Podcast Summary
Tesla's Cybertruck Delivery Event Uncertainties: Despite uncertainties about Tesla's Cybertruck delivery event, the tech world looks forward to new innovations and updates from YouTube, Apple, and OnePlus.
During this episode of the Waveform podcast, Marquez shared some exciting news about Tesla's upcoming cyber truck delivery event, which is set to take place on November 30th in Austin, Texas. However, there are still some uncertainties, such as the exact number of deliveries and whether picking up the truck counts as a delivery or not. Meanwhile, the hosts discussed new tech and updates, including new features on YouTube, a new Apple pencil, and the new OnePlus phone. Additionally, they talked about the hype surrounding the Analog N64, a handheld device that can play both micro SD card games and old Nintendo 64 cartridges using FPGA technology. Despite some companies' past misdeeds, the hosts acknowledged their ability to forget and move on to new innovations. Overall, the podcast covered various tech-related topics and provided insights into upcoming events.
N64's Modern Comeback with 4K, X-rays, and Ray Tracing: Analog is reviving the N64 console with advanced features including 4K resolution, X-rays, and ray tracing for enhanced gameplay experience of iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and Super Smash Bros, set to release in 2024.
Analog, a company known for creating modernized versions of classic gaming consoles, is developing a new N64 console. This updated version, which will be released in 2024, will feature 4K resolution, X-rays, and ray tracing, making the games look significantly better than their original counterparts. The N64 was a significant console in gaming history, with iconic titles like Super Mario 64, Super Smash Bros, Earthworm Jim, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time being released during its era. The price and design details of the new console have not been announced yet. Despite the lack of information, there is excitement surrounding the release, as many gamers are looking forward to experiencing these classic titles with improved graphics.
Nostalgia and New Gaming Devices: A unique Genesis controller with three handles sparked nostalgia, while the Analog Pocket sold out quickly, and Apple Pencil's new USB-C port was discussed, but no new product announcement was made yet.
The discussion revolved around various gaming controllers, both old and new, and the nostalgia factor associated with them. One of the controllers mentioned was an unidentified Genesis controller with an unusual design, featuring three handles. Another topic was the Analog Pocket, a handheld gaming device, which sold out within minutes of its release in all clear colors. The conversation also touched upon Apple's new Apple Pencil, which features a new USB-C port but no pressure sensitivity. Apple was expected to announce a new product, but the recording was done on a Tuesday, and if an announcement occurred, the episode would be re-recorded. Overall, the discussion showcased the excitement and nostalgia surrounding gaming and technology.
Apple introduces a new, more affordable Apple Pencil with USB-C charging: Apple unveils a cheaper Apple Pencil with USB-C charging but fewer features, hinting at a new baseline iPad and USB-C transition for the entire lineup.
Apple has announced a new, more affordable Apple Pencil with USB-C charging, but it comes with fewer features compared to the current second-generation Apple Pencil. This move suggests that Apple is transitioning its entire lineup to USB-C and may soon release a new baseline iPad that is also USB-C compatible. The new Apple Pencil is priced at $79, making it cheaper than the current Lightning Apple Pencil, which costs $99 due to its pressure sensitivity feature. The new Apple Pencil also lacks double tap functionality to change tools and engravings. The confusing naming of the Apple Pencil models may lead to confusion for consumers during holiday shopping. To simplify, Apple should consider renaming the high-end Apple Pencil as Apple Pencil Pro and selling a dongle for the first-generation Apple Pencil.
YouTube introduces stable volume toggle for improved listening experience: YouTube's new stable volume toggle normalizes volume levels across videos for a consistent listening experience, reducing sudden volume changes and enhancing overall comfort on mobile devices.
YouTube is rolling out numerous new features to enhance the user experience, including a stable volume toggle that automatically normalizes volume levels across videos for a more consistent listening experience. This feature aims to reduce sudden volume changes and improve overall watching and listening comfort on mobile devices. The stable volume toggle is currently being rolled out and can be manually turned on or off. It's unclear if the toggle will be automatically activated for videos with significant volume fluctuations, but it's a welcome addition for viewers who have struggled with inconsistent volume levels while watching YouTube content. Additionally, the podcast discussed their thoughts on Apple's recent press release for the new M1 chip, expressing surprise that it wasn't announced during an event and sharing their opinions on the new features presented.
New YouTube features for faster and more convenient viewing: YouTube introduces automatic playback speed increase, larger video previews, and search-by-voice or song feature to make content consumption more efficient and enjoyable
YouTube is continually improving user experience by introducing features borrowed from other platforms, such as TikTok. One of these features is the ability to automatically increase playback speed by holding down on the video player. This allows viewers to consume content faster, making it more convenient for those with less time. Another feature is larger previews while seeking through a video, which makes it easier to find specific parts of longer videos. Additionally, YouTube is testing a search-by-voice or song feature, which uses AI to match the sound of a song being hummed or sung to find the original recording. Overall, these updates aim to make YouTube a more efficient and enjoyable platform for users.
YouTube's new features: Interactive voice recognition and visual cues: YouTube is working on new features like voice recognition, visual cues for interactions, and animations to make video watching more interactive and engaging.
YouTube is developing new features to enhance the video watching experience, potentially including voice recognition and visual cues for interactions like liking and subscribing. The features might leverage audio hashing technology similar to the copyright ID system, allowing users to find videos based on songs or voices. The voice tab's functionality is unclear, but it could involve impressions or specific phrases. Additionally, YouTube may introduce animations that react to creators' requests for likes and subscribes, and top comments may rotate for easier scanning. These features aim to make the video watching experience more interactive and engaging.
Real-time view counts on YouTube: YouTube now displays real-time view counts with a slight delay to ensure accuracy, creating a sense of community and encouraging viewers to join in the viewing experience.
YouTube is now displaying real-time view counts for videos, but with a slight delay. This is a change from the past when view counts would stop updating after reaching a certain point and then resume once YouTube verified the authenticity of the views. This delay is likely due to YouTube's efforts to ensure the accuracy of the view count data. The public view count and the real-time analytics data that creators see may not match exactly, but both will update continuously without requiring a page refresh. YouTube's goal with this change is to create a sense of community and excitement around videos by showing viewers the real-time increase in view counts and encouraging them to join in the viewing experience. This feature is reminiscent of the real-time upvote counters on platforms like Reddit, which can influence user behavior. Overall, this update represents YouTube's ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience and create a more engaging and interactive platform for creators and viewers alike.
Discovering Community on YouTube through Real-Time Feature: The real-time feature on YouTube from 2012 brought a sense of connection and community to users by displaying others' usernames in real time, leading to new discoveries and potential interactions.
YouTube's real-time feature from around 2012, which displayed the usernames of others watching the same video in real time, brings a sense of connection and nostalgia for users. This feature added an element of community to the platform, allowing users to interact and discover new connections based on shared interests. The speaker even went on to find his first subscriber on YouTube, leading to an interesting discovery and potential interview opportunity. This feature, though no longer available, serves as a reminder of the evolution of YouTube and the impact it has had on users' lives. The shared experience of watching videos and seeing others' usernames in real time created a unique moment in internet culture.
Experimenting with Lightweight Versions and Expandable Memory: YouTube introduced a faster browsing experience with a lightweight version, while the N64 brought expandable memory to its controllers, showcasing their continuous innovation beyond their main features.
Both the N64 and YouTube had significant innovations that went beyond their most notable features. In 2009, YouTube experimented with a lightweight version of their site, while the N64 introduced a smartphone feature to its controllers in 1997. The YouTube feature, called an experimental lightweight version, was an alternative to the standard site and provided a faster browsing experience. The N64, on the other hand, was known for its 64-bit 3D graphics, but it also introduced expandable memory to its controllers, making it easier for users to store and access games. These innovations show that both the N64 and YouTube pushed boundaries in their respective fields, offering more than just their most prominent features. Additionally, during the discussion, the hosts touched on the topic of folding phones, specifically the OnePlus Open, which is OnePlus's first entry into the folding phone market. The OnePlus Open features a 6.3 inch 1080p LTPO outside screen and a 7.8 inch square-ish aspect ratio inside screen, both with a max brightness of 2800 nits. The phone's outside screen is the brightest ever seen on a phone and is accompanied by a huge camera bump and an alert slider. The inside screen has almost no crease and a 120 Hertz LTPO 3.0 refresh rate. Overall, the OnePlus Open represents a significant step forward in folding phone technology, offering a versatile and high-performance device.
First-gen foldable phone with high price and durability concerns: Despite impressive features, the Oppo Find N2 Flip faces challenges in convincing consumers due to its high price and durability concerns, but OnePlus offers a potential solution with a discount.
While the Oppo Find N2 Flip is an impressive first-gen foldable phone with a sleek design, reduced parts, and decent cameras, it comes with a high price tag of $1,700, questionable durability due to moving parts, and limited appeal to the average consumer. Despite its good qualities, the foldable phone market still faces challenges in convincing regular users of its value. Interestingly, OnePlus offers a $200 credit towards any phone in any condition when purchasing the Oppo Find N2 Flip on their website, suggesting a potential strategy to make folding phones more accessible to a wider audience.
Factors affecting the affordability of folding phones: Despite unique advantages, folding phones remain expensive due to engineering costs. Mid-range models are entering the market, making them more accessible.
The price of folding phones is a significant factor in determining their mainstream adoption. While these devices offer unique advantages like portability and larger screens, they currently come with a hefty price tag. Some believe that for folding phones to reach a wider audience, they need to be priced similarly to flagship phones without the folding feature. The engineering and technology required to create a foldable phone contribute to its high cost. However, the market is seeing some progress with mid-range folding phones like the Razer 40 and techno-fantom flip entering the market at lower price points. The first folding phones faced high risks and engineering challenges, which justified their high prices. But as technology advances and competition increases, we can expect folding phones to become more affordable and accessible to a larger audience.
Foldable phones: Never as affordable as traditional smartphones: Despite improvements, foldable phones remain expensive due to manufacturing costs and unique design challenges. Consumers may prefer the form factor and added features, but concerns about durability and lack of support persist.
