Subj : ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from IKEA's 21 new smart To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Sat Nov 08 2025 08:00:08 ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from IKEA's 21 new smart home gadgets to our Samsung Galaxy XR review Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000 Description: The week's top stories from GTA 6, IKEA, Samsung, Google and more for November 8, 2026. FULL STORY ====================================================================== This week, Black Friday month officially kicked off, and we reviewed the brand new Samsung Galaxy XR headset. To catch up on both of these stories and plenty more, scroll down to read our quick-fire catch-up of the week's seven biggest tech news stories. When you're done, be sure to also check out our picks for the seven new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend. 7. Black Friday month began (Image credit: Future) Were still a few weeks away from Black Friday proper (this year its set for November 28), but that hasnt stopped major stores from launching major deals as part of their early Black Friday sales. Were seeing major discounts from a wide variety of brands, including Samsung, Ninja, Hisense, and more, across a variety of retailers in the US and UK with some discounts being seriously impressive, considering its not yet Black Friday proper. Weve been covering Black Friday deals for years, and these early deals are well worth your time while some items will get cheaper as November 28th approaches, many wont and others still might actually go up in price. So dont be afraid to browse the early sales and grab a pre-Black Friday deal while you can. Read more: Black Friday deals start now 6. Google Maps got a big Gemini upgrade (Image credit: Mhong84 / Shutterstock) If you regularly use Google Maps while driving, this week brought some positive news the app is getting a Gemini brain transplant that should make it a much better navigational copilot. Some of the improvements include much more natural voice assistance (for example, being able to ask follow-up questions about the parking at your destination), better turning directions (like turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant"), and a new Gemini-powered version of Google Lens inside the Google Maps app. On the downside, most of these features will initially be US-only. Still, the improved Gemini voice assistance is rolling out on Android and iOS in all regions where the AI assistant is available. Expect to start chatting to it in the coming weeks. Read more: Google Maps is getting a big Gemini upgrade for drivers here are 4 new features coming soon 5. IKEA launched 21 smart home gadgets (Image credit: IKEA) IKEA isnt messing around when it comes to smart home tech, it seems, as it just dropped 21 new products to choose from across smart lights, smart sensors, and smart controls. This includes the KAJPLATS series lights with 11 different bulb types, the MYGGSPRAY motion sensor, ALPSTUGA air quality sensor, and the GRILLPLATS smart plug, among others (as with all IKEAs offerings, we love the names). Best of all, these gadgets are Matter compatible, so you can easily sync them with your existing smart home setup. Read more: Heres the full list of IKEAs new smart lights, sensors, and more 4. Spotify dropped Wrapped-lite (Image credit: Future) Earlier this week, Spotify rolled out a new in-app listening stats tab that offers fresh insights into your weekly listening habits and its a great way to get us ready for Wrapped season. As well as being able to view your top artists and songs in real time, youll also find new playlists based on what youve been listening to recently. Spotify has also shared that each week youll receive a special highlight, which could be anything from a milestone to a new discovery to a unique fact about your personal listening habits. Spotify has shared that not only are listening stats designed to show what youve been streaming the most, but they also aim to bring you closer to the music you already love. Listening stats are now rolling out to Free and Premium users in over 60 global markets and will update every 24 hours, offering new recommendations based on your listening behavior. Read more: Spotifys new listening stats upgrade is here 3. Grand Theft Auto was delayed again (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Feeling dj vu? You might be because Rockstar just announced that the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, GTA VI, has been delayed until November 19, 2026 almost exactly 6 months later than its previous release date of May 26, 2026. In a statement, Rockstar Games said, We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve. The game is still set to land on the PS5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S) generation of consoles, but if any more delays happen, Rockstar might need to ready a PS6 launch. Read more: Mark your calendars for November 19, 2026 2. DJI hit out at its looming US drone ban (Image credit: Tim Coleman) The clock is ticking on a DJI drone ban and ahead of the crucial cut-off day on December 23, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has now given itself the power to ban gadgets that it thinks present a security risk retroactively. This means that, in theory, not only could new DJI products be banned in the US from 2026, but the FCC could also go back and remove older gadgets from sale, too. The Chinese drone giant, understandably, isnt happy, calling for an extension of the decision and suggesting that due process, fairness, and transparency arent being applied. Unfortunately for drone fans in the US, its looking increasingly like a Huawei-style situation for DJI but owners of existing drones will at least be able to keep and use them, for now. Read more: DJI responds to new US drone ban law passed by FCC here's what it means for you 1. We spent a week with Samsungs Galaxy XR (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Weve tried the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, and its an impressive multimodal AI spatial computer which is much cheaper than the competition (aka the Apple Vision Pro), though at this early stage, we arent sure it quite does enough to stand out. According to Lance Ulanoff, The Samsung Galaxy XR delivers moments of beauty and inspiration, but it's also stuffed full of disappointment, from the sound of fans on your face to imprecision of gestures to a total lack of 'wow' apps and experiences. Our hope is that Samsungs headset will improve over time, but for now, it only earns three-and-a-half stars. Read more: Apple's Vision Pro has nothing to worry about yet ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tech/icymi-the-weeks-7-biggest-tech-stories-from-ike as-21-new-smart-home-gadgets-to-our-samsung-galaxy-xr-review --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .