🎉 The Week in Review: Amazon Echo Frames, MrBeast’s Game Show, Apple Watch Ban, and More! 📰
This Week's Edition of the Review (WiR) Highlights TC's Review of Amazon Echo Frames, the Ban Saga on Apple Watch Trademark, and More.
In the latest ENBLE article, we review Amazon Echo Frames, discuss MrBeast’s latest crazy stunt, and uncover the news of Apple Watch being un-banned. Check it out!
Hey folks, and welcome to Week in Review (WiR), ENBLE’s regular newsletter recapping the week that was in tech.🚀
Typically, the stretch between Christmas and New Year’s tends to be on the sleepier side — but that wasn’t the case in 2023. Fortunately, the TC crew was around to document all that happened. So grab your favorite beverage and let’s dive into the exciting tech world!
📚 Most Read Articles
➡️ New Echo Frames: Sound on Shades! 🕶️
Brian test drove Amazon’s new and improved Echo Frames, which feature upgraded sound and a 14-hour battery. 🎧 He found the AR shades to be lacking compared to the Ray-Ban Metas, particularly considering the $270 price tag (they’re currently discounted to $200).
🔐 Q: Are there any other AR glasses worth considering?
A: Absolutely! If you’re in the market for a trendy pair of AR glasses, don’t forget to check out the Snapchat Spectacles! They’re not only stylish but also offer some cool augmented reality features.
➡️ MrBeast jumps the shark: The Reality Show Craze Continues 📺
Amanda writes about MrBeast’s bizarre new reality show, where two contestants agreed to cohabitate in a bright, asylum-like room for 100 days in exchange for $185,000 each in prize money. 😱 What’s intriguing about the experience, she says, is that it’s emblematic of the trade-off that’s become normal on social media: If you endure suffering for content, you might just be able to pay off your debt.
🤔 Q: Will there be more outrageous reality shows in the future?
A: Absolutely! As long as there are willing participants and an audience hungry for entertainment, we can expect reality shows to continue pushing boundaries and captivating viewers.
➡️ Apple Watch banned — then not: The Watch-Worthy Drama ⌚
A recent U.S. ban on Apple Watch imports centered on a pair of pulse oximetry sensor trademarks held by health tech company Masimo — nearly remained in place after the Biden administration declined to veto an earlier ruling by the International Trade Commission. But then, an appeals court instituted a pause, allowing Apple to resume sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 — at least temporarily.
💡 Q: Can the Apple Watch Series 9 help me with my fitness goals?
A: Absolutely! The Apple Watch Series 9 is equipped with advanced health and fitness tracking features that can help you stay motivated and achieve your fitness goals. From monitoring your heart rate to tracking your workouts, it’s a powerful tool for a healthier lifestyle.
➡️ Vision Pro, coming soon: Apple’s AR Dream 👓
In more Apple news, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has narrowed down what he believes will be a late January or early February release date for the Vision Pro, Apple’s hotly anticipated AR heads-up display. Kuo says that the first wave of Vision Pros is being shipped to Apple in about a month, with total shipments numbering around 500,000 for the full year.
🔍 Q: How will the Vision Pro revolutionize the way we interact with technology?
A: The Vision Pro has the potential to transform the way we perceive and interact with the digital world. With its immersive AR capabilities, it can overlay digital information onto real-world objects, taking productivity and entertainment to a whole new level.
➡️ Hyperloop One crashes and burns: A Bumpy Ride 🚅
One of the longest-running hyperloop startups, Hyperloop One, is reportedly shutting its doors. 🚪 The tech industry’s attempt to bring Elon Musk’s visionary transportation concept to life has faced numerous challenges, and the closure of Hyperloop One marks another stumble in the journey.
🛤️ Q: Will hyperloop transportation ever become a reality?
A: While the road to hyperloop transportation may be bumpy, the concept continues to inspire innovators and investors. As technology progresses and challenges are overcome, we may yet see a future where high-speed pods zip through vacuum tubes, revolutionizing transportation as we know it.
