News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

Samsung's audio roadmap just got a lot more interesting. After years of covering the company's ecosystem strategy, I can tell you this round of moves feels bigger than routine tweaks. The big news? Samsung is reportedly working on new premium earbuds, with all signs pointing to the Galaxy Buds 4 debuting at the first Unpacked of 2026 alongside the Galaxy S26. Meanwhile, One UI 8.5 is shaping up as a mid-cycle update that could rewire Samsung's 2026 flagship ecosystem.

Microsoft's pricing strategy for the Xbox ecosystem just delivered a reality check that is reverberating through gaming communities worldwide. In May 2025, the company announced some of the most aggressive price increases the console industry has seen, pushing the Xbox Series X from $500 to $600 and bumping the Series S from $300 to $380. Then came the curveball. Microsoft tried to push game prices to $80, met a tidal wave of backlash, and quickly backtracked to $70 after criticism around...

Apple just dropped something that's got the entire video production world buzzing, and trust me, this isn't your typical incremental update. Apple has announced Final Cut Camera 2.0, adding ProRes RAW recording and genlock sync support for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The free app update makes Apple's high-end iPhone 17 models the first smartphones that can shoot ProRes RAW. Meanwhile, Blackmagic Design announces Blackmagic Camera ProDock that adds professional camera connections to...

Looking at Apple's latest iPhone lineup, I am in an unusual spot. After years of camping out on livestreams, testing every new toggle, and chasing tiny year‑over‑year gains, I am sitting this one out. The iPhone 17 series looks strong, yet it still is not enough to pull me from my current phone.

The Nest app, once the elegant control center for what many considered the most beautiful smart home products ever made, is officially living on borrowed time. Google’s latest moves make it crystal clear that we’re witnessing the final chapter of Nest as we knew it, and the transformation has been accelerating faster than most users realize. The writing is on the wall.

Apple just dropped iOS 26. If you've got your hands on one of the shiny new iPhone 17 models, you need this update, no way around it. iOS 26 is out now and ready to download, bringing what Apple calls the biggest update to the software since iOS 7 in 2013. Here's what to know to get your iPhone 17 up and running with the latest from Cupertino.

When Austin Mann prepares to test a new iPhone camera system, you know the results are going to reveal something significant. The renowned travel photographer has built his reputation on pushing smartphone cameras to their limits in real-world conditions, from windswept ridgelines to midnight streets. While we don't yet have his hands-on assessment of the iPhone 17 Pro cameras, the rumored specifications suggest this could be Apple's most ambitious camera upgrade yet. With the iPhone 17 Pro Max...

Google Tasks has been quietly evolving. Recent APK teardowns hint at upgrades that could actually change how you use it day to day. The app has long been dinged for its bare-bones approach to task management, and Android Authority spotted code that suggests Google is finally tackling a top request: better time tracking. Completion dates and task count displays set the groundwork for more sophisticated time management, exactly what users have been asking for. The company has already rolled out...

Microsoft's CEO is not just playing defense in the AI revolution, he's haunted by the idea that Microsoft could slide into irrelevance. Satya Nadella is haunted at the prospect of Microsoft not surviving the AI era, and that fear is fueling some of the boldest moves out of Redmond in decades. Nadella gathered his lieutenants to assess the out-of-nowhere competition when DeepSeek's R1 model jolted the strategy built around OpenAI. The gut punch: computer processing that would cost $1,000 through...

Android 16 QPR2 is generating quite a buzz among Pixel users, and for good reason. This latest beta release brings genuinely useful navigation upgrades that answer long-standing requests. Android Headlines reports the beta is rolling out to Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 series up to the latest Pixel 10 models, with the final stable version expected by December.

Apple's latest iPhone 17 finally brings real change to the standard model. After time with it, this is not another small step. The Independent calls it "one of the biggest upgrades for the regular iPhone in years," and that tracks across the board. With ProMotion on the base model, dual 48MP cameras, and Apple's new A19 chip, it feels like the most compelling entry-level flagship Apple has made in a while.

When Apple announced the iPhone Air at just 5.6mm thick, the tech world immediately questioned one thing: how could something that thin possibly have decent battery life? Not by cutting corners, but by changing the playbook. The iPhone Air weighs only 165 grams and keeps a 6.5-inch OLED display. And yet, tucked inside is a battery rethink that rewrites the thinness versus power story.

Google's content discovery game just got a major upgrade, and if you're part of the Android ecosystem, it changes how you read news and follow your favorite tech creators. Google Discover now makes it simple to keep up with outlets like Android Authority, pulling everything into one place. The platform reaches more than 1.5 billion people per month, which makes it one of the biggest content distributors on the planet.

The streaming landscape in 2025 is not just about picking a service and calling it a day. Video streaming technology has moved from basic content delivery to AI-powered systems that study what you watch and tweak quality in real time. With hundreds of niche services jockeying for attention, catalogs shift constantly, and price changes pop up alongside password crackdowns. The global OTT industry is projected to hit over $400 billion in 2025, which makes every subscription feel like a bigger...

The whispers coming out of Cupertino are getting louder, and they should have every MacBook Pro user paying attention. What we’re hearing about Apple’s 2026 MacBook Pro is not just another incremental update. It is shaping up to be the most dramatic transformation since the current design launched in 2021.

Looking at Trump Mobile's original promises, you could be forgiven for getting excited about an American-made smartphone that could compete with the big players and support domestic manufacturing. The Trump Organization's T1 Phone launched with bold claims about being "MADE IN THE USA" and bringing smartphone production back to American soil. Then the messaging shifted, the big talk faded from the website, and the reality of smartphone manufacturing caught up.

You know what? When I first heard about Apple's iPhone Air, I'll admit I was a bit skeptical. Another ultra-thin phone trying to wow us with its svelte profile? After diving into the early reviews, I'm genuinely impressed, and honestly, a little concerned about my wallet.

Google's latest Windows desktop app launch lands at a curious crossroads in search. While Apple has been tuning Spotlight since 2005 with Command + Space and four specialized modes, Google is now bringing its AI-powered search to Windows desktops. The timing is no accident, Microsoft is still wrestling with Windows 11's sluggish search, and that leaves a gap wide enough for Google to walk through.

Apple's Liquid Glass redesign is everywhere, except where it should be working perfectly. The company that prides itself on seamless user experiences has rolled out its most ambitious visual overhaul since iOS 7, but CNET reports the UI is still being refined. Apple unveiled this translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings at WWDC 2025, extending it across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. The scope of this cross-platform rollout helps explain why...