The Comunicano for Tuesday September 10th 2024
Good Morning Readers. Are you ready for the latest buzz? The new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are here, featuring the incredible A18 Pro chip, bigger screens, and a game-changing camera system. Apple’s also stepping up with its AirPods Pro, now offers a "hearing aid" mode to amplify your surroundings—perfect for those needing a little hearing boost without the bulky gear.
On the accessory front, say goodbye to Apple’s FineWoven cases (they didn’t last long!), and hello to fresh silicone and clear options. And for you fitness fanatics, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts unmatched durability, advanced GPS, and an impressive 36-hour battery life.
There's more—Google's antitrust battle is heating up, Huawei's Mate X5 Tri-Fold is making waves, new semi-private airlines are changing how we fly and the Southwest Chairman just got his wings clipped.
Lastly, meet Granola, the AI-powered app that makes meetings a breeze by automating your notes and follow-ups. It’s a lifesaver for busy professionals juggling back-to-back calls.
What’s got you most excited? Comment below and share this with your friends who need to know what's happening in the tech world!
Andy Abramson
Apple Watch
Sweet 16 Arrives—Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, featuring the powerful A18 Pro chip and introducing "Apple Intelligence" for enhanced personalization. The models boast larger displays (6.3" and 6.9"), an upgraded 48MP camera with 4K120 fps video in Dolby Vision, a 5x telephoto lens, and studio-quality microphones. New Camera Control enhances photography, while the titanium design and improved battery life make the Pro Max the longest-lasting iPhone yet. Pre-orders start on September 13, with availability on September 20.
A Case or Two—Apple has discontinued its FineWoven cases after customer complaints about durability and quality issues, with no plans for a replacement. The FineWoven material, introduced as an eco-friendly leather substitute, was criticized for fraying and getting dirty quickly. For the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple now offers silicone and clear plastic cases in various colors, and no longer sells FineWoven cases on its site. This move signals a shift in Apple's accessory offerings without any leather or similar alternatives.
Can You Hear Me Now—Apple is adding a "clinical grade" hearing aid feature to AirPods Pro 2 through a software update. Users can take a clinically validated hearing test, and if hearing loss is detected, the hearing aid mode will be enabled. The AirPods will help amplify surrounding sounds and create a custom hearing profile for improved audio experiences. This feature is undergoing regulatory approval and will be available in over 100 countries by the end of the year.
I Can Hear You Now—Apple may soon introduce a feature that allows AirPods Pro to double as a hearing aid. Leveraging its advanced sensors and algorithms, AirPods Pro could offer assistive listening capabilities, handy for those with mild hearing loss. This move could disrupt the traditional hearing aid market by providing a more affordable and accessible solution for users. Apple has already incorporated features like Live Listen and Conversation Boost, which amplify sounds, hinting at further developments in this area.
Watch Apple Now—Apple has introduced the black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, aimed at athletes and users seeking durability. Key features include a 36-hour battery life (up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode), advanced GPS accuracy, the brightest screen in an Apple Watch, and a sleep apnea tracker. It also has a side speaker for audio without AirPods. Priced at $799, pre-orders are available now, and the release is scheduled for September 20.
Intelligence is Coming—Apple is launching iOS 18.1 with the Apple Intelligence suite in October. Initially, it will support U.S. English, with other English dialects added by December. Apple plans to expand to languages like Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish in 2025. Key features include notification summaries, reduced interruptions, and enhanced image editing. Some advanced features, like image generation, will roll out later in the year. The suite will be available for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and confident Mac and iPad models.
It’s a Date—Apple will release iOS 18, macOS 15, iPadOS 18, and other updates on September 16th. These updates will bring new features and improvements across devices, including better performance, enhanced AI-driven tools, and additional customization options.
Anti-Trust Watch
Breakup Time—Google's ongoing antitrust legal battle over its dominance in the digital ad technology market is heating up. The case, brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, accuses Google of monopolizing tools crucial for buying, selling, and displaying online ads. This lawsuit could lead to a breakup of Google's ad tech business, one of the largest antitrust actions since Microsoft’s case in the late 1990s. It underscores the growing regulatory efforts to rein in Big Tech's power in the market.
