It’s been a busy week in the tech world. Okay, we say that every time, but it’s not every week that Apple launches its very first XR headset. In fact, it’s the company’s first entry into a new product category since the first Apple Watch released in 2015, so forgive us if we’re a little excited.
But Apple isn’t the only game in town. Elsewhere, Samsung and Google started rolling out their Android AirDrop alternative, while Ninja unveiled a Double Stack Air Fryer; it’s a big deal, trust us.
Plus, there’s also the usual flurry of rumors and software updates for your favorite gadgets. It’s a lot to keep track of.
To help you keep track of the week’s most important stories, we’ve compiled a list of the seven biggest tech news articles published on Ny Breaking over the last seven days. Let’s start with Amazon and iRobot.
7. Amazon’s acquisition of iRobot Roomba bit the dust
What do you get when you cross an Amazon Astro with an iRobot Roomba? Well, we’ll never know now, as Amazon’s hopes of acquiring iRobot were dashed this week by the increasingly formidable force of EU regulations. After Amazon pulled the plug on the deal, iRobot had to clean up the mess, including massive cuts in R&D spending and staff.
For now, there won’t be any major changes to iRobot’s dust-blasting army, which we think are among the best robot vacuums you can buy. The current range will continue to roll around and existing owners have nothing to worry about. Some may even be relieved that iRobot’s mapping data won’t be shared with Amazon now. But time will tell how much this will limit iRobot’s future plans – and where Amazon will take its robotics next.
6. This OM system lens had a ridiculous zoom lens
OM System announced its new flagship mirrorless camera, the OM-1 II, but it was the new super-telephoto zoom lens unveiled alongside it that got us even more excited. Based on the design of the Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3 full-frame ‘Sport’ lens, the OM system version has an effective reach of 1200mm, thanks to the 2x crop factor of the micro four thirds system. That makes it the world’s longest zoom lens for mirrorless cameras.
But that is not everything. The lens is also compatible with a 2x teleconverter, so you can double that reach to 2400mm. Yes really. And not only does it have a Samsung Space Zoom-surpassing range, but it also comes in a high-quality camera system with incredible image stabilization. That last fact should actually make these ridiculous focal lengths usable handheld – meaning it could be a dream for wildlife photography in particular.
We’ll be doing a full review of the camera and lens soon, so keep an eye on this space for our verdict.
5. MSI Claw came with a hefty price tag
The latest Windows-powered Steam Deck rival – MSI’s Intel-based ‘Claw’ portable gaming PC – has received its official prize. Unfortunately for some fans, it looks like the Steam Deck will remain the cheapest option for a while.
The top-end MSI Claw with an Intel Core Ultra 7-155H CPU and 1TB of storage costs $799.99 (about £635 / AU$1,215), while the cheapest version (which downgrades the processor to a Core Ultra 5-135H and offers 512GB of storage) costs $699.99 (about £550 / AU$1,060).
This puts the Claw firmly in the same price range as competing high-end PC handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go – although the former of those two has recently seen a price cut itself.
4. Rumors promised cheaper foldable Samsung products
One of the biggest drawbacks to foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the cost; most are more expensive than even the best flagships like the newly released Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. But that could change with the next releases of Samsung foldable phones.
This is evident from a report in The Electricsuggesting that Samsung could be using a new method for creating the edges of this year’s foldable models, which we expect to be the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
According to rumors, Samsung wants to switch to inkjet printing for the edges, and that will apparently lead to a decrease in production costs, without any loss of quality. If Samsung is kind enough to pass these savings on to consumers, this year’s foldable phones could be more affordable than ever.
Of course, a Galaxy Fold FE is already in the works, and as standard we expect it to be cheaper than other Folds too; after all, that’s the whole point of the FE line. So when the Fold FE arrives, and if it also has ink-printed edges, we could finally be looking at a much cheaper foldable phone.
3. Android launched its unified AirDrop rival
After teasing it at CES 2024 earlier this year, Samsung and Google have started rolling out their unified version of Quick Share, finally giving Android a true AirDrop rival.
Most Android devices previously used Nearby Share, while Samsung phones used Quick Share to quickly send files between nearby devices. But these two systems did not interface with each other. This new Quick Share system means that two people using one of the best Android phones can easily send photos and files to each other, regardless of which model they have (provided it still receives regular OS updates) – just like AirDrop on iPhone.
Additionally, a Samsung representative said that this system will also allow you to share with nearby Windows PCs starting in Q3 2024 (July to September).
2. iOS 18 rumors tease big changes
This week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that iOS 18 “could be one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in Apple history,” and now we’re even more excited about the arrival of the next big iPhone software overhaul from the company.
Apple itself had already teased that iOS 18 will be an “ambitious and compelling” update with “major new features and designs,” but Gurman’s comments have further fueled enthusiasm for what is expected to be Apple’s first major foray into AI .
Companies like Siri, Messages, Apple Music and Pages are expected to see significant AI-based improvements in 2024, with the former reportedly in line for a ChatGPT-style makeover. According to serial leaker Revegnus, Apple is currently using its own LLM (major language model) to “completely revamp Siri into the ultimate virtual assistant.” Apple has confirmed that it will also add support for RCS messages to iPhones sometime in 2024, and we expect this long-awaited feature to debut on iOS 18 later this year.
1. The Vision Pro arrived and it was everything we wanted
Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s new mixed reality headset, is far from perfect. It’s expensive, a bit heavy and has a rudimentary tail of a battery attached to it, but after spending more than two days with it and logging several hours working, playing and consuming content while wearing the headset, we can saying that Apple may have really reinvented the…ahem…space.
As we write this, Apple is finally giving the rest of the world access to its first spatial computer via in-store activations, where you can try it out in ‘Guest Mode’. It’s a chance to experience gaze and gesture-based controls, 360-degree environments, spatial photography, virtual desktops and more. You can also decide how you feel about the weight and those slightly creepy Personas and EyeSight. It might make sense to start by reading about our first two days of experience and then make an appointment at your local Apple dealer to decide if a $3,500 headset is right for you.