News and Updates from Gadget Hacks

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.

Samsung's journey with One UI 8 has been a rollercoaster, and we can finally see the end of the ride. After a pause to sort things out, Samsung has resumed the One UI 8 rollout for both the Galaxy S23 and S24 series, now with beefed-up security that makes the wait feel worth it.

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.

Recent leaks about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series point to a generation focused on refinement, not revolution. Boring on paper. Useful in practice, because it clarifies the compact-phone question. Samsung still is not going small, which is exactly why grabbing a Galaxy S25 right now makes a lot of sense.

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...

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17e is shaping up to be the most significant budget iPhone upgrade we've seen in years. The rumors suggest Apple is finally ready to give its entry-level model some serious love, and honestly, it's about time.

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.

Apple's latest camera rumor is back, and this time it comes with receipts. The iPhone 18 Pro variable aperture feature has resurfaced in reports, according to 9to5Mac, with a reliable leaker confirming what supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first predicted. If it ships, it would be the first adjustable aperture on any iPhone, a real shift for mobile photography. The timing matters. Rivals like Samsung tried it years ago, then backed away over cost and complexity. Reports from Apple Gadget Hacks...

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.

YouTube's transformation is happening right now, and it's bigger than most people realize. The platform has launched multiple interface updates that represent the most significant visual overhaul in more than a decade, according to Tom's Guide. The redesign touches everything, from player controls to how you save and browse, and it landed right after major mobile interface changes that rolled out less than two weeks earlier. The timing isn't a coincidence. YouTube is modernizing its entire...

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Recent Microsoft 365 outages have created a pivotal moment for organizations to reconsider their productivity platform dependencies. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based collaboration tools, the fragility of centralized systems has become painfully apparent. Recent analysis reveals how infrastructure failures can cascade across entire ecosystems, affecting millions of users globally. These disruptions are not just technical inconveniences. They raise hard questions about business...

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...

Tim Cook's recent commitment to deepen Apple's China investment lands at a delicate intersection of geopolitics and corporate calculus. His pledge during a Beijing visit is more than routine. It is a bet on managing one of tech's most tangled relationships. How high are the stakes? China generates roughly $360 billion a year from its Apple partnership, roughly the GDP of South Africa. And most iPhones worldwide are produced or assembled there.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Reviewed by Meg Flores

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.

You've probably heard about ultra-thin smartphones becoming the next big thing in mobile tech, but Samsung's latest strategic reversal shows how tricky that niche really is. What began as an ambitious swing at redefining flagship design with the Galaxy S25 Edge ended with the Galaxy S26 Edge getting cancelled, before it even launched. Not a minor hiccup; a loud warning about what happens when engineering flair drifts away from what buyers actually want.

The wireless earbuds landscape is crowded, with manufacturers racing to pack premium features into cheaper packages. Enter the Google Pixel Buds 2a, a compelling middle ground that brings active noise cancellation and flagship-level performance to the $129 price point. What makes these earbuds particularly significant is that they represent Google's first foray back into budget ANC territory in about four years, powered by the same Tensor A1 chip that drives their premium counterparts.

Apple has been quietly laying the groundwork for what might be its most compelling product reveal in years. The Vision Pro grabbed headlines for its technical bravado, yet recent strategic shifts reveal Apple has redirected its focus from high-end mixed reality headsets to AI-powered smart glasses. It has halted development of a more affordable Vision Pro variant to accelerate work on lightweight wearables that could launch as early as 2027. With the wearable AI market projected to explode from...

Apple's next-generation iPad Pro is stirring things up before Apple has said a word. Reports point to advanced testing on what could be the most meaningful tablet update in years. The upcoming device is expected to feature Apple's powerful new M5 chip, a deliberate move to debut fresh silicon in a tablet first, not a Mac. That says a lot about where Apple wants the iPad Pro to sit. Internally, the new models are being identified by code names J817, J818, J820, and J821, a hint at multiple...

If you've been struggling with your Pixel's Wi-Fi connection lately, you're not alone. Google's latest Pixel update has created a connectivity nightmare that's hitting users where it hurts most, their daily Wi-Fi experience. While monthly software updates typically bring welcome improvements and security patches, recent reports suggest that Pixel owners are experiencing significant Wi-Fi connectivity issues following the October 2025 update.

Apple's latest iOS 26 update has transformed digital boarding passes from simple ticket stubs into sophisticated travel companions, and the rollout is already underway. Digital boarding passes have consistently ranked among Apple Wallet's most utilized features, making this upgrade particularly significant for millions of travelers. The enhanced boarding pass experience was announced with iOS 26, delivering three major improvements: Live Activities for real-time flight tracking, integrated...

