iPhone X pre-orders released and demand is soaring
Last Friday, Apple released its pre-order for the long anticipated iPhone X. The first batch of pre-orders, expected to ship in two to three weeks, sold out in minutes.
Although Apple stopped publically announcing the initial supply of new iPhones years ago, market analyst Daniel Ives expects a demand of 40 million units but only about 20 million units available to sell by the end of the fourth quarter. According to Apple Insider, a KGI analyst believes there will be a lack of supply of the iPhone X due to constraints in flexible circuit board production.
Pre-order is not the only way to get the new phone, however. Apple has confirmed that there will be iPhone X’s available in stores for walk in customers. On Nov. 3 at 8:00 a.m., retail stores across 55 countries will carry the iPhone X. The retail price for the iPhone X is starting at $999 in the U.S.
Walmart plans to deploy in-store shelf scanning robots
Robots are often used to improve efficiency in warehouses. Walmart has announced, however, that robots will soon be introduced and used for work inside more than 50 retail stores. The fully autonomous robots are supposed to complete “repeatable, predictable and manual” jobs.
More specifically, the robots, created by Bossa Nova Robotics, are expected to audit the shelves. The robots are equipped with 3D imaging technology allowing them to avoid and report obstacles. An on-site technician is required to manage the robot. Walmart emphasized that the robots will supplement workers, not replace them.
Walmart claims the robots will not result in unemployment. The robots still have a long way to go to replace all human functionality. Current limitations in the robots prevent stocking potentially heavy or fragile items.
YouTube captures over 100 million TV hours daily
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced during Google’s quarter three earnings call that Smart TVs have officially marked 100 million hours of YouTube viewing. It was also revealed this year that there are over one billion hours of YouTube watched daily. Mobile devices make up approximately half of the billion hours.
Not only does YouTube total an unbelievable lengthy watch time, it also has a very high estimated ad viewability rate, which is the percentage of ads seen by a viewer. Compared to the overall industry’s 60 percent ad viewability rate, YouTube has an estimated 95 percent ad viewability rate. The data disclosed during the quarterly earnings call demonstrates the growing potential for YouTube’s ad-based revenue.
Amazon’s basic Kindle will soon support Audible
Amazon’s Kindle Oasis and its cheapest $80 model kindle will support Audible, an Amazon-owned audiobook company. The only drawback to the addition is that in order to listen to the audiobooks, kindle owners must use bluetooth speakers or headphones as the regular audiojack will not work. The new update is expected to be released in the coming months.
