Gadget Hacks: Page 29

The buzz around iPhone Mirroring has been growing ever since Apple introduced the feature, promising seamless integration between your iPhone and Mac. The idea is simple: see and control your iPhone's screen directly from your Mac, making it easier to respond to messages, check apps, or handle notifications without picking up your phone (9to5Mac). It launched as part of macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, giving users a new way to bridge their devices within Apple's ecosystem (Apple Newsroom). But while...

Samsung's upcoming Unpacked event is shaping up to be one of the most interesting launches in recent memory—not just for what's being announced, but for what might be quietly disappearing from the lineup. The company has scheduled its February 25 showcase in San Francisco, according to reports from South Korean media outlets, and the rumor mill is buzzing about more than just new phones. While Samsung prepares to unveil the Galaxy S26 series and the next-generation Galaxy Buds 4, there's...

The foldable smartphone market is heating up, and HONOR just threw down the gauntlet. Fresh spy shots reveal the upcoming Magic V6 in what appears to be a striking dark red finish—potentially an even richer shade than the previous Magic V5, according to NotebookCheck. This isn't just another incremental update; HONOR has confirmed the device will make its global debut at MWC 2026 on March 1, months ahead of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 and Oppo's Find N6. The timing is significant—analysts at...

Anyone who's tried to fix a typo in the middle of a long email on their phone knows the frustration: you tap the screen, the cursor lands somewhere vaguely near where you wanted it, and you spend the next ten seconds jabbing at the display like you're playing the world's least fun arcade game. Google appears ready to tackle this everyday annoyance head-on. Analysis of Gboard's latest beta build reveals an upcoming cursor mode that could transform the entire keyboard into a virtual trackpad,...

MacBooks have long been celebrated for their sleek design and privacy-conscious features, but there's an ironic quirk that's been bugging security-minded users: the green LED camera indicator can actually create its own privacy concerns. When you're working in a dimly lit room or trying to maintain discretion, that bright green light broadcasting "camera active" to everyone around you advertises your activities to colleagues, roommates, or anyone passing by. It's a transparency feature that...

Google's been working on bringing video apps to Android Auto for quite some time now, and while passengers are still waiting for official support, recent developments suggest the feature hasn't been abandoned. Following the initial announcement at I/O 2025, the latest code reveals that video playback—restricted to parked vehicles—remains actively in development. Let's break down what we know, what it means for users and developers, and how this fits into the broader landscape of in-car...

Apple's iOS 26.4 beta dropped recently, and if you're an Apple Music user, you're in for a visual treat. The streaming service is getting its most substantial design refresh in years, transforming how albums and playlists appear on your screen. But this isn't just about aesthetics—Apple has packed in some genuinely useful features that change how you discover music and plan your next concert outing. Let's break it down.

Arcade gaming on your phone just got a whole lot more interesting. The Dolphin emulator—long celebrated for bringing GameCube and Wii titles to modern hardware—has officially unlocked a new frontier: Triforce arcade games. That means titles like Mario Kart Arcade GP and F-Zero AX, once confined to arcade cabinets and specialized hardware, can now run on your Android device. As of Dolphin 2512-395, Triforce support is officially here, marking the end of years of technical hurdles and opening up...

iOS 26.4 Beta 1: Video Podcasts, Playlist Playground, and Encrypted RCS Messaging

You know how we're drowning in disposable tech? Well, some New York-based makers just found a surprisingly musical solution to one of our fastest-growing e-waste problems. Kari Love and David Rios from New York University, working alongside Shuang Cai from Cornell University, have created something called the "Vape Synth"—taking dead Elf Bar vapes and converting them into breath-controlled synthesizers (according to The Cool Down).

Apple's push into smart home hardware has been slow and steady—but a Face ID-enabled video doorbell might finally give the company a product that stands out in a crowded, competitive market. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a smart doorbell that could recognize your face and unlock your door automatically, making it a potential game-changer not just for Apple users, but for the broader smart home industry. The device is expected to integrate deeply with HomeKit, utilize...

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup is set to introduce a proactive AI assistant that could fundamentally change how you interact with your phone throughout the day. Rather than waiting for you to search, tap, or type, this new feature aims to anticipate your needs by analyzing what's currently on your screen and offering timely suggestions before you even ask. It's Samsung's latest push to make Galaxy AI feel less like a tool you activate and more like a helpful companion that quietly works...

