TechRadar News

• I've counted three TWM launched or demoed over the past year or so
• Viewsonic's VG1656N costs under $300 and has a 4000mAh battery for an expected 3hr battery life
• Mirror or cast wirelessly, without the need for a separate app

True wireless, portable monitors have been steadily evolving, and we could count no less than three launched or demoed over the past year.

Enter ViewSonic’s latest release, the VG1656N (via TechPowerUp). This 16-inch portable monitor stands out with a sizable built-in battery and wireless casting capabilities at a reasonable price point of $299.99 USD.

The lightweight display weighs just under two pounds and is less than half an inch thick, making it easy to carry in a backpack. It also includes a smart cover which doubles as a protective case and an adjustable stand.

Highly portable display

It offers a native WUXGA (1920x1200) resolution, and it also supports a 4,000mAh battery which can power the monitor for up to three hours, depending on usage.

Users can mirror content from Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android devices without the need for additional apps or software using a USB-C wireless dongle.

ViewSonic’s VG1656N integrates a G-Sensor which detects the monitor’s orientation and automatically adjusts the screen to landscape or portrait mode.

This feature requires the vDisplayManager app for wired connections, and doesn't function at all with wireless casting.

The monitor also comes with two USB-C ports, offering 60W two-way power delivery, though the battery itself cannot be recharged via USB-C and users will need an AC adapter.

Elsewhere, the company plans to launch the TD1656-2K in the second quarter of 2025, featuring a 16-inch touchscreen display with a native 2K resolution.

"Our new desktop monitors, along with our current slate of portable display devices, showcase how ViewSonic continues to expand its display solutions to offer more choices, features, and functionality to any type of work or play lifestyle," noted Jeff Muto, Business Line Director at ViewSonic.

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• Google Chrome's PermissionsAI test anticipates user permissions.
• PermissionsAI could reduce intrusive pop-ups by analyzing user behavior.
• It is currently in Chrome Canary for early testing now.

Google’s Chrome browser is testing a new feature dubbed PermissionsAI, which is designed to make those pesky pop-ups asking for access to your location or permission to send notifications much quieter.

The tool uses Google's “Permission Predictions Service” and Gemini Nano v2 to guess whether users are likely to grant a website’s request. If the answer is probably no, the feature tucks the request into a less intrusive UI instead of flashing it front and center like it currently does.

The idea is for Chrome to use AI to make browsing more pleasant by quietly handling the minor annoyances that can pile up when online. PermissionsAI analyzes your previous interactions with similar requests to predict your response. If you’re the kind of person who reflexively denies every notification pop-up, PermissionsAI won’t even bother you with a loud, in-your-face request. Instead, it quietly logs the request in a subtle UI where you can engage with it later.

PermissionsAI is currently being tested in Chrome Canary – the experimental version of the browser – and isn’t available to the public yet. It pairs well with the Safe Browsing security tool, which shields users from harmful websites and malicious downloads, meaning a wrong guess won't wreak havoc on your computer.

Browsing AI

This marks the latest move by Google to embed AI in Chrome. Gemini is now part of many of the browser's features, with the AI organizing open tabs, offering product comparisons, and helping to compose text. PermissionsAI, though, is less flashy than other features and may turn out to be one of the more appreciated improvements simply because it removes a common irritation.

While the concept is straightforward, the details of how PermissionsAI works remain vague. Google hasn’t disclosed exactly how its AI calculates the likelihood of you clicking “Allow” versus “Deny,” but it’s safe to assume the system leans heavily on machine learning.

By studying patterns in user behavior, Chrome could cut down on interruptions and make life a little easier for web developers who hear complaints about their pop-ups annoying people.

It’s worth asking whether PermissionsAI and other Gemini-powered features will strike the right balance between helpful and intrusive. While reducing the noise of pop-ups is universally appealing, AI-powered predictions aren’t infallible.

What happens if PermissionsAI incorrectly predicts that you wouldn’t want to approve a request and you miss an important pop-up entirely? Still, if PermissionsAI can reliably filter out the noise while giving users control over important decisions, it could become one of Chrome’s most welcome features yet.

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Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #319) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Bar association

NYT Strands today (game #319) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• RICE
• TRACK
• CORE
• MILK
• TASTE
• CART

NYT Strands today (game #319) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Mixed beverages

NYT Strands today (game #319) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 1st column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #319) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #319, are…

• ZOMBIE
• SIDECAR
• MARTINI
• STINGER
• COSMOPOLITAN
• SPANGRAM: COCKTAILS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

When I saw today’s theme I initially feared that it was going to be about boring legal words (and who’d want that), but my concerns were soon eased when the first Hint gave me ZOMBIE – which is both a slow-moving human whose brain has been eaten by an inexplicable virus OR a delicious beverage made from rum, lime and grapefruit juice.

Why it’s called a Zombie is uncertain although I suspect you’d find navigating stairs tricky if you had more than a couple.

Strands also included the classic cocktail COSMOPOLITAN – not a word that I use very often, but one that was strangely satisfying to connect letter by letter.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 15 January, game #318)

• BLUE
• RIGHT
• GRAY
• ORCA
• BALEEN
• HUMPBACK
• SPANGRAM: WHALES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1088) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1088) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1088) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1088) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1088) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• P

• B

• T

• P

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1088) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1088, are…

• PARTY
• BLUNT
• TWEED
• PLANT

Boom!

I employed a different technique today and achieved easily my best ever Quordle score, getting all four words after six guesses.

Instead of taking an overview of all four columns I decided to solve each word at a time – Wordle style, or in the way that Daily Sequence game works – and only move on once I guessed each correctly. I didn’t do the words consecutively though, just looked at which one gave me the most clues. After getting PARTY I moved on to the fourth word – PLANT – as I had a head start there, with two green letters and two orange.

