The tech industry is buzzing with major developments this month, featuring a range of exciting announcements and innovations. Major IT firms have signed an EU AI pact. Meanwhile, Meta has made headlines by unveiling their latest smart glasses, which promise to revolutionize how users interact with digital content and the world around them. Here are the key highlights from the tech world this month.
TCS, Infosys, Google, and Amazon Join the EU AI Pact
Many tech companies, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, have committed to complying early with the EU’s new AI regulations through the AI Pact initiative. The regulations went into effect on August 1, 2024. The AI Pact aims to prepare organizations for the upcoming AI Act, which includes a transitional period until August 2027 for high-risk AI systems. Over 100 organizations have officially registered for the pact. The AI Pact promotes proactive governance of AI and encourages companies to establish industry-specific commitments, such as human oversight of AI operations and clear labeling of AI-generated content. Some major players like Meta and Apple have yet to sign the Pact, while OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has joined the initiative.
Meta Connect 2024: New AR glasses announced
During the Meta Connect 2024 event, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Orion AR glasses, a transformative tool that merges the physical and digital realms. These cutting-edge glasses project holographic images into the real world and boast features such as hand-tracking and voice commands. Meta aims to launch a consumer-ready version of the Orion AR glasses by 2027. Meta also introduced the Quest 3S mixed reality headset, scheduled for release in October, with a starting price of $299.99(₹25000). The company also made advancements in AI by releasing the Llama 3.2 model as open-source software designed to generate content from text and input images. Additionally, Meta’s AI chatbots now offer voice interaction with celebrity voices. Zuckerberg highlighted enhancements to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, now including real-time language translation, video recording, and AI-supported video editing capabilities. Meta aims to make these innovations accessible and practical, ushering in a new era of daily interactions and experiences.
Australian Brand STM Goods Enters India With Vijay Sales Partnership
STM Goods, an Australian accessories brand, has partnered with Vijay Sales to bring its premium products, including iPhone and iPad cases and ‘Made in India’ dual USB chargers, to India. The company’s range of accessories also includes laptop bags, packs, and fitted cases. Specifically designed cases for the newly launched iPhone 16 series are already available via Vijay Sales, featuring special contours and flowing sand patterns. Additionally, STM Goods has introduced its ‘Made in India’ dual USB chargers in the Indian market. Faiz Rahman, Director of STM Goods India, expressed excitement about the partnership with Vijay Sales, emphasizing their commitment to providing quality products to tech enthusiasts and professionals. This launch comes at a great time for iPhone buyers in India, as the new iPhone 16 models are now available across the country.
Thomson Set to Make Waves in Indian Audio Market with New Soundbar Line
Thomson has entered the Indian audio market with its new lineup of Soundbars, aiming to capture 10% of the online segment market share. The company invested INR 50 crore in a manufacturing facility in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, expected to produce 500,000 units annually. The initial launch featured two flagship soundbars, AlphaBeat25 and AlphaBeat60, available on Flipkart. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO of Super Plastronics Pvt, Ltd., expressed excitement about the new category expansion, stating their commitment to providing world-class audio experience to Indian consumers.
Sony goes retro with special edition 30th anniversary PS5 and PS5 Pro versions
Sony has launched the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection to commemorate the 30th anniversary of PlayStation. The collection includes limited edition models of the PS5 and PS5 Pro resembling the original console, complete with special 30th-anniversary branding and unique accessories. The PS5 – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition comes in disc and no-disc variants, featuring a retro four-color PS logo, a special 30th-anniversary logo, and a new vertical stand. It includes a 1TB SSD, a special edition controller, a limited edition poster, and other accessories. The PS5 Pro – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition offers additional design perks, such as a unique numbering system and an embossed ’30th Anniversary’ print, along with a 2TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7 support, and special controllers. Both limited edition controllers feature the four-color PS logo and a dual-tone design. The PlayStation Portal Remote Player – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition remains largely unchanged, featuring a four-color logo and a dual-tone finish.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate: World’s First Triple-Fold Smartphone Garners 5 Million Pre-Orders on Launch Day
Huawei has made a groundbreaking move in the smartphone industry with the world’s first triple-fold smartphone, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate. This innovative device received an overwhelming 5 million pre-orders on its first day, demonstrating global excitement for this revolutionary product. The Mate XT Ultimate features a 10.2-inch OLED display, Huawei’s Kirin 9010 chipset, an ultra-compact triple hinge, an advanced camera system, and a 5600 mAh high-capacity battery with ultra-fast charging. Its design allows for a traditional smartphone look when fully folded and expands to offer a larger-screen experience, essentially allowing users to carry a giant tablet in their pockets. Priced at $2,499, the device is currently available for pre-order in China, with global markets expected to see the device in the coming months.