Thu. 12/12 – The “Killer App” For Vision Pro?

Dec 12, 2024 15m

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Episode Description

More fallout from the whole Cruise wind-down. What it’s like to use some of the new Gemini 2.0 features. Has Apple, quite belatedly, finally done a feature update that provides the Vision Pro with a “killer app?” An Instagram-like app from China I had never heard of. And one singular, eye-popping datapoint from the CHIPS Act. Links: The end of Cruise is the beginning of a risky new phase for autonomous vehicles (The Verge) Gemini 2.0 Flash: An outstanding multi-modal LLM with a sci-fi streaming model (Simon Willison's Blog) FCC Opens Entire 6-GHz Band to Very-Low-Power Device Operations (TV Tech) The Vision Pro’s ultrawide Mac display is very close to being a killer app (The Verge) China’s Instagram-Style Xiaohongshu Crosses $1 Billion in Profit (Bloomberg) Harvard Is Releasing a Massive Free AI Training Dataset Funded by OpenAI and Microsoft (Wired) US chipmaking boom in doubt after Biden’s defeat (Financial Times)

AI-Generated Summary

Fallout from the Cruise Wind Down

The episode dives into the disbanding of Honda's self-driving partnership with GM, coinciding with GM's decision to exit the robot taxi space completely. With Honda's considerable investment of $852 million in Cruise and Microsoft's expected loss of around $800 million in Q2 2025 due to their minority stake in Cruise, the narrative suggests that the profitability of robot taxis might not be within reach for traditional auto manufacturers. Analysts speculate that it may be more feasible for GM to focus on selling conventional vehicles, perhaps with some autonomous features, rather than pursuing the costly robot taxi market. The immense losses incurred by Cruise, amounting to $3.48 billion in 2023, underscore the volatility of this sector.

Innovations in AI: Gemini 2.0 Features

A highlight of the episode is the introduction of Gemini 2.0 Flash, which exhibits impressive spatial reasoning capabilities and a groundbreaking streaming API. This feature allows for real-time audio and video interactions with the model, enabling a two-way stream that feels futuristic. Users can engage with the AI to execute tasks, including rendering charts or executing Python code, exemplifying significant advancements in multimodal capabilities. The podcast discusses the promise of Gemini’s potential and its comparison with similar tools from major competitors like OpenAI and Amazon.

Vision Pro’s Latest Update: Is It the Killer App?

The Vision Pro receives a significant update in the latest OS version, improving the usability of its Mac display mirroring function. The experience of utilizing multiple virtual display modes has been revitalized, making it more practical for users accustomed to multi-monitor setups. The upgrade provides options for standard, wide, and ultra-wide displays that enhance clarity and functionality. However, some quirks remain, such as sluggish mode switching and difficulty in resolution retention. Nevertheless, this update positions Vision Pro closer to being a 'killer app' by transforming its role from a personal media device to a high-resolution, immersive workspace.

The Rise of Xiaohongshu: China’s Instagram

Xiaohongshu, an Instagram-like app tailored for a younger Chinese audience, is on a rapid growth trajectory, with predictions of doubling its profits to exceed $1 billion in 2024. Initially crafted as a travel and dining review platform, it has evolved into an influential e-commerce entity promoting products through influencer marketing. The app’s success highlights the shifting dynamics in online commerce as it competes against titans like Alibaba and JD.com during a period of economic downturn in China. The episode emphasizes the app's significance as one of the few major players remaining privately held in a contemporary, competitive landscape.

Broadening Horizons: The CHIPS Act and AI Training Datasets

The episode wraps up with discussions surrounding the CHIPS Act, which aims to bolster U.S. chip production and reverse decades of tech offshoring. The podcast highlights a noteworthy spike in investments in electronic manufacturing facilities in the U.S. This scenario is paired with news of Harvard releasing a comprehensive dataset of nearly a million public domain books, enhancing access for developing AI models, likened to a democratizing effort in the tech space. As resources become more available, small players in AI development stand to benefit significantly.