News and Updates from Gadget Hacks: Page 2

The tech industry is facing unprecedented antitrust scrutiny, with regulators worldwide launching investigations, imposing massive fines, and even floating breakups of major technology companies. Yet in Silicon Valley, the chatter says we might already be past the crest. That shift lines up with political developments that point to a more balanced regulatory environment in 2025. At the same time, the rapid rise of generative AI has pushed agencies to zero in on new M&A and alliances in the AI...

When Apple Arcade launched in 2019 with roughly 70 premium mobile games that had no ads, no in-app purchases, and no sex or violence, it felt like a bold statement about the future of mobile gaming. Apple was betting that players were tired of predatory monetization schemes and would pay for a premium experience. The service became part of Apple's ecosystem strategy that has become the gold standard for other tech companies, promising seamless gaming across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV....

You know how sometimes a single partnership can shift an entire industry? That is exactly what is happening with YouTube’s NFL deal, and it is wild to watch in real time. When the platform secured the NFL Sunday Ticket contract worth $2 billion annually over seven years, they were not just buying rights, they were buying the future of how we watch football.

When a federal jury in San Francisco delivered its verdict on September 3, 2025, it sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. Google was ordered to pay $425 million for continuing to track users even after they opted out of data collection. This isn't just another fine, it's a landmark case that affects 98 million users and 174 million devices across the United States. The decision lays bare how tech giants handle our most personal data when privacy promises don't match reality.

With Apple's September 9 "Awe dropping" event just days away, the anticipation surrounding the iPhone 17 lineup has reached fever pitch. Apple executives have reportedly been calling this new generation the "most ambitious in the product's history," and the latest reports from TrendForce are painting a picture of changes that could reset expectations for what a phone can be.

If you've been holding off on upgrading your iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup might just change your mind. It could be Apple's biggest performance leap in years. About time, right?

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

When Google released NotebookLM in 2023 through Google Labs as an experimental AI writing tool, most people probably thought it was just another research assistant that would quietly fade away. But here's what's interesting—what started as a simple document analysis tool has evolved into something genuinely compelling, especially since early September when the team added the ability to generate podcast-like conversations between two AI voices from your uploaded documents.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are shaping up to be the most significant health-focused earbuds yet, with leaked reports suggesting a September 2025 launch alongside the iPhone 17. The buzz around these next-generation earbuds isn't just about better sound quality—it's about Apple's bold leap into making your daily audio companion a comprehensive health monitoring device.

PowerToys has been quietly transforming into something much bigger than a simple collection of Windows utilities. What started as a nostalgic callback to the Windows 95 era has evolved into Microsoft's rapid-deployment testing ground for features that address fundamental Windows limitations. This evolution from novelty tools to essential productivity enhancements reflects Microsoft's new approach to filling operating system gaps without waiting for major release cycles.

Just days before Samsung's expected Galaxy Unpacked event, trusted leaker Evan Blass has essentially blown the lid off what was supposed to be Samsung's big tablet reveal. We're talking comprehensive marketing materials, detailed specs, and even pricing information for the entire Galaxy Tab S11 lineup. It's one of those leaks that's so thorough, you almost wonder if Samsung's marketing team accidentally hit "publish" on their press materials a week early.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Google is quietly rolling out one of its most significant updates to Play Games profiles in years, and the details we've uncovered through recent APK teardowns reveal just how ambitious this revamp really is. Google is developing an avatar generator for Play Games profiles, allowing users to create custom avatars by selecting character, background, and art style. This isn't just another minor tweak—it's a complete reimagining of how gamers express themselves within the Android ecosystem, with...

Apple's Vision Pro made waves when it launched, but let's be honest—the $3,499 price tag and hefty design left many potential users watching from the sidelines. Now, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is painting a picture of Apple's next move: a significantly lighter and more affordable Vision Air headset arriving in 2027. According to Kuo's analysis, Apple still "views head-mounted devices as the next major trend in consumer electronics," and the Vision Air represents their strategy to bring...

YouTube's biggest star is making another bold business move. MrBeast reportedly plans to launch a phone company, joining a growing trend of celebrity cell service brands that are reshaping the mobile industry. This isn't just another celebrity endorsement deal—it's part of a calculated expansion that could redefine how we think about mobile technology and fan engagement.

The world of charging has just gotten a major upgrade, and if you're juggling multiple Apple devices, this could be the game-changer you didn't know you needed. Picture this: one cable handling your MacBook Pro, iPhone, and Apple Watch simultaneously, delivering a whopping 240W of power. The USB-IF officially launched certification for 240W USB-C cables, marking a significant leap from the previous 100W standard. This advancement was made possible by EPR (Extended Power Range) technology, which...

Apple's timing for its 2026 foldable iPhone entry couldn't be better positioned. JPMorgan forecasts the device will launch in September 2026 as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, priced at $1,999. This strategic delay allows Apple to leverage what Samsung describes as an "inflection point" where foldables are becoming mainstream. The foldable market is projected to reach $118.87 billion by 2030, and Apple's calculated patience positions them perfectly to capture this explosive growth at the optimal...

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

The Apple TV 4K just dropped at exactly the right moment. While other tech companies scramble to catch up with HDR standards, Apple's timing couldn't be better. The third-generation Apple TV 4K launched in 2022 with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, positioning it perfectly as advanced Dolby Vision technology continues its market dominance. This isn't just another streaming box—it's Apple's answer to the evolving home theater landscape, arriving precisely when physical media is disappearing...

When you look at the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, the talk around pricing is giving everyone mixed feelings—and honestly, that's putting it lightly. Apple's September 9, 2025 launch date is approaching fast, and while there's technically some "good news" about pricing, it comes with a hefty asterisk that might make your wallet nervous.

You know that seamless copy-and-paste magic iPhone users get between their devices and Macs? The kind where you copy something on your phone and instantly paste it on your laptop? Well, Microsoft has been quietly cooking up something pretty impressive for Windows and Android users—and honestly, it's about time.

Apple's been promising us the future for years, and now it looks like your AirPods might finally become that universal translator you've been dreaming about since watching sci-fi movies. But here's the thing—while Apple is planning to bring live translation directly to AirPods, the timeline isn't quite what you might expect. The feature is tied to iOS 19, coming in fall 2025—not the current iOS 18 beta that's making headlines. Even more interesting? Google brought this feature to its very first...

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir