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Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Think Smartphones Are on Their Way Out. Tim Cook Says They’re Just Getting Better by Olga Racinowska

Are we approaching the end of the smartphone era, and what could possibly replace them?Interestingly, three big tech leaders have totally different takes on where things are headed.

Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for 2030 – the Orion AR glasses prototype, a device meant to replace smartphones by letting you use 3D holograms, control apps, chat, and navigate using just your voice, eye movements, and gestures. Meta plans to launch Orion around 2027 and has poured over $80 billion into AR and VR tech since 2014.

Elon Musk wants to replace your phone with your brain – Neuralink is developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that could eventually replace smartphones. Their implants let you control tech using only your thoughts, with no need for screens or buttons. Musk’s long-term vision includes wild ideas like telepathy, memory upgrades, and even merging AI with the human brain.

Tim Cook says smartphones are here to stay – Back down to earth for a sec. Tim Cook thinks phones will stay a key part of our daily routine, with smarter AI features and things like AR and wearables adding to the mix instead of taking over.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg think smartphones are on their way out. Tim Cook says they’re just getting better

FDL 7×7 Floodlights CCT3 1/2″ Knuckle Mount with Selectable Wattages by naturaLED

The naturaLED® 7X7 floodlight offers selectable wattages and color temperatures for versatile lighting solutions. With a flood beam distribution, it replaces up to 400-watt fixtures and includes a built-in photocell for efficiency. Its IP65 water-resistant rating ensures durability in outdoor conditions. Ideal for security, perimeters, entryways, facades, landscapes, and architectural lighting, it delivers bright and reliable illumination. The pre-installed 1/2” knuckle mount allows for easy installation and angle adjustment. This floodlight provides a flexible and energy-efficient solution for various residential and commercial applications. APPLICATIONS: Security, Architectural, Perimeter, Entryway, Pathway, Landscape  FDL 7X7 Floodlight CCT3 (1/2” Knuckle – naturaLED    Spec sheet: FDL_7x7_9734_9735_KNC

AR + AI: Evolution from Tool to “Second Brain”

Dr. Qiu Xiaoling, CFO of JBD, has recently delivered a penetrating analysis of the MicroLED microdisplay and AR glasses ecosystem, illuminating how these once-independent frontiers are coalescing to redefine wearable AI. As AI evolves from merely being “smarter” toward truly “more attuned to you,” users increasingly expect an always-on digital assistant. AR glasses have emerged as the quintessential conduit for frictionless, context-aware interaction, and the ultra-compact MicroLED microdisplay has become the linchpin technology that turns the vision of lightweight, all-day wearable intelligence into daily reality. The fusion of AI and AR offers consumers a far more natural, convenient means of interaction and is catalyzing a revolution in smart wearable electronics. Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth has remarked, “The always‑on AI experience will allow smart glasses to replace the smartphone.”  [News] AR + AI: Evolution from Tool to “Second Brain” – LEDinside

Pickleball & Tennis Court Illumination by U.S. Architectural Lighting

U. S. Architectural Lighting recently introduced Baseline – Pickleball & Tennis Court Lighting. Designed specifically for the court, Baseline uses a Type IV CL precision optic designed especially to meet IESNA / USA Pickleball / USTA Standard Performance Criteria for court photometrics. The luminaires distribute uniform light across the court surface without creating hot spots. To minimize glare, the light is directed at a low angle onto the court surface avoiding direct glare into the eyes of the players to prevent discomfort or distractions during play. The Baseline is available in five sizes in wattages from 85W to 550W, with up to four fixtures per pole, in parallel assembly arrangements, allowing a wide range of lumen packages. https://usaltg.com/product/bas/

 

NIGHT BREAKER® LED SMART ECE H11 – The First ECE Approved LED Retrofit Lamp from OSRAM

The NIGHT BREAKER® LED SMART ECE H11 is approved as a direct replacement for H11 halogen lamps. It delivers a modern bright white light with a color temperature of up to 6000 Kelvin. Its impressive light output ensures optimum visibility for the driver, while the glare seen by other road users is up to 50 percent less than the legally permissible maximum values. Compared to standard halogen lamps, these LED retrofit lamps consume up to 60 percent less energy and last up to six times longer thanks to LED technology and the specially developed vibration-resistant design. These characteristics make the NIGHT BREAKER® LED SMART ECE H11 a cost-effective and eco-friendly retrofit solution. For the first time there is no need for a compatibility list, no need to verify the headlamp approval number, no need to carry official approval documents, and no need to affix stickers. First ECE approved LED retrofit H11 | ams OSRAM

Sollum Expands Its Family Of Dynamic LED Grow Lights: SF-ONE™, SF-PRO™ AND SF-MAX™

Sollum Technologies is pleased to expand its lighting family, which now features three new fixtures: the SF-ONE™, the SF-PRO™ and the SF-MAX™. Designed to accommodate various lighting strategies, these new LED fixtures will meet the diverse needs of a rapidly growing clientele, from large scale to niche producers.  All products come bundled with the SUN as a Service® cloud-based platform as well as access to Sollum’s smart support so that clients can reap all the benefits of a fully dynamic lighting solution. Each fixture responds to growers’ business priorities:

  • The SF-ONE is the ideal fixture for those who prefer a simpler approach to lighting and who prioritize maximum energy efficiency in large-scale greenhouses.
  • The SF-PRO balances efficiency and flexibility; it was designed for producers whose priorities combine maximizing yield, desired produce quality and characteristics, and who are looking to consistently address the evolving demands of consumers.
  • Finally, the SF-MAX is the ultimate in dynamic lighting – designed for producers who seek crop perfection and require maximum flexibility from their lights.

