‘It’s Time for Apple to Fix Texting.’

iPhone owners have long blamed Android owners for difficulties when cross-device messaging. But yesterday, Google took the debate to the next level, placing the blame squarely on Apple.

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1. Google just put Apple on blast. On its website, Google called out what it says is Apple’s failure to improve the user experience between iPhone and Android users, and issued a clear call to action: “It’s time for Apple to fix texting.”

• Some iPhone users lament the green message bubbles, poor-quality compressed videos, and the lack of read receipts that come with cross-device messaging. 
• For this, Google blames Apple, which converts texts sent between iPhones and Androids into SMS and MMS, decades-old methods of sending text-only messages from device to device. 
• Google argues Apple should instead use Rich Communication Services, which it says is the “modern industry standard” meant to improve how people can send texts and calls, but also media like emojis, videos, and photos.
• “These problems exist because Apple refuses to adopt modern texting standards when people with iPhones and Android phones text each other,” reads the Android website.

Get the latest on the iPhone versus Android debate.

In other news:

2. We outlined the companies Amazon could acquire next. Within the past few weeks, Amazon has secured deals like a $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot and a $3.9 billion acquisition of One Medical — and could be heading on a shopping spree, possibly scooping up businesses across industries. Here are the companies it could buy next.

3. Malcolm Gladwell, who works remotely, isn’t sold on remote work. The author, who starts his days with a laptop on the sofa and “writes in coffee shops for a living,” said in a recent podcast interview that it’s not in people’s “best interest” to work from home. Read Gladwell’s insights into WFH.

4. Microsoft quietly laid off the team dedicated to reinventing its appeal to consumers. Two people familiar with the changes told Insider that employees in “Modern Life Experiences” have 60 days to find a new position or take severance. Everything we know about the cuts.

5. Venture-capital firms are raising funds at a record pace. Even amid economic uncertainty, VC firms are on track to surpass the 2021 full-year record of $142.1 billion — with some funds raising their largest rounds ever. We explain why.

6. Elon Musk sold almost $6.9 billion worth of Tesla shares in case he is forced to buy Twitter. The sale of about 7.92 million shares is Musk’s biggest on record, and leaves him with a 15% stake in the company. The Tesla CEO explained his action in a late tweet Tuesday. 

7. Ford hiked the price of its electric F-150 Lightning by up to $8,500. Thanks to “significant material cost increases,” the automaker has increased the price of its 2023 model across trim levels. Here’s the price breakdown.

8. Walmart could be looking to challenge Amazon in the streaming wars. The New York Times reported Walmart is exploring a streaming offering for Walmart+ subscriptions as it looks for ways to entice new customers. Get the rundown on Walmart’s streaming ambitions.

Odds and ends:

9. Mark Cuban said buying virtual real estate is “the dumbest s— ever.” The hype around the metaverse appears to be fading, and the billionaire investor has made his stance known (but is still a vocal supporter of crypto and other Web3 tech). Here’s what else Cuban said.

10. These seven Safari settings will enhance your privacy. If you use Safari on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you can easily disable cookies, change your search engine, hide your IP address, and more. Here are seven ways to make your online activity more private.

What we’re watching today:

• Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event is happening at 9 a.m. ET. You can watch it live streamed here, or in the metaverse at Samsung 837X. 
• Traction, an event for entrepreneurs and innovators, kicks off today in Vancouver.
• USENIX Security Symposium will take place Aug. 10–12 in Boston. 
• Today is the 60th anniversary of Spider-Man.
• The Walt Disney Company, Honda, and others are reporting earnings. Keep up with earnings here.

Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.

Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.