Industry Trends
Netflix Debuts Generative AI Visual Effects in Argentine Series "The Eternals"
Industry Trends
Netflix has revealed that it employed generative AI tools to create a building collapse sequence in the Argentine sci-fi series "The Eternals," which premiered on April 30, 2025. This marks the first time the streaming giant has used a generative AI-generated final shot in its original content, according to co-CEO Ted Sarandos.more
Industry Trends
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has taken a historic step by acquiring a 15% stake in MP Materials through a $400 million preferred stock purchase, making it the largest shareholder of the U.S.-based rare earth producer . This move aims to address critical national security vulnerabilities by reducing reliance on foreign (particularly Chinese) rare earth supplies, which are essential for advanced military systems, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies.more
U.S. Launches Section 301 Investigation Against Brazil
Industry Trends
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the initiation of a Section 301 investigation into Brazil. The probe will examine whether Brazil’s policies and practices in areas such as digital trade, electronic payment services, "unfair" preferential tariffs, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access, and deforestation-related measures negatively impact U.S. trade interests.more
Industry Trends
South Korea's retail sector showed signs of recovery in May, with offline sales returning to growth after a four-month slump, driven by strong demand for high-value products, data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed on Wednesday.more
NVIDIA Becomes First Company to Hit $4 Trillion Market Cap Amid AI Boom
Industry Trends
During the early trading session on July 9, NVIDIA's stock surged nearly 2.8% to $164.42 (approximately ¥1,178.58), briefly pushing its total market capitalization beyond $4 trillion. This milestone makes NVIDIA the first company globally to achieve this feat. Currently, only three companies exceed $3 trillion in valuation: Microsoft ranks second at $3.75 trillion, followed by Apple at $3.14 trillionmore
U.S. Aid Cuts Leave Dozens of Global Infrastructure Projects Abandoned
Industry Trends
Reuters, citing sources and documents, reports that dozens of global health and water supply infrastructure projects have been halted after the U.S. terminated related aid. The news agency verified 21 stalled projects across 16 countries.more
iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity Leaked: Under 3,000mAh, Highlighting Design vs. Endurance Trade-off
Industry Trends
Recent leaked reports suggest that Apple's upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a battery capacity of approximately 2,800 mAh, a figure that not only falls below the industry-standard 3,000 mAh threshold but also smaller than the battery capacities of all models in the current iPhone 16 series.more
TikTok Shop US Mid-Year Sale Posts Stellar First-Week Results: Multi-Modes and Categories Thrive
Industry Trends
TikTok Shop’s US mid-year promotion has kicked off with a historic first-week performance, breaking records across multiple business models and product categories, according to updates on July 18.more
Tech Giants Google, Microsoft, OpenAI Expand AI Interfaces for Search and Learning
Industry Trends
Leading technology companies are rapidly advancing visual and conversational interfaces, integrating generative AI into everyday tools to enhance search and learning experiences. This wave of innovation highlights the industry’s push to make artificial intelligence more accessible and intuitive for global users.more
StackSocial Offers Windows 11 Pro Lifetime License for $9.97 Ahead of Windows 10 Support End
Industry Trends
Online marketplace StackSocial is currently running a limited-time promotion, offering lifetime license keys for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro at a heavily discounted price of $9.97—down from the original $199. The deal is set to expire on July 20 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time, making it a time-sensitive opportunity for users looking to upgrade their operating systems.more
Middle East Turmoil Drives Shipping Risks: China-Middle East Container Rates Surge 50%
Industry Trends
The ongoing tension and volatility in the Middle East are significantly impacting the global shipping industry. On June 24, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the immediate 生效 of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, a move that caused international oil prices—previously soaring due to escalating conflicts—to plunge sharply. However, the region's uncertain situation continues to disrupt the shipping sector.more
Twitch to Exit Russian Market Amid Regulatory Pressures, Facing $800,000 in Fines
Industry Trends
Amazon-owned live streaming platform Twitch is planning a full withdrawal from the Russian market, citing concerns over economic viability and mounting regulatory pressures, according to recent reports.more