ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's AirPod Max 2 surprise to Nvidia DLSS 5 backlash
Here's your firmware update for March 21, 2026
· TechRadarNews By Hamish Hector Contributions from Isaiah Williams, Cat Ellis, Rowan Davies, Matt Bolton published 21 March 2026
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This week, Apple launched new AirPods, Alexa+ landed in the UK, and we got our first Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer — and much more that you need to know about.
To catch up on the biggest stories we’ve covered this week, we have this handy ICYMI catch-up. Scroll down for snippets about each story, plus links for you to find the full piece and a deeper dive.
When you are done here, be sure to also check out our picks for the seven new movies and TV shows you should watch this weekend.
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7. Amazon Alexa+ has hit the UK
“It's just more delightful” – Amazon’s VP of Alexa and Echo on what’s next for Alexa+ - YouTube
Just over a year after its debut in the US, Alexa+ has arrived in the UK — and it’s got more than just a British accent. The AI-powered virtual assistant connects to services and news sources used by people in the UK (including TechRadar), and its chatty new personality uses particularly British turns of phrase (including calling users ‘mate’ when commiserating over the previous night’s football score).
Underneath the surface, Alexa+ is designed to work as an ‘ambient’ assistant that’s there when you need it, and fades into the background when you don’t. You can give it instructions using natural language rather than phrasing commands in a specific way, and it can follow multiple commands at once. It’s rolling out in Early Access now for owners of the latest Amazon Echo speakers and displays, and will be coming to older Alexa-enabled devices later on.
- Read the full story: Amazon Alexa+ has arrived in the UK, and it's got more than just a British accent
6. Spider-Man swung into action
Spider-Man: Brand New Day - Official Trailer - YouTube
The day finally arrived: we got the first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it is filled with details about what’s in store for Peter Parker in the next flick.
We see him still living with the fallout from No Way Home, which ended with the whole world forgetting who he is — including his best friend and his girlfriend. Clearly dealing with some stuff mentally, Peter has thrown himself into being the best Spider-Man he can be — tackling a whole load of bad guys, including facing the Hand, it seems — but something is also messing with his powers and causing him to mutate in some way.
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