TechRadar News

Samsung has begun the rollout of its One UI software update to select Samsung TVs earlier than anticipated, as reported by SamMobile.

Following a recent announcement that Samsung would incorporate its One UI software design to its TVs – bringing them more in-line with how its phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24, look – the rollout of this software has begun, well ahead of the expected 2025 release date before.

In the report, SamMobile reports that the One UI update appeared on its Samsung S90C, one of the best TVs available, and it appears that other 2023 models are also receiving the update.

The One UI software update is said to run on Tizen 8.0 – Samsung's 2023 TVs currently run on Tizen 7.0 – and while the One UI update will make cosmetic and design changes to Samsung's TVs, the actual smart TV platform itself will remain as Tizen under the surface.

The other headline news about this update is that Samsung's TVs will now get seven years worth of updates, meaning Samsung TVs from 2024 such as the Samsung S95D for example will receive software updates until 2031.

For some of the major changes and updates based on the One UI rollout, see below. It's worth noting that these updates may vary by model, region and more.

One UI updates

SamMobile shows that the One UI update is being implemented on Samsung's TVs - including its own 2023 S90C. (Image credit: Sammobile )

As for the changes the One UI software update has made on the 2023 TVs, some key features include For You, Live and Apps tabs on the home screen – something 2024 Samsung TVs already have – that tailor recommendations based on recent viewing, as well as the inclusion of the Daily+ Hub for lifestyle management and health apps, similar to Samsung's super useful Game Hub.

There's also a new 'Watch Later' tab where users can save TV shows and movies to a list to watch at a later time. There's a design change to the Game Bar to the latest version, too.

There's also fitness improvements, as real-time data such as heart rate and calorie consumption can be tracked when you connect a Samsung Galaxy Smart Watch, such as the Samsung Galaxy Smart Watch Ultra, which we rate as one of the best smartwatches.

There are also app widgets and animation changes made to look and act like the One UI software in terms of design.

Samsung's aim with bringing the One UI software to its TVs is said to be an attempt to unite all its products into one family, further expanding on its current SmartThings technology. But is this good news for Samsung TV owners?

One UI reservations

In our recent reviews of One UI on Samsung's phones, we have been critical of its less than user-friendly approach. (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

We've previously mentioned our reservations about the introduction of One UI to TVs as a regular criticism we've had of the One UI software in the past in our reviews of its phones is that its too overcomplicated, often hiding features that should be easily accessible.

While we have no qualms with Tizen as a smart TV platform, and have in fact praised its improvements over the years with the most notable being the 'hub menu' system, we've never found it to quite beat the likes of webOS, Roku TV and even Google TV in this year's sets, finding Tizen isn't as user-friendly.

So if One UI is something we've been critical of for not being user-friendly, is adding it to a smart TV platform that we've not found as user-friendly as rival smart TV platforms a step forwards or backwards?

We're still in the very early stages of this rollout so we'll have to see how One UI fares on the best Samsung TVs – here's hoping it's a long-term improvement.

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Google has signed a new deal with Kairos Power to use small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to power its energy-hungry artificial intelligence (AI) data centers as the world begins to confront the consequences of widespread AI adoption and a grid that’s struggling to keep up.

The partnership will be the first corporate agreement involving the purchase of nuclear energy from multiple SMRs, and is set to begin operation by the end of the decade.

With the first reactor online by 2030, Google plans to enlist additional reactors over the following five years.

Google to use nuclear for its data centers

In the nearly two years that have followed the public preview launch of ChatGPT, which is credited with kickstarting widespread interest in artificial intelligence, tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Amazon have been forced to rethink their strategies as data centers’ power consumption and use of other natural resources have come under fire.

Google’s Senior Director for Energy and Climate, Michael Terrell, emphasized the importance of the agreement, noting that the grid needs new energy sources to support AI’s continued expansion. He described the partnership with Kairos as an opportunity to accelerate clean, reliable nuclear power and to unlock AI’s full potential.

Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer commented: “By coming alongside in the development phase, Google is more than just a customer. They are a partner who deeply understands our innovative approach and the potential it can deliver.”

Alphabet isn’t the only big corp looking at nuclear energy to power its data centers – Microsoft and Amazon have also been publicly exploring the potential of nuclear, with the US Department of Energy also deeming it a viable solution.

Besides nuclear, Google has also been diversifying its energy investments to offshore wind, solar and geothermic activity.

It's not just Google who are looking to address the significant power usage of data centers, as energy companies have also been advised that they need to plan ahead for the AI data center power drain, or lose out on revenue.

In a recent interview, Jay Jiang Yu, Founder and Executive Chairman of Nano Nuclear Energy Inc, told TechRadar Pro that "The systems which would need to be in place to meet the expected energy demand would need to commence their installation now, to ensure that the AI and data centers in 2-3 years had the power supply necessary to continue their upscaling and expansion."

"Currently the deficit in energy is expected to hit the tech centers sometime around 2026-2027, and currently no new system looks able to come online before those dates," he concluded.

Via BBC

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Microsoft is reportedly expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming in November to allow users to stream owned games that are not part of Xbox Game Pass.

According to a recent report from The Verge, sources familiar with Microsoft's plans told the publication that the company is preparing to test the new update as part of a project called "Project Lapland" where it will expand its Game Pass Ultimate offering.

Starting next month, members who are signed up for the Xbox Insider program will be able to test the new feature, which will allow the Xbox Cloud Gaming servers to support the streaming of thousands of games.

Streaming is expected to be released to more Xbox users at a later date after testing.

Xbox Cloud Gaming was supposed to launch with game library streaming in 2020, and Microsoft later announced it would support the game library on the service in 2022.

The feature didn't launch that year, however, with The Verge claiming that the work has been "complicated by having to prepare key infrastructure for thousands of games, instead of the hundreds that currently exist on Xbox Game Pass."

It's also said that publishers will withhold some games due to licensing requirements or ongoing deals.

Elsewhere, Microsoft is reportedly releasing a brand new Xbox wireless headset this month that is more expensive than the current model.

Seemingly called the "Xbox Wireless Headset Refresh", the hardware is claimed to launch in Europe on October 22 and the US on November 5 and will cost $109.99 / £99.99 / AU$163.56.

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Apple is planning to expand its support for digital car keys to vehicles made by Volvo, Polestar and Audi, giving more car owners the ability to unlock their vehicle simply by using their iPhone.

Although the expanded support hasn’t yet been officially announced, code hinting at it has apparently been discovered by news outlet MacRumors. The site claims to have noticed the code in Apple’s Wallet app, which is used to store digital car keys.

MacRumors didn’t go into too much detail with this revelation, other than to say that “certain” cars from Volvo, Polestar and Audi would be supported.

That implies that the feature won’t be coming to every vehicle made by these companies – for one thing, cars need to include an NFC key reader, which not every model has – although we don’t yet know which specific cars will be supported.

We also don’t know when this support will be added, and it could be some time before we see these brands join Apple’s car key roster. Still, the new code does at least suggest that Apple is working on integrating these cars into the system.

How it works

(Image credit: Why Kei, Unsplash)

Using the Wallet app to unlock your car is pretty simple and straightforward, although the exact method varies by manufacturer and model.

With your phone in your pocket, some cars unlock and start up as you approach and enter the vehicle. Others do so when you hold your iPhone close to the door handle or key reader. And some can also be unlocked or locked remotely from your device.

Some manufacturers even let you share your digital car keys with other users, and you can stop sharing them at any time from the Wallet app. And the feature doesn’t just run on your iPhone – if you have a compatible Apple Watch, that can also be used to lock, unlock, or start your car.

Right now, Apple’s digital car key system works with vehicles from BMW, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, and more. You can check which specific models are compatible on Apple’s website.

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As our iPhone 16 review will tell you, all four models in Apple's 2024 iPhone series added a new Camera Control button, a touch-capacitive cut-out for easy camera settings access – and now Android phone makers are adding versions of their own.

In a post on Chinese social media site Weibo (via Android Authority), Oppo product manager Zhou Yibao confirmed that the upcoming Oppo Find X8 (due later this month) would have its own pressure-sensitive button for managing camera controls and zoom.

Of course, there's no mention of the iPhone 16 in the post – and Yibao insists that the button design was locked in way back in November last year, with the intention of giving users more photography options (the button works underwater, for example).

We may never know exactly what inspired Oppo to add a camera button of its own, but it's worth mentioning that the introduction of a button on Apple's phones has long been rumored. This isn't something that would've surprised Oppo in September.

Something borrowed

You can adjust zoom and take snaps with the iPhone 16 Camera Control (Image credit: Apple)

There's a long history of Android phones borrowing from the iPhone, and vice versa. You might remember when the iPhone X launched in 2017 with its distinctive display notch, a whole host of Android phones quickly followed the same design path.

In the other direction, there's no doubt that the additional customization options added to iOS 18 this year are very similar to what's already possible in the Android operating system. Apple isn't above borrowing a few ideas either.

Ultimately, as long as the best phones continue to get better across the board, we don't mind too much which handset introduced which feature first – as long as we don't end up with a situation where every phone looks and works the same.

And we should also note that all iPhones and most Android phones have a 'camera button' of sorts already: if you haven't discovered this trick yet, with the default camera app open on Android or iOS, you can tap either of the volume buttons to snap a picture.

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DJI may have only just launched the DJI Mini 4K, which we've branded the best budget drone for beginners, but it's already moving onto its next announcement – which you can tune into today.

The 'Chase the View' event teaser doesn't explicitly say that it's for a drone, but the title and image suggest it will be a new flying camera. More importantly, we've recently seen several leaks for a DJI Air 3S drone, so it looks highly likely that we'll see that mid-range drone officially land today.

DJI's Air series sits in between its smaller Mini series and its high-end Mavic range – and it many respects, it's traditionally been the sweet spot for most people. The DJI Air 3 came out in July 2023, so it isn't exactly an old model – which is why DJI is likely launching an 'S' model, rather than a DJI Air 4.

