A federal judge ruled that Google has illegally abused its monopoly over the search industry following a 10-week trial in 2023, which stemmed from a 2020 lawsuit. Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia stated in the ruling that the company had acted “to maintain its monopoly.” The lawsuit accused Google of maintaining its dominant position in search by paying billions of dollars to Apple, Samsung, and Mozilla to be the default search engine on smartphones, browsers, and other platforms, with the DOJ arguing that Google is responsible for nearly 90 percent of web searches. While Mehta has not yet imposed any remedies on Google, he could require changes in its operations or even the sale of parts of the business. Google plans to appeal the ruling. Apple, on the other hand, rolled back a big Photos app redesign and introduced Distraction Control to its browser in the latest update, designed to filter out video embeds and moving elements on websites. Additionally, HBO released a teaser for season two of “The Last of Us,” featuring Joel and a new character reflecting on past actions, set to air in 2025. And finally, new Zelda footage was revealed with cute horseback riding and smoothie shops, adding excitement for upcoming releases and updates.
