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Apple could be set to introduce a touchscreen for the iMac, in what would be a reversal of a long-standing policy.
A report indicated an updated patent application has been lodged, revealing an iMac design complete with a pivot stand. An iMac like this would become more portable and easier to use if you need the device to move with you.
In the Microsoft Surface Studio, we could already have the ‘model’ for a touchscreen iMac, which would appear to be a good fit to modify this design for Apple and take on a rival product. A rehash of a previous Apple product seems unlikely, as the tech giant tends not to go to its back catalog for design inspiration.
If the company opts for a similar design to the Surface Studio, it becomes a natural fit for creatives, given how popular Apple’s existing range of static computers and laptops are with those tasked with video editing and other creative roles.
Time for Apple to test the market with touchscreen
In 2016, Apple’s SVP of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, made a firm remark, dismissing the prospect of a touchscreen product, “Can you imagine a 27-inch iMac where you have to reach over the air to try to touch and do things? That becomes absurd.”
Almost a decade later — now could well be the time to test the market and the popularity of such a release following in-house experimentation. It could also steal a march on Microsoft, which hasn’t followed up with a new version of the Surface Studio since 2020.
A touchscreen iMac would genuinely be a new addition to Apple’s family of devices with enough appeal to make an impact. The updated patent provides encouragement, but hopefully, more information will follow soon on what could be an exciting new venture for Apple.
Image credit: Ideogram
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Epic Games has announced a new price structure, which will charge non-game developers an annual subscription fee of $1850 “per seat” to access its Unreal Engine.
In a deviation from the royalty-based system utilized for game developers, the change will apply from late April with the rollout of Unreal Engine 5.4.
Developers will still be bound by Epic’s 5% royalty on products earning over $1 million in lifetime gross revenues. The per-seat (effectively per-user) arrangements apply to non-game operatives who use Unreal Engine to produce content such as TV shows, films, and other media.
An exemption from the charges will be granted for smaller companies that earn less than $1 million in annual gross revenue, as well as students, educators, and “hobbyists,” as detailed in the statement from the Fortnite developer. Free use will be available for the companies responsible for plug-ins used in Unreal Engine. However, they will still enjoy a cut of proceeds from the revenue share model embedded within Unreal Engine Marketplace.

New Unreal Engine pricing and licensing is coming in late April
Get ALL the details in our blog: https://t.co/yidori2Bqq pic.twitter.com/zb4une6lOu
— Unreal EngineGDC (@UnrealEngine) March 12, 2024

Changes to additional resources
As part of the $1850 annual fee for non-game developers, subscribers will also benefit from Epic’s Twinmotion real-time visualization tool and RealityCapture photogrammetry software — in addition to the primary 3D creation tool.
Epic Games further detailed it is bundling the additional resources ahead of a full migration into the Unreal Engine by the end of next year, but they will remain available separately at the annual cost of $445 a year for Twinmotion, while RealityCapture will command a fee of $1250.
Epic Games’ new pricing structure will only apply to content made using the latest version of Unreal Engine, 5.4. In a similar initiative to its rival competitor, Unity, anyone using 5.3 or previous versions will not be affected by the hikes until they upgrade.
Last month, Unity confirmed (then retracted) a price change of its own, that involved a controversial pay-per-download structure after a backlash from gamers.

Image credit: Epic Games
 
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According to reports in the Washington Post, former president Donald Trump asked Elon Musk if he would be open to buying his Truth Social network.
A conversation is said to have taken place last summer, months after the Tesla and SpaceX billionaire had closed a $44 billion deal for the Twitter social media platform, which he went on to rename ‘X,’ as part of an ongoing drive to deliver “an everything app.”
The official website describes Truth Social as “America’s Big Tent’ social media platform that encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating based on political ideology.
What was discussed between Trump and Musk?
Two sources indicated dialogue did take place between the prominent figures, but not to the extent that a deal was likely or even if there was any genuine interest from Musk. They are also said to have discussed politics and business.
With a clear line of communication established, it is an intriguing situation — with the most recent conversation said to have taken place earlier this month. Key Republican donors were also present at the Palm Beach, Florida sitting. Still, Musk is on record as saying that he is “not donating money to either candidate for US President.”
When quizzed on his links to Truth Social and the sojourn to Florida, Musk only stated that he had “never been to Mar-a-Lago,” Trump’s estate and residence in Palm Beach.
Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of the social media site, did not respond to the claims but instead rebuked the Washington Post, the source of the inquiry. Shannon Devine, the Trump Media spokeswoman, stated, “We heard Trump and Musk were actually discussing buying the Washington Post, but they decided it had no value.” 
Interestingly, Trump has not actively posted on X since his account was reinstated. One reason is that he wants to create and keep financial value for his Truth Social site, which he is said to diligently monitor. The presidential candidate for the upcoming election is keen to push and promote the network, telling advisers that he wants to break the news on the platform as a means to bring in more users.
As things stand, it remains an uphill task for Truth Social to secure a breakthrough in the crowded social media space.
Image credit: Ideogram
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Google has confirmed restrictions on its Gemini chatbot in relation to responses to queries on crucial general elections to take place this year, including the race for the White House.
The Alphabet-owned company is taking steps to control the dissemination of misinformation (and to prevent it as much as possible) by limiting the output of its generative AI assistant. Images, video, and audio have recently been created to maliciously impact the democratic process or for electioneering purposes.
Concerns around the spread of such content have led to governments sitting around the table, often with the involvement of the big tech firms, to find solutions to the challenges and regulate the overall AI landscape.
For the upcoming US presidential election later this year, Google previously stated it would be taking action, and that has materialized. If you attempt to ask Gemini about the face-off between incumbent President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it will respond with:
“I’m still learning how to answer this question. In the meantime, try Google Search”.
A Google spokesperson was quoted by Reuters on the motivation for limiting their chatbot service.
“In preparation for the many elections happening around the world in 2024 and out of an abundance of caution, we are restricting the types of election-related queries for which Gemini will return responses.”
What other elections are taking place, and what has already happened?
Crucial national polls are set to take place worldwide, in addition to the US.
The UK’s general election will take place later in the year, with a date still not fixed, while important elections will take place in South Africa and India, the world’s largest democracy.
In the case of the latter, tech companies have been prompted to secure government approval before releasing AI software that is “unreliable” or still in development.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan blasted fake AI-powered audio, which had the potential to incite trouble on the streets, while deepfake electioneering saw the return of the feared dictator Suharto for the recent election in Indonesia, with a video address to the electorate.
Google’s collective focus on this issue will have been sharpened recently after its CEO Sundar Pichai sent an internal memo to staff, stressing Gemini errors were “completely unacceptable” after the artificial intelligence (AI) app embroiled the company in controversy.
The tech giant suspended its image creation function on Gemini after it generated offensive and historically inaccurate results.
Image credit: Ideogram
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