News and Updates from Gadget Hacks: Page 7

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Reviewed by Meg Flores

When you are scrolling through your Google Wallet app, you might notice something new tucked alongside your payment cards and transit passes. Google has been quietly rolling out support for Play Points as a loyalty card within the Wallet app, according to Android Authority. It makes sense once you think about it, your Play Points are just another kind of digital reward card, so why not keep them with everything else?

You've probably heard about ultra-thin smartphones becoming the next big thing in mobile tech, but Samsung's latest strategic reversal shows how tricky that niche really is. What began as an ambitious swing at redefining flagship design with the Galaxy S25 Edge ended with the Galaxy S26 Edge getting cancelled, before it even launched. Not a minor hiccup; a loud warning about what happens when engineering flair drifts away from what buyers actually want.

The wireless earbuds landscape is crowded, with manufacturers racing to pack premium features into cheaper packages. Enter the Google Pixel Buds 2a, a compelling middle ground that brings active noise cancellation and flagship-level performance to the $129 price point. What makes these earbuds particularly significant is that they represent Google's first foray back into budget ANC territory in about four years, powered by the same Tensor A1 chip that drives their premium counterparts.

Apple has been quietly laying the groundwork for what might be its most compelling product reveal in years. The Vision Pro grabbed headlines for its technical bravado, yet recent strategic shifts reveal Apple has redirected its focus from high-end mixed reality headsets to AI-powered smart glasses. It has halted development of a more affordable Vision Pro variant to accelerate work on lightweight wearables that could launch as early as 2027. With the wearable AI market projected to explode from...

Apple's next-generation iPad Pro is stirring things up before Apple has said a word. Reports point to advanced testing on what could be the most meaningful tablet update in years. The upcoming device is expected to feature Apple's powerful new M5 chip, a deliberate move to debut fresh silicon in a tablet first, not a Mac. That says a lot about where Apple wants the iPad Pro to sit. Internally, the new models are being identified by code names J817, J818, J820, and J821, a hint at multiple...

If you've been struggling with your Pixel's Wi-Fi connection lately, you're not alone. Google's latest Pixel update has created a connectivity nightmare that's hitting users where it hurts most, their daily Wi-Fi experience. While monthly software updates typically bring welcome improvements and security patches, recent reports suggest that Pixel owners are experiencing significant Wi-Fi connectivity issues following the October 2025 update.

Apple's latest iOS 26 update has transformed digital boarding passes from simple ticket stubs into sophisticated travel companions, and the rollout is already underway. Digital boarding passes have consistently ranked among Apple Wallet's most utilized features, making this upgrade particularly significant for millions of travelers. The enhanced boarding pass experience was announced with iOS 26, delivering three major improvements: Live Activities for real-time flight tracking, integrated...

The Android world loves a good cat-and-mouse chase, and this latest chapter between Google and the developer community delivers exactly that kind of drama. Google's October 2025 update took direct aim at a popular workaround that enabled VoLTE and VoWiFi features on Pixel phones in unsupported regions, according to Android Authority. But here's the thing about determined developers: they don't give up easily. The resourceful creator behind the Pixel IMS app has already crafted a clever solution...

When Apple hired John Giannandrea from Google back in 2018, it felt like a pivotal moment for the company's AI ambitions. Here was a respected executive who had overseen cutting-edge AI deployments in Google's most popular products, coming to Apple at a time when Siri was clearly falling behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa. The hire seemed to signal that Apple was finally getting serious about artificial intelligence. Big moment. High hopes.

When Apple decided to enter the health services market, it did not take half measures. The company is preparing to launch Health+ in 2026, a move that could be its most ambitious step into healthcare to date (Trading View). Not just another fitness app. Think an artificial intelligence powered health coach that delivers personalized guidance on nutrition, exercise, and chronic disease management (AI Invest). The bigger story, Apple is shifting from passive data collection to active, intelligent...

