Business
Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know
Apple’s first new product in seven years, the Vision Pro, was formally released in retailers in the United States on Friday.
The mixed reality headset went on sale at Apple Stores around the country, with some eager customers being among the first to get their hands on what looks to be one of the most inventive tech items in years.
On Friday morning, CEO Tim Cook greeted customers at Apple’s New York City flagship store, shaking hands and taking photographs as colleagues rejoiced. Around 200 individuals waited up ahead of the 8 a.m. debut, including clients worldwide.
Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know
In addition, retail outlets offer individual one-on-one demos on a first-come, first-served basis.
CEO Tim Cook has long emphasised the promise of augmented reality to facilitate communication and collaboration. Now, he must demonstrate that a device that combines virtual reality and augmented reality, a technique that superimposes virtual visuals on live video of the actual world, is the future of computing.
Before its release, Cook described it as “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created.”
However, it will be a challenging sell: a $3,499 bulky computer you wear on your face. The headset will feature 256 GB of storage and prescription lens inserts will be offered for $149. Reading lens implants begin at $99.
The New York Times claimed that when extra accessories, such as a $200 travel case and a $50 power pack holder, are included, the price can reach $4,600.
The headset launches at a time when the extended reality (XR) sector, which comprises augmented, virtual, and mixed reality, has reached a plateau with no widespread consumer penetration. The Vision Pro will have a limited number of apps out of the box and will be attached to an iPhone-sized battery pack, providing approximately 2.5 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know
The experience, however, is unparalleled regarding watching immersive videos and engaging with your surroundings. It’s rare to come across a new technology that feels revolutionary, but in the two demos CNN saw before the launch, it’s easy to envision the future — or at least an early and extremely expensive prototype of it.
The User Experience
The headset itself resembles a pair of stylish ski goggles. It has a soft adjustable band on top, a “digital crown” on the back — a larger version than what you’d find on an Apple Watch — and another digital crown on top that functions as a home button.
Although it’s still a computer around your eyes, it’s surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.
The setup method is straightforward: first, the headset tracks the eyes, scans the hands, and maps the room. Users will then see an iOS-style interface appear in front of their surroundings.
Eye motions and tapping the thumb and pointer finger together activate a “select” button, allowing users to smoothly switch between apps, including Messages, FaceTime, Safari, and Photos. The UI also responds to voice commands to activate Siri.
Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know
Photos can be displayed in life-size or as if they were on a large cinema screen. In contrast, panoramics immerse you in the scene. Vision Pro also includes a spatial photo option, allowing users to watch photographs and videos in 3D for a more realistic experience.
The Vision Pro has many applications, including cooking, meditation, and work. Users can sync their Mac computers to transform the screen into a large display and connect a physical keyboard.
To maximise productivity, it is feasible to have numerous windows active simultaneously. Email can be retained on one side, with a Safari browser open in the centre and a FaceTime call on the right. When users wear Vision Pro and FaceTime, they appear as a Persona, a digital avatar of their face.
However, the true charm of the Vision Pro is in the immersive films.
During a recent trial, we viewed “Star Wars” highlights on Disney+ while sitting inside a virtual recreation of Luke Skywalker’s land speeder vehicle, a viewing experience that any movie fan would enjoy. Watching an underwater scene from “Avatar 2” in 3D was likewise bizarre, as users appeared immersed in the ocean.
Apple has made steps to address the motion sickness issue that has afflicted competing headsets, thanks to a special chip that reduces latency in similar products. Vision Pro offers surround sound, with audio pods outside the ears to provide rich, immersive music.
To assist consumers in navigating their new headset, Apple has provided a roughly 10-minute guided tour on its website.
Almost every new Apple device, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch, promises to employ screens of various sizes to transform how we live, work, and interact with the world. The Vision Pro can achieve all of this more spectacularly.
However, due to its high pricing, the Vision Pro will remain a niche product for die-hard Apple devotees and developers.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company sold between 160,000 and 180,000 Vision Pro headsets during the first pre-order weekend last month.
Shipping times were unchanged during the first 48 hours, indicating demand may decline once core fans have placed orders. Shipping times frequently extend when new iPhone models sell out.
Morgan Stanley estimates the company will ship up to 400,000 Vision Pro systems this year.
SOURCE – (CNN)
Business
Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists
Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.
Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.
Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.
Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.
Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.
Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.
Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.
The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.
The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.
The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.
They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.
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Business
Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout
An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.
The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.
According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.
The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.
It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.
Amazon Strike at 10 Locations
Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.
The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.
The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.
Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.
Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.
Stalled Contract Negotiations
Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.
However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.
Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.
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Business
Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.
(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.
The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.
The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.
Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.
The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.
Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.
Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.
“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.
“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.
The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.
The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.
Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.
Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.
Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.
In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.
The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.
In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.
“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”
The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.
SOURCE: NPR
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