Finally, in-flight movies will come on OLED TVs that work with your AirPods

United Airlines has unveiled a next-generation inflight entertainment system that fixes the two biggest complaints with watching plane movies: the image quality, and the lack of support for the best wireless headphones.

The flight carrier has buddied up with Panasonic to install the firm’s newest Astrova C10 system, becoming the first US airline to outfit to use. The C10 features OLED displays, much like the best OLED TVs, which is great news because of the self-lighting pixels (read: organic light-emitting diode, aka OLED) that define this kind of technology. Essentially, OLED panels offer rich, precise contrast in way that means they feature heavily in our list of the best TVs.

How big are the screens? That information hasn't yet been made available, but there's more: the new TVs will support Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, so you can pair any of our pick of the 3 best noise-cancelling earbuds to pack in hand-luggage or the best noise-cancelling headphones, including of course Apple's ubiquitous AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max. 

Panasonic was the first company to bring Bluetooth connectivity to aircraft cabins – within the firm's X Series in-flight entertainment system in 2015 in case you were wondering – although it didn't deliver 'full-cabin Bluetooth' until 2021. It says delivering rock-solid Bluetooth connections throughout an airliner is a hard ask, and we hear that – although we're a little disappointed not to see Bluetooth 5.2, so Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast audio sharing (which would be ideal on an aircraft) can't come onboard as things stand.

Opinion: not since Devialet's in-seat stereo speakers have I been so excited about music on a plane 

Panasonic says the Astrova system is designed to make the "transition from passenger’s personal devices to in-flight entertainment seamless," and to that end the screens sport two 67W USB-C chargers on the bottom-left edge (useful for juicing up your phone and tablet ready for landing), plus the ability to interface with your device(s) and customize what you see on the Panasonic OLED screen in front of you, thanks to a companion app. 

Interestingly, Panasonic also touts "a range of audio fidelity enhancements," including an independent left-right signaling system where content is sent to each of your earbuds simultaneously (rather than sending it to one, then allowing said 'bud to inform the other), thus avoiding signaling issues, and meaning you can use one earbud by itself to stay abreast of the drinks service situation or take care of your child. 

Perhaps one of the most novel (albeit potentially breakable) features of this system is the removable peripheral bar, almost like a scaled down Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theater. As you'll know if you read our B&O Beosound Theater review, it's modular, which in the case of the Astrova should allow the airline to make quick hardware modifications without switching out the entire display. 

And the wildest idea here? Panasonic says that with Astrova, passengers can "extend your branded environment with integrated LED lighting to create a holistic cabin experience". That's right, you can make your spot in the cabin an ode to Philips Hue and Ambilight, if you'd like. 

Of course, it remains to be seen how good it'll be, and how immersive the promised "premium home theater environment" can be. But it'll certainly better that much of what's out there currently. Suffice to say that not since the headphone-nixing Devialet Safran airline seat stereo speakers (which use the same drivers as those found in the splendid Devialet Dione, one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars around) have I been so excited about the sound on an aircraft. Thanks, Panasonic! 

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Ahsoka: Disney's next Star Wars show gets an official release date

Strap in Star Wars fans – Disney’s next big show set in a galaxy far, far away now has an official premiere date. Star Wars: Ahsoka will air on Disney Plus from August 23, 2023, bringing The Clone Wars alumni back to our screens in her very own dedicated TV show.

The release date might not be a huge surprise for fans who’ve been keeping up to date with news of the show's progress. Back in February of this year, leading actor Rosario Dawson spilled some information about the series coming in late 2023, and then Star Wars Celebration announcements in April confirmed that it’d be making its Disney Plus debut in the month of August.

We’ve seen Dawson’s take on Tortuga Jedi Ahsoka Tano previously, having made appearances in both The Mandalorian and in The Book of Boba Fett, but this time Dawson will be leading her own series. We can expect to see some other popular characters pop in, including one intimidating Grand Admiral Thrawn with Lars Mikkelsen reprising his role from the animated series Star Wars: Rebels.

Alongside Dawson and Mikkelsen, there’s a strong cast of characters, some of whom you’re likely to be familiar with if you’ve been keeping up to date with the franchise. Ahsoka will also star Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, David Tennant as Huyang, Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger, and the late Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll.

Behind the scenes, Dave Filoni will both write and act as executive producer on the series, along with Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson and Carrie Beck. If you want all the ins and outs of Ahsoka, we’ve got a full rundown of all we currently know about the upcoming Star Wars show.

