Month: October 2022

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is almost definitely in the works – and we know what we want to see from it.

2022’s Google Pixel Watch delivered on our long-held wish for an own-brand Google smartwatch, and now we’re turning our attention to its potential successor, the Google Pixel Watch 2. 

Admittedly, with the first Pixel Watch having only arrived as recently as October last year, the Google Pixel Watch 2 probably won’t be landing any sooner than late 2023 – but its arrival in that period would still mark a far quicker turnaround than the eight-year gap between the debut of Android Wear and the launch of the current Pixel Watch.

In any case, Google is almost certainly working on the Google Pixel Watch 2, and even though we haven’t heard any concrete rumors about the device just yet, we’ll be adding them to this article when do they do begin to emerge. 

In the meantime, you’ll find our best guesses at the Pixel Watch 2 release date and price, followed by a wishlist of what we want to see from the device.

Cut to the chase

What is it? Google’s next Pixel smartwatch

When is it out? Possibly October 2023

How much will it cost? Unclear, but probably at least $350 / £340 / AU$550

Google Pixel Watch 2: release date and price

We don’t know when the Pixel Watch 2 will be announced, but given that the smartwatch industry generally tends to move in yearly cycles, there’s a fair chance that the device will be unveiled around a year after the original Pixel Watch.

That would mean a launch in or around October 2023 (though given that there has only been one model so far, we can’t be entirely confident that Google will stick with yearly updates). 

Still, assuming the Pixel Watch 2 lands in 2023 at all, the most obvious timing would be alongside the Google Pixel 8, which itself is likely to land in October 2023.

As for the price, it will inevitably have a similar cost to the current Pixel Watch, which starts at $350 / £340 / AU$550. That’s just speculation for now, mind you. 

The price could be similar to that of the original Pixel Watch (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Google Pixel Watch 2: news and leaks

There isn’t any Pixel Watch 2 news at the time of writing, but we’ll fill out this section as soon as we hear anything.

There are a few things we can predict, though. For one, it will unquestionably run Wear OS; not only does the current Pixel Watch sport the same platform, Google makes the platform, so it would be ludicrous for the Pixel Watch 2 to run anything else. 

The device will presumably also retain most of the features of the current model, which – beyond all of the standard smartwatch features like a built-in GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope – includes an ECG.

We expect the Pixel Watch 2 to bring back its predecessor’s domed display, too, as well as its rotating digital crown and band mechanisms. As is typical of follow-up devices, we’re also hoping to see improved durability specs.

Google Pixel Watch 2: what we want to see

As good as the Pixel Watch is, there are lots of things Google can do to make the Pixel Watch 2 even better, including the following:

1. Multiple sizes

The Pixel Watch’s size won’t be ideal for everyone (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The Google Pixel Watch is a one-size-fits-all device, which, of course, inevitably means that it’s not the ideal size for everyone.

In fairness, it arguably strikes the best balance possible for a wearable that’s only going to come in one size, but we’d still much rather be given the choice; like you get with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch 8, for example – both of which come in two sizes.

2. Simpler band switching

One of the main issues we’ve found with the Google Pixel Watch is how tricky it is to switch the bands. Google has opted for a proprietary system, making for a rather limited selection of compatible straps out the gate.

Proprietary systems sometimes make the process of swapping bands easier than it otherwise would be, but the opposite is true with the DSLR camera lens-inspired mechanism at work on the Pixel Watch.

Once we got to grips with it, the system proved less painful, but there’s certainly a learning curve, so this is definitely something we hope Google refines for the Pixel Watch 2.

3. A smaller bezel

The Google Pixel Watch has a thick bezel (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Despite having a moderately premium price, the Google Pixel Watch has a massive bezel around its circular screen that works against its otherwise high-quality look and feel, and makes it seem cheaper than it is.

Thanks to some smart user interface choices by Google, the bezel isn’t particularly noticeable most of the time, but it’s still a shocking size for a modern smartwatch. As such, we want to see this shrunk by the time people slap the Google Pixel Watch 2 on their wrists.

4. Make it comfier to sleep in

Our review found that the dome-shaped back of the Pixel Watch made it slightly uncomfortable to sleep in, and it even woke our reviewer from their slumber on multiple occasions.

This obviously isn’t ideal, and while some sleepers may not have this issue, we’d like the Pixel Watch 2 to have a flat back, so that no one loses sleep over it.

5. Better Fitbit integration

The Google Pixel Watch is a full-blown Fitbit device, with access to a dedicated Fitbit app and Fitbit Premium features (it comes with six months access as part of the price).

However, this all feels unnecessarily disjointed, as you need a separate Fitbit account to access many of the health and fitness features on the Pixel Watch, while a Google account handles everything else.

Since Google now owns Fitbit, it doesn’t seem like too much to ask for your Google account to work as your Fitbit login, too. As such, we hope this is all streamlined in time for the Pixel Watch 2; as that would set it on a path to becoming one killer wearable and perhaps one of the best smartwatches out there.

If you can’t wait that long, why not check out our rundown of the best smartwatch deals available right now?

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Apple Watch Black Friday deals are coming soon. Here’s what to expect in this year’s sales

The 2023 Apple Watch Black Friday deals aren’t far away – they’ll be here in less than two months, in fact. If you’re in the market for a cheap Apple Watch, there’s still plenty of time to make a plan, decide on which Watch is right for you, and ensure you’re in the best position to grab it once the sales start. 

The Black Friday deals sales event officially takes place on November 24 this year, lasting until Cyber Monday on November 27. Last year, we had discounts on then-new devices such as the Apple Watch Series 8, so it’s not out of the question that we’ll see discounts on the recently-released Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. 

Alongside iPhones, Apple Watches are some of the most popular gadgets around during the Black Friday season – a recent holiday shopping report from Adobe identified smart watches as one of the most popular types of products bought on Cyber Monday last year, and Apple Watches are always the most popular smartwatch to own overall, by a significant margin. 

That’s where we come in. With our guidance, you can navigate the sales, log onto the right place at the right time, and snap up a smartwatch for less. We’ve listed everything you need to do your research, such as the best websites to check, sales dates, and what to expect based on last year’s best discounts. And of course, if you want to read all our Apple Watch reviews to figure out which one is right for you, your next port of call should be our guide to the best Apple Watch.

Today’s best Apple Watch Black Friday sales

We won’t see official Apple Watch Black Friday sales until at least mid-October. However, these are your best options if you want to browse for a good deal now, in both the US and UK:

US Apple Watch sales: 

Amazon: $100 off Apple Watch Series 8Target: Deals on Apple Watch SE and moreBest Buy: Save up to $130 on Apple Watch Series 8Walmart: Excellent price cuts on last year’s watches

UK Apple Watch sales:

Amazon: Save on Apple’s second-gen SE 2Currys: Save up to £60Argos: Visit the Argos Apple Watch storeJohn Lewis: Save £180 on the Apple Watch Ultra

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals start in 2023?

As mentioned above, the Black Friday deals officially kick off on Friday November 24, lasting over the weekend until Cyber Monday, November 27. 

However, that’s rarely the whole story. Just like previous years, we’re expecting early Apple Watch Black Friday deals to crop up beforehand, potentially arriving as early as October. Given that a second Amazon Prime Day sale is happening on October 12-14, we know the deals are going to start coming thick and fast sooner than ever.

Of course, this just means more opportunity to bag a Black Friday Apple Watch deal and get the watch you want at a lower price. It pays to shop smart, especially as Apple don’t often hand out discounts.

Where will the best Apple Watch Black Friday deals be?

You’ll find all the best Apple Watch Black Friday deals right here, of course. We’ll be keeping track of all the best deals around the web and updating this page with anything we find, so check back here nearer the time if you’re looking for a cheap Apple Watch. Based on previous years, these are a few of the retailers to look out for:

US Apple Watch sales:
Amazon: Where some of the best Apple Watch discounts are always found
Apple: Straight to the source, with small discounts usually available
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Good discounts on sports watches, including Apple
Target: Deals on Apple Watch SE and more
Best Buy: Save on Apple Watches both current and older
Walmart: Usually great price cuts on last year’s watches

UK Apple Watch sales:
Amazon: Save on lots of Apple Watcheshe
Very: Save on lots of Apple goodies, including watches
Currys: Lots of smartwatch and iPhone savings
Three: Get Apple Watch outright, or on contract
Argos: Find the Argos Apple Watch store here
John Lewis: Discounts on new and older Apple Watches

What Black Friday Apple Watch deals do we expect to see in 2023?

