It is vacation season in some elements of the world proper now, which implies there is not any information round. Nothing occurring. Boring, boring, boring. Besides THAT’S A LIE, as a result of tech information by no means stops, and we will show it.
How? Nicely, this text, our weekly ICYMI (or ‘in case you missed it’) roundup, is full of huge tales from the week. Under, you may discover information about iPhone launches and Samsung foldables, about controversial Disney Plus worth hikes and leaked Sony cameras, about Apple Music and Tidal and Google TV and dinosaurs. Nicely, not the final one, however the others are all actual.
Do not imagine us? Learn on and discover out what’s been occurring when you have been on the seaside.
8. Apple discovers Spotify’s Uncover
(Picture credit score: Apple)
Apple Music is already among the finest music streaming providers, in our humble professional opinion, and now it is even higher.
This week, subscribers to the service have been greeted by a brand new function known as the Discovery Station, which routinely curates a singular checklist of songs based mostly in your listening historical past.
These of you considering ‘Hold on, that is simply Spotify’s Uncover Weekly playlist, is not it?’ may effectively have a degree, however then again, Discovery Station is on Apple Music, whereas Uncover Weekly is on Spotify. In order that’s a BIG distinction between them. The truth is, there is not any similarity in any respect . Ahem.
The playlist is made up of recent music and could be discovered within the Apple Music app beneath the Pay attention Now tab, the place it’s known as [Your name’s] Station. We’ve already given the brand new customized playlist a hear and located that it’s launched us to a bunch of recent favorites. And that makes us pleased sufficient that we’ll overlook any (clearly unintentional) similarity between it and every other music streaming service’s options.
7. The leaked Sony A7C II has a combat to win us over
(Picture credit score: Sony)
A number of of us right here at TechRadar are digicam bores who like nothing greater than to lust over each new slab of photographic loveliness. We must always, due to this fact, be enthusiastic about this week’s Sony A7C II leak, which teased a brand new, upgraded model of Sony’s compact full-frame journey digicam.
And we’re excited, to an extent. We love the truth that it is rumored to get a high-resolution 33MP sensor (up from 22.4MP on the earlier model) and that there is a new entrance dial and improved mode dial. Video capabilities have additionally, apparently, been upgraded. All good.
Nevertheless… in our authentic Sony A7C overview,, we discovered that whereas there was tons to love in regards to the digicam, the small viewfinder and grip compromised the capturing expertise. And if the rumors in regards to the new mannequin are correct, then neither of these points have been addressed. And that is left us somewhat anxious.
It is fairly potential that the A7C II will win us over after we see it for actual, however for now we’re reserving judgement.
6. FLAC… FTW
(Picture credit score: Tidal / Stormzy)
Oh hello, free hi-res FLAC replace! Should you’re scrolling via Tidal playlists with a sneaking suspicion that a number of the wording appears somewhat completely different now, you are not improper. Following its newest app replace, Tidal now presents six million songs in hi-res FLAC format.
Refreshing to see a music streaming service truly make good on its hi-res guarantees, is not it? Spotify initially promised a HiFi tier throughout the yr again in February 2021, however we’re nonetheless ready, Mr. Ek. In the meantime Tidal’s CEO, Jesse Dorogusker, hasn’t been messing round. Having introduced again in April throughout an AMA (ask me something) on Reddit that Tidal would “be introducing hi-res FLAC for our HiFi Plus subscribers quickly” (then confirming it as soon as extra in June) right here they’re. Bravo, Tidal.
Nervous your treasured MQA playlists may disappear in a single day following the rollout – compounded by the information MQA formally appointed its directors on April 3? Do not be: Tidal guarantees its “current MQA catalogue will proceed to be out there on the platform” and certainly, the 6m hi-res FLAC streams now sit alongside the service’s present MQA hi-res streams.
5. Has Apple made the improper name on Calls?
(Picture credit score: Future)
Apple’s forthcoming iOS 17 appears like bringing a lot of neat new options to your iPhone, however not each change is assured to be a welcome one.
As an illustration, a number of websites have noticed that the newest iOS 17 Beta strikes the top name button from a reasonably centered place to a bottom-right place. Now, this may look like a minor change, however people are creatures of behavior, and we will simply see muscle reminiscence guiding your fingers to a spot the place the best buttons now not are. Plus, it appears like doubtlessly being tougher for left-handed folks to achieve.
This is not the ultimate construct of iOS 17, so it is potential the change will not be rolled out because it at present is when the brand new OS goes dwell later this yr. But when it does, then we will see it being a divisive resolution on a par with the removing of the headphone socket (keep in mind that?).
4. Google TV could be higher – if you would like it to be
(Picture credit score: Future)
Google TV is a brilliant interface generally discovered within the greatest 4K TVs, however with its busy look and “pushed” suggestions, it’s not at all times your best option for all viewers.
Happily, Google TV provides you the choice to overtake its interface and make it extra easy and “Roku-like.” The Google TV “Apps Solely” mode does precisely what it says: unlocks an interface that principally exhibits streaming apps, very like what you get with Roku and Apple TV 4K gadgets.
Sadly , this feature is buried deep within the Google TV settings the place most customers would not often enterprise. In order that’s the place we are available in. With our steerage under, you’ll be capable to dig it out in Google TV’s settings and successfully streamline your viewing expertise. No must thank us.
3. The iPhone 15 launch date is (practically) locked down
(Picture credit score: Future / Apple)
It is fairly potential that in the present day, August 12, 2023, marks the beginning of the one-month countdown to the revealing of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max.
Sure, the phrase on the road (effectively, web) is that Apple will launch its newest flagship vary on September 12. That is a Tuesday, which is historically when the Cupertino firm holds its iPhone launch occasions. It additionally suits its previous patterns; the iPhone 14 was launched on September 7 and the iPhone 13 on September 14, so it is smack bang in the course of these dates.
No one is aware of for certain, in fact – other than Tim Prepare dinner, presumably, and he is saying nothing. But when that date is appropriate then count on the iPhone rumor mill to enter overdrive over the following couple of weeks.
2. Disney Plus does a Netflix
(Picture credit score: Ivan Marc/Shutterstock)
Nicely, this was inevitable, wasn’t it? With Netflix and a number of the world’s different greatest streaming providers elevating their costs in current months, it was a formality that Disney Plus (and Hulu!) would do likewise.
So there have been no surprises when, on Wednesday, Disney introduced its streaming platforms will go up in worth from October 12. With Disney Plus set to get its personal Netflix-style password sharing crackdown by 2025, too, it hasn’t been a excellent news week for Home of Mouse followers.
1. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 simply edges it
(Picture credit score: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Within the wake of Google’s profitable launch of the Google Pixel Fold, we puzzled if Samsung, which principally constructed the foldable cellphone market, may keep forward.
Preliminary impressions of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 weren’t promising. In any case, Google had created a cellphone that gives a extra conventional facet ratio on the duvet display, whereas sustaining the 7.6-inch foldable mini pill inside – whereas Samsung had caught with the identical outdated design that it gave us with the earlier era.
Nicely, we have now completed testing the brand new mannequin and as our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold overview confirms, Samsung has (nearly) held onto the lead.
How? Nicely, by flattening and slimming down the Z Fold 5, which can also be so much lighter, and, extra importantly, sooner than the Pixel Fold. It additionally has a better-designed most important display. As for the cameras, they’re nonetheless superb. The race is tight, however the Galaxy Z Fold 5 simply edges by the Pixel Fold.
