consumer tech industry

Apple has announced its first-ever foldable iPhone, priced starting at $1,999. The launch marks the company's entry into the foldable smartphone market, long dominated by rivals like Samsung. Coverage so far is limited to the headline announcement, with details on release dates, design and availability not yet confirmed. Tech commentators are expected to scrutinize the pricing and Apple's take on the foldable form factor.

Consumer advocacy groups are pressing Congress to open investigations into scams proliferating on major technology platforms. They are calling on lawmakers to examine how fraud reaches users through social media and online marketplaces, and what responsibility platforms bear. The push adds to mounting scrutiny in Washington of the tech industry's consumer protection practices.

The US Federal Trade Commission has opened investigations into OpenAI and Anthropic, examining potential consumer risks tied to their artificial intelligence products. The probe focuses on whether the companies' chatbots and AI services may harm or mislead consumers. The news is spreading rapidly among tech observers, with many viewing it as a significant escalation in US regulators' scrutiny of the leading AI developers.