This week, we had Made by Google, the annual showcase the place Google debuts its newest Pixel units – and it served up an actual deal with!
We additionally received some model new streaming goodies, together with Peacemaker Season 2 (following Superman, we’re much more eager to see what the DCU is serving up these days).
To make amends for all that and extra, scroll down for the 7 largest tech information tales of the week (spoilers: there’s a good bit of Google in right here, however that’s no dangerous factor).
Kicking issues off with a unique G, Gamescom 2025 was this week, and by far the largest announcement is that Silksong lastly has a launch date, and it is in simply two weeks on September 4. This author couldn’t be extra excited, and taking a Change 2 with us to IFA has transitioned from a good suggestion to a should.
There’s additionally a brand new Lego Batman sport. Legacy of the Darkish Knight seems to be to mix parts of probably the most iconic Batman tales from throughout comics and the movies, in addition to gameplay which seems to be ripped from the Arkhamverse video games – with, in fact, a wholesome dollop of iconic humor Lego titles are synonymous with.
We additionally received Black Ops 7 particulars, a take a look at Fallout Season 2, a Lords of the Fallen 2 trailer, a primary take a look at the Sekiro No Defeat anime, and a teaser for Black Fable: Zhong Kui – amongst so, so, a lot extra.
6. Apple TV+ received pricier
One other day, one other streaming service climbing up its costs – and this time, it’s Apple TV+. Apple’s streaming service shocked this week by elevating costs for the third time in three years.
The adjustments took speedy impact on Thursday (August 21) for brand new subscribers, whereas current clients will see their subsequent renewal invoice leap from $9.99 to $12.99 within the US, from £8.99 to £9.99 within the UK, and from AU$12.99 to AU$15.99 in Australia.
In case you’re contemplating canceling your subscription off the again of the information, then it’s price taking a look at methods you’ll be able to keep away from the Apple TV+ worth hike, as it can save you cash by signing up for an annual account, bundle, or Apple TV+ free trial – which is important in case you’re a Gradual Horses fan!
5. Spotify stole and improved an Apple Music function
Earlier this week, Spotify unveiled a brand new in-app function that permits customers to transition seamlessly between songs in new and current playlists by tapping the ‘Combine’ button within the filter toolbar. The function is just like Apple Music’s AutoMix perform, however Spotify is permitting you to customise your individual cross-overs.
Once you allow the function, tabs will seem between every observe in your playlist, marking every transition. The ‘Auto’ preset might be utilized at first, that means that Spotify will routinely transition the songs for you, however you can too select from a number of presets resembling ‘Soften’ and ‘Wave’, or create your individual transitions by taking part in round with its quantity, EQ, and impact curves capabilities to craft a perfectly-blended playlist from begin to end.
In accordance with Spotify’s weblog put up, its reply to Apple Music’s AutoMix is being rolled out in beta to ‘eligible Premium customers’, however we don’t know when will probably be obtainable for all paying Spotify subscribers simply but.
4. We watched Peacemaker Season 2
As one other terrifically written and acted installment of the HBO Max Unique, Peacemaker season 2 will get greater than a thumbs-up from us.
Set a couple of months after Gunn’s Superman film, Peacemaker season 2 reunites us with Chris Smith (John Cena), aka the eponymous anti-hero, as he continues to battle with reconciling his previous.
It’s a formidable, entertaining, and startlingly thought-provoking continuation of its predecessor. A sequence filled with the same old trappings of a James Gunn challenge – darkish and awkward humor, heart-wrenching moments, action-heavy sequences, a banging soundtrack, reams of melodrama, and damaged characters you’ll be able to’t assist however adore – it is must-see TV for DC comedian e book devotees, nascent DCU followers, and informal observers alike.
3. Google Pixel Buds 2a made their debut
Google has launched the Pixel Buds 2a, aka the brand new most inexpensive Pixel earbuds. And in case you already personal the Professional 2, Google gave these some helpful free upgrades (coming September) on the similar time.
In addition to being the primary A-series earbuds to get energetic noise cancellation (which Google says is 1.5x higher than the noise-nixing you’d discover within the authentic Pixel Buds Professional), they’re the smallest and lightest Pixel Buds so far, with Google’s Silent Seal 1.5 to assist block undesirable ambient audio – and we have given it a strive in our early Pixel 2a hands-on.
As you’d count on, they work with Google’s Gemini – however it’s good to see the most recent ‘Stay with Gemini’ variation of the service for real-time conversational responses.
And what of the Pixel Buds Professional 2 updates? There is a new colour possibility, Moonstone (to match the Google Pixel 10 cellphone vary), plus a free software program replace for all the opposite perks.
From September 2025, Pixel Buds Professional 2 will acquire Adaptive Audio (Google’s tackle adaptive noise cancelling) alongside Loud Noise Safety and head gesture management, so you’ll be able to decide up calls and reply to texts hands-free. They’ll additionally get higher audio processing for utilizing Gemini in noisier environments, Stay with Gemini assist, plus additional notifications about your battery stage of the earbuds’ case, so that you’re by no means caught quick.
2. Pixel Watch 4 dropped with first-of-its-kind options
Whereas the Google Pixel 10 telephones had been the headline attraction on the Made by Google occasion this week, the Pixel Watch 4 additionally received some consideration. With options new to the smartwatch class, resembling emergency satellite tv for pc connectivity, replaceable batteries and screens, a fully-domed display screen, and easy raise-to-talk entry to Google Gemini, the long run seems to be shiny for Google’s smartwatch (particularly as a result of its 3,000-nit brightness display screen). It arrived alongside the announcement of a private AI well being and health coach headlined by Stephen Curry, though there aren’t too many particulars on this entrance.
1. We received new Pixel Telephones
As anticipated, we received an entire new assortment of Pixel telephones from Google, together with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Professional, Pixel 10 Professional XL, and Pixel 10 Professional Fold, which introduced some good upgrades on the digital camera aspect, like higher selfie cameras and a 5x optical zoom on the bottom mannequin (extraordinary).
Visually, not one of the 4 telephones, together with the beautiful Pixel 10 Professional Fold, received a lot of an replace, however there are options that I feel Pixel followers will respect. They’re all operating the brand new Tensor G5, and, naturally, that’s powering all that AI and picture help, together with the Digicam Coach, which could make an incredible photographer out of any of us. Add Me can now add animals, and your cellphone can now do dwell translation in your voice.
Nonetheless, if we needed to boil it right down to the 2 most talked about updates, it is perhaps IP68 safety for the Pixel 10 Professional Fold (a primary within the folding area) and Pixel Snap, Android’s personal model of Apple’s MagSafe. All we are able to say is, “It’s about time.”
