Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: September 20, 2026, 10:01 PM ET

Face Time & Xbox on Non-Apple Hardware

Face Time is not actually an Apple-exclusive feature, and Android phone and Windows PC owners can join calls through a browser-based workaround, though it lacks the full native experience. Separately, Microsoft's Xbox mode on Windows 11 delivers a console-style interface akin to Big Picture Mode, giving gamers a controller-friendly dashboard for launching titles.

AI Assistants & Customization

Space XAI's Grok Bot has entered early beta, positioned as a digital "teammate" capable of handling complex and tedious tasks for users who sign up for access. Meanwhile, Chat GPT can now be used to generate stickers for iMessage and WhatsApp, letting users craft custom sets beyond the default options.

Audio & Handhelds

Ear Fun's latest flagship, the Wave Pro X, arrives as the company's newest headphones, with a full review covering their features and performance. In gaming hardware, Retroid Pocket unexpectedly expanded its Duo lineup with a Lite Plus version, and the company is offering free exchanges for existing Duo Lite customers who want to upgrade.

Smart Home

A smart TV does not simply sit idle when you press the power button, and keeping it in standby mode carries real tradeoffs around background updates, quick startup, and ongoing power draw that owners should weigh.