TWEED was lucky. With no other vowels available I thought there could be a double E and TWEED was the only possibility.

Happy days.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1088) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1088, are…

• GULCH
• TORCH
• BEGIN
• GONER

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1087, Wednesday 15 January: RISEN, PLATE, RURAL, ENVOY
• Quordle #1086, Tuesday 14 January: SWARM, SCRAP, ONION, BELCH
• Quordle #1085, Monday 13 January: EYING, GIDDY, CHEAP, PETAL
• Quordle #1084, Sunday 12 January: BRIEF, PETAL, WOMAN, FELON
• Quordle #1083, Saturday 11 January: ASCOT, FIBER, ROGUE, SMELL
• Quordle #1082, Friday 10 January: BIGOT, INLET, LEECH, TUNIC
• Quordle #1081, Thursday 9 January: RESET, HUMOR, TENOR, IMAGE
• Quordle #1080, Wednesday 8 January: MINCE, SADLY, RISEN, VOUCH
• Quordle #1079, Tuesday 7 January: CREED, FILET, ROUTE, TAPER
• Quordle #1078, Monday 6 January: PIVOT, WOOLY, GRUNT, GROOM
• Quordle #1077, Sunday 5 January: BORAX, JUDGE, CADET, SALON
• Quordle #1076, Saturday 4 January: CORER, CRATE, QUASI, EXIST
• Quordle #1075, Friday 3 January: PERKY, QUARK, NAVEL, SHEEN
• Quordle #1074, Thursday 2 January: UNIFY, SWORE, DEPOT, INTRO
• Quordle #1073, Wednesday 1 January: CLING, SUITE, WORRY, TONIC
• Quordle #1072, Tuesday 31 December: PLUMP, TUBER, IRATE, ICILY
• Quordle #1071, Monday 30 December: TODDY, GROIN, GROWN, VERVE
• Quordle #1070, Sunday 29 December: PURER, SPLAT, RABID, EMCEE
• Quordle #1069, Saturday 28 December: BUNCH, LABOR, TRIPE, BUNNY
• Quordle #1068, Friday 27 December: BRAWL, LYING, ORGAN, CRONY

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #585) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MARKET
• SWITCH
• PLANT
• MALL
• TRADE
• GYM
• OUTLET
• ASSET
• RUG
• BUSINESS
• MOLE
• SCONCE
• PACK
• AGENT
• BASEBOARD
• COMMERCE

NYT Connections today (game #585) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Merchandise 
• GREEN: Room fixtures 
• BLUE: Undercover
• PURPLE: Add a rodent 

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #585) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: BUYING AND SELLING 
• GREEN: INSTALLED ON A WALL 
• BLUE: SPY 
• PURPLE: RAT 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #585) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #585, are…

• YELLOW: BUYING AND SELLING BUSINESS, COMMERCE, MARKET, TRADE
• GREEN: INSTALLED ON A WALL BASEBOARD, OUTLET, SCONCE, SWITCH
• BLUE: SPY AGENT, ASSET, MOLE, PLANT
• PURPLE: RAT GYM, MALL, PACK, RUG

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

I really struggled today, even though I got the yellow and blue groups fairly quickly.

My sticking point was INSTALLED ON A WALL, as I’d never heard of the word SCONCE before – which probably says a lot about my interest in interior design and home makeover shows.

Having said that, I really should have seen the words that had RAT in common.

Sheer guesswork got me over the line.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, 15 January, game #584)

• YELLOW: MEANS MECHANISM, MEDIUM, TOOL, VEHICLE
• GREEN: LACKING LIGHT, LOW, SHORT, SHY
• BLUE: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS DIRTY, DRY, PERFECT, WET
• PURPLE: FICTIONAL MISTERS BIG, PEANUT, ROBOT, TOAD

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

• Qualcomm currently sells AI accelerator processors but has the CPU market in its sights
• Sailesh Kottapalli's expertise is in x86 architecture, not Arm
• But that didn't stop Qualcomm from bringing him onboard to lead its data center team

Qualcomm, renowned for its Snapdragon processors powering business smartphones and laptops around the world, has made a potentially key hire as it looks to challenge the likes of AMD and Intel in the processor market.

The company’s latest coup is hiring Sailesh Kottapalli, a former chief architect for Xeon processors and a 28-year Intel veteran.

Kottapalli joined Qualcomm as senior vice president in early January 2025, bringing extensive expertise in designing high-performance x86 server chips.

Kottapalli's move to Arm

Kottapalli wrote on LinkedIn that “the opportunity to innovate and grow while helping to scale new frontiers was immensely compelling to me—a once-in-a-career opportunity that I could not pass on.”

What makes the move significant, given Qualcomm’s reliance on Arm-based designs, is Kottapalli’s expertise in x86 architecture. His leadership could help bridge the gap between Qualcomm’s existing technology and the demanding requirements of data center CPUs.

A renewed push for the data center

Qualcomm had retreated from server CPU development back in 2018, but the company has now revealed plans to develop high-performance, energy-efficient server solutions tailored for data center applications.

This journey began with its Snapdragon X series for PCs, featuring custom Arm-based cores derived from its $1.4 billion acquisition of the startup Nuvia back in 2021, that built to a legal crescendo in a Delaware court in December 2024 when Arm alleged that Qualcomm's acquisition breached its licencing terms. Though a federal jury sided with Qualcomm, Arm is seeking a retrial.

For now, though, Qualcomm has been expanding its presence in the data center sector, with AI accelerator chips under the Qualcomm Cloud AI brand supported by industry leaders like AWS, HPE, and Lenovo.

