This week, the tech industry learned that Google has halted development on “Project Iris,” its long-rumored AR glasses. Also in the product space, Insta360 rolled out the “world’s smallest” action camera, the miniature GO 3.
Elsewhere in tech, MSCHF launched its Pyramid Chat, a modern take on the pyramid scheme designed “to help idiots make a quick buck.” And on the software side, Apple’s car crash detection feature went awry when iPhone 14s mistakenly detected dancing for car crashes, leading to the phones automatically sending out false 911 calls.
Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
Google Reportedly Shelved its ‘Project Iris’ AR Glasses
Christoph Dernbach/Picture Alliance/Getty Images
After more than a year and a half in development, Google has reportedly shuttered its Augmented Reality glasses. The rumored project, which was codenamed “Project Iris,” was first reported to be underway at the company in January 2022, with Google aiming to have the first units shipped out in the beginning of 2024.
A new report from Insider citing three people familiar with the matter now alleges that Google has abandoned its AR glasses. Rather than hardware, the company is apparently working on a “micro XR” program that could see it lend its AR software to other companies building their own headgear.
Insta360 Debuted its GO 3, an Ultra-Miniature Action Camera
Insta360
Insta360 has engineered what they’re calling the “world’s smallest” action camera. The GO 3 is a versatile camera geared towards on-the-go use and weighs just 1.2 oz (35 g).
In addition to being waterproof, the GO 3 offers hands-free shooting via voice control. If the camera is off, the press of a single button will simultaneously turn it on and begin recording immediately. The Go 3 also offers 64 GB of storage and a longer battery life capable of 173 minutes of shooting. Priced at $380 USD, the GO 3 is available on Insta360’s website.
MSCHF Ran a Pyramid Scheme on Discord
Mschf
Art collective MSCHF is no stranger to virality thanks to releases like its Big Red Boots and Microscopic Handbag. For its latest endeavor, the brand isn’t offering a physical product but rather inviting its fanbase to partake in a pyramid scheme.
Hosted on Discord, the exclusive “Pyramid Chat” can be accessed by new users for $8 USD. For each additional user they refer to the thread, they’ll earn $5 USD. MSCHF refers to pyramid schemes as a “quintessential 21st-century experience” and says it was inspired to make its own solely “to help idiots make a quick buck.” For those who are actually successful with their scheming and earn over $600 USD in referral fees, Pyramid Chat will require them to file a W-9 tax form to be paid.
False 911 Calls Spiked During Bonnaroo After the iPhone 14 Mistakenly Detected Dancing As Car Crashes
Apple
A faulty iPhone 14 safety feature resulted in false 911 calls during Tennessee’s Bonnaroo music festival over the weekend. Authorities in Coffee County reported that there were more than five times the amount of false 911 calls than average. The calls were eventually traced back to the iPhone’s car crash detection feature, which is also automatically included in the latest Apple Watch, and was mistakenly identifying dancing as crashes.
The authorities were able to debunk the false calls and confirm that no actual emergencies had taken place. They later sent out an alert asking Bonnaroo attendees to turn off the feature during their time on the festival grounds, putting an end to the false calls.
