Category: feature

Stay connected with what’s going on in the world of technology and media! This week we’re rounding up the biggest headlines from across the web. From the Polestar 4 to MLB on Hulu and more, we have you covered! Read on for this week’s round-up!

Hulu with Live TV Introduces MLB Network as Baseball Season Begins

Hulu’s live TV streaming service has introduced MLB Network to its channel lineup just in time for the start of the 2024 baseball season, offering subscribers access to over 100 nationally broadcast MLB games along with original programming and studio shows. This addition comes as a boon for Hulu with Live TV users, especially given that competitors like YouTube TV dropped MLB Network last year. While YouTube TV remains without the network, Hulu’s move underscores the ongoing competition among streaming services for sports content. Additionally, Hulu’s bundled offering with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus provides viewers with a comprehensive entertainment package.

Amazon’s palm-scanning tech now enables users to enroll directly from their smartphones

Amazon has introduced a new Amazon One app for iOS and Android, allowing users to enroll in its palm recognition service directly from their smartphones. This feature eliminates the need to visit physical locations for enrollment, enabling users to set up their accounts and start scanning their palms at supported locations for purchases and age verification. The technology, which uses generative AI to analyze palm vein structure, has raised privacy concerns, but Amazon assures that palm images are encrypted and securely stored. Users can also link payment methods, loyalty programs, and other memberships to the app. However, some users may still be hesitant due to the irreplaceable nature of palm prints.

The Disney Plus-Hulu merger extends far beyond a simple streaming bundle

Hulu has become integrated into Disney Plus, with both services now accessible through a single app. This move offers customers a streamlined experience, where Hulu shows and movies are seamlessly incorporated into Disney’s vast content library. While Hulu retains its own branding and app, it now exists within Disney Plus as a tile alongside other content categories. Behind the scenes, Disney has undertaken significant efforts to unify its streaming platforms, including migrating thousands of assets from Hulu to Disney Plus and standardizing metadata formats and content delivery specifications. This integration marks the beginning of Disney’s broader strategy to consolidate its streaming services into a cohesive ecosystem, leveraging data and machine learning to enhance personalization and recommendation systems across its platforms. While users may not immediately notice these changes, they represent a significant shift in how Disney approaches content creation and distribution in the streaming era.

Next month, Meta will introduce AI capabilities to its Ray-Ban smart glasses

Meta plans to introduce AI capabilities to its Ray-Ban smart glasses in the coming month, offering features such as translation and object recognition. The glasses’ smart assistant, activated with the phrase “Hey Meta,” can identify objects, animals, and monuments, though it may not always be accurate, as observed by The New York Times during testing. While the glasses support multiple languages for translations, the AI features are currently only available to users in the US through an early access waitlist.

Ahead of its debut, the Polestar 4 receives an official price announcement

The Polestar 4, set to launch next month, will arrive with a slightly adjusted price compared to its initial announcement. Originally slated to start around $60,000, the long-range single-motor rear-wheel drive version will now begin at $56,300. This pricing includes destination charges, while the dual-motor model with the standard Pilot pack will start at $63,400. Production for the Polestar 4 is scheduled to commence in late April. This price adjustment follows Polestar’s recent announcement of the Polestar 3 SUV’s pricing. The Polestar 4, a coupe-style SUV, marks an acceleration of the company’s expansion efforts. With a focus on innovation and performance, the Polestar 4 aims to offer an immersive driving experience. In addition, the Polestar 4 offers impressive specs, including a zero to 62mph time of 3.8 seconds and support for fast charging up to 200kW DC.

It’s time for our weekly wrap-up of the top tech news from across the web! From Microsoft AI to Segway and more, we have you covered. Read on below and stay connected with the major tech news headlines of the week.

Microsoft introduces its initial AI-powered PCs

Microsoft is preparing for its “year of the AI PC” with the introduction of two new Surface devices, the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Both feature Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors and Microsoft’s new Copilot key, alongside a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to enhance AI-powered features in Windows 11. The devices, slated for commercial release on April 9th, maintain a familiar design externally but boast significant upgrades internally. The Surface Pro 10 for Business offers a choice between Core Ultra 5 135U and Core Ultra 7 165U options, while the Surface Laptop 6 for Business is equipped with Intel’s Core Ultra H-series chips for enhanced performance. Both devices include various improvements such as upgraded displays, improved cameras, NFC readers, and optional 5G connectivity. Microsoft plans to unveil consumer versions of these devices at a later date, coinciding with the introduction of new AI features for Windows 11.

Threads opens beta for Fediverse, enabling post sharing on Mastodon

Threads introduces beta testing for its fediverse integration in the US, Canada, and Japan, allowing users to cross-post and view likes from federated platforms such as Mastodon. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature’s rollout, which requires users to have a public account to activate. While the integration enables interaction with content across platforms, there are limitations, including the inability to view replies and follows from the fediverse. Nonetheless, this move marks Threads’ expansion into the fediverse after initially testing its ActivityPub integration last year, offering users more options for sharing and interacting with content.

Google Introduces Satellite Messaging to Android 15

Google has released the second developer preview for Android 15, featuring long-awaited satellite messaging support alongside enhancements to contactless payments, multi-language recognition, volume consistency, and PDF interaction within apps. Scheduled for public release later this year, the beta addresses user concerns, such as apps understanding service unavailability during satellite connection use, and introduces screen recording detection and improved contactless payment reliability. Additionally, developers gain expanded access to flip phone small cover screens, adherence to a new loudness standard, and enhanced PDF features like password protection and annotation.

YouTube TV introduces multiview for iPhones and iPads, just in time for March Madness

YouTube TV has expanded its multiview feature to iOS and iPadOS devices. The update allows subscribers to watch multiple programs simultaneously, just in time for March Madness. While Android users will have to wait for the feature, iOS users can now enjoy watching up to four different streams at once. However, the feature remains focused on sports content, limiting its flexibility for other types of programming. Users can access multiview streams through the YouTube TV app, provided they have updated to version 8.11 or later. 

Segway Introduces Sub-$1,000 Smart Robot Mower to the US Market

Segway’s Navimow i series robot lawn mower is now available in the US. The news marks one of the first robotic mowers priced under $1,000 with autonomous navigation capabilities. The series includes the i105N and the i110N covering 0.125 acres and 0.25 acres. Utilizing Segway’s Exact Fusion Locating System 2.0 the mower promises efficient lawn care. With AI-powered mapping, the Navimow i series offers advanced features previously available only in pricier models. The release signifies a step towards the mainstream adoption of robotic mowers.

Former co-founder of Google DeepMind appointed as CEO of Microsoft’s newly formed AI division

Microsoft appoints Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of Google DeepMind, as CEO of its new consumer-facing AI division. As such, Suleyman will oversee products like Copilot, Bing, and Edge. Suleyman, also named executive vice president of Microsoft AI, brings a wealth of experience in AI leadership. Alongside Suleyman, Microsoft hires talent from his startup Inflection AI, including co-founder Karén Simonyan. This move signifies Microsoft’s commitment to advancing AI technologies.