As higher resolutions and more frames per second become standard in photography and video creation, the demand for larger, more adaptable storage solutions is growing. In response, manufacturers are developing faster, more user-friendly storage options to meet the rigorous project timelines and extensive data requirements of creative professionals.
Western Digital has unveiled a new SD card for that market, and the SanDisk Extreme PRO SDUC UHS-I memory card packs a staggering 4TB of storage into the popular form factor. Yes, 4TB.
Announced at the NAB Show 2024 in Las Vegas, the 4TB Extreme PRO SDUC UHS-I memory card – along with the 2TB SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I and Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-I memory cards also revealed at the event – are part of the company’s quest to meet the escalating requirement for the production and storage of more detailed, richer content.
Twice the capacity of microSD cards
The 4TB capacity doubles that of the largest microSD cards, earning it the title for the world’s largest removable memory card. It’s a giant leap from the 32MB of storage SD cards boasted in 1999.
The new card utilizes the Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC) standard, capable of supporting up to 128TB of storage. Other media card formats available for creative professionals include XQD with a maximum storage capacity of 2TB, and CFexpress, known for its superior speed. Announced last year, the latest generation, CFexpress 4.0, supports up to four PCIe 4.0 lanes and 2GB/s per lane. Neither of those card formats can come close to offering 4TB of storage, however.
Attendees at this year’s NAB show had a preview of the 4TB SanDisk card, which is slated for release in 2025. Pricing details for the new product haven’t been released yet, but don’t expect it to be cheap.
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Tech. Tech never changes. Well… okay… tech does a lot of changing – there’s exciting new gadgets released everyday – but one constant in the space is the unrelenting speed with which hardware and software updates roll out (and we really wanted to make a Fallout reference because the new show is fantastic, more on that below).
It’s a flurry that we know can be a struggle to keep up with. So if you feel a little out of the loop on this week’s biggest news, and want to get back up to speed, we’ve collected the seven most important tech stories of the last seven days in this one article to help you out.
Below you’ll find quickfire recaps on all of the latest goings on in the technology space including major Google Photos AI updates, our Fallout thoughts, and which phone is best for eclipse photography. Let’s get into it.
7. We launched a new podcast!
(Image credit: Future)
Of course the biggest tech news story of the week is we have a new podcast – very creatively called the TechRadar Podcast. We’ve taken all the tech chats we’d have on Zoom, Slack and at our desks and put them into a microphone – so you can expect more of the insightful, first-person experiential content we give you on the site in a new audio-and-video-based format.
In our first episode we give you a recap of the year in tech so far – discussing CES 2024 and AI highlights – and show off a demo of the Apple Vision Pro. The show is hosted by our Editor at Large Lance Ulanoff, with Josephine Watson (Managing Editor, Lifestyle), Alex Walker-Todd (Senior Phones Editor) and Matt Evans (Fitness, Wellness, and Wearables Editor) lending their expertise, too. And as a futher bonus we were joined by Tom, The Tech Chap.
It’s available to listen to right now on YouTube and Spotify, and it should be appearing in other podcast feeds over the next few days!
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These include the Photos app getting a version of Google’s AI-powered Magic Eraser, and Nearby Share getting speed and reliability upgrades. Copilot also got some improvements you try out now, such as plug-in support for third-party services.
That said, Copilot also got a downgrade for some users, as Windows Insiders are saying the AI helper now launches on startup automatically in Windows 11 preview builds – which many have said they find frustrating.
5. We saw how well smartphones captured the eclipse
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Everyone thinks their flagship smartphone is best and they especially have opinions about the cameras. Editor at Large Lance Ulanoff has tried and tested a lot of these phones and their camera arrays, so he decided to put them to the ultimate celestial test: The US Solar Eclipse.
It was an amazing show – even if New York City didn’t get totality – and a great showcase for the optical zoom capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The only rule was no digital zoom.
The photos, which only worked because we used three tripods and an eclipse glasses lens as a filter, were way better than we expected. You might, though, be surprised by which phone did best.
4. Spotify’s playlist-making AI brought the party
(Image credit: Spotify)
Spotify has been steadily integrating more AI into its music streaming platform, and it’s now released a playlist-making bot for all Premium subscribers in the UK and Australia.
It’s in beta, currently – read: it’s a little rough around the edges – but the idea is you give the AI a prompt like “hard hitting beats that’ll help me ace my next workout” or “relaxing music to tide me over during allergy season” and it’ll spit out a selection of tracks.
There are some prompt restrictions, for instance you can’t make playlists for current events, for brands or use offensive language – but you can have a lot of fun with the tool. And if it doesn’t get things quite right you can add follow up prompts such as “more death metal” or “less upbeat” to fine-tune the selection. And of course you can also straight up delete tracks you hate.
3. Google gave away its Magic Editor – kinda
(Image credit: Google)
Google’s impressive AI image editing software, Magic Editor, is currently exclusive to paying Google One subscribers and Google Pixel 8 – or Pixel 8 Pro – phone owners, but this week Google announced that come May 15 all Google Photos users will have access to the tool for free.
