The pressure to stay up to date has never been greater, with the hype of AI reaching its peak in a business climate that has been marked by consistently high inflation and business costs. The sense of urgency to completely restructure when confronted with advances in technology that are perceived to be competitive, can increase pressure to adopt a complete, end-to-end solution.
However, a complete overhaul of IT infrastructure and core business operation systems poses significant risks. These include disruption to operations, losses on existing infrastructure investment as well as regulatory and security concerns for data. When considering cloud versus on-premises as an all-or-nothing decision, these uncertainties can stop consideration of the cloud in its tracks.
Risks of full cloud transformation
A wholesale cloud migration can be complicated and requires a complete assessment of existing privacy and data configurations including where the data is stored, if it crosses borders and the quality of a cloud service provider’s assurances about security and governance. This is further complicated if enterprises have customers in one part of the world, data in another, and contact center operations in a third.
Larger enterprises operating in multiple industries may see variations in security and privacy requirements depending on the field. Regulations and compliance practices that cover even a portion of operations can be seen as a hindrance to a full-scale migration.
Most contact centers have existing investments with certain features, particularly voice, that work just fine and a “rip-and-replace” move to the cloud would be disruptive.
Of course, none of these challenges are insurmountable, and a full-cloud transformation may still be the preferred option in some cases, but the risks are worth bearing in mind. For those who aren’t ready to move entirely to the cloud, though, there is a middle ground – a hybrid model that gives enterprises access to innovative features without the disruption of throwing away what works.
Realizing the advantages of a hybrid model
With a hybrid model, existing investments can be enhanced with new cloud capabilities at a measured pace, according to organizational preferences. That allows an enterprise to capture incremental gains in a “step-migration” fashion, accelerating time-to-value. It also minimises the negative impacts of change management processes. In essence, a hybrid deployment can be seen as a migration, rather than a transformation.
Hybrid deployments provide a balanced approach to dealing with issues of control, performance and scale in a way that can be customized to an enterprise’s specific situation and needs. With a hybrid approach, an enterprise can harness new and future technology advances that have growth-related impacts on employee and customer experiences. It becomes possible to future-proof without causing disruption.
Many companies have a serious investment in existing on-premises processes, often developed at great expense over time. A hybrid approach lets an organization preserve what works while still experimenting with new ideas. The enterprise retains control over key systems, and resources are dedicated to the organization rather than shared among many companies, as in a public cloud.
Dividing capabilities among cloud and on-premises or private cloud can improve reliability by distributing services across different data centers and systems. IT teams can maximize the value of existing investments by managing technology until it legitimately reaches the end of its useful life span or plan a staged transition over a longer period of time. On-premises systems are often customized and configured with details that are unique to an organization's business situation. Hybridizing preserves these customizations in existing call flows, processes, and staff training. Existing voice infrastructure can remain in place while integrated digital channels are added to the mix. These new channels can then be tested in the customer base without fear of abandoning them if they prove ineffective.
By using the cloud to run a proof of concept or test a new technology or process in the cloud, an enterprise avoids incurring the capital expense of adding the process to an on-premises system or ditching the on-premises system altogether. It becomes possible to run a short-term campaign testing a new offer, service or promotion where customers use voice or digital to contact the hybrid system for agent handling. This flexibility also allows enterprises to utilize tools and technologies that have a limited life cycle or do not meet requirements for capital expenses, such as deploying an AI chatbot or analytics applications.
The case for a gradual migration via hybrid cloud deployment
The cloud is not a monolithic entity that provides only one option. By incorporating a hybrid element, an enterprise retains control while leaving the door open to full-scale migration on its own terms and at its own pace.
A hybrid model affords the opportunity to be innovative without being disruptive. Enterprises should look at it as a project to move business forward, but at a pace that fits best with objectives and culture. Keep what works, innovate where possible, and use key business goals as critical mileposts along your journey. Enterprises can migrate without having to completely transform and gain the benefits of the cloud without losing existing investments.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here:https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/EHdjwXM
Apple is rumored to be tapping into the capabilities of generative AI to build a new 'personality' that could live inside upcoming...
Apple is rumored to be tapping into the capabilities of generative AI to build a new 'personality' that could live inside upcoming robotic devices, potentially working in a similar way to how Siri currently operates on the iPhone.
That's according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who is one of the more reliable tipsters when it comes to future Apple products. Gurman has previously talked about Apple's home robot plans, he's now added more details about a potential AI assistant.
"While Siri is the digital assistant on Apple's current devices, the company is working on another human-like interface based on generative AI," Gurman writes. "It could run on the tabletop product and other future Apple robotics devices, I’m told."
