This week looked like it was going to be a quieter one thanks to Amazon Prime Day deals taking up most of the airwaves instead of our usual flurry of tech announcements, and then everything went wrong.
We've seen a chaotic Windows outage apparently caused by a security software update that caused massive problems across the world for all sorts of services. As we write this on Friday, it's not over yet, so while we hope it's over by the time you read this, there could still be lingering issues.
In case you missed it or saw any of the other big news, we have this handy tech news roundup to catch you up.
7. The world came to a standstill thanks to the mother of all IT disruptions
On Friday, cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike redefined a “bad day at the office” by triggering a global computer meltdown with a single faulty update for its Windows servers. The result was a “blue screen of death” for thousands of Windows machines around the world, grounding planes, shutting down TV stations and causing chaos in banks, shops and healthcare services.
While a fix was implemented quickly, the fallout could continue for days or even weeks, according to some cybersecurity experts. This is because many Windows machines are stuck in a recovery boot loop, leading to a delay in sectors such as messaging services. While this all sounds pretty bad, it also made us wonder how much worse it could have been.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring was unveiled on July 10, but pre-orders on Samsung’s web store were so popular when they opened that the tech giant sold out of all the rings by July 15, with third-party retailers reporting that the number of rings was dwindling. That’s a lot of rings, and it tells us that Samsung’s first foray into smart ring territory — which could have been a big gamble — is shaping up to be a smashing success.
Samsung has stocked up again, so pre-orders are back up and selling out, by all accounts. But we expect to see plenty of Galaxy Rings on the market very soon, and we'd bet a Galaxy Ring 2 is already in development as a result of these encouraging sales figures.
5. We analyze the Amazon Echo Spot
After launching it as a surprise just before Prime Day 2024 (and offering it a significant discount), our verdict on the Echo Spot comes thanks to our Lifestyle Editor-in-Chief, Josephine Watson.
The Echo Spot looks great with its modern redesign, and stands out as a smart alarm clock rather than a full-fledged smart display. The screen itself is bright and vibrant enough, but lacks strong side viewing angles, and the fact that you can add custom clock faces is handy and, ultimately, quite fun.
You can read our full review of Amazon's latest Echo here and decide if it's the right one for you. After all, there are more than a couple of models to consider.
4. Important Google Wallet updates announced
During Google I/O 2024, Google teased that the Wallet app on Android will soon look even more like the real thing, with new code discovered by Android Authority revealing that you'll soon be able to use it to store more than just patent details and loyalty cards.
According to the leaked information, you'll be able to add your library card, student ID, and concert tickets, among other text-based documents, to your Wallet. The app can reportedly use artificial intelligence to identify exactly what type of document you're trying to add.
Don't expect this to completely replace your real wallet just yet. A leaked Google Wallet warning warns that scanned IDs are “not an official ID or a replacement for a physical ID.” They can help you out in a pinch, but you should remember to carry the real document with you as always.
3. Canon finally launched its first new cameras of 2024
It's been a worryingly quiet year for Canon fans, but that changed this week when the camera giant launched two new models: the new flagship Canon EOS R1 and the all-rounder EOS R5 Mark II.
Neither is exactly an impulse buy – the EOS R1 costs $6,299 (body only) and the EOS R5 Mark II is not far behind, priced at $4,499 (body only) and £4,499 (body only). But they do showcase the latest in Canon technology, including its new Dual Pixel Intelligent AF system and Eye Control AF.
Will they be enough to stop Canon fans from switching to Sony or Nikon? You can read our hands-on review of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and first impressions of the EOS R1 to find out.
2. Apple Watch's new Vitals app is Apple's reinvention of its sleep tracking
Apple's new watchOS 11 features are now in public beta, and early users are testing out the latest features coming to their Apple Watches. The Vitals app is a new health tool that helps monitor heart rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels, and alerts about significant deviations from the norm.
The only catch? To get the most out of the Vitals app, you need to wear it while you sleep, Apple's vice president of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, explained in an interview with CNet. And to wear it, you need to make the most of the 18-hour battery life and time your charges well. Does this mean we'll see a bigger battery on the Apple Watch 10?
1. Netflix lost its virtual reality app, but gained a much better alternative
This week, Meta Quest 3 users finally said goodbye to the outdated Netflix VR app (if you try to use the service, you'll get a playback error), but it's not all bad news. Quest's new browser-based Netflix experience is better than the old app.
We tried it out and found that the significant increase in resolution (it's now 1080p/Full HD instead of just 480p/SD) along with new browser tools like being able to curve your virtual windows, being able to dim your surroundings, and watching in mixed reality or your home VR environment means you'll never miss the Netflix VR app.
The Meta Quest 3 still lags behind the Apple Vision Pro in terms of streaming service support in VR (it still lacks most of the best streaming services), but this example is a big leap in the right direction and is hopefully a sign that more support is on the way.
