We keep waiting for the technology news cycle to slow down, but it only seems to be getting faster. This week has been another jam-packed week of news, rumors and launches, and this round-up is designed to help you keep up to date with everything that’s happened over the last seven days.
We’ve got brand 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 could be a video game adaptation worth heading off to to tune (can we still say “tune in”?).
You’re here for the tech news, not a perk, so without further ado, we’ll give you the tech story of the past week.
8. Google TV got us ready for the Oscars
The 96th Academy Awards take place this Sunday, March 10, and to get us in the mood, Google has put a slew of previously nominated films on Google TV – all free to watch, with ads, too.
From the classic sensations of north-northwestto the heart-warming philosophizing of Forrest Gumpto the fantastic beasts of Pan’s Labyrinth, there really is something for everyone here. You don’t have to wait for something to watch this weekend.
Load up Google TV on your devices and you’ll also find titles nominated for this year’s Oscars (although you’ll have to pay to watch them) and films with female stars and directors, in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8.
7. Casio debuted its eco-friendly 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 – which makes the devices feel a bit uneven.
Besides their eco-friendly features, there’s a lot to like about these semi-analog watches. They offer solar charging, water resistance up to 100 meters and features such as Trek Log – which allows up to 14 waypoints to be recorded during a run or walk.
If you’re in the US, you can pre-order these watches now for a very reasonable $250 (about £195 / AU$375), although we’re still waiting on international availability and pricing. Shipping is scheduled for April 1st.
6. Microsoft has stopped supporting Android apps
Well, it was fun while it lasted: Microsoft has decided to stop supporting Android apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11, which means you won’t be able to load the Amazon Appstore after March 5, 2025.
The feature has been around for almost three years now, but in that time it probably hasn’t gained enough traction to make Microsoft feel like the effort invested in maintaining the project is worth it.
If this is a feature you rely on, there are several third-party tools that can help you run Android apps on Windows. Alternatively, you may be able to find what you need in the Microsoft Store…
5. The new Fallout trailer has us excited for the Prime Video show
Shows as The last of us have proven that video game adaptations to the small screen don’t have to be a disaster, and the latest trailer for Amazon Prime’s Fallout makes us hope that the latest classic game to make the transition won’t fall flat.
Based on what we can see in this 197-second clip, the team behind the show has the tone and aesthetic pretty much perfect. We catch a glimpse of some iconic ones Fallout people and places, and much that looks new too.
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 to mark in your calendar (a day earlier than expected).
4. Facebook, Instagram and Messenger saw 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 DM friends and family for hours (gasp).
Facebook essentially kicked people out of their accounts and wouldn’t let them log back in, leaving many users wondering if they had been hacked. In fact, the classic ‘technical problems’ were the reason for the problems.
Everything is back to normal now, but it shows that even the world’s largest tech companies are not exempt from having to turn their systems off and on again every now and then.
3. The Leica SL3 lured us towards bankruptcy
With stunning looks, an excellent list of specs and features, and a hefty price tag, the brand new Leica SL3 certainly caught our attention this week. It’s so good that we’re even willing to consider short-term financial ruin to get one.
This is the successor to the Leica SL2 launched in 2019, and there are plenty of upgrades to talk about – not least the full-frame CMOS BSI sensor. Autofocus with phase detection has finally been added to the series.
In short, it could be Leica’s best full-frame all-rounder yet, and you’ll only have to part with $6,995 / £5,920 / AU$11,690 to get it (and remember, you’ll have to add the price of lenses on top of that also to).
2. iOS 17.4 has arrived and boosted 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 iOS 17.4 is worth installing as soon as possible – it comes with a list of security patches, bug fixes and other upgrades.
For example, with this update installed, you can now get transcripts of your podcasts and better protect your phone if it is stolen or lost. There are also improvements to Siri and a bunch of new emojis to play with.
The biggest changes only affect people in the EU, due to new regulations imposed on Apple: users in that region can now install third-party app stores and switch to a default web browser that isn’t Safari.
1. The M3 MacBook Air has landed – and we reviewed it
In addition to new software, Apple also has new hardware to show off, and the Ny Breaking team has been busy reviewing the latest 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the MacBook Air – now powered by the super-fast M3 chip from Apple.
Overall, our impressions are very good. This was already one of the best laptops in the world, and the upgrades Apple has made 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 even cheaper than the M2 MacBook Air that launched in 2022. This could be the best laptop for most people right now. To find out why, check out our Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review.
