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Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Much more of the world will soon have the chance to buy Apple’s mixed-reality headset. Apple announced today that its $3,499 Vision Pro will be sold internationally with a rollout kicking off on June 28th.
The first countries outside the US to get the Vision Pro are China, Japan, and Singapore on June 28th, followed by Germany, France, Australia, the UK, and Canada on July 12th. The announcement comes after Bloomberg reported in May that Apple has been training its international employees on selling the high-end headset.

If there’s one obvious way to help underperforming Vision Pro sales, it’s selling the headset in more places. Apple has yet to report Vision Pro sales numbers, but the general buzz has died down considerably since its release in February, and Apple reportedly cut production recently due to the low demand. Even its value on the secondhand market looks shaky, as it’s fairly easy to find lightly used base models selling for $1,000 off or more on eBay. A whole bunch of new potential customers can’t hurt.
Preorders for China, Japan, and Singapore will begin on June 13th at 6PM PT, while customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK will get their first crack at ordering on June 28th at 5AM PT.
Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Much more of the world will soon have the chance to buy Apple’s mixed-reality headset. Apple announced today that its $3,499 Vision Pro will be sold internationally with a rollout kicking off on June 28th.

The first countries outside the US to get the Vision Pro are China, Japan, and Singapore on June 28th, followed by Germany, France, Australia, the UK, and Canada on July 12th. The announcement comes after Bloomberg reported in May that Apple has been training its international employees on selling the high-end headset.

If there’s one obvious way to help underperforming Vision Pro sales, it’s selling the headset in more places. Apple has yet to report Vision Pro sales numbers, but the general buzz has died down considerably since its release in February, and Apple reportedly cut production recently due to the low demand. Even its value on the secondhand market looks shaky, as it’s fairly easy to find lightly used base models selling for $1,000 off or more on eBay. A whole bunch of new potential customers can’t hurt.

Preorders for China, Japan, and Singapore will begin on June 13th at 6PM PT, while customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK will get their first crack at ordering on June 28th at 5AM PT.

Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

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Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Apple has announced visionOS 2, the second version of the Vision Pro’s operating system, aiming to bring a lot of features that users have been asking for since launch.
Apple says that in the new update, users will be able to convert any image in Photos app to a spatial one, using machine learning. Also, visionOS 2 will have train support, so the Vision Pro’s travel mode will no longer be limited to just airplanes.

Image: Apple

The company also updated the Mac virtual display feature, offering what it says is the equivalent of two 4K displays with a new virtual ultrawide display option. With the ultrawide option turned on, the display spreads out in front of users like a curved ultrawide monitor would — something I’ve been desperate for since picking up the Vision Pro. It’s not dual virtual monitor; I think it might be better.
The company also says it’s adding SharePlay to the visionOS Photos app, which means that you can share the app with another Vision Pro owner using Spatial Personas, a feature Apple introduced in April that puts the ghostly bust of your Vision Pro-having friends right in the room with you. It’s a surprisingly impressive feature that also lets you watch things or edit documents together in actual 3D space.

Image: Apple

The company says Red Bull is making a new immersive sports series, while Apple is making its first scripted immersive feature. Also, the company says that BlackMagic Design has created a new workflow for its cameras: DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Compressor.

Image: Canon

Apple also said that Canon is releasing a new spatial lens for the EOS R7, designed specifically for creating content for the Vision Pro. And the company says it will be releasing its first scripted immersive video for the platform.
Finally, the company is rolling out the Vision Pro abroad. It’s going to start taking preorders for China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore on June 13th at 6PM PT, and it’ll be available in those countries on June 28th. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK will get pre-orders later, on June 28th at 5AM PT, with the headset officially available on July 12th.
As flashy as it is, the Vision Pro is very much still a first-generation product and it’s good to see the company rolling out some key updates. Apple has pitched it as a productivity device and a tool for enterprise use. (The company loves to talk about how doctors are using it.) With a new curved virtual display, it’s starting to feel much closer to that.
Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Apple has announced visionOS 2, the second version of the Vision Pro’s operating system, aiming to bring a lot of features that users have been asking for since launch.

