Week in Review: The top stories in phones, computing, streaming and more

A real-life robot revolution, AI fixed my garden, and the great cable comeback Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( April 19, 2024 CONNECT WITH TECH RADAR  [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Tech Radar]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] Welcome to the Week in Review [] Welcome Are you tired of AI yet? No? Good, because this week’s top stories are deeply infused with AI in all kinds of applications, from places it doesn’t really belong, like your personal social media, to areas, like classic games, where it can make what’s old new. AI is capable of the fantastic, like helping to power the latest robot from Boston Dynamics, and the practical, like fixing my problematic garden. The pace of its advancement also shows no signs of slowing down. As I write this, I’m playing with the newest AI tool on the block, Meta AI, and it might be the fastest generative system on the block (the first to show me changes on an image as I type them). I’m tempted to say “moving from AI to computing” at this point, but who am I kidding? AI is the buzz-phrase here too. Your next laptop will be an AI powerhouse and, even if you don’t upgrade the hardware, Microsoft is ready to force-feed you Copilot. I hope you like it. Moving onto phones… and, yup, more AI. Some of the best things I read in our smartphone coverage this week were hands-on tests of some of the cool AI-powered photography capabilities in Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. You can finally escape from the reality that is AI into fantasy thanks to streaming giants Netflix and Amazon, who’ve both revealed future plans for some of our favorite shows this week. Over at Disney Plus, though, they have something a little different in mind for streaming – and it looks a lot like Cable TV. Let’s look back on the hottest stories of the past week, AI or otherwise… Lance Ulanoff, Editor-at-Large [] The week in AI [] [The new Meta AI wants to bury Microsoft and Google]( Meta AI is getting smarter (Meta) [The new Meta AI wants to bury Microsoft and Google]( The latest loud and flashy AI product launch comes from Meta, which has announced an upgrade to its artificial intelligence models and a new web interface, as well as AI integrations across apps such as Facebook Messenger and Instagram. [Read the full story]( [] - [Boston Dynamics reveals its most astonishing humanoid robot so far]( [] - [I finally found a practical use for AI – in the garden]( [] - [OpenAI's Sora will change Adobe Premiere Pro and video editing forever]( [] The week in phones [] [The Pixel's Long Exposure mode is seriously impressive]( Pixel phones are capable of impressive long-exposure effects (Future) [The Pixel's Long Exposure mode is seriously impressive]( Smartphone photography continues to improve at a rapid rate, and our Cameras Editor Tim Coleman has been testing the Long Exposure mode offered by Google's Pixel handsets – and he thinks it's so good that you can leave your 'proper' camera at home. [Read the full story]( [] - [The Google Pixel 9 could get enhanced on-device AI to take on the iPhone]( [] - [Instant Slow-mo is the coolest Galaxy AI feature you're not using properly]( [] - [The iPhone 16 Plus could be the last Plus model of its kind – here's why]( [] This week's top deals picked by TechRadar's experts [] - [The iMac M1 is just $799 at Best Buy right now – its lowest price yet]( [] - [Best Buy big-screen TV sale – save up to $800 on Sony, LG and Samsung]( [] - [Best Buy is also slashing prices on laptops, AirPods, headphones and more]( [] - [The PS5 Slim Digital Edition is down to a record-low £349 at Amazon UK]( [] The week in computing [] [Copilot might get even harder to ignore in Windows 11]( Get ready for more Copilot in Windows 11 (Windows / Unsplash) [Copilot might get even harder to ignore in Windows 11]( Microsoft clearly wants its Copilot AI bot to be at the center of everything users do in Windows 11: it's already appearing in key areas of the operating system, and new browser and wallpaper leaks suggest we're about to see more of the AI very soon. [Read the full story]( [] - [Are we about to see the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus revealed?]( [] - [I just saw what Half-Life 2 should look like in 2024]( [] - [Apple's M4 plans could make the latest MacBooks outdated already]( [] The week in entertainment [] [The best new movies and shows to stream this weekend]( Rebel Moon Part 2 is now streaming on Netflix (Clay Enos / Netflix) [The best new movies and shows to stream this weekend]( In the mood for something new to watch this weekend? Zack Snyder’s starry Rebel Moon franchise continues with Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver on Netflix, while Under the Bridge and Migration make their way to Hulu and Peacock, respectively. [Read the full story]( [] - [Prime Video's hit Fallout series is returning for season 2]( [] - [Netflix sets release schedule for Squid Game, Cobra Kai and more]( [] - [Rumored Disney Plus plans show we may never get rid of cable]( [] More of this week's top stories [] - [A Galaxy Ring rival with almost 200 days of battery life launches in China]( [] - [The Nothing Ear (a) are five-star mellow yellow earbuds]( [] - [Sony's impressive new mini-LED TV backlight tech is a threat to OLED]( [] - [Airchat is a talk-only social media platform that might just work]( [] - [Hands-on with the Insta360 X4: the best 360-degree camera just got better]( Sharing TechRadar with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. Help Spread the Word [SHARE]( Or copy and share your personalized link: smartbrief.com/techradar/?referrerId=mvfLmxwvzC [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Cookies Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:techradar@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE]( [Future]( © Future Publishing Limited. Reg No. 2008885 England. Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA.