Apple Unveils Touchscreen MacBook Pro with Tandem OLED PROLED XDR Display
PROLED XDR Display: Tandem OLED at 2,000 Nits
The centerpiece of the hardware redesign is the debut of the PROLED XDR display. Utilising tandem OLED architecture — layering two organic light-emitting stacks to achieve extreme luminance without burn-in risk — the display achieves up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness for both HDR and SDR content, an industry-leading 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and adaptive ProMotion refresh rates scaling from 10Hz to 120Hz.
| PROLED XDR Display — Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Technology | Tandem OLED (dual stacked organic light-emitting layers) |
| Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits (HDR and SDR) — 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio |
| Refresh Rate | ProMotion adaptive 10–120Hz |
| Color Gamut | Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, 80% Rec. 2020 |
| 14-inch Panel | 14.2 inches (expanded via slimmer bezels) |
| 16-inch Panel | 16.3 inches (expanded via slimmer bezels) |
| Nano-Texture | Optional anti-glare glass etched directly into cover surface |
Touch Arrives on Mac with Dynamic Island
For the first time on a Mac, users can touch, swipe, pinch, and sketch directly on the primary display. Apple has integrated the capacitive touch sensor directly into the display stack itself — eliminating air gaps and delivering zero-latency responsiveness — paired with a redesigned high-torque hinge mechanism that stabilises the screen against finger taps.
macOS 27 automatically translates screen taps into clicks, allowing artists to paint directly in Pixelmator Pro, musicians to play multi-touch chord pads in Logic Pro, and developers to test iOS builds natively on the Mac display. Replacing the traditional notch, Dynamic Island on Mac houses the 12MP Center Stage camera and serves as an interactive hub for Spotlight search, Live Activities, and Siri AI. Apple has also restored the iconic illuminated glowing Apple logo on the rear lid after a ten-year absence.
M5 Pro and M5 Max Silicon
| Performance & Connectivity | |
|---|---|
| Chips | M5 Pro / M5 Max — Neural Accelerators embedded in every GPU core |
| Unified Memory | Up to 128GB |
| Storage | Up to 16TB SSD |
| Thunderbolt | 3x Thunderbolt 5 — up to 4 external displays on M5 Max |
| Other Ports | HDMI, SDXC card reader, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| WLAN / BT | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Weight (14-inch) | 3.0 lbs — half a pound lighter than previous generation |
| Weight (16-inch) | 4.0 lbs — 0.7 lbs lighter than previous generation |
Pricing and Availability
| MacBook Pro PROLED XDR — US Pricing | |
|---|---|
| 14-inch M5 Pro | From $2,899 (Education: $2,749) |
| 14-inch M5 Max | From $4,499 |
| 16-inch M5 Pro | From $3,399 (Education: $3,199) |
| 16-inch M5 Max | From $4,799 |
| Pre-Orders | Live now |
| Available | November 6, 2026 |
Apple Introduces 14-Inch MacBook Pro with M6: 12-Core CPU, Dual Neural Engine, and 24-Hour Battery
M6 Architecture: 12-Core CPU and Dual 16-Core Neural Engine
The centerpiece of the new laptop is Apple's 3-nanometer M6 processor, engineered to accelerate multithreaded professional workflows and local AI execution. The chip features an upgraded 12-core CPU — incorporating two additional cores over its predecessor — which Apple claims delivers the fastest single-threaded execution core in the world alongside up to 60 percent faster multithreaded performance.
| M6 Chip — Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU | 12-Core (performance + efficiency cores) — fastest single-threaded core ever in a Mac, up to 60% faster multithreaded vs M5 |
| GPU | 12-Core with 3rd-generation hardware ray tracing, Dynamic Caching, Neural Accelerators in every core — up to 30% faster 3D rendering vs M5 |
| Neural Engine | Dual 16-Core (32 total AI cores) — up to 1.9x faster AI throughput vs M5; accelerates local LLMs, image generation, video upscaling, real-time transcription |
| Unified Memory | 16GB standard (configurable to 32GB), 170 GB/s memory bandwidth |
| Process Node | 3nm |
Record 24-Hour Battery Life and Liquid Retina XDR Display
Thanks to the extreme energy efficiency of the M6 platform, the 14-inch MacBook Pro achieves up to 24 hours of continuous battery endurance on a single charge — and critically, Apple's power management architecture delivers identical processing throughput whether plugged in or on battery. Fast charging restores up to 50 percent capacity in just 30 minutes with an optional 96W USB-C adapter.
The Liquid Retina XDR display delivers up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness, 1,000 nits full-screen sustained luminance, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. A glare-reducing Nano-texture matte display option is available as a configure-to-order upgrade for professionals working in high-ambient-light environments.
Connectivity, Center Stage Camera, and Ports
Enclosed in a 100 percent recycled aluminum chassis available in Space Black (with anodization seal to repel fingerprints) and Silver, the notebook features a comprehensive port selection and updated wireless connectivity.
| Ports & Connectivity | |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 4 | 3x Thunderbolt 4 — supports up to two high-resolution external displays |
| Other Ports | HDMI, SDXC card reader, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage with Desk View support |
| Audio | Studio-grade 3-mic array, 6-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio |
Pricing and Availability
| 14-inch MacBook Pro M6 — US Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Base (16GB / 512GB) | $1,999 (Education: $1,899) |
| Apple Upgrade | From $38.99/month over 36 months |
| Colors | Space Black, Silver |
| Pre-Orders | October 28, 2026 — available in 35 countries |
| Available | November 6, 2026 |
Apple Unveils All-New OLED iPad mini: 8.5-Inch Screen, A20 Pro Silicon, and IP67 Durability
8.5-Inch Super Retina XDR OLED Display and Nano-Texture Glass
The headline upgrade is the transition from legacy liquid crystal to organic light-emitting diode technology. Thanks to 24 percent thinner borders, Apple has expanded the active screen area from 8.3 inches to 8.5 inches while preserving the identical pocketable footprint of previous generations.
