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Welcome to the cutting edge of tech.

Read time: 8 min

Today’s Slate

• Huawei shows us what mobile phone innovation looks like

• SpaceX sends humans into the void and back safely

• Snapchat shows off AR glasses and new GenAI features

• iOS 18 and visionOS 2 launch to users

• Everyone reacts to the outrageous PS5 Pro price (700+?!)

• I’m getting tired of writing “the robots are coming” - the industry is just booming!

• More tech news

Industry News

1. iOS18: The biggest new features available on your iPhone

2. WiFi turns 25 years old - how it will continue to power our future

3. The return of 5 days in office at Amazon

Artificial Intelligence

At a glance:

• Runway has launched its new "video-to-video" AI tool that allows users to transform existing videos into entirely new styles or appearances.

• The tool provides advanced video editing capabilities, making it easier for creators to manipulate videos with AI-driven filters and effects.

• Users can input their footage and apply different visual styles, achieving effects that traditionally required complex editing software.

Our vision:

Runway’s video-to-video tool simplifies high-end video editing, giving creators AI-powered tools that democratize professional-grade video production. This could redefine content creation workflows for everyone from hobbyists to professionals. Once these tools are more user friendly, the internet is going to get even weirder.

At a glance:

• Snapchat has introduced a new AI feature that allows users to create custom lenses simply by describing them.

• This AI-powered tool enables users to input text-based prompts, and the system generates a lens based on the description.

• The feature simplifies lens creation, making it accessible for non-designers.

Our vision:

Snapchat’s new AI lens feature democratizes creativity, offering an intuitive way for users to personalize their content. This tool has the potential to accelerate user engagement and redefine how digital creativity flourishes on social platforms.

At a glance:

• Runway has launched an API for its video-generating models, making it easier for developers to integrate AI-generated video capabilities into their own apps and workflows.

• This API gives users access to Runway's Gen-2 video model, which can create videos from text descriptions.

• The launch marks a step toward democratizing video content creation using AI technology which has been filled with friction in the past.

Our vision:

Runway's API for video generation could revolutionize content creation, making high-quality AI-generated videos more accessible across industries. As AI tools become more integrated into apps, expect a wave of creativity and automation in video production.

Mobile

At a glance:

• Huawei has unveiled the Mate X5 Ultimate, a $2,800 (yikes) trifold smartphone.

• The phone features a 7.8-inch main display, with three folding screens, creating a tablet-sized device when fully extended.

• Huawei emphasizes its high-end design, premium materials, and advanced tech, targeting luxury users - but it received millions of pre-orders!

Our vision:

Huawei's latest trifold smartphone demonstrates the ongoing push for innovation in the folding phone market. While the price is steep, it highlights how luxury tech can offer new possibilities in portability and multi-functionality for users who seek cutting-edge mobile experiences.

Spatial Computing

At a glance:

• Snap's latest Spectacles feature AR-powered gameplay, like Pokémon Go developer Niantic’s "Peridot."

• These smart glasses offer real-time interactivity and layering of virtual content into the physical world.

• For $99/mo developers can get a pair

Our vision:

The future of AR wearables is starting to merge with mainstream gaming, potentially making experiences like "Peridot" a glimpse into how augmented reality will shape gaming and entertainment. Snap's Spectacles could be an essential gateway to everyday AR experiences.

At a glance:

• Apple has released visionOS 2, bringing new updates to the Vision Pro headset.

• The update introduces improved app performance, multitasking, and enhanced accessibility features.

• Developers gain access to more powerful tools for creating immersive experiences.

• New updates to Spatial Experiences, FaceTime, and SharePlay enhance collaboration and social interactions in AR/VR.

Our vision:

With this latest release Apple continues to demonstrate their expertise in developing robust APIs that will power both current and future experiences. Usually they set the stage for the future without most people realizing and I bet the Volumetric, Tabletop and Enterprise APIs will support development of experiences we’ll be writing about in months to come.

At a glance:

• Virtuix has debuted the Omni One, a full-body VR gaming system that allows users to walk and run in any direction while staying in place.

• The system features a low-friction platform and special shoes to enable full-range movement within virtual environments.

• The Omni One is designed to offer a more immersive and active VR gaming experience, combining fitness and entertainment.

Our vision:

The Omni One represents a leap in VR interactivity, blending physical activity with gaming - in a very tiring way. It will be interesting to see what sales, adoption and retention are for this consumer ready product. These are the types of devices you saw in Ready Player One which is showing you that science fiction is actually becoming a reality.

Let us know if you want us to get one and review it!

Gaming

At a glance:

• The PS5 Pro costs $700, sparking much debate over its value.

• Its performance enhancements include faster load times and better frame rates, but it may not justify the price for most users.

• Many gamers are questioning whether the upgrades are substantial enough to warrant the steep price compared to the base PS5.

Our vision:

With the PS5 Pro's price point, the value proposition feels quite limited. Gamers may hold off, waiting for more significant technological leaps before making another big investment.

Space

At a glance:

• SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission concluded with a successful splashdown.

• The crew, led by Jared Isaacman, orbited Earth for several days conducting experiments.

• Polaris Dawn aimed to further space exploration by testing new technologies and studying human health in space.

• This marks the next step in SpaceX’s expanding role in private space missions.

Our vision:

The successful Polaris Dawn mission showcases the future of private space exploration, where commercial entities take on increasingly significant roles. This sets the stage for broader space accessibility and innovation in human spaceflight. Maybe SpaceX will actually get us to Mars. It doesn’t look like anyone else is even close.

Robotics

When it comes to humanoid robots the list of companies involved is seemingly endless. At this point we are in watch and see mode - waiting to see real people unboxing their remotely controlled humanoid robots - what an entertaining YouTube video review that is going to be.

This week Neura and Reachy are the latest robots that we found that were worthy of being included. Remember, a few weeks ago we mentioned there is a rumor Apple is going to be building something similar to Reachy? How I wish I could see inside a robotics lab at Apple. Must be something out of 2040.

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