ICYMI: the 9 biggest tech stories of the week, from iPhone reviews to new Amazon Alexa AI
The technology world moves quickly this time of year, with major launch events in September and early October. This week alone we had two major product reveals from Amazon and Microsoft, plus the arrival of several cameras and soundbars, and the small matter of Apple’s iPhone 15 range going on sale.
Keeping track of everything that happened would be a Herculean task unless you work at TechRadar or visit the site regularly – in which case, well done. But for those of you who not If you check in so often, we have the solution here.
Just read on and we will inform you about Every. Single. Important. Things that went wrong this week. And it was a lot.
9. The new soundbars from Bose and Amazon have charmed us in several ways
There were two soundbar announcements this week at opposite ends of the spectrum. First, Amazon announced its Fire TV Soundbar, a simple stereo affair made for TVs between 32 and 55 inches, but for just $119 (UK and Australian prices TBA) it could become the new standard option for anyone who’s just or want to give her money. TV more spice. Plus, we have to assume it’ll get a big discount on the Black Friday deals; one to watch.
On the other hand, Bose’s new Smart Ultra Soundbar features “AI” (a first in soundbars, we think) to analyze speech and make it clearer, while delivering massive Dolby Atmos from an all-in-one bar which could turn off the noise, the Sonos Arc being the leader in that area.
8. The Nikon Zf took us back to the future
If you like the aesthetics of film photography, the full-frame mirrorless Nikon Zf is it the retro mirrorless camera you’ve been waiting for. A faithful reinterpretation of the iconic Nikon FM2 SLR, the Zf features beautiful details including copper dials that weather with use, a threaded shutter release that accepts a cable release, and a new dedicated black-and-white mode.
There’s also the right power in that beautiful exterior, with Nikon’s latest processor, the same sensor as the one in the Z6 II for 24.5 MP photos up to 30 fps and intelligent autofocus. You also get Nikon’s best built-in image stabilization yet, including a world’s first AI-assisted feature – our practical Nikon Zf review it all works out. You may not need the Zf, but you will want it. Finally there is a good Fujifilm alternative.
7. Amazon’s all-new Fire TV 4K Sticks get a big AI boost
Amazon’s September 2023 device event was swamped with new devices – we counted thirteen – but the arrival of two new, better, faster, stronger and smarter streaming sticks caught our attention.
The upgraded Fire TV Stick 4K ($49.99 / £59.99 / AU$79.99) and the second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($59.99 / £69.99 / AU$119.99) are already on sale, and both have had some AI-focused upgrades.
Thanks to a new LLM (Large Language Model) for Alexa, you’ll have access to new intuitive features, like an Alexa-powered search feature called Fire TV AI-powered Search, which can recommend new movies and shows based on your viewing history and using IMDb. The idea is that you can have a more casual conversation with Alexa, based on your personal preferences.
Amazon also added a new “Continue Watching” row to the Fire TV interface and a new image generator called “AI Art,” where you can use prompts to create a custom piece of art. There are also a host of new hardware features, including faster connections, increased storage capacity and a range of high-quality formats including Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos. Now we just have to decide which one to take.
6. Netflix has acquired the rights to your next favorite crime thriller
Netflix might be the world best streaming service, but the movie-based offerings can be extremely hit and miss. For every Extraction 2 or Nimonathere is With you or with me or Murder mystery 2.
But there’s a newcomer on the block who might be able to worm his way to us best Netflix movies list. Hitmandirected by acclaimed director Richard Linklater and starring Top Gun: Maverick‘Glen Powell, has cemented itself as the streamer’s next big movie. First of all, it’s a crime thriller, which always makes for a good viewing experience. However, it also achieved a near-perfect score on the review aggregator website Rotten tomatoes. Not bad to go for a movie that Netflix raised $20 million for – yes, you read that right – to acquire the exclusive rights to air on our TVs.
5. Microsoft launched two new Surface laptops (and teased the Go 4)
Microsoft has been in the news a lot this week, mainly thanks to the massive leak of future Xbox console plans, as well as the high-profile departure of Panos Panay, the charismatic (and yes, maybe a little annoying) face of Windows and Surface devices.