The Android world loves a good cat-and-mouse chase, and this latest chapter between Google and the developer community delivers exactly that kind of drama. Google's October 2025 update took direct aim at a popular workaround that enabled VoLTE and VoWiFi features on Pixel phones in unsupported regions, according to Android Authority. But here's the thing about determined developers: they don't give up easily. The resourceful creator behind the Pixel IMS app has already crafted a clever solution...

When Apple hired John Giannandrea from Google back in 2018, it felt like a pivotal moment for the company's AI ambitions. Here was a respected executive who had overseen cutting-edge AI deployments in Google's most popular products, coming to Apple at a time when Siri was clearly falling behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa. The hire seemed to signal that Apple was finally getting serious about artificial intelligence. Big moment. High hopes.

When Apple decided to enter the health services market, it did not take half measures. The company is preparing to launch Health+ in 2026, a move that could be its most ambitious step into healthcare to date (Trading View). Not just another fitness app. Think an artificial intelligence powered health coach that delivers personalized guidance on nutrition, exercise, and chronic disease management (AI Invest). The bigger story, Apple is shifting from passive data collection to active, intelligent...

You know that feeling when you realize you've been paying way more for something than you actually need? That's exactly what's happening to millions of Google One subscribers right now. Between deliberately confusing interface designs that hide downgrade options and a growing maze of subscription tiers, Google's cloud storage service now feels less like a straightforward subscription and more like a trap.

When Apple hauls its latest tech into the mountains, you pay attention. Not the usual polished halls. This time, the company packed social media influencers and sent them straight into Colorado's rugged wilderness to put the iPhone 17 Pro Max, AirPods Pro 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 through their paces.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Samsung is gearing up to make waves in the foldable smartphone arena, and the latest leaks surrounding its upcoming trifold device are fascinating. The Galaxy G Fold is rumored to introduce a groundbreaking tri-battery system powered by silicon-carbon technology, according to recent reports. It would be Samsung's first real foray into advanced battery chemistry, a sharp break from traditional lithium-ion cells. The twist, and the hard part, is how Samsung plans to tackle complex power...

The Pixel Watch 4 has completely changed how I use a smartwatch, and it comes down to one standout feature that reshapes how I interact with wearable tech. Google’s latest watch feels like a leap, not a step, in both functionality and user experience.

Apple's Services revenue keeps surging, setting fresh records quarter after quarter. The numbers tell a story investors should not ignore. In fiscal Q3 2025 (quarter ended 2025-06-28), services generated $27.42 billion in sales, marking a 13% year-over-year increase. This segment has shown remarkable growth, with revenue climbing 108% higher than the same period five years ago, that is a much faster pace than Apple's products division.

The tech world is buzzing with news that could reshape the foldable landscape, and it is centered on Samsung's potential game-changing approach for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Instead of following the usual script, Samsung is exploring a custom 2nm Snapdragon processor tailored to clamshell needs. Not just raw power. The everyday stuff that trips flip phones up.

When you think about your living room setup, you probably imagine a straightforward equation: couch plus remote plus streaming service equals entertainment time. Google is reportedly working on flipping that script, turning your TV from a passive screen into something closer to a personal AI film studio. Why TV interfaces? Because the living room is where families gather, a natural spot for voice-first creative tools that do not require technical expertise.

Microsoft's Copilot is getting a makeover that stretches far past its old borders. The latest update brings game-changing features that Microsoft recently began rolling out. Not another tiny tweak. A broad expansion that turns Copilot into a true productivity hub, one that connects Microsoft's ecosystem with outside services like Google's. With Connectors and direct Office document creation, Microsoft is aiming for AI that feels seamless across apps, accounts, and devices.

Apple's bug bounty program is making headlines again, and this time it's not just about finding vulnerabilities, it's about the serious money behind them. The tech giant is significantly ramping up its financial incentives, doubling and even quadrupling maximum payouts for security researchers who can uncover critical flaws in its ecosystem. What started as a modest program back in 2016 has evolved into one of the industry's most lucrative bug hunting opportunities, with Apple having...

Apple has been keeping us waiting for a foldable iPhone for nearly a decade, and the anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. The tech giant that revolutionized smartphones with the original iPhone is now gearing up to enter the foldable market with what could be its most significant innovation in years. Recent industry reports suggest a 2026 launch (rumored), marking Apple's long-awaited entry into a space that Samsung and others have been exploring since 2019. About time, right? But here’s...

Apple's CarPlay Ultra represents the most ambitious evolution of in-car connectivity since the original CarPlay launched over a decade ago. Not just another software update; it is Apple's bold attempt to fundamentally reimagine how we interact with our vehicles. The system debuted earlier this year, according to MacRumors, and its current availability tells a story of innovation colliding with industry resistance that is reshaping the automotive landscape.