gm.
here's what happened since monday.
the 3
1. character.ai was valued at $1 billion. now it's looking for a buyer in bankruptcy.
character.ai, which lets people create and chat with AI characters, announced a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing late monday. that's a court-supervised process that can let a business keep operating while it reorganizes or sells. the company plans to keep its platform running during the sale process.
disney has offered $20 million for a permanent, non-exclusive license to certain technology and other assets. it's an opening bid that can be topped. disney would also provide transition help through former character.ai employees it has hired.
the startup raised $150 million at a $1 billion valuation in 2023. the $1 billion figure was investors' valuation of the entire business. disney's $20 million offer is for specific assets and licensing rights.
character.ai's CEO cited legal, regulatory, and operating pressures. the company expects a sale to finish in late november or early december. if it can't find a buyer that keeps the platform going, it says the service will wind down.
2. apple's new home screen knows who's standing in front of it.
on tuesday, apple introduced HomeView, a $299 smart display with a 7-inch screen, speakers, and siri AI. it plays music, makes FaceTime calls, and controls compatible smart-home devices.
it can recognize up to six people and switch to their own calendars, reminders, and other personal content. one shared device, with a different screen for each person in the house.
the more personal siri features require a compatible iPhone or iPad that supports apple intelligence. without one, you still get general questions, conversations, and music discovery.
preorders are open, with availability starting november 13. both the tabletop and wall-mounted models cost $299, though wall-mount hardware costs extra. it won't be sold in the EU at launch because siri AI isn't available there on iOS.
3. gasoline accounted for more than half of september's inflation jump.
on wednesday, the bureau of labor statistics reported that consumer prices rose 3.7% over the past year, up from 3.4% in august. prices increased 0.6% in september alone.
gasoline prices jumped a seasonally adjusted 9.1% for the month and accounted for more than half of the overall monthly increase. housing costs rose 0.4%.
economists also track “core” inflation, which leaves out food and energy because their prices can swing sharply. that measure rose 0.3% in september and 2.6% over the year. so gas drove much of the jump, but other prices were rising too.
the 3.7% figure describes how much more expensive the overall basket of goods and services was than a year earlier. it doesn't mean every purchase rose by that amount.
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one more quick thing
bumble agreed to a $1.3 billion buyout.
on tuesday, bumble agreed to be acquired by ithaca holdings. common shareholders would receive $6.05 per share in cash, about 138% above the october 9 closing price. once the deal closes, bumble will become privately held. ithaca's founders, ravi gupta and john hegeman, will become co-CEOs, with bumble founder whitney wolfe herd staying involved.
see you monday.
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