Thanks to Magic Editor you can erase annoyances in your shot, reposition your subjects, cleverly adjust the lighting, and unblur your snaps to help make your favorite shots look even better – all you need is Google Photos and a smartphone with at least 3GB RAM and that’s running Android 8.0 / iOS 15 or higher.
Unfortunately, the free version only allows you to save 10 edited images a month but if you like the service you can pay for Google One or buy a Pixel phone to remove the restriction.
2. Fallout blew us away
(Image credit: JoJo Whilden/Prime Video)
Prime Video’s hotly anticipated Fallout show released this week, and it continues the golden age of video game adaptations we’ve seen in recent years through Netflix‘s Castlevania and Arcane, HBO’s The Last of Us, and even the big-screen takes on Sonic and Mario.
We watched the first four episodes, and found the ambitious adaptation is nothing less than “atomically entertaining” with a “satisfying blend of source material devotion and narrative originality.” Sure, there’s odd bump in the road, but these blemishes do little to spoil the luster of what is yet another fantastic video-game-to-TV adaption.
If you want to watch it yourself then you can binge the whole eight-episode first season on Prime Video right now.
1. Google launched its take on Apple’s Find My network
(Image credit: Google)
Android fans have been waiting for more than a year for Google’s rebooted Find My Device network – and this week it finally arrived. The feature, which is rolling out worldwide starting in the US and Canada, works in much the same way as Apple’s Find My network. Because it anonymously piggybacks millions of Android devices around the world, the network can show you precisely where your lost phone is – even if it’s offline.
If you have a Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, the network even helps you find your phone when it’s powered off. We’ve also just seen the arrival of the first Find My Device-compatible trackers, courtesy of Chipolo and Pebblebee, which attach to your wallet, keys or luggage. We might attach one to our cat too, just to foil its hide-and-seek plans.
Full spoilers follow for Invincible season 2 and its source material.
Invincible season 2 part 2 has ended with a bang. Exactly one month after its return, the hit Prime Video show is leaving our screens once more – and boy, did it leave us with a lot of unanswered questions.
Amazon‘s adaptation of the R-rated superhero comic books delivered a great ending to its latest installment. Its finale, titled ‘I Thought You Were Stronger’, was full of crowd-pleasing, traumatic, and puzzling moments, and we suspect you have queries about some or all of them.
From post-credits scenes and season 3 details to possible character deaths and a rumored Spider-Man cameo, we’re here to answer your most pressing questions about Invincible‘s latest season. This is your final warning: do not proceed unless you’ve seen the final episode of Invincible season 2.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: did Mark kill Angstrom Levy?
Mark Grayson’s arch-nemesis might not be as dead as he appears. (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
For anyone who hasn’t read the graphic novels, it’ll appear that way. After spending the past eight episodes grappling with the fact that he won’t be like his father Nolan/Omni-Man and take another person’s life, Mark seemingly beats Angstrom to death. He does so after Angstrom severely injures Mark’s mom Debbie, traumatizes his half-brother Oliver, and psychologically tortures Mark by sending him to various universes using his portal-based abilities.
Considering what Mark has already been through, it’s another harrowing moment for the superpowered teenager to deal with. And yet, even as the devastated Mark tries to rationalize, and then struggles to handle, the fallout from seemingly killing Angstrom, the latter isn’t dead after all.
Well, as long as one of the best Prime Video shows‘ creative team doesn’t diverge from the source material. We won’t spoil how Angstrom survives, but, if the animated series stays faithful to the comics, he’ll return – and he won’t be taking on Mark by himself next time, either. Ooooh, what a tease…
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Invincible season 2 ending explained: is Debbie okay?
Mark’s mom has seen better days. (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
Yes, but it’ll take her a while to physically and emotionally recover from another distressing incident. In recent episodes, Debbie had finally started to turn a corner following Nolan’s betrayal in the season 1 finale, but Angstrom’s revenge mission will have taken its toll on her.
Thanks to the Global Defense Agency’s advanced medical technology, however, Debbie should make a full physical recovery. She was already on the mend when Mark finally made it back to his dimension – more on this later – so she’ll be fighting fit soon enough. In the meantime, she’ll be heavily reliant on April, Oliver’s nanny, to look after him.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: where does Mark end up after his battle with Angstrom?
Mark thinks he’s stranded after his brutal and climactic battle with Angstrom. (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
It’s not explicitly stated where Mark ends up after defeating Angstrom. Neither the show nor the comics confirm if this is an alternate version of Earth but, wherever it is, a cataclysmic event has occurred that’s basically eradicated civilization as we know it.
What is interesting, though, is who rescues Mark from this wasteland planet. With the show’s titular character convinced he’s killed Angstrom who is the only person with time- and dimension-hopping powers, Mark has no way of returning home. That’s the case, anyway, until a future version of the Guardians of the Globe, who traveled 20 years into the past to find Mark, locate and save him.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: who are the Guardians of the Globe’s new team members?
