This Week at Mark Ellis Reviews

👋 Happy Friday! WWDC, Apple’s major developer conference, has come around once again and this time there’s an unusually high amount of pressure riding on it. I’ve put my thoughts together on how they can produce a much-needed win below, along with the first of my Sony XM6 comparison videos. Oh, and check out my favourite headphone accessory too!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

What I want from WWDC 2025!

For the last few years, I’ve written a blog post during the lead-up to WWDC which outlines my expectations and wishes for Apple’s big developer conference. However, this year, I’m afraid that’s not happening.

This is for three reasons. The first is because I’m monumentally busy and can’t find any space in my diary to sit down and bash those words out. The second is because, frankly, I just can’t be bothered to bash out said words even if I had the time. The third is because we had a free video slot on the Tech Diary this week, and I thought that would be a more interesting venue for such meandering thoughts.

At this year’s WWDC, we’ll probably see the usual updates to all of Apple’s operating systems, from iOS to visionOS. There might even be a hardware reveal or two (or not). Whatever happens, this is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and revealing WWDCs in recent memory - if not least because it comes off the back of a pretty torrid time for Apple and its clumsy entrance into the AI revolution.

Before filming this week’s Tech Diary entry, I sat down and listed what I want from each operating system when Tim Cook and co. take to the stage on 9th June. The results are… well, I’ll let you watch the video.

BYTE-SIZED NEWS

This Week’s Top Tech Headlines

🤨 iOS 26 Will Be The Name Of The Next iOS Update, Not iOS 19
Apple has gone all Samsung on its naming conventions.

🏅 iPhone 16 Tops Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025
Check out this very interesting list, there are a few surprise entries on there!

HAVE YOUR SAY

Now that I’ve given you my wants and needs from Apple’s various upcoming software updates, I want to hear your thoughts. Not just about Apple, but phone software in general. When you’re shopping for a new phone, what might put you off from an OS point of view?

BEST BUY

My Favourite Headphone Accessory

Headphones are on my mind at the moment, as you can probably tell, and there is one very cool accessory that I always use and recommend to people when they spot it: the Benks Grand Headphone Stand.

There are no frills attached to this, just an incredibly simple but very well-made product that offers somewhere stylish to place your headphones when taking a break from work, gaming or whatever else. I particularly like how it turns your headphones into a mini-display piece of their own. It’s one of my favourite things in the studio!

Just a note to say that this is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn from it if a purchase is made.

ICYMI

Sony XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 - The Big Battle!

I’m loving the new WH-1000XM6 headphones, partly because they are amazing but also because they offer up so many interesting comparisons. I have a few planned over the coming weeks with various competitors, but I think you’ll be surprised by my overall conclusion to this one!

5 Things No One Tells You About The iPad mini 7 (2025 Guide)

Last week I spoke about my iPad mini 7 dilemma and the paradox I’m trapped in; it’s my favourite iPad, but I hardly ever use it. That got me thinking about other stuff you should consider before buying one that might not seem immediately obvious. One is nailing down your use case, another is figuring out whether you’ll want the non-existent mini Magic Keyboard and the others are there for you to find out!

NEED TO KNOW

Tip Of The Week

👉 iOS tip: Have Siri read web pages aloud for you. In Safari, just say “read this” or “I want to listen to this page.” Alternatively, tap the Page Settings icon next to the address bar and choose Listen to Page. You can pause playback or change the reading speed to suit your preference.

TOP FINDS

My Tech Channel Recommendations

Rather than share specific videos I’ve watched this week, I thought I’d share six channels that come courtesy of some awesome friends I’ve made in this industry. Go check ‘em out!

👉 WhatGear - Troy was the first fellow tech creator I met on my maiden press trip, and he remains one of the most approachable in the industry.

👉 Alex Gear & Tech - Alex is an all-around lovely dude and makes some of the most unique tech content on YouTube

👉 Lover Of Tech - Everyone in this industry knows Ben for very good reason - and he’s the best at what he does.

👉 Patrick Rambles - The big guy. Go watch him.

👉 Pete Matheson - I’ve spent a lot of time on the road with Pete, and he’s as lovely as he comes across on camera.

ELSEWHERE

Checking Out The Motorola Razr 60 Ultra

Watching the EuroLeague basketball final in Abu Dhabi courtesy of Motorola with their latest flippable in my hands, aka ‘The Wooden Phone’.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter. Stay tuned for my new, free ebook download next week and the launch of something very special!

~ Mark