Not everyone is seemingly a fan of the current Mac operating system’s design, which is something Apple will address in the upcoming macOS 27 update.
As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Guerman, some design tweaks set for macOS 27 will address readability, without overhauling the aesthetic entirely. Last year, Apple introduced a new software design called “Liquid Glass”, a uniform style that came with its suite of operating system updates, including iOS 26 and macOS 26.
Liquid Glass introduced a range of translucent effects to the user interface, letting users see through some menu items to the content behind. Early impressions were divided, with Apple tweaking the design before the major operating system updates arrived in September.
According to Gurman, Liquid Glass hasn’t quite taken off as Apple would’ve liked across its Mac range. Some of the menu items aren’t as easy to read on a Mac’s display as on an iPhone or iPad.
In response, Apple is reportedly tweaking the macOS 27 design to “make Liquid Glass look the way Apple’s design team intended it to from the start”. The see-through look of the software won’t go away. Instead, it is meant to be easier to parse and fit more cohesively within the Mac user experience.
Apple’s planned visual changes are expected to join various other software improvements. Battery life is one of them, helping Mac users squeeze in a bit of extra time before needing to charge.
Aussies eager to play the latest Nintendo games will soon have to pay more for the privilege, after the Japanese company announced a price increase for the Switch 2.
When Nintendo first announced the Switch 2 last year, the price was the biggest talking point. Nintendo’s hardware typically sells for less than its main console competitors from Sony and Microsoft. While that was still technically the case, its $699.95 launch price tag in Australia was a big leap from the original Switch’s $469 cost.
As of 1 September 2026, Nintendo will increase the Australian price of the Switch 2 to $769.95, a $70 bump. Nintendo’s official reasoning was that it was “in response to various changes in market conditions, which are expected to extend over the medium to long term”.
“We understand that pricing changes can be challenging for customers and deeply appreciate the continued enthusiasm of our fans for Nintendo products and experiences,” said a news update on Nintendo’s website.
However, Nintendo is expecting slower sales in the coming financial year: 16.50 million. Higher component prices, and therefore increased costs for consumers, are a big reason why.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has just released World Update 21: Australia, its first update to Australia for the sim since 2021. I sat down at the launch event at the RFS Hangar in Bankstown to listen to the Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Jorg Neumann, talk about what’s new.
He introduced some of the 40 new areas included in the update from all Australian states and territories, six new airports and 36 points of interest, including some big landmarks such as the Big Orange, Big Lobster, Big Mango, Big Golden Guitar and Neumann’s favourite, The Giant Koala.
“We learned a lot about big things.” — Jorg Neumann. Image: Naomi Jackson.
To celebrate the launch of the update, Neumann was joined by the NSW Rural Fire Service to collaboratively showcase a new firefighting mission that was created with help from their recommendations. This mission is also available in the new update and challenges players to water-bomb a blaze near Coffs Harbour.
Image: Naomi Jackson.
The challenge is then scored, and the best scores are showcased on a world leaderboard. I had a great time trying it out and marvelled at how great the game’s planes look as they dip into water, but after a couple of nosedives into the ground, I don’t think I’ll be world-ranking any time soon.
Image: Naomi Jackson.
The developers have also created two Australian ‘local legend’ planes for the game to coincide with the update. “When we go to a country, we try and create a plane that means something to that country,” Neumann explained.
The first local legend, the CAC Boomerang, is the only fighter aircraft designed and manufactured in its entirety in Australia. It is available now via the in-game marketplace for US$14.99.
CAC Boomerang (left) and the Fokker F.VII (right). Images: Xbox.
The second local legend, the Fokker F.VII, was the model of plane Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew used in the first ever transpacific flight from the US to Australia. It is available for free for a limited time from 6 May until 13 May.
The update is available now, and you can get it for free if you own Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or 2020.
When Google acquired Fitbit in 2021, it rolled most of the latter’s health-tracking technology into the Pixel Watch range, without much in the way of Fitbit-specific hardware. Today, the fitness brand is making a comeback of sorts, with Google announcing the Fitbit Air, a wristband designed for wearing 24 hours a day.
It’s Fitbit’s smallest tracker, in no small part due to its screenless design, akin to a Whoop device. Instead of a display as seen on past Pixel Watches and Fitbits, the Air contains a “tiny, discreet pebble” that monitors the wearer’s health.
Inside this small tracker are sensors capable of tracking heart rate, sleep stages, and various other health metrics. Google claims that the Fitbit Air lasts up to a week between charges. That’s partly due to the lack of screen taxing the battery, but there’s also no built-in GPS technology.
Designed to automatically detect different types of workouts and activities, the new band pairs with the Google Health app. The device’s launch coincides with the launch of Google Health Coach in Australia. Using Gemini AI technology, it provides feedback and workout plans based on your data saved in Google Health.
Image: Google.
Google Health Coach officially launches on 20 May, when it will be available for Pixel Watch and Fitbit wearers. It comes included as part of a Google Health Premium subscription, priced at $14.99 per month, while Google AI Pro ($32.99/month) and Ultra ($409.99/month) subscribers gain access at no extra cost.