You know that feeling when you realize you've been paying way more for something than you actually need? That's exactly what's happening to millions of Google One subscribers right now. Between deliberately confusing interface designs that hide downgrade options and a growing maze of subscription tiers, Google's cloud storage service now feels less like a straightforward subscription and more like a trap.

When Apple hauls its latest tech into the mountains, you pay attention. Not the usual polished halls. This time, the company packed social media influencers and sent them straight into Colorado's rugged wilderness to put the iPhone 17 Pro Max, AirPods Pro 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 through their paces.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Samsung is gearing up to make waves in the foldable smartphone arena, and the latest leaks surrounding its upcoming trifold device are fascinating. The Galaxy G Fold is rumored to introduce a groundbreaking tri-battery system powered by silicon-carbon technology, according to recent reports. It would be Samsung's first real foray into advanced battery chemistry, a sharp break from traditional lithium-ion cells. The twist, and the hard part, is how Samsung plans to tackle complex power...

The Pixel Watch 4 has completely changed how I use a smartwatch, and it comes down to one standout feature that reshapes how I interact with wearable tech. Google’s latest watch feels like a leap, not a step, in both functionality and user experience.

Apple's Services revenue keeps surging, setting fresh records quarter after quarter. The numbers tell a story investors should not ignore. In fiscal Q3 2025 (quarter ended 2025-06-28), services generated $27.42 billion in sales, marking a 13% year-over-year increase. This segment has shown remarkable growth, with revenue climbing 108% higher than the same period five years ago, that is a much faster pace than Apple's products division.

The tech world is buzzing with news that could reshape the foldable landscape, and it is centered on Samsung's potential game-changing approach for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Instead of following the usual script, Samsung is exploring a custom 2nm Snapdragon processor tailored to clamshell needs. Not just raw power. The everyday stuff that trips flip phones up.

When you think about your living room setup, you probably imagine a straightforward equation: couch plus remote plus streaming service equals entertainment time. Google is reportedly working on flipping that script, turning your TV from a passive screen into something closer to a personal AI film studio. Why TV interfaces? Because the living room is where families gather, a natural spot for voice-first creative tools that do not require technical expertise.

Microsoft's Copilot is getting a makeover that stretches far past its old borders. The latest update brings game-changing features that Microsoft recently began rolling out. Not another tiny tweak. A broad expansion that turns Copilot into a true productivity hub, one that connects Microsoft's ecosystem with outside services like Google's. With Connectors and direct Office document creation, Microsoft is aiming for AI that feels seamless across apps, accounts, and devices.

Apple's bug bounty program is making headlines again, and this time it's not just about finding vulnerabilities, it's about the serious money behind them. The tech giant is significantly ramping up its financial incentives, doubling and even quadrupling maximum payouts for security researchers who can uncover critical flaws in its ecosystem. What started as a modest program back in 2016 has evolved into one of the industry's most lucrative bug hunting opportunities, with Apple having...

Apple has been keeping us waiting for a foldable iPhone for nearly a decade, and the anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. The tech giant that revolutionized smartphones with the original iPhone is now gearing up to enter the foldable market with what could be its most significant innovation in years. Recent industry reports suggest a 2026 launch (rumored), marking Apple's long-awaited entry into a space that Samsung and others have been exploring since 2019. About time, right? But here’s...

Apple's CarPlay Ultra represents the most ambitious evolution of in-car connectivity since the original CarPlay launched over a decade ago. Not just another software update; it is Apple's bold attempt to fundamentally reimagine how we interact with our vehicles. The system debuted earlier this year, according to MacRumors, and its current availability tells a story of innovation colliding with industry resistance that is reshaping the automotive landscape.

Looking at Apple's latest Vision Pro release feels like watching the company's mixed reality strategy mature in real time. Apple has launched an enhanced version of its Vision Pro headset, replacing the original model released in 2024, and the changes run deeper than just a chip swap. It is not the revolutionary reimagining some were hoping for. It is a thoughtful evolution that tackles the first generation's loudest complaints.

