ICYMI: The 10 biggest tech stories of the week, from new GoPro cameras to the stars of IFA 2024
It’s been another week of tech news. If you missed any of the big stories we covered this past week, this catch-up guide will bring you right up to speed.
We’ve got stories on new devices from GoPro, reMarkable and DJI, plus the latest rumors surrounding a new Nintendo Switch, a PlayStation 5 Pro console from Sony, and the iPhone 16 series and updates to the Apple Watch set to be revealed this Monday.
The TechRadar team were also in attendance at the huge IFA 2024 tech show in Berlin, Germany, so we have reports on all the latest processors, laptops and other hardware that were revealed. 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 the new model might just be the best yet. The reMarkable Paper Pro adds color to the display for the first time on a reMarkable tablet, giving you yet another reason to invest in a tablet to capture your ideas and musings and keep them organized.
Our US mobile editor Phil Berne has put together an in-depth review of the reMarkable Paper Pro, covering all its strengths (the colour screen, a reading light) and its weaknesses (the software leaves a bit to be desired in some areas). Not everyone needs this sort of gadget, but for a certain group of people, the reMarkable tablets can be a hugely useful tool – albeit at a pricey $579 / £559 / AU$929.
9. GoPro launched not one but two new cameras
You wait ages for a new GoPro camera, and then, as if by magic, another one appears at the same time. Alongside the launch of the flagship Hero 13 Black action camera this week, GoPro also introduced the smaller, simpler, more affordable Hero model. It’s the first time we’ve seen a more compact model with 4K video recording capabilities, and you may find it suits your needs (and your budget) better than the flashy main model.
We’ve got all the details you need to know about both cameras, including specs, pricing, and availability. When it comes to the flagship model, the GoPro Hero 13 Black isn’t a huge upgrade over its immediate predecessor, but it does introduce a new magnetic mounting system and a larger battery to keep the camera lasting longer.
8. Bluetooth has gotten better
A new Bluetooth standard may not be as exciting as a new iPhone or a new Surface laptop, but what is What makes it exciting is the impact it will have on devices when it is incorporated into actual hardware: the upgrade to Bluetooth 6.0 makes it faster and more efficient than ever, and that means it will be less of a drain on your gadgets’ battery life.
The main improvement here is Channel Sounding, which essentially means that two devices connected over Bluetooth can measure the distance between them to within an inch. That should mean you’ll never have to spend time hunting for a lost remote on the back of the couch again (assuming it supports Bluetooth 6.0, of course).
7. DJI unveiled its smallest and lightest 4K drone ever
Another device launched this week was the DJI Neo, the smallest and lightest 4K drone that DJI has ever made. Add to that a very reasonable price tag of $199 / £169 / AU$299 and it’s an attractive option for anyone who doesn’t need the bells and whistles of the larger, more advanced models, but does need a camera they can fly around.
The DJI Neo can take off from the palm of your hand, can be controlled via an app on your phone, supports six automated flight modes, and can be told to follow specific subjects as it flies, thanks to onboard AI intelligence. There’s also enough storage on the drone to pack in 40 minutes of video shot at the highest resolution.
6. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 seemed to be getting closer
The Nintendo Switch has been a huge hit since its launch in 2017, and has proven to be an incredibly popular handheld gaming hit. That doesn’t mean we’re not excited about the prospect of a Nintendo Switch 2, though.
The new console has been rumored for years, but now it appears the launch may finally be getting closer: an analyst report this week said the handheld is now in mass production and is set to launch in early 2025.
The new console will apparently offer backward compatibility, so you’ll still be able to play all of your existing games, and there will no doubt be upgrades in terms of internal spec and display to tempt gamers into a purchase. We’re hoping to hear something official about the Switch 2 later this month, so watch this space.
5. We gave our verdict on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google’s latest foldable smartphone was unveiled a few weeks ago, and our US mobile 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 recommend reading the full article if you’re considering spending money on one. The summary is this: it’s bigger and better than its predecessor, but it’s not necessarily a phone that will appeal to everyone.
Sure, the $1,799 / £1,799 / AU$2,699 asking price is a major consideration, but if you have the budget for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you get a lot for your money. The foldable phone has an 8-inch main display that truly shines, packs the latest Google Tensor G4 processor under the hood, and offers a triple-lens main camera for photos and video. And it’s thin too. Like really, really thin.
4. Intel came back with a bang with its Lunar Lake chips
Intel is currently facing fierce competition in the chipset market, but its new Lunar Lake processors appear strong enough to take on AMD and Qualcomm: the chips, which were fully unveiled this week at the IFA 2024 trade fair in Berlin, offer significant performance improvements, built-in AI and improved efficiency for longer battery life.
The TechRadar team has been on the ground covering IFA 2024 this week, taking a deep dive into everything 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 upgrades.
3. We may have seen the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro
Rumors of a PS5 Pro console have been swirling for a while now, and it appears that Sony itself has revealed the look of the hardware in artwork the company put together for the PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. One of the consoles faintly visible in the background of the artwork matches previously leaked images of the PS5 Pro.
If this is indeed the PlayStation 5 Pro we’re looking at, it appears to be similar in size to the PS5 Slim that launched last year. With speculation mounting, we wouldn’t bet against the new model being announced before late 2024, though there’s still a lot we don’t know about the specs and features the PS5 Pro will offer.
2. We got even more excited about Apple’s Glowtime event
New Apple hardware isn’t far off, and we’re expecting to see iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods at Apple’s big launch event on Monday – though we’re still not sure why the tagline for this one is “it’s Glowtime” (the smart money is on a Siri tie-in, but we’ll see). Everything kicks off at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on Monday (that’s 3am AEST on Tuesday).
TechRadar is the best place to read about all the announcements Apple makes, and we’ve got you covered for all the leading up to the event, too: find out more about everything we think we’re going to see, and dive into all the rumors and leaks that have surfaced in the run-up to the event. Even by Apple’s standards, this should be a show.
1. We ranked the best technology at IFA 2024
The TechRadar team have been busy at the IFA 2024 show in Berlin, checking out all the new gadgets and gizmos from brands like Asus, Intel, Honor, TCL, Technics, DJI, LG and more. Pretty much every big name in electronics is in attendance at IFA, and as usual there were plenty of new hardware devices to get your hands on.
It’s our job to pick out the best tech from the crowd, and to that end our reporters have put together their IFA 2024 best list: it includes everything from phones and TVs to smart rings and miniature robots, and is proof that the industry is in very good health. We’re already looking forward to what’s to come at IFA 2025 in September.
