iPhone 16e Launch, Humane RIP & Rivian Dune Edition

Tech News Roundup

The iPhone 16e Arrival

Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16e, marking a transition away from the traditional SE branding. The device features:
• A18 Chip with Apple Intelligence capabilities
• 6.1-inch OLED display with Face ID
• USB-C connectivity and the new in-house C1 cellular modem
• Controversial omissions like the lack of MagSafe and 60Hz display at a $599 price point

The End of Humane

After much anticipation and criticism, Humane has been acquired by HP for $116 million.

"It feels kind of like they did that [hyping] for longer than they had an actual public facing product."
• The Humane Pin will stop functioning completely by February 28th.
• Only recent purchasers within 90 days are eligible for refunds, leaving many early adopters with expensive hardware "bricks."

Rivian California Dune Edition

Rivian introduced a new limited-edition trim package focusing on aesthetics and off-road capability.
• Features include exclusive sand-colored paint, reinforced underbody shielding, and specialized all-terrain wheels.
• The team announced they will be recording a live episode of Waveform at South by Southwest (March 8th).

Industry Updates & Tidbits

• Reddit is exploring paid subreddits, which members suggest could function similarly to a more integrated version of Patreon.
• Amazon is removing the ability to download e-books to computers, effectively shifting ebook ownership to a streaming license model.
• Nothing continues to tease its upcoming phone through self-produced comparison videos, sparking debate on corporate transparency and objectivity.