In this week’s Technology Review, significant events include HP’s acquisition of AI Pin maker Humane for $116 million, the emergence of Mira Murati’s new AI venture from stealth mode, and the notable marketing move by Duolingo involving its owl mascot and a Cybertruck.
Termination of Humane’s AI Pin: The hardware startup, Humane, has announced that HP has acquired most of its assets for $116 million, which is less than half of the $240 million raised in venture capital funding. Consequently, Humane will immediately cease sales of its $499 AI Pins. By February 28, these wearables will not be able to connect to Humane’s servers, rendering them incapable of conducting calls, messaging, AI queries, responses, or accessing cloud services. Refunds are available for customers who purchased an AI Pin within the last 90 days, but not for earlier purchasers.
Changes Following HP’s Acquisition: Hours after the announcement of HP’s acquisition, some employees at Humane were presented with job offers from HP that included salary increases between 30% and 70%, along with HP stock and bonus plans, according to internal documents and anonymous sources. However, employees closely tied to the AI Pin development were informed of their termination.
Apple Unveils iPhone SE Refresh: Apple has introduced its latest iPhone SE refresh, three years after its last major update. The new iPhone 16e, part of a select group of phones, features the A18 processor for Apple Intelligence capability. It has eliminated the Touch ID home button in favor of Face ID and replaced the Lightning port with USB-C. Starting at $599, the iPhone 16e will begin shipping on February 28.
News Highlights:
Duolingo Owl Mascot Campaign: Duolingo has "killed" its iconic owl mascot with a Cybertruck in a marketing stunt. The campaign aims to save Duo, urging users to engage more with lessons under the slogan “Duo or die.”
OpenAI’s New Approach to ChatGPT: OpenAI is shifting ChatGPT towards neutrality, allowing it to present multiple perspectives on controversial issues, even those considered morally wrong or offensive by some users.
Legal Dispute Between Uber and DoorDash: Uber has filed a lawsuit against DoorDash, accusing it of anti-competitive practices by pressuring restaurants into exclusive deals with its platform.
Mira Murati’s New AI Startup: Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s startup, Thinking Machines Lab, which includes other prominent figures from OpenAI, has emerged from stealth mode to focus on developing collaborative multimodal systems.
Launch of Grok 3 by xAI: Elon Musk’s company xAI has released its new AI model, Grok 3, alongside advancements in Grok iOS and web applications, claiming the model seeks truth, which may sometimes conflict with politically correct views.
Malware Removal on Steam: Valve has taken down a video game from Steam, which was a vehicle for malware designed to steal user information.
Charity Policy Shift: The charity run by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan is ceasing its DEI programs and social advocacy funding for racial equity and immigration reforms, after initially assuring staff of continued support.
Amazon’s Android App Store Closure: Amazon will close its Android app store in August, focusing its resources on its own devices, thereby stopping new app submissions.
Consumer Opinions on Musk and Zuckerberg: A Pew Research Center study indicates a high percentage of negative views among U.S. adults toward Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
- Impact of Noise-Canceling Headphones: A BBC report questions whether noise-canceling technology could be affecting users’ brains, potentially impairing the brain’s natural ability to filter sounds.
Analysis Section:
- The DOGE Network: A detailed examination of the network surrounding Elon Musk and the DOGE cryptocurrency community highlights Musk’s expansive influence within the tech sector. The analysis identifies key figures, including those in Musk’s inner circle and others involved in advising and recruiting for DOGE activities.
