This week, ChatGPT received an improve, and Tom Holland swung again into motion as Spider-Man.
To make amends for all this and extra from the world of tech and leisure, scroll down for our weekly ICYMI round-up. There are some huge tales you will not wish to miss.
When you’re all on top of things, be sure you additionally learn our picks for the 7 new films and TV exhibits to observe this weekend (August 8).
7. Spider-Man swung into motion
Filming is formally underway on Spider-Man: Model New Day, with individuals flocking to Glasgow to catch glimpses of the web-slinger in motion.
We received a sneak peek on the new swimsuit, which appears to pay homage to Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s live-action iterations of the character.
We additionally noticed that the flick will contain the primary utilization of sensible webslinging in one of many webslinger’s solo MCU films.
Lastly, we’d have gotten a tease of the principal villain of the film: Mister Damaging, as tanks driving by means of the set are emblazoned with a emblem that resembles the Inside Demons emblem related to Damaging’s forces.
6. Samsung leaked its personal earbuds
Two colours are proven (white and a really darkish grey), and the value, in Panama at the very least, is listed as $129. We’re attempting very laborious to not make a foul joke concerning the Panama Ear Canal, however at occasions like thes,e it truly is greatest to chuckle.
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE additionally seems to have silicone ear suggestions, however all the pieces else continues to be guesswork for the reason that product web page does not embody any precise specs or options, which is yet one more indication that any person hit the ‘publish’ button too early.
The Buds 3 FE are the follow-up to the unique Buds FE or ‘Fan Version’. That is proper, there isn’t any Buds 2 FE, so we actually thought Samsung was dealing with the launch of this doubtlessly complicated iteration with delicacy and care…
5. Sonos introduced a value hike
This week, Sonos introduced that “later this 12 months, we plan to boost costs” in response to US tariffs.
Whereas the corporate now not makes most of its merchandise in China – which is at present dealing with a 30% tariff – it makes its tech in Vietnam and Malaysia, that are dealing with 20% and 19% tariffs, respectively (primarily based on charges as of the time of writing on August 7).
Exactly how a lot of a price improve the precise audio system will see is but to be introduced, and we don’t but know precisely when the value hike will come both, however except issues change, it appears like a value hike is coming – so that you may wish to purchase a Sonos speaker sooner fairly than later.
4. Harman Kardon took on Sonos
Audio Recommendation Stay is a US-based client audio and video present held yearly in Raleigh, North Carolina, and at this 12 months’s occasion, which ran from August 1-3, 2025, we had the chance to take a look at Harman Kardon’s forthcoming Enchant sequence soundbars and wi-fi audio system.
The massive information concerning the Enchant sequence is that it carries lots of the identical nice options present in Sonos soundbars and audio system, together with multi-room playback and app-based management. However the Enchant soundbars transcend well-liked Sonos fashions, such because the Sonos Arc Extremely, in providing each Dolby Atmos and DTS:X assist, together with an HDMI pass-through enter for connecting an exterior system like an Xbox Sequence X or PS5 console.
Is the Enchant sequence primed to topple Sonos? We received’t know that till we get our fingers on a system for evaluate, but when Harman Kardon can nail the app a part of the equation – a latest ache level for Sonos and its buyer base – it may present a compelling different to the Sonos multi-room ecosystem.
3. The Z Flip 7 was tortured
Since their launch, we, like many different testers, have been placing the brand new Samsung foldables by means of their paces. However some testers take issues to an excessive with regards to judging sturdiness.
JerryRigEverything critically put Samsung’s new foldable by means of its paces with a check that concerned setting fireplace to the cellphone screens, bathing the gadget in filth, and trying to scratch each floor with a knife – earlier than attempting to snap the cellphone in half.
In some way, the Z Flip 7 survived, nevertheless it simply goes to point out that foldables aren’t as flimsy as they as soon as had been.
2. Microsoft teased the way forward for Home windows
I don’t wish to be chatting with my laptop once I’m alone, not to mention in a busy place or workplace, and there’s a motive we nonetheless use keyboards, mice, and trackpads many years after these peripherals had been created: they continue to be the quickest and most handy strategy to work together with our computer systems for lots of people.
1. ChatGPT-5 launched
After hyping up its creation for the previous couple of weeks, even saying it scared them, Sam Altman and OpenAI lastly unveiled GPT-5 – the most recent model of the digital mind which powers ChatGPT.
As anticipated, GPT-5 is alleged to be higher than its predecessor, apparently being extra dependable than earlier than – being extra sincere with gaps in its data fairly than mendacity, or hallucinating, because it’s referred to as for AI – and it’s additionally meant to be higher at maths and coding, making it a extra helpful vibe coding associate.
Not everyone seems to be comfortable, nevertheless. Many customers have taken to social media to name the brand new bot “horrible” as ChatGPT now solely provides shorter solutions with much less character, and the immediate cap appears decrease, too.
It won’t do a lot to make affected customers really feel higher concerning the scenario, however OpenAI did at the very least warn of simply this forward of GPT-5’s launch: teasing “possible hiccups and capability crunches,” as Sam Altman put it.