Wait, who are the Guardians of the Globe’s newcomers? (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
As we mentioned above, the Guardians come to Mark’s aid. They acquire four time machines in the future, as confirmed by Robot (who’s actually Rex in Robot’s suit, but that’s a discussion for another time), which allows them to open a portal to send Mark back to his reality.
Before Mark leaves, though, the older Atom-Eve tells Mark that she loves him, has done since they first met and that he should tell present-day Eve how he feels, regardless of whether he reciprocates her love or not.
The bombshells don’t end there, either. The future Guardians’ team that rescues Mark has two new members alongside the aforementioned Eve and Rex, plus Monster Girl and Bulletproof. So, who are they? That’ll be Kid Thor and Knockout, superpowered individuals who, in the comic books, answer the Guardians’ global call to join the fight against… well, that’s really getting into spoiler territory. Let’s just say this isn’t the last you’ve seen of this Marvel-inspired, hammer-wielding individual and his boxing glove-wearing, invulnerable girlfriend.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: do Mark and Eve finally get together?
Tell her how you feel, Mark! (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
No – not yet, at least. Still reeling from apparently killing Angstrom, failing to keep Debbie and Oliver safe, and his break up with Amber in season 2 episode 7, Mark has a lot on his mind.
He meets up with Eve in season 2’s final scene but, while she’s over the moon to learn he’s okay after the whole Angstrom debacle, Mark decides not to tell Eve whether he loves her or not. Instead, they have a brief chat before sitting quietly on a rooftop looking out onto the city skyline. We’d be amazed if, as in the graphic novels, the duo doesn’t get together, but we’ll have to wait and see if that actually happens.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: does Spider-Man make a shock cameo?
Spider-Man! Spider-Man! Does whatev- oh… (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
Before we answer that, we need to set the scene. In November 2005, Invincible and the webslinger joined forces in Marvel’s Team Up comic series – volume 3 issue 14, to be exact – in a crossover event that enthralled readers.
Since Invincible season 1 debuted in March 2021, Invincible and Spider-Man fans have wondered if the latter would make a cameo in the former’s TV adaptation. Ahead of season 2 part 1’s release, speculation grew that the wallcrawler would surprisingly show up. The rumor mill went into overdrive when Josh Keaton, who voiced Peter Parker/Spider-Man in The Spectacular Spider-Man TV show, which ran from 2008 to 2009, confirmed he was voicing someone in Invincible season 2.
So, does Spidey make a crowd-pleasing cameo in the season 2 finale? No. Instead, Keaton voices a parodical version of the legendary superhero called Agent Spider. He crosses paths with Mark Grayson when Mark is sent to Agent Spider’s dimension via one of Angstrom’s portals. There, Mark helps Agent Spider thwart the efforts of Prof-Ock (a spoof of Spider-Man villain Doc-Ock), enjoys a quip or two, and then travels back to his reality via another Angstrom portal.
Considering the messy licensing agreement that Amazon would’ve had to seal with Sony (who owns the rights to Spider-Man) and Marvel (owner of the Team Up comics), it was nigh-on impossible to get a Spidey cameo. Agent Spider, then, will have to do. While you’re here, check out our guides on how to watch the Spider-Man movies in order and the best Spider-Man movies, ranked from worst to best.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: are those Batman and The Walking Dead Easter eggs?
Spider-Man isn’t the only superhero who’s referenced in season 2’s final entry. In another universe, Mark appears to meet Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, who Mark humorously pokes fun at for his lazy superhero pseudonym. Speaking of the Caped Crusader, read our guides on how to watch the Batman movies in order and the best Batman movies (you know, once you’ve finished this article).
‘I Thought You Were Stronger’ also pays homage to The Walking Dead (TWD). In yet another dimension Mark gets sent to, he arrives in a world overrun with zombies. This is a clear nod to the iconic R-rated comic series, which was also turned into a popular live-action show with numerous spin-offs since its 2005 debut. Robert Kirkman, who co-created Invincible‘s comics and TV adaptation, is also the TWD‘s creator, hence the not-so-subtle reference to his other famous works.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: wait, Dupli-Kate is alive?
Well, this certainly came as a shock. (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
She certainly is. Everyone thought Dupli-Kate died in episode 5’s barbaric showdown between Rex, Dupli-Kate, and Shrinking Rae and the nefarious Lizard League. Established fans, though, will already know that she survived that encounter, with Dupli-Kate’s original form not taking part in that ferocious fight. Tired of dying over and over again, she let her clones duke it out instead. With all of them perishing during the battle, Dupli-Kate was able to fake her own death.
It’s unclear how, when, or if she’ll reveal she’s alive to her fellow superheroes. For now, we’re sure The Immortal is overjoyed that she’s still around.
Invincible season 2 ending explained: is there a mid-credits scene?
Nolan seems resigned to his fate. (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
Yes, ‘I Thought You Were Stronger’ has a mid-credits scene. In it, Allen and Nolan telepathically communicate from their Viltrum jail cells, with the former trying to coax the latter out of his slump and join him in breaking out of prison.
It’s not an overly significant end-credits sequence, but it’s one that sets up a potentially fascinating storyline ahead of next season, which we won’t spoil here. Speaking of season 3, though…
Invincible season 2 ending explained: will there be a third season?
When will Mark fly back onto our screens? (Image credit: Amazon Studios/Skybound Animation)
Yep. Amazon renewed Invincible for two more seasons in May 2021, so we’ve known that a third entry has been on the cards for almost two years. Our Invincible season 3 hub is full of details about when we think it might be released, what storylines it’ll cover (more comic book spoilers are discussed, FYI), and more.
As for the show’s future post-season 3, that’s up in the air. In November 2023, an Amazon studio rep exclusively told TechRadar that Invincible season 4 hadn’t been secretly greenlit, despite executive producer Seth Rogen appearing to suggest so in an interview with Collider. Still, with plenty more story left to tell from the graphic novels and Invincible continuing to be a hugely popular Prime Video show, we expect more seasons to be announced in due course.
In case you missed the last week in the busy world of tech we’re here with your weekly update that’ll catch you up to speed on all the most important stories.
This week we finally got a date for Apple’s WWDC 2024 event – which might very well be the most important conference in Apple’s history. We also saw some weird creations from OpenAI’s Sora bot, got to hear some impressive ANC earbuds, and even witnessed the marriage of Disney Plus and Hulu.
To find out about these, and the other biggest stories of the week scroll down this page – and be sure to check back next Saturday for another quickfire round-up.
7. Apple WWDC 2024 was announced for June 10
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple’s next Worldwide Developer Conference got a date this week – and it’s due to land on June 10, 2024. During the opening keynote we expect to get our first look at Apple’s next batch of software updates – iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 – as well as some hardware reveals – perhaps new Macs, a new Apple silicone chipset, or maybe even a Vision Pro successor (though that seems unlikely).
One reveal that seems all but certain is the announcement of Apple’s big generative AI plans. While it hasn’t said anything specifically, Apple’s senior VP for marketing Greg Joswiak gave a less than subtle hint with a Tweet saying of WWDC 2024 “It’s going to be Absolutely Incredible!” – note the capitalization of Absolutely and Incredible.
We’ll have to wait until June to know what’s in store, but WWDC 2024 looks set to be an Apple event you won’t want to miss.
6. OpenAI wowed us with Sora videos
(Image credit: OpenAI / shy kids)
If you’re like us (and who isn’t?) you’ve been watching OpenAI Sora videos on TikTok with an increasing level of wonder and worry. The company responsible for DALL-E and ChatGPT has been posting all manner of bite-sized video creations that, if they weren’t so other-worldly, would look as if they were filmed in a real world. Put simply, this prompt-based generative AI video tool is unlike anything we’ve seen before, and no one really knows what it’ll do to the film, television, and animation industry.
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With an apparent nod to that concern, OpenAI recently opened up Sora to a set of independent artists and creators. Instead of throwing their hands up and running away in fear for their livelihoods, they created a set of unforgettable short films, including one that might rival an Oscar-winning short (okay, a very short film). You just have to see these AI-generated films to believe them. We guarantee you’ll be shocked and a little entertained. It won’t be long, we think, until Sora is credited as the cinematographer on a full-length film.
5. The Samsung Galaxy Ring dropped another big launch hint
(Image credit: Samsung)
Sometimes it feels like the Galaxy Ring is launching in slow motion, but the wearable inched closer to lift-off this week when it was spotted inside the battery widget on Samsung phones.
This didn’t really tell us anything new about the Oura rival, other than hinting that it’s on track for a full launch – most likely in July alongside phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 6. But it got us excited about the Galaxy Ring’s potential again, particularly for sleep tracking. If all goes well, it could be one of the gadgets of the year.
4. Hulu officially merged with Disney Plus
(Image credit: Disney)
Hulu and Disney Plus have officially tied the knot. Now in the US alongside hubs for Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic you’ll see a Hulu option that’ll show you shows and films from the Hulu catalogue.
Of course, to watch this content you’ll need to pay for a Hulu subscription. A Disney Plus and Hulu bundle will start at $9.99/month for the standard subscription with ads (just $2 more than Basic Disney Plus). Meanwhile, you’ll pay $19.99/month if you want a Premium subscription to both services that offers 4K video and no ads.
Just note that some shows – like Modern Family and Love Island – won’t appear in Disney Plus right away thanks to “content licensing restrictions” per Variety. It’s unclear when these restrictions will stop getting in the way of Disney’s new one-stop streaming service shop, but we hope it’s soon.
3. Nikon launched a versatile zoom lens
(Image credit: Nikon)
We get the occasional 10x optical zoom lens for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, but 14x? That’s unheard of, until now. Nikon dropped the new Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, which looks like a superb all-in-one zoom lens for its full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the Nikon Z6 II. Its wide end covers shooting everyday observations and landscapes, its telephoto setting is ideal for distant wildlife and landmarks, and its close-up photography skills are super impressive thanks to its close minimum focus distance.
At 725g it’s pretty compact, too, ideal for your travels. The lens also comes equipped with 5 stops of image stabilization which is exactly what you’ll need for those telephoto snaps. It won’t be as sharp as a prime lens, but the 28-400mm could just be the last Nikon lens you ever buy.
