Tech News Roundup for September 4, 2020
Here are a few of the stories that I found interesting over the last couple days.
Apple Delays ad Tracking Opt-in to 2021
At Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, one of the announced features of iOS and iPad OS 14 was that by default, ad tracking would be turned off, with users needing to specifically opt in to ad tracking.
Last week Facebook warned investors that this coming change to iOS could reduce mobile ad revenue for the company by as much as 50%. Now this week, in what I’m sure is pure coincidence, Apple has announced that it will not implement the ad tracking opt in change until some time in 2021 in order to “give developers more time to adapt”
I’m sure Apple’s announcement has nothing to do at all with Facebook.
Qualcomm Announces New Chipset for Wireless Earbuds
If you own a set of wireless earbuds made by pretty much any company except Apple or Samsung, chances are the chipset that makes it work is made by Qualcomm. That company has been the defacto provider for these headphones for a couple years now, with almost every random set of headphones you’ll find on Amazon using it. This week the company announced the next update to its wireless earbuds chipset that includes active noise cancellation, and promises improved Bluetooth connectivity as well as better sound quality. If these promised improvements come to fruition, it should mean a nice upgrade in the wireless earbuds we see released in 2021.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/3/21419515/qualcomm-adaptive-noise-cancellation
Qualcomm Refreshes Snapdragon 8Cx Processor for Windows Laptops
Qualcomm also announced the 8Cx Gen 2 processor. The 8Cx is designed for Windows on ARM laptops, and the Gen 2 processor promises a 50% performance improvement, 5G connectivity, and improved battery life.
I honestly do not recommend anyone buy a Windows on ARM laptop right now, due to application compatibility issues that Microsoft has yet to iron out, but this shows that both Qualcomm and Microsoft are still plugging away at it. I don’t know if they’ll get there, but we’ll see.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/3/21409500/qualcomm-8cx-gen-2-5g-chips-arm-window-laptops-ifa-2020
SpaceX Touts 100Mbps Download Speeds on Starlink
After launching the most recent Starlink mission, SpaceX is now talking about the capabilities of its satellite network. The company states that in their testing download speeds of up to 100Mbps are being achieved, with latency being good enough to play first person shooter video games. While the company did not provide specific latency numbers, lower latency will be good for real time communication scenarios. In terms of speed, 100Mbps will not seem great compared to wireline internet in urban centers, but compared to existing rural internet options, it is likely to be much faster.
SpaceX says it aims to start beta testing the internet service by the end of this year.
Nintendo Releasing Limited Edition Super Mario Game and Watch Device
Nintendo made several announcements around the 35th anniversary of Mario, including a couple game collections for the Nintendo Switch, but the company also announced a modern take on the Game and Watch systems it released in the 1980’s. It is a small handheld device that looks like a game and watch, but features a colour display and the system includes the original Super Mario Bros. video game.
Nintendo says this will be a limited release, and will coast $70 in Canada. And I want it. so. bad.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/09/03/nintendo-reveals-new-game-watch-super-mario-bros-handheld/