Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 4/21- 4/27

Coca-Cola and Microsoft ink US$1.1 billion cloud and AI deal

Meta opens up Horizon OS, aims to be the Android of VR

LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitors elevate the game in Canada

LG MyView Smart Monitors arrive in Canada

Apple reportedly acquires French AI startup Datakalab

Fitbit dashboard on the web might be going away

Razer unveils the Viper V3 Pro mouse

Adobe Photoshop adds new generative AI features

Steam tightens refund policy for Early Access games

Biden signs law that potentially bans TikTok in the US

Google offers tips to unlock the power of AI chatbots

JetBlue lets you have in-flight watch parties

Biden signs law that potentially bans TikTok in the US

Photo: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash

US President Biden signed a foreign aid bill that includes a provision effectively banning TikTok in the US unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app within a year. This "divest-or-ban" clause gives ByteDance nine months to find a buyer, with a potential three-month extension from the President if progress is shown.

The bill had initially stalled in the Senate after passing the House. However, it was strategically attached to a critical foreign aid package, pressuring the Senate to consider it. This tactic, along with a longer divestment window, swayed some undecided lawmakers.

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Meta opens up Horizon OS, aims to be the Android of VR

Image: Mark Zuckerberg

Meta is making a big shift in virtual reality by licensing its operating system, Horizon OS, to other hardware makers. This follows the trend of Meta becoming a more open platform, unlike Apple's closed approach.

Previously exclusive to Meta's Quest headsets, Horizon OS will now power VR devices from companies like Lenovo, ASUS, and even a limited-edition Xbox Quest. This opens the door for more variety in VR hardware, catering to different needs and budgets. Imagine a work-focused headset that connects to your PC or a high-resolution entertainment headset—the possibilities become much broader.

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Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 4/14- 4/20

HMD gets playful with Heineken's Boring Phone

Bluesky welcomes world leaders after major growth spurt

Microsoft accelerates next-gen Xbox development, prioritizes game preservation

Gear up for groundbreaking innovation at WWDC 2024

Apple reportedly accelerates Mac refresh with AI-focused M4 chip

Twitch's TikTok-inspired discovery feed arrives this month

Razer ups the mobile gaming ante with a feature-packed Kishi Ultra controller

Nothing is the first to add ChatGPT to its earbuds

Streamlined search arrives on Android for Google Drive

YouTube now streams in 8K on Meta Quest

Google Maps tipped leverage satellite connectivity beyond texting on Android

Nothing expands earbud lineup with two new models: Ear and Ear (a)