Top Tech News of the Week in America: Meta Takes on Twitter, Zuckerberg’s Opinion on Apple Vision Pro, Google Launches Virtual Fitting Room, Canada’s Costly Move towards Electric Vehicles, Netflix Ventures into Live Sports, Twitter Faces Music Copyright Lawsuit, Legal Battle Over Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

These are the top tech news of the week in America.

1. Meta Aims to Challenge Twitter’s Dominance

Despite the controversies surrounding Elon Musk, Twitter remains the dominant force in social media, costing Musk a staggering $44 billion. However, Meta (formerly known as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is determined to change that.

Since January, Meta has been working on its own version of Twitter. Meta product manager Chris Cox stated, “Creators and public figures are interested in having a sensibly managed platform that they can trust,” indirectly referring to Twitter’s questionable reputation since Musk acquired the app last year.

Exciting times lie ahead, but patience is key.

2. Zuckerberg’s Misleading Statements

When Mark Zuckerberg speaks, the world listens. However, when he talks about his direct competition, skepticism arises. Zuckerberg believes that Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro glasses are designed for solitary use, while Meta’s Quest glasses are designed for interaction.

Regardless of personal or business considerations, one thing is clear: Apple’s glasses, set to release in 2024, will cost $3,499, while Meta’s Meta Quest 3 will be priced at a more affordable $499.99.

Let the battle of the masks commence!

3. Google Introduces Virtual Clothing Fitting Room

Waiting for thirty minutes to try on clothes in a physical dressing room is a nightmare for many. Google aims to solve this issue with its virtual clothing fitting room, powered by artificial intelligence. The “Try On” feature allows users to see how desired clothing items look on them.

Currently, the feature only works with T-shirts, shirts, and sweaters on forty different female body types. Men can now bid farewell to their excuses for avoiding shopping trips.

4. The High Cost of Going Green

While electric vehicle technology is beneficial for the environment and long-term savings, it comes with a hefty price tag. This applies not only to proud Tesla owners but also to Canada.

Setting up a Volkswagen factory in Canada to produce batteries for electric vehicles will cost an additional $1.8 billion. While Volkswagen plans to invest $3.89 billion in its first battery plant outside Europe, the Canadian government will contribute approximately $12.266 billion, surpassing the initially announced $10.5 billion.

All for a greener and cleaner future.

5. Netflix Ventures into Live Sports Broadcasting

Netflix, the world leader in streaming with 232.5 million customers, is preparing to enter the live sports broadcasting arena. The company plans to broadcast a golf tournament from Las Vegas, featuring celebrities from its popular docuseries “Full Swing” (golf) and “Drive to Survive” (Formula 1).

“We haven’t seen a profitable way to broadcast major sports… We’re not against doing it, we’re just for the profit,” stated Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos in January last year.

Doubts surrounding the high cost of broadcasting rights for sporting events seem to have been resolved.

6. Record Companies Sue Twitter Over Copyright Infringement

Twenty major record companies, including Universal and Sony, have filed a lawsuit against Twitter in a US court. They accuse Elon Musk’s company, X Corp, which includes Twitter, of profiting from their artists’ compositions and violating intellectual property rights.

The lawsuit claims that Twitter uses the music and video repertoires of the complainants to attract and retain users, at the expense of the authors. The record companies are seeking a jury trial and compensation of $150,000 for each infringed work, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This legal battle could prove costly for Twitter and prevent the little blue bird from singing other people’s tunes.

7. Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Faces Legal Hurdles

In February 2022, Microsoft announced its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, marking the largest deal of its kind. However, a judge in California has temporarily suspended the agreement due to concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FTC believes that Microsoft’s control over Activision franchises such as “Warcraft,” “Call of Duty,” and “Candy Crush” would harm consumers and reduce competition in the video game industry. A hearing has been scheduled to address these concerns.

Gamers, brace yourselves for the twists and turns in this ongoing game.