Feb 6th 2025
Tech News Weekly 373
AI Wins a Grammy
Uber Rides With Waymo, Sonos Streaming Box, Meta’s VR Devs Struggle
In this episode of Tech News Weekly, Mikah Sargent and CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti talk the latest developments in self-driving tech, Sonos' work on a new streaming box, an AI-assisted Beatles song winning a Grammy, and the current state of Meta's Quest platform according to developers.
- Uber is expanding its partnership with Waymo, allowing people in Austin to summon a Waymo robo-taxi through the Uber app. Abrar shares her experiences with self-driving cars and discusses the evolving relationship between Uber and Waymo.
- Sonos is reportedly working on a new streaming box codenamed "Pinewood," which includes an HDMI switch to address inconsistencies in smart TV firmware and software. The device is expected to cost between $200 and $400, and it aims to provide a full-featured streaming sound setup.
- An AI-assisted Beatles track, "Now and Then," won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance, sparking conversations about the role of AI in music and art. The US Copyright Office has stated that AI tools used to assist in the creative process don't undermine the copyright of the work.
- Developers are struggling with declining sales and visibility on the Meta Quest app store, despite record revenue for Meta Reality Labs. Meta's focus on its own Horizon Worlds app seems to be at the expense of traditional VR games. Some developers find it more profitable to sell on other platforms like Steam and PlayStation VR.
Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.
Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
Links
- Uber Will Soon Let You Hail a Self-Driving Vehicle in Austin - CNET
- Is Waymo Friend or Foe to Uber? - The New York Times
- After a bruising year, Sonos readies its next big thing: a streaming box | The Verge
- Beatles Nab First Grammy for an AI-Assisted Song - CNET
- Copyright Office Offers Assurance on AI Filmmaking Tools
- From Quest To Horizon: How Meta's Shifting Priorities Are Affecting Developers