Apple’s unveiled refreshes for the Mac Studio and MacBook Air. Are they enough of uplift to warrant an upgrade? Plus cheap EVs are still unfulfilled wish. But VW plans on changing that with new entry-level EVs next year and in 2027. And users of Sesame’s demo of its conversational speech model report feel emotionally connected to it. Google announced an experimental “AI Mode” in Search to compete with services like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT Search.
Starring Sarah Lane, Tom Merritt, Scott Johnson, Roger Chang, Joe.
Quick Hits:
YouTube’s new ‘Premium Lite’ offers ad-free viewing on most videos for $8 per month
https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/youtubes-new-premium-lite-offers-ad-free-viewing-on-most-videos-for-8-per-month-153142844.html
Nintendo’s latest legal win against piracy ‘significant for the entire games industry’
https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendos-latest-legal-win-against-piracy-significant-for-the-entire-games-industry
Over 1 million third-party Android devices found infected with ‘BadBox’ malware
https://www.wired.com/story/1-million-third-party-android-devices-badbox-2/
Qualcomm CEO says its new modem creates a ‘huge delta’ with Apple
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/05/qualcomm-ceo-says-its-new-modem-creates-a-huge-delta-with-apple.html
Apple announces new M4 MacBook Air models in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes
https://www.theverge.com/news/620695/apple-m4-macbook-air-13-15-announcement-price-specs
Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian acquire Digg
https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/05/kevin-rose-and-alexis-ohanian-acquire-digg/
Discussions:
Google Search’s new AI mode lets users ask complex multi-part questions
https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/05/google-searchs-new-ai-mode-lets-users-ask-complex-multi-part-questions/
Users report emotional bonds with startlingly realistic AI voice demo
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/users-report-emotional-bonds-with-startlingly-realistic-ai-voice-demo/
Crossing the uncanny valley of AI voice synthesis
https://www.sesame.com/research/crossing_the_uncanny_valley_of_voice#demonslayer
More Discussions:
Apple unveils new Mac Studio models with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/05/new-mac-studio-with-m4-max-and-m3-ultra/
Apple Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra: Specs, price, and availability
https://www.theverge.com/news/624193/apple-mac-studio-m4-max-m3-ultra-launch-price-specs-availability
Volkswagen ID. Every1 EV announced with competitive pricing and specs for 2027
https://www.theverge.com/news/624676/vw-id-every1-ev-price-range-specs-2027
New Volkswagen ID.2 electric car to cost less than £21K
https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-volkswagen-id-2-electric-car-to-cost-less-than-pound21k/n25592
Today’s guest:
Scott Johnson
https://frogpants.com
https://frogpants.substack.com
https://www.threads.net/@actualscott
https://mastodon.sdf.org/@scottjohnson
https://bsky.app/profile/thescottjohnson.com
DTNS Store:
http://dailytechnewsshow.com/store
Show Links:
https://dailytechnewsshow.com
https://dailytechnewsshow.com/ntx
https://knowalittlemore.com
http://dailytechnewsshow.com/store
https://www.dailytechnewsshow.com/support
https://dtns.tv/wiki
Sarah Lane Links:
https://sarahlane.com
https://x.com/sarahlane
https://medium.com/@sarahlane
https://masto.ai/@sarahlane
https://havesuchagoodday.com
Tom Merritt Links:
https://tomsnewbook.com
https://swordandlaser.com/store
https://www.cordkillers.com
https://awordpodcast.com