The Tech Landscape #109 🇺🇸
The bible’s Psalm 109 contains pleas for many curses against someone who has wronged the author. These include “let his days be few; and let another take his office”, which was often quoted by religious critics of Barack Obama; there was some debate as to whether this meant he should not be re-elected, or he should be killed.
A comparatively quiet week, as the Americans celebrated their rash decision to declare independence from Britain.
Assistants & Voice
Amazon announced a new release of Alexa Presentation Language (APL), used to build rich graphics for Alexa devices with screens. The release includes animations, a cross-device design system, and better developer tools.
developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/046ed81c-56fa-4c32-94a7-77dc81dcd498/introducing-alexa-presentation-language-1-1-beta-animation-improved-tools-and-the-alexa-design-system
An estimated 23 million smart speakers will have been sold in Europe by the end of this year, according to new analysis by IDC. While Google shipped more units than Amazon in the first quarter of this year, Amazon still has the larger market share.
idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prEUR145337319
Baidu announced the latest version of its digital assistant, DuerOS 5.0; it brings smarter, continuous conversation without repeated use of wake words. It also announced three new smart speakers: ‘King Kong’, with built-in projector and IR remote, the battery-powered 1C4G, and a Play version for younger people.
voicebot.ai/2019/07/03/baidu-upgrades-dueros-voice-platform-and-hits-400m-device-milestone/
Social
Instagram launched a new sticker for Stories which invites users into a group chat. It’s intended for planning events and trips.
9to5mac.com/2019/07/02/instagram-chat-sticker/
Amazon’s Games-focused video streaming platform Twitch has acquired Bebo, the pre-Facebook social media platform that was once more popular than MySpace (ask your parents) in the UK.
techcrunch.com/2019/06/18/amazon-twitch-bebo-esports/
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is investigating TikTok for potentially violating GDPR in the way it handles the protection of child users.
engadget.com/2019/07/02/tiktok-investigated-uk-child-safety/
Everything Else
People in San Francisco can get more information about street art by using Google Lens to scan it. It’s a partnership between Google and local startup Wescover. I keep hearing that Lens will be opened up to more brand partners, I can’t wait to try it.
businesswire.com/news/home/20190702005380/en/Wescover-Google-Lens-Change-Discover-Art-Designs
iOS 13 will have a new option in FaceTime to artificially manipulate callers’ eyes, making it appear as if they’re looking directly at the camera.
theverge.com/2019/7/3/20680681/ios-13-beta-3-facetime-attention-correction-eye-contact
Vodafone launched its 5G network in seven UK cities, and announced new unlimited data plans with no extra cost for 5G.
uk.reuters.com/article/us-vodafone-5g-britain/vodafone-launches-5g-in-britain-with-unlimited-data-plans-idUKKCN1TY2EC
The Firefox browser will launch a new subscription package which provides ad-free browsing on partner websites for $5 per month. Details of partners are yet to be revealed.
theverge.com/2019/7/5/20683059/mozilla-news-subscription-service-ad-free-scroll-price
The EA Sports FIFA 19 Global Series esports tournament earned 61 million total views, setting a new viewing record.
sportindustry.biz/news/fifa-19-global-series-breaks-viewing-records
The US state of California has passed a new law to force bots to disclose that they are artificial when being used to sell products or influence voting.
newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/will-californias-new-bot-law-strengthen-democracy
Uber Eats is testing a new service which lets you pre-order food from a restaurant then go there to eat it, skipping queues and not having to wait around for it to be prepared. I don’t really get it, but maybe I don’t go to places where it’s useful.
techcrunch.com/2019/07/02/uber-dine-in/