In this week’s video, the host discusses several significant tech news stories, starting with Microsoft’s decision to abandon its Surface Duo 2 smartphone. The device, which was priced at $1,500 and released in 2021, has only received one Android OS upgrade and will soon reach its end of support, leaving users stuck on Android 12 L. The host expresses disappointment over Microsoft’s lack of support for its hardware, comparing it unfavorably to Google’s handling of the Stadia shutdown, where users were refunded. This situation raises concerns about purchasing non-PC devices from Microsoft, given its history of abandoning products.
The second story focuses on Google’s legal troubles, particularly following its loss in a lawsuit against Epic Games. As a result, Google must allow rival third-party app stores access to its full catalog of apps and stop enforcing Google Play billing for those apps. This change, which will be mandatory between November 2024 and November 2027, could significantly alter the Android app distribution landscape. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has proposed remedies for Google’s search monopoly, which could include breaking up the company and sharing search data with rivals, further complicating Google’s position in the market.
In a surprising turn of events, Apple experienced a major leak regarding its upcoming M4 MacBook Pro. Russian YouTubers managed to unbox and showcase the device, revealing details about its expected M4 chip and improved RAM specifications. The leak is notable not only for the information shared but also because it highlights Apple’s ongoing struggle to prevent leaks, especially as the company has become increasingly aggressive in legal actions against previous leaks. The host humorously suggests that moving to Russia might be a way to avoid Apple’s legal repercussions.
The video also touches on recent hardware releases, including Intel’s new desktop CPUs, which, despite new core designs, show minimal performance improvement compared to the previous generation. Instead, the focus is on efficiency gains and slight price reductions. Meanwhile, MediaTek has launched its flagship Dimensity 9,400 chip, boasting significant performance and power consumption improvements, with immediate availability in new smartphone models. Additionally, Nintendo has introduced a quirky $100 alarm clock named Alarmo, which features motion sensing and plays music from popular games.
Finally, the host briefly covers various other tech news, including Samsung’s profit misses, a hack linked to Chinese state actors targeting U.S. telecommunications, and the FBI’s creation of a cryptocurrency for investigating fraud schemes. The video concludes with a mention of Huawei’s Harmony OS reaching public beta and the recent Nobel Prizes awarded for advancements in AI, highlighting the ongoing impact of technology in various fields. The host also promotes Grammarly, an AI writing assistant, emphasizing its usefulness in improving writing efficiency and effectiveness.
