Gadget Hacks: Page 8

iOS 26 finally brings a feature messaging enthusiasts have been requesting for years, the ability to customize conversation backgrounds in the Messages app. Instead of staring at that familiar white backdrop that's defined iMessage since the beginning, Apple has finally introduced the ability to personalize text message backgrounds. Your chats look more engaging, and you can spot the right thread at a glance.

YouTube's latest overhaul represents more than just a fresh coat of paint, it's a comprehensive reimagining of how we interact with video content. The platform kicked off a major transformation beginning the week of October 13th, according to Dataconomy, introducing what the company calls an "expressive, intuitive" experience. This isn't a typical incremental update; YouTube is rolling out changes across mobile, web, and TV platforms at the same time, as reported by Dataconomy. The timing lands...

Apple's product launch schedule has been remarkably consistent over the years, but this week feels genuinely pivotal. Industry insiders are buzzing about announcements that could reshape Apple's entire product ecosystem, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reporting that Apple plans to announce new products "this week."

If you've been waiting for true HomeKit integration with your robot vacuum, good news. SwitchBot just delivered. With iOS 18.4's robot vacuum support through Matter, SwitchBot has emerged as one of the few manufacturers offering direct HomeKit compatibility without requiring a hub. No more clunky bridges or half-baked workarounds, just native controls that feel like the rest of your HomeKit gear.

Apple's leadership transformation is happening faster than most people realize. The company is navigating its most significant organizational change in over a decade, with multiple senior executives preparing to step down and CEO Tim Cook actively reshaping the leadership structure for Apple's next chapter. According to Bloomberg, this is the beginning of a broader reshuffling among Apple's top executives, many of whom have held their positions for more than a decade. The timing could not be...

When you think about revolutionary moments in sports broadcasting, most people point to color television or the instant replay. Now comes a bigger swing. Apple’s Vision Pro is getting its first-ever live immersive sports content through a partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Verge. Not just another streaming option or a slightly better camera angle. A bid for the biggest leap in how we watch since we ditched radio-only nights.

Apple's new iPhone Air has finally arrived in China, but not without some drama. After regulatory delays pushed back the initial launch, the ultra-thin device went on sale and sold out in just minutes, according to the South China Morning Post. Weeks of anticipation built to a quick flash of availability, then gone. A big moment for Apple's boldest design swing in years.

Greg Joswiak's playful post on X might have seemed innocuous to casual observers, but for Apple watchers, it was like receiving a treasure map. Those five carefully placed M's in "Mmmmm" were not random, they teased what we now know is the M5 chip, Apple's latest silicon masterpiece officially arriving across three flagship products. A wink, not a shout.

Apple's Vision Pro ecosystem is expanding beyond the headset itself, and one of the most significant developments is coming to your iPad. The iPad companion app for Vision Pro will arrive with iPadOS 26.1, according to MacRumors, extending Apple's spatial computing platform to another familiar device. The move signals a shift in how Apple is building its mixed reality ecosystem, making Vision Pro content easier to reach as the headset gets major hardware upgrades. With the new M5-powered Vision...

Apple kept the throttle open. On October 8, 2025, the company mixed regulatory plot twists, entertainment bets, and hard-nosed strategy. From a potential settlement with European regulators to ambitious Formula 1 pursuits, Apple’s latest moves show a company balancing compliance with expansion.

Apple's FDA clearance for hypertension detection on the Apple Watch represents a genuine breakthrough in wearable health technology. For millions of people who already strap on their Apple Watch every morning, this isn't just another notification to swipe away. It's potentially life-changing health information delivered through hardware they're already wearing.

When I first heard about a premium Android gaming handheld selling for just $329, I'll admit I was skeptical. The handheld market has been cooking for a while, with devices regularly hitting $400 to $600. Then I dug into the AYN Odin 2 Portal and paused. For that price, it packs serious kit. The hardware pairs with a large OLED display that delivers exceptional visual quality, and the Odin 2 Portal uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (a recent flagship-class SoC) which performs very well for...

Here's what you need to know about Google's latest move. Recent discoveries in the Chromium development pipeline reveal that Google is actively testing something called "Android Desktop" on modern Chromebook hardware, according to Chrome Unboxed. The testing Chrome Unboxed reports Chromium pipeline entries for some 12th-gen Intel Chromebook SKUs (Chrome Unboxed), Chrome Unboxed reports. This represents a completely unexpected development that suggests Google is experimenting extensively as it...

You've probably heard this song before: "world's thinnest foldable phone!" But the Honor Magic V5 might actually deserve the hype. At just 8.8mm thick when folded and weighing a mere 217g, this thing makes other foldables look chunky by comparison. Honor didn't just chase thinness records though, they packed in a 64MP periscope telephoto camera and the world's first 6,100mAh silicon-carbon battery for a foldable. The engineering feat represents something bigger than spec sheets: it's the moment...

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

Apple's latest M5 chip rollout across iPads, MacBooks, and the Vision Pro is more than another iterative upgrade. It signals a shift toward AI-first computing. The company has equipped its flagship devices with silicon that reshapes how we think about on-device intelligence, performance, and creative workflows.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Apple just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to Siri privacy concerns. Fresh off agreeing to a substantial $95 million settlement in the U.S., the tech giant now faces criminal charges in France over similar allegations. France's human rights organization has filed a complaint with Paris prosecutors, claiming Apple's voice assistant violated European privacy laws through unauthorized data collection.

Apple's been making some serious moves behind the scenes, and the latest reports paint a clear picture: the company is shifting gears from the Vision Pro to something that might actually live in your daily routine. Apple has halted a planned overhaul of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, reallocating resources to accelerate development of smart glasses. This isn't just another rumor, Apple told staff internally in early October 2025 that it's moving employees from that project to speed up...

The Google Pixel 9a has been making waves in the budget smartphone arena, and for good reason. The timing couldn't be better for a significant discount on what many consider the standout budget device of 2025. Google managed to capture a notable 3% US market share in Q2 2025, shipping 800,000 units with a solid 13% year-over-year increase, according to Accio. This growth trajectory positioned the Pixel brand as the fourth-largest US smartphone brand, outpacing competitors like TCL, which saw a...