This Week In Tech

Computex Unveilings, New Razr 2023 Foldable, Meta Quest 3 Teased, Amazon’s Wireless Service, and More: Weekly Tech Roundup

This week, Computex featured the latest innovations, while the Motorola Razr event unveiled a new foldable smartphone. Exciting news came with the announcement of Meta Quest 3, promising immersive VR experiences. Microsoft made headlines by discontinuing Cortana on Windows, and Amazon explored the possibility of a low-cost mobile service. Looking ahead, Apple is gearing up for the upcoming WWDC. Don’t miss the “Interesting Thing of the Week” and other noteworthy news in our “Other News” section.

Computex

Corsair unveiled the iCUE Link at Computex, an innovative single-cable system that simplifies component connections in gaming rigs. Integrated microcontrollers enable bi-directional communication with the System Hub, allowing for temperature sensing and advanced RGB lighting effects. CoolerMaster also introduced the MasterHUB, a modular control deck designed to compete with similar devices like the Stream Deck. By using a magnetic backplate and various modules, users can create a personalized control setup to meet their specific needs. The MasterHUB offers a variety of options, including Thunderbolt connectivity, touch displays, scrolling wheels, dials, key displays, and sliders. It comes with 20 displays, including an 8-inch touchscreen and an ultrawide display, along with illuminated custom keys for enhanced control. Additionally, Nvidia unveiled the DGX GH200, a memory-intensive solution that combines multiple Grace Hopper chips, while Arm introduced the Arm Cortex-X4, a fourth-generation Cortex-X core focusing on AI and machine learning applications. These recent advancements highlight the ongoing technological innovation within the industry.

Moto razr

At the Razr event, Motorola introduced the Razr 2023 series, which will have a broader global launch compared to its predecessor. The latest foldable clamshell phones come at a more affordable price point, with the higher-end Razr+ priced at $1000. However, in terms of hardware upgrades, the Razr+ remains unchanged and retains the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. Starting from June 23, the Razr+ will be accessible through select U.S. carriers and retailers, while details regarding the pricing and availability of the standard model are yet to be revealed.

Amazon Cell Service?

On Wednesday, reports surfaced indicating that Amazon is in talks with major US carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, Dish, and AT&T, to potentially provide mobile connectivity to its Prime subscribers. The discussions revolve around offering wireless plans for a monthly fee of $10 or integrating the service into Prime subscriptions. While an Amazon spokesperson denied immediate plans for wireless connectivity, the talks have been ongoing for two months. The move is seen as a response to slower growth in Prime subscribers following a price increase last year and increased competition from Walmart Plus. However, if Amazon were to offer mobile service, it could potentially compete with carriers for their existing customers. Amazon’s previous venture into the phone market with the Fire Phone was unsuccessful, but the company is currently developing a satellite internet service called Project Kuiper.

Meta Quest 3

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Mark Zuckerberg announced the upcoming launch of Meta Quest 3, a next-generation virtual and mixed reality headset. Quest 3 boasts higher resolution, stronger performance, and breakthrough Meta Reality technology, all packaged in a slimmer and more comfortable design. The headset will be available worldwide this fall and starts at $499.99 USD for the 128GB model, with an additional storage option. Meta Quest Touch Pro Controllers and hand tracking support enhance the user experience. Furthermore, the price of Quest 2 has been lowered to $299.99 USD for the 128GB version and $349.99 USD for the 256GB version, making it more accessible to users.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman went hands on with it you can read his article here.

Windows News

Microsoft announced on Friday its decision to discontinue Cortana on Windows. This comes after the unveiling of Windows Copilot during the Build conference in May. Windows Copilot, which will be integrated into the taskbar, offers similar features and more, leading to the discontinuation of Cortana. Windows Copilot utilizes artificial intelligence to provide functions such as content summarization, text rewriting, answering queries, and adjusting computer settings. Microsoft’s prioritization of enhancing user experiences with Windows Copilot resulted in the decision to end Cortana on Windows. Finally, Windows Widgets is receiving some useful additions allowing users to monitor CPU, memory, and GPU usage, including new widgets found in Microsoft’s Dev Home app release for Windows 11, as reported by Neowin.

Week Ahead

At WWDC, Apple is expected to unveil the highly anticipated Reality Pro headset, an AR/VR device targeted towards developers. The headset is rumored to feature 8K displays and multiple cameras. In addition to the hardware release, Apple will likely introduce xrOS and discuss its features and developer tools. Other potential announcements include updates to the Mac Pro, a 15-inch MacBook Air, enhancements to the Wallet app, and improvements to SharePlay and AirPlay functionality. On the software front, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are anticipated to bring performance improvements and new features, while macOS 14 may be a maintenance release. WatchOS 10, tvOS 17, and HomePod Software Version 17 may also receive updates. The event promises exciting hardware and software reveals that will further enhance the Apple ecosystem.

Interesting Things of the Week

Other News

In other news, Nintendo has blocked the addition of the Dolphin Emulator to Steam, disappointing PC gamers who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play Wii games on their computers. Additionally, Nintendo has surprised fans with the announcement of a sequel to the popular 1-2-Switch party game, set to be released this month on the eShop. Meanwhile, Google has ended support for the first-generation Chromecast, prompting owners to consider upgrading to newer models. On the software front, Google Wallet for Android has received a major update, now supporting digital IDs. Lastly, the schedule for the Summer Game Fest 2023 has been announced, creating excitement among gamers worldwide.

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