The Rise of AI, Updates in Tech and Streaming News | May Round-Up

Welcome back to The Round-Up! What a crazy time it's been in the worlds of Tech, AI and Entertainment...

Here's what's in store for this month in review:

Technology & AI:

ChatGPT App ??

Titanic Goes 3D ??

Google AI Updates ??

Amazon's New Echo Devices ??

Apple Software Updates ??

Pixel Foldable ??+??

Final Cut Pro & Logic Pro on iPad ????

Apple Card Savings ??

SpaceX Starship Launch ??

Twitter Legacy Verification Removal ?

Twitter Blue Reviewed ??

Entertainment:

HBO Max Rebrand ??

Harry Potter Reboot ????

Disney+ Hulu ??

ChatGPT App ??

OpenAI has officially announced the launch of ChatGPT for iPhone, which will provide users with the same extensive features as the web version of the service. Notably, ChatGPT Plus support will be available, allowing users to subscribe for access to more advanced features. One of the key advantages of the iPhone app is the synchronisation of ChatGPT history across all devices, including the web platform.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Titanic Goes 3D ??

The Titanic, the world's most famous shipwreck, has been digitally scanned for the first time using deep-sea mapping. This ground-breaking scan provides a comprehensive 3D view of the entire ship, offering a unique perspective as if the water has been drained away. The aim is to gain new insights into the tragic events surrounding the ship's sinking in 1912, which claimed the lives of over 1,500 people.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Google AI Updates ??

Google has revealed its plans to integrate generative artificial intelligence into its core search engine, following Microsoft's incorporation of GPT-4 into Bing earlier this year. The new feature, called Search Generative Experience, will enable Google to generate responses to open-ended queries. However, this system will initially be available to a limited number of users as it is still in the experimental phase. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet, expressed the company's vision of reimagining its core products, including search.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Amazon's New Echo Devices ??

Amazon has expanded its line-up of Alexa-powered Echo smart devices with the introduction of the Echo Pop smart speaker, budget-friendly Echo Buds, and an upgraded Echo Show 5 smart display. The Echo Pop, priced at $40, or ￡45 in the UK, features a semi-spherical design and is ideal for smaller rooms. It comes in various colours, including lavender and teal.

Equipped with Amazon's AZ2 Neural Edge processor, the Pop boasts a 20% speed increase and offers Eero capability for extending home mesh networks. Amazon has also unveiled an improved version of the Echo Show 5, priced at $90 or ￡90 in the UK, featuring a redesigned speaker system for enhanced clarity and bass. The smart display incorporates an upgraded microphone array and is available in pale blue, charcoal black, and white.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Apple Software Updates ??

iOS 16.5 has been officially released to the general public after a month of beta testing. This update brings several notable changes, including enhancements to Apple News and the introduction of a new "Pride Celebration" wallpaper. One of the key additions is the Sports tab in Apple News, providing easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more related to your favourite teams and leagues.

Additionally, improvements have been made to Spotlight responsiveness, Podcasts in CarPlay content loading, and Screen Time settings syncing across devices. Apple has also rolled out similar updates for its other platforms, including macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and HomePod Software.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Pixel Foldable ??+??

After numerous years of speculation and leaks, Google has finally unveiled its first folding device, the Pixel Fold. Priced at $1,799, it will directly compete with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4. Preorders for the Pixel Fold have begun on May 10th, with shipping scheduled for June.

Despite being Google's inaugural folding phone, the Pixel Fold boasts several appealing features. The device feels premium in hand, with a sturdy yet manageable hinge and impressive display quality. Google's apps and software seem to integrate seamlessly with the device, and it's highly likely that future folding phone features developed for Android will be optimised for the Pixel Fold.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Final Cut Pro & Logic Pro on iPad ????

Apple has announced the exciting release of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad, after many years of speculation and request from fans and customers. With the introduction of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad, users can utilise innovative touch interfaces that enhance their workflows, thanks to the intuitive nature of Multi-Touch technology. Final Cut Pro for iPad offers a comprehensive suite of powerful tools for video creators, enabling them to record, edit, refine, and share their creations directly from one portable device.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Apple Card Savings ??

In a bid to offer users even more value and convenience, Apple Card has launched a new feature that allows users to increase their Daily Cash rewards through a Savings account with Goldman Sachs. The Savings account comes with a high-yield APY of 4.15%, more than ten times the national average. Users can manage their Savings account directly from Apple Card in Wallet, with no minimum deposits, balance requirements, or fees.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

SpaceX Starship Launch ??

In a significant trial, SpaceX launched the largest and most potent rocket ever created, but unfortunately, it exploded within minutes. Starship had to take off from Boca Chica, southern Texas, three days after cancelling its inaugural flight due to a last-minute snag, witnessed by thousands of onlookers.

Regrettably, the rocket system failed to disconnect as intended and exploded less than four minutes into its voyage, experiencing a "rapid, unscheduled disassembly before stage separation," according to SpaceX. Despite the setback, SpaceX authorities hailed the ambitious mission as a success since it was the first time Starship and its enormous booster rocket had flown.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Twitter Legacy Verification Removal ?

Since Elon Musk acquired the social media giant, Twitter has been a haven for the implementation of various changes aimed at making it a profitable venture. One of the recent changes includes the removal of blue tick verification from thousands of Twitter accounts, which has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and hate speech.

The once-coveted verified status, also known as the blue tick, was a means to verify an account's authenticity on Twitter. However, under the new policy, called Twitter Blue, blue ticks are no longer provided unless a monthly or yearly fee is paid for them, forcing users to adopt a new language to distinguish between genuine and fake accounts.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Twitter Blue Reviewed ??

After thoroughly exploring Twitter Blue, the premium subscription offering from Twitter, we have identified both positive and negative aspects of the service. While it brings enhancements to the Twitter user experience, it certainly has its limitations...

?? ?? Read the full article?here

HBO Max Rebrand ??

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the merger of HBO Max and Discovery Plus to create a new streaming service, imaginatively called "Max," set to launch on May 23rd. CEO David Zaslav claims that Max will be the go-to destination for every member of the household, with a range of content that includes Max Originals such as DC's The Penguin, a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, and a "fresh take" on The Conjuring.

Max will offer three pricing tiers: $19.99 per month for the Ultimate tier, which includes 4K HDR Dolby Atmos, 100 offline downloads, and four concurrent streams; $15.99 per month for the standard ad-free plan, which offers HD quality, two concurrent streams, and 30 offline downloads; and a cheaper ad-supported plan, which offers HD quality and two concurrent streams - we're still awaiting confirmation of UK pricing.

?? ?? Read the full article?here

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Harry Potter Reboot ????

Harry Potter is set to be getting rebooted over on Max, the new streaming service we just spoke about from HBO. According to reports, J.K. Rowling's books will each be adapted into a single season of television, creating a "decade-long series" with a new cast separate from the films. Harry Potter, which was once considered a delightful children's story that became a massive media franchise, has now been irreparably damaged by the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here

Disney+ Hulu ??

Disney has announced its intention to merge content from its Disney+ and Hulu streaming services in the US. This decision comes in response to Disney+ experiencing a loss of four million subscribers during the first quarter of the year, placing pressure on the company to make its streaming business financially viable. The iconic brand, home to beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, as well as popular franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, plans to create a unified "one-app experience" by integrating Hulu and Disney+.

????? Listen to the full segment on 'The News Brief' Podcast?here