While foldable phones like the OnePlus Z Flip 5 have made significant improvements over the years, the high cost of manufacturing and the unique challenges of designing a foldable device mean that they will likely never be as affordable as traditional smartphones. Despite this, some consumers may still prefer the form factor and added features of foldable phones and be willing to pay the premium price. However, concerns remain about the durability of the screens and hinges, and it remains to be seen how well OnePlus will support these devices with repairs and warranties. The speaker also expressed excitement about the advancements in foldable technology and the potential for future price reductions.
New tech devices offer unique advantages: The foldable phone's UI and design make it a preferred choice for some users, while Meta smart glasses impress with their first-person camera capabilities and discreet design
The new foldable phone and Meta smart glasses reviewed offer unique advantages despite their technical limitations. The foldable phone, although technically inferior to some competitors, offers a more enjoyable user interface that some users prefer over other options. The Meta smart glasses, which are a collaboration between Meta and Ray-Ban, offer impressive first-person camera capabilities and surprisingly good speakers, making them an intriguing addition to everyday tech use. The foldable phone's screen may not be as good as some competitors, but its UI and overall design make it an attractive option for some users. The Meta smart glasses, with their transition lenses and discreet design, offer a unique blend of functionality and style. Both devices showcase the ongoing evolution of technology and offer exciting possibilities for the future. The foldable phone's successor, the Pixel Fold 5, is highly anticipated, as is the next generation of Meta smart glasses.
Ray-Ban's new Meta glasses: A blend of fashion and technology: Ray-Ban's new Meta glasses offer a listening experience without earbuds, function as a computer with voice commands, and raise privacy concerns, but blend fashion and technology in a long-awaited innovation.
The new Ray-Ban smart glasses, named "Meta," offer a unique listening experience without the need for traditional earbuds. They also function as a computer with audio assistance, allowing users to control music, ask questions, and even take videos or pictures using voice commands. The glasses are connected to the internet and your phone, and they use Meta's Llama language model for processing. While they have a microphone and camera, this technology raises privacy concerns. Despite the high price tag, the glasses resemble normal sunglasses and are an intriguing blend of fashion and technology. The natural language processing and multi-modal analysis capabilities make this a long-awaited innovation in the realm of face-worn computers. However, it's important to acknowledge the privacy implications and consider whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Transparent smart glasses need a clearer recording indicator: To address privacy concerns, transparent smart glasses should have a more noticeable recording indicator than just a white light.
While the new transparent smart glasses are visually appealing and lightweight, their recording indicator, which is just a white light, is not sufficient to alert others that recording is taking place. The speaker emphasized that a blinking red light would be a more effective warning for privacy concerns. The glasses, which aim to add more technology without looking beyond regular glasses, are compared to VR headsets that prioritize immersive experiences over discreetness. The speaker also shared an experience where someone was recording without the white light being noticeable.
Creating smaller AR/VR glasses like normal glasses: Meta Quest aims to create AR/VR glasses that are as small and user-friendly as normal glasses, merging technology and the real world for an immersive experience.
Meta Quest, formerly known as Oculus, is working towards creating smaller and more advanced headsets, aiming for a normal pair of glasses with integrated AR and VR technology. This shift towards mixed reality is seen as a stepping stone towards glasses that can project virtual elements directly into the user's vision. The goal is to merge technology and the real world, creating an immersive experience. The size of the technology is being reduced to make it more accessible and user-friendly. This theory is compared to the merging of black holes, where two entities come closer and closer until they become one. The Meta Quest series, specifically the Quest 3, is seen as a contender in this race to create the ultimate AR/VR glasses.
Nintendo 64's Haptic Feedback and Game Developers' Creative Leap: The Nintendo 64 introduced haptic feedback to gaming a year before most smartphones, and game developers took a creative leap with 64-bit technology to create innovative games like Super Mario 64 and Pilot Wings 64. YouTube also underwent changes, with the introduction and discontinuation of YouTube Go.
The Nintendo 64 (N64) revolutionized gaming with its 64-bit 3D graphics, but it also introduced an essential smartphone feature to its controllers a year before most smartphones – haptic feedback, which was an accessory rather than built-in. Another key point from the discussion was the creative leap taken by game developers when they discovered 64-bit technology, leading to innovative games like Super Mario 64 and Pilot Wings 64. Additionally, YouTube went through significant changes, including the introduction and eventual discontinuation of YouTube Go, a lightweight version of the platform for users with limited internet connections. The most innovative aspect of this episode was the creative and sometimes humorous way the hosts engaged with the topics, making the learning experience enjoyable and engaging.
Speaker expresses preference for glass over leather phone backs: Consumers may prefer the glass version of a phone over a leather one based on speaker's experience
During the discussion, it was mentioned that there would be a OnePlus model with a leather back, but the reaction was negative due to the leather version being seen for the first time. The speaker expressed his personal dislike for fake leather on the back of phones, noting that the glass version, which he had used, was slightly thinner and had less protrusion. This suggests that consumers may prefer the glass version over the leather one based on the speaker's experience. It's important to consider consumer preferences when designing and marketing smartphone models.
