Google Play adds Venmo as a payment option, TrendForce estimates Apple’s iPhone component costs jumped 38% compared to previous models, and Meta releases a free AI model able to run on a single computer.

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Show Notes

On Monday, Google Play added Venmo as a payment option for games, apps, and other digital content, including subscriptions. Venmo can be linked to a Google Play account through settings. Other payment options currently available in the United States include credit cards, Cash App, and PayPal.

Source: TechCrunch

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is considering new devices with “different types of screens and various sizes” compared to the existing Apple Watch lineup, as well as possibly devices without any displays, similar to offerings from Whoop. Gurman also says Apple may expand the watch lineup to even more premium options above the Ultra and Hermès editions and a lower end affordable one to come in under the Apple Watch SE pricepoint. In 2026 or 2027 Gurman is expecting the return of the ceramic case option and the addition of new watch and band colors.

Source: Bloomberg and Engadget

Also in Mark Gurman’s PowerOn newsletter, Apple had considered, but ultimately passed on, a feature as part of Apple Upgrade that would have each new device “arrive at home ready to go, preloaded with all of your data via your iCloud backup”. The idea was debated internally “years ago” and ultimately never shipped, citing privacy concerns.

Source: Bloomberg and 9to5Mac

TrendForce released an analysis estimating Apple will pay approximately 38% more for iPhone components over previous edition costs, though expects Apple to absorb some of the price shock of increase by limiting the amount it applies to the launch of new phones in September, while raising the costs of older models. In June, Apple raised prices for some Mac, iPad, Apple TV, HomePod, and Vision Pros over memory availability concerns. The iPhone 18 line is expected to debut later this year, with pricing likely revealed in September.

Source: MacRumors

Ford is launching an AI-powered assistant in its mobile app able to answer questions about Ford or Lincoln vehicles. The app will link to a customer’s vehicle, able to provide specific information on the owner’s particular model capabilities and upcoming servicing needs. Examples of questions the app can answer include expected fuel use for a trip and whether a vehicle is capable of towing various loads. A voice-powered assistant within vehicles is planned for 2027.

Source: The Verge

On Monday, Meta released an open source AI model able to run on a single computer called Muse Glimmer, based on Meta’s Spark 1.2. In the announcement, Meta says the model is “small enough to run on a Mac or PC with a single consumer GPU” and the free download is available on Hugging Face.

Source: Engadget

Semafor reports Spotify clarified the test rollout of a new feature allowing premium listeners to skip ahead over podcast ads, intros, and ‘filler’ with a single button is currently only available to a subset of premium subscribers. The test also limits the button to appear only when the Spotify app is in the foreground, though any ads sold by Spotify remain unable to be skipped, only ads by individual podcasts and podcast networks. Spotify argues the button increases listening time and the company is continuing to gather feedback from podcast publishers, advertisers, and users.

Source: Semafor

Viant Technology, owners of the Myspace brand, intends to bring back the social media platform that initially launched in 2003. Viant Technology obtained Myspace in 2011 and first attempted a relaunch in 2013. In a documentary about Myspace, co-owner Tim Vanderhook said, “We lost a little over $150 million” during the previous relaunch. Presently no launch window or further details have been revealed. Original founder Tom Anderson, best known as Myspace Tom and everyone’s first friend, has yet to comment.

Source: The Next Web and CNBC