Connect with us

Tech

The iPhone Duo may already have its first killer app: a virtual Walkman

Published

on

Pre-orders for the new iPhone Duo don’t start until later in October, but the device may already have its first killer app. Or at least its most whimsical one! Indie developer Vidit Bhargava has been showing off an app for the first Apple foldable that replicates the experience of using a classic Walkman.

The app, called Duo-Man, takes clever advantage of the Duo’s two screens — a foldable, 7.6-inch inner display when it’s open, and the 5.4-inch outer display when it’s shut closed. The app imitates how walkmans used to function: you can open up the Duo to pick your music and “insert” your cassette tape, then close the device shut to start listening.

Of course, you’re not actually using cassette tapes and players with physical buttons, but Bhargava says he tried to make the experience feel as authentic as possible by recording the button clicks and the static noise from a real Walkman to incorporate into the app, he said.

“I have been a long-term Walkman enthusiast — still own and listen to it occasionally — and have repurposed them in the past,” the developer told TechCrunch. “So, when I was looking for ideas for the hackathon, I was looking for physical objects that have a hinge. I noticed how the Walkman’s door needed to be opened to insert a cassette, and I thought it would be cool to replicate on the Duo,” he said.

While foldable smartphones have been around for years, the iOS developer community tends to be particularly creative, partly thanks to Apple’s App Store ecosystem and its robust tools that let developers build, host, market, and profit from their software. It’s why you often see developers building their apps for iOS first before considering an expansion to Android.

Image Credits:Vidit Bhargava

However, the app also taps the broader “retro” trend in tech, as younger consumers seek out classic, physical tech like digital cameras, flip phones, CDs, landlines, and yes, even cassette tapes.

Bhargava initially built the app and demoed it at the Bitrig hackathon this weekend, where it won second place. Bitrig offers software that lets developers use AI to build native apps using Apple’s Swift programming language.

After the developer posted about the Duo-Man on X, it quickly attracted attention, topping 1.8 million views and nearly 10,000 likes. That attention has inspired Bhargava to take what was initially just a fun hackathon project and turn it into a real app.

When it arrives, the app will support Apple Music and local files, and will even include a feature that would let you use your Apple Pencil to “roll” the cassette loop, we’re told. On X, Bhargava also said he plans to make the fast-forward and rewind experiences similar to the original Walkman. Spotify support may be added further down the road.

This is not Bhargava’s first app. The indie developer has published a dictionary and vocab builder, LookUp; a movie recommendations app, Movie Buzz; a time zone utility; and others.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

>

Continue Reading

Tech

Meta launches enterprise AI platform, hires MongoDB CEO to lead new initiative

Published

on

Meta announced Monday that it’s launching “Meta Enterprise Platform,” a new initiative aimed at expanding the company’s AI offerings to businesses and corporate customers. The social media giant hired Chirantan “CJ” Desai, the CEO of database software giant MongoDB, to lead the new initiative.

The launch of the new business builds on the momentum of Muse, Meta’s personal AI assistant launched earlier this month that can perform tasks for users such as sending emails and booking travel.

Meta says it will focus on bringing its full technology stack, including Muse, Meta Business Agent, Muse API, Muse Code, and more to businesses and developers.

“Over the coming years, AI will fundamentally redefine how organizations of all sizes innovate, grow, serve customers, and run business operations,” Desai said in a statement. “Meta has a unique role to play because it is bringing together advanced models and leading agents with a proven track record of helping millions of advertisers and hundreds of millions of businesses scale. Meta Enterprise Platform will focus on turning its AI stack into products and services that companies can deploy for their own businesses.”

The move could help Meta see a return on all the money it’s pouring into AI.

MongoDB’s shares dropped by more than 17% on the news of its CEO’s sudden departure. The database maker said it appointed Dev Ittycheria as interim chief executive, who previously served in the role, while the board searches for Desai’s permanent replacement.

>

Continue Reading

Tech

Dell XPS Googlebook vs Surface Laptop 8: Save $400 or Stick With Windows?

Published

on

Dell’s $999 XPS Googlebook undercuts Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 8 by about $400, but Windows compatibility may justify the premium.

The post Dell XPS Googlebook vs Surface Laptop 8: Save $400 or Stick With Windows? appeared first on TechRepublic.

>

Continue Reading

Tech

ADB Raises Southeast Asia Growth Forecast as AI Boom Builds, but Gains Are Uneven

Published

on

ADB lifted Southeast Asia’s growth outlook as AI-linked investment expands, but infrastructure, skills, and costs are creating uneven gains.

The post ADB Raises Southeast Asia Growth Forecast as AI Boom Builds, but Gains Are Uneven appeared first on TechRepublic.

>

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.