In Australia, the Fitbit Air costs $199 and comes in four colours: Obsidian, Lavender, Berry, and Fog. By default, the wearable comes with a Performance Loop Band, made from a breathable material. There’s also the option of the sweatproof silicone Active Band or the polyurethane Elevated Modern Band as extra purchases.
Not to alarm you, but Mother’s Day is this weekend. If you’re blanking on what to get your mother (or significant parental figure in your life, depending on your family structure), here are a few ideas. There’s something for all kinds of mums, but especially those who love a good gadget or appliance.
Sonos Play: $499
Image: Alice Clarke.
The Sonos Play is such a great speaker for both playing music inside the home, and then just picking it up to take it outside to play in the garden. It’s a versatile way to get started in the Sonos ecosystem, or add to an existing one. You can read our review here for more info.
Midea Rice Cooker: $169
Image: Midea.
Cooking rice is something that’s easy to do in a pot on the stove if you’re not trying to do 1,000 other things. I have never met a mum who isn’t trying to do 1,000 things. So, an induction rice cooker that makes rice well and reasonably fast is a great, time-saving gift if she has the bench space.
This Midea rice cooker has a 5L capacity, cooks rice evenly (so even Top Chef judges won’t complain), and has a multifunction steamer so you can make two components of the dish at the same time.
Midea 34L 1200W Smart Inverter Microwave: $169
Image: Midea.
Microwaves are an essential part of life in 2026. As a mum, if I didn’t have a good microwave to heat my daughter’s snacks for the day, and then defrost the meal-prepped dinner each night, I think something in me would snap, and I would end up roaming the woods in a bathrobe. No one wants that.
If your mum’s microwave is starting to get a bit old and isn’t doing the job anymore, then a new 1200W Midea Smart Inverter Microwave is a gift she will absolutely love. It has a smart humidity sensor, nine preset menus, and is designed to reheat evenly.
Most importantly, it has number buttons instead of a dial and a button to open the door instead of a pull door, catering to boomer and Gen X mothers’ preferences.
Cricut Maker 4: $699
Image: Alice Clarke.
‘Cricut Mum’ is a stereotype for a reason. As someone who fits the stereotype, if you have a crafty mum, she will love the Cricut Maker 4. It’s a premium cutting machine that can handle almost everything you throw at it.
In no time, she’ll be making custom cards and customising t-shirts for family events. It’s currently on sale in some stores for $588 for Mother’s Day, so now is a good time to buy.
Shokz OpenFit Pro: $399
Image: Shokz.
If your mum loves to exercise outdoors, take a lot of calls handsfree and/or listen to music/podcasts while needing to keep an ear out for the baby or the doorbell, then the Shokz OpenFit Pro are the best open ear headphones on the market. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in mine with almost no complaints, frequently forgetting that I’m wearing them. They’re an absolute game-changer for the open ear headphone category, and your mum deserves the best.
LG Smart Inverter Dehumidifier: $849
Image: LG.
Is this the most exciting gift? No. But if your mum lives somewhere that gets a lot of condensation inside during winter, your mum is going to love this LG dehumidifier.
I’ve tested a fair few dehumidifiers in my time, and this one has been the easiest to empty. It also pulls an impressive amount of moisture out of the air pretty quickly, and there is a hose attachment for dehumidifying shoes or a wardrobe.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro with Sardine Case: $468
Image: Alice Clarke.
If your mum has a Samsung phone and ears, then she will likely enjoy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. They sound good, they look good, and they unlock a bunch of special features with her recent Samsung phone.
Plus, there’s a sardine tin case, and everyone needs that.
Forza Horizon 6 Xbox Controller: $129
Image: Xbox.
If your mum is anything like me, then she is eagerly anticipating the release of Forza Horizon 6. She would probably love this really pretty Xbox controller with which to play the game. It’s blue, it’s partially transparent, and it just looks cool.
Belkin Stage Creator Kit: $199.95
Image: Belkin.
If your mum is a budding content creator, then get her everything she needs in one box with this Belkin Stage Creator Kit. It’s got a tripod and lapel mics, and they’re way better than you’d expect at this price.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Flash Print Bundle: $1,049
Image: Insta360.
I love this bundle from Insta360. I keep the camera with the grip in the stroller bag so I can capture photos of my daughter without always sticking a phone in her face.
It’s so easy to use, the images come out at high quality, and the printer gives the instant satisfaction of a Polaroid without the horrifically high ongoing costs.
Lego Road Bike set: $199
Image: Lego.
I’ll be real, I mostly want me to have this (Editor: you are a mum, so it counts!). But cycling mums everywhere will love this 60cm long road bike Lego set. The wheels spin when you rotate the pedals! It has a little removable water bottle.
It’s just darling, and I— I mean she— needs one.
Tickets to The Devil Wears Prada 2: $40
I bet you any money that your mum wants to see this movie if she hasn’t already. Why not get her tickets to see it on the fancy new Apex LED screen at Hoyts Melbourne Central? I know I want that for me.
