Google made a splash this week at the Made by Google event, showcasing a range of exciting new products and features. Among the highlights were the unveiling of the Pixel 9 phone lineup, including the premium $1,799 Pixel 9 Fold Pro, advanced AI-powered photo-editing tools, and the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 infused with Gemini AI technology. In addition, Google introduced Gemini Live, a conversational AI voice assistant aimed at competing with OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode. However, the live demo of Gemini Live encountered a few hiccups, showcasing that even tech giants like Google face challenges when rolling out new features.
Epic Games also made headlines with the launch of its rival iOS app store in the European Union. The store features popular games like Fortnite, Rocket League, Sideswipe, and Fall Guys and is working closely with developers to expand its offerings on the Epic Games Store. The return of Fortnite to iOS comes after years of legal battles and regulatory changes brought about by the EU’s Digital Markets Act, marking a significant development in the ongoing competition between tech giants and app stores.
X introduced Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini in beta, showcasing improved reasoning capabilities. The new Grok AI model now has the ability to generate images on X, though access is currently limited to the social network’s Premium and Premium+ users. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of guardrails around the image-generation feature, particularly in relation to creating images of political figures. Users have been quick to take advantage of this new capability, highlighting the need for responsible AI development and usage.
In other tech news, CrowdStrike accepted the award for Most Epic Fail at Def Con’s Pwnie Awards following a software update that triggered a global IT meltdown. Despite the mishap, the company took the incident in stride, demonstrating the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry. Waymo also made waves with its announcement to test fully autonomous robotaxis on freeways in the San Francisco Bay Area, marking a significant step forward in the development of autonomous driving technology.
OpenStreetMap, a community-driven platform that provides maps to companies and developers as an alternative to proprietary products like Google Maps, celebrated its 20th anniversary. The platform’s continued success highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives in the tech industry and the value of open-source solutions. Additionally, the FBI seized the servers of a ransomware and extortion gang called Radar, signaling a rare victory in the fight against cybercrime and ransomware attacks.
On the app front, Score, a dating app for individuals with good to excellent credit, shut down in early August after initially being planned as a pop-up app. The unexpected popularity of the app led to it remaining live for six months before ultimately closing its doors. Apple also made headlines by threatening to remove Patreon from the App Store if creators use unsupported third-party billing options, underscoring the ongoing tensions between tech companies and app developers over revenue sharing and in-app purchases.
In a move towards digital innovation, California residents will soon have the option to store their driver’s license or state ID in their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet apps. This initiative reflects the state’s efforts to embrace digital IDs and modernize identification processes for its residents. Meanwhile, India’s top court has put a hold on a tribunal ruling that halted Byju’s insolvency proceedings, signaling ongoing legal challenges for the once-celebrated edtech startup. Telegram also announced new ways for creators to monetize their content on the platform, including monthly paid subscriptions that can be purchased using the app’s digital currency.
In the midst of these developments, Palo Alto Networks faced backlash for a recent trade show event where two women posed with lampshades on their heads. CEO Nikesh Arora issued an apology, acknowledging that the incident was not in line with the company’s values. This serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and the need for companies to uphold ethical standards in their operations.
Looking ahead, the potential impact of AI on the art and media industries is a topic of ongoing discussion. While AI models have shown promise in generating content, questions remain about their long-term implications for creativity and artistic expression. As filmmakers and VFX experts explore the potential of generative AI tools, there is a growing recognition of the need to balance technological advancement with the preservation of human creativity and storytelling traditions.
Overall, the tech industry continues to evolve and innovate at a rapid pace, with new products, features, and controversies shaping the digital landscape. As companies navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, the importance of ethical considerations, user privacy, and responsible innovation remains paramount. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the latest tech news.