But that doesn't necessarily mean the Air 3S, if we do see it today, isn't a potentially exciting model for aerial photographers and videographers. Recent leaks have suggested that it could launch with a new tracking accessory, that could see the drone follow you around without the need to hold a bulky controller.

So if you're into drones, aerial imaging or impressive gadgets, it'll be worth tuning into DJI's launch today...

How to watch today's DJI launch

The best way to watch the DJI 'Chase the View' event is on the DJI YouTube channel. The livestream will start at 9am ET / 2pm BST / 11pm AEST on Tuesday October 15 and, if previous DJI launches are any guide, it shouldn't last much longer than 10-15 minutes.

We've also embedded the livestream above, so you can watch it here on TechRadar.

Worried about forgetting? To set a reminder for when DJI's event is about to start, just click the 'Notify me' button in the YouTube video above and you'll get an email nudge when it's time to sneak away to a quiet spot at work.

What can we expect to see at today's DJI launch?

Recent leaks suggest that DJI's event will almost certainly be for the DJI Air 3S – but that may not be the only new product we see.

The most interesting DJI Air 3S feature may actually be its leaked RC Track controller. The little handheld beacon that could be a substitute for clunk controllers when all you want the drone to do is follow you on bikes rides, runs and more.

That means the Air 3S launch could be of interest to existing DJI owners too, as there's a suggestion that the RC Track may one day be compatible with other models like the Mini 4 Pro.

Last interesting facts about the #DJIRCTRACK. You can connect to the drone via the DJI FLY APP to see the preview and set parameters. The RC will work up to 100 meters and you can set the RTH to hover right above the RC. Cheers pic.twitter.com/XdW929v1eiOctober 10, 2024

If it's the Air 3S you're mainly interested in, other leaks and rumors suggest that include Lidar tech to improve the accuracy of its obstacle avoidance, and also boost the internal storage up to a generous 42GB (from 8GB on the Air 3).

We're also expecting to see the Air 3S' main camera jump up to a larger 1-inch sensor for improved dynamic range and low-light performance, although the telephoto camera is expected to keep the same 1/1.3-inch sensor as before).

So if you're a solo traveler who wants to shoot aerial souvenirs from your trips, or are just looking to expand your horizons as a photographer or videographer, it'll be well worth tuning into DJI's event today – we'll see you there and will be bringing you all of our first impressions.

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This isn't the first time B&W's launched an air-balloon shaped wireless speaker. The most recent version of the iconic Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin was met with high praise shortly after its 2021 release, but B&W's been launching blimp-shaped wireless speakers since 2008 (a model that even carried the then-popular iPod dock), including the Zeppelin Air and Zeppelin Wireless in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

But B&W still thinks you've got room in your life for a blimp-shaped speaker – and yes, it still gives the illusion of floating above whichever surface you've placed it on. I've always thought the Zeppelin is to B&W as the Beats Pill is to Beats; a piece of audio history it's too tempting not to update (and the nostalgic among us will fall for it every time).

Anyway, the new Zeppelin Pro Edition (for that is its name) builds on the cigar shape of the existing Zeppelin by adding some key upgrades to the design and driver array. So let's get to those…

Zeppelin Pro: what you need to know

Let's start from the outside and work our way in: you get two all-new finishes – Solar Gold and Space Gray – plus a revised downlight that now boasts a user-selectable choice of "over 15 separate colors, each with brightness adjustment options".

Now, the key to the Zeppelin Pro's improved performance: the introduction of dual Titanium Dome tweeters, as found in the latest-gen B&W 600 Series loud-speakers, which includes the five-star Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 bookshelf option.

Said tweeters are mounted at the far edges of the enclosure here, and are "fully isolated from vibrations running through the cabinet" generated by the three other, larger drive units within the speaker.

The new tweeters are joined by two 90mm midrange drivers using B&W' s proprietary Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) technology, which was also used in the company’s premium floor-standing speakers. These drive units have been treated with increased cone damping here, along with revised DSP tuning to make the most of them. Lastly, a 150mm subwoofer brings the bass. It is mounted centrally to avoid any unwanted ‘rocking’ of the cabinet as it operates.

As you'd expect in 2024, the Zeppelin Pro Edition has multi-room functionality baked right in. You can use it with other new Zeppelins, or build a system throughout your home based on Bowers & Wilkins’ own Formation range, including the lovely Formation Wedge.

The Zeppelin Pro is Able to stream via AirPlay2 (which means better-quality audio using your home's Wi-Fi, rather than Bluetooth) but there's Bluetooth aptX Adaptive too, plus Spotify Connect baked in. And you've got direct access to all the best music streaming services using the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, including Qobuz, Tidal and more.

For me, there's an extra ace up the Zep Pro's sleeve, and that is seamless interaction with B&W's headphones, including the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 and new five-star Pi8 earbuds. Both controlled by that same Music app, and that means audio hand-off from your buds to your home system when you walk through the door (something I wish Sonos had achieved with its Sonos Ace headphones and plethora of smart speakers, but didn't).

