BTTR Roundup #50: As Aussies spend more money on digital gaming, what do we lose in the process?

Australians spent less money on games last year than they did in 2023, according to a new report from the IGEA. But one of the biggest drops was money spent on physical games at retail, with more money spent on digital and mobile games.

As I argue in the paid section below (you should consider upgrading!), the shift to digital titles becomes problematic when games are delisted from platforms, becoming unavailable for future generations to experience.

And this week, there were two separate stories of games being delisted, which doesn't bode well for the future of video game conservation.

This week's new tech news

• Samsung launched the Odyssey OLED G6 monitor. This beast is the first QD-OLED 500Hz display, offering 0.03ms GTG response time and peak brightness of 1,000 nits. It's Pantone validated for accurate colour reproduction, and supports NVIDIA G-SYNC for more competitive games. RRP is $1,699, with pre-order now and retail stock in August. [Samsung]
• Sony has launched its RX1R III full frame compact camera. It boasts 61 megapixels on a 35mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and a 35mm f2 fixed lens. There's an AI processing unit for real-time object recognition for auto-focus, and a cool step crop shooting function that allows you to switch between 35mm, 50mm and 70mm focal lengths, despite having a fixed lens. It will launch in August for $7,999. [Sony]
• LG has just dropped a pair of new dehumidifiers in Australia. Available in both 24 and 26 Litre versions, they come with a Smart+ mode to adjust the speed of the compressor and fan intensity to achieve the desired level of humidity in your home. They also run nice and quietly to help manage the humidity at night without keeping you awake. RRPs start at $999 for the 24L model. [LG]
• If you missed out on the 30 year anniversary PlayStation collection when it launched last year, Sony is bringing it back to AU in a limited supply run this November. Stocks will be limited, so you'll need to be paying attention if you want to grab one. [Playstation Faceboook]
• Optus has announced it's part of a consortium of companies that wants to build, launch and operate a sovereign Australian Low-Earth Satellite. Optus will partner with iLAuNCH, HEO, Inovor Technologies and DSTG to do this, with a targeted launch date of 2028. It's not for Optus' cell network though... Optus will still use Starlink for that. [Optus]
• After getting TGA approval, Apple has switched on sleep apnoea detection for Apple Watch owners this week. You need to be using an Apple Watch Series 9 or Series 10, and be on the latest version of iOS and WatchOS. To set it up, head to the Health app on your iPhone, then Browse -> Respiratory -> Sleep Apnoea notifications. It takes 30 days worth of data to get a notification, and you need to wear your watch to track sleep for it to work. [Apple]
• Google will announce the Pixel 10 series of devices at an event in New York on August 21 Australian time. Rumours suggest updates for the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 10 getting a triple camera array, and a new Pixel Watch 4. [via 9to5Google]
• In one of the worst things I've ever heard, Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to support in-car camera support for Microsoft Teams. Every single person involved in this decision should be ashamed. [Mercedes Benz]
• I'm not sure how it actually works, but UnderArmour is launching a new "No Weigh" backpack, with "auxetic" straps that stretch both vertically and horizontally to reduce the feeling of weight on your shoulders. Lots of storage for fitness gear and a laptop, making it a good option for everybody. RRP is $190, on sale 21 July. [UnderArmour]
• Some pretty scary stats out of the ACCC this week regarding power banks. Since 2020, there have been 17 power bank recalls and of these, nine were recalled in the last 16 months for being fire hazards. Brands like Anker, Belkin, Baseus and MagMove are all listed, so make sure you check the list to make sure you don't have one of the recalled models at home. [ACCC]
• Netflix has green-lit a TV series based on Assassin's Creed. I'm not going to lie – I would watch this. But I also don't expect it to deliver the kind of "prestige TV" we've seen from other gaming adaptations – Assassin's Creed's lore is just way too convoluted. [Ubisoft]

This week's review

Shokz OpenDots One review: Ringing in the new ear

The Shokz OpenDots One look like earrings, and manage to combine a comfortable, secure fit with all-day battery life and good sound quality. What’s the catch?

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

This week's deep dive

Apple has all the pieces to make the Apple TV a killer games console. Why hasn’t it happened yet?

It wouldn’t take much for Apple to make a huge splash in the home gaming console market.

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

One thing that has struck me since Apple launched AAA gaming on its smartphones is "why hasn't it brought those experiences to the Apple TV?"

I dove into this topic this week – let me know what you think!