After Threatening to Shut Down (NYTimes) Jeff Wilke, Amazon’s consumer boss and a top lieutenant to Bezos, will step down in 2021 (CNBC) Epic to host a #FreeFortnite tournament with anti-Apple prizes (The Verge) Apple secretly acquired Israeli photography startup Camerai (CalcalisTech) Kuo: Apple Looking to Save on Costs in iPhone 12 With Simpler Battery Board Design (MacRumors) Weekend Longreads MONUMENTAL FAILURE - How Tulsa, Oklahoma, almost won Elon Musk using the language he knows best: memes (T

Facebook has removed tons of stuff from what it calls US-based militia organizations. Airbnb has filed for its IPO. Cobalt is an interesting raise. But also, some new tech might remove cobalt for better batteries. DoorDash launches grocery delivery. And is Palantir the first high profile company to flee Silicon Valley? Sponsors: Metalab.co BuyRaycon.com/tech Links: Facebook Removes 790 QAnon Groups to Fight Conspiracy Theory (NYTimes) Facebook restricts more than 10,000 QAnon and US militia groups (The Guardian) Airbnb files confidential IPO paperwork (CNBC) Airbnb Files Confidentially for IPO With SEC (WSJ) Online Thrift Shop ThredUp Plans IPO Early Next Year (Bloomberg) Cobalt.io grabs $29M Series B to continue building out pentesting platform (TechCrunch) This Cobalt-Free Battery Is Good for the Planet—and It Actually Works (Wired) DoorDash launches grocery delivery to compete with Amazon and Instacart (The Verge) Data-analysis giant Palantir moves headquarters to Denver (Den

Soon you can only use an Oculus if you have a Facebook account. But bizarrely, the Facebook Portal (along with the Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max) is opening up to Zoom. Netflix is testing a “shuffle play” feature. Blackberry phones are coming back. And Apple hits a $2 trillion market cap. Sponsors: BlueNile.com code: RIDE Metalab.co Links: You’ll need a Facebook account to use future Oculus headsets (The Verge) Zoom is coming to Google Nest, Amazon Echo, and Facebook Portal smart displays (The Verge) Trump Expresses Support for Oracle to Buy TikTok (WSJ) Netflix test puts a ‘Shuffle Play’ button right on your home screen (TechCrunch) New BlackBerry-branded devices w/ QWERTY keyboards set to come in 2021 (9to5Google) A TikTok Ban Is Overdue (NYTimes) The ecommerce surge (Benedict Evans) Big Tech’s Domination of Business Reaches New Heights (NYTimes) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple has chosen the tactical nuclear option in its fight with Epic Games. But Epic might rally a rebel alliance. Would Oracle buying TikTok make any sense to anyone? Uber and Lyft consider reverting to the business model they claimed the operated all along. And algorithms CAN be good for humanity. Sponsors: Metalab.co Discover.bot/podcast Links: Epic says Apple threatens ‘catastrophic’ response in two weeks if Fortnite doesn’t comply with rules (The Verge) Oracle enters race to buy TikTok’s US operations (Financial Times) Apple Gives Users More Time to Buy AppleCare After Sales Slow (Bloomberg) Amazon Bets on Office-Based Work With Expansion in Major Cities (WSJ) Uber and Lyft Consider Franchise-Like Model in California (NYTimes) Facebook and NYU use artificial intelligence to make MRI scans four times faster (The Verge) tech.supercast.tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why I think regulatory impact for Big Tech is maybe inevitable. Amazon seems to be sniffing around Rackspace. The first “mass produced” smartphone with a camera underneath the display? An ex-Googler says Google Cloud’s deprecation policy is maddening. And why you can’t watch the movie Cocoon, even if you want to. Sponsors: ExtraHop.com/techmeme Metalab.co Links: Google says Australian news rule threatens free search services (Financial Times) Exclusive: Amazon in talks to invest in cloud services company Rackspace, say sources (Reuters) ZTE's Axon 20 5G smartphone will have the first under-display camera (Engadget) Dear Google Cloud: Your Deprecation Policy is Killing You (Steve Yegge) Results day is a diversity disaster. Here’s all the proof you need (Wired) Our Long, Arduous Attempt To Watch ‘Cocoon,’ And Why Some Classic Movies Seemingly Just Vanish (UpRoxx) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The whole story of Reliance and Reliance Jio with Bryne Hobart, author of the excellent newsletter The Diff. Subscribe at: diff.substack.com Also, the book about Dhirubhai Ambani we discuss at the beginning is this one: The Polyester Prince. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you think we’re going to talk about? Apple and Google ban Fortnite. Epic Games turns around and sues Apple and Google for antitrust. Also: Adobe commits to fighting Deepfakes, Streaming is now a quarter of all tv viewing, and, of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: LiftOff.to JoinFightCamp.com/techmeme Links: Fortnite for Android has also been kicked off the Google Play Store (The Verge) Epic is suing Google over Fortnite’s removal from the Google Play Store (The Verge) Epic rallies Fortnite players against Apple with a warning that they’ll miss the next season (The Verge) Epic's 1984 Parody Video Photoshop Will Help ID Images That Have Been … Photoshopped (Wired) Disney+ Gains Foothold in Streaming Battlefield, Nielsen Says (The Hollywood Reporter) Weekend Longreads Suggestions The Secret SIMs Used By Criminals to Spoof Any Number (Motherboard) How We Got the Favicon (The History of the Web) The Black Internet Gold Rush That Wiped Away $75 Million in 18 M

Apple subscription bundles coming as soon as October according to Gurman. Epic is straight out thumbing its nose at the App Stores. What could render iPhones as “electronic trash” in China. And why are people sniffing around Dubsmash for a possible acquisition? Sponsors: Liftoff.to BuyRaycon.com/tech Links: Apple Readies Subscription Bundles to Boost Digital Services (Bloomberg) Epic offers new direct payment in Fortnite on iOS and Android to get around app store fees (The Verge) Twitter launches new API as it tries to make amends with third-party developers (The Verge) Intel offers a first look at its next-gen Tiger Lake processors and Xe graphics (The Verge) Corporate America Worries WeChat Ban Could Be Bad for Business (WSJ) Facebook, Snap Held Talks to Buy TikTok Rival Dubsmash (The Information) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Microsoft’s dual screen Surface Duo is here! Microsoft’s commits to November as a launch month for the Xbox Series X. Foxconn wants to pull back from China itself. Mozilla is in trouble. Silicon Valley and Kamala Harris are quite close, by the way. And why I think a see-through tv is actually a pretty good idea, thank you very much. Sponsors: Fundrise.com/techmeme Liftoff.to Links: MICROSOFT’S SURFACE DUO ARRIVES ON SEPTEMBER 10TH FOR $1,399 (The Verge) Microsoft Surface Duo's dual-screen hinge design is already winning me over (CNET) Microsoft to launch Xbox Series X in November (The Verge) Uber CEO says its service will probably shut down temporarily in California if it’s forced to classify drivers as employees (CNBC) Apple supplier Foxconn's profit beats view, sees smartphone demand off lows (Reuters) Kamala Harris is the choice Joe Biden needed to win over Silicon Valley (Recode) Mozilla Corporation to Lay Off 250 Staff (Motherboard) Xiaomi reveals its transparent 55-inch TV (CN