Tech World Roundup: OnePlus 12 Launch, Layoffs at Microsoft and Salesforce, AI Advancements, and More

1. OnePlus 12 Series Launch: Unlocking Smoothness Beyond Belief

On January 23, 2024, OnePlus unveiled its latest flagship smartphone lineup at the ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ event. The OnePlus 12 series, comprising the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, boasts powerful chipsets, vibrant displays, and a lightning-fast 100W charger capable of fully recharging the battery in approximately 26 minutes.

The OnePlus 12 is powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, while the OnePlus 12R utilizes last year’s premium Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Both models deliver exceptional performance, ensuring seamless multitasking and immersive gaming experiences.

The OnePlus 12 series also features stunning displays. The OnePlus 12 boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels. The OnePlus 12R, on the other hand, features a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. Both displays offer vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles, making them ideal for watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web.

Completing the package is the impressive 100W fast charger, which can replenish the OnePlus 12’s battery from 0 to 100% in just 26 minutes. The OnePlus 12R also supports fast charging, though at a slightly slower rate.

Pricing for the OnePlus 12 series starts at ₹64,999 for the OnePlus 12 and ₹39,999 for the OnePlus 12R in India.

2. Microsoft Layoffs: Restructuring Xbox and Activision Blizzard

In a move that sent shockwaves through the tech industry, Microsoft announced layoffs affecting approximately 1,900 employees across its Activision Blizzard and Xbox divisions. The news was reported by The Verge on January 25, citing an internal memo from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer.

The layoffs primarily targeted Activision Blizzard, the video game publisher recently acquired by Microsoft. However, some Xbox and ZeniMax employees were also impacted by the cuts.

Microsoft’s decision to lay off employees is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at streamlining operations and improving efficiency across its gaming divisions. The company is reportedly looking to consolidate its studios and development teams, leading to job losses in certain areas.

The layoffs have drawn mixed reactions from industry analysts and gamers alike. Some have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the quality of Microsoft’s games, while others have argued that the restructuring is necessary to ensure the long-term success of the company’s gaming business.

3. Salesforce Job Cuts: Trimming the Workforce to Drive Efficiency

US-based cloud-based software giant Salesforce joined the growing list of tech companies implementing layoffs. Reuters, citing information from the Wall Street Journal, reported that Salesforce would lay off approximately 700 employees, representing nearly 1% of its global workforce.

The job cuts at Salesforce follow a series of layoffs in the US tech industry, with major companies like Amazon and Google also reducing their workforce. The company had previously trimmed its workforce by 10% in 2023 and closed several offices.

Despite the job cuts, Salesforce had signaled plans to hire more than 3,000 people in September 2023 to drive up margins. However, the economic downturn and changing market conditions appear to have prompted the company to reconsider its hiring plans.

4. Apple’s AI Ambitions: Tapping into OpenAI’s ChatGPT API

Apple is reportedly ramping up its artificial intelligence (AI) efforts ahead of the anticipated release of iOS 18 in June. A sneak peek into the iOS 17.4 beta has revealed Apple’s plans to enhance Siri’s AI capabilities, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT API emerging as a key player in this technological evolution.

A newly discovered private framework called SiriSummarization within the code has been making calls to OpenAI’s ChatGPT API. This integration plays a pivotal role in Apple’s internal testing of evolving AI capabilities, as evident from system prompts such as “please summarize,” “please answer this question,” and “please summarize the given text,” as reported by 9to5Mac.

Apple’s move to leverage OpenAI’s ChatGPT API signals the company’s commitment to improving Siri’s AI capabilities and offering more comprehensive and conversational responses to user queries.

5. Spotify CEO Takes on Apple’s App Store Changes

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek took aim at Apple’s proposed changes to the App Store ahead of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a blog post published on January 26, Ek criticized Apple’s plan, calling it ‘at best vague and misleading,’ a ‘new low for the company,’ and ‘extortion.’

Ek argued that Apple’s proposed changes were a thinly veiled attempt to maintain its dominance in the app market and perpetuate its ‘tax’ on developers. He asserted that the new plan was nothing more than a ‘farce’ designed to comply with the DMA while preserving Apple’s control over the App Store.

The Spotify CEO’s comments reflect the ongoing tension between Apple and app developers over the company’s App Store policies. Apple has been accused of abusing its market power to impose unfair terms and conditions on developers, leading to calls for regulatory intervention.

6. Microsoft’s Quest for Smaller, Cheaper AI Technology

Microsoft is reportedly working on developing artificial intelligence technology that is more compact and cost-effective than the current technology it sources from OpenAI. According to a report by The Information, Microsoft has assembled a new team tasked with creating conversational AI that requires lower processing power compared to OpenAI’s technology.

The report also notes that Microsoft has transferred several top developers from its research group to the new-Gen AI team. This move underscores Microsoft’s commitment to developing its own AI capabilities and reducing its reliance on external providers like OpenAI.

The development of smaller and cheaper AI technology could have significant implications for various industries. It could enable the integration of AI into a broader range of devices and applications, making AI more accessible and affordable for businesses and consumers alike.

7. GTA Vice City Nostalgia: Speculation and Excitement Build

Excitement among Grand Theft Auto fans is reaching fever pitch as they eagerly analyze every frame of the GTA 6 trailer for potential clues and ties to the beloved Vice City. The speculation is particularly focused on Tommy Vercetti, the iconic character from GTA: Vice City, voiced by the late Ray Liotta.

While Rockstar has not officially confirmed anything, a building spotted in the trailer has sparked a fresh wave of speculation in the GTA community. Vice City, a virtual representation of Miami in the GTA universe, has been a popular topic amid rumors suggesting GTA 6 may return to this iconic locale.

Fans are intrigued by the possibility of connections between the games despite the separation between the HD universe and the earlier PS2 era. The waterside mansion of Tommy Vercetti, a memorable figure from the 2002 classic, has become a focal point of curiosity, leading to speculation about his potential involvement in GTA 6.