Tech News Weekly 410: Samsung's $1,799 Answer to Vision Pro

Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Micah Sargent, Emily Forlini
Guests: Jason Howell

Episode Overview

This week, Tech News Weekly delivers a jam-packed episode with a strong focus on AI-powered technology and immersive XR (extended reality) experiences. Featured topics include:

Microsoft Copilot’s “Maiko” AI avatar and new collaborative features
Amazon’s sweeping robotics initiative and new smart glasses for delivery drivers
Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy XR headset, a direct Vision Pro competitor

Guest experts Emily Forlini (PCMag, former Amazon engineer) and Jason Howell (ZDNet, YouTuber) join host Micah Sargent to explore tech's latest shifts—from the workplace to the future of wearables.

Microsoft Copilot’s AI Makeover: Meet “Maiko”

[02:07–16:31]

Key Points:

New Copilot Fall Feature Drop: Microsoft announces 12 new Copilot features. The star is “Maiko” (pronounced possibly either "Miko" or "Maiko"), an AI avatar and mascot.
Clippy Comparisons: Maiko is reminiscent of the now-iconic Clippy—except instead of being a tangible paperclip, Maiko is "a blob with undefined etches."
- Emily (03:01): “That's kind of how I feel about AI… Tech back then was tangible. Now this Maiko guy is like a blob.”
- Micah (03:28): “It's blob and it's... that's like the tech is sort of blobby. It's a little bit spaghetti project at times.”
Feature Standouts:
- Groups: Collaborative feature allowing up to 32 people to work together on Copilot projects—AI guides, takes notes, and nudges progress.
  - Emily (05:20): “You can invite up to 32 people... Copilot AI is taking notes, documenting next steps, kind of like nudging you along.”
  - Micah (06:00): “I have a feeling, game recognizes game here. We were the people in the group project who weren't fans of group projects because we ended up wanting to take on most of the work.”
- Google Integration: Copilot can now access Gmail and Google Docs—a bid to attract younger generations used to Google and Apple tools.
  - Emily (08:56): “They have so many corporate contracts... but those young people are starting startups... moving into the working world and they're not going to use Microsoft unless forced.”
  - Emily (08:57): “Copilot can look through your Gmail, look through your docs... they're kind of, you know, let's be open to the enemy. Bring them in.”
- Health Queries (with Caution): Copilot will answer health questions and help find doctors, but details on privacy or compliance (like HIPAA) are vague.
  - Emily (09:50): “This announcement is very much a buffet of AI... they elaborated on Maiko, the group project thing... but when it came to things like health and education, they just said it will answer questions about your health, it will help you find doctors.”
- Maiko’s Personality & Mood:
  - Maiko can appear in various modes (e.g., “Real Talk” companion), with its color changing according to conversation type.
  - Emily (11:19): “It's going to pop up. You're going to be able to talk to it... also sounds like a combo Clippy and a mood ring because its color will change.”
  - Emily (12:07): “Real Talk is kind of like your homegirl, your companion. Like Real Talk, you're going to talk about personal subjects and it's going to boost you up.”
- Voice Technology Skepticism: Despite advancements, both hosts and Emily question the adoption and desire for talking to AI with voice assistants.
  - Emily (13:39): “Voice tech is probably one of the biggest failures of the tech industry... It's still so much better to talk to a person.”
  - Micah (14:16): “There were times where I felt rushed… there’s a lot of pressure here. That's not how it works for the most part with humans.”
- Summary: The full buffet of new Copilot features is overwhelming—read the article for the deep dive.
  - Emily (16:05): “If you are a Copilot user, go check out the article and see all the new stuff... I can't choose for you.”

Amazon’s Future: Robots, Jobs & Delivery Tech

[16:31–34:37]

