Welcome back, everyone. This week has been a busy week in the technology world. Oura Ring 4 review puts the new smart ring to the test, gets 4 new Kindles from Amazon, and LG updates the 2023 version for free.
To help you catch the biggest stories, we’ve compiled the highlights below for your reference. If you’d like to know more, there’s a link to the broader story.
Once you’re done, check out our guide to seven new movies and TV shows streaming this weekend (October 18).
7. iPad mini 7 is finally here after a long wait
Just when we were about to give up on a new iPad mini, Apple announced its first new version in over three years. This seems like a solid option for anyone who needs an 8.3-inch tablet.
Naturally, the mini 7 is primarily here to support Apple Intelligence features, and it’s able to do that thanks to its A17 Pro chip (from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro series) and 4GB of RAM. Apple has also doubled the tablet’s base storage (now starting at 128GB) and added support for the Apple Pencil Pro.
The downside is that it doesn’t have a ProMotion display (the screen tops out at 60Hz) and a charging brick isn’t included for buyers in the EU. But otherwise, the new iPad mini ticks most of the key boxes for traveling creators who need a tablet that’s easy to carry in their backpacks.
6. We reviewed the Quest 3S and the Quest 3 was still our favorite
We put the Meta Quest 3S through rigorous testing and gave it 4 and a half stars in our Meta Quest 3S review. Overall, apart from a few shortcomings, it’s a great VR headset for the price.
The main thing is visual. Having the same chipset and RAM, everything renders similarly, but the less sharp 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye display replaces the Quest 3’s 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye dual display setup. There’s no better, and the difference is even greater. More noticeable than we expected. Expensive headsets are less bulky and slightly more comfortable.
For a small additional fee, Meta Quest 3 offers major visual upgrades that make the better model more than worth it. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend purchasing the Meta Quest 3S instead.
5. We tried the best ChatGPT prompts
This week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the unusual step of endorsing a ChatGPT prompt that had been circulating on Reddit with the simple phrase “I like this” on his X.com account. It was nominated by a tweet by a writer named Tom Morgan, who wrote, “Ask ChatGPT.” In all of our interactions, what’s the one thing you’ve told me that I might not know about myself? What’s one thing you can tell me?’
Most users have found that this has led to surprising revelations about themselves that they had never considered before. The results were truly impressive, with Reddit user Newmoonlightavenger saying, “That was the best thing anyone has ever said about me.” If you want a little therapy for free, head over to ChatGPT.com and try out the prompts now. !
4. DJI Air 3S took flight
Just over a year after the dual-camera Air 3 took to the skies, DJI has followed up with an iterative update: the new DJI Air 3S. Built on the best all-around drone, the Air 3S features an improved main camera with a larger 1-inch sensor and a secondary camera with 3x telephoto zoom for better focus on your subjects. I am. T
The latter is the same as the one on the Air 3, but with a smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor. Each of these cameras can shoot 4K video at up to 120 fps with up to 14 stops of dynamic range in the D-Log M color profile. This is a great feature set for aerial photographers.
Air 3S is the first 360-degree obstacle sensing DJI drone with front-facing LiDAR in addition to a better main camera. This, along with ‘next-generation’ smart return to home (RTH), enables Air 3S to automatically identify and avoid obstacles during flight and return routes, and enables daytime and nighttime imaging. It will be.
Otherwise, there’s not much new about the Air 3S, but as you’ll see in our review, that’s not a bad thing. The Air 3S, while not revolutionary, is a solid upgrade that approaches perfection. It’s not particularly worth upgrading for Air 3 owners, but for others it’s the best all-around drone currently available.
3. The new Kindle is here…
Amazon is breaking new ground by delivering more new Kindles in a day than ever before. Yes, we finally have the long-rumored color Kindle, Colorsoft. Use E Ink filters to provide 150ppi color for comics, magazines, and more.
The good news is that you get the full performance of 300 ppi black and white E Ink (but you’ll pay $279.99).
Behind this much-hyped e-reader is the new Kindle Paperwhite 12th generation, with the fastest E Ink page turning we’ve ever seen. AI has finally arrived on Kindle in the form of some generation tools for freshly drawn scribes.
Finally, there’s the updated basic Kindle. This one is most notable for its spicy new Macca color. Think about it. A cute green e-book reader that fits in your back pocket.
2. …and I also got a new Fire Stick
In addition to the four new Kindles, Amazon has also surprisingly streamlined its Fire TV Stick lineup. The all-new Fire TV Stick HD replaces both Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick in a very simple way, but includes major upgrades.
A $34.99 / £39.99 / AU$69 Alexa voice remote is included, allowing you to control your experience with your voice and control all of your TV’s functions with the remote.
Of course, it’s essentially a Fire TV Stick, supporting major visual standards like HDR and streaming content at up to 1080pHD. All the major players in the streaming world also offer apps for the Amazon Fire TV platform.
1. LG updates OLED TV
LG surprised everyone earlier this week by rolling out some updates to its 2023 TVs, originally promised in 2025.
The update in question was first made available to some 2023 model year premium TVs, such as the LG C3 and LG G3, replacing the existing smart TV platform, webOS 23, with the current version, webOS 24 (2024 models such as the LG installed on your TV). C4) boasts an improved design, better accessibility options, and other new features including a handy sports portal.
The update comes as part of LG’s commitment to upgrade its smart TV platform for its TVs over the next five years. However, that’s because older TVs always have the latest and greatest version of the software behind them, forcing users to keep buying these newer models. , right?
Other TV updates are still scheduled for 2025, but it’s great to see LG clearly planning on keeping this promise.
