**Aster Trade Shifts as Judge Orders Evidentiary Hearing to Review Epic-Google Antitrust Deal**

A pivotal moment in the ongoing antitrust litigation between Epic Games and Google has emerged as U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ordered an evidentiary hearing to scrutinize the proposed settlement between the two tech giants. The judge expressed doubts about whether the deal would adequately address Google’s alleged anticompetitive practices in the Android app distribution market, questioning the sudden alignment of interests between the companies, according to The Verge. The outcome of this hearing could reshape the future of Android’s ecosystem, particularly as the case has already set precedents for app store competition, The Verge noted.

Antitrust Settlement Under Scrutiny

Judge Rogers’ skepticism centers on the potential for the settlement to leave critical antitrust harms unaddressed. Law360’s courtroom coverage highlights her concerns that the agreement might not effectively curb Google’s dominance over app distribution, which has been a core issue in the case since its inception. The evidentiary hearing, scheduled for an unspecified date, will require both parties to present evidence on whether the proposed terms would truly correct the alleged anticompetitive conduct, The Verge reported. This development marks a significant setback for Epic and Google, which had previously sought to finalize the deal to avoid prolonged litigation.

Prediction Markets Integrated into Google Finance

In a separate but equally significant move, Google Finance has announced the integration of real-time prediction market data from Polymarket and Kalshi. This update allows users to access crowd-sourced insights on future economic events, such as GDP growth projections or election outcomes, by querying the platform. For example, a user could ask about the probability of 2025 GDP growth exceeding 3% and view how market sentiment has evolved over time, according to Yahoo Finance. The feature, initially available through Google Labs, leverages blockchain-based payment systems and aims to enhance financial decision-making with probabilistic analytics, the Yahoo Finance piece adds.

AI Partnership with Apple

Google’s strategic alliances have also expanded into the artificial intelligence sector. Apple Inc. has reportedly entered a multi-year agreement to utilize Google’s Gemini AI model to enhance its Siri voice assistant. Under the terms, Apple will pay approximately $1 billion annually for access to Gemini’s multimodal capabilities, which include text, image, and audio processing. The collaboration is intended to bridge a gap in Apple’s AI development timeline, with Gemini serving as a temporary solution until Apple’s proprietary models mature, according to American Bazaar Online. Key features include improved context-aware responses and on-device processing to align with Apple’s privacy-centric approach, the American Bazaar Online report states.

Germany’s Largest Tech Investment

Google is set to announce its most substantial investment project in Germany, involving the construction of new data centers and infrastructure. The initiative, to be detailed in a joint press conference with German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, emphasizes renewable energy integration and climate-neutral operations. The investment is expected to create thousands of jobs and position Germany as a hub for AI and green technology innovation, according to an Economic Times report. The project aligns with broader European Union goals to strengthen digital sovereignty while addressing energy sustainability challenges.

Next-Generation TPU Launch

Google’s hardware division has also made strides in semiconductor technology, with the imminent launch of its seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), codenamed Ironwood. The chip is designed to handle complex AI workloads, including training large language models and real-time chatbots. With the ability to scale up to 9,216 chips in a single pod, Ironwood aims to outpace competitors like Nvidia by reducing data bottlenecks and offering cost advantages, per Seeking Alpha. Anthropic, a leading AI research firm, has already committed to using up to 1 million Ironwood TPUs for its Claude model, underscoring the chip’s strategic importance, Seeking Alpha reported.

AI Tools for Publishers

In a bid to expand its AI-driven services, Google has introduced new tools for content publishers to automate workflows and increase monetization. These tools leverage AI to optimize content creation, audience engagement, and ad targeting, aiming to streamline operations for media companies. The initiative reflects Google’s broader strategy to position itself as a leader in AI-powered publishing solutions, competing with platforms like Microsoft’s Azure and Amazon Web Services, according to Seeking Alpha.

Anthropic Investment Speculation

While not yet confirmed, sources indicate that Google is exploring a significant increase in its investment in Anthropic, the developer of the Claude AI model. Potential scenarios include a formal funding round or a deeper partnership involving cloud infrastructure. The discussions highlight Google’s efforts to secure a stake in Anthropic, which could be valued at over $350 billion if the talks progress, a Yahoo Finance report suggests. This move would strengthen Google’s position in the AI arms race, where Anthropic’s expertise in safety and alignment complements Google’s technical capabilities.

Gemini in Google Maps

The latest iteration of Google Maps now incorporates Gemini’s conversational AI to enhance navigation and user interaction. Features include hands-free reporting of traffic incidents, landmark-based directions, and real-time information retrieval from reviews and business listings. For instance, a driver could ask Gemini to locate a vegan restaurant along their route and receive details about parking options without exiting the app, as noted by Autoevolution. This update underscores Google’s focus on seamless, context-aware experiences in its mapping ecosystem.