Apple wants that tabletop robot – perhaps something along the lines of the Amazon Astro – to cost less than $1,000 (about £760 / AU$1,475), according to Gurman. However, it sounds like these robotic devices are still very much at the early stages of development, and there are no guarantees that they'll ever see the light of day.
Apple Intelligence everywhere
One vital piece of Apple’s robotic work is the creation of a personality. While Siri is the digital assistant on Apple’s current devices, the company is working on another humanlike interface based on GenAI. It could run on the tabletop and other future Apple robotics devices.August 25, 2024
What we do know for sure is that Apple is making a lot of noise about Apple Intelligence, the suite of generative AI features – text creation, text summaries, image generation, and more – that are making their way to iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers later this year, together with other major software updates.
Given that Apple is now fully signed up to next-gen AI, it makes sense that it would be working on a project like a new robot personality – one that would be more capable and more natural in conversation than Siri is right now.
That said, we know that a lot of the generative AI smarts on Apple devices are going to be powered by ChatGPT, at least for the time being. Apple clearly has some catching up to do in this area before it can launch a generative AI chatbot of its own.
Gurman himself says there's "a lot of promise" in Apple's robotics work, while also admitting "it's not clear" just how committed Apple will be to launching an actual home robot. Next up for the company is the launch of the iPhone 16.
As we enter an era where technology could amplify the potential of human beings to unprecedented levels, ensuring trust and responsibility within AI has never been more important. AI innovation, and in particular generative AI, holds enormous opportunity to tackle challenges and problems for humans, but business leaders must tread carefully.
To deal with problems such as bias, and ensure AI delivers real value, the approach to AI tools needs to be human-centric. Business leaders have an important role to play in how they implement this technology, both for their organizations and the wider world: AI should be in service of people, aligned with and embodying individual and organizational values, goals and aspirations.
For AI to be responsible it means that new systems need to be human-centered, inclusive, transparent and accountable. AI systems need to be subject to constant oversight and feedback from stakeholders, and must also be designed to work alongside, rather than replace, human expertise. AI truly holds the key to improve how all humans interact with technology, but a responsible approach is required, to get the most from it.
Building AI to solve problems
Generative AI creates value if it solves specific problems for specific people, and this should inform the way AI software is designed. By designing AI software for ‘personas’, such as those working in marketing, HR or finance, humans can be placed firmly at the center.
Business leaders should ensure they understand what each role or persona wants from AI, whether that be user-friendly, frictionless experiences, or greater agility and productivity. For instance, in the case of a developer, this could be code completion or for an agent, case summarization, which can translate more widely to everything from IT support to customer service to HR.
By taking this human-centric approach and focusing on the real challenges which employees and customers face every day, AI-driven solutions can deliver real value for the whole organization. Continuous feedback from employees and customers helps to shape AI solutions providing consistent and lasting value, and most importantly, a technology which is fair and open for all to use.
Breaking down barriers
Inclusivity and accessibility are central to improving the way human beings interact with technology. The ability of multilingual and multimodal AI models to understand anything in multiple languages will be an important way to break down barriers for the people who work with AI. Tomorrow’s AI models will be able to understand multiple inputs such as video and images, meaning easier access to technology, regardless of language and location, and enabling teams to work together across the world.
AI translation software can also ensure that international teams can enjoy seamless communication across the enterprise. For agents, this means that customer and employee issues can be resolved faster in real-time, regardless of the original language the issue was raised in. For everyone though, this means help and understanding can be given in a more equitable way than previously.
Levelling the playing field
Generative AI interfaces, alongside low-code and no-code applications can enable business users to be ‘hands-on’ with developing applications. This not only accelerates digital transformation efforts by empowering business users to build basic digital workflows, but can also boost productivity and job satisfaction, with text-to-code helping anyone create new applications with simple text inputs.
Generative AI frees up highly trained developers to focus on more mission-centric applications. For said developers, AI ‘companions’ will simplify coding and the construction of flows: this rapid automation in turn can help organizations reduce IT backlogs and drive innovations. For smaller organizations, text-to-code and low-code can be game-changing.
Diversity and bias
Bias in AI is a real and ongoing problem, affecting everything from credit scoring to job applications to the images generated by AI systems. Business leaders have to consider the technology’s real-world impact on the people who use it and interface with it, and also think carefully about any AI system’s impact on society as a whole. This societal and environmental impact should be considered at every stage of AI product development.
Both the teams which train, test and use such systems, and the datasets used in training should reflect the diversity of society, to ensure that the tools avoid pitfalls such as bias. Business leaders must work to ensure that AI technology serves as wide a range of needs as possible.
It's important at an early stage to acknowledge and be transparent around the trade-offs that come with using AI. This in turn can spark meaningful conversations with customers about managing challenges, rather than simply wishing them away. To take just one example, it's impossible to get rid of AI bias entirely, but by taking a careful approach to AI training and to the teams hired to deal with AI, business leaders can recognize and mitigate the problem.
