Articles by Rowan Davies, Editorial Associate

Rowan is an Editorial Associate and Apprentice Writer for TechRadar. A recent addition to the news team, he is involved in generating stories for topics that spread across TechRadar's categories. His interests in audio tech and knowledge in entertainment culture help bring the latest updates in tech news to our readers.

He has been writing for publications since he started his studies at age 18. Rowan graduated from Cardiff University in 2023 after attaining a Master's in Creative Writing, and earlier a Bachelor's in Media, Journalism, and Culture. He began his journey as a writer at Cardiff University's Quench Magazine contributing to film/ TV, music, and culture sections, later becoming Music Section Editor.

In his free time, Rowan is a freelance writer for Cardiff-based culture magazine Buzz where he reviews music, film, and conducts interviews with featured guests. When he is not writing, you can find him at any given music gig, or endlessly scrolling TikTok immersing in celebrity news and drama.

Articles by: Rowan Davies

Netflix says a big mobile app redesign is coming – and subscribers are bracing themselves for another UI nightmare

By Rowan Davies published 21 January 26

There's a new Netflix update coming to mobile, and it's bringing a new vertical feed to your account.

‘Maybe you’re developing a case of selective hearing’: Alexa+ gets sassy with user after they accuse it of making up false commands

By Rowan Davies published 21 January 26

Users are reporting that Alexa+ could be making up false requests, and it's giving them a sassy attitude in return.

6 Comments

An impressive Spotify audiobook upgrade could be on the way, and as a non-reader, I’m dying to give it a go

By Rowan Davies published 20 January 26

Do you switch between physical and digital books a lot? This new Spotify audiobook feature could be a lifesaver

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in the studio recording an episode of the Joe Rogan podcast

‘I can’t stand what it writes’: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon share their views on using AI to write movies, but admit it could become a new editing tool

By Rowan Davies published 19 January 26

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are not sold on AI writing movies, but that doesn't mean they don't think it won't become a common editing tool like CGI.

New year, new upgrades – here are 5 improvements I want Spotify to make in 2026

By Rowan Davies published 17 January 26

2025 was great, but 2026 could be even better. These are the upgrades I need to see from Spotify this year.

A closeup of the Gmail App Store listing on iPhone

Gmail could fix your biggest regret soon – evidence grows that you’ll be able to change your embarrassing email handle

By Rowan Davies published 16 January 26

Google is even closer to letting you change your old Gmail address, and this is my chance to put my embarrassing handle behind me.

Zendaya looks over her shoulder in Euphoria

Euphoria season 3: everything we know about the popular HBO Max show’s return

By Tom Power last updated 15 January 26

Updated Euphoria season 3 will arrive on Max next April – here's what we know about it so far.

Zendaya as Rue in Euphoria season three, sat in a truck with her feet on the dashboard

Euphoria season 3 was the last thing I thought I’d be excited for in 2026, but its action-packed trailer has hypnotized me like a moth to a flame

By Rowan Davies published 15 January 26

Euphoria season three's production delays have fueled my frustration with the HBO Max show, but the new trailer is blockbuster-worthy.

A man sat on a couch pointing a remote at a Roku TV

Amazon partners with Roku to expand its collection of free streaming content – here’s where you can access its 50 new channels

By Rowan Davies published 14 January 26

Fire TV is getting another slew of free streaming channels, now you can watch The Roku Channel without a Roku device.

Screen shots of Spotify's search hub and Made For You hub

Spotify denies it’s pushing unwanted AI slop onto subscribers, claiming it ‘does not promote or penalize tracks created using AI tools’

By Rowan Davies published 14 January 26

Spotify says it's not the reason why unwanted AI music is appearing in your Discover Weekly playlist.

An iPhone showing Spotify in the Apple app store, laying on top of a laptop keyboard

AI music is flooding Spotify, and subscribers are furious — here’s why music fans 'no longer trust Discover Weekly'

By Rowan Davies last updated 14 January 26

Have you noticed AI-generated music in Spotify? These users have, and they're done with it.

