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.
With platforms like Starz, Netflix, and Amazon paving the way, there are indications that 2021 could be a turning point in diversifying television, in front of and behind the camera.
KoBold Metals announced a partnership with Stanford University to improve mineral mining efficiency while also receiving investments from major players in the climate space such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures overseen by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.
The U.S. Postal Service says it has chosen Oshkosh Defense to build its next-generation mail-delivery vehicle.
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence concluded its hearing on the massive SolarWinds hack.
Facebook says it will lift a ban on Australians viewing and sharing news on its platform after it struck a deal with the government on proposed legislation that would make digital giants pay for journalism.
Advertising analytics company DoubleVerify found in a report that there was a 21 percent increase in "inflammatory news and political content" on websites following January 6.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) discussed the need for stronger cybersecurity measures for the U.S. prior to the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on the SolarWinds data breaches in 2020.
A bone cancer survivor who's now a physician assistant will join a billionaire on SpaceX's first private spaceflight this fall.
Owlet Baby Care has announced its merger with Sandbridge Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company.
Boeing has recommended that airlines ground all 777s with the type of engine that blew apart after takeoff from Denver this weekend, and most carriers that fly those planes said they would temporarily pull them from service.
