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Samsung to Unveil New Devices at July 22 Galaxy Unpacked Event
Samsung will hold a Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22 in London, revealing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and new Galaxy Watch models. The Z Fold 8 features a new wide design and improved display technology with reduced creases, informed by the latest Flex Titanium display. This event is significant as Samsung seeks to maintain its market dominance in foldables amid competition from Apple.
Samsung Health Update: Consent Required for AI Data Use, Updated Policy on Data Retention
Samsung Health now requires user consent to use health data for AI training, with or without data deletion based on this consent. Meanwhile, Samsung introduced the AI-powered Health Assistant in beta to help users better understand health metrics. The updates aim to refine health service offerings while maintaining user data control.
Nintendo Unveils Solo-Focused Splatoon Raiders, a New Looter Shooter Spin-Off
Nintendo has introduced Splatoon Raiders, a looter shooter that shifts from the series' typical team-based format to focus on solo play. While some users find it engaging, others note that cooperative play enhances the experience. It represents Nintendo's ongoing effort to make shooters more accessible beyond competitive play.
Apple's iOS 27 and watchOS 27 Betas Introduce Advanced Siri AI
Apple has released public betas for iOS 27 and watchOS 27, which feature significant advancements in Siri AI capabilities. The updates include new customization options for Siri's voice, a dedicated Siri app, and enhancements to on-device processing for more complex user interactions. These upgrades signal a major step in evolving Apple devices' functionalities and user experiences.
Samsung Launches Galaxy Card Offering Cashback on Samsung Purchases
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Card, a new credit card offering up to 5% cashback on Samsung product purchases. The card, issued by Barclays and operating on Visa, integrates with Samsung Wallet and provides varying cashback rates for different purchase types. It aims to enhance customer loyalty by rewarding users for spending on Samsung devices and services.
Apple improves Messages syncing in macOS 27 Golden Gate beta
Apple has enhanced Messages synchronization in macOS 27 Golden Gate, ensuring a more accurate unread message count upon login. This addresses a long-standing issue where users received notifications for already-read messages, improving the continuity experience with iPhone.
iPhone 18 Pro to feature LTPO+ displays and smaller Dynamic Island cutout
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are set to feature LTPO+ technology for improved display efficiency and a reduced Dynamic Island cutout, enhancing screen usability. These upgrades are expected to optimize battery life while providing a more expansive viewing area.
Sega 32X game Backrooms 32X features raycasting engine and procedural generation
Developer PaisleyBoxers has launched Backrooms 32X, a first-person game for the Sega 32X that utilizes a raycasting engine and features procedurally generated levels. This release highlights the technical capabilities of retro hardware, showcasing new gaming experiences on platforms like the 32X and MiSTer FPGA.
Apple Releases iOS 27 Public Beta with New Features
The public beta of Apple's iOS 27 is now available for installation, offering new functionalities such as improved Siri AI and app enhancements. This beta follows a developer release cycle and prepares users for the official iOS 27 launch in September. The initiative reflects Apple's iterative approach to software development and its impact on user experiences.
Apple Expands Car Keys Feature to More Automaker Brands, Increasing Integration
Apple is expanding its Car Keys feature in its Wallet app to new automakers including Volkswagen, Xiaomi, Lucid Motors, and GWM's Tank vehicle lineup. This development broadens the digital car keys ecosystem, allowing users to operate their vehicles using their iPhone or Apple Watch with compatible cars.
etcd v3.7.0 Released with RangeStream and Performance Enhancements
The etcd project released version 3.7.0, featuring the new RangeStream for better handling large result sets. This release eliminates the legacy v2 store dependency and includes various performance improvements. It matters as etcd is crucial for Kubernetes and other applications, enhancing their efficiency.
Waze Adds AI-Powered Features Including Motorcycle and Personalized Navigation Modes
Waze has launched several new AI-driven features, integrating Google's Gemini to enhance user experience. These updates include a Motorcycle mode for two-wheeled navigation, more conversational voice features for reporting and destination searches, personalized navigation, and a 'less chatty' mode to reduce audio interruptions. The improvements aim to better tailor navigation to individual user preferences and enhance functionality, appealing to both motorcyclists and drivers.
WhatsApp Launches Username Feature for Enhanced User Privacy
WhatsApp has initiated a rollout of a username feature, allowing users to interact via usernames instead of phone numbers. This move is targeted at enhancing privacy for the platform's three billion users. However, there are concerns about potential impersonation risks, especially in large user markets like India.
