Mobile News 3 Hours

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 2:58 PM ET

Mobile Hardware & Deals

T-Mobile is already offering the Pixel 11 lineup for free with preorders — no trade-in required, despite the phones not launching until August 20th. If you're eyeing the foldable variant, a new guide helps you decide which Pixel 11 Pro Fold color to pick between Olive and Obsidian. Meanwhile, some observers argue that smartphone colors are more exciting than any actual new features expected in 2026.

Platform Updates for Streamers & Listeners

Twitch streamers can now enable an opt-out toggle to prevent Amazon from training generative AI models on their content — a feature that critics say should have been opt-in from the start. On the music front, Spotify has introduced a new AI Persona label to flag artists whose identity may be AI-generated, and it is removing such acts from recommendations.

Connectivity & Cables

If your entertainment center is a mess of cables, understanding the difference between an HDMI splitter vs. HDMI switch can help you decide which device to buy for your setup.