When a veteran iOS exploit developer opened a chilling message from Apple warning that his iPhone had been targeted with government spyware, the moment cut through the noise. Gibson, who previously worked for Trenchant developing surveillance tools for Western governments, found himself on the receiving end of the very type of attack he once helped create. The mercenary spyware ecosystem is moving beyond its traditional targets and circling back to the builders. That is an escalation, plain and...

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

Google's third swing at the foldable market is here, and it is taking a very different tack. While most rivals chase thinner and lighter, Google goes the other way with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and I think they might be onto something.

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

Google's latest smartwatch has arrived, and it's making serious waves in the Android ecosystem. This device is a leap from previous generations, introducing genuinely groundbreaking features that position it as a standout option for Android users. Enhanced satellite connectivity, better battery performance, and comprehensive AI integration show Google's intent to build a truly competitive wearable. The timing feels right, since Android fans have been waiting for a watch that does more than...

When Microsoft's cloud empire stumbles, the ripple effects are felt across the global digital landscape. That is exactly what happened on October 9, 2025, when a significant service disruption brought down critical Microsoft 365 services, leaving organizations worldwide scrambling for answers. The outage affected core infrastructure including the admin center, authentication services, and Microsoft Entra ID, essentially creating a digital traffic jam that prevented users from accessing the...

The October security update from Google just hit Pixel devices, and while it's bringing welcome relief to ongoing display headaches, there's a notable absence this time. The Pixel 6 series is sitting this one out, though Google continues to battle screen irregularities across multiple device generations.

The nostalgic clicking sound of physical keys might be making a comeback in the iPhone world. If you miss the tiny thock of a button press, you are not alone. As renewed enthusiasm for BlackBerry-style devices rolls in, with Chinese firm Zinwa Technologies planning to relaunch classic models, iPhone users now have their own way to get that tactile fix. The Clicks keyboard case turns your phone into something that looks and feels closer to those beloved BlackBerry devices of yesteryear, and it...

You’ve been waiting for this moment, iPad finally gets the windowing system it deserves. iPadOS 26 doesn’t just tweak how multitasking works, it rebuilds the foundation of what your iPad can do. Apple’s official announcement (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/ipados-26-introduces-powerful-new-features-that-push-ipad-even-further/) confirms a fundamental shift toward desktop-class functionality, moving beyond the limitations that have held back iPad productivity for years. The new system...

When Apple introduced the iPhone 4 in 2010, it was a design revolution, sleek, beautiful, ambitious. Within days, though, users noticed something odd. Hold the phone a certain way and the signal bars vanished. Antennagate was not a minor hiccup, it was a $175 million lesson in what happens when bold design meets stubborn physics.

After four years of radio silence, Google has finally confirmed what many Nest Hub fans have been desperately waiting to hear. The Nest Hub product line isn't dead, but Google's approach to reviving it feels more like a cautious whisper than a triumphant shout. Google's Home division recently acknowledged that smart displays remain a priority, though the timeline for new hardware remains frustratingly vague. The company's extended absence from the smart display market has left existing users...

The tech world felt a jolt this October when the US Supreme Court delivered a brief but stinging blow to Google’s app store empire. In a terse, one sentence decision that rippled through Silicon Valley, the nation’s highest court rejected Google’s emergency appeal to halt sweeping changes to its Play Store operations. Not just another skirmish, it capped a landmark antitrust victory by Epic Games that could reshape how millions of Android users find and buy apps.

When I first heard the rumors about Apple's 2026 MacBook Pro, I'll be honest, I was skeptical. After years of relatively incremental updates, could Apple really be planning something revolutionary? Then I lucked into a preview, a Windows laptop with strikingly similar tech. After spending time with those features firsthand, I'm convinced that Apple's 2026 MacBook Pro is shaping up to be the most significant laptop upgrade in years.

When a life-changing moment meets live streaming technology, the result can be both extraordinary and controversial. The streaming world witnessed something unprecedented when a content creator decided to share one of life's most intimate moments with thousands of viewers in real time. We are talking about a Twitch streamer who gave birth live on stream, a moment that shows how far platforms have moved beyond pure entertainment into places where creators share their most personal experiences....