Google has launched Android XR, a new platform for augmented and virtual reality, featuring headsets and smart glasses aimed at productivity rather than gaming, alongside its advanced Quantum Computing chip, Willow. Meanwhile, Cruise faces significant challenges in the autonomous driving sector, and various tech product releases and developments, including the Raspberry Pi 500 and Intel’s new GPUs, were also highlighted.
In this week’s tech news, Google has unveiled Android XR, a new platform designed for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This platform includes two primary segments: headsets, such as Samsung’s upcoming Project Muhan, and smart glasses. The headset appears to be a direct competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro, featuring similar hardware and software capabilities, including the ability to use Android apps in a mixed reality environment. Google aims to position Android XR as a productivity platform rather than a gaming-focused one, contrasting with Meta’s Quest line. The smart glasses, while still in prototype form, are expected to offer basic AR functionalities like heads-up displays and Google Maps integration.
In addition to Android XR, Google has introduced its new Quantum Computing chip, Willow. This chip boasts significant advancements, including the ability to utilize 105 qubits—double the previous amount—while also reducing error rates. Willow can maintain qubit excitation for 100 milliseconds, enhancing its computational capabilities. Although it is not yet capable of breaking encryption or solving complex problems, these improvements mark a notable step forward in quantum computing technology.
Meanwhile, the autonomous driving company Cruise has faced significant setbacks, leading to its near collapse. General Motors, which previously funded Cruise with substantial investments, has decided to halt funding for its robo-taxi operations and refocus on integrating autonomous technology into traditional vehicles. Cruise’s troubles stemmed from serious incidents, including a pedestrian strike and failure to report crashes, resulting in investigations and operational shutdowns. This leaves only a few players in the U.S. robo-taxi market, with Waymo and potentially Tesla remaining.
In product releases, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has launched the Raspberry Pi 500, an all-in-one computer integrated into a keyboard, now priced at $90. Additionally, Rode has introduced the Wireless Go 3, featuring improved microphones and a longer range for $299. Samsung has also announced the Galaxy Book 5 Pro, which will run on Intel’s Lunar Lake chip and is set to launch in South Korea soon.
Lastly, the video touches on various tech developments, including Intel’s promising new GPUs, leaks about the Google Pixel 9A, and OpenAI’s announcement of Sora, which allows users to create realistic videos. Google has also rolled out Gemini 2.0 with enhanced capabilities, while Apple has integrated ChatGPT into Siri. The video concludes with a discussion on the importance of diverse news sources, highlighting the Ground News platform, which aggregates news and provides context on political coverage.