Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review — Apple unveils iPhone Air, researchers allege Meta suppressed child online safety research, and Waymo gets competition
Sep 12, 2025
Joanna Stern, a senior personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal, shares insights on the tech landscape. She discusses Apple's unveiling of the iPhone 17 and its sleek iPhone Air variant, which boasts enhanced battery life and photography features. The conversation takes a turn as they examine Meta's controversial handling of child safety research in VR and its potential impact on young users. Lastly, they touch on the burgeoning competition in the autonomous vehicle market, particularly with Waymo, signaling a shift in transportation dynamics.
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Thin Phone Trade-Offs Matter
- Consumers still value thinner, lighter phones as a meaningful design shift rather than pure utility.
- Apple engineered trade-offs like single-camera and smaller battery to deliver a sleeker device.
Plan For Battery And Camera Compromises
- Expect compromises in battery life and camera capability when choosing ultra-thin phones.
- Use offered battery packs or adaptive software to mitigate reduced battery capacity.
iPhone 17 Tightens Entry-Level Value
- The new iPhone 17 at $799 signals Apple's push to make its entry model more compelling.
- Improved screens and selfie cameras make the $799 iPhone a stronger mainstream choice.