iPhone 17 Air: The Thinnest iPhone Yet...But at What Cost?

Welcome to Circuit Breaker, Tech Squad! It’s clear that tech is reshaping more than just our shopping habits. From OpenAI gearing up to challenge Google’s web dominance to Apple keeping things low-key with AirPods Max and the iPhone 17 lineup, it’s a reminder that innovation never takes a holiday.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out my favorite Black Friday deals at the end of this one— a great tech upgrade is just a click away!

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Musk vs. Altman: The Silicon Valley Drama Behind OpenAI’s Meteoric Rise

Elon Musk and Sam Altman were once allies, united by a vision to prevent AI from becoming a tool for Big Tech dominance. Now? They’re trading barbs in court, and it’s messier than a Twitter thread gone rogue. Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft has brought to light years of emails, backroom deals, and escalating power struggles that fueled OpenAI’s transformation from an idealistic nonprofit into a Microsoft-backed juggernaut.

Here’s the tea:

• Early Days: Musk sank $50–$100M into OpenAI, but tensions flared over its nonprofit structure and Altman’s rise to CEO, a role Musk reportedly wanted.

• Microsoft Partnership: Musk balked at an early Microsoft deal to evangelize Azure tools, deeming it too corporate. The partnership eventually grew into a massive $50M lifeline.

• Pay-to-Play: Musk approved lavish salaries to woo top AI talent, competing against Google’s DeepMind. Still, by 2018, he declared OpenAI doomed without a leadership shakeup.

• The Fallout: Musk left OpenAI’s board, pulling funding. By 2019, OpenAI reinvented itself as a “capped for-profit” to attract investors like Microsoft.

Big Picture: Musk’s suit, ostensibly about antitrust concerns, feels more like a play to rewrite the narrative—and reclaim the AGI moral high ground. Meanwhile, Altman and OpenAI seem laser-focused on winning the AI race, whatever the cost.

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Don’t Hold Your Breath for AirPods Max 2

If you were dreaming of a next-gen AirPods Max to rock your 2024 playlist, you might want to press pause. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple has “no concrete plans” to make meaningful updates to its flagship headphones anytime soon.

What’s the deal?

• In September, Apple gave the AirPods Max a minor refresh, adding USB-C ports and new colors. But there were no upgrades to the 2019-era H1 chip, which means no fancy Adaptive Audio or improved noise cancellation.

• Despite being $549, the headphones didn’t get a price cut—making them feel like a luxury time capsule.

• Gurman says sales numbers are lackluster, leaving Apple unmotivated to sink development resources into a sequel.

TL;DR: Apple’s sticking with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset—for now. If you’re holding out for an AirPods Max 2, you might want to consider other headphones before your playlist outgrows them.

VIDEO: Making WILD Custom Emoji in iOS 18.2

iPhone 17 Air: Thin, Sleek… and a Bit Sparse

Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a mixed bag. According to a new report from The Elec, the ultra-thin model won’t feature the impressive 5x optical zoom seen in Pro models. Instead, the Air will reportedly stick to a single 48MP rear camera, making it a style-over-substance choice for buyers.

Here’s what we know so far:

• No 5x Zoom: The tetraprism zoom system remains exclusive to Pro models like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

• Specs Rundown: A rumored A19 chip, 6.6-inch display, and Apple-designed 5G modem, but a single rear camera makes it a middle ground between an iPhone SE and a flagship model.

• Trade-Offs: Buyers will face tough choices—this thin design comes with compromises in camera and processing power compared to the Pro line.

Zoom Out: If you’re set on advanced camera features or top-tier performance, the Pro models are still the ones to beat. But if Apple’s thinnest phone ever catches your eye, get ready to settle for less under the hood.

OpenAI’s Web Browser Ambitions: The AI War Heads Online

Move over, Chrome—OpenAI might be eyeing your market share. According to The Information, OpenAI is toying with the idea of launching a web browser to rival Google Chrome, integrating its AI-powered chatbot and search engine features.

