Netflix, Sony hike prices; Apple launches budget MacBook

In consumer tech news, Netflix has increased prices across its streaming service tiers, while Sony has raised the cost of its PlayStation hardware. Apple has also entered the budget market with the launch of its 13-inch MacBook Neo, priced at $599, with a special $499 rate for students. These moves suggest a shift in pricing strategies among major tech players. Meanwhile, semiconductor stocks saw gains amid easing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran.