Will Google sell its Chrome browser? AI start-up Perplexity offers Rs 2880000000000 to buy it
The world's most popular web browser, Google Chrome, might soon have a new owner. Perplexity, an AI-based search company, has made a surprise offer of USD 34.5 billion (around Rs. 2.88 lakh crore) to buy Chrome. The offer was sent directly to Alphabet, Google's parent company, without any prior talks. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg , Perplexity made this move at a time when Google is under pressure in the US to break its monopoly. Last year, a federal judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in internet search. The US government is now considering forcing Google to sell the Chrome browser and license its search data to competitors. Judge Amit Mehta is expected to announce a final decision on these measures soon. What is Perplexity's plan?
Perplexity, valued at USD 18 billion, says it has secured full financial backing from several major investment funds for this deal. The company's Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, confirmed that multiple large funds have agreed to finance the entire transaction. This isn't Perplexity's first bold mov, earlier, it had even proposed merging TikTok's US operations with its own. How Perplexity plans to change Chrome
Perplexity is preparing to launch its own AI-powered browser called Comet . The company claims that if it buys Chrome, it won't make any 'hidden changes,' ensuring user trust and stability. It has also promised to invest USD 3 billion in Chrome and its open-source version, Chromium, over the next two years, while retaining most of the current Chrome team. Will Google agree with Perplexity plan?
It's still unclear whether Google will accept the offer. For Google, Chrome is not just a browser, it's a crucial pillar of its search and advertising business. However, if pressure from US courts increases, the situation could change, turning this into one of the biggest surprises in tech industry history.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
26 minutes ago
- First Post
Suhail Chandhok exclusive on growing a team in non-cricket market: 'We are a nation that loves heroes, not necessarily the sport'
U Mumba CEO and TV presenter Suhail Chandhok, in this exclusive chat with Firstpost, spoke about the challenges he faces as sports administrator, India's sporing culture and the future of Indian sports. Suhail Chandhok has worn many hats, including those of a cricketer, an actor, a TV presenter, and now CEO of U Mumba. However, he says that the transition to the administration side of this industry was 'natural' for him. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Suhail spoke about his journey, the challenges of being a young CEO, and his belief in building the right team culture. His love for sport began on the field, and when his playing days ended, he found a job as a TV presenter/commentator, doing stints for the Pro Kabaddi League, the Indian Premier League, and other sports. Now, Suhail has moved to the business side with kabaddi becoming his launchpad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the financial side, Suhail revealed that sponsorship for non-cricket leagues hovers between Rs 3.5-5 crore a season, but he stressed that media rights are the real game-changer and play a big role in revenue generation. Suhail urged that more media platforms must back Indian sports. 'I think sponsorship is always something that is going to dictate a measure of success in some sense but I think that's not necessarily right, because sponsorship is only one metric of value. For instance, yes, you know, some teams are more successful than, let's say, three or four other leagues, whether it be volleyball, kho-kho, tennis, or badminton.' 'However, I think there is value that each sport brings to its own niche. Having said that, it has roughly been around the four to five crore mark in terms of sponsorship. That goes up and down, it yo-yos between three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half, five crores per season. 'Media rights are a big unlocking value, and I think we have to understand that media rights will always drive the overall value of a sport, of a franchise, of a team. That will continue to dictate value. However, that's where the market plays a big role. Today, we're again heading into what is potentially a monopoly market of Jio and Star coming together and I do hope that unlocking value continues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Suhail also warned about the growing trend of big conglomerates controlling all the stakes in major sporting leagues in India, especially in terms of broadcast. 'We shouldn't lean on a monopoly market. I do hope to see more and more media houses come in that want to house sport, whether it be global entities entering India, like Netflix and the WWE deal. It's a great dictate for what the future of sport might look like. When you look at the effect that a Formula 1 movie has had, or a Drive to Survive show has had, or WWE now being on Netflix, I do hope more global platforms look at Indian sport and Indian leagues as a potential. I think the next ten years are going to be very strong for India, and more platforms need to enter the market.' Suhail on taking PKL to next level The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has already grown into one of the biggest sporting leagues in India, second only to the IPL in stature. Suhail opened up about the gaps that can be filled by the PKL organisers to make the league even bigger in India. 'I think listening to the franchises' needs a little bit more is important. All of us – all 12 teams – are looking to work with the PKL to grow the sport. What we need to do is unlock the true value of the sport. While the league, as an entity, is largely owned by the broadcaster, I think we still need to separate the two and work with the teams, the stakeholders of the sport, and others who are genuinely trying to promote it.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We must also clamp down on any rubbish that's going on. We need to be very stern and focused on the progress of the sport in one clear direction. The league has done a fabulous job of building it to where it is today, but now it's the league's responsibility to take it up an extra notch. How do we commit to the future of the sport when we already have such strong stakeholders?' 'In terms of stature, I think only the IPL is a rival. We have the Kotak family, the Screwvala family, the Adanis, JSW, the Bachchans, Capri Global, and other private investors in the mix. This is a strong core group of team owners who are not looking for a quick exit, which means the sport is in safe hands. When the sport is in safe hands, it's our responsibility to stay true to it, unlock its value, and not stunt its growth.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Suhail believes that it is important to support new entrants because it will only help the sport grow. 