It’s time to dive into another week of technological advances and updates! From Waymo to Apple Arcade, and more, we have you covered on the top tech headlines. Read on below for our weekly round-up from across the world wide web.
WhatsApp Introduces Enhanced Polls and Streamlined Image Caption Forwarding
WhatsApp is launching new features to enhance polls and streamline captions, rolling out globally over the coming weeks. The updated polls feature now includes a toggle for allowing multiple answers, a search option for finding polls across chats, and notifications when people respond to your poll. Additionally, when forwarding images, users can now keep, delete, or rewrite captions. Lastly, WhatsApp has introduced the option to add captions when sharing documents, making it easier to provide context for articles or work files.
Amazon Aims to Revamp Alexa in Response to the ChatGPT Era
Amazon is reportedly working on incorporating AI chatbot technology into Alexa to compete with advanced generative AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. Based on leaked documents, the revamped Alexa will use Amazon’s internally developed large language model called Alexa Teacher Model, making the voice assistant more proactive and conversational. The new AI system aims to make Alexa seem more like a thinking entity rather than a database fetcher, particularly for media recommendations, news delivery, and storytelling. This development follows significant layoffs in Amazon’s division responsible for Alexa and the company’s hardware products.
Apple Arcade Debuts 20 Fresh Games, Featuring a New TMNT Roguelike Adventure
Apple Arcade is expanding its library with 20 new games, including the exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) roguelike, TMNT Splintered Fate. In this top-down co-op adventure, players control Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael as they search for the missing Master Splinter in New York City. Other new additions include What the Car?, Disney Spellstruck, and Cityscapes: Sim Builder. Moreover, Apple is offering “plus” versions of popular titles, such as Getting Over It With Bennet Foddy, Limbo, and Temple Run, removing ads and in-app purchases for Apple Arcade subscribers at $4.99 per month.
Alexa Now Offers Uber Eats Order Tracking in the US
Uber has announced a new integration with Alexa that enables users in the US to track their Uber Eats orders using Amazon’s voice assistant. Alexa can provide updates on the order status from preparation to delivery and can either proactively announce each stage or light up its notification light for users to request updates. However, the integration only allows order tracking and does not support voice-based order placement. The “Track with Alexa” option can be found in the Uber Eats app’s Voice Assistant settings menu, and updates can be enabled from the order tracking screen after checkout.
Samsung Hints at Enhanced Capabilities for Upcoming Galaxy Watch
Samsung has revealed that the upcoming Galaxy Watch 6 will launch with One UI 5 Watch, a new version of its skin for Google’s Wear OS 3 platform. The update will refine existing features like sleep tracking and emergency SOS while introducing personalized heart rate zones. Samsung’s enhanced sleep tracking will display a more prominent sleep score on the wrist, and Sleep Coaching insights will also be accessible directly from the watch. Additionally, the new Sleep Mode will utilize the infrared sensor to minimize light disturbance and will detect when users are asleep, turning off connected devices via Samsung’s SmartThings smart home platform.
Waymo Expands Robotaxi Coverage in San Francisco and Phoenix with Impressive Momentum
Waymo is significantly expanding its Robotaxi service areas in Phoenix and San Francisco, aiming to attract more customers and demonstrate the value of self-driving cars. In Phoenix, Waymo’s autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will now cover 180 square miles, double its current coverage and four times the area served at its 2020 launch. The expansion connects Downtown Phoenix with the East Valley communities and adds Scottsdale to the Waymo service area, as well as a new pickup spot at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport. Waymo’s driverless vehicles will also now accommodate up to four passengers.