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• GMKTec is yet another vendor jumping on the NAS + Mini PC combo craze
• Unlike rivals like Ugreen, it's announced a cost-effective, entry-level system
• GMKtec describes it as 'a dual-system NAS', suggesting dual boot functionality

GMKTec has announced its G9 NAS mini PC, a 4-bay device targeting entry-level users.

The G9 is marketed as a "dual-system" NAS and, though specific details are thin on the ground, this does imply being able to switch between NAS and mini PC-oriented operating systems.

An official teaser for the product does confirm this device will come with 12GB of RAM, but just 64GB of storage - likely eMMC.

An entry-level device for low spenders

The G9 will be also powered by the Intel N150 processor combined with LPDDR5 4800MHz memory. According to GMKTec, that makes the RAM in the system 80% faster than the previous DDR4 standard.

The GMKTec G9 also comes with dual 2.5G Ethernet ports as well as two USB Type-A ports, a high-speed USB Type-C port and dual HDMI ports.

GMKTec lists the device as “coming soon", with no information about the price.

Considering the specs, especially the eMMC storage, I expect it to be very affordable, but power users will probably want to look elsewhere.

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• Viewsonic VP2788-5K has a 27-inch diagonal and an integrated KVM
• It should be available by March 2025 but Viewsonic hasn't disclosed the price
• Viewsonic launched an 8K monitor at CES 2021 but it never hit the market

Viewsonic is set to unveil its latest monitor, the VP2788-5K, at the upcoming Pepcom Digital Experience in January 2025.

Designed for desktops, the 27-inch display (via TechPowerUp) is set to make it the smallest 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution monitor on the market.

ViewSonic is launching several other displays at the event, including the VG2748N, a 27-inch 1080p monitor that offers wireless casting capabilities, and the XG275D-4K gaming monitor, which brings 4K resolution with switchable refresh rates.

ViewSonic high-resolution monitors

ViewSonic’s VP2788-5K is a compact device with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut and robust connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB-C and A, and DisplayPort.

The monitor is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2025, possibly before the end of March.

Personally, I'm cautious about getting too excited about the VP2788-5K given that ViewSonic's previous 8K offering, the VP3286-8K, never hit the market.

Nevertheless, Jeff Muto, the company's Business Line Director, said, "ViewSonic is excited about its new line of product offerings in 2025."

"Our new desktop monitors, along with our current slate of portable display devices," he went on, "showcase how ViewSonic continues to expand its display solutions to offer more choices, features, and functionality to any type of work or play lifestyle."

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Wolf Man is the latest Blumhouse horror movie to grace our screens, with horror director Leigh Whannell returning to showcase his take on the classic Universal monster movie. He's done it before with The Invisible Man, spinning it as a tale of gaslighting and domestic abuse, and his vision for Wolf Man tells a similar, emotionally devastating tale, making it a great entry into this year's new movies.

Speaking to TechRadar, lead actor Christopher Abbott spoke about why Blake's transformation into the horrifying titular character means the horror is as much a tragedy as anything else, as the theme of loss runs throughout the narrative.

When asked if any other performances influenced his, he told us: "Yeah, I would say The Fly, Elephant Man, there's a little David Lynch in there. I guess there's sort of like a tragic element with both of those monster creatures, you know, and I think this has that."

This was one of my most anticipated horror movies of 2025, and it really did deliver. While, yes, it was scary and the jumpy moments were effective I did find myself more disturbed by the psychological torment and the emotional moments, especially when it came to the breakdown and total loss of communication between Blake and his wife and daughter (played by Julia Garner and Matilda Firth, respectively).

(Image credit: Blumhouse)

It's a big reason why I wanted to do the movie because when I first saw the designs, I just thought there was something very tragic about the monster.

Christopher Abbott, actor

Wolf Man features some brilliant scenes where the POV shifts from the wolves to the humans, so we get to see both sides of the situation. Their inability to communicate and understand each other makes Blake's transformation deeply sad, as he's morphed into something completely unrecognizable, mirroring the ways we can't communicate with any species except our own. That sense of isolation and the primal animal instinct taking over is the real horror at the heart of Wolf Man. The audience already knows Blake and his wife Charlotte's marriage is strained, and now they've had the ability to talk it out ripped away.

Abbott added: " They're miscommunicating. They're talking around each other, they're not communicating well. You just need that idea to then help set up the more fantastical thing where, where the communication then gets taken from you. And then how do you, how do you then communicate when you're not even, uh, physically able to?"

Not only was there the breakdown of a bond between husband and wife, but also a father and daughter. Abbott praised his young co-star Matilda Firth, who played his on-screen daughter Ginger, revealing: "She was oddly seasoned. It felt like she was oddly seasoned. I loved her, but it was almost off-putting. She felt too much like a pro. I felt like I was working with like an 80 year old theater vet. But she just takes things in stride. She's there to play. You can throw something at her and she'll do it or try it."

Wolf Man is in theaters from Friday, January 17.

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• The Mind 2 is more than just a mini PC, it’s an on-the-go dev platform
• Additional features and functionalities are a key appeal
• The Mind 2 AI Maker Kit makes this a developers dream

Mini PCs were a booming market in 2024, and 2025 shows no signs of slowing down in this regard - and there’s one particular model that caught my eye.

The Mind 2 mini PC from Khadas, which the firm flaunted at CES 2025, is an impressive bit of hardware for professionals and casual users alike.

This modular device bears more of a resemblance to a bulky SSD than a mini PC, but is powered by the Intel Arrow Lake platform, giving it serious bang for your buck.

Power boost

Boasting an Intel Core Ultra 7 225H processor and built on the new Arrow Lake-H architecture, the Mind 2 marks a significant improvement on Khadas’ previous model.

The Mind 2 includes general performance improvements, but also great energy efficiency, enhanced integrated graphics, and, given the sharpened industry focus on the technology, improved AI processing capabilities.

