News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

The humble Notes app — that simple yellow icon you've probably overlooked for years — is about to become your new productivity secret weapon. While everyone's been debating whether to pay for fancy note-taking subscriptions, Apple has been quietly transforming its built-in app into something that could make you rethink your entire workflow.

Picture this: you're juggling multiple devices, each with its own charging cable, and your desk looks like a tech graveyard. The OnePlus 2-in-1 Supervooc Cable might just be the clutter-buster you never knew you needed.

Your phone buzzes. You reach for it, fingers fumbling against the screen, and suddenly you've hung up on your boss. Or maybe your mom calls three times in a row, but the app groups them together so you can't tell if it was urgent or just her usual check-in routine. Sound familiar?

A freshly leaked render has just revealed what could be Samsung's most dramatic tablet design evolution yet. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra appears to sport bezels so impossibly thin that Samsung had to ditch the traditional wide notch for a sleeker waterdrop design—and the implications go far beyond aesthetics.

Apple just dropped a patent that could completely change how we think about the Apple Pencil. We're talking about a stylus that doesn't need an iPad screen—or really any screen at all. You could sketch on your desk, write on the wall, or even draw in mid-air. Let's break it down.

Apple's been oddly quiet about foldables while Samsung, Google, and even OnePlus have been folding screens left and right. But here's the kicker: Apple is reportedly working on two foldable products, and the iPhone Fold is coming first. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, we're looking at a late 2026 launch with a premium price tag above $2,000—possibly even $2,500. The supply chain is reportedly close to finalizing specifications for this book-style "iPhone Fold," and Foxconn is expected to officially...

Picture this: you're planning to upgrade to the latest iPhone, counting on that trade-in credit to soften the blow to your wallet. Then you check Apple's website and—surprise!—your device is suddenly worth less than it was last week. Welcome to the reality of Apple's latest trade-in value adjustments, and spoiler alert: it's not all good news for iPhone owners.

Having tracked telecom policy changes for over five years, I've seen how regulatory shifts can reshape entire markets—but Verizon's latest move hits different. The carrier is pushing to ditch the 60-day phone unlocking rule at precisely the moment when T-Mobile's satellite service via Starlink could change how we think about connectivity. While Verizon claims it's fighting fraud, the real casualty might be your ability to tap into the most significant advancement in mobile coverage since 4G.

Picture this: You wake up to find your favorite AI app suddenly vanished from Google Play Store, not because of a bug or developer decision, but because an entire nation's privacy watchdog pulled the nuclear option. That's exactly what's happening with DeepSeek in Germany, and it's about to reshape how we think about AI apps on Android.

You've probably heard this song before: "world's thinnest foldable phone!" But the Honor Magic V5 might actually deserve the hype. At just 8.8mm thick when folded and weighing a mere 217g, this thing makes other foldables look chunky by comparison. Honor didn't just chase thinness records though, they packed in a 64MP periscope telephoto camera and the world's first 6,100mAh silicon-carbon battery for a foldable. The engineering feat represents something bigger than spec sheets: it's the moment...

Picture this: OnePlus drops news about a 7,100mAh battery in the upcoming Nord CE5, and suddenly everyone's talking about all-day power that could outlast your weekend camping trip. But here's where things get interesting — that massive cell isn't coming to every region. The OnePlus Nord CE5 sports a massive 7,100mAh battery, but not in every region, which means your location might determine whether you get this power-packed experience or something more traditional.

The thinnest Galaxy ever feels incredible in the hand, but its diet comes with sacrifices you need to know about before spending $1,099.

The iOS 18.5 update is now out for iPhones, landing on May 12 with a tidy bundle of convenience tweaks sprinkled across Apple's core apps and settings. It isn't a headline‑grabbing release like last time, but the update still shaves steps off everyday tasks, surfaces helpful info where you need it, and quietly prepares your device for what's coming next.

A good e‑reader lets you disappear into a story without the headaches of blue‑light glare, notification pings, or dead‑weight battery anxiety. The latest crop goes further, adding color E Ink for comics, warm front‑lights for night reading, and waterproofing so you can finish that chapter poolside. We put the year's most compelling models to the page‑turn test and narrowed the field to five standouts for every kind of book lover.

Apple's iOS 18.4 update for iPhone is finally available, and it brings some exciting new tools, smart refinements, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration that make your iPhone experience even better. Whether you're looking for ways to stay more organized, enhance your daily workflow, or enjoy new forms of entertainment, this update has something for everyone.

The Unicode Consortium is already hard at work on the next batch of emoji, but don't get too excited just yet. It may be a while before you see these new characters, which include an apple core, orca, and hairy creature, on your devices.

Christmas is just one week before Jan. 1. That means a lot of New Year's resolutions filled with promises to better ourselves with increased productivity, focus, and work ethics — but getting started can be challenging. Give the people in your life a leg up this holiday season with these smartphone gifts to keep them on-task in 2020.

Need a unique gift idea for the techy person in your life? Look no further than that phone they always have in their hand. There are plenty of great accessories, apps, subscriptions, and other smartphone-related goodies that will improve their quality of life, and thoughtful gifts like that are always the best-received.