Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Two minute review The Panasonic Z85A OLED TV is one of the entry-level models in Panasonic’s 2024 TV lineup, sitting below the Panasonic Z95A and Z90A. Along with the flagship OLED Panasonic Z95A OLED and W95A mini-LED, it is one of the first Panasonic TVs available in the US in over a decade. The Panasonic Z85A sells for $1,599 / £1,599 and $1,799 / £1,999 for its 55 and 65-inch models, respectively, putting it in the same price range as some of the best OLED TVs such as the LG C4, Sony Bravia 8 and Philips OLED809. Panasonic uses a standard W-OLED panel in the Z85A, which features the same HCX AI Pro II Processor found in step-up Panasonic models including the Panasonic Z95A. While its brightness levels are only average and there is some black crush in darker scenes, the picture quality on the Z85A is up there with the best TVs, with rich contrast, vibrant yet natural colors, deep blacks and realistic textures and details. Sound quality on the Z85A is good overall. It won’t beat the best TVs for sound, but it does deliver punchy bass, clear dialogue and accurate placement of effects. Those looking for a cinematic experience may want to add one of the best soundbars, but for day to day viewing, the Z85A’s built-in sound is perfectly fine. The Panasonic Z85A uses Fire TV as its built-in smart TV platform, and it’s a welcome change from Panasonic’s own my Home Screen interface used on previous TVs. There are fewer picture settings, but menus are more user-friendly, navigation is smoother and Amazon features such as Ambient Experience help make the Z85A feel like the complete package. The Z85A carries many of the features we look for in the best gaming TVs. There are only two HDMI 2.1 ports, but 4K 120Hz, VRR (including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia Gsync) ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming are all supported. Smooth performance and stunning graphics make the Z85A a fantastic OLED gaming TV. The Panasonic Z85A is marginally pricier than rival mid-range OLEDs but mostly justifies its price thanks to its fantastic features and the sheer brilliance of its picture. Textures and details on the Panasonic Z85A are very realistic. (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Prices & release date Release date: October 2024 55-inch Z85A: $1,599 / £1,599 65-inch: Z85A: $1,799 / £1,999 The Panasonic Z85A is one of the entry-level models in Panasonic’s 2024 OLED TV lineup. It is available in 55- and 65-inch sizes in both the US and UK. Panasonic TVs are not sold in Australia. The Panasonic Z85A has similar specs and tech as the LG C4, Sony Bravia 8 and Philips OLED809, but is priced slightly higher than those models. Prices have since dropped, however, with the 55-inch model now available for $1,499 / £1,299 and the 65-inch model available for $1,699 / £1,699, making it more competitive with its rivals. Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Screen type: OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Audio support: Dolby Atmos Smart TV: Fire TV HDMI ports: 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) Built-in tuner: ATSC 3.0 (US) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Benchmark results The Panasonic Z85A comes with a good number of connections, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Features W-OLED panel Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive support Fire TV smart TV platform The Panasonic Z85A features a W-OLED panel similar to that found in TVs such as the LG C4 and Sony Bravia 8 as opposed to the micro lens array (MLA) panel – a type that yields higher brightness – found in the step-up Panasonic Z95A. Unlike other OLED TVs in the US, it supports both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats. The new Panasonic HCX Pro AI MKII processor, which analyzes the picture on screen to adjust color, contrast and clarity on the fly, is used by the Panasonic Z85A, and It also has AI features that can be activated to monitor picture and sound quality and adjust based on the content being shown onscreen and the viewing environment. For sound, the Panasonic Z85A has a 2.1-channel speaker array totaling 50W of power. It supports Dolby Atmos but not DTS. There also aren’t as many sound features or presets as you’ll find on the flagship Panasonic Z95A, though the Z85A does support Theater Surround Pro and has a port for connection to an external subwoofer for those wanting more bass. The Panasonic Z85A features only two HDMI 2.1 ports but otherwise has an extensive list of gaming features. It supports 4K 120Hz, VRR (both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia GSync), ALLM, and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming and also has a True Game Mode to optimize picture settings and a Game Control Board where those settings can be customized. The Z85A’s Fire TV smart TV platform replaces the my Home Screen interface – the company’s own smart TV platform – found on previous Panasonic TVs. It supports major streaming apps including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, along with Max in the US. In the UK, you get Freely, the free TV service that allows you to stream broadcast TV live over Wi-Fi rather than relying on an aerial, and it supports UK-based streaming apps including BBC iPlayer and ITVX. In the US, it additionally comes with an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Features score: 4/5 The Panasonic Z85A has incredible contrast and very good shadow detail when viewed in dimmed conditions (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Picture quality Realistic textures and details Outstanding contrast and shadow detail Dynamic, vibrant colors Since the Panasonic Z85A uses a standard W-OLED panel rather than the MLA OLED panel found in the Panasonic Z95A (and LG G4) or the Samsung S95D’s QD-OLED panel, I expected it to have peak brightness levels more in line with the LG C4, B4, Sony Bravia 8 and Philips OLED809. The Z85A’s results were roughly what I anticipated if not a little low. Measuring brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern, the Panasonic Z85A produced 697 nits in Standard mode and 778 nits in Filmmaker Mode. Those results put it above the LG B4’s 656 nits on the same test but below the likes of the Philips OLED809’s 927 nits and the Sony Bravia 8’s 817 nits. When measuring the Z85A’s grayscale and color accuracy by taking an average of its Delta-E values (the margin for error between the test pattern and what’s shown on screen), it achieved phenomenal results of 1.1 and 1.2, respectively (we typically look for below 3). After cycling through the Z85A’s picture presets, I landed on Filmmaker as its most accurate mode, though True Cinema mode was an excellent picture preset as well. Both provided incredible detail and contrast, but I opted for Filmmaker due to its higher brightness. When watching both lower-resolution and high-definition (HD) TV shows, the Z85A did a solid job of upscaling them to 4K. Moving onto 4K movies and TV shows, the Panasonic Z85A demonstrated spectacular color reproduction. Watching a scene where the ship arrived in Numenor in season 1 of Rings of Power on Prime Video (watched in Filmmaker Mode HDR), the blues and whites of the sea and rocky landscapes dazzled while maintaining a natural look, and the gold of armor and buildings glistened in the bright sunlight. A Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi via Disney Plus also demonstrated the Z85A’s excellent color reproduction. The reds of the throne room fight scene looked bold and vibrant, but accurate, and lightsabers had a dynamic punch. They didn’t quite have the same glossy HDR sheen as on brighter OLEDs such as the Samsung S95D, but the Z85A’s colors were nonetheless glorious. I opted for the Dolby Vision Dark picture mode here as I felt it was more accurate, but those looking for more brightness can switch to Dolby Vision IQ mode. When measuring the Panasonic Z85A’s HDR color gamut coverage in Filmmaker Mode, it yielded results of 98.2% for UHDA-P3 and 73.6% for BT.2020. Both of these are excellent results, and they slightly top the 97% and 72.5% achieved by the flagship Panasonic Z95A. The Panasonic Z85A’s color and detail are stunning (Image credit: Future) Black levels, shadow detail and contrast were also superb. Watching a 4K Blu-ray of The Batman in Dolby Vision Dark picture mode, light sources and lamps looked perfectly balanced with the gloomy surroundings in the opening crime scene. I did note occasional black crush in some scenes, with objects losing the odd detail, but overall The Batman looked incredibly accurate on the Z85A. The Z85A had superb contrast in the black-and-white scenes in Oppenheimer, with an excellent balance between dark and light tones with a perfect range of grays in between. One thing worth noting is that the Z85A fared better in dimmed or dark viewing conditions when watching darker movies since reflections could be seen on its screen in a bright room. Panasonic’s OLEDs typically excel in showing details and textures, and the Z85A is no different. Whatever was on screen, the Z85A displayed it in a realistic manner that gave an incredible sense of depth to the image. Watching Top Gun: Maverick, close-ups of pilots revealed every facial feature – sweat, hair, pores. The natural landscapes in Rings of Power also had a 3D-like quality thanks to the intricate, fine details in the waves and mountains. As you’d expect from OLED, the Z85A’s motion handling is very good overall. When watching a stream of a soccer game, I found that most picture modes worked well, though I stayed away from the Sports mode due to its oversaturated colors. The most effective was Normal mode with the IFC (Intelligent Frame Creation) in picture settings set to Min (with Mid, Max and Off being the other levels). With these active, long, panning shots up and down the pitch were generally handled very well with only incredibly minor stutter from time to time. Motion handling with movies was excellent throughout, even with motion settings turned off. WatchingTop Gun: Maverick, swooping camera shots during training missions and Maverick’s bike rides through the desert were displayed with no visible judder. Picture quality score: 4.5/5 The Panasonic Z85A has decent sound quality and does well with movies like La La Land, but it struggles with Dolby Atmos reproduction (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Sound quality Punchy bass Accurate sound placement Sound confined to screen The Panasonic Z85A’s 2.1-channel, 50W speaker array is a significantly smaller system than the one found in the flagship Panasonic Z95A, which boasts a 5.1.2-channel speaker system totaling 160W. There is still support for Dolby Atmos and something that Panasonic calls Theater Surround Pro, but more advanced sound features such as the Z95A’s Space Tune are not featured in the Z85A. One thing I found interesting is that there is no preset intended for movies among the Z85A’s sound modes. Instead, I opted for the Stadium preset which promised the biggest sound. The Z85A’s dynamic bass made the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine in the car chase scene in The Batman come through with plenty of power and punch, and plenty of control as well. Dialogue was consistently clear and well-presented and sound placement was accurate, with the sounds of swerving cars and tire screeches in The Batman and soaring jets in Top Gun: Maverick directly connected to the action on screen. I did find the Samsung QN90D and Samsung S95D’s sound presentation to be more accurate when I tested those TVs, however The Z85A’s sound demonstrated a good balance when watching La La Land, reproducing the bright, jazzy score and the more delicate piano-led moments with the same level of detail. Due to its more limited speaker array, Dolby Atmos soundtracks weren’t given the same level of accuracy or space as on the step-up Panasonic Z95A. Pounding rain in The Batman was rarely audible throughout my viewing, and while the sound did extend beyond the screen on occasion, it still seemed somewhat contained. Sound quality score: 4/5 The Panasonic Z85A has a light, sleek design but