An operating system owned by Google, built on a Linux kernel for mobile devices
A roundup of gadget deals shows portable power stations, smart plugs and screen protectors are being discounted ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. New and discounted models from Jackery, EcoFlow and Amazon are highlighted, with guidance on choosing the right option for home backup, travel and everyday use.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 line remains the flagship, with the Ultra model offering higher-end cameras and battery life. Other foldables from rival brands enter markets with new shapes, improved screens, and pricing shifts. Preorders and deals signal growing consumer interest, while reviews highlight both value and trade-offs.
Samsung has expanded its foldable lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, plus Z Flip 8, triggering price changes and new trade-in incentives. Independent and other outlets detail storage options, colorways, and regional deals as devices get pricier amid memory shortages.
A round-up of updated deals and hands-on notes on KeySmart SmartCard Gen 3, which works with Apple Find My or Google Find, offering long battery life and slim wallet fit. Various retailer discounts are highlighted in August 2026 coverage.
The Guardian and other outlets report increasing concern over Meta’s Ray‑Ban smartglasses. Pubs, theatres and schools ban or restrict wearables to protect privacy as regulators weigh rules. While advocates highlight accessibility benefits, critics warn surreptitious filming and harassment threaten safety in public spaces.
Pixel pricing is rising across the Pixel 11 lineup as Google positions software value against hardware gains, while Samsung matches with a similar price structure. A Made by Google event is expected to reveal the next Pixel devices and release timelines.
Global firms are increasingly turning to Chinese technology, AI, and battery suppliers as China deepens its role in global supply chains. Auto makers and tech majors are partnering with CATL, Baidu, Alibaba, and Xpeng, while Hong Kong is rising as a testing ground for AI models and data-center capacity. The shift signals a broader move from China as a manufacturing base to a source of advanced capabilities, even as US constraints persist.
The US market now allows installation of third-party app stores in Google Play, following a ruling connected to the Epic Games suit. Aptoide is the first such store available in Play Store, with broader catalog access promised later. Other regions will follow, though initial access remains limited.
Google reports Gemini has reached 1 billion monthly active users across its app, with 63% using voice input. The milestone is framed as rapid growth alongside competition from OpenAI, with Google stressing integration across products and recent model updates.
The Google Pixel Watch 5 has been unveiled with blood-pressure trend tracking, insulin-resistance monitoring, a faster processor and new health features. The device, paired with Gemini Intelligence and Google Health Coach, offers minute-by-minute sleep analysis and customizable HIIT workouts. Several Pixel devices also highlight new camera and display improvements across the Pixel 11 line.
Google has unveiled a new Pixel 11 lineup featuring Gemini AI across devices, including Live Transcribe for ASL, Rambler voice transcription, Circle to Search in-camera, and a pro/fold variant lineup with expanded storage and higher prices. New camera and accessibility features aim to showcase AI-driven task automation and smarter interfaces.
Google has unveiled the Pixel 11 lineup—the Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold—with preorder offers including Amazon gift cards up to $350 and carrier deals. The devices feature Gemini-powered performance, upgraded cameras, and longer-lasting battery life. Deals vary by retailer and trade-in options.
Millions of phones warn of very high wildfire risk across England and Wales. The alert urges people to avoid actions that can spark fires, with the government deploying military support and banning disposable barbecues as firefighters battle dozens of blazes.
Axios reports that leaders describe a shift from information velocity to the velocity of capability, with AI enabling rapid production and new horizons for strategic thinking. Executives say six-week horizons now govern planning as post-processable velocity takes hold.
A roundup of Pixel 11 Pro Fold reviews shows a safer, more durable design and stronger hardware, with AI features receiving mixed responses. The outer screen is brighter and the build quality is praised, but some critics note limited gains over prior folds. Battery life stays solid while camera performance remains variable.
Meta has rolled out updates to its AR glasses to deter covert filming, adding a stronger capture LED safeguard and hardware-based privacy measures. The moves come as regulators in the EU probe the glasses and venues consider bans; the company reports a small share of devices have been tampered with and vows ongoing updates.
