The Tech Propelling 2025 Forward

Jan 17

Emerging Tech Roundup — January 17

The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.

This week in tech: OpenAI Rolls Out Assistant-Like ‘Tasks,’ Adobe Releases AI Tools Capable of Editing 10,000 Images at Once, Microsoft Ramps up AI Development With Dev-Focused AI Org, Samsung Introduces New Sleep-Tracking Metrics, Apple’s M4 Macbook Air Reportedly Set to Launch This Year, CES 2025 Showcases the Future of Transportation Tech, Watch Duty App Helps People Keep Up With the California Wildfires.

OpenAI Rolls Out Assistant-Like Feature ‘Tasks’ to Take On Alexa, Siri

(USA Today, January 15)

OpenAI announced a new virtual assistant feature for ChatGPT called Tasks. The assistant is prompted by natural conversation like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri. Users will be able to ask ChatGPT to perform a task as well as schedule it to be done at a future time. The company will begin deploying Tasks on Plus, Pro and Team accounts across the globe this week.

Adobe’s New AI Tool Can Edit 10,000 Images in One Click

(The Verge, January 13)

Adobe is launching new generative AI tools, including Firefly Bulk Create, which will allow users to replace backgrounds and resize up to 10,000 images in just one click. The tools, currently available in beta, were created for people who do not have a lot of coding experience but could benefit from being able to photo edit in a pinch. With these features, users will be able to save edited photos as JPEGs or PNGs.

Microsoft Forms New Internal Dev-Focused AI Org

(TechCrunch, January 13)

Microsoft has established a new organization, CoreAI, to ramp up its AI infrastructure and software development projects. Engineering an AI platform and tools for both customers and employees is a high priority for the company in 2025. Every Microsoft application category is predicted to be impacted by AI — resulting in big changes moving forward.

Samsung Introduces New Sleep-Tracking Metrics That Take Advantage of Smartthings Enabled Devices

(Engadet, January 13)

Samsung unveils its newest Health app feature — this time, to help people get a good night’s sleep. The new sleep tracking tool produces an environmental report that includes recommendations on how to enhance room conditions for optimal sleep. The app can also auto-adjust room settings through connected devices to create ideal sleep conditions.

Apple Fans, Get Ready for Another Macbook Refresh - M4 Macbook Air Reportedly Set to Launch This Year, Amid M5 Chip Rumors

(TechRadar, January 13)

The M4 MacBook Air’s 13-inch and 15-inch models are in production and set to be available early this year — finalizing the M4 product line since Apple’s release of the M4 MacBook Pro in 2024. While the new M4 models are speculated to replace the M3s, Apple is predicted to keep M2 on the shelves as a cost-friendly alternative. The M5 MacBook is also underway and expected to be revealed in late 2025.

CES 2025: Self-Driving Cars Were Everywhere, Plus Other Transportation Tech Trends

(TechCrunch, January 12)

Automated driving technologies and autonomous vehicle exhibits had a dominant presence at CES 2025. The displays included a stack of intelligent driving technologies like robotaxis, such as Amazon-owned Zoox. The heavy focus on self-driving vehicles and features sheds more light on the imminent future of transportation and fuels excitement around new innovations to come.

‘All Hands on Deck’: How Watch Duty Keeps up With the California Wildfires

(Wired, January 9)

The Watch Duty app and website have been providing real-time alerts of wildfires, as well as firefighting progress. Residents can find local shelters, see warnings statuses, and receive timely updates when using the platform — helping ease some of the pressures associated with evacuation. The service runs 24-hours a day and is provided by volunteers including firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders.