Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 5:34 PM ET

Gaming & Entertainment

Riot is ending active development of its fighting game 2XKO in December 2026, though servers will remain online and content updates are planned through October of that year. TikTok faced congressional scrutiny after reports surfaced that a safety feature was deliberately withheld during an experiment that included a teenage user who later died by suicide. Meta launched Pocket, its new app for creating and sharing generative AI-powered minigames, now available in the United States. The platform is described as a space for building and sharing interactive "gizmos" driven by artificial intelligence. Gamescom will host its Opening Night Live showcase featuring titles including Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Gears of War: E-Day, and The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past during a two-hour streamed event. Golden Axe animated series premiered its trailer filled with self-referential humor and is set to debut on Paramount+ on September 16. Roblox agreed to implement new child safety measures after an Australian regulator found ongoing issues with adult-to-child communication despite previous commitments. Sony confirmed its next Xperia phone launch for August 25, with plans to livestream the event on YouTube beginning at 11 AM. The device is expected to be the Xperia 10 VIII based on recent benchmarks. Sony Xperia 10 VIII (XQ-GH54) appeared in a Geekbench listing powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, suggesting an imminent release for the mid-range successor to the Xperia 10 VII. PlayStation studios were indirectly affected as Microsoft investigated widespread game crashes tied to a recent Windows 11 update (KB5121003), which also caused broader system instability across gaming PCs. Payday is coming to VR headsets later this year, with early access impressions from the Meta Quest 3 indicating strong potential for immersive cooperative gameplay. GTA 6 will share its November 19 release date with The Binding of Isaac: Repentance+ Online, setting up a high-profile clash between two major titles arriving simultaneously.

Mobile Devices & Hardware

Google Pixel 11 series officially went on sale in stores and through carriers, marking the end of the preorder phase for the latest flagship lineup. Verizon is offering select Pixel 11 models for free to new customers, leveraging launch promotions to drive adoption of Google's newest smartphones. T-Mobile joined AT&T and Verizon in providing incentives for the Pixel 11 series, with all three major U.S. carriers promoting free or heavily discounted device offers during the launch window. Pixel 11 Pro Fold deals are already surfacing just days after its commercial availability, with retailers bundling trade-in credits and accessory packages to sweeten purchases of the premium foldable. Pixel 11 discounts continue rolling out across multiple retailers, including carrier trade-ins, early-bird pricing, and limited-time cashback promotions aimed at clearing inventory quickly. Xreal announced that preorders for its upcoming Aura AR glasses have exceeded 10,000 units, signaling strong early demand ahead of the fall launch window. Huawei unveiled the Pura X View, a non-foldable smartphone featuring a uniquely wide 16:9.5 aspect ratio display and a substantial 7,000mAh battery capacity. Huawei Pura X View pushes the boundaries of form factor design with its ultra-wide screen and minimal bezels, though full specifications and pricing details remain undisclosed. Honor 700 series devices leaked online alongside rumored details for the Magic9 Pro, Win2, and Power3 models, giving fans a sneak peek at upcoming hardware months before any official announcements. Honor continues to gain traction globally even as overall smartphone shipments decline, with the brand outperforming rivals like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo amid rising production costs and shrinking consumer demand. iQOO Z11 launched in India following extensive promotional campaigns, showcasing upgraded performance and battery life tailored for gaming enthusiasts. Samsung is reportedly developing the Galaxy A58 and Galaxy XCover FR, continuing its aggressive roadmap for both consumer and ruggedized mobile segments. Samsung introduced a cutting-edge 16-inch OLED panel capable of refresh rates up to 300Hz at the IMID 2026 expo, targeting high-performance gaming laptops. Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max passed certification hurdles in China, revealing support for 100W wired charging and ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity features. Sony WH-1000XM4C headphones surfaced in leaked images alongside rumored specs, colors, and pricing, hinting at a possible revival of the popular noise-canceling lineup originally released in 2020. Google mysterious smartband appeared in promotional materials, fueling speculation about whether it will debut as a new Fitbit wearable or under the Pixel brand umbrella. CMF Buds Neo wireless earbuds launched with active noise cancellation (ANC) and up to 52 hours of total playback time, expanding Nothing's sub-brand offerings in the competitive audio market.

AI & Platforms

Google added a "Preferred Sources" button allowing users to customize their Search and Discover feeds by selecting favorite news outlets and content creators directly within the interface. Bilibili expanded internationally with a new localized app and an English-language version of its website, aiming to capture global audiences beyond mainland China. Crunchyroll began appearing on car infotainment systems via the Appning app store, enabling drivers to stream anime content without needing a separate mobile device connection.

Regulation & Policy

Australia passed legislation requiring Meta, Google, TikTok, and LinkedIn to pay mandatory levies to news publishers unless they negotiate direct licensing agreements, potentially costing the companies millions annually. Senate committees grilled TikTok executives over internal research practices involving algorithmic manipulation and potential harm to vulnerable users, particularly minors exposed to experimental features without adequate safeguards.