➡️ Xiaomi releases a car: Electrifying the Road! 🔌🚘
Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi has revealed its first electric car: a sharp-looking sedan called the SU7. Slated to roll out in China next year, it’s another entry into an increasingly crowded market for EVs — and an attempt in this software-obsessed world to match the tech people find in their phones to what goes on inside their car.
🚀 Q: Can Xiaomi conquer the electric car market?
A: While the electric car market is highly competitive, Xiaomi’s entry into the scene brings a new player with a strong focus on technology and innovation. With the right strategy and execution, Xiaomi has the potential to make a significant impact and carve out its place in the industry.
➡️ NY Times sues OpenAI: Content Wars and AI Ethics 💥
The New York Times is suing OpenAI and its close collaborator (and investor), Microsoft, for allegedly violating copyright law by training generative AI models on Times’ content. This case highlights the growing conflict between content creators and the vendors using their work to train—and commercialize—generative AI technologies.
🔓 Q: How can content creators and AI vendors find a balance?
A: The relationship between content creators and AI vendors is complex and evolving. Finding a middle ground that respects intellectual property rights while allowing AI innovation is crucial. Collaborative efforts, such as licensing agreements and ethical guidelines, can help foster a more harmonious relationship between the two parties.
➡️ National Amusements hacked: Lights, Camera, Cyberattack! 💻🔐
National Amusements, the cinema chain and corporate parent of media giants Paramount and CBS, confirmed experiencing a data breach last December. Hackers stole the personal information of tens of thousands of people, shedding light on the ever-increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures in the entertainment industry.
🛡️ Q: How can companies protect themselves from data breaches?
A: Implementing strong cybersecurity measures, such as regular vulnerability assessments, encryption protocols, and employee training, is essential for safeguarding sensitive data. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date defense systems and promptly addressing vulnerabilities is crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
🎧 Tune in for Some Audio Delights!
In need of listening material as you prep for a killer New Year’s? TC has got you covered, as always.
- Equity: The Equity crew said goodbye to 2023 with its annual predictions episode. They brought in a number of voices to speak on startup trends, media, proptech, AI, and transport — and went back to vet their predictions from last year.
- Found: Dom and Becca broke down 2023 in startups by looking back on some of their favorite conversations and predicting startup trends in 2024. They discussed innovative climate tech companies, AI ethics, fundraising, and what lies ahead for startups.
- Chain Reaction: Jacquelyn remixed an episode featuring an interview with Deana Burke and Natasha Hoskins, the co-founders of Boys Club. Boys Club is a social decentralized autonomous organization for the “crypto curious,” originally designed to get women and non-binary people into the web3 world. It now aims to be an open space for anyone looking to get into the industry.
💡ENBLE+ Insights
TC+ subscribers get access to in-depth commentary, analysis, and surveys — which you know if you’re already a subscriber. Consider signing up if you haven’t already! Here are a few highlights from this week:
- Investors share their predictions: Rebecca asked over 40 VCs when they expect the next venture bubble to pop next year, which startups they think will IPO first, if they expect to see more startups shutting down in 2024 than in the past few years — and more. Check out the predictions here.
- Diversity commitments: Dom checked up on the VCs that made commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion following the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. So who kept their word? Read on to find out. Discover the insights here.
- Investor survey roundup: Karan put together a curated list of timely TC investor surveys from the year. They touch on topics including alternative protein, the robotics revolution, the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, and the future of power. Explore the surveys here.
🌟 Share the Tech Love!
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Let us know which tech news amazed you the most in the comments below! 👇 And don’t forget to share this article with your tech-savvy friends on social media! 📱✨
📚 References
- New Echo Frames
- MrBeast jumps the shark
- Apple Watch banned — then not
- Vision Pro, coming soon
- Hyperloop One crashes and burns
- Xiaomi releases a car
- NY Times sues OpenAI
- National Amusements hacked