“Compared to its predecessor, the Mind 2s boasts remarkable improvements in both single-core and multi-core performance, delivering a more efficient computing experience,” Khadas said in its launch announcement.

All told, the Mind 2 is a powerful mini PC that’s flexible enough in its capabilities to span a range of functions - from professional design and video editing to complex AI tasks.

What separates the device from counterparts in the industry, however, is the suite of complementary tools and features that accompany it. Khadas is keen to point out that the Mind devices come with an entire ecosystem of capabilities surrounding them.

An AI developer’s dream

Focused primarily toward AI developers, the mini PC comes with the Mind 2 AI Maker Kit. Powered by the Intel Lunar Lake platform and an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, the Maker Kit boasts up to 115 TOPS of computing power.

This has the potential to significantly enhance AI model efficiency and optimization. The Mind Maker Kit essentially acts as an agile deployment server and edge computing platform, allowing devs to deploy models locally or at the edge.

That means lower latency and better efficiency for real-time applications, as well as better data privacy. Combine this with the fact that it weighs a paltry 435 grams, and this makes it a perfect device for developers on the move or in remote work environments.

The newest addition to the Mind ecosystem is equally tantalizing and could be a game changer for user productivity.

Mind xPlay is focused specifically toward “mobile work and multi-scenario applications”, according to Khadas. This feature allows users to integrate with accessories such as the Mind Dock or Mind Graphics GPU expansion module.

Khadas Mind 2: Pricing and other features

The Khadas Mind 2 comes complete with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 ports, marking an improvement on the previous model.

Storage capabilities can also be improved via SSD and the device has a built-in 5.55Wh battery.

It doesn’t come cheap, however, with pricing set to start at $799 and can be altered or tuned based on user preferences.

The options include a base-level device boasting an Intel Ultra 5 125H processor, although this version is limited to 16GB memory and 512GB storage.

Opting for the Ultra 7 155H model does offer better flexibility and general performance, but there’s quite a jump in price. Users can select 32GB or 64GB memory with this line and up to 2Tb in storage capacity. These setups will set you back more than $1,000.

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Fujifilm has been tipped to launch several mirrorless cameras in 2025, including the X-E5 and an intriguing medium-format compact called the GFX100RF. But if you're looking for a cheap sidekick that's built for pure fun, then the rumored Instax Wide Evo could be the most exciting of the bunch.

According to Fuji Rumors, the Instax Wide Evo will launch "soon," and the formula sounds pretty simple. Take the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo (a hybrid instant camera that blends digital and film snapping), cross it with a Fujifilm Instax Wide 400, and you've got a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Promisingly, the Fuji Rumors' sources claim this Instax Wide Evo will be "regarded as the best-looking Instax camera ever made." That's subjective, but I think the Instax Mini Evo is still the most stylish instant camera out there.

Yes, it's made out of plastic, but the leather-and-chrome, rangefinder-style design is the closest thing to an instant version of a Fujifilm X-Pro camera.

Right now, rumored specs are thin on the ground – we don't yet know if it'll inherit the Mini Evo's 35mm equivalent lens, automatic flash, self-timer, and other features. But one added detail in the rumors is that there'll be a "film rewind knob" on the body, which you'll turn when you want to print your photos.

That all sounds very fun, but it's the overall concept of a stylish, versatile Instax Wide camera that I'm looking forward to...

Why I want the Instax Wide Evo

The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 (above) produces lovely big prints, but it's not the best-looking camera around and lacks modern features (Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

Instax film comes in three sizes (Mini, Square, and Wide), and I've always preferred the Wide format because it's the closest thing to a real photo rather than a little souvenir sticker. Wide is basically the size of two Mini prints with a photo size of 8.6 x 10.8cm (or 3.4in x 4.2in).

The problem is that Fujifilm only has one Wide camera – and as our Instax Wide 400 review shows, it's not the most fully-featured or handsome of things. An Instax Wide Evo could fix these issues nicely while solving one of the main drawbacks of the Wide format – mounting film costs.

The benefit of a 'hybrid' instant camera like the Evo series is that, because the images are captured digitally and then printed, you can choose which ones to print out – which is helpful when 20-shot packs cost $24.99 / £16.99 each. Sure, it isn't quite the pure experience of exposing film directly and waiting for it to develop, but it is much more practical, particularly if you're a parent.

I recommended the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo to a friend who wanted an instant camera for their kid, and they love it. The experience is still fun and intuitive compared to simpler Instax models. And there's the added benefit of being able to connect the camera to other smartphones so that it can act as a Bluetooth printer at parties.

Some more examples of Instax Wide prints, from our Fujifilm Instax Link Wide review. (Image credit: Future / Tom Morgan)

The cherry on top would be if the Instax Wide Evo could also print directly from my Fujifilm X-T5 camera, but that's not guaranteed. For some reason, Fujifilm has restricted direct printing to a few camera models, with the rest needing to use the smartphone app.

Still, that wouldn't be a deal-breaker and I'd almost certainly buy an Instax Wide Evo if it lives up to its rumored billing. And it seems we won't have to wait long to find out.

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• If you have Care Plus Theft and Loss, it's now $0 for a same-day screen repair on a Galaxy phone.
• Samsung is making this change right before its January 20 Galaxy Unpacked event.
• With the warranty, you'll get unlimited $0 screen repairs at same-day locations.

Whether you already own a Galaxy smartphone or are keenly curious about what may arrive at Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025, the tech giant has some good news when it comes to its Care Plus warranty program.

For both existing and new Samsung Care Plus Theft and Loss customers with a Galaxy smartphone, it will now cost just $0 to fix a cracked screen instead of $29. That’s a considerable saving for a same-day repair for a cracked screen on a smartphone, and not to mention it’s an unlimited amount. This means that if you happen to crack the screen several times, it will be $0 for the same-day repair to get your device back online.

