(BNS) Top 10 Tech Stories Of 2024 (On The Newsworthy Podcast)
Dec 14, 2024
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Brian McCullough, host of the Tech Meme Ride Home and author of 'How the Internet Happened,' dives into the top tech stories of 2024. He discusses the mixed reception of Apple Vision Pro and Meta's Ray-Bans revolutionizing smart glasses. The rise of AI, with NVIDIA's pivotal role, is explored alongside breakthroughs in quantum computing and self-driving tech. The geopolitical tech rivalry, particularly between the U.S. and China, takes center stage, while also examining the potential TikTok ban and evolving cryptocurrency landscape. McCullough offers a glimpse into the tech forecast for 2025.
The Apple Vision Pro's lack of market traction highlights a shift in consumer preferences towards practical, AI-integrated devices over bulky hardware.
AI's rapid growth is driven by substantial investments, yet profitability remains elusive amidst concerns that innovation may stall at theoretical limits.
Deep dives
The Rise and Struggles of Apple Vision Pro
The Apple Vision Pro, despite its initial hype at the beginning of 2024, has struggled to gain traction in the market. Reports suggest that fewer than 500,000 units were sold, and Apple has not made significant efforts to enhance consumer interest or clarify its direction for the product. In contrast, other companies like Meta have experienced better sales with smart glasses by focusing on more practical designs that integrate AI capabilities without requiring bulky hardware. This shift suggests a potential change in consumer preference toward lighter, more functional devices rather than heavily marketed yet underperforming products.
AI's Dominance and Financial Surge
AI continues to be a dominant driving force in the tech industry, with venture capitalists and major corporations investing vast amounts into developing new models and infrastructure. Despite the excitement surrounding breakthrough technologies such as ChatGPT, the actual profitability on the consumer side remains elusive, with few companies generating significant revenue. NVIDIA has emerged as a pivotal company in this space, becoming the most valuable worldwide due to its exclusive production of AI-related chips. However, there's growing concern that AI might be reaching a theoretical limit, necessitating innovative advancements rather than merely scaling existing models.
Geopolitical Tensions and Game Industry Woes
The ongoing tech wars between the U.S. and China intensify, as both sides impose restrictions regarding technology and resources, impacting major companies like Nvidia and TikTok. With potential bans and antitrust issues looming, the geopolitical landscape is rapidly changing and could significantly alter technological development directions. Concurrently, the gaming industry faced a severe downturn, marked by massive layoffs and massive failures, reflecting deeper hurdles from pandemic-era overexpansion and shifts in consumer engagement. However, anticipation builds for the release of major titles like a new Grand Theft Auto, which could potentially revitalize interest in gaming next year.