Last year, we got some decent discounts on the then-new Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE 2, so expect to see some small price cuts on this year’s brand-new Apple Watch Series 9. There weren’t many discounts on the Apple Watch Ultra worth shouting about, so don’t expect much on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Instead, we’re excited to see more significant cuts on the Series 8, as prices are slashed so retailers can get rid of their older stock. With the Series 9 being so similar to the 8 in so many ways, this is the watch to, well, watch out for if you’re looking for lower prices on a flagship Apple device. 

Last year’s deals

Below, you can find a selection of example deals from last year. Note there are no live links, as all these deals have now ended. 

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Google is upping the price of a YouTube Premium family subscription from November.

Update 06/11/23: A previous version of this story stated that Australian users would be unaffected by the YouTube Premium family plan price increase. However, as of November 2023, the price of a YouTube Premium family plan in Australia has risen from AU$22.99 per month to AU$32.99 per month.

YouTube Premium just got its first major price hike in several years, suggesting that even Google is feeling the pinch of an unpredictable economic climate. 

From November, the monthly cost of YouTube’s Premium family plan – which allows for up to six accounts to use the same subscription – will jump from $17.99 to $22.99 in the US and Canada, and from £17.99 to £19.99 in the UK. The former increase represents a 30% price hike.

The jump in monthly cost will apply to new and existing YouTube Premium family users from November 21, though “long-standing and valued members” who began subscribing to the service prior to its rebrand from YouTube Red will stay on the same subscription plans until April 2023. After that, though, all users will be subject to the same monthly fees. 

YouTube is raising the price of its Premium family subscription “to continue delivering great service and features”, according to a notification email sent to existing subscribers. The increase represents the first price change to any tier of YouTube Premium since 2018. 

At present, single-user YouTube Premium plans aren’t being affected by the increase – but it only seems a matter of time before a similar shake-up comes to all tiers of the service. 

It looks like Google is bracing itself for a backlash when that does eventually happen, too. The company has set up a support page for users wanting to give feedback about the aforementioned price increase to YouTube Premium’s family plan. Why? Probably to gauge just how angry its customers would be if they pulled the same trick on all subscription tiers. 

A season of change

YouTube Premium costs $11.99 / £11.99 / AU$14.99 per month for individual users (Image credit: Shutterstock / PixieMe)

The family plan price hike comes after Google’s very public experiments with what actually constitutes YouTube Premium. The service offers fee-paying subscribers ad-free viewing, background playback and the ability to download videos for offline use, but in recent months, Google has flirted with the introduction of a resolution paywall for free YouTube users – a system that would see 4K video playback made exclusive to Premium subscribers. 

Thankfully (for non-paying users, at least), Google confirmed in October that it had ended its resolution paywall trial. However, should the company decide to hike the price of YouTube Premium across the board, affected subscribers will be hoping to get more for their money than they do with the current Premium package. 

For more YouTube-related content, check out our reports on how YouTube is taking account mentions to the next level and why we’re so happy that YouTube widgets have finally arrived for iOS 16 and iPadOS.

Higher-quality videos are finally coming to YouTube Premium, but only on iPhone

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We find out if now is the time to invest in one of the latest air fryers and if they do, indeed, save time, money and effort.

Keen to try out one of the latest air fryers? You might find a range of compact and stylish air fryer offers from the likes of Ninja, Tefal, and Corsori in our roundup of Prime Day air fryer deals. As well as turning out healthier versions of your favorite foods, an air fryer is the perfect countertop addition to save you time and energy in the kitchen, cutting standard oven cooking times in half. 

And shorter cooking times will ultimately save you money on electricity bills. With the current state of world energy affairs both financially and ethically, saving energy at home has never been a more pressing issue, so below we take a closer look at how to calculate the costs of your air fryer based on current energy prices. 

For those still sitting on the fence, wondering whether one of the latest air fryers is worth it, we’re here to help you make an informed choice over which model from our roundup of the best air fryers online is the perfect pick for you. We’re also going to delve a little deeper into the reasons behind whether or not an air fryer is, indeed, worth it. Read on to find out more.

How does an air fryer work?

You may have already heard friends and family singing the praises of using an air fryer for cooking a variety of foods, and for good reason. Versatile and efficient, the air fryer is fast becoming a kitchen staple, giving conventional gas or electric ovens a run for their money. The best air fryers deliver the benefits of cooking with traditional gas or electric ovens, without the expense or lengthy cooking times. 

Whether you’re preparing mid-week suppers or creating a Sunday afternoon feast, an air fryer can tackle a range of ingredients for convenient and creative cooking. An air fryer is well known for delivering delicious, crispy fries in under 20 minutes, but you can use it to prepare a host of other foods – everything from tasty chicken wings and burger patties, to vegan buffalo cauliflower and more. Just make sure you know the foods to avoid putting in the air fryer.

While an air fryer and conventional oven both serve the purpose of cooking food, they do so in different ways. Conventional ovens work by creating heat from the element – be it electric or gas – that’s slowly dispersed over time, while air fryers circulate rapid air technology around your food, heating far more quickly than a traditional oven. 

Is it cheaper to run an air fryer than an oven?

Like microwaves, slow cookers and electric pressure cookers, air fryers can all use less energy overall than a conventional oven. “It can work out cheaper to cook in an air fryer over an oven, as an air fryer takes less time to heat up, with a smaller capacity and shorter cooking options,” explains Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com. “An oven can be quite an energy intensive way to cook – particularly if you’re only using one of the racks. While a piece of chicken may take an average of around 30 minutes to cook in the oven, it could take just 15 minutes in an air fryer.” 

To find out if air fryers use a lot of electricity, Jennifer Warren at Energy Guide recommends the following formula to calculate the energy used by an appliance: 

Power rating in kilowatts multiplied by the hours used per day and divided by 1000 = kWh per day. So, for a 1500W air fryer, you’d use the following: 1500W x 1 hour ÷ 1000 = 1.5kWh. 

You can then use the following formula to calculate the energy cost of an appliance:

kWh per day x unit cost = cost of electricity each day. For example: if you have a 1500W air fryer and use it for an hour, it will consume 1.5kWh of electricity.

“You’ll need to refer to your energy bill to find out the amount you pay per kWh, but if your electricity costs 34p per unit (which is an estimate by Ofgem that takes into  account the government’s new Energy Price Guarantee), then multiply that by 1.5kWh, you get a grand total of 51p,” says Jennifer. “Based on this calculation, it would cost 25.5p to use your air fryer for 30 minutes.” 

Alternatively, you can simply use the electricity usage calculator at Joteo to work out how much it costs to use your air fryer. 

(Image credit: Instant Pot)

What is the cheapest way to cook?

The most popular appliances for those on a budget include the microwave, electric pressure cooker, slow cooker and air fryer. “Many air fryers are relatively low in cost, and when you consider the amount of electricity you could save over the years, they’re worth considering,” says William Hobbs at MyJobQuote.co.uk.  “As well as saving on energy bills, cooking with an air fryer can often be healthier than traditional cooking methods, too, as you need far less oil.”  

Is now a good time to buy an air fryer?

We’re anticipating that the best time to buy an air fryer is the closer we get to Black Friday on November 25, which is something we’ve highlighted in our Black Friday Air Fryer Deals. The reason why is that according to Adobe’s 2021 Holiday Shopping Results report, appliances were on average 4.4% more expensive at the beginning of November, before dropping over the month by 10.7%.

Of course if you see the air fryer that you want and it is on offer between now and then, it would still be an idea to really consider buying it. Although the prices may be the cheapest during Black Friday, the stock may not be there and / or the air fryer you want may not be on offer anyway.

Verdict: are air fryers worth it?

While an air fryer can be a healthier and more efficient way to cook compared to a conventional oven, you’ll need to ensure you have an air fryer with a cooking capacity large enough to cater for the number of people in your household. 

“Air fryers use less energy and will cook food faster than the average/standard 2100W electric oven,” explains Jennifer Warren at Energy Guide. ‘This is mainly due to the fact that ovens take far longer to reach their maximum temperature because of their larger capacity.” 

While air fryers can be a positive if you’re short on time and don’t fancy waiting for your oven to work its magic, it’s essential to choose a model that’s large enough for your needs. “If you don’t have an air fryer that has the capacity to cook the volume of food you need, you may end up using the air fryer for even longer than you would your oven, making no savings at all,” she says.

A good option is to cover all bases and choose a model of air fryer that can handle several cooking methods, including settings for roasting, baking, reheating and rehydrating food as well. For example, the Ninja AG301UK Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer Black comes with a grill which, in our review,  we found is ideal for cooking burgers and steaks, while Sage the Smart Oven Air Fryer has up to 10 cooking functions including a pizza and roast setting. You can also find air fryers with smart capabilities such as the Cosori Smart Air Fryer 5.5L, so you can control, schedule and monitor meals from your smartphone, which makes for an even more convenient choice.  

