Business news in brief

By The Associated Press

Google rolls out Pixel 9 phones earlier than usual

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. | Google has unveiled its next generation of Pixel phones. The launch Tuesday provides the maker of Android software a head start on the next iPhone in the race to bring more artificial intelligence-services to devices that have become people’s constant companions.

The showcase held near Google’s Mountain View, California, headquarters occurred two months earlier than the company typically rolls out the next models in its Pixel phone line-up. And Google left little doubt that the Pixel 9 phones are meant to be a vessel for the AI technology that is expected to reshape society.

The Pixel 9 phones are priced from $800 to $1,800. They will being shipping Aug. 22.

Drivers warned to stop driving vehicles with Takata air

bag inflators

DETROIT | Ford and Mazda are warning the owners of more than 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S. not to drive them because they have dangerous Takata air bag inflators that have not been replaced. The warning issued Tuesday covers more than 374,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles from the 2004 through 2014 model years and nearly 83,000 Mazdas from the 2003 through 2015 model years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the inflators can explode with too much force in a crash, blowing apart a metal canister and shooting fragments that can severely injure or kill people. All were recalled previously but repairs have not been completed.

The government says 27 people have been killed in the U.S. by the inflators.

Home Depot trims outlook

for 2024

Home Depot’s second quarter sales rose slightly as the nation’s biggest home improvement retailer booked gains from a recent acquisition, but customers reined in spending because of broadly higher costs and elevated interest rates.

Sales edged up to $43.18 billion, from $42.92 billion. However, the company is now expecting fiscal 2024 sales at stores open at least a year to decline between 3% and 4%. Its previous outlook was for a decline of approximately 1%.

Home Depot expects full-year earnings per share to fall between 2% and 4%. Previously, the company predicted earnings per share growth of about 1%.

—From AP reports