FTC and Justice Department Reportedly Consider Microsoft and OpenAI Probe, while Microsoft Mesh for Teams is Now Generally Available
The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department are reportedly in discussions over which agency can investigate OpenAI’s relationship with Microsoft.
As reported by Politico, the FTC and Justice Department opened talks several months ago to assess which one can initiate an antitrust probe into the issue. However, neither regulatory body wants to concede jurisdiction to the other — a contention that must be addressed before any official investigation into OpenAI and Microsoft can begin.
The basis for an antitrust investigation, allegedly, is the ambiguity of Microsoft and OpenAI’s status.
Microsoft has invested around $13 billion in OpenAI over the past four years, but these mooted probes arrive two months after November’s dramatic OpenAI saga, in which its CEO Sam Altman was ousted by its board before being reinstated just four days later following intense pressure from both employees and investors.
Because businesses have to report most deals to a federal antitrust regulator, it raised eyebrows that OpenAI and Microsoft have not yet done so. Microsoft has stated it has no power over OpenAI governance or strategy, but its conduct following Altman’s firing has brought that relationship into the spotlight.
It isn’t the first time an investigation has been formalised either. Just before Christmas, across the pond, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority announced it was probing Microsoft and OpenAI’s situation.
In other Microsoft news this week, Mesh for Teams is now generally available.
The XR meetings solution is available through both PC and Meta Quest VR devices. Users can leverage the exact same Teams features they’re used to but within a 3D space, including accessing shared content for collaboration, using live reactions to express themselves, and communicating via Teams chat.
Initially announced at last year’s Microsoft Build, Mesh in Teams intends to boost engagement in Teams meetings through ready-made 3D immersive spaces designed to suit organisational needs, including team social gatherings, brainstorming sessions, or round-table discussions.
Nicole Herskowitz, Vice President at Microsoft Teams, wrote in an accompanying blog:
To support hybrid work and geographically distributed organizations, we created Microsoft Mesh. Mesh powers 3D immersive experiences using next-generation technology that help virtual connections feel more like face-to-face interactions.”
Users must design an avatar to represent themselves. Users can facilitate several simultaneous small-group discussions by using spatial audio, allowing for productive side conversations similar to those in the physical world during brainstorming sessions.
Vonage Announces New CEO
Niklas Heuveldop has been appointed as Vonage‘s new CEO.
Ericsson, which acquired Vonage in July 2022, announced that Heuveldop, currently Ericsson’s Head of Market Area North America, has been named both Vonage CEO and Head of Business Area Global Communications Platform, beginning February 1, 2024.
“I am thrilled but also humbled to be offered the opportunity to ensure that we leverage Vonage’s capabilities and the 5G innovation platform to their full potential – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Heuveldop said. “I move on knowing that we have the best talent in the industry to serve our customers, and Yossi will continue to strengthen our local capabilities.”
Ericsson credits Heuveldop with demonstrating leadership across various executive roles within the business. His strategic guidance played a pivotal role in enhancing its presence in North America, resulting in substantial growth of Ericsson’s market share among critical customers in the region. Additionally, Heuveldop’s role was instrumental in securing the groundbreaking $14 billion deal with AT&T, according to Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson.
Rory Read, currently the Head of Business Area Global Communications Platform and CEO of Vonage, is set to transition from his current role on February 1, 2024. He will then assume the role of an advisor to the Business Area before concluding his tenure with Ericsson at the end of Q1 2024.
X Launches Audio and Video Calls on Android
X has launched audio and video calls on its Android app.
The capability was introduced to iOS users in October as part of owner Elon Musk’s intention to transform the platform into an “everything” app.
As with iOS users, only “Premium” X subscribers can make calls — for now, at least. However, all accounts can receive calls. Subscriptions cost $8 a month or $84 a year.
Users can find options for audio and video calls within the DM settings tab in the X platform. Furthermore, users can manage their call preferences through the settings page.
By default, users can receive calls from accounts they follow or have in their address book, provided they have granted X access to their address book beforehand. To initiate a call to another user, it is necessary to have sent that user a Direct Message at least once in the past. As a protective measure against spam or abuse, users also have the choice to disable incoming calls.
