Week in Review: The top stories in AI, wearables, entertainment, and more

The AI debate heats up, and dogs can now join in too. Plus: our Oura Ring 4 review Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( October 18, 2024 CONNECT WITH TECH RADAR  [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Tech Radar]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] Welcome to the Week in Review [] Welcome Dogs have brains. I know this, and it’s often led me to ponder what they think about, and if they ever think about, for example, the best camera smartphone. Probably not, but I couldn't help wondering again as I read our AI Editor Graham Barlow’s exploration of the latest ‘talking dog’ technology. The AI-powered collar sounds, if I’m being honest, like bunk, but I’d love it if it was just the first step in us finally being able to understand why Fido is barking at that chihuahua, or what that plaintiff look he’s giving you means. Speaking of things we (or our pets, I guess) wear, the new Oura Ring 4 sounds like a bonafide hit, although our Health and Fitness Editor Matt Evans has one major quibble, and it starts with the word ‘subscription’. It does seem like a lot of the action lately is in wearable technology, and I was heartened to see our resident VR expert Hamish Hector agree with me that the new Meta Quest 3S is the VR headset for everyone. You should read his full review, linked below, to find out all the details. There was also a lot of action this week in the tablet space. Apple finally launched an iPad mini update (it looks the same as the last one but gets an Apple Intelligence-friendly chip), and Amazon unveiled a whole bunch of new Kindles – I’m especially impressed with the all-new Kindle Colosoft, and the new super-fast-page-turning Paperwhite. In other mobile news, the Pixel phone line is finally getting Android 15. I have a Pixel 9 Pro Fold sitting right next to me, so maybe I should upgrade… but not before we’re done here. Before I go, a quick word about our regular 'What to watch this weekend' article. This is a post I read every week, because I have no idea what’s arriving on streaming, and I hate when I’m sitting with my family on a Saturday night and we can’t agree on what to watch. Our round-up is a great guide – now I just have to convince everyone to watch Hysteria! on Peacock. Enjoy the weekend and talk soon! Lance Ulanoff, Editor-at-Large [] The Week in AI [] [AI isn't scary but its potential uses are]( Meta's Yann LeCun has been talking about AI (Getty Images) [AI isn't scary – but its potential uses are]( AI is the hottest tech topic of the moment, and the debate continues about just how helpful – and how dangerous – AI might be, with Meta's AI chief Yann LeCun recently speaking out to defend the technology. Here's our take on the potential risks that lie ahead. [Read the full story]( [] - [4 ways ChatGPT's Canvas mode can improve your daily life]( [] - [The new AI collar that lets your dog talk is wild]( [] - [Apple study shows AI might not be as smart as it thinks it is]( [] The week in wearables [] [Oura Ring 4 review: shame about the subscription]( The 4th-gen Oura Ring is available now (Future) [Oura Ring 4 review: shame about the subscription]( Oura has launched its fourth-generation smart ring, and we've slipped it on for our full review: our takeaway is that it's a fantastic health- and sleep-tracking wearable, but the value proposition is diminished by the need for an ongoing subscription. [Read the review]( [] - [Oura Ring vs Fitbit vs Apple Watch: study makes the case for smart rings]( [] - [Standing desks get a health warning – so what's the solution?]( [] - [Joe Rogan says the Garmin Fenix 8's cold water problem "sucks"]( [] The week in Tablets [] [Is the new iPad mini 7 the best Apple Intelligence device?]( The iPad mini 7 will run Apple Intelligence (Apple) [Is the new iPad mini 7 the best Apple Intelligence device?]( Apple launched the iPad mini 7 this week, and with a starting price of $499 / £499 it's immediately the cheapest device that can run Apple Intelligence – and it might just be the best option too, if you want to try out Apple's upcoming AI features. [Read the full story]( [] - [iPad mini 7 specs reveal 5 potentially annoying limitations]( [] - [Hands-on with the brand new 12th-gen Amazon Kindle Paperwhite]( [] - [The one thing I don't love about my Kindle won't change anytime soon]( [] Today's best deals, hand-picked by TechRadar's experts [] - [Weekend tech deals at Amazon US: shop best-selling brands from $19.99]( [] - [Apple's superb iPad 10.9 drops to record-low price ahead of Black Friday]( [] - [The Galaxy Watch 6 drops to a new record-low price at Amazon US]( [] - [Our top-rated Dyson vac drops to its lowest price ever at Amazon US]( [] The week in Phones [] [Android 15 has landed, and here's what's new]( Android has arrived – for some of us (Google) [Android 15 has landed, and here's what's new]( Android 15 is finally making its way out to the masses – or at least the masses using a Pixel phone. If you want to know about all the new features you can play around with, including improvements in device security and multitasking, we've got you covered. [Read the full story]( [] - [Samsung may have finally fixed the foldable phone crease issue]( [] - [Many users are reporting iPhone 16 battery life issues on iOS 18]( [] - [Apple Intelligence's free ChatGPT upgrade may arrive soon]( [] The week in entertainment [] [The best new movies and shows to stream this weekend]( There's plenty that's new to watch this weekend (Netflix / Max) [The best new movies and shows to stream this weekend]( Netflix offers us the returning fan-favorite The Lincoln Lawyer season 3, and new thriller movie Woman of the Hour, this week. Horror fans can also find A24's MaXXXine on Max, The Devil's Hour season 2 on Prime Video and the new series Hysteria! on Peacock. [Read the full story]( [] - [7 psychological horror movies I recommend streaming for Halloween 2024]( [] - [I've finally found a good Uzumaki adaptation of my favorite manga]( [] - [There's more than one catfishing tale to watch on Hulu]( [] More of this week's top stories [] - [The Quest 3S is great, but there's a big reason to choose the Quest 3]( [] - [Sonos' Arc Ultra soundbar is official, with revolutionary new speaker tech]( [] - [Pro-Ject's new flagship turntable weighs 80lbs and costs $15,000]( [] - [DJI Air 3S review: soaring closer to camera-drone perfection]( [] - [Windows 10 has a year left to live – but will users upgrade?]( Sharing TechRadar with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. 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