News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

The television industry was ripe for disruption ten years ago. Consumers were fed up with pricey cable bundles and clunky boxes, streaming was catching fire, and Apple was hunting for its next big category. Apple has spent over three decades flirting with the television business, and 2015 felt like the moment to finally crack it. The company had already reinvented phones and tablets, surely the living room was next, right?

The buzz around Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series just hit a new level, and it is not just because of the revolutionary tech that is coming. Samsung executives said on an earnings call that these devices will bring significant upgrades across processing power, camera capabilities, and artificial intelligence (TechRadar). Industry watchers pegged the announcement for late January 2026 with retail in early February (Grey Journal). The timeline has shifted, which quietly opens a window.

Google's been quietly working on something that could change how we think about spreadsheets. The latest Gemini update for Sheets is not just another AI feature, but a fundamental shift toward natural language data manipulation that could make complex spreadsheet tasks accessible to anyone. The rollout began around mid-October 2025, introducing capabilities that let users handle complex multi-step operations through simple conversational prompts. Google's enhanced AI can now execute multiple...

Smart TVs have quietly moved from simple streaming boxes to entertainment powerhouses, and now they are taking another leap. LG says the motion-controlled dance game Just Dance Now is coming to its smart TV platform, according to LG Newsroom. That pushes smart TVs beyond passive streaming into interactive play.

There's something delightfully nostalgic about seeing a modern Mac mini dressed up like its 1984 ancestor, and the Wokyis M5 dock delivers exactly that experience. This isn't just another boring hub, it's a conversation starter that transforms your sleek Mac mini into something that looks like it stepped right out of Apple's early computing era. According to 9to5Mac, this innovative accessory combines retro aesthetics with cutting-edge functionality in ways that actually make sense.

iOS 26 brings a revolutionary upgrade to Apple CarPlay that's been years in the making. For the first time since widgets transformed our iPhone home screens, CarPlay gets its own dedicated widget experience that changes how you use your vehicle's display (9to5Mac).

Apple's latest beta release adds a feature many iPhone users have been quietly hoping for. The fourth beta of iOS 26.1 was released today, according to 9to5Mac, and it includes a new toggle that prevents accidental Camera app launches from the Lock Screen. It targets a long-standing frustration where an unintended swipe could pop the camera open. MacRumors reports that previously, there was no way to disable Lock Screen camera activation without completely disabling the camera app itself.

OnePlus has officially revealed that its upcoming flagship device will feature an enormous 7,300mAh battery powered by the company's advanced Glacier Battery technology, according to Android Central. That is serious capacity. The battery will be paired with 120W wired "Super Flash" charging and 50W wireless charging, reports suggest. The device is scheduled to launch first in China on October 27, with global markets expected shortly after, though the exact timing is unconfirmed.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 lineup is shaping up to be the company's most dramatic flagship overhaul in years. What started as whispers about a potential "Pro" model has ballooned into a full rethink of how Samsung positions its premium phones. The most surprising twist? The rumored Galaxy S26 Pro may replace the standard Galaxy S26, according to current leaks.

Google's NotebookLM has been quietly building momentum since its launch, and now it's poised to take another significant leap forward. The platform already turns documents into engaging audio overviews and synthesizes research across multiple sources. Now there is something even more exciting on the horizon. Multiple sources confirm that a major data analysis feature is arriving very soon, promising to change how businesses and researchers work with their data. The timing could not be better,...

Magic Leap and Google are making waves again with their latest collaboration, bringing serious hardware innovation to the forefront of AR technology. The two tech giants recently showcased a prototype that merges Magic Leap's renowned optical expertise with Google's cutting-edge display technology, according to Android Central. Their partnership, which first began in 2024, has now been extended through a three-year agreement focused on developing next-generation AR smart glasses that could...

Samsung's latest earnings call just dropped some major hints about what's coming with the Galaxy S26 series, and the waiting game just got a lot more interesting. During their Q3 2025 financial discussion, Samsung officially confirmed that the upcoming lineup will pack significant upgrades across three key areas. Meanwhile, the rumor mill is split on whether we'll actually see a Galaxy S26 Edge or if Samsung is playing a different game entirely. Here's where things stand.

