TechRadar News

• New Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x is smaller and lighter but more powerful
• Introduces attachment memory and a cool new straightener attachment
• On sale on 8 July in the US, and 'September' in the UK

Dyson has launched a new version of its Airwrap, and it looks better than ever. The new Airwrap Co-anda 2x is smaller and lighter, but offers more air pressure and more power. The accessories have also been upgraded to amp up the styler's versatility.

There's now attachment recognition, and an all-new AirSmooth attachment that looks particularly interesting for those looking to create sleek, straight styles.

I reviewed the Dyson Airwrap i.d. and rated it the best hair styler on the market. I haven't tested this one yet, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say Dyson is about to dethrone its own styler with the upgraded version.

To create that smaller and lighter build, the Airwrap Co-anda 2x has had its internal mechanics completely redesigned, with a new Hyperdymium 2 motor. Two cool facts about this motor are that it can spin nine times faster than an F1 car engine, and that the wire powering the motor is just 90 microns wide – which is as thin as a strand of human hair. It can apparently deliver twice the air pressure and 30% more power than the Airwrap i.d., without increasing noise levels, which should mean faster drying, more efficient hair wrapping, and sleeker straightening.

(Image credit: Dyson)

You're still getting the i.d.curl feature, which was such a game-changer on the Airwrap i.d. It enables you to launch a personalized curl sequence with the flick of a button. Here, the barrels can also apparently detect when hair is fully wrapped, and it's time to start the i.d. curl sequence.

Overall, it looks like the gap between Dyson and other Airwrap-alikes is widening – today's best Airwrap dupes can't even offer clockwise and anti-clockwise curls on the same barrel, let alone automating the entire process for you. However, I am slightly perturbed to see that Dyson seems to have redesigned the buttons here, swapping the Airwrap i.d.'s chunky, easy-to-use buttons for the fiddly, unnecessarily small switches found on the Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer.

It's all in the accessories

As I said up top, the accessories are where it's really at, so let's take a closer look at them. Previous versions of the Airwrap were mainly geared towards curling, but this latest iteration amps up the versatility and acts more like a true 'multi-styler'.

Firstly, the attachments now contain RFID sensors that enable the dryer part to recognize which one is clipped on. Then it'll automatically adjust to the optimal temperature and windspeed settings (the first time) or your last-used settings (thereafter) with each attachment. It's precisely the same as on the Supersonic Nural and Supersonic r hair dryers, where I found it massively helped to streamline the styling process, making it easier than ever to swap between tools.

Second, there's a new attachment geared specifically towards straightening: the AirSmooth2x, which looks like it's been inspired by the wet-to-dry Dyson Airstrait. Two unheated plates clamp together and blast the hair between them with air, with the tension helping smooth and straighten the strands as they dry. The plates will automatically unclamp once you reach the bottom of the hair.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Dyson)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Dyson)

Dyson says the Airwrap Co-anda 2x is the only multi-styler on the market to come with six attachments included with purchase. I'm not sure that's true, but there is certainly a more comprehensive range than you'd usually get.

There are two bundles to choose from, with different attachments to suit different hair types:

Straight + Wavy bundle:

• 30mm curling barrel
• 40mm curling barrel
• Anti-snag loop brush
• Round volumizing brush
• AirSmooth attachment
• Fast dryer

Curly + Coily bundle:

• 40mm Co-anda curling barrel
• Anti-snag loop brush
• Round volumizing brush
• Tension comb
• Wave+Curl diffuser
• Fast dryer

You can pick up most of the attachments individually if the one you want isn't included in your chosen bundle. Also available individually is a 20mm barrel for tighter curls (interestingly, Dyson seems to have already done away with the tapering barrel it introduced with the Airwrap i.d.).

“Traditional stylers can damage hair, but we have always focused on developing tools that protect hair health whilst enhancing without compromising precision and/or performance," comments brand founder James Dyson. "We harness our expertise in motors, fluid dynamics, and materials to continually improve... It’s about creating exciting long-lasting styles using smarter, more efficient technology."

(Image credit: Dyson)Price & availability

The Co-anda 2x is actually already available in some international markets, including Korea. However, it was unveiled in the US and UK today (July 1). Both markets will offer the styler in Ceramic Pink or Jasper Plum, and the option of Straight+Wavy or Curly+Coily bundles (priced the same).

It will go on sale in the US from July 8 at Dyson.com and Sephora.com for $699.99. For comparison, the i.d. has a list price of $599.99.

UK shoppers will have a bit longer to wait: the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x will go on sale in September with a list price of £579.99 (compared to £479.99 for the i.d.).

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There’s nothing quite like live sport. Globally, over half a billion (571 million) people tuned in to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Demand for live sports is showing no signs of slowing. But throughout the entire sporting industry, from the field of play to the IT infrastructure beaming the events live to your living room, nothing stands still for long. For athletes and behind-the-scenes technicians alike, innovation is king.

In live sports broadcasting, the next innovation on the horizon revolves around photons and transmitting data at the speed of light. As data demand grows exponentially and current network infrastructure struggles under growing pressure and increasing demand, the broadcast industry must look toward All-Photonics Networks (APNs) to deliver the future of live broadcast.

The challenges facing the future of live broadcasting

The industry’s current infrastructure is struggling to deal with the increasing demand for media production. While technology has developed at an electrifying rate, the infrastructure we rely on to deliver media has not. Take, for example, the ongoing AI boom. There’s no doubt that AI will significantly add to video production network loads, but our current networks were not built with AI in mind. This isn’t sustainable.

As such, producing high-quality live broadcasts is becoming increasingly challenging. Couple this with skilled media professionals typically residing in urban areas and it quickly becomes apparent that delivering live content, like sports, that takes place in remote locations is not only becoming trickier, but more expensive.

So, the live broadcast industry, including live sports, is faced with a challenging question. How can the growing demand for engaging, live content be delivered without escalating costs or compromising on quality? The answer is All-Photonics Networks. Rather than using electrons, APNs utilize photons to transmit data. In doing so, APNs consume less power, facilitate higher quality and capacity data transfers, all with less delay.

The future is remote

As the demand for high-quality, live content continues to grow and the traditional broadcasting infrastructure struggles to keep up, the next step in overcoming these challenges lies in transforming how media production is managed, remotely and with greater efficiency.

Currently, live broadcasting requires a significant in-person presence. Even for the world’s largest events, bringing the world’s best talent to remote locations can be a challenge. Not to mention expensive. But the need to be there, in person, is only dictated by technological restraints. APNs break free of this restraint.

Rather than needing to be in a broadcast van in or outside the venue, media operators can work remotely. APNs enable media production operators to access and control production resources as if they are on-site. This also allows broadcasters to stream more events from lower leagues or remote locations, increasing choice and accessibility for fans.

APNs offer low-latency, high-bandwidth connections that utilize photonics. By using photons, rather than electrons, to transmit data, this infrastructure supports the remote control of production resources, enabling seamless, real-time editing and switching. The technology equally supports resource sharing across networks, allowing broadcasters to access and allocate production assets efficiently.

By enabling remote work, All-Photonics Networks (APNs) can help address the growing skills gap in live sports broadcasting. Research shows that over half of professionals in the TV industry believe skills-related challenges have worsened in recent years. APNs provide a solution by allowing technicians to work from anywhere, breaking geographic barriers and tapping into a global talent pool.

This flexibility not only eases the skills shortage but also promotes diversity and inclusion, as it opens up opportunities for professionals from different regions and backgrounds to contribute to high-profile events.

The financial and environmental case for APNs

Not only does the shift to remote work bring operational advantages, but it also presents significant financial and environmental benefits, which are crucial as the sports industry looks for ways to optimize costs and reduce its environmental impact. Expanded coverage doesn't require extra travel or personnel, removing cost barriers that have long limited what fans can watch.

In elite-level sports, money talks. Whether it's signing top talent for a football team or developing a race-winning car in motorsport, the power of the dollar is evident throughout the industry. And the same is true when assessing the value of updating or overhauling infrastructure. There must be a financial benefit.

APNs will revolutionize cost efficiency. Compared to electron-based infrastructure, APNs will reduce both CapEx and OpEx by minimizing on-site infrastructure and personnel needs. Furthermore, APNs will be more resilient than current systems, not only will they facilitate uninterrupted broadcasts, it will also mean less is spent on repairs and fixes. This is because Photonics Networks are more durable and reliable, making them ideal for even the most challenging conditions.

And equally, like many other industries, the live broadcast sector is undergoing sustainable transitions. Through APNs, broadcasters will have access to more energy-efficient infrastructure that optimizes networking usage and ultimately reduces the broadcasters' carbon footprint.

While viewers may be more familiar with innovation on the pitch, racetrack, or field of play, APNs highlight that it is equally within the infrastructure and behind the scenes of live sports broadcasting that innovative new technologies are set to be revolutionary. Now, as broadcasters question how the growing demand for engaging, live content can be delivered without escalating costs or compromising on quality, it’s increasingly apparent that the answer is racing toward them, at the speed of light.

