ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's AirPod Max 2 surprise
to Nvidia DLSS 5 backlash

Date:
Sat, 21 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Description:
The week's top tech news stories from Apple, Sony, Nothing, Nvidia, and more for March 21, 2026

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This week, Apple launched new AirPods, Alexa+ landed in the UK, and we got
our first Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer and much more that you need to know about.

To catch up on the biggest stories weve covered this week, we have this handy ICYMI catch-up. Scroll down for snippets about each story, plus links for you to find the full piece and a deeper dive. When you are done here, be sure to also check out our picks for the seven new movies and TV shows you should watch this weekend . Article continues below You may like ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories for March 14, 2026 ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories for February 14, 2026. ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories for January 31, 2026 7. Amazon Alexa+ has hit the UK It's just more delightful Amazons VP of Alexa and Echo on whats next for Alexa+ - YouTube Watch On Just over a year after its debut in the US, Alexa+ has arrived in
the UK and its got more than just a British accent. The AI-powered virtual assistant connects to services and news sources used by people in the UK (including TechRadar), and its chatty new personality uses particularly British turns of phrase (including calling users mate when commiserating over the previous nights football score).

Underneath the surface, Alexa+ is designed to work as an ambient assistant thats there when you need it, and fades into the background when you dont.
You can give it instructions using natural language rather than phrasing commands in a specific way, and it can follow multiple commands at once. Its rolling out in Early Access now for owners of the latest Amazon Echo speakers and displays, and will be coming to older Alexa-enabled devices later on.
Read the full story: Amazon Alexa+ has arrived in the UK, and it's got more than just a British accent 6. Spider-Man swung into action Spider-Man: Brand New Day - Official Trailer - YouTube Watch On The day finally arrived: we got the first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it is filled with
details about whats in store for Peter Parker in the next flick.

We see him still living with the fallout from No Way Home, which ended with the whole world forgetting who he is including his best friend and his girlfriend. Clearly dealing with some stuff mentally, Peter has thrown
himself into being the best Spider-Man he can be tackling a whole load of
bad guys, including facing the Hand, it seems but something is also messing with his powers and causing him to mutate in some way. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

We didnt get a glimpse of who Sadie Sink is playing in this movie yet, but with an emphasis on mutants, could this be some kind of X-Men setup? Read the full story: Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer breakdown 5. Metas VR metaverse died and un-died (Image credit: Meta) This week, Meta announced that on June 15, its Horizon Worlds metaverse will become mobile-exclusive, meaning VR players would no longer be able to enjoy (or be subjected to, as was the case for many) the platforms many VR worlds. But, it then reversed course kinda.

In an Instagram AMA, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth revealed that instead of
closing Horizon Worlds down entirely in VR, Meta will instead keep existing spaces alive VR players just wont get anything new. What to read next ICYMI: the 7 biggest tech stories of the week ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from ChatGPT to OLED TVs ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news
stories from Discord's mass exodus to Apple's big March event teaser

While not the biggest story for many, this is a serious shift for Meta, which even changed its name to go all-in on the metaverse a dream which now feels like its not far from being sunset entirely. Read the full story: Meta isnt closing down its VR metaverse after all 4. We reviewed the Nothing Phone (4a) (Image credit: Future) A gorgeous design, a bright 6.8-inch display, and an impressive mid-range chipset with a streamlined OS, the latest Nothing Phone is nothing short of a delight in so many regards.

The camera admittedly isnt quite up to the standard of some more premium handsets, with the 50MP main snapper not capturing the picture performance youd expect from rivals.

That aside, using this phone is just fun in a way so few phones are these days, and at $499 / 499 / AU$949 for its cheapest model, this phone wont
break the bank either proving affordable doesnt have to mean bland. Read the full review: I reviewed the new Nothing Phone (4a) Pro 3. Samsungs Trifold might have been discontinued (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Earlier this week, it was revealed that Samsung might be pulling the plug on its Galaxy Z TriFold phone that was launched just three months ago. Initial reports said sales would stop in South Korea first, following a final
restock, and then in the US.

There are several reasons for this, but its apparently down to industry costs to manufacture the device, which is why the Galaxy Z TriFold went for a staggering $2,899. Additionally, Samsung never intended the device to be for the average consumer and was to simply showcase the innovative lengths the company was capable of going.

However, this doesnt tell us that the Galaxy Z TriFold series is being discontinued altogether, as recent reports suggest that the company is in the process of developing a sequel device. Read the full story: Samsungs Galaxy Z TriFold was short-lived 2. Apple finally launched AirPods Max 2 (Image
credit: Apple) AirPods Max 2 are finally finally! here. Its been just over five years since the original launched, and while Apple upgraded them with USB-C instead of Lightning, there have been multiple new AirPods Pro models
in that time.

The AirPods Max 2 are pretty much exactly what we might have guessed: they have Apples H2 chip powering them, which means a ton of new smart features; they have a claimed 1.5x improvement to active noise cancellation; and they have a new high dynamic range amplifier for cleaner audio.

Two things that havent changed? The below-average 20-hour battery life and
the design. The latter has become a modern icon, so thats understandable, but its a shame that Apple also didnt make them any lighter. Still, AirPods Max are loved for the detailed and natural sound, so if thats been improved even further, maybe theyll be worth the still-hefty $549 price. Read the full story: 5 years later, we get the H2 chip and a ton of new features 1. Nvidia DLSS 5 made gamers mad (Image credit: Nvidia / Capcom) Its been a rough week for Nvidia since it unveiled DLSS 5 at GDC 2026, which led to mass backlash from gamers and game developers online. This is because DLSS 5 doesnt
continue the trend of the tools upscaling task as it has always done with previous iterations; instead, it effectively changes the look of
environments, and most importantly, character models to look quite literally lifelike, using generative AI.

Essentially, DLSS 5 utilizes content-controlled generative AI according to Nvidias CEO, Jensen Huang, after hitting back at gamers, saying theyre completely wrong about DLSS 5s use in games going forward. Popular game publishers and studios such as Capcom have already signed up and supported
the use of DLSS 5 in both current and future games, once the feature is released this fall, and did so without informing their game developers .

It may be too late for Nvidia to hit the reset button on DLSS 5, but its hand could be forced if gamers and developers continue to push back against the
use of generative AI in games. Read the full story: Nvidia's CEO goes full Principal Skinner in response to DLSS 5 backlash



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tech/icymi-the-weeks-7-biggest-tech-stories-from-app les-airpod-max-2-surprise-to-nvidia-dlss-5-backlash


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