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As Downies will know well, one of the themes we're keeping an eye on is the number of products and product categories that are trying to replace the smartphone, which has been lagging in sales and hype of late. Two devices which pitched a bold new path forward are the Humane AI Pin and the Apple Vision Pro.

Based on reviews, neither of them are looking very good at all. We discuss.

Links
Humane AI Pin review: not even close – The Verge

This is a free preview of a premium episode. To subscribe to Down Round Premium and get access, head <a href="https://downround.memberful.com/join">here</a>.
<hr>
As Downies will know well, one of the themes we're keeping an eye on is the number of products and product categories that are trying to replace the smartphone, which has been lagging in sales and hype of late. Two devices which pitched a bold new path forward are the Humane AI Pin and the Apple Vision Pro.
Based on reviews, neither of them are looking very good at all. We discuss.
Links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/24126502/humane-ai-pin-review">Humane AI Pin review: not even close – The Verge</a></li>
</ul>

The number one podcast about tech business and culture, from James "JR" Hennessy and Raph Dixon.

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Have We Replaced The Smartphone Yet? (PREVIEW)

This is a free preview of a premium episode. To subscribe to Down Round Premium and get access, head here.

The pain for the gaming industry doesn't seem over, with Xbox closing studios, more layoffs, Sony fighting with its fanbase and growth looking sluggish. It raises one big question: has blockbuster game development outrun its ability to actually make money?

In this episode, we return to the world of gaming to discuss Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, the increasingly fraught big budget gaming financial model, and a few fun digressions along the way.

Links
Inside Microsoft’s Xbox turmoil – The Verge
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Down Round on TikTok

This is a free preview of a premium episode. To subscribe to Down Round Premium and get access, head <a href="https://downround.memberful.com/join">here</a>.
<hr>
The pain for the gaming industry doesn't seem over, with Xbox closing studios, more layoffs, Sony fighting with its fanbase and growth looking sluggish. It raises one big question: has blockbuster game development outrun its ability to actually make money?
In this episode, we return to the world of gaming to discuss Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, the increasingly fraught big budget gaming financial model, and a few fun digressions along the way.
Links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/8/24151814/microsoft-xbox-layoffs-strategy-changes-arkane-tango">Inside Microsoft’s Xbox turmoil – The Verge</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/downroundpod">Down Round on X</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/downroundpod/">Down Round on Instagram</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@downroundpod">Down Round on TikTok</a></li>
</ul>

The AAA Gaming Apocalypse (PREVIEW)

Apple and Google are both on the precipice of announcing deeper integration of generative AI into their respective operating systems. Google's IO conference is this week, and reporting abounds that Apple has inked a deal with OpenAI to integrate GPT with iOS. There's a big question as to whether they're doing this because users actually want it, or because investors and the market thinks they should.

In this episode, we talk about Google and Apple, what their AI implementations might look like, and just where this is all going. Also, a sad mea culpa for the Rabbit R1.

Links
Apple Nears Deal With OpenAI to Put ChatGPT on iPhone – Bloomberg
Google I/O 2024 will be all about AI again – The Verge
Sign up for Down Round Premium
Down Round on X
Down Round on Instagram
Down Round on TikTo

Apple and Google are both on the precipice of announcing deeper integration of generative AI into their respective operating systems. Google's IO conference is this week, and reporting abounds that Apple has inked a deal with OpenAI to integrate GPT with iOS. There's a big question as to whether they're doing this because users actually want it, or because investors and the market thinks they should.
In this episode, we talk about Google and Apple, what their AI implementations might look like, and just where this is all going. Also, a sad mea culpa for the Rabbit R1.
Links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-11/apple-closes-in-on-deal-with-openai-to-put-chatgpt-on-iphone">Apple Nears Deal With OpenAI to Put ChatGPT on iPhone – Bloomberg</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/11/24154219/google-i-o-2024-what-to-expect-where-watch-livestream-ai-android-search-gemini">Google I/O 2024 will be all about AI again – The Verge</a></li>
<li><a href="http://downround.memberful.com">Sign up for Down Round Premium</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/downroundpod">Down Round on X</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/downroundpod/">Down Round on Instagram</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@downroundpod">Down Round on TikTo</a></li>
</ul>

They're Putting AI In The Bloody Phones Now

This is a free preview of a premium episode. To subscribe to Down Round Premium and get access, head here.

Quantum computing has been a research and academic pursuit for decades, but it has been picking up buzz over the last few years as both big tech companies and smaller startups get into the space. The Australian government recently announced a $1 billion investment into quantum startup PsiQuantum, which gives us an excuse to talk about it.

What is quantum computing? Is it actually useful? Can I buy one? All will be answered, and more. WARNING: The words 'qubit' and 'entanglement' will be used.

This is a free preview of a premium episode. To subscribe to Down Round Premium and get access, head <a href="https://downround.memberful.com/join">here</a>.
<hr>
Quantum computing has been a research and academic pursuit for decades, but it has been picking up buzz over the last few years as both big tech companies and smaller startups get into the space. The Australian government recently announced a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-30/australia-signs-deal-for-first-useful-quantum-computer/103781352">$1 billion investment</a> into quantum startup PsiQuantum, which gives us an excuse to talk about it.
What is quantum computing? Is it actually useful? Can I buy one? All will be answered, and more. WARNING: The words 'qubit' and 'entanglement' will be used.

Have We Replaced The Smartphone Yet? (PREVIEW)

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