'It's equally important to support others around the sport who are trying to do good for it. At Elev8 India Sports, we follow a 'copyleft' policy – we want to see more and more people come in. It's not about copyright and blocking; it's about allowing people to enter, contribute, and help the sport grow. Kabaddi is still at a nascent stage, so we need more people to talk about it, work for it, and build it up. Blocking new entrants will only curb enthusiasm and growth.' Suhail stressed that growing the sport is not just the league's job, but a shared duty for everyone involved. 'Everyone has a responsibility to help the sport grow. At the same time, we must educate players about what is right and wrong. Addressing certain issues today will help the sport clean up its act for the future as well.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Suhail on issues non-cricket leagues face Suhail also talked about the challenges that a growing sport like kabaddi faces. He said that when big money enters a sport suddenly, it can sometimes distract players from the true motivation of why they started playing in the first place. 'When a lot of money comes into the sport very very quickly, players stop understanding what the true value of why they are playing this game. You start to play for the auction or you start to play for your personal value rather than the value of a team. I think it's only very natural. It happened with the IPL when there was sudden unlocking of value where players started playing for their franchises rather than playing for their nations. Rather than committing to the calender of a country, they started playing where the money was. That is happening with kabaddi as well and I think helping players understand why they are playing this sport, why the sport has give them so much.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'So, player education is important. At Elev8 India Sportz Yuva Series we do a lot of financial literacy, we do a lot player psychology, we work with players understand anti-corruption, what their true value is.' Suhail on positive and negative trends in non-cricket leagues Suhail said the most promising sign is that Indian sports culture is slowly expanding beyond cricket. However, he pointed out that India's tendency to idolise individuals rather than the sport itself is a major issue. 'I think the trend is that we are leaning towards not just cricket. And I think that's something that has to happen for a country to become a true sporting nation. Firstly, there's one big challenge in India: we are a nation that loves heroes and not necessarily the sport. When I worked on the badminton league, people would rush to watch your PV Sindhu versus Saina Nehwal.' 'But when you had a Carolina Marin facing off against a world number two and number one at the time, the stadium would be empty. So we appreciate heroes and not the sport, and I think that needs to change for India to take steps towards becoming a true sporting nation. However, look at the flip side — while we turned up in large numbers to watch a javelin event, we may have all turned up in 10,000 numbers to watch a Neeraj Chopra.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'But when you get there and watch Neeraj Chopra, you start to understand what the sport of javelin even is. So I think it takes a hero to bring about awareness to a sport and vice versa. But at the same time, I do hope that while 10-15,000 people turned up to watch a javelin event in Bangalore — and I think that's a sign that India is heading in the right direction — I hope that tomorrow, when Neeraj Chopra is not necessarily the only guy that's there, at least 5,000 people do turn up to watch a javelin event.' 'And I think that's going to be the hallmark of success going forward. Because while we are talking about a 2036 Olympic bid, I hope that we understand that we have to build sporting culture, and that starts with everyone playing a sport. When you play a sport, you'll automatically tune into watching a sport. And I think that's what I want for all of us to do.' 'But I think the trend is very positive — more and more people are taking to a tennis court, a badminton court, a table tennis table, a pickleball court, a paddle court, playing football with their friends, playing kabaddi with their friends in their neighborhood.' Suhail on turning down offers from IPL teams Suhail revealed that he turned down management offers from teams in three different sports, including IPL franchises, before joining U Mumba at what he called 'the right time.' 'I unfortunately can't give you a full disclosure on those. All I will say is it's been across three different sports. I think the timing was such that it came at the right time with kabaddi. Since then, there's been a couple of others as well, including IPL teams. I will come back to I guess cricket in many ways and forms was one opportunity that, that came and went. I just thought that it would've taken a much bigger commitment in terms of time, and I don't think I would've been able to do broadcast at all if I took on a slightly larger commitment as well,' he said. 'Uh, but also I think it was the ability to do it at the right time, right? And I've always been someone that believes that things happen when they need to happen. And I think, you know, saying yes to the right opportunity is absolutely critical as well. There have been opportunities not just in India, but outside of India as well — again, very exciting stuff. And it's always nice to know you're wanted, right? I think that means you're doing something right.' Suhail on his equation with U Mumba owner Ronnie Screwvala While Suhail doesn't own a stake in U Mumba, he has full autonomy in running things as a CEO. He also acknowledged that he leans on his father-in-law, Ronnie Screwvala (owner of parent group U Sports), for advice related to the finances of the team. 'Unfortunately, not (on being asked if he owns a stake in U Sports). I am purely here as a consultant and a CEO. But look, I think there are positives and negatives to being so closely related to a franchise and to the owner of a team, especially when someone is of Ronnie's stature as well. I think he's an extremely hard taskmaster, and I think with that comes two sides, right? You have to have a great deal of transparency and honesty with yourself and, therefore, with him as well, and I was very clear about it when I took on the role." 'I think there's even more pressure when you take on a role where you're so closely related. There's so much more that you have to have in terms of belief so that you can put aside anything that anyone could potentially say. The good thing is that everyone knows I come in with a lot more sporting knowledge than many others here, and I think that for me was the number one conversation I had with Ronnie. I said, 'You know what? If it's a business decision, if it's something related to finance, I want to make sure that the door to you is open and I can come and have a chat and get the advice I need from you. But when it comes to sporting decisions, they have to be mine and mine alone.' And, you know, to this date, he's honoured that.' 'But at the same time, when it comes to the business side of things, I have the ability to tap his brain, and I think that's something wonderful to have. So while there is the added pressure of that, I think when you have the conviction of knowing you know the subject better than anyone else, you go in with that confidence.'
