Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 5:34 AM ET

Apple & App Store

Apple is reportedly proposing a commission of 5 to 15 percent on external App Store payments, a move that continues the ongoing legal battle with Epic Games. This proposal comes as Apple faces continued scrutiny over its App Store policies. In other news, the iPhone X has been officially added to Apple's obsolete product list, marking nearly nine years since its initial launch. The company has also reportedly sent out new spyware alerts to users who have been targeted by mercenary spyware attacks. Separately, a new report suggests that the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra may be limited to the US and China markets at its launch, with its debut expected at Apple's September 8th event.

Google & Android

Google has launched Gemini 3.7 Flash, its latest AI model designed for coding and agents, just weeks after the release of Gemini 3.6 Flash. The company is also reportedly hiding significant discounts on the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro within its Play Points program, offering up to $150 off select models. Google has committed to providing 7 years of spare parts availability for the Pixel 11 lineup. Additionally, there's speculation about a future Google Pixel with a silicon-carbon battery. The launch event for the Pixel 11 series has drawn criticism, with some suggesting it lacked the impact of events like the Grand Theft Auto VI reveal, instead opting for a performance by Trevor Noah. The screen-less Fitbit Air is slated for an October launch in India. For users looking to save space, a simple Android setting change can help manage Google storage.

Smartphone Market & New Devices

The US smartphone market saw a contraction of 5% in Q2, with budget devices being the hardest hit, according to Counterpoint Research. In China, iQOO is preparing to launch the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s with revealed chipset details ahead of their August 18th release. A comprehensive leak has surfaced for the Poco F9 Pro and Poco F9 Ultra, including renders, specifications, and pricing. The Fairphone 6+ is rumored to launch on August 18th with a price point around €685. The Tecno Pova 8 Pro has been officially unveiled, featuring an Alive Matrix Display, P1 Graphic Chip, and support for 144FPS gaming. Meanwhile, a teardown of the Galaxy Z Fold8 suggests that its repairability falls short. Honor has launched its intriguing Robot Phone in China, a hybrid device featuring an Agile Gimbal and an ARRI Cinematic Imaging partnership, with another report highlighting its gimbal capabilities.

Industry & Tech News

President Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on drones deemed "particularly sensitive" for national security. In a surprising move, the US government is reportedly set to allow private companies to conduct cyberattacks on its behalf. Hosting provider Namecheap is currently experiencing an outage due to a data center cooling failure. This incident highlights the risks associated with cloud storage, as a St. Louis PBS station is suing a data center provider to recover a 70-year archive. Microsoft's AI mascot, Mico, has been demoted and will no longer be featured in Copilot Voice. In the gaming world, the popular Game Cube emulator Dolphin now faces competition from a newcomer called Gecko. Spotify continues to expand its AI capabilities, partnering with Kobalt for AI-powered covers and remixes. For those seeking alternatives to Spotify, several other music streaming options are available. Netflix has shut down the indie studio Night School, despite recent praise for its game "Unhinged." X is testing a new tool that will allow users to check if their posts have been shadowbanned. Users can now watch classic movies such as The Martian, E.T., and Zodiac on Apple TV. DJI's Mic Mini 2S has been updated to offer a more professional audio experience with its new internal 32-bit float recording. Finally, tips are available for upscaling photos to improve their visual quality.

Deals & Promotions

T-Mobile is offering a compelling preorder deal for the Pixel Watch 5, allowing customers to acquire it for a low monthly price without requiring a trade-in. Verizon is also providing exceptional preorder deals for the new Google Pixel 11 Pro lineup. Additionally, a curated list of the best cases for the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL has been compiled.

Security & Surveillance

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are reportedly misusing surveillance technology, including databases that access license plate readers and facial recognition data.