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Toshiba’s Jimucon SJ-9500 office computer combines a whole load of random features into a Frankenstein PC.

Toshiba’s Jimucon SJ-9500 combines a mix of retro hardwareFeatures include dot matrix printing, DVD drive, touchscreen, SSDsCustomizable for industries, offers broad connectivity and energy efficiency

Toshiba has rolled out the Jimucon SJ-9500, an office computer that looks like it emerged from a retro-futuristic design lab.

This all-in-one device, the successor to the SJ-9100, throws together an eclectic mix of hardware: a dot matrix printer, a DVD drive, a touchscreen, and dual SSDs, all running on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Billed as a tool for boosting business efficiency, it’s a curious blend of legacy and modern tech that feels like something straight out of the ’80s with a 2024 twist.

An eccentric addition to any workspace

It’s probably no surprise that, according to PC Watch, Toshiba has been manufacturing its “Jimucon” series since 1982.

This office “workhorse” incorporates a 24-pin dot matrix printer, allowing it to churn out forms at a standard rate of 180 characters per second, with speeds hitting 240 characters per second if you’re in a hurry.

The printer can handle wide-format paper (up to 304.8mm) and tackle multi-copy tasks, producing an original plus up to seven carbon copies, all with a reliable smack of impact printing that would make any old-school office proud.

The machine’s 15-inch color touchscreen (1024×768 resolution) and touch pen support offer a touch of modern convenience. The device is loaded with 8GB of memory and dual 240GB SSDs (one for active tasks and one for storage), and the design even has a slot to stash the keyboard on the main unit to save space.

Functionality-wise, the SJ-9500 is designed with business continuity in mind. Toshiba has included a three-minute battery backup, so even if the power cuts out, you can wrap up whatever task you’re working on.

There’s also a generation management feature that lets users trace data from a few days back, and an optional online backup service acts as a safety net for any crucial data you want to preserve.

The SJ-9500 can be customized to handle industry-specific tasks, making it adaptable for everything from industrial waste management to order processing. And thanks to its range of connectivity options – six USB ports, serial ports, DisplayPort, and Gigabit Ethernet – this machine can link up with everything from barcode scanners to external monitors, making it a versatile, if eccentric, addition to any workspace.

Measuring 538×658×418 mm and weighing in at a hefty 23 kg, the SJ-9500 is no sleek desktop, but Toshiba’s Frankenstein creation manages to cram a full business setup into one unit, and with a power consumption reduced by 7% compared to previous models, it’s designed with some energy efficiency in mind.

For businesses looking for something both functional and unforgettable, the Jimucon SJ-9500 is available to buy across Japan now, although there’s no word on pricing. Toshiba says it plans to sell 1,000 units a year.

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Apple “courting” Foxconn to build AI servers based on its M-series CPU to accelerate Apple Intelligence potential.

Apple reportedly seeking Foxconn support for AI servers in TaiwanFoxconn is already the primary manufacturer of Nvidia AI serversLimited Foxconn capacity prompts partnerships with other suppliers

Apple has reporterdly approached long-term Foxconn about building artificial intelligence servers in Taiwan as part of its efforts to boost its AI computing capabilities.

A report from Nikkei Asia claims Apple is reportedly keen on using its in-house Apple M-series silicon chips for these servers, which will power Apple Intelligence features on its latest generation of devices, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.

Although Foxconn has been a long-time supplier for Apple’s iPhones, sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia that Foxconn’s capacity to accommodate Apple’s request may be limited due to existing commitments. Foxconn is a primary manufacturer of Nvidia’s AI servers.

Engaging other partners

“One of the reasons Apple wants Foxconn to make servers in Taiwan is in the hope to tap the engineering talent and R&D resources that work for the Nvidia projects,” a source told the news site. Because Apple intends to produce these servers for its own needs, the volume required would be relatively low compared to the large-scale demand for Nvidia’s powerful GB200 AI servers.

