Save TikTok? Trump Says He's the Only One Who Can

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Good morning, Tech Squad! As we close out 2024, gearing up for the new year, it seems the tech world is closing out with fireworks. From Reddit’s surprising financial glow-up to Microsoft and Google’s cloud clash, and even Trump stepping in to “save” TikTok, there’s no shortage of drama. Oh, and Kindle fans? Turns out Amazon’s latest Scribe is more of a rough draft than a final edit. Let’s dive in!

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Trump Wants to Save TikTok. Will SCOTUS Let Him?

In a plot twist that feels straight out of a reality show, President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to let him delay a congressional TikTok ban so he can personally negotiate a deal to save the platform. The clock is ticking—literally—as the bill is set to take effect on January 19th, one day before Trump’s inauguration.

Trump’s argument? He’s the “Art of the Deal” guy with 14 million TikTok followers and a deep appreciation for its role in free expression (yes, really). He claims his dealmaking prowess could sidestep the messy First Amendment questions raised by the ban, which stems from concerns over ByteDance’s ties to China.

The stakes: TikTok could be forced to sell off its U.S. operations to an American company to stay afloat, but political pressure to ban it entirely is still strong. Trump’s recent coziness with TikTok’s CEO suggests a pivot from his past anti-TikTok rhetoric—perhaps influenced by the app’s impact during his campaign.

The Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether Trump’s TikTok Hail Mary can even leave the bench.

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Microsoft vs. Google: The Xbox Mobile Dream Delayed?

Microsoft and Google are back in the ring, duking it out over app store policies, and the stakes are high. At the center of the dispute? Microsoft’s ambitious plan to make Xbox games playable across mobile devices without giving Google a 30% cut on every in-app purchase.

Microsoft had a big idea: a shiny new Xbox store for Android, offering game purchases and streaming within a single app. But Google’s Play Store policies—and a temporary court stay on a ruling that might’ve forced Google to loosen its grip—have put that plan in limbo. Xbox President Sarah Bond said the functionality is “built and ready” but can’t launch until regulators weigh in.

Why it matters: Microsoft’s “Xbox everywhere” strategy hinges on this. With its recent Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft wants to go head-to-head with app store giants by leveraging blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty. For now, though, the Xbox vision remains stuck in the lobby of Google’s ecosystem.

Kindle Scribe (2024): A Scribble, Not a Masterpiece

Amazon’s second-generation Kindle Scribe arrives with high expectations, promising to be the ultimate device for readers who love to annotate. While it brings some much-needed upgrades, it falls short of its lofty ambitions—especially at $399.99, a $60 premium over the original model.

The new Scribe builds on its predecessor with several key improvements. You can now jot notes directly onto ebook pages using the new Active Canvas feature, which resizes and reflows text around your annotations. It also introduces AI tools for summarizing notes and converting handwriting to text. A refreshed design in a Metallic Jade colorway adds visual flair, and the included Premium Pen mimics the feel of writing on paper with no lag, a built-in soft-tipped eraser, and customizable shortcuts.

Where the Scribe shines

The Scribe is still one of the best devices for reading within Amazon’s ecosystem. Its 10.2-inch, 300ppi display is sharp and easy on the eyes, with adjustable warm lighting for late-night reading. Annotating PDFs is also intuitive, allowing users to export marked-up documents while preserving text search functionality. For general note-taking, the device offers 18 built-in templates for checklists, planners, and more, with the option to download additional layouts.

Amazon’s new AI features bring some value, too. The note summarization tool provides a concise overview of your handwritten entries, while the handwriting-to-text tool works with decent accuracy, converting notes to typed text on a separate page in your notebook.

Where it stumbles

For a device that touts its note-taking capabilities, the Scribe struggles with usability. Active Canvas, while an upgrade, is frustratingly clunky. Resizing text boxes can introduce lag, and the device often misplaces notes on the wrong lines. Adding insult to injury, you can’t anchor notes directly to words, draw arrows, or circle phrases. And don’t expect these notes to show up on Kindle’s mobile or browser apps, as they’re locked to the Scribe itself.

The Scribe’s AI tools are helpful but limited. You can’t convert Active Canvas notes to text, tie ebook annotations to notebook entries, or use handwriting refinement seamlessly. Meanwhile, competitors like Kobo Elipsa 2E and Onyx Boox Go 10.3 offer smoother, more versatile note-taking experiences. Kobo’s device allows direct, natural annotations on ebooks, while Onyx supports advanced tools like split-screen mode, voice recording, and compatibility with third-party apps via Google Play.

Even PDF annotation on the Scribe has limitations. While text-searchable PDFs work well, sideloaded files must go through Amazon’s Send to Kindle feature, which adds unnecessary friction. Plus, you can’t search within your handwritten notes.

Design pros and cons

At nearly a pound, the Kindle Scribe isn’t light, but the extra screen real estate is great for reading and jotting down notes. The new Metallic Jade finish is a stylish touch, though the slippery aluminum build can make it challenging to hold for extended periods.

Is it worth it?

The 2024 Kindle Scribe is undoubtedly better than its predecessor, but it’s not enough to justify the $399.99 price tag. Most of the new features—like Active Canvas and AI tools—are available as a software update on the original model, which costs $60 less. Unless you’re deeply invested in Amazon’s ecosystem or primarily want a large Kindle for casual note-taking, rivals like the Kobo Elipsa 2E or Onyx Boox Go 10.3 provide more value.

For now, the Scribe remains a good Kindle, but it’s not quite the perfect digital notebook Amazon wants it to be.