Amazon’s Massive Robotics Push

Leaked Docs: Amazon aims to automate 75% of operations—potentially eliminating or avoiding 600,000 jobs by 2033.
- Micah (20:53): “Its robotics team aims to automate 75% of its operations... potentially avoiding the need to hire 600,000 workers by 2033.”
First-Hand Warehouse Insight: Emily Forlini, former Amazon engineer, shares perspective.
- Emily (21:50): “I spent a week working in an Amazon warehouse as part of a program. One of my takeaways… it's so much walking. Like, we need robots.”
Seasonal Workforce Context: Many of these numbers likely relate to Amazon’s massive seasonal ramp-up challenge, hiring hundreds of thousands for Q4 alone.
- Emily (21:51): “They do a gigantic ramp up around the holidays, and they're just temporary... I wonder if this number, the 600,000, is focused on holiday.”
Document Disclaimers: Amazon claims the automation plan is internal to one team, not overall company policy.
- Micah (27:53): “Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the leaked documents reflect the perspective of just one team and do not represent the company's overall hiring strategy.”
Internal Cost Pressures: Andy Jassy's leadership brings more focus on profitability vs ubiquitous expansion.
- Emily (32:24): “Andy Jassy took over for Jeff Bezos because he used to lead AWS...Amazon retail.com is always in the green and the red... but it exists because it can mooch off AWS. Now Jassy is leading the whole thing. He's like, I'm the profit guy.”
Automation Language Spin:
- Amazon instructs teams to avoid terms like “automation” and “robot.” Preferred terms: “advanced technology” and “cobot.”
  - Micah (30:33): “Replace robot with cobot. So the idea is that the robot is collaborating with the human and therefore is not replacing the human.”
  - Emily (30:33): “Reminds me of... the Last of Us... They didn't allow anybody to say the word zombie… you had to say infected.”

Key Quote:
Emily (27:07): “When you present any paper at Amazon, you have to quantify the impact. You cannot present a paper without a quantified impact. Someone probably just did the math... May or may not be true, may or may not pan out.”

Amazon’s Smart Glasses for Drivers

[59:03–?]

Emerging Delivery Tech: Amazon’s custom AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers introduce heads-up navigation, package scanning, hazard alerts, emergency buttons, and prescription lens support.
Hands-Free Efficiency & Safety:
- Minimizes need for checking handheld phones, making navigation and proof-of-delivery photo capture seamless.
- Glasses only activate at delivery locations, keeping distraction minimal.
- Test driver quote (Micah quoting): “I felt safer the whole time because the glasses have the info right in my field of view.”
Comfort & Privacy:
- Lightweight controller, swappable batteries, emergency button—a design focused on comfortable all-day wear.
- Open questions remain about whether drivers can remove glasses during breaks and overall privacy with always-on surveillance.
Logistical Impact:
- Particularly useful for complex deliveries (e.g. apartments).
- Upcoming features could include real-time alert if a package is delivered to the wrong address, and auto-light adjustment.

Samsung Galaxy XR Headset: A New Vision

[40:39–58:46]
Guest: Jason Howell

The Launch

$1,799 Price: Targets the high-end market, offering a price point beneath Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro.
- Jason (41:01): “Now we have the headset, eighteen hundred dollars so definitely kind of undercuts the price on the Apple Vision Pro while kind of keeping locked into a lot of what the Apple Vision Pro promises.”
What’s New: This is the culmination of “Project Muhan”—a Samsung/Google partnership. First device running Google’s Android XR OS with Gemini AI integration at the core.

Hardware & User Experience

Refined Design: Sleek hardware, metallic touches, comfortable fit; not dramatically changed from year-old prototypes.
- Jason (43:14): “Very similar… really well designed, nice metallic touches, very rounded and sleek.”
Gemini Integration:
- Voice assistant always aware of context, using passthrough cameras, eye/facial tracking.
- Jason (43:14): “They made a very strong point to say this is the first OS built with Gemini AI integrated at the core, not just tacked on.”
Impressive Demo:
- Auto-spatialization of any 2D video (upcoming feature).
- Jason (46:20): “I picked a broadcast NBA game... When you turn the mode on, it... snaps that video into spatialized... Is it perfect? No, but it's pretty darn good from what I saw.”

The XR “Use Case” and Glasses Future

Pass-through AI Potential:
- In-headset AI could walk you through real world tasks, but the form factor is still too bulky for everyday “real world” use.
  - Jason (48:20): “It's pretty silly to think anybody's going to go out into the world wearing it... but you can see how this proves the case for smart glasses that do this.”
- Smart glasses with contextual overlays will be the future; current headset is a glimpse of what's coming.
Software & Ecosystem:
- Samsung Galaxy XR runs on Android XR, leveraging decades of Android app development.
- Unclear how quickly a dedicated "Made for XR" ecosystem will develop.
  - Jason (56:16): “The beauty... is we do have the entire history of Android apps... Will they be designed for this headset? Will they be spatialized?... It's an uphill battle.”
Ecosystem Lock-In?
- Unlike Apple Vision Pro, initial indications suggest Galaxy XR is more open for non-Samsung users—but clear value may depend on Android integration and future developer support.

