Tech & Mobile 24 Hours

Tech & Hardware

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 2:48 AM ET

Gaming Hardware

A modder has transformed a Steam Deck into a modern Game Boy-like handheld, reimagining the device with a clamshell form factor. Keychron refreshed its M4 fingertip gaming mouse with new Mag Opt switches and translucent retro colors. A leak suggests the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike Gen 2 will arrive with fresh colorways and an updated MCU. Corsair expanded its Stream Deck ecosystem by launching the Nightsword V2 Wireless SD, a mouse with integrated macro keys. The XMG Apex 17 (M25) review tests the laptop’s RTX 5070 12 GB GPU paired with a Ryzen 9 9955HX, positioning it as a budget workstation. Gamdias announced the THOR P2 Series of premium power supplies, targeting high-efficiency builds.

Gaming Software & Services

The $100 GTA VI Ultimate Edition has surpassed the standard edition in pre-orders, signaling strong demand despite pricing concerns. Ars Technica will host a live discussion with Ross Scott about the Stop Killing Games movement on August 11. Developer Cold Iron Studios shut down the cloud version of Aliens: Fireteam Elite without refunds, highlighting the perils of digital ownership. An open-source project may soon bring PC Game Pass to Linux, expanding Xbox’s reach. A new report estimates game publishers could save over $10 per copy by going disc-free, accelerating the shift to digital. Valve slowly expanded SteamOS support to non-Valve hardware, including the Intel-based MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Following its loss to Epic, Google began hosting rival app stores inside the Play Store, with Aptoide as the first distributor.

AI & Infrastructure

NVIDIA reportedly plans a $500 billion funding partnership with Wall Street firms to finance AI infrastructure. TSMC reported record July revenue of $14.49 billion, driven by surging demand. Intel is selling $15 billion of its own stock to fund fab expansion. Leaks indicate Intel’s Xeon 7 “Diamond Rapids” will arrive with up to 256 P-Cores. Its “Nova Lake-S” iGPU will feature 12 Xe3P cores at 40 W PL2 and 20 MB of L2 cache. Insyde Software qualified its UEFI firmware for Arm AGI CPU platforms, enabling faster deployment. Memblaze showcased its PBlaze7 Series enterprise SSDs at FMS 2026. Noctua revealed inaccuracies in PC case cooler height specifications, urging manufacturers to improve measurement standards. Meta pitched another reboot of its AI strategy with new open models, hoping to catch up to competitors.

Autos & Mobility

Ford dealers were told about a $25,000 crossover expected by 2029, signaling a push into affordable EVs. The 2026 Subaru Outback review praises its refined interior and drive, though its divisive looks may not appeal to all.

Space

One of China’s workhorse rockets exploded in flight, raising concerns about its YF-100 engine and broader implications for the country’s space program.

Science & Research

fMRI scans show that dogs can distinguish human emotions such as happiness, fear, anger, and sadness through distinct brain activity patterns. Peer review is overwhelmed in the AI era, as a surge of research papers strains volunteer reviewers.

Food Safety

Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products across 26 states due to Salmonella concerns amid a Cyclospora outbreak, affecting major retailers.

Policy & Regulation

Trump signed an executive order that cuts vaccine recommendations and promotes unproven treatments, falsely claiming the MMR vaccine is “quite lethal” and linked to autism.

Superyacht Incident

Zuckerberg’s superyacht and support ship ignored an emergency channel and failed to aid a stranded boat, drawing criticism for their slow response to Coast Guard calls.

Consumer Electronics

LG Electronics launched the xboom Blast, a premium portable Bluetooth party speaker designed for beach and outdoor use. Lenovo unveiled the ThinkCentre Neo 50q Gen 7, a 1.2-liter “Tiny PC” aimed at space-constrained workspaces.

Mobile News

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 2:52 AM ET

Apple Updates

Rumors of an all-glass 20th anniversary iPhone may be dead, with one analyst now believing Apple has scrapped the project. Meanwhile, a new Trend Force report estimates that the iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost could jump by up to 40%, driven by the ongoing global memory chip shortage and component price increases.

Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem

Full specs for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE have leaked via Win Future, detailing key changes and what remains the same. The Galaxy Z Fold8 continues to outperform expectations, with Samsung reportedly increasing its production target by 1 million units. The phone also survived a brutal Jerry Rig Everything durability test involving sand and blades. For wearables, T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 with a qualifying watch plan, even after the preorder period.

Google’s Pixel and Wearables

If you’re debating whether to wait for the Google Pixel 11, a detailed analysis weighs the pros and cons of buying now versus later. A carrier leak has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black with a larger camera housing and a new “HiLight” LED flash, just days before its expected launch. The Google Pixel Watch 5 will also get a special Stephen Curry edition, set to launch later this month. And on the software side, Google Play now accepts Venmo payments, letting users use their Venmo balance or linked accounts for purchases.

Mid-Range and Budget Phones

What does a $100 smartphone get you in 2026? The answer requires creativity, but options exist. The Indian brand Lava has announced the Lava Smart 4 with specs that feel straight out of 2016. Motorola is bringing the Moto G Max to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chip and a massive 7,000mAh battery. Meanwhile, Xiaomi has made the Redmi 17 4G and 5G official, both sharing identical looks and key specs.

