Three trademark applications for “Reality One,” “Reality Pro” and “Reality Processor” filed in Canada, the U.S. and other jurisdictions could indicate Apple’s plans for a line of virtual- and augmented-reality devices, Bloomberg reported. Apple declined to comment. (Bloomberg)
Premier François Legault, a favourite to expand the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s sizable majority, has promised to cut taxes for Quebecers in the lowest two income brackets. (The Logic)
Washington, D.C.-based Erin Pelton is now vice-president of communications and public affairs at the Ottawa-headquartered commerce company. She was most recently a special assistant to U.S. President Joe Biden and chief of staff to his domestic policy council. She announced the move in a tweet on Friday. (The Logic)
The Japanese automaker and the South Korean conglomerate’s Energy Solution branch will create a joint venture to build a plant in a “yet to be finalized” U.S. location, though people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal it will be in Ohio. The companies said it will be ready by the end of 2025. (The Logic, The Wall Street Journal)
The Association for Advancing Automation said robot purchases across North America in the second quarter rose to 12,305, up 25 per cent from the same period last year, marking the third consecutive quarter of record sales. (The Logic)
The would-be provider of Canada’s first commercial space-launch facility signed a 20-year lease for land near Canso earlier in August and now has approval from the provincial government to begin construction. Spokesperson Sarah McLean told The Logic the company plans to break ground as soon as possible to take advantage of the remainder of the 2022 construction season. (The Logic)
Growth will be slower, the labour market will soften, and households and businesses will feel “some pain” as the Federal Reserve tries to get inflation back to around two per cent, the U.S.’s chief central banker said in a symposium in the resort town of Jackson Hole, Wyo. But he hinted that a third 0.75-point interest-rate hike in a row might not be needed when the Fed makes its next decision in September. Stocks sold off after Powell spoke. (The Logic)
The Waterloo, Ont.-based software firm’s share price dropped as much as 13.3 per cent on the Nasdaq on Friday, giving up all its pandemic gains. OpenText announced it would buy Micro Focus in a US$6-billion deal, including the firm’s cash and debt, after markets closed on Thursday. (The Logic)
The ride-hailing platform and the United Food and Commercial Workers jointly urged the Ontario government to keep gig workers from being recognized as employees when the Progressive Conservatives overhauled the province’s labour legislation, The Globe and Mail reported. (The Globe and Mail)
Perth-based Hastings Technology Metals has agreed to acquire a 22.1 per cent stake in Toronto-based Neo Performance Materials for $15 per share, or a total of $135 million. The deal is backed by Australian mining giant Wyloo Metals. (The Logic)