Key Quote:
Jason (53:09): “Using this device made me really hopeful and really excited for the next phase of smart glasses. This is actually very cool, but I'm not going to wear this huge thing in order to do some of these things. But if this is in a pair of glasses ... that's incredibly powerful.”

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

“Blobby Tech” Metaphor: (03:28, Micah)
- “The tech is sort of blobby. It's a little bit spaghetti project at times... peanut butter all over the sandwich.”
On Amazon's Language Spin: (30:33, Micah quoting guidance)
- “Replace robot with cobot. So the idea is that the robot is collaborating with the human and therefore is not replacing the human.”
Apple vs Samsung Culture: (56:16–58:25, Jason)
- “Are developers going to be compelled, motivated enough to create really wonderful, curated experiences that are perfect for this type of hardware?... I think it's an uphill battle.”

Important Segment Timestamps

[02:07] – Microsoft Copilot Fall Feature Drop (Maiko, Groups, Google Integration)
[09:13] – Copilot & Health Queries
[11:19] – Maiko as Assistant/Mascot, Mood Features
[13:39] – Skepticism of Voice Tech Adoption
[16:31] – Amazon's Automation Leaked Documents (robotics, job impact)
[20:53] – Emily Forlini’s Firsthand Warehouse Experiences
[27:53] – Amazon PR Response on Leaked Docs
[30:33] – Amazon’s “Cobot” Language Policy
[32:24] – Andy Jassy’s Profit Focus
[40:39] – Jason Howell on Samsung Galaxy XR Headset
[43:14] – How Galaxy XR Evolved
[46:20] – Auto-Spatialization Demo
[53:09] – Smart Glasses vs Headset Philosophy
[56:16] – Galaxy XR Software, Developer Ecosystem
[59:03] – Amazon’s Smart Glasses for Delivery Drivers

Summary

This episode offers a comprehensive look at how tech giants are pushing the boundaries of AI, automation, and immersive hardware—balancing innovation, practical utility, ecosystem lock-in, and real-world complexity. Insightful commentary from industry insiders and actual end users, along with a healthy dash of skepticism, make this a must-listen for anyone interested in where the next decade of consumer and enterprise tech is heading.

Tech News Weekly 410: Samsung's $1,799 Answer to Vision Pro

Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Micah Sargent, Emily Forlini
Guests: Jason Howell

Episode Overview

This week, Tech News Weekly delivers a jam-packed episode with a strong focus on AI-powered technology and immersive XR (extended reality) experiences. Featured topics include:

Microsoft Copilot’s “Maiko” AI avatar and new collaborative features
Amazon’s sweeping robotics initiative and new smart glasses for delivery drivers
Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy XR headset, a direct Vision Pro competitor

Guest experts Emily Forlini (PCMag, former Amazon engineer) and Jason Howell (ZDNet, YouTuber) join host Micah Sargent to explore tech's latest shifts—from the workplace to the future of wearables.

Microsoft Copilot’s AI Makeover: Meet “Maiko”

[02:07–16:31]

Key Points:

New Copilot Fall Feature Drop: Microsoft announces 12 new Copilot features. The star is “Maiko” (pronounced possibly either "Miko" or "Maiko"), an AI avatar and mascot.
Clippy Comparisons: Maiko is reminiscent of the now-iconic Clippy—except instead of being a tangible paperclip, Maiko is "a blob with undefined etches."
- Emily (03:01): “That's kind of how I feel about AI… Tech back then was tangible. Now this Maiko guy is like a blob.”
- Micah (03:28): “It's blob and it's... that's like the tech is sort of blobby. It's a little bit spaghetti project at times.”
Feature Standouts:
- Groups: Collaborative feature allowing up to 32 people to work together on Copilot projects—AI guides, takes notes, and nudges progress.
  - Emily (05:20): “You can invite up to 32 people... Copilot AI is taking notes, documenting next steps, kind of like nudging you along.”
  - Micah (06:00): “I have a feeling, game recognizes game here. We were the people in the group project who weren't fans of group projects because we ended up wanting to take on most of the work.”
- Google Integration: Copilot can now access Gmail and Google Docs—a bid to attract younger generations used to Google and Apple tools.
  - Emily (08:56): “They have so many corporate contracts... but those young people are starting startups... moving into the working world and they're not going to use Microsoft unless forced.”
  - Emily (08:57): “Copilot can look through your Gmail, look through your docs... they're kind of, you know, let's be open to the enemy. Bring them in.”
- Health Queries (with Caution): Copilot will answer health questions and help find doctors, but details on privacy or compliance (like HIPAA) are vague.
  - Emily (09:50): “This announcement is very much a buffet of AI... they elaborated on Maiko, the group project thing... but when it came to things like health and education, they just said it will answer questions about your health, it will help you find doctors.”
- Maiko’s Personality & Mood:
  - Maiko can appear in various modes (e.g., “Real Talk” companion), with its color changing according to conversation type.
  - Emily (11:19): “It's going to pop up. You're going to be able to talk to it... also sounds like a combo Clippy and a mood ring because its color will change.”
  - Emily (12:07): “Real Talk is kind of like your homegirl, your companion. Like Real Talk, you're going to talk about personal subjects and it's going to boost you up.”
- Voice Technology Skepticism: Despite advancements, both hosts and Emily question the adoption and desire for talking to AI with voice assistants.
  - Emily (13:39): “Voice tech is probably one of the biggest failures of the tech industry... It's still so much better to talk to a person.”
  - Micah (14:16): “There were times where I felt rushed… there’s a lot of pressure here. That's not how it works for the most part with humans.”
- Summary: The full buffet of new Copilot features is overwhelming—read the article for the deep dive.
  - Emily (16:05): “If you are a Copilot user, go check out the article and see all the new stuff... I can't choose for you.”

