The Latest from Gadget Hacks

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.

Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak sent shockwaves through the tech community today with a cryptic social media post declaring that "something powerful is coming," according to MacRumors. The accompanying animation flashes a MacBook Pro silhouette and the words "coming soon." Then the wink. The laptop outline forms a Roman numeral V, and Joswiak's caption spells out "Mmmmm" with exactly five M's, as reported by MacRumors. Subtle? Not really. It reads like Apple teeing up the M5.

The Pixel 10 Pro's impressive 100x zoom capability has a serious flaw that Google didn't advertise; fortunately, it is one you can solve at home. The phone nails long-distance stills that would make wildlife photographers jealous. Zoom video, though, can lurch and stutter, especially as you cross lens ranges. Thinking you need to return your $999 phone or wait months for a fix? You don't.

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...

Chrome's notification system has changed a lot lately. If your browsing suddenly feels quieter, with fewer pop-ups shouting for attention, there is a sophisticated reason. Google built a multi-layered defense that mixes machine learning with automated permission management, all to create a cleaner, more intentional browsing experience.

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 you think about smartwatches, the biggest frustration is not really about features or battery life anymore, it is what happens when something breaks. Drop your watch and crack the screen? Time to buy a new one. Battery starts dying after two years? Another $400 down the drain. Google just changed that with the Pixel Watch 4. About time.

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.

Ever wondered what happens when Google yanks a beloved feature into a new shape and leaves everyone scrambling for a fix? That is exactly what is happening with Google Maps Timeline, and the community response has been nothing short of impressive.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

When you fire up your smart TV tonight and open Netflix, you might notice something new lurking in the interface. Netflix is making a bold move that could reshape how we think about streaming entertainment. The company has expanded its gaming service beyond smartphones to include smart TVs and streaming devices, according to Business Standard. It is more than a new menu tile, it is Netflix trying to turn your living room into a full entertainment hub where passive viewing meets interactive play.

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 chip development strategy is back in the spotlight, thanks to speculation about the M5 MacBook Pro timeline. We do not have concrete details on the rollout, but Apple's release history offers clues. If the M5 family launches in stages, that shift could reshape product positioning and when buyers decide to upgrade.

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.

We've all been there. You're browsing peacefully when your browser starts pelting you with notifications from sites you barely remember visiting. Chrome's latest automatic notification management feature tackles that clutter head on, and Google's testing looks pretty compelling. The browser now removes notification permissions from sites that send frequent alerts but see minimal user interaction, according to 9to5Google. Google found that this automated approach significantly cut notification...

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.

OpenAI's revolutionary text-to-video AI model has captured global attention. Popularity comes with a sting, a flood of imitation applications targeting unsuspecting users. OpenAI's video creation technology has become one of the most discussed AI tools of 2025, capable of transforming text descriptions into hyperrealistic video content. OpenAI's official Sora app is available on iOS (invite-only in some regions) and on the web; Android support is rolling out later, a gap scammers are eager to...

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...

When Apple yanked ICEBlock from its App Store, something fundamental shifted in how we think about apps, government pressure, and who really controls what is on our phones. Not just another removal. A real time demonstration of how fast political pressure can steamroll user choice in a centralized ecosystem.

The story unfolding around Apple's M5 chip launch says a lot about how the company handles invention. Not quite what you expect. The M5 iPad Pro continues to showcase cutting-edge innovations that its MacBook Pro counterpart does not have yet, creating a dynamic where iPad Pro plays the role of proving ground and MacBook Pro stays the refined, mature platform.

Google Fi is rolling out a suite of artificial intelligence upgrades that aim to change how people communicate and connect. The carrier is shipping major updates, including AI-enhanced audio and RCS web messaging, a clear step up in Fi’s technology offerings. The moves slot into Google’s bigger push to weave AI across its products. Fi stops feeling like a plain carrier, it starts to look like a unified, AI-tuned communication platform.

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.

Apple's latest M5 MacBook Pro has officially arrived. It marks a clear shift in pro computing that puts AI speed ahead of flashy redesigns. The 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip is up for pre-order now, with availability starting October 22nd, and it keeps that familiar $1,599 starting price in Apple's premium lineup.

