News and Updates from Gadget Hacks: Page 21

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...

Honor's remarkable surge in the global smartphone market represents one of the most compelling turnarounds in recent tech history. While the Chinese smartphone market experienced a modest decline of 1% in 2025, reaching 282.3 million units shipped, according to Omdia, Honor managed to achieve something extraordinary. The brand delivered over 71 million smartphone shipments in 2025, representing an impressive 50% year-over-year growth, GSMArena reports. What makes this achievement even more...

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.

After years of regulatory and banking hurdles, Apple Pay is finally launching in India, marking Apple's entry into one of the world's largest and most established digital payments markets. Apple is preparing to introduce its payment service to Indian users by the end of 2026, working with banks, regulators, and card networks throughout the year to bring this service to market, according to Business Standard. The service is already operational across 89 global markets, making India's absence a...

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...

Apple has been making strategic moves in the AI space, and its latest rumored project might represent its boldest hardware gamble yet. While the tech industry focuses on AI integration in smartphones and computers, reports from The Information suggest Apple is pursuing an entirely different path: a compact AI-powered wearable pin roughly the size of an AirTag.

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.

When you think about how far For All Mankind has come, it's honestly pretty wild. What started as a simple premise—what if the Soviets had beaten America to the moon?—has evolved into this sprawling alternate history that's now grappling with interplanetary politics. For All Mankind is gearing up for a fifth season, and frankly, the stakes couldn't be higher.

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.

Samsung's next big AI move might already be out there, thanks to what appears to be an early announcement that got pulled faster than you can say "Bixby." With a Perplexity AI integration, the company is upgrading Bixby's ability to retrieve and synthesize information rather than just execute commands.

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.

Nothing's Essential Space is getting smarter, and it's all about making your digital life feel more connected. The company has introduced two significant updates that transform how users capture, understand, and retrieve their saved content. Nothing is launching two major improvements to Essential Space, focusing on enhanced contextual understanding and richer recording capabilities. The first update brings Essential Memory, which adds intelligent context to saved items, while the second...

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...

The automotive world is experiencing a fascinating convergence of tech ecosystems, and Volvo's upcoming EX60 electric SUV perfectly illustrates this trend. The vehicle will come with a pre-installed Apple Music application featuring Spatial Audio technology, according to The Drive. This integration represents more than just another streaming option—it signals how automakers are embracing native app experiences that operate independently from smartphone mirroring, creating more reliable and...

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...

Apple's display supply chain drama rarely makes front-page news, but when it does, you know something significant is happening. The latest chapter involves BOE, China's largest display manufacturer, facing serious production challenges that have forced Apple to make some major adjustments to its iPhone OLED sourcing strategy. Recent reports indicate that BOE continues to struggle with manufacturing issues that first emerged back in November and December of last year—and here's the thing, these...

We're witnessing something that sounds like science fiction: a single device capable of running three completely different operating systems. The concept of multi-OS smartphones represents a fundamental shift in how we think about mobile computing, according to recent developments showcasing devices that seamlessly operate Android, Linux, and Windows 11. This technological breakthrough stems from Google's introduction of native Linux support with full GPU acceleration in Android 16, (as...

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Apple's flagship space drama is heading back to the stars, and this time the stakes couldn't be higher. The fifth season of 'For All Mankind' prepares to explore uncharted territory as production moves forward with a 2026 release window. What started as a Cold War rivalry between superpowers has evolved into something far more ambitious: an interplanetary conflict that could reshape the future of humanity itself. Since its debut in November 2019, the series has established itself as one of...

China's competitive smartphone market is notoriously tough to crack, but Apple's iPhone 17 lineup managed to do something that even the company's leadership probably didn't expect. The series delivered a 37% surge in smartphone sales in October, pushing Apple's market share to 25% for the first time since 2022. What makes this even more impressive? The broader Chinese smartphone market contracted by 1.6% year-over-year in Q4 2025.

Mobile gaming has reached a fascinating turning point where manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a handheld device. The upcoming RedMagic 11 Air represents this evolution perfectly, combining flagship performance with practical design considerations that serious gamers demand. This device stands out with its massive 7,000mAh battery capacity, according to PhoneArena, marking the largest battery ever included in RedMagic's Air series. The company has scheduled its...

Ever wondered why that little white disc in your suitcase has become the travel industry's secret weapon? The numbers tell a compelling story that goes far beyond individual peace of mind. Airlines worldwide are discovering that Apple's AirTags aren't just helping passengers track their belongings—they're revolutionizing how the entire industry handles lost luggage.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup is shaping up to deliver the most significant design transformation we've seen in years. With reports surfacing about revolutionary under-screen Face ID technology, enhanced display innovations, and powerful new processing capabilities, the 2026 release promises to redefine what we expect from premium smartphones. Recent leaks suggest the Pro models will feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays respectively, according to Cashify. These devices are expected to...

When Apple announces major executive changes, it's worth paying attention—especially when it involves someone who has fundamentally reshaped how one of the world's largest tech companies approaches environmental responsibility. The recent news that Lisa Jackson will step down from her role as Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives represents more than just a routine executive transition. Under her leadership, Apple has reduced its global greenhouse emissions by more than...

The tech world is buzzing with some major Apple developments that could reshape how we interact with our devices and create content. From a groundbreaking creative subscription service to what might be the most surprising AI partnership announcement of the year, Apple is making moves that signal significant shifts in its ecosystem strategy. Let's break down what these announcements mean for users and the broader tech landscape.

Samsung's Good Lock suite has always been a playground for customization enthusiasts, and with One UI 8.5, the Home Up module is reaching new heights. Samsung has been testing One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S25 for over a month now, according to Android Police, and the results are impressive. The latest improvements transform how users interact with their Galaxy devices, offering unprecedented control over home screen animations and layout customization. This isn't just another incremental...