HeyWhatsNew: PlayStation Portal Sold Out and Google Launches the Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2
What’s up HeyUppers. Welcome to HeyWhatsNew – Your roundup of the latest developments impacting the world of tech for the week beginning 02/10/2023.
Google Launches the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2
The 2023 Made by Google Event, which took place on October 4, marked the launch of Google’s newest range of devices: the Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the Google Pixel Watch 2. According to Google, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will feature Pixel’s most advanced cameras yet, with the ability to edit pictures taken with a different device. Google also made history when it announced that the new range of phones will get seven years of software updates, a leap from the four years enjoyed by Samsung devices, and five years for iPhones.
The smartphone was released alongside the Google Pixel Watch 2 which comes just one year after Google released the first Pixel Watch in October 2022. Speculations that the Google Pixel 8 Pro would come with a free Pixel Watch 2 were confirmed at the Made by Google Event, and the official pre-order price was announced as $699 for the standard Pixel 8 and $999 for the Pixel 8 Pro.
Is the Oura Ring 4 Possibly in the Works?
Though there has been no official announcement yet, the rumors that are circulating about the release of the Oura Ring 4 are leading tech enthusiasts to believe that a new smart ring is in the works. In addition to a host of expected improvements from the Oura Ring 3, like advanced heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, the new ring may also feature the ability to make digital payments.
The Oura Ring 4 is expected to be released in 2024 in the same price range as the Oura Ring 3 which was released in 2021 at a retail price of $299. Users may also be expected to fork out an additional $6 a month to access the ring’s full host of features.
Samsung Galaxy FE Series Announced
Samsung has officially announced the release of what they believe to be “the most epic FE devices yet”. The latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy FE series includes the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+, and Galaxy Buds FE. According to Samsung, the series is designed to be the perfect entry point for those who are seeking their first Galaxy flagship experience.
The Galaxy S23 FE is said to have pro-grade camera features and a powerful processor. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ will deliver essential entertainment and seamless productivity. And the Galaxy Buds FE allows you to enjoy music with powerful bass and deep, rich acoustics.
Meta Is Considering Paid Subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram
In order to comply with multiple European regulations, Facebook and Instagram users in Europe may need to pay up to $14 to stop Meta from showing them targeted ads. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulator (GDPR) argues that the company’s use of personal data doesn’t fall within the disclosed categories and that users need to agree to be shown ads.
In a statement released by Meta, the company says it believes in the value of free services, which is supported by personalized ads. The company also says that it will continue to find ways to comply with evolving regulatory requirements, according to an article on CNN.
Microsoft CEO says Google’s Agreements with Apple and Samsung Are Unfair
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella gave a three-and-a-half-hour testimony in the ongoing antitrust trial against Google, in which he said that Bing cannot compete with Google because of deals that exist with partners like Apple and Samsung. The Department of Justice, which brought forth the case against Google, argues that the company may have used its leading position to abuse the competitive process.
Forbes reports that Google lawyers have always argued that there were no agreements in place and that Google was just a better product. However, it has been revealed that Apple will receive close to $19 billion from Google this year to make them the default search engine across all Apple products.
Zoom Has Announced Its Version of Google Docs
In an effort to create an all-in-one workspace, Zoom has announced a new AI-powered workspace known as Zoom Docs. Zoom reports that the platform is more efficient than other docs, allowing users to seamlessly create, collaborate, manage tasks, and stay organized in a space that’s powered by AI.
The Washington Post reports that Zoom is not far behind Microsoft and Google when it comes to collaborative applications, with a market share of 11.2% compared to Google’s 13.5% and Microsoft’s 29.7%. It’s expected that the company will try to sway its video conferencing customer base into adopting Zoom Docs as their default word processing tool.
PlayStation Portal Sells Out During Pre-Order Stage
GameRant reports that although the new handheld gaming console is only scheduled to release on November 15, the new PlayStation Portal has already been sold out in several stores in Japan and on Amazon in the US. The publication also reports that it’s tough to gauge the exact sales figures, but that the gadget sold out across all online retailer platforms in Japan within a day.
Despite the initial skeptical reception of the device, recent events signal that Sony could hit multi-million sales with the PlayStation Portal when it’s officially released. PlayStation’s potential customer pool is approximately 40 million, based on the number of PS5 consoles sold as of July 2023.
That’s a wrap of this week's edition of HeyWhatsNew – your source for the latest tech news and insights that have shaped the world of technology for the week. Tune in again next week for more intriguing updates.