Apple’s limited experience in server design, particularly for data centers, means it would likely require additional engineering and design support from its suppliers. In light of this, the firm is reportedly talking to other partners, including Lenovo’s subsidiary LCFC, to assist with certain server designs.

Nikkei Asia reports that these negotiations include exploring new production capacities outside China, specifically in Southeast Asia, and collaborating with smaller suppliers like Universal Scientific Industrial for production services.

While companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are ramping up investments in AI data centers, Apple is working to catch up as its Apple Intelligence features roll out to new devices. This push to boost its AI capabilities underscores the company’s increasing need for expanded data center infrastructure.

Nikkei Asia notes that Foxconn and Universal Scientific Industrial declined to comment on the story, while Apple and Lenovo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Google Assistant is continuing its work on Nest devices, but Gemini is going to be lending a helping hand.

Gemini is being added to older devices with Google AssistantHidden code reveals the upgrade is coming soonThe “improved Assistant” will offer more comprehensive answers

Rather confusingly, Google has two smart assistants in play at the moment: Gemini and Google Assistant. For now at least, Google Assistant is sticking around on smart displays and speakers, but we’ve now got some clues as to how Gemini will be helping out.

The team at 9to5Google spotted code hidden in the latest Google app for Android that referenced “an improved Assistant” with richer responses, a better understanding of your instructions, and a new set of voices to pick from.

At the same time as the launches for the Google TV Streamer and the 4th-gen Google Nest Thermostat, we heard that Gemini would be front and center on new products – but that Google Assistant would still be doing a job on older hardware.

Based on the code found by 9to5Google – which isn’t yet enabled, and may be changed before its released to the wider world – it would appear that the extra smarts available in Gemini will soon be added to Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays.

Switching over

Gemini is now available for both Android and iOS (Image credit: Google)

Google clearly sees Gemini as the future when it comes to smart AI-powered assistants. It’s preloaded on the new Pixel 9 phones – see our Google Pixel 9 Pro review for details, for example – and is being pushed into multiple Google apps.

There are an awful lot of devices out in the wild with Google Assistant on them though – including third-party hardware that’s not made by Google – which means support for the older AI bot is going to have to continue for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully, as far as the user experience goes, this continuing transition will be pretty smooth: you’ll just speak out or type your requests, and the AI will respond accordingly, no matter which assistant you’re actually using behind the scenes.

Gemini is slowly but surely adding support for all the tasks that Google Assistant is capable of, while also providing a more intelligent and deeper set of responses when needed, thanks to generative AI – and it seems it’s about to arrive on more smart devices soon.

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Meta maintains the best messaging services in the world – how can transferring WhatsApp between two phones still be so rough?

Meta makes the best messaging apps the world has ever seen – there, I said it. Social media surveillance and attention-ruining algorithms aside, the company formerly known as Facebook just doesn’t miss when it comes to communicating with others.

The company’s portfolio includes the ever-reliable Facebook Messenger, the world-class DM system built into Instagram, and the world’s most popular messaging service, WhatsApp.

However, WhatsApp’s popularity doesn’t mean it’s the most advanced chat app that Meta offers, and in one crucial way it’s far behind its platform-dependent cousins.

Two billion people use WhatsApp: presumably, some of us own more than one phone, and even so, nearly all of us will upgrade to a new phone at some point in our lives and will have to move from one to the other.

Despite this, WhatsApp remains one of the most stubborn and annoying apps to migrate between devices, and its even worse when I try to use it on two phones at once.

The phone that made me want to use WhatsApp on two phones at once (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

I recently started reviewing an exciting phone, one that made such a great first impression that I’ve decided to take it on as my new daily driver: the OnePlus Open. Logging in to WhatsApp was simple enough, requiring an SMS or a phone call to provide a login code. But moving all my messages over was another story.