A brighter future
By putting the human at the center of AI development and taking a transparent, inclusive and accountable approach, business leaders can build AI systems which truly enhance not just their organization but the wider society around them.
Business leaders must ensure that teams and datasets are diverse, and keep the ‘human in the loop’ with constant feedback from all stakeholders. This collaborative approach will be key to developing safe and accessible AI, with continuous improvement driven by insights and feedback from real-world performance. By centering AI on human needs, human goals and human values, business leaders can be sure they can create a brighter future.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here:https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/DmCVFb3
Ahsoka season 2: key information - Announced in January 2024 - No release date announced - Will stream exclusively on Disney Plus - M...
- Announced in January 2024
- No release date announced
- Will stream exclusively on Disney Plus
- Main cast expected to return
- No official plot details or footage revealed yet
- Building up to a "climactic story event" that will merge its storyline with those in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett
Ahsoka season 2 will continue the story of Anakin Skywalker's former Padawan whose story, alongside her Mandalorian apprentice Sabine Wren's, clearly isn't done yet. Indeed, with Lucasfilm and parent company Disney announcing that Star Wars: Ahsoka will get at least another season, the duo will be back for more adventures on the small screen at some point.
So, what do we know about the Disney Plus show's second chapter ahead of its eventual debut? In this guide, we've rounded up every big piece of news, plus the occasional rumor or 10, on Ahsoka's next installment. That includes our thoughts on when it'll be released, its likely cast, potential plot threads, and more.
Star Wars: Ahsoka season 2 release date prediction
Season 1 reunited former Star Wars: Rebels heroes Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)
Although StarWars.com confirmed – in January 2024 – that the series is returning, an Ahsoka season 2 release date hasn't been announced. We don’t even know whether it'll start filming before many other new Star Wars movies and TV shows, either, although creator, showrunner and Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni told the Happy Sad Confused podcast (in June 2024) that "right now, my focus is very clearly on [Ahsoka] season 2."
So, what could that mean in terms of its launch date? Currently, there aren't many other big Star Wars projects in active development. One that'll surely impact Ahsoka season 2's development, though, is The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, which Filoni – alongside frequent Star Wars collaborator Jon Favreau – is also working on. Din Djarin and Baby Yoda's eagerly anticipated big-screen debut is due to go into production this year, before The Mandalorian and Grogu lands in theaters in May 2026.
If the first Star Wars film – since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker – takes precedence from a principal photography perspective, it's possible Ahsoka's next season will take a developmental backseat. If it does, its own shooting schedule might not start until mid- to late 2025, which means we wouldn't expect to see it arrive on Disney Plus, aka one of the world's best streaming services, until late 2026 at the very earliest.
Star Wars: Ahsoka season 2 cast: likely and rumored
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is sure to return as General Hera Syndulla from season 1(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
Major spoilers follow forStar Wars: Ahsokaseason 1.
Lucasfilm and Disney are yet to confirm who’s coming back, but we’d bet a sizeable number of galactic credits on these actors returning for Ahsoka season 2 :
Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano
Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren
Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla
Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn
Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger
Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker
David Tennant as Huyang
Wes Chatham as Captain Enoch
Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma
Evan Whitten as Jacen Syndulla
Claudia Black as Klothow
Jeryl Prescott Gallien as Aktropaw
Jane Edwina Seymour as Lakesis
Chopper as himself
Sadly, there is one significant absentee from season 1. Ray Stevenson, whose fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll was one of the show’s standout characters, passed away in May 2023. Star Wars doesn’t traditionally recast roles, but Ahsoka's season 1 finale hinted that Baylan still had a significant part to play. A more recent story on ComicBookMovie.com reports that Lucasfilm is seeking a "white man in his 50s/60s", a casting call that would fit Skoll’s description, so maybe the studio wil recast Skoll.
Despite being the focus of three (prequel) episodes of animated series Tales of the Empire, Diana Lee Inosanto is not expected to return as Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth, seeing as the character died in the Ahsoka season 1 finale.
There could, however, be cameos from other familiar faces, as pretty much every Rebel who survived Return of the Jedi is still active at this point in the Star Wars timeline. Anthony Daniels had a brief appearance as C-3PO in season 1, but the most likely returnee is surely Zeb Orrelios. Having served on the Ghost alongside Sabine, Hera, Ezra, surly droid Chopper, and late Jedi Kanan Jarrus throughout Star Wars: Rebels, the Lasat is overdue an appearance in Ahsoka. Expect Steve Blum to reprise his voice role as he did in The Mandalorian season 3.
