HeyWhatsNew: CMF by Nothing Is Finally Giving Us a Phone, and OpenAI Is Set to Join the Search Engine Market
Welcome back to HeyWhatsNew, your weekly source for the latest in tech news and headlines. From groundbreaking innovations to exciting product launches, let’s see what the tech world gave us in the week beginning 06/05/2024.
First Look at the Upcoming CMF Phone 1 from Nothing
CMF by Nothing hasn't been getting much attention since it was announced, but now the sub-brand is getting ready to release a new smartphone later this year. According to a report by Android Police, the new phone might not be super exciting, but the starting price of around $140 alone will make people interested.
Leaked information suggests that the CMF Phone 1 has a 6.5-inch screen, and runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 5G chip. Plus, it's also rumored to have a big, fast charging battery. It’s still unknown whether the device will make its way to U.S. shores, but time will surely tell.
Open AI Is Creating a Search Engine to Compete with the Likes of Google
If rumors are anything to go by, then the world should expect an OpenAI powered search engine to hit the streets in the near future. According to a report on Windows Central, OpenAI is secretly working on a search tool that will compete with Google Search and Microsoft's Bing. This new feature will be part of ChatGPT, letting users ask questions and get answers with sources cited.
OpenAI is reportedly trying to hire people from Google's search team to help with this project. The Verge and Bloomberg have also reported on this, but we can’t confirm just how many Google employees have joined OpenAI for this project yet.
The Apple Let Loose Event Took Place This Week
Apple hosted the 38 minute long 'Let Loose' event this week, where they showed off their new iPad collection. They introduced the newest and best iPad yet, along with some surprise software updates. Apple revealed their latest M4 chip in the new iPad Pro which is already on sale and will be available starting May 15.
9to5Mac reports that the event also saw the announcement of the iPad Air 6, Apple Pencil Pro, and a Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
TikTok and Universal Music Have Reached a New Deal
Universal Music Group and TikTok have ended their fight for now. They’ve made a deal to put Universal's music back on TikTok, with the promise of better pay for Universal's artists and songwriters, more chances for promotion, and protections against AI.
An article on Variety explains that Universal's music will be back on TikTok soon, and they'll work together on making money from TikTok's online shopping, and promoting Universal's artists around the world. Universal's CEO, Lucian Grainge, says this deal is all about valuing music and supporting artists.
Nintendo Switch Will No Longer Permit Direct Sharing to X/Twitter
Nintendo is taking away gamers’ ability to share content directly to X/Twitter from the Switch starting June 10, 2024. This move is similar to what PlayStation and Xbox did in 2023.
According to Nintendo, the move was prompted by X/Twitter’s decision to start charging more for businesses to use their stuff. Nintendo didn't say why exactly, but it could be because it costs a lot of money for big companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft to keep the integration. They're still letting you share stuff to Facebook though, because Facebook doesn't charge for that.
A More Affordable Google Pixel 8a Has Been Revealed
Google has unveiled the Pixel 8a, the newest phone in its A-series and the cheapest option in the Pixel 8 range. GSM Arena reports that the Pixel 8a has a fresh design that is similar to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, with the only difference being smoother edges instead of sharp ones.
The new entry level device has a plastic back and an aluminum frame with a matte texture, while the front is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The phone is resistant to dust and water boasting a IP67 rating, and Google claims it's their toughest A-series phone so far. The Pixel 8a will retail for $499 for the 128GB version, and $559 for the 256GB version. Pre-orders are available in the US starting this week.
New Asus ROG Ally Gaming Console Announced
The rumor previously shared on the VideoCardz website has been proven true as Asus confirms that the new ROG Ally will be released this week. As a sneak peek surprise, Asus has posted a video on YouTube titled “The next ROG Ally is coming…”
Despite being on the market for only 11 months, the ROG Ally has already earned itself a reputation as one of the top handheld gaming PCs. However, Asus has faced challenges in competing with the popularity of the Steam Deck. This new model could help bridge that gap.
And that wraps up this week's edition of HeyWhatsNew! We hope you enjoyed catching up on the latest tech news and headlines. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and developments in the world of technology.
