Mon. 09/16 – A Bunch Of Apple Stories · Tech Brew Ride Home summary

Key takeaways

The Apple Watch's new sleep apnea detection feature aims to improve user health awareness but is not a diagnostic tool.
iPhone 16 pre-order sales are lower than expected, reflecting challenges Apple faces in competitive markets.
Terry Breton's resignation marks a shift in EU leadership dynamics, raising questions about future technology regulation.
Slack's integration of AI agents seeks to enhance workplace productivity by consolidating various tools into a single platform.
Intel's loss to AMD in the PlayStation 6 chip design bid signals a competitive setback for their manufacturing strategy.
The review of AirPods 4 highlights a balance of performance and affordability within Apple's ecosystem of products.
Online dating apps' influence on partner selection is linked to a rise in income inequality, as economic factors weigh heavily in relationship dynamics.

Summary

FDA Approves Sleep Apnea Detection for Apple Watch

The FDA has approved the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 for sleep apnea detection, a feature revealed at the recent iPhone 16 launch event. This feature, classified as an over-the-counter device, will provide users insights into their sleep disturbances and will require tracking data over 30 days to assess risk. While it raises awareness about sleep apnea, Apple clarifies it won't serve as a diagnostic tool.

iPhone 16 Pre-Order Sales Fall Short

Apple's first weekend pre-orders for the iPhone 16 show a significant drop compared to last year's models. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports a 12.7% decrease with notable declines in the iPhone 16 Pro models. The supply chain remains stable, but Apple faces challenges including the lack of key features at launch and high competition in markets like China.

EU Commissioner Terry Breton Steps Down

EU Commissioner Terry Breton announces his resignation following a disagreement with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Breton's departure was part of a political shake-up within the EU's leadership following the recent European elections, with implications for France's influence in upcoming roles within the commission.

Slack Integrates AI Agents for Enhanced Productivity

Slack introduces AI agents for its platform, allowing users to incorporate agents from Salesforce and other partners into their workflows. This update aims to streamline desk workers' tasks, helping them consolidate their workflows and access real-time support from AI, thereby addressing issues related to information accessibility in the workplace.

Intel Loses Bid for Playstation 6 Chip Design

In a significant setback, Intel failed to secure the contract to design the chips for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 6, losing to AMD and TSMC following months of negotiations. This loss not only affects Intel's financial projections but also highlights the competitive nature of the semiconductor market, especially concerning gaming consoles.

Review of Apple AirPods 4

The Verge reviews the new Apple AirPods 4, noting impressive active noise cancellation and enhanced sound quality in an open design. Although the review points toward areas for improvement, such as volume controls, the overall performance makes them a strong contender in the wireless earbud market, especially with competitive pricing.

Online Dating's Role in Increasing Income Inequality

A recent study suggests that online dating apps have contributed to rising income inequality in the U.S. by enabling users to select partners with similar educational and wage profiles. This selective marrying pattern significantly accounts for changes in income distribution over the past decades, highlighting the socio-economic implications of modern dating platforms.

Show notes

A bunch of Apple stories today. FDA approval for sleep apnea detection for the watch. Signs of poor pre-order sales for the phone. And a quick review of the new Airpods. Also, how did Intel lose out on making the chips for the next gen Playstation. And are dating apps responsible for income inequality?
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Links:

Apple Watch sleep apnea detection gets FDA approval (TechCrunch)

iPhone 16 first weekend pre-order analysis: estimated total sales of about 37 million units; Pro series demand lower than expected (Ming-Chi Kuo)

France picks Sejourne as nominee for EU Commission after Breton clash (Reuters)

Slack now lets users add AI agents from Asana, Cohere, Adobe, Workday and more (VentureBeat)

Exclusive: How Intel lost the Sony PlayStation business (Reuters)

Apple AirPods 4 review: defying expectations (The Verge)

Online Dating Caused a Rise in US Income Inequality, Research Paper Shows (Bloomberg)