Finance Novice: 25 avgust 2025 - 13 september 2025

November 11, 2025, 8:46 PM EST. Meta's chief artificial intelligence scientist, Yann LeCun, is leaving to found his own startup, according to the Financial Times. The move adds pressure as tensions rise between the new guard, led by Alexandr Wang, and the existing AI teams under LeCun, with Meta pouring billions into pursuing AGI. LeCun will report to Wang and will reportedly exit in the coming months while exploring fundraising for his venture. LeCun has argued that large language models may not be a viable path to AGI, contrasting with the company's near-term push for more capable AI systems. The FT notes LeCun is in early talks to raise funds, signaling a potential shift in Meta's AI strategy and leadership dynamics as it navigates a competitive landscape.

November 11, 2025, 8:44 PM EST. Apple may have quietly discontinued the HomePod mini, with stockouts and retailers listing it as no longer available. The company reportedly prepares a HomePod mini 2, possibly to debut this year ahead of the holiday season, though Apple didn't launch it with the iPhone 17 at the Awe Dropping event. Retailers like B&H, Adorama, Target and Walmart show limited or no stock, fueling rumors of a refresh. The HomePod mini 2 is expected to bring audio upgrades, and may add Apple's N1 chip, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread support, while a faster chip remains likely. Don't expect a dramatic Siri overhaul until iOS 26.4 and the new AI-powered Siri arrive in early next year. Pricing is anticipated to stay at $99.

November 11, 2025, 8:42 PM EST. Nvidia's rebound added roughly $500 billion in market cap in 48 hours, reigniting the AI rally. But beneath the euphoria, retail buyers clash with institutional caution as warnings mount. SoftBank has quietly cashed out of its Nvidia stake, part of its asset monetization push, signaling risk controls even as the firm doubles down on AI bets. Hedge fund alarm bells from Michael Burry warn hyperscalers and cloud giants could be overstating demand, hinting at bubble risk in the craze. At a $5.1 trillion valuation, Nvidia now comprises about 8.5% of the S&P 500, illustrating how capital rotates in the AI space.

November 11, 2025, 8:40 PM EST. Google is rolling out a formal metric called "excessive partial wake locks" to curb battery drain from background activity. The rule tracks apps that keep the device CPU awake for more than two cumulative hours in a 24-hour window and affect at least 5% of user sessions. Beginning March 1, 2026, apps meeting the threshold may see reduced visibility on Google Play's discovery surfaces and receive a red warning label on their listing. The label reads: "This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity." Developed with Samsung, the metric relies on real-world device data to flag problematic background behavior, helping users identify culprits and adjust permissions or choose alternatives. The change aims for fewer wake-ups, better performance, and longer battery life.

November 11, 2025, 8:38 PM EST. JPMorgan upgraded Viasat (VSAT) to overweight amid growing expectations that the company may spin out its Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) unit, possibly separating government and commercial arms and dissolving debt silos. The note signals a likely separation could unlock value, with a price target rising to $50 from $23-roughly 35% upside. Viasat's DAT backlog hit a record $1.2 billion in Q2, up 31% year over year, driven by greater reliance on space-based assets for national security and demand for resilient communications. CEO Mark Dankberg acknowledged ongoing evaluation of options but did not set a timeline. Wall Street remains split, but the stock rose as investors weigh a potential breakup as a catalyst.