Here are today’s trending news from the world of technology and AI during last 24 hours.
1)
Apple may introduce a smart security camera in 2026.
Apple is reportedly planning to launch its first smart home security camera in 2026, marking a significant entry into the smart home device market. This development comes from insights provided by renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who indicates that Apple aims to begin mass production of the camera in 2026, with ambitions to ship tens of millions of units annually. While specific features of the camera have not been disclosed, it is expected to integrate deeply with Apple’s ecosystem, including Apple Intelligence and Siri. Apple’s move into the smart home camera market comes as the global demand for such devices continues to grow, with current shipments estimated between 30-40 million units per year.
2)
Microsoft is phasing out the Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 11
Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue support for the built-in Mail and Calendar apps on Windows 11 by the end of 2024. Specifically, these apps will cease to function after December 31, 2024, meaning users will no longer be able to send or receive emails through them. Microsoft is urging users to migrate to the new web-based Outlook app, which will become the default email and calendar management tool on Windows 11. Post-December 31, while users can still open the Mail and Calendar apps, they will only have view-only access to emails and calendar events. The ability to send or receive emails will be disabled124. Users can toggle back to the Mail and Calendar interface temporarily but will ultimately be redirected to the new Outlook app.
3)
Netflix’s ad-supported plan surpasses 70 million subscribers.
Netflix’s ad-supported subscription tier has reached a significant milestone, boasting 70 million monthly active users globally. This marks a substantial increase from the 40 million reported in May 2024, reflecting a 75% growth since the last update. The ad tier was launched two years ago and has quickly gained traction, with over 50% of new sign-ups in markets where it is available. The rise to 70 million users indicates strong momentum for Netflix’s advertising strategy, which has been part of a broader effort to diversify its revenue streams amidst a competitive streaming landscape. This growth is particularly notable given that just a year ago, the ad tier had only 15 million users.
4)
NVIDIA’s new unified PC application officially launches today.
NVIDIA has officially launched its new all-in-one PC application, which combines the functionalities of the GeForce Experience and Control Panel into a single, streamlined interface. This app exits beta today, following extensive testing over the past year. The app provides a centralized hub for managing NVIDIA GPU settings, driver updates, and game optimizations without requiring users to log in, making it more accessible than its predecessors. NVIDIA claims the new application is 50% more responsive and installs in half the time compared to the previous GeForce Experience. The new app also allows for 4K video capture at 120 FPS, along with AI-powered filters for enhancing gameplay visuals. This feature is particularly beneficial for users with RTX GPUs.
