The 12 months is coming to an in depth however now we have time for at the very least yet another ICYMI round-up to catch you up on a very powerful tech bulletins earlier than the vacations, and extra importantly, CES 2025 land.
This week we noticed leaks galore for the Samsung Galaxy S25, Nintendo Change 2, and new Ray-Ban good glasses, in addition to getting a trailer for Superman which launched us to an excellent boy in Krypto.
You may’t watch Superman but, however for those who’ve caught up on the week’s information and are in search of one thing to fill your downtime, then take a look at our picks for the seven new motion pictures and TV exhibits to stream this weekend.
7. Panasonic introduced again the point-and-shoot digital camera
One factor we did not have on the 2024 bingo card was a brand new point-and-shoot digital camera, though it is a trending market this 12 months. So it was shocking when Panasonic introduced the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 (it is referred to as the previous within the US and the latter elsewhere), which shall be obtainable from February 2025.
The pocketable snapper packs a Leica lens with a whopping 30x optical zoom – a 24-720mm vary that is far more versatile than your smartphone, and which could be doubled digitally to 60x utilizing Panasonic’s iZoom function. It shoots 20.3MP images and 4K video, supported by Panasonic’s 5-axis picture stabilization for sharp pictures. That each one sounds fab, however it’s truly 10-year-old tech borrowed from the Lumix ZS80 / TZ80 it replaces, and the newer mannequin is arguably a downgrade as a result of the EVF (digital viewfinder) has been eliminated.
So why the brand new mannequin? It is bought USB-C charging, that means the inexperienced gentle to remain on the cabinets come 2025 when the EU’s Frequent Charger Directive comes into drive. So it is not a lot a comeback for the point-and-shoot digital camera, however a case of retaining it alive… simply.
6. The Nintendo Change 2 bought leaked… once more… twice
We solely simply talked concerning the Nintendo Change 2 leaking in final week’s ICYMI round-up, however it’s occurred once more, with the upcoming console being proven off not as soon as however twice extra.
When saying its new Killswitch 2 case for the incoming {hardware}, Dbrand seemingly confirmed it off with a 3D render of the hand-held inside, which its CEO says relies on a “3D scan of the actual {hardware}”.
Then we apparently bought one other have a look at the {hardware} because of YouTube channel NerdNest publishing a video that showcases what seems to be a dummy mannequin of the Change 2, which they apparently bought from a third-party accent producer, iVoler.
We’re nonetheless but to see the Nintendo Change 2 for actual, however the leaks do appear to recommend that these of you wishing for a serious redesign shall be sorely disenchanted. Perhaps this shall be a kind of events the place we would have been higher off being at midnight beforehand.
5. The Samsung Galaxy S25 additionally leaked left, proper, and heart
Leaks are commonplace within the shopper tech business, however somebody at Samsung clearly left the faucet on, as this week we have been handled to quite a few design, spec, and launch date revelations surrounding the upcoming Galaxy S25 sequence.
We have been already fairly sure that the rumored Galaxy S25 can be introduced on January 22, and that date was all however confirmed on Wednesday by a leaked launch occasion poster, which teased the upcoming launch of 4 (sure, 4) Galaxy telephones.
Much more just lately, a famend leaker shared a picture of a Spigen case for the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and with Spigen being a serious model, it’s doubtless that these design particulars are as correct as they arrive.
The Ray-Ban Meta good glasses are good, however they might be higher, and a leak from this week means that Meta is gearing as much as give the specs their most requested improve in 2025: a show.
That’s in accordance with the Wall Road Journal, which says “an individual aware of the challenge” instructed that the Ray-Bans would get a “single small in-lens display screen” to provide customers a small HUD that may save them from all the time needing to take their telephone out of their pocket.
It received’t be as feature-packed as the patron model of the Meta Orion AR glasses prototype which wowed us this 12 months, however it’s a step in the best course and provides credence to a rumor that implies Orion will arrive in 2027 – which is so much nearer than it appears.
3. DC confirmed us a Superman trailer, and an excellent boy
2024 isn’t over but, however subsequent 12 months is already shaping as much as be an enormous one for a bunch of new motion pictures, together with James Gunn’s Superman movie.
It’s nonetheless seven months away from being launched, however the DCU Chapter One film’s first trailer was revealed this week – and, we don’t learn about you, however we’re totally obsessive about Superman’s greatest buddy in Krypto the Superdog, who stole the present upon the teaser’s reveal. Certainly, he already looks like he’ll be an excellent – albeit mischievous – boy, so roll on July 11, 2025, we are saying!
Learn extra: I am totally obsessive about the DCU’s tackle Krypto the Superdog
2. ChatGPT got here to WhatsApp as a part of a 12-day-long occasion
OpenAI stunned all people this week by saying, as a part of its ‘12 Days of OpenAI’, that we will now textual content ChatGPT by way of WhatsApp. You simply want so as to add ChatGPT as a contact in WhatsApp – its quantity is 1-800-CHATGPT – and you’ll textual content it simply as you’ll some other WhatsApp contact. Should you’re outdoors the US then ensure you add it as a US telephone quantity, and it’ll nonetheless work.
Utilizing WhatsApp for ChatGPT is ideal for fast interactions like asking ChatGPT if there are any good meals places close by or what you need to go to when you’re on the town. And if texting doesn’t float your boat then (supplied you may have a US quantity) you may name ChatGPT on the telephone and discuss to it utilizing Voice mode. You get quarter-hour of dialog a month on a free account, however longer for those who’re a ChatGPT Plus subscriber.
1. Google revealed its Sora-beating AI video generator
Simply final week, OpenAI absolutely launched Sora, its much-anticipated AI video generator. Properly, Google has already revealed an replace to its video era device and Veo 2 could be the perfect we’ve seen but.
Google’s Veo AI video generator replace provides large enhancements like 4K decision output and a deal with “an improved understanding of real-world physics and the nuances of human motion and expression,” which helps enhance its element and realism general.
Veo 2 has launched as a part of Google Labs, and you’ll be part of a waitlist to entry the AI video generator so long as you’re over 18 and based mostly within the US. Google is ready to roll out the AI mannequin in 2025, and as quickly as we get our fingers on it we’ll you should definitely pit it towards Sora to see which AI device comes out on high.