What Was That?!

It's What Was That?! time, and our stories are getting longer and deeper, no jokes related to last week's topic, please. We discuss how Google Play Store has lost a key court case about the fees charged by its Play Store services. It's a big one, they're appealing for sure, but this is a key loss with ramifications for their global ops. Nitesh gets into some of Tata Sons' struggles as it tries to manage its vast portfolio across many, many different sectors. Links: https://www.theverge.com/news/716856/epic-v-google-win-in-appeals-courtAnd, more importantly, Kung Fu Hustle:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SN43SPZMNuohttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ixeHttmdsZY

It's What Was That?! Time again. We did deep dives into two stories this time - one, how rapidly solar power capacity is increasing, far beyond most people's expectations, and what it means from the lens of geopolitics, economics and the environment - all areas we have no expertise in. It's a fascinating story, based on this article: https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-a-warming-planet/46-billion-years-on-the-sun-is-having-a-momentNitesh digs deep into the history and recent news about Cupid Ltd - a company that fits the one-man-against-the-odds archetype. Yup, really, it's a great story.

It's What Was That time again, in an episode where Nitesh and Vineet talk about betting markets in scandal over what defines a suit, and Tiffany the jewellery company collaborating with Patek Philippe and losing goodwill by irritating the folks who wanted to, y'know, give money and get a watch. By taking their money, giving them jewellery, promising them the option to buy a watch in the future, and then refusing to sell the watch. Both stories leading Vineet to conclude that maybe rich people have too much money. Oh, and we also go deep into Intel making a few really bad decisions, in hindsight, and how companies can grow to be giants and still try to innovate. Nitesh also compared Archies (y'know, the gift card guys) with Lockheed Martin (y'know, totally not the gift card guys). Fun times. Links:https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/intel-facing-a-blackberry-moment-as-thousands-laid-off-ceo-says-too-late-to-catch-up-with-ai-as-firm-falls-out-of-global-top-10/articleshow/122390727.cmshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-07-17/tiffany-s-blue-dial-nautilus-watch-release-frayed-its-patek-relationshiphttps://notpricedin.substack.com/p/archetypes-and-heartacheshttps://notpricedin.substack.com/p/2-heavy-lies-the-crownhttps://www.wired.com/story/volodymyr-zelensky-suit-polymarket-rebellion/

A lot of action, both on the business side and the tech side in the AI industry. Acquisition offers - both for townships, and for people. Fun fact: Meta offered *one guy* a signing bonus that's equal to what Welspun offered to pay for all of Lavasa. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/property-/-cstruction/welspun-bids-the-most-for-lavasa-corporation-lodha-developers-jindal-steel-and-power-group-in-fray-too/articleshow/122146710.cmsWelspun has put in a bid for Lavasa. Is this finally the start of the revival of the famed but ill-fated township? Let's hope.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZUG0pr5hBoSam Altman's interviews are getting more and more vague, and the promises more befuddling. Are we at peak AI bubble? Also because Meta has been hiring people at, there is no better word for this, INSANE signing bonuses. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-27/roger-federer-s-long-term-deals-make-him-a-tennis-billionaireFederer is a billionaire now, thanks to his association with On Running.https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2025/Jul/03/foxconn-recalls-chinese-staff-from-india-apples-local-expansion-faces-setbackFoxconn recalls top staff from India, on instructions from the Chinese Government. And more!

We recorded two weeks in a row! Vineet and Nitesh discuss a ton of ranging from Ferrari's first SUV-is-not-an-SUV, to the complexities of India's vehicle registration system. We look into the consolidation and evolution of India's paint industry, the impact of AI on financial certifications, and the ongoing struggles of OpenAI in securing funding, and the interesting dance going on between OpenAI, Softbank and Microsoft. We also talk about a fascinating new book - Apple in China by Patrick McGee. https://appleinchina.com/https://m.economictimes.com/industry/cons-products/paints/jsw-paints-to-buy-akzo-nobel-india-for-rs-9000-cr-announcement-today/articleshow/122098689.cms

