I Already Need a Vacherin |
As we all know, Vacherin Mont d'Or is made from unpasteurized cow's milk in the foothills of the Jura Mountains. With the unmistakable aroma of alpine milk, it's heated for 15 minutes and eaten runny. A bit like this newsletter. It also sounds like a vacation, which I need, although our kid's school hasn't even started back yet! Speaking of which, we've got details of the top fall travel destinations in today's newsetter and, of course, a "fully committed to this September thing" set of cheddlines: Tropic like it's hot! —Matt Davis, N2K Chedditor P.S. We've got footage of a flying spaghetti monster from the depths of the Pacific on our 'gram. |
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"There is no signal here of any sudden collapse of the labor market here or any imminent recession." — Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi |
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1. These Are the Destinations Everyone Will Be Traveling to This Fall, Whether They Like It or Not |
As the amber hues of autumn beckon, 'tis surely time to submerge oneself in a bathtub of warm Pumpkin Spice Latte and book a leaf-peeping adventure. Nestle yourself in vibrant foliage. Visit a charming town or three. Enjoy a unique cultural experience, and then another one. Or… go to the office every day like the rest of us schmucks.
If you do have the money, credit card space, and/or desire to do this, I salute you. And Airbnb's new list of must-visit fall destinations is making waves, including plenty in the majestic Western U.S., Canada's untamed—nay, untamable!—wilderness, and the sun-soaked landscapes of Baja California. School can wait! Read More |
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2. Nvidia Subpoenaed in Antitrust Probe |
AI chipmaker Nvidia is facing increased antitrust scrutiny as the Department of Justice serves subpoenas. Dominating approximately 80% of the AI chip market, Nvidia says they're complying with the law. But is it possible to dominate 80% of any market without an extremely aggressive sales strategy? Or, you know... an m-word?
Nvidia is also accused of pressuring cloud providers (like Zeus? —ed.) and punishing customers opting for rival chipmakers like AMD and Intel. This comes against a backdrop of soaring chip demand thanks, in part, to the viral success of applications like ChatGPT, which did not write this newsletter.
The story doesn't end with domestic pressures. Earlier this summer, Nvidia also found itself in the crosshairs of French authorities over similar concerns. Last year, Lina Khan's Federal Trade Commission nixed the firm's blockbuster $40 billion takeover of semiconductor juggernaut ARM.
With an eye toward the 2024 presidential election, commentators on this story are now saying things like "regulation is too heavy" and hoping for a friendlier change of DOJ administration before this goes too much further. Good job the election result is a foregone conclusion at this point, then, eh? Read More |
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| What other mysteries lie hidden in the depths of our oceans? 🐠🦑 Well, slightly fewer mysteries now. That's because scientists have recently discovered a giant "seamount," or underwater mountain, near Chile, including 20 new species like the "flying spaghetti monster," pictured here. Also: Killer sharks, dragons, and minotaurs. Probably. |
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3. September 9 Is 'Glowtime' for Apple's iPhone 16 |
Apple used to do product launches. Now they're "events." Far be it from me to sound cynical, but when you're sitting on a cash pile as large as the Cupertino tech giant's, it's possible you can overdo these things.
Still, tune in to apple.com at 1 p.m. ET four days from now, for "Glowtime!" You'll be able to see the new iPhone 16 as well as a roll-out of more powerful processors across all models, supporting enhanced AI features (such as the one that did write this newsletter), and, possibly, a new MacOS called Sequoia.
Expectations are high for the iPhone 16 Pro models to flaunt the best cameras yet, along with a tantalizing rose and Zune-brown "bronze" titanium finish. That's a lot of words for a colorway. It seems the main iPhone models will sport a new, vertically stacked camera layout, which nudges design toward more landscape-oriented video capabilities, likely enhancing content for devices like Apple's troubled Vision Pro.
Beyond smartphones, Apple's AI is a major focus, speculated to include advancements in Siri, image generation, and call features. Also on the lineup are updates to the Apple Watch, with a slimmer, larger-screened Series 10, a refreshed Apple Watch Ultra, a budget-friendly Apple Watch SE, and changes in the AirPods that edge towards USB-C compatibility. Moreover, whispers of a new Mac Mini are in the air.
So, mark your calendars. Or if you're busy that day, don't. Wait. You're busy that day? Okay. Got it. No GLOWTIME for you. Watch Now |
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You Need 2 Know About This Box!
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Meet the Sunset Box, a quarterly subscription service sending home, wellness, and travel goodies straight to your doorstep, curated by editors at mag Sunset, the Western-lifestyle magazine that just so happens to be a sister company of ours. Since you clearly have good taste (you're an N2K subscriber, after all), we think you'll love this box. Use code CHEDDAR15 for 15% off your subscription. |
Note: Sadly does not contain any cheese. |
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4. Wall Street Rises After Worst Day in a Month |
After a tumultuous Tuesday that left markets rattled, investors saw a glimmer of hope yesterday as the S&P 500 climbed just a tad. The Dow Jones also managed to shake off the blues, while the NASDAQ continued to flounder, albeit not terribly.
What's behind it all? Well… concerns about a recession. All eyes are on the employment scene as an economic health indicator. Yesterday's Labor Department figures showed job openings across the U.S. took a dip in July, with only 7.7 million available positions, marking the lowest since January 2021. Despite this downward trend, hiring still increased last month, sending mixed signals directly to us. It's possible that Tuesday's downturn priced in slightly grimmer numbers, and then they weren't as bad as expected, so things leveled off.
This all comes as anticipation builds around the Fed's September meeting, where they're expected to slash interest rates that have been at a 20-year peak to fight inflation. Meanwhile, chill your boots.
"There is no signal here of any sudden collapse of the labor market or any imminent recession," said Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics.
So that's alright then. Read More |
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5. Imagine a World Without Twitter! It's Called Brazil. |
One of my favorite sayings about a certain Central American country is that "Brazil is not for beginners." It means the place gives rise to such bizarre situations, only a native can understand and deal with them. Having once worked for a Brazilian foundation, I can say firmly: That was also my experience. Brazil, also, is not for billionaires named Elon Musk.
Now, Starlink, controlled by Musk, has announced its compliance with a Brazilian Supreme Court order to block access to the social media platform X in Brazil. The decision surfaces amid tension, where Starlink initially hinted at defying the judicial command—a move that risked its operational license in Brazil, where it holds a substantial 47 percent market share in satellite internet services.
The episode is part of a broader controversy involving Musk, who has expressed support for Brazil's far-right factions, challenging the Supreme Court's authority and labeling Brazil a "dictatorship" over its stringent control of online discourse. Essentially, Musk wants people to be able to push misinformation on his platform. Because, well. 'Murrica.
X announced a cessation of its Brazilian operations on August 17, citing "legal harassment" by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The conflict escalated when Moraes froze Starlink's bank accounts to secure the payment of fines imposed on X, arguing that both companies, being under Musk's control, function as a unified economic entity.
Starlink, pivotal for connectivity in remote Brazilian regions, small cities, and among indigenous communities, now awaits a Supreme Court ruling on a petition challenging the X ban, which libertarian party Novo claims violates freedom of speech principles.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has backed the ban as an important statement of Brazilian sovereignty. "The Brazilian justice system may have given an important signal that the world is not obliged to put up with Musk's far-right anything-goes attitude just because he is rich," Lula said earlier this week.
My intermediate or even advanced take on this story? I'm sure it'll all work itself out. Obrigado. Read More |
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