Weekly Tech Roundup: From Apple unveiling two new iPad models to Sam Altman refuting reports that OpenAI will announce new search engine ahead of Google I/O 2024 event, this week's Tech Roundup reveals There are many things to do. So without further ado, let's take a look at this week's top 5 tech news.
1) Apple reveals AI ambitions with new iPad Pro:
Apple announced two new iPads at its Let Loose event this week, providing a much-needed upgrade to the company's tablet line after a nearly 18-month wait. The iPad Air lineup includes some major improvements, including the addition of a larger 13-inch model for the first time and an upgrade to the faster M2 chipset compared to its predecessor, the M1. Apple also moved the camera to the side of the iPad Air, making it much easier to use the device in landscape mode.
But the star of the show at the Let Loose event was the iPad Pro, touted as the thinnest device Apple has ever made. The new iPad Pro series features a new OLED Ultra Retina XDR display and Apple's latest M4 chipset. The new processor runs on 3-nanometer technology and is said to be significantly more power efficient and deliver up to 1.5x better CPU performance compared to the previous-generation iPad Pro's M2 chipset.
But what's interesting here is that for the first time we see Apple trying to position one of its devices for an AI use case. Apple says the new iPad Pro is a “very powerful device for AI” thanks to a new neural engine capable of 38 trillion operations per second.
2) Google quietly announces Pixel 8a.
Google quietly announced the Pixel 8a right after the iPad launch event on May 7th, shocking everyone. The latest addition to the Pixel 'A' series is powered by the same Tensor G3 chipset as its more expensive sibling, with up to 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
Pixel 8a is promised seven years of OS updates and security patches. Google is also bringing a number of AI features to the Pixel 8a, including Gemini AI, Circle to Search, Magic Eraser, and Best Take integration.
In terms of optics, the Pixel 8a features a dual rear camera setup that includes a 64MP primary sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens. There is also his 13MP front shooter for all your selfie and video calling needs. Pixel 8a can shoot up to 4K 60fps video from the rear camera and 4K 30fps video from the selfie shooter.
3) Sam Altman refutes reports that he is launching a new AI search engine to rival Google:
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the company will launch a new AI-powered search engine to rival Google and Perplexity AI on May 13, the day before the Android maker's I/O 2024 event. He denied reports that it was possible. However, Altman said he will be making several new announcements regarding ChatGPT and GPT-4 at Monday's event.
Refuting reports that he is launching a new search engine and announcing GPT-5, Altman wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter): People will love it! It feels like magic to me. Monday at 10 a.m. PT. ”
4) Google Wallet launched in India:
Google has launched a digital wallet application 'Google Wallet' in India. This application allows users to securely store personal information such as loyalty cards, transit passes, IDs, etc. However, the company is adamant that the launch of Google Wallet will not affect his already popular UPI application, Google Pay.
The Google Wallet app comes pre-installed on all Pixel smartphones in India. Non-Pixel users can visit the Play Store to download a digital wallet and use it to save their card details. However, the Mountain View, California-based company confirmed that the Google Wallet app is not yet coming to Inida's wearables.
5) New upgrades to Siri may be unveiled at WWDC 2024.
Apple could introduce a much-needed generative AI-powered upgrade to Siri that would make the voice assistant more conversational and versatile, allowing it to go beyond answering one question at a time to include chat capabilities. The New York Times reported that it may be offered. The new Siri upgrades, along with Apple's other AI products, could be announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10th.
Apple reportedly has no intention of directly competing with ChatGPT with the new Siri upgrade. Instead, the company is focused on enhancing the tasks Siri already does, such as setting reminders, creating calendar events, and adding items to your shopping list. Siri may also gain the ability to summarize text messages.
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