Apple says that in the new update, users will be able to convert any image in Photos app to a spatial one, using machine learning. Also, visionOS 2 will have train support, so the Vision Pro’s travel mode will no longer be limited to just airplanes.

Image: Apple

The company also updated the Mac virtual display feature, offering what it says is the equivalent of two 4K displays with a new virtual ultrawide display option. With the ultrawide option turned on, the display spreads out in front of users like a curved ultrawide monitor would — something I’ve been desperate for since picking up the Vision Pro. It’s not dual virtual monitor; I think it might be better.

The company also says it’s adding SharePlay to the visionOS Photos app, which means that you can share the app with another Vision Pro owner using Spatial Personas, a feature Apple introduced in April that puts the ghostly bust of your Vision Pro-having friends right in the room with you. It’s a surprisingly impressive feature that also lets you watch things or edit documents together in actual 3D space.

Image: Apple

The company says Red Bull is making a new immersive sports series, while Apple is making its first scripted immersive feature. Also, the company says that BlackMagic Design has created a new workflow for its cameras: DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Compressor.

Image: Canon

Apple also said that Canon is releasing a new spatial lens for the EOS R7, designed specifically for creating content for the Vision Pro. And the company says it will be releasing its first scripted immersive video for the platform.

Finally, the company is rolling out the Vision Pro abroad. It’s going to start taking preorders for China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore on June 13th at 6PM PT, and it’ll be available in those countries on June 28th. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK will get pre-orders later, on June 28th at 5AM PT, with the headset officially available on July 12th.

As flashy as it is, the Vision Pro is very much still a first-generation product and it’s good to see the company rolling out some key updates. Apple has pitched it as a productivity device and a tool for enterprise use. (The company loves to talk about how doctors are using it.) With a new curved virtual display, it’s starting to feel much closer to that.

Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

Read More 

A still photo from season 2 of Severance.

Before getting into the tech stuff, Apple opened up WWDC 2024 with a sizzle reel detailing its upcoming lineup for Apple TV Plus. Most notably: the trailer gave the first looks yet at the second seasons of both Severance and Silo.
The two shows are important pillars in the streaming service’s growing lineup of sci-fi, and fans have been waiting for new seasons for a while. The office horror story Severance wrapped up its first season in August 2022, and little news had been shared since then, aside from some casting news. The postapocalyptic series Silo, meanwhile, completed its first season last May.
In addition to the trailer, Apple also released this first question-raising image from Severance:

A still photo from season 2 of Severance.

As well as these new images of Silo’s next season:

It’s hard to take much away from the shows’ brief appearances today, but it hopefully means that premiere dates are coming soon. A number of other returning series were featured in the video as well, including Shrinking, Slow Horses, and Pachinko, which starts streaming in August.
Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

A still photo from season 2 of Severance.

Before getting into the tech stuff, Apple opened up WWDC 2024 with a sizzle reel detailing its upcoming lineup for Apple TV Plus. Most notably: the trailer gave the first looks yet at the second seasons of both Severance and Silo.

The two shows are important pillars in the streaming service’s growing lineup of sci-fi, and fans have been waiting for new seasons for a while. The office horror story Severance wrapped up its first season in August 2022, and little news had been shared since then, aside from some casting news. The postapocalyptic series Silo, meanwhile, completed its first season last May.

In addition to the trailer, Apple also released this first question-raising image from Severance:

A still photo from season 2 of Severance.

As well as these new images of Silo’s next season:

It’s hard to take much away from the shows’ brief appearances today, but it hopefully means that premiere dates are coming soon. A number of other returning series were featured in the video as well, including Shrinking, Slow Horses, and Pachinko, which starts streaming in August.

Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

Read More 

Image: The Verge

Tim Cook promised that AI features were on the way. At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, we’ll finally learn what Apple’s been building. AI is the buzzword of the year, and Apple is expected to go all in on the emerging tech at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. The company reportedly plans to infuse its operating systems with AI features, debut chatbot features in partnership with OpenAI, and generally show that it hasn’t fallen behind Google, Microsoft, and the rest of the tech world when it comes to the year’s hottest tech.
Apple was early to the digital assistant game with the launch of Siri in 2011. But the tech has languished since then — and even the products that have surpassed Siri, like Amazon’s Alexa, seem to have plateaued. The rise of AI should offer Apple another shot at building a “do anything for you” assistant, and rumors are that we’ll see the foundations of that laid at this year’s developer event.
The big AI news will come on top of the regular batch of WWDC updates: new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and more. Plenty of app updates are expected, new customization features are rumored to come to iOS, and we should see the first big software update for the Vision Pro, which debuted at this event last year.
WWDC kicks off at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. You can watch the stream below and follow along with our live blog. The Verge’s team will be reporting live from Apple Park and will have moment-to-moment updates on the latest.

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Image: The Verge

Tim Cook promised that AI features were on the way. At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, we’ll finally learn what Apple’s been building.

AI is the buzzword of the year, and Apple is expected to go all in on the emerging tech at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. The company reportedly plans to infuse its operating systems with AI features, debut chatbot features in partnership with OpenAI, and generally show that it hasn’t fallen behind Google, Microsoft, and the rest of the tech world when it comes to the year’s hottest tech.

Apple was early to the digital assistant game with the launch of Siri in 2011. But the tech has languished since then — and even the products that have surpassed Siri, like Amazon’s Alexa, seem to have plateaued. The rise of AI should offer Apple another shot at building a “do anything for you” assistant, and rumors are that we’ll see the foundations of that laid at this year’s developer event.

The big AI news will come on top of the regular batch of WWDC updates: new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and more. Plenty of app updates are expected, new customization features are rumored to come to iOS, and we should see the first big software update for the Vision Pro, which debuted at this event last year.

WWDC kicks off at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. You can watch the stream below and follow along with our live blog. The Verge’s team will be reporting live from Apple Park and will have moment-to-moment updates on the latest.

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Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Spotify’s personalization features are about to pop up in more areas of the app. The service will soon start showcasing banners and in-app messages tailored to your listening habits, such as telling you how many times you listened to artists like Doja Cat last month.
In addition to giving you insight into your activity on the app, Spotify’s messages will prompt you to listen to Doja Cat or encourage you to use Spotify’s AI DJ to play similar music. Another example, as shown in the image embedded below, links you to your Daylist, a feature that comes up with a playlist based on what you typically listen to throughout your day.

Image: Spotify

Spotify doesn’t say when — or how often — these personalized messages will appear, and the company didn’t share any additional information when reached for comment. That means we’ll likely have to wait until Spotify rolls out the feature over the next several weeks to find out for ourselves.
Spotify has long touted the breadth of its personalization features over rivals like Apple Music, which has gradually expanded to include personalized stations and year-end recaps. It seems like this new campaign from Spotify will at least give you a small taste of your Spotify Wrapped all year round.

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Spotify’s personalization features are about to pop up in more areas of the app. The service will soon start showcasing banners and in-app messages tailored to your listening habits, such as telling you how many times you listened to artists like Doja Cat last month.

In addition to giving you insight into your activity on the app, Spotify’s messages will prompt you to listen to Doja Cat or encourage you to use Spotify’s AI DJ to play similar music. Another example, as shown in the image embedded below, links you to your Daylist, a feature that comes up with a playlist based on what you typically listen to throughout your day.

Image: Spotify

Spotify doesn’t say when — or how often — these personalized messages will appear, and the company didn’t share any additional information when reached for comment. That means we’ll likely have to wait until Spotify rolls out the feature over the next several weeks to find out for ourselves.

Spotify has long touted the breadth of its personalization features over rivals like Apple Music, which has gradually expanded to include personalized stations and year-end recaps. It seems like this new campaign from Spotify will at least give you a small taste of your Spotify Wrapped all year round.

