A busy week in tech brought teasing foldables, a smarter ChatGPT voice, a surprising retro phone with an AI button, a standout budget fitness watch, and a revived superzoom camera. Below are the key developments you need to know, broken down for quick reading.
H2: TechRadar Awards get a bold redesign
The TechRadar Awards returned with a new two-track approach: editorial Product of the Year awards judged by experts, and a separate Readers’ Choice Awards decided entirely by public votes. Nominations are open, giving readers a direct say in which products make the shortlists. The split aims to separate professional verdicts from popular opinion, offering clearer recognition for both camps.
H2: ChatGPT’s voice mode gets smarter with GPT-Live-1
OpenAI launched two new voice models that bring more natural conversation and real-time translation to ChatGPT. Free users get a GPT-Live-1 mini, while paid subscribers access the full GPT-Live-1. The live model delegates heavier queries to a backend model to close previous knowledge gaps, reduces interruptions when you pause, and can translate spoken exchanges on the fly.
H2: Nokia’s retro phones now include an AI button — for a cost
HMD released a set of retro-styled feature phones that keep classic hardware elements—headphone jacks, microSD slots, and FM radio—while adding an AI assistant via a dedicated button. The assistant is tuned for on-device tasks like alarms and reminders, but free access lasts only 180 days; afterward a modest annual fee applies, varying by region.
H2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium surprises in the budget segment
Amazfit’s Active 3 Premium punches above its price, delivering features often found in pricier watches: full-color maps, sapphire glass, accurate fitness metrics, and a refined Zepp app experience. At its asking price, it stands out as a top budget fitness tracker and a serious alternative to mainstream rivals.
H2: Sony brings back the RX10 superzoom family
Sony quietly relaunched its bridge camera line with the RX10 V, pairing a versatile 24–600mm equivalent lens with a 1-inch stacked sensor and modern processing. Early hands-on testing—over a thousand shots across varied scenarios—showed impressive versatility and autofocus, though the refreshed model comes with a higher price tag than its predecessors.
H2: Phones on the summer calendar: Samsung and Google
Samsung confirmed a July 22 Unpacked event teasing a new foldable form factor—shorter and wider than current models—likely aimed at pre-empting rivals and expanding the foldable lineup. Google set its Pixel reveal for August 12, where the Pixel 11 family (including a foldable and refreshed Pro models) is expected. Rumors hint at price increases across the board, keeping the midrange vs premium debate alive.
H2: Looking ahead
This week highlighted two themes: incumbents iterating on hardware design (foldables, superzoom cameras, fitness wearables) and software bringing new conversational and on-device AI experiences. Expect more hybrid moves—classic hardware with AI features—and a summer of headline product launches that will shape buying decisions for the rest of the year.
