Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

Google and Samsung Prepare for New Launches

Google is preparing to shut down its Google Assistant service on September 4, with its capabilities being absorbed by Gemini. The company is also rumored to be launching the Pixel Tag, its first Air Tag-like tracker, on August 12, the same day it will announce the Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch. Samsung has seen strong pre-order performance for its new Galaxy Z Fold8 duo and Flip8 models in Europe. These foldable devices which include the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, went on sale starting August 7.

Platform Updates and Industry Moves

The head of product at X, Nikita Bier, is departing the company after a year, having been the face of several significant platform changes. Meanwhile, Senate has advanced the latest version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) out of committee, following the House's passage of its own version in June. A physical edition of the interactive video game "VILE: Exhumed" has been announced.

Device Performance and User Experiences

A 4-bay DXP4800 Pro NAS has proven reliable after undergoing extensive testing, including over 2,500 hours and 50TB of writes. Minecraft is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, though details regarding potential mouse control support remain unconfirmed. In a recent battery life test, the Pixel, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro were subjected to a strenuous 24-hour video playback drain test ahead of the Pixel 11 launch. Users are also advised to disable a specific built-in setting on new televisions that may be negatively impacting picture quality. AI-powered calorie-tracking applications were tested over three days to assess their accuracy in helping users count calories and improve fitness.