Star Wars: Ahsoka season 2 story speculation
The story of Baylan Skoll (pictured) is tied to the Mortis gods and the origins of the Force(Image credit: Lucasfilm Ltd)
Full spoilers follow forAhsoka's first season.
Official plot details for Ahsoka season 2 are thin on the ground, but we've got some idea of what could transpire, based on how its forebear ended. For a round-up of everything that happened, read our Ahsoka season 1 ending explained article.
For those who don't want to click on the aforementioned link, though, here are some key story details: Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, and Jedi support droid Huyang are currently trapped on the world of Peridea in a distant galaxy, so their first order of business is likely to be getting home. Whether that involves enlisting the help of the resident Noti (a cute, snail-like species native to Peridea), hitching a ride with the Purrgil space whales (as Ahsoka did in season 1), or something more magical, though, is unclear.
Speaking of magic, no live-action Star Wars project has explored the mythology of the Force in as much detail as Ahsoka. Season 2 is primed to continue that deep dive, especially after Baylan Skoll’s search for answers led him to a pair of statues carved into the cliffs of Peridea. They represent the Father and (we think) the Son, two of "the Ones" (essentially, they represent god-like beings in this universe) from the planet Mortis. Anakin encountered them in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and they have a crucial role to play in maintaining the balance of the Force. Morai, the owl-like convor who appears to Ahsoka in season 1 episode 7, is a manifestation of the Daughter, who represents the Light Side of the Force. The Son is her Dark Side counterpart.
Anakin Skywalker has graduated to Force ghost/mentor status(Image credit: Lucasfilm Ltd)
Anyway, Tano, Wren, and Skoll aren't the only beings marooned on Peridea. Skoll's Dark Side apprentice Shin Hati, who he has little use for now, is also still knocking about. She was last seen riding alone into the wilderness of Peridea, but it’s unlikely we’ve seen the last of her.
We can also expect Ahsoka’s old Jedi master Anakin Skywalker to guide her – Obi-Wan Kenobi-style – from a more spiritual plane across this mysterious worl. In season 1, he communed with his former Padawan via the mysterious World Between Worlds, before showing up as a Force ghost in the finale.
"My feeling about Anakin is that George [Lucas] resolved everything about Anakin," Filoni told Vanity Fair in November 2023. "I don’t think I have anything to do there. I’m not trying to add anything to that. Everything Anakin’s involved with is about [Ahsoka]. It’s about her point of view on Anakin. It’s about what Anakin taught her. He’s there in more of an Obi-Wan role that we saw in the old movies."
Will New Republic Chancellor Mon Mothma finally do something about the resurgent Empire?(Image credit: Lucasfilm Ltd)
While Ahsoka and Sabine are stuck in another galaxy, Imperial warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn has made the return journey after being exiled to parts unknown in Star Wars:Rebels. Thrawn’s Star Destroyer – the Chimaera – was last seen heading for Dathomir, the base of the Nightsisters. A trio of these Force-sensitive witches – Klothow, Aktropaw, and Lakesis – aided his long-prophesised comeback, and he’s likely to call on their services again in his pursuit of power.
He won’t be short of help, either. When the so-called Shadow Council met in The Mandalorian season 3, the leaders of the Imperial Remnant were already anticipating Thrawn’s return. He’s long been seen as the "heir to the Empire", a figure capable of pulling disparate factions together, and Filoni is positioning the Chiss officer as the Big Bad at this point on the timeline.
"When Timothy Zahn wrote Heir to the Empire [a 1991, no-longer-canon novel], Thrawn became this very iconic villain, because he was different than anything we’d seen before," Filoni told Empire magazine in April 2023. "He wasn’t another helmet-wearing, lightsaber-wielding bad guy, you know? There’s a lot of pull to make characters that are like Vader, because it is so iconic. But the boldness that Tim had was to make somebody that wasn’t like that, that didn’t have those abilities, but could fight in a different way. In the words ‘Star Wars’, the ‘war’ part of it – him being a Grand Admiral, a leader, a military strategist, a Moriarty archetype, someone that will out-think you, out-strategise you – that really resonated. He’s a critical player in this time period."
The Shadow Council were already planning for Thrawn's return in The Mandalorian season 3(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney)
Up to now, the New Republic's government has been strangely complacent about the rise of the Imperial Remnant, with only the likes of General Hera Syndulla and X-Wing pilot/Outer Rim cop Carson Teva alert to the danger. Now that wannabe Jedi Ezra Bridger has returned from his own extended stay on Peridea (and been reunited with Hera, his former commander on the Ghost), though, he’s in a strong position to warn everyone about the clear and present danger posed by Thrawn.