Here’s what’s brewing:

• Industry Shake-Up: OpenAI is reportedly in talks with developers from Redfin, Eventbrite, and more about its AI-enhanced browser prototype.

• Samsung Alliance? Discussions with Samsung hint at a possible integration of OpenAI tech into devices that currently run Android, shaking up Google’s cozy partnership with the South Korean giant.

• Regulatory Pressure: With Google under fire from the US Department of Justice, facing calls to sell Chrome, OpenAI might be perfectly poised to pounce.

Meanwhile, Google’s not twiddling its thumbs—it’s weaving generative AI, like its chatbot Gemini, deeper into its products. But if OpenAI can crack the browser market, the next search war might come down to who owns the browsing experience.

Big Picture: Taking on Chrome and Google Search isn’t for the faint of heart, but OpenAI’s ambition to redefine how we browse could spark a major shake-up in tech’s most entrenched ecosystem.

Black Friday Finds You Don’t Want to Miss

Ready to upgrade your tech, treat yourself, or check off that holiday shopping list? I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Black Friday deals—from big-ticket gadgets to budget-friendly upgrades, these picks are too good to pass up.

Keep scrolling for the discounts worth clicking “Add to Cart” on—you’ll thank me later when your wallet (and your inner tech nerd) feels just a little happier. 👇

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Combining classic Ray-Ban style with Meta’s advanced technology, these smart glasses feature a 12MP camera for high-quality photos and immersive 1080p videos, along with discreet open-ear speakers for enhanced audio experiences. They also integrate Meta AI, enabling real-time language translation and voice-activated assistance, making them a stylish and functional accessory for everyday use. Grab them for 20% off.

LG OLED C4: Elevate your viewing experience with the LG OLED C4, featuring perfect black levels, vibrant colors, and a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth motion. Its α9 AI Processor Gen7 enhances image processing, while Dolby Vision support ensures cinematic quality. The 65-inch model is $1,393 - 48% off!

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Elevate your home audio experience with the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), a compact soundbar delivering immersive Dolby Atmos sound and seamless integration with your favorite streaming services. This Black Friday, it’s available at a discounted price of $369, down from $499.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro: This advanced robot vacuum and mop features 8,000 Pa suction power and a 10-in-1 UniClean Station for automatic emptying, washing, refilling, and drying. Its Always Clean Mop system ensures continuous cleaning, while 3D MatrixEye technology provides precise obstacle avoidance. It’s available for $500 off for Black Friday.

OBSBOT Tiny 2: Elevate your video calls and streaming with the OBSBOT Tiny 2, an AI-powered 4K PTZ webcam featuring a 1/1.5” CMOS sensor for exceptional image quality. Enjoy advanced features like auto-tracking, gesture control, and voice commands for a seamless user experience. Grab it for $143 (a $36 discount) for Black Friday.

Amazon Luna Controller: Designed for Amazon’s cloud gaming service, the Luna Controller features low-latency Cloud Direct technology for smooth gameplay across devices. With an ergonomic design and easy screen switching, it’s perfect for gaming on Fire TV, PCs, tablets, and more. Grab it for 43% off!

PLAUD Note: This AI-powered voice recorder offers swift and accurate transcription in 59 languages, integrating OpenAI’s Whisper STT model and ChatGPT-4o & Claude 3.5 Sonnet for effortless summaries and to-do lists. With 64GB memory and a sleek, credit card-sized design, it’s perfect for lectures, meetings, and interviews. It’s available for 20% off for Black Friday!

Kindle Paperwhite: Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite features a 7-inch, 300 ppi glare-free display that reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight. With adjustable warm light, up to 10 weeks of battery life, and a waterproof design, it’s perfect for reading anywhere. Black Friday has this one for 19% off.

(Amazon links above result in a commission when purchases are made.)