Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 21, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Samsung Pushes AI and Robotics Forward

Samsung has unveiled the Health Assistant, its "first fully integrated AI-powered personal health assistant," now in beta for eligible US users. The company also established a new Robotics eXperience (RX) Business Promotion Office, consolidating its robotic research and development under CEO TM Roh. Meanwhile, leaked renders of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra have surfaced ahead of Samsung's July 22 Unpacked event, with reports suggesting higher production volumes for the standard Fold8 and units than. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is also seeing a significant $350 discount during Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale.

Google Enhances Gemini and Android Features

Google is launching new Gemini models, including Gemini 3.6 Flash. 5 Flash-Lite, and 3.5 Flash Cyber, with Gemini 3.6 Flash touted for its improved coding, knowledge work, and multimodal performance. The latest Android 17 beta addresses Bluetooth issues and Gemini crashes, though Pixel 6 users are nearing the end of their beta support. Furthermore, Gboard is reportedly developing a significant accessibility feature for sign language users, and Android Auto is finally receiving a live, color-changing speedometer in Google Maps after a long wait.

Smartwatches, Fitness Bands, and Wearable Tech Debut

Garmin has launched the CIRQA, a screenless fitness band offering all-day assistance without a subscription. Leaks suggest Redmi is working on two new smartwatches, the Redmi Watch 6 Active and Redmi Watch 6 Lite, with accompanying specs and images. On the foldable front, the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold is being compared to the Motorola Razr Fold, with the latter noted as a top foldable in the US. The upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra2 has also had its upgraded specs confirmed through leaked renders ahead of Samsung's Unpacked event.

AI and Content Creation: Detection and Copyright Battles

Substack is partnering with Pangram to integrate an AI detection feature into its platform. Meanwhile, Sony has filed another lawsuit against AI music generator Udio, as it remains the only major music label without a deal with the platform. Netflix is expanding accessibility by offering ASL interpretations for dozens of kids' shows and movies through a partnership with Sign Up Media.

Gaming and Entertainment Updates

PlayStation Plus will be removing Dead Island, Harold Halibut, and seven other titles in August 2026. Xbox Game Pass is now available on Meta Horizon Plus for Quest VR users, significantly expanding the game library for VR enthusiasts. Amazon has committed to a full Robocop TV show after greenlighting a pilot.

Consumer Electronics and Deals

Best Buy's "Black Friday in July" sale is offering substantial discounts, including up to 60% off Lenovo, HP, and Acer Chromebooks and kicks off. The Xteink X4 Pro is a compact ereader designed for DRM-free books. The UK has set August 27 as the date for legalizing plug-in solar panels, and the first UL 3700-compliant plug-in solar microinverter is now available in the US.

Smartphone Market and Leaks

Indian smartphone market shipments saw a 13% decrease in Q2, according to Omdia. Xiaomi reportedly aims to increase its yearly smartphone sales target as it anticipates memory market normalization. Leaks indicate the upcoming Xiaomi 18 series will launch in China in September, featuring three models but no Ultra variant. The vivo S2 is rumored to be in development, following the S1 launched in 2019, and the vivo X300 E is set to debut next week in China with a 7,200mAh battery and Zeiss Telephoto lens. The iQOO 16T's key specifications have also been tipped, with a potential September release for the iQOO 16 series.

Mobile and App Features

Threads is introducing new parental control features with its upcoming Parental Supervision rollout. Several free Car Play apps have been tested, with a curated list of the best ones available. Spotify's DJ-inspired tools can make music feel DJ-mixed. Ring doorbell camera owners can now easily connect their devices to their smart TVs to see visitors without needing their phones.

New Devices and Product Announcements

The Light Flip, a minimalist flip phone that omits distracting apps, has been released, merging features from the Light Phone III with a classic flip phone design. The Kodak EC35 is a new pocketable, beginner-friendly 35mm film camera available for $35 in seven colors. A limited edition version of the Honor 600 Pro is available in China for a ten-day period, catering to fans of actress Wang Churan.

Tech Industry News and Regulations

The EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is indicated by the trash can with an X icon found on electronics. The FCC plans to ban companies from selling DJI products under their own brand names in the US. AT&T is reportedly increasing home internet prices by $5 for legacy Fiber and Internet Air customers.

Component and Hardware Updates

Leaked Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 specifications suggest an upgrade in the graphics department for Qualcomm's next budget chipset and details leak. NVIDIA's data center hardware is being cooled with water hotter than a hot tub, reaching 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

TV and Display Technology

LG's 2026 OLED evo TVs will feature a new Creator Original picture mode in collaboration with Prime Video. Amazon's Adaptive Display accessibility feature for Fire TVs is now officially rolling out. The question of whether OLED TVs are still worth the premium in 2026 is explored, noting scenarios where other technologies may excel.

Other Notable Tech News

Tesla has teased its Cybercab design featuring a built-in SpaceX Starlink V5 antenna. Halliday's smart glasses, the G2, aim to improve meetings with live AI insights, though the always-listening microphone raises privacy concerns. NASA shared a beautiful timelapse of the Psyche spacecraft’s view over Mars on its journey to explore an asteroid.