AI Watch
Amazon Tackles Football—Amazon is enhancing its Thursday Night Football broadcasts with a new AI-powered feature that predicts which defensive players will blitz the quarterback. This real-time tool uses machine learning to analyze player movements, adding a red indicator to potential blitzers during the live broadcast. The feature is part of Amazon's broader effort to integrate advanced analytics and AI into sports, leveraging its AWS-powered "Next Gen Stats" platform, which already tracks players' speed, acceleration, and field positioning. This technology aims to provide viewers with deeper insights into game strategy while making broadcasts more interactive and data-rich.
Phone Watch
Ahoy Matee—Huawei's Mate X5 Tri-Fold handset has garnered over 3 million pre-orders ahead of the iPhone 16 launch. The Mate X5, known for its innovative tri-fold design, is gaining significant interest in the market, positioning it as a strong competitor in the premium smartphone space. Its early success highlights Huawei's influence, especially in China, despite the upcoming release of the iPhone 16.
SuperCharging Search—Google is adding a customizable button to the search bar widget on Android home screens, offering users more flexibility. This new feature lets you personalize the widget by adding shortcuts for actions like voice search, Google Lens, or even launching specific apps. It’s designed to streamline access to commonly used tools right from your home screen, improving convenience and customization. This update is part of Google's ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience with more intuitive and efficient shortcuts.
Media Watch
A New Sports Site Kicks Off—Offball, a new sports culture brand, has launched to explore the intersection of sports and broader societal trends. The brand aims to cover sports from a gameplay perspective and angles like fashion, politics, and entertainment. This fresh approach will cater to fans interested in the cultural influence of sports, appealing to those who see it as more than just competition. The platform is expected to offer original content and diverse perspectives to redefine sports media.
X Watch
Just Say Yes—Elon Musk’s $44 billion buyout of Twitter has been a whirlwind, marked by lawsuits, fluctuating valuations, and his vision for a "free speech" platform. Musk initially tried to back out of the deal, citing concerns over fake accounts, but ultimately followed through. His plans include reinstating controversial figures like Donald Trump. While he claims he’s not concerned with the economics, experts question whether this is his costliest misstep yet, as Twitter’s value has seen significant drops since the acquisition.
Travel Watch
You’re Out—Southwest Airlines' Executive Chairman Gary Kelly's ouster, positioned as a retirement, comes amid pressure from activist investors. His exit is part of a broader response to calls for leadership changes at the airline following operational issues and the push to improve overall performance. This move aligns with a trend in the corporate world where investors are becoming more vocal in demanding better results and governance, especially in the wake of crises like Southwest's holiday flight cancellations.
No Yawning—Excessive yawning at TSA checkpoints may raise suspicions, as it's linked to stress or anxiety. TSA uses behavior analysis programs like "Behavior Detection and Analysis" (BDA), which track involuntary behaviors such as yawning, body odor, or nervous whistling. While yawning alone isn’t enough for additional screening, a combination of behaviors could trigger further investigation. The system has been criticized for potential bias, but TSA asserts it helps identify high-risk passengers. Don’t worry if you're yawning—it's not enough by itself to flag you.
A Better Way To Fly—Semi-private airlines offer an experience between commercial and private flights. With smaller planes (up to 30 seats) and exclusive terminals, passengers enjoy comfort, privacy, and quicker security checks. These airlines, like Aero, JSX, and Surf Air, provide personalized services, and some are surprisingly affordable. While prices vary, semi-private airlines focus on luxury and convenience, offering routes across the U.S. and Mexico. Popular with travelers seeking efficiency without the high cost of private jets, they provide a more relaxed alternative to typical commercial travel.
Get Me a Table—The iPhone 16's new camera button integrates AI, which could be particularly useful for travelers. The AI feature allows users to analyze and get real-time insights about the surroundings when taking photos, such as identifying landmarks or offering travel-related information. This integration enhances both convenience and the overall travel experience, making it easier for users to interact with the world through AI-enhanced photography. And, if you take a picture of a restaurant that’s on OpenTable, you’ll be able to make a reservation
Health Watch
More Coffee Please—A new study suggests that drinking coffee may slow facial aging due to its high levels of polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Coffee's antioxidants, particularly in lighter roasts, help improve skin elasticity and hydration, delaying wrinkles. Moderation is key, with two to three cups a day recommended for anti-aging benefits. However, adding sugar or skim milk may negate these effects due to their impact on skin health. For the best results, drinking coffee regularly but in moderation is advised.
