The Latest from Gadget Hacks: Page 42

The foldable smartphone market is approaching a major milestone that few saw coming just a couple years ago. For the first time, book-style foldables—those larger, tablet-like devices that unfold horizontally—are poised to significantly outsell their clamshell counterparts in 2026. Research from Counterpoint indicates that manufacturers are betting heavily on productivity-focused designs, marking a clear shift away from the compact flip phones that initially popularized the category. This isn't...

Blizzard's hero shooter is finally making the jump to mobile—and it's not quite what fans expected. After years of speculation and scattered leaks, the studio has confirmed that an Overwatch mobile adaptation is in active development, but instead of a straight port, the team is crafting something entirely new. Jason Schreier's book Play Nice revealed that Blizzard has been working on a mobile version of the franchise under the oversight of Walter Kong, the General Manager of Overwatch 2....

Apple pulled off something remarkable in Europe last year: the company delivered 36.9 million iPhones to the region, marking a 6% year-over-year increase and securing an unprecedented 27% market share, according to analytics firm Omdia. What makes this achievement particularly striking is the context—the broader European smartphone market actually contracted by 1% to 134.2 million units, as MacRumors reports. The decline was partly attributed to reduced consumer demand and new regulatory...

Spotify's recommendation engine has shaped how millions discover music, but what if you could actually tell the algorithm what you want instead of hoping it figures you out? According to an APK teardown by AssembleDebug, Spotify is testing a feature that would let users add written notes to their taste profile and react to recommendations with emoji feedback. This marks a significant shift in how streaming platforms handle personalization—moving from passive observation to active user input.

Google's finally closing the gap between desktop and mobile browsing with a feature that Android tablet users have been waiting years for. Chrome for Android is introducing a desktop-style bookmarks bar specifically for tablets and foldables, according to reports from multiple sources. This update brings the familiar bookmark toolbar experience to larger Android screens, eliminating the need to dig through menus just to access your most-visited sites. The feature launched with Chrome version...

The Google Pixel 10 Pro was supposed to represent the pinnacle of Android engineering, but a growing chorus of frustrated users suggests something went seriously wrong with the display. What started as isolated complaints has snowballed into a widespread issue that's impossible to ignore once you've seen it. The flickering display glitch isn't just a minor annoyance—it's fundamentally undermining the user experience on what should be Google's flagship device.

Spotify has been quietly working on something that audiophiles have been requesting for years. The streaming giant recently introduced Exclusive Mode to its Windows beta app, marking a significant shift in how the platform handles audio output. This development addresses a long-standing limitation where the Windows app routes audio through the system mixer, potentially altering the signal through resampling and volume adjustments.

The smartphone display landscape continues evolving rapidly, and with each new flagship release, users encounter both innovations and challenges. While specific details about the Galaxy S26 Ultra remain limited, understanding common display issues and solutions can help you make informed decisions and optimize your viewing experience.

When Poco launched the X8 Pro Max on January 29, 2026, the mid-range smartphone market suddenly had to take notice. This wasn't just another phone launch with incremental improvements—it was a device that fundamentally challenged what we expect from smartphones in the $300 to $460 price range. The headline grabber? A battery capacity that rivals dedicated power banks and actually delivers the all-day endurance most users have been waiting for.

The M1 MacBook Air has always been Apple's entry point into their laptop ecosystem, but one limitation has consistently frustrated users: the soldered storage that can't be upgraded after purchase. However, a recent breakthrough in DIY modification has opened up possibilities that seemed impossible just months ago, challenging our assumptions about what's truly "non-upgradeable" in modern Apple hardware.

Tim Cook's recent media appearances have sparked conversations across the Apple ecosystem, touching on everything from the company's foundational philosophy to speculation about his eventual departure. As Apple approaches its 50th anniversary, Cook's reflections offer valuable insights into what drives one of the world's most influential technology companies—and what challenges lie ahead.

Microsoft's official end-of-support timeline for Windows 10 creates a compelling deadline that makes those tempting budget laptop deals far riskier than they appear. While the bargain prices on used Windows 10 machines might seem attractive, the hidden costs and security implications tell a different story entirely.