2. Cambridge unveiled its first-ever noise-cancelling earbuds
(Image credit: Cambridge Audio)
The company that launched one of our all-time favorite sets of earbuds (namely the 2021-issue Melomania 1 Plus) is back with a new earbuds proposition – and the fact that they’re CA’s first noise-canceling option isn’t even their biggest selling point.
The firm has actually launched two models: the regular Melomania M100 and a limited edition Melomania M100 How High Edition. The latter comes in a bright yellow case that’s an homage to the music video for The Charlatans’ hit How High, in which singer Tim Burgess wore a glorious bright yellow mackintosh. But both products come with a veritable ace up their sleeves: the slinky vocal stylings of Matt Berry, aka Steven Toast (Toast of London/Toast of Tinseltown), aka Lazslo (What We Do in the Shadows). That’s right, Matt Berry will purr ‘Noise canceling’ or ‘Transparency’ in your ear as often as you’d like, for the princely sum of £169 (about $219 / AU$326). If that doesn’t make Apple nervous, we don’t know what will.
1. Google pulled the plug on the Pixel 6a
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
This week Google unceremoniously killed off the Pixel 6a – with the budget smartphone being pulled from all of its official online stores all over the world. Even the official protective case has disappeared from the digital shelves.
Of course, you can still buy the device from third-party retailers, but you might not want to as we believe this is a sign that Google is planning to launch the Pixel 8a very soon.
Ever since Tamagotchi Uni became globally available last summer, it’s felt like a product with a lot of unrealized potential.
Bear in mind, I say this as someone who loves this device and has run it daily since launch. But on top of all the basic activities one would expect at this point from the digital pet toy, the Wi-Fi capable Tamagotchi Uni promised users the “Tamaverse” — a virtual playground that would broaden the Tamagotchi experience like never before. So far, it hasn’t, really.
Sure, players could send their characters there to “meet” others, go on little vacations and buy outfits, but those small activities don’t really add much substance. The “travel” experience involved watching short animation, and occasionally getting a special food dish, item or achievement badge. Even the aspect of mingling was sorely limited, allowing players to send just one Heart (a “like” to acknowledge another player’s Tamagotchi) per day.
The Tamaverse has been slow to live up to the expectations Bandai set, despite it being the Uni’s biggest selling point. That seems to be changing in a big way.
With an update that rolled out on March 19 — version 1.6.0 — Bandai opened the Tama Portal, an area of the Tamaverse that’s been cordoned off all this time. A few days after, it dropped the first two DLC packs for Tamagotchi Uni in the form of “Tamaverse Tickets,” which allow users to travel to new locations through that portal. In a bonus, non-Tamaverse related move, the update also answers players’ desperate pleas for more item storage by adding “My Box,” where surplus items can be stowed so you no longer need to delete older goodies to make room for new ones.
Bandai
The first two Tamaverse Tickets, as the DLCs are being called, are available now. One, which takes you to Very Berry Land, is free, while the other, for the LoveMelo Concert, costs $6. Each new area comes with a slew of additional characters you can raise (including some that are brand new for the franchise), an on-theme mini-game and a shop with new food, items, accessories and furniture you can buy with Gotchi Points.
This is the kind of depth the virtual space always seemed to imply. Now it feels like we’re finally seeing what the Tamaverse can really be. Hopefully, it’s just the start.
There will undoubtedly be some who balk at having to pay for DLC beyond the one freebie, and while I can’t say I’d blame them for that, it doesn’t bother me for what we’re getting. Purchasing a ticket gives you access to a download code that can be used three times. Once the code is registered to a device, you can visit that location as much as you want, and switch freely between the different locations you’ve downloaded. That means I was able to use the same codes to download Very Berry Land and LoveMelo Concert on both of my Tamagotchi Uni devices, and still have one use left for each ticket in case I ever have to do a reset.
As was the case with the Tamagotchi Smart’s DLC, the physical TamaSma cards, only one Tamaverse Ticket can be active at a time, so switching will wipe out any location-specific items or food in your inventory, but you won’t need to reenter the code in order to switch back. All of a person’s downloaded locations can be found in a new list called DL Area when you visit the Tama Portal.
Bandai
It’s not just one or two characters that come with each location, either — you get six. Some people buy whole new devices for that kind of expansion (definitely not me… haha…). And the free Very Berry Land brings back the fan-favorite adorable strawberry, Ichigotchi, which feels like a win for everyone.
The DLC also reintroduces the method of obtaining specific characters by feeding your fledgling Tamagotchis certain meals or playing with a particular item three times before they reach adulthood. I was excited to try and get the new character, Tanghulutchi, that comes with Very Berry Land, and fed my teen Tama an abundance of Fruit Candy snacks in hopes that it would make her appear. It worked! (I’m now also fiending for the real candied fruit treat of its namesake, Tanghulu. Thanks Bandai).
Once I’m strong enough to part with Memetchi on my other device, which is running LoveMelo Concert, I’ll probably try to get Drumcrubitchi, a new character that’s literally a drum kit with a face.
