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
Deal With Mexican Retailer, Nordstrom’s Founding Family Takes Nordstrom Private.
(VOR News) – The company made the news on Monday that it would transition into a private Nordstrom corporation after the conclusion of a buyout agreement with El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican department store, and the founding family of Nordstrom.
The arrangement was reached when the company acquired El Puerto de Liverpool. It is projected that the transaction will end up valued at around $6.25 billion.
The company’s board of directors came to a resolution that was unanimous in order to give their approval to the deal, which is expected to be completed in the first half of the year 2025.
The Nordstrom family would control the corporation under the agreement.
Which will equate to 50.1% of the business, while Liverpool will hold 49.9% of the company. In accordance with a press announcement, common stockholders would receive a cash payment of $24.25 for each share of Nordstrom common stock that they now hold in their possession.
According to a news release, Nordstrom’s Chief Executive Officer Erik Nordstrom remarked that the company has been working on the fundamental principle of assisting customers in feeling well and looking their best for more than a century.
This idea has been the driving force behind the company’s operations. The company is about to embark on an exciting new phase, and today marks the beginning of that chapter.
We, the members of my family, are looking forward to working together with our coworkers to make certain that Nordstrom will continue to be successful well into the foreseeable future.
Over the course of its history, the retail establishment has made repeated attempts to transition into a private operation. 2018 was the year that a previous attempt was unsuccessful at materializing.
In September, the Nordstrom family made an offer to purchase the company at a price of $23 per share, which resulted in the company being valued at around $3.76 billion. The offer was accepted by the company.
Over the course of the early trading session, the stock of Nordstrom witnessed a decrease of nearly one percent. As a result of a report that was published by Reuters in March, which said that the family intended to take the company private, the shares of the company have undergone a large boost.
November revenues beat Wall Street forecasts for Nordstrom’s fiscal third quarter.
This was due to the fact that the company’s revenue climbed approximately 4% year-over-year. However, the company claimed that it anticipated a dismal holiday season, which resulted in a little more optimistic prediction for the full year’s revenues. This was the case since the corporation anticipated that the holiday season would be weak.
Customers continue to be picky when it comes to purchasing things that are desires rather than needs, and they have paid greater attention to pricing, according to the majority of merchants, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.
These businesses have also said that customers have become more price conscious. This has led to an increase in the amount of pressure that is being placed on luxury clothing businesses.
Nordstrom, a department store, was initially founded in 1901 as a shoe business but later expanded into other areas. Since then, it has developed into a department store that provides customers with a diverse range of clothing and accessories at more than 350 sites around the United States. These locations include Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom Local, and Nordstrom.
El Puerto de Liverpool is responsible for the management of two further department store chains under the names Liverpool and Suburbia. In addition, El Puerto de Liverpool is home to 29 shopping centers that are dispersed across the entirety of Mexico
SOURCE: CNBC
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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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