WhatsApp does have a wireless transfer feature. You have to open a menu, keep the app open on the old phone, log into the new one, scan a QR code, and wait while your texts and media slowly cross over.

There’s also the option of backing up your messages to Google Drive or iCloud, but this requires you to use a chunk of your own data and storage allowance. So long as you don’t have too much media to backup, it won’t take up too much room, but it’s something you don’t have to worry about with other messaging services.

The two phone problem with WhatsApp

There must be an easier way to log in to WhatsApp

Furthermore, WhatsApp flat-out refuses to work on two phones at once. Its account system links users to their phone number, so it sees two phones as two different accounts. I don’t see why this needs to be the case.

I use the WhatsApp app on my MacBook and phone at the same time without issue. Why can’t the same be true for two phones? This makes me resort to using the WhatsApp website to check my messages on a second phone, which feels unnecessarily awkward.

Part of WhatsApp’s inflexibility might be its focus on security – it’s long been marketed as a secure choice for communication, since messages are encrypted end-to-end. Making it hard to access an account isn’t always a bad thing.

That said, mobile security is the most advanced it’s ever been: we have Face ID, fingerprint scanners, passkeys, encryption. There must be an easier way to log in to WhatsApp that still respects its long legacy of security and privacy.

There’s no way I will just stop using WhatsApp – it’s a globally essential tool for my social and work lives alike. Updates roll out consistently, but it feels like Meta hasn’t improved WhatsApp for the average user. I hope a better account system becomes a priority soon.

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Optitune partners with a trillion-dollar tech company to introduce innovative Invisible Fingerprint nanocoating.

Optitune signs new supply deal with unnamed tech giant for nanocoatingNew nanocoating can help protect latops and tablets for longerUltra-thin layer protects against scratches, smudges, and fingerprints

Optitune, a Finnish company specializing in advanced nanocoating technologies, has announced a major supply deal with a leading manufacturer of laptops and tablets.

This partnership with an unnamed partner is set to introduce Optitune’s Invisible Fingerprint nanocoating to over a million devices, enhancing user experience by addressing common issues such as fingerprints, scratches, and dirt.

Optitune’s nanocoating technology is based on proprietary polysiloxane formulations that create ultra-thin, invisible layers on various surfaces, including metal, glass, and plastic.

Nanotechnology reduces stains and scratches

The company says its new nanotechnology is designed to be fingerprint-resistant and helps to reduce smudges and marks on the surface of devices. The coating will also offer resistance to scratches and other blemishes, helping these products maintain their factory appearance for longer.

In addition to being easier to clean, the coating offers abrasion resistance and maintains stability even in extreme temperatures or harsh chemical environments.

What is particularly noteworthy is that this innovation will not only be applied to future devices, as statements from Optitune’s CEO say the trillion-dollar tech company involved, which has not been named, has decided to authorize the application of this technology to its existing lineup of products as well. This means consumers who own current models of laptops and tablets may soon benefit from the same technological advancements as future models.

“This supply agreement is a huge step forward for Optitune”, said Mr. Paulus, CEO at Optitune Oy. “It is not every day that a company with a market capitalization in the trillions puts so much trust in a small scaleup company. It also shows that our coatings meet real market issues like durability, cost and performance.”

“I am especially proud about the fact that this coating is the most environmentally sustainable on the market. Not only was Optitune the first to market with a fluor-free polymer for this application, but the combination of being only nanometres thick and eliminating all use of primer drastically reduces the amount of chemicals needed and thus the carbon footprint of the coating,” Paulus added.

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We’re now into the bonus year for iPhone 14 owners to access satellite features, but it’s not clear what happens next.

Satellite features were originally only free for two yearsAnother 12 free months were added last NovemberQuestions remain about long-term access to these features

We’ve just hit the two-year anniversary of the debut of Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14 – and although Apple originally said the service would only be free for two years, it remains free to access, with a year’s extension added last November.