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Here’s everything we know about The Rings of Power season 2 on Prime Video.

The Rings of Power season 2 is well on its way to being filmed in its entirety – but it’ll be a long time before it graces our screens.

Principal photography on the next entry in Amazon’s Lord of the Rings TV show has been ongoing for almost six months. While that’s worth celebrating, we don’t expect The Rings of Power to return before 2024, so adjust your excitement levels accordingly.

Still, while we wait for one of the best Prime Video shows to land on TV screens worldwide again, there’s plenty of information about its development. In this guide, you’ll find news and rumors about its release date, cast, story, the series’ future on Prime Video, and more.

Full spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1. Potential spoilers for its sequel season are also discussed.

The Rings of Power season 2 release date: what we know

Don’t expect The Rings of Power season 2 to land in 2023. (Image credit: Matt Grace/Prime Video)

The Rings of Power season 2 doesn’t have a launch date yet. Speaking about a potential release window, Amazon Studios co-head Jennifer Salke told Esquire everyone wants to get season 2 “out into the world as soon as we can”. However, Vernon Sanders, Salke’s fellow co-head, also told Collider it was “more unlikely than likely” that it’ll arrive in 2023.

Don’t expect The Rings of Power season 2 to be released before 2024 rolls into view, then. Amazon’s other expensive high fantasy series – The Wheel of Time season 2 – is coming this year, so you’ll have some fantasy genre fare to enjoy. In the meantime, The Making of The Rings of Power – a documentary detailing season 1’s production – is available to watch now on Amazon’s streaming platform.

The Rings of Power season 2 cast

The Rings of Power‘s main characters are all slated to return. (Image credit: Prime Video)

Spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1.

Here’s who we expect to return in The Rings of Power season 2:

Charlie Vickers as Sauron
Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
Robert Aramayo as Elrond
Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad
Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor
Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
Nazain Boniadi as Bronwyn
Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen Regent Míriel
Lloyd Owen as Elendil
Maxim Baldry as Isildur
Ema Horvath as Eärien
Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
Leon Wadham as Kemen
Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV
Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa
Markella Kavenagh as Eleanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot
Dylan Smith as Largo Brandyfoot
Sara Zwangobani as Marigold Brandyfoot
Megan Richards and Poppy Proudfellow
Daniel Weyman as The Stranger

The Rings of Power season 1 finale revealed Halbrand is actually Sauron. Whenever we see Vickers from now on, he’ll be portraying The Lord of the Rings‘ iconic villain.

Meanwhile, Lenny Henry’s Sadoc Burrows and The Mystics won’t be back. Sadoc died in episode 8 after he was fatally injured him during a battle between The Stranger, Harfoots, and The Mystics – the latter being destroyed by The Stranger during the same fight.

Alex Tarrant’s Valandil, Geoff Morrell’s Waldreg, Peter Mullan as King Durin III, Maxine Cunliffe as Vilma, and Thusitha Jayasundera as Malva are the five main supporting cast members, so we suspect they’ll be back. Vilma and Malva’s appearances, though, depend on whether we see the Harfoot community again (more on this later).

The Rings of Power season 2 has dropped a big name star, though. Joseph Mawle, who played Adar, has been replaced by Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders). Elsewhere, 17 other actors have officially joined the cast. Six were announced in the Mawle departure press release, eight more were forged in the fires of Mount Doom (metaphorically speaking), before James Bond, Star Wars, and Harry Potter stars were added to the show’s ranks. You can see all 17 actors listed below:

William Chubb (The Sandman)
Kevin Eldon (Game of Thrones)
Will Keen (His Dark Materials)
Selina Lo (Hellraiser)
Calum Lynch (Bridgerton, Derry Girls)
Stuart Bowman (Alex Rider)
Gavi Singh Chera (The Lazarus Project)
Oliver Alvin-Wilson (Lovesick)
Ben Daniels (Jupiter’s Legacy)
Yasen “Zates” Atour (Young Wallander)
Gabriel Akuwudike (1917)
Nia Towle (Persuasion)
Nicholas Woodeson (Rome)
Amelia Kenworthy (in her first major acting role)
Ciaran Hinds (Harry Potter, Treason)
Rory Kinnear (James Bond)
Tanya Moodie (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker)

Potential season 2 cast spoilers follow.

One character confirmed to appear is Cirdan the Shipwright. In Tolkien’s source material, Cirdan was Lord of the Falathrim in the First Age and owned one of the titular rings – Narya – before passing it onto Gandalf. Benjamin Walker, who plays High King Gil-galad, has teased (via Nerdist) that Cirdan will have an “important influence” on his character.

Cirdan isn’t the only elf who could feature. In episode 7, Galadriel mentioned Celeborn, the elf she’s wedded to. Right now, Galadriel presumes he’s dead, but Tolkien fans know he’s still alive. The duo eventually reunite before they make the city of Lothlórien their permanent home.

Speaking at a screening event for episodes 6 and 7, co-showrunners Patrick McKay refused to confirm Celeborn will appear. However, he teased: “We know there are things that the two of them do together in terms of progeny that they will issue, realms they will found, all kinds of things. So it would be very hard to believe that she would never see him again. But let’s see.”

Elsewhere, Charles Edwards, who plays Celebrimbor, wants to see a deep-cut dwarf character make their live-action debut in The Rings of Power season 2. TheOneRing.net also claims Tom Bombadil will feature in some capacity.

According to The Fellowship of Fans, newcomer Jamie Bisping has been cast as someone called Viran (it’s unclear if this is a codename). Fellowship of Fans claims William Chubb will portray a Númenórean high priest called Lord Belzagar and Nichola Woodeson is playing a Pelargir character named Diarmid (again, no word on whether this is his actual name), too. And The Witcher fansite Redanian Intelligence suggests Celesta Dodwell (Atlanta) has been cast in an unknown role.

Finally, with the first Rings of Power being crafted in episode 8, we could see the other 17 forged in The Rings of Power season 2. If that happens, characters like Khamûl the Easterling – one of the nine Ringwraiths – could make their live-action debut.

The Rings of Power season 2 plot

The Rings of Power season 2 has lots of storylines to address. (Image credit: Prime Video)

Little is known about The Rings of Power season 2’s plot. However, based on cast and crew quotes, plus what happens in the season 1 finale and in Tolkien’s works, we can speculate on certain elements.

The most pressing questions revolve around Sauron and the titular rings. Now that Halbrand has been revealed as Sauron – Vickers told TechRadar he didn’t know he was playing Sauron until filming the third episode – Middle-earth’s most notable antagonist will take center stage.

For starters, he’s arrived in Mordor to make it his base of operations. Given Adar and his followers already inhabit this realm, it’ll be fascinating to see if they become allies or not. The duo briefly clashed in episode 6, so seeing them reunite in The Rings of Power season 2 would make for compelling viewing. Vickers told TechRadar that he’d be excited to explore the pair’s frosty relationship further, adding: “I really love that dynamic. These characters have a long history, so I’d be keen to explore that further and even build on it.”

Could Galadriel and Sauron cross paths again? (Image credit: Prime Video)

And what of Sauron potentially meeting Galadriel again? The duo formed a close bond before Halbrand revealed his true identity, only to be rebuffed in his advances to make Galdriel his queen.

“I’ve always been obsessed with the mirror of Galadriel bit from The Lord of the Rings films,” Clark told TechRadar. “She can’t let go until she’s rejected this completely because she feels temptation in that. But only the tiniest amount because of how dreadful she knows it would be. So it would be interesting to see how she’d handle a reunion.”

“I think the crux of their relationship is there’s no peace in being alone,” Vickers added. “Sauron eventually believes his peace will only come as a king and Galadriel is the one who’s drawn that back out of him in season 1. You can view him as being repentant or manipulating her in that sense. He knows she’s incredibly useful and can get him to meet the right people and be in the right circles to make these connections. Now that he’s deceived her, and now that she’s not told the elves about him, it would be fascinating to see how they would react to each other if they met again.”

Elrond and Galadriel’s friendship is going to be tested again in season 2. (Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)

Not telling the elves about Sauron will cause problems for Galadriel. Elrond already knows she’s lied to him, with the elven scholar discovering the Southlands’ royal lineage scroll, which Galadriel used to work out who Halbrand was, in the season 1 finale.

