Apple launched the original iPad 14 years ago today, starting a product line that has gone on to define the tablet space and entry-level computing, spur a shift in how media is consumed, and have immense cultural impact.
The original iPad launched on April 3, 2010. Designed to bridge the gap between the laptop and the smartphone, the iPad offered a unique combination of portability, ease of use, and versatility that appealed to a wide range of consumers and professionals.
At the heart of the iPad’s success was its sleek design and simple iOS user interface. The 9.7-inch touchscreen provided users with an immersive experience that was unmatched at the time. Its initial release boasted 16 to 64 gigabytes of storage, a 30-pin connector, Wi-Fi connectivity, and, on some models, 3G connectivity. This combination of features and the quality of its build set it apart from competitors, establishing the iPad as a premium option in the emerging tablet market.
The iPad catalyzed a shift in the software industry, leading to the development of apps designed specifically for its larger screen, which increasingly differed from the smartphone applications of the time. This app ecosystem rapidly expanded, with developers creating a wide range of applications from productivity tools and games to educational software. The iPad went on to be vital to the education market and many mobile workflows.
The lineup has since expanded to include new models like the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The introduction of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard further transformed the iPad from a simple media consumption device to a tool designed for creativity and productivity. visionOS, the operating system behind the Apple Vision Pro headset, is also based on iPadOS to a large extent.
Today, it has been almost 18 months since any new iPads have launched – the longest-ever wait for new models. 2023 was the only year since the iPad’s introduction with no new iPad models. Apple is now expected to release refreshed iPad Air and iPad Pro models in May, with updates to the entry-level iPad and the iPad mini tabled for later in the year.
Streaming service Max will finally be rolling out to Europe later this Spring, replacing HBO Max on the continent. Except for the United Kingdom, that is – the situation on the British Isles is a little complicated.
This news comes straight from a keynote presentation by JB Perette, who is the CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games over at Warner Bros. Discovery. The roll out won’t happen all at once, but in two waves.
On May 21, Max will officially launch in the Nordic countries, the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and Eastern Europe. It’s important to mention those regions already have HBO Max available to them so the change is happening there sooner. After that, the service will soon be made available in Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium.
It’s unknown exactly when the platform will go live in the last four countries, however it could happen in the summer. As Variety points out, the 2024 Olympic Games will kick off in Paris on July 26. Plus, “Max will be the only platform to stream all live coverage of the [games]”. So if they want to have most of Europe watching the Olympics, it’ll have to come out before then.
Pricing
Pricing for subscription plans, at this moment, is unknown. Prices weren’t revealed during Perette’s presentation, although there is some information out there. According to Variety, Max in Europe will offer a cheap basic plan with ads, and a premium plan that’ll allow viewers to “stream content in Full HD or 4K on up to four devices simultaneously”. They go on to claim users will be given “up to 100 downloads of content.” As the service becomes available, pricing should become more clear.
On the surface, it seems Max subscribers can download up to 100 individual movies and shows from the platform. It is possible that Variety is actually talking about users being allowed to download hundreds of movies and shows. We believe it’s the former, but again, the wording isn’t super clear.
Going back to the subscriptions, the basic plan will first launch in nine countries including Denmark, France, Norway, and Romania. Pricing for everything “will vary from country to country”. More will be revealed within the coming months.
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UK availability
Max’s presence in the United Kingdom depends on the business deal Warner Bros. Discovery has with the British telecommunications company Sky.
As Deadline explains, Sky is the “exclusive distributor of most HBO content” in the UK due to a “lucrative licensing deal”. The contract doesn’t expire until 2026, so it’s entirely possible people there will have to wait another two years before they can get something resembling Max.
Sky has special “life of series agreements” for certain content so they can continue streaming them even if the deal changes. Of course, Warner Bros. and Sky can alter their contract within the next two years, but whether or not that’ll happen remains to be seen.
An OLED screen should make the 2024 iPad Pro the best-looking ever … when it finally arrives. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple is reportedly still working on the version of iPadOS needed for the first iPad Pro with a OLED screen. The software development process might delay the launch until well into April.
Previous leaks previously pointed at a March debut, and that’s still possible. But those eager for Apple’s next premium tablet should also be prepared to wait as much as another month.
Waiting until April for 2024 iPad Pro
There were no new iPads released in 2023. The last time an Apple slate came on the market was fall 2022. But the wait for an upgrade to its premium tablets for professionals is almost over, according to many, many leaks.
And there’s plenty of anticipation, as both sizes of the new model will apparently be the first to move past a traditional LCD display to an OLED. The tablet is also expected to run the Apple M3 processor that debuted in the fall 2023 MacBook Pro.
