Technology
Epic wins in app store fight
Epic Games chief Tim Sweeney has landed a win in Australia’s antitrust clash with Google and Apple, with the Federal Court finding both stifled competition by blocking third-party payment services.
As Angelica Snowden reports in The Australian, the judgment, which also covers two related class actions, follows years of legal battles after Fortnite was booted from both app stores for sidestepping their 30 per cent cut.
While the full 2000-page ruling is still to come, the decision could add global pressure on the tech giants to loosen their grip on app store payments.
AI
Perplexity makes surprise bid for Chrome
The Australian Financial Review’s Julia Love reports that AI search challenger Perplexity has made a $US34.5 billion play for Google’s Chrome browser, anticipating US antitrust orders that could force a sell-off.
The offer follows reports that OpenAI has also eyed Chrome.
The bid lands as Judge Amit Mehta readies remedies to curb Google’s search monopoly, potentially including a Chrome sale.
Agencies
Mark Read signs off at WPP Media
Outgoing WPP Media CEO Mark Read will hand over to Cindy Rose on 1 September, telling the H1 2025 earnings call the company could move faster on what works.
He urged the business to act “more like brands, less like companies” to better manage talent, and said Rose would likely explore that.
Read signed off saying WPP Media is “as well, if not better prepared, as anyone in our industry,” before thanking the team and wishing Rose well.
Television
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025 names champion
Turns it’s three times the charm for Laura Sharrad.
She’s been named the winner of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025, securing the $250,000 cash prize and the title she has pursued since she was 13 years old.
Sharrad, who finished as runner-up in season 6 and season 12, said finally winning was a “full circle” moment.
Publishing
Chloe Malle tipped to succeed Anna Wintour at Vogue
Vogue.com editor Chloe Malle is reportedly in final talks to replace Anna Wintour as US Vogue’s head of editorial content.
The 39-year-old, daughter of Candice Bergen and Louis Malle, is a staff favourite and recently helmed the Lauren Sanchez cover.
As Sara Nathan writes in The Daily Telegraph, Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch and Wintour have narrowed the shortlist to just a few names, with Vogue Runway’s Nicole Phelps also in the mix.
Streaming
Meghan Markle takes learner role in With love season two
The new With Love, Meghan trailer swaps the Duchess’s season one expert persona for a more curious, collaborative host.
She’s seen asking questions, praising guests and even pushing back on extravagant kitchen must-haves with a sceptical “You think so?”
As James Hibberd details in The Hollywood Reporter, the guest lineup remains starry, including Chrissy Teigen, David Chang, José Andrés, Samin Nosrat and Tan France. This season, Meghan seems set on learning as much as she’s sharing.