Digital Trends Live: Google Maps update, Apple Watch sales, and more

By Todd Werkhoven Published April 25, 2023

On this episode of Digital Trends Live, hosts Greg Nibler and Ryan Waniata discuss the biggest-trending stories in tech, including a major update to Google Maps, Apple Watch sales outpacing the Swiss watch industry, neural network 4K upscaling, rocket talk, and more.

We then turn to the world of gaming, where Lisa Marie Segarra, DT’s gaming editor, joins us from our New York studios to talk about the effects of the coronavirus on Nintendo Switch production. She also discusses the 20th anniversary of The Sims.

Vlad Panchenko

Next up, Vlad Panchenko, founder and chief executive officer of DMarket, talks about how to make gaming profitable for players and developers, and how allowing third-party skins has opened up a multibillion dollar industry.

Luke Larsen later joins Nibler to discuss rethinking Windows in the PC ecosystem, and how Panos Panay has taken over Windows and Surface to make Windows exciting again.

Dr. Hesaam Esfandyarpour

Nibler then welcomes Dr. Hesaam Esfandyarpour, founder and CEO of GenapSys, about how to make gene sequencing more affordable, and how GenapSys is 100 times smaller and more affordable than current systems.

Winnie Sun

Winnie Sun, managing partner at Sun Group Wealth Partners, also joins the program to discuss financial planning for a longer retirement.

It’s then time for Reel News, where Erin Keeney joins Nibler to talk all about the Oscars, the nomination process, who gets to vote, and the snubs and favorites.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Todd Werkhoven's work can be read at numerous publications and he co-authored a personal finance book called "Zombie…

Topics

Wearables

The Moto Watch Ultra could revive Motorola’s premium smartwatch ambitions

A premium Motorola smartwatch with LTE and 50-metre water resistance may be in development

Wristwatch, Arm, Body Part

Motorola may be preparing to throw its hat into the premium smartwatch ring. Exclusive renders obtained by The Mac Observer reveal an unannounced wearable carrying the internal name Moto Watch Ultra, and the design looks far more ambitious than the Moto Watch launched earlier this year.

The images show a circular display surrounded by a numbered bezel, a large rotating crown, and an additional side button. Motorola also appears to be using a 46mm stainless steel case, which should give the watch a more premium finish than the aluminum frame used on the current Moto Watch. The leaked model is shown with a black leather-style strap featuring red stitching and a matching red inner lining. Its watch face displays steps, activity data, calories, time, and date.

Phones

Google’s long-awaited AirTag rival just leaked ahead of launch under a familiar name

Electronics, Computer Hardware, Hardware

Google has spent the last few years expanding Android's Find Hub network, making it easier to track lost devices and accessories. But there's been one obvious piece missing from the puzzle: a first-party tracker of its own. That may finally be about to change.

According to a report from 9to5Google, Google's long-rumored Pixel Tag has finally broken cover. The accessory has appeared in multiple online listings, with the report also revealing what seems to be its first leaked image, offering an early look at Google's answer to Apple's AirTag and Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag.

Wearables

A smart glasses detector is now among the top paid apps on Apple’s App Store

Smart glasses have become so unsettling that people are buying proximity alerts

A Ray-Ban Meta Glasses wearer talks to another person using live translation.

An iPhone app designed to alert users when smart glasses may be nearby has climbed to No. 3 on the US paid App Store chart. Its name, AntiZuck Smart Glasses Scanner, leaves little doubt about how the developer feels about Meta’s camera-equipped glasses.

The app costs $2.99 and scans for Bluetooth signals linked to smart glasses. It can spot Meta Ray-Bans, Snap Spectacles, Amazon Echo Frames, and RayNeo glasses, then sends an alert when it believes one is nearby.