Sollum expands its family of dynamic LED grow lights: SF-ONE™, SF-PRO™ AND SF-MAX™

Valeo and Appotronics Announce Strategic Partnership for Next-Generation Front Lighting System

The ALL-in-ONE system integrates several advanced functions in one compact module: the Valeo Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), road surface projection, and in-car cinema capabilities. Its smart system automatically optimizes lighting for different driving scenarios—extending illumination range with high beams on highways, and preventing glare with glare-free beams in urban areas. In addition, the headlight also offers 10-level brightness adjustment, complete with auto-focus, keystone correction, and image scaling capabilities. The ALL-in-ONE headlight is powered by Appotronics’ proprietary ALPD® semiconductor laser technology, which delivers 10 times the brightness of standard automotive LEDs with 200% greater luminous flux using equivalent DLP chips – all while consuming less energy. https://www.ledinside.com/news/2025/4/2025_04_25_06

General Motors Unveils New Futuristic Concept, Which Is a Corvette in Name Only

It’s a beautiful vision of an all-electric, wide hypercar, but it has nothing to do with the Corvette mark. One of three General Motors will unveil over the next year, each from a different design studio. It’s a beautiful supercar — low and wide with a classic mid-engine bubble-cockpit profile — but you’d never know it’s a Corvette. The front fin lights recall the design codes of GM’s premium label, Cadillac. The wrap-around windshield borrows from Koenigsegg and Saab. The porous aero elements mirror other electric hypercars like the Lotus Evija and Porsche Mission X, while the split between smooth upper aero and aggressive lower carbon elements appears on countless modern supercars. General Motors Unveils New Futuristic ‘Corvette’ Concept | The New York Sun

Synapse Wireless Introduces the Combo Sensor Controller for Outdoor & Indoor Lighting Applications

Synapse Wireless has announced the launch of the Combo Sensor Controller (CSEN1), an all-in-one device designed for both outdoor and indoor lighting applications. Compact and durable, the CSEN1 integrates wireless communication, motion and light sensors, and advanced fixture control into a single streamlined package. Designed to support a wide range of environments—including site and area lighting, parking garages, and industrial or warehouse facilities—the CSEN1 balances versatility with simplicity. It features a dual PIR motion sensor, a photocell for ambient light detection, and supports both 0-10V and D4i driver connectivity. Synapse Wireless | CSEN1-H: All-in-One Wireless Lighting Controller…

The Drone-Delivery Service Beating Amazon to Your Front Door

Soon your burrito bowl could arrive via the sky. Zipline’s drones make deliveries by lowering small coolers on 300-foot cables. A drone delivery startup Zipline is in the flying delivery race—competitors include Amazon and Google parent Alphabet—has emerged as a front-runner. For now, initial commercial testing in the U.S. is happening in Pea Ridge and Mesquite, Texas, just outside Dallas. Walmartis the only retail operation Zipline delivers for in the U.S. at present. For future partners, Zipline has designed a small pickup kiosk that can be installed just outside any building.  Alphabet’s Wing drone service is already in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, delivering from 18 Walmarts to 40 nearby towns and cities within the drones’ six-mile range. Amazon is operating its drone delivery service in College Station, Texas, and an area near Phoenix, but in terms of scale, the online retail giant remains a distant third. The Drone-Delivery Service Beating Amazon to Your Front Door – WSJ

Key Themes of Washington’s Farewell Address 

Crafted with the assistance of his close advisors, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, President George Washington’s Farewell Address was intended to offer guidance and warnings to the American people as they faced the challenges of the future. Among the most significant themes were:

  1. Neutrality in Foreign Affairs – advising that the United States should avoid becoming involved in the conflicts and political machinations of foreign powers. He argued that such alliances could lead to unnecessary entanglements and could jeopardize American interests and independence.
  2. The Dangers of Political Parties – Washington expressed concern that political factions could lead to divisions within the country and weaken the unity of the nation. He believed that political parties could become sources of discord and could prioritize their own interests over the common good. He encouraged Americans to work together for the benefit of the nation as a whole.
  3. The Importance of National Unity – He emphasized that the strength of the United States depended on the unity of its people and the coherence of its government. Washington urged Americans to set aside regional and political differences and to work together to build a strong and prosperous nation. Source: Day in History