It's been another week packed with tech news, and if you missed any of the top stories we covered over the past week, this catch-up guide will get you up to speed.
We've got stories on new gadgets from GoPro, reMarkable and DJI, as well as the latest rumours about a new Nintendo Switch, a Sony PlayStation 5 Pro console and updates to the iPhone 16 series and Apple Watch due next Monday.
The TechRadar team was also present at the major IFA 2024 tech show in Berlin, Germany, so we have reports on all the latest processors, laptops and other hardware that's been unveiled. There's a lot to catch up on, so let's get started.
We’ve long loved reMarkable tablets for reading, writing, and doodling, and their newest model might just be the best one yet. The reMarkable Paper Pro adds color to the screen for the first time on a reMarkable tablet, giving you another reason to invest in one to capture your ideas and musings and keep them organized.
US Mobiles editor Phil Berne has put together a comprehensive review of the reMarkable Paper Pro, covering both its strengths (the color screen and reading light) and weaknesses (the software is still somewhat flawed). Not everyone needs this kind of device, but for a certain group of people, the reMarkable tablets can be very useful, even if they come at a steep price of $579, £559, or AU$929.
9. GoPro launched not one but two new cameras
You wait a long time for a new GoPro camera to come out, and then, like magic, another one arrives at the same time. In addition to launching the flagship Hero 13 Black action camera this week, GoPro also introduced the smaller, simpler, and more affordable Hero model. It's the first time we've seen a more compact model with 4K video recording capability, and you might find that it's a better fit for your needs (and your budget) than the headline-grabbing flagship model.
We've got all the details you need to know about these two cameras, including specs, price and availability. As for the flagship model, while the GoPro Hero 13 Black isn't a huge upgrade over its immediate predecessor, it does feature a new magnetic mounting system and a larger battery to make the camera last longer.
8. Bluetooth has improved
A new Bluetooth standard may not be as exciting as a new iPhone or a new Surface laptop, but what… is It's exciting what impact this will have on devices when it's included in some real hardware – the upgrade to Bluetooth 6.0 will make it faster and more efficient than ever, and that means less battery drain on your devices.
The biggest improvement here is channel recognition, which basically means that two devices connected via Bluetooth will be able to measure the distance between each other to within a single centimetre. That should mean you'll never have to waste time searching the back of the sofa for a lost remote (assuming it supports Bluetooth 6.0, of course).
7. DJI unveiled its smallest and lightest 4K drone yet
Another device launched this week was the DJI Neo, which is the smallest and lightest 4K drone DJI has ever made. Couple that with a very reasonable price tag of $199 / £169 / AU$299, and it’s an attractive option for anyone who doesn’t need the features of the larger, more advanced models, but does need a camera that can fly.
The DJI Neo can take off from the palm of your hand, can be controlled via an app on your phone, supports six automatic flight modes, and can be told to follow specific subjects as it flies, thanks to its built-in artificial intelligence. The drone also has enough storage to save 40 minutes of video shot at the highest resolution.
6. The launch of Nintendo Switch 2 seemed to be closer
The Nintendo Switch has been performing well since its launch in 2017 and has proven to be an incredibly popular portable gaming hit, but that doesn't mean we're not excited about the prospect of a Nintendo Switch 2.
The new console has been the subject of rumors for years, but its launch finally appears to be drawing closer: an analyst report this week has suggested that the handheld is already in mass production, with a possible launch in early 2025.
The new console will reportedly offer backwards compatibility, so you'll still be able to play all your existing games, and there will no doubt be improvements to the internal specs and screen to tempt gamers into buying it. We're expecting to hear something official about the Switch 2 later this month, so stay tuned.
5. We gave our verdict on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google's latest foldable device was revealed a few weeks ago, and our US Mobiles editor Phil Berne (who's had a particularly busy week) has now given his verdict on it in our Google Pixel Fold 9 Pro review.
We suggest you read the full article if you're considering shelling out money for it, but the summary is: the device is bigger and better than its predecessor, but it's not necessarily a phone that will appeal to everyone.
Of course, the $1,799 / £1,799 / AU$2,699 asking price is a big factor to consider, but if you have the budget for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you're getting a lot in return. The foldable features an 8-inch main display that really shines, has the latest Google Tensor G4 processor under the hood, and offers a triple-lens main camera for photos and videos. And it's thin, too. Really, really thin.
4. Intel came back strong with its Lunar Lake chips
Intel faces fierce competition in the chipset business these days, but its new Lunar Lake processors appear to have enough to compete with AMD and Qualcomm: The chips, unveiled in full at the IFA 2024 show in Berlin this week, bring with them significant performance improvements, built-in AI, and improved efficiency for better battery life.
The TechRadar team has been reporting on the ground from IFA 2024 this week and has put together an in-depth analysis of everything that Intel's Lunar Lake (or Core Ultra 200) series has to offer consumers. The processors will start appearing in laptops from brands like Asus and Lenovo later this month and are likely to spark a wave of refreshes.
3. We may have seen the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro
Rumours of a PS5 Pro console have been circulating for some time now, and it looks like Sony itself may have revealed what the hardware will look like in an illustration it has prepared for the PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. One of the consoles faintly shown in the background of the illustration matches previously leaked images of the PS5 Pro.
If this is indeed the PlayStation 5 Pro we're considering, it would seem that it will be a similar size to the PS5 Slim that launched last year. As speculation mounts, we wouldn't bet against the new model being announced before the end of 2024, though there's still a lot we don't know about what kind of specs and features the PS5 Pro will offer.
2. We get even more excited about Apple's Glowtime event
New Apple hardware is just around the corner, and we're expecting to see iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods at Apple's big launch event on Monday – although we're still not sure why the tagline is “it's Glowtime” (most likely it'll connect with Siri, but we'll see). It's all set to kick off at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on Monday (which is 3am AEST on Tuesday).
TechRadar will be the best place to read up on every announcement Apple makes, and we'll also be helping you out with pre-event coverage – find out more about everything we think we'll see, and analyse all the rumours and leaks that have emerged in the run-up to the event. Even by Apple standards, this should be a spectacle.
1. We rank the best technologies at IFA 2024
The TechRadar team have been busy at IFA 2024 in Berlin, checking out all the new gadgets and gizmos launched by the likes of Asus, Intel, Honor, TCL, Technics, DJI, LG and many more – pretty much all the big names in electronics are appearing at IFA, and as is usually the case, there's been a whole host of new hardware gadgets to catch up on.
It’s our job to select the best of the best tech out there, and to that end, our journalists have put together their best of IFA 2024 list – covering everything from phones and TVs to smart rings and miniature robots, it’s proof that the industry is in very good health. We can’t wait to see what could be unveiled at IFA 2025 next September.
