This week, the tech world was once again eclipsed by Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover. The CEO built upon his plans for a paid verification system, with the company’s announcement that it would be split into two tiers: the paid version as well as an “official” label. Elsewhere at Twitter, the company reportedly asked for some of the employees it recently fired to come back.
On the product side, LG unveiled a high-resolution display capable of being stretched and folded, while Audio-Technica launched a clear acrylic version of its AT-LP2022 turntable. Samsung, meanwhile, tapped Maison Margiela for the luxury fashion house’s take on its Galaxy Z Flip4.
Below, HYPEBEAST has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
LG Showed Off a Rubbery New Display That Can Be Twisted, Folded and Stretched Up to 20%
Lg Display
LG’s latest display marks exciting progress in the advancement of display technology and its various uses. While not available on the retail market just yet, the company unveiled a stretchable display made out of a film-like type of silicon.
Embedded with micro-LED lights with an S-form system of wiring, the display can be bent and folded while maintaining a high resolution. It can also, in an interesting twist, be stretched, extending to up to 20% of its original size.
Maison Margiela Brought the Bianchetto Effect to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Maison Margiela
Samsung is reviving the designer phone trend of the early aughts with its new Maison Margiela-branded Galaxy Z Flip4. The “Maison Margiela Edition” cell was first teased in October and has now been unveiled. Bringing a Y2K flare to the flagship device, the back of the phone is emblazoned with four stitches, emblematic of Margiela’s distinct design flourish. A faded canvas effect is overlaid on the design, giving the illusion of wear and tear, while a ring provides a convenient way to hold the phone. Limited quantities of the Samsung x Maison Margiela Galaxy Z Flip4 “Maison Margiela Edition” will be debuting on December 1 in France, Hong Kong and Korea.
Twitter Has Plans for a New Verification Scheme Made Up of Two Checkmark Tiers
Jakub Porzycki/Nurphoto/Getty Images
In the aftermath of Elon Musk’s announcement that Twitter users would be able to pay $8 USD a month for a blue check, the company has shared that it will be implementing a separate distinction for “government accounts, commercial companies, business partners, major media outlets, publishers and some public figures.”
The “official” label is expected to roll out in the next few days and as of right now, doesn’t seem like it will include celebrities. One concern, according to Twitter’s Head of Safety & Integrity Yoel Roth, is the need for a more comprehensive proof of identity concept apart from paid verification.
Long-term, I think we need to invest more in identity verification as a complement to proof-of-humanness. Paid Verification is a strong (not perfect) signal of humanness, which helps fight bots and spam. But that’s not the same thing as identity verification.
— Yoel Roth (@yoyoel) November 8, 2022
Twitter Asked Some of the Employees It Fired To Come Back
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
As Twitter reels in the wake of laying off approximately half of its workforce, Elon Musk may have realized he acted too quickly. Twitter has reportedly reached out to dozens of the employees it recently fired and asked them to return to the company and resume their jobs.
The company allegedly laid off certain employees by mistake in the whirlwind of firings. Others, mainly Android and iOS developers, were let go but Musk later realized their skills were necessary to build some of the new features he wants to implement.
Audio-Technica Debuted a Limited-Edition Clear Acrylic Record Player
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica is ringing in its 60th anniversary with a limited-edition iteration of its AT-LP2022 turntable in a clear acrylic finish. The high-density body of the turntable is designed to minimize sound resonance, while the company’s Shibata stylus works to pick up on ultra-high frequencies.
The record player includes adjustable feet, as well as a three-position rotary that spans speeds between 33 RPM and 45 RPM. Speed control is accommodated by a 45 RPM adapter, and it also comes with RCA cables and a detachable dust cover. Going on sale starting December 16, the special AT-LP2022 will be available in a release of just 3,000 units at $1,200 USD each.
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