Where does Ahsoka fit in the timeline?

Since there's a huge amount of Star Wars media, it can be easy to get lost with the timeline. Thankfully, this next instalment in the massive franchise is pretty easy to place, though we have a full guide on how to watch the Star Wars movies in order to help keep track of the overall chronology.

In brief, Star Wars: Ahsoka is likely to take place sometime after the character’s appearance in episode six of The Book of Boba Fett, but we likely won't know the exact chronology until its premiere on August 23.

If you’re keen to catch this next Star Wars series as it airs, you’re gonna need to have a Disney Plus subscription. Pricing starts at $7.99 (with ads) or $10.99 / £7.99 / AU$13.99 per month, or $109.99 / £79.90 / AU$139.99 a year for a standard subscription in the US, UK and Australia.

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HBO just canceled one of the best detective shows, but it's still worth watching on Max

The legal drama series Perry Mason has been canceled after two seasons by HBO – and I couldn't be more upset.

According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the show, which ran from 2020 to 2023, has been canned by the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) owned company. No reason has been given for the *ahem* courtroom verdict, but it seems that Perry Mason simply didn't capture viewers' attention enough in order to get a third outing. 

In a statement provided to THR, an HBO spokesperson said: "We are tremendously grateful for the remarkable work of Matthew Rhys and the unrivaled cast and crew of Perry Mason for their reimagining of such a treasured and storied franchise. While we won’t be moving forward with another season of the series, we are excited to continue working with the brilliant creatives at Team Downey [the show's producers] on future projects."

Despite being unceremoniously dumped in the eyes of many (myself included), Perry Mason is still worth watching on Max. WBD's primary streaming service has become the new home for Perry Mason and many other detective-based series since it replaced HBO Max in late May. And while the show never made it onto our best Max shows list – similar genres such as True Detective and Mare of Easttown have though – that doesn't mean it's guilty of being a terrible series.

Perry Mason deserved better than to be canceled after two seasons. (Image credit: HBO)

Far from it, in fact. According to review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, seasons one and two of Perry Mason have 75% and 87% ratings, respectively, among critics. Admittedly, those scores drop to 70% and 81% where audience reviews are concerned, but they're nonetheless positive grades for a show that struggled to be noticed by a mainstream audience.

Plenty of that praise is directed at the show's cast, who continued to deliver stand out performances week after week on such an underrated series. Lead star Matthew Rhys lapped up much of that applause, with his trauma-laced, low-rent investigator-turned lawyer often operating in the complex, grey areas of the law in a bid to uncover the truth. 

The series' primary supporting cast, including Juliet Rylance and Chris Chalk, are equally deserving of praise for their portrayals of Mason's allies in Della Street and Paul Drake. The duo perfectly capture the struggles, and dramatic gravitas, of being a gay woman and Black man in 1930s America – a gender and race who, in a predominantly white cis-male society, fight to be heard and be taken seriously. 

Perry Mason's leading trio deliver the goods and then some. (Image credit: HBO)

And then there's Perry Mason's authentic realization of its period setting. The essence, visual style, and world-building show in this prestige drama is astounding. Every detail has been captured to perfection and gently aided by the series' cinematography, which reproduces the feel and look of 1930s America with stunning framed efficiency. It's often easy to overlook how period productions faithfully recreate the aesthetic of bygone eras, but Perry Mason refuses to let you do that.

Narratively, Perry Mason season one endured a few bumps on route to its openly interpretable ending, which left viewers with a sense of anticlimactic disappointment. Its sophomore season, however, was a much tighter and more cohesively-structured story – proof that Perry Mason may have found a sturdier footing to move forward on if it had been given the opportunity to do so. 

Unfortunately, HBO (and WBD by proxy) have stopped Perry Mason from proving its worth – and that's a shame. The cost of its production, when weighed up against its weekly and seasonal viewing figures, probably made for an easy cancelation decision. Still, I can't help but feel saddened that we won't get to see these characters grow, or see which other of Erle Stanley Gardner's short stories and novels about Perry Mason will inform its seasonal plots in the future.

Disappointing as that is, Perry Mason is still worth streaming on Max. Fans of similarly positioned crime and/or detective series, including The Wire, will definitely want to give it a go, while viewers of a period drama persuasion will also find plenty to enjoy here. If I've piqued your interest in Perry Mason, you can see if there's a free Max trial available right now or learn how much it'll cost to sign up to Max before you go and stream it.

For more Max-based coverage, read up on all of the new Max movies to hit the platform recently. Alternatively, find out what the best Max movies and best Max documentaries are.