its stand feels a little cheap. (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Design Solid, yet lightweight build Stand feels a little cheap Dated remote The Panasonic Z85A’s design is solid and dependable, if not a little safe in places. While the top of its frame is trim enough, the bottom part is on the bulkier side to accommodate the larger built-in subwoofer. Its screen lacks the bezel-less design of other premium OLEDs but is still suitably trim. It feels sturdy when installed with its stand but is also very light for easy movement. Speaking of the stand, the Z85A’s is a mixed bag. While it has a sleek look that blends well with dark furniture and is well-made, the plastic and metal materials don’t feel as premium as on rival OLEDs, its predecessor the Panasonic MZ1500, which comes with a weighty, swiveling, all-metal stand, included. The Z85A’s supplied remote continues what has become a somewhat sore subject for me with Panasonic TVs. It is long, bulky, covered in a load of buttons, and feels outdated. While better than the standard Fire TV remote provided with the flagship Panasonic Z95A, it still doesn’t look or feel like the premium remote you expect for an OLED TV like this – especially when compared to the USB-C rechargeable, light-up, metal remote that Philips stocks with its TVs like the Philips OLED809. Design score: 4/5 Panasonic Z85A uses Fire TV as its smart TV platform, replacing my Home Screen 8.0 (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Smart TV & menus Fire TV smart TV platform Intuitive and responsive navigation A good number of picture settings for calibration Panasonic has opted to switch from its own my Home Screen smart TV platform in favor of Amazon’s Fire TV in the majority of its TVs this year and while the number of settings for picture and sound have taken a hit, the experience overall is an improvement. Signing in with an Amazon account means the home page provides not only recommendations for movies and TV shows but an easy way to jump back into viewing, with the ability to sign in with and switch between multiple profiles for a more customized home screen. Unsurprisingly, these recommendations are almost entirely centered on Amazon’s Prime Video platform. Thanks to the Z85A’s faster processor, navigation of different menus and apps is smoother than my experience with the Amazon Omni QLED TV and also easy and intuitive. The Panasonic Z85A comes with other Amazon features such as Alexa voice control and the Ambient Experience (a similar concept to Samsung’s Ambient mode on its TVs) which lets you display static and dynamic images and videos on the screen when the TV enters idle mode, rather than turning off. You can add your personal photos after uploading them via the Amazon Photos app on your phone, and widgets for weather, news, sports and more can be added to the Ambient screen as well. Despite not having as many picture or sound settings as the previous my Home Screen interface, there are still a good number of settings for those looking to tweak their TV’s picture. Smart TV & menus score: 4/5 The Panasonic Z85A has a good number of gaming features and great performance. (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Gaming 12.7ms input lag time Extreme Game Mode featuring Game Control Board Only two HDMI 2.1 ports The Panasonic Z85A has only two HDMI 2.1 ports but is otherwise a well-equipped TV for gaming, supporting 4K 120Hz, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia GSync) and ALLM. Similar to other Panasonic TVs, the Z85A has the Game Control Board, where settings such as Shadow Enhancer allow for easy customization while playing. For non-Dolby Vision games, there are also two game picture modes, Game and True Game, with True Game serving as the Filmmaker or Movie picture mode equivalent by opting for a warmer color palette and more accurate textures that will better suit certain games. Gaming on the Z85A is responsive and smooth, with fast-paced gameplay well handled. When playing Battlefield V at 4K 120Hz, targeting, movement and animations were all fluid and seamless. It doesn’t beat the best 120Hz TVs such as the LG C4, but the Z85A’s 12.7ms input lag time is still very good and below the 15ms threshold most gamers look for. Graphically, the Z85A carries across the same picture quality it brings to movies, with plenty of vibrant color, rich contrast, realistic textures and fine details that give games an extra sense of realism. Gaming score: 4.5/5 Panasonic’s remote, shown here, feels outdated compared to other remotes supplied with OLED TVs (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Value Prices have dropped since launch Still slightly pricier than rival mid-range OLEDs Very good picture for price range Since launching at $1,599 / £1,599 for the 55-inch model and $1,799 / £1,999 for the 65-inch model, the Panasonic Z85A’s prices have dropped to $1,499 / £1,299 for the 55-inch model and $1,699 / £1,699 for the 65-inch model. That’s still pricier than other mid-range OLEDs such as the LG C4 ($1,199 / £1,199 for 55-inch and $1,499 / £1,599 for 65-inch) but generally fair value for the picture quality and performance you’re getting. Although a brightness boost similar to the mid-range LG C4 would have been nice, the Panasonic Z85A is still an excellent OLED that delivers in key areas. It still may exceed some budgets, but its picture quality and gaming features alone make it a worthy mid-range OLED contender. Value score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Panasonic Z85A OLED TV? Swipe to scroll horizontally Panasonic Z85A Attributes Notes Rating Features Full HDR support along with a stacked list of gaming and smart features 4/5 Picture quality Excellent detail, color and contrast with some minor black crush in dark scenes 4.5/5 Sound quality Punchy, clear and accurate sound but Dolby Atmos soundtracks feel contained 4/5 Design Light and sleek design with trim bezel and profile. Stand feels a little cheap and remote is outdated 4/5 Smart TV and menus Fire TV is intuitive enough and offers Ambient Experience. Picture and sound settings have taken a hit but there’s still a good number 4/5 Gaming Excellent gaming features and good performance, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports 4.5/5 Value Slightly pricier than rivals but fairly priced for performance and features. 