Amazon’s Future: Robots, Jobs & Delivery Tech

[16:31–34:37]

Amazon’s Massive Robotics Push

Leaked Docs: Amazon aims to automate 75% of operations—potentially eliminating or avoiding 600,000 jobs by 2033.
- Micah (20:53): “Its robotics team aims to automate 75% of its operations... potentially avoiding the need to hire 600,000 workers by 2033.”
First-Hand Warehouse Insight: Emily Forlini, former Amazon engineer, shares perspective.
- Emily (21:50): “I spent a week working in an Amazon warehouse as part of a program. One of my takeaways… it's so much walking. Like, we need robots.”
Seasonal Workforce Context: Many of these numbers likely relate to Amazon’s massive seasonal ramp-up challenge, hiring hundreds of thousands for Q4 alone.
- Emily (21:51): “They do a gigantic ramp up around the holidays, and they're just temporary... I wonder if this number, the 600,000, is focused on holiday.”
Document Disclaimers: Amazon claims the automation plan is internal to one team, not overall company policy.
- Micah (27:53): “Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the leaked documents reflect the perspective of just one team and do not represent the company's overall hiring strategy.”
Internal Cost Pressures: Andy Jassy's leadership brings more focus on profitability vs ubiquitous expansion.
- Emily (32:24): “Andy Jassy took over for Jeff Bezos because he used to lead AWS...Amazon retail.com is always in the green and the red... but it exists because it can mooch off AWS. Now Jassy is leading the whole thing. He's like, I'm the profit guy.”
Automation Language Spin:
- Amazon instructs teams to avoid terms like “automation” and “robot.” Preferred terms: “advanced technology” and “cobot.”
  - Micah (30:33): “Replace robot with cobot. So the idea is that the robot is collaborating with the human and therefore is not replacing the human.”
  - Emily (30:33): “Reminds me of... the Last of Us... They didn't allow anybody to say the word zombie… you had to say infected.”

Amazon’s Smart Glasses for Drivers

[59:03–?]

Emerging Delivery Tech: Amazon’s custom AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers introduce heads-up navigation, package scanning, hazard alerts, emergency buttons, and prescription lens support.
Hands-Free Efficiency & Safety:
- Minimizes need for checking handheld phones, making navigation and proof-of-delivery photo capture seamless.
- Glasses only activate at delivery locations, keeping distraction minimal.
- Test driver quote (Micah quoting): “I felt safer the whole time because the glasses have the info right in my field of view.”
Comfort & Privacy:
- Lightweight controller, swappable batteries, emergency button—a design focused on comfortable all-day wear.
- Open questions remain about whether drivers can remove glasses during breaks and overall privacy with always-on surveillance.
Logistical Impact:
- Particularly useful for complex deliveries (e.g. apartments).
- Upcoming features could include real-time alert if a package is delivered to the wrong address, and auto-light adjustment.

Samsung Galaxy XR Headset: A New Vision

[40:39–58:46]
Guest: Jason Howell

The Launch

$1,799 Price: Targets the high-end market, offering a price point beneath Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro.
- Jason (41:01): “Now we have the headset, eighteen hundred dollars so definitely kind of undercuts the price on the Apple Vision Pro while kind of keeping locked into a lot of what the Apple Vision Pro promises.”
What’s New: This is the culmination of “Project Muhan”—a Samsung/Google partnership. First device running Google’s Android XR OS with Gemini AI integration at the core.

