We keep waiting for the tech news cycle to slow down, but it seems to only speed up. This week has been another week full of news, rumors, and releases, and this roundup is here to help you keep up to date with everything that's happened over the last seven days.
We've got new products from Apple, Casio, and Leica to talk about, a new version of iOS, and a trailer for Fallout on Amazon Prime Video that makes us think this might be a video game adaptation worth tuning into (Can We Still Say “tune in”?).
You're here for tech news and not any extra mumbo-jumbo, so without further ado, we'll tell you the story from last week in tech.
8. Google TV prepared us for the Oscars
The 96th Academy Awards are taking place this Sunday, March 10, and to get us in the mood, Google has put a bunch of previously nominated movies on Google TV, all free to watch too, with ads.
Of the classic emotions of north by northwestto the moving philosophizing of Forrest Gumpto the fantastic beasts of The Pan's LabyrinthThere really is something here for everyone. You shouldn't be stuck for something to watch this weekend.
Load up Google TV on your devices and you'll also find Oscar-nominated titles this year (although you'll have to pay to watch them) and movies with female stars and directors, in honor of International Women's Day on March 8.
7. Casio presented its ecological Pro Trek watches
Casio has launched the new Pro Trek PRG-340SC-5 and PRG-340SC-2 watches, rugged wearables that use recycled bioplastic materials, making the devices feel a little uneven to the touch.
There's a lot to like about these semi-analog watches besides their eco-friendly credentials. They offer solar charging, water resistance up to 100 meters and features such as Trek Log, capable of recording up to 14 reference points during a run or walk.
If you're in the US, you can pre-order these watches now for a very reasonable $250 (around £195 / AU$375), although we're still waiting for international availability and pricing. Shipping is scheduled for April 1.
6. Microsoft removed support for Android apps
Well, it was fun while it lasted: Microsoft decided to pull the plug on Android app support on Windows 10 and Windows 11, meaning you won't be able to load the Amazon Appstore after March 5, 2025.
The feature has been around for almost three years at this point, but presumably it hasn't gained enough traction in that time for Microsoft to feel like the effort invested in maintaining the project is worth it.
If this is a feature you rely on, there are a variety of third-party tools that will allow you to run Android apps on Windows. Alternatively, maybe you can find what you need in the Microsoft Store…
5. The new Fallout trailer got us excited for the Prime Video program
Show how The last of us have shown that video game adaptations for the small screen don't have to be a disaster, and the latest Amazon Prime trailer Fall It makes us hope that the last classic game to make the transition doesn't fail.
Based on what we can see in this 197-second clip, the team behind the show has the tone and aesthetic pretty spot on. We get a glimpse of some iconic ones. Fall people and places, and many things that also seem new.
It's a hilariously grim party at the end of the world and we're all invited. Even better, all episodes will be released at the same time, which is perfect for binge-watching – Thursday, April 11 is the day you should mark your calendar (one day earlier than expected).
4. Facebook, Instagram and Messenger suffered a big swing
One of the biggest outages in recent history hit Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram on Tuesday, meaning many of us couldn't scroll through our feeds and direct message friends and family for several hours (gasp).
In fact, Facebook was kicking people out of their accounts and not allowing them to log back in, leaving many users wondering if they had been hacked. In fact, classic “technical difficulties” were the cause of the problem.
Everything is back to normal now, but this shows that even the largest technology companies in the world are not exempt from having to turn their systems off and on again from time to time.
3. The Leica SL3 lured us into bankruptcy
With gorgeous looks, a great list of specs and features, and a hefty price tag, the new Leica SL3 certainly caught our eye this week. It's so good that we're even willing to contemplate short-term financial ruin to get it.
This is the follow-up to the Leica SL2 that was launched in 2019, and there are plenty of upgrades to talk about, including the full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. Finally, phase detection autofocus was also added to the series.
In short, it could be Leica's best full-frame all-rounder yet, and you'll only have to pay $6,995 / £5,920 / AU$11,690 to get it (and remember to add the price of the lenses). to that too).
2. iOS 17.4 arrived and improved your iPhone in six ways
A new version of iOS is always big news as it rolls out to millions of iPhones around the world, and it's worth installing iOS 17.4 as soon as possible – it comes with a list of security patches, bug fixes and other updates .
With this update installed, you can now get transcripts of your podcasts, for example, and better protect your phone in case of theft or loss. There are also improvements to Siri and a bunch of new emojis to play with.
The biggest changes are only for those in the EU, as a result of new regulations imposed on Apple: users in that region can now install third-party app stores and switch to a default web browser other than Safari.
1. The MacBook Air M3 landed and we analyze it
In addition to the new software, Apple also has new hardware to show off, and the TechRadar team has been busy reviewing the latest 13- and 15-inch versions of the MacBook Air, now powered by Apple's super-fast M3 chip.
Our impressions are, in general, very good. This was already one of the best laptops on the planet and the updates Apple has implemented now make it better than ever. It is even more resistant to fingerprints.
With a starting price of $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799 for the 13-inch model, it's actually cheaper than the MacBook Air M2 which launched in 2022. This could well be the best laptop for most people at this moment. To find out why, check out our Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review.