Considering all of Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones feature glass touchscreens, a crack is not only more likely – even with improvements to the structure – but can really take away from the functionality that a phone is supposed to provide. And if it’s an especially tough crack, it can cause trouble for your fingers.

(Image credit: Image Credit: Pixabay)

Depending on your Galaxy smartphone, Samsung Care Plus Theft and Loss can cost between $8 and $18 monthly. However, all tiers now feature unlimited, same-day screen repairs for $0. You’re also covered for backglass repairs, liquid damage, and even theft. Many of the plans also include set-up help and general support.

Furthermore, Samsung also offers Care Plus Theft and Loss for smartwatches and tablets, both of which benefit from this new $0 same-day screen repair. The good news is that while other repair partnerships have stopped, more than 700 Samsung-authorized locations still can perform the repair. This means you can bring in a cracked device with Care Plus Theft and Loss, get it repaired, and be on your way.

It’s likely no coincidence that Samsung is rolling out this new price adjustment for Care Plus Theft and Loss ahead of Galaxy Unpacked, where we expect to see the next Galaxy S family of smartphones – the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra – unveiled.

In fact, in the lead-up to the event on January 20, you can already ‘pre-reserve’ the next Galaxy. We wouldn’t be shocked either to see some type of Care Plus discount be included alongside preorders of the forthcoming smartphone and considering the benefits the extended warranty provides, it’s likely worth the investment.

You can sign up to pre-reserve the next Galaxy here, find the nearest Care Plus authorized location here, and read all about what TechRadar is expecting at the January 20, 2025, Galaxy Unpacked here.

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• Unidrive is going for something bigger than the UT2, a TechRadar favorite
• The UP6 has a 10GbE Ethernet Interface and two TB4 ports to deliver up to 8GBps speeds
• It is thought to be the first portable AI tablet NAS (because it has a touchscreen)

In September 2024, we reported how the UnifyDrive UT2 portable NAS device's RAID-configurable storage made it a strong, unique option for creatives against stationary alternatives.

Now, the company has announced the product's latest iteration, the UP6, at CES 2025 (via GlobeNewsWire), offering storage while also leveraging AI to act as a smart assistant for managing it on the go.

The UP6 offers up to 48TB of storage and supports instant file transfer and backup with one-click support for SD, TF, and CFe cards.

Intel Core Ultra processor's AI capabilities

At the heart of the UP6 is an Intel Core Ultra processor, enabling the use of AI features such as natural language search and facial recognition, in addition to handling large, encoded files.

It comes with a 10 GbE Ethernet interface and two 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) ports, supporting rates of up to 8000 MB/s; that's a transfer of 1TB of data in about two minutes.

The device features a touchscreen HDR display and supports wireless access points for seamless collaboration in locations without internet access.

UnifyDrive claims the device’s AI models that power the NAS drive's search function run locally on the machine.

Bin Yuan, founder of UnifyDrive, noted, “the era of bulky, unattractive, slow, plastic NASes hidden in networking closets is over. The UP6 lets you bring your data with you, offering unmatched portability and power for the most demanding workflows — today and tomorrow.”

“The UT2 has exceeded our expectations as a portable NAS solution that transforms data management for modern lifestyles,” he added.

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I don't trust you. I like you and I want to share my tech knowledge with you but when it comes to something like flying a drone, I simply won't trust that every random drone owner will follow basic flight safety rules.

But I'm not DJI, the world's number-one drone maker. Arguably the maker of the best drones in the world (its fliers top our best drones list and warrant their own best list), DJI made it clear this week that it fully trusts its drone customers to steer their drones clear of sensitive areas like prisons, airports, and national landmarks.

These so-called no-fly zones are currently GEO-coded into DJI drones, which means the flying cameras would automatically steer clear. They did in the US, at least. Last year, DJI switched those controls off in the European Union, and now it's followed suit in the U.S.

Flying blind

In a blog update posted this week, the company officially switched its "Restricted Zones (or No Fly Zones) to Enhanced Warning Zones. Instead of stopping the drones automatically from flying into an airport, you'll get a warning that you're flying into restricted airspace and, as DJI puts it, the company is, "placing control back in the hands of the drone operators, in line with regulatory principles of the operator bearing final responsibility."

DJI offers many reasons like the rise of a strong drone regulatory structure that didn't exist when DJI first started selling its quadrocopters in the US more than a decade ago. That's true, there are lots of rules, but they're somewhat inconsistent.

For a time, the FAA required everyone flying a drone of nearly any size (250 grams to 55lbs) to get a drone registration (somewhat less stringent than a license). The FAA rule was eventually struck down so that the majority of small prosumer drones no longer need any registration.

I was sorry about this change, because the light-touch registration process taught new fliers about the rules of the road (air). For instance, they could not fly above 400ft, so as not to interfere with aircraft, and they were not supposed to fly in certain zones that included airports.

I took these lessons seriously but also appreciated that DJI technology had my back and would stop me from flying where I shouldn't. The registration also provided a level of accountability. Your registration number was supposed to be affixed somewhere inside your drone so it if was found flying where it shouldn't be, the errant device could be traced back to the careless pilot.

With popularity comes responsibility

(Image credit: DJI)

The allure of a DJI drone is strong: who doesn't want to fly a drone? Few companies have their kind of track record across a single category. I've flown numerous DJI drones over the years and can't name a single dud.

In recent years, the drone maker has been on quite a tear. We got the new Avata 2, a fantastic FPV drone that puts you in the drone flight driver's seat to create incredible fly-through videos. There's the new 3-camera Mavic Pro 3, which might be the ultimate prosumer drone, and now the recently released entry-level DJI Flip that, when folded, looks unlike anything DJI has ever produced.