Two Google Pixel phones showing two conversations in Google Messages on a colorful graphic background

Google Messages is getting a big update in 2026 — here are the 3 new WhatsApp-style features to look out for

By Rowan Davies published 13 January 26

This is the year that Google Messages finally gets group chat mentions, and a more advanced long-press menu.

Apple gives up and lets Google take the AI wheel – Gemini will officially power Siri’s big AI upgrade this year

By Rowan Davies published 12 January 26

Apple's AI-powered Siri could finally arrive this year – and it'll be powered by Google's Gemini, the tech giants have surprisingly announced.

2 Comments

A split image of IKEA's Varmblixt lamp, one of the original lamp on a bedside table, and the other showing the new smart lamp edition

IKEA’s upgraded donut lamp is already my favorite smart home device of the year — here are 5 reasons why

By Rowan Davies published 12 January 26

I can't stop thinking about IKEA's new Varmblixt smart lamp, and these are the 5 reasons I seriously want to upgrade.

A three-split image showing three new IKEA products including a speaker, a smart lamp, and an air quality sensor

The 5 best gadgets IKEA announced at CES 2026 – including a smart version of my favorite lamp

By Rowan Davies published 9 January 26

CES 2026 The Varmblixt smart lamp was just the start - here are the 5 best things IKEA unveiled at CES 2026.

Icon of the WhatsApp, app on the screen of a black smartphone

WhatsApp is getting one of its best upgrades in years — here are 3 new ways to supercharge your group chats

By Rowan Davies published 8 January 26

These new WhatsApp tools are coming to group chats — and I can't wait to get my hands on the new text sticker feature.

The 7 weirdest gadgets we’ve seen at CES 2026 – from a musical popsicle to headphones with eyes

By Rowan Davies published 7 January 26

There have been some wild tech announcements at CES 2026. Here are 7 of the craziest.

Three phones showing Spotify Messages, and its new Request to Jam and Listening Activity features

Don’t like Spotify Messages? These two big upgrades could soon change your mind

By Rowan Davies published 7 January 26

You can now see your friends' listening activity in real time, and send Jam requests with Spotify Messages.

An Amazon TV showing the new Fire TV interface redesign

Amazon just unveiled its first Fire TV Stick interface upgrade in five years – and it could spell trouble for Google TV

By Rowan Davies last updated 7 January 26

From new colors to Alexa+, these are all the new features in the next Fire TV redesign.

A close up of a child holding the new Lego Smart Brick

What does the new Lego Smart Brick actually do? Here are 3 ways it seriously upgrades your models

By Rowan Davies published 6 January 26

Like the look of the Lego Smart Brick? These are the key things you need to know.

3 Comments

Garmin could be gearing up for an exciting but overdue Health Status upgrade – here’s what we know so far

By Rowan Davies published 5 January 26

Garmin's Health Status feature has one small setback, but this new upgrade could allow you to keep tabs on health trends over longer time periods.

The new Govee Ceiling Light Ultra next to the Govee Floor Lamp 3

Govee unveils 3 new smart lights, plus a host of new features to help you create the perfect mood

By Rowan Davies published 5 January 26

CES 2026 There are three new smart lights joining the Govee family, and they're looking to be serious Philips Hue competitors.

‘It’s a major flaw’: AirPods 3 Pro owners are still waiting for Apple to fix its annoying static problems — and users are getting impatient

By Rowan Davies published 20 December 25

Angry Reddit users are impatiently waiting for Apple to fix the AirPods Pro 3's static problems, but the company has been silent.

3 Comments

Google TV homescreen with Quick Access row

Google TV Freeplay adds even more free streaming channels, bringing its library total to over 250

By Rowan Davies published 18 December 25

Google expands its range of FAST entertainment and sports content, as well as adding more local news channels.

‘I think $2.3 billion says you might be wrong on that’: James Cameron shoots down critics of 3D in Avatar, as fresh lawsuit emerges from animator

By Rowan Davies published 18 December 25

The lawsuit claims Cameron copied the story for Avatar: The Way of Water from a fellow animator's original sci-fi idea.

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