Foldable iPhones have been the subject of speculation for years, but fresh supply-chain reports suggest Apple may finally be moving beyond patents and prototypes. According to industry sources, the company is now actively testing a clamshell-style foldable device—think Galaxy Z Flip rather than Galaxy Fold. This marks a significant shift in Apple's approach, as previous rumors focused primarily on larger, book-style foldables similar to Samsung's Fold series. The flip format could represent...

Google's New Translate Widgets for Android Miss the Point Entirely

Android's Quick Share has become an indispensable tool for seamless file transfers across the ecosystem, but a significant change is on the horizon that's stirring up conversation. Google is testing a major interface overhaul that fundamentally alters how the feature handles device visibility—and while it might seem like a limitation at first glance, this shift could actually strengthen both usability and security. Let's break down what's changing, why it matters, and what this means for your...

Samsung's Galaxy S26 series launched with considerable fanfare around a promised display upgrade that many thought would finally bring the company's flagships up to speed with competitors. The initial marketing suggested users would get 10-bit displays capable of showing over a billion colors—a significant jump from the 16.7 million colors that previous Samsung phones could display. But here's the thing: what actually shipped doesn't match what was initially promised.

Google's been steadily transforming Gemini from a simple chatbot into something far more integrated with Android itself. The assistant now pops up everywhere—from your lock screen to Google TV—and it's clear the company sees AI as the connective tissue for its entire ecosystem. According to Android Central, Google is positioning Gemini as a core component of Android's evolution toward a full desktop-level operating system, with the AI assistant staying pinned in the top right corner of the...

If you're eyeing a new Mac Studio right now, you might want to hold off on that purchase—shipping delays have stretched to one or two months for new orders, and the timing suggests a refresh could be just around the corner. Apple's high-performance desktop is showing classic signs of an impending update, with extended delivery windows appearing across most configurations on the company's online store. For professionals weighing whether to buy now or wait, understanding what these delays really...

Android 17 Beta 1: Everything Developers Need to Know About Google's Latest Release

Tim Cook Addresses Succession Planning and Executive Departures in Apple All-Hands Meeting

Notepad's Markdown Feature Opens Door to Remote Code Execution

Xiaomi's modular smartphone camera concept—first teased years ago—is reported by tipsters to be moving from prototype to possible production in 2025 (unconfirmed), according to recent industry leaks. The idea is bold: instead of locking users into a fixed camera setup, magnetically attach specialized lenses and sensors as needed. While the concept initially surfaced as a flashy demo, new tipster reports suggest Xiaomi is preparing to launch a consumer-ready version this year (2026). For anyone...

AT&T is rolling out some serious firepower for Samsung's latest flagship lineup, offering what they're calling a "free" Galaxy S26 Ultra through their trade-in program (GEEKSPIN). The carrier has officially opened preorders for all three Galaxy S26 models with aggressive "$0" offers that don't require you to sign up for their most expensive unlimited plan (GEEKSPIN). While that headline certainly grabs your attention, the reality involves a complex web of requirements, monthly bill credits, and...

The iPad Air has long occupied an interesting middle ground in Apple's tablet lineup, but recent developments suggest this positioning might be shifting in ways that could reshape how we think about premium Android alternatives. With whispers of significant hardware upgrades and connectivity improvements, the latest iteration appears poised to challenge some fundamental assumptions about tablet value propositions. The timing feels particularly relevant as Android tablet manufacturers have been...

Picture this: You're scrolling through your phone, and suddenly you're watching Alfred Hitchcock's 1927 silent thriller The Lodger — but vertically, chopped into bite-sized segments, and scored with modern trailer music. Welcome to the latest experiment in streaming innovation, courtesy of UK-based platform Tattle TV. This isn't your typical streaming service launch; it's an AI-powered attempt to bridge nearly a century of cinema history with today's mobile-first viewing habits. Tattle TV has...

Production wrapped on the fourth season of Ted Lasso in late January, with actor Jeremy Swift posting an emotional video confirming filming concluded in wet London after beginning in Kansas City the previous 2025-07-21. The optimistic American football coach who charmed audiences worldwide is heading back across the pond, and Apple TV+ confirmed the Emmy-winning series will return to screens this summer 2026—marking the end of a production journey that spanned two continents and nearly seven...

Google's been busy tweaking Android Auto's media player interface over the past year, and the latest chapter in that story might surprise you: the wavy progress bar that briefly appeared is now vanishing from users' dashboards. After months of testing a Material 3 Expressive design with an animated, undulating progress indicator, reports suggest Google is pulling back the feature, leaving drivers and Android enthusiasts wondering what went wrong—and what comes next.

