News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

Here's a deal that has me doing a double-take on Apple TV+ pricing. The streaming service just slashed its monthly rate to $5.99 for new and returning subscribers (Tom's Guide), which represents a substantial 54% discount from the current $12.99 monthly rate (ZDNET). What makes this particularly compelling is that this promotional pricing essentially takes Apple TV+ back to what users were paying three years ago, before the service underwent multiple price increases that brought it to its...

Google Chrome is finally catching up to what every other browser figured out years ago. The world's most popular browser is currently testing vertical tabs in its experimental Canary build, according to multiple sources. This development represents Google finally responding to years of user frustration and competitive pressure—while Edge, Firefox, and Vivaldi have offered this productivity-boosting feature for years, Chrome users have been stuck with cramped horizontal tabs that become unusable...

There's a shift happening in Apple's design philosophy, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is about to be the poster child. Rumors suggest 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, which will make it the bulkiest iPhone in the company's history.

Let me tell you, the iPhone Air saga has become one of the most confusing tech stories I've covered in years. What started as Apple's bold experiment in ultra-thin smartphone design has turned into a masterclass in contradictory reporting. One day, it is massive production cuts that suggest Apple is pulling the plug. The next, detailed specs for an iPhone Air 2, plus plans extending through 2027.

Poland's competition watchdog UOKiK has launched a formal investigation into Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature, adding weight to a growing European regulatory movement questioning whether the tech giant is leveraging privacy protection as a competitive advantage. The investigation reveals a fundamental concern about asymmetry in how privacy rules apply to Apple versus third-party developers in the mobile advertising ecosystem.

Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature was supposed to be a privacy win for users. When it launched in April 2021, the tech world watched as Apple introduced a simple pop-up asking users whether they wanted apps to track their activity across other apps and websites. Sounds straightforward enough, right? But here's where things get interesting—European regulators aren't buying Apple's privacy-first narrative. They're seeing something far more strategic: a carefully orchestrated system...

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Apple's latest iPhone Air has stirred up quite the conversation in the photography world. The device's bold design choice to feature just one rear camera has divided users and critics alike, sparking heated debates about whether simplicity can truly compete with multi-lens complexity. DXOMARK recently put this controversial camera setup through their rigorous testing process, and their comprehensive analysis reveals some surprising results. The single-sensor approach earned the iPhone Air a...

Black Friday week has arrived, and streaming services are delivering what might be the most aggressive promotional pricing we've seen since the pandemic subscription boom. After watching prices climb across nearly every major platform this year, these deals represent a strategic industry response to mounting consumer price sensitivity—and a crucial opportunity to lock in substantial savings before the next inevitable round of increases.

Google's latest move isn't just another tech experiment—it's a complete reimagining of how we think about computing platforms. The company is consolidating ChromeOS and Android into a single unified system, internally referred to as 'Aluminium OS,' according to Android Authority. This ambitious project was first announced at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit in September, where Google revealed its plans to bring Android to the PC market. The initiative represents Google's most significant challenge...

Black Friday's price wars are heating up, and Apple's latest MacBook Pro with M4 Max chips just got caught in the crossfire. Now, this is pretty remarkable stuff - we're talking about Apple's premium laptops, the machines that usually maintain their prices with the stubbornness of a well-trained guard dog, suddenly seeing unprecedented discounts that make these powerhouse machines more accessible than ever before.

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

The tech world has been buzzing about Tim Cook's future at Apple ever since he hit the big 6-5 in November. You might be wondering—is this the beginning of the end for his remarkable 14-year run as CEO? Well, hold that thought. While speculation has reached a fever pitch, with some reports suggesting an imminent handover, the reality might be quite different from what you're hearing in the rumor mill.

Picture this: you're driving down the Las Vegas Strip during F1 weekend, and suddenly the massive Sphere lights up with Apple TV branding, promoting both the blockbuster F1 movie and a tempting Black Friday deal. This isn't just flashy marketing—it's a calculated demonstration of Apple's broader strategy to dominate the sports streaming landscape. Apple's massive investment in Formula 1 content represents a pivotal shift in how tech companies are approaching premium sports rights, with the...