When Google launched the original Pixel Watch in 2022, many assumed it would follow the typical Android device lifecycle—a couple of major updates, then gradual abandonment as newer models took center stage. But here's the thing about assumptions in the tech world: they're often wrong at the most interesting times.

Smartphones aren't cheap investments, and with the right care, yours can serve you well for years beyond what manufacturers might have you believe. While the tech industry pushes annual upgrade cycles, the reality is that most modern smartphones have the hardware capability to remain functional and relevant much longer than their typical two-year lifespan. Understanding how to maximize your device's longevity isn't just about saving money—it's about getting the most value from sophisticated...

Nothing is about to shake up the mid-range smartphone market with a move that's both strategic and a little cheeky. The company has officially confirmed a March 5 launch event for its Phone 4a series—and they're not being subtle about it. CEO Carl Pei even posted a playfully edited Apple event invite on social media, crossing out the Apple logo and scrawling "Nothing" and "March 5" in bold pink marker over the original date. It's the kind of marketing stunt that gets attention, and it's...

Google's ramping up its security game on the Play Store, and the numbers from 2025 tell a pretty compelling story. The company stopped 1.75 million policy-violating apps from ever reaching users, according to its latest safety report. That's down from 2.36 million blocked apps in 2024 and 2.28 million in 2023, as reported by CXO Today. But here's the interesting part—fewer blocked apps doesn't mean weaker defenses. It actually suggests Google's AI-powered security systems are working so well...

FairScan: Can This Open-Source Document Scanner Replace Adobe and Microsoft?

Apple's 2026 Smart-Home Push: HomePod Mini 2, Home Hub, and Security Cameras Could Finally Challenge Amazon and Google

Apple TV is making a strategic play for the living room—and now, it's targeting the sports bar, too. The streaming service recently struck distribution agreements bringing its live sports portfolio, including Formula 1, Major League Soccer, and MLB's Friday Night Baseball, into thousands of commercial venues across the United States. It's a move that signals Apple's ambitions extend far beyond individual subscribers, tapping into the communal viewing experience that has long been cable's domain.

Tariffs are back on the table—and this time, they're simpler but no less consequential. After a federal judge blocked President Trump's country-specific reciprocal tariff plan, the administration pivoted to a sweeping 10% baseline tax on nearly all imports, according to Reuters. The White House proclamation under Section 122 took effect 2026-02-24 (12:01 a.m. ET) and applies broadly across goods entering the U.S.—including the smartphones, laptops, tablets, and accessories that power the Apple...

When you think about it, Apple's relationship with multitasking has always been strategically puzzling. Here's a company that revolutionized iPad productivity with split-screen capabilities back in 2015, yet somehow managed to keep the iPhone locked in a single-app experience for over a decade. Android introduced native split-screen functionality back in 2016, and we've all been wondering when Apple would finally bring that same versatility to their phones.

OnePlus is gearing up to shake things up in the mid-range smartphone market with its upcoming Nord 6, and if the leaks are accurate, Apple and Samsung better take notice. The device is expected to arrive in early April with some seriously impressive specifications that could redefine what we expect from phones in the $300-$500 price bracket. Recent leaks from tipster Yogesh Brar suggest the Nord 6 will launch next month, building on the success of its predecessor which started at Rs 31,999. The...

The leak dam has officially burst on the Galaxy A57. Recent hands-on videos from Thailand have surfaced alongside retail display units, offering our most comprehensive preview yet of Samsung's upcoming mid-range powerhouse. According to GSMArena, a TikTok user has shared detailed footage of both the Galaxy A37 and A57 filmed in an actual Thai retail environment. These aren't quick glimpses or blurry spy shots—we're looking at full hands-on videos revealing everything from design refinements and...

WhatsApp's upcoming guest chat feature represents a significant shift in how we think about messaging app accessibility. The ability to participate in conversations without creating an account could fundamentally change user onboarding and expand the platform's reach to previously untapped audiences.

The first Lightning iPhone has officially reached the end of the road. Apple's iPhone 5 debuted in September 2012 as a revolutionary device that established new design standards for smartphones with its sleek aluminum construction and debut Lightning connector. Now, over a decade later, this pioneering device has joined Apple's obsolete product list alongside the 8GB iPhone 4, marking a significant milestone in the company's support lifecycle policy.

