Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

Messaging & Social Media

WhatsApp is rolling out usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers, with reservation windows opening this week WhatsApp usernames go live. The feature, which will be fully available later this year, aims to enhance privacy WhatsApp username reservations. Meanwhile, Meta reportedly building its own cloud infrastructure, potentially positioning it as a competitor to giants like Amazon and Google. Meta's AI glasses are also seeing deeper integration, with a new golf feature developed with 18Birdies and Arccos, alongside a hands-free AI capability Meta's AI glasses golf. However, Meta is also facing criticism for paywalling features, with its smart glasses' Conversation Focus now limited to three free hours per month, requiring a $20 subscription for extended use Meta paywalls feature. Discord has also arrived on the Meta Quest App Store, bringing its familiar communication platform to virtual reality Discord on Meta Quest. X is making a renewed push into live video, introducing a new creator command center and enhanced payout structures X launches creator payouts.

Smartphones & Mobile Devices

Samsung is intensifying its tease campaign for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold8 series, with dummy units and detailed specification leaks surfacing Galaxy Z Fold8 wide, Samsung teases foldable. The company is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8 on July 22, with case leaks also appearing online Samsung hints at unveiling. Key features for the Fold8 have also been revealed in leaks, suggesting a significant upgrade in the foldable market Galaxy Z Fold8 key. The Honor Magic V6 has expanded its availability to the UK, following its European debut Honor Magic V6 to UK. One Plus' integration into Oppo continues, with One Plus' German website now featuring Oppo products OnePlus pushing Oppo. Nothing is preparing to launch the Phone (4b) on July 7, confirming a Snapdragon chipset and offering an RCB Edition Nothing Phone (4b) confirmed. The company also announced an official launch date for its Ear (3a) TWS earbuds Nothing Ear (3a) launch. In the budget segment, the Samsung Galaxy A27 has launched in India and is receiving One UI 9 testing Samsung Galaxy A27 India. The Tecno Pova 8 has also been reviewed Tecno Pova 8 review. Discussions around future iPhones suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will utilize dual modems, with leaked schematics detailing this complex setup iPhone 18 Pro modem. Battery capacity rumors for the iPhone 18 Pro Max point to the largest non-folding iPhone battery yet iPhone 18 Pro Max battery, with screen specifications for the iPhone 18 series also leaking iPhone 18 screen specs leak. A dummy unit of a foldable iPhone Ultra has also appeared Foldable iPhone Ultra dummy. Motorola is reportedly testing a 25W Qi2 wireless charging certification for its Edge 70 Max Motorola Edge 70 Max certification, and its next phone may feature a charging feature currently exclusive to Apple and Google Motorola charging feature. The European-made Punkt. MC03 "Sovereign Smartphone" is now available, featuring a Swiss-built OS Punkt. MC03 available. The Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone is available for pre-order at a reduced price of $399 Commodore Callback 8020 price.

Wearables & Smart Home

Samsung is preparing to unveil the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Galaxy Watch9, with band leaks offering a glimpse of the upcoming wearables Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Leaks suggest the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could feature a 5,000-nit display, an 800mAh battery, and IP69K durability Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 upgrade. Samsung has also confirmed the Galaxy Ring, with its successor expected in early 2027 Samsung confirms Galaxy Ring 2. Amazfit is beta testing an iOS notification forwarding feature for its wearables Amazfit beta feature.

Networking & Connectivity

T-Mobile is finally shutting down its 2G network on August 3, marking the end of an era for the last US carrier operating the technology T-Mobile shuts down 2G. The carrier is also phasing out older customer plans, forcing users onto newer, potentially more expensive options, a move that has drawn customer dissatisfaction T-Mobile retires KickBack, T-Mobile forcing new plans.

Computing & Laptops

Apple is reportedly planning a visual refresh for the entry-level MacBook Pro next spring, potentially alongside new iPads and iPhones MacBook Pro visual refresh. Rumors also persist about a potential touchscreen MacBook Ultra, with speculation around its chips and release date MacBook Ultra rumors.

Gaming & Entertainment

Sony is set to cease physical disc production for PlayStation games in 2028, a move that follows announcements of digital-only releases like Grand Theft Auto VI Sony stops disc production. Xbox is reportedly exploring ways to digitize existing disc-based games to preserve physical purchases in an increasingly digital future Xbox digitizes disc games. However, Xbox is also reportedly planning significant layoffs, which may include the closure of Arkane studios and the cancellation of the Blade game Xbox layoff plans. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to premiere on Peacock on July 30 Super Mario Galaxy Movie. California's "Stop Killing Games" campaign suffered a setback as a bill to preserve online games failed a committee vote California game preservation bill fails.

AI & Software

Google is expanding the capabilities of its Gemini app, now offering personalized intelligence for image creation Google expands Gemini AI, and its mac OS app has gained access to the Spark agentic AI assistant Gemini Spark on mac OS. Gmail is also integrating Gemini into its beta, allowing users to search their inbox using natural language Gmail Live AI beta. Google's Notebook LM is leveraging AI to create 60-second video summaries of research documents Google Notebook LM video summaries. A UN report indicates policymakers are struggling to keep pace with AI development, stressing the need for better safeguards UN report on AI. Anthropic has received government approval to redeploy its Mythos and Fable AI models, with user access resuming July 1 Anthropic redeploys models. Their new Sonnet 5 model is designed to improve performance on agentic tasks, which have been a point of concern for enterprise clients Anthropic Sonnet 5 model. Proton's Lumo chatbot has been upgraded with image generation and editing capabilities Proton Lumo chatbot upgrade. Apple's Hide My Email feature may have a vulnerability that could link real email addresses to anonymous ones Hide My Email vulnerability. OpenAI's large language models are reportedly the focus of a new handheld AI device being tested by SpaceX, though Elon Musk has denied these reports SpaceX AI device report.

Automotive & Tech

Future Hyundai and Kia vehicles may incorporate Far-UVC technology to help eliminate odors without the need for air fresheners Hyundai Kia UV tech. BMW's X5 lineup now includes an electric option boasting an impressive 435-mile range BMW X5 electric.

Financial & Business

Getty Images has terminated its $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock due to restrictions imposed by UK regulators Getty Images cancels merger. Comcast is spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky into a new entity, with Comcast retaining its cable, wireless, and business services divisions Comcast spins off NBCUniversal. BT and Verizon are combining their international enterprise operations into a joint venture expected to close in 2027 BT Verizon joint venture. Amazon has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle an FTC identity theft case related to alleged Fair Credit Reporting Act violations Amazon settles FTC case. Apple faces an appeal at the Supreme Court regarding a contempt of court order related to App Store fees in its long-running case with Epic Games Apple Epic Games appeal.

Miscellaneous

Fujifilm has launched special waterproof and black-and-white editions of its retro Quick Snap instant cameras Fujifilm special editions. The LG Stanby ME 2 Max, a standalone 32-inch touchscreen display, is available for $1,300 LG StanbyME 2 Max. Shark has introduced a new vacuum cleaner, the Power Detect Transformer, capable of converting into three different types of vacuums Shark PowerDetect Transformer. Tidal will not ban AI music but will demonetize 100% AI-generated content Tidal policy on AI music. A report claims that half of social media child safety features are ineffective Child safety features fail. The Supreme Court has imposed restrictions on the use of geofence warrants Supreme Court restricts warrants.