Gadgets
Phones, laptops, wearables, consumer technology
Apple to announce first foldable iPhone next week
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at next week's event. Most sources call it the iPhone Ultra, though the name isn’t confirmed—Apple could still go with 'Duo' or something else. The device will have a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner one, matching Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. It supports MagSafe charging and will rely on Touch ID, not Face ID, because of its thinner design.
More in Gadgets
MapQuest launches Android Auto integration after viral surge
MapQuest has begun testing its navigation app on Android Auto, following a steep rise in downloads after the company refused to relabel Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in response to an executive order. The beta feature lets users access MapQuest on car dashboards and includes a new incident-reporting tool. Early reports note the rollout is experimental and may have stability issues.
Philips Hue releases TV camera to sync lights with any content
Philips Hue just launched the Hue Play Screen Sync camera for $119.99. You place it above your TV, and it uses a fisheye lens to match your room’s smart lights to whatever’s on screen—including streaming apps and live broadcasts, not just movies running through an HDMI cable. There’s also a slimmer Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K for $149.99, but it has just one HDMI input. Both start shipping today.
Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe laptops launch in seven color choices
Lenovo just revealed the IdeaPad Vibe, an upcoming laptop line with seven Pantone-picked color options and prices starting at $699. You pick from 14- or 15-inch models and can swap keycaps for contrasting looks. Inside, you'll get either AMD or Snapdragon chips and up to 32GB of RAM, with OLED screen options reserved for the more muted colors. The AMD versions arrive in October, Snapdragon in November.
iPhone Handoff lets you share one number on two iPhones
Soon, iPhones running iOS 27 can share one phone number across two devices using a new feature called iPhone Handoff. You pick a main and a companion phone, and the companion gets its own digital SIM tied to your number. You'll need support from your carrier, though—references point to T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom at launch. The update arrives with iOS 27 later this month.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,319
Apple's next high-end phone, the iPhone 18 Pro, could launch at $1,319 for the base model, according to TrendForce. That's up from $1,099 for last year's iPhone 17 Pro. The sharp price jump comes as memory costs for the 256GB version have reportedly soared almost 400% compared to last year. TrendForce says Apple is absorbing some costs, but not all. A foldable iPhone may be revealed too, starting at $2,099.
Lenovo unveils Yoga Pro 9n and 9n 2-in-1 laptops with RTX Spark
Lenovo just showed off two new laptops, the Yoga Pro 9n and the Yoga 9n 2-in-1, powered by Nvidia’s new RTX Spark chip. The Pro model supports up to 128GB memory, a 15.3-inch OLED screen, and rapid charging. The 2-in-1 is a bit larger and capped at 64GB memory, with a focus on pen input. Both target creators who need heavyweight AI and editing tools. No price or release date yet.
Lexar unveils ultrathin portable SSD with phone mounting
Lexar just revealed what it calls the world’s thinnest portable SSD, the Muse, measuring just 3.8mm (about 0.15 inches) thick. It comes in 512GB and 1TB versions, attaches magnetically to your iPhone or Android with a special sleeve, and uses a proprietary snap-on cable. Lexar promises up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds. Expect a late-2026 release, with a rough price target of $230 for 512GB and $380 for 1TB.
Ulefone RugOne XSnap 7 Pro debuts with detachable action camera
Ulefone's new sub-brand, RugOne, just announced the XSnap 7 Pro, a super-rugged Android phone with a detachable action camera built right in. It lands in the US this October for $999, with a Europe price of €1,099. The magnetic camera records at up to 2.8K, can stream footage from up to 50 meters away over Wi-Fi, and holds its own charge for 40 minutes.
Lenovo launches new Android tablets with 7 years of updates
Lenovo’s just announced two high-end Yoga Android tablets, both shipping with Android 17 and seven years of major updates and security patches—up through 2033. The 11.1-inch model costs $729.99, while the 13-inch version, with a faster Snapdragon chip and more memory, starts at $999.99. Both tablets feature 4K displays, fast charging, AI tools, pen support, and optional keyboards.
Apple producing few foldable iPhones daily, report says
Apple is reportedly making just a few hundred foldable iPhone Ultra units per day right now, citing strict quality controls and production challenges, especially with the hinge and screen flatness. This slow pace could mean limited availability when the phone launches, expected next week. Normally, Apple would need tens of thousands produced daily before launch, so don’t expect these to be easy to find at first.
Apple explores surround and Party Mode for HomePod
Apple is testing new HomePod features that let you set up four full-sized speakers in surround mode and add a 'Party Mode' to widen the sound, according to code found in the latest audioOS beta. Also spotted: a possible new HomePod speaker identifier. For now, these features are not guaranteed to ship, but code sleuths say Apple is at least experimenting with them.
Ugreen launches smart home hubs with local AI processing
Ugreen, best known for chargers, just dropped its first smart home lineup, headlined by the HomeAgent HA100 and HA100 Pro. These hubs use AI that runs entirely at home—no cloud required—to control cameras, generate video event summaries, and display image highlights on photo frames. The launch includes indoor and outdoor cameras, all with 4K video, plus a smart speaker and photo frame, available for pre-order now.
Govee launches AI-powered ceiling light and LED strips
Govee just released a new $399 ceiling light that uses AI to tailor lighting to your mood and needs, adjusting automatically based on weather and time. The company also debuted two new LED strip lights, including a flagship Pro version at $169 for five meters. The AI can create custom light scenes from your prompts, and everything covers a wide color spectrum. All products are on sale now.