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Sony's 2023 OLED, mini-LED and LCD TVs are now on sale, but something's missing

Sony is finally rolling out its full 2023 lineup of TVs to the US, Europe and other regions, but it may still take a few weeks until all sizes are readily available. Notably, the flagship A95L QD-OLED (pictured) won't be available until later in the summer so there's still some time to wait.    

Sony's doing things a bit differently with its best TVs this year. It did not announce any new TVs at CES 2023, instead it chose to unveil its 2023 range two months later. And now it's launching its new models with a couple of significant absences. 

In addition to the A95L – which is the first Sony TV to come with the Mediatek Pentonic 1000 chipset so it's likely that it just isn't quite ready yet – Sony also hasn't released any models with 8K capabilities, which means you'll have to look elsewhere to find the best 8K TV. 

Of the 2023 models that are now available to purchase, the Sony A80L is seen as a highlight (more on this below). The set is part of the OLED Bravia series and went on sale in the US last month in the following sizes 55-, 65- and 77-inches but you can now purchase it in 83-inches too. It is also now available to buy in Europe.    

If you're wondering which Sony TVs are available compared to last year's Sony TV 2022 lineup, we've compiled a list of the sets below.  

Sony 2023 TVs: the good, the better and the best

First up, there's the Sony A80L, the successor to the impressive Sony A80K. It's an affordable 4K OLED with Dolby Vision and Google TV. This model will likely compete with affordable OLED models offered by LG, Panasonic and Philips.  

There are two mini-LED models available to choose from this year, the Sony X95L and the Sony X93L. The latter model is currently exclusive to the US, with a choice of 65-, 75- or 85-inch models starting at $2,199 .

The Sony X95L is currently only available in 85-inches at $5,799 in the US but Europe also gets 65- and 75-inch options, priced at £2,799 and £3,499, respectively. We were very impressed with the X95L, which is even brighter and darker than before and a real rival to the best OLEDs. 

Sony's new X90L series, which has improved zone dimming, comes in five different sizes – 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 98-inches – and is available in Europe but will launch later in the US. The 55-inch X90L model is price at £1,599. 

There are also four 4K LCD models now available. The bigger, brighter Sony X90L, which comes in five different sizes (the price of the 55-inch set is $1,299 / £1,599 / AU$2,495); the Sony X85L, which is available in Europe in three sizes (the 55-inch costs £1,399); the Sony X80L, which is also available in Europe in five different sizes (the 43-inch model costs $799 / AU$1,495); and the Sony X75WL, which also comes in five sizes in Europe (the 43-inch model is priced at £699).

The Sony X85L is available in 55-, 65- and 75-inches in Europe and Asia, but a US launch date hasn't been confirmed yet. It's a similar story with the Sony X80L. UK buyers can order the 43- and 85-inch models with 50-, 55-, 65- and 75-inch versions arriving later this year, while US buyers will have to wait a little longer for all sizes.

Last but not least there's the Sony X75WL. Again, US consumers will have to wait a little longer but European buyers can order the 55-, 65- and 75-inch variants now with 43- and 50-inch models following shortly afterwards.

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Captain America 4's new title ties into a shocking Marvel comic series

Captain America 4 has been given a new title by Marvel Studios – and it might give us some indication of how the movie's plot will play out.

Revealed on the studio's official Twitter account today (June 6), the forthcoming Marvel Phase 5 film will now be known as Captain America: Brave New World. Previously, it was called Captain America: New World Order.

As well as unveiling the superhero movie's new name, Marvel also released a behind-the-scenes image of Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford, who will play Sam Wilson/Captain America and General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) flick. Currently, Cap's next big-screen adventure is due out on May 3, 2024.

Captain America: Brave New WorldIn theaters May 3, 2024 (via @anthonymackie) pic.twitter.com/u1kCgLolsLJune 6, 2023

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Unsurprisingly, little is known about the next film starring Captain America. Due to the fervent media and fan interest each new Marvel project brings, the studios is known for running a tight ship throughout production on its movie and Disney Plus shows. Sure, some character and story-based information occasionally leaks out but, by and large, the biggest talking points and/or shocking moments in any new MCU project are kept under wraps.

It's that cloak and dagger approach to filmmaking, though, that makes Marvel's decision to reveal Captain America 4's new title now so intriguing. After all, this sort of announcement is usually reserved for one of the studio's major panels at fan conventions. With San Diego Comic-Con right around the corner, it would have made more sense for Marvel to wait and unveil the film's new name then.

But hey, we're not complaining. Cap 4's subtitle might actually give us an indication about its overarching narrative, especially when it appears to reference a recent comic book run that pitted numerous superheroes against the shield-wielding super soldier in a Captain America: Civil War-style storyline.

Sam Wilson's Captain America will have his work cut out in Brave New World. (Image credit: Marvel/Disney)

Released between April and August 2017, a Marvel comic series called Secret Empire: Brave New World saw Captain America – Steve Rogers, not Sam Wilson – replaced by a twisted version of himself, who ends up being the secret leader of Hydra. You know, that paramilitary terrorist organization that's hell-bent on world domination.

This evil version of Cap vowed to bring peace to planet Earth by any means necessary. Understandably, many of Earth's other mightiest heroes didn't take too kindly to this Cap's plan for world peace – once they found out that this Captain America isn't the one they knew, anyway. In short, the likes of Namor, Giant-Man, Spider-Man, and Gwenpool had a choice to make: fall in line with this Cap, or stand and fight.

Now, it's highly unlikely that Mackie's Sam Wilson/Captain America will be shockingly revealed as a Hydra sleeper agent in Brave New World. Although, based on forthcoming MCU TV show Secret Invasion, we wouldn't be surprised if an evil Skrull ends up impersonating him in this film in a bid to frame him for unspecified crimes. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Okay, so how could Secret Empire: Brave New World loosely inspire the story that could be told in Captain America 4?

For starters, just like the aforementioned comic series, it'll be another project starring multiple heroes and villains. Captain America 4 will be packed with returning Marvel characters, including – but not limited to – Sam Wilson and Thaddeus Ross from multiple MCU projects, Samuel Sterns/The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) from The Incredible Hulk, and Joaqiun Torres (Danny Ramirez) and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) from Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

Newcomers in the form of Israeli mutant superhero Sabra (Shira Haas) and the villainous Serpent Society (actors TBA) are also expected to appear. And, with the potential for other fan favorite MCU characters to make cameos or play supporting roles, such as Bucky 'winter Soldier' Barnes and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine – the latter who appeared in Black Widow and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Brave New World could end up being a mini-Avengers movie in its own right.

Then there's the prospect of Captain America: Brave New World drawing on the totalitarian themes that are explored in the comic series.

Potentially major spoilers follow for Captain America 4. Proceed at your own risk!

So long, New World Order. We hardly knew thee... (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

According to industry insiders, Captain America: Brave New World will center around a race between nations to acquire a precious, world-changing metal from a newly-formed island, which is actually built on the remains of Tiamut, aka the Celestial being that was turned into marble by Sersi in 2021's Eternals. 

MCU leakers suggest that the US, led by its newly-installed President who is – yep, you might have guessed it – Thaddeus Ross, wants to beat other countries to the resource and use it for its own nefarious means. To do so, the US government employs the Serpent Society – with Valentina and The Leader's help – to obtain the metal from Tiamut Island.

If the rumors are true, Sam might take it upon himself to stop the US from becoming the very dictatorial nation it's thwarted time and again throughout history. Providing he does – and he'll need allies like Torres, and potentially Sabra, to tackle Ross and company – it would pit him Cap against a bunch of superpowered individuals, just like what plays out in the Brave New World comic miniseries.

I might be clutching at straws with the above, but I can't help but notice the similarities between the plot that plays out in Secret Empire: Brave New World and the speculation surrounding Captain America 4. Marvel has plenty of form for adapting its comics – sometimes closely, other times more loosely – for its big- and small-screen projects. And, based on the identical subtitles that Cap 4 and Secret Empire share, it's difficult not to make comparisons between them. Hopefully, we'll learn more details about Captain America: Brave New World at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 in July.

For more Marvel-based coverage, find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order. Additionally, read up on everything worth knowing about Loki season 2, or see if you agree with our best Marvel movies ranking piece.

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7 must-stream movies on Netflix in June 2023

One of the great things about Netflix's catalogue is the way it keeps adding some stone-cold classics. And June is no exception, with a good selection of blockbuster action movies and some more unusual, oddball and challenging titles too. 

With over 60 movies added this month, there's tons to choose from on the world's best streaming service. The titles we've added here are not some of the best Netflix movies available, but they are still worthwhile watches that you want to miss. 

In fact, the first movie on our list is a new Netflix movie that will take you back to the early noughties, when superhero films weren't yet the big multiverse franchises that they are today. These are some of my must-watch suggestions for this month.