4/5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell – Column 0 Panasonic Z85A LG C4 Sony Bravia 8 Philips OLED809 Price (55-inch) $1,599 / £1,599 $1,299 / £1,299 $1,399 / £1,499 £1,299 Screen type OLED OLED OLED OLED Refresh rate 120Hz 144Hz 144Hz 120Hz HDR support Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG Dolby Vision//HDR10/HLG HDR10+/HDR10/HLG Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG Smart TV Fire TV webOS 24 Google TV Google TV HDMI ports 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) 4 x HDMI 2.1 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Panasonic Z85A OLED TV Tested in varying lighting conditions Tested using both SDR and HDR sources Measurements were taken using Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software Before testing, I did some casual viewing with the Panasonic Z85A to establish the most accurate picture mode and after scrolling through presets, I decided on Filmmaker Mode as the most accurate, with True Cinema mode a close second. After this, I began my critical testing using SDR sources, such as broadcast TV and standard Blu-ray and HD movies, and HDR sources, such as 4K streaming and 4K Blu-rays. 4K Blu-rays were played using the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player. For critical testing, I used reference scenes from movies and TV shows. I tested picture quality, focusing on color, contrast, black levels, motion, detail, and upscaling, as well as the audio quality of the built-in speakers. I also tested the Panasonic Z85A’s gaming features and performance using an Xbox Series X. After subjective testing, I moved onto objective testing, taking measurements using specialized equipment. This consisted of a test pattern generator, a colorimeter and Portrait Display’s Calman calibration software to record the measurements. The measurements taken included HDR and SDR brightness, measured on white window patterns ranging from 1-100% in size, with a focus on 10% for peak brightness and 100% for full-screen brightness. I took measurements for HDR color gamut, analyzing the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color spaces. I also took measurements for color accuracy and grayscale in HDR, taking an average of each’s Delta-E values (the margin for error between the test pattern and what’s shown on screen). Finally, I measured the Z85A’s input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester.
Author: DA Gadgets
NASA Partners with Microsoft For Earth Copilot AI to Simplify Access to Complex Earth Data
A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Earth Copilot, has been introduced by NASA in collaboration with Microsoft to make Earth-related scientific data more accessible. Designed to summarise NASA’s extensive geospatial information, the AI-powered chatbot aims to simplify complex datasets and answer user queries with ease. By addressing questions like the environmental impact of events or changes in air quality, the tool seeks to bridge the gap between NASA’s vast database and users who may lack technical expertise.
Democratising Earth Science Data
The initiative is part of NASA’s effort to expand access to its data. According to Tyler Bryson, Corporate Vice President for Health and Public Sector Industries at Microsoft, many users struggle to utilise NASA’s database due to its technical nature. Extracting insights often requires specialised knowledge of geospatial analysis and data formats. By integrating AI into NASA’s data repository, Earth Copilot reduces the time needed to derive insights from scientific information, making the data more accessible in seconds.
Testing and Integration
Currently, Earth Copilot is in a testing phase, with NASA scientists and researchers evaluating its performance. Following this assessment, NASA plans to integrate the tool into its Visualisation, Exploration, and Data Analysis (VEDA) platform. VEDA already offers public access to some of NASA’s datasets, and Earth Copilot could enhance its usability for non-specialist users.
Potential Benefits
Earth Copilot is expected to transform how users interact with Earth science data by simplifying the process of analysis. The tool has been designed to answer complex questions, such as the effects of natural disasters or global events, using NASA’s comprehensive database. Its development aligns with the agency’s goal of enhancing public understanding of Earth’s systems and providing timely, accurate insights for decision-making.
While still limited to internal testing, Earth Copilot represents a promising step towards making Earth science data universally accessible.
Father and Daughter Decode Mysterious Signal From Space: What Does It Mean?
A simulated extraterrestrial message sent from Mars to Earth in 2023 was decoded in June by Ken Chaffin and his daughter, Keli Chaffin, through nearly a year of persistent efforts. Created as part of “A Sign in Space” project by the SETI Institute, the message displays five formations of amino acids, though its meaning remains unclear. Daniela de Paulis, SETI’s artist-in-residence and a licensed radio operator, designed the project with other international scientists and artists to explore what an alien signal might resemble.
Signal Reception and Decoding Process
In May 2023, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter transmitted a signal intended to simulate an alien message. This was captured by three Earth-based observatories: the Allen Telescope Array in California, the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Medicina Radio Astronomical Station in Italy. Released online, the raw data allowed citizen scientists worldwide to engage in decoding efforts through a community forum. Decoding required the Chaffins to use cellular automata algorithms on what appeared to be a “starmap” of white pixels, eventually revealing clusters representing amino acids.