My point is that DJI has a drone for every taste and flying style. It appeals to an incredibly broad set of consumers. But not every buyer has flown a drone before or understands how to keep them from becoming unintentional weapons of minor destruction.

You think I'm exaggerating? Droves have been reported flying across the flight path of landing and departing commercial aircraft. Even more worrisome is what happened when a drone got in the way of one of the planes carrying life-saving water from a lake to the Los Angeles fires. LA had to ground those planes until they figured out what was going on.

I doubt that the drone pilot was trying to harm the plane or interfere with fire control efforts. They likely wanted the amazing video the drone could capture. But drones in amateurs hands do not belong in those situations, and yet I think DJI's decision will only make such situations that much more likely.

A looming no fly rule of its own

(Image credit: DJI)

When I think about DJI's decision, I have to consider its somewhat tenuous place in the US market. Despite its success, DJI has been the target of a potential US ban for more than a year. It was briefly included in a bill to limit some technology and goods, the Countering CCP Drones Act, because, as a Chinese company, there's concern that the Chinese government could use DJI tech to spy on US interests. While DJI managed to avoid a ban, the company still has to prove to the US government that its technology is not a national security risk.

DJI has fought these allegations from the start, but I almost feel like this new decision is a bit of passive aggression. Yes, DJI made the same change in the EU, but doing so now in the US, especially as we face a change of Executive administration, seems like an especially bad idea.

Unless the purpose was for DJI to say, "We had your back on basic drone safety. Now, see what it's like when we don't."

It's hard to imagine that the decision will curry favor here with US lawmakers. In the meantime, the software update went into effect on January 13, 2025, which means our skies are already a Wild West and less safe than they were last year. It's quite possible that we could soon have all manner of DJI drones buzzing airports, the Statue of Liberty, the US Capitol, and other precious locations.

I have no issue with licensed pros flying in these locales because they've cleared flights with officials. It's those other amateurs flying drones, with a 5-to-8-mile flight range, who will send them buzzing into your territories. We don't need to be swatting away DJI drones like so many flies.

I love DJI drones and I love you, dear drone enthusiast readers, but right now I'm struggling with trust on two fronts.

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• Parallels Desktop 20.2 introduce x86 Emulation on Apple Silicon
• It's still an early technology preview, but it could have huge ramifications
• Capable of running with Linux and Windows 10, it could help Apple make further inroads in enterprise markets

In 2020, Apple switched from Intel to its ARM-based Silicon and since then, running x86-based software on its hardware has been challenging.

To help this, Parallels, the virtual machine (VM) software for Mac users, has now released its latest version, Parallels Desktop 20.2, into public preview finally bringing x86 emulation to Apple Silicon.

The launch means developers can run, develop, and test 32-bit Windows apps in a native environment; especially useful for those working with legacy software yet to see ports to ARM-based systems.

A game changer?

By the company's own admission, however, the new version is very much a preview; boot times for Windows VMs range from two to seven minutes, depending on the hardware.

Even after booting, the responsiveness of the system lags, and creating a new virtual machine can take considerable time, up to 30 minutes for Windows and two hours for Linux.

Another major drawback is the lack of support for USB devices. This can be a problem for users who rely on external devices in their workflows, such as printers or scanners.

All virtual machines must run through Apple’s hypervisor and Parallels’ own can't be used, ruling out nested virtualization.

Furthermore, there's currently no sound in Intel-based VMs, and some Windows updates aren't working correctly. The emulator also only supports 64-bit VMs, though 32-bit applications remain compatible with them.

The current limitations makes it clear that this feature is not yet ready for mainstream use, but the potential is there, and I'm rooting for Parallels to iron out these issues so that it can once again become a powerful tool for enterprise users and developers using Macs in the Apple Silicon era.

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• Micron is teaming up with Pure Storage for the 150TB DirectFlash module
• Micron's G8 QLC NAND has been qualified for production, alongside Kioxia
• This chip is used in Micron's own rival 60TB SSD

Pure Storage has announced an expanded collaboration with Micron which will see the American semiconductor company’s G9 QLC NAND integrated into the storage firm's future DirectFlash Module (DFM) solutions for use in hyperscale data centers.

This move builds on a decade of cooperation between the two companies, spanning seven generations of NAND integration which includes the Micron G8 QLC NAND, which has been qualified for production in Pure Storage’s 150TB DFM expected later in 2025 (Pure Storage has previously said it plans to ship 300TB DFMs by 2026).

Micron already uses this NAND chip in its own 60TB SSD.

Addressing performance and efficiency needs

DFM technology promises faster data transfer rates, low latency, and high reliability for data-intensive workloads. The module also reduces energy consumption compared to traditional HDD-based solutions, lowering both operating costs and carbon footprint. The use of NAND with higher areal density (bits per square millimeter) allows for greater storage capacity in smaller physical footprints, contributing to more efficient rack usage and scalability.

“Pure Storage’s collaboration with Micron is another example of our significant momentum bringing the benefits of all-flash storage technology to hyperscale environments," said Bill Cerreta, General Manager of Hyperscale at Pure Storage.

"With Micron’s advanced NAND technology, Pure Storage can further optimize storage scalability, performance, and energy efficiency for an industry with unparalleled requirements.”

Jeremy Werner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Micron’s Storage Business Unit, added, “Micron’s advanced NAND technologies, combined with Pure’s innovative storage solutions, enable data center operators to address the increasing performance, efficiency, and scalability needs for today’s hyperscale data centers, Built on trust and thriving on innovation, our collaboration with Pure Storage consistently offers cutting-edge storage solutions for hyperscale and enterprise environments.”

The announcement follows that of Japanese memory giant Kioxia, which, like Micron, has a longstanding relationship with Pure Storage. Last year, Kioxia reported it had begun sampling shipments of 2Tb QLC devices, featuring its eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology, which Pure Storage also uses in its all-flash storage products.

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As someone who takes a fairly laissez-faire approach to skincare despite having storied difficulties with acne and oiliness, I’m excited to see that beauty tech is on the rise. This year at CES 2025, I saw everything from LED face masks to smart mirrors making debut appearances alongside the latest and greatest gadgetry, however, one of the most exciting arrivals was L'Oréal’s new skin testing device, the Cell Bioprint.

Made in collaboration with Korean start-up Nanoentek, this tabletop device uses advanced proteomics (the study of how protein composition affects skin aging) to determine the past, present and future of your skin health, all in a five-minute test.

I had the opportunity to try it out on-site, and I learned a lot about my skin, including some surprising insights I’ll be taking heed of in my new skincare regime.

Want a quick run-down? Check out the timestamped video below.

Lab on a chip

So, how does the Cell BioPrint actually work? The test itself is deceptively simple, but the science behind the scenes is truly impressive.

The test begins by dabbing stickers on the apple of your cheeks 15 times, before inserting them into a solution. The sticker lifts dead skin cells from your cheek, which the solution then strips, leaving behind only the tell-tale proteins identified by L'Oréal as biomarkers for various signs of skin aging.

Next up, you’ll need one of L'Oréal’s “lab on a chip” testing cartridges, on which you’ll dot a few drops of the solution. Much like the lateral flow tests we were so familiar with during the pandemic, this cartridge sucks up the solution; and this is where the actual Cell BioPrint machine comes into play. It features an ATM-esque slot, into which you slide the testing cartridge so it can be measured and analyzed.

While you wait for the analysis to be complete, you’ll also take a few scans of your cheeks and forehead with L'Oréal’s Skin Connect device and answer a short questionnaire about your chronological age and skin type before the machine spits back out your testing cartridge and delivers your results on the connected tablet.

By the skin of my skin @techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Now, as I mentioned before, I’m no skincare guru, despite a now-decades-long battle with my own complexion. So, anything that removes the guesswork for me is a huge win in my book.

Suffice it to say, then, that I was delighted by the depth and detail of my skincare report from the Cell BioPrint. Not only did give me some great insight into my skin, but it also told me that my skin’s biological age is actually two years younger than my biological age - a compliment I was not expecting to receive.

In addition to correctly identifying that my skin tends towards larger pores and oiliness, I also learned that my skin barrier function is weak, and that there’s some unevenness to my skin. One of the most useful learnings is that my skin absorbs retinol well, meaning I can confidently join the leagues of TikTok-informed skincare gurus in worshipping the famous form of Vitamin A.

(Image credit: Future)

Better yet, the device can even recommend specific products for your skin composition. Of course, the recommendations made by the Cell BioPrint are solely from L'Oréal’s family of products, so there’s that to consider; but you can always research for yourself any product dupes or alternatives that fall within your price range or preference.

Having spent years hopping from product to product, I’m feeling a lot more confident about my skincare regimen following my demonstration of L'Oréal’s Cell BioPrint device; but that’s not just down to the tech itself. Cell BioPrint is destined more for department stores and retail environments instead of for home use, meaning users will have an expert at-hand to help break down the results; an important element in today’s age of misinformation.

With a pilot due in Asia later this year, it’s hopefully only a matter of time before this technology lands in a store near you; I’ll race you to the front of the line to see if I can maintain my two-year skin age gap.

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• CES 2025 proves AI is everywhere, unstoppable, and perhaps just how you want it
• CES 2025 day 3: the 11 best gadgets we've seen, from Lenovo's rollable laptop to Panasonic's new flagship OLED TV

TechRadar extensively covered this year's CES, bringing you all of the big announcements as they happened. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

• Chinese reviewer showcases the RTX 5080 FE and its new power connector
• The embargo is expected to be on January 29, a day before its launch
• The new power connector has new wires for a more secure connection

Following Nvidia's RTX 5000 series unveiling at CES 2025, we’re waiting for our first look at the RTX 5090's performance from user benchmarks to find out how well the new Multi Frame Generation feature really works - but for now, we've got our first look at its little brother, the RTX 5080 Founders Edition, and its new power connector.

This comes from a reviewer on the Chinese social media site Bilibili (as reported by VideoCardz), who showcased the RTX 5080 FE along with its new power adapter and stated that the embargo date for reviews will be January 29 (a day before launch) - although this conflicts with a previous VideoCardz report that embargoes will lift on January 24. At the time of writing, the Bilibili post appears to have been taken down - potentially due to a legal notice from Nvidia - but the VideoCardz article is still live, at least for now.

The RTX 4080 and 4090 power connector, called the 12VHPWR connector, wasn't ideal for users - considering it was a potential fire hazard, and its short length left a lack of space and flexibility for side panels on PC cases to close (it also wasn't very pleasant to look at, frankly).

Based on the early image shown in the VideoCardz article (which we’re not posting here because we’d rather not invoke the fury of Nvidia’s legal department), it seems that Nvidia is providing a much longer and more flexible power adapter now - I recently covered the RTX 4080 Super and its performance in the Resident Evil 4 remake, and the only glaring issue I found wasn't with the card's performance itself, but rather the finicky power adapter.

While there's only so much information we can take from a leaked image like this, it looks to be a little more case-friendly if it operates in the same manner as the likes of Seasonic's 12VHPWR power cable - VideoCardz also pointed out the additional sense wires that have been added to ensure a secure 8-pin connection, hopefully preventing any connection issues that caused the connector meltdowns we saw with the previous generation.

(Image credit: Nvidia) What solutions are available for the RTX 4080 GPU power adapter?