The new Zeppelin Pro Edition is available from today (October 15) in Space Gray or Solar Gold, priced $799 or £699 (which is around AU$1,360).

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You might want to check your email inbox if you managed to secure a PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition bundle pre-order at Argos last week. Recent reports suggest that the retailer has started canceling pre-orders, citing “huge demand”.

As detailed on the IGN UK Deals X / Twitter account, some Argos customers have reportedly received automated emails concerning their PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition bundle pre-orders. The emails state that the company is “unable to fulfill” the pre-order and “will automatically process a refund”. 

The message ends asking the customer to “accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this has caused”, though it’s not hard to imagine that this will be little consolation for those who have now lost out. 

There was some initial confusion as to whether these emails were sent in error, but a new statement from Argos that was provided to IGN has clarified the situation. The retailer states that it “saw huge demand” for the bundle “and unfortunately had to cancel some orders, after they were processed incorrectly.”

The statement goes on to say that “we have contacted the customers affected to tell them how sorry we are for the disappointment this has caused and confirm they will receive a full refund."

If you need a quick recap, pre-orders for the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition bundle opened at a range of retailers last week on October 10. There was huge demand for the product, with many listings only lasting a few minutes before selling out. Argos was one of the few retailers that seemed to have stock for quite a while, though it now appears a though this may have been the result of some kind of error.

The PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition bundle contains a PS5 Slim console in a unique PS1 style gray colorway alongside a matching DualSense Wireless Controller. You also get a limited edition vertical stand, original PlayStation style cable connector housing, plus some neat little extras like a poster and paperclip.

It’s now quite unlikely that any stock of the bundle will become available again, at least until its release day on November 21. Still, if you missed out and want to secure one you can console our PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-order guide for the latest stock information.

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Nintendo could be working on a new wave of GameCube controllers.

That's according to Resetera user RandomlyRandom67, who shared component shipment details in a recent post that they believe are for the Nintendo Switch 2 and a new product that could be a GameCube controller (via NintendoLife).

Dataminer LuigiBlood was the first to identify the supposed new GameCube controller earlier this year, however, RandomlyRandom67 indicates that the hardware is now in active production.

The user points out that there are several components that are similar to those featured in current GameCube controllers, including LED light covers and trigger covers.

But it's the rumble motor TRW1230 shipments that are the most notable, and are apparently connected to an unreleased Nintendo controller called the HGU0480 project.

The rumble motor TRW1230 is the same component used in current GameCube controllers and the Nintendo Switch Online N64 controller.

Last week, Nintendo announced that it will perform a playtest on October 24 for a mysterious new Nintendo Switch Online feature.

Although unconfirmed at this time, it's entirely possible that the reports of a new GameCube controller could be linked to a new GameCube library for Switch Online, expanding the subscription service further.

Currently, Switch Online allows subscribers to play from a catalog of games from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance, so it would make sense for GameCube to be next in line.

Even if the supposed new GameCube controllers aren't intended for a new Switch Online library, then perhaps they're in production for the Switch 2.

Nintendo hasn't revealed its next handheld console just yet, but a release date announcement is confirmed before the end of 2024, and it's expected to launch in 2025.

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Top WordPress hosting service SiteGround has augmented its platform with a range of new features to boost engagement, most notably automated welcome emails. The email marketing platform's upgrade also expands its features to include a double opt-in process, social media integration, and the ability to see emails in a browser first.

The automated welcome email feature is the centerpiece of the update. Businesses can use the tool to immediately follow up with new subscribers through a personalized email right after they join SiteGround. The idea is that this immediate connection will make them more likely to become customers and make long-term connections easier to sustain. 

As a way of starting things with a subscriber on a positive note, an automated welcome email makes sense. SiteGround pointed out that it can be more than just saying hello. It's a chance to lay out the business and perhaps offer a taste of what the company can do with free trials or access to webinars and other content.

Friendly Automation

SiteGround claims the feature is entirely intuitive regardless of experience with email marketing. A business just needs to pick a template that matches their style and branding and they are off to the races. This kind of personalized communication, even when automated, can be a real boon for marketing.

The other new features build on the same vision from SiteGround and the automated emails. A simple but potentially powerful addition lets users incorporate social media icons into email templates. That way, the potential customer can link up with the company, sending the email through social media channels along with email campaigns. Multiple touchpoints multiply the chance for a fruitful business deal. 

To make sure the relationship stays friendly and the emails don't become spam, SiteGround also unveiled a new double opt-in feature. Potential subscribers have to literally make doubly sure they want to sign up before getting added to the mailing list. Offering double opt-in means better email lists and fewer complaints from recipients. It also helps filter out fake email addresses, keeping the emails blasts actually relevant. 

The other update is a "View in Browser" option. Currently, its required that email recipients to stay in their mail client to read their message. But, now they can read and sharethe email through a web browser. It reduces the friction in sharing information from an email and could boost its appearance on social media.  All of the new features are now live and available to all SiteGround users. 

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Britain’s Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has confirmed that four major US tech companies have pledged to invest £6.3 billion ($8.2 billion) in UK data centers.