Interpreting the Message
The Chaffins’ discovery is confirmed by the project team to represent amino acids, essential molecules in life forms. However, no interpretation has been provided for why these particular configurations might have been chosen. De Paulis and her team maintain that understanding the message’s intent is left to those examining it, in part to mimic a real-life scenario of receiving an alien transmission without guidance.
Open Interpretation and Ongoing Exploration
This simulation invites global citizen scientists to theorise about the message’s significance. Speculations range from life-forming compounds assembling in space to a simple extraterrestrial greeting. De Paulis plans to document public interpretations in a forthcoming book, recognising the difficulty in reaching a universal consensus on its meaning. Ken and Keli Chaffin, while uncertain about the precise intent, have voiced enthusiasm over their role in exploring this unique cosmic message.
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Further reading: alien signal, amino acids, space communication, extraterrestrial life, citizen scientists, decoded message, cosmic puzzle, space signal, SETI, ExoMars, Mars mission
Roku Ultra (2024) review: a souped-up streamer with a fantastic remote
Roku Ultra (2024): Two-minute review Roku Ultra (2024) home screen interface (Image credit: Future) The Roku Ultra (2024) is as capable a streaming player as I’ve yet come across, though whether it’s one of the best streaming devices will depend entirely on how you feel about Roku’s onscreen interface. I am a fan. While I’ll dig into that a little more below, I find Roku’s software (and hardware) approach one that prioritizes convenience. It’s one of the reasons there’s still a need for external streaming players even though most contemporary TVs have their own built-in smart capabilities, which are usually not all that user-friendly. The Roku Ultra (2024) is twice the price of Roku’s next most expensive streamer, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and in the upper range of price when it comes to these types of devices. It’s still worth it, not to mention it’s ultimately not that expensive either. Plus, if you go cheaper, you could lose out on support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HLG, and HDR10+, all of which are available here. The performance is speedy and the remote is about as good a remote as I’ve personally used. All it’s missing is a passthrough HDMI that might be a benefit in certain setups. As far as the physical design, the Roku Ultra (2024) is about what one would expect from a Roku streaming player. It comes in the same matte black as all of the company’s products, with just a shiny “Roku” logo emblazoned on the top. There’s also a shiny patch on the front where its sensor resides and a little purple Roku tag on its right flank. It’s fairly slim, only an inch in height (its full dimensions are 4.9 x 5 x 1 inches), and has just one physical button on the side that offers dual functionality, with one side used for power and the other triggering the “find my remote” feature. Pressing the find my remote portion will cause the remote to ping until you press a button to indicate you’ve found it. The port selection is pretty streamlined, as is to be expected. There’s a single HDMI, an Ethernet port – Wi-Fi 6 is also available – and a USB-A port. The USB port is a nice addition as it will give you an on-unit port to charge the remote as it comes with a rechargeable battery. Regarding the HDMI, I would have liked a pass-through HDMI port. Though this feature generally isn’t found on streaming devices, it would have made it easier to use the Roku Ultra as the main hub of a setup (for instance, if you have a gaming console). On that note, if you have a relatively contemporary TV with HDMI eARC (I can’t speak to older ones), the Roku Ultra (2024) can be set up to automatically turn the TV on and off and also adjust volume levels. You don’t necessarily have to do any menu diving for this either, as it’s part of the streaming player’s setup to enable that feature. The Roku Ultra (2024) comes with a backlit remote control (Image credit: Future) Now, let’s discuss the remote. This is not my first rodeo with the Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) that comes stock with the Roku Ultra (2024). I was a fan of the remote when I reviewed the Roku Pro Series TV and I’m a fan now. It’s only different than Roku’s other remotes on close inspection as it keeps the general shape and layout. It has a USB-C port on its butt for charging, which is an upgrade from previous rechargeable remotes that used micro-USB, a form factor I’ve had general reliability issues with. It has a toggle on one side for hands-free voice support (more on that later). The Roku Voice Remote Pro also has a couple of extra buttons on it. There’s a reprogrammable launch button that can be used if you want a shortcut to launch an app that doesn’t already have a dedicated button on the remote, or to quickly turn on/off closed captions, just for a few examples. There’s also a guide button that launches Roku’s live TV guide channel and four app-specific launch buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video. My only gripe is that these should all be reprogrammable (in a perfect world) since not everyone is going to be subscribed to those four apps. But my remote complaints start and end there, as the fact that its keypad is backlit – it will automatically light up when you pick it up – is fantastic. And the Roku hands-free functionality is nice. No longer do I have to press the “listening” button, though it’s still there, to use my voice to navigate the interface. I can just say “Hey Roku, launch Netflix” to launch Netflix. It’s not perfect that you don’t have to be very clear and concise about your requests, but it generally works very well. As far as voice assistant support goes, the Roku Ultra (2024) is compatible with Roku Smart Home, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. It also has Bluetooth support so you can pair headphones with it for late-night viewing. As far as the Roku Ultra (2024)’s performance, Roku advertises its streaming device as “30% faster than any other Roku player.” While the company doesn’t advertise what the CPU is inside or even its speed, it definitely feels very speedy. The fact that it supports Wi-Fi 6, something other Roku streaming players don’t, will in and of itself contribute to the player’s faster response. I was able to compare the Roku