News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

AI is not just changing how we tap and swipe. It is reshaping what we pay for the hardware in our pockets. Thinking about a phone upgrade? Timing suddenly matters. This is not the usual blip from a shipping backlog or a holiday rush. It is a reshuffling of global semiconductor priorities that lands right on your bill.

The streaming world just got a major shake-up that's sending ripples through the sci-fi community. Disney has officially pulled out of its high-profile collaboration with the BBC on Doctor Who, marking the end of what many hoped would be a game-changing partnership for the beloved time-traveling series. The media giant's departure comes after supporting just two seasons and will conclude with the upcoming spinoff, leaving fans wondering what this means for the future of their favorite Time...

Smartphone photography just took a wild turn. The Oppo Find X9 Pro introduces something we’ve never seen before: a detachable Hasselblad zoom lens that reimagines what is possible with mobile photography. Not just another incremental camera update. A phone with a lens you click on and off? Yes. The device features a sliding attachment system that transforms your phone’s built-in telephoto into something approaching professional camera territory, according to Wired. The device launched globally...

When Oppenheimer raised its price target on Alphabet (GOOGL) from $270 to $300, it wasn't just another routine analyst adjustment, it was a clear signal that one of Wall Street's most respected voices sees significant upside ahead for Google's parent company. The investment firm's decision to maintain its "outperform" rating while boosting expectations reflects growing confidence in Alphabet's market position and growth trajectory, particularly as regulatory uncertainties have begun to clear....

When these CAD renders first surfaced, I'll admit my initial reaction was "Wait, is this just the Pixel 9a with a different name on the back?" The leaked design images show a device that's remarkably similar to its predecessor. Probably not an accident. According to Android Authority, these fresh CAD-based renders reveal a phone that borrows heavily from the Pixel 9a's design playbook, a sign that Google is prioritizing manufacturing efficiency and cost control over visual reinvention.

Samsung just pulled back the curtain on its most ambitious foldable project yet, and the timing could not be more strategic. The company's tri-fold smartphone prototype made its public debut at the K-Tech Showcase in South Korea, the first time we have seen Samsung officially acknowledge what industry watchers have been anticipating for months (Lowyat). The device sat behind protective glass, sure, but this was the clearest look yet at what could be called either the Galaxy G Fold or Galaxy Z...

When Apple's stock hits historic highs and crosses into $4 trillion territory, you know something significant is happening in Cupertino. The company has reached a milestone that felt out of reach just a few years back, becoming the third tech giant to reach this valuation alongside Nvidia and Microsoft. What is driving the surge? The latest iPhone lineup, which has outkicked expectations and reminded everyone why Apple's ecosystem still sticks. Apple's shares climbed 13% since the iPhone 17 and...

After years of anticipation and false starts, Apple's ambitious solid-state button project looks ready for a real comeback. Apple has completed functional verification for its next-generation button tech, according to BGR. The plan is to debut it with the iPhone 20 in 2027, a shift that could rival the moment the home button vanished. Testing now spans every physical control, from power and volume to action and camera, which would become pressure-sensitive zones with sophisticated haptic...

When two industry giants feel the squeeze from their biggest customer, sometimes the best defense is a strong offense. That is exactly what is playing out in the semiconductor world, where two major Apple suppliers are reportedly exploring a blockbuster merger that could reshape the iPhone supply chain.

When Apple announced its five-year Formula 1 streaming partnership, it was not just another sports deal hitting the headlines. It read like a calculated chess move, a signal that American motorsport viewing is about to change. The tech giant has officially secured exclusive U.S. media rights for F1 races starting in 2026, according to Apple's press release, and the financial commitment tells the story of their ambitions.

Microsoft's Teams platform hit a snag when its text-to-speech functionality went sideways, leaving businesses scrambling for quick fixes. The outage landed at the worst possible moment, when does it ever land at the right one, and it piled pressure on organizations that lean on automated voice responses to keep the day moving.

Apple's advertising ambitions are taking a bold new direction, and it might change how we navigate our daily lives. The company is reportedly preparing to launch search advertisements within Apple Maps starting in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This marks a notable shift from Apple's privacy-first posture as the company looks to expand services revenue. Apple's services division already generates over $100 billion annually, so monetizing Maps feels like the next rung on the ladder.

Apple has finally made the call on something they've been considering for years, introducing ads into Apple Maps. After years of internal debates and careful planning, the company is reportedly moving full steam ahead with this monetization strategy, with recent reports indicating a definitive launch timeline of 2026. This is not just another revenue stream. It reads like a pivot that reshapes Apple's relationship with its users, essentially mirroring Google Maps' existing business model. Sound...

If you'd asked me a few months ago whether Apple would ever officially support Android app development using Swift, I would have laughed. Yet here we are in late 2025, and that once-unthinkable scenario is real. Apple just unveiled the ability to build Android apps using Swift, its own programming language. Wild.

You know that moment when a platform you rely on suddenly changes the rules? That's exactly what's happening with WhatsApp right now. The messaging giant is testing one of its most significant anti-spam initiatives yet, with monthly caps on broadcast messages that could fundamentally reshape how we think about mass communication on the platform.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Twitch is making another run at live commerce, and this time they've got Amazon's full advertising arsenal backing the play. The gaming-focused streaming platform has rolled out fresh live-shopping capabilities powered by Amazon Ads, marking a significant shift in how streamers might monetize their content. This isn't Twitch's first rodeo with shopping features, they experimented with similar functionality back in 2017 before pulling the plug, according to StreamsCharts. With live commerce...

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Video podcasts are having a serious moment, and Netflix just made a move that is reshaping the entire streaming landscape. The streaming giant announced they are partnering with Spotify to bring a selection of video podcasts to their platform. Not just another content deal. More like a swing at YouTube’s growing dominance in video consumption.