Something's brewing in the Android ecosystem that still feels under the radar, and it is worth a closer look. Google's Play Store has quietly started revealing what is coming for Android XR, and the timing is no accident. Just days before Samsung's official Galaxy XR headset debut, application listings are appearing with specialized XR tags, according to TechRadar. That early peek suggests Google and Samsung have been coordinating to launch with real content, not a barren storefront, a clear...

iOS 26 delivers some flashy Messages tricks, but let's talk about what is still missing. The update feels like a mixed bag. Useful upgrades are here, yet several cross-platform pieces are still MIA.

Twitch is making some bold moves that could fundamentally change how we experience live streaming. The platform recently launched three major innovations that signal a significant shift in its strategy: dual-format streaming capabilities, AI-powered clip generation, and enhanced sponsorship tools for creators. The company started testing dual-format streaming back in August, showing they've been quietly working on this technology for months.

The streaming landscape is hitting a crossroads no one wanted to admit was coming, except maybe everyone who is tired of juggling five different apps just to watch TV. The great cable-cutting revolution looped us back to the problem we tried to escape: too many bills, too much hassle, and way too much time spent figuring out what to watch where.

When you look at the gaming industry today, Xbox is staring down a fundamental crisis that is reshaping how we think about console gaming’s future. The latest quarterly earnings paint a stark picture: Xbox console sales dropped dramatically by 29% year-over-year, marking the fourth consecutive year of declining hardware revenue. This is not a temporary setback. It is a pattern that signals deeper structural problems.

When Bank of America Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan raised the firm's price target on Apple to $270 from $260 recently, it signaled more than a routine tweak. It pointed to a shift, a comprehensive AI-powered ecosystem strategy that could reset how we live with technology at home and on the go.

When Microsoft and OpenAI announced their restructured partnership last week, it set off the kind of ripple through Wall Street that makes seasoned analysts reach for their calculators. The deal transforms OpenAI into a public benefit corporation while Microsoft secures a 27% ownership stake worth approximately $135 billion, according to Reuters (and company statements). This is not just another corporate handshake. It is a reset that clears years of uncertainty and cements one of tech’s most...

Google's Search Live is about to get a lot more conversation friendly. About time. The latest beta reveals thoughtful upgrades aimed at one of voice AI's biggest annoyances: responses getting chopped off mid-sentence. New features in development include an "Interrupt Live responses" toggle and live captions, according to Android Authority (APK teardown, Oct 30, 2025). There's also a potential new way to add AI Mode to your search, plus tweaks to Gemini's image markup tools, as discovered in the...

Apple's rumored iPad mini 8 might ditch speaker holes entirely. Recent reports point to vibration-based speakers, according to Bloomberg, which would make it unique among Apple products if adopted. The idea turns the display or chassis into the sound source, promising better water resistance while keeping audio quality intact. It is a sharp turn from diaphragm-based speakers, using exciters that vibrate surfaces to make sound.

Microsoft's Q1 2026 earnings tell a familiar story for Xbox fans, and this chapter lands harder than a routine quarterly wobble. The gaming giant's hardware revenue fell 29 percent year over year, according to The Verge. The slump is no blip. It is pushing Microsoft to rethink Xbox's place in a strategy that favors service ubiquity over conquering the console shelf.

The mobile gaming landscape has transformed in recent years, with smartphone gamers looking for ways to move beyond pure touchscreen play. You know how it is. You're trying to nail that perfect combo in a fighting game or line up a clutch shot in a first-person shooter, and your thumbs just can't deliver the precision you need on glass. That pain point has pushed a wave of dedicated accessories into everyday carry.

The iPad mini has always occupied a unique spot in Apple's tablet lineup, small enough to hold in one hand, yet powerful enough for serious work. But there's been one persistent issue that's kept this compact powerhouse from reaching its full potential. Apple's rumored display upgrade for the iPad mini could finally solve the problem that has frustrated users for years, transforming this beloved device into something truly special. What if the screen finally matched the rest of the hardware?

OnePlus has just dropped some exciting news that's shaking up the typical smartphone launch calendar. The brand is accelerating its timeline in a major way, bringing its latest flagship to global markets much sooner than anyone expected. That is a clear shift from the delayed international rollouts that have frustrated fans for years. The OnePlus 15 will launch globally on November 13, a break from past patterns that typically saw months-long gaps between regional releases.

Google's Pixel phones are about to get their biggest customization upgrade yet, and if recent leaks are accurate, we're looking at something that could fundamentally change how we think about personalizing our Android devices. A significant leak shared via Telegram points to November 4 as the launch date for what might be the most comprehensive Pixel Drop we've seen.

