How Meta could challenge Apple and Google to become the AI king on our devices
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Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Meta Picks Pimco, Blue Owl for $29 Billion Data Center Deal
(Bloomberg) -- Meta Platforms Inc. has selected Pacific Investment Management Co. and Blue Owl Capital Inc. to lead a $29 billion financing for its data center expansion in rural Louisiana as the race for artificial intelligence infrastructure heats up, according to people with knowledge of the matter. All Hail the Humble Speed Hump Three Deaths Reported as NYC Legionnaires' Outbreak Spreads Mayor Asked to Explain $1.4 Billion of Wasted Johannesburg Funds Major Istanbul Projects Are Stalling as City Leaders Sit in Jail What England's New National Cycling Network Needs to Get Rolling Pimco is expected to lead a $26 billion debt portion of the financing, while Blue Owl is providing $3 billion of equity, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The debt portion is likely to be issued in the form of investment-grade bonds backed by the data center's assets, they said. The social media company has been working with Morgan Stanley to raise funds in a competitive process that pitted some of the largest names in private credit against each other. Apollo Global Management Inc. and KKR & Co. were also vying to lead the financing until the final round of talks, said the people. Other investors may be added at a later stage, they added. Representatives for Meta, Pimco and Blue Owl declined to comment. Morgan Stanley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Blue Owl Capital shares were up 2.4% in premarket trading on Friday. Meta climbed 0.4%. Private investment firms have been aggressively seeking to deploy capital in transactions secured by physical assets or for higher-rated companies in a bid to differentiate their business. Many see the multi-trillion dollar market for private asset-based finance and data centers in particular as a massive opportunity to expand their revenue streams. Research by the the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co Inc. estimates that data centers will require $6.7 trillion to meet demand for computing power globally by 2030. AI Development The Meta financing will help the firm accelerate its development of artificial intelligence, which executives have said is already producing 'meaningful' revenue for the company. Meta said costs will grow at an even faster pace next year — particularly as it focuses on AI infrastructure needs and the niche technical talent that can fine-tune its models. 'We generally believe that there will be models here that will attract significant external financing to support large-scale data center projects that are developed using our ability to build world-class infrastructure while providing us with flexibility should our infrastructure requirements change over time,' Chief Financial Officer Susan Li told investors during an earnings call last week. Other tech giants have partnered with investment firms to fund AI data centers. Microsoft Corp. has teamed up with BlackRock Inc. to raise $30 billion in private equity capital for strategy that could deploy as much as $100 billion in the space, while Elon Musk's xAI Corp. raised $5 billion in the broadly syndicated debt market in June as it pushes ahead with the build-out of advanced AI models. Earlier this week, Apollo said it had agreed to buy a majority stake in Stream Data Centers. --With assistance from Kat Hidalgo. (Updates with stock price movements in paragraph five.) The Pizza Oven Startup With a Plan to Own Every Piece of the Pie Digital Nomads Are Transforming Medellín's Housing Russia's Secret War and the Plot to Kill a German CEO It's Only a Matter of Time Until Americans Pay for Trump's Tariffs The Game Starts at 8. The Robbery Starts at 8:01 ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Tom's Guide
19 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Meta's new VR headset prototype is so advanced it passes the 'visual Turing test' — but would you look at the size of it?
While Mark Zuckerberg may be adamant that AI smart glasses are the future, Meta isn't giving up on virtual reality just yet. The company has just revealed its latest VR headset prototype, codenamed "Tiramisu." And it is, to put it nicely, absurdly large. As you can see in the image above, this headset is pretty gargantuan, and it reminds me of scenes in Futurama where Bender extends his eyes out of his head. Needless to say, this thing looks very front-heavy and rather uncomfortable to wear. That said, Meta claims that this is the closest any of its headsets have come to "passing the visual Turing test." In other words, Meta is inching closer to being able to trick your eyes into thinking they're looking at the real world — not some metaverse landscape that's blander than my grandmother's grilled chicken. Whether those claims hold any water is not clear, because we haven't tested the headset for ourselves. And the fact it's a prototype, with its absurd design, means we're not likely to be doing so anytime soon. Meta Reality Labs just showed their new VR headset prototype called Tiramisu which offers stunning realism with 90 PPD, ultra-high contrast and brightness 14x that of Quest 3. It's bulky with a narrow FOV but offers a glimpse of what could be visually possible in the future. 7, 2025 Apparently this headset offers 90 pixels per degree (PPD), which is considerably higher than what we can buy right now. Apple Vision Pro is 34 PPD, while Meta Quest 3 offers 26 PPD. Apparently, such high pixel density means that even the smallest on-screen lettering is legible to the wearer. The brightness is also claimed to be 14 times higher than the Quest 3 (1,400 nits), with ultra-high contrast. Meta claims there's something called "angular resolution" thrown in, which helps with those finer details, and promises to be 3.6 times better than the Quest 3's capabilities. That all sounds pretty darn impressive, at least on paper. The downside is the design of the headset itself. The bulk is a big issue, but it's also claimed that the Trismus headset has a narrow field of view. Just 33 x 33 degrees, in fact, which is pretty poor. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Needless to say, it's going to be hard to convince your brain you're not looking at a virtual landscape without matching (or ideally slightly exceeding) the same field of view as our eyes. Those black areas inside the headset would be a dead giveaway that it's all fake. That's before you consider the actual weight and feel of the headset itself. Still, progress is progress no matter how limited it might be in certain areas. The only way is forward from here. You're not likely to see such high-end specs in a consumer VR headset anytime soon. Not only does Meta need to figure out the field of view and bulk problems, the cost factor will also come into play. This stuff is going to be horrendously expensive, and as we've seen with the Apple Vision Pro, no amount of high-tech wizardry can make people buy something that's astronomically priced. For now, the closest you'll be getting to this is eating an actual tiramisu while wearing a Quest 3. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
CNET
19 minutes ago
- CNET
Buying a New iPhone or Android Phone? This Is What You Need to Know First
The iPhone 16 Pro, Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra, have lots in common. From their lightning-fast performance and pro-level cameras to their big, vibrant displays, these flagships are all among the best phones you can buy in 2025. It's no surprise then that these fan-favorite phones have something else in common, too: Whopping prices. Costing $1,000 and more, these elite handsets are out of reach for many of us -- or they're simply unnecessary for those of us who just want an all-around device for everyday use. Thankfully, there's a huge array of options out there catering to all needs and budgets, whether you're looking for top-end model or a more affordable option, like the Google Pixel 9A. You'd think the vast number of choices would make shopping simple. But the reality is that sometimes all the options make it more confusing. To help you cut through some of the jargon and spend your money sensibly, I've put together tips for buying a phone. Oh, and if you're considering buying a new iPhone 16 right before Apple is expected to launch its new iPhone 17, here's why you should wait -- regardless of whether you want Apple's latest handset. How to buy a new phone: Top phone-buying tips Know what you care about most: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices. Phones like the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra or Xiaomi 15 Ultra, for example, pack incredible cameras that almost rival the quality you'd get from a mirrorless camera. If you're keen on photography and always want to carry a superb camera for when inspiration strikes, then spending money here is a good idea. If not, you can likely save yourself a bundle. Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices. Phones like the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra or Xiaomi 15 Ultra, for example, pack incredible cameras that almost rival the quality you'd get from a mirrorless camera. If you're keen on photography and always want to carry a superb camera for when inspiration strikes, then spending money here is a good idea. If not, you can likely save yourself a bundle. Don't discount the midrange: Features of last year's flagships always trickle down to this year's midrange handsets. You can get a great phone that does almost everything that a premium phone can do for a fraction of the price. Google's Pixel 9 Pro packs a great zoom camera, but the base Pixel 9 has most of the same key specs and comes at a more reasonable price. Features of last year's flagships always trickle down to this year's midrange handsets. You can get a great phone that does almost everything that a premium phone can do for a fraction of the price. Google's Pixel 9 Pro packs a great zoom camera, but the base Pixel 9 has most of the same key specs and comes at a more reasonable price. Shop the sales: Look for deep discounts and promo deals around major holidays, especially Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday. And find out what your grace period is in case you need a quick return or exchange. Look for deep discounts and promo deals around major holidays, especially Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday. And find out what your grace period is in case you need a quick return or exchange. Consider last year's phones: They can often be a great deal, too. Wait for this year's launch to get last year's phone for less, when stores and carriers may be trying to offload their existing stock. You should also check for used options as these can save you a ton of money, as long as whatever you buy still receives security updates. They can often be a great deal, too. Wait for this year's launch to get last year's phone for less, when stores and carriers may be trying to offload their existing stock. You should also check for used options as these can save you a ton of money, as long as whatever you buy still receives security updates. Hold the phone at a store first: You may love or hate the way it looks and feels in person. You may love or hate the way it looks and feels in person. Check if you're already invested: Have you already bought a lot of iPhone apps and iTunes movies? Stick with an iPhone if you still want access to them. Likewise, if you've invested in loads of Android apps, you'll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it's simple enough to switch platforms Have you already bought a lot of iPhone apps and iTunes movies? Stick with an iPhone if you still want access to them. Likewise, if you've invested in loads of Android apps, you'll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it's simple enough to Buy a case and screen protector: You'll protect your phone from costly damage and will increase the phone's resale or trade-in value for when you're ready to move on. If you're careful with how you use your phone, it should last for years. Andrew Hoyle/CNET Smartphone performance vs. budget In general, performance lines up with cost. The very latest, greatest technology usually comes at a premium. Flagship phones pack the best cameras, the most powerful processors and may even sport cutting-edge tech like foldable displays. The high prices mean that these phones are worth considering only by those who want the absolute latest tech in their pockets. Not everyone needs such top tech, however, or may simply be unwilling to spend the $1,000 or more typically required to get it. Luckily, the midrange sector of the phone world has been one of the fiercest battlegrounds for companies to compete in, resulting in some amazing phones that won't break the bank. Features like wireless charging and cameras with multiple lenses that were once the domain of flagships are now commonplace on midrange phones. Even budget phones will still offer decent camera quality and enough power for you to enjoy all of your everyday web browsing, WhatsApp-ing and Instagramming. Screen size All phones have gotten steadily bigger over the last few years, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra measuring a whopping 6.9 inches. Small phones aren't that common anymore, with almost no phones measuring under six inches in size. Apple killed off its iPhone Mini line, and while its 2022 iPhone SE remained the smallest iPhone you could buy, the company replaced it with the 6.1 inch iPhone 16E, which hardly qualifies as small. On the Android side, the Google Pixel 8A's 6.1-inch display makes it one of the better smaller phones, but like the iPhone 16E, it's hardly what you'd call tiny. Google replaced it recently with the Pixel 9A and in so doing increased the screen size to 6.3 inches. Sorry, small phone fans, looks like you're out of luck. Andrew Hoyle/CNET Software support period A phone remains safe to use only as long as it receives security updates from the manufacturer to protect it from hackers. In the past, this was a bigger concern since most phones were supported for just two or three years, leaving them with a short shelf life. Today, however, extended support has become a competitive feature, with Google now offering an impressive seven years of software and security updates on its latest phones. It means the most recent Pixel 9 Pro will still be safe to use in 2031, while Samsung has promised a similar support period for its Galaxy S24 and S25 lines. Samsung's Galaxy S20, released in 2020, received its final security update in 2024, however, so it's important to confirm how long your phone of choice will be safe to use, especially if you're buying an older phone on the used market. A longer support period not only gives you better value for money over the lifetime of the device, it's also better for the