The Super Retina XDR panel delivers pixel-level luminance control with a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, full P3 wide color gamut coverage, and a peak HDR brightness of 1,200 nits — more than double the output of its predecessor. The display scales down to an ultra-low 1-nit minimum brightness and up to full outdoor visibility. A glare-reducing Nano-texture display option is available on 256GB and 512GB tiers as a $100 upgrade. The panel retains a 60Hz refresh rate.
Thinner IP67 Chassis and Acoustic Display Audio
The new iPad mini measures just 5.4 millimeters thin and weighs 255 grams — a 14 percent weight reduction compared to the previous model. The enclosure is crafted from 100 percent recycled aluminum and carries an IP67 rating, shielding the tablet against dust and water immersion up to one meter for 30 minutes.
Audio is handled by a new Acoustic Display system: low-frequency woofers transmit sound directly through the display glass for deeper bass, paired with custom tweeters along the bezel perimeter. The front-facing 12MP Center Stage camera has been permanently relocated to the landscape top edge for natural video conferencing, while the rear 12MP Wide camera gains an Adaptive True Tone flash for improved document scanning.
A20 Pro Silicon and the 512GB Neural Engine Tier
The tablet is powered by Apple's 2-nanometer A20 Pro processor, delivering a 60 percent multithreaded CPU boost and a 2.7x jump in graphics throughput with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Apple has introduced an architectural split between storage configurations:
| A20 Pro Configuration by Storage | |
|---|---|
| 128GB / 256GB | 5-Core CPU (2 performance + 3 efficiency), 7-Core GPU with Neural Accelerators, 16-Core Neural Engine |
| 512GB | 6-Core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency), 7-Core GPU, Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 total cores) — up to 4.5x faster for local AI and generative apps |
Wireless connectivity is driven by Apple's custom N1 chip delivering Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, alongside the in-house C2 cellular modem for 50 percent faster 5G data. The device supports the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C).
Pricing and Availability
| iPad mini (2026) — US Pricing | |
|---|---|
| 128GB Wi-Fi | $699 (Education: $649) |
| 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular | $849 |
| 256GB Wi-Fi | $799 |
| 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular | $949 |
| 512GB Wi-Fi | $999 |
| 512GB Wi-Fi + Cellular | $1,149 |
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight |
| Pre-Orders | October 28, 2026 |
| Available | November 6, 2026 |
Early iPhone Duo Buyers Report Inner Screen Cracks Along Hinge
Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, went on sale October 23, 2026, starting at $1,999 for 256GB. Within days, photos of cracked inner displays began circulating on Reddit and the MacRumors forums. Here's what is confirmed, what isn't, and what owners can do.
What Owners Are Reporting
The reports describe a crack running down the center line of the hinge on the 7.6-inch inner display, often followed by a horizontal band of pixels stuck glowing white. One owner in Australia said the phone failed after about six hours and fewer than 20 openings, and Notebookcheck reports that an audible crack came before the damage. Another owner told CBS News the phone suddenly felt tight partway up the hinge as he opened it.
How Big Is the Problem?
Nobody outside Apple knows yet. 9to5Mac counted about 10 unique cases as of Sunday, October 25, and Bloomberg reported a growing number of complaints on Monday. MacRumors noted that some images circulating online appear to be AI-generated, and reviewers who tested the phone before launch didn't report similar failures. So this looks like a real problem for some owners, but the scale is unproven.
What Apple Has Said
On October 26, Apple told CNBC and 9to5Mac that it is aware of an issue with the inner display on "a small number of iPhone Duo units" and that affected owners should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple says most units are not affected, the problem tends to show up soon after purchase, and you don't need AppleCare+ to get a replacement. If you bought through a carrier, contact AppleCare directly rather than your carrier. Apple hasn't said what causes the cracking, whether a fix is coming, or announced a recall. In-store replacements are available, but stock is limited, so some owners are waiting.
What Could Be Causing It
iFixit's teardown, published October 25, found that the reported damage clusters just below where a display cable crosses under the screen, near a central support bar in the hinge. Using CT scans, teardown footage and Apple patents, it built a 3D model of the hinge and offered two possible explanations. The support bar may not retract far enough when the phone closes, pressing on the display, or curved guide rails in the hinge may rise into it.
Neither explanation is confirmed, iFixit says more investigation is needed, and Apple hasn't commented on its findings.
Costs and Coverage
| iPhone Duo Repair and Replacement | |
|---|---|
| This display issue | Replacement through AppleCare, AppleCare+ not required |
| Out-of-warranty inner screen repair | $999 |
| Inner display repair with AppleCare+ | $99 fee |
| Starting price | $1,999 for 256GB, up to $3,199 for 2TB |
Apple's one-year limited warranty covers defects from normal use, and launch buyers also have a 14-day return window.
My Take
A cracked screen on a $1,999 phone within a week is a bad look, and "a small number" tells us very little until Apple shares real figures. What I do like is that Apple moved quickly on replacements and didn't make people buy AppleCare+ first. The $999 out-of-warranty repair price is the bigger long-term worry, since that's half the cost of the phone.
If you already own one, I wouldn't force the hinge, and I'd contact AppleCare if you notice any display problems. If you're still deciding, the return window is worth knowing about. Apple is also adding 28 more countries on October 30, so more owners are about to find out how their unit holds up. For more, browse our Apple, Foldable and iOS coverage.
Microsoft Adds Android Phone Controls and Native Speed Testing to Windows 11 Quick Settings
Microsoft announced a new batch of Windows 11 Insider Preview builds on October 23, 2026, and the most interesting changes landed in Experimental build 26340.9767. It tracks Windows 11 version 26H2 and puts two small but useful conveniences into the Quick Settings flyout: controls for a connected phone and a built-in internet speed test. You can read the full details in Microsoft's release notes for the build.
