Take a dive into the world of tech! This week we are catching up on everything from Neopets to Netflix Sports and more. Read on for the latest top trending news in technology and media.
Meta Enhances Quest VR Hand Tracking and Introduces System-Wide Live Captions
Meta’s latest update, v56, for its Quest VR headsets, brings a host of enhancements, including improved hand tracking known as Hand Tracking 2.2, system-level live captions, and the reintroduction of live streaming to Facebook. The hand-tracking enhancement aims to deliver an experience closer to using controllers, showcased through Meta’s Move Fast demo app. Meta’s live captions, aiming to improve accessibility for the hard of hearing or Deaf, will be available in Meta Quest TV, Explore, and the Meta Quest Store, with potential expansion to other experiences in the future. Lastly, the popular feature of live streaming from Quest headsets to Facebook removed two years ago, will be reinstated, rolling out gradually as per the company’s announcement.
Microsoft Teams Incorporates Maybelline’s AI-Driven ‘Makeup’ Filters
Microsoft Teams is set to enhance video calls with AI-powered “virtual makeup” filters, developed in partnership with cosmetics brand Maybelline. The feature, similar to appearance-altering effects on platforms like TikTok, will offer 12 unique looks at launch, each replicating real-world Maybelline products and shades. Users can select from different blurring effects and digital makeup color options. Developed alongside the Geena Davis Institute, these filters are designed to cater to a diverse population, promoting inclusion in digital spaces.
Netflix to Focus on ‘Sports-Related’ Content Over Live Sports Streaming
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has indicated that the company is unlikely to venture into live sports streaming for now, focusing instead on ‘sports-adjacent’ content. Sarandos explained in Netflix’s second-quarter earnings call that the company can cater to sports fans without the economic complexities associated with live sports licensing. The success of titles like “Quarterback” and “Tour de France: Unchained” has shown that storytelling can introduce new audiences to long-established sports. While Netflix is planning its first live sports event – a celebrity golf tournament – in November, it’s more of a promotional strategy for sports brands rather than a shift toward streaming live sports, unlike other tech giants like Google and Apple.
Leaked Specifications Suggest a Larger Display and Thinner Bezels for Galaxy Watch 6
New information on the new Galaxy Watch 6 suggests it will feature a larger screen due to slimmer bezels. The leak indicates the 40mm Watch 6 may have a 1.31-inch OLED display. The 44mm version would have a 1.47-inch OLED display. This implies a potential upgrade from the 1.2-inch and 1.4-inch displays of its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 5. The Watch 6 models might also feature sapphire crystal glass displays for enhanced durability. The watch could also sport an Exynos W930 chip, 16GB of storage, and 2GB of RAM. Other potential changes include the reintroduction of a physical rotating bezel and larger batteries.
Neopets is embarking on a ‘new era’, distancing itself from NFTs and the metaverse 
The vintage virtual pet website Neopets is gearing up for a makeover, aiming to reinvigorate its user experience. The team responsible for the site, which launched in 1999, still enjoys close to a million monthly active users. Cut to 2203, and the company has formed an independent company and is promising a “new era” for the platform. Law emphasized the platform’s aim to create a cohesive and enriched experience for users. Likewise, they will do so by unifying various Neopets projects that have been operating in isolation.