HeyWhatsNew: Let the games begin! Netflix to rollout cutting edge controller app
Hey Heyuppers, welcome to HeyWhatsNew, your roundup of the latest tech news for the week beginning 06/07/2023.
WhatsApp Redefines Video Calls with Innovative Screen Sharing
In a bid to revolutionize the video-calling experience, WhatsApp has unveiled a groundbreaking addition: screen sharing. This new feature propels the platform into direct competition with established video conferencing giants like Microsoft Meet, Google Meet, Zoom, and even Apple's FaceTime. Through screen sharing, WhatsApp users can now do more than merely converse – they can seamlessly share documents, images, and even their online shopping carts with their contacts during video calls.
The announcement, carried forth by none other than Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, heralds a new era in digital communication. Mark Zuckerberg took to his Facebook post and Instagram channel to share the exciting news, introducing a feature that empowers users to collaborate and engage in real-time visual experiences like never before. Notably, this innovation isn't an isolated incident; it's an integral part of the broader evolution of video-conferencing and communication tools.
Beta-tested on Android devices since late May, this feature can be accessed with a simple tap on the "Share" icon. Users are presented with the option to share a specific application or their entire screen, making it akin to the functionality offered by popular video-conferencing platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. This bold move by WhatsApp not only enhances its appeal as a communication tool but also underscores the platform's commitment to adapting and thriving in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Read More
Netflix Transforms Gaming Landscape with Cutting-Edge Controller App
Shaping a new horizon in entertainment, Netflix has ventured into the realm of cloud gaming with the launch of its innovative "Netflix Game Controller" app. This transformative step underscores the streaming giant's persistent drive to redefine how consumers engage with media. With this app, subscribers will soon enjoy a seamless bridge between their smartphones and television screens, turning their handheld devices into controllers to unlock a world of games curated by Netflix.
The anticipation surrounding the potential game offerings is palpable, as Netflix's journey into cloud gaming has remained shrouded in mystery. Although the specific titles that will make their debut on the platform remain under wraps, the excitement among gamers is undeniable.
The mere presence of the "Netflix Game Controller" app in the App Store has sent ripples of excitement through the gaming community, sparking discussions and debates about the potential future of gaming through this media juggernaut. While Netflix has yet to divulge the finer details of its gaming endeavor, the description accompanying the app serves as a tantalizing teaser for what's to come: "Coming soon to Netflix."
With this bold step, Netflix is once again asserting its influence in reshaping the entertainment landscape by seamlessly integrating gaming into its expansive portfolio. Read More
Disney+ and Hulu: Balancing Profitability with Value in Streaming
Disney is orchestrating a significant shift in its streaming strategy, wielding both price adjustments and discounted bundles as it navigates the complex landscape of content delivery. As of October 12th, Disney+ Premium, devoid of advertisements, will experience a 27% price surge, rising from $10.99 to $13.99 per month for U.S. customers.
In parallel, Hulu's ad-free subscription will see a 20% hike, ascending from $14.99 to $17.99 per month. Despite these adjustments, the price for the ad-supported tiers of both Disney+ and Hulu will remain unchanged at $7.99 per month each, offering an accessible entry point for subscribers. Moreover, the ad-free duo bundle, encompassing Disney+ and Hulu, will continue to stand at a competitive $9.99 per month.
However, the alterations aren't limited to the U.S. market; Disney is poised to extend its international footprint by launching Disney+ ad-supported plans in Canada, the U.K., and eight other European countries on November 1st.
With monthly pricing set at $7.99 in Canada, £4.99 in the U.K., and €5.99 in European markets, the expansion mirrors Disney's commitment to delivering premium content to a global audience. By recalibrating its pricing strategy, Disney endeavors to strike a balance between securing its streaming business's profitability while ensuring its offerings remain accessible and attractive to a diverse array of viewers. Read More
Slack's Pioneering Revamp: Streamlining the Chaos of the Workday
In the dynamic world of remote work and collaborative platforms, Slack has emerged as a versatile workspace that has evolved well beyond its initial purpose. Owned by Salesforce, Slack has ventured into various realms including team chat, alerts, file storage, and knowledge sharing. However, as the platform's functionalities expanded, the interface became a landscape marked by complexities, buried features, and overwhelming clutter, presenting an obstacle to seamless communication and collaboration. In response to this, Slack is embarking on a transformative journey, launching its most ambitious redesign to date, aimed at simplifying the user experience and decluttering the platform.