Phone Controls in Quick Settings
Open Quick Settings from the taskbar and look for Mobile devices. With a supported Android phone connected, Microsoft says everyday actions are a click away:
- Do Not Disturb: turn it on before a meeting.
- Ringer mode: change your phone's ringer mode, such as switching to vibrate.
- Find your phone: play a sound to locate it nearby.
If you haven't connected a phone yet, Windows will walk you through setup. Microsoft is upfront that capabilities vary by phone platform and device configuration. Android gets the most complete set of controls, while iPhone support starts with a more limited, status-focused experience.
A Built-In Speed Test Without the Browser
The second addition is an internet speed test that runs and shows its results directly in Quick Settings, without redirecting you to a browser. You can start it from the new Speed test Quick Setting, from the Wi-Fi or Cellular flyout, or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray and choosing Test internet speed.
While the test runs, Quick Settings shows its progress, then reports download speed, upload speed and ping. Microsoft says this builds on a speed test it previously introduced for Insiders, and the new version keeps both the test and the results inside Windows.
Other Changes in These Builds
Build 26340.9767 also lets you filter Feature flags by enablement state on the Windows Insider Program settings page, and adds a toggle for the Windows logo key + Plus shortcut that launches Magnifier. It fixes two problems from the previous update as well: explorer.exe failing to load after sign-in, and a false "wrong password" message on the login screen.
The companion Experimental (26H1) build 28120.3302 is the one for Start menu fans. It adds more Start menu customization, including size options, along with separate camera, microphone and location permissions for individual desktop apps.
| New Insider Builds (October 23, 2026) | |
|---|---|
| Build 26340.9767 | Experimental channel, Windows 11 version 26H2. Quick Settings phone controls and speed test. |
| Build 28120.3302 | Experimental (26H1) channel. Start menu customization and per-app desktop permissions. |
| Build 26220.9757 | Beta channel, Windows 11 version 25H2. Does not include the Quick Settings changes. |
Availability and Rollout
The phone controls and speed test are in the Experimental channel only. The Beta build that shipped the same day doesn't include them. Even inside Experimental, Microsoft uses Controlled Feature Rollout, which starts with a subset of Insiders and ramps up over time, so not everyone will see Mobile devices right after updating. Microsoft also reminds testers that features in these builds might change, be removed, or never release beyond Windows Insiders.
My Take
These are small changes, and I mean that as a compliment. Ringing your phone or flipping Do Not Disturb is a quick action you shouldn't need a separate app for, and a speed test that stays inside Windows beats opening a browser tab. The Android-first approach stands out too, since iPhone users only get status information for now.
The catch is the usual one. This is the Experimental channel, and Microsoft is clear that nothing here is guaranteed to ship. I'd expect some version of it to land eventually, but I wouldn't plan around it yet. For more, browse our Windows, Microsoft and Android coverage.
Apple Announces “Pro and Tell” Event for October 28: OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro, M6 Macs Expected
Apple sent out media invitations on October 19 2026 for its next hardware event, a special in-person showcase in Los Angeles on Wednesday October 28, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. PDT. Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak teased the event with the tagline "Pro and Tell," pointing squarely at the Mac lineup. This is Apple's second dedicated hardware event this autumn, following the October 13 Welcome Home showcase, and it sets up the company's premium computing portfolio ahead of the holiday season.
OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
The headline expectation for October 28 is a fundamentally re-engineered MacBook Pro. Supply chain reports indicate Apple will bring OLED display technology to its premium laptop for the first time, replacing the existing mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR panels with deeper blacks, higher contrast, and improved power efficiency.
The more significant change is touch input. Apple has resisted touchscreens on macOS laptops for well over a decade, and that position appears to be ending here. The new MacBook Pro is expected to support touch gestures alongside traditional trackpad navigation, working in concert with macOS Golden Gate's adaptive interface scaling for finger taps, pinch-to-zoom, and toolbar interactions. Earlier rumours had suggested the device might launch under a new "MacBook Ultra" name, but Apple is retaining the established MacBook Pro branding, which is the right call for continuity.
M6 MacBook Pro and M6 iMac
The event is also expected to expand Apple's M6 silicon across the Mac lineup. The M6 chip made its first appearance in the entry-level Mac mini last month, and October 28 should bring it to two more machines. A refreshed 14-inch baseline MacBook Pro powered by the standard M6 is expected for mainstream professional workloads, alongside a refreshed 24-inch iMac with updated acoustic drivers, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and improved unified memory configurations to replace the M4 and M5 generations.
OLED iPad mini
The compact tablet lineup is also expected to get attention. An OLED iPad mini has been on the rumour circuit for some time, and this event looks like the moment it arrives. The update is expected to eliminate the rolling shutter display artefacts that have affected previous iPad mini models, boost outdoor peak brightness, and bring newer Apple silicon for full Apple Intelligence and Siri AI compatibility.
Software and Shipping Timeline
Apple seeded Release Candidate builds of iOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2 yesterday, which is the clearest signal yet that new hardware is imminent. Supply chain analysts project devices will begin shipping to customers on Friday November 6 2026, putting them on doorsteps well before the holiday shopping window opens in earnest. We will have full coverage of everything announced on October 28.
Samsung Launches Galaxy F70 5G: Super AMOLED+ Display, 50MP OIS Camera, and Exynos Silicon
Samsung has quietly added another phone to its Galaxy F70 range in India, and this one is more interesting than a budget launch usually is. The Galaxy F70 5G was announced on October 18, 2026, and it goes on sale October 20 at 12 PM IST through Flipkart and Samsung's India online store.
