The Latest from Gadget Hacks: Page 26

Hands-On: This Tiny MagSafe Controller Brings Real Buttons and a Retro Feel to Your iPhone

Apple's App Store Pricing Overhaul: What Developers and Users Need to Know About the New Tax-Driven Changes

The scam call epidemic has become one of the most persistent annoyances in smartphone ownership, and if you're a Galaxy user, you've probably wondered when Samsung would finally catch up to Google's anti-spam arsenal. The Galaxy S26 might just be the device that changes the game. According to reports, Samsung appears poised to adopt Android's CallCore framework—a powerful feature that's been exclusive to Pixel devices until now.

Imagine a world where your everyday smartphone—the same device you use to snap photos and scroll social media—becomes the backbone of professional sports officiating. That's exactly what's happening in Brazil's top soccer league, the Brasileirão, where Genius Sports is deploying arrays of iPhone devices to make millimeter-precise offside calls.

T-Mobile's latest promotion is turning heads in the wireless world, and honestly, it's pretty impressive what they're offering. The carrier launched a deal that's hard to ignore: trade in virtually any smartphone and walk away with Samsung's flagship Galaxy S25 Plus at absolutely no cost, according to AOL. What makes this deal particularly interesting is T-Mobile's willingness to accept damaged smartphones for trade-in, essentially removing that frustrating barrier for customers stuck with...

Apple's stock is facing some interesting headwinds as we move into 2026, but the picture isn't as straightforward as some investors might think. While hardware manufacturers across the board are dealing with escalating memory costs, Evercore ISI just boosted their Apple price target to $330, suggesting the iPhone maker might be better positioned than its competitors to weather this storm. The memory shortage crisis that's hitting the tech industry hard has created what IDC calls "an...

Looking at Anker's latest Qi2 battery pack, you can't help but appreciate how magnetic wireless charging has evolved from a convenient novelty into an essential mobile power solution. This ultra-slim power bank represents a significant leap forward in portable charging technology, according to Anker. The device delivers 15W Qi2-certified wireless charging; manufacturer and independent test results vary by phone model (see Anker spec and Android Police testing). What makes this particularly...

I've been covering smartphones for years now, but the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has me more excited about display technology than I've been in a long time. And honestly, that's saying something—when was the last time we got truly excited about a screen upgrade that wasn't just "brighter" or "bigger"?

When you're shopping for a new smartphone, you're probably weighing dozens of factors—camera quality, storage space, display brightness, and processing power. But let's be honest: none of that matters much if your phone dies halfway through the day. The eternal smartphone dilemma boils down to two critical specs that directly impact your daily experience: how long your battery lasts and how quickly it charges when it's running low.

You've probably heard of Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa - those voice assistants that can set timers and tell you the weather (when they're working properly). But what if I told you there's an open-source AI assistant that's making tech enthusiasts so excited they're buying Mac minis just to run it? Reports from 9to5Mac show that this isn't just another chatbot - it's a comprehensive personal AI that you can deploy on your own hardware, giving you complete control over your digital assistant...

Chrome has been steadily tightening its compatibility requirements, and the latest announcement hits close to home for many Mac users. Google's latest browser update brings unwelcome news for Mac users running older systems. Chrome 150 will mark the final version compatible with macOS Monterey, according to Google's Chrome Platform Status website. With Chrome 144 currently serving as the latest release, users have a limited window before this significant change takes effect. The shift affects...

Apple's smart home ambitions have been quietly brewing for years, but the company's approach has always felt a bit scattered. You've got the HomePod for music and basic Siri commands, Apple TV for entertainment, and your iPhone as the primary way to control HomeKit devices. What's been missing is that central command center—a dedicated device that actually makes managing your smart home feel natural and effortless.

The rumor mill is buzzing with something that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago: Apple might be partnering with Intel again for chip manufacturing. But before you start thinking about a return to the x86 era, let's break down what's actually happening here. Apple's annual investment at TSMC has skyrocketed from $2 billion in 2014 to $24 billion in 2025, according to SemiAnalysis, showing just how dependent the company has become on its Taiwanese partner. Recent reports suggest...

