Apple's latest iPad Mini steals the spotlight with enticing new specs just in time for holiday shopping. Spotify is shaking things up by expanding its music video feature into 85 more markets. The discussion touches on evolving social media innovations, including Instagram's fresh profile cards. Meanwhile, Google's venture into nuclear energy and insights on the electric vehicle boom in China capture attention. Light-hearted banter accompanies reviews of the Oura Smart Ring and Sonos soundbar, rounding out a lively tech conversation.
Apple's new iPad Mini features the A17 Pro chip and doubles storage capacity, highlighting its appeal for creative users despite size skepticism.
Spotify's testing of music videos in 85 markets aims to enhance its platform's multimedia appeal and compete against video streaming giants like YouTube.
Deep dives
Apple Unveils New iPad Mini
Apple has introduced a new version of the iPad Mini, marking its first upgrade since 2021. The device is powered by the A17 Pro chip, which enhances performance and supports the Apple Pencil Pro, catering to those who prefer smaller devices for creative tasks. With a base storage capacity of 128 gigabytes, this model offers double the previous version, and it is available in new color options, blue and purple. Although the iPad Mini has a small but dedicated user base, some consumers remain skeptical about the necessity of its size given the proximity to larger iPhones.
Spotify Expands Music Video Features
Spotify is testing the integration of music videos in 85 additional markets, enhancing its platform's appeal beyond just audio streaming. Users will have the capability to watch music videos on both mobile and desktop, switching seamlessly between video and audio playback. This test follows a successful rollout in 11 countries, aiming to provide an engaging experience similar to that of platforms like YouTube. The move positions Spotify to compete more effectively in the video streaming space, offering subscribers a richer multimedia experience.
Emerging Trends in Electric Vehicle Sales
Global sales of electric vehicles showed remarkable growth, increasing by 30.5% year over year in September. China led this surge with an impressive rise of 47.9%, setting a new sales record after previous declines. Meanwhile, sales in Europe are also rebounding, while North America experiences slower growth, with the U.S. and Canada both seeing an increase of 4.3%. These figures highlight the ongoing demand for electric vehicles, particularly amid the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive technologies and consumer preferences.
New Developments in Google Shopping and Data Centers
Google is enhancing its shopping experience with new features that include generated summaries and personalized deals based on user preferences for various products. Additionally, the company has committed to purchasing power from seven newly planned nuclear reactors, aligning its data centers with sustainable energy sources. These smaller reactors, utilizing molten fluoride salt as a coolant, represent a shift towards more efficient cooling methods and aim to address environmental concerns. This initiative demonstrates Google's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint while supporting the growth of nuclear energy in the tech sector.
Apple has revealed a new iPad Mini with updated specs. But they’re not alone. A number of companies have announced new or updated products just in the time for the holiday gift buying season. Plus Spotify said it is testing bringing music videos to 85 more markets. And a roundup of the latest news surrounding Google.
Starring Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, Roger Chang, Joe.