The milestone was noted by MacRumors and others, and it’s worth highlighting because it raises the question of what Apple plans to do with this in the long term. The official support page for the feature still states that “Emergency SOS via Satellite is free for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later”.

Although Apple has apparently always planned to get users to cover the cost of satellite connectivity, the problem with starting to charge money to access it is that it can quite literally save someone’s life – so it’s not quite the same as forgetting to renew your Netflix or Spotify subscription.

With the Google Pixel 9 series now offering a similar feature and Samsung expected to follow suit next year, it’s something all the major phone makers are having to weigh up. Either they absorb the cost themselves, or charge users money for it.

Extra features

The Pixel 9 phones offer satellite connectivity too (Image credit: Future)

The satellite connectivity launched alongside the iPhone 14 in 2022 have been expanded upon since then. The feature has rolled out in more countries, and now includes the option to get roadside assistance via satellite (in addition to contacting the emergency services).

With the introduction of iOS 18, Apple added the ability to message anyone you like via a satellite connection, if you don’t have a cell or Wi-Fi signal. Again, the feature was advertised for being free for two years, though Apple has never given any indication of the pricing structure that might eventually be introduced.

It’s possible that some of those extra features, such as roadside assistance and satellite messaging, will eventually need a subscription – while the emergency SOS capabilities, which might just save your life one day, remain free. For now though, Apple hasn’t gone on the record about what might happen.

In November 2025, the free period for both iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 owners will be coming to an end, so we’ll see what happens then – and whether or not satellite options get bundled together with an Apple One subscription.

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Arcane’s creators are being coy about Jayce’s unexpected heel turn in season 2 – but confirm we won’t have to wait long to find out what’s happened to him.

Arcane‘s creators have refused to say why Jayce’s season 2 arc has taken an unexpected turnAfter disappearing in episode 3, Jayce returned in episode 5, but not as the character we knowThe Netflix show’s creators tease that “all will be revealed” in season 2’s third and final act

Full spoilers follow for Arcane season 2’s first six episodes.

What on earth has gotten into Jayce? It’s one of the biggest questions on Arcane viewers’ minds after another typically explosive and emotionally stunning capper to the animated series’ latest batch of episodes.

I’ve written about my thoughts on what’s happening to him in my Arcane season 2 act 2 ending explained piece. I’m an impatient individual, though, so I simply can’t wait until the award-winning Netflix show’s next three episodes to get a definitive answer. The gap between acts is even greater for me, too, as I watched season 2 act 2’s episodic trio over two weeks ago.

So, when I sat down for an exclusive chat with series creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee before Arcane‘s second and final season initially debuted on November 9, I had to ask: what’s going on with Hextech’s co-founder?

Oh, Jayce… (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche Production)

Unsurprisingly, the pair weren’t forthcoming with answers – you know, something about not wanting to spoil significant storylines before season 2 act 3 arrives on November 23 or whatever. Coy as they tried to be, though, Linke and Yee offered a tantalizing crumb of information about Jayce’s descent into madness in Arcane season 2, which was just enough to satiate my appetite before one of the best Netflix shows‘ final hurrah next Saturday.

“Oh, you will find out,” Linke teased. “You will find out in gratuitous detail. Let’s just say certain illusions [about the good that Hextech can do] have dwindled.”

“Yeah, it’s safe to say his dreams for Hextech have died,” Yee added.

Didn’t your mom tell you not to touch strange objects, Jayce? (Image credit: Netflix)

Intriguing as those hints are, I was already under the impression that Jayce has experienced some extremely traumatic events since we last saw him. Indeed, after he disappeared alongside Ekko and Heimerdinger in season 2 episode 3 – read my Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explainer for more details – it was unclear when we’d see Piltover’s so-called Man of Progress again.

As it happens, the wait wasn’t a lengthy one. This season’s fifth episode reunites us with Jayce after he returns to the material realm, aka the real world, following his Anomaly-based exploits. However, this isn’t the same Jayce who went missing two chapters ago. The individual who reappears is an unkempt, exhausted-looking, and rage-filled character who’s not only wielding a corrupted form of his Hextech hammer but whose rune-based magic crystal is now embedded in his left wrist.