Read More 

They’re petite, modern, and sound very good, even without dedicated noise cancellation. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

If you’re still kicking along with the last-gen Beats Solo, now is a pretty good time to upgrade. It took Apple less than two weeks to discount the 2024 refresh of its alt brand’s on-ear headphones, the Beats Solo 4, to $149.95. And now, not even a month later, the price has dropped even further at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, where you can grab them for an all-time low of around $129.95 ($70 off).

We find the Beats Solo 4 to be a very solid pair of headphones that are well equipped to handle most listening needs. You’re still getting Beats’ signature bass biased sound, which hasn’t changed much over the prior model. It really didn’t need to, though, and the headphones now support head tracking spatial audio when paired with an iPhone. Android users, meanwhile, get automatic device switching between Android, Chromebooks, and other devices.
Apple peppered in more meaningful quality-of-life changes, too, such as lossless audio over USB-C or 3.5mm (which doesn’t degrade when the generous 50-hour battery dies), built-in Find My support, and added comfort. It’s still somewhat of a downer that Apple neglected to add water resistance and active noise cancellation, but it’s a little more forgivable at this price, and they can still naturally block a decent bit of sound with their slightly cushier ear cups.

Read our Beats Solo 4 review.

A few more Monday deals to shop

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a fantastic phone if all you need are the basics, especially since you can get an unlocked model at Woot with a 90-day warranty until June 15th for an all-time low of $199.99 ($100 off). It features the newest version of OxygenOS based on Android 14, but as previously announced, that will be the last major platform update for the entry-level smartphone. At this price, however, it remains a nice budget option with a few inclusions we rarely see at this price, such as a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, 50W fast charging, and NFC. It also has three total cameras, including depth sensors and a 108-megapixel snapper with a 3x digital zoom for lossless telephoto capabilities. Read our review.
The Asus ROG Ally with an AMD Z1 Extreme processor has dropped to a new low of $549.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy. While the original non-Z1 Extreme model of the seven-inch PC gaming handheld is much cheaper now at $399.99 ($100 off), we’d recommend going for the upgraded Ally if your budget can stand it. The Z1 Extreme chip makes a world of difference for pushing smoother visuals without a huge hit to battery drain. Prices could drop even further once the newly announced $799 ROG Ally X arrives, however. Read our review.
You can get a three-pack of TP-Link’s Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plugs for $24.99 (50 percent off) directly from TP-Link or at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon. These particular plugs support Matter, making them easy to manage with a variety of smart home platforms. Like many of TP-Link’s other connected products, you don’t need a separate hub to use them — just download the mobile app and run through the relatively easy setup process. The app lets you monitor energy use and manage automatic schedules and timers, and it offers ubiquitous voice control with support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri (via Apple Home). That flexibility makes these plugs stand out among Verge staffers as an essential smart home automation gadget.

They’re petite, modern, and sound very good, even without dedicated noise cancellation. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

If you’re still kicking along with the last-gen Beats Solo, now is a pretty good time to upgrade. It took Apple less than two weeks to discount the 2024 refresh of its alt brand’s on-ear headphones, the Beats Solo 4, to $149.95. And now, not even a month later, the price has dropped even further at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, where you can grab them for an all-time low of around $129.95 ($70 off).

We find the Beats Solo 4 to be a very solid pair of headphones that are well equipped to handle most listening needs. You’re still getting Beats’ signature bass biased sound, which hasn’t changed much over the prior model. It really didn’t need to, though, and the headphones now support head tracking spatial audio when paired with an iPhone. Android users, meanwhile, get automatic device switching between Android, Chromebooks, and other devices.

Apple peppered in more meaningful quality-of-life changes, too, such as lossless audio over USB-C or 3.5mm (which doesn’t degrade when the generous 50-hour battery dies), built-in Find My support, and added comfort. It’s still somewhat of a downer that Apple neglected to add water resistance and active noise cancellation, but it’s a little more forgivable at this price, and they can still naturally block a decent bit of sound with their slightly cushier ear cups.