Gemini's calendar capabilities just got a major upgrade, and if you're someone who juggles multiple schedules—work, personal, family, shared team calendars—this matters more than you might think. Google recently expanded Gemini's calendar integration to support not just your primary calendar, but secondary and shared calendars too. For anyone who's tried asking an AI assistant about an event only to get a blank stare because it was on your "Family" or "Work Projects" calendar, this change...

Samsung's mid-range Galaxy A-series has always been the workhorse of the company's lineup, and the upcoming Galaxy A37 and A57 are about to raise the bar significantly. These devices are shaping up to be serious contenders in the competitive mid-range space, with battery improvements that could change how we think about all-day usage.

Spotify took a significant leap forward in its audiobook strategy this week, rolling out their new Audiobook Charts feature to users across the US and UK. Both free and premium listeners can now access these charts, which rank the most popular titles based on actual listening behavior across the platform, according to 9to5Mac. This isn't just another discovery tool—it's Spotify applying their proven formula for music and podcast success to the audiobook space.

Apple's streaming strategy just got a lot more interesting. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Senior Vice President Eddy Cue dropped some fascinating insights about Apple TV+'s global performance, industry consolidation, and the company's evolving approach to content distribution. His comments reveal not just where Apple stands today, but where the entire streaming landscape might be heading.

Samsung just dropped a bombshell that's going to make your next phone upgrade a lot more expensive. The tech giant officially raised prices for select Galaxy S26 models, with increases reaching up to 10% in key markets, according to Arabian Business. And before you start blaming corporate greed, there's actually a pretty compelling reason behind these price hikes: memory chip costs are absolutely skyrocketing.

Google's Play Points program just got more interesting for subscription users. The rewards system that launched in 2018 now tracks and integrates with Play Store subscriptions, creating a clearer connection between your recurring payments and loyalty rewards. With over 220 million active members already earning points, this update signals Google's push to make subscription management more rewarding and transparent.

Samsung's latest flagship series packs a camera surprise that most users will never discover. The company has built an entirely new 24MP shooting mode into the Galaxy S26 lineup, but instead of making it readily available, Samsung has hidden this feature behind an additional download. This middle-ground resolution approach represents Samsung's attempt to balance image quality with practical everyday use, leveraging AI Fusion processing to extract details from higher-resolution sensor data. The...

Microsoft's February update delivered a surprise that many Xbox users didn't see coming. Xbox consoles have just received support for 1440p cloud streaming across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X, and Xbox One S, according to Windows Central. What makes this particularly impressive is watching hardware from 2016 suddenly gain access to higher-resolution cloud streaming capabilities that rival much newer devices.

Mac gamers have been used to waiting—sometimes for months, sometimes forever—for AAA titles to make their way to Apple's platform. But here's something that might actually surprise you: Pearl Abyss just confirmed that Crimson Desert, their massive upcoming open-world action RPG, is launching on macOS simultaneously with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in late 2025, according to RPG Site.

The mobile gaming landscape just shifted in a major way, and it's happening right in your pocket. Blizzard Entertainment, the powerhouse behind some of gaming's most beloved franchises, is taking a bold leap into mobile territory with Overwatch Rush, a completely unexpected reimagining of their legendary team-based shooter designed from the ground up for mobile play.

Gaming industry watchers just witnessed another chapter in Amazon's turbulent relationship with AAA game development. The tech giant has terminated its publishing agreement with Maverick Games, according to The Game Business, leaving the UK studio scrambling to find new backing for what looked like one of Amazon's most promising gaming ventures yet.

Apple's long-awaited AirTag 2 landed this week with a handful of solid upgrades—better range, improved privacy features, and a speaker that's tougher to disable. But for those of us tracking Apple's spatial computing ambitions, there's a glaring omission: no integration with Vision Pro. After months of rumors hinting that the second-generation tracker would play nicely with Apple's $3,499 headset, the silence is deafening. So what happened? Did Apple shelve the feature, or is this a case of...

Wall Street has a new thesis on Apple, and it's not about the next iPhone. Bernstein recently reaffirmed its Outperform rating with a $325 share price target while Goldman Sachs maintained its Buy rating at $330. What's driving this bullish sentiment? A changing perspective among analysts, with increasing weight given to the company's recurring revenue business in addition to its hardware performance.