News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

Apple TV+ is making waves with a groundbreaking new series that is far more than another streaming exclusive. The platform's first Hawaiian-language production marks a sharp break from typical content strategies, according to Screen Rant. This isn't your standard prestige drama. It's a cultural milestone that took over ten years to bring to life, with Jason Momoa pushing a project that had been waiting generations to reach audiences. His decade-long development journey links directly to that...

The tech world is buzzing, and for once it feels like we are watching the shift happen live. Remember when Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips started turning heads in Windows laptops? Those same powerhouse processors are now headed for Android-powered machines. Qualcomm has been working behind the scenes to adapt its successful Snapdragon X Elite processors for Android PCs, and it is not just speculation anymore, we are seeing real evidence.

Valve just made a move that could reshape mobile gaming. The company is actively encouraging developers to bring their Android applications directly to Steam through a new initiative called the Steam Frame. This is Valve’s most significant expansion into mobile territory, according to The Verge, and it signals the start of a larger strategic shift.

Valve's latest move might reshape how we think about gaming platforms. The company is actively encouraging developers to bring their Android applications directly to Steam, a step beyond traditional PC gaming. This push centers on Valve's new Steam Frame technology, which according to The Verge, can use the same Android APKs developers already ship to phones and Android-based VR headsets like the Meta Quest. To make that real, Valve is launching a Steam Frame developer kit program to get...

The beloved Ratchet & Clank franchise is making a bold leap into mobile multiplayer gaming, bringing all the explosive action fans love straight to your pocket. Titled "Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble," this upcoming release represents a fascinating intersection of console gaming heritage and modern mobile innovation, launching as a free-to-play multiplayer arena shooter for iOS and Android with pre-registration already live, according to Gematsu.

Fumbling for your wallet in the TSA line is a modern ritual. Apple is trying to end it. The company’s Digital ID launch pushes smartphone-based identification from idea to airport reality, letting iPhone and Apple Watch users in the United States store digital passport credentials in Apple Wallet for use at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports, according to TechCrunch. The capability was first tied to the iOS 26 release, though TechCrunch reports the feature stayed in development after the...

When Apple faced a €500 million fine earlier this year for clashing with European regulators over the Digital Markets Act, a lot of people assumed compliance would translate into cheaper apps. If developers could dodge Apple’s 30% commission by using alternative payment systems, those savings would land in users’ pockets, right?

The tech world is buzzing with Apple's latest salvo in its ongoing battle with European regulators. The company recently commissioned a study claiming to prove that the EU's Digital Markets Act fundamentally misses the mark on one of its central promises, reducing app prices for consumers. Not just corporate posturing, more like a calculated move in a sprawling regulatory showdown.

The music streaming landscape is about to get a lot more transparent. As artificial intelligence reshapes how music is made, a new player is stepping in with tools that could change how we find and consume songs. Coda Music’s latest rollout adds features that identify and filter AI-generated content, a timely answer to concerns about algorithmic tracks flooding playlists.

There's a shift happening in Apple's design philosophy, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is about to be the poster child. It could become the heaviest iPhone Apple has sold, breaking the 240 gram barrier that has stood since the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Heft is in. According to Croma Unboxed, it will "exceed 240 grams," making it the bulkiest iPhone in the company's history.

The rumor mill is buzzing with excitement, and for good reason. Fresh benchmark leaks have revealed that Motorola is cooking up something impressive with the upcoming Edge 70 Ultra, according to Android Central. What makes this especially intriguing is the gap Motorola left by skipping an Edge 60 Ultra flagship this year, as reported by Android Central, a move that sets the stage for a stronger comeback. The timing fits too, with Motorola expanding the Edge 70 series to select regions after its...

Apple has never been shy about pushing the iPhone forward. If the latest reports hold, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could set a new benchmark for sheer heft, according to Croma Unboxed. With the iPhone 17 Pro Max already tipping the scales at 233 grams, industry sources now indicate its successor could break the 240 gram barrier previously set by the iPhone 14 Pro Max. That is not just a spec sheet footnote. A jump like that usually signals real changes inside the frame.

Nothing's latest smartphone launch has everyone talking for good reason. Meet the Phone (3a) Lite, their most affordable device yet, according to reports. Starting at $310(£249), it lands as Nothing's first venture into the budget smartphone segment while keeping the brand's transparent flair. It saves about $100 compared to the standard Phone (3a), which lowers the bar to entry without losing the look that turns heads.

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.

When Google’s YouTube TV and Disney’s negotiators sat down to hash out their latest contract renewal, nobody expected one of the most bitter streaming disputes of 2025. Yet here we are, more than two weeks into a complete blackout that started on October 30th, and approximately 10 million households are stuck without ESPN, ABC, and a stack of Disney-owned channels.

If you're keeping an eye on the smartphone landscape, there's a deal brewing that deserves your attention. Boost Mobile is positioning itself to offer the upcoming Galaxy S26 for free, and yes, you read that right. Here's the kicker: Samsung hasn't even officially announced the Galaxy S26 yet. That uncertainty is exactly why this window is interesting for people who like to move early.

Google is quietly working on something that could fundamentally change how we interact with our phones when they are "sleeping." Most of us know the basic always-on display that shows a clock and a few notifications. Android 17 appears ready to turn that into something far more powerful. The upcoming version will introduce a feature called "Min Mode" that allows applications to display their own simplified interfaces on your phone's always-on display, according to Android Authority. This is not...

If you've been browsing Apple's support pages lately, you might have stumbled across something that made your heart skip a beat: certain regions show Apple Intelligence requiring an M2 Mac or later. Take a breath. Your trusty M1 MacBook is not being cut off. This looks like a documentation hiccup, not a platform shift, according to multiple Apple Support pages. Compatibility starts with M1, not M2, as confirmed by Apple's main support documentation. And that matters for your expectations around...