The headline is the price. The 4GB + 128GB model starts at ₹19,999, and Samsung says launch offers bring the effective price down to ₹17,999. For that you get an AMOLED panel, optical image stabilization and Gorilla Glass, which is not a combination I expect under ₹20,000. With memory costs squeezing budget phones this year, I'm glad to see Samsung still spending on the display.
Super AMOLED Display and Tougher Build
The F70 5G has a flat 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display running at 90Hz, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Samsung calls it the brightest sAMOLED panel in its segment, but it hasn't published a peak brightness figure, so I'd treat that as a marketing line until someone measures it.
At 7.5mm and about 192 grams, it's slim for a phone with a 5,000mAh battery. It also carries an IP54 rating, which covers dust and splashes but not a dunk in water. There's a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and the phone comes in Bold Black and Vivid Violet.
Exynos 1330 and Software
Power comes from the Exynos 1330, paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage that you can expand with a microSD card. That's a modest chip, so think everyday apps, video and social rather than heavy gaming. My one gripe is the 4GB base model. It will work, but I'd want the 6GB version, which costs ₹22,999.
The phone runs Android 15 with One UI 7.0 out of the box, and I haven't seen Samsung state an update commitment for it, which matters if you keep phones for years. On the feature side you get Circle to Search, Google Gemini, Samsung Wallet, Quick Share, Voice Focus and Samsung Knox security.
50MP OIS Camera Setup
The rear setup is led by a 50MP main sensor with OIS, which Samsung brands No Shake Cam. Stabilization is the feature I'd care about most at this price, since it helps with low light shots and steadier handheld video. The other two rear cameras are a 5MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro, and honestly those are there to fill out the spec sheet more than anything. The front camera is 13MP.
Battery and Charging
The 5,000mAh battery supports 25W wired charging, which is fine rather than fast. Samsung sells the charger separately, so if you don't already have a compatible adapter, factor that into the cost.
Samsung Galaxy F70 5G Specifications
| Display & Design | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7" Full HD+ (1080 x 2340) Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, IP54 |
| Build | 7.5mm thick, about 192g, side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Colors | Bold Black, Vivid Violet |
| Platform & Hardware | |
| OS | Android 15 with One UI 7.0 |
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5nm) |
| RAM / Storage | 4GB or 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, microSD expandable |
| Cameras | |
| Rear | 50MP main (f/1.8, OIS) + 5MP ultrawide + 2MP macro |
| Front | 13MP |
| Power & Pricing (India) | |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired (charger sold separately) |
| 4GB + 128GB | ₹19,999 (₹17,999 with launch offers) |
| 6GB + 128GB | ₹22,999 |
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy F70 5G costs ₹19,999 for 4GB + 128GB and ₹22,999 for 6GB + 128GB. Bank discounts and launch offers bring the effective starting price to ₹17,999, and exact offers can vary at checkout. Sales start October 20 at 12 PM IST on Flipkart and the Samsung India online store. As far as I can tell, Samsung has only announced it for India, so there's no US price or release to report.
My Take
This is a sensible phone. Super AMOLED, OIS, Gorilla Glass Victus and IP54 for under ₹20,000 is a strong value pitch, and it's the kind of spec sheet that usually costs more. The compromises are easy to spot: the 4GB base RAM, two throwaway extra cameras, a charger you have to buy, and launch software that isn't the newest. If those don't bother you, the F70 5G is worth a look. We've covered Samsung phones for years, so if you want more context, browse our Samsung coverage and our 5G phone news.
Apple Opens Pre-Orders for Foldable iPhone Duo
Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone Duo on Friday October 16 2026 at 5:00 a.m. PDT, making it official across more than 70 countries and regions. This is Apple's first foldable smartphone, and it starts at $1,999. Customer deliveries and in-store availability begin one week later on October 23. We wrote back in July about analyst concerns over limited launch supply, and those concerns appear to have been well-founded given how quickly early delivery slots moved.
The Design
The iPhone Duo is a book-style foldable. Closed, you get a 5.4-inch outer cover display that covers roughly 90 percent of the usable screen area of an iPhone 18 Pro. Open it flat and you have a 7.6-inch inner folding display that is 50 percent larger than an iPhone 18 Pro Max screen, with a minimal central crease. Apple says the unfolded Duo is the thinnest iPhone chassis it has ever built.
The hinge is precision stainless steel and titanium, and the device carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance up to six metres for 30 minutes. It launches in two finishes: Star White and Night Sky.
Silicon, Battery, and Cameras
The A20 Pro chip powers the device alongside a dual-cell battery distributed across both halves of the chassis to balance weight. It supports 25W Qi2 wireless charging, MagSafe accessories, and rapid wired charging.
The camera system is adapted specifically for the foldable form factor. A 48MP Fusion main camera and a 48MP Fusion ultra-wide cover the rear. The front camera setup is where it gets interesting: a Center Stage camera on the outer cover display automatically frames selfies in portrait or landscape without needing to rotate the phone, while an under-display FaceTime camera sits beneath the 7.6-inch inner screen for hands-free video calls when the phone is propped open in laptop posture.
iOS 27 Multitasking
iOS 27 on the Duo is built around the larger canvas. Full Split View lets you run two full-sized apps side by side or drag and drop content between them. StandBy mode runs persistently on either the inner or outer display even when unplugged, turning the device into an interactive desk clock, photo frame, or widget dashboard. Siri AI can be pinned alongside active documents to summarise on-screen content and run multi-step automations across apps.
Pricing and How to Buy
| iPhone Duo 256GB | $1,999 |
| iPhone Duo 512GB | $2,199 |
| iPhone Duo 1TB | $2,399 |
| iPhone Duo 2TB | $2,599 |
Carrier trade-in promotions from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer up to $1,200 in bill credits over 36 months when trading in an iPhone 14 Pro Max or higher. Apple Card Monthly Installments offer 0 percent APR over 24 months with 3 percent Daily Cash back upfront. Apple Upgrade via Klarna starts at $57.99 per month on a 24-month lease with annual upgrade eligibility.
Official accessories launching alongside include the iPhone Duo Folio with an integrated kickstand at $99 and the two-part iPhone Duo Case at $49. Pre-orders are live now at Apple.com with delivery and in-store availability from October 23.
Apple HomeView smart display unveiled for $299 : 7-Inch Screen, Siri AI, and Multi-User Face Recognition
Apple held its Welcome Home hardware event in New York on October 13 2026 and officially entered the smart display category with the Apple HomeView. Priced at $299, it goes directly at the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub with a pitch built around multi-user facial recognition, Apple Intelligence-powered Siri, and the kind of privacy architecture you would expect from Apple. Pre-orders are open now with general availability on November 13 in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. European availability is on hold pending regulatory approval around Siri AI.
Design and Display
One of the more thoughtful display features is distance-aware responsive scaling. When you are across the room, HomeView renders large glanceable clocks and widgets. As you walk closer, the interface transitions into detailed interactive controls automatically. It is a small detail that makes a real difference for a device that needs to work from the kitchen counter and from the couch.
The tabletop model comes in Silver, Starlight, Rose Pink, and Space Gray with colour-matched braided power cables. For hallway and entryway installations, a wall-mounted model in Space Gray and Silver is available with custom flush and wired power mounts from Schneider Home starting at $59.95.
Six-Person Facial Recognition and Personalised Siri
The headline feature is multi-user facial and voice recognition for up to six household members. This is where HomeView separates itself from the competition most clearly. Rather than a shared generic profile or manual account switching, HomeView adapts the entire interface the moment it recognises who has walked up to it. Each person sees their own calendar appointments, to-do lists, favourite music, and communication widgets, without exposing anything private to other family members.
When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, Siri can cross-reference personal Messages, check travel itineraries, and run multi-step routines with full personal context. Queries started on HomeView sync via iCloud to Siri on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, keeping the conversation going across devices.
Audio, Smart Home, and Privacy
Audio is handled by two full-range drivers in the display housing for spatial sound separation, with a down-firing woofer and dual force-canceling passive radiators in the base for bass. As a Matter and HomeKit controller, the device manages connected accessories and can stream up to nine live camera feeds simultaneously.
Privacy is handled at the hardware level. Camera and microphone streams are isolated inside the A18 chip's Secure Exclaves hardware boundary, preventing the operating system from accessing biometric sensor data directly. Personal data from Messages and Calendar is only decrypted when an enrolled user is actively recognised and their paired iPhone has been
Google Launches $179.99 Fitbit Edge: Built-In GPS, Replaceable Battery, and Gemini Health Coaching
Google officially expanded its wearable lineup on October 12 2026 with the Fitbit Edge, a $179.99 fitness band that fills a gap that has existed in the portfolio for a while. It sits between the minimalist screenless Fitbit Air and the full Wear OS Pixel Watch, offering smartwatch-tier health sensing and AI coaching in a lightweight band form factor with a week of battery life. The replaceable battery is the detail worth leading with, because nothing else on the market at this price does that.
Design and the Replaceable Battery
The Fitbit Edge is machined from recycled aluminum with a curved AMOLED colour touchscreen on the front, 5 ATM water resistance and IP68 dust protection for open-water swimming down to 50 metres, and USB-C fast charging that restores a full day of battery in under 15 minutes. Standard battery life is up to seven days.
The replaceable battery module is the headline differentiator. Rather than engineering the tracker to a fixed lifespan tied to lithium cell degradation, Google has built an officially serviceable internal power cell that can be swapped through authorised repair channels. For a device people wear daily and charge nightly, that is a meaningful sustainability decision and a practical one for anyone who plans to own it for more than two years.
Health Sensors
The sensor stack is the most comprehensive Google has put into a non-Pixel Watch device. Continuous multi-path optical heart rate monitoring sits alongside an on-wrist ECG for atrial fibrillation detection. A dedicated skin temperature sensor combines with SpO2 and heart rate variability data to generate daily readiness and sleep scores. The Health Guardian suite, available through Google Health Premium, monitors biometric baseline shifts for blood pressure markers, insulin resistance indicators, and overnight breathing disruptions.
GPS, Activity Tracking, and Gemini Coaching
Standalone multi-satellite GPS and an altimeter are built in, so runners and cyclists can track pace, distance, and elevation without carrying a phone. Automatic activity detection has expanded from 10 to over 100 workout types, with contextual machine learning doubling detection accuracy to reduce missed exercise logs. Gemini powers the personalised health coaching layer, analysing exercise history, recent sleep, and recovery metrics to offer adaptive suggestions in conversational language. Google Wallet contactless payments and smart alarm wakeups round out the daily convenience features.
Pricing and Availability
| Fitbit Edge — Matte Black | $179.99 at Google Store |
| Fitbit Edge — Champagne Gold | $179.99 at Google Store |
| Fitbit Edge — Polished Silver | $179.99 at Google Store |
Pre-orders are open now on the Google Store and Amazon. General retail shipments start later this month. Each purchase includes six months of Google Health Premium access, which gives you the full Health Guardian monitoring suite from day one.
SpaceX Moves to Become US Wireless Carrier: Acquires Nationwide 800 MHz Spectrum for Starlink Mobile
SpaceX took its most significant step yet toward becoming a standalone US wireless carrier this week. Grain Management announced a definitive agreement under which SpaceX will acquire 100 percent of Grain's nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio, with the transaction subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is valued at around $8 billion. Elon Musk described the 800 MHz acquisition as the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage across America.
Why 800 MHz Changes Everything for Starlink
SpaceX plans to use its Starlink satellites to provide mobile coverage outdoors, while the newly acquired 800 MHz spectrum would help extend service indoors. The lower-frequency 800 MHz band is better suited to penetrating buildings than higher-frequency spectrum. Starlink Mobile will also use SpaceX's existing 2 GHz mid-band spectrum for higher-speed and higher-capacity service, particularly outdoors.
This is the gap that has always limited pure satellite connectivity. A signal coming from orbit needs an unobstructed line of sight to the sky. The moment you step inside a building, under a dense tree canopy, or into a parking structure, satellite coverage drops. Low-band terrestrial spectrum solves that problem by travelling long distances from ground towers and passing straight through concrete and exterior walls. Binding 800 MHz ground coverage to the satellite constellation overhead gives Starlink Mobile a hybrid architecture that can hand off seamlessly between the two layers.
Where This Spectrum Came From
Grain Management acquired the 800 MHz airwaves back in August as part of a deal with T-Mobile, with T-Mobile scooping up 600 MHz frequencies from Grain as part of the exchange. The spectrum originally traces back to T-Mobile's 2020 Sprint acquisition, and a US merger condition required T-Mobile to eventually divest it. This deal adds to the 65 MHz of mid-band spectrum SpaceX is buying from EchoStar for $17 billion, which the FCC approved in May 2026. Between the two transactions, SpaceX is assembling a serious spectrum portfolio.
The Market Reaction
Shares of AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile fell by around 6 percent following news of SpaceX's spectrum purchase. That reaction reflects investor concern about long-term pricing leverage in a domestic wireless market that has consolidated around three dominant players for over a decade. The irony for T-Mobile in particular is notable: the 800 MHz spectrum that is now going to a potential competitor originally came from its own portfolio.
Analysts remain cautious about the timeline. The FCC transfer approval is not expected to complete until 2027, and SpaceX has not yet published consumer rate plans, launch dates, or certified device lists. Most existing mobile devices already support the 800 MHz band, which means a deployed Starlink Mobile network would be technically compatible with millions of existing iPhones and Android handsets without requiring new hardware. That removes one major adoption barrier when the service eventually launches.
What This Means for Consumers
A fourth national carrier with satellite-backed rural coverage and terrestrial low-band indoor coverage would be a meaningful structural change to the US wireless market. Whether SpaceX can execute at the scale and cost required to compete with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile on a mass consumer level is still an open question. But the pieces are falling into place faster than most people expected, and the carriers are clearly taking it seriously enough to move the market.
Microsoft Opens Pre-Orders for Surface Laptop Ultra: Nvidia RTX Spark Silicon, Local AI, and $2,599 Starting Price
Microsoft held its Windows and Surface fall event in San Francisco on October 7 2026, and the headline announcement was the Surface Laptop Ultra, the most powerful laptop Microsoft has ever built. Pre-orders are open now through the Microsoft Store. The machine is co-engineered with Nvidia, runs on the Arm-based Nvidia RTX Spark superchip, and is aimed squarely at developers, creative professionals, and anyone who wants workstation-level AI compute in a laptop without touching the cloud.
The Hardware
The Surface Laptop Ultra is powered by Nvidia's custom Arm processor paired with Blackwell-generation RTX graphics, delivering over 500 TOPS of local neural processing. That is enough to run 50 to 60 billion parameter foundation models entirely on-device, with no network latency and no data leaving the machine. For context that puts it in territory that was cloud-only compute twelve months ago.
Microsoft claims the device delivers up to 99 percent of its maximum processing capability on battery power, which is a meaningful number for a machine targeting developers who move between locations. The integrated Blackwell GPU supports full hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and Microsoft demonstrated simultaneous AAA gaming and local AI compilation without thermal throttling during the event. The chassis includes a high-refresh-rate PixelSense Flow touchscreen and advanced thermal vapor chamber cooling designed for sustained workloads.
Windows 11 Hybrid Intelligence
The software story matters as much as the hardware here. Microsoft and Satya Nadella used the event to showcase what they are calling Hybrid Intelligence, a shift away from cloud-dependent Copilot features toward local model execution. The practical changes coming to Windows 11 are worth paying attention to.
Copilot can now parse local hard drive files, summarise codebases, and trigger automated system actions using on-device models, which means sensitive local files never have to leave the machine. Microsoft Execution Containers, previously in preview, are moving into production as hardened sandboxed environments where AI agents can search, rename, and process system tasks securely. Windows Search is also being reworked with contextual quick actions including display mode toggles, focus session controls, and instant messaging shortcuts sitting directly in the taskbar popup alongside conversational search answers.
Pricing and Availability
| Surface Laptop Ultra | From $2,599 — pre-order open now, shipping later this autumn |
| Surface RTX Spark Dev Box | From $5,999 — pre-order open now for enterprise and research labs |
The Surface Laptop Ultra is not for everyone at $2,599. But if you are a developer or creative professional who has been paying cloud compute costs to run large models, the calculus of owning the hardware starts to look different. This is also the clearest signal yet that Microsoft is serious about moving AI off the badge and into the machine itself.
Google Rolls Out October 2026 Pixel Update: Pixel 11 Camera Fixes, 34 Patches, and Pixel 6 Sunset
Google has started rolling out its October 2026 monthly update across all supported Pixel devices running Android 17. The update lands on October 6 2026, covering 34 security vulnerabilities and delivering targeted bug fixes for the Pixel 11 family following its recent launch. It also carries a milestone moment for older hardware: the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are receiving their final scheduled monthly security patch, closing out a five-year software support window that began in October 2021.
