Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 1, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Mobile & Wearables

Discord is now available on the Meta Quest App Store, allowing users to access its familiar chat interface within virtual reality. This move follows an announcement at last year's Meta Connect conference. However, Meta is placing limits on its smart glasses' "Conversation Focus" feature, restricting free usage to three hours per month and charging $20 for additional access, a move that has drawn criticism for paywalling a feature users may have already paid for. In other wearable news, Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra have leaked ahead of their expected unveiling at a Galaxy Unpacked event. Separately, Samsung confirmed the Galaxy, with its successor anticipated in early 2027 with improved battery life.

Smartphones & Features

Nothing is set to launch the Phone (4b) on July 7, powered by a Snapdragon chipset, and will offer a special RCB Edition. Meanwhile, Samsung is teasing its upcoming foldable, with leaks detailing specifications for a wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 variant, and the company has wiped its social media to launch a new marketing campaign for the Z Fold 8 and Flip. The Honor Magic V6 has gone on sale in Europe, starting at €1,700 with introductory perks. Separately, Samsung Messages app will on most Galaxy phones this month, while One UI 9 is reportedly in testing. Motorola may soon introduce a charging feature on its next phone that currently only Apple and Google offer beating Samsung to the punch. The European-made Punkt. MC03 smartphone, designed in Switzerland and assembled in Germany, is now available for purchase. The Samsung Galaxy A37 is discounted on Amazon, and the new Samsung Galaxy A27 review, featuring a punch-hole notch display. Fujifilm has released special waterproof and black-and-white editions of its retro Quick Snap instant cameras for a nostalgic experience.

Semiconductors & Software

Qualcomm has announced its Snapdragon Summit will take place in September, with expectations high for the next flagship Snapdragon chip. The UN has issued a report indicating policymakers are struggling to keep pace with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, noting that AI is neither inherently good nor bad but requires better safeguards. Microsoft plans to cut 2.5% of its workforce, a reduction from previous layoff rounds. Google's Gemini app for mac OS now includes access to its Spark agentic AI assistant.

Telecommunications & Deals

T-Mobile is retiring its older plans, including the Kick Back program, moving some customers to more expensive options. Mint Mobile is offering a limited-time deal at $15 per month for any plan, a promotion described as its "best offer ever." In a significant financial sector development, Visa, Mastercard, Coinbase launched a new global stablecoin.

Gaming & Entertainment

Sony will cease production of disc-based PlayStation games starting in 2028, signaling a shift away from physical media. The turbulent development of Subnautica 2 has concluded with the departure of Unknown Worlds CEO again amid its messy saga. Netflix has utilized AI to recreate Gene Wilder's voice for a new reality show. Xbox is reportedly planning layoffs that include closing Arkane studios and canceling the Blade game. The long-running legal dispute between Apple Epic Games will be heard by the Supreme Court following an appeal by Apple.

AI & Enterprise

Anthropic will allow users to access its Mythos and Fable AI models starting July 1, following US government approval. The company's new Sonnet 5 model is optimized for agentic tasks, which have been a significant cost for enterprise clients. A report indicates that policymakers struggling to keep pace with the swift advancements in AI development.

Automotive

BMW's X5 lineup now includes an electric option boasting an impressive 435 miles of range.

Media Servers

A comparison of popular media servers Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby highlights that while Plex offers convenience, alternatives require more user configuration.

Retail & Legal

Amazon will pay $2.25 to settle an FTC case concerning alleged failures to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act regarding identity theft. Getty Images has terminated its $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock due to restrictions imposed by UK regulators.

Audio & Accessories

Nothing has announced the Ear (3a) TWS earbuds will launch soon. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless are currently 50% off at Best Buy as part of a holiday sale.

Retro Tech

Commodore's Callback 8020 flip phone is now available for pre-order at a reduced price of $399, down from its initial $499 announcement, with a day-one discount also live on June 30. Clicks showcased BlackBerry-inspired Communicator in action, potentially validating those who prefer physical keyboards over touchscreens.