The Future of Wearables: AI's Next Frontier ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ

Beyond the Screen: Wearables Take on Smartphones

Hi, it's Omar. Today's newsletter is 1,121 words, a 4-minute read.

Here is what we have for this weekโ€™s newsletter:

1. The battle for AI Wearables: Beyond Smartphones.

Ray-Ban 'smart glasses' will be Facebook's next hardware product, says Zuckerberg

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, AI wearables are emerging as the next frontier, challenging the dominance of smartphones. From smart glasses to pendants, the race is on to integrate AI into our daily wearables.

The AI Hardware Race

  • Humane's AI Pin: Recently showcased on a Paris runway, this wearable, designed by former Apple employee Imran Chaudhri, projects its user interface onto nearby surfaces, like a hand.

  • Rewind Pendant: Priced at $59, this neck-worn pendant records conversations, transferring them securely to smartphones. Its AI software then sifts through this audio data, creating a searchable database of your life's conversations.

  • Meta's Smart Glasses: The updated Ray-Ban models by Meta now allow users to converse with an AI chatbot, a significant upgrade from the earlier models which had limited voice control.

  • Tab: Expected to launch in the coming months, Tab is a smart wearable that captures the context of your daily life by listening to your conversations. Avi Schiffmann, its founder, emphasizes its non-intrusive nature, stating it doesn't store transcripts or audio recordings but builds a knowledge base for users.

The Visionaries Behind the Movement

Jony Ive, Apple's former chief design officer, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are reportedly in discussions about a potential collaboration on an AI hardware device. Their vision is to define what the "new hardware for the AI age could look like." Altman's previous collaborations include the retina-scanning Orb for his Worldcoin crypto project, designed by Thomas Meyerhoffer, a former Apple designer.

Privacy Concerns

With the rise of these AI wearables, privacy concerns are inevitable. Many of these devices resemble their non-tech counterparts, making it crucial for them to clearly indicate when they are recording or gathering data.

The Bigger Picture

While Google and Apple have long held a stronghold on the smartphone business, companies like Meta and Amazon are keen on finding alternatives that could potentially make smartphones obsolete. Despite their previous unsuccessful attempts at launching their own smartphones, their determination to lead the post-smartphone era is evident.

The smartphone, since the inception of the iPhone and Android, has been the dominant device. However, with the advent of AI, even older hardware like smart speakers could be rejuvenated, offering more powerful interfaces than their predecessors.

In Conclusion

The integration of AI into wearables signifies a shift in how we interact with technology. As these devices become more ingrained in our daily lives, the line between tech and non-tech wearables will blur, ushering in a new era of personalized digital experiences.

2. The Search Saga: Google's Tussle with Antitrust

Nadella: โ€œYou get up in the morning and you brush your teeth and you search on Googleโ€

Google finds itself at the epicentre of a monumental antitrust battle. The tech behemoth, renowned for its unparalleled search capabilities, is now under the legal microscope, facing allegations of monopolistic behaviour.

The Legal Labyrinth

At the heart of this legal confrontation is the claim that Google has wielded its dominance to stifle competition. The Justice Department's lawsuit underscores Google's deals, particularly with Apple and Android, which set it as the default search engine on smartphones, thereby sidelining potential competitors.

A Rival's Perspective

Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, recently voiced his concerns, shedding light on the uphill battle Microsoft faces in the search domain. Despite the rapid advancements in AI, Nadella remains sceptical about levelling the playing field against Google's dominance. His sentiments echo the broader industry apprehensions: Is the vast digital universe becoming too intertwined with one entity?

Google's Stance

In its corner, Google remains steadfast, attributing its search engine's supremacy to its sheer excellence. They posit that users are enamoured with their platform and, if so inclined, could effortlessly transition to another search engine. This user preference, they argue, forms the bedrock of their exclusivity agreements.

Historical Echoes

This legal tango isn't an isolated event. Tech titans like Microsoft and Google have been in a dance of competition and collaboration for two decades. Alliances have been forged, truces brokered, and rivalries rekindled. This current legal chapter is a continuation of the age-old saga of tech giants vying for the digital throne.

In Retrospect

As the curtains rise on subsequent trial sessions, the tech world and its onlookers await with bated breath. The verdict could recalibrate the digital terrain, influencing our technological interactions and information access. This saga underscores the intricate interplay between innovation, competition, and regulation in our digital epoch.

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  7. Tab: Wearable AI you can converse with. Experience the future. Link!

8 other developments from the past week...

  1. Anthropic's Funding Talks: Anthropic, a generative AI startup, is reportedly discussing raising up to $2 billion in funding from Google and other investors. The company aims for a valuation between $20 billion to $30 billion. Read more!

  2. AI Content Payment Mystery: There's a lack of transparency in how much AI makers are compensating for the content they utilize to train generative AI models. Read more!

  3. Likewise's AI Chatbot: Bill Gates-backed startup, Likewise, has launched an AI-driven chatbot designed to recommend entertainment and books to users. Read more!

  4. FTC's AI Roundtable: The Federal Trade Commission is hosting a discussion focusing on the role of AI in creative fields. Read more!

  5. AI's Childlike Learning: There's a perspective that the best AI models can learn significantly by imitating the exploratory learning methods of children. Read more!

  6. Open-Source AI Battle: The article titled "The battle over Open-Source AI" seems to discuss the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding open-source AI. Read more!

  7. Canva's AI Integration: Canva integrates AI for task automation and design inspiration, launching Magic Studio and partnering with Runway ML. Read more!

  8. LinkedIn's AI Expansion: LinkedIn introduces AI features for job hunting and marketing, highlighting the rising demand for AI skills. Read more!

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Best,

Omar Ajruli,
Chief Editor