Photo by Cheyenne MacDonald / Engadget
All of the things you can purchase in the Tama Portal locations are as of now much cheaper than the usual Tama Mall offerings, with furniture and accessories falling between 200 and 500 Gotchi Points. It’s really nice to have some new mini-games to freshen up the daily routine, since there aren’t many built into the device when it’s offline, and the ones they’ve added to the first Tamaverse locations are great.
In Very Berry Land, you can play Cake Factory, where you have to move your character around to place strawberries on top of cake slices as they come down the conveyor belt. It’s a game style we’ve seen before, but is slightly more exciting than other similar versions because the pace really picks up in the second half of the round.
LoveMelo Concert brings back the popular Guitar-Hero-style rhythm game format we saw (twice) in the Tama Arena’s Nyanoe Dance, but the new Happy Happy Harmony features a different song for you to try and keep up with. It’s actually pretty challenging, and is the type of game I’ll have to obsessively revisit until I’ve perfected it. Nyanoe Dance was clearly well received, and I’m sure a lot of fans will be happy that a version of it has found a permanent home in the Uni one way or another.
Photo by Cheyenne MacDonald / Engadget
One of the best things about previous versions of the modern Tamagotchi, like the Tamagotchi On, was the joy of discovery when you unlocked a new location. The new Tama Portal destinations garner that same feeling, and I can only hope Bandai will keep it going even beyond the additional expansions it teased with update 1.6.0.
The announcement materials indicated that there are at least three more DL Areas on the way, including the Tamamori Fashion Show that’s set to drop at the end of May. That world introduces some more absolutely unhinged Tamagotchi character designs — like a pair of anthropomorphic work boots named, I kid you not, Bootsbrothers — and I truly cannot wait. The other areas haven’t yet been revealed.
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At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the “biggest” update in the iPhone’s history, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone.
“The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone’s software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade,” wrote Gurman, in a report focused on WWDC 2024. Apple recently said that its annual developers conference will run from June 10 through June 14, and iOS 18 will be a key announcement.
iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more customizable Home Screen and other user interface design changes, new features in apps like Apple Maps and Freeform, additional accessibility features, and more.
Smarter Siri and Generative AI
iOS 18 is rumored to have new generative AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more, according to sources such as Gurman and The Information‘s Wayne Ma.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative AI, and plans to share details “later this year,” and Apple’s marketing chief Greg Joswiak also hinted at AI this week in a social media post about WWDC 2024.
Generative AI surged in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos. Other companies like Google and Microsoft have also pushed into the generative AI space, and the technology is quickly evolving.
MacRumors exclusively reported that iOS 18 will finally allow users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid. This means that users will be able to create blank spaces, columns, and rows between app icons. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones, and now Apple is bringing it to the iPhone.
iPhone users can already customize the Home Screen with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, which can be used to create “blank” app icons and widgets, but Apple’s official solution will be much more convenient.
We expect iOS 18 to include additional customization options beyond icon arrangement, as part of the biggest Home Screen revamp in years.
New Apple Maps Features
MacRumors recently revealed two potential new Apple Maps features coming with iOS 18: custom routes and topographic maps.
With the custom routes feature, Apple Maps users would be able to choose specific roads to travel on while navigating, for reasons such as familiarity or scenic views. This feature is expected to be available in the U.S. only at launch. Google Maps already allows users to create custom routes on the web, and then view them on an iPhone.
Topographic maps first debuted on the Apple Watch last year with watchOS 10, and code suggests that the feature will be expanded to the iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro with iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. These maps include details such as trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest for hiking and other outdoor uses.
RCS Support in Messages App
In November, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.
RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:
Higher-resolution photos and videos
Audio messages
Typing indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices
Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users
These modern features are already available for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations with blue bubbles, via iMessage, and many of the features are also available in third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on the iPhone will extend the features to green bubbles in the Messages app.
Apple‘s legal battles continued with new monopoly accusations being levied at it by the US Department of Justice and several states, Amazon‘s Big Spring Sale offered us some solid discounts, and the first Star Wars: The Acolyte trailer dropped.
We know keeping on top of everything can be a challenge so to lend a hand we’ve collected eight of the most important stories here in a roundup so you can get back in the loop within just a few minutes.
8. Apple was accused of being a monopoly in the US
Merrick Garland, US Attorney general (Image credit: US Department of Justice)
The US Department of Justice and more than a few States Attorney Generals unveiled a sweeping suit against Apple, accusing it of operating a monopoly iPhone business, one that crushes the competition by squeezing them out in innumerable ways.
Apple plans to fight and calls the charges unfounded.
It’ll be months before there’s any resolution but in the meantime, you can ponder if you chose the iPhone because you love it or because you thought you had no other choice. Guess it all depends on whom you believe.
7. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale boasted major deals
(Image credit: Future)
The Amazon Spring Sale has been live in the US and UK this week with thousands of deals across TVs, laptops, appliances, phones, tablets, smart home tech and so much more. It hasn’t been as expansive and the discounts haven’t been as strong as those we see during Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, but there are still several bargains to be had this week.