The redesign, meticulously crafted with the heaviest Slack users in mind, is a reflection of the platform's commitment to staying attuned to its users' needs. The redesign's key focus is to streamline the often-fractured user experience created by navigating across multiple workspaces, channels, and group chats. Noah Weiss, Slack's Chief Product Officer, highlights the significance of this redesign for end-users who often find themselves shifting between different workspaces to monitor channel activity, mentions, and threads.
To address this challenge, the redesign introduces a new Home section upon logging in, mirroring the familiar Slack interface by showcasing channels, direct messages, and apps. The transformation becomes more pronounced with the introduction of a new sidebar on the left, catering to the fundamental need for improved workspace management.
This reimagined sidebar introduces a new DMs section, offering a cohesive space for managing conversations – an essential feature, especially for those navigating between multiple channels and workspaces. In essence, Slack's redesign seeks to reinvent the platform as an efficient, user-friendly digital HQ, catering to the modern complexities of remote collaboration. Read More
Nvidia Forges Ahead with a Faster Chip, Cementing AI Dominance
Nvidia, a pioneering force in the field of artificial intelligence, has announced a groundbreaking leap forward in processing power with the introduction of the Grace Hopper Superchip. This innovative creation, a fusion of graphics and processor capabilities, receives a significant boost from a novel memory technology known as high-bandwidth memory 3 (HBM3e). Presented at the Siggraph conference in Los Angeles, the chip is designed to fortify Nvidia's position as a dominant force in the rapidly growing AI market.
The Grace Hopper Superchip's capabilities are poised to significantly reshape the AI landscape. Leveraging HBM3e, the chip boasts an astonishing data access rate of 5 terabytes per second, underscoring Nvidia's dedication to equipping AI systems with the speed and capacity required to tackle complex tasks.
This development assumes greater significance as AI applications continue to expand into various domains, from healthcare to finance and beyond. The implications of this advancement are profound – the Grace Hopper Superchip has the potential to revolutionize AI-driven solutions and empower enterprises and researchers to unlock new frontiers of innovation. With this strategic move, Nvidia is signaling its commitment to shaping the AI landscape, further solidifying its role as a visionary leader in the AI revolution. Read More
PayPal Steps into the Future of Payments with Stablecoin Launch
In a decisive move that underscores the shifting landscape of digital finance, PayPal has embarked on a journey into the realm of stablecoins. The financial giant's rollout of PayPal USD (PYUSD) marks a significant milestone in the adoption of digital tokens for payments, propelling the concept of stablecoins into mainstream consciousness. Developed in partnership with Paxos Trust Co., this stablecoin represents a seamless bridge between the digital world and traditional financial systems.
The essence of the stablecoin lies in its stability – a critical factor in fueling widespread adoption and confidence in digital currencies. Backed by US dollar deposits, short-term Treasuries, and similar cash equivalents, PYUSD offers a level of security and reliability that addresses the volatility often associated with cryptocurrencies. By pegging the value of PYUSD to the US dollar, PayPal aims to provide its customers with a seamless and familiar experience while transacting in the digital realm.
This calculated move by PayPal reflects a broader industry trend toward integrating digital currencies into established financial systems, paving the way for an era of frictionless, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions. Read More
Google and Airlines Collaborate to Reduce Aviation's Carbon Footprint
In an inspiring collaboration, Google has teamed up with American Airlines and Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy to chart a sustainable course for aviation. This ambitious initiative seeks to address a significant environmental challenge – the impact of contrails on climate change. Contrails, the white streaks left behind by airplanes, contribute to global warming by trapping heat, accounting for a significant portion of aviation's environmental footprint.
Harnessing the power of satellite imagery and AI technology, this partnership aims to forecast the formation of contrails, allowing pilots to navigate alternative routes that minimize their creation. The implications are profound, as this proactive approach could lead to a substantial reduction in aviation's contribution to climate change. Contrails, often confused with "chemtrails," are a product of condensation – a consequence of water vapor condensing around airborne particles.
By leveraging technology to predict the conditions conducive to contrail formation, pilots can make informed decisions to avoid them, reducing their environmental impact. This collaboration represents a monumental step in the aviation industry's journey towards sustainability, with the potential to significantly reshape the future of air travel. Read More
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