This week’s tech roundup begins with a major shakeup at Apple, where design executive Alan Dye, known for pioneering the controversial “liquid glass” software design, has left the company to join Meta. According to Bloomberg and Apple insider John Gruber, Dye’s design approach was criticized internally for prioritizing superficial aesthetics over usability, leading to frustration among Apple’s design team. Gruber’s sources reveal that many designers were relieved and even celebratory about Dye’s departure, viewing it as a potential turning point for Apple’s human interface design, which had been seen as going astray since the departures of Steve Jobs and Scott Forstall. Despite this, Apple’s leadership had supported Dye, making his exit somewhat unexpected.
Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Z Trifold, a foldable device that unfolds into a large 10-inch tablet and supports multitasking features like Dex, which allows users to connect a keyboard and mouse and use the device like a PC. While the device shares many specs with the Fold 7, including cameras and chipset, it adds a kickstand case and improved productivity options. However, its hefty weight of over 300 grams and a high price tag estimated between $2,500 and $3,000 may limit its appeal. Samsung’s foldable market continues to grow, with the company increasing its market share to 64% in the last quarter, driven largely by the success of the Fold 7.
Proton has launched Proton Sheets, a new feature within Proton Drive that enables users to open, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets directly in the browser with end-to-end encryption. The feature supports importing Excel files but currently does not support ODS files, indicating room for improvement. Proton Sheets files sync to computers in a proprietary format but can be exported as Excel, CSV, or TSV files. This addition strengthens Proton’s growing suite of privacy-focused productivity tools, offering a secure alternative for collaborative spreadsheet editing.
In the release monitor segment, several notable product announcements were highlighted. Insta360 unveiled the Anti-gravity A1, the world’s first 360-degree drone priced at $1,600, including goggles and accessories. Sony announced the A7 Mark II camera, praised for its improved image quality and battery life. Nubia launched the Nubia Fold, boasting the largest battery ever in a foldable phone at 6,560 mAh, though it is currently only available in Japan. These releases showcase ongoing innovation in drones, cameras, and foldable smartphones.
The video also touched on various tech industry news and oddities, including India’s controversial government app mandate that was quickly retracted after privacy concerns, Zillow dropping climate risk scores due to agent pushback, and Crucial ceasing consumer RAM sales to prioritize data centers amid supply shortages. Samsung teased its upcoming Exynos 2600 chip, hinting at improvements after criticism, while the US government invested heavily in a chip startup developing advanced laser technology. Finally, Microsoft released retro sweaters featuring a co-pilot icon, a quirky move that seemed to embarrass even the designers. The video concluded with a promotion for the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 camera bundle, highlighting its versatile accessories and Black Friday discounts.