For those sticking with the RTX 4080, depending on your PC's power supply, there are plenty of options on the market that work as viable alternatives to the problematic RTX 4080 power connector. It's important to buy the correct cable that provides a sufficient amount of power and is compatible with your PSU - you don't want to run the risk of buying a cheap, unreliable one either.

It isn't exactly clear from the provided pictures whether the new power adapter for the RTX 5080 (and the RTX 5090) will be compatible with the RTX 4080 or any other RTX 4000 cards, but if it is, that could be the easy solution to this matter.

January 30 is on the horizon, so we'll be seeing more of what Nvidia’s new powerhouse GPUs will have to offer - hopefully, there are no recurring issues concerning potential melting cables on this occasion.

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New AI tools spawn almost hourly these days and companies inundate my email inbox promising the world with tools that can do anything and everything from making my dog speak to editing subjects out of photos. While shiny new products with headline AI features pique my interest, I’ve been quietly waiting for a small, yet significant, ChatGPT update to become available – and now it’s finally here.

An actual AI personal assistant

Since the first AI-powered smartphone tools popped onto the market, I’ve been trying to find the perfect chatbot to become my very own personal assistant, able to learn everything that I tell it and cleverly remind me when I need important information. At the end of last year, I stopped using my trusty task manager apps like Things 3 and Siri to see what OpenAI’s chatbot was truly capable of. After a day without notifications and reminders, I canceled the challenge and returned to my regular workflow, after all, using an app to help take control of my life that can’t remind me of anything was a complete dealbreaker.

Fast forward to 2025, and OpenAI has added one of the biggest, yet subtle, improvements to ChatGPT with tasks and it might honestly be the biggest update we’ve had yet. ChatGPT tasks might not be as headline-stealing as an AI video generator like Sora, or a new model like o3, but it’s the kind of addition that could drastically improve millions of lives around the world and I can’t wait to incorporate it into my workflow.

Why is ChatGPT tasks such a big deal?

Announced on X, ChatGPT tasks is still in beta, rolling out to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers. The new feature allows ChatGPT to set reminders, becoming your go-to task manager with the added functionality of all the power that OpenAI’s chatbot has to offer. This means you can go about your day updating ChatGPT with information about your life and then ask tasks to suggest alerts and notifications proactively, such as daily weather reports, reminders of what bus to take, and even when bills are due.

When I first attempted to use ChatGPT as my go-to life management tool, I loved its memory feature because it meant I could tell it things that I wanted to remember and then ask the AI at a later date to bring back that information. It was very useful for tracking bus times and routes, as well as remembering key information that I often forget such as the last time I ordered contact lenses, or when I needed to reorder my blood pressure medication. Now with tasks, I can harness the power of ChatGPT’s memory functionality and dump everything that comes to my brain onto the app so I can focus on the things that matter most instead of remembering the mundane.

I have been waiting for ChatGPT to have notifications on iOS with reminders and tasks for a very long time, so much so that I could be tempted to pay the hefty $20 / £16 / $AU 32 monthly subscription fee for a Plus account just to get early access. OpenAI says the task management functionality will be coming to free users at a later date.

One of my most anticipated AI tools of 2025 is the major Apple Intelligence update coming to Siri as part of iOS 18.4 in a few months. That update gives Siri personal context and on-screen awareness so it can function as your on-device AI-powered personal assistant. While not built into iOS in the same way, ChatGPT tasks as part of the ChatGPT app or accessed through Siri integration could make OpenAI’s chatbot your go-to for all your everyday needs. Combined with a souped-up Siri, I’m beyond excited at the prospect of AI taking control of my day-to-day life in 2025 so I can focus on the things that matter most, like drinking coffee and eating pizza.

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• New screenshots of Apple’s CarPlay 2 have just surfaced online
• They purport to show widgets designed for Apple’s car dashboard system
• CarPlay 2 has seemingly been delayed and lacks a release date

CarPlay is Apple’s digital system for interacting with your car – listening to music, using maps, that sort of thing. And the company has been teasing CarPlay 2 for what seems like forever, all with very little to show for it. Now, though, it looks like we’ve just been given a glimpse of how it will work, including a set of widgets that will give you all sorts of abilities from your dashboard.

The leaked images were posted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris on X. There, Perris uploaded four shots of a rectangular dashboard populated with various widgets. All of the images were monochrome, but it’s likely that the final CarPlay 2 release will feature much more color.

The first image displayed a large, empty rectangle that can be populated with widgets. Some of those widgets were shown in the second picture, which depicted square widgets for the Clock, Weather, and Calendar apps. Perris also showed a widget for a combined navigation and music display next to a standalone music player.

Despite that, Perris didn’t reveal where these images came from or provide any more information on what we can expect from CarPlay 2, leaving us with plenty of questions to answer.

Where is CarPlay 2? Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Aaron Perris)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Aaron Perris)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Aaron Perris)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Aaron Perris)

CarPlay 2 has had a long, bumpy road since it was first announced. Apple teased it at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2022, saying it would release the updated system before too long. Yet there’s been nothing but radio silence since then.

In fact, Apple’s CarPlay website still says that the first models featuring CarPlay 2 will “arrive in 2024.” Clearly, that’s not going to happen anymore.

One reason for the delay could be that CarPlay 2 is not the same plug-and-play outfit as the original CarPlay was. The first edition of the car dashboard system uses the same rectangular layout in every car, making it easy for vehicle manufacturers to include it. CarPlay 2, on the other hand, promises a complete dashboard takeover, which means that Apple has to work directly with each carmaker to weave it into their unique layouts. That has likely, at least partially, caused the delay with the rollout.

The revelation of the new CarPlay 2 screenshots should give Apple fans some hope that work is progressing well. But without any word from Apple, there’s no way of knowing when it will finally make its long-awaited and much anticipated arrival.

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