Google doesn’t tend to slack off for long when it comes to Google Maps updates, and users are spotting two new tweaks that have been quietly introduced in the Android app – covering electric vehicle navigation and identifying particular roads.
First up is the EV charging, as spotted by SmartDroid (via 9to5Google): in the Android app you can see nearby charging stations with a tap on the relevant filter button underneath the main search bar, at the top of the screen.
You need to have your car set as an electric car to see it though, which you can do from the Your vehicle option in Google Maps Settings. Gas is the default vehicle type, in which case you’ll see a quick link to gas stations instead.
A similar update was applied to Android Auto last year, so it now seems to have made its way to the Android app as well. Last month, Google announced some new AI-powered features for making it easier to get to an EV charging point.
Where we’re going, we do need roads
Google Maps now highlights entire roads (Image credit: Future)
The second Google Maps tweak, again via SmartDroid and 9to5Google, will show you the entire length of a road highlighted in blue when you search for it. Previously, you just got a pin stuck in the middle of the road to help you find your way to it.
This gives you a bit of a better idea of the extent of a road you’re looking for – in terms of where it starts and ends, and how much space it takes up on the map. You can of course still navigate to any specific point on the road, should you need to.
Two fairly minor tweaks then, but they should both make Google Maps easier and more convenient to use. There’s no word yet on whether or not iOS is getting the same updates, but we’re presuming it will.
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It’s set to be a big week for Google, with its Google I/O 2024 software developers event getting underway on Tuesday, May 14. We may well hear more about updates heading to Google Maps then, and you can watch live from wherever you happen to be.
The new iPad Pro (2024) and iPad Air 6 are both long-awaited upgrades to Apple‘s biggest tablets, but the launch event was worryingly quiet for the iPad mini. Does that mean Apple’s smallest tablet is on the chopping block? Not necessarily, according to the latest rumors, though its future does remain uncertain.
We confirmed with Apple that the current iPad mini 6 is the same model as before Apple’s iPad 2024 event, and has the same pricing. So despite the big changes we saw for its larger siblings, including an M4 chip for the iPad Pro, Apple hasn’t given its 8.3-inch tablet any kind of bump.
That’s a little disappointing for fans of the compact tablet, but all is not lost. Last month, Bloomberg’s reliable Mark Gurman claimed that Apple “is also working on new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini”, but that those won’t be coming “before the end of the year at the earliest”.
This echoed an earlier report from respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated that mass production of the iPad mini 7 had merely been “delayed” rather than canceled. These remain the last credible rumors we’ve heard about an iPad mini 7, so there is still a chance we’ll see it arrive later this year, even with only a minor processor upgrade.
That said, Gurman did predict that Apple’s low-end iPad would be “a cost-reduced version of the 10th generation model from 2022”, and that’s what happened at yesterday’s event (albeit earlier than he predicted). Apple killed its ninth-gen iPad, and cut $100 off the price of the 10th-gen version.
So as it stands, the iPad mini lives on with rumors still predicting a refreshed iPad mini 7 is in the works. But as the only iPad-related product in Apple’s Store that doesn’t have a “new” label on it, its future does still look a little uncertain.
Is the iPad mini still relevant?
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The iPad mini is now clearly caught in between Apple’s larger tablets and the increasingly large iPhone. The iPhone 16 Pro series, for example, is expected to grow in size this year to include 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens (on the Pro and Pro Max models).
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Apple’s reluctance to give the iPad mini 6, which arrived back in 2021, even a minor specs upgrade also suggests that interest in the compact tablet has waned. But the tablet does also continue to have something of a cult following, with many finding it to be an ideal size for note-taking and watching movies while on the move.
The current iPad mini is also a great size for reading books and playing games, so a future-proofed specs bump with a new processor (most likely the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro and Max) would likely be enough to keep fans happy. An M1 chip would be even better, of course, but could push the price too high.
Right now, this remains the most likely scenario according to the latest speculation, even if Apple’s iPad 2024 event may have understandably dented those hopes. Still, while Apple’s new tablets look like dead certs for the top of our guide to the best tablets, the iPad mini does live on – with the iPad mini 6 still a solid option, particularly if you pick up a cheaper refurbed version, if you need a compact tablet.
The latest and greatest 15-inch M3 MacBook Air is on sale . This includes a sale discount of $100 plus a clipped coupon for $50, bringing the total price drop to $150. That’s not a bad deal for a laptop that just came out a couple of months ago.
Apple
The sale offers a discount of $100 and there’s a coupon to clip that gets another $50 off.
