The Latest from Gadget Hacks: Page 11

Pixel's Now Playing feature is recognizing music reliably again for many users, a meaningful turnaround after more than a year of widespread failures that had owners reaching for Shazam. The March 2026 Pixel Drop is responsible, but it arrived packaged with a platform transition that has quietly broken the lock screen experience for a portion of users who never got an explanation from Google about why.

Apple has a new Apple TV 4K ready to ship. Has had one since sometime last year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is deliberately holding it back until an upgraded, more personalized version of Siri is ready to launch alongside it. The hardware is done. Siri isn't.

Apple dropped the iOS 26.5 public beta this week, and the most useful way to read it is not as a feature checklist but as a map of three things Apple is working on simultaneously: a long-overdue privacy fix in Messages, an ad expansion into Maps, and platform-opening changes in the EU that regulators, not Apple, are driving. Most of what's here isn't ready for public use yet. That's the actual story.

Claims that the Artemis II splashdown photos were taken on iPhone, and that Apple executives officially welcomed the crew home, have circulated since the mission returned to Earth on April 10. No Apple press release, no NASA equipment record, and no primary-source documentation found in Apple's public-facing channels or NASA's mission logs supports either assertion. The mission itself is real and historic. The photograph at the center of the claim is documented. The Apple attribution is not,...

President Trump told companies Tuesday they would be "brilliant" to walk away from tariff refunds on duties a Supreme Court ruling struck down as unlawful. Then he added: "If they don't do that, I'll remember them." He named Apple and Amazon directly. The stakes are not small: more than 330,000 importers paid the duties in question, and companies are collectively seeking roughly $166 billion back from the government, Reuters reported earlier this month.

Apple today seeded macOS 26.5 public beta 2 to enrolled testers, arriving one day after the same build went out to developers. The release brings Suggested Places in Maps and continued development work on Maps advertising support to Mac testers for this beta cycle, MacRumors reported. Final versions of macOS Tahoe 26.5, iOS 26.5, and iPadOS 26.5 are expected next month, OS X Daily projects, based on past release cadences.

Google is actively investigating a Pixel battery drain issue that first appeared with the March 2026 update and became significantly more visible after the April release. No fix exists yet. The bug has generated nearly 600 comments on a single Google Issue Tracker thread in under ten days, according to 9to5Google, and there is nothing users can directly do to fix it themselves.

Apple released iOS 26.4.1 and iPadOS 26.4.1 this week with a changelog that reads: "This update provides bug fixes for your iPhone." No new features, no confirmed security updates. What that description undersells is the scope of the bug it actually fixes, a CloudKit sync failure that prevented all first and third-party apps using CloudKit from receiving iCloud data changes made on other devices, per Macworld.

The streaming wars just got a major shakeup, and it all happened on Hollywood's biggest night. Warner Bros just pulled off something that hasn't been seen since the days of Ben-Hur and Titanic—they swept the 2026 Oscars with a record-tying 11 Academy Awards. But here's what makes this particularly fascinating: it's happening right as the studio is in a pending massive $111 billion acquisition deal with Paramount. More importantly for streaming subscribers, these Oscar wins demonstrate exactly...

iPhone users often find themselves in a frustrating situation: their device storage is maxed out with photos, but they don't want to pay for additional iCloud storage. The good news? You have several powerful alternatives that can handle your photo backup needs without requiring Apple's ecosystem at all.

Google Maps just received one of the most significant recent AI updates. The integration of a new conversational feature powered by Gemini, often referred to as 'Ask Maps,' is a major shift from traditional keyword-based searches to natural, conversational queries.

If you're a Pixel owner who's been scratching your head, wondering why your recent apps screen feels... different lately, you're not alone. Recent Pixel updates have introduced changes to the recent apps interface.

Android acting up? Your phone freezing, crashing, or running slower than usual? Before you panic or rush to the repair shop, there's a built-in diagnostic tool that might solve your problems: Safe Mode. This feature temporarily disables third-party apps, helping you identify whether a recently installed app is causing havoc with your device's performance.

The Pixel phone in your pocket comes with a hidden privacy feature that most people never discover. Google includes a built-in VPN service on new Pixel devices, but many users aren't aware of it. This free security tool can protect your browsing on public Wi-Fi networks and add an extra layer of privacy to your mobile internet activity, yet many Pixel owners remain completely unaware of its existence.

Ever wondered what it's like to have the exclusive accent colors from Apple's newest devices on your own Mac?

Samsung's satellite connectivity feature represents a significant shift in how we stay connected beyond traditional cellular towers, though it barely got a mention during the Galaxy S25 launch. While select Galaxy phones now support satellite connectivity features that work when you're completely cut off from cellular networks and Wi-Fi, the rollout has been surprisingly quiet compared to how Apple marketed its Emergency SOS feature.

The tech world has been buzzing with questions about Apple's latest MacBook Pro models and their ability to handle Windows virtualization. With devices now powered by Apple silicon and ARM architecture, many users wondered whether their favorite Windows applications would still be accessible through virtual machines. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and understanding the implications could save you from making a costly mistake.

Apple M5 Max: The Ultimate Guide to Apple's Next-Gen Powerhouse

The rumor mill has been buzzing with whispers of Apple's potential entry into the budget laptop market, and the MacBook Neo concept has captured imaginations across the tech community. At a widely speculated but unconfirmed ~$599 price point, this would represent Apple's most affordable laptop in over a decade, potentially reshaping how we think about accessible Mac computing.

Apple's latest product launch has stirred up the tech world in an unexpected way. The new MacBook Neo represents Apple's entry into truly affordable Mac computing, according to Trusted Reviews, bringing "the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price" to consumers who've been waiting for a budget-friendly option. But here's the twist: this $599 laptop might actually pose a bigger threat to iPad sales than to existing MacBook models. With both the MacBook Neo and refreshed iPad Air M4 launching at...

The MacBook Neo's arrival brings an unexpected twist to Apple's design story. You might be surprised to learn that this new laptop is actually one of the most repairable MacBooks in over a decade, according to teardown reports, with potentially lower repair costs than recent MacBook Air models, based on component-level replacements

Gaming on Windows has always felt like a compromise—powerful, yes, but never quite as seamless as dedicated gaming consoles. Microsoft's upcoming "Xbox mode" for Windows 11 promises to change that fundamental reality, potentially transforming how millions of PC gamers interact with their systems. This isn't just another Windows update; it's a strategic pivot that could reshape the entire PC gaming landscape.

The battle against text-based scams is intensifying, and Google is deploying sophisticated multi-layered defenses to protect Android users from increasingly clever criminal tactics. Even though most of us have moved beyond basic SMS to more advanced messaging platforms, text phishing remains a persistent threat that continues evolving to circumvent existing security measures.

The dreaded visual glitch when opening windows—you know the one. That split-second stutter, flicker, or distortion that makes your screen look like it's having a brief visual glitch every time you launch an application. If you're running Windows 11 with a dual high-refresh-rate monitor setup and an NVIDIA GPU, you're probably not alone in this frustration.

Samsung and Google's partnership has been steadily evolving since the Galaxy S24 launched with Circle to Search, but what we're seeing now represents a much more fundamental shift. Gemini is increasingly integrated into Galaxy devices and may serve as the default assistant for certain tasks, while Samsung continues to develop Bixby alongside these newer AI capabilities. But here's where things get really interesting—recent leaks suggest Gemini's reach is expanding into Samsung's core...

Apple's latest Studio Display models pack impressive upgrades, but there's a significant catch that might surprise Intel Mac users. While Apple's official compatibility list completely excludes Intel Macs, early reports from iDropNews suggest these displays might actually function as basic monitors with older hardware—though with major limitations that could make this an expensive compromise.

Pixel Watch Double Counting Steps and Calories: What to Do

Google Messages RCS Group Mentions and Trash Folder Explained

Apple's Maps app is reportedly preparing to join the advertising game, marking what could be a significant shift in how we navigate and discover local businesses. This development represents more than just another revenue stream for Apple—it signals a fundamental change in the company's approach to one of its most essential services.

Picture this: you're scrolling through YouTube's endless feed of videos, and suddenly you see actual footage of what's inside each video before you even click. That's exactly what's happening with YouTube's new experiment called "Discover videos with Previews."

When you hear about someone successfully upgrading a MacBook's storage, your first thought might be "that's not so hard—just swap out an SSD, right?" Well, Hong Kong-based YouTuber DirectorFeng just proved that assumption completely wrong. He managed to upgrade his MacBook Neo from the base 256GB to a full 1TB of storage, but the process involved skills that would make most repair technicians nervous.

Google has been steadily improving Messages over the past few years, transforming it from a basic SMS app into a comprehensive messaging platform that can compete with the likes of WhatsApp and iMessage. Now, the company is finally rolling out a feature that users have been requesting for years: live location sharing. This addition represents more than just another feature update—it's a significant step forward in Google's broader messaging strategy and a clear signal that the company is...

You know how everyone talks about locking their phone with a PIN or password? That's great for keeping people out of your apps and photos, but here's the thing—SIM cards have often been left unprotected by users. Google appears to be working on fixing that problem in Android 17 with a feature that could finally make SIM PIN protection practical for regular users like you and me.

The Android ecosystem is about to undergo a significant transformation in how users install apps from outside the Google Play Store. Google has introduced a new approach to sideloading that changes the balance between security and user autonomy.

iPhone users experiencing Outlook calendar sync issues often find themselves missing important meetings or double-booking appointments. These problems typically stem from authentication conflicts, background app refresh settings, or account configuration errors that can create frustrating gaps in your productivity workflow. Whether you're dealing with events that won't sync, duplicate entries, or calendars that simply refuse to update, most Outlook calendar problems on iPhone can be resolved...

The Android ecosystem is experiencing some major shifts, and recent statements from Android leadership are giving us a clearer picture of where Google stands on two critical issues that could impact how we use our devices. While Android has long prided itself on openness and user choice, evolving security landscapes are prompting important conversations about the future of app distribution and platform security.

Google's latest move to supercharge Android performance isn't happening at the app level—it's diving straight into the kernel. The company has implemented Automatic Feedback-Directed Optimization (AutoFDO) across Android's core systems, a sophisticated approach that uses real-world usage data to fine-tune how your device handles everything from app launches to background processes.

When you wake up and reach for your Pixel Watch to check your overnight health stats, the last thing you expect to see is a bunch of blank spaces where your SpO2 and skin temperature readings should be. But that's exactly what's happening to Pixel Watch owners after Google's March 2026 update, and it's turning what should be a routine morning health check into a frustrating guessing game.

You know how smartphones constantly promise to make your life easier with their latest features? Most of the time, that's just marketing fluff designed to justify another upgrade cycle. But every now and then, a company actually delivers something genuinely useful that most people completely overlook. OnePlus AI Recorder is one of those hidden gems.

The tech world has been buzzing with anticipation for Apple's next-generation Apple TV and HomePod mini, but both devices remain conspicuously absent from Apple's product lineup. While rumors have swirled for months about imminent releases, the reality is more complex than simple manufacturing delays or supply chain hiccups.