In this week’s tech news, LG has unveiled a groundbreaking micro LED display that can stretch up to 50% in all directions, allowing for innovative 3D shapes. This flexible display, which has been in development since late 2023, boasts a resolution of 100 pixels per inch and can be integrated into fabrics or vehicles. The display is designed to mimic the softness and flexibility of human skin, utilizing materials typically found in contact lenses. While it can withstand over 10,000 stretches and extreme temperatures, its pixel density may limit its application in smartphones, making it more suitable for larger devices like TVs.
In another significant development, European search engines Eosa and Quant are collaborating to create an independent search index, aiming to reduce reliance on Google and Bing. This initiative comes in response to rising API costs from Bing and the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which encourages competition in the search engine space. The two companies plan to crawl the internet to build their own index, although they face challenges due to their relatively small user bases compared to Google. Their efforts are set to begin in France next quarter, with plans to expand to Germany and beyond.
The exodus from Twitter, now known as X, continues as alternative platforms like Blue Sky and Meta’s Threads gain traction. Blue Sky has reportedly doubled its user base in the last 90 days, reaching over 16 million users, while Threads boasts around 275 million monthly active users. Despite the differences in user counting methods, both platforms are experiencing significant growth. Threads is also preparing to introduce ads in early 2024, indicating confidence in its user engagement. Meanwhile, the ActivityPub-based network, including Mastodon, has around 10 million accounts, with about 1 million active monthly users.
In product releases, the Red Magic 10 Pro series of gaming phones has been announced, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Edition and a massive 7,500 mAh battery. Additionally, a new RISC-V motherboard for the Framework 13 laptop has been introduced, catering primarily to developers. Other notable news includes the anticipated launch of the Galaxy S25 on January 23, 2024, and rumors of an Apple AI wall tablet for home control, similar to the Amazon Echo Show.
Lastly, the video touches on various brief news items, including AMD’s decision to cut 4% of its workforce to focus on AI chip development, the launch of the Nvidia app, and a humorous incident involving Mattel printing the wrong URL on their Wicked movie merchandise. The video also highlights a joint venture between Volkswagen and Rivian, aimed at improving software in vehicles, and concludes with a review of Belroy’s sustainable and stylish backpacks and slings, emphasizing their durability and eco-friendly materials.
