Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 2/9/2025 - 2/15/2025

What we know about the Apple iPhone SE

Apple still pursuing standalone AR glasses

Apple patches critical iPhone security flaw

Beatbot's AI-powered AquaSense 2 pool cleaners now available

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons expected to feature mouse functionality

JetBlue and GeoGuessr team up for Guess-tination game

Razer unveils White editions of Wolverine V3 Pro, Tournament Edition controllers

Report: Netflix explores video podcasts as a budget-friendly content strategy

Google updates Family Link parental controls

Apple patent points to potential Vision Pro gaming controller

Apple TV app finally arrives on Android

Meta Ray-Ban sales hit 2 million, production to expand significantly

Samsung One UI 7.0 features to vary by device

Gemini's document upload feature now free for all users

OnePlus pauses foldable development, skipping Open 2 launch

Apple still pursuing standalone AR glasses

Photo: Apple

Apple has reportedly scrapped its plans for Mac-tethered augmented reality (AR) glasses, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The cancelled project, resembling regular glasses with built-in displays, would have required a connection to a Mac computer. This decision, while seemingly a setback, doesn't signal an end to Apple's AR ambitions. 

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Qualcomm unveils new reference AR glasses

Qualcomm has a new version of its augmented reality glasses. It hopes they can help hardware partners build their immersive eyewear. The Wireless AR Smart Viewer Reference Design can now tether wirelessly to a host PC, phone, or puck. It's also 40% thinner than the previous generation and should have a better-balanced weight distribution.

It runs on a slightly older Snapdragon XR2 platform. Each eye features a 1080p, 90Hz micro-OLED display that prevents motion blur. You get an entire six-degrees-of-freedom movement with the help of three cameras (two monochrome, one colour) and hand tracking and gesture recognition. It has both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth to keep lag under 3ms between the glasses and host device. Many manufacturers already have access to them, and more should get their turn within the "coming months." 

Source

OPPO reveals rollable handset and AR glasses concepts

At this year's OPPO Inno Day, the Chinese company unveiled two new concepts it is working on. One is a smartphone with a rolling screen, and another is a set of augmented reality glasses. The OPPO X 2021 is the company's newest concept phone, which it claims is the result of its research and development on flexible displays. It comes with a 6.7-inch screen size as a smartphone, but it can expand to a more square, tablet-like 7.4-inch panel.

OPPO claims it developed its own power train, structural plate, and screen laminate to ensure the X 2021 is durable. 

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