OnePlus launched its highly anticipated OnePlus 12 series at the ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ event on January 23. The flagship smartphones, OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, come packed with powerful features such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and last year’s premium Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, respectively. Both phones boast vibrant displays and are equipped with a 100W fast charger that can refill the battery in just 26 minutes.
In other tech news, Microsoft is reportedly laying off around 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. According to a memo from CEO Phil Spencer, the majority of the job cuts will occur at Activision Blizzard, though some Xbox and ZeniMax employees will also be affected. This news follows a recent trend of layoffs in the tech industry, with major companies like Amazon and Google also trimming their workforce.
Meanwhile, Salesforce, the US cloud-based software company, is cutting approximately 700 jobs, which accounts for nearly 1% of its global workforce. This decision comes after a wave of layoffs in the tech industry, including those at Amazon and Google. Salesforce had previously reduced its workforce by 10% last year but announced plans to hire over 3,000 people in September 2023 to drive up margins.
Apple is gearing up to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities with the release of iOS 18 in June. The iOS 17.4 beta has revealed Apple’s plan to utilize OpenAI’s ChatGPT API to improve Siri’s AI powers. The integration of this technology within Apple’s internal testing is crucial for advancing AI capabilities.
In a different development, Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has criticized Apple’s proposed App Store changes ahead of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). Ek called the changes vague and misleading and deemed them a new low for the company. He accused Apple of putting forward a plan that is a complete and total farce under the guise of compliance with the law.
Microsoft is reportedly focusing on developing its own artificial intelligence technology that is smaller and cheaper to run compared to OpenAI’s current technology. The company has formed a new team dedicated to creating conversational AI that requires lower processing power. Several top developers have been transferred from Microsoft’s research group to work on this new AI initiative.
Amidst the excitement surrounding the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, eager fans are analyzing every frame of the trailer for potential clues and ties to the iconic Vice City. Speculation has been particularly focused on Tommy Vercetti, the memorable character from GTA: Vice City, voiced by the late Ray Liotta. While there is no official confirmation, a building spotted in the trailer has sparked further speculation among the GTA community about a potential return to Vice City.
Lastly, Livemint, an Indian news website, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest-growing news website globally. Offering a range of benefits, such as insightful newsletters, real-time stock tracking, breaking news, and personalized newsfeeds, Livemint has gained popularity among users seeking comprehensive news coverage.
These major events in the world of technology have certainly made waves this week. From the launch of the OnePlus 12 series to the Microsoft and Salesforce layoffs, the tech industry is experiencing significant shifts. As Apple enhances its AI capabilities, Spotify criticizes Apple’s App Store changes, and Microsoft focuses on developing its own AI technology, the future of technology continues to evolve. And for Grand Theft Auto fans, the anticipation of GTA 6 and its potential ties to Vice City only adds to the excitement. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest tech news.