Like other Arcane characters, Jayce (right) has been put through the wringer throughout the show (Image credit: Netflix)

Clearly, wherever he’s been, Jayce has experienced some… how can I put this politely… unpleasant events. Why else would he perform a 180-degree turn and say Hextech, the magic-infused invention he created with Viktor that he’s defended time and again, needs to be destroyed? Oh, and why else would he kill Salo and Viktor, not to mention escalate the conflict between Piltover and Zaun by murdering his former scientific partner in cold blood?

Whatever’s happened to Jayce, this isn’t his first emotionally harrowing jaunt. Being saved by a mage as a child, almost committing suicide when his Hextech dream was originally snuffed out by Heimerdinger, killing a kid in season 1 episode 8, and Jinx’s attack in Piltover’s council – it was “always the plan” for certain characters to die in that attack, Linke and Yee told me – are just four psychologically damaging incidents he’s dealt with in this show.

Throw in being whisked away to another reality and becoming a physical manifestation of a “sophisticated conjuration”, as Viktor describes it in episode 6, and it’s understandable why Jayce isn’t doing well. Let’s hope the idealistic and good-willed man of science inside him isn’t completely lost as we approach the end of Netflix’s first League of Legends animated adaptation.

Ahead of season 2’s last few episodes debuting on November 23, pass the time by reading more from my chat with Linke and Yee in the section below.

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Rapid growth of app sizes, especially in productivity, gaming, and social media, is filling smartphone storage quickly.

Phone apps are getting bigger, and storage isn’t keeping upSocial media, games, and productivity app sizes having increasedWhile apps include many more features now, they’re also much bigger

If you’ve been wondering why your smartphone storage seems to fill up faster than ever, you’re not alone. The days when 16GB of storage was more than enough are long gone, and apps that used to take up single megabytes of space now consume hundreds of MBs, sometimes even gigabytes.

A recent study by TRG Datacenters tracked the growth of popular apps over the past decade, revealing how productivity apps, communication tools, navigation apps, and games have ballooned in size.

Some have seen their storage demands increase by as much as 1000%, with certain types of data expanding even more dramatically.

From lightweight to heavyweights

Productivity apps have become essential for modern workplaces and have seen significant growth in their data requirements, and the study revealed popular workplace apps such as Asana and Trello have expanded by 1000% over the past decade.

In 2014, Asana required only 5MB of space, but by 2024, it had grown to 55MB. Similarly, Trello surged from 10MB to 100MB in the same period. These increases are attributed to the rise of remote work and the need for these apps to offer more functionality.

As project management software evolves, they have integrated features like real-time collaboration, video conferencing, and cloud storage, which naturally demand more data. Other productivity tools like Slack and Zoom have ballooned by 500% over the same period. In 2014, Slack and Zoom only consumed 10MB of space, but by 2024, they now require 60MB.

(Image credit: TRG )

Video game file sizes have also skyrocketed – back in 2014, the average mobile video game consumed about 45MB of storage. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has exploded to 2000MB, representing a mind-boggling 4344% increase.

This growth in gaming data stands out as the major culprit for vanishing phone storage, as developers push the boundaries of what mobile games can achieve, offering experiences that were once only possible on consoles and PCs.

Social media platforms, once relatively lightweight, have also seen dramatic growth in their storage demands. Facebook has increased its file size by 650%, from 50MB in 2014 to 380MB in 2024. Instagram, which is heavily focused on visual content has grown by 550%, expanding from 40MB to 260MB over the same period.

Twitter, while growing more modestly compared to other platforms, has still seen a 367% increase in its file size, rising from 30MB in 2014 to 140MB in 2024, and even LinkedIn has grown by 529%, going from 35MB in 2014 to 185MB in 2024.