Describing it in a press release as a “vote of confidence,” Kyle says the decision for CyrusOne, ServiceNow, Cloud HQ and CoreWeave to plough billions into the UK’s AI efforts will help the nation become the leader in digital innovation and AI that it hopes for.

Announced at the International Investment Summit, the multibillion-dollar sum brings the total investment in UK data centers under the current government to more than £25 billion.

US tech giants will invest in UK data centers

The investments will help fund new data centers that will provide the compute and storage for Britain to “train and deploy the next generation of AI technologies.”

Kyle commented: “Tech leaders from all over the world are seeing Britain as the best place to invest with a thriving and stable market for data centres and AI development.”

Washington DC-headquartered CloudHQ’s plans include a £1.9 billion data center in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Set to bring 1,500 jobs during construction and 100 permanent roles when operational, it will help meet the UK’s growing demand for AI and ML.

ServiceNow has committed to investing £1.15 billion over five years to expand its data centres with Nvidia GPUs and support new office space as the growing company.

CyrusOne’s cash injection will total £2.5 billion, with CoreWeave adding an extra £750 million on top of previous investments by Blackstone (£10 billion) and AWS (£8 billion).

The news comes just weeks after Kyle classified data centers as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’, indicative of the extra support they would receive from the government in the event of critical incidents.

The investment also follows US private equity firm Blackstone's £10 billion ($13 billion) investment to build AI data centers in the North East of England.

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There's a new Xbox Partner Preview presentation happening this week, showcasing several upcoming games and expansions from developers like of Sega, Remedy, and much more.

The presentation was announced via Xbox's official X / Twitter account, confirming that it will be showing off Alan Wake 2: The Lake House, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers among other titles. The accompanying Xbox Wire post confirms a run time of "around 25 minutes" during which "over a dozen new trailers" for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC games will be shown.

New games are on the horizon ✨Come check out Xbox Partner Preview, streaming October 17 at 10AM PT for a peek at the upcoming Alan Wake 2: The Lake House, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and more: https://t.co/7vZKi6MQUl | #XboxPartnerPreview pic.twitter.com/9VKRgtz5VhOctober 14, 2024

You'll be able to watch the Xbox Partner Preview presentation live on Thursday October 17 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST. It can be watched over on the official Xbox YouTube channel or the Xbox Twitch channel. It's also worth noting that the YouTube version will be broadcast at 4K 60fps, while the Twitch stream will be limited to 1080p 60fps.

The presentation will have subtitle support for a large selection of languages. A version with American Sign Language (ASL) will also be broadcast on Xbox's YouTube channel as well as the XboxASL Twitch page. A British Sign Language (BSL) version will also go live at the Xbox On YouTube channel.

So beyond the games and expansions that have been announced thus far, what else do we expect to see? 

Well, given it's a Partner Preview, it's likely that we won't see anything first party from Xbox Game Studios. That said, I wouldn't mind seeing some updates for games I'm personally excited for, including Dynasty Warriors: Origins and of course Monster Hunter Wilds. We'll just have to wait until October 17 before we know for sure.

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One advantage of buying an iPhone is that Apple's handsets typically hold their value better than other brands, so when it comes time to trade in your old phone and upgrade to a newer model, you get more of your money back. Well, that might not be the case for much longer.

Research carried out by SellCell (via Phone Arena) found that while iPhones still currently retain more value than other brands, since the iPhone 12, each successive range has on average decreased in value faster than the previous series.

The iPhone 12 series depreciated by 43.8% after 12 months, while the iPhone 13 series depreciated by 46.2% a year after its launch. The iPhone 14 series depreciated by 47.7% over the same period, and the iPhone 15 series by 48.2%.

For obvious reasons, we don’t have that data for the iPhone 16 yet, but in the first two weeks since its launch, SellCell has found that Apple’s latest line has decreased in value by 8% more than the iPhone 15 series did in its first two weeks of release.

Image 1 of 2

A chart showing the depreciation of several iPhone lines (Image credit: SellCell)Image 2 of 2

A chart showing the depreciation of the Galaxy S23 and S22 lines (Image credit: SellCell)

These differences – particularly the depreciation after a year – aren’t massive, but they are showing a steady decline in the ability for successive iPhone models to hold their value. On the flip side, the best Samsung phones are starting to hold more value.

The same report found that the Samsung Galaxy S22 series lost 66.7% of its value after a year, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 line lost 61.1%. We don’t have a full year’s worth of data for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series yet, but its six-month figure shows 3.7% less depreciation than the Samsung Galaxy S23 experienced after six months.

So, following this trend, it’s likely that the Samsung Galaxy S24 line’s full-year figure will be in the mid-to-high fifties, while the iPhone 16’s could be somewhere between 49% and the low fifties. That still puts Apple out in front, but the gap isn’t super wide anymore, and if this trend continues it could further close. Within a few years, it’s even possible that Samsung phones will hold their value better than iPhones.

So, if your phone holding value is of major importance to you, then you might soon want to consider switching from Apple to Samsung.

