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Japan's Fair Trade Commission has conducted a raid on Amazon over antitrust concerns. "There is a suspicion that Amazon Japan is forcing sellers to cut prices in an irrational way," an unnamed source told Reuters. Amazon Japan received an on-site inspection by the regulator today to explore whether the retailer gives better product placement in search results to sellers who offer lower prices. Additional reporting in The Japan Times suggested that this inquiry is focused on Amazon's Buy Box program, which puts recommended items more prominently in front of online shoppers. The publication said that in addition to demanding "competitive pricing," sellers were allegedly required to use Amazon's in-house services, such as those for logistics and payment collection, to qualify for Buy Box placement. The Japanese FTC has not released an official statement about the inquiry. We've reached out to Amazon for a comment. Amazon has also been questioned about anti-competitive behavior around the world. Stateside, both the Fair Trade Commission and the Attorney General of Washington DC have raised similar concerns about Amazon's practices. The company is also expected to face an antitrust investigation in the European Union next year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-japan-hit-with-a-raid-over-antitrust-concerns-191558080.html?src=rss
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Are you eagerly anticipating the next crop of games from Devolver Digital? Well, youre going to have to wait a little longer. The indie game studio will unveil the nominees and winners of its annual Devolver Delayed Awards at 1 PM Eastern Wednesday on its official YouTube page. Devolvers tongue-in-cheek awards show aims to honor the brightest, best indie games you cant play yet and yes, Skate Story is still in that category. Its all part of Devolvers satirical marketing strategy like calling the event the 15th annual despite the fact that last years Delayed Awards was the first-ever showcase celebrating brands that are courageously moving into 2024, according to a press release. Devolver will at least tide us over with more footage from some of these unplayable games. Titles might include the minimalist brawler Stick It to the Stickmen, the story driven walking sim Baby Steps and the long-awaited ragdoll puzzler Human Fall Flat 2. The studio also hinted that there may be a glimpse of something new for 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/devolver-digitals-delayed-awards-returns-wednesday-185754203.html?src=rss
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The White House is reducing Intels CHIPS Act award by over $600 million. Initially set to receive $8.5 billion from the domestic silicon production bill, the company will get up to $7.85 billion instead. On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Intel has extended some plant openings beyond 2030 government deadlines. However, the Commerce Department said the funding reduction was instead due to a $3 billion military contract Intel was awarded. Intel posted its biggest-ever quarterly loss last month after announcing 15,000 layoffs in August. The chip-makers struggles have reportedly led some government officials to worry about its ability to deliver as a central component of the Biden White Houses CHIPS Act. Intel will receive at least $1 billion in CHIPS Act funding before the end of the year. The company plans to invest $90 billion in the US by the decades end, a reduction from its initial goal of $100 billion in the next five years. The Commerce Department said the chip maker is still on schedule to invest the full $100 billion on projects in four states: Arizona ($3.94 billion), Oregon ($1.86 billion), Ohio ($1.5 billion) and New Mexico ($500 million). One of the outgoing Presidents landmark bills, the CHIPS Act is projected to create over 125,000 jobs across 20 states while spurring US silicon manufacturing and decreasing reliance on foreign manufacturers. Intel is the largest recipient of CHIPS Act money. The Commerce Department has reportedly moved quickly to finalize awards with the bills recipients before the second Trump term begins in January. The President-elect attacked the legislation and its cost during his campaign, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said at the time Republicans probably will try to repeal the CHIPS Act. However, Johnson later walked back his remarks, and analysts predicted after the election that the legislation would likely survive. Earlier this month, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the worlds leading advanced chip maker, was the first to have its grants finalized. It will receive $6.6 billion (including at least $1 billion before the end of the year) for three plants in Arizona, which are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs by the end of the decade. US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has reportedly urged tech companies including Apple, Amazon, NVIDIA, AMD and others to work with Intel because the 56-year-old company is the only US-based logic chip maker. However, most companies were said to have rejected her pleas because Intels chip-making techniques are not as sophisticated as TSMCs, according to a NYT report last month. Although Taiwan is an ally and economic partner of the US, the Biden administration reportedly views reliance on it as increasingly risky as China poses a continual threat to take over the self-governing island. Last month, China held military drills in the sea and sky surrounding Taiwan as a warning after the islands president, Lai Ching-te, reasserted the islands independence in a holiday speech. The US State Department said it was seriously concerned about the show of force.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/intels-chips-act-funding-cut-by-over-600-million-184518662.html?src=rss
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