Michael Simon, staff writer for PC World, discusses Apple's 11.3 iOS announcement, as well as the HomePod which is now available for pre-order. He also explores what China's first ever annual decline in phone shipments could mean.
Simon says iOS 11.3 will finally allow users to check the health of their batteries, a growing issue for customers. The iOS 11.3 will also offer new Animojis. Apple says the update is due out this spring.
Simon also discusses Apple's new HomePod, now available for pre-order. While the company has a loyal following of people who will definitely purchase the product, he doesn't see most people paying $349 when Amazon's Echo is just $99. Concerning China's decline in phone shipments, Simon says Americans will always buy new phones for new features, but China is a different market and Apple will need to learn how to adjust.
Cann, a cannabis-infused beverage company, announced today a $27 million Series A funding round from existing investors like Imaginary Ventures and a roster of new celebrity investors including Nina Dobrev, Adam Devine, Zoey Deutch, Jordan Cooper, Sara Foster, and Rosario Dawson. Cann is also announcing its first international expansion with the brand's launch in Canada. Jake Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Cann, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Soul Machines is a company that creates autonomously animated digital people in the metaverse and the digital worlds of today. The startup based in New Zealand recently raised the equivalent of $70 million USD, in a funding round led by Softbank's Vision Fund 2. Soul Machines says it helps to bring digital workforces to life for some of the biggest brands in the world, and creates digital twins of celebrities to reimagine the future of digital entertainment. Greg Cross, co-founder and CBO of Soul Machines, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
By 2050, nuclear power share of total energy consumption will dip to just 3.7% down from the already measly 4.5% it is today, according to the U. S. Energy Information Administration. However, a group of world powers including the U.S. and Japan is looking to reverse the trend. John Kotek, SVP of Policy Development and Public Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute, joined Cheddar News to discuss.
A new startup says they are about to take A.I.-generated voices up a notch by giving the tool the ability to feel much more real. Zeena Qureshi, CEO of Sonantic, joined Cheddar News to discuss further.
The end of 3G is upon us. On Tuesday, AT&T became the first major provider to disable its 3G services, and T-Mobile and Verizon plan to follow suit later this year. The shutdowns are expected to impact millions of vehicles that use 3G networks for updates, remote connection, and certain emergency and convenience features. Lance Ulanoff, the U.S. Editor-in-Chief of TechRadar, joined Cheddar's Closing Bell to discuss the ramifications of the changeover.