We’re expecting this to be a major aspect of the Ahsoka season 2 story. That said, after key plot points from The Mandalorian season 2 were resolved in episodes of The Book of Boba Fett, there’s every chance Thrawn and Ezra’s story will continue in the The Mandalorian & Grogu – or even Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which releases in December – before Ahsoka rematerializes.
Ahsoka season 2 trailer: is there one?
There won't be a season 2 trailer for a long time.(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)
It’s currently way too early for an Ahsoka: season 2 trailer. Going on past Star Wars form, we’d expect the first footage to appear four to six months ahead of release. We'll update this section once one is revealed.
Where to watch Star Wars movies and TV shows
Tales of the Jedi looks back on Anakin and Ahsoka's master/apprentice relationship(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)
If you want to watch or revisit previous Star Wars adventures ahead of Ahsoka season 2, every movie and TV show in the official canon is available on Disney Plus.
Long-running animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (set between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) is a good place to start, as it details Ahsoka Tano’s formative years in the Jedi Order as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan. Ahsoka subsequently cameos in animated form in Star Wars: Rebels (set in the run-up to Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope), and in live-action in episodes of The Mandalorian and the Book of Boba Fett. Her backstory is also the subject of three standalone episodes in anthology series Tales of the Jedi.
Where does the Star Wars universe go after Ahsoka season 2?
Grand Admiral Thrawn is being positioned as the primary villain of the post-Return of the Jedi era(Image credit: Lucasfilm Ltd)
Whatever form the big cinematic event – involving characters from Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, and more – takes, we can expect it to be epic. "To me, a theatrical experience has to have a big idea," Filoni told Empire magazine. “[It has to be] a monumental moment in the time period that changes what’s happening. What Tony [Gilroy, Andor showrunner] has done and what we did in Rebels, everything then changes when Luke blows up the Death Star. You’re looking for those moments that define an era, and that’s what the films really should be about – whether it’s characters coming together or a defining moment."
The interweaving plots, then, are all building up to what’s been described by Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy as a "climactic story event". The culmination of the post-Return of the Jedi era of storytelling will be a theatrical movie directed by Filoni. It’s widely expected to pull various plotlines together, laying the groundwork for the rise of the First Order, the events of The Force Awakens, and beyond.
Telling Vanity Fair about his plans for Ahsoka season 2 and his as-yet-untitled film, Filoni said: "I’m setting up what seems to be a larger conflict with the Imperial Remnant. That conflict can’t just mirror what we’ve seen before. It has to take on a different shape. It can’t just be the Empire versus what looks like the Rebellion, or even the Republic. It has to be visually different". Here's hoping it's worth the wait.
You'll see from our full Google Pixel 9 review that we're mostly very impressed with Google's flagship phone, but we're still discovering new features that the handset has to offer – including Adaptive Touch technology on the display.
As spotted by Android Authority, if you dive into the Display section of Settings, there's a new adaptive touch entry in the Touch sensitivity menu. When the feature is enabled, the touchscreen sensitivity "will automatically adjust to your environment, activities and screen protector" according to the official blurb.
And that pretty much sums it up: Adaptive Touch makes it easier to use the display if you've got wet fingers, or if there's a screen protector on top, or if you're wearing gloves for example. It looks like the feature is enabled by default on the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
All the way back in March there was a rumor that Adaptive Touch was on the way for the Pixel 9 handsets, because of code hidden away in a beta version of Android 14. Now it appears that the code is live and enabled.
More to follow
The Pixel 9 Pro(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Google hasn't said anything officially about Adaptive Touch, but that's perhaps not surprising: it had an awful lot of information to pack into its Made by Google 2024 event a couple of weeks ago, where the Pixel 9 range was unveiled.
It would seem that the feature requires hardware support of some kind, as there's no sign of Adaptive Touch on the older Google Pixel 8 phones. If this is something you think you're going to find useful, then you'll have to consider upgrading to the 2024 phones – the Pixel 9 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349.
This isn't the first discovery of an unannounced feature on these devices either. We previously noticed that the Pixel 9 phones have improved the upgrade process (something Google has now commented on), and the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold also comes with an important upgrade in terms of hardware security.
While these improvements weren't announced formally at the Pixel 9 launch, they add to the appeal of the phones – and of course Google has spent plenty of time talking about other new features, including a bunch of AI tricks.
My partner and I have very different approaches to interior design. While she (a style-savvy art director) makes the house look good with tasteful additions, I (a fitness writer) clutter it up with bulky exercise equipment. But I’ve recently been introduced to something which could satisfy both camps.
The Technogym Bench is designed to deliver “maximum exercise variety with minimum footprint”, neatly slotting dumbbells, knuckle weights, resistance bands and a yoga mat into a compact weight bench. As you’d expect from the notoriously luxe Italian brand, it looks pretty smart too.