Read our Beats Solo 4 review.

A few more Monday deals to shop

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a fantastic phone if all you need are the basics, especially since you can get an unlocked model at Woot with a 90-day warranty until June 15th for an all-time low of $199.99 ($100 off). It features the newest version of OxygenOS based on Android 14, but as previously announced, that will be the last major platform update for the entry-level smartphone. At this price, however, it remains a nice budget option with a few inclusions we rarely see at this price, such as a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, 50W fast charging, and NFC. It also has three total cameras, including depth sensors and a 108-megapixel snapper with a 3x digital zoom for lossless telephoto capabilities. Read our review.
The Asus ROG Ally with an AMD Z1 Extreme processor has dropped to a new low of $549.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy. While the original non-Z1 Extreme model of the seven-inch PC gaming handheld is much cheaper now at $399.99 ($100 off), we’d recommend going for the upgraded Ally if your budget can stand it. The Z1 Extreme chip makes a world of difference for pushing smoother visuals without a huge hit to battery drain. Prices could drop even further once the newly announced $799 ROG Ally X arrives, however. Read our review.
You can get a three-pack of TP-Link’s Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plugs for $24.99 (50 percent off) directly from TP-Link or at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon. These particular plugs support Matter, making them easy to manage with a variety of smart home platforms. Like many of TP-Link’s other connected products, you don’t need a separate hub to use them — just download the mobile app and run through the relatively easy setup process. The app lets you monitor energy use and manage automatic schedules and timers, and it offers ubiquitous voice control with support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri (via Apple Home). That flexibility makes these plugs stand out among Verge staffers as an essential smart home automation gadget.

Read More 

The Verge

It’s Apple’s turn to show how AI will work on its iPhones, iPads, and maybe even the Vision Pro. At WWDC 2024, Apple is expected to show off new AI features for the iPhone, iPad, and more. It’s Apple’s chance to show that it can keep pace with Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot products, and we’re expecting to hear plenty about its efforts throughout the event. Tim Cook has even promised as much, saying back in February that generative AI features are coming “later this year.”
Apple’s keynote starts on Monday, June 10th, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. The event is streaming online, and you’ll be able to follow The Verge for live updates.
WWDC is Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which, this year, runs from June 10th to June 14th in Cupertino, California. Apple will share details and host workshops for the new macOS 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and other operating systems. Just a year ago, WWDC was all about Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset, but that hype has simmered down since its launch in February. This year’s event might include an OpenAI partnership, a better Siri, and improved Settings for the iPhone and Mac.
Scroll on down for all the latest news coming out of WWDC 2024.

The Verge

It’s Apple’s turn to show how AI will work on its iPhones, iPads, and maybe even the Vision Pro.

At WWDC 2024, Apple is expected to show off new AI features for the iPhone, iPad, and more. It’s Apple’s chance to show that it can keep pace with Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot products, and we’re expecting to hear plenty about its efforts throughout the event. Tim Cook has even promised as much, saying back in February that generative AI features are coming “later this year.”

Apple’s keynote starts on Monday, June 10th, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. The event is streaming online, and you’ll be able to follow The Verge for live updates.

WWDC is Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which, this year, runs from June 10th to June 14th in Cupertino, California. Apple will share details and host workshops for the new macOS 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and other operating systems. Just a year ago, WWDC was all about Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset, but that hype has simmered down since its launch in February. This year’s event might include an OpenAI partnership, a better Siri, and improved Settings for the iPhone and Mac.

Scroll on down for all the latest news coming out of WWDC 2024.

Read More 

Image: Bungie

Bungie just concluded the long-running saga of the light and darkness in Destiny 2: The Final Shape earlier this month, and now the Halo and Destiny developer is teasing what’s next. In a “journey ahead” stream today, Bungie disclosed the first details on its plans for the rest of the year ahead with Destiny 2 and even teased a 2025 release for new content that’s codenamed “Frontiers.”
Until Frontiers arrives next year, Destiny 2 will continue with new episodes of story content that explore what’s happened after the conclusion of The Final Shape. Destiny 2 players have just battled The Witness in the latest expansion, the main antagonist of Destiny’s light and darkness saga, which has created what Bungie is calling echoes throughout the universe.

