Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 8:32 AM ET

Smartphone Launches and Rumors

Motorola has launched the Moto G Max in India, featuring a different set of specifications compared to its Brazilian counterpart. The Indian version of the Moto G Max is powered by a different chipset than the rebranded Moto G87 previously introduced in Brazil. Meanwhile, leaks surrounding the Poco F9 Pro and Poco F9 Ultra have revealed renders, specifications, and pricing details, adding to the anticipation for their release. In other news, the Tecno Pova 8 Pro has been officially unveiled, boasting an "Alive Matrix Display," a P1 Graphic Chip, and support for 144FPS gaming. This device is powered by the Dimensity 7400 Ultimate SoC and comes equipped with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

Apple and AI Developments

Apple's custom Apple Intelligence model is reportedly nearing its launch in China, with Alibaba previously confirmed as the partner to power these features. A recent report suggests Apple has completed the training for its China-specific AI model. In other Apple-related news, the iPhone Ultra is rumored to be launching in a limited market, potentially only the US and China, despite its expected unveiling at an upcoming event. Furthermore, the original iPhone X has been officially added to Apple's list of obsolete products, marking the end of an era for the device that revolutionized smartphone design. Apple has also been issuing new warnings to users who have been targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, highlighting ongoing security concerns.

Google's Pixel and AI Strategy

Google has launched Gemini 3.7 Flash, its latest AI model designed for coding and agents, just three weeks after the release of Gemini 3.6 Flash. The company is also reportedly exploring the possibility of equipping future Google Pixel devices with silicon-carbon batteries, though the timeline for this innovation remains unclear. The Pixel 11 series, which features the Tensor G6 chip, is confirmed to be a 3nm chip, not a 2nm one as previously speculated. Google is also promising an impressive seven years of spare parts availability for the entire Pixel 11 lineup, emphasizing long-term device support. For those looking to purchase the latest Pixel devices, Verizon is offering a notable preorder deal on the Pixel 11 Pro. Additionally, Google is hiding Pixel 11 discounts within its Play Points program, offering up to $150 off select models. The Pixel Watch 5 is also available with a compelling preorder deal through T-Mobile, requiring a new line and a Watch Plan Plus 2.0 subscription to receive a $300 discount.

AI Model Pricing and Industry Shifts

DeepSeek has announced a significant price increase for its V4 AI models, with prices set to quadruple. This move comes as the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly. In the realm of cloud services, a St. Louis PBS station is in legal proceedings to recover a 70-year archive from a data center provider that has ceased operations, underscoring the risks associated with relying on third-party cloud storage. Meanwhile, Microsoft's AI mascot, Mico, has reportedly been demoted from its role in Copilot Voice.

Market Trends and Evolving Technologies

The US smartphone market experienced a contraction in Q2, with budget devices being the most affected, according to Counterpoint Research. This downturn is partly attributed to the ongoing memory chip crisis. In the drone industry, President Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on drones deemed "particularly sensitive" for national security.

Gaming and Entertainment

Netflix has shut down the game studio Night School, despite recent praise for its game "Unhinged." This decision comes as a surprise to many who were impressed by the studio's performance. In the world of emulation, the Gecko emulator is emerging as a strong alternative to the long-dominant Dolphin emulator for Game Cube gaming.

Social Media and Platform Updates

X is testing a new tool that will allow users to check if their posts have been "shadowbanned," a move that aligns with the company's efforts to increase algorithm transparency. Instagram's new logo has been met with widespread criticism, sparking numerous humorous reactions online.

Other Notable Tech News

The Fairphone 6+ is rumored to launch on August 18 and is expected to be priced around €685. Honor's new "Robot Phone," featuring an Agile Gimbal and an ARRI Cinematic Imaging partnership, has been launched in China, offering automatic camera tracking capabilities. DJI's Mic Mini 2S has received an update, now offering internal 32-bit float recording for a more professional audio experience. For those looking to enhance their photos, various methods for upscaling images are available, allowing for sharper and more visually appealing results without complex software. Spotify is partnering with Kobalt to integrate AI-powered creative tools for covers and remixes into its platform, offering fans new ways to engage with music. The hosting provider Namecheap is currently experiencing an outage due to a data center cooling failure. Finally, Apple is reportedly still facing legal challenges from Epic Games regarding App Store policies, with Apple proposing a 5 to 15 percent cut on external App Store payments.