TLDR 2022-04-05

Google is finally enforcing its rules for using Google Play billing. The rules have always existed, but Google didn't start enforcing it until March 31. Google gave developers more than six months warning about its intentions to start enforcing the rules. Digital stores now have to sell digital items through Google Play or risk being removed from the store. Some companies, such as Netflix and Spotify, have made deals with Google to continue to allow direct purchases.

Samsung has introduced a matte version of its The Frame TV. The display makes artwork look almost like it is on canvas. The Frame comes in sizes ranging from 43 to 85 inches. All displays feature a 4K resolution and displays over 55 inches will have a 120Hz refresh rate. Pictures of the new matte The Frame display are available in the article.

RealityScan is an app from Epic Games that can construct 3D models of objects using a series of smartphone photos. It can be used to scan real-world objects and bring them into games or other projects. The app is in a limited (and currently full) beta. Epic is hosting a 'State of Unreal' event today at 11 AM ET. A video that shows how RealityScan works is available in the article.

Mojo Vision is a company that makes Augmented Reality contact lenses. Its lenses are still in safety testing and there is still more work to be done before Mojo can apply for US FDA approval to sell to consumers. Their full-color microLED displays can display images in 3D at a resolution of 14,000 pixels per inch. The contacts have a built-in battery and a custom 5Ghz radio. This article features an interview with the senior vice president of Mojo Vision about the company's newest AR contacts. Pictures of the AR contacts are available in the article.

direnv is an extension for shell that adds the ability to load and unload environment variables depending on the current directory. It supports hooks for all common shells. direnv is language agnostic.

Shoelace is a web component library that works with all frameworks and content delivery networks. The components are fully customizable with CSS. Shoelace allows developers to build multiple custom apps with different frameworks that all share the same UI components. Examples are available.

Manufacturers are moving to multi-chip designs as the miniaturization of transistors slows down. Multi-chip designs allow manufacturers to increase transistor counts and create designs with better power efficiency and performance. While many manufacturers agree that the technology is here to stay, they are still using their own interconnect designs that are incompatible with each other. Universal Chiplet Interconnection Express is a new open standard that hopes to bring the industry together. It was only recently introduced, but a number of major organizations have not yet joined.

Elon Musk has purchased a 9% stake in Twitter. Musk raised questions on whether the platform was undermining democracy and restricting free speech in recent weeks. He had considered starting a rival social media network. US security regulators have fined Musk for his tweets in the past. Musk is still facing heavy pressure from the SEC over his tweets.