Well, it’s been another eventful week for the world of tech, to say the least, and as always, we’re bringing you the top stories from TechRadar in one easy-to-read place — just in case you haven’t been able to keep up with our coverage over the last seven days. When it comes to this week’s ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) roundup, there’s something for everyone, whether you come to us for updates on all things audio or if you’ve been affected by another tech crisis. That said, Apple has also been in the spotlight with the launch of the iPhone Duo — which we finally managed to get our hands on. So, let’s recap this week. 7. Apple teases ‘Pro and Tell’ event
The Sudo player (Image credit: Apple) Hot on the heels of Apple’s anticipated iPhone Duo keynote and the announcement of its first smart display, the company teased its upcoming ‘Pro and Tell’ event, which is scheduled for October 28 in LA. While we’re not expecting a formal keynote, we imagine there will be plenty of hands-on time. So what’s new for Apple? Well, the main device we’re expecting to see is the company’s first touchscreen MacBook in 14-inch and 16-inch editions. This will likely be an OLED display packing the same vibrant, rich viewing experience as an OLED iPhone or iPad Pro, all within a redesigned, slimmer notebook. It doesn’t end there; Apple is also tipped to unveil upgrades for its iPad lineup, though we’re not expecting them to be the cheapest of devices. Read more: Apple promises to ‘Pro and Tell’ on October 28, and this might be the long-awaited arrival of the touchscreen MacBook Pro
6. Spotify cracks down on Premium Family plan sharing
ChatGPT is getting more visual (Image credit: Shutterstock / PJ McDonnell ) Spotify is clamping down on account sharing for those who are signed up to its Premium Family plan, and the platform has started enforcing a new QR code verification system, which has started rolling out to a number of users if they’re not at the same address as the account manager. The QR code, which appears on the account holder’s device, requires members under the same plan to scan it in order to verify that they’re living in the same household. This code updates every few seconds, therefore making it harder for you to use screenshots to bypass the process. If you receive a verification prompt, you’ll have a 7-day window to complete the scan, but failure to comply comes with consequences. Spotify will boot you back to ad-listening on the free tier, as well as banning you from joining another Premium Family or Duo plan for 12 months. It really does feel like a prison sentence. Read more: Spotify’s crack-down on Family plan sharing could land you a 12-month ban, and it could be the final straw for users — myself included
5. The ultimate retro music system landed for nostalgists
The Garmin Enduro 4 (Image credit: Trettitre) Start-up audio company Trettitre has launched its new Retro Ambient Audio System, which raised $2 million on a goal of $3,000 on Kickstarter. Essentially, it’s an all-in-one physical media machine: a combined record player, CD player, and cassette player, designed to let you listen to any kind of physical media at home. The full MSRP of the device is $899, and you can buy the components separately if you wish, but the magnetic wall-rack is where the fun is at. Trettitre’s marketing videos show users removing the record player from the wall, carrying it via a handle, plugging in some IEMs, and listening to vinyl on their kitchen table, because this turntable has an onboard battery that charges when you put it back on its wall mount. The only thing that’s missing is a speaker, which you’ll unfortunately have to purchase separately. Read more: This wall-mounted turntable, CD-player and cassette system is ideal for retro music lovers in tiny homes — you just need a spot for a Bluetooth speaker
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