“I don’t think she’s going to necessarily feel she made the right decision [not telling Elrond about Sauron],” Clark told TechRadar. “The elves will get things wrong and there are consequences to that. This is a big one and I think Galadriel will realize she’s made a reckless and dangerous error.”

Revealing what she’s most looking forward to in season 2, Clark said: “Spending more time with the elves, whatever state those relationships are in, and just coming back to Galadriel’s elvish-ness. We know she’s going to become reclusive and secretive, and starting to turn into the Lady of Lothlórien. I’m excited to see what makes her decide to back away from what we’ve seen her throw herself into.”

The first three Rings of Power have been created. (Image credit: Prime Video)

As for the rings, there are 17 more to be created, including the One Ring. Will we see the Dark Lord craft his own ring next time out? Vickers wouldn’t say, but he told TechRadar that Sauron “has a plan”. Take that as a yes, then.

Regarding their creation, Tolkien’s source material reveals the rings for the dwarves and men (seven and nine respectively) were created alongside the elven ones. This doesn’t happen in the show, which played pretty loose with some Tolkien lore in season 1.

Given Sauron can’t return to Eregion, he needs to craft the other rings if he hopes to enslave the dwarven lords and kings of men. That’s unless Sauron disguises himself as Annatar – like he does in Tolkien’s works – and tricks Celebrimbor into fashioning the other rings. It would be weird if Celebrimbor is deceived again, though, hence why we think Sauron will need to craft them on his own.

The Stranger was revealed to be an Istari, aka one of the wizards. (Image credit: Prime Video)

Another big question concerns The Stranger. We know The Stranger is one of the Istari, aka one of the five wizards sent to Middle-earth by the Valar (Middle-earth’s gods, essentially) to aid its races in the fight against Sauron. Funnily enough, none of the cast found out that The Stranger was a wizard until the final throes of filming.

Anyway, while we know The Stranger is a wizard, we don’t know which one he is. The first season’s final episode teased his real identity, but that could be a misdirect.

The Stranger and Nori are heading off to Rhûn in Middle-earth’s far eastern regions to find out what his name is, more about his past, and how to channel his powers properly. Will they run into Khamûl or the two Blue Wizards (providing The Stranger isn’t one of that duo)? Here’s hoping.

There are other storylines that The Rings of Power season 2 needs to pick up.

For one, the fate of the Southlanders. Episode 7 confirmed the Southlands is the region that becomes Mordor after episode 6’s explosive ending. Additionally, Bronwyn revealed the remaining Southlanders would resettle in Pelargir, a city on the banks of the river Anduin that becomes Gondor’s main port in the Third Age.

The Southlanders will resettle in Pelargir in the show’s second season. (Image credit: Prime Video)

It’s unlikely season 1 will mark the end of the Southlanders’ time in the show. Also, in the source material, Pelargir becomes a haven for the Faithful – Númenóreans who are friendly with the elves – during the island kingdom’s moral decline in the Second Age. If events play out like they do in Tolkien’s works, we’ll see Elendil and company reunite with Arondir, Bronwyn, and Theo.

As for the Harfoots (minus Nori), they’re headed in a different direction to The Stranger and Nori. Speaking during an episode 8 press screening Q&A, which TechRadar attended, McKay confirmed we’ll be reunited with the Harfoots at some point and even teased their involvement in Hobbiton’s founding.

The Harfoots are sure to be back at some stage. (Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)

Over in Khazad-dûm, we need a resolution to King Durin III and Prince Durin IV’s familial issues. The former stripped his son of his titles during the fallout over the mining of mithril – but we think they’ll eventually make amends and Durin III will agree to join the fight against Sauron. Based on Tolkien’s source material, King Durin sends an army of dwarven warriors to try and save Eregion from destruction during the War of the Elves and Sauron. So it would make sense for him to see the error of his ways, and that dwarves and elves need to work together to combat the threat of the Dark Lord.

The battle for Eregion could also see Gil-galad’s warrior side come out. Benjamin Walker told Nerdist that Gil-galad’s spear – Aeglos – will see some action and that he’ll become more of a war general in season 2. Fingers crossed we do, Benjamin.

Khazad-dûm isn’t a happy place right now. (Image credit: Amazon Studios)

The two Durins will also need to set their differences aside to deal with a prominent Balrog – aka Durin’s Bane – in episode 7. Asked by TechRadar if we’ll see Durin’s Bane again soon, McKay simply teased: “Season 2, sir. Stay tuned.”

Then there’s the upheaval Númenor will be afflicted with. King Palantir is dead, meaning Queen Regent Míriel should be crowned the island realm’s next ruler. With Míriel blinded in episode 7, though, and based on what we know of Númenor’s history, Pharazôn will make a play for the throne. That, alongside Sauron’s potential return to Númenor – we don’t know this will be tackled yet – will ultimately lead to the kingdom’s downfall.

And what of Númenor’s favorite dysfunctional family, i.e. Elendil, Isildur, and Eärien? The former will be grieving for his son – although, we know Isildur is alive, given the role he plays in Sauron’s defeat in the Second Age – while still carrying out his Númenorean duties. Meanwhile, Eärien discovered the palantír in the season 1 finale. Will she use it to see into Númenor’s future? Her decision to do so or not could have big implications on the kingdom, herself, and her family.

All of that said, fans will be relieved to hear The Rings of Power season 2 will follow Tolkien’s materials much more closely. Co-showrunner JD Payne told The Hollywood Reporter: “Season two has a canonical story. There may well be viewers who are like, ‘This is the story we were hoping to get in season one!’ In season two, we’re giving it to them.” 

Speaking on the official Rings of Power podcast, Payne added: “[In] season 2 there is a lot more canon that we are interested in adapting and bringing to life”. That extends to some major battles in Tolkien’s legendary works, with Sanders telling Deadline: “You will see bigger battles in season two including some iconic moments from the appendices and the books.”

The Rings of Power season 2 trailer: is there one?

Where is The Rings of Power season 2 trailer? (Image credit: Prime Video)

No and there won’t be for a long time. Once one is released, we’ll let you know.

Will The Rings of Power get more seasons?

The Rings of Power is billed as a five-season show. (Image credit: Prime Video)

The Rings of Power season 2 won’t be the last installment. Payne and McKay have planned for five seasons, which is already mapped out.

So far, Amazon has only greenlit two seasons but, (per Deadline) Amazon Studios co-head Vernon Sanders said: “We’re probably two to three months in on season 3, but I think there could be news certainly in the new year”. How Embracer Group’s acquisition of The Lord of the Rings IP affects season 3 and other seasons – executive producer Lindsey Weber is unsure how it’ll impact the series – is unclear.

The Rings of Power reached the number one spot in Nielsen’s TV rankings in September 2022. Meanwhile, its two-episode premiere was also streamed by 25 million viewers in its first 24 hours, making it the most-watched Prime Video show ever. In short: don’t expect The Rings of Power season 2 (or even the third season) to be the final entry.

For more Prime Video TV content, read up on everything worth knowing about Invincible season 2 or check out the best Prime Video movies.

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The Google Pixel 8 could be a late-year triumph. Here’s what we want to see from the device, and what we’ve heard about it so far.

Given that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro launched as recently as October 2022, we’re not expecting to see Google’s next entries in the Pixel range – likely to be the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro – arrive until late 2023 at the earliest. 

That said, we’re already beginning to hear rumors about the two upcoming devices, and below, we’ve detailed all the latest rumblings, alongside our expert predictions as to their respective release dates, specs and prices.

Further down, you’ll also find list of features we want to see from the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, because while the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the two of the best phones Google has ever made, they’re far from perfect.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The next flagship phone from Google

When is it out? Probably October 2023

How much will it cost? Likely at least $599 / £599 / AU$999

Google Pixel 8: release date and price

There’s no news yet on when the Google Pixel 8 might launch, but that’s easy to guess, with Google’s main numbered phones almost always landing in October of their release year.

In fact, every Pixel model outside of the A-line has been announced in October, except the Pixel 5, which was unveiled on September 30, 2020 (so, almost October) and didn’t ship until October.

Getting more specific than that is trickier, as the dates of previous October reveal events have varied, but it’s likely that the Pixel 8 will be unveiled in either early or mid-October 2023 (and then begin shipping around a week after its announcement).

The Pixel 8 might have the same price as the Pixel 7. (Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)

We’re not sure what the Pixel 8 will cost, but the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro both had exactly the same prices as their predecessors, so it’s possible Google will stick with that pricing structure for another year.

In which case, the Pixel 8 will start at $599 / £599 / AU$999, while the Pixel 8 Pro will start at $899 / £849 / AU$1,299. That said, we wouldn’t be surprised if Google pushes the phones’ respective prices up a bit, especially as the current models undercut key competition like the iPhone 14 line.

