Wednesday’s top tech news: Apple might make a touchscreen MacBook Pro – The Verge

Apple’s Music and TV apps for Windows are now available in preview

2023-01-11T19:14:33-05:00

Apple's Music and TV apps for Windows have made an appearance, with preview versions of the apps being spotted on the Microsoft Store by The Verifier (via MacRumors). Last October, Microsoft announced they were coming to the platform, letting users finally ditch the old iTunes app and Apple TV web player for native software that is closer to the experience embedded in macOS.

There's also a third preview of an app called Apple Devices, which is meant to let you manage and sync things like iPods and iPads - functionality that's currently handled by iTunes on Windows and Finder on the Mac. It also, apparently, contains some references to Reali …

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Google strikes back in search antitrust lawsuit

2023-01-11T17:42:13-05:00

Courts have unsealed Google's motion to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit over its search engine - one that could fracture a core Google service in order to increase online competition. In a motion for summary judgment filed on December 12th, the company argues that the complaint misrepresents its agreements with browser developers and Android phone makers, unfairly punishing its success. "Requiring Google not to compete vigorously - or requiring browser developers to alter their product designs and provide a worse experience for their customers," it says, "would turn competition law on its head."

The US Department of Justice and a coalition of …

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Google Meet emoji reactions are finally here

2023-01-11T17:26:35-05:00

Emoji reactions on Google Meet float up the left side of the screen and “burst” when multiple are used. | Image: Google Meet

Google is finally rolling out emoji reactions for Meet, something myself and other colleagues have been patiently waiting for since Google announced the feature last year. Now the video conferencing platform will let you silently send out reactions to colleagues during calls.

The emoji don't stay static like they do on Zoom, though. A line of reactions used during the call will instead float up the left side of the screen and will burst if multiple people use the same ones. Small emoji badges will also appear in the upper-left corner of your video tile, so you'll get to see who reacted with what. While I haven't gotten the chance to try it …

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Apple might finally make a touchscreen Mac

2023-01-11T16:36:27-05:00

An M2 MacBook Air with a screen that doesn’t respond to touch. | Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge

Apple is working on Macs with touchscreens, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. While it's uncertain whether the devices will actually come to market, Gurman says in a tweet that we could see a touchscreen MacBook Pro as early as 2025. The report also notes that the screens may use OLED technology, as opposed to the Mini LED displays that are currently in the 14- and 16-inch models.

The project seems to be in relatively early stages, with engineers being "actively engaged," according to the report. Gurman says that there are no final plans for launching touchscreen Macs and that plans could always change - we've seen Apple s …

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Meta Quest users can now track their heart rate in VR workouts

2023-01-11T16:34:39-05:00

Both heart rate and Android workout tracking integrations are necessary for VR fitness to become popular. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Meta is adding two new fitness-related features to the Meta Quest. The first is Health Connect integration, meaning Android users can finally sync their Quest workout data automatically. Perhaps more exciting for VR fitness buffs: you'll now be able to pair Bluetooth heart rate monitors and view your stats in real time.

Health Connect is Google's health API, which allows Android users to share health and fitness data between multiple apps and consolidate that information in one place. The integration means you can now link your Quest Move VR workouts to Google Fit without having to do anything. Meta enabled a similar integration with Apple …

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Apple’s MicroLED dream: what it means for the Apple Watch and beyond

2023-01-11T15:47:01-05:00

Apple is reportedly planning to build MicroLED displays into future Apple Watch models - either in 2024 or 2025, according to a January 10th report from Bloomberg. The move would continue Apple's progression toward using the company's own parts across its products without having to rely on components from outside suppliers. Another report from Mark Gurman just this week said that Apple is currently at work on an all-in-one chip that handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networking. The company's in-house silicon already powers the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.

With all of these efforts, the end goal for Apple is to have gre …

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Meta confirms it’s rescinded some full-time job offers

2023-01-11T13:57:23-05:00

At least 20 signed, full-time job offers were withdrawn by Meta | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

According to a report by TechCrunch, Meta confirmed reports it has revoked full-time job offers that were extended to some candidates. Meta hasn't commented on how many people or departments were affected by this action, but TechCrunch quotes a company spokesperson saying, "While this decision did not come lightly, it allows us to remain thoughtful as we readjust our hiring through 2023 to align with our highest-priority work."

A tweet from writer and software engineer Gergely Orosz claims that this action from Meta has affected at least 20 people that initially had offers to start in February. The tweet also points to a statement from Meta …

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The regulatory maze behind health tech vaporware

2023-01-11T13:00:00-05:00

Movano’s Evie Ring has been in the works for a while. It’s currently going through trials to get FDA clearance. | Image: Movano

Every year at CES, you'll see a lot of fascinating health tech concepts and prototypes - at-home urinary scanners, smartwatches that can noninvasively monitor blood sugar, and a wearable patch to prevent sexual dysfunction. And then, nothing ever seems to make it to market. Or if it does, it only happens years later, and often, the final product isn't nearly as capable as the initial pitch.

There are three letters why: FDA.

The Food and Drug Administration is meant to protect public health. One of the many ways it does that is by regulating medical devices. This is a good thing. When human health is on the line, you want medical technolo …

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Netflix adds the SAG Awards to its growing list of livestreams

2023-01-11T12:22:18-05:00

It’s a small but notable step into livestreaming. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Netflix will live stream the Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards beginning in 2024, the company announced on Wednesday. The news marks another push from Netflix into livestreaming, an effort that already includes a live Chris Rock comedy special on March 4th.

The annual SAG Awards recognize actors in movies and TV shows. While you won't catch this year's ceremony, the 29th iteration, directly on Netflix this year, Netflix is still involved with streaming it. Instead, you'll be able to watch the show, which takes place on February 26th at 8PM ET, on the company's YouTube channel. (You can see the full list of nominees on Deadline.) Next …

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Microsoft 365 Basic is a new $1.99 a month subscription with 100GB of storage and more

2023-01-11T12:00:00-05:00

Microsoft 365 is getting a Basic subscription later this month. | Image: Microsoft

Microsoft is introducing a new consumer tier to its Microsoft 365 subscription offerings. Priced at just $1.99 per month, Microsoft 365 Basic is designed to replace the 100GB OneDrive storage option with some extra features that sit in between the free option and the $6.99 a month Personal subscription.

Microsoft 365 Basic will be available worldwide on January 30th with 100GB of cloud storage, an ad-free Outlook web and mobile experience, and enhanced security features. The security features include data encryption for an Outlook mailbox, suspicious link checking, and virus / malware scanning for attachments. Existing OneDrive 100GB storag …

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