Daily Tech Headlines – "Google and Epic Propose a Settlement"

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Jen Kutter (main), with Sarah Lane, Robb Dunewood, Tom Merritt
Episode focus: Quick-fire tech updates, with a primary story on the potential settlement between Google and Epic Games in their long-running antitrust dispute.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on essential daily tech news, spotlighting the proposed settlement between Google and Epic Games in their significant antitrust lawsuit. Jen Kutter summarizes this major development and covers several other top headlines, including new regulations for social apps in Australia, an Amazon-perplexity legal battle, Shopify’s AI-driven shopping spikes, updates in video podcasting with Spotify and Netflix, and new features from Apple and Microsoft.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Google & Epic Games Antitrust Lawsuit Settlement

[02:53 - 04:00]

• Jen Kutter reports that Google and Epic have reached a tentative settlement in Epic’s antitrust lawsuit, which began back in 2020.
• Major Remedy Proposed:
  • Starting with the next major Android release (ongoing until June 30, 2032), users will be able to install a registered app store from a website using a neutral “single store install” prompt, bypassing Play Store requirements.
  • This will also simplify the process of granting permissions for stores to install apps.
  • The proposal maintains Epic’s prior legal wins—specifically, developers may continue to share pricing info outside of Google Play.
• Legal Process:
  • The settlement is pending approval by Judge Donato in the U.S. District Court for Northern California. Review is scheduled for Thursday, November 6.
• Quote:
  • “The proposal states that with the next major Android release and ongoing to June 30, 2032, an Android user can install a registered app store from a website by clicking on a single store install screen using neutral language.” — Jen Kutter [03:10]

2. Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Expanded

[04:01 - 05:00]

• The Australian eSafety Commission has added Reddit and livestream platform Kik to the list of platforms banned for users under 16, effective December 10.
• Previously banned: YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook.
• Exclusions: Online gaming and standalone messaging apps like Discord, WhatsApp, Messenger, and YouTube Kids are not included in the ban.
• Penalties: Platforms that do not enforce age restrictions may face fines up to 49.5 million AUD (approx. $32 million USD).
• Quote:
  • “Platforms failing to take reasonable steps to keep Australian under 16s from holding accounts can be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.” — Jen Kutter [04:44]

3. Amazon Lawsuit Against Perplexity’s Comet Browser

[05:01 - 05:36]

• Amazon sues Perplexity, alleging its Comet browser’s AI agent is committing computer fraud by not disclosing when it shops on behalf of users, violating Amazon’s terms of service.
• Amazon’s efforts include blocking such bots through robots.txt alongside Google Shopping Agent, OpenAI, Claude, and Perplexity.
• Perplexity’s response: Blog post titled “Bullying Is Not Innovation.”
• Quote:
  • “We've repeatedly requested that Perplexity remove Amazon from the Comet experience, particularly in light of the significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience it provides.” — Cited Amazon staff statement [05:28]

4. Shopify Sees AI Shopping Booming

[05:37 - 06:36]

• AI Tools Impact:
  • Traffic from AI tools to Shopify stores is up 7x since January 2025.
  • Purchases via AI-powered search up 11x.
  • Survey: 64% of shoppers likely to use AI for purchases.
• Partnerships:
  • Shopify is working with OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity for in-chat shopping.
• Earnings:
  • Q3 revenue up 32% to $2.84 billion, profit of $264 million.

5. Shift in the Video Podcast Landscape: Spotify & Netflix Moves

[06:37 - 07:35]

• Following Netflix’s Spotify video podcast deal in September, Netflix is reaching out to agencies to sign more video podcasters.
• iHeartMedia is also negotiating to license video podcasts to Netflix.
• Spotify: Portfolio now has almost half a million video podcasts; >390M users have streamed video podcasts; video podcast consumption up 80% since January’s launch of Spotify’s Partner program.
• Spotify Q3: 281 million premium subscribers (up from 276M in Q2), 713 million monthly active users (+11% YoY).

6. Apple Adds Live Translation to AirPods in Europe

[07:36 - 07:58]

• With iOS 26.2, AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, and AirPods 4 (with ANC) will support live translation in the EU.
• Feature first launched in the US/other markets, but needed extra compliance time for EU digital market regulations.

7. Microsoft's Mai Image 1 Model Launch

[07:59 - 08:32]

• Microsoft’s image generation model, Mai Image 1, available for Bing Image Creator and Copilot Audio Expressions (AI-generated art for stories).
• Bing’s platform now features three AI models: Mai Image 1, Dall-E, GPT-4.0.
• Available globally except in the EU (coming soon, says Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleiman).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Google/Epic Settlement:
  “The proposal states that with the next major Android release and ongoing to June 30, 2032, an Android user can install a registered app store from a website by clicking on a single store install screen using neutral language.” — Jen Kutter [03:10]

• Australian Social Media Ban:
  “Platforms failing to take reasonable steps to keep Australian under 16s from holding accounts can be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.” — Jen Kutter [04:44]

• Amazon vs. Perplexity:
  “We've repeatedly requested that Perplexity remove Amazon from the Comet experience, particularly in light of the significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience it provides.” — Cited Amazon staff statement [05:28]

• Shopify & the AI Shopping Wave:
  “A Shopify survey says 64% of shoppers are likely to involve some AI for purchases.” — Jen Kutter [06:18]

• Spotify’s Video Podcast Growth:
  “Spotify says video podcast consumption increased by over 80% since January's launch of the Spotify Partner program for qualified creators.” — Jen Kutter [07:10]

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|------------| | Main Tech Headlines Begin | 02:53 | | Google/Epic Settlement Details | 02:53-04:00| | Australia Under-16 Social Ban Expansion | 04:01-05:00| | Amazon Sues Perplexity | 05:01-05:36| | Shopify AI Shopping Impact & Earnings | 05:37-06:36| | Spotify/Netflix Video Podcast Expansion | 06:37-07:35| | Apple AirPods Live Translation Update | 07:36-07:58| | Microsoft Mai Image 1 Launch | 07:59-08:32|

Overall Tone

The episode maintains its signature brisk, informative, and impartial style, delivering tech news clearly without personal commentary or deep analysis. Jen Kutter’s reporting is straightforward, giving listeners exactly what they need to stay up to date.

Summary Takeaway

For those seeking a concise roundup of the day’s most important tech headlines—especially the Google/Epic settlement’s implications for Android users and app ecosystem competition—this episode delivers useful, actionable insights on legal, regulatory, and industry shifts happening now.