Google Pixel 8: news and leaks

We haven’t heard too much about the Google Pixel 8 just yet, but a handful of leaks have emerged regarding both phones. For one thing, there are reports that the Tensor 3 chipset we’re expecting to power the phone is already in the works, and that this will once again be made by Samsung. However, there’s no news yet on how much more powerful this will be than the Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7.

Another leak, meanwhile, suggests the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro might be codenamed Shiba and Husky respectively, and that they both might have 12GB of RAM and run Android 14. According to the same source, the Pixel 8 has a 1080 x 2268 screen, while the Husky has a 1344 x 2822 one.

We also know that satellite communication capabilities are likely to be offered by the Pixel 8, much like the iPhone 14. Hiroshi Lockheimer (the senior vice president of Android) has said that support for the feature will be coming with Android 14; so it’s likely the Pixel 8 will be the first Google phone to offer it.

Finally, there’s evidence of a mystery Pixel phone in the works, which based on leaked specs might be the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro. 9to5Google has found this evidence in publicly available code from the Android Open Source Project, and it points to a phone with a 1440 x 3120 120Hz screen, a Tensor chipset, and dimensions of 155 x 71mm.

Those screen specs are in line with the current Pro models, but the dimensions are more what we’d expect from the standard Pixel 8, so that might mean a resolution and refresh rate upgrade is planned for the standard model.

However, that screen resolution is also different to the leaked resolutions above, so we’d take all of these leaks with a pinch of salt for now.

Google Pixel 8: what we want to see

Below we’ve listed the five things that we most want the Pixel 8 line to offer.

1. A 120Hz screen for both models

The Pixel 7 only has a 90Hz refresh rate. (Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)

The Pixel 7 Pro has a 120Hz screen, just as you’d expect from a flagship phone, but the standard Pixel 7 doesn’t – it’s stuck at 90Hz.

Given that even some of the best cheap phones now have 120Hz screens, that seems somewhat unacceptable, so we really hope Google offers a 120Hz screen on both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro.

2. More power

The Pixel 7 line uses the Google Tensor G2 chipset, and it’s a chipset that has a lot going for it.

Designed specifically for these phones, it excels in areas like machine learning and AI, but when it comes to raw power, the Tensor G2 is a little lacking, as it performs worse in most benchmarks than key rivals like the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and the Apple A16 Bionic. In fact it performs significantly worse.

So, we’d like to see a focus on power from the Tensor G3 (or whatever the next model ends up being called), so that the Pixel 8 line is more competitive on that front. However, we don’t want that to come at the expense of the things Tensor chipsets are currently good at.

3. Better battery life and faster charging

The Google Pixel 7 Pro has middling battery life. (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro should comfortably get you through a day of fairly heavy use, based on our tests, but they aren’t going to get you through a second day, or even halfway through a second day in most cases.

So, their longevity is respectable but far from exceptional, and they also both charge quite slowly, so we’d like to see improvements to both the battery life and the charging speed for the Pixel 8 line.

4. Longer-term support

Google has promised three years of Android version updates and five years of security patches for the Pixel 7 line, which has some Android phones beat but doesn’t come close to the number of years of support Apple typically offers with its iPhones.

Since Google makes Android and is using a bespoke chipset designed specifically for the phones here, there really shouldn’t be any reason it can’t support its phones for longer, so we’d like to see extended support offered with the Pixel 8.

5. 10x optical zoom on the Pro

The Google Pixel 7 Pro offers 5x optical zoom, up from 4x on the Pixel 6 Pro, but we’d like to see a bigger jump for the next model, bringing it up to 10x in line with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

That said, we still want a shorter distance zoom – of ideally 2x or 3x – to be offered as well, so there are two distinctly different zoom distances available. The Google Pixel 7 Pro is already one of the best camera phones, but with this upgrade the Pixel 8 Pro could be even better.

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Fancy some more high fantasy alongside The Rings of Power season 2? This quartet are must-see TV.

The Rings of Power season 2 is off to a terrific start on Prime Video. The sweeping and epic high fantasy series’ sophomore outing, which returned with a three-episode premiere (read our review of The Rings of Power season 2‘s debut trio while you’re here) on August 29, is dominating the charts on Amazon’s primary streaming service, with the popular show holding down the number one spot in the US and UK.

There are more episodes – five, to be exact, – to come in The Rings of Power’s latest season, so it’s nowhere near done being the one show to rule them all. But, with new episodes only arriving every Thursday until the season 2 finale airs on October 3, we suspect you’ll want some more fantastic fantasy series to stream in the meantime. Here, then, are four similar recommendations, whose critical scores on Rotten Tomatoes are 80% or higher, to check out alongside Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings prequel show.

The Wheel of Time (Prime Video)

The Wheel of Time is another epic, brutal, and magical Prime Video fantasy show (Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)

Seasons: 2
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 83%
Age rating: TV-MA (US), 15 (UK)

Before it launched The Rings of Power in September 2022, Prime Video executives warmed us up nicely with another epic fantasy series in The Wheel Of Time, which joins its fantasy cousin as one of the best Prime Video shows around.

An adaptation of Robert Jordan’s vast series of books, it stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, a powerful magic wielder known as an Aes Sedai who sets out to find the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied reincarnation of a powerful individual who’s fated to save or destroy the world. No pressure, then. Moiraine’s journey takes her to the village known as The Two Rivers, where five young adults, all of whom could be the aforementioned warrior, dwell. Not knowing which of them is the Dragon Reborn, Moiraine must train them all for the difficult battles to come.

A huge world full of magic, wonder, and action, The Wheel of Time shares The Rings of Power‘s sense of scale and high-minded themes. It’s a far bloodier affair than the latter, though, and occasionally struggles under the weight of Jordan’s expansive, multi-narrative story. If you can look past its adult age rating and periodic plot problems, you’ll have a magical time. Read our review of The Wheel of Time season 1 and review of The Wheel of Time’s second season to get a better idea of what’s in store for you.

Watch The Wheel of Time season 1’s trailer on YouTubeWatch The Wheel of Time on Prime Video

The Witcher (Netflix)

Henry Cavill starred in the first three seasons on The Witcher (Image credit: Jay Maidment)

Seasons: 3
RT score: 80%
Age rating: TV-MA (US), 15

The Witcher is a weird beast. It’s one of the jewels in Netflix’s fantasy crown and one of the best Netflix shows around, in our opinion. And yet, because of the creative liberties it’s taken with Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels of the same name, its diminishing returns with each season, and the departure of lead star Henry Cavill after three seasons, it’s not viewed kindly by many Sapkowski devotees.

There are still lots to like about it, mind you. It’s unrelentingly dark and violent, full of monsters, and puts its unashamed high fantasy leanings on full display throughout. With two more seasons to come before the show bids us farewell, we’re hoping it’ll get back on an even footing and deliver a barnstorming end to the adventures of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer – the Netflix series’ three protagonists whose fates seem more intertwined with each passing installment. Read up on everything we know about The Witcher season 4 so far before moving on.

Watch The Witcher season 1’s trailer on YouTubeWatch The Witcher on Netflix

 Game Of Thrones (Max/Sky)

Game of Thrones mostly captivated audiences worldwide during its eight-season run. (Image credit: HBO)

Seasons: 8
RT score: 89%
Age rating: TV-MA (US), 18 (UK)

Is there anyone who enjoyed The Rings of Power who hasn’t already devoured Game Of Thrones (GoT)? We doubt it, but if you’re yet to journey to the Seven Kingdoms, you’ll want to stream one of the best Max shows as soon as possible.

Based on the book series of the same name by acclaimed author George R. R. Martin, GoT is set in the land of Westeros where warring families fight (dubbed Houses in Martin’s literary works) for control over the Iron Throne. Chief among the major players are House Targaryen, whose only heir Daenarys feels it’s her destiny to sit upon the famous royal seat, House Lannister, who rule over the Seven Kingdoms for much of the show’s run, and House Stark, who are essentially the whipping boys of the Max series until its later seasons.

Funny, hyperviolent, gripping, jaw-dropping, and packed with stunning visual effects, Game Of Thrones not only redefined what was possible for a fantasy TV show, but also that millions would tune in every week for a slice of big-budget prestige television. It runs out of steam in its final two seasons (see how we ranked them in our best Game of Thrones seasons piece) once it has no more source material to draw from but, between 2011 and 2016, there wasn’t a more popular series in the world. Its prequel show, House of the Dragon, is also worth watching on Max (US), and Sky and Now TV (UK).

