Good morning readers. As the clocks roll back and we wave goodbye to daylight saving time, many of us find ourselves grappling with more than just a change in schedule. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is casting it’s shadow, with 5% of adults slipping into a chill of depression that can freeze up their zest for life. While the onset of SAD may have many reaching for the chocolate or the remote, experts recommend maximizing light exposure, maintaining exercise, and adjusting sleep patterns. If you're feeling low, consider a shift like working near a window or a lighting some candles.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Epic takes its shot at Google’s Play Store policies

• Headline Hustle: xAI releases their first AI model, Trump to take the stand in fraud trial, Tesla increases wages for its factory workers

• Actors’ 113 day strike could come to a close

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

POLICY

Epic Games takes aim at Google's Play Store empire

Picture this: Epic Games, the mastermind behind the cultural juggernaut "Fortnite," is taking a swing at another Goliath—Google. In a legal showdown set to shake the virtual ground of San Francisco come November 6^th (today), Epic isn't chasing a cash grab; they're after Google's juggernaut grip on app distribution through the Play Store and the hefty tolls they impose on in-app purchases. Like David not content with just one Goliath, this clash comes as Google dusts off from a face-off with the Justice Department over its search engine supremacy.

The pursuit for Play Store justice

The courtroom's about to get more star power than the Met Gala, with Google's top brass Sundar Pichai and Ruth Porat set to take the stand alongside Epic's chief, Tim Sweeney. The heart of the melee? Epic's allegation that Google's been playing secret Santa, lavishing developers with goodies to stay put in the Play Store, all while pulling a Houdini with evidence via short-lived Google Chats. The fuse was lit when Epic said f*ck it and launched "Fortnite" on the Play Store anyways, dodging Google's 30% cut—a move that had Google allegedly cuddling up to devs with its "Project Hug."

What next? Google's firing back, heralding its Play Store as the Fort Knox of app stores—secure and fairly priced, accusing Epic of trying to dine and dash. Ultimately, the verdict, expected before the December holiday period, could significantly impact the mobile app market, potentially altering how apps are distributed and monetized on Android devices.

Headline Hustle

🤖 Elon Musk’s xAI releases it’s own AI model, Grok. Elon Musk is intertwining his AI aspirations with his social media endeavors. His startup xAI, dedicated to developing AI tools for enhancing human knowledge, will be incorporated into the platform X—formerly known as Twitter—and also exist independently. Grok, xAI's inaugural AI model, promises not just answers but a touch of humor, aligning with Musk's vision of an uncensored, truth-seeking AI. This integration potentially gives Grok an edge by tapping into real-time data from X. Musk, a pioneer with OpenAI, continues to champion AI's transformative power, forecasting its capacity to reshape employment fundamentally.

👨🏻‍⚖️ Trump to take the stand at civil-fraud trail. Stepping away from his media-heavy presence, Donald Trump is slated to testify under oath in a Manhattan court, facing allegations by the New York Attorney General of inflating his net worth for financial gain. This comes after his children's testimonies, which placed reliance on others for financial statements. Trump’s combative approach includes public spats with the presiding judge and has led to a gag order extension to his lawyers. The trial, probing Trump's business acumen and ethics, unfolds as he navigates multiple legal challenges, with settlement talks whispered but publicly downplayed by both sides.

💰 Tesla raises wages for German workers amid union pressure. Tesla is upping the ante for its German workforce with a suite of wage increases and bonuses—a strategic move as unionization efforts gain momentum. During a visit to the Berlin Gigafactory, CEO Elon Musk announced the financial boosts alongside promises of future vehicle production. This proactive stance comes as Tesla faces growing labor activism both in Europe and the U.S., with the influential IG Metall union making significant inroads. As Tesla navigates the tides of a new labor landscape, the implications for its operational costs and company ethos loom large.

MEDIA

Actors review studios' ‘best and final offer’

Forget the latest blockbuster—Hollywood's real drama is unfolding off-screen, with the SAG-AFTRA union's 113-day strike giving new meaning to the term 'production halt'. Actors and writers, united in their cause, are weighing the "final offer" on the table from the heavyweight studios—the likes of Disney and Netflix. It’s not just about paychecks; it’s about the future of acting in the age of streams and dreams, with AI looming over like an understudy ready to steal the scene.

As the first simultaneous walkout of writers and actors since Elvis was king, the union's demands are clear: a fair slice of the streaming revenue pie, benefits that echo their contribution to the industry, and keeping AI in check. There's harmony in their discontent, but the resolution is far from a sealed script. With over 5,000 unionists petitioning for a firm line and some celebs willing to pony up more dues, it's a complex scene with no cuts or edits in sight.

Big picture: The bargaining table is set with high-profile studio executives, each playing their part. The union's pitch? An 11% wage increase. The studios' counter? Half that. And while some agreements have been inked, others are left in the margins. The final act of this drama will ripple beyond the hills of Hollywood, possibly rewriting the rulebook for entertainment's labor force.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Experts suggest that users may be unaware that popular messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp could compromise their IP address privacy due to peer-to-peer call connections.

• A major update for ChatGPT has been inadvertently revealed, showcasing a custom chatbot creator and a new user marketplace, coinciding with OpenAI's upcoming developer conference.

• Mozilla is focusing on the "fediverse," a decentralized social networking platform prioritizing trust and safety, as an alternative to traditional Big Tech-controlled social media.

• Novak Djokovic won his seventh Paris Masters title and a record 40th Masters ATP 1000 title by defeating Grigor Dimitrov in the final.

• Netflix is exploring live sports streaming, potentially starting with a match featuring Jake Paul and content from Premier Boxing Champions.

• A street in Oakland, California, has been renamed in honor of the late hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, 27 years after his death.

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