Tech & Mobile 24-Hour Briefing
×Tech & Hardware
Last updated: October 18, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
GPUs & Graphics
Daniel Blanco's DLSS-NR on AMD project has grown well beyond its original scope, and Radeon owners can now run nearly every DLSS feature through a fan-made mod. Separately, a developer known as Panchovix has released three tools that let users edit and load modified VBIOS files on GeForce RTX cards without flashing.
Hardware Pricing
Dell's monitor division has reportedly issued an internal notice raising shipping prices by 3.5% this month, with entry-level models spared from the increase.
Consoles & Next-Gen Hardware
Driveclub, Evolution Studios' 2014 PS4 racer, now runs natively on Windows through a fan-made recompilation. A new Sony patent application points to the company's own frame generation technology for the PlayStation. Microsoft has also posted a job listing suggesting physical Xbox games may stick around.
Legacy Hardware & Benchmarks
Overclocker Luumi has taken the top spot on the Cinebench R11.5 leaderboard with an Intel Core i5-4670K, 13 years after the chip's launch.
AI Oversight
Anthropic has granted an outside AI watchdog employee-like access, and the watchdog can publish its findings without Anthropic's approval.
Gaming Week
This week's AAA release arrives alongside a busy slate of new games.
Mobile News
Last updated: October 18, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Apple and iPhone
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro introduces a variable aperture camera, the first iPhone to adjust its lens opening, and a side-by-side comparison against the iPhone 17 Pro shows how much has changed. On the software side, iOS 27 brings new CarPlay features, but only newer iPhone models can use them. Apple's Image Playground image generator also received noteworthy updates this fall.
Foldables and Samsung
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is discounted as Apple's rumored iPhone Duo arrives, and users troubleshooting app scaling problems on the device have a fix to try. Engadget traces the evolution of foldable phones from the Royole Flex Pai onward, arguing the iPhone Duo signals a broader market shift toward foldables. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra drew reader comments that its pricing makes laptops look reasonably priced.
One Plus
The OnePlus 16 launched in China with a 9,000mAh battery, and GSMArena asked readers in a weekly poll whether they would buy one if they could.
Privacy and Connected Devices
Engadget reports that Alexa devices rely on always-on microphones, and that smart TVs track viewing habits through automatic content recognition. TikTok reportedly banned ads for an Elon Musk documentary ahead of its wider US release, citing political content rules.
Home Networking and Hardware
Engadget's guides cover router light meanings, the difference between routers, modems and gateways, and why upload speeds lag behind downloads. The site also advises against flat Ethernet cables and joining two Ethernet cables with a coupler.
Gaming and Entertainment
An Xbox Series X can now run PlayStation 5 games through an emulator, with caveats, and Inscryption is finally coming to mobile after five years. Engadget also highlights six sites for replaying 2000s Flash games.
Tips and Explainers
Engadget explains what the orange dot on a Galaxy Watch means, when capping FPS makes sense in games, and why your drive shows less storage than advertised. Other guides cover Google's SynthID detector, Windows phone calling, and damaged external drives. Engadget also warns that laser pointers can damage security cameras.
Automotive
Slate's electric truck receives software updates without built-in infotainment, relying on the owner's smartphone to deliver them.
Coming Up
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the iPhone Duo are both part of the foldable and tablet launch cycle now underway.
Apple News
Last updated: October 18, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Product Launches & Upcoming Hardware
Apple is reportedly lining up a run of releases, with a touchscreen MacBook possibly debuting on November 6. A retail store reset scheduled for the same day strongly hints at the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro. Separately, Apple may release new products on four consecutive Fridays, with MacBook Pro models featuring OLED displays among them.
Smart Home
Apple's HomeView smart home display is drawing attention as an experimental product. A larger HomeView Max with a 9-inch, 360-degree screen is reportedly in development. A robot arm follow-up is rumored for a 2027 launch.
iPhone Duo
Apple has published the battery capacity of the iPhone Duo through an EU energy label. Analyst Mark Gurman says Apple made a major mistake with pre-orders, given the device faces severe supply constraints.
Wearables & Software
The Apple Watch Series 12 is praised as an excellent upgrade, though the reviewer misses one software feature found elsewhere. Apple is also improving the Phone app, with several features worth enabling now.
Deals
Amazon has Mac mini discounts of up to $149 and Mac Studio savings of $200. The 2026 Mac Studio is available for $2,299 after the discount.
Retail Security
A crime blotter report describes a man arrested for damaging a Macau Apple Store, an armed robbery in Florida tied to an iPhone transaction, and an iPad theft in Vermont.
Coming Up
Apple's touchscreen MacBook could debut on November 6, the same day as the scheduled store reset. Four consecutive Friday product launches are expected to begin soon.