News Weekly: Wear OS 5 is coming, TikTok's days are numbered ...
Here's what you may have missed this week in the news.
Recent Highlights
News Weekly is our column, where we highlight and summarize some of the week's top stories so you can catch up on the latest tech news. This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. Let's dive into the top headlines that are shaping the digital landscape.
This week, the U.S. government signed a bill into law that could lead to a nationwide ban of TikTok. Additionally, X is gearing up to challenge YouTube with its own smart TV app. Google unveiled the I/O 2024 schedule, teasing the next major version of Wear OS. Moreover, a significant update to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses introduces useful AI features, and HMD showcased its first non-Nokia-branded smartphones.
Exploring Wear OS 5
Google I/O 2024 is scheduled for mid-May, promising insights into the company's upcoming hardware and software plans. The event's agenda includes discussions on the next iteration of Wear OS. With Wear OS 3 already making waves, Google's announcement of Wear OS 5 at I/O 2024 signals a significant push forward. This shift in versioning strategy mirrors Apple's approach with WatchOS, hinting at rapid progress for Wear OS.
Anticipated updates involve enhancements to the Watch Face Format, aimed at empowering developers to craft more energy-efficient watch faces. While specifics are scarce for now, Google's teasers suggest exciting advancements on the horizon, with more details likely to surface at I/O.
The TikTok Verdict
After a prolonged tussle with TikTok, the U.S. government finally passed a bill that spells out a nationwide ban for the popular app. This move requires TikTok's owner, ByteDance, to divest the app within 270 days, severing ties with the Chinese government. Failure to comply would result in Google and Apple pulling the app from their respective stores.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew vehemently opposed the legislation, labeling it unconstitutional and vowing to contest it. Despite the extended deadline, ByteDance's reluctance to sell the app casts doubts on TikTok's future in the U.S. The company's stance indicates a willingness to shut down TikTok in the U.S. instead of selling it.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Update
The latest update to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses introduces advanced AI features, enhancing the user experience. Stay tuned for more developments in this space as multimodal AI capabilities reshape wearable technology.
