The 9 innovations that marked the year 2024

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As at the end of each year, the Presse-citron editorial team takes a step back and looks at what has marked the new technology industry.

In 2024, rather than drawing up yet another ranking of the best technologies in each sector, we preferred to share with you the innovations that have most impressed us marked.

Unsurprisingly, AI tools hold an important place in our selection. Mixed reality has also (finally!) managed to prove itself convincing. The automobile industry is also one of the industries that innovate the most this year.

Here isthe 9 innovations that marked the year 2024.

Freebox Ultra: fiber at its max

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The Freebox Ultra is Free's latest innovation in the field internet boxes. Launched at €49.99/month for the first year, it represents a significant step forward in terms of connectivity. It is in fact the first consumer box to integrate Wi-Fi 7, offering impressive symmetrical speeds of 8 Gb/s.

This performance allows for smooth use of multiple devices connected simultaneously, ideal for 4K streaming, online gaming and teleworking.

As always, Free is enriching its offer.It includes 5 premium streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Universal+ and Canal+. The Freebox Ultra also stands out for its ecological commitment, with reduced energy consumption and the use of recycled materials.

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Apple Vision Pro: the spatial computer

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Despite the criticism, Apple's Vision Pro remains a technology that has left its mark. This high-end device, sold for 4,000 euros, merges the real world with digital elements thanks to its micro-LED screens offering exceptional image quality. Its multiple cameras and sensors allow precise tracking of movements as well as 'a natural interaction with the environment. No need for a controller, the interface responds to the fingers and the eye.

Although technically very advanced, the Vision Pro faces the same issues as the rest of the industry. The available applications are still too niche to reach a wide audience. Apple is trying to motivate developers (for example by offering the possibility of transferring the image of their Mac into virtual/augmented reality) but it will take a long time for this technology to become established.

Furthermore, the Vision Pro suffers from two major limitations: the gaming experience is almost non-existent and access to adult content is simply blocked. Limitations that are difficult to accept for a product sold for 4,000 euros.

Meta Quest 3S: the democratization of the AR/VR headset

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While Apple limits access to AR/VR technology to a wealthy audience, Meta is betting on the opposite. With the Quest 3S, Mark Zuckerberg's company intends to democratize mixed reality.

Offered at just 330 euros, it promises an accessible and ergonomic AR/VR experience. This headset is completely autonomous: it therefore does not require any connection to a PC or console.

Equipped with intuitive controllers, it allows users to interact naturally with virtual environments. The Quest 3S stands out for its versatility, providing access to a vast library of Meta content as well as Steam VR games via an optional PC connection.

Its improvements over previous versions include better screen definition, a wider field of vision and improved graphics performance.

While it does not reach the technical level of the Quest 3, sold for 550 euros, it offers the best quality-price ratio on the market. Above all, it stands out as the best entry point for anyone who wants to discover the possibilities of AR/VR, without selling a vital organ.

Ray-Ban Meta: a glimpse of the future

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Although they were launched in 2023, the Ray-Ban Meta have actually found the general public in 2024. The Ray-Ban Meta aims to make wearable technology more discreet and socially acceptable, paving the way for new forms of interaction with the digital world in our daily lives.

The new generation of connected glasses from Meta, the result of a collaboration with the famous eyewear manufacturer Ray-Ban, has had a phenomenal success this year. Well deserved according to the editorial team.

These smart glasses indeed combine classic style and cutting-edge technology.Equipped with 5 microphones and 32 GB of storage, they can capture high-quality photos and videos directly from the user's perspective.

The integration of the Meta AI assistant offers advanced features such as real-time translation or information search by voice command. These artificial intelligence features undoubtedly draw a future closer than we imagine.

Using Ray-Ban Meta means diving into this connected future. All they need is a screen hidden in the lenses to take it to the next level. Meta gave an overview of its work with Project Orion. Although glasses remain massive to this day, the progress made is very exciting.

Glüxkind: the Roll’s Royce of strollers

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Unveiled at CES in Las Vegas, the Glüxkind is a revolutionary smart stroller, powered by artificial intelligence. Designed to simplify the parenting experience, it incorporates advanced features such as motorized assistance for climbing, an automatic braking system for safety, and a hands-free mode allowing the stroller to follow the parent.

