ICYMI: The 8 biggest tech news stories of the week, from iPhone 16 rumors to an ultra-expensive soundbar
One day, we suppose, the tech news cycle might slow down a bit – but that certainly didn’t happen this week. It’s been another seven days of news, leaks and product launches, and we’ve picked out the week’s biggest stories below.
These ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) articles are designed to bring you up to speed on the tech news of the past seven days as quickly as possible. And we understand if you don’t have the time or opportunity to check TechRadar every day (even though you should).
This week’s hand-picked roundup of tech stories includes new rumors about what to expect from the iPhone 16 and Apple AirPods 4, an affordable new video doorbell from Ring, and a clearly priceless new soundbar from Nakamichi. Happy catching up!
8. The iPhone Photography Awards have revealed this year’s impressive winners
We always look forward to the annual reveal of the best photos in the iPhone Photography Awards, because they’re all consistently brilliant — and the recently announced selection is no different. These stunning shots span nature, architecture, people, places, and deep space, and it’s well worth checking out the entire gallery.
Interestingly, quite a few of the winning photos were taken on older iPhones, proving that you don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest kit to take a great smartphone photo. Now in its 17th year, the awards is the longest-running iPhone photography competition – and we’re already looking forward to the top picks for 2025.
7. Apple AirPods 4 rumors increased
The AirPods 3 launched in October 2021, so we’re guessing a new pair of wireless earbuds from Apple is now overdue – and one of the most reliable Apple tipsters in the industry says that the Apple AirPods 4 are indeed coming soon. What’s more, there are apparently two different variants to choose from this time around.
Rumor has it that there will be a base pair of Apple AirPods 4, as well as a higher-end (and pricier) pair that will come with active noise cancellation on board. At the same time, the new arrivals should simplify the AirPods lineup, which is currently a bit of a mess – so the second and third-generation AirPods will both be replaced at the same time.
6. A strange but harmless iOS bug was discovered
File this one under iPhone oddities: You can crash your Apple smartphone simply by typing a specific four-character string into the search bar at the top of the App Library screen. It’s not a particularly bad bug, and it merely freezes your phone for a few seconds before returning you to the lock screen, but it is an interesting trick.
It’s a reminder that even the most mature and polished software platforms can still have their quirks, and while this doesn’t seem to be a security risk or anything, it’s something Apple could fix with the iOS 18 rollout. If you’d like to play around with the bug yourself, follow the link below where you’ll find instructions on how to do so on your own iPhone.
5. DJI would (again) compete with Canon and Nikon
DJI has a lot of experience building cameras that can be mounted on drones, but it looks like the company may soon be launching its own standalone digital camera. And given the high praise that DJI’s drones and pocket video cameras are getting, this might be something companies like Sony, Canon, and Nikon should be worried about.
At this point, we don’t have much information about the camera that DJI is reportedly working on, but it’s apparently a mirrorless model and is expected to launch in September. It would certainly be an interesting move for DJI as the company looks to expand beyond its core drone business and cash in on other gadget categories.
4. The latest beta version of iOS 18 has been rolled out for early adopters
iOS 18 got its grand introduction back in June, when Apple told us all about the slew of new features it was bringing to iPhones later this year , and the beta testing phase for the software is now drawing to a close. A well-placed source says that the latest iOS 18 beta will be the last before the software is finalized and pushed out to the masses.
If you’re interested in testing out the new features ahead of time, you can still sign up for the iOS 18 beta program , though some previously promised parts of the software, most notably many of the Apple Intelligence features, have yet to arrive. iOS 18 will likely launch fully sometime in September, coinciding with the unveiling of the iPhone 16.
3. A Dolby Atmos soundbar without a money problem lured us to bankruptcy
If you’ve got $8,499 to spare for an audio upgrade – that’s around £6,475 / AU$12,630 at current rates – might we interest you in the Nakamichi Dragon Dolby Atmos soundbar, which brings with it four 12-inch subs and a whopping 5,000 watts of power? It’ll do wonders for the sound you get from your movies and TV shows.
Install this under your television and you’ll get a sound experience not unlike that of your local cinema. If you’re interested in a luxurious, premium audio setup that’s ready to rock your world (at least in the privacy of your living room), we’ve got all the specs and details you need to know.
2. A major iPhone 16 leak helped determine our upgrade plans
The excitement is building around the iPhone 16 series, which is almost certainly set to release sometime in September, and a new leak brings together a bunch of rumors surrounding the four phones. So, if you want to read some spoilers ahead of Apple’s official event and reveal, follow the link below to check them out.
While none of these details are confirmed yet, they cover everything from screen sizes and internal processors to battery capacities and even starting prices (in the US). There is good news on that front, as it appears that all iPhone 16 models will cost the same as the iPhone 15 versions they replace, so there shouldn’t be any price increases.
1. Ring gave us a temptingly affordable new video doorbell
More and more front doors are being equipped with video doorbells, and it’s easy to see the appeal: You can check who’s ringing the doorbell and place orders with delivery people or neighbors without leaving your couch (or your beach chair halfway around the world). If you’re in the market for a new Ring model, there’s a new one to consider.
The aptly named Ring Battery Doorbell brings with it a number of premium features – including a top-to-toe, 150-degree vertical field of view and colour night vision – while still having an affordable price tag of $99.99 / AU$149 (around £80). If you live in the US or Australia, it is available to pre-order now, with availability in other countries coming soon.