Bug Fixes Worth Knowing About
The most relevant fix for Pixel 11 owners is a camera orientation bug that caused photos and videos to save in the wrong orientation when rapidly launching the camera from the lock screen. The issue was specific to the Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold. It is the kind of bug that is frustrating in a very specific and repeatable way, and it is good to see it addressed in the first monthly update after launch.
Pixel 8 through Pixel 11 users also get a fix for an intermittent Gboard failure where the on-screen keyboard would not deploy when tapping into system search bars or in-app input fields. Anyone who ran into this on their Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 in recent weeks will recognise it immediately. Pixel 8 through Pixel 10 owners also get a fix for audio distortion during incoming VoIP calls on apps like WhatsApp and Google Meet, where loud static bursts and garbled ringtones were being reported.
Security Patches
The update includes the 2026-10-01 security patch level, resolving 28 CVEs across the core Android 17 framework, system runtime, and kernel components. Google's dedicated Pixel bulletin adds six hardware-specific patches covering proprietary driver components and radio modems, addressing potential privilege escalation and remote code execution vulnerabilities.
Build Numbers
| Pixel 11 series | CD1A.261005.003 (CD1A.261005.003.B1 for Japanese carriers) |
| Pixel 8, 9, and 10 families | CP3A.261005.005 |
| Pixel 6, 7, Tablet, and Fold | CP3A.261005.002.A1 |
The End of the Road for Pixel 6
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were the first devices to run Google's custom Tensor silicon when they launched in October 2021. Five years later this update marks the conclusion of their promised software support window. They were significant devices in Google's hardware history, representing the moment Google committed fully to building its own chips rather than relying entirely on Qualcomm. Newer Pixel models enjoy a seven-year support guarantee, so the Pixel 6's five-year window was always going to feel short by comparison, but it kept those phones relevant and secure longer than most Android hardware from the same era.
If you are still on a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro, this is a good moment to start thinking seriously about an upgrade. The hardware will continue to work after this point but will no longer receive security patches, which is a meaningful consideration.
How to Get the Update
Go to Settings, select System, then Software Update, then System Update, and tap Check for Update. The rollout is staged so it may not appear immediately, but it should arrive within the next few days if it has not already.
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Hits Stores Worldwide: $699 Price, One UI 9 Out of the Box, and Pro Specs
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE hits stores today, Monday October 5 2026, and the timing could not be better for it. Samsung raised prices across the standard S26 lineup by $100 just four days ago, pushing the base Galaxy S26 to $999.99. The S26 FE at $699 was already a solid value proposition before that happened. Right now it is one of the strongest Samsung has offered at this price point in years.
Display and Design
The S26 FE is built around a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 1080 x 2340 resolution, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, and peak brightness of 1,900 nits. That brightness number means outdoor use in direct sunlight is not a problem. The panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ and the phone itself is IP68 rated for water resistance up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes.
The build is aluminum alloy with a reflective glass back, measuring 7.4mm thin and weighing 193 grams. It launches in three colours: Graphite, Pistachio, and Blueberry.
Performance and Cameras
The S26 FE runs on Samsung's 3-nanometer Exynos 2500 with an AMD RDNA-based Xclipse 950 GPU, paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations. The triple rear camera system is worth calling out because every lens has Optical Image Stabilization, which is not always a given at this price.
Battery is 4,900mAh with 45W wired charging hitting 50 percent in around 25 minutes, 15W wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare reverse charging for accessories.
One UI 9 and Seven Years of Updates
The S26 FE ships with One UI 9 based on Android 17 out of the box, which means it arrives with all the Galaxy AI features Samsung has been rolling out to older devices over the past week including Now Nudge contextual suggestions, customisable daily generative briefs, My FanCam video tracking, and built-in Warranty and Diagnostics in Settings. Samsung is backing the device with seven generations of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security patches through 2033, which is a meaningful commitment at a $699 price point.
Pricing and Where to Buy
| Galaxy S26 FE 128GB | $699 at Samsung.com |
| Galaxy S26 FE 256GB | $759 at Samsung.com |
| Galaxy S26 FE 512GB | $829 at Samsung.com |
Every purchase includes a complimentary six-month trial of Google AI Pro with 5TB of cloud storage. The S26 FE is available now through Samsung.com, major electronics retailers, and wireless carriers.
Apple Issues Hardware Replacement for iPhone 18 Pro Max Cellular Dropouts on AT&T
Apple has confirmed a hardware defect affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T, less than three weeks after the handset launched on September 18. Apple told 9to5Mac it has "identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network that may cause a device to lose service and be unable to make calls." Devices that have already lost service cannot be recovered through software and will require a full hardware replacement. This is the first significant post-launch issue for the iPhone 18 lineup.
What Is Happening and Why
Reports from affected customers describe phones that cannot send or receive texts or use mobile data, leaving them usable mainly on Wi-Fi and, in some cases, stuck in SOS mode. The problem is isolated to AT&T. Apple has confirmed it has not seen the same failure on T-Mobile or Verizon, and the regular iPhone 18 Pro is not affected on any carrier.
The reason comes down to a modem difference. The iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple's C2 modem, but the US iPhone 18 Pro Max has Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem. iFixit found a new millimeter-wave antenna in the phone, and TechInsights notes that the X80 modem was also used in the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. The failure appears to be specific to how that modem interacts with AT&T's network configuration in a subset of devices, and once it triggers the transceiver does not recover.
If Your Device Has Already Lost Service
Customers whose phones have already dropped service need a hardware replacement. Once a replacement is issued, the line has to be activated on the new handset. How you get the replacement depends on where you bought the phone.
If you purchased through Apple directly, book a Genius Bar appointment for on-site diagnostic verification and same-unit replacement. If you bought through AT&T, process a warranty exchange through AT&T customer support or at a local corporate retail store. If you bought through a third-party retailer like Best Buy, route the exchange through an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
If Your Device Is Still Working, Update Now
Apple released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and strongly encourages all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update now, and is also issuing a carrier settings update. The carrier settings update for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will download automatically over the next 14 days.
