Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 2:59 PM ET

Smartphones and Updates

The iPhone's evolution over the past five years has been gradual yet significant, blending new capabilities with familiar design elements that keep users adapting. Motorola is rolling out Android 17 to over 50 phones, bringing a refreshed Hello UI with new AI and customization features. A hands-on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G highlights its trimmed battery and updated specs. Leaked details of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, a 9,210mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. The iQOO Z11 is headed to India on August 20 with a Dimensity 7500 Turbo chip, and details on its battery and display have been revealed. A tipster claims the iQOO 16T will feature a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system. Meanwhile, Google has scheduled its Made by Google 2026 event for August 12, where we expect to see the Google Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch.

Wearables, Audio, and Accessories

The FDA has cleared a significant hearing health feature for Samsung's Galaxy Buds, allowing users to monitor their hearing. A comparison between the Garmin Cirqa and Fitbit Air weighs whether the Garmin option is worth $100 more. However, the Moto Watch 2026 looks capable but suffers from limited software support. Samsung's One UI 9 Watch beta appears close, with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic among the first devices in line. For home entertainment, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector now has an additional $300 discount with an exclusive code. And Amazon's Back to School sale features over 20 Android tech deals worth checking out before they expire.

Streaming, Software, and Legal

Disney+ will become the new global streaming home of Formula E racing, bringing electric racing to a wider audience. To combat AI-generated music, Spotify's AI Persona labels will alert listeners when an artist isn't real. Bumble's messaging rules have changed so that either person can now send the first message after matching. In legal news, England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms, aligning with existing camera bans. State laws vary widely on whether you can wear headphones while driving; here's what you need to know about headphone laws. For gamers, a thorough guide explains how to fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers, often solved with a good clean. And while the PS5 doesn't support Bluetooth audio directly, there are workarounds to connect PS5 Bluetooth audio headphones. Lastly, the maker of Until Dawn, Supermassive Games, will lay off up to 75 workers to ensure long-term sustainability.