Apple's long journey into foldable territory has been marked by patience, perfectionism, and what appears to be a breakthrough that could redefine the entire category. After years of watching Samsung, Google, and others iterate through foldable designs with varying degrees of success, Apple seems ready to make its move with a device that tackles the most persistent complaint about foldables: that annoying crease down the middle of the display.

Apple just made a move that could reshape how developers approach the iOS ecosystem, and it is all about giving them new ways to reach users without the traditional app download friction. The company has introduced its Mini Apps Partner Program, opening doors for lightweight applications that work within existing apps or directly from the home screen. Not just another developer tool. It could be Apple’s answer to the growing demand for more flexible, instant access mobile experiences.

The OnePlus 15 is not tiptoeing into the spotlight. Its global debut blends speed, new tech, and a few regulatory potholes. Most markets get it fast, just not all at once.

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

When Apple's technical consultant for China confirmed that Apple and Tencent are actively working toward a revenue-sharing agreement, they acknowledged one of tech's most intriguing power plays. This is not just another app store spat. It is a potential billion-dollar chess match that could reshape how super-apps operate inside Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem.

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Apple TV+ is making waves with a groundbreaking new series that is far more than another streaming exclusive. The platform's first Hawaiian-language series marks a sharp break from typical content strategies, according to Screen Rant.

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...

You know that sinking feeling when you finish an amazing workout and realize your Apple Watch was sitting on the charger the whole time? Or when you're halfway through a run and notice you forgot to hit "start" on your workout app? Up until now, those scenarios meant accepting incomplete Activity rings and broken streak counts, no matter how hard you actually exercised. Brutal.

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Apple's streaming platform just rolled out what might be its most aggressive pricing move yet. Right now, you can snag Apple TV+ for $5.99 per month instead of the usual $12.99 – but here's what makes this different from your typical streaming discount. This Black Friday deal only runs for six months and requires a specific approach that actually reveals quite a bit about Apple's broader streaming strategy.

The tech world rarely sees Google and Apple working together on anything, so when Google quietly embedded promotional content for Apple TV's new series "Pluribus" directly into its search results, it raised some eyebrows. Here's what makes this particularly fascinating: we're talking about two companies locked in a complex financial relationship that was literally central to the U.S. government's monopolization case against Google. The research shows that Google's revenue-sharing payments to...

Picture this: Google just dropped a Broadway-worthy burn on Apple, and honestly, it's kind of brilliant. The tech giant's latest ad campaign doesn't just throw shade at Apple's delayed AI features—it does it with full theatrical flair, complete with show tunes from "Wicked." According to WebProNews, Google's newest promotional push represents their boldest swing yet at positioning Pixel devices as the go-to choice for anyone who actually wants AI that works now, not "someday soon."

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Reviewed by: Y. Garcia

Android users are getting something that could fundamentally change how we think about digital authenticity: Google's rolling out AI detection capabilities that can spot artificially generated photos right from your phone. This isn't just another incremental update buried in the settings—it's a direct response to the growing challenge of distinguishing real content from AI-generated images in our daily digital lives, where traditional approaches increasingly fall short against sophisticated...

Apple is gearing up for what could be its most significant Mac launch in years, and it's not what you'd expect. While we're used to seeing the company push boundaries with premium features and sky-high price tags, 2026 might mark a dramatic shift toward affordability. Recent investor reports suggest Apple will debut three budget-friendly devices in Q1 2026, with a low-cost MacBook taking center stage alongside the iPhone 17e and an updated base iPad. This affordable MacBook will reportedly run...

Here's what's really happening on London's streets: criminals are becoming increasingly selective about their targets, and the data reveals a fascinating pattern. Phone theft has reached epidemic proportions in the UK capital, with over 80,000 smartphones stolen last year alone, representing a staggering increase that's caught both law enforcement and tech companies off guard. What makes this trend particularly intriguing is the thieves' clear preference for specific devices—approximately 80%...