Wednesday’s top tech news: Apple might make a touchscreen MacBook Pro
An unofficial render of Samsung’s Galaxy S23. | Image: OnLeaks / DigitPlus, problems at Parler, and rumors of Apple-designed MicroLED displays. Continue reading…
Tekef
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24060914/SAMSUNG_GALAXY_S23_5K2.jpg)
Samsung has officially revealed a February 1st Unpacked event, when we’ll almost certainly see its Galaxy S23 series flagship smartphone lineup. If past years are anything to go by, the next three weeks will be filled with news about upcoming smartphones from official and unofficial sources alike. These teaser trailers from Samsung China fall into the former camp.
However, Wednesday morning got off to a bad start for travelers after domestic flight departures across the US were temporarily grounded due to a problem with the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system. Around 9AM ET, air travel resumed as normal.
Sticking with the gadgets is the news that Apple could include fancy new MicroLED displays that it’s designed in-house on future smartwatches and even, eventually, phones. MicroLED is a promising new display technology that could eventually combine the contrast ratio of OLED with the brightness of LCD, but so far, it’s only made it to super-sized (and super-priced) TVs from Samsung.
Chris Welch dives into the microLED technology to explain what Apple might be able to do with it on smaller and more mobile devices, but today’s big rumor comes from Bloomberg, where Mark Gurman reports Apple engineers are considering plans to release a redesigned MacBook Pro with OLED and a touchscreen, possibly around 2025.
Finally, things aren’t looking good for Parler, the social media network that styles itself as a “censorship-free” alternative to the likes of Twitter. It’s apparently laid off around 75 percent of its staff since late November according to sources, and when we tried to ask the company for comment, an external PR rep told us they no longer work there.
And now, here’s a silly tweet to start your day:
Stay tuned, as we continue to update this list with the most important news of today: Wednesday, January 11th, 2023.
The union is certified at Amazon’s JFK8.
A little less than a year after workers voted to organize Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse under the Amazon Labor Union, it’s now officially official. The National Labor Relations Board has certified the vote, despite Amazon’s objections.
Now, the company will either have to start bargaining with the union, or request a review of the decision, according to NLRB spokesperson Kayla Blado.
ITC judge says Apple infringed on medical tech company Masimo’s pulse oximetry patents
Now, the ITC will decide on a possible import ban on Apple Watches with blood oxygen sensors: the Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra. A final decision won’t be made until May 10th.
“We respectfully disagree with today’s decision, and look forward to a full review by the Commission,” Apple said in a statement to Reuters. Bloomberg Law, the case could give Masimo leverage to eke out $50-$300 million per year in royalties.
Today’s Vergecast: the smart TVs, Matter gadgets, and concept cars from CES
I can’t stop thinking about that TV at CES that is not only wireless but also has a whole vacuum suction system on the back of it for mounting on a wall.
Alex Cranz, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, Chris Welch, and Andrew Hawkins dedicate some time to talk about it, as well as some other favorites from CES on today’s show.
Forget the Olympics, Peacock’s big shot at success is Poker Face.
While Netflix may have the rights to Rian Johnson’s future Knives Out films, Peacock is the home of his Columbo-esque collaboration with Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face.
The show isn’t a big gamble for Peacock, but it is a big chance for the streamer to pick up more subscribers in this new phase of the streaming wars. Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall sat down with the show’s two creators and a whole cast of other characters, including Benjamin Bratt and Chloë Sevigny, to talk about the murder mystery show collaboration and the two big brains behind it. If Poker Face is as wild as this profile it’s going to be great.
