US power outage due to Apple's AI, Google launches Android XR for mixed reality and smart glasses, AirPods to be manufactured in India for the first time, Blackmagic sells new $30 XNUMXD camera, OpenAI search engine reaches all users, and other exciting news in On the Sidelines…
Now you can update with ChatGPT via WhatsApp
ChatGPT, one of the most powerful AI programs, can now accompany you in private WhatsApp conversations, officially and for free. Now, interacting with the chatbot has become easier than ever. Whether you are looking for help completing tasks, inquiring about information, or even just want to chat about a wide range of topics. Just send a message to the ChatGPT number (1-800-242-8478) on WhatsApp and you will be connected to the chatbot officially. Once connected, you can ask questions, ask for advice, or even have informal conversations about your hobbies and interests.
Keeping the triangular camera design in the iPhone 17 Pro
A new leak from a source called “Instant Digital” indicates that the iPhone 17 Pro will maintain the triangular design for the phone’s camera, contrary to previous expectations that spoke of a horizontal design.
The source confirmed that the back of the phone will witness changes, but the arrangement of the three cameras will remain triangular and not the horizontal shape that has recently spread on the Internet.
The iPhone is expected to see a major design shift, with some sources suggesting that the rear camera will be made of aluminum in a rectangular shape, while keeping the bottom part of the glass to support wireless charging. Although the source has a mixed record of leaks, he has provided accurate information on several previous occasions, which makes this information worthy of attention and follow-up.
New Apple TV in 2025 with these new features
Apple is preparing to launch a new Apple TV next year with new upgrades, as leaks have revealed several potential features. Most notably, support for the advanced Wi-Fi 6E chip, which will provide higher internet speeds and reduce signal interference, in addition to the possibility of adding a built-in camera that will allow video calls to be made directly from the TV without the need to rely on external devices.
The TV is also expected to come with a new, more powerful processor than the current A15 Bionic, with a price tag expected to start at less than $100. These upgrades come more than two years after the current Apple TV 4K, making it a welcome update for interested users.
Instant translation and live AI in Meta glasses
Meta has unveiled new features for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, adding live AI and instant translation. The glasses can now see what the user sees via the built-in camera and conduct instant conversations, with the ability to provide hands-free assistance in tasks such as food preparation and gardening. The glasses may help identify plant species, provide guidance on how to care for them, or even search for information about agricultural pests and ways to control them.
As well as exploring new neighborhoods, such as providing information about landmarks, shops, or restaurants in the neighborhood.
In another development, Meta has launched an instant translation service between English, Spanish, French and Italian, where the glasses can translate speech in real time via speakers or a smartphone.
OpenAI Search Engine Reaches All Users
OpenAI today announced the launch of its SearchGPT search engine for all users, after initially being limited to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Teams subscribers. The new engine features advanced AI-powered search, providing links to relevant web resources with contextual information and support for follow-up questions.
The company noted several improvements to the search engine in recent months, including increased speed and performance on mobile devices, with the addition of new options such as searching during conversation and the ability to make the default search engine for browsers such as Chrome. The engine will be available to registered users globally on all platforms supported by ChatGPT.
iPhone 17 Air enters early development at Foxconn
According to supply chain sources, the new iPhone 17 Air has entered the initial product development phase at Foxconn factories. This phase involves transforming a product from concept to mass production, from design testing and prototypes, to supplier qualification and manufacturing process development.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the Plus model in Apple's lineup, featuring a design that is 16mm thinner than the current iPhone 6.55 Pro, with a display size ranging from 6.65 to 5 inches. The phone will also include an Apple-designed 48G modem chip, a 17-megapixel rear camera placed in the middle of the device, and will launch next year alongside the other iPhone XNUMX models.
WhatsApp rolls out calling updates for desktop and mobile
WhatsApp has announced new improvements to its calling features on desktop and mobile platforms ahead of the holiday season. The updates include the ability to select specific participants when starting a group call without disturbing everyone else, and the app has added ten new video effects to make calls more fun. Meanwhile, the calling interface for desktop users has been improved to make it easier to make calls and create connections, while improving the quality of video calls for all users on both desktop and mobile.
Google launches Android XR operating system for mixed reality and smart glasses
Google has unveiled Android XR, its operating system for mixed reality devices and smart glasses, in collaboration with Samsung. This system is a competitor to the visionOS system for Apple Vision Pro glasses, as it allows users to switch between fully immersing themselves in the virtual environment or staying connected to the real world. The company has begun providing a beta version for developers to start developing applications and games.