We were surprised by , as the larger screen truly makes a significant difference when compared to the standard MacBook Air. We found that the big display allowed for longer periods of use before getting fatigued, which was aided by truly excellent battery life. This thing easily lasts an entire workday, with Apple suggesting 18 hours of battery life before requiring a charge.
One of our only complaints about the was regarding the chip itself, as the computer could struggle with certain intensive tasks. That’s been fixed with the inclusion of the M3 chip. It’s not as powerful as the M3 Pro, of course, but it certainly gets the job done, and then some.
This is also a fairly light computer, despite the size increase. It weighs around three pounds and can easily slip into a tote bag. However, the added size does make it a bit more cumbersome to carry than the 13-inch model. But that’s the trade off with any 15-inch laptop. There’s really only one serious downside to this model, and that’s with regard to port placement. The charging and USB-C ports are only on one side, which can get annoying when you have plenty of accessories to connect on a crowded desk.
This particular deal is for the base model, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage. Every available iteration on Amazon, however, has been discounted. Don’t forget to clip that coupon.
The iPhone 16 Plus probably won’t be the most popular phone in the iPhone 16 line. In fact, based on past form it will likely be the least popular, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max probably set to take the top spot in sales, but this could still be an exciting handset.
Thanks to leaks and rumors we already have a good idea of what to expect from the iPhone 16 Plus, even though it probably won’t land until September. So below you’ll find everything we’ve heard so far, including the rumored release date, price, design, and specs.
We’re sure to hear plenty more rumors about this phone ahead of launch though, and we’ll be collecting them all here. As such, keep checking back if you want the most complete possible picture of the iPhone 16 Plus pre-launch.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The larger-screen alternative to the iPhone 16
When is it out? Probably September 2024
How much will it cost? Likely at least $899 / £899 / AU$1,649
iPhone 16 Plus: expected release date and price
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Likely to be announced in the first half of September
Should ship before the end of September
May cost around $899 / £899 / AU$1,649
Based on past form, the iPhone 16 Plus will almost certainly be announced during the first or second week of September – probably on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Pre-orders will likely open on the Friday, and the phone will probably ship on the following Friday, meaning that it will be in buyers’ hands before the end of September.
As for the price, the iPhone 16 Plus could cost a similar amount to the iPhone 15 Plus, which starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,649. However, it could also cost slightly more, and there’s even a chance it will cost less.
We’ve also seen this design in leaked iPhone 16 prototype images, which you can see below. These show three designs that were apparently under consideration, of which the one in black is expected to launch, though all have vertical cameras.
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Reportedly a 12MP ultra-wide camera like last year
Probably the same 48MP main and 12MP selfie cameras too
Might be able to record spatial video
So far we haven’t head much about the iPhone 16 Plus’s cameras, but that’s probably because there might not be any real changes to them.
According to analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 16 Plus will have a 12MP ultra-wide camera, just like the iPhone 15 Plus does. They don’t mention the main snapper, but since that got an upgrade to 48MP last year, we wouldn’t expect further upgrades this year.
And nor do we expect any additional lenses, as leaks haven’t mentioned a third lens, and leaked imagery shows just two – so if you want a telephoto camera, you’ll probably have to pick one of the Pro models.
There’s no news on the iPhone 16 Plus’s front-facing camera either, but there’s a good chance it will be 12MP like last year, especially as even the iPhone 15 Pro Max only has a 12MP selfie camera.
There may be some upgrades to the camera software and functionality though, including the ability to shoot spatial video for use with an Apple Vision Pro. It’s speculated that the rumored move to a vertical lens arrangement is to allow for this.
iPhone 16 Plus: expected specs and features
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Rumored to have an A18 chipset
Could have 8GB of RAM
The battery might be smaller this year
There’s some uncertainty over what chipset the iPhone 16 Plus will have. The iPhone 15 Plus has the A16 Bionic, inherited from the previous year’s Pro models. So if Apple continues that pattern, then it would make sense for the iPhone 16 Plus to have an A17 Pro, which you’ll currently find in the iPhone 15 Pro line.
In which case, the iPhone 16 Plus could get a serious power upgrade over its predecessor – though it’s possible that there will be multiple versions of the A18. So, for example, the iPhone 16 Plus might get the standard A18, while the iPhone 16 Pro gets an A18 Pro. Either way though, this should be more powerful than the A17 Pro.
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
This increase in RAM, storage, and power could in part be to help with AI, which Apple is expected to make a big play for this year, with major AI features likely to be announced as part of iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 on June 10.
That said, the same sources say the other iPhone 16 models will have larger batteries than their predecessors; it would be odd if Apple would reduce just the Plus model’s.