The 2025 Vision Pro has arrived with its most significant upgrade yet: the M5 chip and a completely redesigned comfort system. Early reviewers have already gotten their hands on Apple's latest spatial computer, and the first impressions are rolling in ahead of this week's launch. The big question isn't just about raw performance anymore, it's whether Apple has finally cracked the code on making a premium headset you'd actually want to wear for hours. Comfort, or bust.

After years of Android users watching iOS get privacy features first, the tables are finally turning. Google is currently testing a private search mode for its Android app that mirrors functionality iOS users have enjoyed for some time, according to Android Authority. Here is the twist, this long-awaited feature arrives just as incognito mode faces fresh scrutiny over what it actually protects, and what it does not.

Microsoft has been making headlines with a wave of price increases across its Xbox ecosystem, and the latest move lands squarely on developers. Xbox console development kits are jumping by 33 percent, from $1,500 to $2,000 (The Verge). The change applies globally, with pricing adjustments hitting Europe and other regions. Microsoft cites broader economic pressures, saying the changes reflect macroeconomic developments.

The streaming landscape just became significantly more expensive for millions of viewers. Streaming just got pricier. Warner Bros. Discovery announced sweeping price increases for HBO Max that took effect October 21st, marking the first time since launching its ad-supported tier in 2021 that even the cheapest plan is getting more expensive. The ad-supported tier jumped from $9.99 to $10.99 monthly, according to Mashable, while the Premium subscription saw the steepest increase from $20.99 to...

When Gibson opened his iPhone earlier this year, the last thing he expected was Apple’s warning that his device had been targeted by sophisticated government spyware. The twist is not just the advanced attack. It is that Gibson is a veteran iOS exploit developer who once built surveillance tools for Trenchant, a contractor developing offensive capabilities for Western governments, according to security researchers.

Here's the thing about streaming services, just when you think you've got your monthly budget figured out, another price hike lands in your inbox. Warner Bros. Discovery has just announced that HBO Max is bumping up its subscription costs for the third consecutive year, marking another milestone in the streaming industry's relentless march toward higher prices. The platform's price adjustments take effect immediately for new subscribers, according to Live Mint, while existing monthly users will...

When Microsoft's October security update KB5066835 rolled out, users quickly discovered what might be one of the most ironically timed bugs in recent Windows history. An update meant to strengthen security, yet it disabled the very recovery tools you'd need when things go seriously wrong. The emergency response came swift and decisive, KB5070773, an out-of-band update that Microsoft pushed through their distribution channels faster than usual to restore the critical recovery functionality that...

When Hulu first launched its Live TV service back in 2017, cord-cutters were celebrating what seemed like the answer to expensive cable bills. At just $39.99 a month, it felt like streaming had finally cracked the code on affordable live television (Cord Cutters News). Fast forward to today, and that same service will now cost you $90 monthly, a reality check that has many wondering if we simply traded one expensive TV habit for another.

You know that feeling when two titans clash and everyone else has to duck for cover? That's exactly what we're witnessing with Apple and the European Union right now. This isn't just another corporate spat over regulations, it's a full-blown digital war that could reshape how we use our phones, download apps, and think about tech competition for years to come.

Samsung's mixed reality headset finally breaks cover today, and it is bringing serious firepower to challenge Apple's Vision Pro. After months of teasing and prototype demos, Samsung is unveiling Project Moohan at its "Worlds Wide Open" Galaxy Event, a moment that could pivot the XR landscape. Samsung is officially revealing Project Moohan, its Vision Pro competitor, at its Galaxy Event, and early hands-on writeups say the device might deliver on its big promises. Samsung let tech writers try...

When you look at the iPhone 17's launch numbers, something remarkable becomes clear. We're watching a performance that is not just meeting expectations, it is reshaping Apple's financial trajectory in real time. Apple's stock reached an all-time high of $262.24, driven by sales figures that tell a compelling story of sustained consumer demand in a crowded smartphone landscape. The iPhone 17 outperformed its predecessor by 14% in those crucial first ten days, according to Counterpoint Research,...