It’s in our Money No Object franchise for a reason – at $2,350 in the US and £1,450 in the UK (around $AU3,500), it’s hardly a shrewd purchase. But my champagne tastes (if not my beer pockets) couldn’t help but want one, especially after I gave it a go.
(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)
The Technogym Bench: What is it?
The Technogym team describes its eponymous bench as “the innovative training solution for your home; infinite training opportunities in just one station”.
Within the hollowed out interior of the weight bench you’ll find five pairs of dumbbells (5lbs / 2.5kg, 7.5lbs / 3.5kg, 10lbs / 5kg, 15lbs / 7.5kg and 20lbs / 10kg), three sets of knuckle weights (1lb / 0.45kg, 1.8lbs / 0.8kg and 2.6lbs / 1.20kg), light, medium and heavy resistance bands, and an exercise mat.
Each piece of equipment has its place, whether that’s a peg, rack or compartment, and there are wheels on one end to make the bench easier to move – handy when the whole thing weighs just shy of 220lb / 100kg.
(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)
The Technogym Bench: What makes it special?
This is the big question: Why does the Technogym Bench warrant its lofty price tag?
Out of interest, I raided Amazon and found I could pick up a flat weight bench with all the requisite ingredients for $316.61 – the Amazon Basics range did a lot of the heavy lifting.
But this wouldn't solve my clutter problem – if anything, it would add to it – and the gear wasn’t of the same quality either. When I tried the Technogym Bench, the Batman-esque black and gray color scheme looked great, and every element felt incredibly sturdy.
This stylish aesthetic and premium feel are arguably the Technogym Bench’s biggest selling points. The brand recently launched the Design To Move project, which challenged 40 renowned designers such as Kelly Hoppen and Antonio Citterio to create their own variation of Technogym’s most decorated product (a member of the brand's team told me this product had scooped more awards than any other on its roster). The results were displayed at Milan Design Week 2024, and you can see some of the designs below.
Image 1 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 2 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 3 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 4 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 5 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 6 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 7 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 8 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 9 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 10 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 11 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 12 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 13 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 14 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 15 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
Image 16 of 16
(Image credit: Technogym)
“As Leonardo taught us, movement is the cause of all forms of life,” says Technogym founder and chief executive Nerio Alessandri. “Design has always been a key element of our journey, a strong ally to turn functional into emotional and needs into aspiration. We are proud that so many designers and artists have joined our dream of putting the world back in motion.”
Nobody’s ever used Da Vinci to sell me dumbbells before, and this air of sophistication is probably another part of the product’s appeal – the Technogym Bench is certainly pitched at a higher aesthetic standard than sweaty bedroom burpees.
The other thing that sets it apart from my shoddily assembled Amazon cart is its compatibility with the Technogym app, via your phone or tablet. The platform has a litany of slickly produced video classes designed to capitalize on the Technogym Bench’s functionality, and you can also use it with the brand’s other machines, like the Technogym Run treadmill, for bootcamp-style workouts.
I tried one circuit class which comprised a cocktail of dynamic full-body dumbbell exercises, muscle-building heroes like chest flys, and core-carving moves using the knuckle weights. The 30 minutes flew by, and the minimal set-up made it easy to flit between stations.
(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)
The bench isn't without a few holes in its game. As a long-time lifter, some heavier dumbbells would have been handy. Technogym offers the option to buy additional weights, and you can always buy more yourself, but there's nowhere to store them, and once you've spent upwards of $2,000 on exercise equipment the chances are you won't want to splash the cash again for a while.
However, as the Technogym team pointed out, the weights provided are a good fit for the bootcamp sessions the bench prides itself on – even 20lb / 10kg will feel heavy by the end of a high-rep set.
Only having low anchor points on the bench for the resistance bands also limited the exercise options a little, with moves like high-to-low crossovers and lat pulldowns off the table (unless you can find another solid anchor point up high in your home).
In spite of these slight gripes, and its price, the Technogym Bench is still an undeniably cool bit of kit. That's why, for better or for worse, I can't help but want one.
Mint's reimagining of the classic Rollei 35 from the 1960's came to light at the turn of the year, and it looks like the project has made significant headway over the following months.
We now have detailed Rollei 35AF product photos (see below) plus sample images taken by the new classic snapper that have further whetted the appetite for what could be one of the best film cameras released this year.
This could be the high-quality everyday film camera that analog photography enthusiasts crave, and it's set to deliver compelling updates from its vintage forebearers. Let's take a look at what is so compelling about the new version and why it could surpass the excellent recent Pentax 17.
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 2 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 3 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 4 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 5 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
A classic, for today
Coming a full 50 years after the Rollei 35S and 58 years after the original Rollei 35, Mint is equipping the new Rollei 35AF with autofocus and a built-in flash – features that neither of the original models include.