A new study analyzing Google Play downloads of productivity tools has shown an overwhelming majority of mobile users turning to their smartphones to navigate their professional lives and schedule day-to-day tasks.
The report by SplitMetrics found the top apps in the business and productivity categories have amassed a staggering 4.7 billion and 55 billion downloads respectively. Microsoft’s LinkedIn leads the business category with a whopping 1.5 billion lifetime downloads, followed by video conferencing giants Zoom (1.1bn) and Microsoft Teams (426m), then OfficeSuite (195m) and Indeed (188m).
In the productivity category, it’s Google that leads the way. Google Drive has racked up an impressive 10 billion lifetime downloads, followed by Google Calendar (6bn), Microsoft OneDrive (4bn), Google Assistant (3bn) and Google Keep (2.7bn).
Productivity boosts all round
The study also reveals the apps that have delivered the most significant year-on-year growth. Lopay: Payments & POS achieved a 339% increase in the business section in 2023, followed by Etsy Seller (329%), JobSwipe (221%), Parcel Tracking – pkge Mobile (144%) and Shopify (83%).
PDF Reader – PDF Viewer experienced the biggest growth in productivity in 2023 with a 701% jump. It was followed by Notepad (457%), All Document Reader (431%), Google Tasks (29%) and Link to Windows (21%).
Thomas Kriebernegg, General Manager of SplitMetrics, said: “The data paints a clear picture. Tools that empower people to be productive and manage their work or businesses effectively are very popular. The rise of on-demand services, remote work, and mobile entrepreneurship is driving the demand for user-friendly, feature-rich business and productivity apps. While user acquisition costs may be higher in the business category, the high engagement and potential value users bring means there’s a significant market opportunity.”
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I search the web almost every week and pick out the best laptop deals that are available and worth buying for multiple budgets and needs. There’s usually a small selection at any one time, but Amazon is in the middle of a big laptop sale right now with dozens of great devices to choose from. I’m here to help narrow them down, with the seven top laptop deals I recommend at the mega-retailer.
The first and best option for most is this affordable Asus Vivobook 15 for $259.99 (was $329.99). It’s a great price for a standard everyday laptop that will easily handle your basic computing needs, such as web browsing, sending emails, light admin work, streaming media and more.
If you’re after more power then you’ve got several good options. The highlight is the MacBook Air M2 for $849 (was $1,049), which is a return to the record-low price for Apple‘s highly-rated premium laptop. For those who would prefer a Windows machine, this Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro is down to $919.99 (was $1,449.99) – that’s another lowest-ever price for a slick and powerful laptop with a stellar AMOLED display.
Find all of these offers and more below, including a super-cheap Chromebook and budget gaming laptop that I’ve picked out from the Amazon sale.
If it’s a day ending in “y”, it’s a day when the price of a streaming service is going up –and today’s such service is Crunchyroll. Subscribers who’ve been used to several years of static subscription prices are about to get a financial shock in several countries where both the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan plans are going up.
The standard Crunchyroll Premium tier will stay the same for now at $7.99 per month. But the cost of Mega Fan will go up from $9.99 per month to $11.99 per month, and the price of the Ultimate Fan tier will rise from $14.99 to $15.99 per month.
As The Verge reports, the service is also shortening its free trial period: that’s going down from two weeks to one. Although the new prices aren’t being implemented worldwide, they are being rolled out in the US alongside Argentina, Colombia, France, Portugal and “select additional countries”.
Who’s next for a streaming subscription price hike?
The most likely source of your next subscription sting is Spotify, which has already (as of the start May) increased its subscription fees in the UK. The same will happen in the US “later this year”, Bloomberg reports. Expect an increase of $1 per month for individual plans and $2 per month for family and duo plans. Which service could be next? There was talk earlier this year about another potential Netflix price hike followed by most recently Peacock, so it doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon.
It does feel that the various music and TV streaming services are marching in lockstep not just with pricing but with their explanations for it. The money’s to pay for “additional investment”, “additional services” and “additional subscriber benefits”. Was that Crunchyroll, Netflix, Spotify, or another streamer?
In fairness to Sony, the price hikes aren’t massive – but if like us you subscribe to a bunch of different streaming services, what feels like never-ending price increases are taking an increasingly big bite out of wages that certainly aren’t going up by the same percentage points, if they’re going up at all. One price hike is a bit like one wasp sting: individually it’s not too terrible, but if a whole bunch of wasps come at you…
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Windows 11 and Windows 10 users are in some cases facing a problem whereby their VPN connection is failing to work thanks to the latest cumulative updates from Microsoft for these operating systems.
We’re talking about the main updates for last month, April, which are KB5036893 for Windows 11 (ushering in Moment 5 features), and KB5036892 for Windows 10 – and this also holds true for the preview updates released at the end of April.