Emerging Brands and Niche Devices

The Minimal Phone 2 ditches its E Ink display for a 90Hz AMOLED panel while retaining its tactile QWERTY keyboard and gaining 5G support. Leaked images show the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue, featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage. For gamers, the REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet will go on sale August 26, with an early-access discount available a day before. iQOO has confirmed the launch of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China next week, revealing their design and key specs.

Carriers, Platforms, and Policy

Verizon’s service in Southern California was disrupted after vandals cut multiple fiber cables, affecting mobile and internet customers. NYC Mayor Mamdani has announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon is fighting. YouTube is doubling its monetization requirements for new creators, now needing twice the watch hours or Shorts views to qualify for ad revenue. Valve has warned that data of European Steam hardware customers was “likely compromised” in a breach.

Accessories, Reviews, and How-Tos

The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is a solid MacBook Neo alternative, but most users should upgrade to 16GB of RAM. Understanding the difference between MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging helps clarify magnet alignment and standards across iPhone and Android. For Roku users, here’s how to pair your Roku remote and use the mobile app. If you’re cleaning out old drives, simply deleting files isn’t enough — learn how to securely wipe or destroy old USB drives. The differences between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices can be confusing, but each has its ideal use case. Finally, Air Tags carry an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning they can survive splashes and brief submersion, but aren’t fully waterproof.

Apple News

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 2:56 AM ET

Hardware & Design

Apple's long-rumored all-glass iPhone for the 20th anniversary has been canceled, according to a Jefferies analyst report that sent shockwaves through the rumor community. However, the company is still planning a "glass-centric" redesign for 2027. Leaks continue for the iPhone 18 Pro Max: an alleged photo reveals a massive 5,391mAh battery, nearly 12% larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with another source backing up that figure. The Dark Cherry color for the iPhone 18 Pro has also drawn attention, with a known leaker stepping in to clarify the exact shade. Apple considered a "white-glove" leasing program that would deliver pre-set iPhones loaded with customer data, but dropped the plan. On the Mac side, M6 MacBook Pro and refreshed iMacs are likely coming in October, per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. A future OLED iMac may feature a five-layer panel from LG Display to combat burn-in and boost brightness. Bloomberg also suggested a round Apple Watch is possible, but an Apple Ring remains more likely. Apple is testing Chinese memory chips from CXMT in iPhones and Mac Books. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo disputed a rumor of a $1B chip stockpile at TSMC. Separately, he noted that Apple is cutting 2026 shipments due to DRAM shortages. An add-on accessory can extend AirTag 2 battery life to 10 years.

Software & Betas

Apple seeded the fifth developer betas for all major platforms. iOS 27 beta 5 brings updated Liquid Glass icons for Siri, Safari, Settings, and more. It also includes expanded Siri AI voice customization options including pace and expressivity. Apple Insider and 9to5Mac report that the beta includes redesigned app icons and a "Before Searching" settings area. iPadOS 27 beta 5 and watchOS 27 beta 5 are also out, as are tvOS 27 beta 5 and visionOS 27 beta 5. On the Mac side, macOS Golden Gate beta 5 and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 beta with security fixes were released. Apple also shipped iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1 betas with security patches, alongside iOS 18 and macOS 26 beta security updates. A recap of the day’s top stories is available on 9to5Mac Daily.

Apps & Services

Chat GPT integration deepens: users can now book restaurant tables and join waitlists through Yelp without leaving the chat. WhatsApp is working on an in-chat search tool for faster message lookup. Apple TV+ has picked up Alfonso Cuarón’s Ascension, marking the director’s second collaboration with the platform. Apple and MLB announced 3D games coming to Vision Pro as part of the September Friday Night Baseball schedule. Meta released a new Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone. iOS 27 beta 5 contains references to a feature that authenticates iPhone photos by verifying the camera source. The company also briefly posted a China support guide for connecting Siri to Alibaba’s Qwen AI before pulling it, raising privacy questions. Apple revealed that Siri AI in China uses Qwen models. For Apple Maps in iOS, there’s a full list of new features. The iPhone can capture the Perseids meteor shower with the right tools – AppleInsider has tips. A Smart Home Insider podcast covers a new flight tracker, Home Deck app, and Schlage Sense Pro review. Apple settled an EEOC lawsuit over alleged discrimination against a Jewish employee, paying $150,000. An opinion piece argues that generative AI needs ethical leaders and should be controlled like nuclear power. A feature request highlights the need for a shortcut to app settings in iOS.

Deals & Accessories

The TESSAN AERO 5000 is an ultra-thin Mag Safe battery with a titanium finish and new battery technology. The Apple Certified Refurbished Store has top picks with hundreds in savings. B&H is blowing out the M4 15-inch MacBook Air at $1,279. Amazon has the Apple Watch SE 3 for $219. Other deals include M5 MacBook Pro at $300 off, Air Pods Pro, and Anker chargers – see the full roundup.