TV Watch
Best Seat In The House—To attend a live studio show as an audience member, you'll need to request tickets, often available for free through various sites or the show's official website. Plan ahead, as popular shows can have long waiting lists. Be sure to arrive early for security and seating arrangements. Dress according to the show's guidelines, which often encourage bright, camera-friendly attire. Expect to participate in applause or laughter cues, as audience reactions are crucial for a live or taped show’s energy.
Video Watch
App of The Day
Granola
Granola: The AI-Powered Meeting Assistant
Granola is an innovative AI-driven app designed to make meetings more efficient by automating note-taking and follow-ups. Specifically tailored for professionals juggling multiple meetings, Granola captures audio directly from your Mac, transforming it into real-time transcription without needing third-party meeting bots. This notepad app records the entire meeting, allowing you to stay focused on the conversation while automatically drafting follow-up emails, highlighting action items, and summarizing key insights.
Key Features:
1. Real-Time Transcriptions: Granola’s most impressive feature is its ability to transcribe meetings in real time. Whether you’re on Dialpad Meetings, Zoom, Teams, or a phone call, the app captures audio directly from your microphone or system audio. This removes the need to install additional bots or record plugins, streamlining the process.
2. Summaries and Action Items: Beyond transcription, Granola uses AI to create concise meeting summaries. After the meeting ends, the app automatically generates key points, action items, and follow-up emails based on the conversation. This is incredibly useful for ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks and that everyone is clear on the next steps.
3. Customizable Templates: Granola allows users to customize their notes format with templates for different types of meetings. Whether it’s a brainstorming session, a check-in, or a sales call, you can set up your templates based on your instructions (i.e., prompts) to optimize the note-taking and follow-up process.
4. Integrations: Granola is compatible with major platforms such as Dialpad Meetings, Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Its Slack integration, in particular, allows for quick sharing of meeting summaries and action items across teams, helping to maintain a flow of communication without leaving the platform. And, if you want to put your notes into an email, all it takes is the click of a button. You can also copy and paste them into any app you use.
5. Searchable Transcripts: A standout feature is that all your meeting notes and transcripts are fully searchable. This allows you to go back through past meetings, pinpointing specific moments or action items without re-listening to hours of recordings.
Why Granola Stands Out:
Granola's key differentiator is its approach to meeting capture. By directly working with system audio, it doesn’t require complicated setups or permissions that can sometimes trip up other meeting transcription tools. Furthermore, by automating tasks like drafting emails or summarizing discussions reduces the mental load after back-to-back meetings, allowing users to focus more on strategic thinking and less on administrative work.
Best Use Cases:
- Busy Professionals: For those in back-to-back meetings who don't have time to capture detailed notes.
- Team Leaders: Especially beneficial for managers who need a quick summary and action list without rehashing meetings.
- Remote Workers: Granola’s system-agnostic approach makes it ideal for teams across platforms like Dialpad Meetings, Zoom, Slack, and Teams.
- Sales and Client Meetings: Customize your follow-up communications, allowing for faster, more personalized responses post-meeting.
Comparison:
Granola competes with apps like Grain.com, Read.ai, Otter.ai, and Fireflies.ai, but its direct audio capture without relying on meeting bots and the additional layer of AI-driven follow-up automation set it apart. While Grain, Read, Otter, and Fireflies all offer transcription and search functionalities, Granola's streamlined workflow for email and task management is a significant selling point for teams looking to reduce manual input.
Pricing:
Granola offers both free and premium plans. The free version provides ample functionality for small teams or individuals, but larger organizations or power users may want to explore the paid options for deeper integrations and more storage.
Availability:
Granola is available just for the Mac OS
Final Thoughts:
Granola is a must-have for anyone looking to optimize their meeting workflow. Its intuitive AI, which takes notes and automates follow-up tasks, helps save valuable time. Whether you're in a fast-paced corporate environment or a startup, Granola helps you stay on top of your meetings, ensuring productivity and communication are at their best.
You can explore Granola and get started at granola.so
