Meta Connect Live: Meta Quest 3s, Orion Holographic Glasses

Sep 28

Emerging Tech Roundup — September 27

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

This week in tech: Logitech has created a Stream Deck for Photoshop and Premiere Pro, Max is getting Google AI-generated closed captions, Spotify’s AI playlist feature rolls out to the U.S. and more markets, Pokémon Sleep now supports smartwatches for more accurate tracking, The Google Photos video editor is getting AI, Canva adds new abilities for app developers and improves discoverability, and Meta Shares Major Announcements at Meta Connect Live.

Logitech Has Created a Stream Deck for Photoshop and Premiere Pro

(The Verge, September 24)

Logitech has introduced the $199.99 MX Creative Console, a tool designed to enhance workflow in Adobe apps like Photoshop and Premiere Pro. The console includes nine customizable LCD keys and a dial for functions such as scrubbing through timelines in Premiere Pro or adjusting brush sizes in Photoshop, with additional buttons for activating frequently used functions. Through Logitech's app, users can customize the controls and automate repetitive tasks, streamlining creative processes by reducing the need for multiple clicks or complex keyboard shortcuts.

Max is Getting Google AI-Generated Closed Captions

(The Verge, September 24)

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is collaborating with Google Cloud to generate closed captioning for Max streaming service content using Google's Vertex AI platform. The AI-generated captions, initially for unscripted programming, will undergo human oversight to ensure quality, reducing caption creation time by up to 80% and costs by up to 50% compared to manual methods. While most Max content already has captions, this partnership could signal a broader industry shift toward AI-powered captioning in the future.

Spotify’s AI Playlist Feature Rolls Out to the U.S. and More Markets

(Tech Crunch, September 24)

Spotify has expanded its AI Playlist tool to the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, following its initial launch in the U.K. and Australia. This beta feature allows Premium users to create personalized playlists using written prompts, such as "a romantic playlist for date night," with further customization options like genres, moods, and emojis. Spotify reports strong user engagement in the U.K. and Australia, with millions of playlists created, and users can now access the AI Playlist tool through the “Your Library” tab on Android and iOS devices.

Pokémon Sleep Now Supports Smartwatches for More Accurate Tracking

(Engadget, September 24)

Pokémon Sleep now supports smartwatch integration, improving sleep tracking accuracy by syncing with major models like Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, and Fitbit devices. The sleep data can be viewed through Apple Health or Android's Health Connect app, enhancing the app's functionality beyond smartphone tracking. Additionally, Pokémon Sleep has launched a 34-song playlist on Spotify, featuring music from the app, available to all users—even those with free Spotify accounts.

The Google Photos Video Editor is Getting AI, Because Of Course It Is

(Engadget, September 24)

Google Photos has introduced new AI-powered video presets for Android and iOS users, which automatically trim, adjust lighting, change speed, and apply effects with minimal effort. These presets offer features like motion tracking, automatic zoom, and slow-motion, available under the video timeline in the app. Additionally, Android-specific updates include enhanced trimming controls, an auto-enhance feature for color and stabilization, and a new speed tool for adjusting video playback.

Canva Adds New Abilities for App Developers and Improves Discoverability

(Tech Crunch, September 25)

Canva has introduced enhancements to its developer platform, including premium app access for Pro subscribers, a translation feature, improved app discovery, and new API capabilities. Since launching the developer program in June 2023, Canva has seen over 300 apps built, used more than 1 billion times. Additionally, Canva is offering new monetization options for select developers and plans to support app innovation with a $50 million fund, while integrating apps more seamlessly across various sections of the platform.

Meta Connect Live: Meta Quest 3s, Orion Holographic Glasses and Biggest Announcements

(Tom’s Guide, September 25)

Meta Connect 2024 brought several groundbreaking announcements, including the launch of the $299 Meta Quest 3S, AI-powered updates to Meta AI, and major upgrades to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. The Quest 3S, available in 128GB and 256GB, promises enhanced mixed reality experiences, while Meta AI updates include natural conversational AI through Llama 3.2 and live translation capabilities for Ray-Ban glasses. Additionally, the event revealed Orion—full holographic AR glasses with gesture-based controls—and introduced a wrist-based neural interface for interacting with the device.