Ultra (2024) to the Roku Streambar for a baseline. Loading the Roku Channel on the Streambar took seven seconds and loading a movie took four. The Roku Ultra (2024) took four seconds to load the same app and one second to load the same movie. Even navigating through Roku’s interface is almost immediate. There aren’t any holes in what the Roku Ultra (2024) supports as long as you don’t care about a 120Hz refresh rate – none of the external streaming players support that at the moment, however. What you do get is Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HLG and HDR10/10+. None of the other Roku streaming players support all those formats. The next most expensive one in Roku’s lineup is missing Dolby Atmos, for instance. Lastly, we need to discuss the interface. To start, setup is easy like it always is with Roku. As long as you know your Wi-Fi password and Roku account password, all you have to do is follow the steps on the screen. Creating a new account or resetting a password (like I had to do) is easy as well. Just make sure to have access to your email for doing so. If you’ve used previous Roku devices registered to your email and had apps installed also registered to your email, those apps will automatically be installed and logged in once you’re done with the setup. As far as the interface itself, the main page with all the apps listed is easy to read and as intuitive as an interface could be. Deeper features, settings and such are all listed on the left side, including a few new ones like the dedicated “Sports” page. Getting through those is also intuitive. Everything makes sense in where they’re listed. For instance, when going to the section for remotes and devices, all external devices that you might connect would be listed here, or connected through settings here. There’s also plenty of Roku-related and free content available for those of us hurting from the ever-increasing app prices. The only slightly annoying thing is the Roku content ads on the right side of the screen or during a screensaver. I’ve always thought of Roku as a convenience-first company where making products that are easy to interact with is the priority. That’s the case with the Roku Ultra (2024), too, but in this case, performance is also a factor. Ports on the Roku Ultra (2024) include HDMI, USB-A, and Ethernet (Image credit: Future) Roku Ultra (2024): Price and release date Price: $99.99 (about £80 / AU$150) Release date: September 2024 For whatever reason, Roku’s presence outside of the US is somewhat spotty. That means, at the time of writing, those in the UK or Australia will have to just look on in envy (or invest in a capable competitor). The actual price is $99.99 (about £80 / AU$150) – at the upper price range for most streaming players outside of the Apple TV 4K – though it is already seeing discounts. That’s twice the price of the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, the next most expensive streaming-only player Roku makes (so excluding soundbars and TVs). You’ll have to decide if you care about Wi-Fi 6 support, Dolby Atmos, or the new backlit remote, which are all part of the Ultra package, but not the Streaming Stick 4K. The new Google TV Streamer (4K) goes for the same price and has the same 4K, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support, but not Wi-Fi 6 – a probable factor in how speedy these devices function. It does have a redesigned remote from the previous Chromecast players, so it’s to be seen how it compares to the new remote from Roku.Of course, you can go a little cheaper and still keep most of the same support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Atmos with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023), though Atmos is only available on select services. While it is cheaper at $59.99 / £69.99 / AU$119 (not including its many discounts), its OS is a bit heavy on Amazon Prime material, including a bunch of related ads, so keep that in mind with the price difference. The rechargeable remote features a toggle button that lets you select the streamer’s hands-free voice command option (Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Roku Ultra (2024)? Swipe to scroll horizontally Roku Ultra (2024) Attributes Notes Rating Features Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos and is compatible with Amazon, Google, and Apple smart home protocols 4 / 5 Performance Speedy, supports all the necessary formats like Dolby Atmos, and is easy to navigate 4.5 / 5 Design Limited ports, but an almost perfect remote and fairly slim, discreet physical design 4.5 / 5 Value Twice the price of the next highest-priced Roku streaming player, but it’s still worth it and is comparable to the competition’s highest-priced offerings 4.5 / 5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Roku Ultra (2024): Also consider Luna gaming on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Roku Ultra (2024) Used regularly for several weeks Tested with all sorts of apps Tested the remote I used the Roku Ultra (2024) regularly for several weeks. I used it with Roku content, popular third-party content like Max, as well as free offerings from the company. I also spent time using the remote and its various functions.I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test. Read more about how we test First reviewed November 2024
New Child Fossil Teeth Reveal Why Humans Developed an Unusually Long Childhood
A study by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) suggests that early Homo species may have experienced extended childhoods well before significant brain enlargement, challenging longstanding evolutionary assumptions. The findings are based on the dental development of a nearly complete sub-adult Homo skull, unearthed at the Dmanisi site in Georgia and dated to 1.77 million years ago. The ESRF team, collaborating with the University of Zurich and the Georgian National Museum, utilised advanced synchrotron imaging to study the specimen’s teeth, providing unprecedented insight into the growth patterns of early humans.
Dental Growth as a Key to Evolution
The research examined dental microstructures, which, like tree rings, record daily growth, thus offering insight into overall physical development. Christoph Zollikofer, the study’s lead author from the University of Zurich, explains that teeth fossilise well and serve as a reliable record of childhood growth. According to Paul Tafforeau of ESRF, who co-authored the study, dental development often correlates with broader bodily growth, including brain development.
