September Google Book Event; iPhone 18-What’s Coming When; Ice Agents Can’t Wear Meta Glasses at Work; TicTok Looks to Peer Payments Via DM’s

Google will have a Googlebook event on September 15th. Androidpolice.com reports that it will be held in New York City. A number of things are rumored for the Googlebooks. One is something Google showed in May, but didn’t really flesh out…the ‘glowbar,’ a multi-colored LED display on the lid. Google only said it is ‘functional and beautiful,’ but didn’t give details on the functions part. It’s possible we will see Aluminum OS moving further in merging Android and Chrome OS…for better integration between laptops and phones…which Apple has made pretty seamless…so Google would, of course, like to emulate that. Expect more Gemini integration. Androidpolice.com snarked that the intrusive AI could become something like the pestering Microsoft ‘Clippy,’ that everyone hid to avoid it interrupting your work all the time. A fresh survey out has young people more wary or fearful about AI than excited about it, so Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic…as well as others…have a ways to go to get the majority of the public on board.

Apple’s big September event will be here before you know it. We don’t have a date yet, but it is usually the 2nd or 3rd week of September. According to mac rumors.com, Apple will do more of the broken up iPhone launch scheme. In September, they will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Fold. It is expected that the iPhones will all get a $100 price bump due to the increased cost of chips. We will also see freshened Apple Watches, and likely the AirPod Pros with cameras. For folks wanting the budget iPhones, they will all be out next spring. We should see the iPhone 18, 18e, and Air 2 then. 

ICE has told employees that they are not allowed to wear Meta glasses at work…or other cam equipped specs. Engadget.com says that a memo sent to ICE employees stated “the use of Meta Glasses or similar devices could unintentionally capture, record, or transmit sensitive information, potentially compromising privacy and legal protections.” ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents have frequently been seen wearing the Meta glasses the last few months. One CPB agent was noted recording with his, despite the policy. Here’s a wrinkle…while they are banning the Meta Ray-Bans and other smart glasses, Department of Homeland Security is allegedly wanting to get an official version of the tech. ICE is hoping to equip its officers with their own version of smart glasses that have “biometric identification capabilities” by next year. And you thought FLOCK cameras were bad…just wait!

TikTok is working on a feature that will let users send each other money via direct messages. TechCrunch.com notes that if they launch the feature, it will use the TikTok Pay that is already available in Southeast Asia for TikTok Shop purchases. The feature is apparently in the early development stage, so don’t expect to see anything too soon. Besides TikTok, Elon Musk’s X has already launched X Money which does the same thing. All the social medial platforms want to get into the financial business…like legendary bank robber Willie Horton noted, ‘that’s where the money is.’

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.