Of course, this is just one study, and it only looks at the US market, but SellCell has nonetheless used data from over 40 trusted buyback vendors, so it’s likely accurate for that region, at least.

A lack of support and excitement

Camera Control on the iPhone 16 Plus (Image credit: Future)

So, why is this happening? SellCell doesn’t take any guesses, but one possible factor is that Samsung’s high-end phones now get much longer-term support than they used to, with seven years of software updates.

Until the last couple of years, iPhones were supported for longer than any Android phone, but now Apple’s typical support window is a year or two less than Samsung is promising.

Phone Arena also posits that iPhones are becoming less exciting each year. We’re not really convinced that Samsung has been doing any more than Apple to build excitement in its recent phones, but at least with the iPhone 16 line, there does seem to be a widespread feeling – whether justified or not – that it’s a small or boring upgrade.

So, if Apple wants to reverse this trend, it might need to extend how long it supports its phones, and ensure that the the iPhone 17 line has some truly exciting upgrades.

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Silo season 2 is one month away from premiering on Apple TV Plus, and to ramp up the excitement we finally have a trailer.

The best streaming service for original content released the roughly two-and-a-half-minute clip yesterday (October 14), giving fans of the sci-fi series their first proper look at the new season, and it did not disappoint.

It picks up from season 1’s cliffhanger ending, showing Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) outside of the silo in a barren, scorched dystopian world after defying the silo's higher authorities. While an official synopsis for season 2 isn't available, we do know from Hugh Howey's trilogy of books that the series is based on that we can expect to learn more about the origins of the silos.

Before this trailer was released we only had a brief shot of Ferguson looking pensive to go off from a very short clip that was shown at Apple's WWDC event, so fans will be excited at the prospect of more of the mystery being unraveled when Silo returns in November.

What can we expect from Silo season 2?

For anyone unfamiliar with the story behind one of the best Apple TV Plus shows, Silo is about a group of ten thousand people sheltering in an underground bunker from what they believe is a toxic and deadly world outside. However, no one knows exactly why the silos were built in the first place.

That's where an engineer called Juliette comes in. The first season of the show follows her as she attempts to solve a murder, and in the process unravels a mystery that leads her to discover murky truths about the underground world she and her fellow silo-dwellers inhabit.

The series will see Tim Robbins, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Clare Perkins, Billy Postlethwaite, Rick Gomez, Caitlin Zoz, Tanya Moodie and Iain Glen return, alongside the new addition Steve Zahn.

It's been over a year since season 1 wrapped on June 30, 2023, but luckily we knew that Apple TV Plus renewed its biggest hit TV show before the finale aired. At the time, the Hollywood writers' strike had halted production on a lot of shows, prompting Ferguson to previously tell TechRadar that Silo season 2 was a long way from being released.

That wait is almost over though, with the first episode of Silo season 2 set to be released on Friday, November 15. A new episode will be released every Friday, and given that there are 10 episodes, we can expect the show to wrap on January 17, 2025 – just in time for Severance season 2.

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Apple appears to be running down stock levels of MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac models ahead of the launch of new M4 refreshes of these devices.

Leaker Mark Gurman posted on X to let us know that “retail inventory for iMacs, MacBook Pros, Mac minis, iPad minis, iPad mini accessories continues to dwindle.”

Retail inventory for iMacs, MacBook Pros, Mac minis, iPad minis, iPad mini accessories continues to dwindle. Not seeing the same for entry iPad, for those wondering.October 14, 2024

So, this is a fairly hefty hint that we could soon be seeing a new MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac with the M4 chip, which is what’s been rumored for quite some time now.

It is, of course, common practice to slim down the stock levels of a current generation of hardware, before the next-gen arrives for obvious reasons.

As Gurman notes, the same is true for the iPad mini which is due an M4 refresh, and purportedly all this hardware is set to be launched by Apple later in October, ahead of an on-sale date of November 1.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Analysis: A much-needed boost for Apple’s Mac range

The rumors around the launch timeframe have been a little inconsistent of late, but the mentioned dates fall in line with Apple’s past history and what we’d expect, so all of this feels very believable. We only have a short while before we find out for sure, anyway, as if there is a late October reveal planned for all these M4 Macs (and iPad mini), invites for the press event should be imminent (maybe pitching up in the next couple of days, in fact).

Apple needs a new generation of Macs, it would seem, certainly if current sales figures are anything to go by. Recent figures from an analyst firm show that in Q3 of 2024, Mac shipments plunged by 17.5% year-on-year, which is a pretty worrying drop for Apple.

Tim Cook will certainly be hoping that a raft of new M4 computers can help to revive those numbers somewhat, and turn the tide in the other direction – the way in which the rest of the PC industry is flowing (where modest levels of growth have been observed earlier this year, or at least sales are staying flat).

Via Wccftech

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Casio’s AI-powered robot pet, Moflin, is now available to preorder in Japan, ushering in the start of a dystopian pet-owner future where you send your furry partner to Casio’s repair center rather than take it to the vet.

Moflin looks like a large Guinea pig, without the mouth, or as Audio Editor, Becky Scarrott puts it, “a Porg from Star Wars, but horizontal.” It’s intended to be held and cuddled, bringing you the emotional connection you’d get with a pet, without the responsibility of looking after a living being.

Moflin was initially developed by Vanguard Industries, first coming to TechRadar’s attention at CES 2021. Now, Casio is manufacturing and distributing the furry friend across Japan for 59,400 yen (roughly $400 / £305 / 600AU$). Moflin will start shipping on November 7th and comes with an optional subscription service to cover any repairs, including a fur replacement.

Casio’s Moflin launch trailer shows a woman interacting with the fluffy robot throughout her day, cuddling with it in bed and even letting it sit on the dinner table as she eats - either a lonely vision of the future or the dream emotional support animal.

Moflin’s official website says, “Just like a living animal, Moflin possesses emotional capabilities and movements that evolve through daily interactions with its environment.” The robot will also “develop its own unique personality and as it gets attached to you”, making your Moflin unique to the experiences it has encountered.

(Image credit: Casio)

Just like a real pet, Moflin will be happy when you spend time playing and loving it, but ignore the AI-powered fluff ball and it’ll get stressed and anxious, longing for love. You’ll not be able to tell from its body language, though, Moflin’s state of mind is only visible through an app, which seems a bit too robotic for my liking.

Casio says Moflin has a 5-hour battery life on a single charge, slightly less than my French Bulldog Kermit’s 24-hour runtime. If you need to boost its power, Moflin sits in a cute charging bed and requires a 3-and-a-half-hour power boost to help with your emotional well-being again.

Moflin feels like the TikTok generation’s Tamagotchi, but just like in the 90s, digital pets can only go so far. Part of being a pet owner is loving and caring for something that completely relies on you, I’m not sure a notification to say Moflin needs charging is quite the same.

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I finally got my hands on the Meta Quest 3S VR headset to test it out for our in-depth Meta Quest 3S review, and using the headset has given me flashbacks of using the Oculus Quest 2 – and made me realize how rubbish its visuals were this whole time.

The Meta Quest 3S uses the same chipset and has the same RAM as the Meta Quest 3, meaning it can play all the same VR games and apps as its sibling like the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow (it even comes with a free copy of the game). But its most noticeable downgrade is its displays. Instead of the crisp 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye dual-display setup of the Quest 3 you have to make do with the Quest 2’s 1832 x 1920 per eye single display setup, which the Quest 3S is repurposing.

The Meta Quest 3S also relies on the Quest 2’s fresnel lens system instead of the pancake lenses used by the Quest 3. I won’t get into the weeds of how these lenses differ technically, but know that fresnel lenses are bulkier and cause blurriness at the fringes of your field of view.

The Quest 3 is worth upgrading to

Back when I was regularly using my Oculus Quest 2 – which was later rebranded as a Meta Quest 2 – I definitely noticed that the visuals weren’t as crisp as watching a show on my phone or playing a game with my PS5 on a 4K TV. But I’d also often feel that people who were overly critical of the resolution or screen door effect were being too harsh (the screen door effect is when you see black lines over the display because you can see the gaps between pixels).

I had a fantastic time using it and felt (and still feel) it was hands-down the best VR headset for most people at its peak thanks to its solid performance for its super-low price.

The Meta Quest 3 ruined the Meta Quest 2 for me (Image credit: Meta)

But back then the Oculus Quest 2 was my baseline for VR headsets; I had never used another headset before – save for the odd demo at a gaming convention or university fair. Now that my baseline is the superior Meta Quest 3 I finally understand everyone’s Quest 2 visuals criticisms.

That’s not to say the Meta Quest 3S isn’t an excellent VR headset for the price. Starting at $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 for the 128GB model and achieving what the Meta Quest 3S achieves is nothing to sniff at. If you're new to VR and haven't yet been spoiled by better VR headsets, then its issues won't be as noticeable or annoying.

However, when weighing up your options between the two Meta Quest 3 headsets, remember it’s not just a matter of picking your preferred storage size as there are some significant other differences to consider.

Top-quality visuals won’t matter to everyone, and when you’re immersed in an interactive experience the Quest 3S’ deficiencies aren’t as noticeable. Just note that if you plan to be a VR power user that hops in a couple times a week at least, and who wants to enjoy Netflix or Xbox game streaming in VR or MR, then the sharper Meta Quest 3 is the headset you should get.

So if you can still find the 128GB Meta Quest 3 before it sells out try to grab it before the discontinued model is gone for good and you have to make do with the pricier 512GB model instead.

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The US restrictions on exporting advanced hardware have severely impacted the AI ambitions of many Chinese firms, limiting their access to powerful chips necessary for training large-scale AI models and handling complex computations. Companies like ByteDance and Alibaba, which rely on high-end processors for their AI operations, have been forced to turn to lower-spec GPUs like Nvidia’s H20 or seek domestic alternatives.

However, not all Chinese firms are equally affected by the US clampdown. Huawei, which has been developing its own AI chipsets like the Ascend 910B, and the Ascend 910C (which the company has just begun sampling) has been enjoying some success positioning itself as a domestic alternative to Nvidia.