Watch Game of Thrones season 1’s trailer on YouTubeWatch Game of Thrones on Max in the US and stream Game of Thrones on Sky/Now TV in the UK

The Sandman (Netflix)

The Sandman is a powerfully emotive fantasy show that you can watch on Netflix (Image credit: Netflix)

Seasons: 1
RT score: 88%
Age rating: TV-MA (US), 15 (UK)

It took a long time – 35 years, if anyone’s counting – for Neil Gaiman’s iconic comic series of the same name to be realized on the big or small screen. The Sandman finally did so in mid-2022, however, and won a whole new fanbase following its highly-rated debut on Netflix. 

Opening in 1916 before later being set in the present, The Sandman follows Dream/Morpheus/the titular Sandman and his quest to rebuild his kingdom – known as The Dreaming – after it falls into disrepair. The reason? Dream is unexpectedly caught by a rogue dark magic wielder in the early 20th century, and spends a century in captivity on Earth before he finally escapes his prison. In his absence, the destruction of The Dreaming isn’t the only problem he’ll have to contend with, either, as dark forces – on Earth and across the cosmos – threaten his authority, as well as his life and those he’s most close to.

A beautifully realized, elegantly acted, and surprisingly faithful to the source material, The Sandman is a near-perfect example of how any legendary book or comic series should be adapted. Read more about what it gets right in our review of The Sandman season 1 and then get the lowdown on what we know about The Sandman season 2.

Watch The Sandman season 1’s trailer on YouTubeWatch The Sandman on Netflix

For more fantasy TV suggestions, see which of this genre’s series made it onto our best Disney Plus shows, best Hulu shows, and best Paramount Plus shows lists. 

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Here’s what we know about Windows 12 so far – and what we’d like to see from it.

Update: Microsoft’s ‘Build’ developers conference is taking place on May 23, and it’s possible we might get a glimpse of the next-generation OS there. We’ll update this page with any new information as it lands, so stay tuned…

Windows 12 is likely to be Microsoft’s follow-up to Windows 11 – and it could come sooner than you might think. 

Rumors suggest that the imaginatively titled OS could arrive in 2024, and the possibility that Windows 12 could follow so soon after Windows 11 has delighted some of us at TechRadar. 

And while that still leaves Microsoft behind the yearly updates that macOS and some other operating systems manage, Microsoft’s upcoming ‘Moments’ releases will at least see it get more regular refreshes. 

Whenever it comes, we’d like to see a bigger evolution compared to what Windows 11 brought. So, what improvements and new features might Windows 12 have? Users have been peppering Microsoft with feature requests, with some of these wishes having been granted with the 2022 update, which brought a refined Taskbar.

With this in mind, here’s everything we’ve found so far about the next major update to Windows, alongside five features that we’d also like to see arrive in Windows 12.

Windows 12: Cut to the chase

What is it? Windows 12 is the rumored successor to Windows 11

When will it come out? Possibly 2024 based on the three-year schedule

How much does it cost? Should be free as Windows 11 currently is

Windows 12 release date rumors

This is still very early days for Windows 11 – we’re not even at the one-year anniversary of the update having been announced. However, going on past releases, we’d expect to see Windows 12 arrive in late 2024, just as support for Windows 10 is ending.

Windows 12 supported devices

When Microsoft announced availability for Windows 11, the main requirement was for machines to have a hardware feature called TPM enabled, which is a security feature that can be found on most motherboards.

While the same requirement will most likely be requested by Microsoft again, it may be at a point where almost every PC has TPM enabled anyway.

Other than that, it will likely have similar requirements to Windows 11:

64-bit processor
1Ghz clock speed
4GB of RAM
64GB drive
UEFI, Secure Boot capable

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
A display larger than 9-inches with HD Resolution (1366×768)
DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x 
Internet connection

What we want to see

We don’t know much about Windows 12 yet, or whether the rumored upgrade will even become a reality, but we do have a good idea of what we want from it, with the following features topping our list.

1. Merge Skype and Teams into MSN Messenger 12

(Image credit: TechRadar)

It’s no secret that Microsoft’s efforts on video calling and collaboration through messaging apps have been less than stellar in recent years. In a time when people needed to communicate remotely more, it was Zoom that took the lead and Skype was bafflingly left by the wayside.

While there have been some new features brought to both Teams and Skype, there’s still an air of confusion as to which one you should use. If you need to take part in a job interview that’s on Teams, for example, chances are you’ll quickly need to install the app and make sure it works.

Instead, let’s see them both retire and mark a fresh start for Windows 12, with the return of MSN Messenger to do the job these two apps have limped on with.

Not only would we like to see the return of nudges, winks, and classic sounds if users want, but we’d also be keen on powerful features to make it go toe-to-toe with Zoom, Google Meets, and FaceTime. Perhaps have integration with Slack, so if a video meeting is needed, it can prompt in a channel and with one button, MSN Messenger will launch with the required invitees.

Microsoft needs to reboot how it perceives itself for messaging apps, and the return of MSN Messenger could be a great start to that.

2. Live wallpaper

(Image credit: Wallpaper Engine)

A request by TechRadar’s Senior Computing Editor Matt Hanson, and an intriguing one at that. There have been similar features in iPhones and Android phones for some years, with animations moving across these devices. But for PC and Mac, they’ve been relegated to third-party apps, such as Wallpaper Engine, to be able to have animated wallpapers with the ability to display information from your PC.

To so something similar in Windows 12, Microsoft could further push its efforts in themes, something that’s seen improvements in Windows 11, thanks to its dark themes.

Having a dedicated section for wallpapers, where you can place static bytes of information on the desktop that works with an animated live wallpaper, could appeal to all kinds of users.

Microsoft could also bring back previous wallpapers, such as the hillside of Windows XP, but have it animated, alongside some clouds displaying battery status or the weather.

This can update the desktop substantially and make it much more up to date, without having to rely on widgets or a taskbar to showcase changes.

3. Dedicated podcast app

(Image credit: Primakov / Shutterstock)

While it’s been great to see the return of Windows Media Player from Microsoft, having additional features such as podcasts feels irrelevant for what Media Player is for.

macOS has had its own podcast app since Big Sur in 2019, but if you wanted to use a similar app on Windows, it’s not clear where to start, as Microsoft doesn’t offer a dedicated podcast app.

This is why Windows 12 should include a dedicated podcast app that could also be used on other platforms, such as iOS and Android, so your subscriptions could sync across all your devices.

Podcasts are massively popular, and managing them all in a first-party app would be great for Windows users. It’s something that could really help spur the company’s effort to make content available on almost every device.

4. Dedicated streaming app

(Image credit: Razer)

A storming idea by our resident Computing writer Jess Weatherbed, as there is yet to be an integrated option in Windows to stream what you’re playing.

For years there have been apps such as OBS and Twitch that offer ways to stream what you’re playing or watching with others. However, these apps have always required extra effort to make sure that you’re streaming to viewers in good quality, with low latency.

Then there’s the additional aspect of the peripherals that streamers use to help show them in a better light, or Stream Decks to easily control their setups with shortcut keys.

It can be overwhelming to manage multiple apps just to control all of these, which is why Windows 12 could benefit from having one app that can manage your streams and the peripherals.

Microsoft has been pushing gaming in Windows 11 since its announcement in June 2021, with a redesigned Xbox app and HDR support. But countless gamers also stream these games through Windows, so there’s a big opportunity here.

Having one app to control, say, ring lights and the streams for viewers is appealing, shifting the heavy lifting to one app. It could automate streams based on the schedule and the games being played, alongside different lighting scenarios for the different times of the day.

This could encourage more gamers to see Windows as a service, as the CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella has been stating since the release of Windows 10 in 2015, while also making Windows 12 an enticing prospect for streamers to earn more followers and income for their careers.

5. Companion app for Android

(Image credit: Samsung)

A suggestion by our Editor-in-Chief at TechRadar Pro, Desire Athow – this can be an expansion of Your Phone, Microsoft’s effort to sync your mobile to Windows. But when you open this new app in Windows 12, it would have a layout reminiscent of Windows Phone and its tile layout, and would enable a desktop experience from your phone.

This would be similar to Samsung DeX, which can transform your Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22 Ultra into a desktop once it’s connected to a peripheral.

This new app would go beyond DeX and Microsoft’s Your Phone efforts, though. When you connect to a monitor, it would become a fully-fledged Windows 12 desktop, showcasing everything from your main PC. And when you click on an icon, it would download the content from the cloud and display it in its native resolution.

It would be an innovative extension of the cloud, where you can access your files wherever you are. Here, you’d be carrying your desktop with you and all you’d need to do is to connect your smartphone to a monitor, either with touchscreen features or a keyboard and mouse.

