The U.S. government is acquiring a 10% stake in Intel. This isn’t just a financial investment; it’s a strategic step to strengthen America’s semiconductor industry. With global chip demand soaring and supply chain risks increasing, this deal aims to boost domestic chip production and reduce dependence on foreign markets—especially in critical sectors like AI, defense, and advanced computing. Experts believe this move will help the U.S. compete with countries like China and South Korea in semiconductor innovation. For Intel, this could mean more stability, government support, and a stronger role in shaping the future of tech manufacturing.
India’s gaming industry just leveled up! Several leading publishers and developers—like Nazara Technologies, Gametion (makers of Ludo King), nCore Games, Reliance Games, SuperGaming, Tara Gaming, underDOGS Studio, Aeos Games, and Dot9 Games—have come together to form the Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA). Here’s why this matters:
One Voice, United Vision
After the government introduced new gaming legislation, IGPDA emerged to give India’s game makers a strong, shared voice. This body aims to shine a spotlight on Made-in-India IPs, telling our stories through games and helping studios build global-quality, AAA-level titles.
Genuine Support Across the Board
IGPDA isn’t just about big studios—it’s about supporting the whole ecosystem. From developers and publishers to academia, tech partners, investors, and even indie creators—it’s a full-stack alliance. According to underDOGS Studio, this is a vital launchpad for indie heroes to create world-class franchises backed by India.
Making Mumbai the Global Game Hub
One exciting move: IGPDA is teaming up with the Maharashtra government to shape Mumbai into a global gaming hub. The plan includes policy support to draw companies into the state and attract investment.
More Than Just Games
While compliance with new laws is important, IGPDA is focusing on building for tomorrow. That includes:
Encouraging innovation,
Advocating for global standards like privacy and parental controls,
Helping studios with infrastructure (cloud, tools, testing), and
Mentoring and investment access for newcomers.
Cultural Power Play
This isn’t just about economics—it’s about culture. Industry leaders like Amish Tripathi (Tara Gaming) stress that India deserves a slice of the global gaming pie. Our own stories, crafted into games, can both bring revenue home and export our culture worldwide.
What’s Ahead?
IGPDA will join hands in Maharashtra’s state-backed showcase event toward the end of the year.
They’ll bring policy input, skill-building, and global visibility to India’s AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) ecosystem.
The goal? To move beyond struggling under regulatory burdens toward bold, creative ambition—and claim India’s place on the world gaming stage.
Ever wish you could chat about the perfect song or podcast episode without switching apps? Well, Spotify turned that wish into reality today. They’re rolling out Messages—a sleek, new in-app messaging feature that lets you connect, recommend, and react—all within the Spotify universe.
What’s the Deal With Messages?
One-on-one chats only — no group convos here.
You can message people you’ve already interacted with on Spotify—like those you’ve collaborated with on playlists, joined Jams or Blends, or share a Duo/Family plan with.
To send a message: tap the share icon in the Now Playing view, pick a friend, and send. The recipient needs to accept a message request before chatting begins.
You can reply with text and emojis, making music talk feel fun and informal.
There’s a dedicated Messages inbox—access it through your profile icon in the top-left.
Why Spotify Did It (Again)
Believe it or not, Spotify used to have messaging back in 2017—but it didn’t stick due to low use. This time, though, they’re betting on their massive growth—Spotify had around 696 million monthly active users in Q2 2025.
This move is part of Spotify’s push to be more of a social platform—not just a streaming app. Plus, as competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music heat up their game, Spotify wants to keep users engaged and on their app longer.
Of course, they’re not trying to kill off sharing via Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok—Messages are meant to complement those, not replace them.
What Users and the Media Are Saying
Business Insider puts it simply—Spotify’s giving users a DM-style feature to swap music picks. TechCrunch emphasizes it’s a push to make Spotify more social, so users don’t have to hunt for songs they previously shared. Reuters highlights this feature as a smart way to boost engagement amid rising competition.
How to Start Using Messages
Make sure you’re in a supported, selected market, using mobile, and you’re 16+.
Listen to a track, podcast, or audiobook.
Tap share → select friend → send.
If they accept your message request, you’re good to chat and react!
What Would Make a Great Follow-Up?
Will Spotify eventually allow group messaging?
Could artists use this to connect with fans (maybe sending exclusive tracks)?
What about encryption—is it secure enough?
So, in short: Spotify just got chatty! Whether it’s swapping hits with your bestie or discovering a podcast through a tap, Messages gives you a seamless way to stay connected—all without leaving the app.
Perplexity has launched a new, transparent revenue share program for publishers, aiming to compensate media outlets when their content is used or referenced in AI-powered search results and tasks.
How Perplexity’s Revenue Share Works
Perplexity’s initiative introduces a subscription tier called Comet Plus, priced at $5 per month, that enables publishers to earn money through three channels:
Users will now be directed straight to publisher websites via the Comet browser.
When publisher content is cited in search answers.
When the AI agent uses content to fulfill user tasks. Unlike traditional ad-supported models, this program pools subscription revenues and distributes 80% directly to publishers, with Perplexity keeping 20% for operational costs.
Funding and Payouts
The program starts with an initial $42.5 million revenue pool dedicated to publisher compensation, with plans to grow this fund as subscriptions increase. Payments will be calculated based on how frequently a publisher’s content is used in AI search results, cited in answers, or utilized by AI agents.
Industry Impact and Reception
This model is one of the first by an AI startup to transparently share revenues based on actual content usage, representing a shift from the multimillion-dollar exclusive licensing deals common with AI giants like OpenAI and Google. This move comes as a response to criticism that AI tools exploit journalism without fair return and is intended to set a more balanced compensation model in the age of AI.
Publisher Participation
Perplexity is actively seeking major publishing partners and has previously worked with outlets like TIME, Fortune, the LA Times, Blavity, and Der Spiegel. While specific new partners for Comet Plus haven’t been disclosed, the company emphasizes that the program is open to collaboration and feedback from the media industry.
The Fresh Take
With the launch of Comet Plus and this revenue-share model, Perplexity is attempting to set a precedent for sustainable media monetization in the AI-driven web. It emphasizes transparency, direct payouts based on actual usage, and an open invitation to publishers to help refine the system—moving beyond ad clicks and traffic, toward a business model designed for the modern search experience.
