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

Google's game-changing Gemini AI, Windows 12 may not be happening, M3 iPads and MacBooks tipped Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( December 8, 2023 CONNECT WITH TECH RADAR  [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Tech Radar]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( ADVERTISEMENT Welcome to the Week in Review [] Welcome To say that I have mixed feelings about the week’s biggest tech story would be an understatement. Google surprised us this week with the rollout of its Gemini generative AI, which is powering not only Google Bard, but the AI features in Google Pixel phones and many other parts of the Google sphere. It’s a potential revolution in AI development, but Google made a bit of a mess of the whole thing by showing off a demo video that was, in turns out, staged in parts. The AI did accomplish all the tasks shown, but not exactly in the way depicted in the very cool video. I still think Gemini and other AI tools are very, very important, but I find solace in the clarity provided by Apple, which is not interested in generative AI or folding phones right now, but still manages to give older handsets some really handy updates. And while I’ve stepped away from Windows (I’m a Mac guy now), I find the ‘will they or won’t they’ question around Windows 12 fascinating. I hope Microsoft does ultimately go with ‘Windows AI’. With the weekend hours away, I let my mind wander to what I might stream tonight, and I’m feeling just a bit of sadness knowing that one of my favorites (Andor) will not be returning until we reach a galaxy far, far away (okay, maybe not that long). I know that these last few weeks before we all break for the holidays are crazy, and we always appreciate you taking the time to catch up with us. So let’s get started… Lance Ulanoff, US Editor-in-Chief [You deserve the best. You deserve a DEEBOT.]( Wishing for a clean home for the holidays? The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI is a leap forward for robot vacuums. A slimmer square-shaped design and built-in edge detection mean it can move under low-clearance areas to deliver an edge-to-edge clean, and industry-leading suction ensures no crumb is left behind. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] The week in AI [] [Google Gemini gets us closer to the AI of our imagination]( Google Gemini looks like a generational leap in AI capability (Getty Images) [Google Gemini gets us closer to the AI of our imagination]( Google has revealed its next-gen Gemini AI to the world, and it's capable of some seriously impressive stuff, from generating project ideas to marking homework to solving puzzles – and with the might of Google behind it, it might just change the world. [Read the full story]( [] - [That mind-blowing Gemini AI demo was staged, Google admits]( [] - [Meta opens the gates to its generative AI tech with new Imagine platform]( [] - [Google Bard's biggest AI upgrade so far sees it close the gap on ChatGPT]( [A bundle of savings.]( It's the season of giving – and saving! Get up to $350 off the DEEBOT X2 OMNI Bundle at Costco. With all the features of the X2 OMNI, this bundle includes extra accessories to help you prepare for any holiday mess. But you'll have to act fast – offer expires December 24, 2023. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] The week in Apple [] [iOS 17.2 brings an unexpected upgrade to older iPhones]( The iPhone 14 is getting a charging upgrade (Future) [iOS 17.2 brings an unexpected upgrade to older iPhones]( iOS 17.2 is almost ready to be rolled out to the world, and if you own one of the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 models, you've got a major upgrade to look forward to: support for Qi2 wireless chargers, which means a potential doubling of wireless charging speeds. [Read the full story]( [] - [The original iPhone SE is officially obsolete, and it deserves classic status]( [] - [M3 iPad Air, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air models tipped for early 2024 launch]( [] - [Don’t expect an iPhone with an under-display camera before the iPhone 19]( Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [How Technology Can help You Get a Good Night's Sleep]( - [Digital Minimalism: Tricks to Simplify Your Digital Life]( - [Ten Traits Of Successful People]( - [8-Step Guide: How to Overcome Laziness and Start taking Action]( - [11 Tips for Fast-Track Climbing the Corporate Ladder]( [] TechRadar deals and gift guides [] [Black Friday prices are back on Amazon devices]( Amazon has brought back Black Friday deals on dozens of products (Future) [Black Friday prices are back on Amazon devices]( With Black Friday over and done with we thought we were done with major deals events for the time being, but Amazon US has just slashed prices on its best-selling devices, with huge savings on its Echo Dot, Ring Doorbell, Blink camera and Fire TV ranges. [See the deals]( [] - [Save up to 65% on Amazon devices at Amazon UK]( [] - [Best Buy's 3-day holiday sale is live: 50% off TVs, Apple devices and more]( [] - [6 air fryer gifts to make your holiday feasts easier and tastier]( [] - [4 wireless earbuds deals that make ideal stocking fillers]( [] The week in computing [] [Windows 12 may not be happening after all]( Windows 11 might be the latest version of Microsoft's OS for longer than we thought (sdx15 / Shutterstock) [Windows 12 may not be happening after all]( It's starting to sound like Windows 12 may never see the light of day, with a new report claiming that an AI-focused version of the operating system is set to launch in September or October 2024, but that the name of that OS has yet to be decided. [Read the full story]( [] - [AMD reveals new Ryzen laptop processors supercharged with AI]( [] - [Will Microsoft charging for Windows 10 updates get people to upgrade?]( [] - [Microsoft Copilot is getting 6 big upgrades, including ChatGPT’s new brain]( [] The week in entertainment [] [Disney Plus confirms Marvel and Star Wars shows for 2024]( It'll be a while before we see more Andor ((Lucasfilm / Disney)) [Disney Plus confirms Marvel and Star Wars shows for 2024]( We've now got a full and definitive list of the Marvel and Star Wars shows that are going to be landing on Disney Plus throughout the course of next year – and while there's a lot to look forward to, we unfortunately won't see season 2 of Andor in 2024. [Read the full story]( [] - [HBO’s Masters of the Air series gets its first Apple TV Plus trailer]( [] - [Foundation season 3: everything we know about the hit show's return]( [] - [7 new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend]( [] More of this week's top stories [] - [2024 can't be the year of the foldable phone without Apple]( [] - [The OnePlus 12 is unveiled with a massive battery and plenty of power]( [] - [Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 3) review: impressive, but we want more]( [] - [Meta's new VR headset design looks like a next-gen Apple Vision Pro]( [] - [Damn it, Rockstar, why isn't GTA 6 coming to PC at launch?]( Sharing TechRadar with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. 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