There’s No App For That - TechLinked Jan 19, 2023

[JakobRush]

 

NEWS SOURCES:

 

DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS

Vision Pro pre-orders begin

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/19/apples-vision-pro-preorders-live-price-specs-release-date.html

Shipments already delayed due to demand https://www.zdnet.com/article/did-apple-vision-pro-sell-out-not-yet-but-shipments-are-already-being-delayed/

No native Netflix app https://mashable.com/article/netflix-app-missing-apple-vision-pro-headset

Also apparently cancelled plans to make iPad app compatible https://lmg.gg/Fvus2 (Mashable)

Despite Apple’s earlier statements https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=ssmnoze2

“nearly all iPad and iPhone apps can run on visionOS, unmodified” https://lmg.gg/OV1aW (Apple)

Neither will YouTube or Spotify https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/youtube-and-spotify-won-t-launch-apple-vision-pro-apps-joining-netflix-1.2023857

Spotify isn’t on other headsets, but YouTube is https://lmg.gg/v9SR7 (BNN Bloomberg)

YouTube also “not allowing” iPad app to work right now https://lmg.gg/Sz3Ua (BNN Bloomberg)

Have to manually disable availability https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/manage-your-apps-availability/manage-availability-of-iphone-and-ipad-apps-on-apple-vision-pro/

Have to manually disable availability https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/manage-your-apps-availability/manage-availability-of-iphone-and-ipad-apps-on-apple-vision-pro/

May be far more https://www.macstories.net/news/a-survey-of-popular-apps-currently-compatible-with-apple-vision-pro/

 

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

Amazon allegedly making subscription version of Alexa

https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-paid-alexa-plus-service-issues-2024-1

It will feature ChatGPT-style features https://www.tomsguide.com/news/amazon-is-launching-alexa-plus-with-chatgpt-style-features-but-it-might-cost-you

Can allegedly differentiate between “taking a pause” and “being finished with a request” https://lmg.gg/lDHlQ (Tom’s Guide)

It could launch as soon as June 30 https://9to5google.com/2024/01/19/amazon-alexa-paid-service-report/

Though it faces issues, like being bad:

Good at having conversations https://lmg.gg/d9mHD (9to5Google)

But gives long inaccurate answers and hallucinations are common https://lmg.gg/7fNoN (9to5Google)

internal conflict at Amazon https://www.neowin.net/news/amazon-reportedly-unsatisfied-with-a-paid-version-of-alexa-faces-internal-conflict/

Some employees don’t think customers already paying for Amazon want to pay for a new Alexa https://lmg.gg/SKE68 (Neowin)

 

TSM-CEASED

TSMC says further delays for second Arizona fab

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/bidens-plan-to-dominate-chips-market-may-face-delays-downgrades-at-tsmc-fabs/

Now looking at 2027 or 2028, blame worker shortage again https://qz.com/tsmc-arizona-chops-plant-delays-1851176240

may also be less advanced https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/18/second-tsmc-arizona-chip-plant-delayed/

Could lose 3nm fabrication, say its dependent on US funding they haven’t received yet https://lmg.gg/rrwel (9to5Mac)

US chose military supplier as first recipient of CHIPS act funding, likely to reduce reliance on China in military https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/business/economy/biden-chips-bae-systems.html

Also the delay could put the plant 5 years behind Taiwan https://lmg.gg/LqbPR

 

 

QUICK BITS

 

TIP OF THE ZUCKERBERG

Zuck wants AGI bad

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/18/24042354/mark-zuckerberg-meta-agi-reorg-interview

Buying 350,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs https://www.pcmag.com/news/zuckerbergs-meta-is-spending-billions-to-buy-350000-nvidia-h100-gpus

He’s consolidating AI research and business-focused gen AI teams https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-bringing-together-ai-research-product-teams-2024-01-18/

Being accused of being irresponsible https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/19/mark-zuckerberg-artificial-general-intelligence-system-alarms-experts-meta-open-source

 

AUTOBOTS ROLL OUT

BMW bringing general-purpose robots to its “manufacturing environments”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/figure-announces-commercial-agreement-with-bmw-manufacturing-to-bring-general-purpose-robots-into-automotive-production-302036263.html https://newatlas.com/robotics/figure-bmw-humanoid/

https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/18/bmw-will-deploy-figures-humanoid-robot-at-south-carolina-plant/?guccounter=1

 

NOW THAT’S SMART

Sunderland City Council opens smart home to test assistive technologies

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c982zz8gqxgo

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/29996/Sunderland-s-new-smart-house

https://youtu.be/_XY5hBrJ_gQ

 

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKYNET

Microsoft releases AI reading tutor for free

https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-releases-its-ai-powered-reading-tutor-for-free

Announced here: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2024/01/unlocking-productivity-and-personalizing-learning-with-ai

https://www.engadget.com/microsofts-tool-for-ai-reading-lessons-is-now-a-standalone-app-230520756.html

 

HELLO NOMA

FDA approves AI-powered skin cancer detector

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-detect-skin-cancer-melanoma-suspicious-moles/

https://www.notebookcheck.net/DermaSensor-announces-FDA-clearance-for-AI-powered-skin-cancer-detection-device-for-primary-care-physicians.794817.0.html

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240117116417/en/FDA-Clearance-Granted-for-First-AI-Powered-Medical-Device-to-Detect-All-Three-Common-Skin-Cancers-Melanoma-Basal-Cell-Carcinoma-and-Squamous-Cell-Carcinoma