Weekly Tech Wrap: Samsung Launches New Foldables, WhatsApp Makes Sharing Video Messages Easier, Nicki Minaj On Call Of Duty, More Top Technology News

Every week, we gather the top tech news headlines worth your time. From Meta outpacing Google in ads to OnePlus exploring foldables as well — here are the top stories from the week that was.

From Samsung launching its latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 5, to WhatsApp making sharing short video messages instantaneous — the world of tech was dominated by these headlines over the past week. Let’s take a closer look.

Samsung Debuts Its Latest Foldables

Samsung has recently unveiled its latest foldable devices, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. These cutting-edge offerings were officially introduced by TM Roh, President, and Head of 'Mobile eXperience Business' at Samsung Electronics, during the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event held in Seoul, South Korea.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 boasts a remarkable 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display, referred to as the Flex Window, which is impressively 3.78 times larger than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 4. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED cover screen, providing an exceptional user experience.

For those interested in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, it is available in two variants of RAM and storage: 8GB+256GB and 8GB+512GB, with prices starting at $1,000. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers three different storage options: 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, and 12GB+1TB, with prices starting at $1,800. 

OnePlus ‘Open’ To Foldables?

The competition in the foldable device market is intensifying, and OnePlus is preparing to enter this arena as well. Recently, OnePlus provided a sneak peek of its inaugural foldable smartphone, which was initially hinted at during the OnePlus 11 launch event earlier this year. In a tweet, the company hinted at the upcoming device, stating, "We OPEN when others FOLD." Though the official name of the phone is yet to be confirmed, it is rumoured to be called ‘OnePlus Open’.

There are speculations that the OnePlus foldable may share similarities with the Oppo Find N2. It's worth noting that both OnePlus and Oppo are affiliated with the Chinese tech giant BBK Electronics. During the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, OnePlus officially announced that its first foldable phone would hit the market in the second half of the year.

Meta Outpaces Google

Meta, the company that owns Facebook, has announced remarkable growth in advertising revenue during the second quarter, surpassing even the expectations of Wall Street analysts. Additionally, the company has projected robust revenue for the third quarter, exceeding market expectations. These positive outcomes come on the heels of Google's parent company, Alphabet, also performing well, indicating that consumers and advertisers are continuing to spend despite broader economic uncertainties.

Nevertheless, Meta foresees an increase in expenses in the next couple of years, specifically in 2023 and 2024. These elevated costs are attributed to several factors, such as legal fees and additional investments in infrastructure, which are essential to stay competitive in the AI race within the tech industry. Despite implementing cost-cutting measures in certain areas, such as safety teams and basic business functions, Meta remains dedicated to investing in the development of future technologies.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, expressed his optimism about the company's future. He emphasized the strong engagement across their various apps and an exciting roadmap ahead, which includes the launch of Llama 2, Threads, Reels, new AI products, and Quest 3 in the coming months.

In the second quarter, Meta experienced a remarkable 11 per cent increase in revenue, reaching an impressive $32 billion. This figure surpassed the estimates made by analysts, who had projected revenue to be around $31.12 billion. Additionally, Meta observed a significant 12 per cent growth in ad revenue during the same period, outperforming Google's ad revenue growth, which was reported at 3 per cent. Moreover, Meta's adjusted earnings per share of $2.98 exceeded the expectations set by Wall Street, which had anticipated earnings to be around $2.91.

WhatsApp Makes Sharing Video Messages Easier

WhatsApp, the instant messaging platform owned by Meta, has introduced an exciting new feature that enables users to share personal videos directly in their chats. This enhancement builds upon the existing voice message functionality. According to a recent blog post from WhatsApp, the introduction of video messages will allow users to share their thoughts and emotions in real time through short video clips, with a maximum duration of 60 seconds. The company anticipates that this feature will add a fun and expressive dimension to communication, facilitating the sharing of special moments, birthday wishes, laughter at jokes, and the announcement of good news.

According to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, utilizing this new feature is as simple as sending a voice message.

Call Of Duty Celebrates Hip Hop

Call of Duty is renowned for its surprising character skins, and the upcoming Season 5 update for Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 is no exception. Scheduled for release on August 2, this update introduces a unique and unexpected addition to the game: the famous musicians Nicki Minaj and Snoop Dogg, each with their own distinct skins.

What makes this crossover even more remarkable is the underlying reason. Call of Duty is commemorating 50 years of Hip Hop culture, and the inclusion of Nicki Minaj and Snoop Dogg in the game pays tribute to the genre's enduring impact. As part of this celebration, players can also anticipate enjoying free War Tracks inspired by three decades of Hip Hop music, adding a cultural touch of nostalgia to the gaming experience.

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That’s it from the world of tech headlines this week. Stay tuned to this space for more top stories next week.

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