Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: July 8, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Mobile & AI Developments

Apple pledges buy $30 billion of U.S.-made chips from Broadcom as part of its ongoing investment in domestic manufacturing. Separately, Apple is testing DRAM chips from Chinese firm CXMT, a company reportedly linked to the People's Liberation Army, raising questions amid U.S. restrictions on Chinese technology. In Europe, Apple lost a court challenge concerning its "gatekeeper" status and the requirement to open its App Store to third-party developers.

Samsung opened reservations for its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 series following the confirmation of its July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event. Leaked renders also revealed the design of the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A18, which is expected to join the A-series lineup soon. In audio news, rumors swirl around Samsung's potential "clip-on" earbuds, with "Galaxy Buds On" emerging as a possible name.

Huawei is bringing its Pura 90 series to the global market next week, with teasers on X revealing flashy gradient backs. The company is also reportedly developing a smaller version of its 13.2-inch Mate Pad Pro Max tablet. Motorola unveiled its new Moto G77 Power in India, featuring a 7,000mAh battery and a 6.72-inch 120Hz display.

Software & Services

OpenAI received approval to roll out its GPT-5.6 models, including Sol, Terra, and Luna, to the public on July 9. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is looking to restrict corporate use of Chinese AI models, as American companies increasingly turn to these for cost savings. In privacy news, Meta is rolling out a mandatory update for its smart glasses that will disable the camera if the privacy light is tampered with.

DuckDuckGo's browser will now block video advertisements by default, including those on YouTube. For streaming enthusiasts, Roku offers a feature designed for night owls that is likely underutilized and can improve the viewing experience during late-night binge-watching sessions. Nintendo announced it will shut down Mario Kart on September 30, with no plans for an offline version.

Hardware & Connectivity

The Fi Ultra pet tracker is leveraging T-Mobile's Starlink satellite service to provide coverage in rural areas, ensuring pets can be located even in remote locations. Leaked information suggests the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will be thicker than its predecessor, based on early dummy unit leaks. Details about the Redmi Turbo 6 Max have also emerged, indicating it is in development, though its launch is not imminent.