Do not wait for the carrier update to arrive on its own. You can force it manually by going to Settings, General, About, and accepting the carrier settings prompt if one appears. The combination of iOS 27.0.1 and the carrier update is designed to prevent the trigger condition from occurring, but it cannot help a device that has already lost service. If your Pro Max is working right now, updating is the single most important thing you can do.
It is also worth noting that businesses that have issued AT&T-connected iPhone 18 Pro Max devices should also plan for temporary communication alternatives while affected employees wait for replacements. If you are in IT and managing a fleet of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T, push the iOS 27.0.1 update through your MDM solution today.
Samsung Increases Galaxy S26 Prices by $100: New US Costs, Memory Shortage, and Buying Advice
Samsung has quietly revised the retail pricing of its Galaxy S26 lineup in the United States. Effective October 1 2026, the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra have all jumped by $100 at their base storage tier, with the 1TB S26 Ultra absorbing a $200 increase. Mid-cycle price hikes on mature flagship hardware are rare, and this one is worth understanding before you decide when and how to buy.
New US Pricing
| Galaxy S26 256GB | $999.99 (up from $899.99) |
| Galaxy S26 Plus 256GB | $1,199.99 (up from $1,099.99) |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB | $1,399.99 (up from $1,299.99) |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB | $200 increase over previous pricing |
It is worth noting that the S26 and S26 Plus had already launched $50 to $100 higher than their S25 predecessors back in March. This latest revision adds another $100 on top of that, making the standard S26 the first Samsung flagship to cross the $1,000 baseline in the US.
Why It Happened
The underlying driver is a memory component shortage that has been building throughout 2026. The global expansion of enterprise AI data centres has created intense competition for advanced memory fabrication capacity. Manufacturers including Samsung Semiconductor and SK Hynix have shifted substantial wafer production toward High Bandwidth Memory and enterprise DDR5 modules for AI server infrastructure, leaving mobile LPDDR5X and UFS flash storage in tight supply. When foundry capacity gets pulled toward AI, consumer hardware pays for it sooner or later.
Samsung is not the only brand dealing with this. Apple, Google, Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Sony have all enacted similar increases or raised entry tiers across their 2026 product cycles for the same reason.
How to Work Around It
If the timing is not ideal, there are a few practical options worth knowing about. The Galaxy S26 FE, announced in early September and launching October 5, is completely unaffected by the price revision and holds at $699. Given the gap has now widened significantly, the FE is a considerably stronger value proposition than it was a month ago.
Major online retailers including Amazon still carry existing inventory at original launch pricing or with retailer rebates, and some S26 Ultra colourways are currently discounted by over $100, effectively cancelling out the hike if you find the right listing. Carrier trade-in promotions from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile continue to offer bill credits of up to $1,000 with eligible trade-ins or line migrations, which insulates buyers on contract from the direct retail increase entirely. We covered how those carriers compare earlier this year if that helps you decide which route makes the most sense.
Galaxy S26 256GB $999.99 (up from $899.99)Samsung Unveils Galaxy SmartTag3: Adds iOS Support, Bluetooth 6.0 Tracking, and 550-Day Battery
Samsung announced the Galaxy SmartTag3 on September 30 2026, and it is a meaningful step forward for the lineup on almost every front. The tracker is significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, now works with iPhones through the SmartThings app, and brings Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding for much longer-range directional tracking. It also runs for up to 550 days on a standard CR2032 coin cell, which is the kind of number that means you genuinely forget it needs a battery.
Smaller, Lighter, and Now Works with iPhones
The SmartTag3 is approximately 35 percent smaller by volume and 33 percent lighter than the SmartTag2, with a streamlined rounded profile and an aluminum-accented centre button. It is noticeably easier to attach to keychains, pet collars, luggage zips, or bike mounts without adding bulk. IP67 water and dust resistance is retained, covering submersion up to one metre for 30 minutes.
The bigger news for a lot of households is cross-platform iOS support, arriving through the SmartThings app. iPhone users can now view real-time location pins on a map and initiate basic proximity searches for a shared SmartTag3. It is worth being clear about what that means in practice though: advanced features including Compass View directional tracking, reverse phone ringing, and Left Behind disconnection alerts remain exclusive to Galaxy handsets. iOS support gives you the basics and not much more, but for mixed-platform families sharing a tracker on a bag or set of keys, it removes a genuine barrier that previously made SmartTags a Galaxy-only proposition.
Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding and UWB
Directional tracking gets a significant upgrade through Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding combined with Ultra-Wideband radios. On supported Galaxy devices including the S26 Plus, S26 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold8 series, Compass View now provides distance and directional arrow guidance from up to 60 metres under line-of-sight conditions, roughly triple the range of the previous generation. As you close in on the tag it transitions from Bluetooth Channel Sounding to high-frequency UWB, narrowing the search down to inches with augmented-reality guidance. The combination of long-range awareness and close-range precision is a genuinely useful tracking stack.
Geofencing, Battery, and Extra Features
A new Place Notification feature lets you set custom virtual geofences and receive push alerts when the tag crosses the boundary, whether that is a backyard perimeter, a bike rack, or a school zone. Location History stores past movements for up to seven days, which adds a useful retrospective tracking layer beyond just finding things in real time.
Battery life is rated at 550 days under typical use and up to 790 days in Power Saving Mode on a single CR2032. NFC Lost Mode is preserved, letting anyone tap the tag with a modern smartphone to view registered emergency contact details. Programmable single and double-click actions can trigger SmartThings smart home routines, adding a bit of utility beyond pure tracking.
The Galaxy SmartTag3 launches in South Korea on October 7 2026 in White and Black, with US and international availability to follow later in the year.