And the big question on the mind of iPad fans is when. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman used his most-recent PowerOn newsletter to weigh in again, stating:
“I’ve repeatedly said that new software for the iPad Pro — a variant of iPadOS 17.4 designed for the updated models — won’t be complete until the end of March or even sometime in April. Once the OS is finished, Apple needs to send it off to the factories to be installed on the new hardware. That process could last a couple weeks, probably taking us deeper into next month.”
Gurman’s sources inside Apple allow him to make generally accurate predictions about the company’s upcoming products.
OLED screen panels don’t need backlights so they’re thinner than traditional LEDs. This will allegedly allowed the designers of the 2024 iPad Pro to make the upcoming tablet significantly slimmer.
The panels also cost more, but a leak indicates that the price jump will be less than half of what had been previously rumored.
We’ll officially find out all the details when Apple finally unveils the 2024 iPad Pro, whether that’s in March or April.
I recently attended an LG reviewer workshop and saw its full 2024 TV lineup, which was originally announced in January 2024 ahead of CES 2024. LG’s latest range continues its usual trend, starting from a budget LED screen and leading up to a wireless OLED. At the workshop, we were treated to a preview of the range and given a breakdown of what we can expect from each model.
LG is responsible for making some of the best TVs every year and 2023 was no exception, with the likes of the LG B3, LG C3 and LG G3 all scoring highly in our reviews and featuring in our best OLED TVs, best gaming TVs and other buying guides. Needless to say, its 2024 range has a lot to live up to.
We’d already seen the LG C4 and LG G4 at CES this year and were suitably impressed by both. Although we didn’t get to do full tests on the new sets ahead of release (although we’re hoping to soon) it was great to see them in person. Below, I’ve listed the 3 TVs from LG’s 2024 TV lineup that I’m most looking forward to.
1. LG B4
The LG B4 (pictured) seems to have higher brightness levels than the LG B3 on a first impression. (Image credit: Future)
When we received information about the LG B4, several specs and features immediately stood out. It will come equipped with 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz, and will also be available in a 48-inch screen size- perfect for smaller environments such as bedrooms. It also comes equipped with LG’s latest Alpha 8 AI processor, an upgrade from last year’s Alpha 7 processor. LG claims the Alpha 8 AI matches the performance of the one found in last year’s C3 model, meaning the LG B4 could hit higher peak brightness levels around 800 nits (peak brightness on the B3 was 649 nits).
Seeing the B4 in person, I was pleased to see the rich black levels and contrast I expected. This was showcased through a picture contrast demo that not only highlighted the B4’s impressive shadow detail, but also the fine textures it was capable of.
Another demo was of a soccer (football) game and this showed off the B4’s motion processing and full-screen brightness as it tried to maintain the consistent green of the pitch on screen. There was a further demo of a forest drive and this showed off a perceived increase in brightness, with the greens of the trees and grass taking on a more luscious, dynamic quality, and also the B4’s excellent texture rendition again.
It would have been nice to see more, but the LG B4 remains my most anticipated OLED TV of 2024 and I can’t wait to get in some proper testing time with it.
2. LG G4
LG G4 (pictured) seems to have deeper contrast levels and even higher brightness than the G3. (Image credit: Future)
At the opposite end of the scale to the LG B4, the LG G4 is one of LG’s flagship OLEDs for 2024. It comes equipped with the same micro-lens-array (MLA) tech as its predecessor, the G3, but LG says it’s capable of about 1,600+ nits peak brightness , which is a 20% increase over the G3 and a 150% increase over last year’s B series.
The LG G4 will also feature LG’s latest processor, the Alpha 11 AI. Aside from getting a stack of AI Picture Pro settings and upgrades, the G4 will also be able to transmit wireless, lossless Dolby Atmos audio to compatible LG soundbars, starting the next big home theater race with Samsung, which features similar tech in its TVs. The G4, along with the LG C4 and flagship M4, will also support 144Hz refresh rate for PC gaming for the first time on an LG OLED .
Initially, I was more excited by the prospect of seeing the C4 in action, as at CES 2024 we confirmed the new brightness boost to be very real. However, seeing the C4 and G4 next to one another, it was clear what the upgraded processor in the G4 was doing and after our impressions at CES, the brighter picture of the G4 was just the beginning. Viewing the same footage on both TVs, HDR highlights were significantly brighter and contrast levels seemed much deeper on the G4. This was to be expected, but actually seeing it first-hand was impressive.
3. LG QNED90
LG’s mini-LED, the LG QNED90 (pictured) has a bright, bold color profile that caught our eye. (Image credit: Future)
LG’s QNED TV range is a mix of LED and mini-LED models, with both local and ‘precision’ dimming backlights. Both the QNED80 and QNED85 are LED TVs with local dimming backlights and a QLED panel to increase brightness. The most eye-catching set however was LG’s 4K mini-LED model, the QNED90.
LG faces stiff competition in the mini-LED market from not only Samsung and Sony, but Hisense and TCL, both of which sell budget mini-LED TVs that are catching up with premium rivals in terms of performance and features. Nonetheless, I was intrigued to see how LG’s mini-LED TVs handled several of the pitfalls the technology can suffer from, such as backlight blooming.
Seeing a couple of demos in person, the LG QNED90 had extremely vibrant and bold colors, with eye-popping brightness, particularly in a green-centric woodland demo. In a scene with extreme levels of contrast, where a well-lit ferris wheel is set against a black sky, the picture was rich and detailed, even by mini-LED standards. However, I did notice some backlight blooming in one sequence – a brighter central object that had a halo effect around it.
Nevertheless, the QNED90 was still impressive. Its bold and bright picture was attention-grabbing to say the least, suggesting it could be one of the brightest mini-LEDs we’ve seen. It’s got a very crowded field to navigate, but I’m intrigued to see how it will compare to its fierce rivals.
With just three days to go before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour streams on Disney Plus, Swifties who didn’t grab tickets or make it to an IMAX – and Swifties who did but want even more of their idol – are getting ready to enjoy one of the best concert movies ever made.
But what to do in the days before it premiers on Disney Plus? The good news is that there are plenty more great live shows available to stream, from unusually intimate performances to Swift-scale stadium spectaculars. Here are three amazing live performances you can stream while you wait for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Featuring all 16 tracks from Billie Eilish’s brilliant Happier Than Ever album, this concert show was filmed at the Hollywood Bowl and mixes live performance and animation to superb effect. It gets you closer to Billie Eilish than you’ll ever manage at an arena or stadium or ‘enormodome’, and the orchestral backing on songs such as Everybody Dies will give your goosebumps’ goosebumps.
If you’re an Eilish fan but don’t have Disney Plus, The World’s A Little Blurry features some spectacular live performances too, which you can stream on Apple TV Plus.
BTS: Permission To Dance on Stage
Another LA concert, this time featuring the globe-straddling pop phenomenon BTS and a very, very delighted crowd. And no wonder: the band’s touring plans hit a Covid-shaped roadblock that resulted in the cancellation of their Map of the Soul Tour, which meant that for a few years most fans would only be able to see the band live in pay-per-view online. The Permission To Dance On Stage dates were their first live in person shows since 2019, and we think you’ll agree the show was well worth the wait: this is a joyful pop experience filmed in the same SoFi stadium as the Eras Tour movie. We’re not going to even think about comparing them because we know how serious stans of both Swift and BTS can be.
Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions
Are we cheating by including this as a concert movie? Maybe, but if you’re excited about the Eras Tour and you haven’t already streamed this then you’re missing out on a superb Swift session. Folklore is one of Taylor Swift’s best albums, and this documentary features the whole album performed in an even more intimate and stripped-down format. If you can get through the very beautiful versions of Seven or Invisible String without crying you’re doing better than your writer.
Last year we called the HP Pavilion Aero 13 “probably the best value-for-money light laptop on the market right now” and it’s about to get an upgrade that will make it ever better.
The Pavilion Aero 13 2024 model, which could potentially be the most powerful sub-1Kg notebook on the market, packs a punch with its AMD Hawk Point Ryzen 7 8840HS processor. Other processor options include the AMD Ryzen 5 8640U and Ryzen 7 8840U.
The 13.3-inch display options haven’t changed with the new model – buyers can choose between 1920 x 1200 or 2560 x 1600 IPS panels, but both options offer 100% sRGB color gamut and up to 400 nits brightness. The laptop now comes with 16GB of LPDDR5x-6400 dual-channel RAM (soldered in to help with the thinness), and either a 512GB or 1TB SSD.
Improved webcam
The latest Aero 13, slightly larger than its 2023 predecessor, measures 11.7″ x 8.3″ x 0.7″ and weighs in at a feather-light 2.2 pounds, thanks in part to its magnesium alloy body. The laptop’s portability is slightly undermined by its 43 Wh battery, which helps with the weight but means you’ll only get around 8 hours of use between charges.
The Aero 13 offers a variety of ports including 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, and 1 x 3.5mm audio. No USB4 ports, sadly. Wireless connectivity is provided via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.
The ultrabook also features stereo speakers with DTS:X audio, dual microphones, and a 5 MP webcam, upgraded from the previous 720p model. The webcam includes an IR sensor for enhanced security and a privacy shutter. The new backlit keyboard comes with a dedicated Windows Copilot key.
The HP Pavilion Aero 13 2024 will be available for purchase from HP’s online store and Amazon starting in May 2024, with prices from $649.99 (although you’ll pay more for the Ryzen 7 8840HS model). It will be available in Natural Silver and Sky Blue.
