News and Updates from Gadget Hacks: Page 2

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Samsung's aggressive push toward the One UI 8 stable release is picking up serious momentum, and it feels like a shift in how the company handles big software drops. After months of beta testing that started back in May, the pieces are finally falling into place for what could be Samsung's most polished update in years.

When Apple launched Apple TV+ in 2019, the tech giant entered Hollywood with a bold promise: quality over quantity. Netflix went wide, Disney went nostalgic, Apple took a different approach, creating the content that traditional Hollywood would not dare touch. By 2025, the bet is reshaping the landscape. Apple's services business brought in nearly $100 billion in sales last year, and Apple TV+ is the proof point that less can hit harder.

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro lineup is making headlines for the wrong reasons, at least if you're a titanium fan. Reports suggest Apple will drop titanium from the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in favor of aluminum, a surprising reversal just two years after Apple debuted titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro. It might sound like a step backward. The engineering case says otherwise, and it could improve your day to day iPhone experience.

Google's decision to roll out its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13 has lit up the tech community. The assistant is arriving through Family Link accounts, and it is "on" by default. Parents must actively turn it off to restrict access. Google says children's data will not be used to train the AI, yet experts are raising serious red flags about the rollout.

iOS 26 is bringing some seriously impressive battery improvements to your iPhone, and honestly, it is about time. After years of watching our phones drain faster than we would like, Apple has finally rolled out features that actually make a difference. CNET reports that the new Adaptive Power feature acts like "the scalpel that intelligently trims energy savings here and there as needed," while beta testing shows that battery life seems more consistent and background tasks now use less energy....

Apple's making waves again with the iPhone 17 Pro. Not by adding premium materials, by taking them away. The iPhone 17 Pro will drop titanium for aluminum, a surprising shift just two years after Apple introduced titanium to its flagship lineup. Apple is shifting away from titanium in favor of aluminum for the Pro models, a pivot aimed at better thermal performance and smoother manufacturing.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Apple's been keeping us guessing for months about the iPhone 17 Pro's design direction. Now a leaked clear case hints at what could be Apple's most dramatic camera shake-up in years, a shift from the familiar square bump to a horizontal camera bar that runs across the back.

Google's regulatory reckoning has finally arrived—and it's expensive. The tech giant is facing a historic $3.5 billion fine from European authorities for breaking antitrust laws, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. With courts finding Google liable for maintaining monopoly power and global antitrust enforcement fines hitting $6.7 billion in 2024—more than double 2023's total—we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how regulators approach Big Tech monopolies.

Apple's latest iOS 26 update brings something genuinely exciting to the table: you can turn everyday photos into immersive 3D spatial scenes. This isn't just another photo filter. We're talking about generative AI that builds depth maps and multiple perspectives from single images. It intelligently separates subjects from backgrounds, then creates dynamic scenes that respond to your device's movement.

Remember that hill just outside town where you always push a little harder? Or that flat stretch where you try to beat your buddy's time from last month? The Apple Watch just became your perfect training partner for those moments. Strava has rolled out its most significant Apple Watch update yet, and it's bringing something runners and cyclists have been requesting for years, Live Segments directly on your wrist. Finally.

Looking at Amazon's latest smartphone deals, the Galaxy S25 Ultra just got its biggest price cut yet, a legitimate $300 discount that drops Samsung's flagship from $1,299 down to $1,000. Here is the twist. This deal is not available on every color option, and the limits say more about smartphone retail than you might expect.

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

The iPhone 17 Pro mystery is close to solved, and the leaks are painting a picture of Apple's most dramatic design overhaul in years. With reliable sources revealing prototype models and industry insiders confirming major changes, the back design puzzle is snapping into focus. Recent prototype models showcase notable shifts in the rear casing materials, a bold move ahead of the September announcement.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

When Apple Arcade launched in 2019 with roughly 70 premium mobile games that had no ads, no in-app purchases, and no sex or violence, it felt like a bold statement about the future of mobile gaming. Apple was betting that players were tired of predatory monetization schemes and would pay for a premium experience. The service became part of Apple's ecosystem strategy that has become the gold standard for other tech companies, promising seamless gaming across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV....

The automotive world is buzzing with anticipation as we approach what could be a pivotal moment for Apple's ambitious CarPlay Ultra project. Five brands could announce CarPlay Ultra availability as soon as iPhone 17 event day, a potential breakthrough for Apple's most comprehensive in-car integration yet. Here's the thing, this is not another incremental update. CarPlay Ultra takes over every screen in the vehicle, and it reshapes how we think about the relationship between our phones and our...

When a federal jury in San Francisco delivered its verdict on September 3, 2025, it sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. Google was ordered to pay $425 million for continuing to track users even after they opted out of data collection. This isn't just another fine, it's a landmark case that affects 98 million users and 174 million devices across the United States. The decision lays bare how tech giants handle our most personal data when privacy promises don't match reality.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

If you've been holding off on upgrading your iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup might just change your mind. It could be Apple's biggest performance leap in years. About time, right?

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

When Google released NotebookLM in 2023 through Google Labs as an experimental AI writing tool, most people probably thought it was just another research assistant that would quietly fade away. But here's what's interesting—what started as a simple document analysis tool has evolved into something genuinely compelling, especially since early September when the team added the ability to generate podcast-like conversations between two AI voices from your uploaded documents.

When Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan raised Apple's price target to $260, it wasn't just another routine upgrade. The move came on the heels of a major Google antitrust ruling that could reshape one of Apple's most lucrative partnerships. Here's what you need to know: Bank of America Securities reiterated a Buy rating on Apple and set a price target of $260.00, reflecting increased confidence in the company's Services growth prospects. The ruling prevents Google from maintaining exclusive...

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are shaping up to be the most significant health-focused earbuds yet, with leaked reports suggesting a September 2025 launch alongside the iPhone 17. The buzz around these next-generation earbuds isn't just about better sound quality—it's about Apple's bold leap into making your daily audio companion a comprehensive health monitoring device.

The Apple Watch landscape in 2025 has reached a compelling inflection point, marked by blood oxygen sensing finally returning via a software update in August 2025 after a prolonged legal battle. With three distinct tiers now serving different user needs and Apple's ecosystem more integrated than ever, here's what you need to know about choosing the best Apple Watch in 2025: the Apple Watch most people will likely get if they plan to purchase one right now is the Series 10, which stands out as...

Just days before Samsung's expected Galaxy Unpacked event, trusted leaker Evan Blass has essentially blown the lid off what was supposed to be Samsung's big tablet reveal. We're talking comprehensive marketing materials, detailed specs, and even pricing information for the entire Galaxy Tab S11 lineup. It's one of those leaks that's so thorough, you almost wonder if Samsung's marketing team accidentally hit "publish" on their press materials a week early.

When you think about YouTube's biggest star jumping into mobile services, it might sound like another celebrity cash grab. But MrBeast reportedly plans to launch a phone company next year, and this isn't your typical influencer side hustle. With Beast Industries valued at over $5 billion and Feastables generating millions monthly, Jimmy Donaldson is betting big on diversification into tech. The mobile industry is already experiencing an unprecedented celebrity invasion, but MrBeast's entry...