Neowin noticed that Microsoft has officially acknowledged that these updates are breaking some VPNs, posting on its Windows 11 health dashboard to say: “Windows devices might face VPN connection failures after installing the April 2024 security update (KB5036893) or the April 2024 non-security preview update.”
Microsoft informs us that it’s working on fixing the problem and will “provide an update in an upcoming release,” but sadly, we don’t get any details beyond that.
Analysis: Rocky road for updates of late
This is a vague diagnosis from Microsoft, with no info provided as to what might be the root cause (or causes) of this VPN-related problem. It’s not affecting all Windows 11 (or Windows 10) users by any means, but certainly some VPN users are experiencing service failure. All we can do right now is wait for Microsoft to continue its investigation into finding out what’s gone wrong with the April update, and to provide those additional details – hopefully soon.
For those affected, this is a troubling situation, as the April cumulative update is very different from an optional update – you have to install it (Windows 11 Home users can only delay it for a bit if they want to take evasive action). Also, without the update, you don’t have the latest security measures, so your PC is just a bit more vulnerable to intrusion.
For home-based PC users running into this bug, Microsoft only offers up the following advice: “If you need support with your personal or family account, use the Get help app in Windows.”
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It’s been a pretty rocky road for the April update for Windows 11 when you consider that the upgrade has brought with it some other nasty bugs, including a new spin on the Blue Screen of Death – which we dubbed the White Screen of Doom. Plus the preview update for April has an odd issue with profile photos, and there are other glitches floating around besides. So, all in all, Microsoft isn’t having a great time of things lately.
The MSI Claw has been in a world of trouble ever since its launch, with plenty of reviews and buyers both criticizing it for its inconsistent gaming performance, poor optimization, and more. But now it seems the handheld’s luck is finally looking up, thanks to a brand new update.
According to MSI, its latest GPU and BIOS driver updates — the E1T41IMS.106 BIOS (referred to as 106) and 31.0.101.5445 GPU driver (referred to as 5445) — have increased performance by up to 150%. The update also apparently smooths out performance issues, allowing players to “smoothly play the top 100 popular games on the Steam platform.”
MSI seems to be very aware of the optimization issues concerning the CPU, as it mentions working with Intel to stabilize the handheld better. The updates also let users update straight from the Windows environment without having to use a USB drive or dock the system.
You can download the latest BIOS from the MSI official website and the newest GPU drivers from the Intel ARC official website.
Is it too little too late?
While the new updates and continued support are admirable, users are finally getting them over a month after its official release. Meanwhile, other PC gaming portables like the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go work right out of the box with solid and stable performance, especially the former which continues to be the gold standard.
Not to mention how expensive the MSI Claw is, which makes it more concerning that it launched in such a state and needs to be continuously patched and updated to even meet the standard of an older and less powerful portable like the Steam Deck.
At this point, though MSI and Intel are working together, we still don’t know whether it boils down to Intel’s processors or MSI-related issues, though the upcoming launch of the Intel-equipped AOKZOE A2 Ultra should give us a better sense of where the problem lies.
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Hopefully, MSI learns from this and if it releases a Claw 2, it ensures that the OS and general performance are up to snuff before its launch.
If you’ve been keeping up with Windows 11 news you’ll know that there’s been a lot of turbulence with the latest optional update – Windows 11 version KB5036980 – and the introduction of ads into the start menu. Happily, Microsoft is finally doing something about it – but it might be too little, too late for some users.
The update is currently available for users running Windows 11 version 23H2 and 22H2 and can be installed manually from the Update Catalog. Besides the annoying pop-ups of ads in your start menu, it seems that users are also getting error messages when trying to change their profile photo.
Spotted by Windows Latest, some users who installed the update are getting an error message when they try to change their account photo. This seems to only be happening on people’s local system accounts and not their actual Microsoft accounts, meaning that it’s definitely a Windows issue rather than something to do with Microsoft’s online account systems.
Playing the waiting game
Microsoft has updated its Feedback Hub to say that it’s aware of the reports and has already started to make changes in the internal builds. So, the May 2024 optional update is expected to fix the current issues.
Windows Latest received comments from Microsoft support staff that it is investigating the error and confirmed that the issue affects the mandatory KB5036893 update and the optional KB5036980 update that put ads in the Start menu. The profile pic bug is expected to be fixed soon, along with some other bugs that have been plaguing Windows 11 as of late.
So if you are currently experiencing this issue, you’ll likely just have to wait for the May patch for Microsoft to issue a fix. Until then, you may be stuck with your profile picture for a while – I hope it’s cute!
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