Apple's latest AirPods Pro 3 have already set a new standard for wireless earbuds, but the company isn't stopping there. What we are seeing now could be the start of something much bigger. Apple's development teams are actively working on revolutionary features that could turn these buds into devices that feel closer to companions than accessories.

Sports fans, let's talk numbers. Cable packages keep creeping north of the $100 mark, and that bill hits hard when it lands in your inbox. Streaming was supposed to be the cheaper fix, but recent analysis shows the reality is messier than the sales pitch. Sitting in the middle of that debate is the eye-catcher reshaping strategies on both sides: ESPN's new direct-to-consumer service at $39.99 monthly.

OnePlus just dropped a bombshell, the kind that might make Samsung sweat. The company officially announced through Weibo that the OnePlus 15 will pack a massive 7,300mAh battery. Not just impressive; it flips the script and makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra's expected 5,000mAh pack look quaint by comparison.

When Nothing unveiled their budget-friendly Phone 3a Lite today, they delivered exactly what the name promises: most of what makes the Phone 3a compelling, just more affordable. This stripped-down version launches in the UK and Europe at £249/€249 for the 128GB model, according to The Verge, making it Nothing's cheapest smartphone to date. Unfortunately for US consumers, The Verge reports this budget option won't see a stateside release. Tough break.

Wall Street's latest bullish bet on Apple just got a lot more interesting. Bank of America just lifted its price target for the tech giant to $320 from $270, keeping a Buy rating based on a comprehensive five-year outlook. The firm believes Apple's earnings could potentially double between 2024 and 2030, powered by steady growth in new products and services, according to MacDailyNews.

Apple and NBCUniversal just announced something that's been a long time coming in the streaming world: a partnership that actually makes financial sense for consumers. About time. This collaboration brings together two services that, frankly, could use each other's help to reach more viewers and boost subscriber numbers.

When relationships end, the digital threads that once bound couples together often become sources of unexpected torment. What started as convenient family features can morph into tools of surveillance and control, leaving people stuck in digital arrangements that mirror the very dynamics they're trying to escape. A leash, only invisible.

Here's what we know about the iPhone 17's early sales performance, and the numbers are painting a compelling picture for Apple that goes beyond typical launch metrics. The data tells a story about consumer behavior and market dynamics that might surprise anyone who's been following the somewhat cautious reception of recent iPhone launches.

Apple's ecosystem is about to undergo its most ambitious display shift in years. Not minor tweaks. A full-on change that touches several product lines and reshapes how you look at your devices. The company is deep into testing OLED panels for future iPad mini, iPad Air, and MacBook models, according to Bloomberg reports.

T-Mobile's decision to discontinue its JUMP! On Demand program marks the end of an era for one of the wireless industry's most customer-friendly upgrade initiatives. The carrier is discontinuing its lease-based upgrade service that previously allowed customers to swap devices as frequently as monthly, with new enrollments already suspended and only current participants benefiting from what amounts to an unexpectedly generous farewell package, according to Find Articles.

Apple's M4 Pro Mac mini just hit a new pricing milestone, and it's worth a double take. The compact powerhouse that once carried a premium price tag is down to $1,299, according to Mac Prices, a $100 drop from Apple's official price. Not a routine sale, more like a strategic pivot in desktop pricing. Research from multiple retailers shows every Mac mini configuration is discounted, which points to a market-wide adjustment rather than a one-off promo.

The early numbers tell a lively story about Apple's newest iPhone lineup, and even Cupertino seems a bit surprised. The iPhone 17 series is beating projections overall. Yet there is a clear split, a winner and a struggler, that says a lot about what people actually want from a phone in 2025.

Social media is buzzing with a so-called revolutionary Hinge hack that claims to liberate attractive matches from "Rose Jail", but this viral trend might be costing users more than just money. A trending strategy promises women they can access higher-quality matches by manipulating the dating app's algorithm, according to Mashable. The technique has gained traction across platforms like TikTok, where creators promote a specific method involving account deletion and premium purchases. The...

Hurricane season brings a familiar anxiety to millions of Android users across storm-prone regions. Your phone's built-in weather app might say rain is coming. Fine for a picnic. Not so helpful when a Category 3 hurricane is bearing down on your neighborhood. In that moment, you want more punch. You want specialized weather apps that turn your Android into a command center.