Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

Google and AI Developments

Google Assistant is scheduled for a shutdown on September 4, as the company transitions to its Gemini AI. This shutdown may take several weeks to be fully implemented across all devices and services. Google is also rumored to be launching its first Air Tag-like tracker, the Pixel Tag, on August 12. This launch is expected to coincide with the announcement of the Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch. Google has also released Android 17 QPR 2 Beta, which is a Quarterly Platform Release for the latest Android version.

Smartphone Launches and Rumors

Samsung's new devices, the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which were unveiled on July 22, will go on sale starting August 7. These new foldables have reportedly exceeded Samsung's pre-order targets in Europe. Huawei has officially unveiled the nova 16 SE in China, featuring a substantial 8,500mAh battery and a 6.84-inch display with a claimed 8,000 nits brightness. Xiaomi is set to launch the Redmi Note 17 5G in India tomorrow, August 6, with an online-only event streamed on YouTube. The Redmi K100 Pro will reportedly feature a 200MP rear camera and has had its battery specifications revealed ahead of its launch next week, alongside confirmation that it will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V chipset. Realme confirmed that the Realme 16x will launch in India on August 12, with a 7,000mAh battery already confirmed for the device. A new rumor suggests that the Oppo F35 Pro will be a rebranded device and will feature a large battery. The ZTE Blade A35e has been listed with specifications that are causing confusion. Indian manufacturer Lava is preparing for its UK debut with the Agni 4N, a device it has been teasing with comparisons to Samsung.

Wearables and Accessories

Google is expected to announce the Pixel Watch 5 on August 12, alongside the Pixel 11 family, with marketing materials for the device having already leaked. AT&T is offering a free pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses (Gen to customers who sign up for its 5 GIG internet plan, which also includes a $200 reward card.

Gaming and Software

Minecraft is slated for release on the Switch 2 on October 27. The Senate has advanced the latest Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) out of committee, following its own version's passage in the House in June. YouTube has clarified its policy regarding AI-generated videos, stating that they are permissible as long as they adhere to specific rules, and has also indicated that certain creators will not be compensated. Reddit is planning to retire its public API, which could lead to the discontinuation of old Reddit.

Tech Industry and Hardware

Nikita Bier, who was instrumental in some of X's most significant changes, is departing the company one year after joining. Honor has introduced a new logo and the slogan “Dare to Be,” indicating a 25% growth in the first quarter of 2026 as part of its brand refresh. San Disk's Extreme Fit USB drive is being highlighted for its small size and substantial storage capacity, potentially holding more data than an iPhone. A 4-bay DXP4800 Pro NAS unit has proven itself to be a reliable media server after undergoing over 2,500 hours of testing and 50TB of writes.

Other Technology News

Disney is partnering with TikTok to allow creators to produce fan-made shorts using a library of Disney assets for Disney+. NASA's PUNCH has significantly improved the accuracy of predicting solar storms. A new recommendation suggests turning off a specific built-in setting on new TVs to improve picture quality. A workaround exists for using Android Auto with a VPN, which might otherwise disrupt the user experience. Two AI-powered calorie-tracking apps were tested over three days to assess their accuracy in helping with fitness goals. Honor Magic V6 foldable phone has demonstrated exceptional durability, even after being subjected to extreme conditions like mud and a dishwasher. The latest version of the Kids Online Safety Act has advanced out of committee in the Senate.