Tech News: Apple's Auto Plans, Folding Phones, and VR

The State of Apple's Autonomous Project

Linus discusses recent reports regarding Apple's Project Titan.
• Spotted prototypes lack evidence of LiDAR sensors, suggesting an all-camera autonomous setup.
• Despite internal layoffs, poaching Tesla executives indicates continued interest in the space.
• Linus shares his unsuccessful attempt to navigate Apple's support infrastructure to secure media credentials, highlighting the challenges of interacting with the company's opaque PR protocols.

Folding Phones and Market Launch Woes

Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate 30 series are set for potential September launches.
• Samsung has implemented physical design fixes, including hinge caps to block dust and improved screen layering, to address earlier widespread hardware failures.
• Linus points out the irony of "quiet" home-market launches as a damage control strategy after previously hyped global rollouts.

The Resurgence of VR

Linus shares his renewed excitement for virtual reality, noting significant improvements in user experience.
• The Valve Index is praised as a true second-generation upgrade, while the Oculus Quest is recognized for making VR accessible and tether-free.
• He discusses the skepticism surrounding inside-out tracking and how modern hardware has largely resolved previous issues with occlusion and drift.

Tech Snippets

"I think taking a break was the right idea. And then now I'm genuinely re-excited about things."

• Data Privacy Concerns: A discussion on legal pressures facing Apple and Google to hand over user data involved in GunScope app investigations.
• Biometric Payments: Amazon is testing "Orville," a hand-scanning payment system being piloted at Whole Foods to facilitate faster, contactless transactions.
• Community Engagement: Linus responds to channel feedback, discussing the possibility of future car reviews (Chevy Volt) and technical deep-dives.