Co-founders Nir Zicherman and Michael Mignano reunite to build AI-powered educational startup Oboe, backed by a $4 million seed investment. The new company aims to democratize access to learning through user-friendly interfaces and AI technology.
Notion's email product, Notion Mail, appears to be nearing launch. Following its acquisition of Skiff, a privacy-focused email service, users have been sharing hints of the new product on Reddit. The development environment URL and login page have reportedly been found, with some instances displaying "Notion Mail" as the page title. Although Notion hasn't officially confirmed the launch, the company is hosting an event today where it may announce new products.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/24/notions-email-product-is-nearing-launch/
Google Calendar has received a redesign and now features a dark mode option. The update includes a "refreshed user interface" with modernized buttons, dialog boxes, and sidebars. Users can toggle between light and dark modes by clicking the settings icon in the top right corner of the Google Calendar interface. This visual refresh also applies to the task list view.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/24/24278419/google-calendar-web-dark-mode
The AI industry has seen a shift in tone, with companies like OpenAI and Anthropic presenting optimistic visions for superintelligent AI. According to recent blog posts from Sam Altman (OpenAI) and Dario Amodei (Anthropic), such AI could bring massive improvements to various fields, including work, science, healthcare, and democracy. However, this optimism contrasts with the more cautious approach taken by Anthropic in the past.
Attention gamers and tech enthusiasts! Samsung Odyssey Ark, a 55-inch curved gaming monitor, is currently on sale at Amazon with a massive $1,000 discount. This offer represents a 33% markdown from its original price. The monitor boasts impressive features such as a mini-LED panel for vibrant colors and bold contrast, 165Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology to reduce screen tearing.
The Samsung Odyssey Ark also supports 4K resolution, Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound, and has a built-in Gaming Hub for cloud gaming. The included Ark Dial allows users to fine-tune settings for optimal picture quality.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/samsung-odyssey-ark-deal-10-24-2024/
Snap Spectacles demoed at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit, showcasing a step towards augmented reality (AR) glasses that enhance everyday life. The fifth-generation Spectacles feature advanced hardware, including four cameras, two processors, and stereo speakers. While bulky, the glasses are relatively comfortable to wear for short periods. The UI is intuitive, allowing users to access various apps, play games, and more.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to launch on Nvidia's GeForce Now game streaming service tomorrow, October 25th. This marks the first time a Call of Duty game will be available day one on the platform. The release follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 and a deal to bring games to Nvidia's service. This move aims to provide parity for future launches.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/24/24278406/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-nvidia-geforce-now-streaming
Two new Xbox controllers have caught our attention - the Nacon Revolution X and Turtle Beach's Recon Controller. The Nacon features customizable buttons, Dolby Atmos for Headphones app license, and ring spacers to adjust analog stick range. Meanwhile, the Recon offers Superhuman Hearing mode, which enhances audio for wired headsets, and mappable rear buttons.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23025443/best-xbox-controllers-one-series-x-s
The Geochron, a unique timepiece with a rich history, has gained popularity among enthusiasts. Founded in 1976, the company has produced only 30,000 mechanical models, making it a rare and exclusive item. With improved internal mechanisms and a wide range of analog and digital offerings, the Geochron appeals to cartophiles and map-data devotees. The brand's evolution into digital products, such as the Geochron Digital Atlas 2 4K, has made it more accessible to a broader audience.
ZDNET is offering a discounted deal on Windows 11 Pro, a software upgrade that brings improved user interface and customization features. The lifetime subscription is available for $20, a significant 89% discount from the usual price. This offer includes advanced security features, biometric login, and encrypted authentication to keep personal and business data secure.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/upgrade-to-windows-11-pro-for-just-20/
Raspberry Pi has released a new AI HAT+ board that doubles its AI processing performance. The board features an integrated Hailo-8 AI accelerator, which allows for better thermal dissipation and more powerful AI capabilities. Two versions are available: one with 13 TOPS (tera-operations per second) and another with 26 TOPS. Both boards are backward compatible with the AI Kit and can be purchased from CanaKit.
Get ready for a premium TV experience at an affordable price! ZDNET recommends the TCL QM8, a top-notch QLED TV with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. This 85-inch screen features a 240Hz variable refresh rate and dedicated gaming mode. Enjoy vibrant colors, crisp resolution, and smooth gameplay on your PS5 or Nintendo Switch.
Amazon is offering a deal on the Samsung T5 Evo portable SSD, with 4TB of storage available for $230 (46% off original price). This device is perfect for those who need large digital storage space for games, photos, and documents. It features read and write speeds of up to 460 MB/s, USB 3.2 support, and 256-bit AES encryption for secure data transfer.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/samsung-t5-ssd-deal-10-24-2024/
A top-rated Mini LED TV has been discovered, and it's not made by Samsung or TCL. The Hisense U8N is a game-changer for console gamers and entertainment enthusiasts. With its 144Hz native refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, motion blur is almost non-existent. Additionally, the TV features QLED panel with bright colors, deep contrast, and Dolby Atmos support.
The SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker system has received high praise for its immersive sound quality, customization options, and ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. The system includes a controller with an OLED dial, allowing users to adjust settings and presets for different media types. A sale at Best Buy reduces the price of the system by $100, making it more affordable.
Minecraft is ending its virtual reality (VR) support next year, according to a recent update. As of March 2025, the game will no longer be compatible with VR headsets like Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, and Meta Quest. However, players can still enjoy Minecraft in VR on PC by using the Java version or downloading VR mods.
Minecraft initially launched on Samsung's Gear VR headsets in 2016 before adding support for other VR platforms. The game's developer, Mojang, has also discontinued its augmented-reality mobile app, Minecraft Earth, which was shut down in 2020.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/24/24278397/minecraft-virtual-reality-support-end-2025
AI Networking Startup Boardy Raises $3M Pre-Seed Funding
Boardy, a professional networking startup utilizing AI voice technology, has secured a $3 million pre-seed round. The company aims to facilitate human connections through AI-driven introductions. CEO Andrew D'Souza co-founded Boardy with brothers Ankur and Abhinav Boyed, drawing inspiration from the loneliness epidemic in America.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/24/ai-networking-startup-boardy-raises-3m-pre-seed/
Supply chain startup Interos has landed new customers and secured funding, capitalizing on the increasing need for supply chain risk intelligence in today's complex global economy. With revenue growth of 35% year-over-year, the company is poised to accelerate adoption of its platform across the entire supply chain risk lifecycle. Interos' AI-powered platform maps and monitors organizations' supply chains for potential regulatory, labor, and cybersecurity issues.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/24/supply-chain-startup-interos-lands-new-customers-cash/
Snapchat has announced a new feature for iPhone users, allowing them to launch the app's camera directly from their lock screen. With iOS 18 or later, users can replace the flashlight or native camera shortcuts at the bottom of the lock screen with Snapchat camera shortcuts. This means that users can quickly capture moments by tapping on the lock screen and taking a photo in "Camera Only" mode.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/24/24278353/snapchat-iphone-lock-screen-ios18-widget-availability
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Review: A Competitor to GoPro Hero 13 with Long Battery Life and Great 4K Footage