Gadgets
Phones, laptops, wearables, consumer technology
Apple to announce first foldable iPhone next week
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at next week's event. Most sources call it the iPhone Ultra, though the name isn’t confirmed—Apple could still go with 'Duo' or something else. The device will have a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner one, matching Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. It supports MagSafe charging and will rely on Touch ID, not Face ID, because of its thinner design.
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iOS 27 beta code hints at expanded iPhone 18 Pro camera features
An independent review of iOS 27 beta code suggests Apple is preparing several new camera features for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, including exposure scopes, focus peaking, repeated self-timer shots, manual focus, and aperture-based image correction. The features aren't active in current betas and may launch alongside new iPhones or in later software updates. Some features might require new hardware, according to MacRumors.
Sony revives popular XM4 headphones with updates
Sony is re-releasing its well-known WH-1000XM4 headphones as the WH-1000XM4C, adding updated sound tuning, Bluetooth 6, extra EQ options, and new colors like lavender. The design and active noise canceling hardware are unchanged, but battery life drops a bit to 27 hours with noise canceling on. The price is now $300, lower than its original launch but higher than recent clearance sales. Two other headphone lines are getting similar refreshes.
Xiaomi debuts foldable phone with in-house AI chip
Xiaomi just launched the 18 Fold, a foldable phone powered by its own Xring O3 processor and a 7.58-inch main screen. The chip boosts CPU performance by 60% over the previous model and lowers power use by up to 25%, according to the company. Prices start around $1,639, topping out at $2,384 for a limited ceramic edition. No word yet on whether it’s leaving China.
Garmin smart ring nears launch with ten sizes leaked
Regulatory filings in Brazil list ten unannounced Garmin products, each with similar model numbers, suggesting they're just size variations of a new smart ring. This device, likely called the Cirqa Smart Ring, was also named in a previous Indonesian filing. Garmin hasn't officially admitted it's making a smart ring, but more evidence points to a launch soon. The filings suggest the ring will come in ten sizes, matching other brands like Oura.
Samsung will discontinue AR Doodle and Quick Measure apps
Samsung plans to discontinue its AR Doodle and Quick Measure apps on Galaxy phones at the end of 2026. After December 31, 2026, users will no longer be able to download or update these apps, and future versions of Samsung's operating system will not support them. The apps allow users to measure real-world distances and draw in augmented reality using the phone's camera.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 gets first major price cut
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is now $250 to $300 off, knocking the base model to $1,650 at places like Amazon and Best Buy—a first for this new foldable. The steeper $300 discount applies to the Z Fold 8 Ultra, available both at Samsung’s official store and third-party retailers. Trade-in deals stack with these offers for bigger savings. The discount isn’t available directly from Samsung.com for the non-Ultra model.
Smart home tech dominates IFA Berlin 2026
At IFA 2026 in Berlin, home technology stole the spotlight, with companies showing off everything from AI-coordinated bedrooms and color-changing lights to connected appliances and smarter robot vacuums. Standouts included LG’s extra-large, ultra-thin OLED TV, a home beer-brewing machine, and Xiaomi’s system that automates lights, beds, A/C, and cleaning as you move around. Several cleaning robots now claim to tackle not just dust, but allergens, with certifications to back it up.
Huawei unveils triple-fold foldable with privacy screen
Huawei just announced the Mate XT2, its newest smartphone that folds out in three panels. When closed, it’s a regular 6.5-inch phone, but open, you get 10.2 inches of screen. The highlight: one version has a privacy screen built in. The phone runs on Huawei’s custom chip, which the company says is up to 46% faster than last year. Price starts at $2,980, with premium models over $4,000.
MapQuest launches Android Auto integration after viral surge
MapQuest has begun testing its navigation app on Android Auto, following a steep rise in downloads after the company refused to relabel Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in response to an executive order. The beta feature lets users access MapQuest on car dashboards and includes a new incident-reporting tool. Early reports note the rollout is experimental and may have stability issues.
