Happy New Year! A few headlines to kick off 2024:
- Apple’s tough start to 2024
- Layoffs galore
- Surprising benefits to EV chargers
Let’s ride into the new year talking about tech.
Apple vs. Microsoft
The tech game just witnessed a major plot twist, with Microsoft dethroning Apple as the world’s most valuable company. While Apple reigned for years on the throne built from iPhones, Microsoft’s ascent is paved with the potential of generative AI. Investors have flocked to Microsoft, eager to ride the wave of AI.
In the fast-paced digital arena, clinging to past successes only invites obsolescence. Apple’s dependence on the iPhone served them well, but it also became a chink in their armor when market winds shifted. Conversely, Microsoft’s willingness to embrace the future of AI demonstrates an agility that’s crucial for survival in this ever-evolving ecosystem.
TL;DR:
- Microsoft dethroned Apple as world’s biggest company, riding the hype wave of generative AI.
- Apple’s over-reliance on iPhone sales in a shaky market left them vulnerable to Microsoft’s AI surge.
- The tech landscape is shifting, and even giants need to keep innovating or risk getting left behind.
Tech Bytes
It’s layoff szn
Instagram, Google, Pixar, and Microchip Technology oh my. 2024 is off to a rough start for tech companies.
Shaming people through the art of dance
WebMD’s parent company sent chills down spines (and sparked memes) with a bizarre video demanding office return. Mocking workers and flashing “don’t mess with us” messages, the now-updated video left employees reeling.
Texas or bust (allegedly)
Apple CEO Tim Cook ~only~ received $63 million in 2023, while Apple workers in San Diego face Texas relocation or layoffs in a company shakeup.
Tech for Good
Last December, when storms swept Australia, one family faced a terrifying prospect: their 11-year-old son needed dialysis, and the blackout threatened his life. The hero? EV chargers.
Kristy Holmes, the boy’s mother, used her BYD Atto 3’s “vehicle-to-load” (V2L) feature to power his dialysis machine for the entire night. EVs with V2L are transforming disaster preparedness. Neighbors are offering their EVs power to those in need – lights, medical devices, even a hot meal after a long blackout. The future of EVs is not just clean driving but also a safety net.
