Apple's WWDC 2024 Leads This Week's Tech Roundup

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer’s Conference kicked off at the top of the week, with all eyes on the company’s newly announced updates. Led by the introduction of an “Apple Intelligence” AI platform, a slew of new features hit the Apple universe, including Genmojis and ChatGPT x Siri.

Elsewhere, Elon Musk faced two lawsuits – the more severe of which stems from former SpaceX engineers alleging that Musk personally ordered their firings after they raised concerns of sexual harassment in the workplace.

On the product front, The Light Phone III landed – just as minimal as ever but with evolved capabilities – along with Insta360’s smallest camera yet, the 4K Insta360 GO 3S.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

The Biggest Announcements at Apple’s WWDC 2024

Apple

Apple’s 2024 WWDC saw a range of big announcements, including the introduction into the AI space with “Apple Intelligence.” A built-in assistant for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the Apple AI function draws on users “personal context” to aid in functions like sending emails and texts.

“It’s because of personal context, it’s because it’s private,” Tim Cook told Hypebeast. “People are very nervous, rightfully so, about their personal information getting out there. The fact that we’re doing it in a private way and the fact that we’re integrating it. These things are all huge differentiators.”

AI also appears in the newly announced AI-generated emojis and ChatGPT partnership – now usable via Siri.

Elsewhere, Apple revealed the new Mac Virtual Display on visionOS 2, iPhone mirroring on macOS Sequoia, hand gestures to answer or decline calls while connected to AirPods, Tap to Cash and new ways to organize your home screen.

Elon Musk Sued by 8 Former SpaceX Employees Alleging Sexual Harassment and Retaliation

Alain Jocard/Afp/Getty Images

Eight former SpaceX engineers are suing Elon Musk.

Alleging sexual harassment and retaliation, the employees assert Musk personally called for their June 2022 firings after they penned an open letter to the company regarding sexual harassment less than a month after Musk was reported to have settled a misconduct allegation raised by a former SpaceX flight attendant.

In the suit, several scenarios are cited, with the plaintiffs accusing Musk of “treating women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size, bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter, and offering the reprise to those who challenge the ‘Animal House’ environment that if they don’t like it they can seek employment elsewhere.”

Stay tuned to Hypebeast as the story progresses.

The Light Phone III Remains Distraction-Free While Introducing a Few Modern Features

The Light Phone

A few years after the Light Phone II’s arrival, the Light Phone III has surfaced.

Equipped with a larger OLED display, the Light Phone III again arrives in a completely matte and minimal silhouette, but this time it introduces an NFC chip that permits for Apple Pay-like tap-to-pay transactions.

Other new inclusions span a flashlight, a camera, as well as a longer battery life than models past.

Running for $399 USD, the Light Phone III is available for preorder now until July 15 on the label’s website.

Insta360 Just Released its Tiniest 4K Camera

Insta360

Insta360 has unveiled its smallest offering to date: a 4K Insta360 GO 3S.

The follow-up to the action camera imprint’s GO 3, the GO 3S signals an evolution from the latest model, equipped with a new “Interval Video” mode. The updated installation allows for automatic, hands-free usage.

A MegaView field of view ensures less distortion in wide shots and improved Dolby Vision-Ready offers better detailing across different dynamic ranges.

Fully waterproof, the GO 3S lands in two colorways – Arctic White and Midnight Black – also sees the first-ever inclusion of Apple’s Find My feature.

Cop a camera for yourself now for $399.99 USD at Insta360’s website.