We list the best TVs for sport for all budgets. We've also listed the best sports streaming sites and services.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

2023 was the breakout year of AI and since then it’s been going from strength to strength. It’s seen as the solution to everything from productivity and a skills gap to fixing the NHS, with Tony Blair calling for AI doctors and chatbots to ‘save’ the health service.

There has been an explosive growth of generative AI with most companies using it in at least one of their business functions. It’s gone from being a subject discussed by tech teams to something regularly mentioned in the boardroom.

According to a survey of C-suite executives, 40 percent say their companies will increase their investment in AI tools overall.

And whilst there is no doubt AI is developing in accuracy, I do not believe it can replace humans in every single area and one in particular – emotional intelligence.

Over-reliance on AI in business

Over-reliance on AI in business risks removing that vital input from key decision making and team building and runs the risk of making some areas of leadership redundant – at significant cost.

The costs might not immediately show up on a PNL spreadsheet, but they will be felt in other areas where it might not be so easy to quantify.

AI is a useful tool, but it's just that - a tool and it cannot replace that ‘gut feeling’ or connection that a great leader of any team has. That’s the magic which turns a group of disparate people into a team – the sum of which is greater than its parts.

My concern is that we need to strike the right balance between our use of technology and building and developing our own skills. If all we do is put resources into AI at the expense of other training and development, or replace people with machines, we will be the worse for it.

In short, I worry that people will become reliant on AI and could lose that innate human element that we bring to leadership and team building.

Leaders have understanding and insights

Leaders have understanding and insights built over many years which cannot be replaced by data or machines. If AI cannot find the answers to a question, it can make things up. Look at the infamous court case in America which made headlines in May 2023 when a law firm, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman got caught citing fake cases generated by ChatGPT.

The ‘soft skills’ which good leaders at all levels have make the difference between a good leader and a great leader can’t be replaced by software. These personal qualities enable people to interact effectively and successfully with others: communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability – not to mention empathy.

These should be highly valued in the workplace, and especially by leaders, as they contribute to improved teamwork, productivity and overall job satisfaction.

My experience of working in elite sports has shown me that humans cannot just be replaced by technology, no matter how smart.

AI has a role to play

AI has a role to play in any team, particularly with more basic tasks of information gathering or data analysis, but it cannot replace the power of a human connection.

An emotionally intelligent leader goes beyond the numbers and knows their team. AI can’t pick up that real emotional response, and it can't read people like humans do.

It’s ‘machine learning’ for a reason – it uses whatever data you pump into it but there are just some cues and traits which cannot be quantified and that’s what cannot be replaced.

We've used technology and data in sport for a long time; elite sports is incredibly data driven. We've got all the information that says the players should train at this point because they are due to pull a hamstring or develop another injury or over train.

And whilst it's useful to have that information, it should be used as a guide.

I've seen many top-level coaches when the sports scientists are running over, saying ‘we need to stop training now.’

But the coach looks at the players and can see that the players can continue for another ten minutes, and he’s pushed the players through.

The data could also get it wrong and put players at risk by pushing them too much whereas a coach will see if his players look physically fatigued and need to stop training early.

Costs of bad investment

The costs of misreading that at elite sports level go beyond the investment in a machine: we’re talking millions of pounds worth of players or the opportunity to achieve a lifetime goal of a medal on the world stage.

And even when Olympic golds aren’t in the picture, the impact of a toxic working environment is felt not only in the lower productivity or staff turnover but in more personal impacts on someone’s health and sense of value.

This knowledge and consequent decision making comes from the human understanding of people. In my 25 years’ of working in both a team and in a leadership role in sports I have yet to see a coach who has got that wrong.

Because we’ve used data in sports for so many years I think it provides a lesson for other areas on how we can use AI: as a way of gathering data, of making predictions or analysing patterns but only as a tool to help inform our own human-driven intelligence.

To rely on AI wholly would be a mistake: nothing can replace that human intelligence.

We've compiled a list of the best data visualization tools and the best business intelligence platforms.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Apple Music has turned 10 and is letting users take a look back
• The Replay All Time playlist lets you see your top 100 tracks since you joined Apple Music
• It's a nice throwback treat, and there's a way for Spotify users to get a taste

Time flies when you’re listening to some good music, right? Well, Apple Music has officially turned ten today, and since Apple got into the streaming music game, a lot has changed. We’ve seen design changes and new features – remember its annual replay functionality arrived in 2019 – but marking ten years of streaming is a new playlist that lets you look back.

Rolling out for Apple Music subscribers now is a ‘Replay All Time’ playlist, which gives you your top 100 most played tracks since you joined the service. That could be a very long way back if you’ve been streaming since 2015, or a more recent look, but either route, it’ll likely be a journey through taste.