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.

Reviewed by: Ysa Garcia

Recent market movements have positioned Apple as a darling of Wall Street, with the tech giant's stock climbing steadily amid broader economic uncertainty. Apple briefly crossed the $4 trillion market cap threshold, joining an exclusive club with only Nvidia and Microsoft. Beneath those big headline numbers sits a more complicated story, one that asks a simple question: solid ground or wishful thinking about the next wave of innovation?

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

The streaming landscape just experienced a major earthquake. When Disney pulled its entire content portfolio from YouTube TV after the October 30, 20205, midnight deadline, it was not just another corporate disagreement; it was a seismic shift that is leaving millions scrambling for alternatives and revealing deep fractures in how we watch TV right now.

Apple's iOS 26 is a real turning point for CarPlay users, delivering the biggest in-car update in years. Widgets arrive on standard CarPlay for the first time, according to 9to5Mac, a shift from what was once slated as a CarPlay Ultra exclusive. Familiar iPhone habits now live on your dashboard. Tap, glance, move on.

Apple just delivered another quarter that had Wall Street buzzing, but the real story goes beyond the headline numbers. The company reported quarterly revenue of $102.47 billion, marking an 8% jump from the previous year and slightly beating analyst expectations of $102.24 billion. Per-share earnings climbed 13% to $1.85, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.77. What makes this quarter fascinating is how it reflects Apple's evolving strategy across its entire ecosystem, from the iPhone 17's...

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.

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

Apple's Vision Pro is about to get a serious upgrade, one that reshapes how mixed reality feels in your hands. The company has officially revealed the headset will move from the M2 to the more powerful M5 chip (9to5Mac), while launching accessories that tackle longtime user complaints. Apple also confirmed release details for two previously announced add-ons (9to5Mac), and the enhanced Dual Knit Band that ships with the M5 model can now be purchased on its own (9to5Mac).

Looking at Apple's Invites app, you might think it's just another digital invitation tool. Then you poke around and realize there is more going on under the hood. The app just received its first significant update, and while Apple is being its usual cryptic self about what changed, the timing and integration features point to something bigger, a preview of AI‑enhanced social connectivity done the Apple way.

Google's November 2025 Pixel Drop just rolled out, bringing a comprehensive suite of AI-powered features that tackle some of our biggest smartphone frustrations. This is not another incremental update. It is Google's most ambitious integration of artificial intelligence into daily phone use yet, according to PC Magazine. From intelligent notification management to sophisticated scam protection, these features show how on-device AI can improve daily habits without sending your private data off...

The digital world has turned us all into notification addicts, constantly bombarded by pings, buzzes, and flashes that fragment our attention throughout the day. Your smartphone was supposed to make life easier, but instead it's become this relentless attention vampire that demands you drop everything for every promotional email and social media like. Tired of the lock screen lighting up at 2 a.m. for a coupon you will never use? Google clearly sees this problem, and they're about to do...

Picture this: you have just updated your iPhone's password, then later the new credentials do not work and you are locked out of an important account. Apple's latest iOS 26 release introduces comprehensive version history tracking for every login stored in the Passwords app, according to 9to5Mac. The result, as reported by iNews ZoomBangla, is a shift in how over 1.5 billion Apple device users handle their digital credentials. The standalone Passwords application, which debuted with iOS 18 as...

Epic Games has finally joined the native Apple Silicon party, and frankly, it’s about time. While the gaming world has been buzzing about Mac compatibility for years, the Epic Games Launcher stayed stuck behind Rosetta 2 translation. Now, with this long-awaited update, Mac gamers can run the launcher at full native speed on their M-series chips. No more translation crutches. More than a technical upgrade, it reads like a public nod that Apple’s ecosystem is a real gaming platform worth...

The mobile gaming landscape is in the middle of a real shakeup. We're not just talking about better graphics or more sophisticated games, though those are part of it. The real jolt comes from game controllers that snap directly onto your phone with magnets. No bulky clamps, no peeling off your case. They use MagSafe to create snap-on, stable connections that actually work (Smartphones GadgetHacks).

Google's latest foldable phone has just landed, and I've been putting its camera through its paces against some serious competition. Google's third-generation foldable device incorporates their newest Tensor G5 processor and enhanced imaging capabilities (Phone Arena), and it maintains the same core camera hardware as its predecessor while leaning on significant processing improvements (CNET). During extensive testing in London, I found results that might challenge assumptions about which...

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 lineup is shaping up to be one of the most transformative releases in recent memory. Early reports say this will not be a typical incremental upgrade, we are looking at fundamental changes that could redefine what an iPhone is. The buzz around Apple's 2026 flagship has already reached fever pitch, with industry insiders describing it as a major overhaul that goes far beyond routine spec bumps. The twist is Apple's reported two-phase rollout strategy, with Pro models...

If you're holding out hope that some scrappy startup will crack the code on comprehensive live sports streaming for Apple's Vision Pro, you might want to manage those expectations. Apple's own executive team has essentially acknowledged the fundamental challenges plaguing sports streaming fragmentation, despite having resources that most startups can only dream about. If they are feeling the strain, what chance does a newcomer have?

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. This innovative accessory combines retro aesthetics with cutting-edge functionality in ways that actually make sense.

Getting your smart home to play nice with all your devices has felt like navigating a maze of incompatible ecosystems. If you have been running Samsung's SmartThings as your connected home hub while carrying an iPhone, you know the daily friction of hopping between apps just to dim a lamp or nudge the thermostat. Samsung finally delivered a fix that should make mixed-device households breathe easier.