Digital insights
february 2024

The Apple Vision Pro glasses

The Apple Vision Pro glasses have been available in American Apple Stores since February 2nd. It's a momentous day for Apple, being considered the "most challenging product launch ever" for the iPhone maker, according to experts. Currently, the headset is only available in the US, both in physical Apple Stores and on Apple.com. Apple CEO Tim Cook remarked about the latest headset: "The revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and discover." The price tag for the reality glasses? $3499.

As for when the Vision Pro will be available in the Netherlands, that remains unclear. It may not be until 2025. English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom and Canada will likely follow first.

Source: bright.nl

Google Maps introduces new feature: 3D view 

If you want to orient yourself and see where you are, Google Maps now allows you to view the world in 3D. You can look through buildings, giving you a better sense of their appearance and how the roads are laid out. This feature aims to provide clearer navigation and spatial understanding of your surroundings. The 3D view is not displayed by default; you need to enable it through the options under different map layers. Here, you select the map type or map data (including 3D view). 

Source: bright.nl

GPT Store launched

OpenAI has launched its GPT Store, an online marketplace where users can offer their own generative pretraining transformers (GPTs) or custom chatbots. Users with a Plus or Enterprise account can build their own GPTs that can take on various forms. These GPTs provide specific answers to questions. Previously, these custom GPTs were only used internally, but can now be offered through OpenAI's marketplace. 

Source: itdaily.be

GPT-NL: alternative to ChatGPT in the Netherlands

Netherlands is also making strides in developing an AI model. Dutch non-profit organizations, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, are developing an AI language model known as GPT-NL. A budget of 13.5 million euros has been allocated, and it will be available for use by researchers, academic institutions, governments, and those interested in AI research. However, it will take some time before GPT-NL is fully operational and accessible to everyone. 

Source: digitaleoverheid.nl

Universal withdraws music from TikTok

UMG, the music label Universal Music Group, is pulling its music from TikTok due to dissatisfaction with their current deal. As the current agreement expires, artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Drake, and Ariana Grande may no longer be featured. Whether this will indeed be the case remains uncertain. According to UMG, TikTok utilizes artificial intelligence to illegally copy music. On the social platform, users can add nearly any piece of music to their videos, a feature that contributed significantly to TikTok's popularity. Will it now become quieter on the platform? 

Source: bright.nl

Neuralink implants brain chip in human for the first time

Neuralink, Elon Musk's company, has successfully implanted a brain implant in a human for the first time. According to Musk, the patient is 'recovering well'. Neuralink develops brain implants aimed at enabling communication solely through brain signals for people with severe paralysis or diseases like ALS. Neuralink conducted experiments with animals in recent years and has now received approval from the U.S. regulator FDA to implant its first clinical chip in humans. 

Source: bright.nl