planet, as it keeps older, but still usable phones out of landfill and reduces the number of new devices being made and shipped. Camera performance Camera features have been a major point for bragging rights in recent phones, with manufacturers always wanting a bigger, more exciting number, be it the number of megapixels or quantity of actual camera lenses. Three rear cameras are now common -- a regular lens, an ultrawide lens and a telephoto lens -- with even budget-focused phones packing multiple cameras. Read more: Best Camera Phone to Buy in 2025 This is great, as more lenses mean more shooting options when you're out and about. But that doesn't mean that any multilens camera is as good as another. As with processor performance, the more you spend, the better the results you'll typically get, with the absolute best cameras around usually being found on the most expensive flagships. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Look out for features like optical (rather than digital) zooms, night mode for better low-light images, and optical image stabilization. Sometimes these features might not be clear, and it's not possible to judge a camera's performance just by looking at the specs. If you really care about your phone's photography skills, then take some time to look at the reviews and see how its camera performs before you spend your money. Battery life Most phones, from the budget end through to elite flagships, can last most of a day on a single charge. Bigger phones might have bigger batteries, but they also have bigger screens and often more powerful processors, so they suck that extra juice down quickly. Few phones will give you more than a day of use. Here are some things to keep in mind: Always plan on giving your phone a full charge overnight. Look for features like fast charging, that allow your phone to take on a lot of power in a short space of time. Some phones, like the OnePlus 13, support 80W fast charging that will take it from empty to full in around 30 minutes. Check to see if your phone comes with a compatible fast charger though, as an old USB plug likely won't offer the power output required. Your battery will last longer if you avoid more demanding tasks such as gaming or video streaming. Keeping the screen brightness down will help too and if you're really trying to eke out that last few percent to help get you home, turning off Wifi and Bluetooth can also help. Andrew Hoyle/CNET Processor performance Top-end phones pack powerful processors along with 12GB of RAM or even more. It's enough to make these phones run any task without breaking a sweat, but you don't need to spend flagship level money to get great performance. Most decent midrange phones offer enough power to handle all of your everyday needs. You'll still be able to play almost any game from the Google Play store and edit your high-resolution photos in apps such as Snapseed or Adobe Lightroom. There's little you could throw at most midrange phones that they wouldn't be able to handle. As you move into the budget end of the spectrum, that's when you'll start to notice some slowdown with things like gaming. More demanding 3D games might look more stuttery and may even unexpectedly quit. However, basic tasks such as sending emails, listening to Spotify and browsing Instagram shouldn't be a problem. 4G or 5G? 5G is the latest standard that promises lightning-fast mobile data speeds when you're out and about. While 5G coverage still isn't everywhere yet, it's widespread enough that you should absolutely look toward a 5G phone. And that's easy, as almost all of them are, from top-end flagships down to entry-level budget phones. The only reason you should consider buying a 4G phone now is if you're looking at the used market and you've found a good deal on an older-generation model that will tide you over for a couple of years. Andrew Hoyle/CNET How much phone storage do you need? Most phones, even the budget ones, come with at least 64GB of storage, of which 10 may be taken up by preinstalled apps and the phone's operating system. If you don't plan on recording video, and gaming isn't your thing, 64GB might be enough, but otherwise you should consider 128GB to be a safer minimum. Andrew Hoyle/CNET Higher-end phones -- particularly those that can record high quality 4K video -- offer capacities of 256GB or more. With that much space, you'll barely need to think twice about having to clear out old files. If the phone supports microSD cards then it's a different matter, as you can pick up 32GB microSD cards (or bigger) for very little money these days and popping one into your phone will dramatically increase the amount of storage you'll have access to. Unfortunately, expandable storage is a very rare feature on phones these days. However, most phones will support external storage over USB-C, so if you're going on holiday and want to shoot a lot of high-resolution video, taking a small SSD drive to offload your footage to might be a good idea. Bonus features Many of these features are now common on phones at various price points and are worth keeping in mind when you're shopping. Fingerprint scanner or face unlock: A scanner may be on the back or even invisibly built into the display. Biometric security, as it's called, is more secure than having to remember a PIN. Water-resistant: Do you often take calls in the rain? Look for a phone with at least an IP67 rating to keep it safe from water and spilled drinks.