As with the streaming feature above, this would again further Nadella’s plans of seeing Windows as a service. Having your PC in an app is an enticing thought, and could help for those situations when you have a short window of opportunity to do some work with a spare monitor, keyboard, and mouse somewhere.

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Thinking of subscribing to Hulu? Find out what you need to know about the streaming service, including what you can watch, available plans, and more.

Hulu became one of the first rivals to Netflix when it launched back in 2007. Plenty of platforms have entered the competitive battle for US streaming supremacy since, but Hulu has remained a significant player, with over 47.2 million subscribers and counting.

An enticing selection of essential new movies and TV shows – alongside an impressive back catalogue of older material – makes it easy to see why Hulu remains one of the best streaming services available. Not only is the platform the home of acclaimed TV shows, such as Atlanta, The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and The Bear, it’s the place to go for original movies including Prey and Palm Springs, or hit reality series like The Kardashians.

Sign up to Hulu now and get a 30-day free trial on select plans!

Hulu also gives you access to a broad back catalogue of retro content that’s the envy of many of its rivals, as well as the option of signing up for the comprehensive Hulu + Live TV plan.

So, if you’re wondering whether to add Hulu to your raft of streaming platforms, this page will tell you everything you need to know about the pros and cons of subscribing.

Hulu explained: what is Hulu and Hulu + Live TV?

You can stream Pam & Tommy right now on Hulu. (Image credit: Hulu / Disney Plus)

As our full Hulu review explains, signing up to a basic Hulu subscription delivers access to more than 2,500 films and 1,600 TV series. You’ll get content from major networks and original stuff from Hulu, too, but one of its standout features is the sheer volume of options available with different bundles and add-ons. For example, you can add premium channels like HBO Max or Showtime for an extra monthly fee, and cancel/switch at any time.

The Hulu + Live TV subscription grants you more than 75 channels for a reasonable cost (keep reading for more detail on price), as well as Disney Plus and ESPN Plus (see our article on the Disney Plus bundle for more information). If you’re missing traditional cable, this is the plan for you as it offers a mind-boggling amount of shows, while Hulu’s Cloud DVR enables you to record up to 50 hours of live television.

Additionally, you can purchase the Enhanced Cloud DVR to increase your storage to 200 hours, or bolster your line-up with the Entertainment Network and Español Network Add-ons.

Know which plan you want to go for? You can sign up to Hulu now!

Hulu shows and movies: what can you watch now?

Steve Carell stars as therapist Alan Strauss in The Patient. (Image credit: FX)

An entry-level Hulu membership lets you binge entire seasons of hit shows, catch new episodes the day after broadcast, enjoy kid’s entertainment and Hulu Originals, and watch TV series and films old and new from major studios. The following list is just a sample of what’s available. For our roundups of the top options, see our best shows on Hulu and best Hulu movies lists.

Atlanta
Future Man
House of Gucci
Little Fires Everywhere
Love, Victor
Monsterland
Normal People
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Springs
PEN15
Prey
Schitt’s Creek
The Act
The Bear
The Dropout
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Great
The Patient
What We Do in the Shadows
Woke and Ramy
The X-Files

See how Prey gives the Predator franchise a new lease of life on Hulu. (Image credit: 20th Century Studios/Hulu)

The platform also hosts older shows from dozens of networks, among them A&E, AMC, VH1, MTV, TNT, Disney Channel, and Discovery. So, you’re just a click away from shows like Sons of Anarchy (FX), Modern Family (ABC), Broad City (Comedy Central), and animated classics like Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons (Fox). Whatever you pick, chances are you’ll have a lot of fun watching it.

With a Hulu + Live TV plan you can enjoy all this and over 75 live channels. Choosing the Disney Plus and ESPN bundle delivers a wild amount of content to your screen.

What’s new on Hulu?

Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning The Shape of Water is one of the latest highlights on Hulu. (Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

There’s an impressive range of content coming to Hulu in March 2023, including classic movies, plus new film and TV releases. Here are a few of our top picks:

Groundhog Day (1993) – added March 1

The Shape of Water (2017) – added March 1

LA Confidential (1997) – added March 1

Glory (1989) – added March 1

The Departed (2006) – added March 1 

History of the World, Part II (new) – added March 6

Boston Strangler (new) – releasing March 17

FX’s Great Expectations (new) – releasing March 26

Rye Lane (new) – releasing March 31

How much does Hulu cost?

The Hulu homepage is your gateway to hundreds of amazing movies and TV shows. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Last year saw price hikes across Hulu’s on-demand plans, just as we saw with the ESPN Plus cost and the Disney Plus price. 

Hulu’s Basic Plan now costs $7.99 a month (with ads) and $14.99 a month (without ads). This brings the ‘with ads’ subscription in line with that of Disney Plus, but inflates the ads-free subscription above Disney Plus’ by some way – Disney Plus’ no-ads package costs $10.99. See our ‘versus’ section below for more on how Hulu compares to other big streamers.

The Hulu + Live TV plans, which include ESPN Plus and Disney Plus, are now $69.99 a month (with ads) and $82.99 a month (without ads). Alternatively, you can grab a Live TV-only subscription for $68.99 a month but, seeing as you’ll have to forgo the Hulu streaming library as well as Disney Plus and ESPN Plus content, we don’t see why you wouldn’t just pay the extra dollar.

Check out our Hulu plans and prices guide for a full breakdown of subscription options and add-ons. Alternatively, if you’re ready to sign up, why not visit Hulu’s website now?

Hulu: is there a free trial?

Go and stream The Bear right now for free on Hulu. (Image credit: Hulu)

Oh yes! And it’s a doozy. If you want to try the standard Hulu package or its no ads equivalent, you’re entitled to a 30-day Hulu free trial, which gives you a month to explore the platform’s thrillingly diverse programming.

How to sign up to Hulu

Registering with Hulu is pretty simple!

Head to the Hulu website

Click ‘Start Your Free Trial’ button
Select a plan
Enter your email address, password, and other details
Click ‘Continue’ and enter billing information
Submit your info and start streaming

Hulu app: what devices can you watch on?

The latest Hulu app and all its features, including Live TV and Premium Add-ons, are supported by the following devices:

Android phones and tablets
Android TV (select models)
Apple TV (4th generation or later)
Chromecast
Echo Show (8, 10, and 15)
Fire Tablets
Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
iPhones and iPads
LG TV (select models)
Nintendo Switch
Mac and PC browsers/apps
PlayStation*
Roku (select models)
Samsung TV (select models)
VIZIO SmartCast TVs
Xbox
Xfinity Flex Streaming TV Box*
Xfinity X1 TV Boxes*
Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player*

Click here for a detailed list of Hulu-compatible devices and models.

* While Contour devices, PlayStation 3, and Xfinity devices have the latest Hulu app, they do not support live TV programming.

Is Hulu available in 4K and HDR?

Elisabeth Moss in the award-winning The Handmaid‘s Tale, one of the flagship shows on Hulu. (Image credit: The Handmaid’s Tale / Hulu)

If you’ve got the hardware to support 4K Ultra HD, you’re in luck. Some of Hulu’s best shows are available to stream with a sharper image, deeper color, and 8 million pixels pummelling your eyeballs. That said, it’s a pretty small selection – Hulu is home to over 4,000 titles, yet only around 70 get the 4K treatment. Luckily, almost all Hulu Originals are available to stream in the higher-definition format. 

Titles you can watch in 4K Ultra HD on Hulu include supernatural thriller Helstrom, science-fiction comedy Future Man, every season of the multi-award-winning The Handmaid’s Tale, and horror anthology series Into the Dark. There’s also a clutch of FX titles to enjoy, such as Mayans MC, Black Narcissus, and the star-studded miniseries Mrs America. Any content available in this format will display a 4K badge on the details page.

You can currently watch 4K UHD content on the following devices: Apple TV (5th generation and above), Chromecast Ultra, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, LG TVs (2017 UHD models and above), Roku, Vizio SmartCast TVs, and Xbox One (S and X models).

However, HDR is not supported right now, so all 4K UHD content would be streamed in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR).

Hulu vs Netflix vs Prime Video vs HBO Max

The most ubiquitous VOD platform, Netflix, boasts over 5,000 films and TV series. It produces hundreds of Netflix Originals a year, including Oscar-nominated films and highly popular shows like Stranger Things. 