It's What Was That?! time again. A lot has been happening, in both the business world and the tech world. People are making wills suddenly, after a few rather sad incidents. Greater Than has been acquired, and it seems like a big win for Diageo. People are dating ChatGPT. They're making it their therapist. They're feeding into conspiracy theories. And the world is...getting...weird. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/technology/chatgpt-ai-chatbots-conspiracies.htmlGoogle is about to change how the web works...yet again. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250611-ai-mode-is-google-about-to-change-the-internet-foreverThere's a LOT of family drama going over at Sun TV, and since there's a political family involved, the hosts would just like to say that we agree with everyone concerned, everyone is absolutely correct and perfect. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/dayanidhi-maran-sends-legal-notice-to-sun-tv-cmd-kalanithi-maran-says-brother-seized-group-control-fraudulently/articleshow/121960814.cmsAnd much more! Do tune in, and share.

Welcome Back to What Was That?! from the start of June. We discuss a bunch of AI stuff as always, including the collapse of an AI startup, this being the second instance of AI in reality just meaning "Actually Indian":https://futurism.com/ai-startup-builderai-collapseBaby Shark creator Pink Fong applies for an IPO:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-30/-baby-shark-creator-pinkfong-applies-for-seoul-ipo-no-kiddingTinder tests letting users put up a height preference (and Nitesh and Vineet have very different views on this one)https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/29/tinder-tests-letting-users-set-a-height-preference/And our fun "This is very minor but belongs in Black Mirror" AI story of the day: AI gets people's names wrong at a convocation ceremony. Because AI was announcing the names at a convocation ceremony. Why? Just because, that's why. https://futurism.com/college-grads-furious-ai-butchers-names-commencementSee you next week!

Nitesh is in West Rajasthan in his infuencer Era - carrying podcasting equipment to remote parts of the country, finding hidden gems. 

The FIIs are back. This is absolutely not investment advice - we don't know anything about anything, remember - but we do get into how sentiment is everything when it comes to the markets. 

There's a new car in the US market - and this is interesting because it's completely unbundled! $20,000 after subsidies, but that includes no paint, no speakers, no entertainment. At least it has a steering wheel. Will it catch on? 

https://www.wired.com/story/slate-auto-electric-pickup/

Also, a lot of antitrust action going on - against Meta and Google, both in the same building! In different rooms, thankfully. The US Department of Justice has proposed remedies to rid Google of its monopoly. 

https://www.theverge.com/policy/652708/google-search-antitrust-remedies-trial-opening

And more! Other notes: Lessons from the Screenplay of The Social Network: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IAGH6k17nw

Nitesh's old post on the Insta/Facebook negotiations: 

https://internetstuff.substack.com/p/splitting-the-difference

Welcome to the worst-shot episode of the podcast! Grainy footage, background noise, changing locations, changing podcast software, this was a fun week. But also, in less important news than a change in podcast software, bond prices went up and threw the financial world into a tizzy. 

Tesla gamed odometers (allegedly) to get out of warranty repairs: 

BluSmart also had bond issues: https://m.economictimes.com/tech/startups/bond-blues-hnis-in-limbo-as-blusmart-runs-default-risk/articleshow/120414245.cms

OpenAI has financial trouble: https://www.wheresyoured.at/openai-is-a-systemic-risk-to-the-tech-industry-2/

And more rants as usual! Next week's episode will definitely look better, though we might not.

What Was That, 8 April - Edited just in time for the first story to be completely outdated, and then made completely redundant again literally while this edit was going on. Do tariffs exist? Do we? Ooooooom.

We discuss tariffs, yes. But also return-to-office becoming a huge mess for the US Government:

https://www.wired.com/story/federal-workers-rto-chaos/

More clarity (or was it?) around Ola's sales numbers:

https://www.cnbctv18.com/auto/ola-electrics-25000-feb-sales-count-yet-to-be-launched-vehicles-raises-questions-19586226.htm/

Facebook caught lying about AI benchmarks:

https://www.theverge.com/meta/645012/meta-llama-4-maverick-benchmarks-gaming

Winters are running out of snow:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/no-snow-on-slopes-ski-instructors-sell-gear-turn-to-mule-services-for-livelihood/articleshow/120069284.cms

ChatGPT as an astrologer:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/292931-chatgpt-your-astrologer-anyone.html

And many, many mini-rants. See you next week!