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Relief for India in the offing? Trump says he may have to think about tariffs on Russian oil buyers 'in 2 or 3 weeks'
Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump stated he doesn't foresee the immediate need for retaliatory tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. However, Trump indicated this situation might change, suggesting he may need to consider such tariffs in the coming weeks, depending on future developments. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Trump tariffs and Russian oil Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No pause on Russian oil U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he will not have to think of retaliatory tariffs on countries buying Russian oil right now but may have to "in two or three weeks.""Well, because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that," Trump told Fox News after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska."Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well."Earlier, Trump claimed that the tariffs imposed on India for purchasing oil from Russia have influenced Moscow's decision to seek a meeting with Washington, as the country was losing its 'second largest customer'.In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said, "I think everything has an impact," and claimed that when he told India that "we're going to charge you, because you're dealing with Russia and oil purchases", it "essentially took them out of buying oil from Russia"."And then they (Russia) called, and they wanted to meet. We're going to see what the meeting means. But certainly, when you lose your second largest customer, and you're probably going to lose your first largest customer, I think that probably has a role."India was the second largest, and getting pretty close to China. China is the largest (purchaser of Russian oil)," the US president on Thursday said it has not halted oil purchases from Russia in response to the US President's tariff threat and continues to buy based solely on economic last week announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on US imports from India -- raising the overall duty to 50 per cent -- as a penalty for the country's continued imports of Russian oil. The tariffs will come into effect from August the steep tariffs are likely to hit the USD 40 billion of non-exempt exports that India does to the US, there has been chatter around stopping or curtailing oil imports from Russia However, AS Sahney, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country's largest oil firm, has clarified that there is "no pause" on Russian oil imports, and India's intent to continue buying Russian oil remains to the US tariffs, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable.'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' it has said that India's purchasing of Russian oil is 'fuelling' the war machine.
Mint
40 minutes ago
- Mint
OpenAI could buy Google Chrome, says Sam Altman — but only if this happens
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has confirmed that the AI startup is interested in buying Google Chrome if Google is forced to sell its browser by the US government. The confirmation from Altman came just days after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Perplexity AI had reportedly offered $34.5 billion in cash to acquire Chrome from Alphabet. Notably, Google lost an antitrust trial in the United States last year, where the judge ruled that the tech giant had illegally monopolized the online search market. As part of the remedial measures, the Department of Justice has suggested that Chrome be sold to an independent entity to level the playing field. Speaking to reporters, Sam Altman said (as quoted by TechCrunch), 'If Chrome is really going to sell, we should take a look at it.' 'Is it actually going to sell? I assumed it wasn't gonna happen,' the OpenAI CEO added. Meanwhile, there have been reports that OpenAI is building its own AI browser, and Altman confirmed that the recent addition of its CEO of Applications, Fidji Simo, means the company is working on many consumer applications outside of ChatGPT. Altman also stated that OpenAI is interested in exploring a new social media platform, saying there is 'nothing' inspiring to him about the way AI is used on social media today, TechCrunch reported. He said OpenAI is interested in 'whether or not it is possible to build a much cooler kind of social experience with AI.' The OpenAI CEO also confirmed that the company would be backing a neural interface startup called Merge Labs to compete with Elon Musk's Neuralink. 'I think neural interfaces are cool ideas to explore. I would like to be able to think something and have ChatGPT respond to it,' he added. Notably, tensions have flared up between Musk and Altman over alleged Apple bias over App Store. While Musk accused the iPhone maker of being biased towards ChatGPT and not featuring his Grok AI application in any of its rankings, Altman took a dig at the billionaire over X's own policies of amplifying Musks' tweets to all users.
