Alphabet reported third-quarter revenue of $127.6 billion, up 25 percent year on year, with Google Cloud revenue of $30.7 billion, up 103 percent. Microsoft's Azure cloud business grew 48 percent in its fiscal first quarter ended September, and it lowered its full-year capital expenditure forecast to $170 billion from $175 billion. Alphabet posted negative free cash flow of $9.07 billion as spending rose, and its shares fell about 8 to 10 percent after the results, according to reports. Microsoft shares rose more than 3 percent in after-hours trading. The results came as investors weighed how much companies spend on AI against the income it generates.
Apple's iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, costs $1,999 and up. Ars Technica's review calls the device technically impressive but says it is not always enjoyable to use, and notes a learning curve that changes how users interact with the software. Days after the launch, photos on social media showed some screens cracking above the hinge. Apple acknowledged an issue on Monday and said it is replacing damaged units, but it did not say how many broken phones have been reported. Teardown specialists at iFixit point to the flexible inner screen pressing against a hinge part.
Xreal has reduced the price of its Aura smartglasses to $1,099 through the end of the year, down from the $1,279 preorder price announced last month. Customers who preordered at the higher price will be refunded the difference automatically, according to Xreal general manager Ralph Jodice. The glasses weigh 95 grams, run Android XR on a tethered compute puck, and will ship in mid-November in the United States, Canada and South Korea, with Japan following on 2 Nov. Xreal and Google describe the device as offering more than 150 dedicated XR experiences.