Philips Hue releases TV camera to sync lights with any content
Philips Hue just launched the Hue Play Screen Sync camera for $119.99. You place it above your TV, and it uses a fisheye lens to match your room’s smart lights to whatever’s on screen—including streaming apps and live broadcasts, not just movies running through an HDMI cable. There’s also a slimmer Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K for $149.99, but it has just one HDMI input. Both start shipping today.
Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe laptops launch in seven color choices
Lenovo just revealed the IdeaPad Vibe, an upcoming laptop line with seven Pantone-picked color options and prices starting at $699. You pick from 14- or 15-inch models and can swap keycaps for contrasting looks. Inside, you'll get either AMD or Snapdragon chips and up to 32GB of RAM, with OLED screen options reserved for the more muted colors. The AMD versions arrive in October, Snapdragon in November.
Google Pixel 11 launches, raises base model price
Google’s Pixel 11 phone is out, starting at $899 in the US—a bump of $80 over last year. It ships with 256GB storage, a faster Tensor G6 chip, a 6.3-inch OLED screen, and an upgraded battery that can last over two days in light use. One catch: the regular Pixel 11 drops some camera features found on the pricier Pro series, and lacks support for full-resolution photo modes available in far cheaper phones.
iPhone Handoff lets you share one number on two iPhones
Soon, iPhones running iOS 27 can share one phone number across two devices using a new feature called iPhone Handoff. You pick a main and a companion phone, and the companion gets its own digital SIM tied to your number. You'll need support from your carrier, though—references point to T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom at launch. The update arrives with iOS 27 later this month.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,319
Apple's next high-end phone, the iPhone 18 Pro, could launch at $1,319 for the base model, according to TrendForce. That's up from $1,099 for last year's iPhone 17 Pro. The sharp price jump comes as memory costs for the 256GB version have reportedly soared almost 400% compared to last year. TrendForce says Apple is absorbing some costs, but not all. A foldable iPhone may be revealed too, starting at $2,099.
Lenovo unveils Yoga Pro 9n and 9n 2-in-1 laptops with RTX Spark
Lenovo just showed off two new laptops, the Yoga Pro 9n and the Yoga 9n 2-in-1, powered by Nvidia’s new RTX Spark chip. The Pro model supports up to 128GB memory, a 15.3-inch OLED screen, and rapid charging. The 2-in-1 is a bit larger and capped at 64GB memory, with a focus on pen input. Both target creators who need heavyweight AI and editing tools. No price or release date yet.
Lexar unveils ultrathin portable SSD with phone mounting
Lexar just revealed what it calls the world’s thinnest portable SSD, the Muse, measuring just 3.8mm (about 0.15 inches) thick. It comes in 512GB and 1TB versions, attaches magnetically to your iPhone or Android with a special sleeve, and uses a proprietary snap-on cable. Lexar promises up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds. Expect a late-2026 release, with a rough price target of $230 for 512GB and $380 for 1TB.
Apple producing few foldable iPhones daily, report says
Apple is reportedly making just a few hundred foldable iPhone Ultra units per day right now, citing strict quality controls and production challenges, especially with the hinge and screen flatness. This slow pace could mean limited availability when the phone launches, expected next week. Normally, Apple would need tens of thousands produced daily before launch, so don’t expect these to be easy to find at first.
Ugreen launches smart home hubs with local AI processing
Ugreen, best known for chargers, just dropped its first smart home lineup, headlined by the HomeAgent HA100 and HA100 Pro. These hubs use AI that runs entirely at home—no cloud required—to control cameras, generate video event summaries, and display image highlights on photo frames. The launch includes indoor and outdoor cameras, all with 4K video, plus a smart speaker and photo frame, available for pre-order now.
Lenovo launches new Android tablets with 7 years of updates
Lenovo’s just announced two high-end Yoga Android tablets, both shipping with Android 17 and seven years of major updates and security patches—up through 2033. The 11.1-inch model costs $729.99, while the 13-inch version, with a faster Snapdragon chip and more memory, starts at $999.99. Both tablets feature 4K displays, fast charging, AI tools, pen support, and optional keyboards.
