Here’s your firmware update for April 27, 2024
If you’ve lost track of this week’s most important tech news then don’t fret, as we’re here to catch you up to speed – and this is one week you won’t want to have missed.
We say that because some major things have happened in the last seven days. Meta announced that it’s sharing its Horizon OS with other VR headset makers – which is the biggest announcement it will likely make this decade – Apple teased its 2024 iPad lines and gave us a launch date for them, and DJI gave us a release date for its cheapest-ever 4K drone.
And here at TechRadar we hosted our first Sustainability Week, producing a whole host of articles showcasing some fantastic examples of how the tech industry is focusing on sustainability – and a few instances where it still needs to do better.
Let’s get you all caught up on the week’s biggest stories that you might have missed…7. We hosted Sustainability Week
We ran our first Sustainability Week, highlighting the sustainability heroes working to make a difference in tech – and some we think could do more. We talked to Samsung about its energy efficient, AI-driven appliances, delved deep into Apple’s recent patent for removable uniform battery enclosures, and even spoke with the creators of a bioengineered plant purifier.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though, as we also zoned in on the energy impact of processors and graphics cards, calling for the likes of AMD, Nvidia and Intel to work together towards a more sustainable chipmaking future. We’ve also shared insights on how you can do your bit, whether that’s by opting for refurbished tech, seeking out sustainably sourced devices, or using your phone to save the planet.
Read more: Our sustainability week coverage6. Apple set a launch date for its new iPads
Apple has confirmed the date for its next “special Apple Event” as May 7 at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST, which is midnight AEST on May 8, and while iPads aren’t officially on the cards, the invite includes a snazzy Apple logo featuring an Apple Pencil surrounded by splashes of color – a strong indication that new tablets will be shown off.
We’re expecting the headline announcement to be a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and M3 chipset, with two iPad Air 6 models plus some accessories – such as a new Pencil and potentially a Magic Keyboard – also likely to get shown off.
