Tech This Week: June

Yo techies and gadget gurus! This week was like a rollercoaster at a robot convention, full of AI buzz and shiny new devices. Apple fanboys, Android aficionados, and even Minecraft miners had something to geek out about. So, grab your headphones (maybe some new Beats?) and get ready for the juiciest tech news this side of the metaverse.

Beats Drops a Mic (and Some Seriously Tiny Earbuds)

Hold onto your wallets, audiophiles, because Beats just dropped the tiniest, most budget-friendly earbuds yet: the Solo Buds. Launching June th for the price of a decent pizza, these bad boys are all about portability without emptying your bank account.

Sure, they might not have all the bells and whistles like fancy noise cancellation or spatial audio, but hey, for eighty bucks, who’s complaining? These true wireless wonders boast quick and easy pairing, FindMy support (because who hasn’t lost a bud or two?), and a design so sleek, they practically disappear into your ears. Oh, and did we mention the battery life? These little guys can jam for a solid hours. Pre-orders start June th, so set those reminders!

Image of Beats Solo Buds

Apple Gives Props to the Best iPhone Apps (Because Even Tech Giants Have Favorites)

In other Apple news, the tech giant just unveiled the shortlist for its highly coveted Design Awards, basically the Oscars for apps and games. This year’s nominees are a who’s who of the App Store elite, showcasing the best of the best across iPhone, iPad, and even the shiny new Apple Vision Pro.

From adorable adventures like “Hello Kitty Island Adventure” to the super handy financial tracker “Copilot Money,” the list is a treasure trove of innovative and beautifully designed software. Seriously, even if you don’t win, getting nominated is like, a big deal. So, whether you’re an app aficionado or just looking for some fresh digital inspiration, this list is definitely worth a scroll.

Netflix + Minecraft = A Match Made in Blocky Heaven

Get ready to binge-watch your way to a whole new world because Netflix is diving headfirst into the world of Minecraft! That’s right, the streaming behemoth just announced an animated Minecraft show, and the internet is already buzzing with excitement.

While details are still kinda scarce (Netflix loves a good cliffhanger), rumor has it the Nether might be involved. Spooky! This new venture adds yet another feather to Netflix’s already impressive cap of video game adaptations, joining the ranks of fan favorites like “Arcane” and “Castlevania.” No word on a release date yet, but trust us, we’ll be refreshing our watchlists like it’s our job.

Tech This Week: June

Yo techies and gadget gurus! This week was like a rollercoaster at a robot convention, full of AI buzz and shiny new devices. Apple fanboys, Android aficionados, and even Minecraft miners had something to geek out about. So, grab your headphones (maybe some new Beats?) and get ready for the juiciest tech news this side of the metaverse.

Beats Drops a Mic (and Some Seriously Tiny Earbuds)

Hold onto your wallets, audiophiles, because Beats just dropped the tiniest, most budget-friendly earbuds yet: the Solo Buds. Launching June 20th for the price of a decent pizza, these bad boys are all about portability without emptying your bank account.

Sure, they might not have all the bells and whistles like fancy noise cancellation or spatial audio, but hey, for eighty bucks, who’s complaining? These true wireless wonders boast quick and easy pairing, FindMy support (because who hasn’t lost a bud or two?), and a design so sleek, they practically disappear into your ears. Oh, and did we mention the battery life? These little guys can jam for a solid 18 hours. Pre-orders start June 18th, so set those reminders!

Image of Beats Solo Buds

Apple Gives Props to the Best iPhone Apps (Because Even Tech Giants Have Favorites)

In other Apple news, the tech giant just unveiled the shortlist for its highly coveted Design Awards, basically the Oscars for apps and games. This year’s nominees are a who’s who of the App Store elite, showcasing the best of the best across iPhone, iPad, and even the shiny new Apple Vision Pro.

From adorable adventures like “Hello Kitty Island Adventure” to the super handy financial tracker “Copilot Money,” the list is a treasure trove of innovative and beautifully designed software. Seriously, even if you don’t win, getting nominated is like, a big deal. So, whether you’re an app aficionado or just looking for some fresh digital inspiration, this list is definitely worth a scroll.

Netflix + Minecraft = A Match Made in Blocky Heaven

Get ready to binge-watch your way to a whole new world because Netflix is diving headfirst into the world of Minecraft! That’s right, the streaming behemoth just announced an animated Minecraft show, and the internet is already buzzing with excitement.

While details are still kinda scarce (Netflix loves a good cliffhanger), rumor has it the Nether might be involved. Spooky! This new venture adds yet another feather to Netflix’s already impressive cap of video game adaptations, joining the ranks of fan favorites like “Arcane” and “Castlevania.” No word on a release date yet, but trust us, we’ll be refreshing our watchlists like it’s our job.

Android Gets a Glow-Up: Text Editing, Smart Home Control, and More

Android users, rejoice! Your favorite mobile OS just got a fresh coat of paint and some seriously handy new features. First up, say goodbye to those cringe-worthy typos in your text messages! The latest update lets you edit text messages sent via RCS in Google Messages (phew!). But there’s a catch: you’ve only got a 15-minute window, so channel your inner speed-typer.

But wait, there’s more! The update also brings new Google Home widgets and smartwatch controls, giving you even more power over your smart home devices. And for you emoji fanatics out there, get ready for Emoji Kitchen combos that’ll take your texting game to a whole new level of extra. Oh, and did we mention expanded digital car key functionality? Yeah, Android’s really stepping it up this time.

ChatGPT Plus: Is it Still Worth the Hype (and Your Hard-Earned Cash)?

Remember when ChatGPT Plus was like the VIP club of AI chatbots? Well, things just got interesting. OpenAI, the brains behind the operation, just dropped a bombshell: they’re giving away GPT-4o features to free ChatGPT users! That’s right, all the cool kids are doing it.

So, what does this mean for ChatGPT Plus subscribers who’ve been shelling out twenty bucks a month? Well, it’s getting a little awkward. The free tier now lets you analyze files and photos, get internet-informed responses, and more. Don’t get us wrong, ChatGPT Plus still has its perks, like higher usage caps and the ability to create your own custom GPTs. But with the free tier leveling up, that monthly fee is starting to feel a little less justifiable. Unless GPT-5 arrives exclusively for subscribers, the free tier might just be the way to go. Sorry, not sorry, OpenAI.

AI: All Hype, No Substance? Not So Fast, Says New Study

AI this, AI that. It’s everywhere you turn, but is it actually living up to the hype? A new study suggests… not quite. Turns out, despite all the buzz, AI adoption is still lagging behind. Only a small percentage of respondents admitted to using tools like ChatGPT daily, with many clueless about its very existence. Ouch.

But before you write off AI as just another tech fad, the study also reveals that people are pretty optimistic about its potential impact in the future. So yeah, there’s a bit of a disconnect between the hype and the reality, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? Maybe we just need to give those AI overlords a little more time to, you know, take over the world.