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- Product & Design Pulse v76
Product & Design Pulse v76
Tech and Government Intertwined 🏛️
Malcom Jones
January 26, 2026
Welcome to this week’s edition of Product & Design Pulse, where we explore the latest in tech, product, design, and innovation! Microsoft quietly confirmed how law enforcement can still access encrypted data, while the U.S. and China finally struck a deal to untangle TikTok’s future with a rare, mutual sign-off. Big Tech continued trimming and reshaping itself, with Amazon preparing another wave of layoffs and Apple consolidating power under John Ternus as Siri gears up for a full chatbot reboot. On the AI front, Microsoft’s growing spend on Anthropic underscores how aggressively hyperscalers are hedging their bets beyond a single model provider. Taken together, it’s a snapshot of an industry tightening its grip on infrastructure, platforms, and leadership just as AI expectations—and scrutiny—hit a new peak.
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For those who don’t have time to read 😁 |
Last week…
Microsoft Gave FBI Keys to Unlock BitLocker-Encrypted Data
Microsoft confirmed it provided the FBI with encryption keys that allowed access to BitLocker-protected data as part of a criminal investigation. The case highlights how law enforcement can obtain data through legal processes without breaking encryption itself. Privacy advocates warn the revelation underscores how cloud-linked encryption can still be vulnerable to government access.
China and U.S. Sign Off on TikTok U.S. Spinoff
The U.S. and Chinese governments have both approved a deal that spins off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a separate, domestically controlled company. The agreement resolves years of geopolitical tension by placing U.S. user data, governance, and security oversight firmly under American jurisdiction while allowing ByteDance to retain a non-controlling stake. The move secures TikTok’s continued operation in the U.S. and sets a precedent for how cross-border tech platforms may navigate national security concerns going forward.
Amazon Plans Thousands More Corporate Job Cuts Next Week
Amazon is preparing another round of corporate layoffs, cutting thousands of roles across multiple business units. The reductions reflect continued cost-cutting as Amazon prioritizes efficiency and profitability after years of rapid expansion. Sources say the cuts will disproportionately affect middle management and support functions.
Apple Hardware Chief John Ternus Now Oversees Design
Apple has expanded hardware chief John Ternus’s responsibilities to include oversight of industrial design. The shift consolidates control over Apple’s most important products and further elevates Ternus as a leading internal successor to CEO Tim Cook. It signals Apple’s push for tighter integration between engineering, design, and long-term leadership planning.
Microsoft’s Spending on Anthropic AI Hits $500 Million
Microsoft’s investment and cloud spending tied to Anthropic has reportedly reached roughly $500 million. The spending reflects Microsoft’s strategy to diversify its AI bets beyond OpenAI while still controlling key infrastructure through Azure. It also highlights intensifying competition among hyperscalers to secure access to frontier AI models.
Apple to Revamp Siri as Built-In Chatbot
Apple is planning a major Siri overhaul in iOS 27, repositioning it as a system-wide chatbot across iPhone and Mac. The revamp aims to deliver more conversational, context-aware interactions to compete with ChatGPT and other AI assistants. The effort underscores Apple’s urgency to modernize Siri as generative AI reshapes user expectations.