Google Schedules August 12 Event for Pixel 11 and Pixel Watch 5 Launch
Google will host its Made by Google event on August 12, 2023, in New York City to unveil the Pixel 11 series, including possible new features like slimmer bezels, a new camera design, and increased base storage. The event will also introduce the Pixel Watch 5 and possibly new Pixel Buds Pro. Rising component costs may result in higher prices for the new devices, which start at 256GB of storage.
Apple and Broadcom Sign $30 Billion U.S. Chip Manufacturing Deal
Apple has entered a $30 billion agreement with Broadcom to produce over 15 billion chips in the U.S. This deal, focusing on custom wireless components, marks Apple's largest manufacturing investment in domestic production to date, supporting Broadcom's facility expansion in Colorado.
iOS 27 beta 4 introduces Automatic Downloads in Apple TV app
Apple released iOS 27 beta 4, featuring an Automatic Downloads option for the Apple TV app. This allows episodes of shows in the Continue Watching list to download automatically, ensuring viewers have access to content without manual downloads.
Trump Media to Launch Truth Social API for Instant Access to Influential Posts
Trump Media & Technology Group will launch a Truth Social API offering real-time access to posts from influential accounts, starting August 1. This paid service targets financial firms, allowing them to receive posts from key accounts, including Donald Trump, in milliseconds. The service aims to generate consistent revenue for the loss-making company.
Roblox Unveils AI-Powered Game Creation Tool for Mobile Devices
Roblox has launched 'Build', an AI-powered tool allowing users to create games via text prompts on mobile devices. Starting July 28, the feature expands game development accessibility to smartphones, with alpha testing initially in New Zealand. Concerns persist over potential low-quality content influx.
Snapseed Camera for Android Expands Features With New Updates
Snapseed for Android introduced several updates starting with version 4.0.8, adding grid lines, levels, and geotagging features to its camera. The subsequent 4.1 update massively expanded RAW format support and added undo/redo functionalities within tools. The updates improve user experience and functionality, especially in professional photography settings.
App Store app releases doubled in H1 2026 while downloads grew only 2%
In the first half of 2026, new app releases on Apple's App Store doubled compared to the entirety of 2025, reaching approximately 560,000. Despite the surge in new apps, downloads saw only a 2% increase to 17.6 billion, indicating potential market saturation and challenges in user engagement.
iOS 27 Enhances Apple Music with Improved AutoMix and New Features
Apple's iOS 27 update brings significant enhancements to Apple Music, including upgraded AutoMix transitions. The update also introduces landscape mode, redesigned artist pages, a Friends playlist, and extra-large widgets, enhancing both multitasking and music personalization on iPhones.
iOS 27 beta 4 reveals new iPhone model with multi-battery support
iOS 27 beta 4 includes code references indicating a new iPhone Ultra might feature dual batteries. This development supports earlier leaks about a foldable iPhone and highlights Apple's potential innovation in battery design for its smartphones.
Hyprland 0.55 Introduces Lua for Configuration Files
Hyprland 0.55 has been released, transitioning configuration from its previous format to Lua. This change, alongside various features and improvements, aims to enhance user customizability and performance in managing layouts and scrolling behaviors.
Microsoft Removes Ads from Windows 11 Search Box for Cleaner Experience
Microsoft is testing a refined Windows 11 Search Box through the Windows Insider program, featuring a decluttered interface and the removal of advertisements in web searches. These changes aim to enhance user experience by prioritizing recent searches and presenting relevant local content without promotional clutter, addressing user feedback.
Philips Offers Free Replacements After Firmware Bricks Hue Bridge Pro Devices
A firmware update led to less than 100 Philips Hue Bridge Pro devices becoming inoperable. Philips has offered free replacements and issued a patch to fix the issue, emphasizing a specific update scenario as the cause.
Meta Launches Pocket for AI-Generated Interactive Games
Meta released a new app called Pocket, which allows users to create and share AI-generated interactive mini-games. Following the acquisition of Gizmo's development team, this app uses AI prompts to let users generate "gizmos" that are shared socially. Pocket is available on iOS and Android but not yet widely accessible.
Xbox Tests Disc-to-Digital Feature for Physical Game Collections
Microsoft has started testing a disc-to-digital feature for Xbox, enabling owners to convert Xbox One and Series X/S physical games to digital formats. This comes amid a rise in digital gaming, aligning with industry trends after Sony's decision to halt physical game disc production by 2028.
Adobe Tests AI Features in Project Indigo Camera App
Adobe's experimental Project Indigo camera app for iOS is testing new AI features, including photo critiques and editing suggestions. The updates, part of the AI Playground, include advanced object removal and style changes. This limited trial is available to a small group of users and aims to explore user interaction with AI-driven editing.
