Foxconn is forecasting ‘robust growth’ in 2024, but the increase isn’t coming from iPhones. Bgr.com reports that Foxconn sees the growth coming from stronger AI server demand. As Apple has already hinted that there will be AI features coming with iOS 18 and even more for the iPhone 16, Foxconn CEO Young Liu said  “Revenue from AI servers is estimated to climb 40% year-on-year, while revenue from graphic processing unit modules will jump by a triple-digit percentage.” Overall, AI server-related revenue will account for 40% of Foxconn’s total server business in 2024, up from 30% in 2023. Analysts have said Apple is building a number of new AI servers in anticipation of the changes in iOS 18 and with the iPhone 16. 

The CEO of TikTok has responded to the overwhelming US House vote to force ByteDance to either sell off the platform or face a ban of it in the US. According to mashable.com, the CEO called the bill ‘disappointing’ and intimated that TikTok may take legal action if the bill becomes law. It still has to pass the Senate, but President Biden has said he will sign it. TikTok had lobbied its users to flood Congress with calls and emails before the bill passed, but it did pass 352 to 65. CEO Chew claims that the bill will give more power and dollars to a handful of other social media platforms. He also says  “It will put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk and it will take away your TikTok.” Few believe ByteDance won’t sell TikTok if it comes down to it…the Chinese economy is hurting for cash right now, and most agree a sale would bring as much as several hundred billion. 

Microsoft is building a single version of Teams that will let you switch easily between work and personal accounts. Theverge.com says new app is being tested right now. The new version will be rolled out to commercial users in April. In future updates, you’ll be able to select the account you want to use when joining a meeting link or even join a meeting without signing in. This unified app will even let you launch personal and work accounts for Teams with separate icons on the taskbar instead of having to install and launch separate apps. Microsoft is also baking in notifications that show you clearly where a notification has come from. Personal notifications will also have more detail. 

Instagram has a feature they call ‘Spins’ in the works for its Reels short form videos. Techcrunch.com reports that the feature would allow other users to switch out the text or audio in your Reels. The feature is in the very early stage of development. It could be used as a way for users to start trends by creating templates that other people can then put their own creative spin on. At best, this could be like dropping samples into rap songs. On the other hand, I see it as a way to get a lot of humor…intended or unintended…and mischief! Laying in a track making someone say naughty things or making them talk like a duck. The possibilities are numerous. The original creator would get credit for their original every time someone makes a Spin of it. It isn’t a sure thing that Instagram will even release the feature…it isn’t being tested internally yet. 

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