Pixel Watch 5 gets first update, mostly recaps launch features
Google just released the first software update for the Pixel Watch 5, which brings September's security patches and a few improvements. Oddly, the update mostly rehashes features that debuted at launch, like Gemini AI’s offline mode, personalized tips, expanded hand gestures, and upgraded notifications. To use Gemini's proactive suggestions, you’ll need a Pixel 11 phone with Gemini set up on it.
HP OmniBook X Flip 16-inch drops to $699 at Best Buy
HP’s OmniBook X Flip 16-inch laptop is now $699 at Best Buy, down almost half from the original $1,329 to $1,349. This 2-in-1 has a Ryzen AI 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 16-inch OLED touchscreen that folds into tablet mode. Windows Central notes it offers a claimed 30-hour battery, local AI features, and a solid port selection. The deal runs until September 7.
Apple said to plan major iPhone redesign for 20th anniversary
Apple is reportedly working on a major redesign for the iPhone's 20th anniversary next year. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next iPhone Pro could have a screen that curves around all corners and edges, making the device appear nearly all-glass. These changes would be the most dramatic since the iPhone X. It’s unclear whether Apple can pull off every planned feature.
Lenovo unveils rollable laptop screen concept at IFA 2026
Lenovo showed off a prototype called Project Swan at IFA 2026. It's a 14-inch laptop that can mechanically expand its screen to 17 inches, giving you more workspace on demand. You get portability for travel, but a bigger monitor when you need it. Still just a concept, so there’s no price or release date. Durability and battery impact are unclear.
Samsung launches cheaper Galaxy Book 6 model
Samsung just announced a more affordable Galaxy Book 6 laptop, now starting at $799. It comes with a 14-inch screen, options for Intel Core 3 or 5 chips, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. The device is a step down from the previous model, which started at $1,249. This version goes on sale in the US on October 5, both on Samsung.com and Amazon.
Dell unveils new 14S laptop to rival MacBook Neo
Dell just launched the 14S, a 14-inch aluminum Windows laptop aimed at students and young adults, directly targeting Apple’s budget MacBook Neo. The 14S promises up to 21 hours of battery, colorful casing options, and weighs about 2.5 pounds. It’ll run on entry-level Intel Core Ultra 3 or Ultra 5 chips. Dell hasn’t confirmed a price, but says it’ll undercut the $699 XPS 13. U.S. sales start this fall.
Litterbox launches free Safari extension for X links
A new Safari extension called Litterbox lets you view links to posts and profiles on X (formerly Twitter) in a popup, without going to x.com directly. Litterbox is free, has no ads or tracking, and works on iOS 18 and macOS 15 or later. It doesn't send your cookies to X. You can download it now from the App Store.
Lenovo unveils fanless, ultra-thin AeroBlade laptop at IFA
Lenovo showed two new laptop concepts at IFA. The standout: Project AeroBlade, a 14-inch laptop less than 10 mm thick and under 1.83 pounds. Instead of fans, it’s cooled by four AirJet modules—tiny, solid-state devices from Frore Systems that use ultrasonic vibrations to manage heat. The design uses only USB-C ports and includes Wi-Fi 7. A rollable-screen laptop concept, which expands a 14-inch display to 17 inches, was also on display.
Xiaomi 18 Fold foldable phone set for September 7 launch
Xiaomi confirmed its new foldable phone, the 18 Fold, will launch in China on September 7. The device features a 5.38-inch outside screen and a 7.58-inch inside display, with a wider "mid-fold" design that sits between large foldables and pocket-sized flip phones. It's powered by Xiaomi's new Xring O3 AI chip and runs on HyperOS 4. Xiaomi also revealed the phone's exterior design ahead of release.
Smart home tech dominates IFA Berlin 2026
At IFA 2026 in Berlin, home technology stole the spotlight, with companies showing off everything from AI-coordinated bedrooms and color-changing lights to connected appliances and smarter robot vacuums. Standouts included LG’s extra-large, ultra-thin OLED TV, a home beer-brewing machine, and Xiaomi’s system that automates lights, beds, A/C, and cleaning as you move around. Several cleaning robots now claim to tackle not just dust, but allergens, with certifications to back it up.
Alogic launches 5K and 6K monitors, new dock and mice
Alogic just unveiled several 5K and 6K display models, including touch-enabled 27-inch ($1,899.99) and 32-inch ($2,999.99) screens, plus a 34-inch 5K Ultrawide at $2,799.99, all shipping by November. The Clarity line now has a 12MP webcam and upgraded ports. They also dropped a $399.99 Thunderbolt 5 docking station and new wireless mice and keyboards, all available soon.
Firefox adds optional ad blocker to iOS browser
Firefox on iOS now offers a built-in ad blocker. Turn it on in the app's settings, and it’ll block many third-party ads and trackers before they load—though not every ad, and ads native to the site or in search results will still show. You don’t need to install a separate add-on. Mozilla says this gives you more control, especially since iOS limits browser extensions.
Labor Day brings Apple Studio Display discounts
Amazon and Best Buy are running Labor Day sales on a stack of Apple devices. Apple Studio Displays are up to $330 off, with the standard model now $1,503 (was $1,599) and the top-end XDR down to $2,970 (from $3,299). Pre-order discounts also knocked up to $29 off the not-yet-released Mac mini M6 and up to $30 off the Mac mini M5 Pro.
Amazon offers major Labor Day headphone discounts
Amazon's Labor Day sale is cutting prices on popular headphones and earbuds. AirPods Pro 3 are 20% off, and Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are half price. Some older Bose QuietComfort models have dropped to $199. The deals cover a wide range, from basic spare buds to premium over-ear sets. All the highlighted products received strong recommendations from TechRadar.