Here is the top trending news from the world of technology. News that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.
1)
Google Play Store can now simultaneously download multiple Android apps
In a welcome improvement for Android users, the Google Play Store now allows you to download two apps at the same time. This is a significant shift from the previous system where you had to wait for one download to finish before starting another. While it currently allows to download only two apps simultaneously, you can also download a third app simultaneously, in which case the third app will be queued and labeled as “pending.” It must be noted this new feature currently applies only to downloading new apps, not updating existing ones. Overall, this is a positive step for Android users, especially when setting up a new device or downloading multiple large apps.
2)
New Apple Pencil to have haptic feedback and new gestures
Apple is expected to launch its new updated Apple Pencil, which is an iPad accessory, at its upcoming ‘Let Loose’ event on May 7th. If rumors are to be believed then the new Apple Pencil will have features like ‘Haptic Feedback’ and ‘New Gestures.’ Haptic Feedback is a technology that simulate a variety of sensations to provide a more realistic and engaging user experience. Moreover, it could also offer additional gestures for more versatility. As per reports, it could offer new ‘squeeze’ gesture’ that could summons a contextual menu based on the current task. However, mind you, this information comes from leaks and reports, not an official Apple announcement. We’ll have to wait for Apple’s “Let Loose” event on May 7th to know for sure if these features are coming or not.
3)
Adobe’s VideoGigaGAN makes Blurry images 8 Times Sharper
Adobe has just launched a new breakthrough AI tool called VideoGigaGAN. VideoGigaGAN can upscale blurry or low-resolution videos, potentially making them look significantly sharper and crystal clear. This could be a game-changer for restoring old videos, enhancing footage captured on low-quality cameras, or even improving the quality of videos streamed over limited bandwidth. As of now, there aren’t many details publicly available about VideoGigaGAN. Most probably, it is still not available commercially and is likely under development in Adobe. Overall, Adobe’s VideoGigaGAN, if it lives up to its potential, could be a significant advancement in video processing technology.
4)
Elon Musk is in China as Tesla seeks to push FSD Technology
Tesla’s CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk is currently on a short visit to China where he is scheduled to meet several high-profile Chinese politicians. He already had a brief meeting with China’s Premier Li Qiang. The main focus of Musk’s visit is to get permission to activate Full Self-Driving or FSD software in Tesla cars operating in China, which is its second largest market. Tesla’s FSD is currently available only in few countries but is not yet operational in China. Currently, data collected by Teslas in China cannot be transferred outside the country, which is reportedly hindering the launch of FSD in the country. Over all, Musk’s visit yet again signifies the importance of Chinese market for Tesla’s future growth.
5)
Elon Musk’s xAI is on the brink of raising $6 Billion
Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, is reportedly close to securing a significant funding round. As per reports, it is raising at least $6 billion at a valuation of around $18 billion from Sequoia and other investors. This funding would be a major boost for xAI, putting them in a strong position to compete with OpenAI and Google in the field of artificial intelligence. xAI had recently launched its first generative AI chatbot called Grok. Unlike ChatGPT and Gemini, Grok is not a standalone chatbot but is part of ‘X’ and only ‘X’ users can use it.
