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Sep 22, 2023 • 4 min read

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Amazon Alexa Upgrades:

Amazon has upgraded Alexa with advanced AI features, aiming to make interactions more natural and versatile. Showcased at Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia, the new Alexa can hold a more conversational dialogue without requiring the wake word to be repeated. It also responds to natural language requests for tasks like movie recommendations and smart home controls.
The AI enhancements are not just experimental but part of Amazon's strategy to refresh consumer engagement. Despite facing competition from advanced AI solutions like OpenAI's, Alexa continues to be popular, powering nearly a billion devices globally.
The company has also been mindful of latency issues, aiming to provide quick responses, which is crucial for smooth verbal interactions. While the new Alexa will offer a range of tasks including news summaries and storytelling, it comes with safety measures to prevent misinterpretations or misinformation.
The upgrade will roll out to existing Echo and Fire TV devices, and initially won't control critical smart home functions like locks and security systems. Alongside, Amazon unveiled new hardware products, like Echo Hub and a revamped Echo Show 8, that will also incorporate these advanced AI features.

Cisco's Splunk Acquisition:

Cisco Systems is acquiring cybersecurity company Splunk for $28 billion, marking Cisco's biggest acquisition to date. The all-cash deal, which offers $157 per share for Splunk, is part of Cisco's broader strategy to strengthen its focus on cybersecurity. Splunk specializes in data analysis software that helps businesses bolster their security measures and resolve technical issues quickly.
The acquisition will be financed through a mix of cash and debt and is slated to close in the third quarter of 2024. Cisco expects the deal to positively impact its earnings and gross margins within the first two years. This major move comes as Cisco shifts its core business focus toward security, reflecting changes in its revenue streams as cloud computing becomes more prevalent.
The companies anticipate that the merger will produce synergies within 12 to 18 months. If the deal faces regulatory obstacles or either party backs out, substantial termination fees are involved. Cisco has also been actively acquiring other security-focused companies recently, further cementing its commitment to cybersecurity and cloud services.

FTC Processing Fortnite Refunds:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now processing refund requests from players of the popular video game Fortnite Battle Royale, developed by Epic Games. This move comes after Epic Games settled a lawsuit with the FTC for $245 million last year.
The legal action accused the company of designing their in-app purchase system in a way that deceived users into spending real money and also allowed minors to make purchases without obtaining parental permission. Originally released in 2017, Fortnite Battle Royale is a free-to-play game but offers in-app purchases that cost actual money.
The FTC's lawsuit claimed that these in-app purchase mechanisms were intentionally misleading. As part of the settlement, Epic Games agreed to provide refunds to affected consumers. The FTC has now formalized the refund process, inviting players who believe they were tricked into making in-app purchases to apply for reimbursement.

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