Hulu’s price rise has meant we can’t vouch for it as a cheaper option outright anymore, but it does still provide great value. For comparison, Netflix’s basic with-ads is $6.99 a month ($1 less than Hulu’s ads plan) and the basic without-ads plan is $9.99 compared to Hulu’s $14.99. However, you can only stream on one device with Netflix, whereas Hulu offers two (or the option to buy unlimited streams for $9.99 a month). Hulu doesn’t put limits on the quality of your stream, whereas Netflix’s two cheapest plans only stream in SD. To get two-device HD streaming on Netflix, you’ll pay $15.49 (and $19.99 for four Ultra HD simultaneous streams).

Prime Video is comparable in price for a full Prime membership ($14.99, and $8.99 for just Prime Video). With around 18,000 titles, its content library is more beefed up than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Granted, the overall quality is questionable, but Prime Video does include plenty of high-profile Amazon Originals including The Boys, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Good Omens, as well as high-calibre movies old and new. 

The Prime membership does deliver more, though, such as free delivery on your orders, Prime reading, and ad-free music streaming justify the inflated price. On the downside, you’re limited to three streams per account (you can purchase ‘Unlimited Screens’ with Hulu) and, when it comes replicating the cable experience, Hulu + Live TV is far more cost-effective than adding individual Amazon Channels.

HBO Max’s ad-free services is now the same price as the Hulu equivalent and is a couple of dollars more for the ads version. It allows you to watch three different devices at once – and in HD if your connection allows. If you’re a fan of HBO’s output – our guide to the best HBO shows will remind you why you should be – then registering is a no brainer. Yet as well as ground-breaking dramas like Six Feet Under, The Wire, and Game of Thrones, subscribers get a wide range of titles from Warner Brothers, their subsidiaries, and third-party companies.

That means easy access to all Studio Ghibli animations, DC Comics movies, The Lord of the Rings films, and a selection of classic movies curated by TCM. Alternatively, you could just add HBO Max to Hulu as a premium add-on.

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The Google Pixel 7a could be Google’s next phone. Here’s what we’ve heard about it so far and what we want.

Now that Google has announced the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, it’s likely only a matter of time before the company unveils its affordable alternative to those phones – the Google Pixel 7a.

Nothing has officially been confirmed about this handset just yet, but it’s likely coming and we have some idea of what to expect; based on early leaks coupled with what we know about the Pixel 7 and past models.

You’ll find all the leaks and our educated guesses below, and then, under that, we’ve included a wish list of the things we want from the Google Pixel 7a. And we’ll be updating this article whenever we hear anything new – so check back soon.

Cut to the chase

What is it? An affordable alternative to the Pixel 7

When is it out? Possibly mid-2023

How much will it cost? Likely around $449 / £399 / AU$749

Google Pixel 7a release date and price predictions

Google hasn’t been entirely consistent with its A-model launches, as while the Pixel 6a was announced in May 2022 and shipped in July, the previous two models launched in August of their respective release years.

Still, we’d think therefore that May 2023 is probably the earliest we’ll see the Pixel 7a, and that it might well ship later, even if it’s announced then.

That said, there has been a mention of the Google Pixel 7a on Amazon. There isn’t much to go off, but it’s another indication that the mid-ranger is indeed on the way in 2023, and could mean it will land before the middle of the year.

An unnamed Google phone has also been listed on the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) database. That usually happens within months of a phone launching, and while the listing is light on details, it does include a serial number which is similar to one we’ve seen attached to the Pixel 7a.

There aren’t any price rumors, but given that the Pixel 7 costs the same amount as the Pixel 6, Google may well price the Pixel 7a the same as the Pixel 6a. That would mean a price of $449 / £399 / AU$749.

It might cost the same as the Google Pixel 6a (Image credit: TechRadar / Stephen Lambrechts)

Google Pixel 7a news and leaks

So far there aren’t many leaks around the Pixel 7a, but we have now see what the phone might look like, courtesy of unofficial renders based on leaked information.

Some of these – which come from leaker @OnLeaks and SmartPrix – can be seen below, and they show a phone that unsurprisingly looks a lot like the Pixel 7, and indeed the Pixel 6a.

The dimensions are apparently 152.4 x 72.9 x 9.0mm (rising to 10.1mm at the camera bump), and there’s no sign of a 3.5mm headphone port. The only other detail supplied alongside the renders is that the Pixel 7a will apparently come in white and dark grey shades.

Since then a couple of hands-on videos have leaked, which largely match the design above, and additionally point to the Pixel 7a having a 90Hz screen, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage – specs which match the standard Pixel 7.

Beyond that, one leak that we have come across is courtesy of Digital Chat Station, who’s a fairly reliable leaker.

They claim – via machine translation – that Google is working on a small-screen flagship codenamed ‘Neila’, which has a flat display, a single-lens punch-hole camera, and a design similar to other recent Pixels.

That doesn’t give us much to go on, and there’s a chance they’re not even referring to the Pixel 7a – since they don’t use that name and they describe it as a flagship – but we’d otherwise expect the phone to fit that description.

It’s likely to have an aluminum camera bar, like the Pixel 7, and a generally similar look, along with the Tensor G2 chipset offered by that phone. Beyond that though, we’re not sure what to expect.

The same source has elsewhere claimed there’s a Pixel phone in the works with a ceramic body, and while they describe this device as a flagship, they also mention a camera arrangement that 9to5Google has linked to a phone it believes to be the Pixel 7a.

This device has the codename ‘Lynx’, and apparently has a 50MP primary sensor, a 64MP telephoto one, and a 13MP ultra-wide camera, which would also be used on the front.

This phone also apparently supports 5W wireless charging – which would make for the first time an A-series model can be charged wirelessly, and would use the Tensor G2 chipset, just like the rest of the Pixel 7 line.

We would however take these claims with a pinch of salt, as that makes for an assortment of specs that don’t really add up. The cameras would on paper have even the Pixel 7 Pro beat, and a ceramic build also sounds oddly premium.

Yet given the slow wireless charging speed and the use of the same chipset, this probably isn’t a Pixel 7 Ultra or Pixel 8 either. So we suspect that whatever this leaked phone is, some of these specs are wrong.

More clues are given in a separate leak that points to a dual-lens 64MP+13MP rear camera, a 90Hz refresh rate screen, and that 5W wireless charging again.

What we want to see

There are five key things Google can do that would make the Pixel 7a significantly better than the Pixel 6a. Here’s our must-haves if Google wants to ensure 7a success:

1. Give it a 90Hz refresh rate

The Google Pixel 6a is stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate (Image credit: Future)

The Pixel 6a is stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate, which even for an affordable phone feels rather dated these days. We don’t expect 120Hz from the Google Pixel 7a, but a boost to 90Hz would be much appreciated.

That said, that would bring it in line with the standard Pixel 7, in terms of refresh rate, so Google might be disinclined to do this, so that the phones are better differentiated.

2. Upgrade to a 50MP camera

The last few Pixel A-line generations all have the same 12.2MP main camera (also used by the numbered Pixels preceding the Pixel 6), and while it’s a reasonable snapper, it’s overdue an upgrade.

Google is using a much better 50MP camera on the more recent flagship Pixel phones, so an upgrade to that here would be nice to see. Though, as with an increased refresh rate, that could bring the Pixel 7a too close to the Pixel 7 for Google’s liking, so don’t count on it.

There are a vast array of other sensors out there to consider, however, and a lot of range between 12.2 and 50MP for Google to consider that would better set the 7a apart from its predecessor in the camera department.

3. Provide better battery life

The Google Pixel 6a doesn’t last long between charges (Image credit: Future)

In our Google Pixel 6a review we found that the phone struggled to last through a full day of use, which is the minimum we expect from our smartphones. So for the Pixel 7a we really want to see an improvement.

The good news is that an improvement is likely, as the phone will probably use the Tensor G2 chipset, which is more efficient than the original Tensor in the Pixel 6a.

4. Faster charging

At just 18W, the Pixel 6a certainly doesn’t charge fast. Even the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro aren’t among the speediest chargers, but with support for 30W, they’re at least more reasonable, and that’s an upgrade we’d like to see offered on the Pixel 7a as well.

We’d say there’s a middling chance that will happen. It’s not a big enough feature for Google to necessarily want to keep it for the flagships, but it could also push the price up, which the company will likely be trying to avoid.

5. A lower price

Speaking of the price, for the specs on offer the Pixel 6a was a bit too expensive, especially as it landed so long after the Pixel 6 that price drops meant you could sometimes get that phone for a similar price.

As such, we’d like to see either a lower price for the Pixel 7a, or enough of a specs-boost to justify its price tag. Or failing either of those things, the company could do with launching the 7a earlier in its release year than the Pixel 6a did – that way it has a shot at ranking higher amongst the best Pixel phones.

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