Image: Bungie
Destiny 2 is getting loot potions.

The first echo has landed on Nessus, which is why Destiny 2 players have noticed earthquakes occurring on that planet over the weekend. Nessus is changing, and so are the Vex enemies that inhabit it, which Destiny 2 players will start to discover this week as The Final Shape seasonal content begins with this first episode of stories.
Later in the year, the second echo, Revenant, will see the focus switch to the Fallen enemies, with Destiny 2 players turning into vampire hunters that have craftable potions. After Revenant the final episode is Heresy, which will focus on the Hive pantheon enemies. And yes, we’re heading back to the dreadnought to see what’s changed with the Hive. There will even be armor that’s themed around Eris Morn, Destiny’s very own Hive lore expert.
After Heresy ends and year 11 of Destiny 2 begins in 2025, a new “Frontiers” drop of content is on the way. “The journey continues,” teases Bungie. It’s not clear what storyline the Frontiers content will cover, but it doesn’t seem to be the big annual expansion that Bungie typically puts out for Destiny 2. Either way, Bungie is making it clear that Destiny 2 isn’t going anywhere just yet, despite speculation over whether or not a Destiny 3 is on the way.

Image: Bungie

Bungie just concluded the long-running saga of the light and darkness in Destiny 2: The Final Shape earlier this month, and now the Halo and Destiny developer is teasing what’s next. In a “journey ahead” stream today, Bungie disclosed the first details on its plans for the rest of the year ahead with Destiny 2 and even teased a 2025 release for new content that’s codenamed “Frontiers.”

Until Frontiers arrives next year, Destiny 2 will continue with new episodes of story content that explore what’s happened after the conclusion of The Final Shape. Destiny 2 players have just battled The Witness in the latest expansion, the main antagonist of Destiny’s light and darkness saga, which has created what Bungie is calling echoes throughout the universe.

Image: Bungie
Destiny 2 is getting loot potions.

The first echo has landed on Nessus, which is why Destiny 2 players have noticed earthquakes occurring on that planet over the weekend. Nessus is changing, and so are the Vex enemies that inhabit it, which Destiny 2 players will start to discover this week as The Final Shape seasonal content begins with this first episode of stories.

Later in the year, the second echo, Revenant, will see the focus switch to the Fallen enemies, with Destiny 2 players turning into vampire hunters that have craftable potions. After Revenant the final episode is Heresy, which will focus on the Hive pantheon enemies. And yes, we’re heading back to the dreadnought to see what’s changed with the Hive. There will even be armor that’s themed around Eris Morn, Destiny’s very own Hive lore expert.

After Heresy ends and year 11 of Destiny 2 begins in 2025, a new “Frontiers” drop of content is on the way. “The journey continues,” teases Bungie. It’s not clear what storyline the Frontiers content will cover, but it doesn’t seem to be the big annual expansion that Bungie typically puts out for Destiny 2. Either way, Bungie is making it clear that Destiny 2 isn’t going anywhere just yet, despite speculation over whether or not a Destiny 3 is on the way.

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These Pixel Watch 3 renders look just like the previous model. | Image: 91mobiles / OnLeaks

Google Pixel Watch 3 renders have apparently leaked, and it looks like not much is changing except for a slightly chunkier design. As revealed by 91mobiles and OnLeaks, who uncovered a rumored “Ultra” Galaxy Watch from Samsung last month, the Pixel Watch 3 may arrive with a slightly thicker case to accommodate a new 307mAh battery, up slightly from 304mAh in the Pixel Watch 2.
Unfortunately for fans wishing for a bigger screen, the leak only shows a 41mm size with a 1.2-inch display, just like Google’s current Pixel Watch 2. There is some hope, however, that Google is also working on a larger 45mm version of the watch launching later this year, as reported by 9to5Google.
The measurements listed with the leak (along with a 3D spinning video) are 40.79 x 40.73 x 14mm versus the Pixel Watch 2 at 41 x 41 x 12.3mm. Whatever size they are, any new Google wearables coming this year will likely ship with Wear OS 5, which Google said will help enhance battery life.