Analyses revealed a unique pattern in which back teeth matured more slowly than front teeth in the specimen’s first five years. This pattern, combined with an observed reliance on adult caregivers, supports a hypothesis that early Homo juveniles may have been dependent on adults for extended periods, like modern humans.
Implications for the “Big Brain-Long Childhood” Hypothesis
The discovery could reshape how the “big brain-long childhood” hypothesis is understood. Previous theories held that prolonged childhoods evolved primarily due to increases in brain size. Yet, this Dmanisi specimen, while having a smaller brain comparable to great apes, showed evidence of prolonged support by older group members, possibly indicating that communal care, rather than brain size, was the initial driver of extended development.
David Lordkipanidze of the Georgian National Museum observed that one older Dmanisi individual survived toothless, implying social structures where knowledge was passed across generations. This evolutionary framework suggests that the extended childhood emerged first, enabling cultural transmission, which subsequently favoured brain growth and delayed maturation.
The findings, published in Nature, indicate that the gradual evolution of extended childhoods may have played a foundational role in early human development and social cohesion.
Parachute OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch Tamil Drama Movie Online?
The much-anticipated Tamil drama Parachute, starring Krishna and Kishore, is set to stream on Disney+ Hotstar from November 29. Directed by Sridhar K, the film introduces a heartfelt narrative about childhood, familial relationships and the challenges of parenthood. Alongside the lead actors, the ensemble cast includes Kani Thiru, Kaali Venkat and child artists Shakthi Ritwik and Iyal. A multilingual release ensures that Parachute will be accessible to audiences in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi and Bengali.
When and Where to Watch Parachute
Parachute will be available for streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar starting November 29, 2024. While it is primarily a Tamil-language production, the availability of multiple dubs that the movie will reach a wider audience across India.
Official Trailer and Plot of Parachute
The official trailer for Parachute was released on social media, providing a glimpse into its emotional core. The story centres around two children, their adventurous escapades and the panic caused within their family and community when they go missing. A poignant moment in the trailer highlights a father scolding his son, after which the kids set off on a motorbike, unknowingly triggering a series of dramatic events. The trailer portrays the frantic search by the parents, police and local community, blending suspense and drama.
Cast and Crew of Parachute
The film features Krishna in a dual role as lead actor and producer, under his production banner Tribal Horse Entertainment. Kishore, Kani Thiru and Kaali Venkat take on key roles, supported by a talented cast, including child actors Shakthi Ritwik and Iyal. Sridhar K directs the project, with Om Narayan as cinematographer and Richard Kevin handling the editing.
Cameron Diaz Makes Comeback with Netflix Spy Comedy ‘Back in Action’
Cameron Diaz, the renowned Hollywood actress, is set to end her 11-year break from acting with the release of Netflix’s highly-anticipated spy comedy Back in Action. The film, directed by Seth Gordon, will stream from January 17, 2025, and reunites Diaz with her Annie co-star, Jamie Foxx. Together, they portray a retired CIA couple thrust back into espionage after their quiet suburban life is disrupted.
The movie marks a major return for Diaz, whose last role was in 2014’s Annie. Since then, she had focused on personal ventures, including her wine brand Avaline.
When and Where to Watch Back in Action
The film will be available exclusively on Netflix starting January 17, 2025. Fans of high-energy action comedies and spy thrillers will be able to stream the movie globally on the platform.
Official Trailer and Plot of Back in Action
The trailer for Back in Action teases an adrenaline-packed narrative with comedic undertones. Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx star as Emily and Matt, a former CIA couple who traded espionage for a peaceful family life. However, their retirement is abruptly cut short when their covert identities are exposed, forcing them to return to the dangerous world of spying. Key scenes in the trailer include Foxx wielding a flamethrower and the duo navigating a mid-air escape. Their witty dialogue, combined with action-packed sequences, promises an engaging blend of humour and thrills.
Cast and Crew of Back in Action
The movie features an ensemble cast, including Glenn Close, Kyle Chandler, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, McKenna Roberts, and Rylan Jackson. Directed by Seth Gordon, known for films like Horrible Bosses, the screenplay was co-written by Gordon and Brendan O’Brien, famed for his work on Neighbors.
Production credits include Exhibit A and Chernin Entertainment, with Jamie Foxx also serving as an executive producer.
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Did Earth Once Freeze Completely? New Evidence Found in Colorado Rocks
New research on unique sandstone formations in the Colorado Rocky Mountains may confirm that Earth experienced a massive, planet-wide freeze known as “Snowball Earth.” About 700 million years ago, Earth’s surface was encased in ice, creating an extreme climate where early life not only survived but later evolved into complex multicellular organisms.
For decades, the Snowball Earth hypothesis was supported primarily by coastal sedimentary rocks and climate models. However, solid evidence of ice sheets reaching the planet’s equatorial interior has remained elusive—until now. The recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identifies unusual sandstone deposits called Tava, found within the granite formations of Colorado’s Pikes Peak. These sandstones likely formed under the pressure of ice sheets, supporting the Snowball Earth theory with new geological evidence.