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
We’ve searched through the sale and picked out all the best ones that we recommend so check out our full coverage for all our top picks before the sale ends on March 25.
6. OLED burn-in became a thing of the past (maybe)
Thanks to research by the University of Cambridge we could see the beginning of the end for OLED burn-in, as well as having OLED TVs that last longer and are more efficient.
The crux of this lies in blue OLED diodes that emit light along the narrowband spectrum. Without going down a rabbit hole of science, this can suppress the undesirable energy transfer that affects current OLED panels. And better energy transfer could make for OLED TVs that are more power efficient and have a longer lifespan.
It may be a few years before we see this research yield a new generation of OLED TVs and displays. Yet it’s a promising step in the effort to fully remove concerns over OLED burn-in.
5. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 ran into some folding issues
(Image credit: Future)
This wasn’t a great week for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 owners, with a growing number of reports pointing to a potential issue with the screen’s hinge design.
While it isn’t yet clear how widespread the problem is, a chorus of complaints across X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit suggest it’s more than a few isolated cases. Unfortunately, the problem has left some Z Fold 4 owners unable to fully open the phone’s screen, which is a fairly big issue for a foldable.
We’re still waiting for some official comment from Samsung about the reports, but it may also be affecting the Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 5. Owning a foldable can still come with some early adopter headaches, it seems.
(Image credit: Meta)
If you haven’t already downloaded the latest Meta Quest 3 update – Meta Quest 3 update v62 – then don’t. That’s the advice of some users who have been plagued by an annoying popup for weeks after downloading the update – with it constantly warning them there’s a problem with their USB-C port even though it’s fine.
Meta is aware of the issue, and has been able to replicate it, but hasn’t yet said when a fix will be available – much to the chagrin of the unlucky Quest 3 owners affected by the bug.
Our best advice (beyond dodging update v62) is to only use the official Meta Quest 3 cables, and to not play any VR experiences while your headset is plugged in as some users have reported this seemed to cause their issues.
3. A new Android 15 developer preview landed, and teased major updates
(Image credit: Google)
We’re one step closer to Android 15 being released, with Google launching the second developer preview of its mobile OS for app creators to test out. While it’s still early days there are already some notable features catching our eye.
The continued improvements for satellite communications support in the Android 15 update suggest the Google Pixel 9 coming later this year could boast the feature seen on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. Plus there’s new loudness controls so you should notice programs are more consistent with their volume as you swap between them, and there are new tools that should make it easier for apps to take advantage of the small cover screens seen on folding phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.
If you want you can check out the update yourself but we wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a developer or have a spare android device lying around as these in-progress builds can suffer from stability issues.
2. The Acolyte’s first trailer showed us a new kind of Star Wars story
(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)
It’s almost time to forget everything you thought you knew about the Jedi and the Sith. Star Wars: The Acolyte, the next big Star Wars show coming to Disney Plus, will boldly go where no other Lucasfilm movie or TV series has gone before. Indeed, it’s set to explore The High Republic era in a live-action capacity for the first time – and it’ll subvert your expectations of the iconic galaxy far, far away when it does so.
We don’t have much longer to wait to see what Russian Doll showrunner and self-confessed Star Wars nerd Leslye Headland has got in store for us, either. This week, The Acolyte’s Disney Plus release date was finally revealed, with the highly anticipated series out in early June. We also received a first trailer, too, which teases an ominous disturbance in the Force ahead of its Disney Plus debut. Color us extremely excited.
1. IKEA made us some bargain fast chargers
(Image credit: IKEA)
Need a spare USB-C charger for your phone, tablet or laptop? This week IKEA took a break from Billy bookcases and gave us two new impulse buys with its impressively cheap Sjöss chargers.
The single-port Sjöss 30W USB-C charger ($7.99 / £5) is designed for phones and tablets, while the more powerful Sjöss 45W two-port version ($14.99 / £10) can charge laptops or two smaller devices simultaneously with 22W of power.
Both support the latest PD 3.0 fast-charging standard and also undercut the prices of rival chargers from the likes of Apple, Google and even Anker. You can buy the chargers right now in the US, but they won’t go on sale in the UK until July.
The popular farming sim and ultimate cozy game, Stardew Valley, dropped a major update on Tuesday after months of anticipation. Stardew’s 1.6 update has an insane amount of new content that touches every area of the game, from new menus and DIYs, to a new farm layout, new crops, and the ability to have multiple pets and play with seven friends at once. It’s enough updates to make the game feel fresh, but isn’t so new that you can’t ease back into a beloved farm and toil away.
It’s important to note here that the free update is currently only available for PC players. The update will come to mobile and consoles like the Nintendo Switch later on. If you’re not a PC player, the 1.6 news has not changed gameplay, and you’ll be able to play normally while you wait for it to show up. If you don’t have the game yet on PC, you can purchase it on Steam for $15, and it works on PC, Linus, and Mac computers.
