It’s the weekend again, and after IFA Berlin during the previous week we finally got to see Apple launch its newest iPhone 16 series, along with a handful of new wearable products. Sony took the wraps off its souped-up PS5 model, and we got word of Jaguar Land Rover’s newest method to boost its production facility’s output. So sit back, scroll away, and take a look at some of this week’s major tech headlines.
Meet JLR’s AI-Powered Robot Canine
Remember all those headlines a while back about that impressive (and slightly scary) robot dog from Boston Dynamics? It looks like auto-manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has decided to recruit the mechanical canine, as the company ramps up its battery testing for the Ranger Rover electric launch. Dubbed “Rover,” the robot patrols JLR’s facility in Coventry up to 24 times per day, using a series of AI-enabled smarts to check equipment and aid human workers, as well as keep rounds in key areas of the facility. Rover also has its own kennel at the plant, where it lives and charges its 50V battery in between its shifts.
Apple Shows Off its New iPhones
As for Apple, the Cupertino giant unveiled a new set of products, although most of the spotlight was on its new iPhones, the 16 and 16 Pro models. Apple has added some new elements to its “vanilla” model iPhones, which now feature a new camera layout for spatial content support, a new dedicated camera control button with haptic features, and more vibrant colours. The company’s more premium smartphones feature larger displays this time around, measuring 6.3 inches for the smaller Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max – inside is the A18 Pro chip, built with 3nm technology and a 6-core GPU which the company claims packs powerful enhancements for gaming and Apple Intelligence features.
The PS5 Pro is Here, and it’s Pretty Expensive
Sony has finally announced its latest addition to its PlayStation 5 console lineup with the PS5 Pro, which brings some new hardware upgrades to its premium gaming hardware line. Inside the console you’ll find a newer GPU that’s capable of up to 67% more Compute Units, in addition to 28% faster memory. Sony says that this allows the console to handle 45% faster rendering tasks for an overall smoother gameplay experience. Also present is ray tracing, one of the biggest graphical advancements that we’ve seen in the gaming industry. With all the hardware upgrades aside though, the console comes in with a rather hefty £699 price tag. By comparison, the most affordable model is the PS5 slim digital edition, priced at just £389.
HMD’s New Modular Smartphone Finally Becomes Available
HMD’s push to stand out in the market has led to a new entry in its lineup in the form of the HMD Fusion, which incorporates a modular design. The phone is also now available for purchase for buyers in Europe and in the United Kingdom, starting at a rather wallet-friendly price of £229. This modular hardware setup allows users to clip on different accessories onto the phone, which consists of gear from both HMD and other third-party brands. In terms of specs, the HMD Fusion comes with a list of specs that’s commonly found on a lot of budget smartphones – powered by a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip, the phone also comes with a 6.56-inch IPS display, which also features a 90Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution.