Apple's App Store is experiencing its biggest advertising transformation since launch. The company is dramatically expanding sponsored placements throughout search results starting in March 2026, according to 9to5Mac. This isn't just a minor adjustment—we're talking about a fundamental shift that will reshape how users discover apps and how developers compete in the world's most lucrative mobile marketplace.

Foxconn's decision to back out of acquiring Sharp's LCD manufacturing plant in Japan has sent ripples through the display industry, and Apple's supply chain may feel the impact. Sharp announced in early February 2026 that the planned sale of its Kameyama No. 2 facility collapsed after Foxconn reconsidered the deal amid persistent weakness in global LCD panel pricing, according to Channel News. The facility, which manufactures small and medium-sized LCD panels for smartphones and tablets, will...

Apple's Latest Productivity App Updates: What's Free, What Costs Extra, and What It All Means

You know that feeling when you're trapped in an endless email chain trying to nail down a meeting time? We've all been there—sending "what works for you?" messages back and forth while watching your productivity slowly drain away. Google's latest Gemini integration aims to put an end to this coordination nightmare with a smart scheduling feature that works directly inside Gmail.

When tech meets healthcare, the results aren't always what we'd expect. OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Health, a feature designed to analyze personal wellness data. The integration debuted this month with support for platforms including Apple Health and other wellness providers. A Washington Post technology columnist tested the system by connecting his Apple Watch data, raising questions about how well current AI tools interpret health information.

Google's been building something big for Android 17, and the latest leaks reveal how privacy is about to get a major upgrade. While Android users have long relied on third-party solutions or awkward workarounds like Private Space, evidence from Android Canary 2601 shows Google is finally developing a native App Lock feature that could change how we secure our most sensitive apps.

The smartphone world is buzzing with anticipation as Nothing prepares to unveil its next mid-range offering. Recent regulatory filings indicate the Nothing Phone 4a is moving through certification processes, suggesting an imminent launch that could shake up the competitive mid-range market once again.

When Google first jumped into the foldable game back in 2023 with the original Pixel Fold, let's just say it wasn't exactly a smooth landing. The device had its fair share of growing pains that really showcased just how tricky it is to get foldable technology right. But here we are in 2026, and wow—the landscape looks completely different now.

When a federal judge in San Francisco dropped a bombshell revelation about Epic Games and Google's secret partnership, it completely reframed one of the most contentious antitrust battles of our time. The courtroom drama took an unexpected turn when Judge James Donato revealed that these former legal adversaries had been quietly negotiating an $800 million business deal while simultaneously working toward their public settlement, according to The Verge.

Apple's artificial intelligence strategy is undergoing its most dramatic transformation since Siri's debut over a decade ago. What started as the company that introduced the world to voice assistants is now playing catch-up in a race it once led. The irony isn't lost on anyone watching this unfold—Apple, the company that made "Hey Siri" a household phrase, is now scrambling to make Siri actually intelligent.

When you think about revolutionary tech ideas that sound too good to be true, they usually are. Telly's ambitious plan to give away free dual-screen smart TVs in exchange for advertising revenue and user data seemed like it might be the exception. The startup, led by a Pluto TV co-founder, generated significant initial buzz with over 250,000 consumer registrations within just two weeks of launch. The company boldly announced plans to distribute 500,000 free units across the U.S. as part of...

When California courts make rulings about tech giants and privacy, the entire industry takes notice. The recent decision that certain California privacy claims against Apple were dismissed represents a significant moment in the ongoing battle between consumer protection and corporate data practices. This ruling comes at a time when California's privacy enforcement has reached unprecedented levels, with regulators shifting from a compliance-on-paper approach to demanding proof that privacy tools...

Your Google Pixel phone comes with powerful gesture controls that can transform how you navigate your device. Whether you're a long-time Android user or new to the Pixel ecosystem, understanding how to enable or disable these navigation gestures can significantly impact your daily phone experience. Google has made gesture navigation the default on most modern Android devices, according to Android Police, and this system has been available since Android 10's launch in 2019. However, many users...

Formula 1's arrival on Apple represents more than just another streaming transition—it's a complete reimagining of how we'll experience motorsport in America. Starting in 2026, every practice session, qualifying round, Sprint, and Grand Prix will stream on Apple TV for $12.99 monthly with no additional fees, marking Apple's massive investment of approximately $750 million over five years" with "about $700 million over five years (≈$140 million per year) to fundamentally transform the F1 viewing...

