Weekly River Finds #4
Some interesting finds ranging from articles, podcasts or videos for your reading pleasure
(1) Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip is a big bet on the PC’s future by Harry McCracken
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X Elite can provide up to twice the performance of Intel chips at the same power consumption level. The company says it also beats Apple’s M2 Max chip in single-threaded performance and matches it in peak performance while using 30% less power
Arm-based processors have long been ubiquitous in smartphones, but they’re based on an entirely different architecture than x86. Bringing them into Windowsland requires significant adjustments on the part of everyone from PC makers to Microsoft to app developers. Past attempts—like Microsoft’s first Surface tablet back in 2012, which used an Nvidia chip—have bombed, in part because they introduced compatibility issues with existing software without offering any remarkable new advantages in return
Another undeniable dynamic impacting the Snapdragon X Elite’s launch is the example set by Apple. Starting in 2020, the company transitioned its entire Mac line from Intel chips to its own M series of “Apple silicon” processors incorporating Arm technology. The results of the switch—impressive performance and downright amazing battery life—were immediately apparent. And there were fewer software compatibility headaches than you might expect when a computing platform’s underpinnings change so radically, in part because of an Apple technology called Rosetta 2 that converted x86 apps on the fly
(2) Meta lets Amazon shoppers buy products on Facebook and Instagram without leaving the apps by Jonathan Vanian
“For the first time, customers will be able to shop Amazon’s Facebook and Instagram ads and check out with Amazon without leaving the social media apps,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. “Customers in the U.S. will see real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates, and product details on select Amazon product ads in Facebook and Instagram as part of the new experience.”
Meta will likely be able to collect data from Amazon purchases on their apps, therefore improving their advertising algorithm via performance and targeting. The partnership also allows Meta to make it easier to allow shops to sell goods without creating custom storefronts
Amazon can extend their reach as they could potentially ride on Meta’s “discovery-based” channel, in which people receive targeted ads based on characteristics that make them likely to purchase an item, rather than the “intent-based” model, similar to the Google search model, where you explicitly search for something that you desire
(3) Meta strikes deal with Tencent to sell VR headset in China - WSJ
Meta Platforms struck a deal with Tencent Holdings to sell a new, low-cost virtual-reality (VR) headset in China, making Tencent the exclusive seller of the headset in China and the videogame maker will start its sale in late 2024
For China, Meta is planning to use lenses in the headset that are cheaper than those in the Quest 3, according to Journal report. This version will also be sold in other markets.
Meta would take a bigger share of device sales, while Tencent would get more of the content and service revenue, with the cheaper headset providing games and other apps published by the Chinese company
Disclaimer: Please note that none of the information provided constitutes financial, investment, or other professional advice. It is only intended for educational purposes.