As June continues on, we’re staying connected with what’s happening in the world of tech. From Sony’s Alamo Acquisition to Apple Pay and more, we have you covered. Read this week’s tech news blog below for the major headlines, you want to know!
Sony Pictures Acquires Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a popular movie theater chain known for its unique movie-dining experience. The theaters will be managed under Sony’s new division, Sony Pictures Experiences, while Alamo Drafthouse will continue to operate its 35 cinemas across 25 metro areas with Michael Kustermann remaining as CEO. The Alamo Drafthouse acquisition includes maintaining the Fantastic Fest film festival. Sony is purchasing Alamo Drafthouse from Altamont Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group, and founder Tim League, who acquired the chain after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2021. This move follows the 2020 reversal of the Paramount Consent Decrees, allowing movie distributors like Sony and Netflix to own theaters again.
Apple Expands Apple Pay to Non-Safari Browsers
Apple is expanding Apple Pay to work on non-Safari desktop web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and even Windows PCs, as reported by MacRumors. Demonstrated in a WWDC 2024 video, users will soon be able to click an Apple Pay button on these browsers, scan a special code with an iPhone running iOS 18, and complete transactions on their phone. Previously limited to Safari on Macs, this update will increase the visibility of Apple Pay buttons across the web. Additionally, the video detailed iOS 18’s redesigned event tickets in Apple Wallet, set to debut this fall.
Meta Enhances WhatsApp Video Calls for Large Groups
Meta is enhancing WhatsApp video calls with features that benefit large group conversations. A new speaker spotlight feature will automatically highlight the current speaker on-screen, while improved screen sharing will now include audio when showing videos. Additionally, video calls will support up to 32 participants across all devices, removing previous limits on the desktop apps. These updates are set to roll out over the next few weeks.
TikTok Launches “Off the Record” Video Series for Musicians
TikTok is launching a new video series, “Off the Record,” to help musicians promote their music on the platform. Produced by TikTok, the series features artists like Shakira, Charli XCX, and Meghan Trainor discussing their inspiration and creative process in short clips. The videos are shared throughout June, with a dedicated hub available via the #OfftheRecord search. This initiative is part of TikTok’s ongoing efforts to support artists and strengthen connections between them and their fans.
OpenAI, Microsoft, and Oracle Collab for Increased Compute Capacity
A partnership has been announced by OpenAI, Microsoft, and Oracle. The move will provide more computing capacity for running ChatGPT. OpenAI will utilize Microsoft’s Azure AI platform on Oracle’s infrastructure to meet the growing demand for its services. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the need for additional infrastructure, and the Oracle deal aims to scale OpenAI’s operations. While OpenAI has primarily relied on Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion in the company, this partnership highlights the necessity for more compute resources. Despite potential sensitivities, OpenAI assures that its strategic relationship with Microsoft remains unchanged, with core model pre-training continuing on Microsoft’s supercomputers. Notably, Oracle also supports xAI, a rival AI company founded by Elon Musk.