Connecting the World Through New Technologies and Programs
Emerging Tech Roundup — September 17
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Horizon Workrooms integrates with Zoom, Intuit acquires MailChimp, flying ‘taxis’ receive initial approval in Miami, Apple explores increased Retina display, LinkedIn empowers creators, and Project Taara and Grace Hopper enable faster internet around the world.
Workrooms Announces Zoom Integrations on Oculus Quest 2
(Oculus Blog, September 13)
Horizon Workrooms on Oculus Quest 2 has announced Zoom integrations through which users can seamlessly take Zoom Meetings and use the Zoom Whiteboard to brainstorm. Expected to roll out next year, integrating Zoom into Workrooms will help enhance collaboration and productivity within the platform.
Intuit to Buy Marketing Company MailChimp for $12 Billion
(CNBC, September 13)
Intuit, best known for financial service offerings TurboTax and Credit Karma, is buying MailChimp for $12 billion in cash and stock. Intuit hopes to drive growth among small businesses through this acquisition, which is the company’s largest deal to date.
Flying ‘Taxis’ Over Miami Just Got One Step Closer to Takeoff
(Miami Herald, September 14)
Archer Aviation has received approval to test its flying vehicle, which is half airplane and half helicopter, in the skies of Miami. The company is working to identify local flight patterns to possibly offer to the public at $4 per mile. Archer Aviation is currently working out deals with local parking garages and roofs from which the vehicle can take off, and hopes to launch the service in 2024.
Apple VR Headset Plans Progress as Company Tests 3,000 DPI Display
(9to5Mac, September 14)
Apple is likely working on an AR/VR headset and a pair of Apple Glasses with AR functionality. The company is believed to be experimenting with increased Retina display for the upcoming technologies. While its iPhone 4 displayed a 326 dpi pixel density, and its first-gen MacBook Pro displayed at 227 dpi, the company is inquiring about an “ultra-dense” display of 3,000 dpi, which could possibly be incorporated into new headsets.
LinkedIn Launches $25M Creator Fund to Test Clubhouse-style Audio Feature
(TechCrunch, September 14)
LinkedIn is recruiting 100 U.S. creators to be coached on creating content through new features that will soon be rolling out, and each creator will be granted $15,000. The biggest rollout will be an audio-only discussion platform for users to create new opportunities for themselves and others through casual talks, events, and more. LinkedIn wants to keep the professional aspect of its platform, while also allowing users to be authentic and help others see the world in new, creative ways.
Alphabet’s Project Taara Laser Tech Beamed 700TB of Data Across Nearly 5KM
(The Verge, September 16)
Project Taara has used Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) to transmit nearly 700TB of data over the Congo in only 20 days. The FSOC links need to be in sight of each other in order for the transmission to be successful and provide faster communications. So far, the links have proved successful, even through “haze, light rain, birds, and other obstacles.”
Google Lays a 3,900-Mile Undersea Internet Cable
(Business Insider, September 15)
Google’s Grace Hopper internet cable reaches from New York to the UK and Spain, using “fibre switching” to enhance connection and lessen outages. The company expects this cable to go online in 2022 and transmit up to 350 TB of data per second. Google has plans to invest in additional underwater cables in the near future.
