The Galaxy Ring is a surprise hit!

Summary

This week's tech highlights include the unexpected success of Samsung's Galaxy Ring, with production ramping up to meet demand. Rumors suggest Apple is developing a foldable iPhone, possibly by 2026, with a clamshell design. Open-source AI gains momentum with Meta's release of Llama 3.1 and Mistral's Lodge 2, emphasizing the potential for collaboration and customization. Meanwhile, tech giants are making moves: Google cancels plans to block third-party cookies, Apple Maps launches in beta for web use, and Elon Musk's AI infrastructure is revealed. Ground News offers a unique perspective on these stories, providing context and analysis.

Takeaways

• 📈 The Galaxy Ring's demand has surged, with Samsung increasing production from 400,000 to 1 million units due to positive pre-order reception.
• 💍 The Galaxy Ring is positioned to potentially lead the smart ring market, challenging the current leader, Aura, which has sold 2.5 million units so far.
• 📱 Apple is reportedly working on a foldable iPhone, aiming for a 2026 release, with the design internally named 'v68' and development involving Samsung Display.
• 📉 Apple's iPhone 15 Plus is underperforming, and a foldable iPhone could help Apple regain market share, especially in China where foldables are popular.
• 🖥️ Meta released LLaMA 3.1, an open-source large language model (LLM) that rivals GPT-4 class models, boasting 405 billion parameters.
• 🔓 Open-source AI is gaining traction, with Meta promoting the benefits of customization and collaboration, while also sparking speculation about their monetization strategy.
• 🤖 Mistral released their new model, Mistral 2, with an open-source license for non-commercial research use, while businesses require a paid license.
• 🛠️ OpenAI has launched a search engine prototype that provides full answers with small links, potentially disrupting traditional search engines like Google.
• 🗺️ Apple Maps is now available on the web in beta, expanding beyond just iOS devices.
• 🍪 Google has reversed its decision to block third-party cookies in Chrome, maintaining the status quo as other browsers like Firefox and Safari block them by default.

Q & A

Why has the Samsung Galaxy Ring become unexpectedly popular?

The Samsung Galaxy Ring has become unexpectedly popular due to high demand, which is 2.5 times the originally planned quantity of 400,000 units, as reported by DLX. The positive reception during the pre-order phase and the lack of a subscription fee for currently available features have contributed to its popularity.

How many smart rings has Aura, the original ring maker, sold so far?

Aura, the original smart ring maker, has sold 2.5 million smart rings to date.

What is the major selling point of the Galaxy Ring that has attracted consumers?

One of the major selling points of the Galaxy Ring is that, at least for now, there is no subscription fee, making it a potentially more cost-effective option compared to other smart rings with ongoing subscription costs.

What does the fine print of the Galaxy Ring presentation reveal about subscription fees?

The fine print of the presentation reveals that the no subscription fees only applies to currently available Samsung Galaxy features, and different terms may apply for future health features.

What is the potential impact of a foldable iPhone on the smartphone market?

A foldable iPhone could significantly impact the smartphone market by introducing a new form factor and potentially forcing competitors like Samsung to innovate and compete more aggressively.

What is the internal nickname for the design Apple has settled on for a foldable iPhone?

The internal nickname for the design Apple has settled on for a foldable iPhone is 'v68', indicating that the concept has moved beyond prototyping and is now in proper development.

Why might Apple introduce a foldable iPhone as its first full multiable product in the Chinese market?

Apple might introduce a foldable iPhone in the Chinese market first due to the country's preference for foldable devices and Apple's need to compete and regain market share in an important market where it is currently losing ground.

What is significant about Meta's release of LLaMA 3.1 as an open-source AI model?

The release of LLaMA 3.1 as an open-source AI model is significant because it is as capable as other GP4 class models but allows users to download and run it on their own hardware without needing to pay for API access, promoting more collaboration and faster development in the AI industry.

What is the difference in the open-source licensing between Meta's LLaMA 3.1 and Mistral's Lodge 2?

While Meta's LLaMA 3.1 is fully open-source, Mistral's Lodge 2 is only licensed as open-source for non-commercial research users, with businesses needing to obtain a separate license and usage agreement, indicating a potential monetization strategy for commercial use.

What is the significance of the Swiss government's new law regarding open-source code?

The new Swiss law is significant as it mandates that all code developed with government funds should become open-source, promoting transparency, collaboration, and the potential for broader use and improvement of the software.

How has Google's stance on third-party cookies in Chrome changed recently?

Google has recently cancelled its long-standing plans to block third-party cookies in Chrome, a significant turnaround from its previous efforts to promote alternatives to cookies, indicating that Chrome users will continue to experience third-party cookies for the foreseeable future.