The MacBook Neo's thermal pad modification has been making waves in the tech community, with users discovering they can significantly boost sustained performance through improved cooling. While the engineering behind this mod is genuinely impressive, the reality is more complex than the initial excitement suggests. This isn't just about squeezing extra performance from your laptop—it's about understanding the delicate balance between thermal management, safety, and long-term reliability that...

Google TV users who've been successfully dodging those persistent home screen ads through third-party launchers may have hit a roadblock. A recent system update appears to have disrupted one of the most popular workarounds, leaving many wondering about the future of customization on their streaming devices.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series has been playing the same battery game since 2021, and frankly, it's getting old. The latest reports suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 8 might finally break free from the 4,400mAh capacity that has defined every book-style foldable Samsung has released since the Z Fold 3, according to 9to5Google. Multiple sources indicate the upcoming device could pack a battery exceeding 5,000mAh, as reported by GSMArena. The big question isn't whether this upgrade is welcome (it...

Apple just made a move that's sending ripples through the video editing community. The tech giant has quietly acquired MotionVFX, a company that's been creating some of the most popular plugins and templates for Final Cut Pro and Motion for years. This isn't just another corporate acquisition—it's a strategic play that could reshape how Apple approaches its professional video tools and the broader creator ecosystem.

Samsung's new flagship is making headlines, but not for the reasons they'd hoped. Reports are piling up about the Galaxy S26 Ultra causing eye strain, headaches, and general viewing discomfort - issues that many budget Android phones solved years ago. According to Android Police, even Samsung loyalists are experiencing problems with the premium display. What makes this particularly frustrating is Samsung's confirmation that they won't include any flicker-reduction features in the S26 series, as...

The tech world has been buzzing with foldable phone excitement for years, but here's a prediction that might surprise you: when Apple finally enters the foldable game, they could outsell Samsung's entire foldable lineup in their very first year. While Samsung has been pioneering this space since 2019, the iPhone's massive user base and Apple's ecosystem magic could completely reshape the foldable landscape by 2026.

T-Mobile customers who've been quietly enjoying one of the last remaining sweet deals in cloud storage are about to face a rude awakening. The carrier just dropped some major news that's forcing thousands of subscribers to make critical decisions about their digital lives—and there's not much time to figure it out.

Recent reports about Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8 battery capacity are painting a picture that could leave power-hungry users feeling disappointed. The word from SamMobile suggests Samsung has decided to maintain the same 4,300mAh capacity as the Flip 7, marking a significant departure from the company's recent upgrade pattern. This decision becomes particularly notable given the timing – as competitors push boundaries with higher-capacity cells and faster charging solutions, Samsung appears to be...

How to Tell if an AirTag Is Tracking You (And What to Do About It)

YouTube's Ad-Blocker Crackdown Is Breaking Core Features for Millions of Users

Google's latest move has me equal parts excited and frustrated. The company just released a completely revamped Snapseed camera app—but there's a catch that'll make Android users shake their heads. It's iPhone-only. After analyzing extensive reports and testing feedback from early users, combined with my years covering mobile photography tools, I'm left wondering: Why are Android users, especially those with Pixel phones, still waiting?

Apple's playing a different game this time around. The tech giant has distributed invites for a March 4 event that breaks from tradition in some interesting ways—simultaneous press briefings across New York, London, and Shanghai instead of the usual Apple Park spectacle. The invite itself is minimal: no tagline, no livestream mentioned, just a 9 a.m. ET start time and a logo splashed in yellow, green, and blue.

Apple's Podcasts app has long been the audio-first standard for podcast consumption, but that's about to shift dramatically. The company is rolling out native video playback capabilities in iOS 26.4, according to Apple's official announcement, marking what Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, calls "a defining milestone" in the platform's evolution.

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile Shutdown: What Went Wrong and What It Means for Players

Picture this: Formula 1 races roaring to life on a screen six stories tall, with sound that makes you feel every engine rev in your chest. Starting this May, that's exactly what's happening as Apple and IMAX team up to transform how Americans experience live motorsports. Apple secured exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights to Formula 1 through a multi-year agreement beginning in 2026.