The expansion isn’t limited to social media and productivity apps. Communication apps like WhatsApp and Skype have also experienced growth. In 2014, WhatsApp required only 15MB of space, but by 2024, that has increased to 40MB, a 167% increase. Similarly, Skype has grown from 20MB to 55MB, representing a 132% increase.

Also, navigation apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze and HERE WeGo have ballooned in size by between 200% and 250%, with the increase driven by real-time traffic updates, offline maps, and integration with third-party services.

While app sizes have expanded dramatically, smartphone manufacturers have attempted to keep up by increasing the average storage capacity of their devices. In 2014, the average smartphone came with just 16GB of non-expandable memory. In 2024, this has increased to an average of 384 GB – a 2300% increase. Despite this, many users still find themselves struggling with limited storage space due to the enormous size of modern apps.

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Here’s everything we know so far about potential return of Ted Lasso season 4 while eager fans await the Apple TV Plus comedy’s renewal.

Ted Lasso season 4 seemed unlikely when the show wrapped up squarely in the season 3 finale, but the more we hear, the more we think we haven’t seen the last of the hit comedy. It is one of the best Apple TV Plus shows after all, which is not a title given out easily. The stellar cast alongside the warmth and humor of Ted Lasso makes it the ultimate feel good watch that, unsurprisingly, has left fans wanting more.

So far, there’s been three seasons on Apple TV Plus following the struggling soccer team, AFC Richmond, as they’re led by an equally muddling coach in the form of Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis). From the first season, it quickly became a global sensation for the streaming platform with awards a-plenty and returning, much-loved cast members. While Ted Lasso season 3 pulled at the heartstrings in what appeared to be a very final finale of Ted’s time at the club, here’s everything you need to know about its potential return, possible plot, cast, trailer, and more.

Potential spoilers follow for Ted Lasso seasons 1-3. If you’re not caught up, why not? Read on with care.

Ted Lasso season 4 release date prediction

A typical Ted smile for a not-so-typical show renewal… (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

While there’s not been an official renewal, Ted Lasso season 4 may have leaked before Apple TV Plus announces it and it comes with a filming date sooner than expected as rumors suggest early 2025.

According to 9To5Mac, the Magic Rays of Light podcast previously revealed a potential production start date, as well as saying season 4 had been publicly listed on the Film & Television Industry Alliance’s website.

Warner Bros. TV boss Channing Dungey also spoke exclusively to Variety in October 2024 on the show’s return: “We are in conversations about season four, and they are very exciting conversations, but it’s still early days.” If Ted Lasso is renewed, we predict we’ll be seeing it on our screens in early to mid 2026. Taking into account that season 3 began filming in March 2022 and was released a year later, if the rumors are true about filming commencing in early 2025, we’d expect season 4 to come out a year after that.

Ted Lasso season 4 trailer: is there one?

A Ted Lasso season 4 trailer is a while away (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

As there’s no official renewal of Ted Lasso season 4, there’s certainly no trailer to share just yet. Season 3 premiered on March 15 with the teaser trailer dropping a month before and the official trailer a week later, so it’s a little while off yet.

Ted Lasso season 4 cast: confirmed and rumored

Hannah Waddingham is one of three main cast members picked up for a potential return (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Full spoilers follow for Ted Lasso season 3.