Oh, and there was also an event being held in New York City, and we were there to see what it had in store. Long story short, there’s a whole lot of AI (artificial intelligence) coming to Windows 11 next week, as part of the Windows 11 23H2 update on September 26.
We also got to see some new Surface devices: the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Surface Laptop Studio 2. Those weren’t the products many of us were hoping for (hey Microsoft, where’s the Surface Pro 10?!), and it feels like Microsoft’s enthusiasm for Surface devices has waned a bit with the loss of Panay. That feeling wasn’t helped by Microsoft quietly launching a few other Surface products, like the Surface Go 4, via press releases, rather than on stage at the event.
4. iOS 17 was a huge leap forward for your iPhone
Along with the new iPhone 15, Apple released iOS 17 for iPhone owners this week, and if you have a model that works with the new system, you should definitely check it out.
Apple is the best phone maker for software updates, and iOS 17 proves this. It works with iPhones up to five years old, going back to the iPhone XS, and it gives iPhones a whole new superpower. For example, your iPhone now recognizes another iPhone nearby and starts sharing when you bring them together. You can share music, photos and almost anything. There are also significant new safety features and improvements all around. We highly recommend installing the new operating system – after all, we described it as “a huge leap forward that will leave your Android friends behind” in our iOS 17 review – so check now to see if the update is available on your iPhone is.
3. Amazon gave us a glimpse of an AI-powered Alexa
Amazon’s Alexa assistant was probably one of the first interactions many people had with AI — and it wasn’t always positive. As helpful as it can be, Alexa’s robotic responses and inability to sometimes get what you really ask for can lead to frustration.
That might change. The main reveal at Amazon’s September 2023 device event was an upgraded Alexa AI, designed to be much more natural than before. His voice sounds more human, with more emotion, and he should be able to understand the context better.
Additionally, the addition of new accessibility features, additional smart home skills, and even some rudimentary content creation capabilities (e.g. music production) should all result in a much more useful smart assistant.
Alexa is also getting some new bodies to inhabit, in the form of an Amazon Echo Pop Kids model, 3rd generation Echo Show 8, an Echo Show 8 Photos Edition (essentially a smart photo frame) and the all-new Echo Hub. The latter is a wall-mounted device for controlling your smart home products, complete with customizable dashboard and support for the likes of Matter and Zigbee.
We don’t yet know when the upgraded Alexa will roll out to devices old and new (although it will likely be in 2024), but we can’t wait to try it.
2. We’ve given our final verdict on Apple’s iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max
Our American editor-in-chief Lance Ulanoff walked around with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 last week. His opinion?
“I’ve reviewed these two phones that are at opposite ends of the iPhone spectrum and I have to say that there’s almost something for everyone in this range.
“On the iPhone 15 side, the base model got one of the best upgrades and now shares the brightest screen, Dynamic Island and USB-C port (albeit a slower one) with all the more powerful models. Better yet, it has a great 48 MP main camera and the powerful A16 Bionic of the latest generation.
“On the other side is the big, titanium iPhone 15 Pro Max. I love the look and feel of it, and I’m especially impressed with the A17 Pro, a mobile CPU that can play the terrifying console game Resident Evil: Village. Of course, this 6.7-inch model also features Apple’s best cameras ever. The 5x zoom may not be everything I wanted, but it’s pretty good. Overall, the photography is excellent.
“These are valuable upgrades for iPhone fans, especially those who have kept their outdated iPhone 11, 12 and 13 models.”
Want more? Check out our full iPhone 15 review and iPhone 15 Pro Max review.
1. Microsoft Copilot will soon become the AI brain of Windows 11
As we mentioned earlier, Microsoft’s big event was focused on this week a lot of about AI, mainly in the form of Windows Copilot, which according to our US editor-in-chief, Lance Ulanoff, is something like: “If Clippy were to get a brain and body transplant that would make him a true genius and then send him into the deepest parts of Windows would connect 11.”
Lance was at the event and got a chance to try out Windows Copilot for himself – and was quite impressed. It integrates seamlessly with Windows 11 and provides help and advice, all powered by AI. It helps you with your writing, offers suggestions on how to spruce up documents, and can give you shopping advice if you want to spend some money. It’s certainly an ambitious tool, and it could revolutionize the way many of us use Windows 11. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait long to try it out, because a free update is coming next week.