Top Seven Tech News of This Week

Early Launch of Black Friday Deals

As the official Black Friday deals (Black Friday) approach, set for November 28, major retailers have already begun offering early sales and discounts. These tempting offers include a wide range of brands such as Samsung, Ninja, and Hisense in both the US and the UK.

Black Friday is an annual shopping event held the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, always falling on the fourth Friday of November. This day is known for its massive sales and tempting offers, both in physical stores and online, marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season. The term originated in the 1960s in Philadelphia, where police used it to describe the heavy traffic congestion and crowded streets after the Thanksgiving holiday. Later, retailers gave the term a more positive meaning, referring to the shift in their accounting books from "red" (loss) to "black" (profit) due to the significant sales that begin on this day. Source 1, Source 2, Source 3.

Google Maps Enhanced with Gemini Technology

For driving enthusiasts who rely on Google Maps, this week brings good news. The mapping service has received a significant upgrade with the integration of Gemini AI technology, transforming it into a smarter and more efficient navigation assistant. Enhancements include extremely natural voice assistance, allowing users to ask follow-up questions about parking at their destination, and providing detailed turn-by-turn directions. While most of these features will initially be available in the US, the voice assistance powered by Gemini will roll out to Android and iOS devices in all regions where the AI assistant is available.

IKEA Unveils 21 New Smart Home Devices

IKEA continues its expansion in the smart home sector by launching 21 innovative products. This new collection includes smart lighting solutions, advanced sensors, and smart control units. Among the most notable products are: KAJPLATS lamps, which come in 11 different bulb types, the MYGGSPRAY motion sensor, the ALPSTUGA air quality sensor, and the GRILLPLATS smart socket. All these devices are characterized by their compatibility with the Matter standard, making their seamless integration with existing smart home systems easier.

Spotify Introduces "Weekly Listening Stats" Feature

Spotify this week launched a new update that includes a dedicated listening stats tab within the app. This feature provides users with a deep dive into their weekly music habits and serves as excellent preparation for the annual "Wrapped" season. In addition to displaying most listened-to artists and songs in real-time, users will discover personalized playlists based on their recent listening history. Spotify also announced a weekly "Special Selection" for each user, which could be a musical achievement, a new discovery, or a unique fact related to personal listening patterns.

New Delay for Grand Theft Auto VI

In a seemingly familiar move, Rockstar Games announced a delay in the release of the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, namely GTA VI, until November 19, 2026. This delay comes approximately six months after the previously announced release date of May 26, 2026.

Rockstar Games stated in its announcement: "We apologize for adding more time to what we know is already a long wait, but these extra months will enable us to deliver the game at the quality you expect and deserve." The game is expected to be released on current PS5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S) consoles, but any future delays might push Rockstar to consider launching it concurrently with next-generation consoles, such as the PS6.

DJI Faces Potential Ban on Its Drones in the United States

With the crucial deadline of December 23 approaching, the potential for a ban on DJI drones looms. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted itself the authority to retroactively ban any devices deemed a security risk. Theoretically, this opens the door to banning new DJI products in the United States starting in 2026, and may allow the FCC to remove older devices from the market.

Samsung Galaxy XR Headset Review: A Week's Experience

After an intensive experience with the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, an advanced AI-powered spatial computer, we found it offers an impressive experience at a significantly lower price than its competitors (such as Apple Vision Pro). However, at this initial stage, questions remain about its distinctiveness.

According to Lance Ulanoff, "The Samsung Galaxy XR headset offers moments of beauty and inspiration, but it is not without its weaknesses, from noticeable fan noise on the face to inaccurate gestures, and a clear lack of amazing applications and experiences currently available." We hope the Samsung headset will see significant improvements over time, but its current rating stands at three and a half stars.