When it comes to Ted Lasso season 4 cast, a report from Deadline revealed that Warner Bros. TV has picked up the options for three cast members, despite the show not yet being greenlit. They are as follows:

Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca WaltonBrett Goldstein as Roy KentJeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins

Then there’s the Ted Lasso season 4 cast we expect may return:

Brendan Hunt as Coach BeardJuno Temple as Keeley JonesKola Bokinni as Isaac McAdooToheeb Jimoh as Sam ObisanyaJames Lance as Trent CrimmAnthony Head as Ruper MannionBilly Harris as Colin HughesStephen Manas as Richard MontlaurCristo Fernándex as Dani RojasMoe Jeudy-Lamour as Thierry ZoreauxMoe Hashim as Moe BumbercatchDavid Elsendoorn as Jan MaasAdam Colborne as Baz PrimroseBronson Webb as Jeremy BlumenthalKevin Garry as Paul La FleurCharlie Hiscock as Will Kitman

In conversation with Variety, Dungey also spoke about Sudeikis’ potential return: “We had always been clear that we there wasn’t going to be more ‘Ted Lasso’ if Jason [Sudeikis] and team weren’t feeling excited about it, and I can tell you first-hand that he’s in a place where he’s feeling really excited and feels good about it” While Sudeikis also holds the title of the show’s co-creator, it might still mean he’s not returning as Ted at all, but there’s certainly rumors.

These rumors have been ignited further by a heartwarming, but positive, post on X (formerly Twitter) from Nick Mohammed who plays Ted Lasso’s Nathan Shelley. Posting a quote, it says: “I refuse to accept that you are not coming back,” which has left eager fans feeling the very same, and hoping it’s a major hint at more to come.

Finally, when it comes to AFC Richmond’s top player, Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), you may have noticed his absence from the list above. According to Puck News’ Matthew Belloni, he’s not expected to return due to scheduling conflicts. Clarifying: “To be clear, I mean as a series regular. Maybe he pops in for a guest spot or two.”

Ted Lasso season 4 potential plot synopsis and rumors

Could Ted Lasso season 4 get the gang back together? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Major spoilers follow for Ted Lasso seasons 1-3.

The biggest question over Ted Lasso season 4 is what would it look like without Ted, given his move back to the States? Would they bring him back? Or, will season 4 be a spin-off, following Rebecca, Roy, and Leslie, given that their options have reportedly already been picked up in anticipation. Roy, as newly-appointed manager of AFC Richmond, could certainly be an option.

When speaking to Variety about what a season 4 could look like, Jason Sudeikis said: “If anything, the endeavor took as long as it did because of just how dense the stories are. … And so while we’re flattered by the curiosity of ‘Is this the final season,’ the fact is that content-wise, if you just go by running time, this season has a Season 4 within itself.”

Executive producer Brendan Hunt, aka Coach Beard, spoke to Consequence about the potential after season 3 given the show has followed a planned three-season arc so far: “Yes. Another arc is possible after this, for sure. We have always seen it as some kind of three-beat thing. Originally those three beats were more going to be modeled on what [the British] The Office did, you know, six eps, a special, boom, we’re done. We’ve certainly expanded those beats, but it does not mean that the whole kit and caboodle is getting chucked.”

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

In season 3, we watched as Nate struggled to find his feet at his new job at West Ham, suddenly returning to AFC Richmond with a lower-level job by the season’s end. While he was abrasive towards Ted in the seasons up to this moment, his return to the club was met with Ted’s decision to leave and head back to Kansas. Though Nate was showing a different side to his character with several panic attacks over season 3 alluding to a deeper meaning, the path wasn’t followed any further. For Nate, there’s definitely potential for more.

The AFC Richmond players have more to say (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

AFC Richmond were keen to impress in the Premier League in season 3. But, the big plot speculation is around the possibility of an AFC Richmond Women’s team. Conversations between Rebecca and Keeley definitely suggested this new path for the show. Though which storyline could be the main driving force behind Ted Lasso season 4, we’ll have to wait and see. The door has been left wide open for more, with Ted or not.

Ted Lasso: will there be more seasons?

It was farewell from Ted, but is it farewell for the show? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

It’s hard to say whether the show will continue for more given Ted Lasso season 4 has not officially received the greenlight. The suggestion of another three-beat arc by Coach Beard is a positive one though, but until we know more about season 4, there’s unfortunately not much to say about it going any further.

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Here are two cheap pieces of tech to help kickstart your 2025 fitness push.