Hardware & User Experience

Refined Design: Sleek hardware, metallic touches, comfortable fit; not dramatically changed from year-old prototypes.
- Jason (43:14): “Very similar… really well designed, nice metallic touches, very rounded and sleek.”
Gemini Integration:
- Voice assistant always aware of context, using passthrough cameras, eye/facial tracking.
- Jason (43:14): “They made a very strong point to say this is the first OS built with Gemini AI integrated at the core, not just tacked on.”
Impressive Demo:
- Auto-spatialization of any 2D video (upcoming feature).
- Jason (46:20): “I picked a broadcast NBA game... When you turn the mode on, it... snaps that video into spatialized... Is it perfect? No, but it's pretty darn good from what I saw.”

The XR “Use Case” and Glasses Future

Pass-through AI Potential:
- In-headset AI could walk you through real world tasks, but the form factor is still too bulky for everyday “real world” use.
  - Jason (48:20): “It's pretty silly to think anybody's going to go out into the world wearing it... but you can see how this proves the case for smart glasses that do this.”
- Smart glasses with contextual overlays will be the future; current headset is a glimpse of what's coming.
Software & Ecosystem:
- Samsung Galaxy XR runs on Android XR, leveraging decades of Android app development.
- Unclear how quickly a dedicated "Made for XR" ecosystem will develop.
  - Jason (56:16): “The beauty... is we do have the entire history of Android apps... Will they be designed for this headset? Will they be spatialized?... It's an uphill battle.”
Ecosystem Lock-In?
- Unlike Apple Vision Pro, initial indications suggest Galaxy XR is more open for non-Samsung users—but clear value may depend on Android integration and future developer support.

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

“Blobby Tech” Metaphor: (03:28, Micah)
- “The tech is sort of blobby. It's a little bit spaghetti project at times... peanut butter all over the sandwich.”
On Amazon's Language Spin: (30:33, Micah quoting guidance)
- “Replace robot with cobot. So the idea is that the robot is collaborating with the human and therefore is not replacing the human.”
Apple vs Samsung Culture: (56:16–58:25, Jason)
- “Are developers going to be compelled, motivated enough to create really wonderful, curated experiences that are perfect for this type of hardware?... I think it's an uphill battle.”

Important Segment Timestamps

[02:07] – Microsoft Copilot Fall Feature Drop (Maiko, Groups, Google Integration)
[09:13] – Copilot & Health Queries
[11:19] – Maiko as Assistant/Mascot, Mood Features
[13:39] – Skepticism of Voice Tech Adoption
[16:31] – Amazon's Automation Leaked Documents (robotics, job impact)
[20:53] – Emily Forlini’s Firsthand Warehouse Experiences
[27:53] – Amazon PR Response on Leaked Docs
[30:33] – Amazon’s “Cobot” Language Policy
[32:24] – Andy Jassy’s Profit Focus
[40:39] – Jason Howell on Samsung Galaxy XR Headset
[43:14] – How Galaxy XR Evolved
[46:20] – Auto-Spatialization Demo
[53:09] – Smart Glasses vs Headset Philosophy
[56:16] – Galaxy XR Software, Developer Ecosystem
[59:03] – Amazon’s Smart Glasses for Delivery Drivers

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Tech News Weekly 410: Samsung's $1,799 Answer to Vision Pro

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Summary

Tech News Weekly 410: Samsung's $1,799 Answer to Vision Pro

Episode Overview

Microsoft Copilot’s AI Makeover: Meet “Maiko”

Key Points:

Amazon’s Future: Robots, Jobs & Delivery Tech

Amazon’s Massive Robotics Push

Amazon’s Smart Glasses for Drivers

Samsung Galaxy XR Headset: A New Vision

The Launch

Hardware & User Experience

The XR “Use Case” and Glasses Future

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Further Reading & Follow the Guests

Summary

Summary

Tech News Weekly 410: Samsung's $1,799 Answer to Vision Pro

Episode Overview

Microsoft Copilot’s AI Makeover: Meet “Maiko”

Key Points:

Amazon’s Future: Robots, Jobs & Delivery Tech

Amazon’s Massive Robotics Push

Amazon’s Smart Glasses for Drivers

Samsung Galaxy XR Headset: A New Vision

The Launch

Hardware & User Experience

The XR “Use Case” and Glasses Future

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Further Reading & Follow the Guests

Summary