Apple tipped to release low-end iPad to serve as a smart home display

Apple is reportedly planning to release a low-end version of the iPad with the sole purpose of using it for smart home management. This display can be used for controlling HomeKit devices, streaming video, or making FaceTime calls, among others.

It'll be built for wall mounts or attached to other surfaces with magnetic fasteners. You can think of it as Apple's answer to the Meta Portal or the Echo Show. The company is reportedly targeting a 2024 launch for this smart home display.

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Spotify expected to layoff employees as soon as this week

Photo by @felipepelaquim on Unsplash

Spotify is the latest tech company expected to layoff employees as soon as this week. It isn't known how many of its 9,800 employees will be affected, but the company is reportedly moving forward with the plan to reduce operational expenses. This layoff is expected to be more broad than previous round of cuts in October, which affected staff working on canceled shows from its in-house podcast studios Gimlet and Parcast.

The streaming service has declined to comment on this report. But Spotify executives have previously signaled plans to reduce headcount-related expenses. CEO Daniel Ek told staff in June the company planned to reduce its hiring growth by 25 percent. CFO Paul Vogel also pointed to “increasing uncertainty regarding the global economy” during Spotify's investor day in June as a reason to evaluate its "headcount growth in the near term." The company is expected to report its fourth-quarter earnings on January 31.

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Microsoft shuts down AltspaceVR

Source: Microsoft

As Microsoft laid off over 10,000 workers across the company, one of the divisions impacted is its mixed reality arm. And one of the results is the shutdown of its social virtual reality platform, AltspaceVR. The company acquired the platform back in 2017, but now it meets its end on March 10. According to Microsoft, it will help the company shift focus "to support immersive experiences powered by Microsoft Mesh." Users of AltspaceVR can download their data before the shutdown.

AltspaceVR was one of the first social VR experiences in 2015, but it shut down in 2017 due to financial issues. Microsoft bought the platform to build its own mixed-reality ecosystem. As The Verge pointed out, Microsoft is reexamining its mixed reality ambitions. It's been reported that the team working on the open-source Mixed Reality Toolkit has been laid off along with the AltspaceVR team.

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 1/15- 1/21

Apple MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and Max chips now official

Samsung has a new 8K ultra-short throw projector

Withings U-Scan brings a urine lab into your home 

Limited-edition Mercedes-AMG SL 63 gets an F1-inspired paint job

HP Eco Edition laptop is made from recycled materials like cooking oil

LG updates its sleek Gram laptop line

Apple Mac mini gets M2, M2 Pro options

Apple's augmented reality glasses are shelved for now

Logitech Brio 300 is a 1080p webcam with auto light correction

Google has unlocked the Stadia controller's Bluetooth 

Fitbit removes support for Deezer, Pandora

Apple introduces a new larger HomePod

Samsung Galaxy S23 series will reportedly get a modified Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset

Instagram's Quiet Mode lets you pause notifications

Instagram expands the functionality of its "not interested" button 

Crystal Dynamics to discontinue 'Marvel's Avengers' in Sept.