TechLinked Episode Summary: "Bendy Monitors, Invisible Cameras, Radeon RX 9070 + more @CES 2025!"
Release Date: December 31, 2024
Host: Linus Media Group
1. LG's Groundbreaking CES 2025 Announcements
Bendy OLED Monitor: At the heart of CES 2025, LG unveiled a revolutionary 45-inch bendable OLED monitor boasting an unprecedented resolution of 5120 x 2160. This innovative display has already secured three CES 2025 Innovation Awards prior to its official presentation.
“[00:28] B: LG has unveiled a bendable 45 inch OLED monitor at the apparently unprecedented resolution of 5120 x 2160.”
Smart Microwave with Integrated Display: In a surprising twist, LG also introduced a microwave featuring a built-in 27-inch display. This smart appliance allows users to monitor their food while multitasking, such as gaming or browsing product recommendations, directly from the kitchen.
“[00:28] B: The camera is apparently sensors built into the frame of a window reconstructing an image from the ambient light that hits it, which sounds just bonkers, but so does LG announcing a microwave with a built in 27 inch display so you can easily check on your food.”
2. AMD and Intel's Next-Gen GPU Strategies
AMD's Radeon RX9070 Launch: AMD surprised the tech community by announcing the Radeon RX9070, skipping the RX8000 series and aligning their naming strategy closer to Nvidia's conventions. The RX9070 is slated for a January release, with hopes high that existing supply chain strategies will mitigate impending tariffs.
“[00:28] B: AMD was also expected to unveil their next gen GPUs at CES, which were named the RX8000 series at some point, but multiple leaks now indicate that Instead of an RX8800, AMD will be announcing the RX9070, skipping a generation number and copying Nvidia's naming convention.”
Intel's Foray into Gaming GPUs: Intel isn't staying behind in the competitive GPU race. They are expected to launch another gaming-focused graphics card alongside the upcoming BattleMage powered Arc Pro GPU, which boasts a substantial 24 gigabytes of memory, aiming to attract both gamers and professionals.
“[00:28] B: Intel, a resurgent player in the desktop graphics card space, is expected to unveil another gaming focused card. But apparently they're also prepping a BattleMage powered Arc Pro GPU with 24 gigabytes of memory.”
3. OpenAI's Shift Towards a For-Profit Model
In a significant organizational change, OpenAI announced its transition into a predominantly for-profit entity with a non-profit subsidiary. This move restructures the company's governance and financial strategies, allowing it to balance shareholder interests alongside public benefit obligations.
“[00:28] B: OpenAI took the mask off on Friday and announced plans to transition into a mostly for profit organization with a bit of non profit on the side... the for profit arm will become a Delaware public benefit corporation, required to balance the interests of shareholders and the public, and the non profit will have shares in that company.”
This decision has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from figures like Elon Musk, who had previously opposed OpenAI's direction.
“[00:28] B: This is exactly what Elon Musk was trying to prevent when he filed an injunction against OpenAI in early December.”
4. Quick Bits
YouTube's New Floating Action Button: YouTube is experimenting with a floating action button in its Android app, designed to play a random video with a single tap. Initially tested with a simple black play button, the design has evolved to prompt users with “play something, play something, anything.”
“[00:28] B: YouTube is testing a new floating action button in the Android app... the button now says play something, play something, anything.”
Apple's Enhanced Visual Search in iOS 18: With the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced Enhanced Visual Search by default. This feature allows users to identify landmarks in photos by sending image data to Apple servers, raising privacy concerns despite Apple's assurances of data privacy.
“[00:28] B: IOS18 appears to enable a feature called Enhanced Visual Search by default... Apple says they do this privately, but it's a weird move for a privacy focused company like Apple.”
Advancements in Robotics: Nvidia's VP of Robotics, Deepu Tala, hinted at imminent breakthroughs in the field, comparing the current moment to the "ChatGPT moment" for robotics. Additionally, researchers from Stanford and Johns Hopkins demonstrated surgical robots capable of learning tasks by observing videos, marking a significant milestone in robotic autonomy.
“[00:28] B: Nvidia's VP of robotics, Deepu Tala, told the Financial Times this week that the ChatGPT moment for robotics is just around the corner.”
“[00:28] B: Researchers at Stanford and Johns Hopkins just demonstrated surgical robots learning to complete tasks simply by watching videos for the first time.”
Meta's Quest Headset Troubles: Meta is addressing issues with their Quest 2, 3, and 3S headsets, which have been plagued by software updates causing devices to become unusable. Initially suggesting replacements only for out-of-warranty units, Meta has shifted to offering free replacements regardless of warranty status.
“[00:28] B: Meta has figured out they should probably use some of their immense wealth to do something about the software update that has bricked some users Quest 2, 3 and 3S headsets for weeks.”
Conclusion: This episode of TechLinked provided a comprehensive overview of the latest developments showcased at CES 2025, strategic moves by leading GPU manufacturers AMD and Intel, significant organizational changes within OpenAI, and a variety of quick tech updates. From innovative display technologies and next-gen graphics cards to pivotal shifts in AI company structures and advancements in robotics, the episode encapsulated a wide spectrum of the current tech landscape.
For more tech news and updates, stay tuned to TechLinked with Linus Media Group.