HeyWhatsNew: Spotify to go "Supremium" and Apple allows self repair
What’s up HeyUppers. Welcome to HeyWhatsNew– Your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting the world of tech for the week beginning 19/06/2023.
Spotify to go "Supremium"
Spotify is set to redefine the audio streaming landscape with its planned launch of a more expensive "Supremium" tier. This new offering will include HiFi audio, audiobooks, and more, and is expected to roll out outside the US later in 2023. The current Premium tier costs $9.99/month.
The "Supremium" tier is Spotify's ambitious attempt to diversify its offerings and cater to a wider audience. With the inclusion of HiFi audio and audiobooks, the company is not only targeting music enthusiasts but also book lovers who prefer to consume content audibly.
The new tier is expected to launch outside the US later this year, indicating Spotify's strategic move to tap into international markets.
Repair your own Apple products: A New Chapter for iPhone and MacBook Users
Apple is expanding its Self Service Repair to the iPhone 14 lineup, 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and Max. This expansion is set to start on June 21.
This move by Apple is a significant step towards empowering users to handle minor repairs themselves, potentially saving time and money. The expansion to include the latest iPhone and MacBook models indicates Apple's commitment to providing a comprehensive self-service repair program.
This could also be seen as a response to the right-to-repair movement, which advocates for consumers' ability to repair their own devices.
Reddit's Pricing Change Protest: A Call for Moderation
Reddit has reached out to some moderators of the communities participating in the API pricing change protest, seeking defectors "willing to work towards reopening".
The move by Reddit indicates the platform's attempt to negotiate with its community moderators amidst the ongoing API pricing change protest. The company's outreach to potential defectors suggests a desire to find a middle ground and restore normalcy.
However, it remains to be seen how this approach will be received by the protesting communities and what impact it will have on the platform's future policies.
Meta's Voicebox: The ChatGPT of the Spoken Word
Meta has unveiled Voicebox, a generative text-to-speech model that the company hopes could be the ChatGPT of the spoken word. However, the company won't release an app citing misuse risks.
Voicebox represents Meta's foray into the realm of AI-powered speech synthesis. The company hopes that this new model could become the spoken word equivalent of ChatGPT, a popular text-based AI model.
Despite the potential of Voicebox, Meta has decided not to release an app due to concerns about potential misuse, highlighting the ongoing challenges in balancing AI innovation with ethical considerations.
Apple in battle over iconic logo
Apple is attempting to gain IP rights over depictions of apples globally, causing concern for Fruit Union Suisse that the 111-year-old company may need to change its logo.
Apple's move to secure IP rights over apple depictions is causing ripples in the global trademark landscape. The tech giant's aggressive IP strategy could potentially force companies like Fruit Union Suisse to rethink their branding, despite their long-standing use of apple imagery.
This development underscores the growing tension between tech companies and traditional industries in the realm of intellectual property rights.
Google Pixel Tablet: A Mixed Bag of Features
The Google Pixel Tablet offers a good screen, audio, and performance, and a useful speaker dock. However, it falls short with below-average battery life and some apps that don't display well.
The Google Pixel Tablet has made its debut with a mixed bag of features. While it impresses with its screen, audio, and performance capabilities, and a handy speaker dock, it disappoints with its below-average battery life and some apps' display issues.