When you buy a laptop, you typically do so knowing that its screen will stay the same size throughout its lifetime. If you get a 14-inch machine, that’s the screen you get. Want anything bigger? You’ll need to get a separate display. But that’s not the case with the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept, a gaming laptop with an expandable screen. I saw it in person recently: it’s a wild idea with some interesting use cases.
As the helpfully descriptive name suggests, the Legion Pro Rollable is a concept device with no guaranteed launch date. Regardless, various tech companies have been developing rollable display technology in recent years, including Motorola and Lenovo at Mobile World Congress in 2024.
This particular concept from Lenovo was first shown to the public at CES earlier this year. At first glance, it’s a relatively unassuming laptop with a 16-inch OLED screen. It’s based on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, replete with an Intel Core Ultra chipset and an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU.
Just a standard gaming laptop, right? Image: Chris Button.
If no one told you otherwise, you’d think it was just another gaming PC. But then comes the magic trick.
By pressing a shortcut, the Legion Pro Rollable’s screen slowly unfurls outwards, giving you 21.5 inches of screen real estate. Hit the shortcut again, and the display grows even further to a sizable 24 inches.
How did the Legion Pro Rollable Concept look in person?
That’s a neat party trick, but what’s the point of it? When Lenovo first showed its rollable gaming concept device, esports was top of mind. Top-level players travelling on the professional circuit who don’t want to lug around an external monitor: that’s who Lenovo thought of.
At a recent Lenovo event in Sydney, however, the case was also made for gamers who want an ultrawide display while away from the home office. That doesn’t necessarily mean gaming (but it often does); multitasking during work hours is a realistic proposition, with a big enough screen to have multiple windows and apps open simultaneously.
In the short demonstration I saw, the Legion Pro Rollable had one of the world’s most popular competitive games running: League of Legends. It looked sharp and colourful on the OLED screen, with little obvious difference in quality between the standard 16-inch mode and the extended 24-inch view.
From behind, you can see a bit of how the sausage is made. Image: Chris Button.
During the demo, the full user interface wasn’t visible unless the laptop was set to its full 24-inch configuration. Contracting the screen back down cut off some visual elements, like the mini-map.
I asked the Lenovo representative on hand whether it was a result of needing game-by-game optimisation, or whether the hardware didn’t support automatically adjusting software to different aspect ratios. They alluded to the Legion Pro Rollable’s concept status and assured me that should such a device reach the market, games would be able to detect the screen size and ratio, and adapt accordingly.
Side-on, creases visibly showed up at the points where the screen extended outwards. It was far less noticeable when viewed front-on, but it was clear that Lenovo still had some kinks to iron out. That was acknowledged, too, with the company rep saying the creases are one of the next challenges to address.
It’s not egregious, but the screen crease is definitely visible. Image: Chris Button.
A concept the Legion Pro Rollable may be, yet it was still an interesting prototype to see up close. There are some clear, albeit niche, use cases for such a device, too. I shuddered to think of how many thousands of dollars such a device would cost if it ever became a commercially sold product.
A more calming thought was that all good technology has to start somewhere. That Lenovo wants to show its experimental tech publicly, instead of behind closed doors, indicates that it’s genuinely interested to know what people think.
Chris Button attended the Home of Legion event in Sydney as a guest of Lenovo.
With no lead-up whatsoever, Nintendo announced Star Fox, a Switch 2 remake of the Nintendo 64 game known as Lylat Wars in Australia.
Due to release on 25 June, Star Fox completely overhauls the original game with a modern look and more cutscenes to create a more “cinematic” feel. Rather than the highly expressive design seen in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Fox McCloud looks somewhat more lifelike — as lifelike as a maverick anthropomorphic fox pilot can look.
Aside from new visuals and multiplayer modes, the most novel reveal during a 15-minute Nintendo Direct presentation was what I’ve seen called online ‘Vtuber mode’. Via the Switch 2’s GameChat feature, you can overlay various Star Fox characters over your face while on a video call. Like Memoji on iPhone, the characters mimic your movements and facial expressions. While I highly doubt it’ll let me flip off my friends as Slippy Toad, it looks like a goofily fun addition.
When Nintendo first announced the Switch 2 last year, it emphasised GameChat as a major social gaming feature. Even the console’s controllers have a dedicated GameChat button to start voice and video chat sessions with friends online.
However, the feature doesn’t seem to have taken off quite like Fox’s iconic Arwing. It’s tricky to tell how widely used GameChat is, as Nintendo doesn’t share data about its uptake. Based on social media comments and memes, though, there are plenty of jokes that the only time people use the feature is when they accidentally press the button that activates it.
A decent enough idea in theory, Nintendo launched GameChat when many gamers already had dedicated gaming chat platforms. Discord is synonymous with online game comms, and will be tough to dislodge.
Will Star Fox see a sudden widespread adoption of GameChat? Who knows! But it looks like an amusing excuse to try Nintendo’s social features again. Discord won’t let me become a fox (hello, 1973’s Robin Hood fans), so you can count on me to try Star Fox’s silly gimmick when it arrives next month.