During his keynote speech at the recent Huawei Connect 2024 event, the company’s deputy chairman, Eric Xu Zhijun, outlined the company’s strategy of building AI systems “that are accessible to every person, home, and organization” and announced plans to heavily invest in AI ecosystem development over the next five years, according to the South China Morning Post.

Expanding its cloud services

Regarding the US sanctions, Xu admitted, “The reality is that US restrictions on AI chips for China are unlikely to be lifted any time soon.” However, he also emphasized that these challenges present an opportunity for Huawei to expand its cloud services and offer local alternatives for AI infrastructure.

Huawei’s cloud computing unit has become a crucial growth area, generating 55.29 billion yuan ($7.6 billion) in revenue in 2023, marking a 21.9% year-on-year increase. “Cloud services are the best option for many companies that are looking to incorporate AI into their business,” Xu said. “By providing Ascend and AI model services, we aim to give every company real-time access to on-demand AI computing power, and enable more efficient model training and inference.”

At the event, Huawei also announced upgrades to its AI stack, collaborations with partners like China Mobile for autonomous driving networks, and plans to develop AI solutions for the automotive sector.

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As US energy companies continue to grapple with the challenge of supplying enough power to meet the growing demand for AI data centers, a report from Bain & Company has revealed power use could soon exceed actual supply.

The report forecasts that by 2028, utility companies will need to increase annual generation by as much as 26% in order to keep up with demand.

The concerning outlook raises questions about the true eco-credentials of the time-saving and productivity-enhancing technology, which could soon need to rely on dirtier energy sources which are more abundant.

Data centers will use more energy than we currently have

Indicative of the scale of the problem, capital expenditure at these data centers is anticipated to rise nearly 30% this year alone. A separate study (via The Register) by Rystad Energy, a research and business intelligence company, found that US data center power consumption could more than double by the end of the decade.

Typically, historical energy generation has been several hundred terawatt hours higher than historical energy consumption, however over the next four years, even the low-end demand scenario could outpace current generation, with the high-end demand scenario rising by as much as 1,000 TWh, from 4,000 to 5,000 TWh, marking a significant jump.

By 2028, Bain & Company reckons that data centers will account for more than two-fifths (44%) of all US energy consumption, with residential applications standing at around one-quarter (27%). Manufacturing (17%) and commercial (13%) are set to take smaller percentages.

Adding to the complexity, other sectors like electric vehicles and repatriated manufacturing amid geopolitical tensions are also driving up energy demand in coming years.

Subsequently, the consulting firm warns that failing to act by modernizing business operations and infrastructure could cause companies to lose out on substantial revenues, even forcing datacenter companies to generate their own energy.

And with US utility companies accustomed to flat or even shrinking demand, the fact that global data center energy demands could top $2 trillion represents a significant growth opportunity for those prepared to make the changes.

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Adobe Max 2024 has seen a raft of major new updates to the company’s software suite - and while content creators and video editors have been well-served with a raft of AI tools for Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and more, there are developments for enterprise users.

From today, Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing will be available, making it easier for marketing teams to work together on creating genAI assets, and learn from AI-enhanced insights.

“With GenStudio for Performance Marketing, brands have a single, self-service application to create paid social ads, display ads, banners, marketing emails and more by leveraging pre-approved, on-brand content,” the company said.

What is Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing?

Part of Adobe Experience Cloud, GenStudio is an AI-first content marketing tool designed to create and collaborate on marketing materials. The latest addition to the space, GenStudio for Performance Marketing, lets users work on a wide range of assets and campaigns

Finding the right content has been made easier with the inclusion of a content library for pre-approved, on-brand assets, as well as the ability to edit existing content or create new, brand-appropriate, commercially safe media to help scale up content production. The application supports Firefly, of course, alongside other AI tools and third-party LLMs to speed up the production of emails and online ads.

With data the lifeblood for modern businesses, GenStudio for Performance Marketing will also let users view key performance metrics and insights - while AI can ‘read’ image and video elements to help understand and tailor future content that engages specific audiences.

Users can also expect to see future integrations with Meta, TikTok and Snap, and the Adobe Journey Optimizer, allowing teams to publish directly on platforms through the social media marketing tool.

(Image credit: Adobe)

“Delivering impactful global campaigns hinges on the ability to bring marketing and creative teams closer together, with generative AI-powered workflows that eliminate cumbersome and inefficient processes," said Varun Parmar, general manager for Adobe GenStudio.

"Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing enables creatives to focus on delivering deep creative designs that amplify a brand, while empowering their marketing counterparts to create the high volume of content variations that are needed to drive customer engagement, personalization and conversion."

In addition to the new GenStudio for Performance Marketing, Adobe also recently announced major updates to Adobe Express, designed to optimize workflows for marketing teams. Highlights include add-ons for TikTok, cloud storage services including Google Drive and OneDrive, and AI-generated music and script-to-video tools. Conversely, Express add-ons will also be available in ChatGPT, HubSpot, Slack, and Box.

Users can find out more about Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing by clicking here.

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