Tava sandstone formation linked to ancient ice pressures
Pikes Peak, a sacred site known to the Ute people as Tavá Kaa-vi, is the source of these Tava sandstone formations. Researchers discovered that the sandstones formed when sandy, water-saturated sediment was forced into weakened rock by the immense weight of ice sheets. The study’s lead authors, Christine Siddoway and Rebecca Flowers, used advanced radiometric dating to determine that Tava sandstones developed around 690 to 660 million years ago, aligning with the Cryogenian Period.
Using iron minerals found with the sandstone, Siddoway’s team employed uranium-lead dating to confirm the Tava sandstone’s origins within the Snowball Earth timeframe. The team suggests that the ice sheets covering the equatorial Laurentia landmass, now part of North America, created the pressures necessary to form these sandstone injectites.
Implications for understanding Earth’s climatic past
This discovery strengthens the Snowball Earth hypothesis while also shedding light on other geological phenomena, including “unconformities” where erosion has removed large portions of Earth’s rock record. The findings at Pikes Peak indicate that similar unconformities may predate Snowball Earth, suggesting complex erosion processes over millions of years. Scientists hope these insights will lead to a deeper understanding of Earth’s climate history and the processes that shaped our habitable planet.
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Samsung Galaxy A26 Design Leaked via CAD Renders; Suggests Triple Rear Cameras, Waterdrop-Style Notch
Samsung is currently said to be working on a successor to the Galaxy A25. The South Korean brand is yet to confirm the arrival of the Galaxy A26, but alleged CAD (computer-aided design) renders of the phone have been published online, shedding light on the budget smartphone’s design. The renders depict a handset that looks more like its predecessor but with a slightly narrower and thinner design. The Galaxy A26 is likely to feature triple rear cameras. It is rumoured to ship with an Exynos 1280 chip.
Samsung Galaxy A26 Design Leaked
The alleged CAD-based renders of Galaxy A26 have been published by Android Headlines in collaboration with tipster OnLeaks (aka Steve H.McFly). They show the phone with a flat display and a waterdrop notch at the top. The bottom bezel of the phone appears to be considerably thicker than the rest of them.
On the rear, the Galaxy A26 seems to have a triple camera unit. Three camera sensors are vertically arranged in the top left corner inside a camera module, instead of the individual circles of Galaxy A25. The volume and power buttons are located on the left-hand side of the phone. The SIM card slot is also placed on the left side.
The Galaxy A26 will reportedly feature a 6.64-inch display. It could measure roughly 164 x 77.5 x 7.7mm (9.7mm including the camera bump), narrower and thinner than the Galaxy A25, which measures 161 x 76.5 x 8.3mm.
The Galaxy A26 is expected to retain the plastic frame and a plastic back panel of the Galaxy A25. It is expected to run on Exynos 1280 SoC just like the predecessor. It could come with 6GB of RAM and run Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI skin on top of it.
Samsung launched the Galaxy A25 5G in December last year with a starting price tag of Rs. 26,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model. The 8GB RAM + 256GB storage version is priced at Rs. 29,999. The upcoming model is expected to get a similar price tag.
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Google Launches Gemini for iOS App With Gemini Live Capability, More
Google has rolled out the Gemini app for iOS users globally, days after being reportedly spotted in a test run in select regions. It enables users to generate images using its multi-modal capabilities, find information across apps like Gmail and YouTube, or enable problem-solving via image queries. The iOS app also carries Gemini Live — Google’s two-way voice chat feature for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that lets both the user and the AI converse via speech.
Gemini Live on iOS
Google detailed the introduction of the dedicated Gemini for iOS app in a blog post. The Mountain View-based technology giant says it has been rolled out to provide a more streamlined experience to iPhone users. The app is available free of cost on the App Store and is claimed to enable easy access to features that “help improve learning, creativity and productivity.” It is powered by the Gemini family of large language models (LLMs), including Gemini 1.5.
Gemini for iOS App on the App Store
Gadgets 360 staff members were able to verify its availability on the App Store.
One of its most notable features is Gemini Live. Introduced at the Google I/O event in August, it lets users converse with the AI chatbot via speech. They can choose between 10 different voices to personalise it, with each offering slightly different tonality, pitch, and accent. Gemini Live on the iOS app appears as a waveform icon with the sparkle icon at the bottom-right corner, next to the microphone and camera icons. The company says this feature is meant for chatting, finding answers, or brainstorming ideas. It is currently available in over 10 languages and support for more will be introduced over the coming months.
Gemini for iOS can also generate images, leveraging Google’s Imagen 3 generative AI model. Further, it can help in solving problems by providing custom, step-by-step guidance, and presenting tailored study plans. Users can get more information from new sources such as Maps and YouTube, or ask the AI chatbot to summarise their PDFs using Extensions on Gemini for iOS. It currently offers extensions such as Google Flights, Hotels, Workspace, YouTube, and YouTube Music.
While Gemini is free of cost on iOS, it also offers Gemini Advanced with a Google One Premium plan which is priced at Rs. 1,950 per month. This brings advanced capabilities with the Gemini 1.5 Pro model, priority access to new features, a one million context window, and Gemini in Docs, Gmail, and other Google apps.