Zac Bowden / Windows Central:
Microsoft raises prices for Surface PCs, with Laptop 7 and Pro 11 now starting at $500 more than at their 2024 launch, citing higher memory and component costs  —  Microsoft is raising prices on all its current Surface PC offerings, with the midrange devices now starting at above $1,000, and flagships starting at $1,500.

Bloomberg:
Filing: Anthropic hired Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with strong Trump administration ties, days after the DOD designated the startup a supply chain risk  —  Anthropic PBC hired the lobbying firm Ballard Partners as it draws out its fight with the Pentagon, a new public document shows.

Veronica Irwin / Transformer:
Anthropic says its $20M donation to Public First Action is not “to influence federal elections” but is to educate the public on AI policy and promote safe AI  —  The company's money isn't allowed to be used in the midterm battles.  Without it, pro-safety candidates may be even more outgunned than expected

Tom Warren / The Verge:
Xbox staff memo: Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma says “Game Pass has become too expensive for players” and that Microsoft needs “a better value equation”  —  Microsoft is getting ready to address Game Pass pricing concerns. … Microsoft's new Xbox chief, Asha Sharma …

Michael Kan / PCMag:
Amazon unveils the Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna, saying it can deliver up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload speeds “simultaneously” for in-flight Wi-Fi  —  Amazon Leo is trying to steal some of the spotlight from Starlink's in-flight Wi-Fi business by showing off its own satellite internet antenna for commercial jets.