Texas Instruments just released the TI-84 Evo calculator—the first major upgrade to their flagship graphing calculator in years. It's available now for $160. The upgrade matters for more than just back-to-school shopping. It's a reminder that not all tech innovation is happening in AI, and some seemingly boring upgrades are still strategically vital.
The mega-cap tech companies just dumped quarterly earnings, while the Pentagon simultaneously awarded AI contracts to Google, Nvidia, and SpaceX. All eyes are on AI. But as the Contrarian correctly notes, focusing *only* on AI risks missing other important technology trends.
OpenAlice, a project aiming to create "one-person Wall Street" via AI trading agents, is trending on GitHub. It relies on stablecoins and broker APIs to automate trading across asset classes. But even OpenAlice's most enthusiastic supporters might not see what a revamped TI-84 means for test scores and future STEM enrollment. The market may be underestimating the second-order consequences of technological progress happening *outside* of the AI bubble. A more capable calculator will directly impact math proficiency at a national level.
The UAE's exit from OPEC, couched in strategic terms, is likely driven by the war in Iran disrupting oil exports. But its OPEC exit also underlines the risk of underestimating non-AI related geopolitical wildcards. While the market anticipates de-escalation, reliance on AI narratives distracts from unexpected supply chain shocks or consumer shifts.
I don't see a way to play calculator stocks, but if OpenAlice becomes compromised, stablecoins may decline in the next 24h as algorithmic trust erodes.