The new system will support Gemini, and will offer apps like YouTube for viewing on a virtual big screen, Google Photos with 2025D support, Google Maps with immersive display, and Chrome with support for multiple virtual screens. The system will also support phone and tablet apps directly from the Google Play Store, with the promise of more interactive content dedicated to mixed reality in XNUMX, when Samsung is set to launch the first glasses that work with this system.
Apple Promotes Genmoji Feature in iOS 18.2 Update
Apple has released a new ad highlighting the Genmoji feature that’s available today with the release of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. The ad features a custom song called “Anything You Like” by The Dare, and showcases a range of Genmoji designs including a gnome, foam, pink comb, and chrome skeleton. These AI-powered emoji can be created on iPhone and iPad using a text description in the Messages app, and shared with friends and family via text.
The explosive growth in the use of artificial intelligence could cause power outages in the United States
The North American Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has expressed concerns that the explosive growth in the use of artificial intelligence could lead to power outages in the United States and Canada starting next year. The warning comes after the release of iOS 18.2, which brought more of Apple’s AI features online, as data center energy consumption is expected to double in just four years.
According to the Long-Term Reliability Assessment, electricity demand is growing at an unprecedented rate, with data centers alone expected to consume more than 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2026. The problem is compounded by the phasing out of fossil fuel power generation without a similar increase in renewable energy, with the US Midwest expected to be affected first, with much of the US and Canada likely to experience serious power outages over the next decade.
Miscellaneous news
◉ The Democratic Republic of Congo accuses Apple of using illegally mined minerals from conflict zones in the country, specifically tin, tantalum and tungsten, in its products. Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple’s subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing them of covering up war crimes and money laundering. Apple denies the allegations and insists it adheres to responsible sourcing standards, but Congo has questioned the reliability of Apple’s monitoring system. Judicial authorities in France and Belgium will decide whether to open an investigation into the case.
◉ Blackmagic has announced that pre-orders for the URSA Cine Immersive camera, designed specifically for capturing 2025D content for the Vision Pro, are now open, with deliveries beginning in late Q30 8. The $180 camera is the world’s first commercial camera system designed to capture 90D content for the Vision Pro, featuring a custom stereoscopic 5D lens system with dual 8K sensors, XNUMX-degree field of view capture with spatial audio support at up to XNUMX frames per second, dual XNUMX-inch HDR touchscreens, an external LCD display for color status, multiple connectivity options, an XNUMXTB Blackmagic Media Module, and more.
◉ TikTok has filed a petition with the US Supreme Court to halt an impending ban that is set to begin on January 19, pending the completion of the appeals process. The ban comes after its parent company, ByteDance, failed to sell the app to a non-Chinese company as required by a law passed in April. TikTok sees the decision as an unprecedented restriction on free speech, emphasizing its importance as a communication platform in the United States. The US government justifies the decision with security concerns related to the possibility that the Chinese government could access user data or use the app to spread political propaganda. At the same time, the sale faces significant obstacles, including China’s refusal to allow the sale without its consent and technical concerns related to the transfer of the app’s source code.
◉ According to the French website iGeneration, Apple intends to stop selling the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and the third generation iPhone SE in European Union countries before the end of this December, in compliance with new regulations that require companies to use the USB-C port in newly sold phones. This decision will be implemented starting on December 28 in official Apple stores, with authorized distributors allowed to sell their remaining stock. This step also includes some accessories that use the Lightning port, such as the Magic Keyboard, noting that Apple plans to launch the fourth generation iPhone SE with a USB-C port next March, which will allow the device to quickly return to the European market.
◉ Apple has announced plans to start manufacturing AirPods in India for the first time early next year, with Foxconn manufacturing the wireless earbuds at a factory near Hyderabad in Telangana state. The headphones will be Apple’s second major product to be assembled in India after the iPhone.
◉ Apple has decided to cancel plans to launch a subscription service for devices that would have allowed users to easily get a new iPhone every year. The program was originally scheduled to launch in late 2022 but was delayed due to software issues and regulatory concerns. The idea was to pay a monthly fee linked to the Apple account that customers use to download apps and subscribe to services, with the ability to replace the iPhone with a new model each year. The decision comes in the same year that Apple canceled its Apple Pay Later service, although the company still offers the iPhone Upgrade Program supported by Citizens Bank and monthly installment options through the Apple Card.
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