Opportunities and Challenges in the World of Technology
Emerging Tech Roundup — August 14
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Amazon launches an online pharmacy, Apple and Google face a lawsuit, self-driving vehicle lanes are coming to Michigan, researchers conduct a new VR study, Twitter adds a new feature, Nreal plan a new product launch in South Korea, and VR Fitness Insider is hosting a fitness summit.
Amazon Launches Online Pharmacy in India
(BBC, August 14)
Over the years, we’ve watched Amazon expand in many ways — they partnered with Whole Foods to deliver food to customers’ doors, hosted online food delivery trials in India, and more. Now, they’ve launched an internet pharmacy in India, which will make its debut in Bangalore before expanding into other cities. Amazon initially started their move into the pharmaceutical industry in 2017, but this current investment was inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.
Fortnite’s Maker Sues Apple and Google After the Game Was Removed From Both App Stores
(CNN, August 14)
Apple and Google are being sued by the maker of the popular online video game, Fortnite, for blocking the game on their app stores. Both tech giants said they removed the popular video game because the developer, Epic Games, violated guidelines. Apparently, the developer disclosed an alternative way players can buy in-game currency without usings Apple’s or Google’s payment systems, leaving both companies very unhappy.
Self-Driving Car Only Lanes? They’re Coming to an Autonomous Corridor in Michigan
(CNET, August 13)
Soon, autonomous vehicle driving lanes will be seen running for forty miles between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan. The state and private partner, Cavnue, disclosed the creation of a new public-private duo, which will accelerate testing for self-driving vehicles. With this new corridor, they hope to close the gap to transportation access in the area.
VR Gaming Boosts Navigational Efficiency, Spatial Memory
(Express Computer, August 11)
According to new research, VR users have higher navigational efficiency and less disorientation than non-users. Researchers claim that VR games add to spatial learning, even more so than desktop games. A recent study portrayed that VR users performed better than non-users when answering spatial-based knowledge questions. This helps prove that VR could help elders strengthen their navigational abilities and spatial memory, enabling them to better recall locations and determine spatial relations between items.
Twitter Now Lets Everyone Limit Replies to Their Tweets
(Tech Crunch, August 11)
Twitter is releasing a new feature that limits who can reply to a Tweet. The goal with this feature is to decrease the amount of spam taking place in replies and increase meaningful conversations across the platform. Now, iOS and Android users of the app can use the feature to filter out abuse and spam in their Tweets. To use the feature, look for a small globe icon at the bottom of your Tweet.
Nreal Light Mixed Reality Glasses Launch in Korea With the Galaxy Note 20
(Engadget, August 10)
Nreal’s Light XR glasses are now open for pre-orders and will debut on August 21st in South Korea. The lightweight glasses can be bought individually or in a bundle. The bundle comes paired with an LG Uplus network mobile phone plan and a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 or LG Velvet smartphone. The Light XR glasses are expected to come to other markets, including the U.S. and Europe, by the end of 2020.
Virtual Athletics League to Host World’s Largest VR Fitness Summit
(VR Fitness Insider, August 10)
From September 3–12, VR users will have the opportunity to win a total of $25K through the upcoming VR Fitness Summit tournaments. To participate, gamers can register in games like “FitXR,” “The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners,” “Audio Trip,” and more. Competitors will also get to listen in on speaker sessions about VR fitness and sports.