Ulefone RugOne XSnap 7 Pro debuts with detachable action camera
Ulefone's new sub-brand, RugOne, just announced the XSnap 7 Pro, a super-rugged Android phone with a detachable action camera built right in. It lands in the US this October for $999, with a Europe price of €1,099. The magnetic camera records at up to 2.8K, can stream footage from up to 50 meters away over Wi-Fi, and holds its own charge for 40 minutes.
Apple explores surround and Party Mode for HomePod
Apple is testing new HomePod features that let you set up four full-sized speakers in surround mode and add a 'Party Mode' to widen the sound, according to code found in the latest audioOS beta. Also spotted: a possible new HomePod speaker identifier. For now, these features are not guaranteed to ship, but code sleuths say Apple is at least experimenting with them.
Govee launches AI-powered ceiling light and LED strips
Govee just released a new $399 ceiling light that uses AI to tailor lighting to your mood and needs, adjusting automatically based on weather and time. The company also debuted two new LED strip lights, including a flagship Pro version at $169 for five meters. The AI can create custom light scenes from your prompts, and everything covers a wide color spectrum. All products are on sale now.
Pixel Watch 5 gets first update, mostly recaps launch features
Google just released the first software update for the Pixel Watch 5, which brings September's security patches and a few improvements. Oddly, the update mostly rehashes features that debuted at launch, like Gemini AI’s offline mode, personalized tips, expanded hand gestures, and upgraded notifications. To use Gemini's proactive suggestions, you’ll need a Pixel 11 phone with Gemini set up on it.
iPhone 18 Pro Will Add Variable Camera Aperture
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to introduce an adjustable aperture for its main camera lens—a first for Apple’s phone lineup. Sources say the rest of the phone won’t look or work much differently from last year’s model, and big camera changes will likely only be in that primary lens. This adjustment could allow for more creative photo effects, but the tiny sensor size probably limits real-world impact.
Leaked video of iPhone 18 Pro colors is likely fake
A video doing the rounds claims to show new iPhone 18 Pro models in retail store displays, including a dark cherry and a blue shade. But most sources think the footage is fake—likely showing convincing dummy units instead. The main leaks still point to dark cherry, sky blue, and possibly silver or black as this year’s Pro color options, but nothing as bright as last year’s Cosmic Orange.
HP OmniBook X Flip 16-inch drops to $699 at Best Buy
HP’s OmniBook X Flip 16-inch laptop is now $699 at Best Buy, down almost half from the original $1,329 to $1,349. This 2-in-1 has a Ryzen AI 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 16-inch OLED touchscreen that folds into tablet mode. Windows Central notes it offers a claimed 30-hour battery, local AI features, and a solid port selection. The deal runs until September 7.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 features leak ahead of launch
Apple’s expected to launch both a new Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 soon, with reports pointing to faster chips, possibly called S11 or S12, and a handful of first-time features. Code in beta software teases a “Readiness” app for recovery tracking, more detailed strength workouts, boosted storage up to 128GB, and upgraded sensors for better health data. You might also need to brace for a price hike—the Ultra 4 could land above last year’s $799.
Apple said to plan major iPhone redesign for 20th anniversary
Apple is reportedly working on a major redesign for the iPhone's 20th anniversary next year. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next iPhone Pro could have a screen that curves around all corners and edges, making the device appear nearly all-glass. These changes would be the most dramatic since the iPhone X. It’s unclear whether Apple can pull off every planned feature.
Lenovo unveils rollable laptop screen concept at IFA 2026
Lenovo showed off a prototype called Project Swan at IFA 2026. It's a 14-inch laptop that can mechanically expand its screen to 17 inches, giving you more workspace on demand. You get portability for travel, but a bigger monitor when you need it. Still just a concept, so there’s no price or release date. Durability and battery impact are unclear.