Every week, we like to showcase the biggest stories on the TechRadar site over the previous seven days in our ‘In Case You Missed It’ (ICYMI) round-up – both to help you stay up to date with the news and also because we’re proud of our work.
Once again, it’s been a really busy week in tech: We’ve got stories here covering new phones from Motorola, electric helicopters, Taylor Swift taking on AI, robots playing table tennis, the new Steam Controller and more.
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8. We were horrified by the first Resident Evil trailer
Arms director Zach Cregger turns his attention to Resident Evil movie franchise, describing his upcoming film (premiering Sept. 18) as a “reinvention” of the series — one that isn’t tied to any of the video games or video game characters (a tactic that’s worked well enough for the Prime Video TV show based on Fallout).
The first trailer for the film has now arrived – and it’s a pretty scary affair. We won’t spoil any of the beats for you, but you can watch the teaser for yourself via the link below, and we’re more hopeful for the future Resident Evil on the big screen than we have been in a while (to say the least Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon Citythe better actually).
7. New York City’s first electric air taxi took off
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the new all-electric Joby Air Taxi, which is currently being tested in the New York skies – and TechRadar was there to see the first demo. With its eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) technology, the flying machine has the potential to transform the way New Yorkers get around their urban environment.
Able to climb and land like helicopters and switch to a more airplane-like mode in between, these air taxis have been a long time coming (an early prototype was tested three years ago). With regulatory approval now on the way and pilots in place, we have a transportation system that is much quieter and more environmentally friendly than existing options.
6. A handy YouTube Premium feature came to free users
YouTube has rolled out a treat for free users who don’t yet have a premium subscription: anyone can now enable picture-in-picture mode for YouTube on their phone, anywhere in the world (this was previously available to US users, but it’s now available globally). Just start a video, then go back to your phone’s home screen to select another app.
This means you can keep your DIY tutorial videos, lo-fi chill-out mixes or celebrity interviews running while you get other things done on your phone. It’s a welcome boost for YouTubers on the free tier, as Google has pushed YouTube Premium and Premium Lite quite a bit lately – not least through an excessive number of ads playing around videos.
5. Sony’s table tennis robot blew our minds
Robotics technology continues to improve and impress, and it boggles the mind when it comes to what these machines will be capable of in 10 or 20 years. So far, the AI-powered robots that are part of the Sony Project Ace scheme have beaten some of the best players in the world at table tennis – a game that requires a lot of speed and dexterity.
These bots were shown mastering ball speeds of up to 70 mph (plus plenty of spin) in a new video, and there are implications far beyond competing in sports. The systems in place to track ball and bat movements here will be useful in many other areas as well — helping robots adjust on the fly when faced with unpredictable scenarios.
4. Taylor Swift took on AI deepfakes
AI-produced music is on the rise, and Taylor Swift is one of the flesh-and-blood artists taking a stand: She has filed three trademark applications to protect her identity and to ensure that AI models cannot produce deepfakes based on her likeness or her tunes. If the applications are approved, it will give Swift some useful legal protection against any AI-based mimicry.
Given Taylor Swift’s profile, it’s hard to imagine that any AI hustler would get away with trying to rip off her creative output, but lesser artists aren’t so well protected. We know that AI music is flooding the music streaming platforms at the moment, and those platforms are still playing catch-up when it comes to figuring out how to handle it.
3. Android fans started a Google protest
Changes are coming to Android, and many users aren’t happy: Google is pushing ahead with plans to make developers verify their identities, which doesn’t sit well with those who choose Android because of its claims to be an open platform. This means that Google will be able to more effectively block apps in the Play Store from unverified developers.
Disgruntled users have now set up a ‘Keep Android Open’ campaign online, arguing that the changes give Google the power to block apps they simply don’t like (or that governments tell them not to include). A privacy advocate has gone so far as to label Google’s mobile OS ‘Darth Android’ because of the restrictions that will apply in the coming months.
2. We tested the Valve Steam Controller
We’ve given the shiny new 2026 update to the Steam controller a thorough test, and the good news is that the improvements are real and noticeable: this is a significantly more polished and user-friendly device than its rather lackluster predecessor. If you’re looking for a gamepad upgrade, this could be the controller you’re looking for.
Available for $99 / £85 / AU$149 from May 4, the Steam Controller (2026) is available directly from Steam and is designed to work with PC, Mac and mobile games – either from the Steam Store or otherwise. With great battery life and a solid feel, it’s almost good enough to make us forget about the long wait for Steam Deck 2.
1. Motorola gave us some impressive new foldable devices
We got news of no less than five new products from Motorola this week: three clamshell foldables, plus US availability updates on the Razr Fold and Moto Buds 2 Plus. Perhaps the highlight is the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026, which offers a 7-inch foldable screen, three 50MP cameras and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset that runs everything very competently.
Follow the link below for all the details on all of these gadgets, including the new silicon-carbon battery technology used in the Razr Fold and Razr Ultra 2026. The technology allows higher-capacity batteries to fit into the same physical space, and as it rolls out to more manufacturers, it has the potential to make a significant difference to battery life.
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