Equipped with sensors and cameras, Glüxkind can detect obstacles and adjust its trajectory accordingly. It also offers features like a built-in sleep monitor and an automatic rocking system.

This high-tech stroller aims to combine safety, comfort and innovation to meet the needs of modern parents, while offering a more serene and interactive strolling experience. Of course, such a speedster is worth its weight in gold: you will have to pay $3,000 to afford it.

Sora: video creation in a few words

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Sora is an artificial intelligence video generator developed by OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. This revolutionary technology is capable of transforming text descriptions into coherent and visually impressive narrative videos.

Sora can generate video sequences up to 60 seconds long, with remarkable quality and consistency. It can create complex scenes with multiple characters, specific movements, and precise details of the environment.

Sora's ability to understand and interpret spatial and temporal relationships in text descriptions opens up new possibilities for video content creation.

This revolution raises fears of major transformations in industries such as film, advertising, and education.

Perplexity AI: the most advanced AI

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Perplexity AI is a search engine powered by artificial intelligence, offering an alternative to traditional search engines. It stands out for its ability to provide accurate and reliable answers in real time, rather than simply listing links to web pages.

Perplexity AI aggregates advanced language models like GPT4 or Claudeto understand complex queries and synthesize information from various sources. It offers unique features such as the ability to ask follow-up questions and get detailed explanations.

This service aims to simplify the search for information online by offering direct and contextualized answers, while citing its sources to ensure the transparency and verifiability of the information provided.

Stronger than ChatGPT ? Different. But it is undoubtedly one of the most impressive AI tools of 2024.

NotebookLM: the AI ​​that boosts productivity (among other things)

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NotebookLM is an experimental tool developed by Google, designed to revolutionize the way we organize and present information. This platform allows users to upload documents and interact with their content in an intelligent way. It does this by using advanced AI technologies. NotebookLM can thus analyze, summarize and reorganize the information contained in these documents.

It offers features such as automatic generation of summaries, creation of links between different concepts, or the possibility of asking questions about the content.

Popular among researchers, students and professionals who must process large quantities of information, NotebookLM offers a new approach to knowledge management and learning. A must-have.

ChatGPT 4o: obviously

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ChatGPT 4o represents a major evolution of OpenAI's language model, significantly surpassing the capabilities of version 3.5. This new iteration is particularly notable for its advanced programming skills. It can not only understand and generate code in a variety of programming languages, but also debug, optimize, and explain complex programming concepts in a clear and accessible way.

ChatGPT 4o also shows significant improvements in its context understanding ability to maintain coherent conversations over long periods of time, and accuracy in handling complex tasks.

These advances make it a powerful tool for developers, computer science educators, and tech professionals in general. But not only that.

Although it is not as good as Claude in this exercise, GPT 4o can also accomplish complex writing tasks with very convincing results. Above all, it inaugurates a bluffing voice function.

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Expected for years, the Cybercab finally became a reality in the last quarter of 2024. Elon Musk has indeed unveiled the vehicle that will transform means of transport in the future.

Cybercab is just one piece of the big puzzle created by the ingenious mind of Elon Musk. It will indeed be the vehicle that will circulate on the streets of the world to drop you off autonomously wherever you want. But to do this, you will have to use the Robotaxi service.

This platform will allow you to order a Cybercab to go wherever you want, as you do with Uber or Bolt. The only difference (and not the least): the Cybercab will be driverless. This autonomous taxi will be able to take you from point A to point B while you do something else (sleep, work, have fun).

Equipped with advanced technologies such as LIDAR sensors, cameras and AI systems, The Cybercab is designed to navigate autonomously in urban environments. It will be able to accommodate two passengers, which currently represents 82% of taxi journeys.

One important question remains: when will we see Cybercabs on our streets ? According to Tesla, very soon. The brand explains that the vehicles will be available for sale at less than $30,000 from 2026 and put on the road from 2027. By then, the legislation will have to change. Because to date, apart from a few American states, no country has authorized the circulation of autonomous vehicles.

Here is our selection of innovations that marked our year 2024. And you, what are your favorites of the year ?

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