As soon as the PC update arrived, I opened up Stardew Valley and started a file with the brand-new farm layout (which has me very broke) to dive right in. The update also works on your existing Stardew files, and I’ve been bouncing back and forth between my brand-new file and a later-game file to see what’s new in different seasons. Everywhere I look, I see something new. Moss to forage off trees! New reactionary dialog from NPCs! A prize machine in the mayor’s house!
If you hate spoilers, I’m honestly not sure why you read this far, but you should definitely stop reading. I’m about to tell you about some of the biggest changes I’ve spotted since playing the updated game.
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Ranch Mode
The biggest change to see right away is the new farm layout. Stardew’s 1.6 update adds the Meadowlands Farm, a grass- and animal-focused design for my fellow animal ranchers. This farm grows a special blue grass that game creator Eric Barone says animals will love. It can raise animal’s hearts faster, improving the eggs and milk they give you. There’s less farming land available, and a few changes to initial quests. I’m enjoying the Meadowlands Farm so far—I immediately created one when the game dropped–even though starting with two chickens and no parsnip seeds is definitely a slower path to the infinite wealth I’m seeking. But even though I’m broke, it’s still been fun to have such a different start to the game.
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Fresh Crops
The first question my sister asked me when I started playing: “Are there new crops?” At first, I told her no. I didn’t see anything new to purchase in the shop. But there are new crops with the update–you just won’t find them in any stores.
Instead, you find four new crops (one for each season!) in a few different ways—mainly, digging them up from the ground in the game’s well-known Artifact Spots, although spots with these new crops have a slightly different style you’ll be able to spot. You can also win them in the brand-new Prize Machine in the mayor’s house, once you get your hand on a prize ticket. The new crops are carrots for spring, summer squash for (shocker) summer, broccoli for fall, and powdermelon in winter. These new crops can be used in the game’s main quest, too. Just choose Remixed Bundles for the Community Center in your starting settings.
The 8849 TANK3 PRO is a rugged smartphone sporting a massive 23,800mAh battery, which means you won’t have to worry about running out of juice while on the go.
While the battery should be the main highlight, as the phone also supports 120W super-fast charging, the TANK3 PRO boasts several other unexpected standout features.
Marketed as the ‘Ultimate 5G Projection Rugged Smartphone,’ the IP68 waterproof rated TANK3 PRO comes equipped with a DLP projector, a 200-megapixel camera, and a camping torch.
200MP main camera
The built-in 100 Lumens 120Hz DLP projector allows users to project content onto any surface, making it suitable for presentations or movie viewing – indoors or outdoors – and it features an adjustable focus. The large LED camping light not only illuminates your path at night but can also emit red or blue light for those moments when, 8849 suggests, you want to add “more fun to your life” (perhaps by pretending to be a police car).
The phone features a 6.79-inch FHD screen and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor. It has 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
TANK3 PRO comes with 16/18GB of memory, which can be increased to 32/36GB, and 512GB of storage space. In addition, the device supports up to 2TB memory cards for expanded storage.
For photography, the phone is equipped with a 200MP AI main camera, 64MP night vision shooter and 50MP selfie camera.
The TANK3 PRO is currently available for pre-order at the official AliExpress 8849 store. A $50 off promotional offer running at the moment means the price comes in at around $600.
Samsung has announced that it was the world’s biggest soundbar brand in 2023. With another year as the top-ranked soundbar brand globally, the South Korean firm has become the world’s biggest soundbar brand for ten years.
Samsung has been the world’s biggest soundbar brand globally since 2013
According to a report from FutureSource Consulting, Samsung was the world’s biggest soundbar in 2023, and the company has achieved this feat consecutively for the past ten years. The latest market research analysis reveals that Samsung had an 18.8% market share and a 20.3% revenue share globally in 2023.
Year after year, Samsung has continuously pushed the boundaries of soundbars, releasing several top-ranking soundbars and impressive new technologies. Some of the company’s impressive audio technologies include Q-Symphony, which uses the speakers of the soundbar and the paired TV simultaneously for an immersive audio experience.
The South Korean firm also introduced a feature called SpaceFit Sound, which calibrates the soundbar automatically according to the room it is placed in. A couple of years ago, Samsung also introduced Wireless Dolby Atmos, removing the restriction of using wires between the TV and the soundbar to be able to use Dolby Atmos.
Last year, the HW-Q990C was adjudged the world’s best soundbar of 2023, thanks to its impressive 11.1.4-channel audio and 656W of audio output. It also features AirPlay 2, 4K HDR10+ passthrough, built-in Alexa, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Active Voice Amplifier, and Game Mode Pro. It also has Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and SmartThings.
Earlier this year, the company unveiled a follow-up flagship soundbar model, the HW-Q990D, which will be launched soon.
Cheolgi Kim, EVP of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “We are thrilled to be once again acknowledged as the market leader in soundbars, a milestone that reflects the positive feedback from our customers over the years. Building on this success, we will continue to push the boundaries of home entertainment with superior sound quality and advanced connectivity features, leveraging AI-based sound technology to strengthen the consumer experience and Samsung’s position in the global market.”
