DeCODE The Week ≠ Audio & Video Technology Weekly
Credit: Rachel Sender
In 2021, More Together.
/News Briefing.
WWDC 2021 is still online
Apple announced last week that WWDC would once again be held online. Like last year, the online event will take place on June 7 and 11, and developers around the world will be able to watch prerecorded keynote speeches and sessions and ask questions of Apple engineers and employees via the Web.
Station B invested in game distributor X.D. Network
Bilibili has invested HK $960 million (US $123 million) in X.D. Network, maker of game distribution platform Taptap, giving it a 4.72% stake in the company. X. D. is seen as a competitor to traditional game distributors, including Android app stores operated by smartphone makers.
Meituan raised another $750 million to strengthen its supply chain
Meituan raised $750 million from Alibaba, DST Global and others to strengthen its supply chain and increase its supply of fresh produce. Today, the company serves 1,598 cities and counties in China and receives 15m orders a day.
Snap is expanding into hardware and restarting its drone program
Snap is planning to expand further into hardware with a more advanced version of its smart virtual glasses that includes AR effects. In addition, SNAP has relaunched its old program of building drones.
LinkedIn will build a Clubhouse rival
LinkedIn, which focuses on business and workplace networking, says it is building a rival to Clubhouse. The company sees this as an extension of the platform’s existing creator services — which also include content like LinkedIn Live, Stories, and newsletters. The company says it believes its product can stand out from others because its network will be tied to people’s professional identities, rather than just a social profile.
Spotify takes a step toward online audio with the acquisition of Betty Labs
Spotify bought Betty Labs, the maker of Locker Room, an online audio app, with the aim of replacing Clubhouse. His app currently focuses on sports talk, but will expand to include a broader “range of sports, music and cultural programming.” The rise of live audio poses a potential threat to Spotify’s investment in podcasts, as it connects users to audio programming in real time, rather than through recording and programming. Spotify had earlier said it would add interactive features to its podcast recording app to better connect podcasts and listeners, but with Locker Room’s popularity, it is taking a step toward fully embracing online audio.
Credit: Rachel Sender
Decode The Week brings you the latest and most interesting audio and video (technical/non-technical) news to share with you — and you’re welcome to share it with us in the background comments or via email at [email protected].