The 35AF utilizes LiDAR technology and a center spot for autofocus, though, of course, we don't know how effective it is yet. It should, however, be a big upgrade from the zone-focusing setup of the original models.
Users can select auto or manual exposure, with a shutter speed range of 1/500 to 1 second. Icons on a new OLED display indicate your exposure levels: whether the exposure setting is too bright or too dark and by how much, to help you get the correct brightness.
The fixed 35mm f/2.8 lens is slightly wider than the 40mm lenses from before and has a minimum focus distance of 2.3ft / 70cm. It's an everyday all-glass lens with 5 front and rear-coated elements, and its quality is certainly promising if the 35AF sample photos already shared are anything to go by (see below).
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 2 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 3 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 4 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
Image 5 of 5
(Image credit: Mint)
I'm happy to see a built-in flash is now included. Such a feature is super handy for everyday photography and tops my wishlist for my own Ricoh GR IIIx digital compact camera. Flash can be turned on or off via a mode selector dial and its power is automatically adjusted based on subject distance.
Mint is also adding modern conveniences such as a selfie button and an auto shooting mode, handy for newbies. All of these improvements are being implemented into an all-metal body with a familiar compact and retro styling that Rollei fans love.
This 35m film camera is a different prospect than the half-frame Pentax 17. For me, the Rollei 35AF ticks more boxes for film beginners and enthusiasts alike in 2024. I expect it to be durable and easy to use, the lens admirably sharp, and it's certainly easy on the eye. We still don't know pricing or how quickly preorders will be fulfilled after September 10 – we could be looking at lengthy Fujifilm X100VI-level wait times. I'm hoping to have the camera in my hands this year. Roll on Rollei.
Apple usually launches its new iPhones and Apple Watches in September, and it looks as though Tuesday, September 10 could be the date when we get to see the iPhone 16 series (and iOS 18), the Apple Watch 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the AirPods 4.
None of this is certain just yet, but the tip comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who is usually accurate when it comes to Apple predictions. Preorders for the iPhones will likely start on September 13, before they actually go on sale on September 20.
This September 10 date makes the most sense looking at the calendar, and going off what Apple has done in the past. It's also a date that's been previously mentioned by tipsters, and we may well see macOS 15 Sequoia pushed out at the same time.
Gurman says "people familiar with the matter" have pointed to September 10 as the big day, though Apple hasn't commented. Considering it's only a little over two weeks away, we might well see an official announcement about this sometime next week.
What to expect
A successor to the Apple Watch 9 could show up too(Image credit: Apple)
There have been plenty of leaks and rumors around the four expected iPhone 16 models so far: we're expecting faster chipsets, bigger screens for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, some improvements in the camera department, and quite possibly the same starting prices as we saw last year.
We've not seen quite as much speculation around the Apple Watch models, but some information has appeared ahead of time. It looks as though the upcoming Apple Watch 10 could boast a larger screen compared to its predecessor, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is said to be sticking to the same design as the current one.
As for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple revealed plenty about these software updates at its WWDC 2024 event in June. We might not get all of the features right away though: the talk is that some Apple Intelligence features are going to follow on later.
If you're keen to see everything that Apple's been working on, then mark your calendars for an event on September 10. We will of course be covering all the announcements as they happen, and the event will most likely be streamed online too.
One day, we suppose, the tech news cycle might slow down just a little bit – but it certainly hasn't happened this week. It's been another seven days packed full of news, leaks, and product launches, and we've picked out the most important stories of the week below.
These ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) articles are intended to get you caught up on the tech news from the last seven days as quickly as possible – and we understand if you don't have the time or opportunity to check TechRadar every day (even though you should, of course).
This week's hand-picked batch of tech tales include new rumors about what to expect from the iPhone 16 and the Apple AirPods 4, an affordable new video doorbell from Ring, and a distinctly unaffordable new soundbar from Nakamichi. Enjoy catching up!
8. The iPhone Photography Awards named this year’s impressive winners
Some of the 2024 winners(Image credit: IPPA Awards / Soledad Barranca Miron / Enhua Ni / Glenn Homann )
We always look forward to the annual reveal of the best pictures in the iPhone Photography Awards, because they're all invariably brilliant – and the newly announced selection is no different. These stunning shots cover nature, architecture, people, places, and deep space, and it's well worth your while to check out the whole gallery.
Interestingly, quite a few winning photos were taken on older iPhones, which shows you don't necessarily need the latest and greatest kit to take a fantastic smartphone photo. The awards are now in its 17th year, and is the longest-running iPhone photography competition – and we're already looking forward to seeing the top picks for 2025.
