Gadget Hacks

Google's Pixel phones just picked up a feature that has been conspicuously absent for years. After users first spotted native call recording on their devices, we now have a clearer picture of how it behaves in the real world. The twist is not only that Google reversed course on call recording, it is the way the company wrapped it in AI and legal guardrails.

Qualcomm just dropped a bombshell with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, officially unveiled Wednesday as perhaps the fastest smartphone chip in the world. The naming might catch you off guard. Many expected it to be called the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, but Qualcomm decided the "Gen" suffix now applies to their entire series, making this the fifth generation. Early benchmarking tests show a clear lead over devices like the Vivo X200 Ultra and Galaxy S25 models, and Tom's Guide says it races past...

One year after Europe's Digital Markets Act took effect, Apple isn't pulling any punches, the company claims regulators have created a mess that's hurting the very people the law was supposed to help. Apple argues the DMA is forcing "concerning changes" to how it designs products, while Samsung leads the European smartphone market without facing similar restrictions. So what is actually happening in this regulatory showdown?

When Epic Games challenged Apple's App Store monopoly in 2020, few expected the legal battle would drag on for nearly five years or culminate in such a dramatic reversal of fortune. Now, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' scathing 80-page contempt ruling finding Apple in "willful violation" of court orders, we're witnessing what might be the most significant challenge to Apple's App Store control since its inception.

Apple's retail strategy has always been about more than just selling products—it's about creating experiences. Now, the company is testing something intriguing at its newest location: a unified service counter that combines the traditional Genius Bar with product pickup. Apple features a combined Genius Bar and Apple Pickup station at its new store in MixC Hefei, China, which opens to the public on Saturday, January 18, at 10 a.m. local time. This isn't just about saving floor space—it's a...

The Galaxy S25 series launched in early 2025 carrying more than just upgraded hardware—it brought with it One UI 7, what might be Samsung's most ambitious software statement to date. When Samsung formally introduced the Galaxy S25 series at its first Unpacked of the year on January 22, 2025, followed by general retail availability beginning February 7, we weren't just getting new phones. We were witnessing Samsung's most significant software evolution—a complete reimagining that would...

Apple's latest push for automation across its supply chain isn't just about efficiency—it's about survival in an increasingly complex global manufacturing landscape. Apple reportedly now requires suppliers to invest in efforts to automate their facilities, which is a precondition for securing orders. This shift represents more than operational efficiency—it signals a fundamental reimagining of how complex electronics are manufactured at scale across more than 50 countries and regions. With over...

Apple's recent push toward robotics in manufacturing isn't just a tech trend—it's a fundamental shift that could reshape how the world's most valuable company builds its products. Recent conversations between Apple CEO Tim Cook and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have revealed that the company's vision for U.S. iPhone manufacturing relies heavily on advanced robotics, with Cook emphasizing that robotic arms are essential to make domestic production economically viable. Meanwhile, Apple...

Apple's latest MLS Season Pass pricing move is a masterclass in strategic timing and ecosystem lock-in. In September 2024, Apple has quietly dropped the price again, reducing the standard subscription to $9.99 for the remaining few months and letting Apple TV+ subscribers sign up for free. This isn't just about clearing inventory—it's about demonstrating how Apple leverages its services ecosystem to create compelling value propositions that keep users firmly planted in its walled garden.

YouTube has been listening to its users, and for once, the feedback loop actually worked. After years of viewers complaining about those pesky end-screen popups cluttering up their viewing experience, Engadget reports that YouTube will now let viewers dismiss the popups and video suggestions that appear at the end of videos with a new "Hide" button. While these end screen popups are a standard part of most YouTube videos (Engadget), viewers increasingly wanted the ability to dismiss them and...

If you've been hit with an unexpected popup telling you to verify your age on YouTube, you're not alone. What started as a limited test is now a broad rollout affecting users across the platform. That rapid expansion means millions more people are suddenly subject to algorithmic age checks that can reshape what they can watch.

When Apple enthusiasts lined up to get their hands on the shiny new iPhone 17 Pro models, they probably didn’t expect to witness what’s quickly becoming known as "Scratchgate." Yet here we are, just days after launch, and customers are reporting scratches on brand-new iPhone 17 Pro units that look like they’ve been through a pocket full of keys.

When I examine the Android ecosystem, with its commanding 70% global market share, what strikes me most is the mobility between brands. I keep coming back to this: people move. A lot. While Samsung dominates with 19.7% market share in Q2 2025, recent survey data reveals something unexpected, Galaxy users are not automatically planning to stick with Samsung for their next upgrade.

Apple's Live Translation feature for AirPods is one of the boldest attempts yet to chip away at language barriers with everyday tech. Curious if this sci‑fi idea actually works in the wild? You're in the right place. Here's what to know, from setup to the feel of a real conversation.

Disney's latest price hike announcement couldn't have come at a worse time. While Disney has raised prices every October for three years running, this round lands with a thud. The company is hiking prices across almost all streaming plans starting October 21, 2025, with increases ranging from $2 to $3 per month. What makes this especially problematic? The timing collides with ongoing subscriber cancellations after recent controversies, with subscriptions reportedly "hemorrhaging" after the...

When you first hold the iPhone Air, your immediate reaction might be something close to disbelief. It feels unreal. Here's the thing: smartphones have gotten progressively heavier and thicker over the years as manufacturers stuffed more cameras, bigger batteries, and additional features into every device. The iPhone Air throws all of that conventional wisdom out the window. At just 5.6mm thick and weighing only 146 grams, this is Apple's thinnest iPhone ever. It is a statement piece that...

When your phone suddenly displays "SOS" instead of your carrier's name, it's more than just an inconvenience—it's a complete communication breakdown. Verizon customers across the United States experienced exactly this scenario when a software issue triggered a massive outage, leaving more than 23,000 customers without cellular service on what should have been an ordinary day. The outage affected calls, texts, and mobile data, sparking frustration on social media platforms and tracking websites.

The European Union just fired its biggest regulatory salvo yet at Big Tech's handling of online financial fraud, and Apple finds itself right in the crosshairs. The timing is hard to ignore. Just as regulators forced Apple to support third-party app marketplaces in Europe, they are asking whether the company is doing enough to stop scams across its ecosystem. This is not another routine skirmish, it is a direct test of how Apple balances security, control, and compliance in a messy, real-world...

Apple's announcement that Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, and Norway is not just another feature drop. It is a strategic move that shows how regulatory pressure, technological innovation, and market demand are reshaping Europe’s payments scene. Apple announced today that the contactless solution turns any iPhone into a payment terminal, no extra hardware required beyond a partner-enabled iOS app. The timing matters, coming after Apple's 2024...

WhatsApp just rolled out one of its most requested features, and it’s about time. WhatsApp is now rolling out message translations on its iOS and Android apps, bringing real-time language support directly to your chats. The twist, translations are handled on your device to help protect your privacy, so WhatsApp still can’t see your encrypted chats. Not a gimmick, a useful fix to a real barrier, done without poking holes in encryption.