Image: 91mobiles / OnLeaks
Any new sensors back there?

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The back of the Pixel Watch 2.

These Pixel Watch 3 renders look just like the previous model. | Image: 91mobiles / OnLeaks

Google Pixel Watch 3 renders have apparently leaked, and it looks like not much is changing except for a slightly chunkier design. As revealed by 91mobiles and OnLeaks, who uncovered a rumored “Ultra” Galaxy Watch from Samsung last month, the Pixel Watch 3 may arrive with a slightly thicker case to accommodate a new 307mAh battery, up slightly from 304mAh in the Pixel Watch 2.

Unfortunately for fans wishing for a bigger screen, the leak only shows a 41mm size with a 1.2-inch display, just like Google’s current Pixel Watch 2. There is some hope, however, that Google is also working on a larger 45mm version of the watch launching later this year, as reported by 9to5Google.

The measurements listed with the leak (along with a 3D spinning video) are 40.79 x 40.73 x 14mm versus the Pixel Watch 2 at 41 x 41 x 12.3mm. Whatever size they are, any new Google wearables coming this year will likely ship with Wear OS 5, which Google said will help enhance battery life.

Image: 91mobiles / OnLeaks
Any new sensors back there?

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The back of the Pixel Watch 2.

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Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made the call with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s ambassador of digitalization and new technologies. | Image: Nokia

Nokia has made the first audio and video call using 3D spatial audio, the company announced on Monday. It placed the call over a cellular network using the 3GPP Immersive Video and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, allowing callers to hear “sound spatially in real-time.”
The IVAS codec is part of 5G Advanced, an upcoming upgrade to 5G networks that could offer faster speeds, improved energy efficiency, more accurate cellular-based positioning, and more. Currently, all phone calls made over a cellular network are monophonic, meaning audio is compressed into a single channel. Spatial audio, on the other hand, makes it seem like sounds are coming from different directions as they’re delivered through multiple channels.

Some apps, like Apple Music, Netflix, and Disney Plus, offer spatial audio for a more lifelike listening experience — but only on supported listening devices. The IVAS codec could enable spatial audio in a “vast majority” of smartphones with at least two microphones, Nokia tells Reuters. “This is now becoming standardised … so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products,” Nokia president Jenni Lukander says.
Nokia is just one of the companies working to get the IVAS codec into 5G Advanced. But, as pointed out by Reuters, we likely won’t see the more immersive audio and video calls on our cellular networks for a few more years.

Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made the call with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s ambassador of digitalization and new technologies. | Image: Nokia

Nokia has made the first audio and video call using 3D spatial audio, the company announced on Monday. It placed the call over a cellular network using the 3GPP Immersive Video and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, allowing callers to hear “sound spatially in real-time.”

The IVAS codec is part of 5G Advanced, an upcoming upgrade to 5G networks that could offer faster speeds, improved energy efficiency, more accurate cellular-based positioning, and more. Currently, all phone calls made over a cellular network are monophonic, meaning audio is compressed into a single channel. Spatial audio, on the other hand, makes it seem like sounds are coming from different directions as they’re delivered through multiple channels.

Some apps, like Apple Music, Netflix, and Disney Plus, offer spatial audio for a more lifelike listening experience — but only on supported listening devices. The IVAS codec could enable spatial audio in a “vast majority” of smartphones with at least two microphones, Nokia tells Reuters. “This is now becoming standardised … so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products,” Nokia president Jenni Lukander says.

Nokia is just one of the companies working to get the IVAS codec into 5G Advanced. But, as pointed out by Reuters, we likely won’t see the more immersive audio and video calls on our cellular networks for a few more years.

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