It's about time the Apple AirPods 3 got a successor(Image credit: Future)
The AirPods 3 launched in October 2021, so we reckon a new pair of wireless earbuds from Apple are now overdue – and one of the most reliable Apple tipsters in the business says the Apple AirPods 4 are indeed showing up soon. What's more, there are apparently going to be two different variations for us to choose between this time around.
The rumor is that there will be a basic pair of Apple AirPods 4, as well as a more advanced (and more expensive) pair that come with active noise cancellation on board. At the same time, the new arrivals should simplify the AirPods line-up, which is currently a bit of a mess – so the second and third-generation AirPods will both be replaced at the same time.
You can crash your iPhone from the App Library screen(Image credit: Future / Apple)
File this one under iPhone oddities: you can make your Apple smartphone crash just by typing a specific series of four characters into the search bar at the top of the App Library screen. It's not a particularly bad bug, and basically just freezes your phone for a few seconds before returning you to the lock screen, but it's an interesting little trick.
It's a reminder that even the most mature and polished software platforms can still have their quirks, and while this doesn't seem to be a security risk or anything like that, Apple may well fix it with the roll out of iOS 18. If you want to have a play with the bug yourself, follow the link below where you'll find instructions for how to do it on your own iPhone.
5. DJI was (again) tipped to take on Canon and Nikon
DJI might move from pocket video recorders into mirrorless cameras(Image credit: DJI / Future)
DJI has a wealth of experience in building cameras that attach to drones, but it seems the company is about to launch an actual standalone digital camera of its own in the near future – and considering how highly rated DJI's drones and pocket video cameras are, this is perhaps something that the likes of Sony, Canon, and Nikon should be worried about.
Right now we don't have too much information about the camera that DJI is supposedly working on, but it is apparently a mirrorless model, and is being tipped to come out in September. It would be an interesting move for DJI for sure, as it looks to expand beyond its core business in drones and start making money from other gadget categories, too.
4. The final beta version of iOS 18 rolled out for early adopters
The full launch of iOS 18 is almost here(Image credit: Shutterstock / QubixStudio)
iOS 18 got its grand introduction back in June, when Apple told us all about the host of new features it's bringing to iPhones later this year, and the beta-testing phase for the software is now drawing to a close. A well-placed source says the latest iOS 18 beta version will be the last one, before the software gets finalized and pushed out to the masses.
If you want to test out the new features ahead of time, you can still sign up for the iOS 18 beta program, though some previously promised parts of the software – most notably, a lot of the Apple Intelligence features – haven't yet shown up. iOS 18 is most likely going to be launched in full sometime in September, at the same time as the iPhone 16 unveiling.
3. A money-no-object, Dolby Atmos soundbar tempted us into bankruptcy
A seriously expensive bit of kit(Image credit: Nakamichi)
If you've got a spare $8,499 lying around for an audio upgrade – that's about £6,475 / AU$12,630 at today's rates – then can we interest you in the Nakamichi Dragon Dolby Atmos soundbar, which brings with it four 12-inch subs and an astonishing 5,000 watts of power? It'll do wonders for the sound you get from your movies and television shows.
In fact, get this installed under your television set, and you'll get a sound experience that's not too far off the one on offer at your local multiplex. If you're interested in a luxury, premium bit of audio kit that's ready to seriously rock your world (in the confines of your living room, at least), then we've got all the specs and details you need to know.
2. A big iPhone 16 leak helped decide our upgrade plans
The iPhone 15 series(Image credit: Apple)
The anticipation is growing around the iPhone 16 series, almost certainly arriving sometime in September, and a fresh leak pulls together a whole pile of rumored information about these four phones – so if you want to read some spoilers ahead of the official Apple event and unveiling, then follow the link below to check them out.
While none of these details are confirmed yet, they cover everything from screen sizes and internal processors to battery capacities and even starting prices (in the US) – there is good news on that front, because it looks like all of the iPhone 16 models are going cost the same as the iPhone 15 versions they're replacing, so there won't be any price hikes.
1. Ring gave us a temptingly-affordable new video doorbell
The new video doorbell from Ring(Image credit: Ring)
More and more front doors are having video doorbells attached to them, and it's easy to see the appeal: you can check who's calling and give orders to delivery drivers or neighbors without getting up from your couch (or from your beach lounger on the other side of the world). If you're in the market, there's a new Ring model for your consideration.
The appropriately-named Ring Battery Doorbell brings with it some premium-level features – including a head-to-toe, 150-degree vertical field of view, and color night vision – while still hitting an affordable $99.99 / AU$149 (about £80) price point. If you're in the US or Australia you can preorder it now, with availability in other countries to come.
Follow Us
Were this world an endless plain, and by sailing eastward we could for ever reach new distances