Google has broadened Discover customization by enabling a “Preferred Sources” button publishers can embed, and by adding a chat-based description tool for real-time feed tailoring. Readers can also customize daily audio briefings in Google News. The rollout is in coming days as part of ongoing personalization upgrades.
Berkshire Hathaway has expanded its Alphabet stake and outlines how it plans to use energy assets to support hyperscale computing, while facing renewed community resistance to data-centre projects. Abel says Berkshire will sell energy to AI customers only if it wouldn’t raise costs for other customers, and Buffett’s Alphabet investment continues to loom large as AI reshapes the portfolio.
Fairphone has launched the 6+ in the US, offering a repairable, modular Android phone with 12GB RAM, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, and a 6.31-inch 120Hz OLED display. The phone ships with Android 16 and promises updates through 2033, while competing with mid-range devices like Google’s Pixel 10a and Apple’s iPhone 17e.
A federal judge has rejected the Justice Departments request to force Google to sell its AdX ad exchange. Judge Leonie Brinkema has ordered behavioural changes instead, sealed her full opinion for 14 days and given the parties 30 days to propose a final judgment. Both sides are preparing next steps.
A federal judge has declined to force Google to sell its AdX ad marketplace, instead ordering ongoing behavioural remedies to restore competition. The decision follows previous rulings finding illegal monopolies in Google’s ad tech stack, while outcomes on other cases remain unresolved. The court will publish specifics after redactions.
Android 17 introduces Encrypted Client Hello (ECH) to hide destination hostnames in TLS handshakes, improving privacy. The rollout includes stricter local-network permissions and default Certificate Transparency. ECH remains imperfect, not a VPN and does not conceal all metadata.
The military has disabled advertising tracking on government devices, including iPhones, Androids, and Windows PCs, to curb location data used by adversaries. The moves come amid wider debate on data privacy and security in conflict zones.
The New York Times Cooking section has curated a list of 100 dinners that take under an hour to prepare. The guide emphasizes efficient recipes ideal for busy families and includes options suitable for kids and various diets.
The government has announced plans to introduce a new law to require major tech platforms to build in device-level protections for children, with a focus on blocking nude images on under-18 devices. Talks with Apple and Google continue as ministers warn decisive legislation will be needed if progress remains insufficient.
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold preserves the design language of prior Pixel folds, offering an improved internal 8-inch display, a bright outer screen, and a Tensor G6 chip. It features six-month Google AI Pro access, Gemini tools, and a higher price, while battery life remains competitive among rivals.
Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen. It launches at $1,999, positioning Apple against Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and signaling a potential shift in premium smartphones. The device offers a book-style design, a matte inner display, and an under-display selfie camera, while rivals emphasize their crease-free engineering.
Android now supports on-device migration of passwords and passkeys between password managers using the Credential Transfer API. The process works with Google Password Manager and partners like 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane, and requires no OS updates. Users initiate the transfer in the target app, verify identity, and complete the move on-device.
The iPhone Duo and other iPhone models have seen price increases as AI-driven demand for memory chips tightens supply, raising costs across consumer electronics. Analysts note this follows broader price rises in the iPhone lineup and shrinking smartphone volumes globally.
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, a foldable handset with a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display, the largest ever on an iPhone. The device features a titanium chassis and a 100+ part hinge, running a modified iOS 27. Pre-orders start October 16 in the UK, with prices ranging from £1,999 for 256GB to £3,199 for 2TB.
Firefox has rolled out Nova, a redesigned UI featuring rounded elements, floating toolbars, and a softer color palette aimed at creating a more personable feel. The update, tested in Nightly, is now available in stable builds, offering vertical tabs, adjustable window density, and a Smart Window feature. Nova emphasizes a modern look while preserving Firefox’s identity.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has ruled that Google has infringed GDPR in the processing of location data for Web & App Activity, Location History and Location Accuracy, issuing a €403 million fine and ordering compliance within six months. Google says policies have evolved since 2019. BEUC warns late enforcement harms consumer rights.
The upcoming US-China talks are focusing on artificial intelligence safety and governance as leaders consider dialogue mechanisms and potential safety standards, with a chorus of tech executives weighing in on how to pace AI development.