I found the ‘Replay All Time’ playlist right on my home tab in the Music app on my iPhone and my Mac. The description for the playlists reads, “In honor of Apple Music’s first decade, take a look back. Relive your all-time favorite tracks, all in one playlist.” And as with any playlist on Apple Music, you can play it in sequence or shuffle it, as well as save it to your library and download for offline listening.

(Image credit: Apple)

My All Time playlist did have a few surprises, and I expected that as I joined the service back on day one, June 30, 2015. There were plenty of previous songs of the summer – anyone remember Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop This Feeling’ or ‘I Lived’ by OneRepublic? – but also many of my favorite tracks that I opt for quite a bit.

So, yes, for me, that means a lot of Bruce Springsteen, and I noticed some appearances that were used as a wake-up alarm on my HomePod and HomePod mini. It’s a neat walk down memory lane, though, and at an unexpected time of the year. Usually, Apple Music rolls out Replay towards the end of the year, offering a look back at your year in music.

Spotify also rolls out Wrapped yearly and adds in a lot more social elements, as well as categorization based on your music taste. And if you’re a Spotify user who wants a similar look back at the decade or since Spotify launched in your region – it was July of 2011 for the United States – you’ll need to look to a third-party to get the experience … though the service might end up copying a bit of Apple’s celebration here.

Stats.fm is always a good choice for learning a bit more about your listening habits and what you’re streaming the most on various cadences, and this would be an excellent route. If you sign in with your Spotify account and grant permissions, you can select for a “lifetime” look at your top genres, tracks, and artists – all of this without needing to subscribe to the “Plus” tier.

It will provide your top 50 tracks, and you can easily select one of those to play. You can opt to subscribe to Stats.fm to unlock more statistics and more than just your 50 top tracks from Spotify.

(Image credit: Apple)

It’ll be interesting to see if Spotify rolls this out in a formal way, but it’s great that you can use a third-party to accomplish this. Still, Apple Music’s rollout of an All Time playlist is a nice touch, and it comes ahead of the music service debuting the top 500 most-streamed songs. That process will begin on July 1, 2025, and will announce a set of 100 tracks daily, days before dropping a full playlist for listeners to enjoy.

Apple’s also rolling out other playlists to celebrate the anniversary and some new Apple Music Radio specials. And there’s a new, over 15,000-square-foot Apple Music studio location opening in Los Angeles, California, which includes listening rooms kitted for immersive Spatial Audio playback. It’ll have larger stages and studios for artists to record and perform on.

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• Lenovo Chromebook Plus’s $649 price tag puts it alongside Windows laptops with broader software support and faster chips

Lenovo’s latest Chromebook Plus (14", 10) has introduced something unusual: a MediaTek Kompanio Ultra processor.

This is not a name typically seen in the business laptop world, especially not in premium machines aiming to balance performance and portability.

But Lenovo seems confident this unique CPU, paired with Google’s newest AI tools, can stand up to more familiar silicon from AMD and Intel.

Uncommon power in a familiar shell

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus promises an all-in-one experience tailored for professionals, students, and creators.

It supports up to 16GB of memory and 256GB of internal storage, but the real story lies in the chip powering it - the Kompanio Ultra processor features MediaTek’s NPU 890 and Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU, delivering 50 TOPS of AI performance.

While impressive on paper, the broader market has yet to demonstrate what this actually means for everyday users in real workflows.

The laptop also features an OLED 2K display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, and a battery life that reportedly reaches up to 17 hours.

At just under 1.17kg, it qualifies among the lightest laptop models with this much hardware inside, though real-world usage may paint a more tempered picture.

Lenovo and Google are pushing the AI story hard. Features like Smart Grouping, AI-assisted image editing in the Gallery app, and optical character recognition across documents aim to streamline digital life.

There’s also Gemini support directly on the shelf, allowing text summarization and tab management.

"The Lenovo Chromebook Plus (14", 10) delivers the most powerful AI capabilities ever on a Chromebook… this premium device is your perfect everyday companion," said Benny Zhang, Executive Director and General Manager of Chromebooks in Lenovo's Intelligent Devices Group.

The machine includes Chrome Enterprise Upgrade for IT control and the Chrome Education Upgrade for schools, both allow admins to manage updates, policies, apps, and security from the cloud.

Still, users comparing this device to more traditional options in the same price range might hesitate.

Starting at $649, it overlaps with more established Windows and macOS devices - so those looking for the best laptop for engineering students may find the limitations of ChromeOS, especially with software compatibility, a deal breaker.

And while its portability is a strength, the MediaTek processor still needs to prove itself under demanding professional use.

Via TechPowerUp

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