This week in the tech world, Google announced its integrated Gemini AI (previously known as Bard) and released a new Android app. Meanwhile, Paramount Plus canceled a number of popular shows and we reviewed the Apple Vision Pro.
We've put together this roundup to help you stay on top of all the most important technology news of the week. There is also a link to the full text for further context and analysis.
It's still a few weeks away, but MWC is just around the corner. The event, which will be held from February 26th to 29th, is expected to see some big developments in the world of phones, computers, and AI. So be sure to check back here for all the latest updates once MWC opens.
8. Paramount Plus removed even more original content.
First, Max shrunk its content library, then Disney Plus, and now the latest streamer to follow suit is Paramount Plus. Subscribers signed into the platform earlier in the week to find that more than a dozen movies and shows disappeared overnight, including: Burning Girls, One Night, The Killing Kind, The Serial Killer's Wife, The Doll Factory, The Flatshare and Chemistry of death.
The move is part of a broader effort in the streaming world to streamline content and save costs. The idea is that these services free up your portfolio so you can focus on investing in Hollywood's biggest hits, licensing your content to other platforms, and increasing your overall profitability. Paramount Plus reportedly plans to announce new layoffs soon.
7. LG's new G4 OLED TV brings brightness
We had a chance to spend some quality time with the new LG G4 OLED TV at the recent CES 20224. If first impressions matter, the future looks bright for LG's new flagship OLED.
According to LG, the G4's Brightness Booster Max feature enables images that are 70% brighter than traditional OLED TVs. Another advancement is Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode, which brings the image quality benefits of this mode to high dynamic range content. Audio and gaming have also been enhanced on the new G4, with support for 11.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos sound and his “144Hz Verified” certification from Nvidia.
LG's flagship OLEDs have traditionally been designed to be wall-mounted, but the 65-inch and 55-inch G4 models come with stands. The new His G4 OLED is expensive, but from the brief time we used it at CES, it might be worth it.
Goodbye, Google Bird – it was nice to meet you. This week, Google renamed its chatbot and brought all its AI tools under a new umbrella called Gemini. Gemini has a lot of AI in it, so this both simplifies things and makes things more complex.
First, this is Google's free chatbot for browsers and smartphones. This means that a new dedicated Gemini Android app is now available. It is currently rolling out in the US and will roll out to other regions “in the coming weeks.” Do you have an iPhone? Coming soon to the Google app on iOS.
Gemini is effectively a replacement for Google Assistant on Android, but it's much more than that. Google also announced Gemini Ultra 1.0, its most capable large-scale language model to date. If you're ready to pay, you can try it now. It's part of the Google One AI Premium plan and costs $20 / £18.99 per month (approximately AU$30 per month). It seems like the AI revolution has only just begun.
5. We reviewed Apple Vision Pro
That's right, we tested Apple Vision Pro and it blew us away.
A pair of powerful processors, an unparalleled virtual reality visual experience with dual 4K-OLED displays, and intuitive hand-tracking controls make this machine amazing. But what makes Vision Pro magical is spatial video. If you can try it out using Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3 (if you have an iPhone), I highly recommend it.
However, not everything was perfect. Obviously the price is quite high, but unfortunately that's to be expected if it's packed with high-end hardware. The battery pack was also a bit of a hassle, and while I would have liked it to be built into the headset, it was a little heavy to put on (even with the battery removed).
4. Say goodbye to Windows PC clutter
PC Cleaner, a powerful system cleaner tool created by Microsoft itself, will soon be available for free download from the Microsoft Store, making it easily accessible to Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. This tool is similar to existing system cleaners such as CCleaner and aims to improve your PC's performance and security by removing unnecessary and potentially harmful files from your system folders.
PC Cleaner comes with various features such as PC Boost, deep cleanup, process management, large file management, and more. Microsoft assures users that it works to prevent the deletion of important system files and is malware-free, including tools that are typically offered for a fee in other apps.
3. The MCU hype has come true.
This week has been a busy week for Disney. That includes Marvell, its largest subsidiary. Not only has the comic book giant debuted his three new MCU timelines on Disney Plus, but he's also given us plenty to get excited about. deadpool 3 and Daredevil: Born Again.
in dead pool This was announced by Marvel President Kevin Feige. deadpool 3's official logo in the only way he knows how (a.k.a. via a baseball cap). The first trailer for 2024's only Marvel movie will also be released during Sunday's Super Bowl. From what we hear, this is one you won't want to miss.
As for the question, daredevilfragment of be reborn Footage has been leaking online all week, and one such scene has MCU fans fearing the fate of their loved ones. daredevil character. To that we say: Don't even think about killing them off with a Disney Plus series, Marvel.
2. Affordable binoculars that promise full-color 4K night vision
Yashica's latest Kickstarter project is a departure from its analog roots. Yashica night vision binoculars. Boasting a sensitivity of 0.0037 lux, a 3-level 850nm IR (infrared) illuminator, and an f/1.0 aperture lens, the new bino for night explorers displays color images in complete darkness, supports 4K video and 58MP You can record still images and display them clearly up to 4K. 600 meters.
These aren't new per se, and the Sigweis night vision binoculars have a similar weather-resistant design and 4-inch TFT display, but Yashica has improved image quality and leverages AI to upscale HD images to 4K. promises improved performance.
Currently in production, this crowdfunded gear is nearing production and available at an eerily low price. Is this too good to be true? Hopefully, we won't have to wait long to find out.
1. Discman is back…sort of
Those nostalgic for the pre-iPod days of playing music on the go have two fun new releases in the space of a month.
After announcing a beautiful new tape player, affordable high-quality audio brand Fiio has now introduced a new portable CD player called the DiscDream. This portable CD player was created with the help of Sony's original Discman engineers. The new player is far more technologically advanced than older portable CD players, and is specced for audiophiles with a striking square design and matching metal finish.
If you don't want to carry around your entire CD collection to change albums, it also has an SD card slot to play all kinds of high-resolution music files.