Microsoft Open-Sources Comic Chat, the App that Popularized Comic Sans
Microsoft has released the source code for Comic Chat, an innovative 1996 chat client. By making it open source, Microsoft preserves a key part of internet history and allows developers to explore or innovate on its original design. Comic Chat turned IRC conversations into comic strips, introducing the widely recognized Comic Sans font.
Apple's Game Porting Toolkit 4 Beta Boosts Windows Game Performance on Macs
Apple's Game Porting Toolkit 4 beta significantly improves the performance of Windows games on Macs. Testing on the M4 Pro MacBook Pro showed a considerable frame rate increase for games such as Grand Theft Auto V, highlighting the potential of Apple Silicon as a gaming platform. This development is crucial for users and developers interested in porting Windows games to macOS.
Obsidian Focuses on New Fallout Game Amid Massive Xbox Layoffs
Microsoft's restructuring has led Obsidian Entertainment to cancel the Avowed sequel to develop a new Fallout game under Josh Sawyer. Meanwhile, Bethesda confirms Fallout 5 development amid significant layoffs. This indicates Microsoft's focus on established franchises during organizational changes.
Signal Beta Allows Linking Android Devices to One Account
Signal's latest beta introduces the ability for Android users to link a secondary phone or tablet to a single account without needing multiple phone numbers. This feature aligns Signal more closely with competitors like WhatsApp, allowing synchronized chat history across devices. The feature, currently in beta and expected in a future stable release, enhances flexibility for Signal users.
Vital Signals Announces No-Calibration Signal Ring for Blood Pressure Monitoring
Vital Signals introduced the Signal Ring, a wearable device that offers continuous blood pressure monitoring without calibration. This ring aims to improve health management, particularly for those with hypertension, by providing accurate blood pressure readings and correlating them with lifestyle factors.
iOS 27 public beta speeds up iPhones with over 30 performance improvements
Apple has released the public beta of iOS 27, which enhances iPhone performance in over 30 areas. Notable improvements include faster app launches, photo uploads, and web browsing speeds, impacting user experience and system functionality.
NVIDIA and Sega Celebrate 30-Year Partnership, Unveil RTX Spark
NVIDIA and Sega are celebrating their 30-year partnership with an event in Akihabara, Tokyo on July 15, where NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang will introduce the new RTX Spark platform. Sega will support RTX Spark in its future games, starting with 'Virtua Fighter Crossroads'. This collaboration highlights a continued focus on integrating AI and advanced graphics technologies in gaming.
Canva Introduces Code 2.0 for AI-Driven Website and App Creation
Canva has introduced Code 2.0, an AI-powered tool enabling users to create interactive websites and apps through plain-language prompts and templates. Available to over 265 million users, including those on free accounts, it adds features like HTML import and real-time collaboration. This highlights Canva's strategic expansion into the vibe coding market, where design complexity accompanies functional AI coding.
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition Launches on Apple Arcade in August
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition will arrive on Apple Arcade on August 6 or 7, enabling Apple users to play EA's popular football simulation game. The game, set to release before the NFL pre-season, will be free from ads and in-app purchases, offering players an uninterrupted gaming experience across various Apple devices.
Google Maps Rolls Out 3D 'Immersive Navigation' for Android Auto
Google Maps has launched its 3D 'Immersive Navigation' feature for Android Auto, enhancing visual clarity and navigation. The update provides detailed 3D visuals of buildings and lanes, coupled with AI-guided voice navigation. It aims to improve navigation experiences, particularly in urban areas.
New Browser Extension Filters Counterfeits and Sketchy Brands on Amazon
A new browser extension for Chrome and Firefox called Knockoff filters counterfeit and sketchy brands on Amazon by using a brand authenticity check within the browser. The tool helps users manage search results with flexible filtering settings and also offers the option to remove sponsored products. Its focus on privacy and user control aims to enhance the online shopping experience.
iRobot Introduces Roomba Electro Plus, Its First Manual Floor Cleaner
iRobot unveiled the Roomba Electro Plus, its first non-robotic floor cleaner, retailing at $399. The manual device cleans and disinfects hard floors using electrolyzed tap water, eliminating the need for chemical cleaners. Additionally, iRobot announced five new robot vacuum models with enhanced features set to replace current models by 2025. This reflects iRobot's expansion beyond robotic cleaners, emphasizing safer and efficient cleaning technology.