If you struggle with your fitness or staying active, getting out and getting those steps in can really be challenging. After all, 10,000 steps in miles is about 5 miles for the average walker, and sometimes getting that distance in can prove challenging.

Learning how to walk 10,000 steps a day efficiently means incorporating lots of little lifestyle tweaks to help you get on track. You can break up your mileage into more manageable chunks, actively try to incorporate more steps into your daily life, track it all on one of the best fitness trackers, and even buddy up with someone to make the process more enjoyable.

A couple of precise tech purchases could also massively elevate your step count and your overall fitness. With the Black Friday deals event just around the corner, I reckon that anyone struggling with motivation or the logistics of walking could seriously boost their well-being with just two key pieces of relatively cheap equipment.

In 2024, the benefits of walking 10,000 steps every day are well documented. Study after study indicates that walking 10,000 steps a day can help lower anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion, and total mood distress, can reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and can help significantly lower body weight, BMI, body fat, and waist circumference.

But thanks to Black Friday, you don’t need to worry about splashing out hundreds of dollars or pounds per year on a gym membership, or buying a top-of-the-line treadmill for your basement. Here’s how you can start walking 10,000 steps with nothing but a cheap walking pad and a humble fitness tracker.

Track your steps

(Image credit: Future)

Counting your steps is going to be impossible without some specialized equipment, and while your smartphone might have a step counter, even a cheap fitness tracker is going to give you much better insight into your overall activity levels and your fitness as a result.

Without spending a great deal, in the UK you can pick up a Huawei Band 9, or a Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for less than £40. The latter is our top cheap fitness tracker pick thanks to its nifty screen, accurate sensors, and comprehensive data. If you’ve got a little bit more to spend, the Google Fitbit Inspire 3 is a solid choice at around £85, but there’s no need to spend more than £50. Save your money and use it for the second gadget we’ll come to.

You won’t find Huawei in the US, but you will find Xiaomi’s Smart Band 9 for $51 on Amazon, or the older Smart Band 8 for just $45. In the US, the aforementioned Fitbit Inspire 3 is also a lot more affordable, discounted to just $69.

Of course, you could always push the boat out with an Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy alternative, or even a great Garmin like the Forerunner 55, but if you’re just looking for a cheap band to count steps and keep you motivated, there’s no reason to spend more than $100.

Unlock the power of the walking pad

(Image credit: Future / Jessica Downey)

As the owner and beneficiary of a great walking pad, and as TechRadar’s fitness and wearables staff writer, I’m a fervent advocate of the humble walking pad as one of the best fitness tools out there. Cheaper and smaller than treadmills, they can often be folded away for storage and provide the perfect walking platform to help you get your steps in at home. Also known as under-desk treadmills, you can use the best under-desk treadmills to do almost anything, be it attending work calls or meetings, watching Netflix, making or taking phone calls, listening to podcasts, and more.

You’ll find most great walking pads are less than $400/£300, and plenty are on sale around Black Friday for less. Walking pads can help you avoid inclement weather or dark winter nights, cutting out some of the key concerns that often get in the way of our best-laid fitness plans.

In the UK, we’ve had our eye on the Kitopa walking pad. Normally £189, it’s just £129 right now and has fallen as low as £99 in recent weeks.

In the US, this Cursor Fitness pad comes in as low as $85, or this highly rated SupeRun is just $125 instead of its usual $289 list price.

Choosing your walking pad wisely matters a bit more than the fitness tracker, simply because it’s a bigger cost commitment. So if you’re shopping around, make sure you look out for important metrics like the weight of the unit itself, the weight limit, speeds, and extra features such as a remote control.

You can also find more picks in our best under-desk treadmills roundup, where our top budget pick will set you back around $150 / £150, or you can splash out for a more premium model.

Regardless, Black Friday is absolutely a great time to pick up some incredible fitness tech and give you a head start on those January fitness resolutions.

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