Looking at the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, it's clear this device represents a massive leap forward in foldable technology. After spending time with Samsung's latest innovation, I'm struck by how it transforms from an ordinary smartphone into something that genuinely challenges the traditional boundaries between phones and tablets. Let's break down what makes this tri-folding marvel tick, and more importantly, whether it's worth the premium price tag.

You know what's frustrating about today's streaming landscape? You finally cut the cord from cable TV, only to watch your YouTube TV bill creep from that original $35 monthly price tag in 2017 to a hefty $83 today. But here's the thing—YouTube TV is about to make some moves that could change everything about how we think about streaming television.

February kicks off with a bang for Apple enthusiasts, and if you're part of the ecosystem, you'll want to keep your calendar handy. The company has mapped out an ambitious timeline of releases, events, and milestones that could reshape how we interact with our devices. From quarterly earnings that'll reveal the health of Apple's business to strategic transitions that signal platform evolution, the next month holds several key moments worth tracking. Here's what's coming and why each date...

Google has been steadily updating search, and its latest change introduces Generative UI—a new interface that blends traditional results with AI-generated summaries.

The Apple supply chain has once again found itself in cybercriminals' crosshairs, and this time the stakes couldn't be higher. A critical manufacturing partner responsible for some of Apple's most important products has fallen victim to a sophisticated ransomware attack, potentially exposing sensitive design files and future product plans.

Samsung's wireless charging evolution has been frustratingly slow compared to competitors, but the Galaxy S26 series could finally mark Samsung's breakthrough moment. Recent certification leaks reveal a magnetic wireless battery pack that signals Samsung's most comprehensive approach to Qi2 charging yet. This 5,000mAh battery pack can wirelessly charge the Galaxy S26 at up to 15W or deliver 20W via a wired connection, marking Samsung's most capable magnetic charging accessory to date.

The tech world has seen its share of ambitious multi-OS experiments, but few have captured attention quite like devices that promise to run multiple operating systems seamlessly. Google's recent push into unified platforms demonstrates just how seriously major tech companies are taking this concept, with Google developing Aluminium OS, a unified Android-based PC platform that merges ChromeOS and Android to compete with Windows and macOS.

Novo Nordisk's latest advertising attempt feels like watching someone try to recreate magic with a broken wand. The pharmaceutical giant behind Ozempic has launched what appears to be a direct homage to Apple's legendary "I'm a Mac" campaign, but the execution falls flatter than a deflated iPhone battery. While GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are reshaping consumer behavior across multiple industries, this particular marketing misstep reveals the unique challenges pharmaceutical companies face...

Qualcomm is expected to refresh its flagship mobile chips with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, which early reports suggest will focus on performance gains and on-device AI improvements. The buzz centers around a significant strategic shift: reports suggest Qualcomm plans to offer two distinct versions of its next flagship chipset, with the premium "Pro" variant positioned as an ultra-exclusive option.

When you use voice search in the Google app today, you're interacting with AI in a more conversational, real-time way than traditional text search allows. Google's voice search interface is embracing the Gemini aesthetic in ways that go far beyond surface-level visual changes.

The test prep landscape just got a major shake-up, and it's coming from an unexpected source. Google's AI assistant just became your SAT study partner, and it's bringing some serious firepower to the test prep game. The tech giant has transformed its AI assistant into a comprehensive study companion by introducing complete, no-cost practice exams in Gemini (FindArticles). These practice tests reflect the actual exam format and receive validation from established preparation companies like The...

Your phone's automatic audio transcription feature just became a potential backdoor for hackers. Google's Project Zero team has revealed a sophisticated exploit chain that can completely compromise Pixel 9 devices through nothing more than a malicious audio message—and you don't even need to open it. The vulnerabilities were discovered during a routine security hackathon, where researchers found critical flaws in just two days. This rapid discovery timeline is particularly alarming when you...

Google Keep users are about to lose something special. The app that's helped millions capture quick thoughts and stay organized is now handing over its reminder functionality to Google Tasks, and this transition means saying goodbye to one of Keep's most practical features. The migration has been rolling out since late 2025, according to 9to5Google, with users now seeing "Reminders are now Google Tasks" prompts when trying to create new reminders. While Google frames this as improved...