1. The Spider-Man Trilogy

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

With Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse reminding everyone of why Spider-Man is such a great character, Netflix's timing is brilliant. All three of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films came to the platform on June 1. They're not without their faults but there's no denying the sheer thrill of seeing your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man brought to life so brilliantly. If you're in the UK, the films are also streaming on Sky Cinema.

2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day

(Image credit: Lightstorm Entertainment)

It's ancient, we know. But Terminator 2 remains an absolute rollercoaster of superior sci-fi, and while its visual effects aren't as cutting-edge as they were at the time they hold up surprisingly well. But what makes this film so great isn't the effects; it's the chemistry and charisma of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong, as well as the steely determination of the genuinely frightening Robert Patrick as the relentless and apparently indestructible T-1000.

3. The Ring

(Image credit: Netflix)

This film is 21 years old and still scary. You've seen some of The Ring even if you haven't seen The Ring – the things Naomi Watts sees in this chilling horror have been widely copied and parodied in everything from comedy films to halloween costumes. But the film itself remains a terrifying little thing, a tale of a cursed film that's best watched solo with all the lights off. Like The Exorcist, it's very much of its time while also existing in a timeline of its very own.

4. The Breakfast Club

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

If you haven't already seen this stone-cold eighties classic, you're in for a treat. John Hughes' high school drama features five students kept back after class and features superb performances from Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald as students who start to realise they have more in common than they might first have thought. In lesser hands, it would have been a snooze-fest but here it's a genuinely wonderful slice of teen cinema that's warm, funny and never looks down on its teen characters. It's a timeless gem.

5. Hanna

(Image credit: Netflix)

Saoirse Ronan is extraordinary here as the titular character, a girl raised in the Finnish wilderness by her CIA dad to become an assassin. It's a fresh and propulsive action thriller and while like most such movies it falls apart if you think about it too much, the performances here are fantastic and the cast includes great actors including Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana and Tom Hollander. 

6. Magic Mike

Magic Mike is a big daft cheeseburger of a movie. It won't make you a better person, it's probably bad for your health and you'll enjoy every single moment of it. The take of a male stripper taken under the wing of his more experienced colleagues is tons of fun, and as Wendy Ide of The Times put it: "it's surprisingly deep for a film about men waggling their bits on stage." The plot isn't exactly ground-breaking but nobody's watching this film for that.

7. Jarhead

Jarhead looks like a Gulf War movie, but it's really about the psychological effects of young men (and women) sent to war. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx deliver stellar performances in a film that's often hard but worthwhile viewing. If you're looking for a triumphant 'USA! USA! USA!' movie this is not for you, but as a portrayal of soldiers pushed beyond their limits it's quite something. It's not as self-pitying as the memoir by Anthony Swofford on which it's based, and it's often both visually and sonically stunning. 

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Apple's AirPlay for hotel TVs should make business trips a lot less boring

Apple's wireless AirPlay streaming tech for music and videos is coming to hotels. At the WWDC 2023 keynote, Apple announced that it has partnered with a select number of hotels (with more to come) to integrate AirPlay into their TV operating systems, allowing you to stream video and audio directly to your hotel TV. 

The new feature will be available through QR codes, which will bypass the extra steps that you currently have to take to use AirPlay. All you'll have to do is simply scan the QR code with your iPhone's camera and it will automatically connect your iPhone to the TV.    

Apple promises smooth integration and claims that you’ll be able to carry on watching a video from exactly where you left off. Don’t expect to see this feature right away though: Apple has said that you can expect the new feature at the end of the year in hotels from a few partners.

Never be without a big screen  

It looks like the rumors were true about Apple reportedly being in discussions with hotels to improve the shared TV experience, and we like the sound of it. Instead of ignoring the TV in your room on a business trip because you don't want to deal with local channels, you can just beam the best Netflix shows over to the TV. But this functionality has the potential to be rolled out to more than just hotels. 

In fact, anywhere that offers a shared space could utilise this new AirPlay feature. For instance, co-working spaces that host conferences often will get a lot of use out of being able to seamlessly connect to one of the best TVs for a presentation. 

It's not as if you can't already connect your iPhone to a TV in a hotel room – if you're wondering how, here's our guide on how to connect an iPhone to your TV. But the process can be tricky if the TV doesn't have AirPlay and who wants to pack an extra HDMI adapter and cable while on holiday?

Plenty of other cool new features are coming to your iPhone in iOS 17 later this year too – here are the 10 best to know about.

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